Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
TITLE: MECHANIC HELPER MACHINE PROTOTYPE
INVENTOR: Golamali SOLEIMANLOO
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[1] The present invention relates in general to a mechanic's helper, and more
particularly pertains to a device for changing a vehicle wheel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[2] Repairing or otherwise servicing a vehicle can be very hard on the body of
a
mechanic. Many of the vehicle parts, such as a wheel, are heavy. In order to
install a part of a vehicle or change the damaged part, a mechanic must hold
the
part while aligning the part to fit to its place. This requires the mechanic
to move
the heavy part forwards, backwards or to the sides, which can put undue
stresses on the back, legs and other parts of the body, particularly when a
lengthy repair is involved.
[3] Specifically, in order to change the tires of a vehicle, the mechanic
must sit to
gain access to the tire while holding the tire and aligning it on the hub
behind it,
which may cause serious injuries. These problems are compounded when work
is to be done on the tire of a truck or other large vehicles.
[4] With respect to most of the commercially available mechanic helpers in
today's
marketplace, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for new
and improved work supporting device wherein such a device can be utilized
alternatively to accomplish a plurality of different functions and in this
regard, the
present invention substantially fulfills this need.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[5] The present invention is a mechanic helper machine designed to ease the
workload and save in manual labor costs for replacing and installing parts
under
automobiles, which are elevated on lifters. This machine can be operated with
minimal bodily force to carry and install parts of a vehicle such as tires,
gearboxes, differentials, gas tanks, and exhaust system.
[6] The mechanic helper machine comprises of a plurality of horizontal
platforms
mounted on a lifter. Each platform provides a specific movement enabling the
device to move in various directions. The lifter's platform supports the
horizontal
platforms and provides a height adjustment to enables the device being
utilized
as a mechanics helper beneath a vehicle.
[7] The machine further comprises of:
- a lower platform which is the base of the device that carries all the load;
- a back and forth sliding platform installed on the lower platform;
- a sidewise sliding platform installed on the back and forth sliding
platform;
- a rotating platform installed on the back and forth sliding platform on
which
different clamps can be attached to hold different car part for installation,
and
- a top car wheel replacement machine deck installed on top of the device
to
install wheel stands to use the mechanic helper machine for wheel replacement.
[8] A lifter is provided to install the mechanic helper machine thereon. The
horizontal platforms are mounted on the lifter's platform. Said lifter may be
a
simple drill operated lifter or a hydraulic lifter. The lifter provides wheels
to move
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to all directions freely to give the operator the freedom of delivering the
parts to
be installed on the vehicle from storage to the vehicle. The lifter further
provides
an adjustable height. Therefore, the machine is capable to move back and
forth,
left and right and up and down.
[9] The mechanic helper device of the present invention further comprises of
adjustable wheel stands, which the wheels will be mounted thereon. The wheel
stands are equipped with rollers to provide rotational functionality for the
wheel
during the installation. A pair of clamps are also provided on adjustable
wheel
stands to hold the wheels and guide the wheels for loading. The wheel stands
provide with clamps to hold the wheel tight, while adjusting the wheel on a
vehicle.
[10] In operation to install or remove a vehicle wheel, the clamps will be
opened for
loading the wheel on the adjustable wheel stands. The clamps hold the wheel
tight on the wheel stand while aligning the wheel on the vehicle. The wheel
will
be carried to the place for installation and the height will be adjusted by
the lifter.
The operator can align the wheel by rotating or sliding the wheel in various
directions to easily align the wheel-holes with their matching screws on the
car.
[11] It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a
Mechanic helper
machine to ease the workload and save in manual labor costs for replacing and
installing parts under vehicles.
[12] It is another object of the present invention to provide a device, which
can safely
hold and move the heavy parts of the vehicle, specifically a tire so that work
can
easily be performed on the vehicle.
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[13] It is another object of the present invention to provide a device which
can hold a
wheel of a vehicle to be replaced, tight in a specific distance and align it
on the
rim.
[14] It is another object of the present invention to provide a device, which
is
adjustable in the height to move the heavy parts to be installed on the
vehicle in
various directions to support the operator.
[15] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device, in
which the
angle of inclination of the platforms is adjustable.
[16] It is yet another objection of the present invention to provide a device,
as above,
which is portable and can be operated with minimal bodily force to carry and
install heavy parts of a vehicle.
[17] It is another object of the present invention to increase productivity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[18] Embodiments herein will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the
appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the
claims,
wherein like designations denote like elements, and in which:
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the major parts of the mechanic helper
machine;
FIG. 1B shows a wheel mounted on the mechanic helper machine for
installation;
FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the lifter according to the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a view of the platforms of the machine;
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FIG. 3A shows the lower platform of the present invention;
FIG. 3B shows the lower platform mounted on the lifter platform according to
the
present invention;
FIG. 4 shows the back and forth sliding platform according to the present
invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the side-sliding platform;
FIG. 6A shows the adjustable wheel stand bases according to the present
invention;
FIG. 6B shows the adjustable wheel stand bases according to the present
invention;
FIG. 7A is a bottom view of the adjustable wheel stand base;
FIG. 7B is a top view of the adjustable wheel stand base;
FIG. 8A shows the right adjustable wheel stand of the present invention;
FIG. 8B shows the left adjustable wheel stand of the present invention;
FIG. 8C shows the adjustable wheel stands mounted on the wheel stand bases;
FIG. 80 shows the adjustable wheel stands mounted on the wheel stand bases;
FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the left clamp according to the present
invention;
FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the right clamp according to the present
invention;
FIG. 10A shows the right clamp in closed position;
FIG. 10B shows the right clamp in opened position;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a balancer according to the present
invention;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a mechanic helper machine assembled
according to the present invention;
FIG. 13 shows the sliding platform of the present invention;
FIG. 14A shows the installation steps of the wheel on the mechanic helper
machine according to the present invention;
FIG. 14B shows the installation steps of the wheel on the mechanic helper
machine according to the present invention;
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FIG. 140 shows the installation steps of the wheel on the mechanic helper
machine according to the present invention;
FIG.14D shows the installation steps of the wheel on the mechanic helper
machine according to the present invention, and
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the lifter of the mechanic helper machine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[19] The figures are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present
invention to
the precise form disclosed. It should be understood that the invention can be
practiced with modification and alteration, and that the disclosed technology
be
limited only by the claims and equivalents thereof.
[20] The device disclosed herein, in accordance with one or more various
embodiments, is described in detail with reference to the following figures.
The
drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only and merely depict
typical
or example embodiments of the disclosed device. These drawings are provided
to facilitate the reader's understanding of the disclosed device and shall not
be
considered limiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability thereof. It should
be
noted that for clarity and ease of illustration these drawings are not
necessarily
made to scale.
[21] The embodiment disclosed herein is a mechanic helper machine having means
specifically to support a user to install a tire of a vehicle for the purpose
of
easing the workload of workers carrying tires and holding in a proper place.
[22] According to FIG.s 1A, 1B and 1C the mechanic helper machine to install
or
remove a wheel comprises a x-y-z platform mounted on a lifter that can move
horizontally and vertically.
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[23] FIG. 2 shows the mechanic helper machine 100 comprising of a lower
platform
101, a back and forth sliding platform 102, installed on lower platform 101, a
sidewise sliding platform 103, installed on the back and forth sliding
platform
102, a rotating platform 104, installed on the back and forth sliding platform
103
on which different clamps can be attached to hold different car part for
installation. A top car wheel replacement machine deck 105 is installed on top
of
the machine.
[24] FIG. 2A and 2B show the lower platform 101 and the back and forth sliding
platform 102 installed thereon. The lower platform 101 is a rectangular plate
preferably made of plywood, which is located above the platform of the lifter
112
and is supported by four springs 122 from its four corners on the platform of
the
lifter. The springs 122 are supported by bolts 123 and secured by nuts and
safety washers.
[25] According to FIG. 3 and 4 two customized railing system 125 with extra
ball
bearing are installed on the top surface of the lower platform, between the
lower
platform 101 and sliding platform 102. The sliding platform 102 slides forward
and backwards on the rails.
[26] The sliding platform 102 is a rectangular plate made of plywood located
above
the lower platform 101. The sliding platform 102 has bearings on its bottom
surface in a manner to engage with the railing 125 on the lower platform 101
to
provide a sliding movement. A pair of customized angled steel plates 126 is
mounted on side edges of the lower platform 101 to lock the bracket of sliding
platform 102.
[27] Two customized steel angled plate 126, are provided on the sides of the
lower
platform 102 to control and lock the movement of the sliding platform 102. A
plurality of holes 127 are provided in a distance to each other on the angle
plate
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126 to receive the lock brackets 128 of the sliding platform 102 to control
the
back and forth sliding of the sliding platform 102 and lock it in a desired
place.
[28] According to FIG.3 and 4 again a sidewise sliding platform 103 is further
installed on a railing system between the back and forth sliding platform 102
and
the sidewise sliding platform 103. Said platform 103 is further a plywood base
located above the second platform 102, and supported by a railing system. The
railing system comprises of a pair of wood bars 129 installed at a 90 degrees
parallel to each other on top side of the back and forth sliding platform 102.
A
plurality of ball bearing 130 is provided on wood bars. An extra wood bar 131
is
attached to the parallel bars 129 to provide extra support to the railing
system. A
pair of U-channels is attached to the sides of the side sliding platform 103.
The
U-channels are steel channels mounted on front and back side of the platform
to
provide a smooth sliding movement. A pair of Z- channels 133 is screwed above
the two sides of the platform 103. A piece of plywood base 134 with a
thickness
is attached on the right side to the top of the side sliding deck 103.
[29] According to FIG. 5A and 5B the device 100 provides two piece of a right
wheel
adjustable stand base 134 and a left wheel adjustable stand base 137 made of
plywood with a specific thickness. The left stand base 137 provides bearings
on
sides to slide on z channels 133. A plurality of locks is provided on specific
spots
138, 139 and 140. The adjustable left stand base 137 can be moved to fit the
size of different wheels. An adjustment screw can be used by common pressure
air tools for wheel screws. A screw support 143 is also provided to support
the
rod screw 142.
[30] FIG. 6A is a bottom view of the left stand base 143 showing the position
of the
screw rod 142. A customized U-channel 144 is cut on the centre of bottom part
of the left stand base 145 with built ¨in brackets to guide the rod screw 142
in
the channel. The rod screw 142 further has a hex head to be drilled to move to
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left and right. The bottom part 143 provides trims on sides to slide on Z-
channels. FIG.6B shows the stand base 143 from the top.
[31] According to FIG.s 7A, 7B, 7C and 7D the mechanic helper machine 100
provides wheel stands 146, 147 on which the wheel will sit for installation.
The
wheel stands are equipped with rollers 148, 149 to provide rotation
functionality
for the wheel. This allows the operator to easily align the wheel holes with
their
matching screws on the car. Wheel stands 146, 147 are installed on the
adjustable wheel stand bases 134, 137. The distance between the stands 146,
147 are easily adjusted using any rotational tool such as a battery driven
drill.
This will enable the machine to handle with variety of wheel sizes.
[32] The wheel stand comprises of a U-channel 154, 155 on bottom part having
means to fasten the wheel stands 148, 149 on the wheel stand bases 134, 137.
A customized vertical U-channel 156, 157 is connected to a horizontal U-
channel 158, 159 on both wheel stands 146, 147 to provide a structure to hold
the wheel. A pair of customized angled U-channels 160, 161 is connected to the
vertical U-channels 156, 157 from one side and to the left and right wheel
stand
bases 134, 137 from their other side. The wheel stands 146, 147 comprises of
PVC or steel tubes 148, 149 with tapped end caps connected to angled brackets
160, 161 on the sides. A lock system 162 is provided on the right wheel stand
146. The lock system 162 includes a rod 163 and a pair of wood blocks 164
attached to the vertical U-channels 156 to support the lock system 162.
[33] According to FIG.s 8A and 8B, a pair of clamps 150, 151 with roller jaws
are
installed on the adjustable wheel stand bases 146, 147. The left clamp 150 is
installed on the left wheel stand 147 and the right clamp 151 is installed on
the
right wheel stand 146. The right clamp 151 works like a hinge and will open
for
loading the wheel on the adjustable wheel stand base 146. The clamps 150, 151
have handles 160, 161 for adjusting the clamps. The clamps 150, 151 comprise
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of elongated steel square tubes 170, 171 having a length welded to the right
and
left clamps. A pair of square shape steel tubes 172 are welded in a distance
to
the elongated tube on the left clamp 172 and connected to each other by a
crossing tube 173. A pair of L shape square tube 174 is connected to the
elongated tube 171 of the right clamp 151.
[34] FIG. 9A shows the right clamp in an opened position. The clamp 151 in
open
position guides to load the wheel on the adjustable wheel stand 146. FIG. 9B
shows the right clamp 151 in a closed position. After loading the wheels, both
clamps jaws 153 are closed tight enough to just hold the wheel. In the closed
position the wheel can easily rotate over the stand rollers 148, 149 and
between
the jaws rollers 152, 153.
[35] The mechanic helper machine provides a balancer to reduce the weight of
the
wheel and make the wheel installation easier for the worker. According to FIG.
and lithe balancer 200 according to the present invention provides rollers
201 which the wheels rest thereon. The balancer can be installed on the wheel
stands. In another embodiment the balancer 200 can be replaced with an air
forced mechanism in the centre of the lower platform 101, sliding platform 102
or sidewise sliding platform 103.
[36] According to FIG. 12 the rotating deck 104 is a circular deck which will
be
installed on the side sliding deck 103 using a pair of ball ¨bearings 136. The
rotating deck 104 has plurality of installation slots 135 to fit any kind of
brackets
or clamps to secure the car parts such as gearboxes, differentials thereon.
The
rotating deck 104 is made of cast-iron. Different clamps can be attached to
this
deck to hold different car parts for installation. According to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention the rotating deck will be described as an
adjustable stand base to install a wheel of a vehicle.
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[37] FIG. 13A, 13B, 13C and 13D shows the installation steps of a wheel on a
wheel
stand according to the present invention.
[38] As shown in FIG. 14 the mechanic helper machine 100 is mounted on a
lifter
110. The lifter is able to elevate at least 120 centimetres from the ground
level,
and is able to handle about 100 Kgs. The lifter provides wheels 117 to move to
all directions freely to give the operator the freedom of delivering the parts
to be
installed on the vehicle from storage to the vehicle. The lifter 110 comprises
of a
frame 111 and a support platform 112 with a dimension of approximately 50X50
centimetres to provide enough space for installation of the parts of the
mechanic
helper machine 100.
[39] Four wheels 117 are provided underneath the lifter frame 111.This enables
the
lifter 110 to move on wheels 117 to all directions freely to give the operator
the
freedom of delivering the parts to be installed on the vehicle from storage to
the
vehicle. The wheels 117 have brake to control the movement of the lifter 110
and facilitate a fixed positioning of the lifter in a desired location, The
lifter
further provides a space designed on the lifter to carry required tools.
[40] In preferred embodiment a battery operated electric lifter is preferred.
The lifter
110 must have variable speed with high precision control so the operator can
do
the final movements with relative precession. The lifter 110 provides an
adjustable lift power and safety shutdown to prevent damage to the parts and
the vehicle in case of the operator's error. Four micro switches 121, two one
each side of the lifter platform is attached.
[41] The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the
invention.
Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those
skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction
and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications
and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
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[42] With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the
optimum
relationships for the parts of the invention in regard to size, shape, form,
materials, function and manner of operation, assembly and use are deemed
readily apparent and obvious to those skilled in the art, and all equivalent
relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the
specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
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