TIRE CHANGING SYSTEM WITH FRAME MOUNTED JACKS AND LUG WRENCH ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A tire changing system includinq a vehicle having a plurality of wheels and a frame with a pair of longitudinal lower supports horizontally situated on a lower surface thereof adjacent to sides thereof. Further provided is four brackets each with a Z-shaped configuration. As such, each brackets has a horizontally oriented lower extent, a vertically oriented intermediate extent integrally coupled perpendicularly to an edge of the first horizontally extent, and a horizontally oriented upper extent integrally coupled perpendicularly to an edge of the intermediate extent opposite the coupling between the lower extent and intermediate extent. The intermediate extent further includes a plurality of apertures formed on each corner thereof for allowing the coupling of one of the brackets to a longitudinal lower support of the vehicle adjacent each wheel thereof. Also included are four jacks coupled to the upper extent of an associated bracket via a plurality of bolts. Each bracket has an extended position upon the receipt of a raise signal for raisin an associated wheel above the ground and a retracted position upon the receipt of a lower signal for lowering an associated wheel to the ground thus allowing normal operation thereof. A lug wrench with an L-shaped configuration is included having a

nut engagement portion for engaging lug nuts of the wheels of the vehicle and a trigger for effecting rotation of the lug nuts. Finally, a control mechanism is adapted for allowing a user to selectively transmit to the jacks the raise signal and the lower signal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tire changing system with frame mounted jacks and lug wrench and more particularly pertains to allowing a driver of a vehicle to conveniently change a tire.

Description of the Prior Art The use of leveling systems is known in the prior art.

More specifically, leveling systems heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of levelling a recreational vehicle are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless obectives and requirements.

By way of example, the prior art includes U.S. Patent Number 5,188,379 to Krause et al.; U.S. Patent Number to 4,597,584 to Hanser; U.S. Patent Des. 348,966 to Guyton; U.S. Patent Number 4,142,710 to Okuda; U.S. Patent Des.

349,386 to Piebena; U.S. Patent Des. 254,129 to Johnson.

In this respect, the tire changing system with frame mounted jacks and lug wrench according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of allowing a driver of a vehicle to conveniently change a tire.

Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved tire changing system with frame mounted lacks and lug wrench which can be used for allowing a driver of a vehicle to conveniently change a tire.

In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of levelling systems now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved tire changing system with frame mounted jacks and lug wrench.

As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved tire changing system with frame mounted jacks and lug wrench which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a vehicle having a plurality of wheels and a

frame. As shown in Figure 1, the frame has a pair of longitudinal lower supports horizontally situated on a lower surface thereof adjacent to sides thereof. Further provided are four brackets each with a generally Z-shaped configuration. Such brackets include a horizontally oriented lower extent, as best shown in Figure 4. A vertically oriented intermediate extent is integrally coupled perpendicularly to an wedge of the first horizontally extent. A horizontally oriented upper extent is, in turn, integrally coupled perpendicularly to an wedge of the intermediate extent opposite the coupling between the lower extent and intermediate extent. For allowing the coupling of one of the brackets to a longitudinal lower support of the vehicle adjacent each wheel thereof, the intermediate extent includes a plurality of apertures formed on each corner thereof. As best shown in Figure 3, four jacks are included each with an L-shaped configuration. A cylindrical gear mechanism is situated about a vertical axis with an open bottom end. A shaft is positioned within the bottom end of the gear mechanism in coaxial relationship therewith. Associated therewith is a circular plate integrally coupled to a bottom end of the shaft. A cylindrical motor mechanism is situated perpendicularly to a side of the gear mechanism adjacent a top thereof. For allowing coupling with the upper extent of an associated bracket via a plurality of bolts, a horizontally oriented square coupling plate is integrally

coupled to the top of the gear mechanism and a top of the motor mechanism. Apertures are formed in corners of the coupling plate for facilitating such coupling. By this structure, the shaft has an extended position upon the receipt by the motor mechanism of a raise signal for raising an associated wheel above the ground. For lowering an associated wheel to the round thus allowing normal operation thereof, the shaft further has a retracted position upon the receipt by the motor mechanism of a lower signal. As shown in Figure 6, an electric lug wrench with an L-shaped configuration is included. The wrench has a nut engagement portion for engaging lug nuts of the wheels of the vehicle. A trigger is provided for effecting rotation of the lug nuts. An elongated power cord is also included with a length equal to that of the vehicle for coupling with a power source. Finally, a control mechanism is included with a housing situated within a glove box of the vehicle. Four actuation keys are each situated on the housing. Each actuation key has a first orientation adapted to transmit to a corresponding motor a lower signal and a second orientation to transmit to the corresponding motor a raise signal. A master actuation key is also situated on the housing. Such key has a first orientation for allowing transmission of the raise signal and lower signal to the motors and transmission of power to the lug wrench. It is imperative that the master actuation key only permit such transmission upon the vehicle being

deactivated. The master actuation key further has a second orientation for precludinq the transmission of the raise signal and lower signal to the motors and the transmission of power to the lug wrench.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the

several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be reqarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved tire changing system with frame mounted jacks and lug wrench which has all the advantages of the prior art leveling systems and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved tire changing system with frame mounted jacks and lug wrench which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved tire changing system with frame mounted jacks and lug wrench which is of a durable and reliable construction.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved tire changing system with frame mounted jacks and lug wrench which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such tire changing system with frame mounted jacks and lug wrench economically available to the busying public.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved tire changing system with frame mounted jacks and lug wrench which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.

Still another object of the present invention is to allow a driver of a vehicle to conveniently change a tire.

Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved tire changing system including a vehicle having a plurality of wheels and a frame with a pair of longitudinal lower supports horizontally situated on a lower surface thereof adjacent to sides thereof.

Further provided is four brackets each with a Z-shaped configuration. As such, each brackets has a horizontally oriented lower extent, a vertically oriented intermediate extent integrally coupled perpendicularly to an wedge of the first horizontally extent, and a horizontally oriented upper extent integrally coupled perpendicularly to an edge of the intermediate extent opposite the coupling between the lower extent and intermediate extent. The intermediate extent further includes a plurality of apertures formed on each corner thereof for allowing the coupling of one of the brackets to a longitudinal lower support of the vehicle adjacent each wheel thereof. Also included are four jacks coupled to the upper extent of an associated bracket via a plurality of bolts. Each bracket has an extended position

upon the receipt by the motor mechanism of a raise signal for raising an associated wheel above the ground and a retracted position upon the receipt by the motor mechanism of a lower signal for lowering an associated wheel to the ground thus allowing normal operation thereof. A lug wrench with an L-shaped configuration is included having a nut engagement portion for engaging lug nuts of the wheels of the vehicle and a trigger for effecting rotation of the lug nuts. Finally, a control mechanism is adapted for allowing a user to selectively transmit to the jacks the raise signal and the lower signal.

These toqether with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the followinq detailed

description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective illustration of the preferred embodiment of the tire changing system with frame mounted jacks and lug wrench constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a front view of the control mechanism and keys thereof.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of one of the brackets and an associated jack.

Figure 4 is another side elevational view of one of the brackets and an associated jack.

Figure 5 is a side view of the shafts of the jacks in the extended position thereof.

Figure 6 is a close-up view of the lug wrench of the present invention in use.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throuqhout the several views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to Figure 1 thereof, a new and improved tire changing system with frame mounted jacks and lug wrench embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

The present invention, the new and improved tire changing system with frame mounted jacks and lug wrench, is comprised of a plurality of components. Such components in their broadest context include a plurality of brackets, jacks, a lug wrench and a control mechanism. Such components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective.

More specifically, it will be noted that the system 10 of the present invention includes a vehicle 12 having a plurality of wheels 14 and a frame 16. As shown in Figure 1, the frame has a pair of longitudinal lower supports 18 horizontally situated on a lower surface thereof adjacent to sides thereof.

Further provided are four brackets 20 each with a generally Z-shaped configuration. Such brackets include a horizontally oriented lower extent 22, as best shown in Figure 4. A vertically oriented intermediate extent 24 is integrally coupled perpendicularly to an edge of the first horizontally extent. Ideally, the vertically orientated extent has a height of at least the height of the lower longitudinal supports for reasons that will become apparent hereinafter. A horizontally oriented upper extent 26 is integrally coupled perpendicularly to an edge of the intermediate extent opposite the coupling between the lower extent and intermediate extent. For allowing the coupling of one of the brackets to a longitudinal lower support of

the vehicle adjacent each wheel thereof via a plurality of bolts, the intermediate extent includes a plurality of apertures formed on each corner thereof. When connected to an associated longitudinal support, the lower extent of the bracket abuts a lower face of the support, the intermediate extent abuts a side face of the support, and the upper extent extends away from the support.

As best shown in Fiqure 3, four jacks 28 are included each with an L-shaped configuration. A cylindrical gear mechanism 30 is situated about a vertical axis with an open bottom end. A shaft 32 is positioned within the bottom end of the gear mechanism in coaxial relationship therewith.

Associated therewith is a circular plate 34 integrally coupled to a bottom end of the shaft. A cylindrical motor mechanism 36 is situated perpendicularly to a side of the gear mechanism adjacent a top thereof. For wallowing coupling with the upper extent of an associated bracket via a plurality of bolts, a horizontally oriented square coupling plate 40 is integrally coupled to the top of the gear mechanism and a top of the motor mechanism. Apertures 42 are formed in corners of the coupling plate for facilitating such coupling. The gear and motor mechanism preferably consist of suitable gear reduction mechanisms which are commonly known and commercially available.

By this structure, the shaft has an extended position upon the receipt by the motor mechanism of a raise signal for raisins an associated wheel above the ground. For

lowering an associated wheel to the round thus allowing normal operation thereof, the shaft further has a retracted position upon the receipt by the motor mechanism of a lower signal. See Fiqure 5. It should be noted that the specific design of the brackets allow the associated jack to be nested as high as possible above the ground. As such, the shaft length may be maximized to ensure that an associated wheel may be raised to a suitable height.

As shown in Figure 6, an electric lug wrench 44 with an L-shaped configuration is included. The wrench has a nut enqaqement portion 46 for engaging lug nuts of the wheels of the vehicle. A trigger 48 is provided for effecting rotation of the lug nuts. An elongated power cord 50 is also included with a length equal to that of the vehicle for coupling with a power source.

Optionally, an auxiliary power supply 45 may be situated within a trunk of the vehicle and connected to the lug wrench. Such power supply may be necessary in view of the large quantities of power consumed by typical lug wrenches. Ideally, the auxiliary power supply includes a heavy duty battery.

Finally, a control mechanism 52 is included with a housing 54 situated within a glove box of the vehicle.

Four actuation keys 56 are each situated on the housing.

Each actuation key has a first orientation adapted to transmit to a corresponding motor a lower signal and a second orientation to transmit ~to the corresponding motor a

raise signal. A master actuation key 58 is also situated on the housing. Such key has a first orientation for allowing transmission of the raise signal and lower signal to the motors and transmission of power to the lug wrench.

It is imperative that the master actuation key only permit such transmission upon the vehicle being deactivated. To accomplish this, the control mechanism preferably interfaces with an ignition 57 of the vehicle. The master actuation key further has a second orientation for precluding the transmission of the raise signal and lower signal to the motors and the transmission of power to the lug wrench. Preferably, the control mechanism is adapted to automatically effect full extension or full retraction of the associated shaft thereof upon the key being transferred to the first and second orientation thereof, respectively.

As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.