Tool for handling wheel assemblies and method for manipulation thereof

A tool for removing, maneuvering, and replacing a wheel-tire assembly which is demountably attached to a vehicle axle, comprising:

• a handle section including an elongated handle bar and a pair of handle members, the handle bar having opposite ends, said opposite ends including portions transverse to the handle bar, each of the handle members having a first end connected to one of the transverse portions of the opposite ends of the elongated handle bar in a manner transverse to both the handle bar and the transverse portions, said handle members also having a second end;
• and
• a pair of elongated members, each elongated member being respectively connected to the second end of one of the handle members so that the pair of elongated members is offset from the handle bar by the distance of the handle members, and each of the elongated members being offset from each other by the distance of the handle bar;
• each elongated member having a wheel support member for supporting the wheel-tire assembly during the removing and replacing thereof;
• and a leverage member for providing a leverage arm in conjunction therewith, the wheel support members lying in a plane generally parallel to a plane containing the handle bar and the transverse portions, such that the handle section may support one side of the wheel-tire assembly and the elongated members may support another side of the wheel-tire assembly when a peripheral edge of the wheel-tire assembly is resting on the handle members to prevent rotation of the wheel-tire assembly;
• said elongated handle bar being graspable by the entire palm of the operator's hand for applying a motive force to the tool without injury to the operator's hand.