Abstract:
A wheel stud installing and removing system includes a C-frame; a forcing screw configured to communicate with the C-frame to move laterally through the C-frame; a swivel mounted on an end on the forcing screw; an adapter receiver mounted on an opposite end of the C-frame from the forcing screw, and configured to receive at least one of either a stud installing adapter and a stud removing adapter. A method of moving a stud includes: inserting one of either an installing adapter or a removing adapter into an adapter receiver on a C-frame; aligning a longitudinal axis of the adapter with a longitudinal axis of the stud; aligning the longitudinal axis of the stud with a longitudinal axis of a forcing screw; and turning the forcing screw.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to installing and removing shafts within a hole. More particularly, the present invention relates to installing and removing wheel studs on a hub assembly. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Wheeled vehicles have wheel assemblies, which usually consist of a rubber tire connected to a metal wheel rim. The metal wheel rim, which is often steel or aluminum, is equipped with an array of holes. The wheel assembly is fitted to the vehicle by aligning the holes in the wheel rim with studs mounted in a hub assembly. Once the holes in the wheel rim have been aligned with the studs, the wheel assembly is placed onto the hub assembly causing the studs to extend through the holes in the wheel rim. The wheel is then secured onto the hub assembly with lug nuts tightened onto the studs. 
         [0003]    From time to time, and for various reasons, the studs may need to be replaced. For example, a stud may break. In other instances, the threads on the stud, to which the lug nuts attach, may become stripped or otherwise damaged. 
         [0004]    Often, the studs are bolts that extend through a flat disc portion of the hub assembly. Often, the studs are press fit into the holes in the flat disc portion of the hub assembly. On one side of the flat portion of the hub assembly, the studs have heads. The heads prevent the studs from moving completely through the hub and permit the wheel assembly to be tightly attached to the hub assembly when the nuts are torqued onto the studs. 
         [0005]    Because the studs are often press fit into their respective holes in the hub assembly, installing and removing studs to and from the hub assembly may be difficult to do by hand. 
         [0006]    Some tools have been developed in order to facilitate installing and removing studs from the hub assembly. Some known systems use tools that grip the stud by the threads and apply force through the studs via the threads to install or remove the stud. While these systems may work well in some applications, other applications may lend themselves to be well served by tool systems that remove or install the stud by applying force to the stud at places other than the threads. 
         [0007]    An issue to consider is that the studs are installed on a flat disc portion of the hub assembly. The flat disc portion of the hub assembly may be subject to being warped or otherwise deformed if a tool installing or removing a stud applies an undesirable amount of force to the flat disc portion of the hub assembly. Thus, a system that supports the hub or reduces the force applied to the hub is desired. Moreover, a system and method that is relatively simple and easy to use is desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent by the present invention, wherein in one aspect an apparatus and method is provided that in some embodiments, a stud is installed or removed from a flat disc portion of a wheel hub. A substantial amount or all of the force used to install or remove the wheel stud is applied to an end portion of the stud other than the stud&#39;s threads. 
         [0009]    In addition, in some embodiments of the invention, force that is applied to the flat disc portion of the hub assembly is done in such a manner and at such levels as to not significantly warp, bend, deform or otherwise permanently alter the geometry of the flat disc portion of the wheel assembly when a stud is removed or installed. Finally, in some embodiments of the present invention, the system and method for installing and removing wheel studs is a relatively simply, economical and easy to use system and method. 
         [0010]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a wheel stud installing and removing system is provided. According to some embodiments of the invention, the system includes: a C-frame; a forcing screw configured to communicate with the C-frame to move laterally through the C-frame; and a swivel mounted on an end on the forcing screw; an adapter receiver mounted on an opposite end of the C-frame from the forcing screw, and configured to receive at least one of either a stud installing adapter and a stud removing adapter. 
         [0011]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of moving a stud is provided. In some embodiments of the invention the method includes inserting one of either an inserting adapter or a removing adapter into an adapter receiver on a C-frame; aligning a longitudinal axis of the adapter with a longitudinal axis of the stud; aligning a longitudinal axis of a forcing screw; and turning the forcing screw. 
         [0012]    In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a wheel stud installing and removing system is provided. According to some embodiments of the invention, the system includes: a frame; means for forcing configured to communicate with the frame to move laterally through the frame; means for swiveling mounted on an end on the forcing means; and means for receiving an adapter mounted on an opposite end of the frame from the forcing means, and configured to receive at least one of either a stud installing adapter and stud removing adapter. 
         [0013]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
         [0014]    In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0015]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a system and method for installing a wheel stud on a hub assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view taken from a different angle of that shown in  FIG. 1  of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a wheel stud installing and removing system according to an embodiment of the invention, showing a step in the process of removing a wheel stud from a hub assembly. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a stud removing adapter that is shown in operation in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a wheel stud removing adapter having a slightly different geometry then the wheel stud removing adapter shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a stud removing adapter that is used in some embodiments of the current invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a stud installing adapter used in some embodiments of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a stud installing adapter used in conjunction with the stud installing adapter of  FIG. 7  in some embodiments of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a wheel stud installing and removing system in the process of removing a wheel stud from a hub assembly according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a wheel stud installing and removing system in the process of removing a stud from a hub assembly using one of the adapters shown in either  FIGS. 4  or  5  and the adapter shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the wheel hub and wheel stud installing and removing system shown in  FIG. 10  taken from a different angle than that illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is an exploded view of a wheel stud installing and removing system with the wheel stud removing adapters shown in either  FIGS. 4 and 5 , and the wheel stud removing adapter of  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. An embodiment of the invention provides a system and method for installing and removing wheel studs onto and off of a wheel hub. An embodiment of the present inventive system is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  shows a system  20  in accordance with the invention. The system  20  is shown engaged with a wheel hub  22 . In the wheel hub  22  are studs  24 . The studs  24  are press fit into holes  25  in the hub  22 . It is common for studs  24  when fully installed, to be press fit into the holes  25  so tightly that the studs  24  cannot be removed easily by hand. Rather, tools are often used in order to remove the studs  24 . Likewise, installing studs  24  into the holes  25  of the hub  22  also is often done with tools because of the tight fit between the stud  24  and the hole  25 . 
         [0030]    In accordance with the present invention, a wheel stud installing and removing system and method will now be described. The wheel stud installing and removing system  20  includes a C-frame  26 . The C-frame  26  has mounted in it a forcing screw  28 . The forcing screw  28  includes external threads  30 , which are located about the perimeter of the forcing screw  28 . The forcing screw  28  extends through a threaded hole  32  on the C-frame  26 . The threads  30  on the forcing screw  28  interact with the threaded hole  32  in order to permit the forcing screw  28  to move longitudinally through the threaded hole  32  on the C-frame  26  when the forcing screw  28  is rotated. 
         [0031]    In some embodiments of the invention, rotating the forcing screw  28  in one direction will cause the forcing screw  28  to move away from the hub  22 . Rotating the forcing screw  28  in the opposite direction will cause the forcing screw  28  to move toward the hub  22 . 
         [0032]    Some embodiments of the invention include a hex head  34  located on the forcing screw  28 . The hex head  34  permits tools such as an impact wrench, socket, or any other type of wrench to assist in turning the forcing screw  28 . 
         [0033]    In other embodiments of the invention, other suitable structure may be located on the forcing screw  28  in order for the forcing screw  28  to be more easily turned by either hand or tools. 
         [0034]    On the opposite end of the forcing screw  28  from the hex head  34  is a swivel  36  (best shown in  FIGS. 9 and 12 ). The swivel  36  rotates freely on the end of the forcing screw  28 . Thus, when the forcing screw  28  is rotated against the stud  24  as shown in  FIG. 9 , the forcing screw  28  does not impart a significant rotational force against the stud  24 . Further, the swivel  36  will also not impart a significant rotational force against adapters when the adapters are placed on the end of the forcing screw  28  as will be described with respect to other figures below. 
         [0035]    Turning to  FIG. 1 , the C-frame  26 , on an end opposite to that which the forcing screw  28  is mounted, has a looped receiver  38 . The looped receiver  38  is best shown in  FIG. 12 . As shown, at least in part in several of the figures, the looped receiver  38  is a large loop that is configured to receive and, at least in part, support adapters that will be described in more detail below. 
         [0036]    The term adapter herein generally refers to different parts of a stud installing and moving system that is installed or removed on the C-frame  26  and/or forcing screw  28  depending on how the system  20  is to be used. For example, one type of adapter that the looped receiver  38  can receive is a stud installing head  40  best shown in  FIG. 8 . The stud installing head  40  is used to install studs  24  into the hub  22 . When it is desired to remove the studs  24  from the hub  22 , the stud installing head  40  can be removed from the looped receiver  38  and replaced with a stud removing head  42  shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
         [0037]    The difference between the stud removing heads  42  shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  is primarily the difference in size between the stud remover heads. The stud removing head  42  shown in  FIG. 4  is for use with smaller sized studs  24  and the stud removing head  42  shown in  FIG. 5  is used with larger sized studs  24  associated with large trucks and heavy pieces of equipment. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate the system  20  configured to install a wheel stud  24  into a hub  22 . In some embodiments of the invention, when the system  20  is configured for installing wheel studs  24 , the stud installing head  40  is installed into the looped receiver  38  of the C-frame  26  as shown. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , the stud installing adapter  40  includes a depression  44  in the installing head  42 . At the bottom of the depression  44  is a contact surface  46  surrounded by a side wall  48 . In some embodiments of the invention, the diameter of the depression  44  and the depth of the side wall  48  to the contact surface  46  of the installing head  40  corresponds with the size of the head  50  (as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  10 ) of a stud  24 . The size and depth of the depression  44 , in some embodiments of the invention, is such that the head  50  can be secured within a depression  44  and the contact surface  46  can contact the head  50  and not have the rim  52  be contacting, or be lightly contacting the hub  22  when the stud  24  has been fully installed into the hole  25 . 
         [0040]    The stud installing head  40  includes a rim  52  and a narrow portion  54 . The narrow portion  54  of the installing head  40  is dimensioned to fit within the hole  56  in the looped receiver  38  as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0041]    The rim  52  has a wider diameter than the narrow portion  54 . Therefore the rim  52  does not enter the hole  56  of the looped receiver  38 . The rim  52  is dimensioned to be large enough to withstand force applied to it from the looped receiver  38  when the system  20  is urging a stud  24  into a hub  22 . 
         [0042]    In some embodiments of the invention, the looped receiver  38  is equipped with a small cross hole  58 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 12 . A thumb screw  62  is turned in the cross hole  58  and an end portion of the screw  62  holds the stud installing head  40  in the looped receiver  38  by a friction fit. In other embodiments of the invention, a corresponding cross hole  60  is found in the narrow portion  54  of the stud installing head  40 , shown in  FIG. 8 . The cross holes  58  and  60  can be threaded and lined up so that they are aligned and a screw or pin  62  can be placed in the cross holes  58  and  60  to secure the stud removing head  22  to the C-frame  26 . 
         [0043]    To remove the stud installing head  40  from the looped receiver  38 , the screw or pin  62  affixed thereto is removed and then the stud installer head  40  can be removed from the looped receiver  38 . When performing a stud  24  installing operation, an installing adapter  74 , best shown in  FIG. 7 , but also shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , is used. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the installing adapter  74  has a bearing end  76 . The bearing end  76  is primarily a flat surface with chamfered edges. The bearing end  76  urges against the hub  22  as shown in  FIG. 1  when a stud  24  is being installed into the hole  25  on the hub  22 . 
         [0044]    The installing adapter  74  has a stud receiving hole  78  that is open to the bearing end  76  and extends through, but in some embodiments of the invention, not all the way through the installing adapter  74 . Opposite the bearing end  76 , on the installing adapter  74 , is a swivel engaging end  80 . In the swivel engaging end  80  is a swivel hole  82 . 
         [0045]    The stud installing adapter  74  is fit onto the swivel  36  of the forcing screw  28  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The swivel hole  82  is dimensioned to permit the swivel  36  to fit within the swivel hole  82 . The forcing screw  28  is turned until the bearing end  76  of the installing adapter  74  is fit up against the hub  22 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a stud  24  extends into the stud receiving hole  76  in the installing adapter  74 . 
         [0046]    As the forcing screw  28  is turned, the hub  22  is forced toward the looped receiver  38 . The stud installing head  40  provides a stop for the stud  24  so that the stud  24  is held more or less in place while the hub  22  continues to move toward the looped receiver  38 . An alternative way to consider the motion is that the hub  22  remains stationary and the head  50  and looped receiver  38  move toward the hub  22 . Thus, in effect, the stud  24  is installed into the hole  25  on the hub  22 . 
         [0047]    The forcing screw  28  provides force in the installing adapter  74  to the hub  22  to counter force applied to the hub  22  from the stud  24 . The swivel  26  reduces or eliminates the amount of twisting force applied to the installing adapter  74 . 
         [0048]    In order to remove a stud  24  from the hub  22 , the system  20  is modified so that the stud installing head  40  is removed from the looped receiver  38 , and the stud removing head  42  is installed in its place. Further, the installing adapter  74  is removed from the forcing screw  28 . 
         [0049]    A system  20 , in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, configured for removing a stud  24  from a hub  22  is illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 9 . Turning now to  FIG. 3 , the stud removing and installing system  20  is shown. The C-frame  26  is placed so that the forcing screw  28  is aligned with a stud  24 . The stud removing head  42  is installed into the looped receiver  38  and secured to the looped receiver  38  with a screw or pin  62 . The through-hole  64  in the stud removing head  42  is aligned so that the stud  24  and the head  50  can extend through the through-hole  64  as the forcing screw  28  pushes the stud  24  through the hole  25  in the hub  22 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0050]    The guide section  70  of the stud removing head  42  is placed on the hub  22  around the head  50  of the stud  24 . Then the forcing screw  28  is turned, and as it turns, the external threads  30  on the forcing screw  28  interact with the threaded hole  32  in the C-frame  26  to move the forcing screw  28  longitudinally toward the looped receiver  28 . The swivel  36  (best shown in  FIG. 9 ) contacts the stud  24 , and as the forcing screw  28  continues to travel, the stud  24  is pushed out of the hole  25  in the hub  22 . 
         [0051]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , the guide section  70  of the stud removing head  42  provides opposing force to resist the movement of the hub  22  as the stud  24  is urged forward and then through the looped receiver  38 . 
         [0052]    Occasionally, a stud  24  may break off or the system  20  may be used where shorter than average studs  24  are installed on a hub  22 . In such instances, and in some embodiments of the invention, the system  20  can be fitted with an extension adapter  84  best shown in  FIG. 6 , but also illustrated in  FIGS. 10-12 . 
         [0053]    Turning now to  FIG. 6 , the extension adapter  84  has a swivel receiving end  86 . The swivel receiving end  86  includes a swivel receiving hole  88 . The swivel receiving hole  88  is dimensioned so that the swivel  36  located on the end of the forcing screw  28  can fit or be seated in the swivel receiving hole  88  and secure the extension adapter  84  onto the swivel  36  thereby. The extension adapter  84  also includes a shaft  90  and a stud bearing end  92 . The stud bearing end  92  urges against the end of a stud  24  when in use to remove a stud  24  as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 10  illustrates a case where the extension adapter  84  has been fitted onto the forcing screw  28 . The forcing screw  28  has been turned and pushes the stud  24  out of the hub  22 . The head  50  of the stud  24  is shown extending through the stud removing head  42  fit in the looped receiver  38  of the C-frame. 
         [0055]    In some embodiments of the invention, the forcing screw  28  can completely push the stud  24  out of the hole  25  in the hub  22 . In other embodiments of the invention, the forcing screw  28  is used to push the stud  24  out of the hole  25  in the hub  22  far enough so that the portion of the stud  24  nearest the head  50  has a larger diameter than the rest of the stud  24 , is moved out of the hole  25 . At that point, the stud  24  is no longer press fit within the hole  25  of the hub  22  and may then be removed by hand. 
         [0056]      FIG. 12  is an exploded view of the system  20  configured for removing studs  24 . The optional extension adapter  84  is shown to be aligned with the forcing screw  28 . The stud removing head  42  is shown as having not yet entered the hole  56  in the looped receiver  38  and the pin or screw  62  has not yet entered the holes  58  and  72  to secure the stud removing head  42  to the looped receiver  38 . 
         [0057]    Thus, in some embodiments of the invention, the system  20  having a C-frame has different heads  40 ,  42  that can be installed into the looped receiver  38  depending on whether a user wants to install or remove studs  24  from a hub  22 . Further, different adapters  74  and  84  are attached to the forcing screw  28  depending on whether a user intends to remove or install a stud  24  into a hub  22 . In some embodiments of the invention, the installing adapter  74  is put on the forcing screw  28  when it is desired to install a stud  24  to a hub  22 . No adapter can be used, in some embodiments of the invention, when it is desired to remove a stud  24  from a hub  22 . But in some embodiments of the invention, extension adapter can be fitted onto the forcing screw  28  in order to facilitate the moving of the stud  24  from the hub  22 . 
         [0058]    The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.