Claims:
1. A system (100) for replacing wheels of a vehicle, the system (100) comprising:
at least one jack (10) being engageable with an undercarriage element (103) of the vehicle, for lifting one or more wheels (101) of the vehicle from a support surface using drive power of the vehicle; and
a puller arrangement (20) removably coupled to the at least one jack (10), wherein the puller arrangement (20) is configured to replace one or more wheels (101) of the vehicle, the puller arrangement (20) comprising;
a movable member (21), slidably coupled to the at least one jack (10);
a puller member (22), pivotably mounted to the movable member (21), wherein the puller member (22) comprises:
a plurality of connecting elements (23), wherein each of the plurality of connecting elements (23) is adapted to align with at least one stud of a wheel hub (102); and
a plurality of clamping elements (24) provided at a periphery of the puller member (22) to clamp a diametrical portion of the wheel (101),
wherein, the puller member (22) is operable to selectively engage and disengage the wheel (101) from the wheel hub (102).

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one jack (10) comprises:
a base portion (13) resting on the support surface;
an upstanding portion (14) extending from the base portion (13); and
a socket portion (16) provided at a free end (14a) of the upstanding portion (14) such that the socket portion (16) receives the undercarriage element (103) of the vehicle.

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the base portion (13) of the at least one jack (10) is defined by a flat portion and a curved portion, wherein the curved portion extends at angle from a vertical axis of the support surface.

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein upstanding portion (14) includes a plurality of telescopic tubes, and wherein the height of the plurality of telescopic tubes is adjustable.

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of telescopic tubes are defined with a locking provisions to accommodate a locking member (15), wherein the locking member (15) is adapted to lock the plurality of telescopic tubes at an adjusted height.

6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movable member (21) includes a plurality of auxiliary wheels (25) configured at a bottom surface to provide movement of the movable member (21).

7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting elements (23) comprises:
a plurality of longitudinal protrusions to align with at least one stud of the wheel hub (102); and
at least one screw puller (27) extending axially through at least one provision defined in the puller member (22) to engage with the wheel hub (102) of the wheel (101).

8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of connecting elements (23) and the plurality of clamping elements (24) are mounted a plate (28).

9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the plate (28) is moveably coupled to the puller member (22) and configured to move and align with the plurality of the connecting elements (23) and the plurality of clamping elements (24) to engage and disengage with the wheel (101).

10. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least on jack (10) is defined in at least one of J-shape, T- shape, L- Shape S-shape, and Z –shape configuration.

, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD

Present disclosure relates to a field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively the present disclosure relates to a system to lift and support a vehicle at an appropriate height off the ground in a stationary position for repair and maintenance.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
In general, vehicles such as commercial vehicles, heavy duty vehicles, light duty vehicles, and any other similar vehicles are prone to breakdown and may require regular maintenance as wear and tear of parts is higher. More specifically, one of the common problems observed during operation of the vehicles is tyres getting damaged. In such scenarios immediate replacement of tyres irrespective of the road conditions, terrains and load carried by the vehicle is inevitable. Further, for a tyre replacement or any other maintenance job, the vehicle must be lifted above a support or a ground surface at an appropriate height in order to replace and perform any maintenance operations. Moreover, tyre replacement is typically cumbersome task as this requires at least two users to remove, align and replace the damaged tyre. Furthermore, the lifting of the vehicle for replacement of tyres may require additional effort if the vehicle is loaded.
Conventionally, there exists various types of lifting devices to perform the lifting operation of the vehicle. The various lifting devices may be hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical and any mechanically operated jacks and mechanisms. However, the operation of these devices typically involves manual application of force by a leverage handle to lift the vehicle, which may not be possible if the vehicle is too heavy. Further, conventional hydraulic lifts and/or jacks are limited by their lifting capacity and moreover require supply of pressurized fluid to carrying out heavy lifts, thereby increasing operational cost and requirement of high degree of maintenance. More specifically, usage of conventional jack and/lifts results in loss of productivity and delay particularly for the user handling replacement of damaged tyre(s) for heavy loaded vehicles used for transportation of goods. In some cases, conventional jack and lifts cannot perform such heavy lifts.
Further, to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of conventional lifts and jacks, lifting devices such as a rolling or movable jack are employed. Typically, the rolling or moving jacks only permit a user to effortlessly lift the vehicle and maintain the vehicle in a raised, stationary position for repair and maintenance. However, to perform a tyre replacement operation manual intervention is necessary so as to lift and disengage the damaged tyre form the vehicle, that requires more than one person to lift and replace the damaged tyre, that is more time consuming and may cause fatigue to the users.
The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more above limitation stated above or any other limitation associated with the prior arts.
SUMMARY
The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome, and additional advantages are provided through the provision of method of the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure a system to replace wheels of a vehicle is envisaged. The system comprises at least one jack being in engagement with an undercarriage element of the vehicle, for lifting one or more wheels of the vehicle from a support surface using drive power of the vehicle, and a puller arrangement removable coupled to at least one jack. The puller arrangement is configured to replace one or more wheels of the vehicle. The puller arrangement includes a movable member and a puller member. The movable member is slidably coupled to the jack. Further, the puller member is pivotably mounted on the movable member. The puller member comprises a plurality of connecting elements and plurality of clamping elements. Further, each of the and plurality of connecting elements is adapted to align with at least one studs of a wheel hub clamping elements. The plurality of clamping elements is provided at a periphery of the puller member to clamp a diametrical portion of the wheel. The puller member is operable to selectively engage and disengage the wheel from the wheel hub.

In an embodiment, the at least one jack includes a base portion resting on the support surface, an upstanding portion extending from the base portion, and a socket portion (provided at a free end of the upstanding portion such that, the socket portion receives the undercarriage element of the vehicle.)

In an embodiment, the base portion of the at least one jack is defined by a flat portion and a curved portion, wherein the curved portion extends at an angle from a vertical axis of the support surface. Further, the upstanding portion includes a plurality of telescopic tubes, wherein the height of the plurality of telescopic tubes is adjustable. Each of the plurality of telescopic tubes are defined with a locking provisions to accommodate a locking member, wherein the locking member is adapted to lock the plurality of telescopic tubes at an adjusted height.

In an embodiment, the movable member includes a plurality of auxiliary wheels configured at a bottom surface to provide movement of the movable member.

In an embodiment, the connecting elements includes a plurality of longitudinal protrusions to align with at least one stud of the wheel hub, and at least one screw puller extending axially through at least one provision defined in the puller member to engage with the wheel hub of the wheel.

In an embodiment, the plurality of connecting elements and the plurality of clamping elements are mounted on a plate. Further, the plate is moveably coupled to the puller member and configured to move and align with the plurality of the connecting elements and the plurality of clamping elements, engage and disengage with the wheel.

In an embodiment, the at least on jack is defined in at least one of J-shape, T- shape, L- Shape S-shape, and Z –shape configuration.

It is to be understood that, the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic front view of a system to replace wheels in a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 illustrates a magnified view of a portion the system of Figure. 1.

Figures. 3a and 3b illustrates a front view and side view of the puller member of the system of Figure. 1.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other mechanism for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

In the present disclosure, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the disclosure.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device or process that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or process. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.

Embodiments of the disclosure disclose a system to remove and replace wheels of a vehicle in case of break down due to tire puncher or damage of the wheels. The system may be used for any vehicles ranging from passenger vehicle to commercial vehicles. Generally, in case of breakdown of commercial vehicle carrying the load, extra man power is required to lift the wheels from the ground using jack assembly to replace the wheels. This process consumes additional time, and also may be cumbersome to the drivers. Accordingly, the system of the present disclosure is configured to overcome the problems associated with the conventional assemblies.

The system comprises at least one jack being in engagement with an undercarriage element of the vehicle, for lifting one or more wheels of the vehicle from a support surface using drive power of the vehicle, and a puller arrangement removable coupled to at least one jack. The puller arrangement is configured to replace one or more wheels of the vehicle. The puller arrangement includes a movable member and a puller member. The movable member is slidably coupled to the jack. Further, the puller member is pivotably mounted on the movable member. The puller member comprises a plurality of connecting elements and plurality of clamping elements. Further, each of the plurality of connecting elements is adapted to align with at least one studs of a wheel hub clamping elements. The plurality of clamping elements is provided at a periphery of the puller member to clamp a diametrical portion of the wheel. The puller member is operable to selectively engage and disengage the wheel from the wheel hub.

Referring now to Figure 1 and Figure 2 which are exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure illustrating a system (100) to replace one or more wheels (101) of a vehicle. From the figures neither the complete vehicle nor the complete undercarriage of the vehicle is illustrated for the purpose of simplicity.

The system (100) shown in Figure.1 includes a plurality of jacks (10) which is in engagement with an undercarriage element (103) of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the undercarriage element (103) of the vehicle may be at least one of chassis, axle, and jack receiving points of the vehicle. The plurality of jacks (10), is configured to lift one or more wheels (101) of the vehicle from a support surface (not shown in figure) using a drive power of the vehicle. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of the jacks (10) is configured in at least one of one of J-shape, T- shape, L- Shape S-shape, and Z –shape configuration. The jack (10) includes a base portion (11), an upstanding portion (12) and a socket portion (16). The base portion (13) of the jack (10) is defined by a flat portion and a curved portion, wherein the curved portion extends at an angle from a vertical axis of the support surface. The base portion (13) of the jack contacts the support surface such as road or ground and supports the jack (10) for lifting the vehicle. Further, the upstanding portion (14) of the jack (10) may extend upwardly from the curved portion of the base portion (13) and terminates at a socket portion (16). In an embodiment, the socket portion (16) is fixed to a free end (14a) of the upstanding portion (14). The socket portion (16) is defined with a socket of a predetermined shape and configuration to accommodate the undercarriage element (103) of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the socket is defined with a “U” or “V” shaped configuration to receive an axle of the vehicle. Further, the upstanding portion (14) of the jack includes a plurality of telescopic tubes. The plurality of telescopic tubes may be defined with a plurality of matching provisions to accommodate a locking element (15). In an embodiment, the plurality of telescopic tubes may include a top tube and bottom tube, each defined with matching holes, and the locking member (15) may be a bolt. The plurality of telescopic tubes may be moved laterally to adjust the height of the jack (10), and may be firmly locked in the adjusted position by the locking member (15). In an embodiment, any equivalent mechanism to adjust the height of the jack (10) may be employed in the upstanding portion (14) without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring to Figures. 3a and 3b in conjunction with Figures. 1 and 2, the system (100) also includes a puller arrangement (20) removably coupled to the at least one jack (10). The puller arrangement (20) is configured to replace one or more wheels (101) of the vehicle easily without manual efforts. In an embodiment, the puller arrangement (20) may be removably coupled to the at least one jack (10) such that, the at least one jack (10) may be independently positioned below the undercarriage element (103) for lifting the vehicle. Once the vehicle is lifted, the puller arrangement (20) may be coupled to the jack (10) by a quick coupling mechanism. In an embodiment, any suitable quick coupling mechanisms may be employed to removably couple the at least one jack (10) and the puller arrangement (20). The puller arrangement (20) may include a movable member (21), slidably coupled to the at least one jack (10). In an embodiment, the movable member (21) may be a plate like structure supported by a plurality of auxiliary wheels (25). The auxiliary wheels (25) are configured such that the movable member (21) may be slid forward and reward with respect to the vehicle lateral or longitudinal direction for replacing the wheel. In an embodiment, the auxiliary wheels (25) may be caster wheels. The puller arrangement further includes a puller member (22), pivotably mounted to the movable member (22). In an embodiment, the puller member (22) is pivotally attached to an end which is opposite to the end of the movable member (21) which connects to the at least jack (10). The puller member (22) is pivoted such that, it can be operated from a horizontal position to a vertical position for removal and replacement of wheels of the vehicle. Like the movable member (21), the puller member (22) is also a plate like structure, and is configured to support the auxiliary elements required for removal and replacement of the wheels (101). In an embodiment, the puller member (22) movably supports a plate (28), such that the plate translates vertically with respect to the puller member (22). In an embodiment, a guide mechanism or guide channels [not shown] may be defined on the puller member (22) to facilitate movement of the plate (28) with respect to the puller member (22).

The puller member (22) further supports a plurality of connecting elements (23). Each of the plurality of connecting elements (23) is adapted to align with at least one stud of a wheel hub (102). In an embodiment, the connecting elements (23) includes a longitudinal protrusion to align with at least one stud of the wheel hub (102). The longitudinal protrusion may be profiled to match the stud portion of the wheel hub (102) such that they support the wheel hub (102) for removal and replacement of the wheel (101). Further, the puller member (22) supports a plurality of clamping elements (24) provided at a periphery of the puller member (22) to clamp a diametrical portion of the wheel (101). In an embodiment, the plurality of clamping elements (24) may be provided at the outer periphery of the connecting elements such that the clamping elements (22) contacts an outer portion of a tyre of the wheel to facilitate easy removal and replacement. As shown in Figure. 2, the puller arrangement (20) includes at least one screw puller (27) extending axially through at least one provision defined in the puller member (22). The at least one screw puller (27) may be configured to engage with the wheel hub (102) of the wheel (101), and operate the puller member (22) to selectively engage and disengage the wheel (101) from the wheel hub (102).

In an embodiment of the disclosure, a method for removal and replacement of one or more wheels (101) from the vehicle is disclosed. The method includes steps of positioning the at least one jack (10) under the vehicle, such that the socket portion (16) of the jack (10) accomndoates the undercarriage element (103) of the vehicle. Once the jack is positioned and oriented, the power of the vehicle may be used to lift the vehicle from the supporting surface. In other words, the vehicle may be slightly moved in forward or reverse direction to lift the vehicle. Such movement of the vehicle brings the curved surface of the jack (10) in contact with the support surface and thereby elevate a portion of the vehicle above the surface level. Here, height of the jack (10) may be adjusted to suit different vehicle dimensions. Further, once the vehicle is elevated, the puller arrangement (20) may be used to remove and replace the wheel (101) from the wheel hub (102). In an embodiment, once the fasters are removed from the wheel hub, the puller arrangement (20) may be advanced towards the wheel hub (102) such that each of the plurality of connecting members are accommodated in at least one studs of the wheel hub (102) to support the wheel (101). During such advancement, the plurality of clamping elements (24) which provided at a periphery of the puller member (22) to clamps a diametrical portion of the wheel (101), and thereby rigidly supports the wheel. Now, the wheel may be pulled out of the wheel hub (102) by operating the at least one screw puller (27), and may be slid outwards. To replace the wheel with a different wheel, the wheel (101) may be positioned on the puller arrangement (20) and it may be advanced towards the wheel hub (102), such that the provisions in the wheel receives the the studs of the wheel hub (102). By this configuration removal and replacement of the wheel (101) may be performed with very minimal human efforts.

In an embodiment, the size, configuration of the components of system (100,) can be varied according to the application requirement.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a system (100) that is simple to operate and compact, easy to install.

In an embodiment, the system (100) of the present disclosure eliminates the usage of any pressurised fluid / hydraulic jacks to carry out lifting of the vehicle.

In an embodiment, the system (100) of the present disclosure may accommodate lifting and supporting of a vehicle of variable loads.

In an embodiment, the system (100) of the present disclosure provides lifting of the vehicle from the support surface to carry engine related maintenance work as well.

In the detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Equivalents:
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations.
In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Referral Numerals
Reference Number Description
100 System
101 Wheel
102 Wheel hub
103 Under carriage element of the vehicle
10 Jack
13 A base portion
14 Upstanding portion
14a Free end of the upstanding portion
15 Locking member
16 A socket portion
20 A puller arrangement
21 Movable member
22 Puller member
23 Plurality of connecting elements
24 Plurality of clamping elements
25 Auxiliary wheels
27 Screw puller
28 Plate