# US 5,347,697 A · Tool for assembling a tire lift mechanism > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,347,697 A - Document ID: US5347697A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/094,812 - Filed: 1993-07-20 - Granted: 1994-09-20 - Earliest claimed: 1991-09-12 - Inventors: Hulon D. Stallings - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5347697A ## CPC - B62D 43/045: {the wheel or its cradle being attached to one or more chains or cables for handling} - Y10T 29/53952: Tube sleeve or ferrule applying or removing - Y10T 29/53987: Tube, sleeve or ferrule - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract An improved tire lift mechanism is disclosed in which a drive tube selectively rotates a driven shaft to raise and lower a cable fixed to a spare tire. The drive tube is connected to the driven shaft through a connection formed of a plurality of circumferentially-spaced pins which are received within notches in the driven shaft. Spaces are provided between the drive pins. Liquids in the area of the connection drain outwardly of the spaces and do not freeze in the area, which could prevent use of the tire lift mechanism. A spring is disposed between the driven shaft and the drive tube to eliminate looseness, and resultant rattling. Finally, a method of assembling the tire lift mechanism is disclosed in which the drive tube is formed of a pair of telescopic tube members. The members are telescopically moved relative to each other to a collapsed position, and the mechanism is fixed to the underside of a vehicle. The tube members are then telescopically moved to an expanded position with the tube moving through a bearing member to mount the tire lift mechanism to the underside of a vehicle. This reduces the complexity of assembling the tire lift mechanism over prior art assemblies. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tool for facilitating the assembly of a tire lift mechanism, comprising: a generally cylindrical sleeve extending along a longitudinal axis, said sleeve having two ends; a handle disposed at one of said ends of said sleeve;, a lock assembly disposed at the other of said ends of said sleeve, said lock assembly including a forward end having curved portions on a first cross-section perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, a rearward end, and a lock portion received between said forward and said rearward end, said lock portion having a second cross-section perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said second cross-section having a lesser diameter than said curved portions of said first cross-section; and a threaded bolt extending through said sleeve and threadably receiving said rearward end, said lock portion and said forward end. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tool as recited in claim 1, wherein said rearward end includes a cross-section perpendicular to said longitudinal axis having a diameter greater than said first cross-section of said forward end and said second cross-section of said lock portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The tool as recited in claim 1, wherein said tire lift mechanism includes an outer tube extending along a longitudinal axis, the outer tube including an ear extending radially inwardly from a generally cylindrical inner periphery of the outer tube; said tool being adapted for insertion into the outer tube to a position such that said lock portion having a smaller diameter is circumferentially aligned with said ear, and tool then being rotated such that said forward end having said curved portions having a larger diameter is positioned axially beyond the ear, and abuts the ear as the tool is pulled outwardly. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The tool as recited in claim 1, wherein said tire lift mechanism includes an outer tube extending along a longitudinal axis, the outer tube including an ear extending radially inwardly from a generally cylindrical inner periphery of the outer tube; said tool being adapted for insertion into the outer tube such that said rearward end abuts the ears stopping inward movement of the tool, said rearward end having a greater diameter than said lock portion and said forward end. ### Claim 5 A tool for facilitating the assembly of a tire lift mechanism, comprising: a generally cylindrical sleeve extending along a longitudinal axis, said sleeve having two ends; a handle disposed at one of said ends of said sleeve; a lock assembly disposed at the other of said ends of said sleeve, said lock assembly including a forward end having curved portions on a first cross-section perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, a rearward end, and a lock portion received between said forward and said rearward end, said lock portion having a second cross-section perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said second cross-section having a lesser diameter than said curved portions of said first cross-section; and a first plastic member positioned over said rearward end, a second plastic member positioned over said lock portion, and a third plastic member positioned over said forward end, said plastic members adapted to prevent damage to said tire lift mechanism. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The tool as recited in claim 1, further including a threaded plastic member positioned on said bolt adapted to prevent damage to said tire lift mechanism. ### Claim 7 A tool for facilitating the assembly of a tire lift mechanism, comprising: a generally cylindrical sleeve extending along a longitudinal axis, said sleeve having two ends; a handle disposed at one of said ends of said sleeve; a lock assembly disposed at the other of said ends of said sleeve; said lock assembly including a forward end having curved portions on a first cross-section perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, a rearward end, and a lock portion received between said forward and said rearward end, said lock portion having a second cross-section perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said second cross-section having a lesser diameter than said curved portions of said first cross-section; and said lock portion including flats extending radially inwardly along a circumferentially outer edge of said second cross-section. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The lock portion as recited in claim 7, wherein said tire lift mechanism includes an outer tube extending along a longitudinal axis, the outer tube including an ear extending radially inwardly from a generally cylindrical inner periphery of the outer tube; said flats of said lock portion being circumferentially and axially aligned with the ears of the outer tube.