Device for fixing wheels and tires

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for fixing vehicle wheels, consisting of at least three interconnected parts: a top part (1) placed against the wheel; a connecting piece (2); and a base part (3) resting on the ground; wherein the top part can be placed flush against the wheel and a connection is established between the wheel and top part with the aid of retaining means, and wherein the connecting piece connects the top part and base part to one another, and wherein the base part rests on the ground such that the entire device remains in the fixing position.

Description

[0001] Title: Device for fixing wheels and tires

[0002] The invention relates to a device for fixing wheels or tires, in particular during assembly and tire changing on motor vehicles or the like.

[0003] Nowadays, a vehicle is usually raised to the desired working height using a lift. The mechanic carries out the necessary work while standing. This is comfortable and convenient. When fitting or changing a tire, after the tire has been attached to the vehicle axle, the wheel nuts are tightened using a screwdriver, usually an air screwdriver. However, a final tightening of the tire nuts is not possible. For this purpose, a torque wrench is usually used, which applies a defined tightening torque to a connecting element, in this case the wheel nut. This creates the necessary clamping force. This work step is carried out with the vehicle lowered, i.e. with the lift lowered. The wheel touches the ground and cannot rotate when the wheel nuts are finally tightened. The mechanic therefore performs this tightening movement in a crouched position.The back is lowered forward and the knees are bent. Everyone can imagine that this posture is not particularly gentle. It places considerable strain on the knees and back. Such frequent strain inevitably leads to long-term knee and back injuries. These injuries are often very painful and can lead to missed work days and sometimes even disability. Another, more organizationally related, factor is the time lost when lowering the vehicle, which usually has to be lifted back up after the nut has been tightened.

[0004] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device which enables wheel or tire assembly without the above-mentioned health risks, i.e. ideally while standing.

[0005] This object is achieved by a device for fixing vehicle wheels, which is characterized in that the device consists of at least 3 interconnected parts, namely • a head part, which is placed on the wheel, wherein the head part can be placed flush against the wheel and creates a connection between the wheel and the head part with the aid of holding means

[0006] • a connecting piece that connects the head and foot sections and

[0007] • a foot part which rests on the floor, whereby the foot part rests on the floor in such a way that the entire device remains in the attached position.

[0008] The coupling part, which is attached to the wheel, can be a plate adapted to the wheel roundness (curvature of the wheel). This wheel plate is slightly curved. It lies flush with the tread of the wheel. Its surface is provided with a retaining element which ensures that the contact between the plate, i.e. the head part, and the wheel is such that the wheel cannot move or even rotate. The head part, i.e. the upper side, is designed so that it can be used for all wheels. The different wheel sizes in use must be taken into account here. The retaining element can consist of an acid- and slip-resistant rubber coating, small knobs, or similar. For the purposes of this invention, the important thing is the "grip", i.e. the holding capacity between the wheel and the upper part, i.e. the wheel plate. The wheel plate is connected to the connecting piece (head part / foot part connection) via a wheel plate connecting component.

[0009] The connector that connects the head section to the foot section can be made of high-quality stainless steel. This guarantees high load-bearing capacity and durability of the component. In a special embodiment of the invention, a non-slip rubber coating is applied in the handle position, i.e., where the device is carried, held, and positioned, ensuring safe handling.

[0010] The base is the part of the tool that ensures stability. It is made of a sturdy material with a non-slip base.

[0011] In a very special embodiment of the invention, the upper part, i.e. the wheel plate, is pivotally attached to the connecting piece. This enables the plate to be individually adjusted to the wheel. In a horizontal orientation, the plate can be placed under the wheel and pressed against the lower side of the wheel. The degree of pivoting is only limited by the wheel plate butting up against the connecting piece. However, it can be positioned almost vertically so that it can hold the wheel on one side. Any angle in between is therefore possible. In a tested embodiment, three pivot settings have proven successful and are shown schematically in the figure. In a further embodiment of the invention, the head section has bores (e.g. threaded holes) through which screws or other rod-shaped elements can be passed. These then grip unevenness on the wheel surface, e.g.the wheel profile and additionally prevent the wheel from rotating or moving.

[0012] The connecting piece can be adjusted in length using a sliding device, a telescopic mechanism. This also allows the tool's height to be adjusted to suit the specific conditions. However, care must be taken to ensure that the tool's stability is not compromised. The base, which rests on the floor, is also coated with an adhesive, such as an acid- and slip-resistant rubber coating, because the tool's maximum stability must be ensured when working on the wheel.

[0013] The invention further comprises a pivoting base section. The base section is the component of the tool which is in contact with the ground. The pivoting ability of the base section with its base plate ensures that the maximum contact surface can be created. The base plate must not slip on the ground, particularly when the vehicle is at working height on the lift and the wheels have already been secured with the pneumatic screwdriver. The wheels are secured to the vehicle wheel by placing the tool on the ground with the base section and placing the upper part of the tool against the profile side of the wheel. This fixation enables the torque wrench to be used directly in an upright position without lowering the vehicle onto the ground. This increases safety when tightening wheel bolts or wheel nuts as the upright working position provides a better overview.After installation, the vehicle is immediately ready to drive after lowering the lift.

[0014] The tool thus increases the efficiency and effectiveness of tire changes and tire fittings on car lifts. Its use allows for efficient tire fitting with minimal effort. The time savings significantly reduce tire fitting costs. Furthermore, the invention significantly reduces the physical strain on employees' backs and knees.

[0015] In a very special embodiment of the present invention, the individual components of the device according to the invention are made of special materials. The material EN AW-6061 has proven particularly suitable for this purpose. It belongs to the AlMgSi alloys and is thus one of the most frequently used heat-treatable aluminum alloys. The main component of this material is magnesium, with silicon, manganese, chromium, iron, copper, zinc, and titanium added. Depending on the heat-treatment treatment, this alloy can achieve medium to high strengths. Properties: The AlMg1SiCu alloy is characterized by good corrosion resistance and medium strength. Furthermore, aluminum grade 3.3211 is easy to weld and can also be cold-formed. Due to its special properties, the application areas are particularly diverse. Table 1 lists a possible composition:

[0016] The mechanical properties can be found in Table 2:

[0017] The physical properties of this material are listed in Table 3

[0018] The connecting piece, the matching joint, part of the headboard and the footboard can be made of this material.

[0019] The following figures illustrate the relative arrangement of the individual components and the functionality of the fixing tool of one embodiment. This is not intended to be limiting. This is merely one possible embodiment of the invention. List of reference symbols:

[0020] 1 headboard, wheel plate

[0021] 2 connecting piece, head / footboard connecting piece

[0022] 3 Footrest

[0023] 4 rod-like connecting piece

[0024] Figure 1 clearly shows the device, which consists of at least three interconnected parts. The head section 1, which consists of at least one wheel plate that is placed against the wheel, is shown only schematically and without any curvature. The wheel plate can be slightly curved to adapt to the roundness of the wheel and to improve contact with the wheel. The holding means on the wheel plate, an acid- and slip-resistant rubber coating, adheres to the wheel and ensures that the wheel can no longer rotate. Figure 1 shows the tool three times side by side. The wheel plate, which is pivotally attached to the connecting piece, takes up a different position each time. It is clearly visible that the head section 1 in this embodiment consists of the wheel plate and a rod-like connecting piece 4. This rod-like connecting piece 4 is in turn connected to the head / foot section connecting piece 2.However, the rod-like connecting piece can be pivoted so that the wheel plate changes its orientation. The wheel plate can then be placed flush and precisely against the respective vehicle wheel. Once adjusted to the desired position, the wheel plate is fixed in this position so that it retains this position. The upper part, i.e. the head part, of the tool is placed against the underside of the vehicle wheel. The wheel plate and wheel adhere to each other. The wheel can no longer rotate. The wheel bolts can now be tightened to the correct torque. In this case, the wheel plate is 150 mm long and 5 mm thick. Its width is 50 mm. These dimensions have proven to be optimal for this embodiment of the invention. The plate can be made of a stable material; steel or metal are suitable in this case.To enhance the adhesion properties, the plate can be provided with holes through which screws can be inserted, providing additional grip between the plate and the wheel and preventing the wheel from twisting relative to the plate. Of course, the screws must not damage the wheel surface.

[0025] The connecting piece 2 between the head and foot sections is, in this case, a tubular component. It is made of steel or high-quality stainless steel, has an outer diameter of 38 - 35 mm and a wall thickness of 1.8 - 1.5 mm. The connecting piece must be able to accommodate the pivoting rod-shaped connecting element 4 to the head section, whereby the pivoting and subsequent fixation of the connecting element in its position can be easily achieved by screwing it through the connecting piece. The middle section, i.e. connecting piece 2, is approximately 920 mm long. The non-slip rubber coating for better and safer handling is attached centrally. The foot section 3, consisting of at least one base plate, is also designed with a non-slip base. To ensure the maximum contact surface of the base plate with the floor, the base plate is also pivotally attached to the connecting piece.The connection between the base plate and the connecting piece can be designed similarly to the pivoting wheel plate. In both cases, however, it is important that once the wheel plate and base plate are adjusted to the desired angle, the tool can be held in this position.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device for fixing vehicle wheels, characterized in that the device consists of at least 3 interconnected parts. • a headpiece (1) which is attached to the wheel • a connecting piece (2), • a foot section (3) which rests on the ground, wherein the head section (1) can be placed flush against the wheel and establishes a connection between the wheel and the head section by means of retaining means, and wherein the connecting piece (2) connects the head and foot sections together, and wherein the foot section (3) rests on the ground in such a way that the entire device remains in the applied position.

2. Device for fixing vehicle wheels according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding means which holds the head part (1) to the wheel consists of an acid- and non-slip rubber coating.

3. Device for fixing the vehicle wheel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head part (1) is pivotably attached to the connecting piece.

4. Device for fixing vehicle wheels according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head part (1) has bores through which screws or other rod-shaped elements can be guided.

5. Device for fixing the vehicle wheel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting part (2) can be changed in length by means of a sliding means.

6. Device for fixing vehicle wheels according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the foot part (3) is pivotably attached to the connecting piece.