FR2889475A1 - Clamping or loosening torque transmitting wrench for motor vehicle wheels, has pins or fingers movably mounted so that each pin or finger is retracted in receptacle so as to be positioned to prevent interaction of pins or fingers with slots - Google Patents

Abstract

The wrench (2) has pins or fingers (23) positioned in the same order and interacting with peripheral and/or front slots (13) of a head of an anti-theft screw device (1) for producing a torque transmitting coupling. The pins or fingers are axially movably mounted so that each pin or finger is retracted in a receptacle (22) by a front push in order to be positioned for preventing any interaction of the pins or fingers with slots if the slots are positioned in another ordering.

Description

The present invention relates to a key for the transmission of a

  tightening or loosening torque to an anti-theft screw device, in particular vehicle wheels, of the type where the coupling is made through fingerprints

  concordant whose structural and dimensional characteristics are able to constitute a code.

  Conventionally, the wheel of a motor vehicle is fixed by means of screws whose head, which allows the transmission of the tightening or loosening torque, is of hexagonal shape.

  In order to prevent a third party from fraudulently removing the wheels, it is currently provided that, for each of the wheels, at least one of the screws has a head which requires a special key to be able to be operated.

  Numerous screw devices or the like provided with coding means are known, such as those described in documents GB 2.006.371, FR 2.359.730 and FR 2.567.215. These devices comprise on the one hand a screw whose head has either peripheral and / or facial notches arranged angularly irregularly, and on the other hand a socket-type key provided with pins or fingers arranged according to the same arrangement and intended to to cooperate with said notches in order to achieve the coupling capable of allowing the transfer of torque.

  It is however possible for a malicious person wanting to force a screw as described above, to obtain a key of origin identical to that of said screw and obviously having a different code, and knowing that randomly some pieces or fingers can be in the right places, to succeed by forcing to deform said key and to achieve the unscrewing of said screw.

  The object of the present invention is to propose a key for the transmission of a tightening or loosening torque to an anti-theft screw device, in particular of vehicle wheels, which can not be used fraudulently. according to the manner previously described.

  The key for the transmission of a tightening or loosening torque to an anti-theft screw device, in particular of vehicle wheels according to the invention, wherein said screw device comprises a head which has angularly arranged peripheral and / or facial notches. irregularly, while the key is of the socket type internally provided with pins or fingers arranged in the same arrangement and intended to cooperate with said notches in order to perform the coupling capable of allowing the transmission of a torque, said key being essentially characterized in that said pins or fingers are movably mounted in axial displacement so that they can retract into a housing during a front thrust, to take a position preventing any cooperation with the notches of said head.

  It will be understood that such a key can not be forced on a screw, since the mere attempt to approach the key of an unsuitable screw causes the return of the pawn or fingers that are not exactly in front of the notches .

  According to an additional feature of the device according to the invention, it comprises connecting means capable of making the pins or fingers integral in displacement.

  The advantages and characteristics of the device according to the invention will emerge more clearly from the description which follows and which refers to the appended drawing, which represents a non-limiting embodiment thereof.

  In the accompanying drawing: - Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an anti-theft screw device.

  FIG. 2 represents a partial perspective view of a key according to the invention.

  - Figure 3 shows a partial schematic sectional view along a median diametral plane of the same key.

  - Figure 4 shows a schematic sectional view along a median diametral plane of the same key and a part of the anti-theft screw device.

  Referring to Figure 1 can be seen an anti-theft screw device 1 to be operated by means of a key according to the invention. This antitheft screw device 1 comprises a threaded body 10 surmounted by a head 11, which comprises a cylindrical drum 12 provided with peripheral notches 13 angularly arranged irregularly, and intended to allow the transmission of a tightening torque or loosening.

  Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, there can be seen a key 2 according to the invention, which in this case is in the form of an adaptable socket, for example, on a tool not shown.

  The key 2 has a cavity 20 delimited by an inner wall 21 in which are formed housing 22, whose angular distribution is identical to that of the notches 13.

  Referring now to Figure 4, it can be seen that each housing 22 is intended to receive a finger 23 adapted to this axially displaced in its housing 22. The cavity 20 also accommodates an insert 3, axially movable and tightly in the cavity 20, and who is able to connect all the fingers 23.

  It will be understood that the insert 3 can take two extreme positions in and out, and that in the extended position, that shown in FIG. 4, the fingers 23 can cooperate with the notches 13, whereas in the retracted position where each of the fingers 23 is retracted in its housing 22, there is no possible cooperation with the notches 13.

  The output position, which is encountered when the screw device 1 and the key 2 are not compatible, is also linked to the fact that the extreme edge of the sleeve 2 abuts on the head 11 before the fingers 23 come into contact with each other. stop in dwellings 22.

Claims (1)

4 CLAIMS   1) A key for the transmission of a tightening or loosening torque to an antitheft screw device (1), in particular of vehicle wheels, wherein said screw device (1) comprises a head (11) which has notches ( 13) peripherally and / or facially arranged angularly irregularly, while the key (2) is of the socket type internally provided with pins or fingers (23) arranged in the same arrangement and intended to cooperate with said notches (13) in order to to make the coupling capable of allowing the transmission of a torque, said key (2) is characterized in that said pins or fingers (23) are movably mounted in axial displacement so that they can retract into a housing ( 22) during a front thrust, to take a position preventing any cooperation with the notches (13) of said head (11).   2) Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that it comprises connecting means (3) adapted to make the pins or fingers (23) integral in displacement.