Steering wheel puller and method
AssigneeClub Car, Inc.
InventorsCarl Wayne Athan, Paul R. Farris
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A steering wheel puller which is both easy to assemble and safe to use is disclosed. The puller is effective for removing the steering wheels from vehicles such as golf carts and utility vehicles. An actuator portion of the puller is placed through the top of the wheel to positively engage a base plate at the bottom of the wheel. The actuator portion has a screw which engages the steering column shaft of the vehicle at the center of the steering wheel. As this screw is tightened, the downward force on the steering column and the upward force of the base plate on the steering wheel causes the steering wheel to dislodge.
Claims9
A steering wheel puller comprising:
- an actuator having a steering column engaging portion configured to selectively engage a top portion of a steering column on which a steering wheel is mounted, a plate engaging portion, and a drive mechanism to selectively provide relative movement between the steering column engaging portion and plate engaging portion;
- and
- a base plate selectively engaged by said plate engaging portion of said actuator, and having a configuration to positively engage the underside of said steering wheel, wherein upon operation of the drive mechanism, said base plate is selectively moved upwardly relative to the steering column engaging portion to pull said steering wheel upwardly therewith.
A method for removing a steering wheel comprising the steps of:
- providing a steering wheel puller comprising an actuator portion having an anvil portion and an anvil screw;
- and a base plate having an opening in one end, said opening of sufficient size to fit around a steering column shaft of a steering wheel;
- said actuator portion having a means for engaging said base plate;
- engaging the steering column shaft with the base plate;
- placing said actuator portion through an opening in said steering wheel;
- connecting said actuator portion to said base plate via said engagement means;
- and
- tightening said anvil screw.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.