Patent Application
20170253080
This document relates to the technical field of (and is not limited to) an apparatus including a tool assembly having a tool device configured to securely receive, at least in part, a nut.
A nut (threaded nut) is a type of a fastener used with a threaded bolt. A tool is configured to receive and rotate the nut on the bolt (such as a lug wrench, etc.).
It will be appreciated that there exists a need to mitigate (at least in part) at least one problem associated with the existing tool assemblies (also called the existing technology). After much study of the known systems and methods with experimentation, an understanding of the problem and its solution has been identified and is articulated as follows:
The problem with existing tool assemblies is that, sometimes, the nut (threaded nut) is very difficult to remove (loosen) from the threaded bolt.
What is needed is a tool that is configured to receive and rotate the nut on the threaded bolt for those cases where the nut (threaded nut) is overtightened on the threaded bolt (because the nut is very difficult to remove from the threaded bolt).
To mitigate, at least in part, at least one problem associated with the existing technology, there is provided (in accordance with a major aspect) an apparatus that includes a tool assembly. The tool assembly includes a tool device configured to securely receive, at least in part, a nut. An angled elbow assembly is configured to be positioned proximate to, and securely integrally extended from, the tool device. A linearly-extended elongated shaft portion is configured to have a first end portion and a second end portion spaced apart from the first end portion. A step-pad assembly includes a first side portion facing the second end portion of the linearly-extended elongated shaft portion. A second side portion is configured to extend from the first side portion. The linearly-extended elongated shaft portion does not extend through the step-pad assembly and out from the second side portion of the step-pad assembly. A technical effect for this arrangement, from amongst many such technical effects) is that the user safety of the apparatus is improved (at least in part) in such a way that the user of the apparatus reduces inadvertent injury or unwanted entanglement with the user (for the case where the linearly-extended elongated shaft portion does not extend through the step-pad assembly and out from the second side portion of the step-pad assembly).
Other aspects are identified in the claims.
Other aspects and features of the non-limiting embodiments may now become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description of the non-limiting embodiments with the accompanying drawings.
This Summary is provided to introduce concepts in simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the disclosed or claimed subject matter, and is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the disclosed or claimed subject matter, and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. Many other novel advantages, features, and relationships will become apparent as this description proceeds. The figures and the description that follow more particularly exemplify illustrative embodiments.
The non-limiting embodiments may be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of the non-limiting embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The drawings are not necessarily to scale and may be illustrated by phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details unnecessary for an understanding of the embodiments (and/or details that render other details difficult to perceive) may have been omitted.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several figures of the drawings. Elements in the several figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not been drawn to scale. The dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be emphasized relative to other elements for facilitating an understanding of the various disclosed embodiments. In addition, common, but well-understood, elements that are useful or necessary in commercially feasible embodiments are often not depicted to provide a less obstructed view of the embodiments of the present disclosure.
102 tool assembly
104 tool device
105 rotation axis
106 angled elbow assembly
107 pivot axis
108 linearly-extended elongated shaft portion
109 predetermined angle
110 first end portion
112 second end portion
114 step pad assembly
116 first side portion
118 second side portion
120 bore
122 collar portion
124 connector
126 hole
128 spaced apart projections
900 nut
904 wheel bolt
906 wheel
910 torque
912 foot
The following detailed description is merely exemplary and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims. For the description, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the examples as oriented in the drawings. There is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory in the preceding Technical Field, Background, Summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are exemplary embodiments (examples), aspects and/or concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. It is understood that the phrase “at least one” is equivalent to “a”. The aspects (examples, alterations, modifications, options, variations, embodiments and any equivalent thereof) are described regarding the drawings. It should be understood that the invention is limited to the subject matter provided by the claims, and that the invention is not limited to the particular aspects depicted and described.
In accordance with a first major embodiment as depicted in
The tool device 104 is configured to securely receive, at least in part, a nut 900. It will be appreciated that the nut 900 may include, for instance, a wheel nut mounted to a wheel bolt 904 of a wheel 906 of a vehicle (known and not depicted), as depicted in
The angled elbow assembly 106 is configured to be positioned proximate to, and securely integrally extended from, the tool device 104. The angled elbow assembly 106 may include an angled elbow portion (a single-piece assembly).
The linearly-extended elongated shaft portion 108 is configured to have a first end portion 110 and a second end portion 112 spaced apart from the first end portion 110.
The step-pad assembly 114 includes a first side portion 116 and a second side portion 118. The first side portion 116 faces the second end portion 112 of the linearly-extended elongated shaft portion 108. The second side portion 118 is configured to extend from the first side portion 116 (this is done in such a way that the linearly-extended elongated shaft portion 108 does not extend through the step-pad assembly 114 and out from the second side portion 118 of the step-pad assembly 114). A technical effect for this arrangement, from amongst many such technical effects) is that the user safety of the apparatus is improved (at least in part) in such a way that the user of the apparatus 100 reduces inadvertent injury or unwanted entanglement with the user (for the case where the linearly-extended elongated shaft portion does not extend through the step-pad assembly and out from the second side portion of the step-pad assembly 114).
In accordance with a second major embodiment as depicted in
The tool device 104 is configured to have a rotation axis 105 extending through the tool device 104, in which the tool device 104 is rotatable about the rotation axis 105. The tool device 104 is also configured to securely receive, at least in part, a nut 900 mounted to a wheel bolt 904 of a wheel 906 of a vehicle. The tool device 104 is also configured to rotate (such as, tighten and loosen) the nut 900 mounted to the wheel bolt 904 in response to rotation of the tool device 104 about the rotation axis 105 of the tool device 104.
The angled elbow assembly 106 is configured to be positioned proximate to, and securely integrally extended from, the tool device 104 in such a way that the rotation axis 105 of the tool device 104 extends, at least in part, through the angled elbow assembly 106. The angled elbow assembly 106 is also configured to have a pivot axis 107 extending therefrom (this is done in such a way that the pivot axis 107 and the rotation axis 105 of the tool device 104 intersect each other at a predetermined angle 109).
The linearly-extended elongated shaft portion 108 is configured to have a first end portion 110 and a second end portion 112 spaced apart from the first end portion 110. The first end portion 110 securely integrally extends from the angled elbow assembly 106 along the pivot axis 107 of the angled elbow assembly 106.
The step-pad assembly 114 is configured to extend from the second end portion 112 of the linearly-extended elongated shaft portion 108 along the pivot axis 107 extending through the linearly-extended elongated shaft portion 108 (this is done in such a way that the step-pad assembly 114 is extended and aligned in-line with the pivot axis 107 extending through the linearly-extended elongated shaft portion 108).
The step-pad assembly 114 is also configured to axially receive the second end portion 112 of the linearly-extended elongated shaft portion 108, in which the second end portion 112 is spaced apart from the angled elbow assembly 106. The step-pad assembly 114 is also configured to securely receive an application of a torque 910 from a foot 912 of a user in such a way that the step-pad assembly 114 securely receives the torque 910 from the foot 912 of the user without inadvertent slippage between the foot 912 of the user and the step-pad assembly 114.
The step-pad assembly 114 is also configured to securely receive the application of the torque 910 from the foot 912 of the user. This is done in such a way that the step-pad assembly 114 conveys the torque 910, which was received from the foot 912 of the user, to the linearly-extended elongated shaft portion 108, without inadvertent slippage between the foot 912 of the user and the step-pad assembly 114 (while the torque 910 is transmitted to the linearly-extended elongated shaft portion 108).
The step-pad assembly 114 is also configured to securely receive the application of the torque 910 from the foot 912 of the user. This is done in such a way that (A) the linearly-extended elongated shaft portion 108 is rotatable, once the torque 910 is received from the step-pad assembly 114 (about the pivot axis 107), and (B) the angled elbow assembly 106, and the tool device 104 and the nut 900, which is received by the tool device 104, rotate (without inadvertent slippage between the foot 912 of the user and the step-pad assembly 114 (while the linearly-extended elongated shaft portion 108 rotates about the pivot axis 107, and while the angled elbow assembly 106 and the tool device 104 and the nut 900, which is received by the tool device 104, rotate).
The step-pad assembly 114 includes (and is not limited to) a first side portion 116 facing the second end portion 112 of the linearly-extended elongated shaft portion 108. A second side portion 118 is spaced apart from the first side portion 116. The second side portion 118 is positioned opposite from the first side portion 116 across from the step-pad assembly 114. The second side portion 118 faces away from the second end portion 112 of the linearly-extended elongated shaft portion 108. The second end portion 112 of the linearly-extended elongated shaft portion 108 is configured to extend from the first side portion 116 (this is done in such a way that the linearly-extended elongated shaft portion 108 does not extend through the step-pad assembly 114 and out from the second side portion 118 of the step-pad assembly 114).
Referring to the embodiments as depicted in
In accordance with the embodiments as depicted in
In accordance with the embodiment as depicted in
In accordance with an option, it will be appreciated that the step-pad assembly 114 may be fixedly attached to the linearly-extended elongated shaft portion 108 (and is not intended to be detachable from the linearly-extended elongated shaft portion 108). For instance, the step-pad assembly 114, the linearly-extended elongated shaft portion 108, the angled elbow assembly 106, and the tool device 104 are all manufactured by a metal casting process.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the step-pad assembly 114, the linearly-extended elongated shaft portion 108, the angled elbow assembly 106, and the tool device 104 form a continuous and unitary assembly.
In accordance with the embodiment as depicted in
In accordance with the embodiment as depicted in
In accordance with the embodiment as depicted in
In accordance with the embodiment as depicted in
In accordance with the embodiment as depicted in
The tool device 104 is installed to the nut of the wheel 906 (as depicted in
The user steps on the step-pad assembly 114 (as depicted in
In accordance with the embodiments as depicted in
In accordance with the embodiments as depicted in
In accordance with the embodiment as depicted in
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It will be appreciated that the description identifies and describes options and variations of the apparatus, regardless of whether the description identifies the options and/or variations of the apparatus by way of explicit terms and/or non-explicit terms. Other options for the apparatus as identified in this paragraph may include any combination and/or permutation of the technical features (assemblies, components, items, devices, etc.) as identified in the detailed description, as may be required and/or desired to suit a particular technical purpose and/or technical function. It will be appreciated, that where possible, any one or more of the technical features and/or any one or more sections of the technical features of the apparatus may be combined with any other one or more of the technical features and/or any other one or more sections of the technical features of the apparatus in any combination and/or permutation. Any one or more of the technical features and/or any one or more sections of the technical features of the apparatus may stand on its own merit without having to be combined with another technical feature. It will be appreciated that persons skilled in the art would know that technical features of each embodiment may be deployed (where possible) in other embodiments even if not expressly stated as such above. It will be appreciated that persons skilled in the art would know that other options would be possible for the configuration of the components of the apparatus (if so desired) to adjust to manufacturing requirements and still remain within the scope of the invention as described in at least one or more of the claims. This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims. It may be appreciated that the assemblies and modules described above may be connected with each other as required to perform desired functions and tasks within the scope of persons of skill in the art to make such combinations and permutations without having to describe each and every one in explicit terms. There is no particular assembly or component that may be superior to any of the equivalents available to the person skilled in the art. There is no particular mode of practicing the disclosed subject matter that is superior to others, so long as the functions may be performed. It is believed that all the crucial aspects of the disclosed subject matter have been provided in this document. It is understood that the scope of the present invention is limited to the scope provided by the independent claim(s), and it is also understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited to: (i) the dependent claims, (ii) the detailed description of the non-limiting embodiments, (iii) the summary, (iv) the abstract, and/or (v) the description provided outside of this document (that is, outside of the instant application as filed, as prosecuted, and/or as granted). It is understood, for this document, that the phrase “includes” is equivalent to the word “comprising.” The foregoing has outlined the non-limiting embodiments (examples). The description is made for particular non-limiting embodiments (examples). It is understood that the non-limiting embodiments are merely illustrative as examples.
