Patent Application
20240165993
This disclosure relates to a device and method for removing a hubcap, and in some exemplary aspects, to a device and method for removing hubcaps of dual rear-wheel vehicles.
Current devices and methods for removing hubcaps, particularly, hubcaps of dually trucks, generally utilize torque or leverage applied to the inside or other part of the wheel to remove the hubcap. This torque or leveraging force may damage the wheel and/or hubcap. For example, a device that requires the user to pry the hubcap from the wheel by angling the tool to use the wheel as leverage may scratch and/or crack the wheel and/or hubcap. Further, these devices and methods, which require torque or leverage, may result in injury to the user when the force applied suddenly becomes great enough to release the hubcap from the lug nuts of the wheel. Another issue with many designs of current devices is that the tool does not have efficient dimensions to reach the hubcap slots which are typically located where the hubcap meets the deepest part of the wheel well. These devices, which are often too short and/or too wide may cause scratching when the user attempts to insert the tool in the hubcap slot. Accordingly, a device which reduces or eliminates damage to the hubcap and/or wheel and injury to the user is desirable.
Described herein, in various aspects, is a device that may be configured to remove a hubcap from a wheel of a vehicle without using torque or leverage applied against a component that is not the hubcap.
In a further aspect, the device may be further configured to remove the hubcap by applying a force to the hubcap along a first axis that is perpendicular to the hubcap.
In one aspect, the device may comprise a shaft and a slide hammer. The shaft may include a first end and a second end. The first end may include a hook having a degree of bend greater than 90 degrees. The slide hammer may be coupled to the shaft between the first end and the second end. A first force acting on the slide hammer along a first axis perpendicular to the hubcap in a first direction away from the wheel may cause the hook to apply a second force to the hubcap along the first axis in the first direction.
In one aspect, the shaft may have a length ranging from 11.5 to 13.5 inches.
In one aspect, the degree of bend of the hook may range from 130 to 200 degrees.
In one aspect, the slide hammer may be spring loaded.
In one aspect, the hook may include a rubber coating.
In one aspect, the hook may have a width ranging from 0.4 to 0.6 inches.
In one aspect, the hook may have an inner radius ranging from 0.1 to 0.3 inches.
In one aspect, the device may further comprise a grip coupled to the second end of the shaft.
In a further aspect, the grip may include a receiving portion configured to receive the second end of the shaft and an elastomeric base having a diameter greater than a diameter of the receiving portion of the grip.
Described herein, in various aspects, is a method of removing a hubcap from a wheel of a vehicle using a device configured to remove the hubcap without using torque or leverage applied against a component that is not the hubcap.
In a further aspect, the hubcap may be removed by using the device to apply a force to the hubcap along a first axis that is perpendicular to the hubcap.
In one aspect, the device may comprise the details and embodiments previously described.
In one aspect, the method may comprise inserting the hook into a slot in the hubcap, and applying the first force to the slide hammer by pulling on the slide hammer to cause the second force on the hubcap.
In a further aspect, a user of the device may provide pressure to the hubcap with a first hand and pull the slide hammer with a second hand.
In one aspect, the method may further comprise inserting the hook into a second slot in the hubcap, and applying the first force to the slide hammer by pulling on the slide hammer to cause the second force on the hubcap.
Described herein, in various aspects, is a method of attaching a hubcap to a wheel of a vehicle using a device. The device may comprise a shaft, a slide hammer, and a grip. The shaft may include a first end and a second end. The first end may include a hook having a degree of bend greater than 90 degrees. The slide hammer may be coupled to the shaft between the first end and the second end. The grip may include a receiving portion coupled to the second end of the shaft and an elastomeric base having a diameter greater than a diameter of the receiving portion of the grip.
In one aspect, the method may comprise using the elastomeric base to apply a force to the hubcap to attach the hubcap to the wheel.
In one aspect, a user of the device may provide pressure to the hubcap with a first hand and hold the device with a second hand.
The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology and protocols described, as such may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
As used herein the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, use of the term “a force” can refer to one or more of such forces.
All technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs unless clearly indicated otherwise.
Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. Optionally, in some aspects, when values are approximated by use of the antecedent “about,” it is contemplated that values within up to 15%, up to 10%, up to 5%, or up to 1% (above or below) of the particularly stated value can be included within the scope of those aspects. Similarly, in some optional aspects, when values are approximated by use of the terms “approximately,” “substantially,” or “generally,” it is contemplated that values within up to 15%, up to 10%, up to 5%, or up to 1% (above or below) of the particular value can be included within the scope of those aspects. When used with respect to an identified property or circumstance, “substantially” or “generally” can refer to a degree of deviation that is sufficiently small so as to not measurably detract from the identified property or circumstance, and the exact degree of deviation allowable may in some cases depend on the specific context.
As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.
The word “or” as used herein means any one member of a particular list and, except where the context indicates otherwise, in alternative aspects, can also include any combination of members of that list.
The following description supplies specific details in order to provide a thorough understanding. Nevertheless, the skilled artisan would understand that the apparatus and associated methods of using the apparatus can be implemented and used without employing these specific details. Indeed, the apparatus and associated methods can be placed into practice by modifying the illustrated apparatus and associated methods and can be used in conjunction with any other apparatus and techniques conventionally used in the industry.
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The first end 22 of the shaft 20 may include a hook 26. The hook 26 may have a degree of bend B greater than 90 degrees. In one aspect, the degree of bend B may range from 130 to 200 degrees. In one example, the hook 26 may have a degree of bend B of 180 degrees or about 180 degrees (for example, within 5, 10, or 15 degrees of 180 degrees). The hook 26 may be configured to engage a hubcap of a wheel of a vehicle via a slot in the hubcap. The hook 26 may have a width that is small enough to ensure ease of inserting the hook 26 into the slot. In one example, the width W may range from about 0.4 to 0.6 inches. In another example, the width W may be less than or equal to 0.5 inches or less than or equal to 0.4 inches. The hook 26 may also have an inner radius R configured latch onto the inner and outer wall of the hubcap to avoid slipping. In one example, the inner radius R may range from about 0.1 to 0.3 inches. In another example, the inner radius R may be less than or equal to 0.2 inches or less than or equal to 0.15 inches. In some exemplary aspects, as shown in
In exemplary aspects, the shaft 20 and slide hammer 30 may comprise steel or steel alloy materials. With reference to
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With reference to
Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.
