Tire lift tool

• US 5,562,389 A
• Filed: 10/30/1995
• Issued: 10/08/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Frank Mitchell
• Original Assignee: Frank Mitchell
• Inventors: Mitchell, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Werner, Frank E.
• Application Number:
  US08/549,962
• Time in Patent Office: 344 Days
• Field of Search: 414/426, 414/427, 414/428, 414/429, 254/11, 254/91, 254/94, 254/131, 254/133 R, 254/DIG. 3, 254/DIG. 10, 7/100
• US Class Current: 414/428
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 29/00 Apparatus or tools for mounting or dismounting wheels mounting of wheels at assembly lines B62D65/12
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 29/002 provided with a dolly
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 15/00 Crowbars or levers
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 3/005 with rocking arm or sector

Abstract

A tool for assisting in lifting and positioning a tire and wheel assembly into position for installation on or removal from a vehicle hub comprising a pair of arcuate base members, which together form a cradle for receiving the tire. The arcuate base members terminate in a pair of pivot members with beveled points contacting the ground surface for a secure steady lift. Each of the arcuate base members is provided with a lifting member disposed on the proximal end of the arcuate base member so as to support and steady the wheel and tire assembly in a substantially vertical position as it is lifted onto the hub. Handle means for lifting of the tire and wheel assembly may be folded so as to provide a compact configuration for storage.

Claims

1. A tire lift tool for positioning a tire and wheel assembly for installation on or removal from a vehicle hub, comprising:

(a) a pair of entirely arcuate base members, together defining an upwardly curving cradle for receiving and supporting in a generally upright orientation a tire and wheel assembly and for moving the tire and wheel assembly between a lowered position and a raised position in proximity to a vehicle hub, said base members permitting transport of the assembly along bottom sides thereof;

(b) wherein each of said arcuate base members have a distal end and a proximal end, and wherein each of said distal ends has a pivot member depending therefrom generally along a radius of curvature of said arcuate base members, and further wherein said pivot member terminates in a beveled point;

(c) upstanding leg members attached between the proximal ends and intermediate portions of the arcuate base members for stabilizing the assembly;

(d) a lifting member deployed on said proximal end of each of said arcuate base members, said lifting members disposed so as to support the tire and wheel assembly in said raised position in a generally upright orientation; and

(e) handle means attached to said proximal ends of said arcuate base members for manually moving the tire lift tool between said raised position and said lowered position.

2. The tire lift tool of claim 1 further comprising folding means for folding said handle means between a storage position and a use position.

3. The tire lift tool of claim 2 further comprising locking means for locking said handle means into said use position.