The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 07, 2000
Filed:
Sep. 24, 1999
Lawrence Aldridge, Walled Lake, MI (US);
Fletcher Bradford Ownbey, Thornton, CA (US);
Valley Industries, Madison Heights, MI (US);
Abstract
An apparatus is provided that is suitable for securing an article (e.g., a spare tire and wheel assembly) suspended in an elevated position underneath a support article (e.g., a vehicle) by a resilient support member. The apparatus includes a stationary bracket, outer and inner members, a compression spring, and a catch member. The stationary bracket is connected to the support article and includes a retaining formation. The outer member includes a passageway, an inner seating surface, and at least one slot-like formation. The inner member, which includes an end surface, is telescopingly received within the outer member and is connected to the resilient support member. The compression spring is positioned between the inner seating surface of the outer member and the end surface of the inner member and biases the inner and outer members with respect to one another. The catch member is connected to the inner cylinder, and includes at least one outwardly biased member designed to pass through the slot-like formation of the outer member and engage the retaining formation of the stationary bracket should the resilient support member break or structurally fail in service. A method for using the apparatus is also provided.