AU664143B2

AU664143B2 - A brace device

Info

Publication number: AU664143B2
Application number: AU77781/94A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter Wayne Altmann
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-11-17
Filing date: 1994-11-11
Publication date: 1995-11-02
Anticipated expiration: 2014-11-11
Also published as: AU7778194A

Description

i- ill ~LII-.ll -*-I--1---L-ILLII S64143

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT (Original) APPLICATION NO:

LODGED:

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION LODGED:

ACCEPTED:

PUBLISHED:

RELATED ART: NAME OF APPLICANT: PETER WAYNE ALTMANN ACTUAL INVENTOR(S): PETER WAYNE ALTMANN ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: KELVIN LORD AND COMPANY, Patent Trade Mark Attorneys, of 4 Douro Place, West Perth, Western Australia, 6005, AUSTRALIA.

INVENTION TITLE: "A Brace Device" DETAILS OF ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO'S: PM 2450 FILED 17.11.93 The following Statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me/us: r 2 li-- i Y~cl- 1..

The present invention relates to a brace device.

More particularly, the brace device of the present invention is intended for use in tightening or untightening threaded fasteners, including but not limited to nuts received on bolts.

Presently, cars and trucks are typically supplied with a brace for tightening and untightening the threaded fasteners used to secure their wheels. The wheels of the car or truck may need to be changed due to a worn out, punctured or otherwise damaged wheel or tyre.

The types of braces presently supplied include a single elongate member bent at an angle having a socket integrally formed at one end thereof. Also available are braces in an X-shape having different sized sockets formed integrally at the end of each arm. Further, a "high speed" brace is available comprising a single elongate member having a socket at one end and two straight portions separated by a substantially n-shaped portion. Any torque required to remove or tighten fasteners is gained through applying pressure to the n-shaped portion about an axis described by the straight portions of the elongate member.

High speed removal or fastening of the fasteners is possible through holding in a rotatable manner the straight portion most removed from the fastener and socket in one hand whilst the other hand rotates the brace through gripping the n-shaped portion.

None of the above configurations provide a suitable combination of the ability to apply high torque to a fastener being removed or fitted and high speed characteristics. In addition, braces that are x-shaped are typically bulky and difficult to store.

The brace device of the present invention overcomes or reduces the abovementioned problems associated with the prior art.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a brace device eoii74 n elongate member having two spaced up substantially straight portions interconnected by a substantially n-shaped portion, a socket means being provided on or being receivable on an outer end of one of the straight portions, a torque multiplying member able to be removably received on the n-shaped portion such that when the torque l C 4 r t multiplying member is received on the n-shaped portion a user is able to grip and apply pressure to that member whilst at the same time gripping rotatably the straight portion of the elongate member remote from the socket means.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a brace device of the present invention having the torque multiplying member fitted thereto and showing a user's hands in position during use: Figure 2 is a perspective view of the brace device of Figure 1 having the torque multiplying member removed therefrom; Figure 2a is a cross-sectional elevation through a hollow seating member as shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a brace device in accordance with a second embodinent of the present invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the brace device of Figure 3 having the torque S. 15 multiplying member removed therefrom; and Figure 4a is a cross sectional elevation through a hollow seating member as shown in :Figures 3 and 4.

In Figures 1 and 2 there is shown a brace device 10 comprising an elongate member 12 having two spaced apart substantially straight portions 14 and 16 interconnected by a substantially n-shaped portion 18. The straight portions 14 and 16 are substantially aligned with one another.

The straight portion 14 has an outer end 20 on which a socket means, for example a socket 22 is receivable, as can be best seen in Figure 2. The end 20 has provided therein a spring-loaded ball bearing 24 able to engage a complementary recess (not shown) within a 25 the socket 22.

An inner end 26 of the straight portion 14 is contiguous with a first arm 28 of the n-shaped portion 18. The arm 28 extends from the portion 14 at an obtuse angle x. A second anrm 30 of the portion 18 extends from the arm 28 so as to be substantially parallel 4 to an axis Y described by the portions 14 and 16. A third arm 32 of the portion 18 K extends between the arm 30 and the portion 16. An obtuse angle A is formed between the arms 30 and 32, as shown in Figure 1.

A hollow seat member 34 is provided on the arm 28 near the end 26 of the portion 14.

A hollow guide member 36 is provided on the arm 28 near the arm 30. The seat meiaber 34 and guide member 36 are aligned so as to receive a torque multiplying member 38.

In Figure 1 there is also shown a left hand 40 and a right hand 42 of a user (not shown).

In Figure 2a is shown the seat member 34 further comprising a basal flange 44 against which the torque multiplying member 38 abuts when received therein.

In Figures 3 and 4 there is shown a brace device 50 substantially similar to brace device and like numerals denote like parts.

A pair of hollow seat members 52 are provided on the arm 28 near the end 26 of the portion 14. A plurality of raised projections 54 are provided on either side of the arm of the n-shaped portion 18.

The seat members 52 are flared outwardly so as to be larger in diameter at a mouth 56 thereof than at a base 58 thereof, as can be seen in Figure 4a. A basal flange 60 is provided at the base 58. The torque multiplying member 38 abuts against the flange when the same is received and locked therein.

In each of the Figures 1,2,3, and 4 there is shown a threaded fastener, for example a nut 62.

In use, if a user (not shown) wishes to tighten or untighten a nut 62, the socket 22 should S be fitted to the outer end 20 of the portion 14 of the elongate member 12. The elongate member 12 should then be positioned so that the socket 22 receives therein the nut 62 The torque multiplying member 38 is then inserted through the guide member 36 and in part into the seat member 34. The torque multiplying member 38 in this manner abuts against the basal flange 44 of the seat member 34.

The user is subsequently able to grip the portion 16 of the elongate member 12 with the left hand 40 and the torque multiplying member 38 with the right hand 42. If it was desired to tighten the nut 62, then pressure may be applied by the user in a downward motion through the right hand 42 to the torque multiplying member 38. The hand grips the portion 16 of the elongate member 12 in a rotatable manner so that as pressure is applied to the torque multiplying member 38, the elongate member 12 is able to rotate about the axis Y, as shown in Figure 1.

It should be noted that the positioning and angle of the torque multiplying member 38 in relation to the portions 14 and 16 of the elongate member 12 is such that it is particularly convenient for the maximising of torque to be applied thereto by the user. For example, in the situation described hereinabove, the user would be able to apply great pressure through their shoulders to the hand 42 gripping the torque multiplying member 38.

If the nut 62 was to be untightened, then either the configuration shown in Figure 1 could be used so that ail upward force or pulling force required through the hand 42 on the torqn e multiplying member 38 or the orientation of the brace device 10 should be roversed ',so that the user's right hand 42 actually grips in a rotatable manner the portion 16 of the 15 elongate member 12 and the user's left hand 40 grips the torque multiplying member 38.

It should be noted that the brace device 10 of the present invention can be used as a "high speed" brace whilst the torque multiplying member 38 is removed, as shown in Figure 2.

SThe right hand 42 of the user could grip the arm 30 of the n-shaped portion 18 to rotate the elongate member 12 about the axis Y in a high speed manner.

The brace device 50 operates in substantially the same manner as the brace device although the following differences should be noted. The torque multiplying device 38 is able to be positioned on the elongate member 12 in a number of differing positions so as 40 to allow for increased convenience for the user. For example, the torque multiplying member 38 is received within the seat member 52 and is then pressed against the arm of the n-shaped portion 18 between any two of the raised projections 54 provided thereon.

The raised projections 54 help locate the torque multiplying member 38. It should be noted that the raised projections 54 are provided on either side of the arm 30 and that there are in fact provided two seat members 52, also on either side of the arm 28 of the I~ i 6 n-shaped portion 18. This allows a user to choose both at what angle they wish the torque multiplying member 38 to project relative to axis Y and whether they wish to apply rotational force about the axis Y to the nut 62 by pushing on the torque multiplying member 38 in a downward manner or by pulling in an upward manner on the torque multiplying member 38.

The provision of a plurality of positions for the torque multiplying member 38 increases the convenience for a user by allowing them to choose an appropriate angle of projection therefor relative to the axis Y to suit their stature and strength.

The removable nature of the torque regulating member 38 allows the brace devices 10 and 50 to be stored easily in a car, truck or workshop. It is envisaged that the brace devices and 50 may be made in varying sizes to suit different sized vehicles and the like.

It is further envisaged that the socket 22 may be formed integrally with the outer end of the portion 14. Further, it is also envisaged that the spring-loaded ball bearing 24 may be replaced by a simple spring-clip or the like passing through both the socket 22 and the 15 outer end 20 of the portion 14.

The elongate member 12 and torque multiplying member 38 are preferably formed of hardened steel.

Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed within the scope of the present invention.

S 4 1 L 0i

Claims

1. A brace device including an elongate member having two spaced apart substantially straight portions substantially parallel to one another interconnected by a substantially n- shaped portion, in which the n-shaped portion includes a first arm extending from a straight portion, a second arm substantially parallel to the straight portions and extending from the first arm, and a third arm extending from the second arm and being connected to the other straight portion, wherein a hollow seat member is provided on the first or third arm of the n-shaped portion for receiving an end of4kttorque multiplying member, a socket means being provided or being receivable on an outer end of one of the straight 10 portions, a torque multiplying member able to be removably received on the n-shaped portion such that when the torque multiplying member is received on the n-shaped portion a user is able to grip and apply pressure to that member whilst at the same time gripping rotatably the straight portion of the elongate member remote from the socket means.

2. A brace device according to claim 1, in which the straight portions are substantially aligned with one another, and wherein the first arm extends from the straight portion at an obtuse angle, and the third arm extends from the second arm at an obtuse angle.

3. A brace device according to claim 1 or 2, in which there is also provided a hollow guide member attached to the first arm and the torque multiplying member is able to be received in the hollow seat member and the hollow guide member.

4. A brace device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the hollow seat member comprises a basal flange against which the torque multiplying member abuts when received therein.

A brace device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which at least two hollow seat members are provided on the first arm and a plurality of spa -ed raised projections are provided on the second arm.

6. A brace device according to claim 5, in which the raised projections are provided on either side of the second arm.

7. A brace device according to claim 5 or 6, in which the hollow seat memers are flared l 11-I I~I 1_111_ IF~rCn:r;; iglr 8 outwardly so as to be larger at a mouth thereof than at a base thereof.

8. A brace device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 2a or Figures 3, 4 and 4a of the accompanying drawings. DATED THIS 1st DAY OF September 1995 PETER WAYNE ALTMANN SBy his Patent Attorneys KELVIN LORD AND COMPANY PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA 1 r -7

9 ABSTRACT A brace device (10) comprising an elongate member (12) having two spaced apart substantially straight portions (14) interconnected by a substantially n-shaped portion a socket means (34,52) being provided and a torque multiplying member (38) received on the n-shaped portion (18) such that a user is able to grip and apply pressure to the torque multiplying member (38) whilst at the same time gripping the straight portion (14) of the elongate member (12) remote from the socket means. I I C L