US3823858A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spare tire clamp
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-05-29
•
Granted: 1974-07-16
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Expires: 1993-05-29
Abstract
Abstract To clamp a spare tire in place within the trunk of an automobile, a clamp includes two flat metal base struts held in parallel spaced-apart relation to each other by tubular spacers and rivets, with the edges of the struts being adapted to rest against the top of the tire over its central opening. The bifurcated end of a handle formed from two flat metal stampings fastened together at one end and spread apart at the other is pivoted at a central point on the base struts to: 1. LIFT THE UPPER END OF AN UPSTANDING ARM FASTENED BETWEEN THE STAMPINGS WHERE THE BIFURCATED SECTIONS COME TOGETHER WHEN THE HANDLE IS PIVOTED DOWNWARDLY TO TIGHTEN A CHAIN CONNECTED BETWEEN THE END OF THE ARM AND A BRACKET BENEATH THE TIRE; AND 2. LOWER THE ARM WHEN THE HANDLE IS RAISED SO AS TO LOOSEN THE CHAIN. The clamp is sufficiently narrow to pass through the center of the tire when the tire is being removed or placed into the trunk.
Inventors
- 👤 H Schnakenberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 01:03
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D43/00; B62D43/06; B62D43/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
245 words
A clamp for holding a spare tire having a central aperture to a supporting surface on a vehicle comprising: a first elongated base member; a second elongated base member; said first and second elongated base members being spaced from each other; an elongated flexible fastening means; an elongated handle; one end of said elongated handle being bifurcated to form first and second ends; pivoting means for pivotally mounting said first end to said first elongated base member and said second end to said second elongated base member, whereby said handle pivots with respect to sAid first and second elongated base members in a plane passing between said first and second elongated base members; support means for holding one end of said elongated flexible fastening means in a fixed position with respect to said handle offset from the longitudinal axis of said handle which position causes a triangle to be formed of lines connecting said fixed position and said bifurcated ends so that said elongated flexible fastening means passes through said triangle as said handle is pivoted, whereby said handle is pulled downwardly toward said elongated base members by said elongated flexible fastening means when said elongated flexible fastening means moves through said triangle in the direction of said handle, so that said spare tire is held in place with said first and second elongated base members spanning said aperture with said flexible fastening means passing through said aperture and being fastened to said supporting surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
245 words
A clamp for holding a spare tire having a central aperture to a supporting surface on a vehicle comprising: a first elongated base member; a second elongated base member; said first and second elongated base members being spaced from each other; an elongated flexible fastening means; an elongated handle; one end of said elongated handle being bifurcated to form first and second ends; pivoting means for pivotally mounting said first end to said first elongated base member and said second end to said second elongated base member, whereby said handle pivots with respect to sAid first and second elongated base members in a plane passing between said first and second elongated base members; support means for holding one end of said elongated flexible fastening means in a fixed position with respect to said handle offset from the longitudinal axis of said handle which position causes a triangle to be formed of lines connecting said fixed position and said bifurcated ends so that said elongated flexible fastening means passes through said triangle as said handle is pivoted, whereby said handle is pulled downwardly toward said elongated base members by said elongated flexible fastening means when said elongated flexible fastening means moves through said triangle in the direction of said handle, so that said spare tire is held in place with said first and second elongated base members spanning said aperture with said flexible fastening means passing through said aperture and being fastened to said supporting surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A clamp according to claim 1 in which said elongated handle includes two flat metal stampings and means for holding said flat metal stampings together over a portion of their lengths.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A clamp according to claim 2 in which said support means includes a metal stamping fastened at one end to said handle and extending transversely therefrom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
A clamp according to claim 3 in which said first and second elongated base members are each longer than the diameter of the aperture in the center of a standard tire and the height of said clamp from the bottom of said base to the top of said support means when said support means is closest to said base is shorter than said diameter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
A clamp according to claim 1 in which said first and second elongated base members are each longer than the diameter of the aperture in the center of a standard tire and the height of said clamp from the bottom of said base to the top of said support means when said support means is closest to said base is shorter than said diameter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A clamp according to claim 5 in which said flexible fastening means is a chain and includes a hook on its end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A clamp according to claim 6 in which said support means includes a metal stamping fastened at one end to said handle and extending transversely therefrom, said chain being fastened to said opposite end of said stamping.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A clamp according to claim 7 in which one of said first and second elongated base members includes an aperture.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
A clamp according to claim 1 in which said support means includes a metal stamping fastened at one end to said handle and extending transversely therefrom, said elongated flexible fastening means being fastened to the other end of said stamping.
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) | 1977-07-15 | 1978-01-14 | 1978-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-15 | 1982-01-14 | 1982-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-15 | 1986-01-14 | 1986-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |