Importance

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Abstract

A spare wheel storage apparatus for a vehicle includes a mechanism for moving a spare wheel between a storage position and an unloading position along a path of travel, and a wheel presentation mechanism for presenting the wheel extending at least to a partially exposed unloading position from underneath the vehicle, wherein the spare wheel extends generally horizontally with a portion protruding outwardly with respect to a vertical plane corresponding to an outermost external periphery of the vehicle body contour. The wheel presentation mechanism includes first and second elongated, flexible members, such as cables, wires or the like, connected to the vehicle body portion at positions disposed between the storage position and the vertical plane corresponding to the vehicle body contour. Each of the flexible members has one end connected to a wheel engaging member, and an opposite end connected to the vehicle body portion at positions spaced laterally from one another with respect to the path of travel of the spare wheel for providing lateral stability of the spare wheel during travel from the storage position to the unloading position. Preferably, the flexible member is a cable or pair of cables attached to the rim retainer or other wheel engaging member and also attached to the rear of the vehicle. If required, a pulley can be supplied adjacent the winch to better guide the cable into the winch and to prevent cross threading.

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First Claim