GB2394019A - Wheel nut locking device - Google Patents

Abstract

A wheel nut locking device comprises a nut 55 and spring member 58 whereby a first end of the spring member engages with the nut and the second end is adapted, in use, to be held in abutting relationship against an adjacent nut such that the spring means is biassed in a direction to tighten the nut. The first end of the spring member may have a protrusion 57 which co-operates with grooves 56 spaced equally around the nut. The first end of the spring may comprise a hexagonal coil adapted to engage the nut. Alternatively, a washer may be provided adapted to fit over the nut, with the spring attached thereto. An annular groove 60 may be formed in the nut to assist in location and retention of the second end of the spring. A tool adapted for use with the device is also disclosed.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE

WHEEL RETAINING Nl ITS ANI) STUDS.

By present conventional methods, motor vehicle wheels are attached to the axles of the vehicle, by two acceptable and well-proven methods.

This is achieved by either using the appropriate thread size of nut or that of studs; (usually hexagon shape), and normally fo'!r or five in n'!rnber Tt is necessary that these are tightened in position on the axle sufficiently to prevent working 'loose', in particular on'bul,.py' roads.

When it becomes necessary for whatever reason to remove a wheel on a said journey, (normally due to a deflated tyre) caused by a foreign object such as a nail, or screw for example penetrating the tyre wall.

The retaining nuts for various reasons can be extremely difficult to 'free-off, the small hand-wrench' usually kept within the boot of the vehicle, provides only a small leverage, therefore requiring a great deal of manual force to 'free-off'.

By way of the following description and drawings, the invention seeks to improve and

prevent the aforesaid described problem.

Fig 1. Front elevation of four-wheel nuts (bolt heads).

Fig 2. A part plan view Fig 3. A plan and end elevation of spring wire item Fig 4. Part plan view Fig 5. Elevation end view and plan.

Fig 6. Elevation, end view and section of hand tool.

Fig 7. Alternative hand-tool to that shown in fig 6.

Fig's 8 and 9. Various views showing hand-tool operation.

Fig 10. Front elevation of a four lug-nut wheel.

Fig l l. Cross- sectional view on 'A-A' Fig 12. Elevation and plan view of item 41 fig l O. Fig 13. Front elevation and section of a five lug nut wheel.

Fig 14. Part section on 'C-C'.

Fig 15. View on arrow 'E'.

Fig 16. Detail of item 47.

Fig 17. Pictorial- schematic front elevation Fig 18. Part sectional view.

Fig 19. Detail of tension spring item 51 (fig 17).

Fig 20. Plan-and elevation of a four 'wheel' stud arrangement.

Fig 21. Isometric view of wrench.

Fig 22. Plan view and elevations of washer.

Fig 23. Plan view and elevation of spring.

Fig 24. Part section showing wheel, wheel nut and spring.

Item 20 fig 1 is the outer end of an axle of a motor vehicle, which has fitted typical hexagon nuts items 21, locked firmly in position on the studs items 22. The tyre is shown in outline item 23 there is fitted in place spring-like sections items 24 fig's I and 3.

I he spring-like sections 24 fig's 1 and 3 are sprung into position as shown, with each tail end sprung-over and retained against the next neighbouring nut.

This will pelm--it a but, which is moderately tight, to a define.l torn, ue value to hold the wheel satisfactorily in position on the axle.

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The un-sprung position of the spring- like sections item's 24 fig's 1 and 3 are shown chain dotted ref item 25.

Item's 21 and 22 fig 2 shows a part plan view of the axle end, shovving a small annular groove 26 contained within the nuts 21 thus permitting a positive register for the tail-ends of items 24 fig's I and 3.

The spring-like section item 24 fig's 1 and 3 can be of circular section, manufactured from suitable spring steel to a defined size and specification.

Those item's 24 cot!ld also be nrodlee1 from 'flu.+' spring strin section (not shown) suitably manufactured to satisfy the design criteria; in this instance the grooves 26 fig 2 llay not be ncccssary, sir.cc flat springs tend to hold in position.

If it were considered necessary a small 'tang' or raised 'portion' at the 'tail-end' would register tne rear sprmg section m me groove '6.

These circular spring sections item's 24 fig I and 3 can also act as a low torque force wrench, used to remove wheel nuts (bolts) as and when necessary.

Note lithe remainder of the description will refer to wheel nut only fig 4 shows a part plan

view of an alternative method to that aforesaid described.

The wheel nuts items 27 are shown in position on the wheel section, with the spring item 28 sprung into position on the next neighbouring wheel nut locating in the groove 29.

Ry virtue tha.+ the bending of tail-end onwards into groove ?9 of neighho'.r ng wheel ml.+; will ensure that opposite end (hexagon form) will not creep upwards on nut and prevent loss of torsion locking; by not cntcrirlg groom c at +his cod.

rig 5 item 30 snows a similar spring like section to anal of item 2b fig 4.

This particular spring(s) are shown manufactured from a suitable flat spring steel section, which satisfies the design criteria.

Item 31 fig 6 shows the hand tool that can be manufactured from a suitable flat mild steel sheet, to a specified size. The handle 32 fig 6 can be rolled to a part circular section as shown. The front section 33 is the full thickness of the material section, and extends forwards (represented by dimension 'F', the front end is formed '[like in shape as shown, and would fit over the tail-end of the spring-like sections 24, 28 and 30 as as so.

T he 'tip or lobe portion 34 fig 6 is iater used tref fig 4).

Fig 7 shows an alternative manufacturing assembly for the hand tool at fig 6.

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Fig's 8 and 9 represent a further embodiment of the invention, where the spring-like sections items 24 and 29 as aforesaid described; are shown manufactured to a different design format item 35 such that 'rivet' lugs 36 can be fitted to spring loops 37.

The hand tool item 31 He's 6 and 7 can now be located, (as shown by chaindotted line) fig 9; using the 'tip' or 'lobe' 34 of the hand tool 31 into the spring 'loop' 37, such that a scams like action is achieved in seeming the spring-like sections 35 fig 9 into position on the wheel nuts (not shown).

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in front elevation represented by fig l O. Which shows a four lug-nut wheel. The wheel rim 38 housing the tyre 39 shown in outline only. Contains four wheel nuts 40, held captive by spring-like sections 41; similar in shape to those as aforesaid described The basic difference being that of the 'corrugated' or 'wave' form shape 42 fig's 11 and 12. The hand-tool 31 fig's 6 and 7 is shown chain-dotted in fig 12. Likewise as aforesaid described and detailed, the 'tail-end' is located in the annular groove of the neighbouring nut. A further embodiment of the invention is detailed in fig's 13, 14, 15 and 16.

The wheel nuts 43 fig's 13, 14 and 15 manufactured from circular section carbon steel to a specific size and material specification which satisfies the design criteria.

The whee! nuts 43 fig 13 are in a five h!g-nl!t arrangement eircllnferentia! and equally spaced around the axial 44, and secured tightly in position on the studs 45.

Grooves 46 fig's 13, 14 and 15 are spaced equally around the circular nut form 43. This enables accurate location of the spring-like section 47 fig 16.

Such that the tail-end protrusion 48 will engage in one of the grooves 46 fig's 13, 14 and I i; (similar to that of a 'key' in a 'keyway' of a typical 'she*' and pulley) This aforesaid detail of the in vicntior. would prohibit the use of coll,cr;tiollal puculllatic tool sockets and the like, which would normally be used in hexagon form to 'tighten' and siacicen off wheel nuts.

Item 47 fig 16 is manufactured from a suitable spring steel wire of circular section, to a specified size and material specification that satisfies the design criteria.

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According to the present invention as shown pictorially in fig 17, 'stamped' or pressed from suitable sheet steel are the 'control plates' item's 49 fig 17.

Fig 17 shows a five-wheel nut configuration, similar to that of fig 13 as aforesaid described. Six 'tabs' 50 fig 17 are provided within the plates 49; such that the size and pitches are equal and opposite to the 'grooves' 51 fig 18 ofthe circular form wheel nuts 52 fig's 17 and I X. The geometric layout of the nuts 52 fig 17 are arranged 72 circumferencial around the axle on a typical G.M.C. wheel.

The six tabs 5Q on each of the five control plates fig 17; locate within the 'grooves' 5!; at the 'outer' end of the wheel nuts 52 fig 18 is provided a 'undercut' 53, such that on slight Angola.- rotation of a control plate 49 fig's 17 and 18 the 'tabs' SO fig 17 will bCC0rC trapped' within the wheel nuts 52 fig's 17 and 18.

ne conroi pines 49 fig s i 7 and i 8 can be arranged in any suitable assembly form as shown in part sectional view fig 18.

The control plates 49 are urged towards each other by suitable circular section tension springs 54 fig 19.

Item 55 fig 20 is a circular form of wheel nut which has grooves 56 spaced equally around the outer circumference, the width of groove is represented by the dimension 'x' which permits the tail 57 portion of the spring item 58 fig 20 to be a good register fit within the groove For this description the wheel nuts shown are in a four numerical formation and pitched

equally around the wheels axle hc looped cud cD Of the spring 58 is;cta;r, cd in the annular groove 60 fig 20 by springing into position against the springs resistance into nexl adjacem nul.

To fit or remove the nuts 55 a typical hand wrench item 61 fig 21 would be required.

Small lugs 62 would engage within the grooves 56 of the nuts 55. Overtightening of the nuts 55 is not necessary, as the springs 58 fig 20 maintain sufficient tightness.

A further embodiment of the invention is somewhat different to that of a typical motorist's vehicle where it is important that the locking method for detaching the wheel from the vehicle easily as aforesaid described within the description.

Is that of large tneks/vehicles where it is considered anr11egally essential for safety regulations and legislation, that a relatively high torque is induced and sustained on the wheel 'rests' or 'studs'.

Item 63 fig 22 is a stainless steel washer with a centre hole which is of hexagonal shape, to suit the wheel 'nut or 'stud; if these has an aiternaive shape for example 'square' or other', then centre hole in washer would be likewise.

Small holes 64 fig 22 arranged on a pitch circle diameter in accordance with the washer 63 dimensions, such that the leg 67 of the spring 65 fig 23 will fit and retain in position within the thickness of the washer 63 denoted by dimension 'I'. The coil centre 66 fig 23 of the spring 65 will fit closely over the wheel nut; shown in further detail in fig 24.

The 'leg' or 'tail' of the spring 65 fig 23 and 24, will fit in a semicircular section groove 6B fig 24 within the next adjacent whee! At By reason that the wire diameter of spring 65 fig 23. Used on large trucks will be of a lower valuc "wire gauge", hcnec providing a,.luch stronger and l=,;ghcr torque spring value, than that used on lighter vehicles (as aforesaid described in the description).

A special rooi not shown will be required to 'pry spring leg in position.

All dimensions and material specifications will notably be arranged to satisfy all the

design criteria necessary to perform the main functions of the invention.

Finally any of the aforesaid detail descriptions can be for 'right' or' left' hand thread

forms on 'studs' and corresponding wheel nuts, alternatively wheel nuts and studs could be in other numerical arrangements, dependent on the vehicles wheel size.

The various types described at fig's 1,3,4,5,10,12, and 13, and 16 would require spring-

like clip items 24,28,30,41 and 47 would be fitted in reverse position to that shown.

In almost all cases the embodiments described by way of fig's 1, 10, 13 and 17 the retaining means for whee] nuts, can he provided for 'tightening' and 'slackening' off the said nuts; acting basically as a low torque wrench.

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Claims (5)

1. Wheel nuts or studs are in number formation arranged circumferentialy and equally spaced around the vehicles axle securing the wheel in position.

Grooves are spaced equally around the circular 'nut' or 'stud', this enables accurate location of the spring see+ion-7 such that the tail-end protrusion of the spring will engage in one of the grooves, similarly to that of a 'key' and 'keyway'.

the opposite cud of +hc sp.lr.g "ill bc sprung in position behind.hc next adaccut nut or stud to hold firmly in position against the springs torsional value or rating.

2. Circular spring sections arranged as in claims, whereupon the formation at one end is of hexagonal shape within the coil, enabling close fitting over the wheel nut or stud, the springs opposite end would be urged against the springs torsion in abutment with the neighbouring nut or s.+ud Annular grooves within the nut or stud will assist in location and retention.

3. Spring sections arranged according to claims 1 and 2 having springs formed from flat Spring-steel sheet, whereupon retaining grooves are not necessary.

4. Control plates 'stamped' or 'pressed' from sheet steel are provided and arranged in formation at 72 circumferentialy tabs 50 fig 17 are provided within the control plates 49 such that the size and pitches are equal and opposite to the grooves 51 fig 18 of the r.ireular form wheel note;) fig's 17 and 1x The six tabs 50 on each of the five control plates fig 17; locate within the grooves 51; at Me ou+.cr end of the heel nuts 52 fig 18 is pro v ided a undercut 53 on slight angular rotation of a control plate 49 fig's 17 and 18 the tabs 50 fig 17 will become trapped within 'he wheel nuts o2 ng s i 7 and i 8.

The control plates 49 are urged towards each other by circular section tension springs 54 fig 19.

5. Wheel nuts arranged as in claim 1, whereupon a washer having a centre hole which fits closely over the wheel nut' the washer has a series of holes arranged on a pitch circle diameter within the face of the washer, this retains a spring which fits closely over the wheel nut or stud heel The opposite end of the spring is retained in position by a semi-circular section groove within the adjacent neighbouring nut, constraining torsional force upon all of the wlhccl nuts o. studs.

O. A vehicle wheel nut or stud retaining device subsaniaily as inure in before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.