Accubuilt, Inc.

Rick Gullette

Robert L Morin

Dean Long

Owen Ziessler

Chuck Spees, Iii

A vehicle is disclosed which is normally supported by a plurality of wheels and tires, the vehicle having an article carrying space, with a floor formed of a first material and having an opening. A spare wheel and tire storage well is mounted in the opening through the floor and is formed of a second material different from the first material. The storage well is configured to accommodate a spare wheel and tire substantially equal in width and diameter to at least one of the plurality of wheels and tires supporting the vehicle. Also disclosed is a method for modifying a vehicle to carry a full size spare wheel and tire, including removing a portion of the floor of the vehicle, which portion includes a first storage well, to form an opening in the floor, placing a second storage well in the opening in the floor, the second storage well being configured and to accommodate a full size spare wheel and tire having a maximum width and diameter substantially equal to at least one of the wheels and tires normally supporting the vehicle such that a major portion of a maximum width of the full size spare wheel and tire is located below an upper surface of the floor, and attaching the second storage well to the floor. A lifting mechanism is disclosed to assist in the removal of the spare wheel and tire from the storage well. A force generating mechanism raises the spare wheel and tire when a securing device is removed.

Vehicle with full size spare tire conversion and lifting mechanism

A vehicle is disclosed which is normally supported by a plurality of wheels and tires, the vehicle having an article carrying space, with a floor formed of a first material and having an opening. A spare wheel and tire storage well is mounted in the opening through the floor and is formed of a second material different from the first material. The storage well is configured to accommodate a spare wheel and tire substantially equal in width and diameter to at least one of the plurality of wheels and tires supporting the vehicle. Also disclosed is a method for modifying a vehicle to carry a full size spare wheel and tire, including removing a portion of the floor of the vehicle, which portion includes a first storage well, to form an opening in the floor, placing a second storage well in the opening in the floor, the second storage well being configured to accommodate a full size spare wheel and tire having a maximum width and diameter substantially equal to at least one of the wheels and tires normally supporting the vehicle such that a major portion of a maximum width of the full size spare wheel and tire is located below an upper surface of the floor, and attaching the second storage well to the floor. A lifting mechanism is disclosed to assist in the removal of the spare wheel and tire from the storage well. A force generating mechanism raises the spare wheel and tire when a securing device is removed.

A load carrying vehicle, such as a funeral vehicle, is disclosed having a vibration damper with a first end attached to the vehicle body at a first lateral distance from a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle body and a second end attached to a suspension member which, in turn, is movably attached to the vehicle body. The load carrying vehicle also includes a load carrying floor mounted to the vehicle body and located above the attachment of the first end of the vibration damper to the vehicle body, the load carrying floor having a side edge located at a second lateral distance from the longitudinal centerline of the body, such that the second lateral distance is greater than the first lateral distance. Thus, the side edge of the load carrying floor extends laterally outwardly of the attachment of the first end of the vibration damper to the vehicle body.

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Lima, OH, United States of America

Rick Gullette