Patent Application
20070175251
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to wheel hub support systems and, more particularly, securable wheel hub support systems.
2. Background Art
Wheeled vehicles, such as automobiles, trailers, and wheeled construction equipment (e.g., cement mixers, welding equipment, and tar trailers), are often the subjects of theft. A variety of conventional anti-theft systems are available. For example, conventional anti-theft systems for trailers include hitch locks. Hitch locks can, however, be broken with a blow from a solid object, such as a hammer. What are needed, therefore, are improved anti-theft systems for wheeled vehicles.
For a variety of reasons, there are times when it is desired to remove a wheel from a wheeled vehicle. For example, during long term storage of a wheeled vehicle, it is desired to take the weight off the tires to avoid flat spots. What are also needed, therefore, are systems for supporting wheeled vehicles when a wheel is removed.
The following summary of the invention provides an understanding of at least some aspects of the invention. The summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention nor is it intended to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
Methods and systems for supporting and securing a wheel hub include a base and a support member. The support member includes a wheel hub cut-out configured to receive a portion of a wheel hub therethrough. The support member also includes a plurality of lug bolt cut-outs radially spaced around the circular wheel-hub cut-out. The lug bolt cut-outs are configured to receive lug bolts associated with the wheel hub.
The wheel hub support system is optionally used in conjunction with a locking mechanism to secure the wheel hub support system to a wheel hub, and/or to secure the wheel hub support system to a stationary device. A locking device can include, for example, a locking lug nut.
An optional lock protection mechanism protects the locking mechanism from physical force.
An optional second support member assists in preventing the first support member from bending or collapsing under the weight of a supported vehicle.
Further embodiments, features, and advantages of the present inventions, as well as the structure and operation of the various embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These aspects are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed, and the present invention is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Further features and advantages will be apparent to a person skilled in the art based on the description set forth herein and/or may be learned by practice of the invention.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing summary and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of embodiments of the invention as claimed.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Additionally, the leftmost digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Wheel Hub Support System
III. Locking Mechanism
IV. Lock Protection Mechanism
V. Conclusion
Methods and systems for supporting and securing a wheeled vehicle will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are illustrated. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the invention to those skilled in the art.
In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.
Wheel Hub Support System
A wheel hub support system, with an optional accompanying lock, is used to support a vehicle when a tire is removed, and optionally, to secure the vehicle from unauthorized use and theft. For example, and without limitation, a wheel hub support system can be used to support and secure motorized vehicles, such as automobiles and trucks, and non-motorized vehicles such as trailers and construction equipment mounted on wheels (e.g., transportable cement mixers, welding equipment, and tar heaters).
When using a wheel hub support system to secure a vehicle, a single wheel hub support system, with accompanying lock, can be utilized. Alternatively, multiple wheel hub support systems, with accompanying locks, can be utilized on a vehicle.
A wheel hub support system, with or without an accompanying lock, can be used to support a vehicle over an extended time, so as to relieve tires from sitting stationary under load. In such a situation, the tires are removed from a vehicle and replaced with wheel hub support systems.
In the example of
The support member 104 extends upwardly from the upper surface of the base 102. The support member 104 is made of a substantially rigid, durable material, such as metal (e.g., steel and/or aluminum), or composite materials.
It should be noted that spatial references, such as “horizontal” or “upwardly extending” are only intended to describe an exemplary wheel hub support system when disposed for normal use. Such references are not limiting of the structure of the system.
The support member 104 includes a wheel hub cut-out 110 extending between a first surface 112 and second surface 212 (
The support member 104 further includes a plurality of lug bolt cut-outs 116, radially spaced around the circular wheel-hub cut-out. The lug bolt cut-outs 116 are configured to receive lug bolts associated with the wheel hub. The number of, and the positioning of the lug bolt cut-outs 116 are selected according to a wheel hub design. For example, and without limitation, conventional wheel hubs are available in 4, 5, 6, and 8 lug bolt embodiments. The diameter and positioning of the lug bolts are typically manufacturer dependent. The diameter and positioning of the lug bolts, for various manufacturers, are publicly available.
The support member 104 is attached to the base member 102 in any of a variety of ways. For example, where the base 102 and the support member 104 are made of metal, the base 102 and the support member 104 can be welded together. Where the base 102 and the support member 104 are made of a composite material, the base 102 and the support member 104 can be joined together with glue. Alternatively, the base 102 and the support member 104 may be integrally formed.
In the example of
The wheel hub support system 100 optionally includes one or more secondary support features. Such secondary support features can be utilized to prevent the support member 104 from bending or collapsing under the weight of a supported vehicle.
The one or more secondary support members can be integrally formed with the support member 104. Alternatively, the one or more secondary support members are attached between the support member 104 and the base 102.
From the perspective of
The dimensions of the base 102 are selected to support at least a portion of the vehicle weight over a surface. For example, where the surface is hard, such as concrete, the dimensions of the plate can be relatively small. In certain circumstances, the base can be omitted. For softer surfaces, the dimensions of the plate can be increased. In one embodiment, the base 102 has a length of between approximately ten and twenty inches, and a width of between approximately three and eight inches. In another embodiment, the base 102 has a length of twenty inches and a width of 5 inches. The invention is not, however, limited to these example dimensions.
Edges of the wheel hub support system 100 can be rounded to reduce injury. For example, in the example of
The wheel hub support system 100 is optionally used in conjunction with a locking mechanism to secure the wheel hub support system 100 to a wheel hub, and/or to secure the wheel hub support system 100 to a stationary device. For example, and without limitation, a locking device includes a locking lug nut. Locking lug nuts are available from automobile parts stores and from automobile distributorship service departments. Locking mechanisms are not, however, limited to locking lug nuts.
In one embodiment, where a wheel hub support system is used in conjunction with a locking mechanism, the wheel hub support system further includes a lock protection mechanism that protects the locking mechanism from physical damage due to, for example, a would be thief trying to break the locking mechanism.
The lug nut protector 402 is formed from a substantially rigid, durable material, such as metal (e.g., steel or aluminum), and/or a composite material. The lug nut protector 402 can be welded or glued to, or integrally formed with the support member 104.
The lug nut protector 402 can be manufactured from a section of pipe radially sized to allow a wrench to fit over a locking lug nut that is attached to a lug bolt that is inserted through the lug bolt cut-out. The section of piping is longitudinally sized to extend beyond a lug nut applied to a lug bolt that is inserted through the lug bolt cut-out. Alternatively, the section of piping is longitudinally sized to be equal to or less than the length of a lug nut applied to a lug bolt that is inserted through the lug bolt cut-out.
In the example of
It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and not the Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The Summary and Abstract sections can set forth one or more, but not all exemplary embodiments of the present invention as contemplated by the inventor, and thus, are not intended to limit the present invention and the appended claims in any way.
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
