BACKGROUND AND FIELD

1. Field

The present device relates generally to devices for removing or installing tires on a vehicle, and more specifically to a device for removing or tightening lug nuts securing a vehicle tire.

2. Background

Removal or installation of a vehicle tire requires manipulation of the lug nuts used to retain the tire in place. In order to remove a vehicle tire, lug nuts holding the tire in place must be removed. Lug nuts are often tightened with a pneumatic impact wrench or other device that tightens the lug nuts beyond the degree to which a human might tighten the lug nuts by hand. Whether by hand or mechanical/pneumatic means, installing a tire requires tightening of lug nuts to an extent consistent with the safe retention of the tire. Substantial force may be required on the part of an individual removing or tightening lug nuts on a vehicle. The use of force required may lead to accident or injury, and may put an individual in a dangerous situation when removing or installing a tire near the edge of a busy roadway. Further, individuals with physical weaknesses may be unable to remove or tighten the lug nuts properly without mechanical or pneumatic assistance, and devices providing such assistance are located in mechanic's shops or other locales where they cannot be readily transported in a vehicle. Even were such items readily transportable, they typically require electrical or other external power that may not be available to a user who needs to change a tire on the road.

What is needed, then, is a portable device for tightening and removing lug nuts without a substantial output of strength from a user of the device, and without the need for electrical or other external power sources.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a portable device for removal or tightening of vehicle lug nuts without a significant expenditure of strength on the part of the individual performing the operation, and without the need for electrical or other external power beyond human effort.

In one aspect of the disclosure, the portable device includes a housing defining an interior reservoir, a first conduit, and a second conduit. The first conduit is in fluid communication with the interior reservoir and the second conduit is in fluid communication with the first conduit. A receiving chamber is provided within the housing and is also in fluid communication with the second housing. A hand pump associated with the device is operable to draw fluid within the reservoir into the first conduit, and also to force the fluid in the first conduit through the second conduit and into the receiving chamber. A first gear is rotatably disposed within the housing. A plurality of second gears are rotatably disposed within the housing. The plurality of second gears engage the first gear so that rotation of the first gear causes a corresponding rotation of the plurality of second gears. Each of the plurality of second gears is configured to engage a lug nut associated within the wheel of a vehicle.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the device further includes a plurality of countergears, each countergear positioned between two second gears and engaging both of the second gears.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the first gear is an impeller having a rim with a plurality of teeth defined along an internal perimeter of the rim. The teeth of the impeller rim engage the teeth of the plurality of second gears.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the receiving chamber includes a first inlet and a second inlet, both of which are in fluid communication with the second conduit. The device is configured such that a user of the device may selectively open the first inlet or the second inlet. When fluid moves into the receiving chamber through the first inlet, the first gear rotates in a first direction. When fluid moves into the receiving chamber through the second inlet, the first gear rotates in a second direction.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a portable device for removal or tightening of lug nuts that includes a housing defining an interior reservoir, a first conduit in fluid communication with the interior reservoir, and a second conduit in fluid communication with the first conduit. A receiving chamber is defined within the housing and is in fluid communication with the second conduit. An impeller is rotatably disposed within the receiving chamber such that fluid entering the receiving chamber impinges on the impeller and causes rotation of the impeller. The impeller includes a rim having an internal perimeter that includes a plurality of gear teeth. A plurality of socket gears are rotatably disposed within the housing. The socket gears each include a toothed perimeter engaging the internal perimeter of the impeller such that rotation of the impeller causes a corresponding rotation of the socket gear. A hand pump is operable to draw fluid from the reservoir into the first conduit, and to force fluid through the second conduit and into the receiving chamber.

