Patent Publication Number: US-10307901-B2

Title: Disk brake wheel stud insertion and removal tool

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/695,208 filed Sep. 5, 2017 is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/616,693 filed Feb. 7, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,751,199 which issued on Sep. 5, 2017. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/616,693 claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/938,006 filed Feb. 10, 2014. 
     The contents of all related applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to systems and methods for removing the wheel studs from a wheel. 
     BACKGROUND 
     During repair and maintenance of a wheel assembly, wheel studs may need to be removed from stud openings in a wheel flange and then replaced. 
     The need exists for improved systems and methods of removing the wheel studs from a wheel and replacing the wheel studs. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention may also be embodied as a wheel stud press assembly for displacing a wheel stud relative to a wheel opening in a wheel flange. The wheel stud press comprises a frame assembly and a drive assembly. The frame assembly defines a drive axis and comprises a frame member defining a main portion and a shoulder portion and an anchor member detachably attached to the frame member. The drive system comprising a drive rod. The drive system is supported by the shoulder portion of the frame member to displace the drive rod along the drive axis. The frame member is configured such that, when the anchor member is detachably attached to the frame member, the drive axis is offset from the main portion of the frame member. When the drive rod engages the wheel stud to force the wheel stud out of the wheel opening, at least a portion of the anchor member engages wheel flange adjacent to the wheel stud to allow the wheel stud to be forced out of the wheel opening, and the anchor portion is offset from the drive axis to allow the wheel stud to be displaced out of the wheel opening. 
     The present invention may also be embodied as a method of displacing a wheel stud relative to a wheel opening in a wheel flange comprising the following steps. A frame member defining a main portion and a shoulder portion is provided. An anchor member is detachably attached to the frame member. A drive system comprising a drive rod is provided. The drive system is supported on the shoulder portion of the frame member to displace the drive rod along a drive axis. At least a portion of the anchor member is engaged with the wheel flange adjacent to the wheel stud such that the drive axis is offset from the main portion of the frame member and at least a portion of the anchor member. The drive system is operated to displace the wheel stud out of the wheel opening such that the drive rod engages the wheel stud to force the wheel stud out of the wheel opening. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first example wheel stud press assembly for inserting and/or removing the wheel studs from the wheel; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an example wheel assembly in connection with which the first example wheel stud press assembly may be used; 
         FIG. 3  is a side, partial cut-away view depicting the first example wheel stud press assembly in a retracted configuration; 
         FIG. 3A  is an enlarged view of the drive system shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side, partial cut-away view depicting the first example wheel stud press assembly in a partially extended configuration; 
         FIGS. 5-7  are side, partial cut-away views depicting the use of the first example wheel stud press assembly to remove a wheel stud; 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view of the first example wheel stud press assembly; 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  are perspective views illustrating the preparation of the first example wheel stud press assembly to insert a wheel stud; 
         FIGS. 11-13  are side, partial cut-away views depicting the use of the first example wheel stud press assembly to insert a wheel stud; 
         FIGS. 14 and 15  are perspective views of a second example wheel stud press assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1  of the drawing, depicted therein is a first example wheel stud press assembly  20  for use with a wheel assembly  22 . The example wheel assembly  22  comprises wheel studs  24  and a wheel  26 . The first example wheel stud press assembly  20  may be used in one or more removal configurations to remove the wheel studs  24  from the wheel  26  or in one or more insertion configurations to insert the wheel studs  24  into the wheel  26 . 
     The example wheel assembly  22  is a mining wheel assembly adapted to attach a rim (not shown) supporting a tire (not shown) to a mining truck axle (also not shown). The example wheel assembly  22  is not per se part of the present invention and will be described herein only to that extent necessary for a complete understanding of the present invention. The example wheel assembly  26  comprises a wheel cylinder  30  and a stud flange  32  in which are formed stud openings  34  at evenly spaced intervals, and a disc flange. 
     In the example wheel assembly  26 , the example stud flange  32  and disc flange  36  extend radially outwardly from an exterior surface of the wheel cylinder  30 . The example stud flange  32  and disc flange are also longitudinally aligned with the wheel cylinder  30 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the wheel studs  24  each define a stud axis A and comprise a head  40  and a shaft  42 . The shaft  42  defines a shaft threaded portion  44  and a shaft unthreaded portion  46 . 
     The example wheel assembly  22  is of the type commonly used with disc-brake systems. To form the example wheel assembly  22 , one of the wheel studs  24  must be driven through each of the stud openings  34  until the unthreaded portion  46  of the shaft  42  engages the portion of the stud flange  32  defining the stud openings  34  to form a friction fit. The wheel studs  24  must be removed and replaced when broken and/or during periodic maintenance of the wheel assembly  22 . Removal and replacement of the wheel studs  24  is complicated by the close proximity of the disc flange  36  to the stud flange  32 . The first example wheel stud press assembly  20  is designed to improve the process of removing and inserting wheel studs  24  from a wheel  26 . 
     The first example wheel stud press assembly  20  comprises a frame assembly  50  and a first example drive system  52 . The example frame assembly  50  is adapted to engage the stud flange  32  while a force is applied on the wheel studs  24  to either insert the wheel studs  24  into or remove the wheel studs  24  from the stud openings  34 . The example frame assembly  50  holds the various components of the wheel stud press assembly  20  in position during use of the wheel stud press assembly  20  as will be described herein in detail below. 
     The example frame assembly  50  comprises a frame member  60 , an anchor member  62 , a plurality of anchor bolts  64  when used to remove a stud  24  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . When used to insert rather than remove a stud  24 , the first example wheel stud press assembly  20  further comprises a brace plate  66  ( FIGS. 9-13 ), and a spacer  68  ( FIGS. 11-13 ). 
     The example frame member  60  comprises a main portion  70  and a shoulder portion  72 . Anchor cavities  74  are formed in an end of the main portion  70  opposite the shoulder portion  72 . A drive hole  76  defining a drive axis B is formed in the shoulder portion  72 . The anchor member  62  comprises a base portion  80  and arm portions  82   a  and  82   b  defining a gap  84 . Anchor holes  86  are formed in the base portion  80 , and brace openings  88   a  and  88   b  are formed in the arm portions  82   a  and  82   b , respectively. 
     The example brace plate  66  comprises a stud recess  90  and first and second brace projections  92   a  and  92   b . The spacer  68  comprises a cylinder  94  defining a spacing chamber  96  and an end wall  98 . 
     To form the frame assembly  50 , the anchor bolts  64  are inserted through the anchor holes  86  and threaded into the anchor cavities  74  such that the anchor bolts  64  secure the anchor member  62  in place with the arm portions  82   a  and  82   b  thereof arranged toward and on either side of the drive axis B. 
     To insert a stud  24 , the brace projections  92   a  and  92   b  of the brace plate  66  are arranged within the brace openings  88   a  and  88   b , respectively, such that the brace plate  66  extends between the arm portions  82   a  and  82   b . With the brace plate  66  supported between the arm portions  82   a  and  82   b , the drive axis B extends through the stud recess  90 . The spacer  68  is sized and dimensioned such that the end wall  98  thereof extends at least partly within the drive hole  76  at the beginning of the insertion process. 
     The first example drive system  52  comprises a drive cylinder  120 , a piston assembly  122 , a return spring  124 , and a bearing ring  126 . The drive cylinder comprises a side wall  130 , a coupler wall  132 , and a mounting wall  134 . The example side wall  130  takes the form of a hollow tube, and the coupler wall  132  closes one end of the hollow tube formed by the side wall  130 . The mounting wall  134  forms an open end of the hollow tube formed by the side wall  130 . The coupler wall  132  defines a coupler cavity  140  and a coupler port  142 . The coupler cavity  140  defines an inlet portion  144  and an outlet portion  146 , and the inlet portion  144  is in communication with the coupler port  142 . The outlet portion  146  is in communication with the hollow tube formed by the side wall  130 . 
     The piston assembly  122  comprises a piston cap  150 , a piston rod  152 , a first piston seal  154 , and a second piston seal  156 . The piston cap  150  defines a cap base  160 , a cap spacing portion  162 , and a cap mounting portion  164 . A retaining flange  166  extends radially outwardly from the cap spacing portion  162 . An internal shoulder  168  is formed on the cap mounting portion  164 . The piston cap  150  defines a cap passageway defining a cap chamber portion  172 , a seal portion  174 , and a rod mounting portion  176 . The piston rod  152  comprises a shaft portion  180  and a cap mounting portion  182 . 
     To form the piston assembly  122 , the first piston seal  154  is arranged around the cap spacing portion  162  and held in place by the retaining flange  166 . The second piston seal  156  is then inserted into the seal portion  174  of the cap passageway  170 . The cap mounting portion  182  of the piston rod  152  is then threaded into the rod mounting portion  176  of the cap passageway  170  until the second piston seal  156  is securely held between the cap mounting portion  182  of the piston rod  152  and the internal shoulder  168  of the cap mounting portion  164  of the piston cap  150 . At this point, the piston rod  152  is rigidly connected to the piston cap  150 . 
     To form the first example drive system  52 , the piston assembly  122  is displaced such that the piston cap  150  is within the hollow tube formed by the side wall  130  of the drive cylinder  120 . At this point, a drive chamber  190  is defined by the piston assembly  122  and drive cylinder  120 , with the outlet portion  146  of the coupler cavity  140  in fluid communication with the drive chamber  190 . The return spring  124  is then inserted into the hollow tube defined by the side wall  130  around the piston rod  152  until the return spring  124  engages the cap base  160  of the piston cap  150 . The bearing ring  126  is then inserted into the hollow tube defined by the side wall  130  around the piston rod  152  such that the bearing ring  126  supports the piston assembly  122  for linear movement relative to the drive cylinder  120  along the drive axis B. The piston cap  150  engages the side wall  130  of the drive cylinder  120  to support an interior end of the piston assembly  122  for linear movement relative to the drive cylinder  120  along the drive axis B. 
     With the drive system  52  so assembled, pressurized fluid such as compressed air may be introduced into the drive chamber  190  through the coupler port  142  and coupler cavity  140 . The pressurized fluid acts on the piston cap  150  to force the piston assembly  122  along the drive axis B from a retracted position as shown in  FIG. 3  to an extended position as shown in  FIG. 4 . The coupler port  142  is or may be formed by a conventional quick connect assembly (not shown). The pressurized fluid is or may be provided by a conventional air compressor (not shown). External valves (not shown) may be provided to control the flow of air into and out of the coupler port  142 . When pressurized fluid is no longer allowed to flow through the coupler port  142 , the return spring  124  will force the piston assembly  122  back into the retracted position. 
     When used to remove a wheel stud  24 , the wheel stud press assembly  20  is initially arranged as shown in  FIG. 5  with the piston assembly  122  in its retracted position, the drive axis B aligned with the stud axis A, and the arm portions  82   a  and  82   b  arranged below the stud flange  32  and on either side of the head  40  of the stud  24  to be removed as shown in  FIG. 8 . The drive system  52  is then operated to displace the piston assembly  122  out of the drive cylinder  120  along the drive axis B until the piston rod  152  comes into contact with the stud shaft  42  and the arm portions  82   a  and  82   b  come into contact with the stud flange  32  as shown in  FIG. 6 . Continued operation of the drive system  52  forces the wheel stud  24  along the drive axis B until the unthreaded portion  46  of the wheel stud  24  is no longer within the stud opening  34 . At this point, the wheel stud  24  should easily fall out of the stud opening  34 . 
     When used to insert a wheel stud, the brace plate  66  is initially mounted on the anchor member  62  as shown in  FIG. 9  such that the brace plate  66  extends between the arm portions  82   a  and  82   b  as shown in  FIG. 10 . The wheel stud  24  to be inserted is then inserted through the desired stud opening  34  such that the unthreaded shaft portion  46  engages the portion of the stud flange  32  surrounding the desired stud opening  34  and the threaded shaft portion  44  extends on the other side of (typically above) the stud flange  32  from the unthreaded shaft portion  46  as shown in  FIG. 11 . The spacer  68  is then arranged such that the threaded shaft portion  44  is at least partly within the spacing chamber  96  as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
       FIG. 12  also shows that the wheel stud press assembly  20  is arranged such that stud head  40  is at least partly within the stud recess  90  of the brace plate  66  and the end wall  98  of the spacer  68  is at least partly within the drive hole formed in the shoulder portion  72  of the frame member  60 . At this point, the end of the spacer  68  opposite the end wall  98  engages the upper wall of the stud flange  32  and the drive axis B is aligned with the stud axis A. Operating the drive system  52  thus effectively applies a force on the stud head  40  that displaces the wheel stud  24  along the drive axis B relative to the stud flange  32  until the stud head  40  engages the stud flange  32  as shown in  FIG. 13 . 
     Referring now for a moment to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , depicted therein is a second example wheel stud press assembly  220  comprising the frame assembly  222  similar to the frame assembly  50  described above and a second example drive system  224  that is used in place of the first example drive system  52  described above. 
     The example frame assembly  222  is or may be the same as the example frame assembly  50  described above except that a drive hole  228  thereof is threaded. The second example drive system  222  comprises a drive rod  230  comprising a drive portion  232 , a hex portion  234 , and an engaging portion  236 . The drive portion  232  is threaded to engage the threaded drive hole  228  such that axial rotation of the drive rod  230  relative to the frame assembly  222  causes linear movement of the drive rod  230  along a drive axis C defined by the drive hole  228 . The hex portion  234  is adapted to engage a wrench (not shown), electric or pneumatic drill driver (not shown), or the like to facilitate axial rotation of the drive rod  230 . 
     The second example wheel stud press assembly  220  is otherwise assembled and used in the same basic manner as the first example wheel stud press assembly  20 , and such assembly and use will not be described herein again in detail. 
     The example wheel stud press assemblies  20  and  220  are designed for class 7/8 trucks but can also be used on wheel studs for mining trucks.