Tire changing jig and tire changing method

Abstract

To provide a tire changing jig capable of reducing a burden on a person who changes tires and capable of being used regardless of presence or absence of a hub bolt.SOLUTION: A tire changing jig includes a flexible string-like member 12, and a columnar member 14 with the string-like member 12 connected to one end. The string-like member 12 and the columnar member 14 each have a thickness that allows them to be inserted into a mounting hole 52a of a wheel 52 to be mounted. The string-like member 12 is thinner than the columnar member 14, and a taper part 14c is provided at a connecting part of the columnar member 14 with the string-like member 12 to reduce a step caused by a difference in thickness between the two.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tool for changing vehicle tires, and more particularly to a tire changing tool and a tire changing method that are suitable for reducing the physical burden when changing tires at home. [Background technology]

[0002] When changing tires on a vehicle, the vehicle body must be lifted up, which means that the tire, which is a heavy object, must be lifted to a specified height and then aligned to the installation position, which places a great strain on the body.

[0003] For this reason, jigs such as those disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 have been proposed as jigs to reduce the burden when changing tires. The jig disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a straight bolt that screws into the hub of the vehicle body, and by inserting this bolt into the mounting hole of the tire wheel, it becomes easy to align the wheel in a lifted state. By using such a jig, it is certainly thought that wheel alignment becomes easier. However, the basic action of lifting the wheel and aligning it remains the same, and the reduction in the burden during tire changing work is small.

[0004] Moreover, the jig disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a soft cylindrical deformation member attached to the tip of a hard columnar member. Such a jig is used by connecting the cylindrical soft member to a hub bolt provided on the hub with the cylindrical deformation member and the columnar member inserted into the mounting hole of the tire wheel to be mounted. Specifically, by lifting the columnar member upward with the cylindrical soft member connected to the hub bolt, the hub bolt and the columnar member are in a horizontal position, and alignment can be performed simply by sliding the tire wheel. With a jig having such characteristics, it is possible to reduce the burden of lifting the wheel and aligning it. However, with the jig disclosed in Patent Document 2, it is necessary to connect the cylindrical soft member to the hub bolt with the jig inserted into the wheel. For this reason, the connection work itself needs to be performed in a position that is in the shadow of the wheel, which is inefficient. Furthermore, the jig disclosed in Patent Document 2 cannot be used on vehicles that do not have a hub bolt. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3065945 [Patent Document 2] Utility Model Registration No. 3134118 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a tire changing tool that can reduce the burden on the person performing the tire changing work and can be used regardless of the presence or absence of hub bolts, and a tire changing method using this tool. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the tire changing jig of the present invention comprises a flexible string-like member and a columnar member connected to one end of the string-like member, and is characterized in that the string-like member and the columnar member are each thick enough to be inserted into a mounting hole in the wheel to be mounted.

[0008] In addition, in the tire changing jig having the above-mentioned characteristics, it is preferable that the string-like member is thinner than the columnar member, and that the connecting portion of the columnar member with the string-like member is provided with a tapered portion to reduce the step caused by the difference in thickness between the two. By having such characteristics, it is possible to smoothly move the tire (wheel) that has moved the string-like member to the columnar member.

[0009] In addition, in the tire changing tool having the above-mentioned features, it is preferable that the string-like member is rotatably connected to one end of the columnar member. With such a feature, it is possible to prevent the string-like member from being twisted when the columnar member is attached to or detached from the wheel.

[0010] In addition, in a tire changing jig having the above-mentioned characteristics, the string-like member can be a wire, and a coating material can be provided that covers at least a portion of the string-like member. By having such characteristics, it is possible to prevent the inside of the mounting hole in the wheel from being damaged when the tire (wheel) is slid onto the string-like member. In addition, damage to the string-like member can be reduced, and the life (usable years) of the jig can be extended.

[0011] In addition, in the tire changing jig having the above-mentioned characteristics, it is preferable that an engagement portion is provided at the end of the string-like member. With such a characteristic, it is possible to attach a handle to the end of the string-like member. This makes it easier to apply the force required to pull up the tire.

[0012] Furthermore, in the tire changing tool having the above-mentioned characteristics, it is preferable that the columnar member has a structure that can be separated into one end and the other end. With such a characteristic, it is possible to select and switch the columnar member depending on the mounting form of the tire changing tool to the hub. Also, if the string-like member is damaged, it is possible to replace only the one end to which the string-like member is connected.

[0013] A tire changing method using the tire changing tool having the above characteristics is a tire changing method using a tire changing tool having a flexible string-like member and a columnar member connected to one end of the string-like member, characterized in that it includes a first step of connecting the other end of the columnar member to a bolt hole or a hub bolt provided in a hub of a vehicle, a second step of inserting the string-like member into a mounting hole in a wheel of a tire to be mounted after the first step, a third step of pulling up a part of the string-like member inserted into the mounting hole to raise the tire to a height above the mounting position of the columnar member and moving the tire along the string-like member to insert the columnar member into the mounting hole, and a fourth step of moving the wheel along the columnar member to press it against the hub and fix the wheel with a bolt or a nut. By having such characteristics, it is possible to pull up the tire with a small force and to align the wheel when mounting it by using the columnar member as a guide.

[0014] In addition, in the tire changing method having the above-mentioned features, the first step may include screwing the columnar member into at least two adjacent bolt holes or hub bolts, the second step may include inserting the string-like member into the corresponding mounting holes in the wheel, and the third step may include simultaneously pulling up the ends of the string-like members. Such features improve stability when pulling up the tire and make it easier to align the wheel when mounting it.

[0015] Furthermore, in the tire changing method having the above-mentioned features, a step of engaging the ends of the plurality of string-like members with a handle can be provided between the second step and the third step, and the handle can be pulled upward in the third step. With such features, it becomes possible to pull up two string-like members at once with one hand. Effect of the Invention

[0016] A tire changing tool having such characteristics can reduce the burden on the person changing the tire. Also, the tool can be used regardless of whether the hub bolt is installed or not. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating an example of a tire changing tool according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded partial cross-sectional view of the tire changing tool according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a usage form of a tire changing tool according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 1A to 1C are diagrams for explaining a tire changing method using a tire changing jig according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] 1 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing an example of a tire changing jig adapted for use in a case where a hub is provided with a hub bolt. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining an application example of a tire changing method using the tire changing jig according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the tire changing tool and tire changing method of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments shown below are some of the preferred forms for carrying out the present invention, and even if some of the configuration is changed, they can be considered as part of the present invention as long as the effects of the embodiments are achieved. In addition, in the following embodiments, the term tire 50 refers to a tire body 54 assembled to a wheel 52 (see FIG. 3).

[0019] [composition] As shown in Fig. 1, the tire changing jig 10 according to this embodiment is basically composed of a string-like member 12 and a columnar member 14. The string-like member 12 is not limited to a specific material or properties as long as it is a flexible string-like (linear) member with a thickness that allows it to be inserted into the mounting hole 52a of the wheel 52. For this reason, it may be a rope, string, or resin tape made of fibers, but it is preferable that the material be capable of supporting the weight of the tire 50 to be changed and have abrasion resistance that allows it to slide through the mounting hole 52a. Therefore, a metal wire can be cited as an example of a suitable member.

[0020] The columnar member 14 is connected (screwed) to the hub 60 of the vehicle body or a hub bolt (not shown) provided on the hub 60, and is an element that supports and guides the positioning of the tire 50. There are no limitations on the specific configuration of the columnar member 14, so long as it is a columnar member of a thickness that allows it to be inserted into the mounting hole 52a of the wheel 52. Therefore, the cross-sectional shape may be polygonal, but is preferably circular. When the wheel 52 is slid along the columnar member 14, damage to the inside of the mounting hole 52a can be reduced.

[0021] Furthermore, there is no limitation on the material of the columnar members 14 as long as they can support the weight of the tire 50. For example, in addition to steel, they may be composite members such as hard resin, light metal, and fiber-reinforced plastic. As described above, the columnar members 14 may be made of cylindrical members as long as they are capable of supporting the weight of the tire 50 depending on the material or shape.

[0022] The string-like member 12 only needs to be connected to one end of the columnar member 14, and in this embodiment, the string-like member 12 is connected to the columnar member 14 so as to be rotatable. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the string-like member 12 from being twisted when the columnar member 14 is screwed into the hub 60 or a hub bolt, or when it is removed. In addition, in the tire changing jig 10 according to this embodiment, the thickness of the string-like member 12 is configured to be sufficiently thinner than the thickness of the columnar member 14, so that the string-like member 12 has good flexibility and the weight of the jig as a whole is reduced. For this reason, a tapered portion 14c is provided at the end of the columnar member 14 connected to the string-like member 12, and is configured to reduce the step between the columnar member 14 and the string-like member 12. With this configuration, it is possible to smoothly move the wheel 52 slid on the string-like member 12 to the columnar member 14.

[0023] In this embodiment, the columnar member 14 has a split structure. Specifically, it is composed of a main body 14a connected to the hub 60 or the hub bolt, and a connecting portion 14b connected to the string-like member 12. The main body 14a and the connecting portion 14b may be connected and separated by a known joint type, such as screwing or fitting. With this configuration, it is possible to selectively switch the main body 14a to one that is compatible with connection to the hub 60 or one that is compatible with connection to the hub bolt, and it is also possible to switch according to the thickness (diameter, etc.) of the member to be connected. In addition, if the string-like member 12 is damaged, it is also possible to replace only the connecting portion 14b.

[0024] Here, the connection of the string-like member 12 to the connecting portion 14b may be structured as shown in FIG. 2. That is, the connecting portion 14b has a through hole 14b1 at its tip side (one end side as the tire changing jig 10). An internal space 14b2 having a diameter larger than the through hole 14b1 is provided between the main body 14a and the through hole 14b1. On the other hand, the string-like member 12 has a diameter capable of passing through the through hole 14b1, and the connecting side end (base end side end) with the connecting portion 14b is provided with a slip-out prevention means 12a having a projected area larger than the through hole 14b1 and smaller than the internal space 14b2 after the through hole 14b1 is inserted. The slip-out prevention means 12a can be selected from various types depending on the material of the string-like member 12, and may be a knot or the like when the string-like member 12 has high flexibility. When the string-like member 12 is a wire, a metal piece or the like may be plastically deformed to form a crimping member that is fixed to the base end of the string-like member 12. With this configuration, the string-like member 12 can be rotatably fixed to the connecting portion 14b (columnar member 14).

[0025] In addition, in the tire changing jig 10 according to the present embodiment, the tip of the string-like member 12 is provided with an engagement portion 12b. With this configuration, an element (not shown) that serves as a handle can be engaged with the tip of the string-like member 12. This makes it easier to apply the force required for pulling up the tire when pulling up the tire. The specific configuration of the engagement portion 12b is not limited as long as it is configured to be able to engage with the element that serves as a handle. Therefore, a separate member may be provided, but as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the tip of the string-like member 12 may be folded back to form a ring portion. With this configuration, when the element that serves as a handle is engaged, the engagement portion 12b formed by a part of the string-like member 12 is deformed according to the shape of the engaged member, thereby improving stability when pulling up the tire 50.

[0026] [Actions and Effects] 4(A) to 4(D), a tire changing method using the tire changing jig 10 configured as described above will be described. The tire changing described below relates to a process of lifting a vehicle body (not shown), removing the mounted tire, and then mounting a target tire 50.

[0027] 4(A), the tire changing jig 10 is attached to the hub 60. The tire changing jig 10 can be attached to the hub 60 by screwing the male threaded portion 14a1 provided on the other end (base end side) of the columnar member 14 into a bolt hole (female threaded portion 60a) provided in the hub 60 (first step).

[0028] After the tire changing jig 10 is attached to the hub 60, the string-like member 12 is inserted through the mounting hole 52a of the wheel 52 of the tire 50 to be mounted. At this time, the tire 50 is placed upright with the tread surface facing the ground, and the mounting hole 52a through which the string-like member 12 is inserted should be located at the top. Naturally, the string-like member 12 is inserted from the inside to the outside in accordance with the mounting direction of the wheel 52 (second step).

[0029] After the string-like member 12 is inserted through the mounting hole 52a of the wheel 52, as shown in FIG. 4B, a part of the inserted string-like member 12, specifically, the engagement part 12b provided at the tip of the string-like member 12, is pulled upward to pull up the tire 50. The tire 50 is pulled up until the mounting hole 52a of the wheel reaches a height equal to or higher than the mounting position of the columnar member 14, as shown in FIG. 4C. At this time, since the string-like member 12 is supported by the columnar member 14 whose base end is fixed to the hub 60, half of the weight of the tire 50 is loaded on the columnar member 14 side due to the principle of the movable pulley. Therefore, the force required to pull up the tire 50 (the force to pull up the string-like member 12) is half the weight of the tire 50, and the pulling distance is doubled. Since the height to which the tire 50 is pulled up during tire replacement is generally about several centimeters, there is no significant impact even if the distance is doubled. On the other hand, being able to lift the tire 50 with less force is a great advantage in that it reduces the burden when changing tires.

[0030] After the tire 50 is lifted by pulling up the string-like member 12, the tire 50 is moved along the string-like member 12 toward the columnar member 14, so that the columnar member 14 can be inserted into the mounting hole 52a as shown in Fig. 4(D). By pulling up the string-like member 12 at a position close to the tip of the columnar member 14, the tire 50 can be lifted with less force, and the tire 50 moves along the inclination of the string-like member 12 due to gravity, and the columnar member 14 is inserted into the mounting hole 52a (third step).

[0031] After inserting the columnar member 14 into the mounting hole 52a, the wheel 52 (tire 50) is moved along the columnar member 14, and the wheel 52 is pressed against the hub 60. With the wheel 52 pressed against the hub 60, mounting bolts (not shown) are inserted into the mounting holes 52a through which the columnar member 14 is not inserted, and the tire 50 is temporarily fixed to the hub 60. After the tire 50 is temporarily fixed with the mounting bolts, the weight of the tire 50 is borne by the mounting bolts, and then the columnar member 14 is removed from the hub 60, and the mounting bolts are inserted into the removed mounting holes 52a and screwed into the female threads 60a. After the mounting bolts have been screwed into all the female threads 60a, the mounting bolts are tightened to a specified torque, completing the installation (replacement) of the tire 50 (fourth step).

[0032] According to the tire changing method that involves these steps, the tire 50 can be lifted with little force. Also, the tire 50 (wheel 52) can be aligned using the columnar members 14 as guides. Therefore, when lifting and positioning the tire 50, it is possible to avoid having to squat for long periods of time, and it is possible to reduce the effort and burden required for tire changing.

[0033] In the above description and drawings, an example is given in which the columnar member 14 is screwed into the female thread portion 60a provided on the hub 60, but in the case of fixing the tire 50 with a hub bolt and nut (not shown), a female thread portion 14a2 may be provided on the other end (base end side) of the columnar member 14 as shown in Fig. 5, and this female thread portion 14a2 may be screwed into the hub bolt. In this case, after the wheel 52 is pressed against the hub 60, a fixing nut is screwed onto the hub bolt.

[0034] [Variations] In the above embodiment, the tire changing jig 10 has been described as an example in which the string-like member 12 is made of a metal wire. In such a configuration, the string-like member 12 may be covered with a covering material such as a protective tube (not shown) made of a material softer than the material of the wheel 52 or resin and having flexibility. By covering the string-like member 12 with the protective tube, it is possible to prevent the inside of the mounting hole 52a from being damaged by friction with the string-like member 12 when the tire 50 is pulled up and the wheel 52 is moved along the string-like member 12. In addition, the effective diameter of the string-like member 12 is increased by the protective tube, so that the step generated between the string-like member 12 and the columnar member 14 is substantially reduced. This makes it possible to make the operation of moving the wheel 52 from the string-like member 12 to the columnar member 14 smoother.

[0035] The covering material mentioned here does not necessarily have to cover the entire length of the string-like member 12, but may cover at least a part of it. This is because the same effect can be achieved if the mounting hole 52a of the wheel 52 is located on the covering material. In other words, if the covering material is short, the flexibility of the string-like member 12 is not impaired even if the covering material itself is not flexible. Therefore, when the covering material is short, or when a configuration is created in which the string-like member 12 is not hindered from bending by arranging multiple short covering materials in succession, the covering material may simply be made of a material that is lower (softer) in hardness than the wheel 52, and may be, for example, a resin pipe. In addition, the covering material does not have to be tightly attached to the string-like member 12. When the covering material is short, it is possible to slide the covering material against the string-like member 12 more smoothly by providing a gap between the string-like member 12 and the pipe or tube.

[0036] [Example of tire changing method] In the above embodiment, the tire changing tool 10 is used when changing a tire. However, a plurality of tire changing tools 10 may be used when changing a tire.

[0037] As an example, as shown in Fig. 6, it is advisable to use two tire changing tools 10 to change a tire. More specifically, the male threads 14a1 of the columnar members 14 of the tire changing tool 10 are screwed into two adjacent female threads 60a of the hub 60. Here, it is preferable to select the female threads 60a to which the tire changing tool 10 is attached that are located above the center of the hub 60. This is because the tire 50 can be stabilized when it is pulled up.

[0038] After the tire changing jig 10 is attached, similarly to the second step described above, the string-like members 12 are inserted into the mounting holes 52a of the wheels 52 of the tires 50. At this time, the string-like members 12 of each tire changing jig 10 are inserted into the mounting holes 52a at corresponding positions in a one-to-one relationship.

[0039] After the string-like member 12 is inserted through the mounting hole 52a of the wheel 52, a handle (not shown) is engaged with the engagement portion 12b of the string-like member 12, and the ends of the two string-like members 12 are connected via the handle. Then, the handle is pulled up so that the two string-like members 12 are pulled up simultaneously. In this way, by connecting the two string-like members 12 via the handle, it becomes possible to pull up the two string-like members 12 simultaneously with one hand. This makes it possible for the tire 50, which is pulled up as the string-like member 12 is pulled up, to remain in a stable state.

[0040] Furthermore, by using multiple string-like members 12 (two in the example shown in FIG. 6), the tire 50 (wheel 52) will not rotate around the mounting hole 52a through which the string-like members 12 are inserted. This makes it easier to position the wheel 52. As described above, the same operation can be performed even when the hub 60 is provided with a hub bolt (not shown). In this case, as described above, it is recommended to use a tire changing jig 10 of the type having a female screw portion 14a2 on the base end side of the columnar member 14 as shown in FIG. 5. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] Reference Signs List 10: Tire changing jig, 12: String-like member, 12a: Anti-slip means, 12b: Engagement portion, 14: Column-shaped member, 14a: Main body, 14a1: Male threaded portion, 14a2: Female threaded portion, 14b: Connecting portion, 14b1: Through hole, 14b2: Internal space, 14c: Tapered portion, 50: Tire, 52: Wheel, 52a: Mounting hole, 54: Tire main body, 60: Hub, 60a: Female threaded portion.

Claims

1. A flexible string-like member; a columnar member having one end connected to the string-like member, A tire changing jig characterized in that the string-like member and the column-like member each have a thickness such that they can be inserted into a mounting hole in a wheel to be changed.

2. 2. A tire changing jig as described in claim 1, characterized in that the string-like member is thinner than the columnar member, and a tapered portion is provided at a connection portion between the columnar member and the string-like member to reduce a step caused by a difference in thickness between the two.

3. 3. The tire changing jig according to claim 2, wherein the string-like member is rotatably connected to one end of the columnar member.

4. 4. The tire changing jig according to claim 3, wherein the string-like member is a wire, and a covering material is provided to cover at least a portion of the string-like member.

5. 5. A tire changing jig according to claim 4, wherein an engagement portion is provided at a tip of the string-like member.

6. 6. The tire changing jig according to claim 1, wherein the columnar member has a structure capable of being separated into one end and the other end.

7. A tire changing method using a tire changing tool having a flexible string-like member and a columnar member having one end connected to the string-like member, a first step of connecting the other end of the columnar member to a bolt hole or a hub bolt provided in a hub of a vehicle; After the first step, a second step is performed in which the string-like member is inserted into a mounting hole in a wheel of a tire to be mounted; a third step of lifting the tire to a height equal to or higher than the mounting position of the columnar member by lifting a portion of the string-like member that has been inserted into the mounting hole upward and moving the tire along the string-like member to insert the columnar member into the mounting hole; a fourth step of moving the wheel along the columnar members to press the wheel against the hub and secure the wheel with bolts or nuts.

8. In the first step, the columnar member is screwed into at least two of the bolt holes or the hub bolts that are adjacently arranged, In the second step, the string-like member is inserted into each of the corresponding mounting holes in the wheel; 8. The tire changing method according to claim 7, wherein in the third step, the ends of a plurality of the string-like members are pulled up simultaneously.

9. a step of engaging the ends of the plurality of string-like members with a handle is provided between the second step and the third step; 9. The tire changing method according to claim 8, wherein in the third step, the handle is pulled upward.

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