Patent Description:
The present invention is generally directed to clamp devices operated remotely to facilitate the installation, removal and other handling of wheels and tires for large vehicles, and to a method.

Large vehicles, such as wheel loaders, backhoes, tractors, graders, trenchers, semi-trucks and the like, are often equipped with wheels that have diameters larger than human height and with tire/wheel combinations that weigh several thousand pounds. Such wheels cannot be manually manipulated. Further, even with mechanical lifting assistance, it can be difficult and dangerous to maneuver very heavy wheels into proper alignment with hubs, lugs and other connections necessary for mounting and removal from a vehicle. These difficulties are often exacerbated by a lack of working room around the wheel and the need to work on a vehicle in the field rather than a shop.

For example, with current methods of removing off-the-road (OTR) wheels, it is necessary to utilize a tire manipulator to safely hold the wheel while a technician removes/installs the last two/first two lug nuts of the wheel. The manipulator prevents the wheel from potentially tipping over and injuring the technician. However, it is unsafe for the technician to remove/install the remaining lug nuts while the tire manipulator is in the work area since the tire manipulator is a large piece of heavy machinery with the potential to injure the technician as well.

<CIT> discloses a remotely operated clamp device comprising: a gripping mechanism operable for gripping a stud of a wheel mounting assembly, the gripping mechanism movable between an open position and a closed position; an actuating link engaging the gripping mechanism, the actuating link selectively movable between a first position and a second position, the gripping mechanism being in the open position when the actuating link is in the first position and the gripping mechanism being in the closed position when the actuating link is in the second position; and an attachment mechanism operable for attaching the clamp device to a wheel of the wheel mounting assembly. <CIT> shows another example of a remotely operated clamp device.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a device which could be operated remotely by the technician to assist in the process of removing and installing the OTR wheels from the vehicle in order to improve the overall safety of such process.

According to one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a remotely operated clamp device for securely holding a wheel stud of a wheel. The clamp device is defined in claim <NUM>.

In another embodiment, there is provided a method of temporarily holding a wheel mounted onto a hub. The method is defined in claim <NUM>.

The structure, operation, and advantages of the present invention will become further apparent upon consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures. The figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Certain elements in some of the figures may be omitted, or illustrated not-to-scale, for illustrative clarity. The cross-sectional views may be in the form of "slices", or "near-sighted" cross-sectional views, omitting certain background lines which would otherwise be visible in a "true" cross-sectional view, for illustrative clarity.

The present disclosure is directed to a clamp device configured to be remotely opened and closed and which may be used as a substitute to lug nuts during the installation and removal of wheels of large vehicles. The clamp device is characterized by an actuating link attached to a gripping mechanism that is selectively movable between a first position, opening the gripping mechanism, and a second position, closing the gripping mechanism. The clamp device further includes an actuator, a transmitter, a receiver and an attachment mechanism. The actuator engages the actuating link and selectively moves the actuating link between the first position and the second position. The transmitter transmits operating commands, inputted by a user, to the receiver. The receiver controls the actuator and causes the actuator to selectively move the actuating link between the first position and the second position in response to operating commands from the transmitter. The attachment mechanism allows for selective attachment of the clamp device to a wheel.

The clamp device of the present disclosure offers numerous advantages over the prior art. For example, as the clamp device can be securely attached to and released from wheel studs remotely by a user, the possibility of the wheel tipping over and injuring the user during installation and removal of the wheel is eliminated. Also, the present clamp device allows the technicians to be situated away from the tire manipulator during the installation and removal process to further improve the safety of the work environment.

With reference to <FIG>, there is shown a typical wheel mounting assembly, such as those used on a tractor or other large vehicle, for which the clamp device of the present disclosure may be attached thereto. The wheel mounting assembly may generally include a brake drum <NUM> mounted to a hub <NUM>. Mounted to the hub <NUM> and extending therefrom is a plurality of externally threaded bolts or studs <NUM>. The studs <NUM> may be configured in a generally circular arrangement with each being circumferentially spaced apart from the other. In the embodiment shown, there are ten studs. The number of studs however may vary more or less. Stud holes <NUM> are formed on in the wheel <NUM> and receive studs <NUM> when the wheel <NUM> is mounted to the hub <NUM> and drum <NUM>. Internally threaded lug nuts <NUM> are provided for each stud <NUM> to secure the wheel to the hub <NUM> and drum <NUM>.

With reference now to <FIG>, according to one embodiment a clamp device <NUM> is shown that is capable of replacing a lug nut during the installation/removal of the wheel from the large vehicle and which is operable to be opened and closed remotely to improve the overall safety of such installation/removal. The clamp device <NUM> includes a gripping mechanism <NUM>, shown as a pair of pivotally attached jaws 25a and 25b, movable between an open position in which the jaws are separated from one another to accommodate the stud, and a closed position in which the jaws are brought close to another and define a housing <NUM> for the stud so as to grip the stud and hold it securely. The housing <NUM> that is defined by the pair of jaws in the closed position is adapted to the contour of the zone for grabbing the stud. In this particular instance, this contour is circular, and is therefore by a circle that the housing <NUM> is shown. For this purpose, each jaw has, on the side of the front end, a recess in the shape of an arc whose radius corresponds to that of the stud. The clamp device <NUM> is designed such that the pair of jaws 25a, 25b may be interchanged with other pairs of jaws which define other sizes and shapes of housings <NUM> to accommodate different stud sizes, shapes and pitch. In this embodiment, the inner surfaces 25c of the jaws are shown as threaded although in other embodiments such surfaces may be non-threaded or relatively smooth. Each jaw 25a, 25b is advantageously made from a metal or aluminum alloy.

The clamp device <NUM> also includes an attachment mechanism <NUM> by which the clamp device <NUM> may be attached to the wheel <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the attachment mechanism <NUM> comprises a magnet. The magnet may be any type of magnet known to those skilled in the art which is operable to provide a strong external magnetic field for attachment to an external ferromagnetic material. For example, the magnet may be a switchable magnetic device. Such switchable magnetic devices generally include a magnet housing 22a, a first permanent magnet and a second permanent magnet (not shown), the first and second permanent magnets being diametrically polarized. The first and second permanent magnets are mounted within the magnet housing 22a such that the first and second permanent magnets are rotatable relative to each other. A lever 22b may be used for causing relative rotation of the first and second permanent magnets. For instance, when the first and second permanent magnets are positioned relative to each other such that a north pole and a south pole of the first magnet are in substantial alignment with respective north and south poles of the second magnet, the magnetic device presents a relatively strong external magnetic field and can be secured to the wheel <NUM>. The lever 22b may be turned to cause relative rotation of the first and second magnets such that the north pole of the first magnet is in substantial alignment with the south pole of the second magnet and vice versa and therefore the magnetic device will present a relatively weak external magnetic field allowing the magnetic device to be released from the wheel <NUM>. The lever 22b may be positioned and configured on the housing 22a to allow it to be accessible from the rear of the clamp device <NUM>.

The clamp device <NUM> further includes an actuating link <NUM>, an actuator <NUM>, a transmitter <NUM> and a receiver <NUM>. The actuating link <NUM> is in engagement with the gripping mechanism <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the actuating link <NUM> is in the form of a collar that is in engagement with and configured to be movably disposed over the pair of jaws 25a, 25b. As noted above, the actuating link <NUM> is selectably movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the actuating link <NUM> moves the gripping mechanism <NUM> into the open position as shown in <FIG>. In the second position, the actuating link <NUM> moves the gripping mechanism <NUM> into the closed position as shown in <FIG>. The actuator <NUM> engages the actuating link <NUM> at a rear portion <NUM> and moves the actuating link <NUM> between the first and second positions along a linear axis.

The actuator <NUM> may be any well-known electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic device capable of moving or controlling something. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the actuator <NUM> is an electromagnetic actuator. The electromagnetic actuator generally includes an electromagnet 26a, a battery 26b, a magnetic movable member 26c and a spring 26d. The electromagnet 26a will generally include an electric coil wound around a magnetic stationary member (not shown). The battery 26b may be any type of battery well-known to those skilled in the art, such as a rechargeable or non-rechargeable lithium ion (e.g., lithium iron phosphate, lithium cobalt oxide, other lithium metal oxides, etc.), lithium ion polymer, nickel metal hydride, nickel cadmium, nickel hydrogen, nickel zinc or silver zinc battery. In general, the battery 26b may be positioned near the rear of the clamp device <NUM> for ease of accessibility. The movable member 26c, shown in the form of a rod, is in direct engagement with the rear portion <NUM> of actuating link <NUM>. <FIG> depicts one condition in which the electric coil is not energized. Under this condition, the movable member 26c is maintained in a first state with the actuating link <NUM> in the second position by means of the bias force caused by spring 26d. Under this condition, if the electric coli is supplied with a current of predetermined value by the battery 26b, an electromagnetic attractive force greater than the bias force generated by the spring 26d is generated between the magnetic stationary member and the movable member 26c. The movable member 26c is changed into a second state as shown in <FIG> in which the movable member 26c is attracted to the magnetic stationary member. According to this movement, the actuating link <NUM> is mechanically actuated and moves from the second position to the first position. The actuator <NUM> will return to the first state shown in <FIG> when the electric coil is free from the energizing current supplied by the battery 26b.

The transmitter <NUM> produces an operating command, in the form of a signal, when activated by the user. Preferably, a wireless transmitter is used such that the signal produced by the transmitter <NUM> is in the form of wireless energy, such as laser, infrared, or microwave energy or radio waves. The receiver <NUM> controls the actuator <NUM> and causes the actuator <NUM> to selectively move the actuating link <NUM> to the first position and to the second position in response to the operating commands from the transmitter <NUM>. Such transmitters and receivers are well known in the art and will not be described herein in detail.

The various internal components of the clamp device <NUM> may be held together by a frame <NUM>. One or more of the internal components of the clamp device may also be housed together in an outer housing (not shown). In some embodiments the frame and outer housing may be constructed of a rigid and durable material such that moisture and potential impacts to the frame and outer housing will not damage the internal components of the clamp device <NUM>. Such materials may include plastics, rubber, silicone, metals, alloys, treated nylons, cloth, canvas, leather and combinations thereof.

In operation, the frame <NUM>, including the gripping mechanism <NUM>, the actuating link <NUM>, the actuator <NUM> and the receiver <NUM>, are mounted on wheel <NUM> adjacent to a stud by means of the attachment mechanism <NUM>. The rear portion <NUM> of the actuating link <NUM> is engaged with the actuator <NUM> and the gripping mechanism <NUM> is in the open position. A push of the button <NUM> on the transmitter <NUM> sends a first command signal to the receiver <NUM>. In response to the first command signal, the receiver <NUM> causes the actuator <NUM> to move the actuating link <NUM> to the second position, thereby moving the gripping mechanism <NUM> to the closed position to securely hold the wheel stud. The gripping mechanism <NUM> is held closed by the actuating link <NUM> and actuator <NUM> until the button <NUM> on the transmitter <NUM> is pushed again, after which the actuator <NUM> moves the actuating link <NUM> to the first position, thereby moving the gripping mechanism <NUM> to the open position. Alternatively, more than one push, such as two pushes of the transmitter button <NUM>, sends a second command signal to the receiver <NUM>. In response to the second command signal, the receiver <NUM> causes the actuator <NUM> to move the actuating link <NUM> to the first position, thereby moving the gripping mechanism <NUM> to the open position. To further insure that the gripping mechanism <NUM> remains in the closed position, the transmitter <NUM> and receiver <NUM> may be programmed such that the actuator <NUM> moves the actuating link <NUM> to the second position every second outside of a programmed time (for e.g. <NUM> second cycle). In some embodiments, there may be two buttons <NUM> requiring each to be pushed to send command signals to the receiver <NUM> to prevent accidental operation. Also, the gripping mechanism <NUM> may be manually moved between the open and closed positions anytime by the user, for example, using a toggle switch connected to the actuator <NUM> (not shown).

With reference now to <FIG>, a clamp device <NUM> is shown according to a second embodiment. The clamp device <NUM> in <FIG> may be substantially similar to the design and operation of the clamp device <NUM> shown in <FIG> and described above for securely holding a wheel stud <NUM> of a wheel <NUM> and includes an attachment mechanism <NUM> (shown as a pair of switchable magnets), an actuating link <NUM> (shown as a collar), a gripping mechanism <NUM> (shown as a pair of jaws 85a, 85b), an actuator <NUM>, a transmitter <NUM> (with push button <NUM>) and a receiver <NUM>. In this embodiment, the clamp device <NUM> further includes one or more springs <NUM>, a lower base <NUM>, an upper base <NUM> and a signal means <NUM>.

The springs <NUM> may be extension springs and are configured and adapted to suspend the gripping mechanism <NUM> such that the gripping mechanism <NUM> is operable to self-align onto the stud as it moves to the closed position. The lower base <NUM> and upper base <NUM>, like the frame and housing described above for the clamp device <NUM>, may be constructed of a rigid and durable material such that moisture and potential impacts to them will not damage the internal components of the clamp device <NUM>. Such materials may include plastics, rubber, silicone, metals, alloys, treated nylons, cloth, canvas, leather and combinations thereof.

The signal means <NUM> may be used to indicate the position of at least one of the jaws 85a, 85b at a predetermined position (for e.g. at the open position or closed position) or the position of the actuating link <NUM> (for e.g. at the first or second position). For example, the signal means <NUM> may include a metal strip mounted on one of the jaws 85a, 85b or actuating link <NUM> to move therewith, a circuit having a normally open switch in the path of movement of the metal strip and an indicator light. This arrangement is such that the indicator light will be energized and lit in response to the metal strip closing the switch at a position corresponding to the closed position of the jaws 85a, 85b or at a position corresponding to the second position of the actuating link <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>). Similarly, the indicator light is not energized and is unlit when the switch is open corresponding to the open position of the jaws 85a, 85b or the first position of the actuating link <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>).

With reference now to <FIG>, a clamp device <NUM> is shown according to a third embodiment. The clamp device <NUM> in <FIG> may be substantially similar to the design and operation of the clamp devices <NUM> and <NUM> shown in <FIG> and described above and can further include an adjustable height platform <NUM> that can be manipulated to raise and lower the clamp device to a height that facilitates attachment of the clamp device <NUM> to a stud of a wheel.

The adjustable height platform <NUM> includes an upper platform <NUM> upon which the clamp device <NUM> is secured, a lower platform <NUM> (similar to base <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG>) and a scissors linkage <NUM> coupled between the lower platform <NUM> and upper platform <NUM>. The scissors linkage <NUM> may include left and right scissors legs <NUM>, <NUM> which are pivotally connected together at their middle sections to create an X centered on a pivot access and an unlocking mechanism <NUM>. The left scissor leg <NUM> may include an aperture positioned above its middle section. The right scissor leg <NUM> may include a curved piece 118a attached to its upper surface and positioned below its middle section which includes a plurality of apertures. The aperture of the left scissor leg <NUM> is sized and shaped similarly to the apertures of the right scissor leg <NUM>. The unlocking mechanism <NUM>, shown as a pin, is sized and configured to be slidably disposed within the aperture of the left scissor leg <NUM> and apertures of the right scissor leg <NUM> when such apertures are aligned.

Thus, in operation, the adjustable height platform <NUM> may be in a locked position when the pin is disposed within the apertures of the left and right scissor legs <NUM>, <NUM>. When it is desired to raise or lower the upper platform <NUM> with respect to the lower platform <NUM>, the pin is first removed from the apertures of the left and right scissor legs <NUM>, <NUM>. The upper platform <NUM> is then raised or lowered by lining up the aperture of the left scissor leg <NUM> with one of the apertures of the right scissor leg <NUM> and the pin is reinserted into the apertures. Other types of scissor lift mechanisms known to those skilled in the art may be used in place of the mechanism described herein and will not be further described in detail.

According to another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of using the clamp device in place of lug nuts to remotely and temporarily secure and release the gripping mechanism of the clamp device from a stud of a wheel during the removal and installation of the wheel. The wheel may be any wheel known and used in connection with large vehicles (for e.g. wheel loaders, backhoes, tractors, graders, trenchers, semi-trucks and the like) such as off-the-road ("OTR") wheels, agricultural or commercial wheels.

In a first step during the removal of the wheel from the large vehicle, at least one lug nut, preferably two lug nuts are removed from their corresponding studs, such as the studs positioned at the <NUM>:<NUM> and <NUM>:<NUM> positions on the hub. The clamp devices of the present disclosure are then attached to the wheel by their attachment mechanisms such that their gripping mechanisms, in open positions, are placed over the exposed studs. The user may then transmit a wireless signal to the receivers of each clamp device via the transmitter to cause the actuators of each clamp device to move their actuating links from the first position to second position, thus moving the gripping mechanisms from the open position to closed position. The user may confirm that the studs are securely attached to and engaged with the gripping mechanisms by checking the position of the actuating links of each clamp device and/or if their indicator lights are illuminated. The user may then remove the remaining lug nuts from the studs and then subsequently move away from the work area. A tire manipulator may then be used to grab the wheel. The user may then transmit a second signal via the transmitter to the receivers of the clamp devices to cause their actuators to move the actuating links from the second position to the first position, thus opening the gripping mechanisms. The tire manipulator may then remove the wheel from the large vehicle and position it horizontally on the floor. Each clamp device may be removed from the wheel by disengaging the attachment mechanisms from the wheel.

Claim 1:
A remotely operated clamp device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a gripping mechanism (<NUM>, <NUM>) operable for gripping a stud (<NUM>) of a wheel mounting assembly, the gripping mechanism (<NUM>, <NUM>) movable between an open position and a closed position;
an actuating link (<NUM>, <NUM>) engaging the gripping mechanism (<NUM>, <NUM>), the actuating link (<NUM>, <NUM>) selectively movable between a first position and a second position, the gripping mechanism (<NUM>, <NUM>) being in the open position when the actuating link (<NUM>, <NUM>) is in the first position and the gripping mechanism (<NUM>, <NUM>) being in the closed position when the actuating link (<NUM>, <NUM>) is in the second position;
an actuator (<NUM>, <NUM>) engaging the actuating link (<NUM>, <NUM>) and selectively moving the actuating link (<NUM>, <NUM>) to the first position and the second position; and characterized by an attachment mechanism (<NUM>, <NUM>) operable for attaching the clamp device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to a wheel (<NUM>) of the wheel mounting assembly;
a transmitter (<NUM>, <NUM>) for transmitting operating commands inputted by a user; and
a receiver (<NUM>, <NUM>) controlling the actuator (<NUM>, <NUM>) and causing the actuator (<NUM>, <NUM>) to selectively move the actuating link (<NUM>, <NUM>) to the first position and to the second position in response to the operating commands.