# US 5,638,711 A · Spare tire locking device

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- Number: US 5,638,711 A
- Document ID: US5638711A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/623,916
- Filed: 1996-03-28
- Granted: 1997-06-17
- Earliest claimed: 1996-03-28
- Assignees: Adell Corporation
- Inventors: Gerald R. Schotthoefer
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5638711A

## CPC

- E05B 67/36: Padlocks with closing means other than shackles {; Removable locks, the lock body itself being the locking element; Padlocks consisting of two separable halves or cooperating with a stud}
- B62D 43/007: {Anti-theft devices for spare wheels}
- B62D 43/045: {the wheel or its cradle being attached to one or more chains or cables for handling}
- Y10T 70/5987: Spare or mounted wheel or tire
- E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- 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)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A pickup truck spare tire is mounted on a hoist having a hoist shaft, accessible through an opening in the rear channel or rear bumper. A winch tube cover is placed over the hoist shaft to allow access to the hoist shaft only through the winch tube cover. An insert is mounted in the rearward end of the winch tube cover and extends through the opening in the rear bumper. An open bore through the insert provides access to the hoist shaft. A lock is temporarily attached to the insert to prevent access to the hoist shaft through the insert.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device for locking a spare tire mounted on a hoist having a hoist shaft, the rear end of the hoist shaft being accessible through an opening in a rear bumper, comprising:
a winch tube cover, having a forward end and a rearward end, wherein the forward end is adapted to be placed over the hoist shaft to allow access to the hoist shaft only through the winch tube cover;
an insert mounted in the rearward end of the winch tube cover and adapted to extend through the opening in the rear bumper, and having an open bore to provide access to the hoist shaft; and
a lock for temporary attachment to the insert to prevent access to the hoist shaft through the insert.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a spacer inserted into the forward end of the winch tube cover for preventing contact between the winch tube cover and the hoist shaft.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A device as recited in claim 2, wherein the spacer has a cylindrical body and a plurality of radially extending fingers that contact the hoist shaft.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the insert further comprises:
a cylindrical forward section inserted into the rearward end of the winch tube cover;
a cylindrical rearward section adapted to extend through the opening in the rear bumper; and
an intermediate section, connected between the forward section and the rearward section.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

A device as recited in claim 4, wherein a longitudinal axis of the insert is nonlinear with the rear bumper.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

A device as recited in claim 5, wherein the angle between the longitudinal axis of the insert and the rear bumper is between sixty-eight and seventy-three degrees.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

A device as recited in claim 5, wherein the intermediate section has a first shoulder for abutting the rearward end of the winch tube cover and a second shoulder for abutting the rear bumper.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

A device as recited in claim 5, wherein the forward section has an area of expanded circumference for adapting the insert to the inner diameter of the winch tube cover.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

A device as recited in claim 8, wherein the area of expanded circumference is formed by a parallel pair of slots.