US3613971A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combination spare wheel holder and step for pickup trucks
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-05-12
•
Granted: 1971-10-19
•
Expires: 1989-05-12
Abstract
Abstract A flat platelike holder has a threaded lug for securing a spare wheel flatwise thereagainst. This holder has lower extensions pivotally connected to brackets in turn arranged to be secured to the bumper of a pickup truck. A spring operated catch is used for maintaining the holder in a vertical position and when released allows the holder to lower to a horizontal position. The vertical supporting position of the wheel holder comprises the normal or travelling position and the horizontal position of such holder comprises a position for use as a step. The lower extensions of the holder have a bottom edge adapted to serve as a stop against the bumper mounted brackets to hold the step in a substantially horizontal position, and springs are provided between the holder and the bumper mounting brackets to resist partly the lowering rotatable movement of the wheel and its holder. A release cable secured to the spring operated catch extends into a portion of the truck for emergency release of the step if necessary, and a safety chain is connected between the vehicle and an upper portion of the step to limit the amount of downward rotation of the step when desired.
Inventors
- 👤 George J Betz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 08:45
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R3/00; B60R3/02; B62; B62D; B62D43/00; B62D43/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
217 words
A combination spare wheel holder and step for use with a vehicle bumper having an upright rear edge, comprising a wheel holding frame having an upper end portion and a lower end portion provided with a frame extension having a bottom end, a flat step surface on said wheel holding frame adjacent said upper end portion, means on the other side of said wheel holding frame from said step surface for detachably supporting a spare wheel thereon, and means arranged to pivotally attach said wheel holding frame at said lower end frame extension to the bumper whereby said wheel holding frame is rotatable between an upright position and a substantially horizontal position, said flat step surface being arranged to face upwardly in a horizontal position of said wheel holding frame to serve as a step surface, said frame extension terminating at its bottom end in a flat edge disposed substantially in a horizontal plane in the upright position of said wheel holding frame, the pivotal axis of said frame being located above the flaT bottom edge when the frame is in an upright position, said flat bottom edge being arranged to engage against an upright surface supported by the bumper in the horizontal position of said wheel holding frame to hold the latter in stopped horizontal position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
217 words
A combination spare wheel holder and step for use with a vehicle bumper having an upright rear edge, comprising a wheel holding frame having an upper end portion and a lower end portion provided with a frame extension having a bottom end, a flat step surface on said wheel holding frame adjacent said upper end portion, means on the other side of said wheel holding frame from said step surface for detachably supporting a spare wheel thereon, and means arranged to pivotally attach said wheel holding frame at said lower end frame extension to the bumper whereby said wheel holding frame is rotatable between an upright position and a substantially horizontal position, said flat step surface being arranged to face upwardly in a horizontal position of said wheel holding frame to serve as a step surface, said frame extension terminating at its bottom end in a flat edge disposed substantially in a horizontal plane in the upright position of said wheel holding frame, the pivotal axis of said frame being located above the flaT bottom edge when the frame is in an upright position, said flat bottom edge being arranged to engage against an upright surface supported by the bumper in the horizontal position of said wheel holding frame to hold the latter in stopped horizontal position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The spare wheel holder and step of claim 1 wherein said means arranged to pivotally attach said wheel holding frame to a bumper comprises a bracket arranged to be secured to the bumper and means pivotally connecting said frame extension to said bracket.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The spare wheel holder and step of claim 1 wherein said means arranged to pivotally attach said wheel holding frame to a bumper comprises an angle bracket having a first wall arranged to be secured flatwise against the bumper and having a second wall projecting outwardly and means pivotally connecting said frame extension to said bracket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The spare wheel holder and step of claim 3 wherein said flat bottom edge is arranged to engage the said first wall of said bracket in the horizontal position of said wheel holding frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The spare wheel holder and step of claim 3 including coil spring means having one end connected to said frame extension and its other end arranged to be anchored to the bumper, said spring means being arranged to bear some of the rotative weight of said wheel holding frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The spare wheel holding frame and step of claim 3 including latch means on said frame extension arranged for releasable engagement with said bracket for holding said wheel holding frame in its vertical position or for releasing the latter for rotation to its horizontal position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The spare wheel holding frame and step of claim 3 including latch means on said frame extension arranged for releasable engagement with said bracket for holding said wheel holding frame in its vertical position or for releasing the latter for rotation to its horizontal position, and remote control means connected to said latch means for releasing said latch from a remote point.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
The spare wheel holding frame and step of claim 1 wherein said step surface is spaced from the connection of said wheel holding frame with the bumper, and including an auxiliary plate pivotally attached to said wheel holding frame and arranged to be swung to a position to fill the space between said wheel holding frame and the bumper.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-18 | 1975-04-19 | 1975-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-18 | 1979-04-19 | 1979-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-18 | 1983-04-19 | 1983-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |