Road wheel / torsion bar assembly apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus used in tracked vehicles to replace damaged and unusable road wheels and torsion bars. Specifically, the invention is about a road wheel / torsion bar assembly apparatus (10) featuring a jaw (13) that raises and connects to the wheel hub (21), and thus the road wheel (20), by moving upward via the spindle (14) rotating the teeth on it. This allows for the wheel replacement process or, alternatively, the torsion bar (31) to be removed by rotating the spindle (14) in the reverse direction, which releases the suspension arm (31).

Description

[0001] ROAD WHEEL / TORSION BAR ASSEMBLY APPARATUS

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The invention relates to an apparatus used to replace damaged and unusable road wheels and torsion bars in tracked vehicles.

[0004] The invention, in particular, concerns a road wheel / torsion bar assembly apparatus equipped with a jaw enabling it to lift the road wheel by rotating the spindle and utilizing its teeth to move upwards, and / or allowing the torsion bar to be removed by releasing the suspension arm when the spindle is rotated in the reverse direction after the wheel is removed.

[0005] STATE OF THE ART

[0006] In track systems, road wheels ensure the continuation of a vehicle's forward movement through their rotation. A damaged road wheel can impair or even render the vehicle immobile. For this reason, a damaged wheel must be replaced in the field.

[0007] Road wheels also transfer the weight of the vehicle onto the tracks via torsion bars. Therefore, torsion bars in operational vehicles are not in a free state but under pretension. In tracked vehicles, the suspension system is created utilizing torsion bars. Replacing a damaged torsion bar is essential as it negatively impacts the vehicle's mobility.

[0008] In current techniques, vehicles are driven onto chocks to be raised for replacing road wheels and torsion bars. This process requires moving the vehicle, which is a fairly dangerous procedure. Additionally, in current methods, vehicles are fully lifted and positioned onto stands to conduct road wheel and torsion bar replacements. Carrying out such procedures in the field requires a mobile crane.

[0009] As a result, the need for a new, economical, functional, and practical road wheel / torsion bar assembly apparatus arose due to the inadequacies of existing solutions to resolve the aforementioned problems in the current techniques.

[0010] OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention aims to eliminate the disadvantages outlined above and to introduce new benefits to the respective technical field through an apparatus used in tracked vehicles to replace damaged and unusable road wheels and torsion bars.

[0012] The primary objective of the invention is to facilitate the replacement of road wheels and / or torsion bars without requiring the vehicle to be placed on a support / block or the removal of the track. Additionally, it enables a fast execution of the process in the field.

[0013] The structural and characteristic features, as well as all advantages of the invention, will be more clearly understood through the drawings provided below and their specific references within the detailed description. For this reason, evaluations should also be made considering these figures and the detailed explanations.

[0014] DRAWINGS TO HELP UNDERSTAND THE INVENTION

[0015] FIGURE -1; Illustrates the road wheel / torsion bar assembly apparatus.

[0016] FIGURE -2; Illustrates the road wheel / torsion bar assembly apparatus.

[0017] FIGURE -3; Illustrates the road wheel / torsion bar assembly apparatus.

[0018] FIGURE -4; Illustrates the assembly process using the road wheel / torsion bar assembly apparatus. FIGURE -5; Illustrates the assembly process using the road wheel / torsion bar assembly apparatus.

[0019] FIGURE -6; Illustrates the assembly process using the road wheel / torsion bar assembly apparatus.

[0020] REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0021] 10. Road Wheel / Torsion Bar Assembly Apparatus

[0022] 11. Body

[0023] 12. Clamp

[0024] 13. Jaw

[0025] 14. Spindle

[0026] 15. Cover Plate

[0027] 16. Handle

[0028] 20. Road Wheel

[0029] 21. Wheel Hub

[0030] 30. Torsion Bar

[0031] 31. Suspension Arm

[0032] 40. Track

[0033] 41. Link

[0034] 42. Tooth

[0035] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] In this detailed description, the preferred configurations of the road wheel / torsion bar mounting apparatus (10) are explained solely for a better understanding of the subject matter and without creating any limiting effect. Figures 1-3 illustrate the road wheel / torsion bar mounting apparatus (10) subject to the invention and its details. The mentioned road wheel / torsion bar mounting apparatus (10) comprises: a claw (12) that fits into the track (40) links (41) to prevent the body (11) from slipping; a jaw (13) that grasps and activates the rotation center of the suspension arm (31) to lift the road wheel (20); a shaft (14) rotated by a key or pneumatic hand tools to move the jaw (13); a body (11) that holds the claw (12), the shaft (14), and the jaw (13) together while providing the necessary bearings for the shaft (14) to function; a cover plate (15) that prevents hands and fingers from being caught between the rotating shaft (14) and the body (11) while guiding the jaw (13) to move in a straight direction; and a handle (16) that facilitates the carrying of the road wheel / torsion bar mounting apparatus (10).

[0037] Figures 3-6 demonstrate the replacement of the road wheel (20) and the torsion bar (30). For the replacement of the road wheel (20):

[0038] The claw (12) is clamped onto the track (40) links (41). The wheel hub (21) on the suspension arm (31) presses against the jaw (13). The shaft (14) is rotated using a key or pneumatic hand tool. Through the teeth on the shaft (14), the jaw (13) begins to move upward. During this movement, the torsion bar that is attached starts to tension. When the road wheel (20) is sufficiently detached from the track (40) teeth (42) to be removed, it is taken off. The road wheel (20) is replaced. The shaft (14) is then rotated in the reverse direction until the road wheel (20) contacts the track (40). The road wheel / torsion bar mounting apparatus (10) is removed from the vehicle, completing the operation.

[0039] For the replacement of the torsion bar (30):

[0040] The claw (12) is clamped onto the track (40) links (41). The wheel hub (21) on the suspension arm (31) presses against the jaw (13). The shaft (14) is rotated using a key or pneumatic hand tool. Through the teeth on the shaft (14), the jaw (13) begins to move upward. During this movement, the torsion bar that is attached starts to tension. When the road wheel (20) is sufficiently detached from the track (40) teeth (42) to be removed, it is taken off. The shaft (14) is rotated in the reverse direction to free the suspension arm (31). The torsion bar (31), which no longer has preload, is removed and replaced with a new one. The road wheel / torsion bar mounting apparatus (10) is re-attached, and the suspension arm (31) is lifted. The road wheel (20) is installed and rotated by the shaft (14) until it contacts the track (40). Once contact is achieved, the road wheel / torsion bar mounting apparatus (10) is removed from the vehicle.

[0041] The scope of protection of this application is determined in the claims section and is not limited to the examples provided above. It is evident that a person skilled in the art could utilize the innovation presented in the invention to introduce similar configurations and / or apply this configuration to other fields for similar purposes used in the relevant technique. Therefore, it is also evident that such configurations would lack the criteria of novelty and especially the inventive step over the state of the art.

Claims

CLAIMS1. The invention pertains to a road wheel / torsion bar assembly apparatus (10) used in tracked vehicles to replace damaged or unusable road wheels and torsion bars. Its primary feature is a jaw (13) that, through the spindle (14) being rotated upwards using the teeth on it, lifts the connected wheel hub (21) and thereby the road wheel (20) for replacement, and / or allows torsion bar (31) removal by releasing the suspension arm (31) when the spindle (14) is rotated in the opposite direction after the road wheel has been removed.

2. The road wheel / torsion bar assembly apparatus (10) as per Claim 1 is characterized by the inclusion of a clamp (12) that attaches to the track links (41) and prevents the body (11) from sliding.

3. The road wheel / torsion bar assembly apparatus (10) as per Claim 1 is characterized by having a body (11) that connects the clamp (12), spindle (14), and jaw (13) while also providing the required support for the spindle (14) to function.

4. The road wheel / torsion bar assembly apparatus (10) as per Claim 1 is characterized by the inclusion of a cover plate (15) that supports the jaw (13) for smooth linear movement during its operation.

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