WO1999039925A1

WO1999039925A1 - Detachable apparatus for changing and mounting a vehicle wheel

Info

Publication number: WO1999039925A1
Application number: PCT/BE1999/000016
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Pierre Deltenre
Original assignee: Ledel
Priority date: 1998-02-06
Filing date: 1999-02-04
Publication date: 1999-08-12
Also published as: BE1011735A3; AU2260499A

Abstract

The invention concerns an apparatus comprising a main body and an assembly of detachable elements capable of being assembled with the main body to constitute either a transporting apparatus for carrying a wheel, or a positioning apparatus for lifting a wheel and positioning it in front of a hub. For the purpose of carrying the wheel, the main body comprises actuators (26) integral with a sliding track and mounted pivoting between a folded position and an operative position perpendicular to the main body.

Description

REMOVABLE APPARATUS FOR DISASSEMBLING AND REASSEMBLING A VEHICLE WHEEL

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for allowing a single person to quickly change a large wheel on a vehicle.

Problem and prior art

Changing a large wheel (sometimes very heavy) on a vehicle in any circumstance involves painful and awkward operations.

A first difficult and delicate operation is the unbolting of the wheel nuts. Most often, the wheel nuts are blocked (tightening too tight, dirt, rust ...). When it is necessary to loosen the nuts using a cross key, you have to add a tube to make "lever arm". At this time, the key is no longer supported except by the nut and the end of the lever arm. It is therefore cantilevered. When pressure is applied to it, the key tends to slip and damage the sides of the nuts. It happens that the sides are so damaged that it is no longer possible to loosen the nuts on site and that it is necessary to call in a convenience store. No known device provides a solution to this problem. A second operation, difficult or even impossible, consists in sliding a wheel on one side. This is generally the case when unloading a spare tire. No known prior device provides for this possibility.

A third operation consists in straightening the wheel. The person handling a heavy and large wheel must be very strong and this operation is almost impossible with a wet or dusty tire, because there is no grip. US-A-3850321 and FR-A-2589399 disclose devices which allow this operation, but it is necessary to have hoisted the wheel on the machine beforehand and the difficulty therefore remains.

A fourth delicate operation consists in positioning the wheel opposite the studs of the hub. Many prior devices have a wheel rotation and elevation system. However, what is necessary is to be able to move the wheel to be placed laterally. Two known devices provide for this possibility but with major drawbacks. The first is described in US-A-4401405. It is a device which foresees the pendulum lateral movement of the wheel, but this device must be handled by a lifting device, which makes it automatically unusable at the edge of a road and by only one person, that- it cannot take with you and load a lifting machine alone. On the other hand, US-A-5007789 describes an apparatus which can be moved laterally on casters. This f isant, it is therefore the whole assembly which is deposed and if it is repositioned, a new translation again causes the deposition of the assembly and thus after. It is a very complicated device, practically impossible to use on a floor which is not perfectly smooth and regular, which is rarely the case. The four wheels on the ground will never pivot at the same angle at the same time, which inevitably results in deposition.

A fifth difficult operation consists in replacing the disassembled wheel under the chassis of the truck. It is a tedious and tiring operation for which no known device provides a solution.

Statement of the invention

The invention aims to provide a practical solution to the problems encountered with known wheel removal devices and, for this purpose, it provides a removable and transportable device as defined in the claims.

The device according to the invention consists of a removable main body and various removable elements which make it possible to carry out two mounting methods: a conveyor mode to facilitate the transport of a wheel and a positioner mode to facilitate the positioning of the wheel in front of the studs of a wheel hub.

In transporter mode, the device makes it possible to extract a spare wheel from under the chassis of a truck, transport it to the desired location and straighten it effortlessly, even when it is a wheel large diameter and high weight. In positioner mode, the main body makes it possible to lift the wheel, to keep it in a vertical position, to rotate it around itself around its axis and to move it laterally.

The device can be assembled in seconds and can be used and handled with great ease by one person. In the disassembled and folded state, the device forms a compact unit, easily transportable.

The apparatus according to the invention offers many possibilities and advantages.

(a) The device is disassembled and in the disassembled state, it is very compact and, due to its lightness, it is easily transportable by a single person. Given its small size, there is no difficulty to take it with you. It requires no handling for its use and is therefore very useful for roadside repairs. Its lightness allows a single person to hoist the device on board a truck.

(b) It can be assembled, in a few seconds, either in a conveyor or in a positioner and it can receive large diameter and heavy weight wheels.

(c) In a transporter, the device makes it possible to extract a spare tire from under the chassis of a truck, transport it to the desired location and straighten it effortlessly. One of the peculiarities of the transporter is that, during the straightening, just before it is put vertically, the wheel hits the ground first, which makes it possible, when it is fully straightened, to separate the carrier from the wheel.

(d) In positioner, the device allows the wheel to be lifted, rotated around its axis, and moved laterally horizontally and transversely.

(e) As a positioner, it is an effective aid for unbolting and bolting the wheel nuts. Its design is such that it can help both for punctured tires and for the wheels to be replaced.

(f) The spacing of the cylinders supporting the wheel can be adjusted according to the diameter of the wheel to be changed, which makes it universal.

(g) The wheel can be held vertically, which avoids any tilting thereof during positioning and straightening maneuvers.

(h) The device is designed to be able to replace even single or twin wheels of large sizes.

(i) The device is equipped with a brake allowing the locking of its wheels, which is a great asset for the straightening of the wheel of the truck (when mounted in a transporter) and for its positioning in front of the hub studs (when mounted in positioner). The brakes are also used for setting the various elements constituting the assembly when it is dismantled. (j) All fragile parts (control rods, cylinders, lifting system, etc.) are protected during transport.

Brief description of the drawings

FIGS. 1A and 1B show, seen in perspective, the elements constituting the apparatus according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows the assembly of the device in positioner mode.

Figure 3 shows the assembly of the device in carrier mode. Figure 4 illustrates the location of parts on the device of Figure 1.

Figures 5A and 5B illustrate the mounting of the device in folded mode.

FIGS. 6A to 6C schematically illustrate the connection between the mobile and fixed frames of the device of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 7A to 7E schematically represent the mechanism for lifting and pivoting the cylinders intended to carry the wheel. FIG. 8 illustrates the use of the device according to the invention in a transporter.

Figures 9, 10 and 11 illustrate the use of the device according to the invention in positioner.

FIG. 12 illustrates the use of the device according to the invention for unbolting the wheel nuts.

In the drawings, the reference signs designate the parts as follows: 16 Wheel 18 Arm

20 Support arm (assy) 22 Horizontal sleeve 24 Cylinder axis 26 Cylinder 28 Movable frame (assy) 30 Fixed frame (assy) 32 Crank handle 34 Return box

36 Multipurpose bar (assy)

38 External pin

40 Extension (assy) 42 Inner pin 44 Brake control 46 Brake

48 Extension body 50 Vertical sleeve 52 Lower bar of the movable frame 54 Upper bar of the movable frame 56 Side upright of the movable frame 58 Side upright of the fixed frame 60 Upper bar of the fixed frame 62 Lower bar of the fixed frame 64 Locking screw

66 Upper bearing

68 Moving frame sleeve

70 Side flange

72 Extension sleeve 74 Horizontal bearing 76 Vertical bearing 80 Trapezoidal threaded rod 84 Nut 86 Arm sleeve 88 Key 90 Slide 92 Angle 94 Strap 96 Strut 98 Ferris wheel 100 Groove 102 Bearing holder 104 Plate 106 Slide nut 108 Cross key 110 Locking handle 112 Cradle

Description of an embodiment of the invention

The device according to the invention consists of a main body (Figure 1A) and various removable elements (Figure IB) which are used to make two mounting modes (conveyor and positioner).

The main body (FIG. 1A) comprises a movable frame 28 mounted on a fixed frame 30 so as to be able to slide transversely on the fixed frame 30. The translation can be stopped at any location by actuating the locking screw 84. The movable frame 28 consists mainly of two lateral uprights 56 inside which is housed a lifting mechanism to which are attached the cylinders 26 serving to support a vehicle wheel as will be seen below. At the two ends of the movable frame 28 are fixed two sleeves 68 for mounting the various removable elements. Font also part of this frame the return box 34 and the cranks 32 actuating the lifting system.

The fixed frame 30 mainly consists of two lateral uprights 58 on which the brake controls 44 and the actual brakes 46 are fixed. At the lower base of each upright, two sleeves are fixed: a horizontal sleeve 22 used for mounting in positioner ; and a vertical sleeve 50 for stacking the various removable elements when the assembly is in disassembled mode.

The removable elements (Figure IB) include two front support arms 20, two extensions 40, a multi-purpose bar 36 and a protective bar 96. Each front support arm 20 comprises a body 18 on which are fixed a wheel 16 and a sheath 86 which used when mounting in conveyor. Each extension 40 comprises a body 48 and a sheath 72 which is used for the various assemblies.

On the multi-purpose bar 36 are fixed internal studs 42 and external studs 38 which are used during the various assemblies.

The main body (Figure 1A) and the various removable elements (Figure IB) can be assembled in different ways as required. They can be mounted in positioner mode, in carrier mode, and in disassembled mode.

For mounting in positioner mode, the cylinders 26 which are located under the lower bar of the movable frame 28 are released and placed in the working position as shown in FIG. 2. To do this, 10

by means of the cranks 32, the cylinders 26 must be lowered slightly. These are thus released and manually they can be rotated by 90 degrees as illustrated. It then suffices to wind the cylinders 26 using the cranks 32 until the axis 24 of the cylinders enters the groove 100 formed in the lateral uprights 56 of the movable frame 28. The support arms 20 are then fitted into the horizontal sleeves 22, the extensions 40 in the sleeves 68 of the movable frame and the multipurpose bar 36 in the sleeves 72 of the extensions using the inner studs 42.

For mounting in conveyor mode, the cylinders 26 are released and they are placed in the working position as shown in FIG. 3. Next, the extensions 40 are fitted into the sleeves 68 of the movable frame, the support arms 20 into the sleeves 72 and the multi-purpose bar 36 in the sheaths 86 using the inner studs 42.

In order to facilitate assembly, the front and rear faces are advantageously marked with colored pictograms (Figure 4). Sheath 68 on the right has a pictogram on the right half, while the same sheath on the left is marked on its left half. The pictogram at the bottom of the extensions 40 are the same as those of the sleeves 68. The assembly is thus facilitated and at a glance we can see if it is correct. It is impossible to make an assembly different from that which is envisaged.

In disassembled mode the two cylinders 26 are located under the lower bar of the movable frame 28 and the various elements are stacked as illustrated in the 11

FIG. 5A, starting by depositing the external tenons 38 of the multi-purpose bar 36 on the lateral flanges 70. The strut 96 is then fitted onto the multi-purpose bar 36. Finally, after having fitted the two support arms 20 into the extensions 40, these two parts are deposited (in opposite directions) on the vertical sleeves 50. The brake controls 44 serve as lateral stops for these two assemblies. The whole is linked by means of two straps 94. The compact assembly thus obtained is shown in perspective in FIG. 5B.

The connection between the movable frame 28 and the fixed frame 30 is described below with reference to FIGS. 6A to 6C. The connection is made by means of bearings which allow the translation of the movable frame relative to the fixed frame. A section passing through the middle of the lateral upright 56 (section represented by a frame in large broken lines in FIG. 6A) is shown in FIG. 6B. In this section, only the elements necessary for understanding the translation are included. On each side face of the lateral upright 56 is welded a flange 70 and these two flanges are connected together by bearing carriers 102. On one of them is attached a horizontal bearing 74 and on the other is attached a bearing vertical 76. These two bearings roll on the lower bar of the fixed frame 30.

A section passing through the middle of the movable frame (section represented by the frame in fine broken lines in FIG. 6A) is shown in FIG. 6C. This figure also includes only the elements useful for understanding. The bearing 12

upper 66 is attached to two plates 104 which are welded to the upper bar 54 of the movable frame 28. This assembly allows the displacement of the movable frame relative to the fixed frame. In summary, the two frames are linked together by three rolling points.

The lifting and pivoting mechanism of the cylinders is described below with the aid of FIGS. 7A to 7E. FIG. 7A shows a front view of the lateral upright 56 of the movable frame. We see the return box 34, the groove 100 which allows the rise of the cylinder axis 24 and at the same time the cylinder 26 which is integral with this axis. FIG. 7B shows the internal mechanism, the return box 34 and the lifting crank 32 when the assembly is in the folded position, FIG. 7C shows the mechanism in the high working position.

When the crank 32 is turned in one direction, the gear of the return box 34, integral with the trapezoidal threaded rod 80, rotates the latter and the entire slide 90 descends, allowing the axis 24 to pass and pivot under the frame of the upright to get into the folded position. Figure 7D shows that the keys 88, integral with the slide 90, abut against the angles 92, which has the effect of correctly positioning the cylinders 26 in the folded position.

When the crank 32 is turned in the opposite direction, the entire slide 90 rises. This is possible thanks to the fact that the nut 106 is welded in the slide and that the latter cannot rotate on itself. This action has the effect of raising the 13

cylinder that supports the truck wheel. This wheel exerts a push which tries to make turn the slide. The keys 88 which come into contact with the angles 92 (see FIG. 7E) stop the rotation of the cylinder. In this way, the cylinder can mount well perpendicular to the movable frame.

The use of the device according to the invention depends on the way in which it is mounted. In transporter mode (Figure 8), the device can easily slip under the chassis of a truck. When a wheel is placed on the conveyor (very often a winch system is provided for this use), it is easy to remove it. It is an operation that the drivers fear, because pulling a heavy wheel on the ground, and moreover, under a truck, is very difficult. In this regard, the device is very useful and practical. It allows the driver to drive the wheel at any time. One of the great advantages is that the driver can then straighten the wheel with minimal effort. The multi-purpose bar 36, by which the cart is maneuvered, is very accessible and is located above the ground. The wheel locking system facilitates this operation. The brake control 44 is always accessible. The brake is useful if not essential for two reasons:

1 ° When straightening the carriage supporting the wheel, it will not tend to move forward, which greatly facilitates the positioning of the wheel and minimizes the effort required for straightening. 2 ° When positioning the wheel, it is especially important that the carriage does not move and that the person must keep it in place. Both hands of the person must remain free. 14

If the truck wheel is lowered vertically, it is easy to pick up the wheel and transport it to the desired location. It should be noted that during the straightening of the wheel, before reaching the vertical position, it is the wheel which makes contact with the ground before the cylinders 26 which support it, which makes it possible to remove the transporter when the wheel is located upright.

The use of the device in positioner mode is illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11. In FIG. 9, the dashed lines indicate the position of the wheel when the cylinders 26 are in contact with it. It suffices to operate the ratchet keys 32 in the direction of screwing in order to raise the cylinders 26 and thereby the wheel. The elevation of the wheel does not depend on the position of the movable frame 28 relative to the fixed frame 30. The way in which the cylinders 26 are raised has been described above with the aid of FIGS. 7A to 7E. The fact of using a trapezoidal screw as a lifting means allows rapid and precise lifting. By maneuvering one or the other crank, one can possibly offset the axis of the wheel. It is, in a way, an additional adjustment (Fig. 11b).

FIG. 10 shows the wheel carried by the cylinders 26. The spacing and the diameter of the cylinders are such that, without adjustment, the device is functional for all types of wheels fitted to large carriers and public transport vehicles. The spacing of the cylinders can, indirectly and easily, be reduced by the addition of a light sleeve on the cylinders so as to 15

increase the outside diameter. Without modifying the movable frame, the device then becomes functional for smaller wheels. The cylinders 26 are free to rotate on their axes 24 so that there is no difficulty in turning the wheel on itself in order to position it opposite the studs of the hub. In addition, the lateral translation of the wheel is ensured by the displacement of the movable frame 28 relative to the fixed frame 30 as illustrated in FIG. 11 which shows two positions of the movable frame and the wheel: a position in solid line and a position dotted. This horizontal translation is very important because it makes it possible to position the wheel exactly in the vertical axis passing through the center of the hub.

It is important to note that, when mounted in positioner mode, the device according to the invention can also help to unbolt the nuts, which are difficult to loosen (rust, dirt, etc.). The strut 96 can slide between the multipurpose bar 36 and the lower bar 52 of the movable frame (Figure 12). This sliding is done laterally. A cradle 112 slides vertically on this protective bar and makes it possible to receive the side of a cross key 108 opposite to that which serves to loosen the nuts of the wheel. The cradle is provided with a locking handle 110 which makes it possible to fix it at any height on the protection bar. The lateral displacement of this bar 96 combined with the possible positioning in height of the cradle, means that the cradle can serve as support for the cross key for any nut to be loosened. This is useful because you can 16

having to release the nuts both for a wheel to be changed and for a wheel with a flat tire.

Claims

17 CLAIMS

1. Demountable device intended to facilitate the dismantling and reassembly of a vehicle wheel, comprising a fixed frame (30), of generally rectangular shape, provided with wheels (16) on one of its longitudinal sides, means of reception and for supporting a wheel, and lifting means for moving said receiving and wheel supporting means parallel to the fixed frame (30), characterized in that the lifting means (34-80-90) are mounted on a movable frame (28), itself mounted on said fixed frame (30) so as to be able to slide parallel to the fixed frame (30) in a direction parallel to the side of said fixed frame (30) which is provided with the above-mentioned rollers (16) .

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said movable frame (28 is mounted on the fixed frame (30) by means of bearings.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lifting means comprise a threaded rod (80) cooperating with a slide (90) mounted in each of the lateral uprights of the movable frame (28), and means (32 ) to activate the aforementioned threaded rod (80) independently of the other threaded rod.

4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving and wheel support means consist of cylinders (26) each freely rotating about an axis (24) attached to the slide (90) mounted in a lateral upright (56) of said movable frame (28) 18

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the aforementioned slide (90) is mounted so that it can itself be moved along the upright 6.

7. lateral (56) corresponding to said movable frame so that the point of attachment of the axis (24) of the cylinder (26) for receiving and supporting the wheel is released from said vertical post (56) in order to allow said cylinder (26) corresponding to be folded under the longitudinal side of said movable frame (28).

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cylinders (26) have a diameter which increases from their end facing the frame (28) to their opposite end.

7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that it comprises sleeves intended to be placed on the cylinders (26) in order to increase the outside diameter so as to allow the device for receiving and supporting smaller diameter wheels.

8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said movable frame (28) is provided with sleeves (68) for receiving the end of extensions (40) themselves terminated by sleeves (72) intended receiving the end of the support arms (20), said extensions (40) as well as the support arms (20) being removable so as to be able to carry a wheel flat when the device is used in conveyor mode. 19

9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said movable frame (28) is provided with sleeves (22) for receiving the end of support arms (20) provided with wheels for the movement of the device mounted in wheel positioner mode.

10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a cradle (112) mounted so as to be adjustable in position on said movable frame (28) in order to serve as support for a wrench. cross (108) for loosening and tightening the wheel fixing nuts.