US3779580A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combination camperstep, tire carrier and trailer hitch
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-03-03
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Granted: 1973-12-18
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Expires: 1992-03-03
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for mounting a spare tire on a vehicle, providing a step into the vehicle and towing another vehicle, in which, a bracket is attached to the rear of a vehicle, for example, to the bumper or frame, a tire carrier is pivotally mounted at its lower end to the bracket to permit it to swing from a generallyverticle position to a generally-horizontal position and has a generally flat step formed on its front side, a latch is provided on the bracket to releasably engage the tire carrier and hold it in its vertical position and a trailer hitch is attached to the bottom of the tire carrier, is pivotal with the tire carrier and protrudes beyond the rear of the tire carrier so that a towed vehicle may be coupled thereto.
Inventors
- 👤 J Thelen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:19
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/48; B60D1/56; B60D1/54; B62; B62D; B62D43/00; B62D43/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
Apparatus for mounting a spare tire on a vehicle, providing a step into the vehicle and towing another vehicle; comprising: a. bracket means for attachment to the rear of a vehicle; b. tire carrier means having its lower end pivotally attached to said bracket to swing from a generally vertical position to a generally-horizontal position and having a generally-flat step formed on its front side; c. latch means operatively associated with said tire carrier to releasably engage and hold said tire carrier in its vertical position; d. hitch means fixedly attached to said tire carrier means, privotable therewith and protruding beyond the rear of said tire carrier for coupling a towed vehicle thereto, e. said tire carrier including a bar type support extending rearwardly from the step portion of said tire carrier a distance sufficient to accommodate the thickness of a tire, thence runs downwardly in a generally V-configuration and terminates in a flat base, and f. wherein said hitch rests on top of the flat base portion of the V of the support.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
Apparatus for mounting a spare tire on a vehicle, providing a step into the vehicle and towing another vehicle; comprising: a. bracket means for attachment to the rear of a vehicle; b. tire carrier means having its lower end pivotally attached to said bracket to swing from a generally vertical position to a generally-horizontal position and having a generally-flat step formed on its front side; c. latch means operatively associated with said tire carrier to releasably engage and hold said tire carrier in its vertical position; d. hitch means fixedly attached to said tire carrier means, privotable therewith and protruding beyond the rear of said tire carrier for coupling a towed vehicle thereto, e. said tire carrier including a bar type support extending rearwardly from the step portion of said tire carrier a distance sufficient to accommodate the thickness of a tire, thence runs downwardly in a generally V-configuration and terminates in a flat base, and f. wherein said hitch rests on top of the flat base portion of the V of the support.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the hitch rests on the flat base of the V of the support, is thence bent downwardly and then forwardly and is attached to the tire carrier adjacent its forward end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein a tubular pedestal is fixedly attached to the rear of the step portion of the tire carrier and extends diametrally downward and slightly beyond the bottom of said step portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein the hitch is attached to the bottom of the pedestal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein a pin extends horizontally through the pedestal and is engaged by the latch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein a pin passes horizontally through the pedestal and the latch is a hook type latch which engages said pin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein the latch is spring biased into its latching position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-17 | 1977-06-18 | 1977-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-17 | 1981-06-18 | 1981-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-17 | 1985-06-18 | 1985-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |