Tool and method for fixing installation object on wheel

• US 7,761,961 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2005
• Issued: 07/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yokohama Rubber Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Yokohama Rubber Company Limited
• Inventors: Shimura, Kazuhiro
• Primary Examiner(s): SANDY, ROBERT JOHN
• Application Number:
  US10/583,929
• Publication Number:
  US 20090139063A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,009 Days
• Field of Search: 242/74.R, 731/46
• US Class Current: 24/274.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/04985 using straps surrounding the rims
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 33/08 in which a worm coacts with a part of the hose-encircling member that is toothed like a worm-wheel
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1427 Worm and tooth

Abstract

An apparatus and method for fixing an installation object on a wheel, which are enabled to restrain rotation of a housing caused by a tightening torque of a worm screw, and to thereby prevent breakage of the housing. The apparatus for fixing an installation object on a wheel includes a band which is looped around a rim well portion of the wheel and holds the installation object. While a housing for holding a worm screw is fixed to one end portion of the band, a plurality of slits for engaging with a thread of the worm screw are provided in the other end portion of the band. The apparatus includes a rotation restraining mechanism which projects more outward than the housing in a width direction of the band, and restrains rotation of the housing caused by a tightening torque of the worm screw.

Claims

1. An apparatus for fixing an installation object on a wheel comprising:

a band which is looped around a rim well portion of the wheel and holds the installation object;

a housing for holding a worm screw fixed to one end portion of the band;

a plurality of slits for engaging with a thread of the worm screw provided in the other end portion of the band; and

a rotation restraining mechanism which restrains rotation of the housing caused by a tightening torque of the worm screw by including at least one housing extended portion that projects more outward than the housing in a width direction of the band,

wherein said at least one housing extended portion comprises a plate with a cutout portion therein, where said cutout portion is formed by cutting a portion of said plate and folding said portion over the band.

2. The apparatus for fixing an installation object on a wheel according to claim 1, wherein said housing extended portion is integrally formed with the housing.

3. A method for fixing an installation object on a wheel by use of a fixing apparatus in which a band which is looped around a rim well portion of the wheel and holds the installation object is included;

and while a housing for holding a worm screw is fixed to one end portion of the band, a plurality of slits for engaging with a thread of the worm screw are provided in the other end portion of the band, the method characterized by including the steps of pressing the housing against the rim well portion by means of a rotation preventing jig which is matched with a shape of the housing, and tightening the worm screw in a state where the housing is pressed.

4. An apparatus for fixing an installation object on a wheel comprising:

a band which is looped around a rim well portion of the wheel and holds the installation object;

a housing for holding a worm screw fixed to one end portion of the band;

a plurality of slits for engaging with a thread of the worm screw provided in the other end portion of the band; and

a rotation restraining mechanism which restrains rotation of the housing caused by a tightening torque of the worm screw by including at least one band extended portion that projects more outward than the housing in a width direction of the band,

wherein said at least one band extended portion comprises a portion of said band that extends outwards from said band in the width direction, and further wherein said at least one band extended portion is integrally formed with said band of a same material as said band.

5. An apparatus for fixing an installation object on a wheel comprising:

a band which is looped around a rim well portion of the wheel and holds the installation object;

a housing for holding a worm screw fixed to one end portion of the band;

a plurality of slits for engaging with a thread of the worm screw provided in the other end portion of the band; and

a rotation restraining mechanism which restrains rotation of the housing caused by a tightening torque of the worm screw by including at least one extended portion that projects more outward than the housing in a width direction of the band,

wherein said at least one extended portion includes a portion extending outwards from said housing in a widthwise direction of the band, and further wherein said widthwise direction extending portion is installed onto said housing.

6. The apparatus for fixing an installation object on a wheel according to claim 5, further comprising a plurality of fins extending in a heightwise direction, wherein said fins are connected to said widthwise direction extending portion.

7. The apparatus for fixing an installation object on a wheel according to claim 5, wherein the extended portion is formed of an elastically deformable material, and thereby, when the band is fastened, the extended portion becomes deformed along a contour of the rim well portion.