Patent Publication Number: US-2011073817-A1

Title: Wheel Ornament Installation Tool

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/246,760 filed on Sep. 29, 2009. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to tooling for facilitating fabrication of vehicle wheel assemblies and, more particularly, to a tool for facilitating attachment of a wheel ornament to a vehicle wheel. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Wheel ornaments are commonly attached to vehicle wheel rims in order to change the outward appearance of the wheel rims. Retention features are generally formed on either or both of the wheel rim and wheel ornament in order to retain the wheel ornament on the wheel rim during vehicle use. Frequently these retention features are resilient to permit deflection of the features during pressing of the wheel onto the rim. Pressing of the wheel ornament onto the wheel rim produces deflection of the retention features, which then snap back into an undeflected state after the ornament has reached a desired seating position on the wheel rim. Thus, in order to attach the ornament to the wheel, an attachment force must be exerted that is sufficient to overcome the resistance provided by the resiliently deflecting retention features prior to snap back. 
     The attachment force may be applied by a user using a hammer of other impact-producing mechanism. However, the amount of force required to overcome the retention feature resistance may vary with the design of the wheel ornament and/or rim. In addition, the amount of impact force applied may be difficult to control or to control consistently, especially where the force is applied manually. Application of an excessive attachment force using impact methods may fracture or otherwise damage the wheel ornament. 
     Thus, it is desirable to provide a means for consistently applying a force sufficient to deflect the retention features prior to snap back while minimizing the risk of impact or other damage to the wheel ornament. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, a wheel ornament installation tool is provided including a supporting portion and a rotatable portion rotatably coupled to the supporting portion. The rotatable portion is configured to apply a force against a wheel ornament during rotation of the rotatable portion, and the supporting portion is configured to engage a stationary object to support the rotatable portion during application of the force against the wheel ornament. 
     In another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, a wheel ornament installation tool is provided including a first actuator and a second actuator for applying a force to a wheel ornament. The second actuator is operatively coupled to the first actuator so as to enable vertical positioning of the second actuator by the first actuator. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings illustrating embodiments of the present invention: 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of a wheel ornament installation tool in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view the tool shown in  FIG. 1  engaged with a vehicle wheel during application of an attachment force to a wheel ornament. 
         FIG. 3  is another perspective view the tool shown in  FIG. 1  engaged with a vehicle wheel during application of an attachment force to a wheel ornament. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a wheel ornament installation tool in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a wheel ornament installation tool in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 6   a - 6   c  are perspective views of a portion of the wheel ornament installation tool embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1-3  show a wheel ornament installation tool  10  in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. Tool  10  is shown engaged with a vehicle wheel or tire  11  during application of a wheel ornament  13  to the wheel. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , tool  10  includes a supporting portion and a rotatable portion rotatably coupled to the supporting portion and configured to apply a force against a wheel ornament during rotation of the rotatable portion. 
     The supporting portion is configured to engage a stationary object to support the rotatable portion during application of the force against the wheel ornament. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the supporting portion comprises a first portion  12  and a second portion  14  operatively coupled to the first portion. First portion  12  is configured for abutting or engaging a portion of the vehicle during application of the wheel ornament to the wheel or tire. 
     First portion  12  is operatively coupled to, and extends in a direction away from, a second portion  4 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , first portion  12  is configured to engage a first side  11   a  of wheel or tire  11  during application of the wheel ornament to the wheel rim. However, portion  12  may alternatively be configured to engage another portion of the vehicle (for example, a portion of the vehicle body, chassis, or frame). The first portion may also be configured to engage a stationary object to support the rotatable portion during application of the force against the wheel ornament. As defined herein, the term “stationary object” is understood to designate any object or feature separate from the vehicle, and which is stationary with respect to the vehicle while the wheel ornament installation tool is being employed. This enables the supporting portion of the tool to serve as an anchor or base for the rotatable portion of the tool. 
     Alternatively, the tool may be configured so that the direction in which first portion  12  extends from second portion  14  is adjustable and securable to permit first portion  12  to abut any conveniently-located feature of the vehicle during application of the wheel ornament. For example, first portion  12  may be rotatable about a longitudinal axis X of second portion  14  and securable in a desired orientation using a thumbscrew or a bolt (not shown) which can be loosened and tightened with a wrench of other tool. First portion  12  may be formed from steel or any other material suitable for the uses of the first portion as described herein. First portion  12  may be coupled to second portion  14  using welds, bolts, or any other suitable attachment method. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-3 , second portion  14  has a first end  14   a  and a second end  14   b . Second portion  14  is rotatably coupled to a third portion  16  using, for example, a pin or a suitable hinge-type mechanism. In one embodiment, first portion  12  is coupled to second portion  14  proximate second portion first end  14   a . In a particular embodiment, tool  10  is configured so that first portion  12  is adjustably positionable and securable along a length of second portion  14 , thereby enabling the tool to be adjusted so as to be usable for attaching wheel ornaments to wheels of widely differing widths. The position of first portion  12  along second portion  14  may be adjusted as desired, then the first portion may be secured in the desired position using a thumbscrew or a bolt (not shown) which can be loosened and tightened with a wrench of other tool. 
     Alternatively, second portion  14  may be formed from two or more parts configured so as to telescope, enabling the length of the second portion to be adjusted according to the width of a wheel to which the wheel ornament is to be applied. Second portion  14  may be formed from steel or any other material suitable for the uses of the second portion as described herein. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3  the rotatable portion includes a third portion  16  rotatably coupled to second portion  14  and a fourth portion  18  operatively coupled to the third portion  16  for applying the force to the wheel ornament during rotation of the third portion. Third portion  16  has a first end  16   a  and a second end  16   b . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , second portion  14  is rotatably coupled to third portion  16  proximate first end  16   a . However, the second portion may be coupled to the third portion at any suitable location along the length of the third portion. Third portion  16  may be formed from steel or any other material suitable for the uses of the second portion as described herein. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-3 , a fourth portion  18  is operatively coupled to third portion  16 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , fourth portion  18  includes a pair of opposed brackets  18   a ,  18   b  and a bearing portion  18   c.    
     Bearing portion  18   c  contacts the wheel ornament and forces it onto the wheel. Thus, it is the medium by which the force of a user is transmitted to the wheel ornament. Bearing portion  18   c  may be configured with retention features suitable for holding the wheel ornament prior to application of the ornament to the wheel. Alternatively, the wheel ornament may be seated on the wheel rim prior to bearing portion  18   c  engaging the ornament to snap the ornament into place on the wheel. Bearing portion  18   c  may be formed from steel or any other material suitable for the uses of the bearing portion as described herein. Bearing portion  18   c  may be fabricated so as to have a surface finish smooth enough to prevent abrasion or other surface damage to the wheel ornament during application of the ornament to the wheel rim. In a particular embodiment, to prevent damage to the surface of the wheel ornament, bearing portion  18   c  is formed from a material (for example, a polymer material) having the strength and rigidity to transmit the applied assembly force to the wheel ornament without fracturing. 
     Alternatively, the bearing portion may include a relatively soft pad or cushion for contacting the wheel ornament, and a relatively rigid backing portion interposed between the pad and the third portion  16  through which the wheel ornament attachment force is applied to the cushion. The cushion may be designed to substantially conform to the shape of the portion of the ornament with which it is in contact when a force is applied to the cushion and wheel ornament. 
     The backing portion may be designed to substantially conform to the same portion of the ornament as fabricated. For example, for a curved or semi-spherical portion of the wheel ornament, the surface of the backing portion in contact with the cushion could have substantially the same curvature. When the attachment force is applied to the ornament through the backing portion and cushion, the contact surface of the cushion conforms to the shape of the ornament and the backing portion, and the relatively rigid backing portion helps ensure that the force is substantially evenly applied through the cushion to the surface of the ornament. This structure would enable substantially uniform application of the attachment force to the ornament, while also preventing surface damage to the ornament. 
     Brackets  18   a  and  18   b  secure bearing portion  18   c  to third portion  16 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , bearing portion  16   c  is secured to third portion  14  using bolts  19  which attach the bearing portion to the brackets, and bolts  20  which couple the brackets  18   a  and  18   b  to third portion  16 . 
     In a particular embodiment, tool  10  is configured so that fourth portion  18  is adjustably positionable and securable along a length of third portion  16 , thereby enabling the tool to be adjusted so as to be usable for attaching wheel ornaments to wheels of widely differing radii. Bolts  20  may be loosened so that fourth portion  18  slides along the length of third portion  16 . The position of fourth portion  18  along third portion  16  may then be adjusted as desired, after which the fourth portion is secured in the desired position along third portion  16  by tightening bolts  20 . Alternatively, the position of the fourth portion along the third portion may be fixed to accommodate a wheel having a specific radius. Third portion  16  may be formed from steel or any other material suitable for the uses of the second portion as described herein. 
     In another alternative embodiment, the bearing portion  18   c  is formed as an integral part of with fourth portion  18  rather than as a separate part. 
     Operation of tool  10  to attach a wheel ornament to a second side  11   b  of heel  11  now be discussed with reference to  FIGS. 1-3   
     To apply the necessary attachment force, first portion  12  is positioned to abut or engage side  11   a  of wheel  11  (or another suitable portion of the vehicle). This braces the tool against the vehicle for application of the ornament seating force by a user, in a manner described below. Fourth portion  18  is positioned and secured by a user (if the fourth portion has not been previously secured in the desired position) along third portion  16  such that the bearing portion will engage and apply force to a wheel ornament  13  positioned on the wheel rim when third portion  16  is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow B. Third portion  16  is then rotated about second portion  14  in the direction of arrow A, to enable pre-assembly positioning of the wheel ornament. The wheel ornament is then positioned on the wheel  11  or onto bearing portion  18   c . The bearing portion  18   a  can be configured with wheel ornament retention features suitable for holding the ornament thereon during attachment of the ornament to the wheel. 
     Next, third portion  16  is rotated by a user in the direction indicated by arrow B to apply the ornament to the wheel rim (or to apply a force to an ornament already positioned on the wheel rim). The user continues to apply force proximate second end  16   b  of third portion  16  until the resistance of the wheel ornament retention features engaging the wheel rim is overcome and the wheel ornament snaps into place. During this process, first portion  12  braces the tool against wheel  11  (or against another suitable portion of the vehicle). 
       FIG. 4  shows a wheel ornament installation tool  100  in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. Tool  100  is shown engaged with a vehicle wheel  111  during application of a wheel ornament  113  to the wheel. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the supporting portion of the tool includes a first portion  112  for engaging wheel  111  during application of the wheel ornament to the wheel. First portion  112  has a base  112   a  and a pair of arms  112   b ,  112   c  extending from base  112   a . Base  112   a  and arms  112   b ,  112   c  combine to define a cavity for receiving a portion of wheel  111  therein. Arms  112   b ,  112   c  are spaced apart so as to provide a slight clearance fit for wheel  111  when the wheel is inserted into the cavity. When wheel  111  is inserted into the first portion cavity, mounting of first portion  112  on wheel  111  provides a base for anchoring tool  100  while a user applies a force for attaching the wheel ornament to the wheel rim. First portion  112  may be formed as a single piece, for example by bending a piece of bar stock or tubing. Alternatively, arms  112   b ,  112   c  may be welded or otherwise suitably attached to base  112   a  to form the first portion. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , first portion  112  is configured to engage wheel  111  during application of the wheel ornament to the wheel rim. However, first portion  112  may alternatively be configured to engage another portion of the vehicle (for example, a portion of the vehicle body, chassis, or frame). The first portion  112  may also be configured to engage a stationary object to support the rotatable portion during application of the force against the wheel ornament. This enables the supporting portion of the tool to serve as an anchor or base for the rotatable portion of the tool. 
     In an alternative embodiment, first portion base  112   a  is formed from two or more parts configured so as to telescope, enabling the length of the first portion  112  to be adjusted according to the width of a wheel to which the wheel ornament is to be applied. 
     First portion  112  may be formed from steel or any other material suitable for the uses of the first portion as described herein. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 4 , a second portion  114  is rotatably coupled both to first portion  112  and to a third portion  116  (described below). In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the rotatable portion of the tool includes a second portion rotatably coupled to the first portion  112  and a third portion  116  rotatably coupled to the second portion. Second portion  114  is formed from a pair of opposed plates  114   a ,  114   b  attached to opposite sides of arm  112   c  of first portion  112 . However, second portion  114  may have any other structure suitable for the purposes described herein. Second portion  114  connects third portion  116  (which is effectively a lever through which a user applies a force needed to attach the wheel ornament to the wheel rim) to first portion  112 , so that the first portion can serve as a secure base for operation of the third portion. Second portion  114  may be rotatably coupled to the first and third portions using any suitable mechanism, for example, bolts as shown in  FIG. 4 . Elements of second portion  114  may be formed from steel or any other material suitable for the uses of the first portion as described herein. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 4 , third portion  116  is rotatably coupled to second portion  114 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , third portion includes a first end  116   a  through which the wheel ornament attachment force is applied directly to the wheel ornament, a second end  116   b  which is manipulated by a user to apply the attachment force, and an intermediate portion  116   c  extending between ends  116   a  and  116   b . Second portion  114  is rotatably connected to third portion  116  along intermediate portion  116   c . The connection between second portion  114  and third portion  116  serves as a fulcrum for the third portion during application of the wheel ornament attachment force. 
     First end  116   a  may include a bearing portion  118  which contacts the wheel ornament and forces it onto the wheel. Bearing portion  118  may be configured to hold the wheel ornament prior to application of the ornament to the wheel. Alternatively, the wheel ornament may be seated on the wheel rim prior to bearing portion engaging the ornament to snap the ornament into place on the wheel. Bearing portion  118  may be formed from steel or any other material suitable for the uses of the bearing portion as described herein. Bearing portion  118  may be fabricated so as to have a surface finish smooth enough to prevent abrasion or other surface damage to the wheel ornament during application of the ornament to the wheel rim. In a particular embodiment, to prevent damage to the surface of the wheel ornament, bearing portion  118  is formed from a material (for example, a polymer material) having the strength and rigidity to transmit the applied assembly force to the wheel ornament without fracturing. Third portion  116  may be formed from steel or any other material suitable for the uses of the second portion as described herein. 
     Operation of tool  110  to attach a wheel ornament to wheel  111  will now be discussed with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
     First portion  112  is positioned over wheel  111  to mount the first portion on the wheel. This braces the tool against the vehicle for application of the ornament seating force by a user. Third portion  116  is then rotated about second portion  114  in the direction of arrow C, to enable pre-assembly positioning of the wheel ornament. The wheel ornament is then positioned on the wheel  111  or onto bearing portion  118 . The bearing portion  118  can be configured with wheel ornament retention features suitable for holding the ornament thereon during attachment of the ornament to the wheel. 
     Next, third portion  116  is rotated by a user in the direction indicated by arrow D to apply the ornament to the wheel rim (or to apply a force to an ornament already positioned on the wheel rim). The user continues to apply force proximate second end  16   b  of third portion  116  until the resistance of the wheel ornament retention features engaging the wheel rim is overcome and the wheel ornament snaps into place. During this process first portion  112  braces the tool  110  against wheel  111  (or against another suitable portion of the vehicle). 
     It is noted that, in embodiments where the lengths of (or the locations of connections between) pertinent portions of the tools  10 ,  110  are not adjustable, the elements of the tools  10 ,  110  are dimensioned such that the portion of the respective tool through which force is applied to the wheel ornament is in substantial alignment with the area of the wheel ornament on which the force is to be applied, when the tool abuts or is mounted to the wheel (or other portion of the vehicle) as described herein. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6   a - 6   c , in another embodiment, tool  200  is suspended from a user-positionable mounting or frame  202  in, for example, an assembly plant. Tool  200  includes a first portion  220  attached to frame  202 , and a first actuator  204  attached to first portion  220 . 
     First and second mounting plates  240  and  242  are coupled to each other and to first actuator  204 . A second actuator  226  is also operatively coupled to first and second mounting plates  240  and  242  and to first actuator  204  so as to enable powered, controlled motion of the plates  240 ,  242  and second actuator  226  by the first actuator  204  in the vertical directions indicated by arrows E and F. First and second actuators  204  and  226  may be pneumatic, hydraulic, or any other type of actuator depending on the requirements of a particular application. A plunger of second actuator  226  may include a bearing member  208  operatively coupled thereto for contacting the wheel ornament to apply an attachment force to the wheel ornament. The bearing member  208  may include retention features formed thereon for holding the wheel ornament prior to attachment, as in the previously discussed embodiments. 
     At least one resiliently extendible gripping member is provided to aid in positioning and securing the ornament on the tool prior to attachment of the ornament to the wheel. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , a pair of gripping members  212 ,  214  extends from opposite ends of plate  242 . Extendible gripping members  212 ,  214  apply a force on the wheel ornament in the direction indicated by arrow H in  FIG. 6   c , thereby biasing the wheel ornament against bearing member  208  prior to application of the wheel ornament to the wheel. Gripping members  212 ,  214  are housed in respective housings  222  and  224  attached to plate  242 , and may be spring-loaded or pneumatically or hydraulically actuated depending on the requirements of a particular application.  FIGS. 6   a - 6   c  show views of the wheel ornament  213  secured between bearing member  208  and gripping members  212 ,  214  prior to attachment of the ornament to the wheel. 
     A wheel positioning portion  210  ( FIG. 5 ) extends from plate  240  and has mounted thereon two spaced-apart pairs of bolts or studs  248 ,  250 . Pair  248  is spaced apart from pair  250  such that a tire or wheel rim (not shown) to which the ornament is to be attached will fit between the pairs of studs, to aid in positioning the tool with respect to the wheel prior to attachment of the ornament. An arm  218  extends from first portion  220 , and a handle  216  is attached to arm  218  for user manipulation and positioning of the tool  200 . 
     Any or all of the actuators used to position, secure, and/or otherwise control tool  200  may be controlled using controls mounted on handle  216  or at any other desired location. The system shown in  FIG. 5  can be configured to operate using pneumatic actuators, hydraulic actuators, or any desired mix of hydraulic and pneumatic actuators, enabling the magnitude and speed of application of the applied attachment forces to be controlled as desired. 
     In operation, ornament  213  is positioned and secured between gripping members  212 ,  214  and bearing member  208 . The vehicle (not shown) is suspended above a floor or other working surface to provide a clearance between the wheel and the working surface. A user positions tool  200  and/or controls first actuator  204  so that the wheel resides between studs  248  and  250  and so that the wheel ornament is in position for attachment to the wheel. The user then controls second actuator  226  so that bearing member  208  is forced in the direction indicated by arrow G in  FIG. 6   c , thereby pressing the wheel ornament  213  onto the wheel. 
     It will be understood that the foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the present invention are for illustrative purposes only. As such, the various structural and operational features disclosed herein are susceptible to a number of modifications commensurate with the abilities of one of ordinary skill in the art, none of which departs from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.