# US 9,751,574 B1 · Automated hoist for a vehicle spare tire

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- Number: US 9,751,574 B1
- Document ID: US9751574B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 14/793,853
- Filed: 2015-07-08
- Granted: 2017-09-05
- Earliest claimed: 2014-07-12
- Applicants: Chance Mitchell
- Inventors: Chance Mitchell
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751574B1

## CPC

- B62D 43/002: {Handling devices, mainly for heavy wheels (via cables and chains B62D43/045)}
- B62D 43/045: {the wheel or its cradle being attached to one or more chains or cables for handling}
- B66D 3/18: Power-operated hoists
- 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)
- B66D: CAPSTANS; WINCHES; TACKLES, e.g. PULLEY BLOCKS; HOISTS (winding or unwinding ropes or cables for feeding or storage purposes B65H; rope or cable winding or unwinding mechanisms for lifts B66B)

## Abstract

An automated hoist for a vehicle spare tire includes a linear bracket mounted beneath the vehicle chassis, proximal the rear bumper. A motorized housing can be automatically propelled backward or forward along the bracket. A retractable cable extending from the housing has a lifting plate at a distal end that is connected to the spare tire. When a driver engages a switch, the cable partially lowers the spare tire and the housing moves toward the rear of the vehicle. The cable is then completely lowered until the tire is at ground level and the lifting-plate automatically releases the tire.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An automated hoist for a vehicle spare tire comprising:
a linear bracket mounted beneath a vehicle chassis;
a housing slidably mounted on said bracket;
a cable depending from said housing, said cable having a distal end attached to a spare tire;
means for extending and retracting said cable,
means for releasing said tire from said cable wherein said means for releasing said tire from said cable includes a lifting plate at a distal end of said cable, said lifting plate having a pair of spring-biased arms extending outwardly therefrom, beneath said spare tire; a solenoid received within said lifting plate and connected to said arms; and a controller means for commanding said solenoid to retract said arms;
means for moving said housing along said bracket, wherein said means for moving said housing along said bracket includes a series of apertures longitudinally positioned along said bracket; a gear attached to said housing and engaging at least one of said apertures; and a motor connected to said gear for rotating said gear in either of two directions whereby a user can lower the spare tire, move said spare tire toward the rear end of the chassis and release said tire from said cable to facilitate changing a flat tire.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The automated hoist according to claim 1 wherein said housing further comprises:
two opposing pairs of supports that each grip one of two side edges of said bracket;
a wheel within each of said supports for minimizing friction and for preventing said housing from twisting during movement.