Chrysler Corporation

Robert A Chaney

Dennis L Peters

A vehicle spare tire hanger arrangement comprises an elongated carrier member suspended from the vehicle by together with first and second holding rods depending from the vehicle underside for storing either a minimum or a maximum thickness spare tire substantially horizontally therebelow. The carrier member comprises a main tire support portion having first and second connectors adjacent each end thereof with each connector offset a predetermined dimension from one side of the main support portion. The first holding rod lower end is attached to the first end connector by a universal hinge assembly enabling the carrier member, upon release of the second holding rod from the second connector, to be pivoted about a transverse horizontal axis from a horizontal tire stowage position to a downwardly angled tire removal position. The universal hinge assembly enables the operator to rotate the downwardly angled carrier member about its longitudinally extending axis of rotation, which includes the end connectors, between a pair of tire stowage modes. In one mode, the end connectors are oriented below the main support portion such that a minimum thickness tire is adapted to be supported on one side of the main support portion. To attain the other tire stowage mode, the universal hinge assembly is unlocked and the carrier member rotated 180 degrees wherein the end connectors are oriented above the main support portion enabling a maximum thickness tire to be supported on the opposite side thereof.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester Hills, MI, United States of America

Robert A Chaney