Wheel righting apparatus

In one embodiment, a wheel righting apparatus includes a main frame and a wheel latching frame that is pivotally coupled to the main frame. The wheel latching frame is configured to be removably coupled to a wheel. The wheel righting apparatus also includes a winch assembly coupled to the main frame. The winch assembly is operable to move the wheel from a horizontal position to a vertical position by pivoting the wheel latching frame relative to the main frame.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to wheel handling and, more particularly, to a wheel righting apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Certain vehicles have wheels of a substantial size and weight. For example, an undercarriage wheel of an aircraft may weigh around 500 pounds and have a diameter around 55 inches. Aircraft wheels often are transported and/or serviced in a horizonal position (e.g., laid flat on the floor) and then lifted to an upright position for storage or installation. Aircraft wheels sometimes also need to be lifted when they accidently fall from the upright position to the horizontal position.

Typically, physical exertion and safety concerns require multiple people to work together to manually lift a large wheel from a horizontal position to an upright position. A fork lift also may be used to lift the wheel. However, these options are often undesirable because extra people and forklifts are not always readily available, manual lifting can be dangerous, and components of the forklift could damage the wheel during the lifting process.

The drawings illustrate only example embodiments of the present disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The present disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments not illustrated specifically in the drawings.

Elements and features shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed on clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Certain dimensions or positions may be exaggerated to help visually convey such principles.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

In the following paragraphs, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the description, well-known components, methods, and/or processing techniques are omitted or are briefly described so as not to obscure the disclosure. While the description describes particular embodiments, this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. As used herein, the “present disclosure” refers to any one of the embodiments of the disclosure described herein and any equivalents. Furthermore, reference to various feature(s) of the “present disclosure” is not to suggest that all embodiments must include the referenced feature(s).

Overview

An example wheel righting apparatus of the present disclosure includes a main frame and a wheel latching frame that are pivotally coupled such that the wheel latching frame pivots relative to the main frame. Further, the wheel righting apparatus includes a winch assembly that is coupled to the main frame. The winch assembly is operable to adjust a wheel between a horizontal position and a vertical position by pivoting the wheel latching frame relative to the main frame.

Example Embodiments

Example embodiments of the present disclosure address a need in the art for lifting a wheel from a horizontal position to an upright position. The term “horizontal position” as used herein in association to a wheel generally refers to a position of the wheel in which the wheel is laying substantially flat on a surface (e.g., the ground), with an axis of rotation of the wheel being substantially perpendicular to the surface. The term “upright position” as used herein in association to the wheel generally refers to a position of the wheel in which the wheel is standing substantially upright on a surface, with an axis of rotation of the wheel being substantially parallel to the surface. For example, the wheel may be rollable along the surface in the upright position.

In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, an apparatus can be configured to lift a wheel from the horizontal position to the upright position. This operation may be referred to as “righting” the wheel. For example, a person may use the apparatus to “right” the wheel from the horizontal position to the upright position.

As would be recognized by a person skilled in the art, wheels can have various different sizes and shapes. For example, certain wheels can be relatively light weight, and other wheels can be relatively heavy. As used herein, the term “heavy” in association with a wheel generally refers to a wheel that weighs more than 150 pounds. Heavy wheels may, but do not necessarily, have large diameters. For example, certain heavy wheels for aircraft can weigh around 500 pounds, with a diameter around 55 inches in length. In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the apparatus can be adjustable or otherwise configured to accommodate wheels of various different sizes and shapes. For example, the apparatus may accommodate wheels of tractors, trailers, heavy moving equipment, etc.

As will be described in more detail below, in certain example embodiments, the apparatus is configured to enable a single person to right a heavy wheel, such as a heavy aircraft wheel, safely, with minimal physical exertion required by the person and with minimal risk of damaging the wheel. In certain embodiments, the apparatus also can be configured to enable the person to safely and easily transport the righted wheel from one location to another, e.g., from a trailer to a maintenance shop, from one location to another in the maintenance shop, from the maintenance shop to an aircraft, etc. In such embodiments, the apparatus may be portable and/or relatively light weight.

Example embodiments of the wheel righting apparatus will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. If a component of a drawing is described but not expressly shown or labeled in the drawing, the label used for a corresponding component in another drawing can be inferred to that component. Conversely, if a component in a drawing is labeled but not described, the description for such component can be substantially the same as the description for a corresponding component in another drawing. Further, a statement that a particular embodiment (e.g., as shown in a figure herein) does not have a particular feature or component does not mean, unless expressly stated, that such embodiment is not capable of having such feature or component. For example, for purposes of present or future claims herein, a feature or component that is described as not being included in an example embodiment shown in one or more particular drawings is capable of being included in one or more claims that correspond to such one or more particular drawings herein.

Turning now to the drawings,FIGS. 1-6illustrate a wheel righting apparatus, in accordance with certain example embodiments.FIGS. 7-12illustrate a wheel righting apparatus, in accordance with certain alternative example embodiments.FIGS. 13-18illustrate an operation of the wheel righting apparatus ofFIGS. 1-12, in accordance with certain example embodiments.

Referring toFIGS. 1-6, an example wheel righting apparatus100(hereinafter referred to as the “apparatus”) may include a main frame102and a wheel latching frame104. The wheel latching frame104may be coupled to the main frame102such that the wheel latching frame104is pivotable relative to the main frame102. For example, the wheel latching frame104may be pivotable between a stowage position101and a latching position1302(shown inFIG. 13).

The main frame102may include a main support subframe103, a winch mount subframe134, and a wheel and stand subframe208. The main support subframe103may include a first upright assembly108, a base assembly110that extends in a first direction199from one end417(hereinafter the “bottom end”, shown inFIG. 4) of the first upright assembly108, and a handle assembly106that extends in a second direction195from an opposite end415(hereinafter the “top end”) of the first upright assembly108. The first direction199may be opposite to the second direction195. For example, the first direction199may be towards a front end191of the apparatus100, and the second direction195may be towards a rear end193of the apparatus100.

As best seen inFIG. 3, the first upright assembly108of the main support subframe103may include a pair of first upright members309that are spaced apart from each other, and cross-bars311(311a-311d) that extend between the pair of upright members309. The first upright members309may be, but do not necessarily have to be, substantially parallel to each other. The cross-bars311may be disposed at and/or in between the opposite ends (415,417) of the first upright assembly108. Further, the base assembly110of the main support subframe103may include a pair of longitudinal base legs313(the “base legs”) that are spaced apart from each other. The base legs313may be, but do not necessarily have to be, substantially parallel to each other.

The base legs313may include a first base leg313athat extends substantially perpendicularly from one of the first upright members309in the first direction199, and a second base leg313bthat extends substantially perpendicularly from the other of the first upright members309in the first direction199. Each base leg313may have a groove405(shown inFIG. 4) that is formed therein with a pivot tube111that is set in the groove405. The pivot tubes111may be, but do not necessarily have to be, hollow. Each pivot tube111may be disposed adjacent a free end114of its respective base leg313, where the free end114is opposite to an end of the base leg313that is coupled to the first upright assembly108. The free end114of each base leg313may be beveled and covered with an end cap112. The beveled free ends114and the end caps112may be configured to prevent or minimize damage to a wheel1306(shown inFIG. 13) when the base legs313of the apparatus100slide under the wheel1306during a righting operation, as will be described in greater detail below in association withFIGS. 13-18.

The handle assembly106of the main support subframe103may include a pair of handles319. The pair of handles319may include a first handle319athat extends in the second direction195from one of the first upright members309, and a second handle319bthat extends in the second direction195from the other of the first upright members309. In one example embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 3, each of the first and second handles319may extend from a respective first upright member309at an obtuse angle399relative to the respective first upright member309. However, in other example embodiments, the first and second handles (319a,319b) may extend from the first upright members309at any other appropriate angle (e.g., acute, reflex, perpendicular, etc.) relative to the first upright members309without departing from a broader scope of the present disclosure.

As best illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, the main frame102also may include a first pulley mounting bracket206that is configured to couple a first pulley142thereto. The first pulley mounting bracket206may be coupled, for example, to the cross-bar311dthat is disposed at an end of the first upright assembly108that is opposite to the base assembly110(e.g., top end415). The first pulley mounting bracket206may include a pulley coupling aperture305that is configured to receive a fastener171therethrough to couple the first pulley142to the main frame102as illustrated inFIGS. 1-2. Additionally, the main frame102may include a shackle mounting plate308with a shackle310that is coupled thereto. The shackle mounting plate308and the shackle310may be coupled, for example, to a cross-bar311cof the first upright assembly108that is disposed below the cross-bar311dat the top end415of the first upright assembly108.

As best illustrated inFIG. 4, the winch mount subframe134of the main frame102may include a first pair of arm members411aand a second pair of arm members411bthat extend out and towards each other from the cross-bars311band311cof the first upright assembly108that are disposed between the top and bottom ends (415,417) thereof. The first and second pair of arm members (411a,411b) may extend in the second direction195such that they meet at an apex413. That is, the winch mount subframe134may be substantially triangular. A winch mounting bracket136may be disposed on the winch mount subframe134such that the winch mounting bracket136and a winch138that is disposed thereon define an obtuse angle291(shown inFIG. 2) with the first upright assembly108.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the wheel and stand subframe208of the main frame102may include a first substantially U-shaped member429athat is coupled to one of the first upright members309, a second substantially U-shaped member429bthat is coupled to another of the first upright members309, and support bars431that are disposed between the first and second substantially U-shaped members (429a,429b). The wheel and stand subframe208may extend out from the first upright assembly108in the second direction195such that swivel casters150and a foot rest member126coupled thereto are disposed at a rear end193of the apparatus100. As will be described in more detail below with reference toFIGS. 13-15, in certain example embodiments, the swivel casters150and foot rest member126do not interfere with a wheel righting operation by the apparatus100.

Each swivel caster150may be coupled to a respective substantially U-shaped member429such that the swivel caster150extends below the wheel and stand subframe208. In particular, the wheel and stand subframe208may be offset from the bottom end417of the first upright assembly108such that the swivel casters150have a same vertical profile as the first upright members309of the first upright assembly108. That is, the apparatus100rests on the swivel casters150at the rear end193, and the apparatus100rests on the base legs313of the main support subframe103at the front end191.

Each of the substantially U-shaped members (429a,429b) may include a coupling hole404. Further, at least one of the substantially U-shaped members (429a,429b) may include a first locking hole306that is formed therein. The coupling holes404of the substantially U-shaped members (429a,429b) may be configured to receive fasteners192therethrough to pivotally couple the foot rest member126to the wheel and stand subframe208. For example, the foot rest member126may be pivoted between a transport position1200as illustrated inFIG. 12and a lifting position163as illustrated inFIG. 1. In the lifting position163, the foot rest member126is pointed downward towards the bottom end417of the first upright assembly108. In the transport position1200, the foot rest member126is pointed upward towards the top end415of the first upright assembly108.

The first locking hole306of the substantially U-shaped member429bmay be configured to receive a locking pin128therein to lock the foot rest member126in the lifting position163. The foot rest member126may include, for example, two arms167that pivotally couple to the wheel and stand subframe208, and a foot rest plate169that extends between the two arms167at one end thereof. In certain example embodiments, the foot rest plate169may provide a platform for an operator to stand on and use the operator's body weight as a counterweight to a weight of a wheel that is being lifted to an upright position during a wheel righting operation.

The wheel and stand subframe208may include a foot rest stop assembly130(shown inFIG. 1) that is configured to stop the foot rest member126from being pivoted upwards beyond the foot rest stop assembly130, e.g., when the foot rest member126is being pivoted from the lifting position163to the transport position1200. The foot rest stop assembly130may include a foot rest stop plate302(shown inFIG. 3) that extends upwards towards the handle assembly106from a top surface of one of the substantially U-shaped members429b, and a stop tab304that extends substantially perpendicular to the foot rest stop plate302.

The foot rest stop plate302may include a second locking hole402that is configured to receive the locking pin128therein to lock the foot rest member126in the transport position1200. In certain example embodiments, the foot rest member126may include a corresponding locking hole that will be axially aligned with one of the locking holes (402,306) of the wheel and stand subframe208to receive the locking pin128therethrough for locking the foot rest member126in a desired position (163or1200). The stop tab304of the foot rest stop assembly130may include a securement hole410(shown inFIG. 4) that is configured to receive a lanyard132therethrough to securely couple the locking pin128to the stop tab304. In other example embodiments, the locking pin128may be secured to the main frame102using any other appropriate mechanisms without departing from a broader scope of the present disclosure.

In certain example embodiments, the wheel latching frame104is pivotally coupled to the main frame102. The wheel latching frame104may include, for example, second upright assembly120, a load support assembly118that extends substantially perpendicular to the second upright assembly120toward the first direction199from a bottom end517(shown inFIG. 5) of the second upright assembly120, and a coupling tube116that is disposed at an end519of the load support assembly118.

The second upright assembly120may include a top plate509and a bottom plate508, where the top plate509is longer that the bottom plate508. Further, the second upright assembly120may include a third upright member521, a fourth upright member522, and a fifth upright member523that extend between the bottom plate508and the top plate509. The third and fourth upright members521and522are spaced apart from each other and arranged such that a width of the second upright assembly120(measured as a distance between the third and fourth upright members521and522) tapers from the top plate509to the bottom plate508. The tapering frame of the second upright assembly120may provide a better grip on the wheel1306, e.g., when the wheel1306is coupled to the wheel latching frame104, as compared to a non-tapering frame (not illustrated), for example.

The load support assembly118may include a pair of longitudinal support legs525that extend substantially perpendicular to the second upright assembly120from a bottom end517of the bottom plate508. The pair of longitudinal support legs525are spaced apart from each other and extend in the first direction199. In one or more example embodiments, a distance between the outer edges527of the pair of longitudinal support legs525may be shorter than a distance between inner edges317of the base legs313of the main support subframe103. As such, the load support assembly118may fit in a space497(shown inFIG. 4) between the base legs313of the base assembly110of the main frame102.

The coupling tube116of the wheel latching frame104may include a tube that is disposed at the end519of the load support assembly118that is away from the second upright assembly120. The coupling tube116may be, but does not necessarily have to be, hollow in certain exemplary embodiments. The coupling tube116may extend across the pair of longitudinal support legs525such that one longitudinal support leg525ais coupled to one end of the coupling tube116and the other longitudinal support leg525bis coupled to the other end of the coupling tube116.

The wheel latching frame104may include a shoulder plate202that is disposed adjacent to and offset from the bottom end517of the second upright assembly120. The shoulder plate202may be substantially perpendicular to the second upright assembly120and extend in the second direction195. The wheel latching frame104may further include a latching plate124and a guard member122that extend substantially perpendicular to the second upright assembly120from the top plate509thereof. In particular, the latching plate124extends in the second direction195, and the guard member122extends in the first direction199. The latching plate124may include latching apertures506that are configured to couple a tie-down strap1303(shown inFIG. 13) to the latching plate124. In certain example embodiments, the guard member122may include an elongate rubber gasket that is flexible. In other example embodiments, the guard member122may be formed using any other appropriate flexible material. For example, the guard member122may include a hollow rubber gasket that adjusts to a contour of a wheel (e.g., wheel1306inFIG. 14) when the second upright assembly120and the guard member122engage the wheel1306in the latching position1302. The guard member122may be configured to prevent damage to the wheel1306by the apparatus100during a righting operation.

The wheel latching frame104may also include a second pulley mounting bracket204that extends from the second upright assembly120in the second direction195. The second pulley mounting bracket204may include a coupling aperture504formed therein, where the coupling aperture504is configured to receive a fastener293(shown inFIG. 2) therein to couple a second pulley144to the wheel latching frame104.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the wheel latching frame104may be arranged with respect to the main frame102such that the coupling tube116of the wheel latching frame104is disposed in between the pivot tubes111of the pair of base legs313of the main frame102, with the coupling tube116and the pivot tubes111being axially aligned. Further, a pivot rod117may be disposed in the coupling tube116and the pivot tubes111. For example, the pivot rod117may extend through the axially aligned coupling tube116and the pivot tubes111to pivotally couple the wheel latching frame104to the main frame102. The pivot rod117may be longer than the coupling tube116such that the pivot rod117extends into the pivot tubes111of the main frame102at both ends thereof. The wheel latching frame104may be configured to pivot, via the coupling tube116, relative to a horizontal axis371that passes through coupling points375where the wheel latching frame104couples to the main frame102. Alternatively, the horizontal axis371may be defined as an axis that passes through center points of the axially aligned coupling tube116and the pivot tubes111. One skilled in the art will recognize that, in other example embodiments, the wheel latching frame104may be pivotally coupled to the main frame using any other appropriate coupling mechanism without departing from a broader scope of the present disclosure.

In certain example embodiments, the apparatus100may include a winch assembly183(shown inFIG. 1) that is coupled to both the main frame102and the wheel latching frame104. The winch assembly183may be configured to pivot the wheel latching frame104between the stowage position101and the latching position1302using a winch138of the winch assembly183. The winch assembly183may include the winch138, the first pulley142, the second pulley144, and a wire rope146, for example.

In one example, the winch138may include a single-speed manual geared hand winch. However, in other examples, any other device that is functionally similar to the winch may be used without departing from a broader scope of the present disclosure. The winch138may include, for example, a spool177on which the wire rope146is wound, and a hand crank140that is coupled to the spool177. The winch138may be mounted on the winch mounting bracket136that is disposed on the winch mount subframe134.

The first pulley142may be coupled to the main frame102via the first pulley mounting bracket206of the main frame102. The second pulley144may be coupled to the wheel latching frame104via the second pulley mounting bracket204of the wheel latching frame104. In particular, the first pulley142may be coupled to the cross-bar311ddisposed at the top end415of the first upright assembly108such that it extends out from the first upright assembly108in the first direction199, and the second pulley144may be coupled to the top plate509disposed at the top end515of the second upright assembly120such that it extends out from the second upright assembly120in the second direction195. That is, the first and second pulleys (142,144) may be disposed facing each other.

In certain example embodiments, as illustrated inFIG. 2, a height h2of the second upright assembly120of the wheel latching frame104may be less than a height h1of the first upright assembly108of the main frame102. As such, the second pulley144that is coupled to the second upright assembly120may be disposed below the first pulley142that is coupled to the first upright assembly108. In one example, the first pulley142may include a fixed single pulley and the second pulley144may include a snatch block pulley. However, in other examples, the first and second pulleys142and144, respectively, may include any other appropriate pulley or block combination that can comfortably handle the weight of a wheel during a wheel righting operation without departing from a broader scope of the present disclosure.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1-2, in certain example embodiments, one end of the wire rope146may be secured to the winch138(e.g., on a frame of the winch138), with the wire rope146being wound on to the spool177of the winch138, extended through the first pulley142that is coupled to the main frame102and the second pulley144that is coupled to the wheel latching frame104, and secured to the shackle310of the main frame102at an opposite end of the wire rope146. That is, the wire rope146that is secured to the winch138at one end, goes through the two pulleys (142,144), and is secured to the main frame102at an opposite end thereof. Though referred to herein as a “rope”, a person having ordinary skill in the relevant art will recognize that the wire rope146may include a rope, cable, or other material capable of being wound around a spool and extended through pulleys142and144. During a wheel righting operation, the hand crank140of the winch138may be rotated (clockwise or anticlockwise) to let out or pull in the wire rope146to pivot the wheel latching frame104relative to the main frame102.

ThoughFIGS. 1-6illustrate an example apparatus100with a wheel latching frame104that has a second upright assembly120that is fixedly attached to the pair of longitudinal support legs525, one of skill in the relevant art will recognize that the second upright assembly120may be adjustably coupled to the pair of longitudinal support legs525in other example embodiments without departing from a broader scope of the present disclosure. One such example apparatus700that includes an adjustable wheel latching frame740is illustrated inFIGS. 7-11. In the example apparatus700, the wheel latching frame740may include a second upright assembly120athat is adjustably coupled to the pair of longitudinal support legs725. Adjustably coupling the second upright assembly120ato the pair of longitudinal support legs725can allow the apparatus700to accommodate wheels of different shapes and sizes, for example.

The apparatus700that is illustrated inFIGS. 7-11may be substantially similar to the apparatus100ofFIGS. 1-6except for additions such as shock absorbers702and the adjustable second upright assembly120a. As such, the description of the components of the apparatus700that are substantially similar to the apparatus100ofFIGS. 1-6will be not repeated herein for the sake of brevity. That is, only those components of the apparatus700that are different from or additional to that of the apparatus100will be described in the following paragraphs.

Referring toFIGS. 7-11, the main frame720may include shock absorbers702that are disposed in the pair of base legs313. The shock absorbers702may be disposed adjacent to the first upright assembly108and positioned such that the shoulder plate202(e.g., a bottom surface of the shoulder plate202) of the wheel latching frame740engages the shock absorbers702when the wheel latching frame740is in the stowage position101as shown inFIG. 7. The shock absorbers702may be configured to absorb any impulses or vibrations (e.g., shock impulses) that are generated when the bottom plate508of the wheel latching frame740lands on the pair of base legs313, e.g., when the wheel latching frame740is pivoted back to the stowage position101(with or without the wheel1306strapped thereto) from the latching position1302.

In certain example embodiments, the wheel latching frame740of the apparatus700may include a pair of loop brackets902(shown inFIG. 9) that are coupled to the bottom plate508of the second upright assembly120a. Each loop bracket902defines an eye that is configured to receive a respective longitudinal support leg725of the wheel latching frame740therethrough such that the second upright assembly120acan be adjusted along the pair of longitudinal support legs725in the first direction199or the second direction195. Each of the longitudinal support legs725may include multiple adjustment apertures704that are formed therein; and each loop bracket902may have a fastening member that is coupled thereto. The fastening members may include adjustment pins706that are configured to extend through the adjustment apertures704on the longitudinal support legs725to lock the second upright assembly120aat a desired position on the pair of longitudinal support legs725. To adjust the second upright assembly120a, the operator1490may remove or disengage the adjustment pins706from a first pair of the adjustment apertures704aon the longitudinal support legs725. Then, the operator1490may slide the second upright assembly120aalong the pair of longitudinal support leg725to the next pair of the adjustment apertures704bon the longitudinal support legs725and insert the adjustment pins706through the next pair of the adjustment apertures704bto lock the second upright assembly120ain the new position. The second upright assembly120amay be adjusted, for example, based on the size of the wheel1306that is to be lifted to the upright position.

Additionally, the wheel latching frame740may include a base plate904that disposed at an end of the pair of longitudinal support legs725that is opposite to the coupling tube116. The base plate904may be substantially perpendicular to the pair of longitudinal support legs725. The shoulder plate202may extend out in the second direction195from an end of the base plate904that is away from the longitudinal support legs725such that the shoulder plate202is substantially perpendicular to the base plate904.

The wheel righting operation of the apparatus700will now be described with reference toFIGS. 13-15. In certain example embodiments, an operator1490may transport the apparatus700to a location of a wheel1306that is to be righted from a horizontal position to an upright position. The apparatus700may be transported from one location to another, for example, by rolling the apparatus700using the swivel casters150. For example, the operator1490may grip the handles319and tip the apparatus700in the second direction195, i.e., towards the rear end193such that only the swivel casters150of the apparatus700engage the floor. Then, the operator1490may push, i.e., roll the apparatus700in the first direction199to transport the apparatus700to a desired location.

During transportation, the foot rest member126may be locked in the transport position1200(shown inFIG. 12). During transportation or when stored (or in default state), the wheel latching frame740may be maintained in the stowage position101(shown inFIGS. 7 and 12). For example, the winch assembly183may maintain the wheel latching frame740in the stowage position101. In the stowage position101, the wheel latching frame740is disposed adjacent the main frame102such that: (a) the pair of longitudinal support legs725are substantially parallel to and disposed in a space497between the pair of base legs313of the main frame102; (b) a bottom edge601(shown inFIGS. 6 and 11) of the bottom plate508of the second upright assembly120arests on the pair of base legs313of the main frame102; and (c) the second upright assembly120ais substantially parallel to the first upright assembly108of the main frame102.

As illustrated inFIG. 13, once the apparatus700is transported to the desired location, e.g., adjacent the wheel1306that is to be righted, the operator1490may adjust the apparatus700such that at least a portion of the pair of base legs313of the main frame720slides under the wheel1306that is in the horizontal position, e.g., in between the surface on which the wheel1306is disposed and a bottom surface1319of the wheel1306(e.g., a surface of the wheel that faces a ground surface). The wheel1306that is in the horizontal position may first engage the free ends114of the pair of base legs313(which may be beveled) and then slide, at least in part, onto the pair of base legs313. For example, the operator1490may apply pressure on the apparatus700towards the first direction199to slide the free ends114and base legs313under the wheel1306. The operator1490may rotate the hand crank140of the winch138to let out the wire rope146, which in turn may pivot the wheel latching frame740from the stowage position101to the latching position1302, as illustrated inFIG. 13.

In the latching position1302, the wheel latching frame740extends away from the main frame720such that the wheel latching frame740defines a cantilever structure where the wheel latching frame740extends beyond the front end191of the main frame720in the first direction199. In particular, in the latching position1302where the wheel latching frame740engages the wheel1306that is in the horizontal position, the pair of longitudinal support legs725have been pivoted relative to the main frame720so that they are disposed substantially parallel to the first upright assembly108of the main frame720. Similarly, in the latching position1302, the second upright assembly120ahas been pivoted relative to the main frame720so that it is disposed substantially parallel to the pair of base legs313of the main frame720. One of skill in the art will recognize that, in certain example embodiments, in the absence of a wheel1306, the wheel latching frame740may be pivoted all the way out till at least a portion of the second upright assembly120a(e.g., the top plate509or the guard member122) of the wheel latching frame740engages the floor or surface on which the wheel righting apparatus700is disposed.

As illustrated inFIG. 13, the operator1490may rotate the hand crank140to let out the wire rope146until the second upright assembly120aof the wheel latching frame740embraces at least a portion of the wheel1306such that: (a) at least a portion of the upright members (521-523) and the guard member122engage the wheel1306, and (b) at least a portion of the wheel1306is clamped or disposed between the second upright assembly120aof the wheel latching frame740and the pair of base legs313of the main frame720with the base legs313of the main frame720providing a fulcrum on which the wheel1306may be pivoted from the horizontal position to the upright position.

After pivoting the wheel latching frame740to the latching position1302such that the second upright assembly120aembraces at least a portion of the wheel1306, the operator1490may strap the wheel1306to the second upright assembly120ausing a tie-down strap1303. For example, the tie-down strap1303may be removably coupled to the latching plate124of the wheel latching frame740using fasteners (e.g., hooks1304) that are passed through the latching apertures506of the latching plate124. The tie-down strap1303may be tightened to secure the wheel1306to the second upright assembly120a. The operator1490may unlock the foot rest member126from the transport position1200, e.g., by removing locking pin128, adjust the foot rest member126from the transport position1200to the lifting position163, and lock the foot rest member126in the lifting position163using the locking pin128. As illustrated inFIG. 14, the operator1490may step or stand on the foot rest plate169of the foot rest member126to use the body weight of the operator1490as a counterbalance to the weight of the wheel1306that is to be righted to the upright position.

Once the wheel1306is securely coupled to the second upright assembly120aof the wheel latching frame104and the operator1490is standing on the foot rest plate169of the foot rest member126, the operator1490may rotate the hand crank140of the winch138to pull in the wire rope146, which in turn pivots the wheel latching frame740from the latching position1302to the stowage position101and lifts the wheel1306from the horizontal position to the upright position as illustrated inFIG. 15. As described above, the wheel1306pivots relative to the base legs313, with the base legs313providing a fulcrum on which the wheel1306pivots from the horizontal position to the upright position.

The operator1490may transport the wheel1306in the upright position to any desired location using the apparatus700. For example, the operator1490may roll the apparatus700with the wheel1306strapped thereto to the desired location using the swivel casters150. As such, the wheel and stand subframe208and the swivel casters150coupled thereto may be configured to handle the weight of the wheel1306. Alternatively, the operator1490may roll the wheel1306manually off of the apparatus700and to the desired location.

In certain example embodiments, once the wheel1306is righted to the upright position, the wheel1306may be transferred to a wheel dolly (not shown) for transportation to a desired location. The width of the apparatus700(e.g., distance between outer edges475of the pair of base legs313) may be configured such that a wheel dolly (e.g., a wheel dolly with bifurcated legs) can be pushed all the way up to the wheel1306that is strapped to the second upright assembly120afor easy transfer of the wheel1306to the wheel dolly. That is, the base legs313of the apparatus700may fit in between the bifurcated legs of a wheel dolly.

Further, the above-described process may be repeated in reverse order to lower the wheel1306that is strapped to the second upright assembly120afrom the upright position to the horizontal position, if needed. In certain example embodiments, the winch138may include a lock that prevents the gears and/or the hand crank140of the winch138from rotating once locked.

Referring toFIGS. 16-18, an example method1600of the wheel righting apparatus100(or700) begins at operation1602where the wheel righting apparatus100(or700) engages the wheel1306that is in the horizontal position. The wheel righting apparatus100(or700) engages the wheel1306such that at least a portion of the wheel1306is held in between a portion of a main frame102of the wheel righting apparatus100(or700) and a portion of a wheel latching frame104(or740) of the wheel righting apparatus100(or700). The wheel latching frame104(or740) is pivotally coupled to the main frame102as described above and not repeated for the sake of brevity. Operation1602is described below in further detail in association withFIG. 17.

As illustrated inFIG. 17, in operation1702, initially at least a portion of the wheel1306that is in a horizontal position is placed on the base legs313of the main frame102such that a first surface1319(e.g., a surface previously engaging a floor in the horizontal position) of the wheel1306engages the base legs313. That is, pressure may be applied on the wheel righting apparatus100(or700) to slide at least a portion of the base legs313under the wheel1306. As such, the portion of the main frame102that engages the wheel1306in operation1602includes at least a portion of the base legs313.

In operation1704, the wheel latching frame104(or740) is placed on a second surface1329of the wheel1306by pivoting the wheel latching frame104(or740) from a stowage position101to a latching position1302. The wheel latching frame104(or740) may be pivoted from a stowage position101to a latching position1302by rotating a handle140of the winch183(clockwise or anticlockwise) to release a wire rope146that is coupled to the winch183, the main frame102, and the wheel latching frame104(or740) via two pulleys (142,144). The wheel latching frame104(or740) may be placed on the wheel1306such that the second upright assembly120(or120a) of the wheel latching frame104(or740) engages the second surface1329of the wheel1306. As such, the portion of the wheel latching frame104(or740) that engages the wheel1306in operation1602includes the second upright assembly120(or120a) of the wheel latching frame104(or740). In operation1706, the wheel1306may be coupled or secured to the wheel latching frame104(or740), e.g., to the second upright assembly120(or120a) using the tie-down strap1303or any other appropriate coupling mechanisms, as illustrated inFIGS. 13-14.

Returning toFIG. 16, once the wheel1306is disposed in between the portion of the wheel latching frame104(or740) and the portion of the main frame102and the wheel1306is secured to the wheel latching frame104(or740), in operation1604, the wheel1306(that is secured to the wheel latching frame104(or740)) is moved from the horizontal position to the upright position (shown inFIG. 15) by pivoting the wheel latching frame104(or740) relative to the main frame102. As the wheel latching frame104(or740) is pivoted relative to the main frame102, the wheel1306that is secured to the wheel latching frame104(or740) pivots to the upright position on the portion of the main frame102on which the wheel1306is disposed. For example, the portion of the pair of base legs313on which the wheel1306is disposed may operate as a fulcrum on which the wheel1306pivots. Operation1604is described below in further detail in association withFIG. 18.

With reference toFIG. 18, in operation1802, the foot rest member126of the wheel righting apparatus100(or700) is set and locked in a lifting position163. Then, in operation1804, an operator1490may step on the foot rest pedal169to apply a body weight of the operator1490as a counterbalance to the weight of the wheel1306that is to be righted to the upright position. Further, in operation1806, the wheel latching frame104(or740) is pivoted from the latching position1302to the stowage position101by rotating the handle140of the winch183. As the wheel latching frame104(or740) is pivoted back to the stowage position101, the wheel1306that is coupled to the wheel latching frame104(740) may pivot on the portion of the main frame102, e.g., the pair of base legs313on which the wheel1306is disposed. The portion of the pair of base legs313on which the wheel1306is disposed may operate as a fulcrum on which the wheel1306pivots. Additionally, the righted wheel may be transported to a desired location by rolling the wheel righting apparatus100(or700) using the casters150, as described above.

It is noted that each of the main frame102and the wheel latching frame104and their respective subframes may be formed using metal tubes of any appropriate shape that are either bent or welded such that each of the main frame102and the wheel latching frame104form a single integral frame. However, in other example embodiments, each frame and their respective subframes may be formed using metal tubes that are removably coupled to each other such that the frames and subframes are modular. In one example embodiment, the metal tubes used to form the wheel righting apparatus may be hollow metal tubes to reduce a weight of the wheel righting apparatus. Further, in some example embodiments, lightening holes may be formed in the metal tubes to reduce an overall weight of the wheel righting apparatus. Furthermore, in other example embodiments, the wheel righting apparatus may be formed using any other appropriate material that is sturdy and can handle the weight of the wheel (e.g., carbon fiber) without departing from a broader scope of the present disclosure.

Though the present disclosure describes the wheel latching frame104as being pivotally coupled to the main frame102via a coupling tube116, pivot tube111, and a pivot rod117that is disposed therethrough, one skilled in the art will recognize that in other example embodiments, the wheel latching frame104may be pivotally coupled to the main frame102using any other appropriate coupling mechanism without departing from a broader scope of the present disclosure.

Though the present disclosure describes a specific shape and configuration of the winch mount subframe134, one of skill in the art can understand and appreciate that in other example embodiments, the winch mount subframe134may have any other appropriate shape without departing from a broader scope of the present disclosure. Further, in other example embodiments, the winch138may be mounted on the main frame102such that a surface on which the winch138is disposed is substantially perpendicular to the first upright assembly108and not inclined as illustrated inFIGS. 1, 7, and 12. Furthermore, even though the present disclosure describes a specific configuration or design of a foot rest stop assembly130, one of skill in the art can understand and appreciate that in other example embodiments, the foot rest stop assembly130may have any other appropriate configuration. Alternatively, in some example embodiments, the foot rest stop assembly130may be optional or any other appropriate stop mechanism may be used instead. Also, the foot rest member126may be optional in some example embodiments.

Even though the present disclosure describes manually operating the winch138using the hand crank140thereof, one of skill in the art can understand and appreciate that in some example embodiments, the hand crank140may be removed and replaced with an adapter that allows a power drill to be coupled to the winch for rotating the winch using the power drill. Further, even though the present disclosure describes the wheel righting apparatus as having two casters, one of skill in the art can understand and appreciate that in other example embodiments, the wheel righting apparatus may include fewer or more casters that are disposed at any other appropriate portion of the wheel righting apparatus without departing from a broader scope of the present disclosure. Also, even though the present disclosure describes that the handle assembly of the main frame includes a pair of handles, in other example embodiments, the handle assembly may have fewer or more handles without departing from a broader scope of the present disclosure. Further, the shoulder plate202may be optional in some embodiments. For example, in some embodiments of the wheel righting apparatus that do not include the shock absorbers, the wheel latching frame may not include the shoulder plate.

The wheel righting apparatus as disclosed herein may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those having ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, all “examples” or “exemplary embodiments” given herein are intended to be non-limiting and among others supported by representations of the present disclosure. For example, throughout the description, reference is made to numbers and shapes of components in the example embodiments. One of skill in the art will recognize that alternative example embodiments can include different numbers and shapes of the components. Without limitation, in certain alternative example embodiments, certain components depicted in this disclosure in pairs (such as the base legs313, handles319, shock absorbers702, etc.) may be included in alternative example embodiments as single components (such as a single leg, single handle, and/or single shock absorber, etc.) or as more than two components.