Spare tire carrier

An apparatus for being positioned within the trunk of an automobile and for supporting a spare tire for the automobile, said apparatus comprising:

• (a) substructure means for attachment to structure of the automobile within the trunk thereof in a location which will not hinder the loading and unloading of the trunk, said substructure means including track means;
• (b) superstructure means for selectively supporting the spare tire, said superstructure means including race means for coacting with said track means to guide said superstructure means between a first position in which said superstructure means is positioned substantially over said substructure means to position the spare tire in a location where it can be easily removed from the trunk;
• and
• (c) tongue means attached to said superstructure means for engaging structure of the automobile when said superstructure means is in said second position;
• said substructure means including a plurality of roller means for slidably supporting said superstructure means;
• said track means including first and second track members;
• said race means including first and second race members for coacting with said first and second track members respectively;
• said substructure means including a pan member having an upper surface and having opposing first and second upturned side edges;
• said first track member being defined in part by said first upturned side edge of said pan member;
• said second track member being defined in part by said second upturned side edge of said pan member;
• said roller means being attached to said upper surface of said pan member between said first and second side edges thereof.