GB2196909A

GB2196909A - Device for assisting in the changing of wheels on road vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2196909A
Application number: GB08725163A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian George Bradley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-11-03
Filing date: 1987-10-27
Publication date: 1988-05-11
Anticipated expiration: 2007-10-27
Also published as: GB2196909B; GB8725163D0

Abstract

The device comprises a stand 100-104, (10-12, Fig. 1) having an adjustable height support 106, (38) for supporting a rod 152 or rods (16) which pass(es) trough 8 mounting hole(s) of wheel (50). The rod 152 carries an adaptor 154 and an adaptor stud 156 which with a spring 158 acts as a universal joint. In operation the rod 152 is threaded through a wheel hole and the adaptor 154 placed on a stud or adapter (170), (Fig. 7B) inserted in a hole in the axle hub. The wheel is then lifted by handle 150 and the rod 152 placed in the "U"-shaped channel portion of a cradle 108 of support 106. The wheel is then slid along the rod 152 and rotated slightly to align with the other studs or holes on the axle hub. In the Fig. 1 embodiment the rods (16) pass through two horizontally aligned wheel holes and are caused to tilt by actuating lever member (14) by a handle (18). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Device for assisting in the changing of wheels on road vehicles The present invention relates to a device for assisting in the changing of wheels on road vehicles.

The changing of wheels on road vehicles as a result of a puncture can be a troublesome and tiring experience. Apart from the problem of initially releasing the wheel nuts prior to removal of the puncture wheel, there is also the problem of correctly placing the spare wheel on the axle.

To install the spare wheel in place of the puncture wheel, involves holding the complete wheel at arms length while attempting to locate the wheel onto the threaded studs protruding from the axle. This is a relatively difficult and tiring task even for relatively fit people, but for those persons with back problems or other physical handicaps as well as women, it is a major problem.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the above referred to difficulties and problems by providing a device which is capable of solving same. Such a device will thus provide easy location of the wheel onto the axle studs, reduces the effective weight of the wheel, and avoids the need for arms length operation.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for assisting in the changing of wheels on road vehicles, said device comprising means for locating at least one threaded stud or bolt on the axle of the vehicle with at least one hole in the wheel to be positioned on the axle.

It will be appreciated that one important aspect of the invention is the utilization of the clearance between the stud or bolt on the axle and the hole in the wheel through which the stud or bolt must pass.

In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises means for locating a single threaded stud or bolt on the axle with a single hole in the wheel to be positioned on said axle.

Preferably said device includes a single handle rod with a wheel adaptor at one end to enter for slightly varying stud or bolt size, and a handle at the other end.

Said device also includes a stand portion having a cradle for supporting the handle rod when lifted with a wheel thereon.

Preferabiy said cradle has a "U"-shaped channel portion and is supported on a bush slidable up and down a support rod of the stand. Said support rod may be provided with means at predetermined intervals for engagement with means on the cradle to adjust the height thereof above the ground.

In another embodiment, the device comprises means for locating a pair of opposite threaded studs on the axle of the vehicle with a corresponding pair of holes in the wheel to be positioned on said axle.

In this form, the device preferably includes a pair of semi-flexible rods having cylindrical holes at one end which locate the rods on a pair of opposite threaded studs, the outer diameter of said rods being just smaller than the corresponding holes in the wheel. Also, the device preferably includes means for raising the other ends of the semi-flexible rods so that the wheel can be slid into position on the threaded studs of the axle, after which the rods can be removed.

The present invention will now be described in greater detail by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a first embodiment of a device for assisting in the changing of wheels for road vehicles; Figure 2 is a front elevation view of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the end of one of the semi-flexible rods showing engagement with a threaded stud of the wheel axle of the road vehicle; Figure 4 is a side elevation of a modified form of the support and lever member of the device shown in Figure.1; Figure 5 is a plan view of the member which supports the small wheels of the modified construction shown in figure 4;; Figures 6A and 6B are respectively a side elevation view and plan view of a support rod and handle rod which together form a second embodiment of a device for assisting in the changing of wheels for road vehicles; Figures 7A and 7B are sectional views of the wheel adaptor shown in Figure 6B for use respectively for studs and bolts on the wheel axle; Figure 8 is a detailed view of the adaptor stud shown in Figure 6B; Figures 9A and 9B are respectively a plan and sectional elevation of the centre support for the support rod shown in Figure 6A; Figures 10A and 10B are respectively elevation and underneath plan views of one of the four support feet shown in Figure 6B; Figures 11 A and 11 B are respectively plan and cross sectional elevation views of the cradle shown in Figure 6A; and Figures 1 2A and 1 2B are respectively plan and elevation views of the cradle bush shown in Figure 6A.

Referring to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, the device for assisting in the changing of wheels for road vehicles comprises a base 10, an upright support member 12, a pivotable lever member 14 mounted on the upright support member 12, two semi-flexible rods 16, and a removable handle 18. The upright support member 12 is mounted on the base member and is held rigid by means of an angled bracket member 20. The upper end of the support member 12 is provided with a hole 22. A round-headed bolt 24 projects through a hole in the level member 14 and the hole 22 in the support member 12. A wing nut 26 is provided to hold the assembly together and allow the lever member 14 to rotate about the shaft of the threaded bolt 24. Washers 28 are provided between the various parts to assist in rotation of the lever member 14 with respect to the upright member 12.

The lever member 14 is formed as a threearmed lever as shown. The upmost arm shown in Figure 1 is provided with a grooved slot 30 to receive an end of the handle 18.

The handle 18 enables the lever member 14 to be rotated relative to the upright support member 12 and also provides sufficient mechanical advantage to the operator. The second arm of the three-armed lever carries an arcuate toothed member 32 which when the lever is rotated anticlockwise as shown in Figure 1, causes the arcuate toothed member 32 to engage with a ratchet 34 provided on the upright support member 12. The third arm of the three-armed lever member 14 has a rod 36 projecting therethrough and extending equidistant either side of the lever member 14.

Small wheels 38 are mounted at respective opposite ends of the rod 36. These wheels 38 have a concave profile which enables them to support the semi-flexible rods 16.

One end of each the semi-flexible rods 16 carries a stop member 40 which prevents the end of the rod slipping off the wheel 38.

The diameter of each semi-flexible rod 16 is just smaller than the diameter of the holes of the hub of a wheel of the road vehicle. At the other end of each semi-flexible rod there is a cylindrical hole 42 whose internal diameter is just larger than the diameter of the threaded studs 44 of the wheel axle of the road vehicle.

In an alternative construction, the hole 42 is a threaded hole which would screw onto the axle studs 44. This may be advisable if the equipment were to be used for the initial removal of the punctured wheel by using the device in the reverse sequence described for assembling the wheel. The screw thread would obviate the risk of the wheel pushing the rods off the studs when the last two stud nuts are removed.

The semi-flexibility of the rods 16 can be achieved in a number of ways, provided the rods are sufficiently rigid to support the weight of the wheel of a road vehicle. They may be made of a thermoplastic material such as nylon, polyethylene or polypropylene. However, in this case it may be necessary to incorporate metal ends as the clearance between the stud and the wheel hole is quite small and a plastic tube may not be strong enough. Alternatively they can be made of metal, e.g. steel, aluminium, brass or copper, in which case they are provided with a "knuckle" joint about 75 to 150 m.m. from the end containing the cylindrical hole 42.

In Figure 1, a car wheel 50 is shown resting on the ground. The wheel is arranged so that a pair of holes through which the threaded studs of the axle will pass are substantially horizontal. As shown the two semi-flexible rods 16 are passed through the two horizontally aligned holes the end of the rods near the stop members 40 resting in the concave profiled rims of the wheels 38, the threearmed lever 14 being in the position shown in Figure 1.

In order to use the device for assisting in the changing of a punctured tyre, the car or road vehicle is jacked up in the conventionai manner, the wheel nuts released and the punctured wheel removed.

The device is positioned on the road so that the end of the three-armed lever 14 which carries the wheels 38 faces the axle of the road vehicle. The spare wheel 50 is then rolled in front of the axle and positioned such that one pair of the holes is horizontal. The semi-flexible rods 16 are then passed through respective horizontal holes and the cylindrical holes 42 at the ends thereof engaged over a pair of horizontally aligned threaded studs 44.

The other ends of the rods 16 are then placed over the wheels 38, the three-armed lever being rotated clockwise as seen in Figure 1, so that the wheels 38 are in a low position with respect to the base 10. The handle 18 is then placed in the slot 30, and the operator pushes downwards so as to lift the spare wheel 50 off the ground. The toothed arcuate member 32 then engages with the ratchet 34 and when the three-armed lever 14 has lifted the rods 16 so that they slope downwards towards the axle, the spare wheel 50 is pushed along the rods 16 and is guided onto the threaded studs 44 of the axle. The wheel nuts are then placed on the two vertically aligned studs to temporarily hold the wheel in place whilst the ratchet 38 is released to enable the semi-flexible rods 16 to be removed and the device dismantled. The other two nuts are then placed in position and all four are then tightened prior to the jack being lowered.

The opposite end of the handle 18 to that which engages in the slot 30 of the lever member 14 is provided with a head portion 46 containing a cylindrical bore 48. The size of the bore 48 is such that the end of the cranked shaft comprising the wheel nut release handle can fit therein. Thus, the handle 18 can additionally be used to provide extra mechanical leverage to loosen a tight or stiff wheel nut.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the modified construction includes a base plate 50, a first tubular section 52, a second tubular section 54, a fixing bar 56, a spigot 58 a V-shaped section 60 a longitudinal rod 62, and a threaded rod 64.

The lower end of the first tubular section 52 is welded to the base plate 50. The second tubular section 54 is designed to telescope within the first tubular section 52. The second tubular section 54 is provided with two series of diametrically opposite equispaced holes 68, and the first tubular section 52 is provided with a two diametrically opposite holes through which a pin 70 will engage with one in each series of opposite holes 68.

In this manner, the overall height of the device can be adjusted before the wheel changing operation is commenced.

In an alternative construction, instead of providing two series of diametrically opposite equi-spaced holes 68, only one series of such holes 68 may be required, i.e. the pin 70 need not pass right through the support, as its purpose is simply to hold the wheel in the raised position safely.

The fixing bar 56 is connected to the handle 18 by means of pivot 72. The fixing bar is provided with a slot 74 through which a threaded bolt 76, secured to the second tubular section 54, projects, on the end of which bolt 76 is provided a wing nut 78 in order to clamp the fixing bar 56 rigid with the tubular section 54.

The V-shaped section 60 which is formed from suitable angle section is welded to the top of the spigot 58 which in turn locates into the top of the second tubular member 54. A pivot 80 sits in the V-shaped section 60 and is provided with a hole into which the end of the handle 18 is a push fit. The rod 62 is welded or otherwise secured to the pivot 80, a slot or cut away section being provided at the centre of the V-shaped section 60 to allow space for the handle 18 and the rod 62 to pass unhindered during lifting sequence.

The threaded rod 64 is equivalent to the rod 36 of the constructional arrangement shown in Figures 1 to 3, and carries the two small wheels 38 which support the semi-flexible rods 16. The distance between the two wheels 38 can be easily adjusted by screwing the wheels along the threaded rod 64 to ensure the same centres as the studs being used.

The basic principle of the operation of the modified construction shown in Figures 4 and 5 is the same as that of the construction shown in Figures 1 to 3, except that: (a) the height from which the threaded rod 64 initially operates can be set by means of pin 70 engaging in a chosen pair of diametrically opposite holes 68 in the second tubular section 54; (b) the wing nut 78 is initially undone, to allow the handle 18 to be pushed downwards in order to raise the pair of small wheels 38 to the desired height for fitting the spare wheel. When the desired height is reached wing nut 78 is screwed home to clamp fixing bar against movements.

Referring now to the second embodiment shown in Figures 6 to 12 of the drawings, the device for assisting in changing of wheels comprises two main sections, viz. a support section shown in Figure 6A and a handle section shown in Figure 6B.

The support section shown includes a support rod 100, a centre support 102, four support feet 104, a cradle bush 106, and a cradle 108. The support rod 100 is provided with a plurality of annular grooves 110 which are arranged in equi-spaced relation in the upper part thereof. The cradle bush 106 is shown in greater detail in Figures 1 2A and 12B. It comprises a hollow cylindrical portion 112 and a pair of extending flange portions 114, each being provided with an aperture 116. The cradle 108 itself is shown in greater detail in Figures 11 A and 11 B. It comprises a substantially "U"-shaped channel portion 120 and a pair of flanges 122 each being provided with an aperture 124.One part of the "U"shaped channel portion extends downwards to form a leg 126 provided with a catch member 128 for engagement with the annular groove 110 of the support rod 100. The inside faces of the "U"-shaped channel are slightly inclined outwardly, so that the width of the channel thereby formed is wider at the top than the bottom of the "U". A pin (not shown) is provided to retain the cradle bush 106 within the flanges 122 of the cradle 108. The cradle bush 106 is free to slide up and down the support rod 100. However, the cradle 108 to which it is attached by means of the pin can be held in a plurality of equi-spaced positions up the support rod 100 by means of the catch member 128 which can engage in any one of the annular grooves 110.

The lower end of the support rod 100 is retained by means of the centre support 102 which is shown in greater detail in Figures 9A and 9B. The centre support comprises a central square member 130 provided with a cylindrical hollow interior 131 to hold-the lower end of the support rod 100. Eight flange members 132 are secured to the corners of the square member 130 and to a circular base plate 134. Four pins 136 are located between pairs of flange members 132. The pins 136 serve as location means for the support feet 104, one support foot being shown in greater detail in Figures 10A and 10B. Each support foot 104 comprises a pair of parallel plate sections 140 joined at the ends by members 141 and 142 and by means of ribs 144.An inclined slot 146 and part circular aperture 148 in each of the plate sections 140 provides a means for securing the foot section 104 to a respective pin 136 on the centre support 102. The above construction of the centre support 102 and the foot sections 104 enable the structure to be foldable or collapsi ble for storage purposes.

The handle section shown in Figure 6B includes a handle 150, a handle rod 152, a wheel adaptor 154, an adaptor stud 156, and a spring 158, the wheel adaptor 154 being at the opposite end of the handle rod 152 to which the handle 150 is attached.

Two forms of the wheel adaptor 154 are shown in greater detail in Figures 7A and 7B.

In the first example shown in Figure 7A, the wheel adaptor Is to be used where studs are set into the axle requiring nuts to retain the wheel once it has been located on the studs.

It consists of a cylindrical member 160, having a first cylindrical chamber 162 of such a size that it will easily slide over the studs on the axle, and a second internally threaded cylindrical chamber 164. The end 166 of the member 160 where it is connected to the handle rod 152 by means of the adaptor 156 is inwardly tapered.

In the second example shown in Figure 7B, the wheel adaptor is to be used where the wheel is fixed to the axle by threaded bolts which locate into threaded or tapped holes on the axle itself. It consists of a cylindrical member 170 having two parts 172 and 174 of different diameter, the part 172 having a smaller diameter than the part 174 thus leaving an abutment shoulder 175 therebetween.

The second larger part 174 is provided with an internally threaded cylindrical chamber 176.

The adaptor stud 156 is shown in greater detail in Figure 8,. It comprises a cylindrical body part 180, a shoulder portion 182, and a threaded end part 184. The threaded end part 184 is threaded into either the internally threaded cylindrical chamber 164 or the internally threaded cylindrical chamber 176 of the respective wheel adaptors shown in Figures 7A and 7B. The spring 158 is provided within a hollow end of the handle rod 152 and abuts against the shoulder 182 at the other end.

The adaptor stud 156, spring 158 and wheel adaptor 1 54 together constitute a flexible termination in the form of a universal joint to the handle section shown in Figure 6B.

This second embodiment of the device for assisting in the changing of wheels on road vehicles is of a significantly simpler construction to either the first embodiment or its modified form described above in connection with Figures 1 to 3 or Figures 4 and 5 respectively.

However, because only a single locating rod is used in the second embodiment, when the wheel changing device is operated, some slight rotation of the wheel about the handle rod is now required, in order to locate the wheel on the other studs or bolts. Since the weight of the wheel is in fact taken by the rod 152 resting in the "U"-shaped channel portion of the cradle 108, there is very little effort required by the person who is changing the wheel.

Thus, in the second embodiment, the operation of replacing a wheel after experiencing a flat type, only involves threading the handle rod 1 52 incorporating the wheel adaptor 1 54 at its end through one of the holes of the wheel hub, and locating the wheel adaptor 154 onto the stud or into the bolt hole on the axle. The new wheel is then lifted by raising the handle 1 50 above the "U' '-shaped-channel portion 120 on the cradle 108 and then gently lowered therein so that the handle rod 152 rests at the bottom of the "U"-shaped channel portion 120. It will be appreciated that the support section has been previously set up with the cradle at the desired height.

The wheel can then be pushed towards the axle and rotated to find its final location. The bolts or nuts are then applied to retain and fix the wheel.

One advantage of this construction is that the support feet 104, the centre support 102, the cradle 108 and the cradle bush 106 are easily removed from the support rod 100, so that the device is easily stored in the boot of a car.

Finally, it will be appreciated that all the above described constructional forms of devices for assisting in the changing of wheels are both cheap to manufacture and easy to use. Moreover it takes a lot of physical effort out of the chore of wheel changing and makes it possible for the less experienced and handicapped persons to change a wheel without the need of calling for assistance from one of the motoring organizations.

Claims

1. A device for assisting in the changing of wheels on road vehicles, said device comprising means for locating at east one threaded stud or bolt on the axle of the vehicle with at least one hole in the wheel to be positioned on the axle.

2. A device according to claim 1, including a single handle rod for engaging a single threaded stud or bolt on the axle and separate stand means for supporting the handle rod.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said handle rod is provided with a wheel adaptor to cater for slightly varying stud or bolt sizes.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein said handle rod also includes an adapted stud connected to the wheel adaptor to allow the end of handle rod to act as a universal joint.

5. A device according to claim 2, wherein said stand means comprises a support rod having a cradle which is slidable therealong in fixed increments, and detachable foot support means for holding the support rod in an upright position.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein said foot means is foldable or collapsible.

7. A device according to claim 5, wherein said cradle includes a "U"-shaped channel portion for supporting the handle rod and a bush which is slidable up and down the support rod when free.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein said support rod is provided with equi-spaced annular grooves and said cradle is provided with means for engaging one of said annular grooves.

9. A device according to claim 1, including a pair of semi-flexible rods having cylindrical holes at one end which locate the rods on a pair of opposite threaded studs, the outer diameter of said rods being just smaller than the corresponding holes in the wheel.

10. A device according to Claim 9, including means for raising the other ends of the semiflexible rods so that the wheels can be slid into position on the threaded studs of the axle.

11. A device for assisting in the changing of wheels on road vehicles constructed and arranged to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, or Figures 4 and 5, or Figures 6 to 12 of the accompanying drawings.