Ford has patented a new device aimed at simplifying one of the hardest parts of changing a tire—removing and handling the spare wheel, especially when stored under the vehicle. The patent reveals a movable frame that helps lower the spare to the ground and hold it at the right height for mounting.
Movable Frame Designed to Ease Tire Changes
The patented mechanism includes a frame that attaches beneath the vehicle and holds the spare tire. A cable and reel system lowers the wheel from the underbody storage. Once on the ground, the frame can slide toward the rear of the car and detach from the cable. This eliminates the need to lift the bulky spare by hand.
The frame has two sections that slide within each other and foldable bases to support the tire. It also includes extendable legs for stability when set upright. These telescopic sections allow adjusting the height to bring the spare close to the wheel hub, helping with alignment during installation.
Unlike just letting the tire drop to the ground, the device can also hold the wheel being removed and swing it out of the way. Ford suggests the system might carry the old tire while the spare is installed, reducing heavy lifting and awkward maneuvering.
Patent Does Not Guarantee Production
Ford filed the patent in March 2024, and the US patent office granted it in October 2026. The document mainly focuses on vehicles where the spare is stored beneath the car, like pickup trucks, but it does not exclude other types. It also discusses different frame designs and ways to anchor and lower the tire.
However, holding a patent does not mean Ford will add this feature to future models. The company routinely files patents to protect ideas that may never be used. The patent does not show if the device has been tested on road or how practical it is across different vehicles.
This invention reflects ongoing efforts to make changing tires easier and safer, but for now, it remains a protected concept rather than a confirmed upgrade for Ford vehicles.
Source: motor.es