GB2335720A - A combined dust cap and position indicating device, particularly for vehicle wheel nuts - Google Patents

A combined dust cap and position indicating device, particularly for vehicle wheel nuts Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2335720A
GB2335720A GB9912702A GB9912702A GB2335720A GB 2335720 A GB2335720 A GB 2335720A GB 9912702 A GB9912702 A GB 9912702A GB 9912702 A GB9912702 A GB 9912702A GB 2335720 A GB2335720 A GB 2335720A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
pointer
bore
wheel
hub
nut
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB9912702A
Other versions
GB2335720B (en
GB9912702D0 (en
Inventor
Michael Marczynski
John Marriott
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Business Lines Ltd
Original Assignee
Business Lines Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GBGB9708244.0A external-priority patent/GB9708244D0/en
Application filed by Business Lines Ltd filed Critical Business Lines Ltd
Priority to GB9912702A priority Critical patent/GB2335720B/en
Publication of GB9912702D0 publication Critical patent/GB9912702D0/en
Publication of GB2335720A publication Critical patent/GB2335720A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2335720B publication Critical patent/GB2335720B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B37/00—Nuts or like thread-engaging members
    • F16B37/14—Cap nuts; Nut caps or bolt caps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B2200/00—Constructional details of connections not covered for in other groups of this subclass
    • F16B2200/95—Constructional details of connections not covered for in other groups of this subclass with markings, colours, indicators or the like
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B31/00—Screwed connections specially modified in view of tensile load; Break-bolts
    • F16B31/02—Screwed connections specially modified in view of tensile load; Break-bolts for indicating the attainment of a particular tensile load or limiting tensile load

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Vehicle Cleaning, Maintenance, Repair, Refitting, And Outriggers (AREA)

Abstract

For indicating relative rotational displacement between a first member, such as a stud (20) on a wheel hub, and a second member, such as a wheel nut (22), which is rotatably engaged with the first member, a safety device (24) comprises a body (26) having a bore formed with equispaced grooves enabling the device to be releasably secured to the second member (22) in one position of a plurality of positions and having indicating means, such as a pointer (28), to indicate the position of the device (24) relative to a reference, such as a mark (32) on the rim (16) covering the wheel hub (14). The bore within the body (26) is closed at one end by an integral top wall (36) so that the body additionally serves as a dust cap for the conjoined first and second members (20, 22).

Description

P60784 GB 2335720 A Combined Dust cap and Position Indicating Device,
Particularly for Vehicle Wheel Nuts.
This invention concerns a combined dust cap and position indicating device, particularly but not exclusively for use upon vehicle wheel nuts.
According to the present invention a safety device for indicating relative rotational displacement between a first member and a second member which are relatively rotatably engaged with each other comprises a body having a bore formed with equispaced grooves enabling the device to be releasably secured to the second member in one position of a plurality of positions, having indicating means to indicate the position of the device relative to a reference, and having an integral closure to the bore at one end so that the body additionally serves as a dust cap for conjoined first and second members.
Such a device is particularly useful for indicating whether or not a wheel nut has become loose, in which respect the first member comprises a threaded stud on an axle hub, the second member comprises a wheel nut, and the reference comprises a mark on a wheel rim adjacent a respective stud hole.
The indicating means can comprise a pointer and the body and the pointer can be formed components.
either integrally or as separate The present invention further comprises a vehicle wheel and hub assembly comprising studs on the hub and associated nuts securing the vehicle wheel to the hub, a safety device as defined in the preceding paragraphs being arranged on each nut, once tightened, with each device pointing to a reference.
The present invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a vehicle wheel which has been fitted with a number of safety devices according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a underside plan view of a preferred practical embodiment of a safety device of the present invention; and Figure 3 is a perspective view, to a slightly reduced scale, showing the device illustrated in Fig. 2 being fitted over a wheel nut.
Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a vehicle wheel assembly (10) comprising an axle (12), a hub (14), and a rim (16) on which a tyre (18) is mounted. The hub (14) has six threaded studs (20) which pass through openings in the rim (16), and the rim (16) is secured to the hub (14) by nuts (22). A safety indicating device (24) is attached to each nut (22). In this respect, each safety device (24) fits over and completely covers its respective nut (22) and the end of the stud (20) on which it is threadably engaged, so the latter are not visible in Figure 1, but can be seen in detail in Figure 3.
As shown in more detail in Figures 2 and 3, the device (24) comprises a circular body (26), though it can be hexagonal in section, having a pointer (28). The body (26) has a central bore which is provided with a number of equispaced grooves or splines (30) enabling the device (24) to be secured to the nut (22) by engagement between the corners of the nut and respective ones of the grooves or splines (30).
The bore of the body (26) is closed at one end by a rounded or bevelled top wall (36) so that the body as a whole serves as a dust cap for the threaded connection between the wheel nut (22) and the stud (20). The body (26) also has a flared region (38) adjacent the open end of the bore. The splines (30) do not extend to this flared region. Taken together, the provision of the top wall (36) and the flared region (38) substantially prevent dust and dirt clogging the connection between the wheel nut (22) and the stud (20) which is covered by the body (26). This means the connection between the nut (22) and the stud (20) is less prone to jamming or corrosion than a similar connection which is not provided with a dust cap.
The body (26) also has an outwardly raised rim (34) at the open - 4 end of the bore and the pointer (28) is formed as an extension of this rim (34).
The body (26) is suitably produced from plastics, in one piece, by moulding. In this respect, the flared region (38) will assist release of the body from the mould.
The body may advantageously be produced from fluorescent plastics material, or the material of the body (26) (or at least the pointer (28)) may have a fluorescent coating applied to enhance its ready visibility.
Corresponding to each device (24), a reference in the form of a mark (32) is provided on the rim (16). The mark (32) can be painted onto the rim or stuck to the rim, and the mark can be fluorescent.
The bore in the body (26) and the splines (30) are sized so that the device (24) is a force fit on each nut (22) so that the device (24) will not become loose during use but can be released from the nut when necessary.
In order to use the device as illustrated in Figure 1, the rim (16) and therefore the tyre (18) is attached to the hub (14) in the usual way and all of the nuts (22) are tightened to the necessary degree of tightness. A device (24) is then attached to each wheel nut (22) so that each pointer (28) points to its respective reference mark (32).
- It will be appreciated that if there is any relative movement between any one of the nuts (22) and its stud (20) the pointer (28) will not be pointing towards its reference mark (32). Therefore each device according to the present invention provide a visual indication if the nut to which it is attached has become loose without the need to jack the vehicle wheel and to test each nut for tightness by hand or by using a tool.
Whilst in the illustrated embodiment of the invention all of the pointers are directed radially outwardly, they can be directed in any direction which may be appropriate. For example, all of the pointers can point in a number of random directions provided that when each device is attached to a tightened nut its pointer will be directed towards a reference mark so that displacement between the pointer and the reference mark can be visually noted.
Further, the pointers on adjacent nuts can point towards each other, so that the adjacent pointer becomes a reference mark. In such an arrangement, if both nuts loosen, they diverge from the reference mark (the opposite pointer) at a greater rate.
The mark (32) can be omitted, and the pointers can be directed in a common direction, e.g. all parallel to one another, or all radially outwardly or inwardly, so that if one or more of the wheel nuts became loose, the displacement of the safety devices is readily noted by the eye.
6 If it is required to tighten a wheel nut the device (24) can be removed f rom the nut by applying leverage between the device and the wheel rim or applying a pulling load to the device (24) to remove the device from the nut. After tightening has taken place the device is replaced so that the indicator (28) is pointing towards the reference mark (32). If it is not possible when replacing the device for the pointer (28) to point directly to the reference point (32) the reference mark can be removed from its existing position and relocated so that the pointer (28) is directed towards it.

Claims (12)

  1. Claims
    A safety device for indicating relative rotational displacement between a f irst member and a second member which are relatively rotatably engaged with each other, the device comprising a body having a bore formed with equispaced grooves enabling the device to be releasably secured to the second member in one position of a plurality of positions, having indicating means to indicate the position of the device relative to a reference, and having an integral closure to the bore at one end so that the body additionally serves as a dust cap for conjoined first and second members.
  2. 2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the indicating means comprises a pointer.
  3. 3.
    A device as claimed in claim 2 in which the body and the pointer are formed integrally.
  4. A device as claimed in claim 2 in which the body and the pointer are formed separately.
  5. A device as claimed in claim 3 in which the body is formed with an outwardly raised rim at the open end of the bore and the pointer is formed as an extension of the rim.
  6. 8 - A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the body has a flared region at or adjacent to the open end of the bore.
  7. 7.
    A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the first member comprises a threaded stud and the second member comprises a nut.
  8. 8. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the reference comprises a mark on a structure to be secured between the first and second members.
  9. A device as claimed in any preceding claim which is fluorescent.
  10. 10. A safety indicating device constructed and arranged for use and operation substantially as herein described.
  11. 11. A vehicle wheel and hub assembly, the wheel being secured to the hub by means of f ixed threaded studs on the hub extending through holes in the wheel and nuts on the studs clamping the wheel to the hub, a safety indicating device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims arranged on each nut, once tightened, with each device pointing to a reference.
  12. 12. A vehicle wheel and hub assembly constructed and arranged for use and operation substantially as herein described.
GB9912702A 1997-04-24 1998-04-24 A combined dust cap and position indicating device,particularly for vehicle wheel nuts Expired - Lifetime GB2335720B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9912702A GB2335720B (en) 1997-04-24 1998-04-24 A combined dust cap and position indicating device,particularly for vehicle wheel nuts

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9708244.0A GB9708244D0 (en) 1997-04-24 1997-04-24 A combined dust cap and position indicating device, particularly for vehicle wheel nuts
GB9912702A GB2335720B (en) 1997-04-24 1998-04-24 A combined dust cap and position indicating device,particularly for vehicle wheel nuts
GB9808699A GB2325505B (en) 1997-04-24 1998-04-24 A combined dust cap and position indicating device, particularly for vehicle wheel nuts

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9912702D0 GB9912702D0 (en) 1999-08-04
GB2335720A true GB2335720A (en) 1999-09-29
GB2335720B GB2335720B (en) 2000-03-15

Family

ID=26311433

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9912702A Expired - Lifetime GB2335720B (en) 1997-04-24 1998-04-24 A combined dust cap and position indicating device,particularly for vehicle wheel nuts

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2335720B (en)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2393488A (en) * 2002-09-18 2004-03-31 Peter Brawley Wheel nut indicator mount
WO2005021983A1 (en) * 2003-09-03 2005-03-10 PÄÄKKÖ, Eero Loosening indicator for a bolt or nut and a corresponding system
WO2005059381A1 (en) * 2003-12-17 2005-06-30 Business Lines Limited A safety device particularly for multiple wheel nuts
US7127775B2 (en) * 2003-07-23 2006-10-31 Sentry Security Fasteners, Inc. Hinge attachment and associated method of making and assembling a door and door frame
GB2436356A (en) * 2006-03-25 2007-09-26 Interparts Automotive B V A device for indicating loss of tension in a wheel nut or bolt
GB2454164A (en) * 2007-08-25 2009-05-06 Business Lines Ltd Rotation indicator device
GB2493739A (en) * 2011-08-17 2013-02-20 Business Lines Ltd Rotation indicator
EP2642135A1 (en) 2012-03-19 2013-09-25 Krzysztof Maciejewski A rotation indicator for a vehicle wheel nut
WO2015000013A1 (en) 2013-07-05 2015-01-08 Marchmont Pty Limited Loose wheel nut indicator
US9618028B2 (en) 2013-08-30 2017-04-11 Business Lines Limited Rotation indicating device, particularly for allen bolts

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2242720A (en) * 1990-03-27 1991-10-09 Business Lines Looseness indicator for fasteners
US5120174A (en) * 1991-03-18 1992-06-09 Wheel Masters Inc. Torque loss indicator

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2242720A (en) * 1990-03-27 1991-10-09 Business Lines Looseness indicator for fasteners
US5120174A (en) * 1991-03-18 1992-06-09 Wheel Masters Inc. Torque loss indicator

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2393488A (en) * 2002-09-18 2004-03-31 Peter Brawley Wheel nut indicator mount
GB2393488B (en) * 2002-09-18 2005-07-27 Peter Brawley Wheel nut indicator mount
US7127775B2 (en) * 2003-07-23 2006-10-31 Sentry Security Fasteners, Inc. Hinge attachment and associated method of making and assembling a door and door frame
WO2005021983A1 (en) * 2003-09-03 2005-03-10 PÄÄKKÖ, Eero Loosening indicator for a bolt or nut and a corresponding system
WO2005059381A1 (en) * 2003-12-17 2005-06-30 Business Lines Limited A safety device particularly for multiple wheel nuts
US7415888B2 (en) 2003-12-17 2008-08-26 Michael Marczynski Safety device particularly for multiple wheel nuts
GB2436356A (en) * 2006-03-25 2007-09-26 Interparts Automotive B V A device for indicating loss of tension in a wheel nut or bolt
GB2454164B (en) * 2007-08-25 2011-10-12 Business Lines Ltd Rotation indicator device
GB2454164A (en) * 2007-08-25 2009-05-06 Business Lines Ltd Rotation indicator device
US8152426B2 (en) 2007-08-25 2012-04-10 Business Lines Limited Rotation indicator device
GB2493739A (en) * 2011-08-17 2013-02-20 Business Lines Ltd Rotation indicator
WO2013024302A1 (en) 2011-08-17 2013-02-21 Business Lines Limited Rotation indicator
US9353776B2 (en) 2011-08-17 2016-05-31 Business Lines Limited Rotation indicator
EP2642135A1 (en) 2012-03-19 2013-09-25 Krzysztof Maciejewski A rotation indicator for a vehicle wheel nut
WO2015000013A1 (en) 2013-07-05 2015-01-08 Marchmont Pty Limited Loose wheel nut indicator
EP3017203B1 (en) 2013-07-05 2018-08-22 Marchmont Pty Limited Loose wheel nut indicator
US9618028B2 (en) 2013-08-30 2017-04-11 Business Lines Limited Rotation indicating device, particularly for allen bolts

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2335720B (en) 2000-03-15
GB9912702D0 (en) 1999-08-04

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PE20 Patent expired after termination of 20 years

Expiry date: 20180423