US4015761A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spare tire locking mechanism
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-08-16
•
Granted: 1977-04-05
•
Expires: 1993-08-16
Abstract
Abstract A device and a method for securing a spare tire and wheel to a vehicle comprising of an elongated rod having a linked toggle mechanism. A hook at one end of the rod is insertable through a central aperture of the wheel, for attachment to a mounting device carried by the vehicle, while the other end of the elongated rod is threaded into the base of the toggle mechanism. When the toggle mechanism is closed, it overlaps the edge of the hub of the wheel and holds the wheel securely in place. When the toggle mechanism is opened, it does not overlap the edge of the wheel hub and the wheel may be easily removed from the mounting device.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald Kokko
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 09:34
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D43/00; B62D43/06; B62D43/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
227 words
An apparatus for selectively retaining an object relative to a mounting device, comprising, in combination: an object having at least one aperture therethrough; first means being adapted to be inserted through said aperture in said object and being adapted to be secured at one end thereof to said mounting device; second means being adapted to be connected on said first means for selectively retaining said object in a predetermined position relative to said mounting device; and said second means being capable of changing its profile relative to said aperture in said object so that said profile has at least one dimension greater than the largest cross-sectional dimension of said aperture when said object is to be retained in said predetermined position, and so that said profile has all of its dimensions less than the smallest cross-sectional dimension of said aperture when said object is to be moved relative to said first means, and wherein said second means is a quadrilateral-type toggle mechanism capable of changing its dimension relative to the cross-sectional dimension of the aperture in said object so that said toggle mechanism is capable of forming at least two positions, one of which at least two arms of said toggle mechanism overlap the edge of said object and the other of which none of the arms of said toggle mechanism overlap the edge of said object.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
227 words
An apparatus for selectively retaining an object relative to a mounting device, comprising, in combination: an object having at least one aperture therethrough; first means being adapted to be inserted through said aperture in said object and being adapted to be secured at one end thereof to said mounting device; second means being adapted to be connected on said first means for selectively retaining said object in a predetermined position relative to said mounting device; and said second means being capable of changing its profile relative to said aperture in said object so that said profile has at least one dimension greater than the largest cross-sectional dimension of said aperture when said object is to be retained in said predetermined position, and so that said profile has all of its dimensions less than the smallest cross-sectional dimension of said aperture when said object is to be moved relative to said first means, and wherein said second means is a quadrilateral-type toggle mechanism capable of changing its dimension relative to the cross-sectional dimension of the aperture in said object so that said toggle mechanism is capable of forming at least two positions, one of which at least two arms of said toggle mechanism overlap the edge of said object and the other of which none of the arms of said toggle mechanism overlap the edge of said object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
158 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said object is a spare tire and wheel for a vehicle; said first means is an elongated rod insertable through an aperture in said object and capable of being attached to a mounting device by a hook at one end, the other end of said rod being threaded into said second means; said second means is a quadrilateral-type toggle mechanism comprised of a plurality of interconnected arms capable of being moved with respect to each other enabling said second means to change its profile relative to the aperture in said object so that said profile has at least one dimension greater than the largest cross-sectional dimension of said aperture when said object is to be retained in said predetermined position, and so that said profile has all of its dimensions less than the smallest cross-sectional dimension of said aperture when said object is to be moved relative to said first means.
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) | 1980-04-04 | 1980-10-04 | 1981-04-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-04-04 | 1984-10-04 | 1985-04-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-04-04 | 1988-10-04 | 1989-04-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |