Torque Wrench Stabilizer Tool

A torque wrench stabilizer tool for supporting a torque wrench assembly is disclosed. The torque wrench assembly is used to engage lug nuts holding a wheel and tire onto a vehicle. The torque wrench stabilizer tool includes a tire clamp and a wrench support boom. The tire clamp is positionable on and temporarily connectable to the top of the tire. The tire clamp has a clamping flange, a boom support flange and a beam. The beam supports the clamping flange and the boom support flange a first distance apart in a tire clamping position. The beam has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The clamping flange and the boom support flange being positioned on and extending from the first side of the beam. The wrench support boom is configured to be supported by the tire clamp and is sized and dimensioned to extend from the tire clamp in front of the lug nuts. The boom has a first extension support finger positionable adjacent to a first lug nut of the lug nuts, and a second extension support finger positionable adjacent to a second lug nut of the lug nuts.

BACKGROUND

For large trucks, lug nuts holding a wheel to an axle have to be tightened to 450-500 lbs/foot. This requires a large torque wrench having a relatively long lever arm to achieve the necessary torque. However, the lug nuts are normally recessed within a wheel well and this necessarily entails the use of a wrench extension bar connecting a socket to a ratchet end of the torque wrench. Thus, the socket is spaced quite far from the application of the torque by means of the wrench extension bar connecting the socket to the torque wrench. In using the torque wrenches presently available, the usual procedure, after applying the socket to the lug nut is to attempt to form a support by holding the torque wrench with one hand at its pivot point and turning the torque wrench with the other hand. Quite often the amount of force necessary to tighten or loosen the lug nut is greater than one man can exert with one hand and the combined efforts of two men (one to support the ratchet end of the torque wrench and socket on the lug nut, and the other to turn the wrench) are needed to tighten or loosen the lug nut.

In the past, common methodologies for tightening the lug nut with a single person involve supporting/stabilizing the torque wrench with ad hoc methods, such as placing the ratchet end of the torque wrench on a five gallon bucket, or a jack stand. Needless to say, it is a difficult proposition for a single person to tighten the lug nuts using the prior methodologies.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction, experiments, exemplary data, and/or the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings unless otherwise noted.

In one embodiment, the torque wrench stabilizer tool is a way to support/stabilize a torque wrench while the torque wrench is being used to tighten or untighten lug nuts holding a tire on a vehicle. This permits a single person to tighten or untighten the lug nuts. For example, proper operation/maintenance of large trucks require the lug nuts to be tightened to 450-500 lbs/feet. This requires a torque wrench having a large lever arm to achieve the necessary torque. In general, the torque wrench stabilizer tool may have two separate pieces, i.e., a tire clamp that engages and clamps itself to a top of the tire and a wrench support boom that is movably connected to and supported by the tire clamp. When the tire clamp is installed on the tire, the wrench support boom connected to the tire clamp extends in front of the lug nuts and has a variety of wrench extension support fingers that are used to hold a wrench extension bar of the torque wrench while the torque wrench is being used to tighten and/or untighten the lug nuts.

The disclosure is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. For example, although the heavy truck industry may be used as an example, the torque wrench stabilizer tool can be sized and thereby used in a variety of industries such as industries serving consumer vehicles, commercial trucks, tractors, heavy equipment and the like. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for purposes of description, and should not be regarded as limiting.

As used in the description herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having,” or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, unless otherwise noted, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive and not to an exclusive “or”. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the inventive concept. This description should be read to include one or more, and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise. Further, use of the term “plurality” is meant to convey “more than one” unless expressly stated to the contrary.

As used herein, any reference to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one example,” “for example,” or “an example” means that a particular element, feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearance of the phrase “in some embodiments” or “one example” in various places in the specification is not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, for example.

Referring now to the Figures, and in particular toFIG. 1, shown therein and designated by reference numeral10is a torque wrench stabilizer tool constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. As shown, the torque wrench stabilizer tool10is in a working configuration and connected to a top12of a tire14. The tire14is connected to and supported by a wheel16that is connected to an axle (not shown) of a vehicle (not shown) using a plurality of lug nuts (not shown). InFIG. 1, a single person is operating a torque wrench assembly24and tightening one of the lug nuts utilizing the torque wrench stabilizer tool10. In this example, the torque wrench assembly24is provided with a torque wrench30, a wrench extension bar32connected to the torque wrench30, and a socket34connected to the wrench extension bar32.

The tire14can be designed for use in consumer applications and/or commercial applications. The vehicle can be designed to transport people or goods, especially on land. For example, the vehicle can be a consumer vehicle such as a car, truck or motorcycle; a commercial vehicle such as a semi-truck, semi-trailer, bus or the like; a farm vehicle, such as a tractor, harvester, grain cart or the like; construction vehicle such as a forklift, backhoe, loader, bulldozer or the like; or a home vehicle such as a golf cart, lawn mower, or lawn and garden cart. The tire14is designed and configured to be used on the vehicle. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, for example, the tire14is a commercial truck tire designed to handle heavy loads while provide handling, durability and high mileage life. Commercial truck tires routinely endure long driving times and distance, and have to perform in a variety of conditions, including but not limited to, rain, cold, snow, and heat. The design of the tire14(including but not limited to the width) can vary widely and the torque wrench stabilizer tool10can be designed and constructed to be used with a variety of different designs of the tire14. In the example shown, the tire14has the top12, a front surface38, and a rear surface40(seeFIG. 8).

The torque wrench stabilizer tool10is provided with a tire clamp42, and a wrench support boom44. The tire clamp42is positionable on and temporarily connectable to the top12of the tire14. The tire clamp42may be provided with a clamping flange46(seeFIG. 2), a boom support flange48and a beam50. The beam50supports the clamping flange46and the boom support flange48a distance apart in a tire clamping position as shown inFIG. 8, for example for stabilizing the tire clamp42onto the top12of the tire14. The beam50has a first side52and a second side54opposite the first side52. The clamping flange46and the boom support flange48are positioned on and extend away from the first side52of the beam50so as to form a tire receiving channel56(seeFIG. 8) in which the tire14is disposed. In one embodiment, at least one of the clamping flange46and the boom support flange48are movable on the beam50generally toward and away from each other (as shown by the arrows inFIG. 8) between the tire clamping position in which the tire clamp42is stabilized on the top12of the tire14, and a tire release position in which the tire clamp42can be applied to and/or removed from the top12of the tire14.

The wrench support boom44may be configured to be removably supported by the tire clamp42. The wrench support boom44is sized and dimensioned to extend from the tire clamp42in front of the lug nuts and has a plurality of extension support fingers58a-hwith each of the extension support fingers58a-hbeing spatially disposed from the other extension support fingers58a-hand positionable adjacent to at least one lug nut. In the example shown, the wrench support boom44includes eight extension support fingers58a-hthat can be used for tightening between 8-10 lug nuts, for example. However, it should be understood that the wrench support boom44may include more or less extension support fingers58depending upon the intended application for the torque wrench stabilizer tool10and the expected number of lug nuts to be tightened or untightened. In one embodiment, each of the extension support fingers58a-his sized and dimensioned to receive and support the wrench extension bar32as the torque wrench assembly24is being used to tighten and/or untighten at least one of the lug nuts as shown inFIG. 1, for example.

As will be explained below, in one embodiment the tire clamp42and the wrench support boom44are designed with a variety of predetermined openings and keys so as to selectively interlock into a compact configuration for transport and then be separated for installation into the working configuration on to the tire14. For example,FIG. 2shows the torque wrench stabilizer tool10positioned in the compact configuration in which the tire clamp42and the wrench support boom44of the torque wrench stabilizer tool10are interlocked and can be easily picked up and transported by a user.FIG. 3is a perspective view of the torque wrench stabilizer tool10in a separated configuration in which the tire clamp42and the wrench support boom44are not interlocked prior to installation of the torque wrench stabilizer tool10into the working configuration (in which the tire clamp42and the wrench support boom44are connected together) and positioned onto the tire14of the vehicle.

Shown inFIG. 4is a top plan view of the wrench support boom44. The wrench support boom44includes a plate62and a first connector portion64connected to the plate62and extending therefrom. The plate62may have a first end66, and an opposed second end68. In the example shown, the first connector portion64is located on the plate62near the first end66thereof. The plate62has an arm portion70extending from the first end66, and a support portion72extending from the arm portion70toward the second end68. The extension support fingers58a-hare positioned in the support portion72of the plate62. In one embodiment, the support portion72of the plate62is shaped to form the extension support fingers58a-h.For example, the support portion72can be provided with a plurality of slotted apertures74a-ibordered at least partially by the extension support fingers58a-h.Each of the slotted apertures74a-iis sized and dimensioned to receive the wrench extension bar32to permit the extension support fingers58a-hto support the wrench extension bar32during use. In the example shown, the support portion72is shaped to include9slotted apertures74a-i,although more or less slotted apertures74a-ican be provided depending upon the intended application of the wrench support boom44. In the embodiment shown, the slotted apertures74a-iare in open communication by way of a central channel76and a socket opening78. In one embodiment, the central channel76is sized to permit the wrench extension bar32to be moved between the slotted apertures74a-i;and the socket opening78is sized to receive the socket34. As one skilled in the art will understand, once the socket34is positioned through the socket opening78and the wrench extension bar32is positioned within the central channel76, the socket34may not be removed from the central channel76and/or the slotted apertures74a-iwithout removing the socket34from the wrench extension bar32, or moving the wrench extension bar32into the socket opening78.

In the embodiment shown, the support portion72includes an outer rim80that is connected to and supports the extension support fingers58a-h.The outer rim80may also be connected to the arm portion70.

In the example shown, the wrench support boom44is sized for use with a commercial truck tire and wheel. In this example, the arm portion70is sized to space the first connector portion64a first distance84from the extension support fingers58a-h.The first distance84may be fixed, or, alternatively, the arm portion70and/or the first connector portion64may be configured to permit the first distance84to be adjusted. The size of the first distance84may vary depending upon the intended application of the wrench support boom44. The arm portion70and the support portion72are also sized and dimensioned to permit the wrench support boom44to be suspended by the tire clamp42in a position above a support surface supporting the tire14. The arm portion70and the support portion72may be sized to provide a second distance86from the first connector portion64to the second end68. When the wrench support boom44is intended to be used for assisting in changing a commercial truck tire and wheel, the first distance84can be in a range from about 8 inches to about 12 inches, and the second distance86can be in a range from about 20 to 24 inches.

It should be understood that the extension support fingers58a-hmay be provided with a variety of configurations so long as the extension support fingers58a-hcan function to receive and support the wrench extension bar32. In the example shown, the support portion72includes an inner surface88in which adjacent extension support fingers58a-hgenerally form a J-shape. In this example, the inner surface88is shaped to form eight J-shape portions and one I-shaped portion. However, it should be understood that the inner surface88can be shaped to form more or less than eight J-shaped portions and more or less I-shaped portions. Further, it should be understood that other configurations and shapes of the inner surface88can be used.

FIG. 5is an end view of the wrench support boom44depicted inFIG. 4.FIG. 6is a side elevational view of the boom support flange48of the torque wrench stabilizer tool10. The boom support flange48has a second connector portion90designed to connect with the first connector portion64of the wrench support boom44. In the example shown, the first connector portion64has a post92and a boom cam94although the first connector portion64can be constructed in different ways. The post92is connected to the arm portion70and extends therefrom a distance preferably exceeding a thickness of the boom support flange48. The second connector portion90can be configured as an opening96that is sized and shaped to receive the boom cam94.

Referring again toFIG. 2, the boom support flange48may be rigidly connected to (or integrally formed with) the beam50so as to prevent inadvertent movement of the boom support flange48on the beam50. The wrench support boom44may also be provided with a key98connected to and extending from the second end68. The key98functions to connect the second end68of the wrench support boom44to the boom support flange48when the wrench support boom44is interconnected with the tire clamp42. As shown inFIG. 6, the boom support flange48may include a keyway100adapted to receive the key98. The key98may be provided with a T-shape or an L-shape having a portion that engages against the boom support flange48to prevent inadvertent removal of the key98from the keyway100.

FIG. 7is a side elevational view of the clamping flange46of the torque wrench stabilizer tool10. The clamping flange46may be provided with an upper end101and a slot102in parallel relationship with the upper end101. The slot102may be sized and configured to receive the beam50to permit the clamping flange46to be selectively moved on the beam50either toward or away from the boom support flange48. The clamping flange46may also be provided with a passage106shaped to receive the first connector portion64and the arm portion70when the wrench support boom44is interconnected with the tire clamp42.

Referring now toFIG. 8, shown therein is a front elevational view of the torque wrench stabilizer tool10being installed onto the tire14in accordance with the present disclosure. In use, the torque wrench stabilizer tool10is preferably transported to a jobsite in the compact configuration depicted inFIG. 2where one or more lug nuts are going to be loosened and/or tightened. The tire clamp42and the wrench support boom44of the torque wrench stabilizer tool10are then separated as depicted inFIG. 3, for example. Then, the tire clamp42is placed on the top12of the tire14such that the beam50engages and spans the top12and a spacer108of the boom support flange48is pushed against the front surface38of the tire14as shown by an arrow110. In this position, the clamping flange46is moved towards the boom support flange48until the clamping flange46engages the rear surface40of the tire14as shown by arrow112. In this position, the tire clamp42is stabilized on the top12of the tire14.

In one embodiment, once the tire clamp42has been stabilized on the top12of the tire14, the first connector portion64of the wrench support boom44may be connected (e.g., pivotally connected) to the second connector portion90on the boom support flange48. The spacer108(that is connected to and/or a part of the boom support flange48may have a thickness114sufficient to keep the boom cam94from engaging the front surface38of the tire14thereby assisting the wrench support boom44in moving laterally relative to the boom support flange48. The socket34and the wrench extension bar32of the torque wrench assembly24is then inserted through the socket opening78, the socket34is placed onto one of the lug nuts, and the wrench extension bar32is placed into one of the aperture74a-iand supported on one of the extension support fingers58a-h.In this position, the torque wrench assembly28can then be utilized to tighten and/or loosen the lug nut. After the lug nut is tightened and/or loosened, the socket34is placed onto another one of the lug nuts and the wrench extension bar32may be positioned into another one of the slotted apertures74a-iand supported on another one of the extension support fingers58a-h.This process is then repeated by preferably moving the wrench extension bar32through the central channel76until all of the lug nuts have either been loosened or tightened. Once all (or less than all) of the lug nuts have either been loosened or tightened, then the socket34and the wrench extension bar32can be removed from the wrench support boom44by way of the socket opening78, the second connector portion90can be disconnected from the first connector portion64, and the tire clamp42can be removed from the top of the tire14.

The tire clamp42and the wrench support boom44can be made of any suitably strong and durable material such as metal (e.g., aluminum, steel or the like) or plastic. Further, it should be understood that the tire clamp42and/or the wrench support boom44can be made of a unitary material or can be formed from separate components that are connected together. Any methodology known in the art for forming material into the components of the tire clamp42and/or the wrench support boom44can be used such as molding, milling, and combinations thereof.

From the above description, it is clear that the inventive concepts disclosed and claimed herein are well adapted to carry out the objects and to attain the advantages mentioned herein, as well as those inherent in the invention. While exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts have been described for purposes of this disclosure, it will be understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are accomplished within the spirit of the inventive concepts disclosed and claimed herein.