GB2260117A

GB2260117A - Wheel lifting device

Info

Publication number: GB2260117A
Application number: GB9121152A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jennifer Elisabeth Hughes
Original assignee: Jaguar Cars Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 1991-10-04
Filing date: 1991-10-04
Publication date: 1993-04-07
Also published as: GB9121152D0

Abstract

A wheel lifting device for lifting the wheels of a vehicle comprises a lever 11 having one end 12 adapted to engage the wheel and the other end 13 providing means by which a downward load may be applied to lift the wheel, a roller 15 being pivotally secured transversely intermediate of the two ends 12, 13 of the lever 11 to provide a fulcrum for the lever 11 and to permit movement of the lever 11 relative to a support surface. <IMAGE>

Description

W1lEEL LIFTING DEVICE The present invention relates to a wheel lifting device for use when changing the wheels of a vehicle.

When changing the wheels of a vehicle, after jacking the wheel off the ground and removing the wheel nuts, it is necessary to lift the wheel off the studs. The new wheel must then be lifted up to the studs and manipulated to align the holes of the wheel with the studs. This operation is hampered by the confines of the wheel arch and is usually carried out when in a crouched position.

As a result, the operation is difficult, particularly for women or small persons, when handling the heavy road wheels commonly used on performance vehicle.

The present invention provides a lifting device iiicii facilitates the removal, manoeuverillg ancl refitriiq cf: the wheels of a vehicle.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a device for lifting the wheels of a vehicle comprises a lever, one end of the lever being adapted to engage the wheel and the other end of the lever providing means by which a downward load may be applied to lift the wheel, reaction means being provided intermediate of th two ends of the lever, said reaction means being adapted to engage a support surface to provide a fulcrum for t-lle lever, the reaction means being adapted to rotate nbmit an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the lever.

With this device, when the wheel is jacked off the ground, the device may be located so that the reaction member engages the ground and the one end of the lever engages under the wheel. Downward pressure on the other end of the lever will then lift the wheel off the studs and the wheel may be removed by rolling the lever away from the vehicle, on the reaction member.

The reaction member is preferably a roller which extends the full width of the device. however, a pair of wheels or one or more ball and socket devices may alternatively be used.

The wheel engaging end of the lever may be flat or may be curved to the periphery of the wheel. In order to further facilitate manocuvering of the wheel, a series of rollers or similar means may be provided on the wheel engaging portion of the lever, the axis of rotation of the rollers being parallel to the axis of the lever, so that a wheel supported thereon may be rotated to align the holes in the wheel with the wheel studs.

An embodiment of the invention is now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wheel lifting vioo in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 2 is a side view illustrating the wheel lifting device in use.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a wheel lifting device 10 comprises a steel pressing 11 defining a wheel engaging platform 12 and an arm 13. A pair of bracket formations 14 are formed intermediate of the platform 11 and arm 13 along opposite edges of the pressing 11 and extending at right angles to one side of the pressing 11.

A roller 15 is pivotally mounted between the bracket formations 14.

As illustrated in Figure 2, in use the wheel 20 of the vehicle is lifted from the ground by means of a jack and the wheel nuts removed in normal manner. The lifting device 10 may then be located so that the platform 12 engages the lowermost part of the wheel 20, tlie roller 15 engaging the ground. Downward pressure may then be applied to the arm 13 by means of the operative's foot, knee or hand thereby pivoting the lifting device 10 about the axis of roller 15 and applying an upward load to the wheel 20 to lift it free of the wheel studs. The lifting device 10 with wheel 20 supported thereon may then he moved away from the vehicle on the roller 15, to move the wheel 20 clear of the wheel studs.In order to in place the wheel, the wheel is first lifted onto the platform 32 and the lifting device 10 is then moved towards the vehicle, an appropriate force being applied to the arm 13 to raise the wheel 20 to the level of the wheel studs.

As illustrated in broken line in Figure 1, a series of rollers 16 may be pivotally mounted on the platform 12 at right angles to the roller 15. The wheel 20 may then be supported on the rollers 16, so that it may be rotated about its own axis to facilitate alignment of the holes in the wheel with the wheel studs.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention, for example, it will be appreciated that the roller 15 may be replaced by a pair of wheels one disposed on either side of the pressing 11.

Alternatively, the pressing 11 may be supported on one or more ball and socket mechanisms which will provide for movement of the lifting device 10 in two dimensions, thereby improving manoeuverability.

The wheel engaging platform may be hinged with respect to the arm so that they may be folded together to provide a compact package, for storage purposes. The hinge mechanism will, of course, be arranged so that the arm and platform will provide a rigid lever when operational.

The arm may furthermore be of tubular construction.

Claims

1. A wheel lifting device for lifting tiie wheels of a vehicle comprising a lever, one end of the lever being adapted to engage the wheel and the other end of the lever providing means by which a downward load may he applied to lift the wheel, reaction means being provided intermediate of the two ends of the lever, said reaction means being adapted to engage a support surface to provide a fulcrum for the lever, the reaction means being adapted to rotate about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the lever.

2. A wheel lifting device according to Claim 1 in which the reaction means comprises a roller pivotally mounted between a pair of brackets extending at right angles one on either side edge of the lever.

3. A wheel lifting device according to Claim 1 or 2 in which a plurality of rollers or similar means are provided on the end portion of the lever adapted to engage the wheel, the rollers being mounted for rotation about axes parallel to the axis of the lever.

4. A wheel lifting device substantially as described herein, with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.