GB2123368A

GB2123368A - Vehicle stand for training drivers

Info

Publication number: GB2123368A
Application number: GB08220408A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert John Penman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-07-14
Filing date: 1982-07-14
Publication date: 1984-02-01
Also published as: GB2123368B

Abstract

A device for permitting rotation of one road wheel of a stationary vehicle has a frame 1 with a pair of freely rotatable rollers 6, 8 on to which the road-wheel can be mounted. The other driven road-wheel remains on the ground and gives lateral stability. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Learner-driver aid The invention relates to a device for permitting rotation of one road-wheel of a stationary vehicle.

Dynamic vehicle testing rigs are known which support the driving wheels of a vehicle on rollers which offer a predetermined drag to allow testing of transmission systems, exhaust emission under load, and so on. However, I have found a requirement for a simple and inexpensive device for allowing the transmission of a vehicle to be used while the vehicle is stationary, and such equipment as mentioned above is too complicated and expensive.

The requirement arises from the need to familarise a learner-driver with the operation of clutch and gear-change. I have found it beneficial to do this with the vehicle stationary. In order to do this I have found it effective to mount one driven wheel on a simple device to be described, which allows the wheel to rotate freely. The other driven wheel remains stationary on the ground - this being possible by virtue of the differential - and provides lateral stability so that there is no tendency for the rotating wheel to run off the device sideways. Lateral stability is a difficulty with the prior dynamic rigs mentioned above.

Thus, in accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided a device for permitting rotation of one road-wheel of a stationary vehicle, the device comprising a rigid frame to be rested on the ground and a pair of rollers mounted to rotate freely in the frame about parallel axes, the rollers being of such a width and spaced apart so as to support a vehicle road-wheel while allowing it to rotate.

Preferably the spacing of the rollers is adjustable, the rollers preferably being mounted by their axles in the frame and at least one of the rollers may be removed and replaced in different axle-mounting holes or slots.

Preferably the frame is made of four steel anglesection members welded together so that the four butted flanges constitute a base, the rollers projecting above the upstanding edge of the box thus formed.

Conveniently the frame has a ramp which allows the wheel to be driven up on to the rollers.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of using the transmission train of a road vehicle having two driven wheels and a differential mechanism while the vehicle is stationary, the method consisting in taking a device as described above, mounting one of the driven wheels of the vehicle on the rollers while the other driven wheel is on the ground and proceeding to drive the mounted wheel which rotates by virtue of the rollers.

The invention will further be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device accord ing to the invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a plan view of the device of Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to the drawings, the device comprises a frame 1 made from four pieces of angle-sectíort steel 2" x 2" x 8"welded together. The frame is 10"''*'j2" and the flanges 2 form the base. Five 1/2" diameter holes 3a-3e are drilled in each of the side-walls 4 of the box constituted by the frame.

The end holes 3e accept the axle 5 of a fixed roller 6. Split-pins 7 keep the axle in place. Another röliër 8 is mounted by its axle 9 in another pair of holes. The - position of roller 8 is adjustable by removing it-and replacing it in another pair of holes. Split-pins-1 O keep the axle in place.

The rollers are free to rotate on their axles by virtue of ball race bearings 11. The rollers are of steel with an outside diameter of 21/4". It will be seen that they project above the upper edge of the frame.

A steel plate 12 is welded to the front of the frame.

The size of the plate 3" x 10" and it acts as a ramp to allow a vehicle wheel to be driven or pushed on and off the rollers.

In use as a driving tuition aid, the device of Figures 1 to 3 is set on the ground against one of the driven wheels of the car (front and rear). The car is driven or pushed so that the wheel rides up the ramp and on to the rollers. Another wheel is chocked (or the hand-brake applied in the case of a front-wheel drive car) and the engine, clutch and gears can be operated as normal. The car will not move since the# rollers allow one of the driven wheels free rotation.

Since the other driven wheel is stationary on the ground, lateral stability is provided and the rolling wheel will not be allowed to run off the rollers sideways. The car may be removed by pushing it off the rollers.

The length of the rollers accommodates the width of a car tyre. Their spacing is adjustable to accommodate wheels of different diameter.

The invention is not restricted to the details bf the embodiment described with reference to the dråw- ings. For example, the adjustment of the roller spacing may be by placing the axle of the movable roller in open-mouthed slots rather than holes. The ramp 12 may be omitted.

t i '

CLAIMS 1. A device for permitting rotation of one rbadwheel of a stationary vehicle, the device comprising a rigid frame to be rested on the ground and a pair of rollers mounted to rotate freely in the frame about parallel axes, the rollers being of such a width and spaced apart so as to support a vehicle road-wheel while allowing itto rotate.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spacing of the rollers is adjustable.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the rollers are mounted by their axles in the frame and at least one of the rollers may be removed and replaced in different axle-mounting holes or slots.

4. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the frame is made of four steel angle-section members welded together so that the four butted flanges constitute a base, the rollers projecting above the upstanding edge of the box

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Learner-driver aid The invention relates to a device for permitting rotation of one road-wheel of a stationary vehicle. Dynamic vehicle testing rigs are known which support the driving wheels of a vehicle on rollers which offer a predetermined drag to allow testing of transmission systems, exhaust emission under load, and so on. However, I have found a requirement for a simple and inexpensive device for allowing the transmission of a vehicle to be used while the vehicle is stationary, and such equipment as mentioned above is too complicated and expensive. The requirement arises from the need to familarise a learner-driver with the operation of clutch and gear-change. I have found it beneficial to do this with the vehicle stationary. In order to do this I have found it effective to mount one driven wheel on a simple device to be described, which allows the wheel to rotate freely. The other driven wheel remains stationary on the ground - this being possible by virtue of the differential - and provides lateral stability so that there is no tendency for the rotating wheel to run off the device sideways. Lateral stability is a difficulty with the prior dynamic rigs mentioned above. Thus, in accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided a device for permitting rotation of one road-wheel of a stationary vehicle, the device comprising a rigid frame to be rested on the ground and a pair of rollers mounted to rotate freely in the frame about parallel axes, the rollers being of such a width and spaced apart so as to support a vehicle road-wheel while allowing it to rotate. Preferably the spacing of the rollers is adjustable, the rollers preferably being mounted by their axles in the frame and at least one of the rollers may be removed and replaced in different axle-mounting holes or slots. Preferably the frame is made of four steel anglesection members welded together so that the four butted flanges constitute a base, the rollers projecting above the upstanding edge of the box thus formed. Conveniently the frame has a ramp which allows the wheel to be driven up on to the rollers. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of using the transmission train of a road vehicle having two driven wheels and a differential mechanism while the vehicle is stationary, the method consisting in taking a device as described above, mounting one of the driven wheels of the vehicle on the rollers while the other driven wheel is on the ground and proceeding to drive the mounted wheel which rotates by virtue of the rollers. The invention will further be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device accord ing to the invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a plan view of the device of Figures 1 and 2. Referring to the drawings, the device comprises a frame 1 made from four pieces of angle-sectíort steel 2" x 2" x 8"welded together. The frame is 10"''*'j2" and the flanges 2 form the base. Five 1/2" diameter holes 3a-3e are drilled in each of the side-walls 4 of the box constituted by the frame. The end holes 3e accept the axle 5 of a fixed roller 6. Split-pins 7 keep the axle in place. Another röliër 8 is mounted by its axle 9 in another pair of holes. The - position of roller 8 is adjustable by removing it-and replacing it in another pair of holes. Split-pins-1 O keep the axle in place. The rollers are free to rotate on their axles by virtue of ball race bearings 11. The rollers are of steel with an outside diameter of 21/4". It will be seen that they project above the upper edge of the frame. A steel plate 12 is welded to the front of the frame. The size of the plate 3" x 10" and it acts as a ramp to allow a vehicle wheel to be driven or pushed on and off the rollers. In use as a driving tuition aid, the device of Figures 1 to 3 is set on the ground against one of the driven wheels of the car (front and rear). The car is driven or pushed so that the wheel rides up the ramp and on to the rollers. Another wheel is chocked (or the hand-brake applied in the case of a front-wheel drive car) and the engine, clutch and gears can be operated as normal. The car will not move since the# rollers allow one of the driven wheels free rotation. Since the other driven wheel is stationary on the ground, lateral stability is provided and the rolling wheel will not be allowed to run off the rollers sideways. The car may be removed by pushing it off the rollers. The length of the rollers accommodates the width of a car tyre. Their spacing is adjustable to accommodate wheels of different diameter. The invention is not restricted to the details bf the embodiment described with reference to the dråw- ings. For example, the adjustment of the roller spacing may be by placing the axle of the movable roller in open-mouthed slots rather than holes. The ramp 12 may be omitted. t i ' CLAIMS

1. A device for permitting rotation of one rbadwheel of a stationary vehicle, the device comprising a rigid frame to be rested on the ground and a pair of rollers mounted to rotate freely in the frame about parallel axes, the rollers being of such a width and spaced apart so as to support a vehicle road-wheel while allowing itto rotate.

3. A device for permitting rotation of one roadwheel of a stationary vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

4. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the frame is made of four steel angle-section members welded together so that the four butted flanges constitute a base, the rollers projecting above the upstanding edge of the box thus formed.

5. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the frame has a ramp which allows the wheel to be driven up on to the rollers.

6. A method of using the transmission train of a road vehicle having two driven wheels and a differential mechanism while the vehicle is stationary, the method consisting in taking a device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, mounting one of the driven wheels of the vehicle on the rollers while the other driven wheel is on the ground and proceeding to drive the mounted wheel which rotates by virtue of the rollers.

7. A device for permitting rotation of one roadwheel of a stationary vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A method of using the transmission train of a road vehicle while the vehicle is stationary substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

New or amended claims filed on 11th Nov. 1982

1. A device for permitting rotation of one roadwheel of a stationary vehicle, the device comprising a rigid frame to be rested on the ground and a pair of rollers mounted to rotate freely in the frame about parallel axes, the rollers being of such a width and spaced apart so as to support a vehicle road-wheel while allowing it to rotate, the rollers being mounted to rotate on axles by way of bearings and the frame comprising a pair of parallel vertical plate members having opposed pairs of holes for accommodating the axles, the arrangement being such that at least one of the rollers may be removed and replaced in different axle-mounting holes or slots in orderto adjust the spacing of the rollers.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the frame is made of four steel angle-section members welded together so that the four butted flanges constitute a base, two of the said vertical plate members being constituted by parts of the anglesection members, the rollers projecting above the upstanding edge of the box thus formed.