Method and apparatus for removing a dual wheel system
AssigneeAtkinson Technologies LLC
InventorCarlin Atkinson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dual wheel removal tool for assisting in the removal of a wheel of a dual wheel system of a vehicle. The removal tool includes a torque plate having a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and a peripheral edge defined therebetween. The removal tool also includes a socket formed with the torque plate at one of the first end and the second end. The removal tool may optionally include a plurality of lug cutouts defined in the torque plate and extends into the peripheral edge between the first end and the second end. The first end and the second end of the torque plate are in fluid communication with one another at each lug cutout of the plurality of lug cutouts.
Claims15
A dual wheel removal tool, comprising:
- a torque plate having a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and a peripheral edge defined therebetween, wherein the torque plate is adapted to engage with at least two lug nuts of a dual wheel system of a vehicle;
- a socket operably engaged with the torque plate at one of the first end and the second end and being adapted to engage with a draw bolt of an axle extension assembly of the dual wheel system;
- the socket having:
- a driver;
- and
- an extension operably engaged with the driver and the torque plate and having a first end of the extension that operably engages with the driver of the socket, a second end of the extension opposite to the first end of the extension and operably engages with and positioned inside of the torque plate, and a passageway defined between the first end of the extension and the second end of the extension;
- wherein the driver is spaced apart from the torque plate by the extension;
- and
- at least two lug cutouts defined in the torque plate and extends into the peripheral edge between the first end and the second end.
A method of disengaging an outer wheel from a dual wheel drive system of a vehicle, comprising steps of:
- engaging a dual wheel removal tool with an axle extension assembly of the dual wheel, wherein the axle extension assembly supports the outer wheel and operably engages with an inner hub of the dual wheel drive system that support an inner wheel of the vehicle, the dual wheel removal tool comprising:
- a torque plate having a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and a peripheral edge defined therebetween, wherein the torque plate is adapted to engage with at least two lug nuts of the dual wheel drive system of the vehicle;
- a socket operably engaged with the torque plate at one of the first end and the second end and being adapted to engage with a draw bolt of the axle extension assembly of the dual wheel drive system;
- the socket having:
- a driver;
- and
- an extension operably engaged with the driver and the torque plate and having a first end of the extension that operably engages with the driver of the socket, a second end of the extension opposite to the first end of the extension and operably engages with and positioned inside of the torque plate, and a passageway defined between the first end of the extension and the second end of the extension;
- wherein the driver is spaced apart from the torque plate by the extension;
- and
- at least two lug cutouts defined in the torque plate and extends into the peripheral edge between the first end and the second end;
- engaging a torque assisting tool with the axle extension assembly;
- applying a first rotational force on the dual wheel removal tool and the axle extension assembly with the torque assisting tool;
- and
- disengaging the outer wheel and the axle extension assembly, collectively, from the inner hub of the dual wheel drive system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.