US 11,407,456 B2 · Rotating spare tire lift system

Abstract

A system for accessing a wheel of a vehicle includes a support, a carrier, and a hinge joint. The support is affixed in a recess of a vehicle bed, and is positioned below the surface of the vehicle bed. The carrier is configured to be affixed to the wheel. When the carrier is affixed to the wheel, both the carrier and the wheel are accommodated in the recess and move as a substantially rigid body. The hinge joint couples the support and the carrier. The hinge joint has an axis substantially parallel to the ground and laterally across the vehicle bed. The carrier is capable of rotating about the hinge joint. The carrier and the wheel are capable of being rotated about the hinge joint out of the recess and onto the vehicle bed. One or more rotational elements may be included to affect rotational motion of the carrier.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system for accessing a wheel of a vehicle, the system comprising:

a support affixed in a recess of a vehicle bed, wherein the support is positioned below the surface of the vehicle bed;
a carrier configured to be affixed to the wheel, wherein when the carrier is affixed to the wheel, both the carrier and the wheel are accommodated in the recess;
and
a hinge joint coupling the support and the carrier,
wherein the hinge joint has an axis substantially parallel to the ground and laterally across the vehicle bed,
wherein the carrier is capable of rotating about the hinge joint, and
wherein the carrier and the wheel are capable of being rotated about the hinge joint out of the recess and onto the vehicle bed.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Rotating spare tire lift system

Life of this patent

Rotating spare tire lift system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20