AU2011100484A4 - Wheel reconditioning device - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 Innovation Patent Specification Title: Wheel reconditioning device Applicant(s): Awesome A.S. Holdings Pty Ltd Inventor(s): Alexander Fenech and Stephen Fenech Agent: © COTTERS Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys The following is a full description of the invention which sets forth the best method known to the applicant of performing it.

2 Wheel reconditioning device Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wheel reconditioning device. In particular, the present 5 invention relates to a device for repairing damage such as scratches from aluminium, magnesium and alloy wheels. Background of the Invention Alloy wheels provide a visually desirable addition to the overall appearance of cars. 10 However, over time, alloy wheels often become damaged from contact with the curb or other stationary objects while parking. A damaged alloy wheel may significantly detract from the overall visual appearance of the vehicle, which in turn may lower the value and re saleability of the vehicle. is One known method of repairing a damaged alloy wheel involves removing the alloy wheel from the vehicle and then mounting the wheel on a lathe or other such rotating machine where it can be machined, trued, polished or painted. A disadvantage of such wheel reconditioning methods is that removing the wheel from the vehicle, mounting on the lathe and subsequently returning the wheel to the vehicle is time consuming and hence labour 20 intensive. In addition, the lathe must be capable of receiving wheels having various mounting configurations such as 4, 5 or 6 nuts, and the nuts may be mounted on different pitch circle diameters. Accordingly, a given lathe may not be readily able to receive all brands and styles of alloy wheels that may require reconditioning. 25 Repairing a wheel whilst it is mounted on the vehicle is preferable, as it obviates the need for removing and returning the wheel and tyre to the vehicle. Generally this option is only suitable for damage that is cosmetic in nature and can be addressed with hand held buffing and polishing, grinding and sanding tools. 30 One system which permits wheel reconditioning while the wheel is attached to the vehicle is described in Australian patent AU 2004267054, in the name of United Wheel Techs, Inc. AU 2004267054 discloses a wheel reconditioning station which has a main unit which houses 3 tools required for wheel reconditioning, along with an articulating arm, which extends away from the main unit and has a roller which is placed under the tyre of a wheel of the vehicle, enabling the wheel to be rotated while the vehicle is stationary. A disadvantage of the system described in AU 2004267054 is that the main unit is large and heavy, reducing its 5 mobility, and creating the risk of user injury for a technician attempting to move the unit. A further disadvantage of the system described in AU 2004267054 is that the wheel drive roller is located at an end of the articulating arm and is driven by a motor contained within the main unit. Accordingly, power is transferred from the main unit to the roller through a 10 number of belts, and power loss occurs between the motor and the roller. In addition, the belts and pulleys are subject to wear and tear during use, and may need to be replaced or tightened over time. Object of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one is or more of the above disadvantages, or to provide a useful alternative. Summary of the Invention In a first aspect, the present invention provides a wheel reconditioning device for reconditioning a wheel that is attached to a vehicle and whilst a tyre is mounted on the 20 wheel, the device comprising: a housing unit having a wheel receiving recess; a motor located within the housing unit, the motor having an output shaft; a roller located within the wheel receiving recess and being coupled to and coaxial with the output shaft; and 25 a remote control unit for controlling the motor; wherein the roller is adapted to engage a radially outer surface of the tyre to rotate the wheel. The wheel reconditioning device preferably includes a wheel located at a first end of the 30 housing unit, and a foot located at the first end of the housing unit, wherein when the housing unit is in a generally horizontal operation position, the foot is in contact with a support surface, and the wheel is raised above the support surface, further wherein when the housing unit is pivoted to a generally vertical position, the 4 wheel is in contact with the support surface, and the foot is raised above the support surface. The wheel reconditioning device preferably further comprises a handle located at a second, 5 opposing end of the housing unit. The output shaft is preferably connected to a roller support shaft with a flexible coupling. The roller support shaft is preferably supported at each end with a self aligning bearing. 10 In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of reconditioning a wheel that is attached to a vehicle and whilst a tyre is mounted on the wheel, the method including the step of: jacking the vehicle so that the wheel is raised above a support surface; 15 inserting a housing unit of a wheel reconditioning device under the wheel, such that a wheel receiving recess of the housing unit is located beneath the wheel; lowering the wheel until the tyre is in contact with a roller located within the wheel receiving recess, operating a remote control unit to control a motor located within the housing unit, the 20 motor having an output shaft coupled to the roller; and applying tools to the wheel during rotation to recondition the surface of the wheel. Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of specific example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 25 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a housing unit of a wheel reconditioning device; Fig. 2 is a top sectional view of the housing unit of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side view of the housing unit of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a sectional side view of the housing unit of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is an end view of the housing unit of Fig. 1; and 30 Fig. 6 is a top view of a control unit for the wheel reconditioning device.

5 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments A wheel reconditioning device 10 is used to recondition vehicle wheels while the wheels are mounted on a vehicle. The wheel reconditioning device 10 includes a housing unit 12, or main unit. The housing unit 12 is manufactured from aluminium or another suitable metal or 5 engineering material. The housing unit 12 has a first end 14, and a second end 16. The housing includes a pair of wheels 18 located at the first end. When the housing unit 12 is configured in the position depicted in Fig. 1, the wheels are not in contact with an underlying support surface. This is shown more clearly in Fig. 3, as the supports or feet 20 project downwardly away from the base of the housing unit 12, and engage with the floor. 10 The housing unit 12 includes two projections 22 which act as a stand when the housing unit 12 is upright, such that the wheels 18 and the projections 22 simultaneously contact with the ground. The housing unit 12 also includes a handle 24, for pulling the housing unit 12 when it is upright. The handle is shown in Fig. 5, and the handle may be pivotable as is depicted, or alternatively, the handle 24 may be fixed. By applying a force to the handle 24, the housing unit is pulled to an angle, away from vertical, and the projections 22 are lifted above the floor. The housing unit 12 has a number of air vents 26 which assist in venting hot air from within 20 the housing unit 12. As shown in Fig. 2, a motor 30 is located within the housing unit. The motor 30 has an output shaft 32. The output shaft 32 is connected with a flexible coupling 34 to a driven shaft 36. The flexible coupling 34 accommodates any angular misalignment between the 25 output shaft 32 and the driven shaft 36. The driven shaft 36 is supported at each end by self aligning bearings 38, 40 which support any load applied to the driven shaft 36. The driven shaft 36 includes a roller 50. The roller 50 is adapted to engage with and drive a wheel of a vehicle. The roller 50 is located in a wheel receiving recess of the housing unit. 30 The wheel reconditioning device 10 includes a remote control unit 80, as shown in Fig. 6. The remote control unit 80 includes a power supply cable 82 which is connectable to a 240 volt AC power source. The control unit 80 also includes an output cable 84 which is connected to the motor 30. The control unit 80 includes a transformer and an output cable 84 which provides a 180 volt DC power source.

6 The control unit 80 includes a finger operated start/stop flick switch 86. The control unit 80 also includes a finger operated forward/reverse flick switch 88, and a run/jog flick switch 89. The control unit 80 also includes a speed control knob or dial 90 which enables the user to 5 select a desired rotation speed of the roller 50. By winding the dial 90, the user can alter the speed of the roller 50 as required for a given reconditioning job. The operation of the wheel reconditioning device 10 will now be described. When a technician intends to recondition an alloy wheel, the car is jacked such that the wheel to be 10 repaired is lifted from the ground. When the car is raised a sufficient height, the housing unit 12 is slid under the car such that the roller 50 is directly beneath the wheel to be repaired, and the rotational axis of the wheel is generally parallel with the rotational axis of the roller 50. In normal use the housing unit 12 is stowed under the car, such that the housing unit 12 does not impinge on the technician's floor space. 15 The technician then lowers the vehicle with the jack such that the wheel makes contact with the roller 50. With the engine in neutral, and the hand brake released, the vehicle wheel is free to spin when the roller 50 is driven. Chocks or other such stoppers may be used to prevent the car from rolling. The technician uses the hand operated on/off flick switch 86 to 20 start the roller 50 moving, and the speed control knob or dial 90 is used to select the desired speed. By using manual tools, the technician is able to conduct a variety of reconditioning jobs such as removing scratches and re-profiling damaged regions of the rims. However, other tasks such as painting the side wall of the tyre may also be performed. 25 In order to enable rapid change of the control settings, the technician may hang the control unit from his/her clothing, such as around the waist hanging from a belt, or overalls. When the wheel reconditioning process is completed, the car is again jacked to raise the wheel above the device 10. The device can then be rolled out from under the vehicle, and 30 the vehicle lowered. An advantage of the wheel reconditioning device is that it weighs less than 20kg, and can be easily carried by one person. This enables the technician to easily transport the device 10 for example in the boot of a vehicle. A further advantage is that the top of the roller 50 is 7 about 96mm from the underlying support surface, which minimises the amount of jacking required to raise the wheel from the ground. Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be 5 appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims (5)

1. A wheel reconditioning device for reconditioning a wheel that is attached to a vehicle and whilst a tyre is mounted on the wheel, the device comprising: a housing unit having a wheel receiving recess; a motor located within the housing unit, the motor having an output shaft; a roller located within the wheel receiving recess and being coupled to and coaxial with the output shaft; and a remote control unit for controlling the motor; wherein the roller is adapted to engage a radially outer surface of the tyre to rotate the wheel.

2. The wheel reconditioning device of claim 1 including a wheel located at a first end of the housing unit, and a foot located at the first end of the housing unit, wherein when the housing unit is in a generally horizontal operation position, the foot is in contact with a support surface, and the wheel is raised above the support surface, further wherein when the housing unit is pivoted to a generally vertical position, the wheel is in contact with the support surface, and the foot is raised above the support surface.

3. The wheel reconditioning device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the output shaft is connected to a roller support shaft with a flexible coupling.

4. The wheel reconditioning device of claim 3, wherein the roller support shaft is supported at each end with a self aligning roller bearing.

5. A method of reconditioning a wheel that is attached to a vehicle and whilst a tyre is mounted on the wheel, the method including the step of: jacking the vehicle so that the wheel is raised above a support surface; inserting a housing unit of a wheel reconditioning device under the wheel, such that a wheel receiving recess of the housing unit is located beneath the wheel; lowering the wheel until the tyre is in contact with a roller located within the wheel receiving recess, 9 operating a remote control unit to control a motor located within the housing unit, the motor having an output shaft coupled to the roller; and applying tools to the wheel during rotation to recondition the surface of the wheel. Awesome A.S. Holdings Pty Ltd By Patent Attorneys for the Applicant ©COTTERS Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys