WO2015094358A1

WO2015094358A1 - Lug nut removal tool

Info

Publication number: WO2015094358A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/077112
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ronald BROUSSARD
Original assignee: Broussard Ronald
Priority date: 2013-12-20
Filing date: 2013-12-20
Publication date: 2015-06-25

Abstract

This invention relates to tools that are commonly used for automobile maintenance. Previously, there was no good tool for removing a frozen lug nut from a threaded stud. Embodiments of the present invention use a drill bit (18) having a plurality of flutes (19) separated by slots (23). The plurality of flutes are attached to bores (21). The drill bit is guided by a guide (20) onto the frozen lug nut such that the user can attach the drill bit onto an air drill to bore out the frozen lug nut. This removes the frozen lug nut from the threaded stud.

Description

LUG NUT REMOVAL TOOL

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to tools that are commonly used for automobile maintenance.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] A lug nut is a fastener, specifically a nut, used to secure a wheel on a vehicle. Typically, lug nuts are found on automobiles, trucks, and other large vehicles utilizing rubber tires. A lug nut is a nut with one rounded or conical (tapered) end, used on steel and most aluminum wheels. A set of lug nuts are typically used to secure a wheel to threaded wheel studs and thereby to a vehicle's axles. Some designs use lug bolts instead of nuts, which screw into a tapped (threaded) hole in the wheel's hub or brake drum or disc. This configuration is commonly known as a bolted joint.

[0003] The lug's taper is normally 60 degrees (although 45 is common for wheels designed for racing applications), and is designed to center the wheel accurately on the axle, and to reduce the tendency for the nut to loosen, due to fretting induced precession, as the car is driven. Honda uses a spherical rather than a tapered seat, but the nut performs the same function. Older style alloy wheels have a 1/2 to 1 inch shank slipping into the wheel to center it and a washer that applies pressure to clamp the wheel to the axle.

[0004] Lug nuts may be removed using a lug, socket or impact wrench. If the wheel is to be removed then an automotive jack to raise the vehicle and some wheel chocks would be used as well. Wheels that have hubcaps or hub covers need these removed beforehand, typically with a screwdriver, flatbar, or prybar. Lug nuts can be difficult to remove, as they may become frozen to the wheel stud.

[0005] Prior to the disclosed invention, there was not tool that easily removed these frozen lug nuts, rather repeated blows with an air chisel over a period of hours would be necessary to remove the frozen lug nut. The present invention solves this problem.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0006] A lug nut removal tool enables a user to remove a frozen lug nut from a threaded stud. The lug nut removal tool comprises a drill bit which is drilled through a guide which can be adjusted in size by a collar. The drill bit comprises a plurality of flutes separated by slots; the plurality of flutes is mechanically coupled to bores. The guide comprises guide slots which can be used to align the guide about the frozen lug nut. In this manner, the user can attach the guide onto the frozen lug nut and tighten the guide with a set screw. Then the user can attach the drill bit onto an air drill to bore out the frozen lug nut.

[0007] A method for removing a frozen lug nut comprises the following steps not necessarily in order. A user maneuvers a guide onto the frozen lug nut. The user tightens the guide onto the frozen lug nut. The user maneuvers a drill bit proximate the guide, where the drill bit is mechanically coupled to an air drill and the drill bit further comprises a plurality of flutes separated by slots where the plurality of flutes are mechanically coupled to bores. The user engages the air drill in order to rotate the drill bit causing the bores to tear a head off the frozen lug nut. The user disengages the air drill and removing the guide, exposing the head from the frozen lug nut. Finally, the user removes the head from the frozen lug nut.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0008] The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention is made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the figures.

[0009] Figure 1 is perspective view showing an embodiment of the invention in use.

[0010] Figure 2 is a side elevation view showing an embodiment of the invention in use.

[0011] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view.

[0012] Figure 4 is a side elevation view with parts shown in cross-section.

BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

[0001] By way of example, and referring to Figure 1, A user desires to remove a frozen lug nut 14 from a threaded stud (not shown) on wheel 12 without resorting to repeated blows from an air chisel. Lug nut removal tool 10 accomplishes this function. Lug nut removal tool 10 comprises drill bit 18 which is drilled through adjustable guide 20 which can be adjusted in size by collar 22. Figure 2 shows a detail view of this assembly. Figure 3 shows an explosion view of this assembly and Figure 4 shows a section view of this assembly.

[0002] Figure 2, Figure 3 and Figure 4 show lug nut removal tool 10 in more detail.

Drill bit 18 comprises a plurality of flutes 19 separated by slots 23. Flutes 19 are

mechanically coupled to bores 21. Guide 20 comprises guide slots 26 which can be used to align guide 20 about frozen lug nut 14. Drill bit 18 can be inserted into guide 20 after guide 20 has been affixed to frozen lug nut 14 as noted above. Guide 20 allows a user to precisely bore out frozen lug nut 14 by aligning drill bit 19 onto frozen lug nut 14.

[0003] In the preferred embodiment, lug nut removal tool 10 is available in a single size, for 12mm threaded studs and 14mm threaded studs. Lug nut removal tool 10 should be made from carbide metal with an adapter to be used with low rpm ½ inch air drills. When assembled, lug nut removal tool 10 is 108mm long. Drill bit 18 is 82mm long and comprises a 35mm portion containing flutes 19 and bore 21. Drill bit 18 has a shaft that is 17mm wide. Fluese 19 and bore 21 are particularly designed for cutting out the inside of frozen lug nut 14. The center of drill bit 18 is hollow with an inner diameter of 1 1mm that allows the threaded stud to go inside of drill bit 18 during the drilling process.

[0004] The threaded stud will be reduced in size during this process and will need to be replaced. Brill bit 18 comprises a mounting end which is 23mm long and a 13mm diameter round shaft that will be inserted into a standard low rpm ½ inch air drill 16. Guide 20 is adjustable for 12mm and 14mm vehicle studs and other various size frozen lug nuts 14.

[0005] In the preferred embodiment, guide 20 is made out of common steel. Guide 20 comprises a rigid end and an adjustable end. Guide 20 is 76mm long, the rigid end is 30mm wide. The adjustable end is on a side proximate lug nut 14, 23.6mm to 19.6mm long on an adjustable internal end. Guide 20 has an external sliding circular collar 22 to close this area down onto the desired size frozen lug nut 14. Collar 22 has an internal set screw 24 to adjust guide 20 to the desired size. Guide 20 has an inside an outside.

[0006] The outside of guide 20 should be smooth and the inside of guide 20 should have smooth round surface located on the inside to hold onto lug nut 14. There are also 4mm guide slots 26 cut out of the top and bottom of the guide that starts at the adjustable side. Each guide slot 26 is 65mm long and 4mm wide. Guide slot 26 allows lubrication to be added to the top while metal shavings fall out an exit in the bottom during the cutting process.

[0007] To use lug nut removal tool 10, a user will simply attach guide 20 onto frozen lug nut 14 and tighten guide 20 with set screw 24. Next, the user attaches drill bit 18 onto air drill 16. Then, the user should apply the water constantly through guide slots 26 at the top of guide 20, this must be added during the entire cutting process. Now, you can start cutting by apply constant pressure and monitoring the progress.

[0008] Bore 21 will begin to cut the head off frozen lug nut 14. The user can remove guide 20 and remove the cap or head of the lug nut. Next, the user can reinstall guide 20 and continue until the stud is reached. Drill bit 18 is designed to cut into the front portion of frozen lug nut 14. As frozen lug nut 14 is being cut away, the lug nut stud will become exposed. Lug nut removal tool 10 is hollow inside and smaller than the threaded stud. This allows lug nut removal tool 10 to use the threaded stud as a guide. A user will continue to cut into frozen lug nut 14 from around the threaded stud until frozen lug nut 14 has become hand loose or frozen lug nut 14 has been fully bored. Due to the length of the threaded stud, guide 20 may need to be removed for longer boring. After frozen lug nut 14 is removed, the rim can be removed, cleaned of debris and the user can inspect the threaded stud for any damage from the stripped lug nut 14. The user can replace the threaded stud if needed.

[0013] Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0014] One object of the present invention is to remove a frozen lug nut from a threaded stud. Another object of the present invention is to bore out a frozen lug nut.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a process which enables removal of a frozen lug nut from a threaded stud. The present invention can further provide guides which assist the invention in performing these objects.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A lug nut removal tool enables a user to remove a frozen lug nut from a threaded stud; the lug nut removal tool comprising:

a drill bit which is drilled through a guide which can be adjusted in size by a collar;

the drill bit comprises a plurality of flutes separated by slots; the plurality of flutes are mechanically coupled to bores;

the guide comprises guide slots which can be used to align the guide about the frozen lug nut;

in this manner, the user can attach the guide onto the frozen lug nut and tighten the guide with a set screw; then the user can attach the drill bit onto an air drill to bore out the frozen lug nut.

2. The lug nut removal tool of claim 1, wherein the guide further comprises a rigid end and an adjustable end, where the adjustable end further comprises the guide slots that can be used for lubricating the drill bit or providing an exit for metal shavings.

3. A method for removing a frozen lug nut, comprising:

maneuvering a guide onto the frozen lug nut;

tightening the guide onto the frozen lug nut;

maneuvering a drill bit proximate the guide, where the drill bit is mechanically coupled to an air drill and the drill bit further comprises a plurality of flutes separated by slots where the plurality of flutes are mechanically coupled to bores;

engaging the air drill in order to rotate the drill bit causing the bores to tear a head off the frozen lug nut;

disengaging the air drill and removing the guide, exposing the head from the frozen lug nut; and

removing the head from the frozen lug nut.

4. The method for removing a frozen lug nut of claim 3,

reinstalling the guide and reengaging the air drill in order to remove the frozen lug nut from a threaded stud; and

cutting into the frozen lug nut until the frozen lug nut is removed.

5. The method for removing a frozen lug nut of claim 3,

applying water through guide slots in the guide in order to cool the bores reinstalling the guide and reengaging the air drill in order to remove the frozen lug nut from a threaded stud;

cutting into the frozen lug nut until the frozen lug nut is removed.