WO1990007432A1

WO1990007432A1 - Improvements in or relating to a vehicle wheel trolley

Info

Publication number: WO1990007432A1
Application number: PCT/GB1990/000010
Authority: WO
Inventors: Barry Jacobs
Original assignee: Barry Jacobs
Priority date: 1989-01-04
Filing date: 1990-01-04
Publication date: 1990-07-12
Also published as: AU4825990A; EP0452380A1

Abstract

A wheel changing device comprising of: a frame (1) preferably folding, with short wheel arm supports (3) to support a vehicle wheel (T). The wheel arm supports (3) are positioned at the lowest part of the frame (1). A lever arm (10) extending from the frame (1); the lever-arm (10) has a knee pad (6) to facilitate a human knee. Two castors (7) positioned in the frame (1) for manoeuvring, and providing the fulcrum point between the wheel-arm-supports (15) and the knee-pad (6). As from the highest pivoting point of the knee pad (6), the user will be capable of maintaining his knee on the knee pad (6) whilst keeping both feet on the ground. The length of the said device will allow the user to maintain his body weight, through his knee, on the knee pad (6) whilst having both hands free to manipulate the wheel (T) on the short wheel supporting rollers (2).

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IH OR RELATING TO

A VEHICLE WHEEL TROLLEY

Vehicle wheels having to be changed is a common occurrence. On some modern cars the wheels are large, broad and heavy and need to be lifted and manhandled on to the studs or held while a set pin is inserted. This can be a difficult operation especially with heavy goods vehicles. At present there is no satisfactory method of carrying out this operation.

Although the first vehicle wheel trolley which utilised fulcrum means appeared around the turn of the Century, none of the previous attempts have been totally satisfactory in solving the problem. Each device has significant disadvantages and draw-backs.

The only vehicle wheel trolley on the market at the present time appears to be an H.G.V. hydraulic version. Therefore the problem of raising and aligning a wheel to a vehicle hub still exists since the hydraulic device Is far too cumbersome, expensive and time consuming: it certainly cannot be taken on board a vehicle to be used when the need arises.

In general, inventors were aiming towards two different methods; fulcrum, or mechanical means which would lift and align the vehicle wheel into position. Therefore, the majority of inventors were finishing with a device which:-

(1) demanded great physical exertion

(2) complicated in operation

(3) expensive to manufacture. (4) time consuming

(5) heavy and cumbersome

(6) awkward to use.

(7) too large to be carried on board a vehicle at all times

(8) required to raise the vehicle to a dangerous and unacceptable height therefore defeating the object of the device.

Some of the significant disadvantages and draw-backs were not only to raise and align the wheel onto the hub but many previous ideas lacked easy manoeuvring and lowering the wheel onto the device. In many cases the operator was required to lift the wheel onto the device or try to roll or lower the wheel onto the device, whilst the device itself would slide away on its castors or rollers. Then performing a difficult balancing operation by trying to support the wheel in an upright position with one hand, and manoeuvring the device with the other hand. Therefore the object of the device has been defeated again.

In general, there were far too many attempts to find a solution to the problem of vehicle wheel changing to list them individually.

Wheelchanging is a very intricate operation, it requires too many operations simultaneously and, therefore, cannot be overcome by using complicated mechanical means.

Summarising, where the majority of previous ideas failed was that the design of the device was aimed to satisfy mechanical requirements instead of designing a device to accommodate the human factor

The best invention ever created is human limbs. No device exists which has the sensitivity and dexterity of human limbs. According to the present invention there is provided a vehicle wheel trolley comprising a lever arm having support means for supporting a vehicle wheel, means for receiving a downwardly directed force and means providing a fulcrum. The means providing the fulcrum being located between the vehicle wheel support means and the force receiving means, whereby such force pivots the lever arm about the fulcrum iron an initial position so as to raise the wheel support means to bring a vehicle wheel supported thereon into adjacency with a wheel hub on which the wheel is to be mounted. Characterised in that the trolley is configured so that the receiving means can receive a human knee, and, from the highest pivoting point of the receiving means the user is capable of maintaining both feet on the ground and his knee on the receiving means of the above trolley. The total length of the said trolley will allow the user to maintain his body weight through this knee on the receiving means while having both hands free to manipulate the vehicle wheel on its supporting means.

By taking the simplest principles in the right combination plus fulcrum, and natural gravity combined with the human factor; providing a novel solution to the problem which has existed since the turn of the Century. By design the wheel is kept on the device in a tilted position towards the two castors, which are the fulcrum point. The centre of gravity of the wheel bears on the castors therefore providing easy manoeuvring of the wheel into position without unacceptable physical exertion.

The operator in a comfortable position in front of the wheel, gaining a clear view for the finest alignment. Both hands on the wheel for rotation of the wheel.

Both feet on the ground in perfect balance

Having short wheel support arms therefore providing the maximum fulcrum:-

To raise and lower the wheel, the operator merely fluctuates his body weight to be taken by gravity through his knee over the knee pad.

A vehicle wheel trolley comprises of; a frame preferably folding, with short wheel arm supports. The short arm supports are provided with shorter rollers to support a vehicle wheel. The wheel arm supports are positioned at the lowest part of the frame. A lever arm extending from the frame; the lever-arm has a knee pad to receive a human knee. Two castors positioned in the frame for lateral movement, manoeuvring, and providing the fulcrum point between the wheel-arm-supports and the knee-pad.

From the highest pivoting point of the knee pad, the user will be capable of maintaining his knee on the knee pad whilst keeping both feet on the ground.

The length of the vehicle wheel trolley will allow the user to maintain his body weight, through his knee, on the knee pad whilst having both hands free to manipulate the wheel on the short (shorter than any previous device) wheel supporting rollers, A handle will be positioned adjacent to the knee-pad.

By reducing the wheel arm supports to a mimimal length, therefore creating the greatest fulcrum, an operator can raise and align wheels in the region of 120 Kg. Up to the present day, raising wheels in this region was possible only by using hydraulic means. Although the device is capable of raising a wheel to a minimal height. the vehicle will be jacked up to match the capability of the device, which most vehicle jacks are designed for, furthermore providing safe wheel changing.

According to further features of the invention there is provided a vehicle wheel trolley comprising a lever arm having support means for supporting a vehicle wheel, means for receiving a downwardly directed force and means providing a fulcrum, the means providing the fulcrum being located between the vehicle wheel support means and the force receiving means, whereby such force pivots the lever arm about the fulcrum from an initial position so as to raise the wheel support means to bring a vehicle wheel supported thereon into adjacency with a wheel hub on which the wheel is to be mounted, characterised by a collapsible wheel supporting arm pivoting from the lever arm and projecting above the fulcrum of. the above device which will support the wheel in a tilted position.

A vehicle wheel trolley comprising a lever arm having support means for supporting a vehicle wheel, means for receiving a downwardly directed force and means providing a fulcrum, the means providing the fulcrum being located between the vehicle wheel support means and the force receiving means, whereby such force pivots the lever arm about the fulcrum from an initial position so as to raise the wheel support means to bring a vehicle wheel supported thereon into adjacency with a wheel hub on which the wheel is to be mounted, characterised in that the lever arm extending from the main portion of the above trolley foldsover the main portion, and the receiving means portion hinges in the lever arm and folds over the main portion of the above trolley. Referring to the drawing, Fig 1 illustrates a vehicle wheel trolley in use with a user adjacent to the wheel hub, the user has both hands on the wheel to rotate and support the wheel on its rollers, both feet on the ground and fully balanced. The user is able to fluctuate his body-weight, to be taken by gravity "G" to raise or lower the wheel, and is capable of pushing the vehicle wheel trolley through part of his knee against the knee pad handle such as in this case where the vehicle has a long twin wheel hub; all the above operations can be done simultaneously.

Fig 2. Vehicle wheel trolley

Fig 3 illustrates a wheel on the short support arms with shorter rollers. The rollers will bite into the tread of the tyre. The tyre is against the tyre-edge supports and the rollers, thus preventing the vehicle wheel from sliding, thus illustrating how the wheel is kept in an tilted position maintaining its centre of gravity over the castors, and allowing easy manoeuvring of the vehicle wheel trolley with the wheel kept in an tilted position.

Fig 4 Folded vehicle wheel trolley.

Fig 5 Heavy goods vehicle wheel trolley.

Fig 6 Illustrates an H.G.V. collapsible wheel supporting arm.

Fig 7 Folded H.G.V. vehicle wheel trolley.

Referring to the drawing, the vehicle wheel trolley Fig 2 will comprise of a frame 1 preferably folding Fig 4. The frame 1 Fig 2 with two short wheel arm supports 3. The short wheel arm supports 3 have shorter rollers 2. Fig 3 illustrates a vehicle wheel on short support arms 3 with shorter rollers 2, the rollers 2 will bite into the tread of the tyre "T" and the wheel-edge-supports 4 will bear against the tyre edge thus preventing the vehicle wheel "T" from sliding. Therefore, the wheel will be kept in a tilted position towards the castors 7. Furthermore, the main gravity "G" will bear over the castors 7 which will facilitate easy manoeuvring of the vehicle wheel trolley Fig 2 since the vehicle wheel will be balanced on the two castors 7 as illustrated in Fig 2. The wheel arm supports 3 will be positioned at the lowest part of the frame 1 so that the axis of the wheel-supporting-rollers 2 are lower than the axis of the castors 7 to allow the user to lower the rollers 2 to the ground. Therefore, providing an easy roll-on method and preventing the rollers 2 from rolling whilst the wheel is rolled on to the rollers 2. Referring to Fig 2, two castors 7 will provide means of manoeuvring the vehicle wheel trolley Fig 2 and the castors 7 provide the fulcrum point and, furthermore, the castors 7 provide means of lateral movement for the final alignment of the wheel to the vehicle hub. The knee pad 6 at the end of the lever-arm 10 in the frame 1, as from the highest pivoting point of the knee pad 6, the user will be capable of maintaining both feet on the ground with his knee on the knee pad.

The total length of the vehicle wheel trolley Fig. 2 will allow the user to maintain his body weight through his knee on the knee pad 6 whilst being able to manipulate the wheel on the short rollers 2 with both hands.

The edge of the the knee-pad 6 will have half-round padding 18 to prevent the device Fig 2 from sliding out from under the user's knee. There is a split-handle 5 in which the user, while manoeuvring the vehicle wheel trolley Fig 2 on the ground, will insert his fingers through the handle 5 which will facilitate easy manoeuvring of the vehicle wheel trolley Fig 2 since the handle 5 combined with the half-round cushion 18 on the knee-pad 6 will fit his hand as conveniently as a glove. The vehicle wheel trolley Fig 2 folds Fig 4 to a small size so that it can be carried on board a vehicle at all times. Fig 4 illustrates a folded vehicle wheel trolley. To unfold, the main hinge 8 will rotate 175 degrees in the frame 1. When fully unfolded the movement will be arrested by a stop bar 9 in the frame 1. The knee-pad 6 will hinge 175 degrees in the end of the lever arm 10. When fully unfolded, it will be arrested by the hinged flap 12. The vehicle wheel trolley Fig 4 is designed so that when the knee-pad 6 is folded, the lever-arm 10 will pass through the split handle 5.

In order to fold a vehicle wheel trolley, Fig 2 the lever-arm 10 folds 175 degrees from its "arrested" position and the knee-pad 6 will also fold 175 degrees. By swivelling the castors 7 towards the knee-pad 6 the castors 7 will secure the device Fig. 4 in the "locked" position. Fig. 3 illustrates how a vehicle wheel will remain in a tilted position towards the castors 7. For wheels which weigh in the region of 120 Kg. this method would be unacceptable for safety reasons. Fig 5 illustrates an HGV version of a vehicle wheel trolley. The angle 19 in the frame 1. will allow the wheel to be tilted towards the castors while remaining in the same position on the short wheel-supporting rollers 13 The user will lift the collapsible wheel-supporting arm 15 which will be stopped at a suitable height. Therefore, the tyre will be leaning on the collapsible wheel supporting arm 15, shifting the centre of gravity "G" directly over the castors 7. Referring to Fig 6 the tyre, "T" is leaning towards the wheel-arm support 15 and the centre of gravity of the tyre "T" is bearing directly over the castors 7. The device Figs 5 and 6 can be manoeuvred easily into position as a free standing trolley. The collapsible wheel supporting arm 15 collapses on top of the device Fig.6 as illustrated in Fig 1 as the user raises the wheel to an upright position for alignment with the vehicle hub and the collapsible wheel supporting arm 15 will provide an easy view and access for the final alignment. In the case of a dual-tyre wheel hub, the collapsible wheel supporting arm 15, by being collapsible, will not interfere with the protruding wheel-hub when aligning the first wheel of a double wheel axle as in this case. Referring to Fig 5, to spread the load of the wheel, the H.G.V. vehicle wheel trolley Fig 5 has four short wheel-supporting rollers 13. To ease the rotating of the heavy wheel, the diameter of the outer rollers 13 will be larger than the inner rollers 13 to accommodate the wheel so that, when the rollers 13 are lowered to the ground, the outer rollers 13 will not rotate when the wheel is rolled on to the vehicle wheel trolley Fig 5.

There are three securing nuts 14; one at the knee pad 6 and two at the main hinge 8 which secure the vehicle wheel trolley when manoeuvred, as a free-standing trolley, by its handle 5. As stated earlier, this H.G.V. vehicle wheel trolley Fig 5 has been designed to fold to a small size in order to be carried on board a vehicle at all times. Fig 7 illustrates a folded device and Fig 5 illustrates the device unfolded. Referring to Fig 5, by releasing the catch 16 on the two extending arms 17 on the wheel supporting arm 15 the arms 17 can be folded. The three securing nuts 14 will be loosened and the H.G.V. vehicle wheel trolley can be folded in the same manner as the smaller version.

To unfold the device the above operations should be reversed. To use the vehicle wheel trolley, the vehicle should be jacked up till the wheel is 30 to 50mm off the ground. The user inserts his hand through the opening of the handle 5 so that the palm of the hand is flat on the knee pad 6. Sliding the wheel supporting rollers 2 under the wheel to be changed, obtaining a good fit against the tyre edge supports 4. The hand should be placed on the top of the wheel to be change and the user should apply body weight through the palm of the other hand onto the knee pad 6, allowing the vehicle wheel trolley Fig 2 to take the weight of the wheel. Maintaining the other hand on top of the wheel, slide the wheel away from the vehicle. Once the wheel is clear of the vehicle, release body weight off the knee pad 6 so that the wheel is lowered to the ground, and rolled off the vehicle wheel trolley.

To fit the change wheel, the vehicle should be jacked up as previously described. The split handle 5 should be lifted So that the wheel-supporting rollers 2 are lowered to the ground. Roll the change wheel onto the vehicle wheel trolley against the tyre edge support 4. The user applies body weight through the palm of the hand onto the knee pad 6 in order to lift the wheel off the ground while maintaining the other hand on top of the wheel. Then manoeuvre the wheel into position, lower the vehicle wheel trolley to the ground, and switch from the hand that controls the knee pad 6 to a knee. Placing both hands on the wheel push the wheel to an upright, position, apply bσdy weight through the knee on the knee pad 6, raising the wheel slightly off the ground. The wheel will rotate freely on its wheel-supporting rollers 2. Align the wheel as required, while maintaining body weight on the knee pad 6. When aligned, push into position. The vehicle wheel trolley Fig 2 may now be withdrawn.

To use the H.G.V. vehicle wheel trolley Fig 5, unfold the vehicle wheel trolley Fig 7, and unfold the main wheel supporting arm 15 and secure the linking extending arms 17. Tighten the three securing nuts 14, having the upright wheel near the rollers 13. Holding the top of the wheel with both hands while pressing with the foot so that the roller arms 13 lower to the ground, rolling the wheel with both hands onto the rollers 13. As soon as the wheel starts rolling onto the rollers 13, the user then moves his foot away. When the wheel is on the rollers 13, with one hand, lift the Collapsible wheel supporting arm 15 until arrested. Tilt the wheel towards the collapsible arm 15 until arrested. The wheel will be free standing on the vehicle wheel trolley Fig 5. The user has both hands are free to manoeuvre the device Fig 5 by the use of the handle 5. Once the bottom part of the wheel is below the vehicle hub, lower the rollers 13 to the ground. Push the wheel with both hands to an upright position, while the extended wheel support arm 15 drops on top of the device Fig 5. Clear view and easy access is obtained to align and fit the wheel into position. Proceed in the manner previously described for the smaller version .

To remove the wheel the above process should be carried out in reverse.

Claims

CLAIMS;

1. A vehicle wheel trolley comprising a lever arm having support means for supporting a vehicle wheel, means for receiving a downwardly directed force and means providing a fulcrum, the means providing the fulcrum being located beween the vehicle wheel support means and the force receiving means, whereby such force pivots the lever arm about the fulcrum from an initial positiion so as to raise the wheel support means to bring a vehicle wheel supported thereon into adjacency with a wheel hub on which the wheel is to be mounted characterised in that the trolley is configured so that the receiving means can receive a human knee and, from the highest pivoting point of the receiving means, the user is capable of maintaining both feet on the ground and his knee on the receiving means of the above trolley, the total length of the said trolley will allow the user to maintain his body weight through his knee on the receiving means while having both hands free to manipulate the vehicle wheel on its supporting means.

2. A vehicle wheel trolley as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the wheel support means are provided with shorter roller means.

3. A vehicle wheel trolley as claimed in claim 1, 2 and 7 characterised by its wheel edge support (4) which will provide the means to support a vehicle wheel in a tilted position.

4. A vehicle wheel trolley comprising a lever arm having support means for supporting a vehicle wheel, means for receiving a downwardly directed force and means providing a fulcrum, the means providing the fulcrum being located beween the vehicle wheel support means and the force receiving means, whereby such force pivots the lever arm about the fulcrum from an initial positiion so as to raise the wheel support means to bring a vehicle wheel supported thereon into adjacency with a wheel hub on which the wheel is to be mounted, characterised by a collapsiblewheel supporting arm pivoting from the lever arm and projecting above the fulcrum of the above device which will support the wheel in a tilted position.

5. A vehicle wheel trolley as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3 and 4 characterised by providing means to allow the centre of gravity of the wheel to be directed over the castors when the device is manoeuvred on the ground.

6. A vehicle wheel trolley as claimed in claim 4, characterised by the collapsible wheel supporting arm being collapsible before the final alignment, allows the user clear view and access to align and position the vehicle wheel into adjacency with the wheel hub on which the wheel is to be mounted for final alignment.

7. A vehicle wheel trolley comprising a lever arm having support means for supporting a vehicle wheel, means for receiving a downwardly directed force and means providing a fulcrum, the means providing the fulcrum being located beween the vehicle wheel support means and the force receiving means, whereby such force pivots the lever arm about the fulcrum from an initial positiion so as to raise the wheel support means to bring a vehicle wheel supported thereon into adjacency with a wheel hub on which the wheel is to be mounted, characterised in that the lever arm -extending from the main portion of the above trolley folds over the main portion, and the receiving means portion hinges in the lever arm and folds over the main portion of the above trolley.

8. A vehicle wheel trolley as claimed in claim 7 characterised in that the fulcrum means will provide the means to secure the device in a locked position when folded.

9. A vehicle wheel trolley as claimed in claims 1, 7 and 8 characterised by a split handle mounted on the receiving means.

10. A vehicle wheel trolley as claimed in claims 1, 4 and 7 characterised in that the fulcrum point is provided by swivelling castors.

11. A vehicle wheel trolley as claimed in claim 10 characterised in that the swivelling castors provide means of manoeuvring the device on the surface.

12 A vehicle wheel trolley as claimed in claims 1, 4 and 7 characterised in that the receiving means is padded to receive a human knee.

13. A vehicle wheel trolley as claimed in claims 1, 4, and 7 characterised in that the roller devices include steel roller bearings.

14. A vehicle wheel trolley as claimed in claims 1 and 4 characterised by having a four-roller vehicle wheel supporting means.

15. A vehicle wheel trolley as claimed in claim 14, characterised in that the diameter of the outer vehicle wheel support roller means is greater than the diameter of the inner roller means.

16. A vehicle wheel trolley as claimed in claims 1, 4, and 7 characterised in that the receiving means is configured to receive a human knee.

17. A vehicle wheel trolley as claimed in claims 1, 4, and 7 characterised by the axis of the wheel support means being lower than the axis of the manoeuvring means.

18. A vehicle wheel trolley as claimed in claims 1,7 and 4 characterised in that the wheel support means are configured (13) to support a vehicle wheel in a tilted position over the castors.