Vehicular component apparatus

• US 20070290179A1
• Filed: 05/17/2007
• Published: 12/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Justoy Pty Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Justoy Pty Ltd.
• Inventors: Whybin, Christopher, Hedley, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,677,582 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 254/133.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 29/002 provided with a dolly
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 23/48 Manually-movable jib cranes for use in workshops
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/06 movable, with their loads, on wheels or the like, e.g. fork-lift trucks vehicle aspects B60 - B62; vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading or unloading B60P1/00; low-lift hand trucks for transporting goods B62B3/06

Abstract

An apparatus for removing, installing and/or servicing a vehicular component, such as a wheel/tyre, a motor or the like, particularly for large mining and/or earthmoving equipment. The apparatus includes a carrier device (100) and a component handling device (200). The carrier device (100) enables the apparatus to be moved over a substrate surface, and is preferably a U-shaped chassis having a pair of outwardly extending arms (140), and at least three wheels (120,130). The component handling device (200) is removably coupled to the carrier device (100). The component handling device (200) includes a frame (270) of complementary shape to the chassis to support the lower portion of the vehicular component, and, a support element (210). At least one retaining arm (220) extends from the support element (210) to provide support to an upper end of the vehicular component.

Claims

1. An apparatus for removing, installing and/or servicing a vehicular component of a vehicle, including:

a carrier device, to move said apparatus over a substrate surface; and

,

a component handling device, attached to said carrier device, to receive and support said vehicular component.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said carrier device includes:

a substantially U-shaped chassis, having a pair of outwardly extending arms extending from an intermediate spine; and

a wheel provided substantially at the extremity of each arm, and, an intermediate wheel positioned below said spine.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said carrier device further includes:

an actuator associated with one or more of said wheels, to rotate said respective wheel and thereby effect movement of said carrier device.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein operation of said actuator(s) is controlled remotely.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said carrier device further includes:

a coupling element associated with said spine of said carrier device, to couple with a coupling member associated with said component handling device, to thereby releasably couple said component handling device to said carrier device.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said coupling element is embodied as a hook, recess or the like, and said coupling member is embodied as a lug or the like, or vice versa.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said component handling device includes:

a frame, of complementary shape to engage with said chassis and which is adapted to provide support to a lower portion of said vehicular component; and

a support element extending upwards from said frame, having at least one retaining arm extending outwardly therefrom which is adapted to provide support to an upper portion of said vehicular component;

wherein, said frame, said support element and said at least one retaining arm define a cavity which is able to accommodate said vehicular component.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said frame includes a pair of outwardly extending support members each of which are adapted to provide support to either side of a lower portion of said vehicular component.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein each support member is connected to said frame via an arm, to permit at least upward movement of said support member.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said movement is effected by a hydraulic, electrical or other actuator.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said support member includes a pair of retaining arm(s), each of which is adapted to provide support to either side of an upper portion of said vehicular component.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein each retaining arms includes an upper and outer arm portion, at least the outer arm portion being operably movable to be capable of grasping said vehicular component.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vehicular component is a wheel/tyre.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support elements including rollers thereon, such that when said wheel/tyre is held in said apparatus, said wheel/tyre may be rotated on said rollers within said component handling apparatus.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said component handling device includes:

a frame of complementary shape to engage with said chassis; and

,

a positionable station, having a platform adapted to support a work tool, and,

a positioning mechanism to position said platform to thereby enable operation of said work tool with said vehicular component.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said positioning mechanism includes at least one hydraulic ram, electric motor or like device.

17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, further including a cradle provided on said platform, said cradle adapted to receive a motor or other vehicular component.

18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said component handling device is embodied as a jig assembly which includes:

a frame of complementary shape to engage with said chassis; and

,

a jig head, operable by at least one actuator.

19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said platform is provided with handrails and adapted to support an operator.