# US 2013/0153612 A1 · Aerodynamic Underbody Spare Tire Cover > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0153612 A1 - Document ID: US20130153612A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/744,813 - Filed: 2013-01-18 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-16 - Assignees: Magna International Inc. - Inventors: Timothy F. O'Brien; Bradley R. Hamilton; Jeffrey B. Manhire; Anthony J. Povinelli - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130153612A1 ## CPC - B62D 43/005: {Protective coverings for spare wheels} - B62D 35/02: Streamlining the undersurfaces {(B62D35/005, B62D35/007, B62D35/008 take precedence)} - B62D 43/045: {the wheel or its cradle being attached to one or more chains or cables for handling} - Y02T 10/82: Elements for improving aerodynamics - Y02T 10/88: Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION ## Abstract A spare tire assembly which includes a spare tire or under mount frame, a spare tire, and a cover. The assembly may optionally include an electric winch, and a jack. The cover is connected to the under mount frame when assembled to the vehicle, and is disconnected from the under mount frame when the spare tire is needed. The cover has dimples which improve air flow underneath the vehicle. The cover is made of different sizes to be used with different size spare tires for different types of vehicles, such as trucks, sport utility vehicles, and vans. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A spare tire assembly for a vehicle, comprising: an under mount frame connected to a vehicle; a cover operably connected to said under mount frame; a spare tire supported by said cover; an actuator connected to said under mount frame; and a support member operable with said actuator for securing said cover to said under mount frame. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The spare tire assembly for a vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: a cavity formed as part of said cover; wherein said spare tire is disposed in said cavity when said cover is attached to said under mount frame. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The spare tire assembly for a vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: a lower aperture formed as part of said cover; an aperture formed as a rim, said rim being part of said spare tire; and an upper aperture formed as part of said under mount frame; wherein at least a portion of said support member extends through said lower aperture, said aperture, and said upper aperture when said cover is attached to said under mount frame. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The spare tire assembly for a vehicle of claim 3, said support member further comprising: a post member operable for extending through said lower aperture, said aperture, and said upper aperture when said cover is attached to said under mount frame; and a plate member connected to said post member, said plate member in contact with said cover and supporting said cover when said cover is attached to said under mount frame. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The spare tire assembly for a vehicle of claim 4, further comprising an indented portion formed as part of said cover, said upper aperture formed as part of said indented portion, and said plate member is received into said indented portion when said cover is attached to said under mount frame. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The spare tire assembly for a vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a tire jack disposed between said spare tire and said cover. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The spare tire assembly for a vehicle of claim 1, further comprising an aerodynamic surface treatment on the exposed surface of the cover comprising at least one dimple integrally formed as part of said cover, said at least one dimple operable for improving air flow underneath said vehicle. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The spare tire assembly for a vehicle of claim 1, said actuator further comprising an electric winch connected to said under mount frame. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The spare tire assembly for a vehicle of claim 1 further comprising at least one strap attached to the cover for retaining the cover on the tire. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The spare tire assembly for a vehicle of claim 1 further comprising a pair of straps crossing one another for securing the cover onto the spare tire. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The spare tire assembly for a vehicle of claim 1 wherein the cover is made of a recycled polymer material ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The spare tire assembly for a vehicle of claim 1 wherein the surface of the cover includes an aerodynamically enhanced surface comprising and integrally molded surface topography for reducing air drag moving across the cover. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The spare tire assembly for a vehicle of claim 1 wherein the cover is continuous for covering the entire tire within it without gaps. ### Claim 14 (depends on 7) The spare tire assembly for a vehicle of claim 7 wherein said dimples are on the surface of the cover. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The spare tire assembly for a vehicle of claim 1 wherein the dimples are over the entire surface of the cover. ### Claim 16 A spare tire assembly comprising: a cover; and a spare tire supported within said cover, wherein said cover has an aerodynamically enhanced outer surface for preventing direct wind contact with said spare tire. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The spare tire assembly of claim 16 further comprising the cover being injection molded from a recycled automotive regrind material. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The spare tire assembly of claim 16 further comprising: an under mount frame for contacting said cover when said spare tire and cover are in a stowed position; an actuator connected to said under mount frame; and a support member connected between said actuator, said cover and said spare tire, wherein said actuator moves said support member and said cover member between said stowed position and a deployed position. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The spare tire assembly of claim 16 further comprising: said cover includes a side wall for extending around the outer periphery of a spare tire and a circular portion attached to the side wall so that said aerodynamically enhanced outer surface is a continuous outer aerodynamic housing encompassing the entire tire within the cover; at least one attachment strap attached across the wall in a radial manner for securing of the tire in the cover said at least one attachment strap allowing for securing and carry of the tire. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The spare tire assembly of claim 19 further comprising at least two straps radially attached to the side wall and crossing near the central portion of the cover. ### Claim 21 (depends on 16) The spare tire assembly of claim 16 further comprising a square-sided cover having a D-shaped cover for improving airflow under the vehicle. ### Claim 22 (depends on 16) The spare tire assembly of claim 16 wherein said cover further comprises a fairing cover having a flange portion extending under a bumper of the vehicle frame for preventing airflow between the fairing cover and the bumper. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The spare tire assembly of claim 22 wherein said fairing cover further comprises a fairing flange and said bumper further comprises a bumper flange wherein the portion of the fairing cover that extends under the bumper has said fairing flange for connecting said fairing flange to said bumper flange and providing further support to the fairing cover.