Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
An apparatus for holding a spare wheel under the chassis of a motor vehicle, said chassis having two longitudinal members, said apparatus comprising: an elongated wheel supporting frame adapted to be positioned perpendicularly to said longitudinal chassis members to support said spare wheel horizontally thereon; a pair of vertically disposed hanging members connected at their lower ends to the opposite ends of said wheel supporting frame to form therewith a wheel holder which is rotatable about one end both vertically and horizontally to move its other end vertically and horizontally; a supporting member secured to the outer surface of one of said longitudinal chassis members; a vertical pin pivotally depending from said supporting member and secured to one end of one of said hanging members for rotating said wheel holder horizontally; means provided between said one hanging member and said wheel supporting frame for rotating said wheel holder vertically; means provided between the other hanging member and said wheel supporting frame for rotating said other hanging member vertically; and means provided on the outer surface of the other longitudinal chassis member for moving said other end of said wheel holder vertically between an upper position adjacent to said chassis and a lower position on the ground, wherein said wheel holder can be moved to a position below and outside of the motor vehicle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
223 words
An apparatus for holding a spare wheel under the chassis of a motor vehicle, said chassis having two longitudinal members, said apparatus comprising: an elongated wheel supporting frame adapted to be positioned perpendicularly to said longitudinal chassis members to support said spare wheel horizontally thereon; a pair of vertically disposed hanging members connected at their lower ends to the opposite ends of said wheel supporting frame to form therewith a wheel holder which is rotatable about one end both vertically and horizontally to move its other end vertically and horizontally; a supporting member secured to the outer surface of one of said longitudinal chassis members; a vertical pin pivotally depending from said supporting member and secured to one end of one of said hanging members for rotating said wheel holder horizontally; means provided between said one hanging member and said wheel supporting frame for rotating said wheel holder vertically; means provided between the other hanging member and said wheel supporting frame for rotating said other hanging member vertically; and means provided on the outer surface of the other longitudinal chassis member for moving said other end of said wheel holder vertically between an upper position adjacent to said chassis and a lower position on the ground, wherein said wheel holder can be moved to a position below and outside of the motor vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said last mentioned means comprises a reduction speed winch mechanism carried on said outer surface of said longitudinal chassis member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 2, further including a bracket secured to said outer surface of said other longitudinal chassis member for supporting said winch mechanism.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said winch mechanism includes a vertically movable depending elongated flexible member, a vertically disposed coiled spring fastened to the lower end of said elongated flexible member and a connecting member connected to the lower end of said spring for catching hold of the upper end of said other hanging member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said connecting member comprises a hook.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including a bracket secured to said outer surface of said one longitudinal chassis member for supporting said vertical pin supporting member outwardly of said last mentioned outer surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said one hanging member is of the inverted V-shaped construction having a pair of free lower ends; and wherein said wheel holder vertically rotating means comprises a pair of bearing members connected to said wheel supporting frame and receiving said lower ends of said one hanging member for supporting said wheel supporting frame vertically rotatably relative to said one hanging member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said other hanging member is of the inverted V-shaped construction having a pair of free lower ends; and wherein said other hanging member vertically rotating means comprises a pair of bearing members connected to said wheel supporting frame and receiving said lower ends of said other hanging member for supporting said other hanging member vertically rotatably relative to said wheel supporting frame.