Implements or apparatus for applying pushing or pulling force – Apparatus for hauling or hoisting load – including driven... – Device includes rotatably driven – cable contacting drum
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-13
2003-03-04
Marcelo, Emmanuel (Department: 3654)
Implements or apparatus for applying pushing or pulling force
Apparatus for hauling or hoisting load, including driven...
Device includes rotatably driven, cable contacting drum
C224S042120, C224S042240, C414S466000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06527252
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a safety latching system for a vehicle and more particularly to a spare tire storage assembly that includes a secondary safety latching apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Underbody spare tire storage systems are well known in the art. A concern of designers of such systems is the possibility that metal components of the systems will corrode or otherwise fail, resulting in a loss of the spare tire. In a number of devices, a secondary support mechanism is employed to prevent the loss of the spare tire should a primary support system fail. Those skilled in the art continue to attempt to improve or enhance current designs of underbody spare tire mechanisms that employ secondary support mechanisms, particularly to increase the load carrying capacity and to improve reliability and ease of use. The present invention provides an effective underbody spare tire carrier having a secondary support mechanism with improved load carrying capacity, reliability and ease of use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a spare tire storage assembly for releasably stowing a spare tire assembly under a vehicle is provided that includes a primary support mechanism, a secondary support mechanism and a support member. The support member includes a connection member and a base that interconnect to engage the hub of a spare tire assembly. A flexible member, such as a cable, is attached on one end to the support member and on the other end to a drum in the primary support mechanism.
The primary support mechanism includes a clutch mechanism, a drum assembly and a drum housing. The clutch mechanism is provided to transfer torque from an input shaft to the drum assembly. The drum assembly includes a drum having a geared recess that cooperates with a wobble gear to create a taumel gear reduction. The clutch mechanism includes an eccentric drive member in communication with the wobble gear in the drum assembly. An input shaft is inserted through the eccentric drive member and causes rotation of the eccentric drive member when the input torque required to operate the assembly is below a predetermined level. The rotation of the eccentric drive causes the wobble gear to wobble, which in turn causes rotation of the drum. The drum housing includes a portion to receive the drum and a channel laterally offset from the input shaft to accommodate the travel of the flexible member as it pays off the drum.
The secondary support mechanism acts as a safety backup latch assembly because it is intended to work in conjunction with the primary support mechanism and the support member. In a preferred embodiment, the secondary support mechanism includes a tube housing, a latch member and a lance member. The tube housing is formed of two structural walls and a back plate that fixedly secures the secondary support mechanism to the primary support mechanism. The latch member is rotatably secured to the back plate and is biased by a resilient member that is secured to the first structural wall. The lance member includes a tapered ramp extending from the distal end of the second structural wall and a support portion for engaging a flanged end of the support member. In the event the primary support mechanism fails, the latch member and lance member cooperate to support the load of the spare tire assembly and to distribute a portion of the load to the adjacent tube housing.
The foregoing spare tire storage assembly provides the advantage of ensuring that the spare tire assembly is not lost in the event the primary support mechanism fails. The combined use of a latch member and lance member is advantageous because it distributes a portion of the load to the adjacent tube housing making the secondary catch mechanism more robust. In addition, the use of a rotatable release member increases the reliability of the secondary support mechanism by eliminating the use of multiple moving parts. Various additional aspects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.
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patent: 0501644 (1992-02-01), None
Edscha North America
Marcelo Emmanuel
Rader & Fishman & Grauer, PLLC
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