Tire and Wheel Lift with U-Shaped Socket

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tire and wheel assembly lifts are heavy, cumbersome, and not designed for field use, posing a risk of injury when changing tires, especially when lug bolts are recessed within the vehicle body, and there is a need for a lightweight, portable solution that can be stored in a vehicle for easy access.

Innovation Solution

A tire and wheel lift featuring an elongated rod with a U-shaped socket and a handle, made from alloyed steel, that can be easily stored and used to lift and align the tire assembly with the axle-spindle lug bolts, minimizing operator strain and facilitating safe tire changes in the field.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a heavy and cumbersome prior art lift is used, then lifting capability is improved, but portability and ease of storage deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelifting capabilityVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into essential functional components only (rod, socket, handle), eliminating unnecessary heavy structural elements found in prior art lifts. This segmentation allows the device to maintain sufficient lifting capability while dramatically reducing weight for portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts only the essential lifting function from complex prior art devices, removing extraneous components that added weight and complexity. The socket is extracted as a separate attachable component rather than being integrated into a heavy lift mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If a person kneels down holding a heavy wheel and tire assembly at arm's length, then the wheel can be positioned, but the risk of operator injury increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning capabilityVSAvoidoperator injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The socket acts as an intermediary tool between the operator and the heavy wheel assembly. By inserting the socket through the wheel hole and engaging the lug bolt, the operator can leverage the rod to lift and position the wheel without directly bearing the full weight and awkward positioning forces at arm's length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the dimensional approach by threading the socket vertically through the wheel hole rather than attempting to grip the wheel horizontally. This vertical engagement allows the operator to apply force along the rod's length, providing mechanical advantage and reducing the need to hold the wheel at arm's length in an awkward position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the lug bolts are recessed within the wheel well surrounded by the vehicle body, then the wheel design is optimized, but access for lifting becomes awkward

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel design optimizationVSAvoidaccess for lifting

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of trying to approach the recessed lug bolt from the side or below (which would be blocked by the wheel well), the invention inverts the approach by threading the socket vertically through the wheel hole from the outer face, gaining direct access to the lug bolt from above despite its recessed position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The socket is designed with a universal flat top surface that can be engaged with the recessed lug bolt from various angles and positions. This universal design allows the same socket-handle assembly to work effectively whether the lug bolt is recessed or flush, accommodating different wheel and vehicle configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a lightweight, portable, and safe means to lift and align tire and wheel assemblies, reducing the risk of injury and enabling efficient tire changes in various vehicle configurations, including those with recessed lug bolts, by allowing one-handed operation and easy storage within vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

utilizes the lever principle to lift the tire and wheel assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLever principle: Lever

Data Source

PatentUS10913311B1Tire and wheel lift and rotational aligner

Publication Date: 2021.02.09 DIRNBECK EDWIN J

AI summary

A lift to facilitate changing of a tire and wheel assembly on an automobile, small truck or trailer in the field. The lift includes an elongated rod with a U-shaped socket having a slot and aligned flat to facilitate seating and pivoting of the socket on a lug bolt on an axle-spindle of the vehicle when passed through one of the bolt holes in the tire rim. A handle is provided on the opposite end of the elongated rod by which an operator may lift the tire using the lever principle while rotating the assembly such that the bolt holes in the rim align with the lug bolts. A slide on the elongated rod serves as a stop to control sliding of the tire and wheel assembly towards the operator during the lifting operation.