Steering wheel puller and method

Details Steering wheel puller and method Steering wheel puller and method

2000-04-26

2001-11-13

Hughes, S. Thomas (Department: 3726)

Metal working

Method of mechanical manufacture

Disassembling

C029S256000, C029S259000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06314632

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a tool used to remove steering wheels from golf carts or other small utility vehicles.
BACKGROUND
Golf carts and utility vehicles typically have steering wheels which are removable. The steering wheel may removed to be repaired or refurbished or may just be replaced with a new wheel. Other repairs to the vehicle may require removal of the steering wheel as well. The wheel must be removed from the steering column to allow the column to be removed from the chassis so that repairs can be made.
Often, steering wheels on these types of vehicles are difficult to remove from the columns. First, the base of the steering wheel is designed to fit tightly around the top portion of the steering column shaft. In some manufacturer's vehicles, a tapered column provides a tight fit with the steering shell. Also, buildup of rust or other foreign matter can make the wheel stick to the column and be difficult to remove. The maintenance personnel thus typically use hammers or other tools to dislodge the steering wheel from the steering column shaft However, these methods can cause damage to the wheel, column or shaft. These methods can also cause the wheel to fly off the shaft causing damage to the steering wheel itself or injuring the person removing the wheel or a bystander. There is therefore a need to provide an apparatus and method for removing a steering wheel from the steering column of golf carts, maintenance vehicles and the like, where the steering wheel is engaged on the steering column by a frictional fit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is therefore directed to a steering wheel puller and method of removing a steering wheel from frictional engagement with a steering column. The steering wheel puller of the present invention comprises an actuator portion and a base plate. The actuator is positioned relative to the top of the steering wheel and is selectively attached with the base plate positioned to positively engage the underside of the steering wheel. The actuator comprises a steering column engaging portion selectively positioned to engage a top portion of the steering column on which a steering wheel is mounted, and a plate engaging portion. A drive member selectively provides relative movement between the column engaging portion and plate engaging portion. The base plate is selectively attached in the plate engaging portion and is configured to extend into positive engagement with at least a portion of the underside of a steering wheel. Upon operation of the drive member, the base plate is selectively moved upwardly relative to the column engaging portion to pull the wheel upwardly therewith. The upward force of the base plate on the wheel causes the wheel to dislodge from the steering column shaft while being positively retained relative to the actuator and base plate. This arrangement provides for simplified removal of the steering wheel without damage, and ensures safety in the removal.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a tool which removes steering wheels from golf carts and utility vehicles without damaging the steering wheel, steering column, steering shaft or other structure. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a tool for removing steering wheels which removes the wheel safely by not allowing the wheel to fly off the shaft.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a steering wheel puller which fits any model of golf cart or utility vehicle.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a steering wheel puller and kit which is simple to assemble for use and disassemble for reuse or storage.


REFERENCES:
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patent: 5898985 (1999-05-01), Villarreal
patent: 6185817 (2001-02-01), Sims et al.

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