Wheel changing assembly

• US 9,855,929 B2
• Filed: 07/07/2016
• Issued: 01/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ortagus Bennett
• Original Assignee: Ortagus Bennett
• Inventors: Bennett, Ortagus
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Lee D
• Application Number:
  US15/203,892
• Publication Number:
  US 20170174188A1
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/145 specially adapted for fluid operated wrenches or screwdrivers
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 29/006 with electric or pneumatic drive power-driven nut setting or loosening tool per se B25B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0479 Communicating with external units being not part of the vehicle, e.g. tools for diagnostic, mobile phones, electronic keys or service stations
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 5/046 using electrical or electronical means
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 9/10 by fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 13/00 Common constructional features or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 3/36 Load-engaging elements
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 3/42 with self-contained pumps, e.g. actuated by hand
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 5/04 with fluid-pressure-operated lifting gear

Abstract

A wheel changing assembly for safely changing a wheel of a vehicle includes a jack that comprises a first housing. A first power module, a first microprocessor, a pump and a lift are coupled to and positioned in the first housing. The first microprocessor is operationally coupled to the first power module. The pump is operationally coupled to the first microprocessor. The lift is fluidically coupled to the pump. A plate is coupled to a second end of the lift. A plurality of wheels is coupled to a bottom of the first housing. A camera, a plurality of lights and a locator, which are coupled to and positioned in the plate, are operationally coupled to the first microprocessor. The camera is configured to image an underside of the vehicle during placement of the jack. The locator is configured to signal proper positioning of the jack relative to the frame of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A wheel changing assembly comprising:

a jack comprising a first housing;

a first power module coupled to and positioned in said first housing;

a first microprocessor coupled to and positioned in said first housing, said first microprocessor being operationally coupled to said first power module;

a pump coupled to and positioned in said first housing, said pump being operationally coupled to said first microprocessor;

a lift coupled to and positioned in said first housing, said lift being fluidically coupled to said pump;

a plate coupled to a second end of said lift;

a plurality of wheels coupled to a bottom of said first housing;

a camera coupled to and positioned in said plate, said camera being operationally coupled to said first microprocessor, wherein said camera is configured to image an underside of the vehicle during placement of said jack;

a plurality of lights coupled to and positioned in said plate, said lights being operationally coupled to said first microprocessor, wherein said lights are configured to project light upwardly from said plate;

a locator coupled to and positioned in said plate, said locator being operationally coupled to said first microprocessor, wherein said locator is configured to signal said first microprocessor when said jack is properly positioned relative to the frame of the vehicle; and

a controller operationally coupled to said first microprocessor, wherein said controller is positioned to signal said first microprocessor.

2. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

said first housing being substantially rectangularly box shaped;

said pump being hydraulic;

said lift having a first end coupled to a bottom of said first housing, said lift having a second end selectively extensible through a top of said first housing;

said plate being substantially circular, said plate having an upper surface, said upper surface being textured, such that said plate is configured for abutment to a frame of a vehicle and wherein said upper surface is configured to deter slippage of said plate relative to the frame; and

said plurality of wheels comprising wheels positioned singly proximate to each lower corner of said first housing.

3. The assembly of claim 1, further including said first power module comprising a plurality of first batteries, said first batteries being rechargeable, said first power module comprising two first batteries.

4. The assembly of claim 1, further including said first microprocessor comprising a first communicator, said first communicator being enabled for transmission and receipt of wireless signals, said first communicator being wireless personal access networking enabled.

5. The assembly of claim 1, further including a plurality of legs gearedly coupled to said first housing, each said leg being gearedly coupled to said lift, wherein said legs are positioned to extend from said first housing as said lift is motivated upwardly by said pump, each said leg being positioned in and extendable from a respective recess, each said recess being positioned in a respective side of said first housing, said plurality of legs comprising four said legs.

6. The assembly of claim 5, further including each said leg comprising a gear set, each said gear set comprising:

a rack gear coupled to said lift;

a pinion gear rotationally coupled to said first housing within said recess, said pinion gear being gearedly coupled to said rack gear;

a center sprocket rotationally coupled to said first housing within said recess, said center sprocket being gearedly coupled to said pinion gear;

an end sprocket fixedly positioned at a first terminus of said leg, said first terminus of said leg being rotationally coupled to said first housing within said recess, said end sprocket being gearedly coupled to said center sprocket; and

wherein upward movement of said rack gear compels rotation of said pinion gear compelling sequentially rotation of said center sprocket and said end sprocket, wherein said leg is compelled from a stowed position within said recess to an extended position wherein a second terminus of said leg is in contact with a surface below the vehicle.

7. The assembly of claim 1, further including said camera being substantially centrally positioned in said plate.

8. The assembly of claim 1, further including said lights comprising light emitting diodes, said plurality of lights being squarely arrayed around said camera, said plurality of lights comprising four said lights positioned proximate to said camera.

9. The assembly of claim 1, further including said locator comprising a plurality of sensors, said sensors being metal detecting, said plurality of sensors comprising four sensors substantially evenly spaced proximate to a circumference of said plate.

10. The assembly of claim 1, further including said controller being wirelessly coupled to said first microprocessor.

11. The assembly of claim 10, further including said controller comprising:

a second housing;

a second power module coupled to and positioned in said second housing, said second power module comprising a second battery;

a second microprocessor coupled to and positioned in said second housing, said second microprocessor being operationally coupled to said second power module, said second microprocessor comprising a second communicator, said second communicator being enabled for transmission and receipt of wireless signals, said second communicator being Bluetooth enabled;

a first display positioned on said second housing, said first display being operationally coupled to said second microprocessor; and

a control panel coupled to and positioned on said second housing, said control panel being operationally coupled to said second microprocessor, said control panel comprising an On/Off button, an Up button, and a Down button.

12. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a compressor, said compressor being configured for coupling to the vehicle, said compressor being configured for operational coupling to the electrical system of the vehicle;

an air hose coupled to and extending from said compressor;

a first connector coupled to said air hose distal from said compressor; and

a torque wrench, said torque wrench being selectively couplable to said first connector, wherein said torque wrench is positioned to couple to said first connector such that said torque wrench is configured to rotate lug nuts of a wheel.

13. The assembly of claim 12, further including said torque wrench comprising:

a third housing;

a third power module coupled to and positioned in said third housing, said third power module comprising a third battery;

a third microprocessor coupled to and positioned in said third housing, said third microprocessor being operationally coupled to said third power module;

a second display positioned on said third housing, said second display being operationally coupled to said third microprocessor, wherein said second display is coupled to said third microprocessor such that said second display is positioned to present torque specifications applicable to fastening of the lug nuts;

a first actuator coupled to and positioned in said third housing;

a first handgrip extending from said third housing;

a second connector coupled to said first handgrip, said second connector being complementary to said first connector, such that said second connector is positioned to couple to said first connector wherein said first actuator is fluidically coupled to said compressor;

a third connector coupled to said first actuator and extending from said third housing, said third connector being configured to selectively couple to a socket; and

wherein third microprocessor is positioned to compel said first actuator to motivate rotation of said third connector to rotate a lug nut positioned in the socket coupled to said third connector to the torque specification provided by the manufacturer of the wheel.

14. The assembly of claim 12, further including an air gun, said air gun being selectively couplable to said first connector, wherein said air gun is positioned to couple to said first connector such that said air gun is positioned to couple to an air stem of a tire for addition of air to the wheel.

15. The assembly of claim 14, further including said air gun comprising:

a fourth housing;

a fourth power module coupled to and positioned in said fourth housing, said fourth power module comprising a fourth battery;

a fourth microprocessor coupled to and positioned in said fourth housing, said fourth microprocessor being operationally coupled to said fourth power module;

a third display positioned on said fourth housing, said third display being operationally coupled to said fourth microprocessor, wherein said third display is positioned to present pressure readings for the wheel;

a second actuator coupled to and positioned in said fourth housing, said second actuator being operationally coupled to said fourth microprocessor;

a second handgrip extending from said fourth housing;

a fourth connector coupled to said second handgrip, said fourth connector being complementary to said first connector; and

an outflow tube coupled to said fourth housing, said outflow tube being fluidically connected to said fourth connector.

16. The assembly of claim 15, further including a receiver coupled to and positioned in said fourth housing, said receiver being operationally coupled to said fourth microprocessor, said receiver being radio frequency enabled, said receiver being in communication with a sensor unit comprising a vehicle manufacturer installed Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensor, wherein the sensor unit is configured to measure pressure and positioned to send pressure readings to said receiver, wherein said fourth microprocessor is positioned to respond to pressure readings relayed from said receiver to motivate said air gun to send air via said outflow tube through the stem valve.

17. The assembly of claim 16, further including further including said receiver being radio frequency and infrared light enabled.

18. A wheel changing assembly comprising:

a jack comprising a first housing, said first housing being substantially rectangularly box shaped;

a first power module coupled to and positioned in said first housing, said first power module comprising a plurality of first batteries, said first batteries being rechargeable, said first power module comprising two first batteries;

a first microprocessor coupled to and positioned in said first housing, said first microprocessor being operationally coupled to said first power module, said first microprocessor comprising a first communicator, said first communicator being enabled for transmission and receipt of wireless signals, said first communicator being Bluetooth enabled;

a pump coupled to and positioned in said first housing, said pump being operationally coupled to said first microprocessor, said pump being hydraulic;

a lift coupled to and positioned in said first housing, said lift being fluidically coupled to said pump, said lift having a first end coupled to a bottom of said first housing, said lift having a second end selectively extensible through a top of said first housing;

a plate coupled to said second end of said lift, said plate being substantially circular, said plate having an upper surface, said upper surface being textured, such that said plate is configured for abutment to a frame of a vehicle and wherein said upper surface is configured to deter slippage of said plate relative to the frame;

a plurality of wheels coupled to said bottom of said first housing, said plurality of wheels comprising wheels positioned singly proximate to each lower corner of said first housing;

a plurality of legs gearedly coupled to said first housing, each said leg being gearedly coupled to said lift, wherein said legs are positioned to extend from said first housing as said lift is motivated upwardly by said pump, each said leg being positioned in and extendable from a respective recess, each said recess being positioned in a respective side of said first housing, said plurality of legs comprising four said legs, each said leg comprising a gear set, each said gear set comprising;

a rack gear coupled to said lift,

a pinion gear rotationally coupled to said first housing within said recess, said pinion gear being gearedly coupled to said rack gear,

a center sprocket rotationally coupled to said first housing within said recess, said center sprocket being gearedly coupled to said pinion gear,

an end sprocket fixedly positioned at a first terminus of said leg, said first terminus of said leg being rotationally coupled to said first housing within said recess, said end sprocket being gearedly coupled to said center sprocket, and

wherein upward movement of said rack gear compels rotation of said pinion gear compelling sequentially rotation of said center sprocket and said end sprocket, wherein said leg is compelled from a stowed position within said recess to an extended position wherein a second terminus of said leg is in contact with a surface below the vehicle;

a camera coupled to and positioned in said plate, said camera being operationally coupled to said first microprocessor, wherein said camera is configured to image an underside of the vehicle during placement of said jack, said camera being substantially centrally positioned in said plate;

a plurality of lights coupled to and positioned in said plate, said lights being operationally coupled to said first microprocessor, wherein said lights are configured to project light upwardly from said plate, said lights comprising light emitting diodes, said plurality of lights being squarely arrayed around said camera, said plurality of lights comprising four said lights positioned proximate to said camera;

a locator coupled to and positioned in said plate, said locator being operationally coupled to said first microprocessor, wherein said locator is configured to signal said first microprocessor when said jack is properly positioned relative to the frame of the vehicle, said locator comprising a plurality of sensors, said sensors being metal detecting, said plurality of sensors comprising four sensors substantially evenly spaced proximate to a circumference of said plate;

a controller operationally coupled to said first microprocessor, wherein said controller is positioned to signal said first microprocessor, said controller being wirelessly coupled to said first microprocessor, said controller comprising;

a second housing,

a second power module coupled to and positioned in said second housing, said second power module comprising a second battery,

a second microprocessor coupled to and positioned in said second housing, said second microprocessor being operationally coupled to said second power module, said second microprocessor comprising a second communicator, said second communicator being enabled for transmission and receipt of wireless signals, said second communicator being wireless personal access networking enabled,

a first display positioned on said second housing, said first display being operationally coupled to said second microprocessor, and

a control panel coupled to and positioned on said second housing, said control panel being operationally coupled to said second microprocessor, said control panel comprising an on/off button, an up button, and a down button;

a compressor, said compressor being configured for coupling to the vehicle, said compressor being configured for operational coupling to the electrical system of the vehicle;

an air hose coupled to and extending from said compressor;

a first connector coupled to said air hose distal from said compressor;

a torque wrench, said torque wrench being selectively couplable to said first connector, wherein said torque wrench is positioned to couple to said first connector such that said torque wrench is configured to rotate lug nuts of a wheel, said torque wrench comprising;

a third housing,

a third power module coupled to and positioned in said third housing, said third power module comprising a third battery,

a third microprocessor coupled to and positioned in said third housing, said third microprocessor being operationally coupled to said third power module,

a second display positioned on said third housing, said second display being operationally coupled to said third microprocessor, wherein said second display is coupled to said third microprocessor such that said second display is positioned to present torque specifications applicable to fastening of the lug nuts,

a first actuator coupled to and positioned in said third housing,

a first handgrip extending from said third housing,

a second connector coupled to said first handgrip, said second connector being complementary to said first connector, such that said second connector is positioned to couple to said first connector wherein said first actuator is fluidically coupled to said compressor,

a third connector coupled to said first actuator and extending from said third housing, said third connector being configured to selectively couple to a socket, and

wherein third microprocessor is positioned to compel said first actuator to motivate rotation of said third connector to rotate a lug nut positioned in the socket coupled to said third connector to the torque specification provided by the manufacturer of the wheel;

an air gun, said air gun being selectively couplable to said first connector, wherein said air gun is positioned to couple to said first connector such that said air gun is positioned to couple to an air stem of a tire for addition of air to the wheel, said air gun comprising

a fourth housing,

a fourth power module coupled to and positioned in said fourth housing, said fourth power module comprising a fourth battery,

a fourth microprocessor coupled to and positioned in said fourth housing, said fourth microprocessor being operationally coupled to said fourth power module,

a third display positioned on said fourth housing, said third display being operationally coupled to said fourth microprocessor, wherein said third display is positioned to present pressure readings for the wheel,

a second actuator coupled to and positioned in said fourth housing, said second actuator being operationally coupled to said fourth microprocessor,

a second handgrip extending from said fourth housing,

a fourth connector coupled to said second handgrip, said fourth connector being complementary to said first connector,

an outflow tube coupled to said fourth housing, said outflow tube being fluidically connected to said fourth connector,

a receiver coupled to and positioned in said fourth housing, said receiver being operationally coupled to said fourth microprocessor, said receiver being radio frequency enabled, said receiver being in communication with a sensor unit comprising a vehicle manufacturer installed Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensor, wherein the sensor unit is configured to measure pressure and positioned to send pressure readings to said receiver, wherein said fourth microprocessor is positioned to respond to pressure readings relayed from said receiver to motivate said air gun to send air via said outflow tube through the stem valve, and

wherein the sensor unit is configured to measure pressure and positioned to send pressure readings to said receiver, wherein said fourth microprocessor is positioned to respond to pressure readings relayed from said receiver to motivate said air gun to send air via said outflow tube through the stem valve.

19. The assembly of claim 18, further including said receiver being radio frequency and infrared light enabled.