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US 6,761,293 B2Granted
Spare tire support for an automobile
AssigneeRENAULT s.a.s.
InventorPatrice Vasseur
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A support for a spare tire for the tailgate of an automobile. The support is configured to receive an anchoring disk of the spare tire and is positioned in the thickness of the tailgate between an internal lining panel turned toward the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and an external body panel, so that the spare tire is flush with the extension of the external panel. The support is carried by an internal tubular frame of the tailgate that carries the hinge and locking mechanisms of the tailgate on the body shell structure, and to which the internal lining and external body panels are anchored.
Claims20
A spare tire support adapted to be carried by a tailgate for an automobile, wherein:
- the support is adapted to receive a disk of a spare tire;
- the support is positioned in a thickness of the tailgate between an internal lining panel facing toward a passenger compartment of the automobile and an external body panel;
- and
- the support is carried by an internal frame of the tailgate that carries a hinge mechanism and a locking mechanism of the tailgate on a body shell structure, and on which are attached the internal lining and external body panels.
1 more element
A tailgate for an automobile, said tailgate comprising:
- an internal frame having a support adapted to receive a spare tire, said frame having a locking mechanism and a hinge mechanism adapted to connect said tailgate to the automobile;
- an internal lining panel mounted to an internal side of said frame that is oriented to face a passenger compartment of the automobile;
- and
- an external body panel mounted to an external side of said frame that is oriented to face an exterior of the automobile,
- wherein said tailgate is adapted to receive a spare tire such that the spare tire is positioned in a thickness between said internal lining panel and said external body panel.
2 more elements
A tailgate for an automobile, said tailgate comprising:
- a frame having a support adapted to receive a spare tire, said frame having a locking mechanism and a hinge mechanism adapted to connect said tailgate to the automobile;
- an internal lining panel mounted to an internal side of said frame that is oriented to face a passenger compartment of the automobile;
- and
- an external body panel mounted to an external side of said frame that is oriented to face an exterior of the automobile,
- wherein said tailgate is adapted to receive a spare tire such that the spare tire is positioned in a thickness between said internal lining panel and said external body panel, and
- wherein said support is less stiff than a remaining portion of said frame whereby said support can distort without distorting said frame when the automobile suffers a rear impact.
3 more elements
A tailgate for an automobile, said tailgate comprising:
- a frame having a support adapted to receive a spare tire, said frame having a locking mechanism and a hinge mechanism adapted to connect said tailgate to the automobile;
- an internal lining panel mounted to an internal side of said frame that is oriented to face a passenger compartment of the automobile;
- and
- an external body panel mounted to an external side of said frame that is oriented to face an exterior of the automobile,
- wherein said tailgate is adapted to receive a spare tire such that the spare tire is positioned in a thickness between said internal lining panel and said external body panel, and
- wherein said support is received in a central circular band of said frame, said band being adapted to have a diameter approximately equal to a diameter of the tire, said band having sides that are each attached to a transversal arm, a first transversal arm carries said hinge mechanism and a second transversal arm carries said locking mechanism.
3 more elements
A tailgate for an automobile, said tailgate comprising:
- a frame having a support adapted to receive a spare tire, said frame having a locking mechanism and a hinge mechanism adapted to connect said tailgate to the automobile;
- an internal lining panel mounted to an internal side of said frame that is oriented to face a passenger compartment of the automobile;
- and
- an external body panel mounted to an external side of said frame that is oriented to face an exterior of the automobile,
- wherein said tailgate is adapted to receive a spare tire such that the spare tire is positioned in a thickness between said internal lining panel and said external body panel, and
- wherein said external body panel comprises at least one removable central part forming a cover for the spare tire.
3 more elements
A tailgate for an automobile, said tailgate comprising:
- a frame having a support adapted to receive a spare tire, said frame having a locking mechanism and a hinge mechanism adapted to connect said tailgate to the automobile;
- an internal lining panel mounted to an internal side of said frame that is oriented to face a passenger compartment of the automobile;
- and
- an external body panel mounted to an external side of said frame that is oriented to face an exterior of the automobile,
- wherein said tailgate is adapted to receive a spare tire such that the spare tire is positioned in a thickness between said internal lining panel and said external body panel, and
- wherein all components of said tailgate are anchored with screws to allow removal and replacement of said components independent of one another.
3 more elements
A tailgate for an automobile, said tailgate comprising:
- a frame having a support adapted to receive a spare tire, said frame having a locking mechanism and a hinge mechanism adapted to connect said tailgate to the automobile;
- an internal lining panel mounted to an internal side of said frame that is oriented to face a passenger compartment of the automobile;
- and
- an external body panel mounted to an external side of said frame that is oriented to face an exterior of the automobile,
- wherein said tailgate is adapted to receive a spare tire such that the spare tire is positioned in a thickness between said internal lining panel and said external body panel, and
- wherein said support is positioned at a determined distance from said internal lining panel so that the spare tire can recoil a determined distance during impact without deforming said internal lining panel and a sill of said tailgate.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.