Patent Description:
The present invention relates generally to a grip system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a grip system for a wheel balancing clamping tool that can adjust to different bolt patterns.

Existing adjustable wheel balancing clamping tools that can adjust to different bolt patterns require two hands to operate, with one hand holding the tool and the other hand adjusting the bolt pattern of the tool with respect to the wheel. More specifically, the tool is adjusted to fit the specific bolt pattern of the wheel, by rotating one of the gears. Since the adjustable wheel balancing clamping tools require both hands to adjust for a new bolt pattern, the user does not have a free hand to stabilize the tool and/or the wheel, to be balanced, during the mounting process of the wheel to the balancing machine. Therefore, two steps are generally required for balancing a wheel with a new bolt pattern. First, the user must use both hands to hold and adjust the adjustable wheel balancing clamping tool to the correct bolt pattern according to the wheel. Generally, the wheel is flipped and the adjustable wheel balancing clamping tool is positioned against the back of the center bore wheel hub to correctly adjust the adjustable wheel balancing clamping tool according to the bolt pattern of the wheel. Then, the user uses one hand to mount the wheel on a wheel balancing machine, and the other hand to hold the adjustable wheel balancing clamping tool. An example of an existing adjustable wheel balancing clamping tool is D1 (<CIT>) which discloses a wheel lug ring having an annular body with a cavity formed on one side having a plurality of lug wells in a registered positioning to engage around a plurality of lug nuts holding a wheel to an axle.

Document <CIT> discloses an adapter unit for use with a wheel balancing apparatus having the technical characteristics of the preamble of claims <NUM> and <NUM>.

Clearly, there is a need for an improvement to adjustable wheel balancing clamping tools that allow individuals to hold and adjust the tool with one hand. Such improvement can combine the aforementioned two-step process into a one-step process thus saving time and money. The present invention addresses this issue by providing a gripping tool for the adjustable wheel balancing clamping tool according to claims <NUM> and <NUM>. The present invention provides additional gripping surface area to the adjustable wheel balancing clamping tool that allows an individual to simultaneously adjust and hold the tool with one hand. The present invention provides the gripping tool for adjustable wheel balancing clamping tool, characterized in that the gripping tool comprises: a gripping body; an adjustable-bolt-pattern-adaptor attachment mechanism; the gripping body comprising an outer annular body, an inner annular body, and a connector ring; the inner annular body being concentrically positioned within the outer annular body; the connector ring being perimetrically connected the outer annular body and the inner annular body; a cross section between the outer annular body, the connector ring, and the inner annular body being a U-shaped cross section; the connector ring being terminally positioned to a first outer edge of the outer annular body and a first inner edge of the inner annular body; the adjustable-bolt-pattern-adaptor attachment mechanism being connected to the outer annular body and the inner annular body; the adjustable-bolt-pattern-adaptor attachment mechanism and the connector ring being oppositely oriented of each other about the outer annular body and the inner annular body; the adjustable-bolt-pattern-adaptor attachment mechanism comprising a plurality of fasteners; the plurality of fasteners being radially positioned in between the outer annular body and the inner annular body; the plurality of fasteners each comprising a supporting rib, a female fastening portion, and a male fastening portion; the supporting rib being terminally connected to the outer annular body, the inner annular body, and the connector ring; the female fastening portion connected to the supporting rib; the female fastening portion being fixed in place along the supporting rib; the female fastening portion being positioned offset from the outer annular body; the female fastening portion being positioned offset from the inner annular body; the female fastening portion being oriented away from the connector ring; the male fastening portion being removably engaged with the female fastening portion; and the male fastening portion and the female fastening portion being threadedly interconnected to each other. Optional features can be found in claims <NUM>,<NUM> and <NUM>.

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is disclosed in the appended claims.

The present invention is a gripping tool for adjustable wheel balancing clamping tool so that the user is able to hold and adjust the adjustable wheel balancing clamping tool with only one hand. More specifically, the adjustable wheel balancing clamping tool enables the user to reliably mount a wheel on a wheel balancing machine in a desired orientation. To accomplish this, the adjustable wheel balancing clamping tool employs a stud adjustment system in order to change the orientation of the studs that engages with lug holes of the wheel. Generally, the user holds the adjustable wheel balancing clamping tool with one hand while the other hand is used to operate the stud adjustment system, which adjust the bolt pattern with respect to the wheel. However, the present invention functions as an accessory tool for the adjustable wheel balancing clamping tool so that the user can hold the adjustable wheel balancing clamping tool and operate the stud adjustment system with one hand.

The present invention comprises a gripping body <NUM> and an adjustable-bolt-pattern-adaptor attachment mechanism <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and <NUM>-<NUM>. The gripping body <NUM> provides ergonomic surface area so that the user can comfortably grasp the present invention. The gripping body <NUM> comprises an outer annular body <NUM>, an inner annular body <NUM>, and a connector ring <NUM> thus delineating ring shaped body. In reference to the general configuration of the present invention, the inner annular body <NUM> is concentrically positioned within the outer annular body <NUM>. The connector ring <NUM> is perimetrically connected the outer annular body <NUM> and the inner annular body <NUM> as the structural body between the inner annular body <NUM> and the outer annular body <NUM>. The connector ring <NUM> is terminally positioned to a first outer edge <NUM> of the outer annular body <NUM> and a first inner edge <NUM> of the inner annular body <NUM> so that the connector ring <NUM> can be positioned flush with the inner annular body <NUM> and the outer annular body <NUM>. When the present invention is secured within the user's hand, the user can use their fingers to apply upward tension to the inner annular body <NUM> thus pressing the connector ring <NUM> against the user's palm. Simultaneously, the user can user their palm to apply tension to the connector ring <NUM> thus pressing the inner annular body <NUM> towards the user's fingers. As a result, the user can position their thumb over the outer annular body <NUM> to operate the stud adjustment system so that the bolt pattern of the adjustable wheel balancing clamping tool can be adjusted. The adjustable-bolt-pattern-adaptor attachment mechanism <NUM> is connected to the outer annular body <NUM> and the inner annular body <NUM> and functions as the attachment mechanism <NUM> that secures the present invention to the adjustable wheel balancing clamping tool. Furthermore, the adjustable-bolt-pattern-adaptor attachment mechanism <NUM> and the connector ring <NUM> are oppositely oriented of each other about the outer annular body <NUM> and the inner annular body <NUM> so that the stud adjustment system can be independently operated from the gripping body <NUM>.

In reference to <FIG>, the adjustable-bolt-pattern-adaptor attachment mechanism <NUM> preferably comprises a plurality of fasteners <NUM> that is radially positioned in between the outer annular body <NUM> and the inner annular body <NUM>. The plurality of fasteners <NUM> functions as the attachment bodies for the gripping body <NUM> so that the present invention can be removably mounted to the adjustable wheel balancing clamping tool.

In reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the plurality of fasteners <NUM> each comprises a supporting rib <NUM>, a female fastening portion <NUM>, and a male fastening portion <NUM>. More specifically, the supporting rib <NUM> is generally a rectangular body and terminally connected to the outer annular body <NUM>, the inner annular body <NUM>, and the connector ring <NUM>. As a result, the supporting rib <NUM> is able to firmly secure to the gripping body <NUM> with three different connection points. The female fastening portion <NUM> is generally cylindrical body and connected to the supporting rib <NUM> and oriented away from the connector ring <NUM>. In other words, the female fastening portion <NUM> is integrated into the supporting rib <NUM> so that an opening of the female fastening portion <NUM> is oriented in the opposite direction in comparison to the connector ring <NUM>. The male fastening portion <NUM> is removably engaged with the female fastening portion <NUM> in such a way that the male fastening portion <NUM> and the female fastening portion <NUM> can collectively compress a base plate of the adjustable wheel balancing clamping tool. Preferably, the male fastening portion <NUM> and the female fastening portion <NUM> are threadedly interconnected to each other so that the user is able to easily interact with the male fastening portion <NUM> with standard tooling apparatus such as screwdrivers, ratchet wrenches, and impact drivers. More specifically, the male fastening portion <NUM> is designed to traverse through a cavity of the base plate so that the male fastening portion <NUM> can threadedly interconnect with the female fastening portion <NUM>.

In reference to <FIG>, the adjustable-bolt-pattern-adaptor attachment mechanism <NUM> further comprises a plurality of structural ribs <NUM> in addition to the plurality of fasteners <NUM>. The plurality of structural ribs <NUM> is terminally connected to the outer annular body <NUM>, the inner annular body <NUM>, and the connector ring <NUM> to improve the structural integrity of the gripping body <NUM>. Furthermore, each of the plurality of structural ribs <NUM> is radially spaced within the plurality of fasteners <NUM> to further structurally strengthen the each of the plurality of fasteners <NUM>. As a result, the present invention can eliminate any structural misalignment as the female fastening portion <NUM> of each of the plurality of fasteners <NUM> can concentrically align with the cavities of the base plate to receive the male fastening portion <NUM>.

In reference to <FIG>, the outer annular body <NUM> further comprises a second outer edge <NUM> and a lip section <NUM>, and the inner annular body <NUM> further comprises a second inner edge <NUM>. The second outer edge <NUM> and the first outer edge <NUM> are oppositely positioned of each other about the outer annular body <NUM>, wherein the second outer edge <NUM> is preferably a free hanging edge. The second inner edge <NUM> and the first inner edge <NUM> are oppositely positioned of each other about the inner annular body <NUM>, wherein the second inner edge <NUM> is preferably a free hanging edge. Furthermore, the supporting rib <NUM> is positioned flush to the second inner edge <NUM> so that the second inner edge <NUM> and the plurality of fasteners <NUM> can position flat against the base plate. The lip section <NUM> is delineated from the supporting rib <NUM> to the second outer edge <NUM> so that the lip section <NUM> can perimetrically encircle around the base plate thus providing a precise alignment between the gripping body <NUM> and the base plate. Resultantly, the user can stationary grasp the adjustable wheel balancing clamping tool via the plurality of fasteners <NUM> and the gripping body <NUM> and adjust the bolt pattern with respect to the corresponding wheel by only utilizing one hand.

Even though the gripping body <NUM> and the adjustable-bolt-pattern-adaptor attachment mechanism <NUM> are preferably configured as a single apparatus, in alternative embodiments of the present invention, the gripping body <NUM> and the adjustable-bolt-pattern-adaptor attachment mechanism <NUM> can be made as a plurality of segmented pieces as shown in <FIG>. In reference to an exemplary embodiment, the outer annular body <NUM>, the inner annular body <NUM>, the connector ring <NUM>, and the adjustable-bolt-pattern-adaptor attachment mechanism <NUM> can be manufactured as separate components and assembled together. In reference to another exemplary embodiment, the gripping body <NUM> and the adjustable-bolt-pattern-adaptor attachment mechanism <NUM> can also be segmented into a plurality of radial sections as the general profile of the gripping body <NUM> is collectively configured through the plurality of radial sections.

In reference to <FIG>, the present invention can be alternatively integrated into the base plate of the adjustable wheel balancing clamping tool. Thus, the adjustable-bolt-pattern-adaptor attachment mechanism <NUM> may comprise a base plate <NUM>, a plurality of pin-receiving recesses <NUM>, and a central bushing <NUM>. In other words, the functionality of the present invention and the base plate <NUM> are integrated to each other as the general profile of the gripping body <NUM> and the base plate <NUM> are constructed as a singular body. More specifically, the base plate <NUM> is radially connected to the outer annular body <NUM> and the inner annular body <NUM> thus enclosing the internal space between the outer annular body <NUM> and the inner annular body <NUM>. The base plate <NUM> is terminally connected to the second outer edge <NUM> and the second inner edge <NUM> thus providing a structural base to configure the stud adjustment system around the central bushing <NUM>. The central bushing <NUM> is concentrically connected to the base plate <NUM> so that the central bushing <NUM> can be mounted to the wheel balancing machine. The plurality of pin-receiving recesses <NUM> traverses into the base plate <NUM> and is distributed around the central bushing <NUM>. More specifically, a first base surface <NUM> of the base plate <NUM> is radially connected onto the second inner edge <NUM> as the first base surface <NUM> extends from the inner annular body <NUM> to the central bushing <NUM>. A second base surface <NUM> of the base plate <NUM> is positioned flush with the second outer edge <NUM> as the second base surface <NUM> extends from the second outer edge <NUM> to the central bushing <NUM>. Resultantly, the user can stationarily grasp the adjustable wheel balancing clamping tool via the outer annular body <NUM> and the inner annular body <NUM> with respect to the first base surface <NUM> so that the bolt pattern can be adjusted via the stud adjustment system that is positioned adjacent to the second base surface <NUM> by only utilizing one hand.

In reference to <FIG>, the present invention can be alternatively integrated into the base plate of the adjustable wheel balancing clamping tool thus defining an alternative embodiment. More specifically, the base plate is radially connected to the outer annular body <NUM>. The base plate is terminally connected to the second outer edge <NUM> thus providing a structural base to configure the stud adjustment system the central bushing. The central bushing is concentrically connected to the base plate so that the central bushing can be mounted to the wheel balancing machine.

In reference to <FIG>, the present invention can be alternatively integrated into the base plate of the adjustable wheel balancing clamping tool thus defining another alternative embodiment. More specifically, the base plate is radially connected to the inner annular body <NUM>. The base plate is terminally connected to the second inner edge <NUM> thus providing a structural base to configure the stud adjustment system the central bushing. The central bushing is concentrically connected to the base plate so that the central bushing can be mounted to the wheel balancing machine.

Claim 1:
A gripping tool for adjustable wheel balancing clamping tool, wherein the gripping tool comprises:
a gripping body (<NUM>);
an adjustable-bolt-pattern-adaptor attachment mechanism (<NUM>);
the gripping body (<NUM>) comprising an outer annular body (<NUM>), an inner annular body (<NUM>), and a connector ring (<NUM>);
the inner annular body (<NUM>) being concentrically positioned within the outer annular body (<NUM>);
the connector ring (<NUM>) being perimetrically connected the outer annular body (<NUM>) and the inner annular body (<NUM>);
a cross section between the outer annular body (<NUM>), the connector ring (<NUM>), and the inner annular body (<NUM>) being a U-shaped cross section;
the connector ring (<NUM>) being terminally positioned to a first outer edge (<NUM>) of the outer annular body (<NUM>) and a first inner edge (<NUM>) of the inner annular body (<NUM>);
the adjustable-bolt-pattern-adaptor attachment mechanism (<NUM>) being connected to the outer annular body (<NUM>) and the inner annular body (<NUM>);
the adjustable-bolt-pattern-adaptor attachment mechanism (<NUM>) and the connector ring (<NUM>) being oppositely oriented of each other about the outer annular body (<NUM>) and the inner annular body (<NUM>);
the adjustable-bolt-pattern-adaptor attachment mechanism (<NUM>) comprising a plurality of fasteners (<NUM>);
the plurality of fasteners (<NUM>) each comprising a supporting rib (<NUM>), a female fastening portion (<NUM>), and a male fastening portion (<NUM>);
the female fastening portion (<NUM>) being fixed in place along the supporting rib (<NUM>);
the female fastening portion (<NUM>) being positioned offset from the outer annular body (<NUM>);
the female fastening portion (<NUM>) being positioned offset from the inner annular body (<NUM>);
the female fastening portion (<NUM>) being oriented away from the connector ring (<NUM>);
the male fastening portion (<NUM>) being removably engaged with the female fastening portion (<NUM>); and
the male fastening portion (<NUM>) and the female fastening portion (<NUM>) being threadedly interconnected to each other,
characterised in the plurality of fasteners (<NUM>) being radially positioned in between the outer annular body and the inner annular body
and in the supporting rib (<NUM>) being terminally connected to the outer annular body, the inner annular body (<NUM>), and the connector ring (<NUM>);
and in the female fastening portion (<NUM>) being connected to the supporting rib (<NUM>).