WO1999034961A1 - Rim wrench and socket wrench element to such a rim wrench - Google Patents

Rim wrench and socket wrench element to such a rim wrench Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1999034961A1
WO1999034961A1 PCT/SE1998/002364 SE9802364W WO9934961A1 WO 1999034961 A1 WO1999034961 A1 WO 1999034961A1 SE 9802364 W SE9802364 W SE 9802364W WO 9934961 A1 WO9934961 A1 WO 9934961A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
spanner
coupling member
lug
rim
spanner element
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SE1998/002364
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Peter HOLMÉN
Original Assignee
Ab Volvo
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
Application filed by Ab Volvo filed Critical Ab Volvo
Publication of WO1999034961A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999034961A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B29/00—Apparatus or tools for mounting or dismounting wheels
    • B60B29/003—Wrenches, e.g. of the ratchet type

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a rim wrench comprising a spanner element which is provided with a socket for engagement with a wheel bolt or wheel nut, and a shaft which forms a lever during tightening or loosening of the wheel bolt or the wheel nut, which shaft is at a first end provided with a first coupling member for interaction with a second coupling member on the spanner element.
  • the invention also relates to a spanner element for such a rim wrench.
  • Rim wrenches are used for tightening or loosening the wheel bolts or wheel nuts which fasten the wheels on the wheel axles of a vehicle.
  • Rim wrenches available on the market have a socket for engagement with the wheel bolt or the wheel nut.
  • the socket is arranged in a spanner element which is provided with a handle which forms a lever during tightening or loosening of the wheel bolt or the wheel nut.
  • the rim wrench is preferably stored in the luggage space of the vehicle together with a jack, which makes it possible to change a wheel in the event of, for example, a puncture.
  • a towing element is also preferably stored in the luggage space of the vehicle, which element can be arranged in a front or rear force-absorbing structure on the vehicle. If the vehicle is to be towed by another vehicle, the towing element is arranged in the front structure and a towing rope or the like is attached to the towing element. If the vehicle is to tow another vehicle, the towing element is arranged in the rear structure.
  • the disadvantage of storing the abovementioned components in the luggage space of the vehicle is that they are space-consuming, they increase the weight of the vehicle and they contribute to an increase in the overall cost of the vehicle.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a rim wrench which requires little storage space and which makes use of the geometry of a towing element.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a spanner element for mounting and demounting a towing element which can be arranged on a vehicle.
  • Such a rim wrench and such a spanner element contribute to less storage space being required for the rim wrench because the conventional fixed handle of the spanner has been eliminated. In this way, the rim wrench is made smaller, which means that the combined weight of the spanner element and the towing element is reduced.
  • Fig. 1 shows a rim wrench according to the present invention with a spanner element and a towing element coupled together
  • Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the rim wrench according to Fig. 1
  • Fig. 3 shows a towing element according to the present invention
  • Fig. 4 shows a spanner element according to the present invention
  • Fig. 5 shows the spanner element according to Fig. 4 introduced into the lug of the towing element according to Fig. 3
  • Fig. 6 shows a section along the line VI- VI in Fig. 5.
  • FIGS 1 and 2 show a rim wrench 1 according to the present invention.
  • the rim wrench 1 comprises a spanner element 2 which is provided with a socket 5 3 for engagement with a wheel bolt or wheel nut (not shown) which connects a vehicle wheel to the wheel axle of the vehicle.
  • the spanner element 2 is coupled to a towing element 4 which forms a shaft 5 or handle for the rim wrench 1.
  • the towing element 4 thus constitutes a lever for the rim wrench 1 during tightening or loosening of a wheel bolt or wheel nut o during mounting or demounting of a wheel of the vehicle.
  • the spanner element 2 and the towing element 4 are coupled together detachably by means of a coupling member in the form of a threaded joint. It is possible, however, for another type of 5 coupling member to be used between the spanner element 2 and the towing element 4, such as a bayonet coupling or a cotter joint.
  • Fig. 3 shows a view of the towing element 4 according to the invention, which towing element 4 comprises a lug 9 and a shaft 5.
  • a first coupling o member in the form of an external thread 7 is arranged at a first end 6 of the shaft 5.
  • the lug 9, which according to the embodiment shown has an essentially circular through-hole 10, is arranged at the second end 8 of the shaft 5.
  • the towing element 4 can, by means of the thread 7, be fixed in a front or rear force-absorbing structure of the vehicle, such as one of the side 5 beams (not shown) of the vehicle, as described in the introduction of the description.
  • Fig. 4 shows the spanner element 2 which comprises the socket 3 for engagement with a wheel bolt or wheel nut.
  • the spanner element 2 also comprises a second coupling member 12 for interaction with the external thread 7 of the towing element 4.
  • the second coupling member 12 consists of a bore 13 which is provided with an internal thread 14 for interaction with the thread 7 on the towing element 4.
  • the bore 13 is essentially smooth internally and have a diameter which is greater than the external diameter of the thread 7 on the towing element 4, as a result of which the towing element 4 is then simply intioduced axially into the bore 13 so as to form a shaft 5 for the rim wrench 1.
  • the socket 3 and the second coupling member 12 are interconnected via a profiled portion 15 which is essentially band-shaped and curved, so that a centre axis 16 formed on the socket 3 and a centre axis 17 formed on the second coupling member 12 intersect one another at an angle ⁇ of between 70° and 90°.
  • the angle ⁇ should preferably be different from 90° for the purpose of avoiding the shaft ending up too close to the wheel side when the rim wrench 1 is arranged on the wheel bolt or the wheel nut, which makes it difficult to take hold of the shaft 5 using the hands.
  • band- shaped portion 15 means that the width of the portion 15 essentially exceeds the thickness of the portion 15.
  • the band-shaped curved portion 15 is preferably provided with a bend 18 which forms a radius r.
  • This radius r is preferably the same size as or smaller than a radius R of a cylindrical part 19 which forms the lug 9 on the towing element 4.
  • the spanner element 2 is introduced into the lug 9, as shown in Fig. 5, so that the spanner element 2 forms a gripping member for one or two hands.
  • positive locking is brought about between the spanner element 2 and the lug 9 of the towing element 4, which results in the spanner element 2 bearing steadily in the lug 9 of the towing element 4. This is shown in Fig. 6 also.
  • Point-shaped bearing surfaces 21 are formed between the edges 20 of the band-shaped portion 15 and the through-hole 10 of the lug 9.
  • Line- shaped bearing surfaces 22, which are curved and follow the shape of the lug 9, are formed transversely to the longitudinal direction of the spanner element 2, where the spanner element 2 bears against the lug 9.
  • a line-shaped bearing surface 22 is indicated by a thick, solid line. The point- shaped and line-shaped bearing surfaces 21 and 22 respectively contribute to the positive locking between the spanner element 2 and the towing element 4.
  • the towing element 4 can be made by, for example, forging or casting with the necessary finishing.
  • the spanner element 2 is made from a bent and pressed tube. It is possible, however, for the spanner element 2 to be made according to other methods, such as forging or casting.

Abstract

The invention relates to a rim wrench (1) comprising a spanner element (2) which is provided with a socket (3) for engagement with a wheel bolt or wheel nut, and a shaft (5) which forms a lever during tightening or loosening of the wheel bolt or the wheel nut, which shaft (5) is at a first end (6) provided with a first coupling member (7) for interaction with a second coupling member (12) on the spanner element (2). The shaft (5) is provided with a lug (9) at a second end (8). The invention also relates to a spanner element (2) for such a rim wrench (1).

Description

Rim Wrench and socket wrench element to such a rim wrench
The present invention relates to a rim wrench comprising a spanner element which is provided with a socket for engagement with a wheel bolt or wheel nut, and a shaft which forms a lever during tightening or loosening of the wheel bolt or the wheel nut, which shaft is at a first end provided with a first coupling member for interaction with a second coupling member on the spanner element. The invention also relates to a spanner element for such a rim wrench.
Rim wrenches are used for tightening or loosening the wheel bolts or wheel nuts which fasten the wheels on the wheel axles of a vehicle. Rim wrenches available on the market have a socket for engagement with the wheel bolt or the wheel nut. The socket is arranged in a spanner element which is provided with a handle which forms a lever during tightening or loosening of the wheel bolt or the wheel nut.
The rim wrench is preferably stored in the luggage space of the vehicle together with a jack, which makes it possible to change a wheel in the event of, for example, a puncture.
A towing element is also preferably stored in the luggage space of the vehicle, which element can be arranged in a front or rear force-absorbing structure on the vehicle. If the vehicle is to be towed by another vehicle, the towing element is arranged in the front structure and a towing rope or the like is attached to the towing element. If the vehicle is to tow another vehicle, the towing element is arranged in the rear structure.
The disadvantage of storing the abovementioned components in the luggage space of the vehicle is that they are space-consuming, they increase the weight of the vehicle and they contribute to an increase in the overall cost of the vehicle. The object of the present invention is to provide a rim wrench which requires little storage space and which makes use of the geometry of a towing element.
This is achieved by a rim wrench of the type indicated in the introduction, in which the shaft is provided with a lug at a second end.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a spanner element for mounting and demounting a towing element which can be arranged on a vehicle.
This is achieved by a spanner element of the type indicated in the introduction, in which the socket and the second coupling member are interconnected via an essentially flat portion.
Such a rim wrench and such a spanner element contribute to less storage space being required for the rim wrench because the conventional fixed handle of the spanner has been eliminated. In this way, the rim wrench is made smaller, which means that the combined weight of the spanner element and the towing element is reduced.
The invention will be described in greater detail with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the appended drawings, in which Fig. 1 shows a rim wrench according to the present invention with a spanner element and a towing element coupled together, Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the rim wrench according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 shows a towing element according to the present invention, Fig. 4 shows a spanner element according to the present invention, Fig. 5 shows the spanner element according to Fig. 4 introduced into the lug of the towing element according to Fig. 3, and Fig. 6 shows a section along the line VI- VI in Fig. 5.
Figures 1 and 2 show a rim wrench 1 according to the present invention. The rim wrench 1 comprises a spanner element 2 which is provided with a socket 5 3 for engagement with a wheel bolt or wheel nut (not shown) which connects a vehicle wheel to the wheel axle of the vehicle. The spanner element 2 is coupled to a towing element 4 which forms a shaft 5 or handle for the rim wrench 1. The towing element 4 thus constitutes a lever for the rim wrench 1 during tightening or loosening of a wheel bolt or wheel nut o during mounting or demounting of a wheel of the vehicle.
According to the embodiment shown, the spanner element 2 and the towing element 4 are coupled together detachably by means of a coupling member in the form of a threaded joint. It is possible, however, for another type of 5 coupling member to be used between the spanner element 2 and the towing element 4, such as a bayonet coupling or a cotter joint.
Fig. 3 shows a view of the towing element 4 according to the invention, which towing element 4 comprises a lug 9 and a shaft 5. A first coupling o member in the form of an external thread 7 is arranged at a first end 6 of the shaft 5. The lug 9, which according to the embodiment shown has an essentially circular through-hole 10, is arranged at the second end 8 of the shaft 5. The towing element 4 can, by means of the thread 7, be fixed in a front or rear force-absorbing structure of the vehicle, such as one of the side 5 beams (not shown) of the vehicle, as described in the introduction of the description. Between the first and second ends 6, 8 of the towing element 4, there is a thickened central portion 11 on the shaft, which bears against a stop (not shown) on the vehicle during towing of the vehicle. The thickened portion 11 also serves as a grip-friendly handle when the towing element 4 0 constitutes a shaft for the rim wrench 1. Fig. 4 shows the spanner element 2 which comprises the socket 3 for engagement with a wheel bolt or wheel nut. The spanner element 2 also comprises a second coupling member 12 for interaction with the external thread 7 of the towing element 4. According to the embodiment shown, the second coupling member 12 consists of a bore 13 which is provided with an internal thread 14 for interaction with the thread 7 on the towing element 4. It is also possible for the bore 13 to be essentially smooth internally and have a diameter which is greater than the external diameter of the thread 7 on the towing element 4, as a result of which the towing element 4 is then simply intioduced axially into the bore 13 so as to form a shaft 5 for the rim wrench 1.
The socket 3 and the second coupling member 12 are interconnected via a profiled portion 15 which is essentially band-shaped and curved, so that a centre axis 16 formed on the socket 3 and a centre axis 17 formed on the second coupling member 12 intersect one another at an angle α of between 70° and 90°. The angle α should preferably be different from 90° for the purpose of avoiding the shaft ending up too close to the wheel side when the rim wrench 1 is arranged on the wheel bolt or the wheel nut, which makes it difficult to take hold of the shaft 5 using the hands. In this context, band- shaped portion 15 means that the width of the portion 15 essentially exceeds the thickness of the portion 15.
The band-shaped curved portion 15 is preferably provided with a bend 18 which forms a radius r. This radius r is preferably the same size as or smaller than a radius R of a cylindrical part 19 which forms the lug 9 on the towing element 4. In order to mount or demount the towing element 4 on or from the side beam of the vehicle, the spanner element 2 is introduced into the lug 9, as shown in Fig. 5, so that the spanner element 2 forms a gripping member for one or two hands. On account of the shape of the spanner element 2, positive locking is brought about between the spanner element 2 and the lug 9 of the towing element 4, which results in the spanner element 2 bearing steadily in the lug 9 of the towing element 4. This is shown in Fig. 6 also. Point-shaped bearing surfaces 21 are formed between the edges 20 of the band-shaped portion 15 and the through-hole 10 of the lug 9. Line- shaped bearing surfaces 22, which are curved and follow the shape of the lug 9, are formed transversely to the longitudinal direction of the spanner element 2, where the spanner element 2 bears against the lug 9. In Fig. 6, a line-shaped bearing surface 22 is indicated by a thick, solid line. The point- shaped and line-shaped bearing surfaces 21 and 22 respectively contribute to the positive locking between the spanner element 2 and the towing element 4.
The towing element 4 can be made by, for example, forging or casting with the necessary finishing. According to the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the spanner element 2 is made from a bent and pressed tube. It is possible, however, for the spanner element 2 to be made according to other methods, such as forging or casting.

Claims

Patent Claims
1. Rim wrench comprising a spanner element (2) which is provided with a socket (3) for engagement with a wheel bolt or wheel nut, and a shaft (5) which forms a lever during tightening or loosening of the wheel bolt or the wheel nut, which shaft (4) is at a first end (6) provided with a first coupling member (7) for interaction with a second coupling member (12) on the spanner element (2), characterized in that the shaft (5) is provided with a lug (9) at a second end (8).
2. Rim wrench according to Claim 1, characterized in that the shaft (5) consists of a towing element (4) which can be fixed on a vehicle.
3. Rim wrench according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first coupling member (7) has an external thread (7).
4. Rim wrench according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second coupling member (12) has a bore (13), into which the first coupling member (7) can be introduced. 0
5. Rim wrench according to Claim 4, characterized in that the bore (13) has an internal thread (14).
6. Rim wrench according to any one of the preceding claims, 5 characterized in that the spanner element (2), when uncoupled from the shaft
(5), can be introduced into the lug (9) in order thus to act as a gripping member.
7. Rim wrench according to Claim 6, characterized in that the o socket (3) and the second coupling member (12) on the spanner element (2) are interconnected via a profiled portion (15) adapted to interact in a positive-locking manner with the lug (9) when the spanner element (12) is introduced into the lug (9).
8. Rim wrench according to Claim 7, characterized in that the 5 profiled portion (15) is band-shaped and curved.
9. Rim wrench according to Claim 8, characterized in that the spanner element (2) bears against the lug (9) at each respective edge (20) of the band-shaped, curved portion (15). 0
10. Rim wrench according to any one of Claims 6-9, characterized in that the spanner element (2) bears against the lug (9) transversely to the longitudinal direction of the spanner element (2), so that curved line-shaped bearing surfaces (22) are formed between the spanner element (2) and the 5 lug (9).
11. Spanner element comprising a socket (3) for engagement with a wheel bolt or wheel nut and a second coupling member (12) for interaction with a first coupling member (7) on a shaft (5), characterized in that the 0 socket (3) and the second coupling member (12) are interconnected via an essentially flat portion (15).
12. Spanner element according to Claim 11, characterized in that the socket (3) and the second coupling member (12) on the spanner element (12) 5 are interconnected via a profiled portion (15) adapted to interact in a positive-locking manner with the lug (9) when the spanner element (2) is intioduced into the lug (9).
13. Spanner element according to Claim 12, characterized in that the o profiled portion (15) is band-shaped and curved.
PCT/SE1998/002364 1997-12-22 1998-12-17 Rim wrench and socket wrench element to such a rim wrench WO1999034961A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE9704822-7 1997-12-22
SE9704822A SE511305C2 (en) 1997-12-22 1997-12-22 Rim key and socket wrench element for such rim key

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999034961A1 true WO1999034961A1 (en) 1999-07-15

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ID=20409525

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/SE1998/002364 WO1999034961A1 (en) 1997-12-22 1998-12-17 Rim wrench and socket wrench element to such a rim wrench

Country Status (2)

Country Link
SE (1) SE511305C2 (en)
WO (1) WO1999034961A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2905087A3 (en) * 2006-08-24 2008-02-29 Renault Sas Towing tool for motor vehicle towing and wheel mounting/dismounting assembly, has rod including end with towing loop, and bush placed at minimal distance from fixation part, where bush co-operates with nuts to screw and unscrew nuts
US20110036210A1 (en) * 2009-08-12 2011-02-17 Young-Doo Kwon Wrench tool

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR559939A (en) * 1922-12-15 1923-09-24 Baer & Baron Process for manufacturing keys for magnetos and new products resulting therefrom
FR763296A (en) * 1933-11-03 1934-04-26 Facom Tube wrench
FR871169A (en) * 1940-12-07 1942-04-11 Lauravia Improvements in the production of tightening keys
FR944244A (en) * 1941-12-06 1949-03-30 Lauravia Tube wrench
DE912800C (en) * 1950-08-11 1954-06-03 Hazet Werk Zerver Hermann Wrench, especially for wheel nuts in motor vehicles or the like.

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR559939A (en) * 1922-12-15 1923-09-24 Baer & Baron Process for manufacturing keys for magnetos and new products resulting therefrom
FR763296A (en) * 1933-11-03 1934-04-26 Facom Tube wrench
FR871169A (en) * 1940-12-07 1942-04-11 Lauravia Improvements in the production of tightening keys
FR944244A (en) * 1941-12-06 1949-03-30 Lauravia Tube wrench
DE912800C (en) * 1950-08-11 1954-06-03 Hazet Werk Zerver Hermann Wrench, especially for wheel nuts in motor vehicles or the like.

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2905087A3 (en) * 2006-08-24 2008-02-29 Renault Sas Towing tool for motor vehicle towing and wheel mounting/dismounting assembly, has rod including end with towing loop, and bush placed at minimal distance from fixation part, where bush co-operates with nuts to screw and unscrew nuts
US20110036210A1 (en) * 2009-08-12 2011-02-17 Young-Doo Kwon Wrench tool

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE9704822L (en) 1999-06-23
SE9704822D0 (en) 1997-12-22
SE511305C2 (en) 1999-09-06

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