Abstract:
An anti loosening arrangement doer wheel nuts which uses wheel rim with a plurality of studs having external threads to receive fastening nuts, a wheel nut with an internal thread adapted to be secured to said studs a connector adapted to be attached to and connect adjacent nuts said connector including a mechanism to prevent rotation of the nuts. This arrangement does not require a custom stud. In some preferred mechanisms custom nuts may be needed but in other preferred embodiments conventional nuts may be used. The connector prevents rotation of the nuts and so inhibits loosening. The connector is easily seen and is an indication that the wheel nuts are unable to be loosened.

Description:
[0001]    This invention relates to wheel nuts for retaining vehicle wheels on the wheel hub and for ameliorating the risk of the nuts becoming loose. 
       BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In order to prevent wheel nuts loosening one approach has been to provide a stud for the nut that has an internal thread of opposite hand to the thread of the nut. Such an arrangement is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,916,144. 
         [0003]    Another proposal is to use a compression collar for the nut as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,935,825. 
         [0004]    A more recent approach is disclosed in Au 2009905537 which uses a custom wheel stud having an external thread to co-operate with the internal thread of said wheel nut has an end portion adapted to project beyond the wheel nut and a retaining cap with internal grooves or ribs complementary to external ribs or grooves on said wheel stud adapted to fit over said wheel stud with and means to secure the retaining cap to said wheel nut. 
         [0005]    In these arrangements it is important to have tamper proof nut assembly that visibly indicates that the nut is tightened. In addition it is usual to provide an aesthetic cap or cover for the nut. 
         [0006]    It is an object of this invention to provide a tamper evident wheel retention arrangement that does not require a custom stud. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    To this end the present invention provides a wheel nut assembly for fixing a wheel to a vehicle hub which includes 
         [0008]    A wheel rim with a plurality of studs having external threads to receive fastening nuts: 
         [0009]    a wheel nut with an internal thread adapted to be secured to said studs 
         [0010]    a connector adapted to be attached to and connect adjacent nuts 
         [0011]    said connector including a mechanism to inhibit rotation of the nuts. 
         [0012]    This arrangement does not require a custom stud. In some preferred mechanisms custom nuts may be needed but in other preferred embodiments conventional nuts may be used. The connector prevents rotation of the nuts and so inhibits loosening. 
         [0013]    The connector is easily seen and is an indication that the wheel nuts are unable to be loosened. 
         [0014]    The connector may take a variety of forms and may be in more than one piece. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment the connector has as many parts as there are studs and these engage each other to form a ring connector connecting all the studs on the wheel rim. 
         [0016]    In another embodiment the connector is adjustable in length to accommodate a variety of distances between studs. 
         [0017]    It is not essential for the system to prevent any loosening of the nuts. The system prevents the nuts becoming detached from the studs. 
         [0018]    A locking mechanism with a key may be used to lock the connector in place. The connector may include a visual indicator that the connector is locked in place. This not only prevents the wheels becoming detached from the wheel hub but also prevents the theft of wheels which is a problem in some countries. 
         [0019]    In another embodiment the connector may be secured to a custom wheel rim and is rotatable to align with the nuts and lock them in place. 
     
    
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
         [0020]    Various preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings in which the connector is shown on a wheel rim; 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of the 
           [0022]      FIGS. 2A  B and C illustrates an exploded view of the connector, a lock and unlock position respectively of a first embodiment of the connector; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 3A  B and C illustrates an exploded view of the connector, a lock and unlock position respectively of a second embodiment of the connector; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 4A  B and C illustrates an exploded view of the connector, a lock and unlock position respectively of a third embodiment of the connector; 
           [0025]      FIGS. 5A  B and C illustrates an exploded view of the connector, a lock and unlock position respectively of a fourth embodiment of the connector; 
           [0026]      FIGS. 6A  B and C illustrates an exploded view of the connector, a lock and unlock position respectively of a fifth embodiment of the connector; 
           [0027]      FIGS. 7A  B C and D illustrates an exploded view of the connector, a lock, unlock and assemble position respectively of a sixth embodiment of the connector; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8A  B is an exploded view and assembly view of a seventh embodiment of the connector; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9A  B illustrates the lock and unlock positions of the connector of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0030]      FIGS. 10A  B and C illustrates an exploded view of the connector, a lock and unlock position respectively of an eighth embodiment of the connector; 
           [0031]      FIGS. 11A  B and C illustrates an exploded view of the connector, a lock and unlock position respectively of a ninth embodiment of the connector; 
           [0032]      FIG. 12A  B C is an exploded view and section view of a tenth embodiment of the connector; 
           [0033]      FIG. 13A  B illustrates an assemble, lock and unlock views of the connector of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 14A  B is an exploded view and assembly view of a an eleventh embodiment of the connector; 
           [0035]      FIG. 15A  B illustrates the lock and unlock positions of the connector of  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 16A  B C illustrates an assemble, lock and unlock views of the connector of a twelfth embodiment of the connector; 
           [0037]      FIG. 17  is an exploded view of a twelfth embodiment of the invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 18  is a cross sectional view of the assembled system of the twelfth embodiment of  FIG. 17 . 
       
    
    
       [0039]    In all embodiments the wheel hub is secured to the alloy wheel rim  2  by the stud  3  and its associated wheel nut  6 . The stud  3  has helical threads that cooperate with corresponding threads on the internal surface of nut  6 . The connector  10  links one wheel nut  6  to another preventing both nuts from loosening over time and potentially falling off when the truck is in transit. 
         [0040]    In the first embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 2  the connector  10  consists of a base plate  11  with a pair of cups  12  having holes  13  to fit over the wheel studs  3 . The nuts  6  are fastened to the studs  3  and the locking caps  15  are placed over the nuts. The lower rim  16  of the cap  15  incorporates gear teeth to engage corresponding grooves  14  in the base of each cup  12 . The upper rim  17  of each cap  15  is serrated to engage the corners of the hexagonal nut  6  so that the caps prevent rotation of the nuts  6 . The central portion of the connector  10  between cups  12  is a spring loaded locking mechanism  18 , to prevent removal of the caps  15 . As shown in  FIG. 2C  a key  19  is used to unlock the mechanism  18  and allow removal of the caps  15 . 
         [0041]    In the second embodiment of  FIG. 3  the connector  10  is essentially in two parts. One part consists of a gear ring  21  which seats over one nut  6  and the other is a locking part  22  with teeth  23  at one end and a ring  24  with serrated edges  25  to engage the corners of the adjacent hexagonal nut  6  to prevent rotation of the nut  6 . The nuts  6  are locked by placing the locking part  22  over the fastened nuts and allowing the spring loaded mechanism  28  to lock onto the nut  6 . The nuts may be customised to interact with the lock  28 . As shown in  FIG. 3C  a key  19  is used to unlock the mechanism  28  and allow removal of the caps locking part  22 . 
         [0042]    In the third embodiment of  FIG. 4  the connector  30  consists of a central portion with a pair of annular covers  32  having holes  33  to fit over the wheel studs  3 . The custom nuts  36  are fastened to the studs  3  and the covers  32  of connector  30  are placed over the nuts  36 . The outer rim  35  of the covers  32  incorporates gear teeth to be engaged by the spring loaded locking mechanism  38 . The internal surface of each cover  32  is serrated to engage the corners of the hexagonal nut  36  to prevent rotation of the nuts  36 . The central portion of the connector  30  between covers  32  is a spring loaded locking mechanism  38 . As shown in  FIG. 4C  compression of the spring loaded tabs  39  unlocks the mechanism  38  and allow removal of the connector  30 . 
         [0043]    Another mechanism is illustrated in a fourth embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 . The connector  40  consists of a base plate  41  with a pair of annular rings  42  to fit over the wheel studs  3 . The custom nuts  46  have gear teeth  47  on their lower edges. Locking part  44  is clipped onto the boss  43  in the centre of base plate  41 . Boss  43  incorporate a retaining clip  45  which can be turned to lock the part  44  to base plate  41 . The locking part  44  includes a ring  48  with an internal serrated edge to engage the corners of the hexagonal nut  46  to prevent rotation of the nuts  46 . The other end  49  of part  44  has teeth to engage the gear teeth  47  of the adjacent nut  46 . When the locking part  44  engages both nuts  46  the retaining clip  45  is turned to lock the part  44  to base plate  41 . 
         [0044]    Another mechanism is illustrated in a fifth embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 . The connector  50  consists of a base plate  51  with a pair of annular rings  52  to fit over the wheel studs  3 . The custom nuts  56  have gear teeth  57  on their lower external edges. Locking part  54  is clipped onto the boss  53  in the centre of base plate  51 . Boss  53  incorporates a retaining clip  55  which can be turned to lock the part  54  to base plate  51 . The locking part  54  includes convex edge  58  with gear teeth and a concave edge  59  to engage the gear teeth  57  of the custom nuts  56 . When the locking part  54  engages both nuts  56  the retaining clip  55  is turned to lock the part  54  to base plate  51 . To unlock the clip  55  is raised the locking part  54  is lifted clear and the nuts  56  can be removed. 
         [0045]    Figure seven illustrates a sixth embodiment in which the connector is in a minimum of two parts and each part is identical and associated with one custom nut. In this embodiment the connectors may link all the nuts as shown in  FIG. 7D . Each connector part  62  has concave edges  63  bearing gear teeth that engage with the corresponding edges  63  of adjacent connectors. The central aperture  64  of part  62  is internally shaped to locate on the corners of the custom nut  66  which includes a recess  67  on each corner. An alien key turnable nut  68 , engages the recesses  67  in the custom nut  66  to prevent removal of the part  62 . The locking of the part  62  exposes a lock status indicator  69  which is green when locked and red when the part  62  is able to be removed. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate a seventh embodiment of the invention in which the connector  70  has a location part  71  with a pair of annular cylinders  72 , to fit over the wheel studs  3 . The annular cylinders  72  have vertical arrayed splines on its internal surface. Conventional nuts  6  may be used. Locking part  74  is secured by the spring tensioned pivot axis  73  in the centre of location part  71 . The locking part  74  includes a pair of caps  78  with an internal grooved surface to engage the splines of cylinders  72  and cover the nuts  6 . The locating part  71  is placed over two adjacent nuts and the locking part  74  is rotated so that the caps  78  are over the nuts  6 . The spring mechanism closes the part  74  onto part  71 . To unlock the part  74  is raised and rotated 90 degrees as shown in  FIG. 9B . 
         [0047]    In the eighth embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 10  the connector  80  consists of a base plate  81  with a pair of cups  82  having holes  83  to fit over the wheel studs  3 . The nuts  6  are fastened to the studs  3  and the locking part  85  is placed over the nuts. The central portion of the locking part  85  includes a spring loaded locking mechanism  88  to prevent removal of the locking part  85 . As shown in  FIG. 10C  a key  89  is used to unlock the mechanism  88  and allow removal of the locking part  85 . The tongue  87  is rotated to cover the lock and prevent ingress of dirt. To remove the locking part  85  the tongue is rotated to expose the lock  88  which is unlocked with the key  89  so that locking part  85  can be removed to allow the nuts  6  to be removed. 
         [0048]    In the ninth embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 11 , the connector  90  consists of a base plate  91  in two parts each having cups  92  with holes  93  to fit over the wheel studs  3 . The two parts of plate  91  are connectable at location part  94  to accommodate for varying distances between the studs on the wheel rim. The nuts  6  are fastened to the studs  3  and the locking part  95  is placed over the nuts. The central portion of the locking part  95 , includes a spring loaded locking mechanism  98  to prevent removal of the locking part  95  from the base plate  91 . The locking part  95  includes a ring  97  with an internal serrated edge to engage the corners of the hexagonal nut  6  to prevent rotation of the nuts  6 . As shown in  FIG. 11C  a key  99  is used to unlock the mechanism  98  and allow removal of the locking part  95 . The feature of this embodiment is the adjustability of the length of parts  91  and  95 . 
         [0049]    In the tenth the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13  the connector  100  consists of a base plate  101  having 2 annular rings  102  to fit over the wheel studs  3 . The central portion  104  of plate  101  is adapted to receive the locking mechanism. The nuts  6  are fastened to the studs  3  and the locking part  105  and the associated rings  106 A B and C and D are placed over the nuts. The rings  106 A B and C include leaf springs  107  to cooperate with the lock actuator  108  to form a spring loaded locking mechanism. The rings  106 A B and C are provided with an internal serrated edge to engage the corners of the hexagonal nut  6  to prevent rotation of the nuts  6 . The three rings  106  self align about the nut  6  and variations are compensated for by the leaf springs  107 . As shown in  FIGS. 13B  and C a key  109  is used to unlock the mechanism  108  and allow removal of the locking part  105 . 
         [0050]    In the eleventh the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15  the connector  110  consists of a base plate  111  having 2 annular rings  112  to fit over the wheel studs  3 . The central portion  114  of plate  111  is adapted to receive the locking actuator  118 . The custom nuts  116  incorporate ratchet teeth  117  on their lower edges. The locking part  115  includes a locking actuator  118  and associated pawls  113  that engage the ratchet teeth  117 , to form a locking mechanism. The custom nuts  116  are fastened to the studs  3  after the locking part  115  has been placed on the base plate  111 . As shown in  FIGS. 15A  and B a key  119  is used to turn the actuator  118 , disengage the pawls from the ratchet teeth and allow removal of the locking part  115 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 16  illustrates a twelfth embodiment of the invention in which the connector  120  is attached via its central portion  121  to a stud  124  on the custom wheel rim  2 . The connector  120  has a pair of annular cylindrical caps  122  to fit over the wheel nuts  6 . The annular cylinders  122  have vertical arrayed splines on its internal surface. Conventional nuts  6  may be used. The nuts  6  are fastened to the studs  3  while the connector is aligned at right angles to the axis between the studs  3 . The connector is lifted and turned so that the caps  122  are over the nuts  6 . The spring loaded mechanism in the central portion  121  closes the connector  120  onto the wheel nuts. To access the wheel nuts  6  the connector  120  is raised and rotated 90 degrees. 
         [0052]    In the twelfth embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18  the connector  130  consists of a base plate  131  with a pair of holes  132  to fit over the wheel studs  3 . The nuts  6  and spacer  133  are fastened to the studs  3  and the locking part  130  is placed over the nuts so that each cylindrical end portion  135  seats over each nut  6 . The internal lower rim  136  of the end portions  135  prevents movement of the hexagonal nut  6  along the shaft of the stud  3 . The central portion  137  of the connector  130  incorporates a locking mechanism  138  to prevent removal of the connector  130 . 
         [0053]    Those skilled in the art will realise that this invention provides a unique and less expensive means of ensuring that a wheel nut is securely fastened to the wheel hub. Those skilled in the art will also realise that this invention may be implemented in embodiments other than those described without departing from the core teachings of the invention.