GB2531779A

GB2531779A - Device For Automotive Repair

Info

Publication number: GB2531779A
Application number: GB1419343.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mcguigan Brian
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-10-30
Filing date: 2014-10-30
Publication date: 2016-05-04
Anticipated expiration: 2034-10-30
Also published as: GB2531779B; GB2531779C; GB201419343D0

Abstract

A device for removing a wishbone from a vehicle comprising: a top plate 10 provided with means 11 for attaching the device to a wishbone, said means may be a strap; a bottom plate provided with a strike plate and a foot grip 13, which may be a strap, or knee plate (fig.6 23); an elongate bar 14 connecting the top plate to the bottom plate; and strike means 15 adapted to slide up and down along the elongate bar between the top plate and the bottom plate. The attachment belt 11 may be removably attached to one end of plate 10 via a D-ring (101) and fixably attached to the other via slots in the plate 10. The strike means may be a dead blow hammer which may have section the bottom of which is filled with lead shot, there may be a removable nylon cap to reduce noise. There may be a strike plate and hammer bolt 17 attached to the bottom plate 12.

Description

DEVICE FOR AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR

The present invention relates to a device for automotive repair. in particular to a device for removing a wishbone from a vehicle such as a car, e.g. an electric or hybrid car, and to a method for removing a' wishbone using the device.

A wishbone s a triangular component in automotive suspension and has two widely-spaced inboard bearings. These constrain the outboard end of the wishbone from moving back and forth, controlling two degrees of freedom and without requiring additional links. A double wishbone (or upper and lower A-arm) suspension is an independent suspension design using'two (occasionally parallel) wishbone-shaped arms to locate the wheel. Each wishbone or arm has two mounting points to the chassis and one joint at the knuckle. The shock absorber and coil spring mount to the wishbones to control vertical movement.

A wishbone requires removal when it is worn. If a worn wishbone is not removed this can cause one or more of an annoying knocking noise when the vehicle is being driven, worn tyres and steering problems.

Current tools and methods for the removal of a wishbone more often than not lead to damage occurring to associated components and fittings. For example, the wishbone is usually removed by brute force. e.g. hitting with a hammer and yanking it off. As well as causing possible damage to:associated components and fittings, this method is uncomfortable on the mechanic's hands. In particular, the rubber boot can burst, and the resulting dirt, grime and grease can destroy ball joints.

Current tools and methods for the removal of a wishbone can also occasionally lead to the rejection of the vehicle's drive shaft from its housing. This results in gear oil leakage and associated health and safety implications. To avoid such rejection of the vehicle's drive shaft and gear oil leakage, two mechanics conventionally carry out the task of removing the wishbone, one gripping the drive shaft and the other operating a known wishbone tool.

Additionally, the known tools are not likely to be suitable for use with electric cars without being covered by a rubber coating to avoid electric shocks.

It is a therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for removing a wishbone from a vehicle, wherein the device can safely and quickly be used by one person without oil leakage or damage to components.

According to the invention, there is provided a device for removing a wishbone from a vehicle, the device comprising: a top plate provided with means for attaching the device to a wishbone; a bottom plate provided with a strike plate and a foot grip or knee plate; an elongate bar connecting the top plate to the bottom plate; and strike means adapted to slide up and down along the elongate bar between the top plate and the bottom plate.

In a preferred embodiment, the device is for use when the vehicle is on a lift e. it is a device for use overhead of the operator.

In another embodiment, the device is for use when the vehicle is being worked on a ground level.

Using the device of the present invention, wishbone removal is enabled while the vehicle is lifted on'an auto lift, thus fitting in with the equipment available in modern auto garages.

Removal using the device involves simple vertical action. The operator can hold the drive shaft in position with one hand while operating the device with, his other hand and one of his feet. For example, when using the overhead device according to the invention, an operator secures the attaching means on the wishbone to be removed, places his foot in the foot grip and slides the sliding strike means up and down along the bar between the top plate and the bottom plate of the device. The impact of the strike means then dislodges the wishbone ball joint from its housing.

In an alternative example, when using the ground level device according to the invention, an operator secures the attaching means on the wishbone to be removed, rests his knee on the knee plate and slides the sliding strike means up and down along the bar between the top plate and the bottom plate of the device. The impact of the strike means again dislodges the wishbone ball joint from its housing.

The top plate preferably has a hole in the centre through which elongate bar extends. The top plate is preferably fixed in position on the elongate bar using bolts, e.g. one bolt above and one bolt below the plate In a particularly preferred embodiment, the bolts and bar each independently feature a thread consisting of a 5 mm pitch and a cut away of 2 mm, reducing the diameter of the bar. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that this reduced diameter will have little effect on the overall strength of the bar as a component in the overall assembly as the vast majority of the force will be acting on its long axis when being used.

Preferably the diameter of the elongate bar is in the range of from approximately 10 mm to 30 mm, e.g. 14 mm or 16 mm thick.

The elongate bar is preferably made of steel.

The top plate and bottom plate are preferably each independently of a thickness in the range of from approximately 2 rnm to 20 mm, e.g. 5 rnm thick.

Preferably, the means for attaching the device to a wishbone comprises a strap, e.g. standard wratchet strapping. The strap is preferably fixably attached to one end of the top plate and removably attached to another end of the top plate. The top plate is preferably provided with one or more slots or holes for fixably connecting the strap thereto.

The strap is preferably provided with a 0-ring at the removably attachable end, preferably a nickel plated steel D-ring with breaking strength of 570 kg. The other end of the strap is preferably thread through slots in one side of the top plate, making the overall strap length adjustable. The D-ring allows the strap to be removably attached to the top plate via the hook. This makes it easier for the operator to place the strap over the wishbone to be removed.

A hook, particularly preferably a steel carabine,er hook, is attached to a slot or hole in the top plate and to the D-ring on the strap.

In a preferred embodiment, the strap is made of a webbed polyester material making it flexible yet strong. In a preferred embodiment, the strap is a light duty strapping with a width in the range of from approximately 15 mm to approximately 50 mm, e.g. 25 mm. Additionally or alternatively, the strap has a length in the range of from approximately 500 mm to approximately 1500 mm, e.g. 855 mm. Additionally or alternatively, the strap has a breaking force of from approximately 800 kg to approximately 1500 kg.

The bottom plate is preferably provided with a strike plate and a hammer bolt. The strike plate is preferably fabncated from mild steel and can be machined from 120 mm round bar or cut from 100 mm sheet metal then machined to a finish. Preferably, the strike plate is centred on the bottom plate. The hammer bolt has a dual purpose. Firstly, it has an internal central threaded part and acts as a fastener for connecting the elongate bar to the bottom plate. Secondly, when the device is rotated 180 degrees, the hammer bolt can be rested on the underneath of a wishbone and used for the installation of the wishbone component.

The hammer bolt is preferably of hexagonal cross-section with a central threaded core.

The top of the hammer boit is preferabiy flat. The base of the hammer bolt is preferably provided with a recess for accommodating the wishbone to be removed.

The foot grip preferably comprises a strap as described above, particularly preferably a strap with a length of approximately 1030 mm.

The foot grip has the advantage of adding an extra load to the strike means with the result that less impact force is required than from conventional hammer action.

The knee plate is preferably provided with knee padding. The knee padding preferably comprises cushioning foam. In a preferred embodiment the knee padding is covered with a vinyl cover and is attached to the knee plate with adhesive.

The top of the strike means preferably has a circular flat surface. A hole runs through the strike means for accommodating the elongate bar. The diameter of the hole is equal to the diameter of elongate bar, e.g. 16 mm.

In a preferred embodiment, the strike means comprises a dead blow hammer with a hollow centre for accepting the elongate bar. In use, the dead blow hammer absorbs the shock of the strike, prevents marring of a soft surface, reduces rebound and increases strike force. Reducing he rebound of hammer strikes results in reduction of user fatigue and stress injuries for the user.

The dead blow hammer comprises a top section and a bottom section. The sections are preferably screwed together. The bottom section is filled with a loose material that shifts during the strike, for example lead shot, and has a removable nylon cap at its base to soften impact and reduce noise. This arrangement reduces rebound of the strike means and increases strike force during use. Preferably, the lead shot is of a 3 mm diameter type, each pellicle weighing 0.21 g. Particularly preferably, approximately 2700 such lead shot particles are used, producing a mass of 561 g. The total weight of dead blow hammer Including the lead shot is preferably in the range of from approximately 3 kg to 10 kg, e.g. 6.3 kg.

Preferably, the bottom section of the dead blow hammer is non-sparking and replaceable to reduce the risk of sparking in areas where a spark could ignite flammable gasses.

In the overhead device according to the invention, the dead blow hammer preferably further comprises a middle section surrounded by a hand grip. The hand grip is preferably made of polyurethane.

In the ground level device according to the invention, the top section of the dead blow hammer is preferably provided with a handle and hand grip.

The handle is preferably made of steel and the had grip is preferably made of plastic, e.g. polyurethane. The plastic grip prevents injuries to the operator's hand from the impact of the strike means and protects the operators knuckle area and back of the hand.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred device according to the invention for use at ground level; Figures 2a, b and c show a front view, side view and plan view of the device shown in Figure 1, respectively; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of part of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of another part of the device shown in Figure 1; Figures 5a, b and c show a front view, cross-sectional view and plan view of the strike means of the device shown in Figure 1, respectively; Figure 6 shows a preferred device according to the invention for use overhead, e.g. when a car is at height on a lift.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of part of the device shown in Figure 6; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of another part of the device shown in Figure 6; Figures 9a and 9b show the device of Figure 1 in use; and Figures 10a, lob and 10c show a front view, a right side view showing the internal threading and a perspective view of a preferred hammer bolt on the device according to the invention, respectively.

Referring to the drawings and in particular to Figures 1 to Sc there is shown a preferred device according to the invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 100, for removing a wishbone W from a vehicle when the vehicle is at ground level.

Device 100 has a top plate 10 provided with a strap 11 for attaching the device 100 to a wishbone W, a bottom plate 12 with a foot grip 13, an elongate bar 14 connecting the top plate 10 to the bottom plate 12; and a dead blow hammer 15 adapted to slide up and down along the bar 14 between the top plate 10 and the bottom plate 12.

Bottom plate 12 is provided with strike plate 16 and hammer bolt 17. Strike plate 16 is fabricated from mild steel, can be machined from 120 mm round bar or cut from 100 mm sheet metal then machined to a finish and has an internal central threaded part 106 for accepting elongate bar 14. Hammer bolt 17 has a dual purpose. Firstly, it has an internal central threaded part 116 and acts as a fastener for elongate bar 14 to bottom plate 12. Secondly, when the device 100 is rotated 180 degrees, the cut away shape of hammer bolt 17 can be rested on the underneath of the wishbone W and used for the installation of the wishbone component (see especially Figure 9b in this regard). The shape of hammer bolt 17 can be seen in Figures 10a, 10 b and 10c described below.

As shown in Figures 5a-5c, dead blow hammer 15 comprises top section 151, middle section 152 surrounded by hand grip 153 and bottom section 154 with nylon cap 156. The sections are screwed together as shown in Figure 5b which is a cross-sedional drawing along section A-A in Figure 5a see threads 159. Bottom section 154 of dead blow hammer 15 is filled with lead shot 155. A hole runs 157 through the dead blow hammer 15 for accommodating elongate bar 14. The diameter of hole 151 is equal to the diameter of elongate bar 14, Le. 16 mm.

Top section 151 of dead blow hammer 15 has a circular flat surface as shown in Figures 5a to 5c.

The total weight of dead blow hammer 15 including lead shot 155 is 6.3 kg.

As shown in Figure, top plate 10 has a hole 104 in the centre through which elongate bar 14 extends. A further hole 105 is provided at one end of top plate 10. Carabiner hook 101 is attached to top plate 10 via hole 105.

Strap 11 is provided with D-ring 102 at one end and the other end is thread through slots in one side of the plate 10, making the overall strap length adjustable. D-ring 102 allows strap 11 to be removably attached to caraiainer hook 101. This makes it easier for the operator to place the strap 11 over the wishbone W to be removed.

Strap 11 is 25 mm wide, 855 mm long and has a breaking strength of 800 kg. It is made of polyester webbing.

Top plate 10 and bottom plate 12 are each 5 mm thick.

Foot grip 13 is a polyester webbing strap. It is 25 mm thick, 1030 mm long and has a breaking strength of 800 kg.

Top plate 10 is fixed in position using a double bolt 18 top and bottom. The bolts 18 and bar 14 feature a specialised thread consisting of a 5 mm pitch and a cut away of 2 mm, reducing the diameter of the bar to 12 mm diameter. It is believed this will have little effect on the overall strength of the bar as a component in the overall assembly as the vast majority of the force will be acting on its long axis when being used.

As shown in Figures 9b, 10a, 1 Ob and 10c, hammer bolt 17 is of hexagonal cross-section and has a central threaded core for accepting elongate bar 14. The top of hammer bolt 17 is flat The base of hammer bolt 17 is recessed to accommodate the wishbone W to be removed.

Referring now to Figures 6 to 8 there is shown an alternative preferred device according to the invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 200, for removing a wishbone W from a vehicle, when the vehicle is at ground level, e.g. at height on a lift.

Device 200 has a top plate 20 provided with a strap 21 for attaching the device 200 to a wishbone (not shown), a bottom plate 22, a knee plate 23, an elongate bar 24 connecting the top plate 20 to the bottom plate 22, and a dead blow hammer 25 adapted to slide up and down along the bar 24 between the top plate 20 and the bottom plate 22.

Top plate 20 is fixed in position using a double bolt 28 top and bottom. The bolts 28 and bar 24 feature a specialised thread as described above.

Bottom plate 22 is provided with strike plate 26. Strike plate 26 is made from mild steel and is centred on bottom plate 22.

Dead blow hammer 25 comprises top section 251 and bottom section 254 with nylon cap 256. Top section 251 is fastened to bottom section 254 using standard broad thread and is fabricated from mild steel. Top section 251 is provided with handle 258 which is provided with a plastic grip 253. Bottom section 254 is filled with lead shot (not shown). A hole runs 257 through the dead blow hammer 25 for accommodating elongate bar 24. The diameter of hole 157 is equal to the diameter of elongate bar 24.

Plastic grip 253 prevents injuries to the operator's hand from the hammer impact and protects the operator's knuckle area and back of the hand.

Bottom pate 22 is cut from 5 mm sheet metal with the end tabs formed on a metal worker to receive a retaining pin 30. A hole is drilled with the retaining pin 30 in place to locate a roll pin. The hole in, the centre of bottom plate 22 is used to tack weld strike plate 26 into position.

Knee plate 23 is made from 5 mm sheet metal and is provided with knee padding 231 made 5 from a dense cushion foam and covered with a vinyl cover. Knee padding 231 is fastened to the knee plate 23 with adhesive. Knee plate 23 has two tabs 232 and 233, one to receive the retaining pin 30 and the other to rest on the ground.

A roll pin 40 holds the knee plate 23 and retaining pin 30 in place.

The knee plate 23 can pivot with respect to bottom plate 22 by rotating on retaining pin 30.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciate that additions and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing front the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

Claims.1. A device for removing a wishbone from a vehicle, the device comprising.a top plate provided with means for attaching the device to a wishbone; a bottom plate provided with a strike plate and a foot grip or knee plate; an elongate bar connecting the top plate to the bottom plate; and strike means adapted to slide up and down along the elongate bar between the top plate and the bottom plate.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device foot grip and is for use overhead of the operator.
3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device has a knee plate and is for use when the vehicle is being worked on a ground level, preferably wherein the knee plate is provided with knee padding.
4. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the means for attaching the device to a wishbone comprises a strap, preferably wherein the strap is fixably attached to one end of the top plate and removably attached to another end of the top plate, 5. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the top plate is provided with one or more slots or holes for fixably connecting the strap thereto.6. A device as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the strap is provided with a 0-ring at the removably attachable end and the other end of the strap is thread through slots in one side of the top plate, making the overall strap length adjustable.7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a strike plate and a hammer bolt for attachment to the bottom plate.8. A device as claimed in any one of claims 2 and 4 to 7, wherein the foot grip comprises a strap, preferably a strap made of a webbed polyester material.9. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the strike means comprises a dead blow hammer with a hollow centre for accepting the elongate bar.10. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the dead blow hammer comprises a top section and a bottom section and wherein the bottom section is filled with a loose vial' that shifts during the strike and has a removable nylon cap at its base to soften impact and reduce noise.1,A device for removing a wishbone from a vehicle, the device substantially as herein, described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.Amended claims have been fild as follows:-Claims: 1. A slide hammer for removing a wishbone from a vehicle by an operator, the slide hammer comprising: a top plate provided with means for securely attaching the slide hammer to a wishbone; a bottom plate provided with a strike plate and a foot grip on which the operator places his foot or knee plate; an elongate bar connecting the top plate to the bottom plate; and strike means adapted to be moved up and down along the elongate bar between the top plate and the bottom plate by the operator, wherein the means for attaching the slide hammer to a wishbone comprises an upper strap which is fixably attached to one end of the top plate and removably attached to another end of the top plate; and the top plate is provided with one or more slots or holes for fixably connecting the upper strap thereto.2. A slide hammer as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the slide hammer has a foot grip for receipt of an operators foot.O3. A slide hammer as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the slide hammer has a knee plate for use when the vehicle is being worked on a ground level, and is provided with knee C\I 20 padding.4. A slide hammer as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the strap is provided with a D-ring at the removably attachable end and the other end of the strap is threaded through slots in one side of the top plate, making the overall strap length adjustable.
5. A slide hammer as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a second strike plate and a hammer bolt for attachment to the bottom plate.
6. A slide hammer as claimed Claim 2 or 4, wherein the foot grip comprises a lower strap, made of a webbed polyester material.
7. A slide hammer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the strike means comprises a dead blow hammer with a hollow centre for accepting the elongate bar.
8. A slide hammer as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the dead blow hammer comprises a top section and a bottom section and wherein the bottom section is filled with a loose material that shifts during the strike and has a removable nylon cap at its base to soften impact and reduce noise.
9. A slide hammer for removing a wishbone from a vehicle, substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.