(12) United States Patent
`Boice
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,824,121 B2
`Nov. 30, 2004
`
`I IIIII IIIIIIII Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111
`US006824121B2
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`(54) WHEEL SECURING DEVICE
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`6,481,692 Bl * 11/2002 King ..........................
`6,641,116 Bl * 11/2003 Huang ........................
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`254/219
`254/218
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`(76)
`
`Inventor: Arthur D. Boice, 222 Old Kings Hwy.,
`Lake Katrine, NY (US) 12449
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by O days.
`
`Primary Examiner-Emmanuel Marcelo
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/351,015
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jan.25,2003
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2004/0144964 Al Jul. 29, 2004
`
`Int. Cl.7 ................................................... B66F 3/00
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ...................................... 254/223; 24/69 ST
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 254/222, 223,
`254/213; 24/69 ST, 68 CD
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2,416,708 A * 3/1947 Moore ........................
`2,738,204 A * 3/1956
`Ibey ............................
`5,156,506 A * 10/1992 Bailey ........................
`6,101,927 A * 8/2000 Kurmlavage .................
`6,106,216 A * 8/2000 Hogan ........................
`
`254/223
`410/36
`410/100
`99/343
`414/678
`
`A wheel securing device is utilized with a wheel cradle of a
`automobile dolly for securing an automobile wheel towing
`an automobile. The wheel securing device includes a frame,
`a shaft mounted to rotate in the frame. The shaft extends
`beyond the frame and the shaft has a slot through it within
`the frame. A ratchet gear is mounted on the shaft outside and
`adjacent to the frame. A latch is mounted to rotate on the
`frame to engage the ratchet gear to permit rotation of the
`ratchet gear and the shaft in only one direction. A web
`assembly is utilized for mounting on the automobile wheel.
`The web assembly is connected to the shaft at the slot. A
`drive pulley is mounted on the shaft and the drive pulley has
`a nut extending from it on the side of the drive pulley
`opposite from the side facing the ratchet gear for tightening
`the web assembly on the automobile wheel. By placing the
`ratchet gear and latch on the outside of the frame and
`extending the shaft, the drive wheel can be placed outside
`the cradle for easy operation.
`
`3 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
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`II
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`13
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`Page 1 of 8
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`BOYDSTUN EXHIBIT 1005
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 30, 2004
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`Sheet 1 of 4
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`US 6,824,121 B2
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`BOYDSTUN EXHIBIT 1005
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 30, 2004
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`Sheet 2 of 4
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`US 6,824,121 B2
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`15
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`17
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`FIG. 2
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`Page 3 of 8
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`BOYDSTUN EXHIBIT 1005
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 30, 2004
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`Sheet 3 of 4
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`US 6,824,121 B2
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`35
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`FIG. 3
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`41
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`FIG.4
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`Page 4 of 8
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`BOYDSTUN EXHIBIT 1005
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 30, 2004
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`Sheet 4 of 4
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`US 6,824,121 B2
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`BOYDSTUN EXHIBIT 1005
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`

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`US 6,824,121 B2
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`1
`WHEEL SECURING DEVICE
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`the shaft has a slot through it within the frame. A ratchet gear
`is mounted on the shaft outside and adjacent to the frame. A
`latch is mounted to rotate on the frame to engage the ratchet
`gear to permit rotation of the ratchet gear and the shaft in
`5 only one direction. A web assembly is utilized for mounting
`on the automobile wheel. The web assembly is connected to
`the shaft at the slot. A drive pulley is mounted on the shaft
`and the drive pulley has a nut extending from it on the side
`of the drive pulley opposite from the side facing the ratchet
`10 gear for tightening the web assembly on the automobile
`wheel.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of the device showing the frame
`15 and the drive wheel as well as the ratchet gear and latch
`extending from the frame and the ratchet gear and the latch
`being accessible behind the ratchet drive wheel with the
`latch engaging the ratchet gear.
`FIG. 2 is an exploded pictorial view from the end of the
`20 device opposite from FIG. 1 and showing the shaft with the
`ratchet gear and drive wheel separated from the frame and
`also showing the latch separated from the frame.
`FIG. 3 is a pictorial view similar to a portion of FIG. 1 but
`with the latch rotated away form the ratchet gear.
`FIG. 4 is a pictorial view of the end of the device opposite
`from the drive wheel showing the shaft extending through
`the frame and being held in place by a pin.
`FIG. 5 is a pictorial view showing the device mounted on
`a automobile dolly with an automobile and one front wheel
`of the automobile shown in italics with the web assembly
`over the front wheel.
`
`30
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE NUMERALS
`
`NUMERAL
`
`DESCRIPTION
`
`11
`13
`15
`17
`19
`21
`23
`25
`29
`31
`33
`35
`37
`39
`41
`43
`45
`47
`49
`51
`53
`55
`57
`59
`61
`63
`65
`67
`69
`
`FRAME
`FRONT PANEL
`TWO SIDE PANELS
`OUTSIDE PANEL
`RATCHET GEAR
`INSIDE PANEL
`SHAFT
`OPENINGS
`BUSHING
`HOLE
`COTTER PIN
`LATCH
`PIN
`FINGER
`DRIVE WHEEL
`ROD OPENINGS
`ROD
`NUT
`SLOT
`CRADLE
`AUTOMOBILE WHEEL
`AUTOMOBILE
`WEB ASSEMBLY
`INNER BELT
`WEB
`OUTER BELT
`CLIP
`SIDE STRAPS
`INTERCONNECTING STRAPS
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`Referring now the FIG. 1, the Wheel Securing Device is
`shown. The Wheel Securing Device is constructed on a
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`This invention relates to a securing device for retaining an
`automobile wheel to a dolly when the automobile is being
`towed with the front wheels of the automobile raised off the
`ground by being placed on the dolly.
`2. Prior Art and Objects
`The wide-spread use of front-wheel drive vehicles is well
`recognized. The use of a dolly to tow front wheel drive
`automobiles and other similar vehicles is also well known.
`Such dollies are trailers having a cradle into which the front
`wheels of an automobile are placed. Such dollies are towed
`behind trucks and recreational vehicles. Particularly, with
`recreational vehicles, it is most usual to tow an automobile
`on a dolly behind the recreational vehicle.
`To secure the wheel into the cradle of the dolly, straps are
`utilized with a tightening device. Such devices are ratchet
`tie-downs having a handle resembling a large belt buckle.
`The degree of force of such a buckle being used as a handle
`is limited. Of greater significance, the buckle is located
`between the dolly and the wheel which makes operation 25
`difficult and restricts the extent to which the wheel is held
`down onto the dolly.
`A significant advantage of the current invention is a
`device which can be actuated close to but outside the
`restriction of the automobile dolly to permit easy unre-
`stricted operation and the application of significant force.
`Therefore, it is apparent that a device that would permit
`conveniently securing with significantly greater force an
`automobile wheel onto a dolly would be most advantageous. 35
`Of greatest significance is to have the drive means extending
`outside the dolly and having the ratchet control readily
`available for operation. The force may also be applied to the
`drive means by both a rod and a commercially available
`ratchet wrench.
`Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a
`device for conveniently and effectively securing an automo(cid:173)
`bile wheel onto a dolly.
`It is a further object this invention to provide a device for
`securing an automobile wheel onto a dolly which provides 45
`extensive force positively to secure an automobile wheel
`onto a dolly and providing means for readily providing such
`force.
`It is still a further object of this invention to provide a
`device which is highly durable.
`It is another object of this invention to provide a device
`which can be easily installed on a automobile dolly, either at
`the time of construction of the dolly or after manufacture.
`It is still another object of this invention to provide a 55
`device for securing an automobile wheel to a dolly which is
`inexpensive to produce.
`These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled
`in the art when read in conjunction with the annexed
`description and drawings.
`
`40
`
`50
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`60
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`A wheel securing device is provided for use with a wheel
`cradle of a automobile dolly for securing an automobile
`wheel of an automobile being towed on the dolly. Such 65
`wheel securing device includes a frame, a shaft mounted to
`rotate in the frame. The shaft extends beyond the frame and
`
`Page 6 of 8
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`BOYDSTUN EXHIBIT 1005
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`US 6,824,121 B2
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`5
`
`3
`frame 11. The frame 11 has a U-shape and includes a front
`panel 13 and two side panels 15. The two side panels 15 are
`generally parallel to one another and at right angles to the
`front panel 13. One side panel 15 is an outside panel 17
`which is adjacent a ratchet gear 19 and the other side panel
`15 is an inside panel 21.
`A shaft 23 is mounted to rotate on the frame 11. Openings
`25 are located in both side panels 15 which openings 25 are
`aligned with one another. The opening 25 in the outside
`panel 17 is larger than the opening 25 in the inside panel 21.
`The shaft 23 extends beyond both side panels 15.
`Mounted on the shaft 23 adjacent the outside panel 17 is the
`ratchet gear 19. As best seen in FIG. 2, the ratchet gear 19
`has a bushing 29 on one side which bushing 29 fits into the
`opening in the outside panel 17. The ratchet gear 19 is
`adjacent the outside panel 17 and also outside the frame 11.
`The opposite end of the shaft from the ratchet gear 19 is
`mounted to rotate within the opening 25 in the inside panel
`21. The shaft 23 also extends through the inside panel 21. A
`hole 31 at the end of the shaft 23 which extends outside the
`frame 11 at the inside panel 21 permits a cotter pin 33 or
`other suitable fastening device to be inserted through the
`shaft 23 to prevent the shaft 23 from moving through the
`inside panel 21. The distance that the shaft 23 extends
`beyond the outside panel 17 is greater than the distance that
`the shaft extends beyond the inside panel 21.
`Mounted on the outside panel 17 adjacent the ratchet gear
`27 is a latch 35. The latch 35 is mounted on the outside panel
`17 of the frame 11 on the outside of the frame 11 by means
`of a pin 37 which permits the latch 35 to rotate to engage the 30
`ratchet gear 19. The latch 35 includes a finger 39 which
`prevents rotation of the ratchet gear 19 in one direction while
`permitting rotation of the ratchet gear 19 in the opposite
`direction. Looking at the ratchet gear 19, as shown in FIG.
`1, the latch 35 permits rotation of the ratchet gear 19 in a 35
`counterclockwise direction.
`In FIG. 1, the latch 35 is shown in its locking position
`while in FIG. 3, the latch 35 is shown open so that the ratchet
`gear 19 and thus also the shaft 23 are free to rotate in either 40
`direction.
`The shaft 23 extends outside the frame 11 beyond the
`ratchet gear 19. At the end of the shaft 23, beyond the ratchet
`gear 19 is a drive wheel 41' which is fixedly mounted on the
`shaft 23. About the circumference of the drive wheel 41 are 45
`rod openings 43 which rod openings 43 are generally
`equally spaced from one another. By placing a rod 45 into
`a rod opening 43, the drive wheel 41 can be rotated and thus
`the shaft 23 turned. Mounted on the drive wheel 41 on the
`side of the drive wheel facing away from the ratchet gear 19 50
`is a nut 47 on a standard socket wrench may be mounted to
`turn the drive wheel 41 as an alternative to or in combination
`with the use of the rod 45 in the rod openings 43. The drive
`wheel 41 is mounted on the shaft 23 further from the inside
`panel 21 and the outside panel 17 than the ratchet gear 19. 55
`Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the shaft 23 is shown with
`a slot 49 through it. The slot 49 is located within that part of
`the shaft 23 that is within the frame 11.
`Referring to FIG. 5, the Wheel Securing Device is shown
`mounted on the back of a cradle 51 which holds the 60
`automobile wheel 53 of an automobile 55. A web assembly
`57 which includes an inner belt, a web 61 and an outer belt
`63 with a clip 65 is placed over the automobile wheel 53.
`The inner belt is placed in the slot 49 and is secured to the
`shaft 23 when the shaft 23 is turned. The inner belt 59
`extends along the circumference of the automobile wheel 53
`and connects to the web 61 which includes side straps 67
`
`4
`that extend along the side of the wheel 53 with an intercon(cid:173)
`necting strap 69 between the side straps 67. The outer belt
`63 extends from the web 61 to the clip 65 which is secured
`to the dolly. The web 61 assures that the inner belt 59 and
`the outer belt 63 stay aligned with the automobile wheel 53
`and that the automobile wheel 53 is firmly secured.
`By turning the drive wheel 41, the web assembly 57 is
`tightened. The drive wheel 41 is located outside the cradle
`51 to permit access to the drive wheel 41 and readily to
`10 permit the web assembly 57 to be tightened down. The force
`applied to the drive wheel is many times that which can be
`achieved with an existing ratchet tie down. The convenience
`of being able to mount the Wheel Securing Device on the
`automobile dolly with the drive wheel just outside the
`15 automobile dolly and with the ratchet gear 19 and the latch
`35 conveniently located for easy actuation is apparent and
`provides a highly superior device over anything now in use.
`To remove the automobile 55, the latch 35 is rotated away
`from the ratchet gear 27 which may necessitate first slightly
`20 rotating the drive wheel 41' further to tighten the web
`assembly 57. The shaft 23 then rapidly loosens the web
`assembly 57 and the clip 65 is removed form the cradle 51.
`The device shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 is specifically for
`use on the right side of the dolly as one faces the rear of the
`25 dolly. On the left side, the device would be a mirror image
`of what is on the right side. Regardless of which side the
`device is mounted, the operation is described herein remains
`the same.
`It is to be understood that the drawings and description
`matter are in all cases to be interpreted as merely illustrative
`of the principles of the invention, rather than as limiting the
`same in any way, since it is contemplated
`that various
`changes may be made in various elements to achieve like
`results without departing from the spirit of the invention or
`the scope of the appended claims.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A wheel securing device for use with a wheel cradle of
`a automobile dolly for securing an automobile wheel towing
`an automobile, such wheel securing device comprising:
`a frame, having a front panel and an inside panel and an
`outside panel; the inside panel and the outside panel
`being generally parallel to one another and both the
`inside panel and the outside panel being generally at
`right angles to the front panel;
`a shaft mounted to rotate in the frame and extending
`beyond the frame, the shaft having a slot through it
`within the frame;
`a ratchet gear mounted on the shaft outside and adjacent
`to the frame;
`a latch mounted to rotate on the frame to engage the
`ratchet gear to permit rotation of the ratchet gear and
`the shaft in only one direction;
`a web assembly for mounting on the automobile wheel
`connected to the shaft at the slot for mounting on the
`automobile wheel; and
`a drive wheel having a circumference mounted on the
`shaft having a nut extending from it, the drive wheel
`having a side facing the ratchet gear and an opposite
`side and having the nut mounted on the opposite side
`for tightening the web assembly on the automobile
`wheel, the drive wheel having openings about the
`circumference.
`2. A wheel securing device according to claim 1 wherein
`65 the web assembly includes an inner belt affixed to the shaft,
`a web and an outer belt with a clip, the web including side
`straps and on interconnecting strap between the side straps.
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`BOYDSTUN EXHIBIT 1005
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`US 6,824,121 B2
`
`5
`3. A wheel securing device for use with a wheel cradle of
`an automobile dolly for securing an automobile wheel
`towing an automobile, such wheel securing device compris(cid:173)
`ing:
`a frame having a front panel and an inside panel and an 5
`outside panel, the inside panel and the outside panel
`being generally parallel to one another and both the
`inside panel and the outside panel being generally at
`right angles to the front panel, an outside opening being
`located through the outside panel and an inside opening 10
`being located through
`the inside panel, the inside
`opening and the outside opening being aligned with one
`another, the outside opening being larger than the
`inside opening;
`a shaft mounted to rotate in the inside panel and the 15
`outside panel and extending beyond the inside panel;
`and beyond the outside panel, the distance that the shaft
`extends beyond the outside panel being greater than the
`distance that the shaft extends beyond the inside panel,
`the shaft having within the frame a slot through it;
`
`6
`means connected to the shaft to prevent the shaft from
`moving through the inside panel toward the outside
`panel;
`a ratchet gear mounted on the shaft outside the frame and
`adjacent the outside panel, the ratchet gear having a
`bushing affixed to it which fits into the outside opening;
`a latch mounted to rotated on the outside panel to engage
`the ratchet gear to permit rotation of the ratchet gear in
`only one direction;
`a web assembly having two ends, one end being con(cid:173)
`nected to the shaft at the slot and the other end having
`a clip for connection to the automobile dolly; and
`a drive wheel mounted on the shaft further from the inside
`panel and the outside panel than the ratchet gear, the
`drive wheel having rod openings about the circumfer(cid:173)
`ence and having a nut extending from it.
`
`* * * * *
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