Underfloor tire storage

Abstract

An underfloor spare tire stowage or carrier assembly for a vehicle of the type having a relatively short rear overhang of the body behind the rear wheels. A tire cradle of bent rod construction directly supports the tire and consists of crossed arm portions which extend under the tire to provide vertical support. The rearward parts of the arm portions are integrally formed in bent rod fashion to provide vertical portions which position the tire horizontally and prevent its rearward movement. The forward parts of the arm portions are connected to guide members which are slidably mounted upon spaced parallel legs of a tire cradle support. The tire cradle support is also of bent rod construction and defines a generally U-shaped member including the spaced parallel legs which are pivoted at their forward ends to part of the vehicle frame. Handle means projecting through an opening in the trunk floor supports the rearward portions of the tire cradle and the support. Lowering of the handle permits vertical movement of the cradle and support from its raised stored position to its downward unload position resting on the ground so that the tire and cradle may be subsequently slid rearward as permitted by the movement of the guides on the parallel legs of the cradle support.