US Patent 7377738 Vehicle tire carrier actuator and retriever

A motor vehicle tire carrier actuator and retriever includes a first elongate member having a first end configured to mate with a rotatable shaft of a tire carrier. A second elongate member has a first end and a second end, with an aperture formed in a central portion of the second elongate member to receive a second end of the first elongate member to form a T-shaped actuator for the tire carrier in a first configuration. A recess is formed in the first end to receive the second end of the first elongate member in a second configuration to form a retriever for a tire positioned beneath a vehicle. A flange is formed at the second end of the second elongate member to grasp a tire beneath the vehicle in the second configuration.