SUPPORT AND LEVEL ARM MECHANISM FOR LUG WRENCHES

The present invention relates to support stand and level arm extension mechanism developed for the ordinary lug wrenches providing the tightening and removal of the wheel nuts on the wheels of the road transportation vehicles, by manpower. With this invention, the wheel nuts tightened by a machine or stuck by any other reason can be easily loosened and re-tightened by manpower by the use of the ordinary lug wrenches (available in any vehicle). In motor vehicles, the pieces of bolt-nut type which provide the wheel rim to be fixed on the shaft are called wheel nuts. On road vehicles, the wheel nuts are required to be removed for the removal of the wheel for tire change or rim repair. In the state of the art, especially in the vehicle workshops, removal and tightening of the wheel nuts are carried out by (electrical, charged, pressure driven, pulsed etc.) machines. The mentioned machines tighten the wheel nuts with a power stronger than average manpower. Due to this reason, the wheel nuts tightened by a machine are very hard to remove with manpower by using ordinary lug wrenches.

In tire failures on the road, during use; the tools available at the vehicles are used for removal of the wheel nuts and re-tightening them. There are simple (ordinary) lug wrenches commonly in the current vehicles. Simple lug wrenches of cross-type (4), pipe-type (single or double) etc. are the tools which are used completely by manpower. In tire failures occurring on roads, it is usually impossible to loosen the stuck wheel nuts using simple lug wrenches. It is not possible to loosen the wheel nuts tightened by machines, only by simple lug wrenches using manpower. In the state of the art; there are some apparatus and mechanisms, which can be carried at the trunks of the vehicles, developed for loosening the stuck wheel nuts by manpower:

In the state of the art, there is a patent document no US5431074, namely "Lug nut removal device". In this document, the lug wrenches on a torque bar and a support stand supporting the torque bar are mentioned. Torque bar increases the distance (level arm) of the force application point (bar handle) to the rotation axis (lug wrench bit and wheel nut). This way, the force on the rotation point (on the wheel nut) is much more than the force the user applies on the bar handle. During the application, torque bar is used by basing it on a support. The mentioned support is composed of two plates in the form of a triangle with steps on the sides. These plates form a support stand in the form of a pyramid. The height of the wheel nuts above the ground is changeable as based on the standing position of the vehicle wheel. Mentioned steps provide the torque bar to be placed on the support stand according to the position of the wheel nuts. Torque bar is placed in a step on the support stand according to the height of the wheel nut to be loosened.

Lug wrench bits mentioned in the document no US 5431074 are integrated into the torque bar. Due to this reason, the ordinary lug wrenches (available in each vehicle) cannot be adapted to the mechanism mentioned. In this case, the mentioned mechanism is limited by the lug wrench bits available on the torque bar.

The wheel dimensions and the wheel nut dimensions of the vehicles such as automobiles, minibuses, buses, trucks, heavy vehicles, construction machines tractors etc., are different. Moreover, the shapes of the wheel nuts may be different according the toe vehicle, rim, tire brands and different models of these brands. Each wheel nut can be tightened or loosened by a lug wrench bit which is appropriate for it. It is not possible for the lug wrench bits appropriate for all the wheel nuts known, to be available on the torque bar mentioned in the document no US5431074. For example, it is possible that a user changing the vehicle cannot use in the new vehicle, the torque bar which he used in the previous vehicle. Together with this, the user cannot adapt the simple lug wrench of the new vehicle to the mentioned torque bar.

Through the support stand mentioned in the document no US5431074, the height adjustment can only be carried out roughly. In the mentioned mechanism, there is no solution that provides the (accurate) adjustment of the torque bar according to the wheel nuts.

The current apparatus and mechanisms that can be carried in the trunks of the vehicles and developed in order to loosen the wheel nuts by manpower, generally have the principle of increasing (extending) the vertical distance (level arm) of the force application point, to the rotation axis (wheel nut). This way, as of the principle of momentum (momentum = force x vertical distance); the force formed on the point of rotation (on the wheel nut) equals to the product of the length of the level arm and the force applied. In the state of the art, there is a patent document no ; US20030131696, namely "Cheater Changer". This document mentions a cross-type lug wrench in which one arm is extended as the level arm and a support apparatus which supports the mentioned lug wrench. The mentioned support apparatus is formed of one U-pipe and a plate positioned between two ends of this U-pipe. Mentioned plate can move up and down on the U-pipe. There are holes on the mentioned plate in a circular series form. Mentioned holes correspond to the wheel nut arrangement on the wheel rim. However, the number of wheel nuts on the wheel rims can change according to the size of the vehicle, brand and model differences. In the state of the art, although the wheel rims with 4, 5 and 6 wheel nuts are used commonly, there are also wheel rims with 3 and 8 wheel nuts. In "Cheater Changer" mechanism, a plate with different number of holes is required to be used for each wheel rim with different number of wheel nuts. Moreover, the diameter of the wheel nut series and the distances between the wheel nuts may also vary as based on the size of the wheel rims. In this case, in "Cheater Changer" mechanism, a different plate with holes is required for each wheel rim with different dimension. The dimensions of the plates with holes also vary as based on the dimensions of the wheel rim. For example, it is not possible to place a plate with 8 holes on the U-pipe on which a plate with 5 holes is placed. As a result, "Cheater Changer" mechanism is not useful when it is required to be adapted to different situations.

During the use of "Cheater Changer", one arm of the lug wrench (one of the arms perpendicular to the level arm) is placed on the holes on the support plate. Due to this reason, "Cheater Changer" mechanism can be used only with cross-type lug wrenches.

The lug wrench arm placed on the hole on the support plate cannot be gripped completely by the mentioned hole. This state causes support point to move during the use. Moving of the support point during loosening of the stuck wheel nuts causes loss of force and various accidents.

In wheel rim or tire failures that occur on the road, it is important that the wheel nut loosening and tightening mechanisms on the vehicle are used practically and safely, do not require additional apparatus and are adaptable to any situation.

In the state of the art there is a patent document no ; US3158050, namely " Rotatable Impact Wrenches and The Like". A lug wrench with special structure is used in the mechanism in this document. Accordingly, ordinary lug wrenches (available in any vehicle) cannot be adapted to the mechanism mentioned in the document no US3158050. The mentioned mechanism is composed of a specialized lug wench and support stand with adjustable height. There is no solution for the adaptation of the ordinary lug wrenches (available in any vehicle) and extension of the level arm in the mentioned mechanism.

In the state of the art, there is a patent document no US5967005, namely "Tire Changing Aid". There is no solution for extension of the level arm in the mechanism in this document.

In the state of the art, there is a patent document no US6748832, namely "Universal Lug Wrench ". A specialized lug wrench mechanism is mentioned in this document, Accordingly, it is not possible to use the mentioned mechanism with ordinary lug wrenches (available in any vehicle). In the state of the art, there is a patent document no US20030010161, namely "Wheel Nut Loosening and Tightening Device". A support stand and level arm extension mechanism is mentioned in this document, which can be used with the ordinary lug wrenches (available in any vehicle). Ordinary lug wrenches are mounted on the mentioned level arm extension mechanism, by two clamping collars or two indented plates. Clamping collars are tightened and loosened by butterfly screws. When clamping collars are used in the level arm extension mechanism, the user is required to perform the tightening and loosening of the screws manually.

Indented plates do not completely grip the lug wrench arms. Due to this reason, when indented plates are used, force can be applied to the level arm only in one direction. The support stand mentioned in the document no US20030010161is composed of a vertical plate with stepped indents. During use, one arm of the lug wrench is placed in the mentioned indents. The position of the lug wrench can be changed as based on the height of the wheel nut to be loosened or tightened. However, stepped (ordered) indents do not enable accurate (millimetric) height adjustment. Moreover, the indents on the support stand do not completely grip the arm of the lug wrench. There are no solutions on the openings of the indents which provide fixing for the lug wrench arm. Due to this reason, when force is applied on the level arm, it is possible that the arm of the lug wrench may come out of the indent. Moving of the arm of the lug wrench or coming out from its place, during loosening of the lug wrenches tightened by a machine or stuck by any other reason, may result in various accidents. The present invention, which relates to the support stand and level arm extension developed for the ordinary lug wrenches which provide the removal and tightening of the wheel nuts on the road transportation vehicles, by manpower, completely overcomes the disadvantages mentioned above. By means of the present invention, the wheel nuts, which are tightened by a machine or which are stuck by any reason can be loosened easily and retightened by using an ordinary lug wrenches (available in any vehicle) only by manpower.

In general, the present invention is composed of two separate parts as the level arm and the support stand. It also has adapter parts which enable the installation of pipe, T and L-type lug wrenches on the support stand.

Level arm increases the vertical distance of the force application point to the rotation axis (wheel nut) during loosening and tightening of the wheel nut. Ordinary lug wrenches can be mounted on the level arm mentioned in the invention. This mounting process is realized safely and practically by gripping apparatus on the level arm in the form of a hook. In general, there are two hooks on the level arm. One of these hooks is fixed and the other is moving. The fixed hook and the moving hook are placed against each other on the level arm. Ordinary lug wrenches are placed in between the mentioned hooks. The moving hook operates with a spring mechanism. During the mounting of the lug wrench on the level arm, the user pulls the moving hook backwards and increases the distance between the fixed hook and the moving hook. This way, the ordinary lug wrench can easily be placed between two hooks. When the lug wrench is placed between two hooks, the user leaves the moving hook. The moving hook released moves with the impact of the spring and provides the lug wrench to be stuck between two hooks. This way, the lug wrench can be mounted safely, solidly and practically on the level arm. The hooks provide a firm grip by passing into the lug wrench ends. Moreover, the lug wrench arm support on the lug wrench placement section, provide fixing specifically for the cross-type lug wrenches, on the level arm (in any direction). This way, the level arm and the lug wrench are completely engaged to each other. Consequently, a safe and effective use is provided as independent of the amount of the force applied on the level arm. By means of the moving hook, any lug wrench can be placed on the level arm without any limitation of dimension. Moreover, the place of the lug wrench arm support can be changed as based on the structure and size of the lug wrench. The level arm completely supports the cross-type lug wrench. This way, cross-type lug wrench is prevented from twists-bends during loosening and tightening of the wheel nuts.

Any lug wrench can be mounted on the mentioned level arm without any limitation of dimension and type. All the cross-type, ordinary lug wrenches available in the trunks of the vehicles as a standard, can be mounted on the mentioned level arm without any problems. This way, the present invention can be used under any condition without any limitation of vehicle type, rim dimension, shape of the lug wrench.

The support stand constitutes a support for the level arm. By means of a height adjustment mechanism which can move up and down on the support stand, the height of the lug wrench, mounted on the level arm, can be adjusted. Height adjustment mechanism moves on the support stand without any limitation of stepping. This way, the lug wrench mounted on the level arm is enabled to be positioned precisely (millimetric) according to the heights of the wheel nuts.

Lug wrench mounted on the level arm is placed on the support stand by the lug wrench arm seat. In this case, the lug wrench arm seat is the support point of the level arm (support point of the rotation axis). The lug wrench arm seat is within the height adjustment mechanism. This way, the height of the support point of the level arm can be adjusted. One arm of the cross-type lug wrench mounted on the level arm is placed in the lug wrench arm seat. There is a locking apparatus for fixing the lug wrench arm in the mentioned seat. This way, the support point of the level arm is secured. By means of the locking apparatus, the risks such as moving of the level arm, or loosening etc. are prevented.

Height adjustment mechanism can be moved up and down on the support stand. The user can easily move the height adjustment mechanism by pressing a latch. It is required to dismantle the lever arm while moving the height adjustment mechanism. This way, the height adjustment mechanism can be moved while on the level arm (while one arm of the lug wrench is placed in the lug wrench arm seat). By means of this, time is not lost for the height adjustment of the level arm during the tire failures occurring especially on the road

Pipe-type, T-type and L-type lug wrenches are mounted on the height adjustment mechanism and therefore the support stand, by an adapter part. Adapter part is placed in the lug wrench arm seat within the height adjustment mechanism. Pipe-type, T-type and L-type lug wrenches are placed in the lug wrench channel in the adapter part. This way, twisting and bending of the lug wrench during the wheel nut tightening and loosening is prevented.

The present invention is explained in detail through sampling with the attached drawings; such drawings are as; Figure 1 is the separate views of the level arm and an ordinary lug wrench.

Figure 2 is the general view of the support stand from the front.

Figure 3 is the general view of the support stand from the back.

Figure 4 is the detail view of the height adjustment mechanism.

Figure 5 is the detail view of the level arm, lug wrench placement part. Figure 6 is the detail of the level arm, lug wrench placement part; and the view when the moving hook is pulled back.

Figure 7 is the detail of the level arm, lug wrench placement part; and the view of the ordinary lug wrench placement.

Figure 8 is the detail of the level arm, lug wrench placement part; and the view of the ordinary lug wrench placement and the moving hook unreleased.

Figure 9 is the general view of the lug wrench mounted level arm and support.

Figure 10 is the view of the level arm placed on the support stand.

Figure 11 is the view of the wheel nut tightening and loosening.

Figure 12 is the general view of the pipe-type lug wrench and adapter part. Figure 13 is the view of the adapter part placed on the support stand.

Figure 14 is the view of the adapter part and pipe-type lug wrench mounted on the support stand.

Legend:

NO NAME OF THE PART 1 Level arm 1.1 Lug wrench placement part

1.2 Force application part

1.3 Fixed hook

1.4 Moving hook

1.4.1 Moving ring

1.4.2 Hook spring

1.4.3 Spring stopper

1.5 Lug wrench arm support

2 Support stand

2.1 Height adjustment mechanism

2.1.1 Adj ustment latch

2.1.2 Latch spring

2.1.3 Adj ustment ring

2.2 Lug wrench arm seat

2.3 Locking apparatus

2.4 Stopper

3 Ordinary lug wrench

3.1 Lug wrench arm

3.2 Lug wrench end

4 Latch pressing direction

5 Adjustment mechanism movement directions

6 Hook pulling direction

7 Wheel 7.1 Wheel nut

8 Level arm movement direction

9 Adapter part

9.1 Lug wrench channel

9.2 Adapter shaft

9.3 Adapter stopper

The present invention, which relates to support stand and level arm extension mechanism developed for the ordinary lug wrenches providing the tightening and removal of the wheel nuts on the wheels of the road transportation vehicles, by manpower, is generally characterized by having a level arm(l) that increases the distance of the force application point to the wheel nut(7.1) (rotation axis); a fixed hook(1.3) and a moving hook(1.4) providing the mounting of the ordinary lug wrench(3) on the level arm(l); a moving hook(1.4) providing the mounting of any ordinary lug wrench(3) on a level anri(l) without any limitation of dimension and type; a moving ring( 1.4.1) enabling the user to move the moving hook(1.4) in order to mount or dismantle the ordinary lug wrench(3) on or from the level arm(l); a hook spring(1.4.2) keeping the ordinary lug wrench(3) between the moving hook(1.4) and the fixed hook(1.3); a lug wrench arm support(1.5) preventing the twisting and bending of the cross-type ordinary lug wrench(3) during the tightening and loosening of the wheel nut(7.1); a support stand(2) providing support for the level arm(l) during the tightening and loosening of the wheel nut(7.1); a height adjustment mechanism(2.1) moving up and down the support stand(2) and this way providing the positioning of the ordinary lug wrench(3), which is mounted on the level arm(l), as based on the heights of the wheel nut(7.1); an adjustment latch(2.1.1) enabling the user to move the height adjustment mechanism(2.1); a lug wrench arm seat(2.2) providing the mounting of the ordinary lug wrench(3) mounted on the level arm(l), on the height adjustment mechanism(2.1) and therefore the support stand(2);a locking apparatus(2.3) securing the stability of the ordinary lug wrench(3) mounted on the level arm(l), in the lug wrench arm seat(2.2); an adapter part(9) providing the mounting of pipe-type, T-type, L-type etc. ordinary lug wrench(3) on the height adjustment mechanism(2.1) and therefore the support stand(2); a lug wrench channel(9.1) providing the mounting of pipe-type, T-type, L-type etc. ordinary lug wrench(3) on the adapter part(9); an adapter shaft(9.2) providing the placement of the adapter part(9) on the lug wrench arm seat(2.2); an adapter stopper(9.3) providing the adapter shaft(9.2) to be stable on the lug wrench arm seat(2.2).

The present invention is composed of two separate parts as the level arm(l) and the support stand(2). It also has adapter parts(9) which enable the installation of pipe, T and L-type lug wrenches(3) on the support stand(2):

The level arm(l) increases the distance of the force application point to the wheel nut(7.1). This way, as of the principle of momentum (force x level arm = load x load arm); the rotational force formed on the wheel nut(7.1) equals to the product of the length of the level arm(l) and the force applied. As a result, the stuck wheel nuts(7.1) cannot be loosened or re- tightened securely by manpower

The ordinary lug wrench(3) is mounted on the level arm(l) by a fixed hook(l .3) and a moving hook(1.4). The ordinary lug wrench(3) mounted on the level arm(l) is placed between the fixed hook(1.3) and the moving hook(1.4). During this process, the moving hook(1.4) is pulled back and this way the distance between the fixed hook(1.3) and the moving hook(1.4) is increased. The moving hook(1.4) is released after the ordinary lug wrench(3) is placed between the fixed hook(1.3) and the moving hook(1.4). The moving hook(1.4) released moves back and forth by means of the hook spring(1.4.2) and fixes the ordinary lug wrench(3) on the level arm(l). Moreover, lug wrench arm support(1.5) at the lug wrench placement part(l .l) of the level arm(l) provides the stability of the ordinary lug wrench(3) on the level arm(l).

The support stand(2) constitutes a support for the level arm(l). The height of the ordinary lug wrench(3) mounted on the level arm(l) is adjusted by height adjustment mechanism(2.1). One arm(3.1) of the ordinary lug wrench(3) mounted on the level arm(l) is placed in the lug wrench arm seat(2.2) on the height adjustment mechanism(2.1). The lug wrench arm(3.1) placed in the lug wrench arm seat(2.2) is secured by the locking apparatus(2.3). this way, the level arm(l) is mounted on the support stand(2)

Pipe-type, L-type, T-type etc. ordinary lug wrenches(3) are mountable on the support stand(2) by means of adapter parts(9). The adapter part(9) is composed of a lug wrench channel(9.1), adapter shaft(9.2) and adapter stopper(9.3). The lug wrench channel(9.1) provides the pipe- type, L-type, T-type etc. ordinary lug wrenches(3) to be placed on the adapter part(9). The adapter shaft(9.2) is placed in the lug wrench arm seat(2.2). This way, the adapter shaft(9.2) constitutes the rotation axis of the ordinary lug wrench(3) mounted on the adapter part(9). The adapter stopper(9.3) provides the stability of the adapter shaft(9.2) in the lug wrench arm seat(2.2).

Example 1: When changing a tire; the use of a cross-type ordinary lug wrench(3) and level arm(l) and the support stand(2) is as follows:

The user makes the cross-type ordinary lug wrench(3), level arm(l) and support stand(2) in the trunk of the vehicle, ready. The user, as the first step, attaches the lug wrench end(3.2) at the end of any arm(3.1) of the cross-type ordinary lug wrench(3), to the fixed hook(1.3) at the end of the level arm(l). Then, holds the moving ring(1.4.1) and pulls the moving hook(1.4) towards the hook pulling direction(6). When the ordinary lug wrench(3) is placed between the fixed hook(1.3) and moving hook(1.4), the user releases the moving hook(1.4). Released moving hook(1.4) moves in the opposite direction of the hook pulling direction(6) with the impact of the hook spring(1.4.2). This way, the moving hook(1.4) holds the lug wrench end(3.2) against the lug wrench end(3.2) which is held by the fixed hook(1.3). The lug wrench arm support(1.5) at the lug wrench placement part(l.l) supports the lug wrench arms(3.1) of the cross-type ordinary lug wrench(3) perpendicular to the level arm(l). This way, the cross-type ordinary lug wrench(3) is firmly and practically mounted on the level arm(l).

In order to mount the level arm(l) on the support stand(2), the user places any one lug wrench arm(3.1), which is perpendicular to the level arm(l), in the lug wrench arm seat(2.2). then, the user attaches the locking apparatus(2.3) on the lug wrench arm seat(2.2).

The height of the wheel nuts(7.1)change as based on the position of the wheel(7). The user uses the height adjustment mechanism(2.1) in order to adjust the lug wrench ends(3.2) according to the wheel nuts(7.1). The height adjustment mechanism(2.1) moves (up-down) on the support stand(2) within the adjustment mechanism movement directions(5). This way, the height of the level arm(l) mounted on the height adjustment mechanism(2.1) by means of the lug wrench arm seat(2.2) and therefore the ordinary lug wrench(3) can be adjusted. In order to move the height adjustment mechanism(2.1), the user presses the adjustment latch(2.1.1) towards the latch pressing direction(4). When the user presses the adjustment latch(2.1.1), the latch spring(2.1.2) loosens the adjustment ring(2.1.3) and this way the height adjustment mechanism(2.1) freely moves on the support stand(2). Following the height adjustment, the user places the disengaged lug wrench end(3.2) to the relevant wheel nut(7.1). Then, the user applies force on the force application part(1.2) of the level arai(l) in the level arm movement directions(8). This way, stuck wheel nuts(7.1) are loosened. The wheel nut(7.1) tightening procedures is realized in the same way. Example 2: When changing a tire; the use of a pipe-type, L-type, T-type etc. ordinary lug wrenches(3) and the support stand(2) is as follows:

The user makes the ordinary lug wrench(3), support stand(2) and the adapter part(9) related to the ordinary lug wrench(3) to be used, in the trunk of the vehicle, ready. The user first places the pipe-type, L-type, T-type etc. ordinary lug wrench(3) , in the lug wrench channel(9.1) of the adapter part(9). The lug wrench channel(9.1) grips the lug wrench arm(3.1) and/or lug wrench end(3.2), thanks to its partly open cylindrical form. The adapter part(9) on which the ordinary lug wrench(3) is mounted, is placed in the lug wrench arm seat(2.2) by means of the adapter shaft(9.2). The adapter shaft(9.2) can perform rotational movement similar to a shaft, within the lug wrench arm seat(2.2). This way, the adapter shaft(9.2) acts as the rotational axis shaft of the ordinary lug wrench(3) mounted on the adapter part(9). Moreover, the adapter stopper(9.3) at the end of the adapter shaft(9.2), prevents the adapter shaft(9.2) to slip off the lug wrench arm seat(2.2). The user placing the adapter part(9) in the lug wrench arm seat(2.2) attaches the locking apparatus(2.3) and secures the adapter shaft(9.2). Then the user, can adjust the height of the ordinary lug wrench(3) mounted on the adapter part(9) by using the height adjustment mechanism(2.1). For the wheel nut(7.1) loosening and tightening procedure, the level arm(l) can be mounted on the outer arm of the ordinary lug wrench(3) mounted on the adapter part(9).