Wheel balancing tool

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11906386-B2
Application number	US-201816228694-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 20, 2018
Priority date	Dec 20, 2018
Publication date	Feb 20, 2024
Grant date	Feb 20, 2024

Abstract

A wheel balancing tool includes a body member, an attachment member and an alignment member. The body member includes a notch configured to be aligned with a balancing mark on a rim of a vehicle wheel. The attachment member is connected to the body member. The attachment member includes at least one hook configured to attach the tool to the wheel rim. The alignment member extends outwardly from the body portion and is configured to indicate an attachment position on the wheel for a balancing weight.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A wheel balancing tool comprising:
a body member including a notch configured to be aligned with a balancing mark on a rim of a vehicle wheel;
an attachment member connected to the body member, the attachment member including at least one hook configured to attach the tool to the wheel rim; and
an alignment member extending outwardly from the body portion and configured to indicate an attachment position on the wheel for a balancing weight, the alignment member tapering to a pointed tip to indicate the attachment position for the balancing weight, the pointed tip being a lowermost point of the wheel balancing tool and located away from the wheel rim.

2. The wheel balancing tool according to claim 1 , wherein
the tool is integrally formed as a one-piece member.

3. The wheel balancing tool according to claim 1 , wherein
the notch is formed in a first plane and the alignment member is formed in a second plane, the first plane and the plane being non-coplanar.

4. The wheel balancing tool according to claim 1 , wherein
the notch is aligned with the pointed tip of the alignment member.

5. The wheel balancing tool according to claim 1 , wherein
the alignment member has a free laterally extending edge against which the balancing weight is to be positioned.

6. The wheel balancing tool according to claim 1 , wherein
a magnet is disposed on the alignment member to facilitate securing the tool to the vehicle wheel.

7. The wheel balancing tool according to claim 1 , wherein
a suction cup is disposed on the alignment member to facilitate securing the tool to the vehicle wheel.

8. The wheel balancing tool according to claim 1 , wherein
the alignment member is hingedly connected to the body member.

9. The wheel balancing tool according to claim 1 , wherein
the alignment member includes a telescoping portion to adjust a length of the alignment member.

10. The wheel balancing tool according to claim 1 , wherein
the body member is curved to facilitate being positioned adjacent an inner surface of a barrel of the wheel.

11. The wheel balancing tool according to claim 1 , wherein
a first width of the body member is larger than a second width of the alignment member.

12. The wheel balancing tool according to claim 1 , wherein
the tool is made of plastic.

13. The wheel balancing tool according to claim 1 , wherein
the attachment member includes first and second hooks.

14. The wheel balancing tool according to claim 13 , wherein
the first and second hooks are spaced apart such that the notch is disposed between the first and second hooks.

15. The wheel balancing tool according to claim 13 , wherein
the first and second hooks are linearly offset when viewed from above the tool.

16. The wheel balancing tool according to claim 1 , wherein
the attachment member includes one hook connected to the body member by first and second arms.

17. The wheel balancing tool according to claim 16 , wherein
the hook is curved to facilitate connecting to the wheel rim.

18. The wheel balancing tool according to claim 16 , wherein
the first and second arms, the hook and the body member define an open space within which the balancing mark is configured to be positioned.

19. The wheel balancing tool according to claim 18 , wherein
the notch is disposed in a portion of the body member defining the open space.

Assignees

• Nissan North America Inc

Inventors

• Miller Adam
• Cohen Eric

Classifications

• G01M1/326 Primary

  the body being a vehicle wheel · CPC title

• F16F15/324

  the rotating body being a vehicle wheel (F16F15/36 takes precedence; tyre parts or constructions not otherwise provided for B60C19/00) · CPC title

• F16F15/345

  specially adapted for attachment to a vehicle wheel · CPC title

• F16F2230/0029

  Location, co-location · CPC title

• F16F2230/0047

  Measuring, indicating · CPC title