Systems, methods and apparatus for automated vehicle wheel removal and replacement are provided. One system includes a computer system with applications for scheduling the replacement of tires for the vehicle. An electronically controlled lift device and robotic apparatus is configured for interaction with the computer system. The lift device mechanically adjusts arms for placement on lift points of vehicles. The robotic apparatus detects positioning of lug nut configuration for a wheel, removes lug nuts, and then removes the wheel from the wheel hub with gripping arms. The wheel and tire are then handed off to a separate tire changing machine. When a new tire is replaced the robotic apparatus then mounts the wheel to the original wheel hub, and then secures the lug nuts to the lug nut bolts.

Screw fastener engaging/disengaging apparatus suitable for attaching/detaching wheels to/from vehicles has a frame and a set of parallel spindles mounted on the frame for holding one type of screw fastener at the spindle ends. The spindle ends are arranged in a circular array with the spindles rotatable about their longitudinal axes. The screw fasteners are configured for screw engagement with screw fasteners of another type mounted on a wheel attachment member to/from which a wheel can be attached/detached. An adjustment mechanism collectively changes positions of the spindle axes between a circular array with a first radius and a circular array with a second radius.

An automatic wheel changer robot has a includes a drive assembly, a torque gun, a sensor assembly, and a controller. The drive assembly has a mobile base and two wheel-clamping assemblies, each configured to engage a wheel. The controller generates a set of instructions based, at least in part, on information obtained from the sensor assembly. The drive assembly uses the set of instructions to cooperatively remove respective wheels from respective hubs on a vehicle and/or attach respective wheels to respective hubs on a vehicle. The device may have lidar sensors and Mecanum wheels that the controller is programmed to use to move between respective hubs and wheel storage locations install wheels, replace wheels, rotate tires, and perform similar operations.

A tensioning apparatus is provided that is arranged to simultaneously tension a plurality of jackbolts of a multi jackbolt tensioner (MJT). The tensioning apparatus has a housing that is arranged for receiving a drive gear from a drive unit. The tensioning apparatus includes one or more planetary gears that are retained within the housing and which mesh with the drive gear in use. A ring gear encircles the one or more planetary gears and meshes with them. A plurality of spindle gears is retained in the housing. Each of the spindle gears has a spindle for coupling to a respective one of the jackbolts. The spindle gears are located around the ring gear and mesh with teeth on an outside of the ring gear. In use the drive gear rotates the one or more planetary gears to thereby rotate the spindle gears via the ring gear to thereby tension the jackbolts. The tensioning apparatus may be made compact by overlapping gear disks of the spindle gears and acts as a torque multiplier between the planetary gears and the spindle gears.

An impact tool comprises: a casing; a rotating hammer arranged in the casing and rotatable by a motor; a rotating interface element arranged in the casing and rotatable by the hammer by a series of impacts; an output shaft rotating around a rotation axis, the output shaft having a proximal end fixed to the interface element and a distal end protruding from the casing, the distal end ending with a connecting element for removable connection to an outer mechanical adaptor; a unit of measurement arranged for obtaining torque of the output shaft by a torque sensor mounted to the output shaft, the unit of measurement comprising a fixed measuring assembly mounted integrally to the casing and a rotating measuring assembly mounted so as to rotate integrally with the rotating output shaft; the fixed measuring assembly being configured to generate a supply signal and transmit the supply signal to the rotating measuring assembly to supply electrically the rotating measuring assembly; the rotating measuring assembly being configured to detect a measuring signal indicating the torque and condition the measuring signal in order to be able to send the measuring signal to the fixed measuring assembly; in which the fixed measuring assembly and the rotating measuring assembly comprise electronic devices that execute a two-directional communication in contactless mode by magnetic coupling between the fixed measuring assembly and the rotating measuring assembly, the communication being configured to supply magnetically the torque sensor and permit transmission of the measuring signal conditioned by the rotating measuring assembly to the fixed measuring assembly.

An air hammer is connected to a transfer fixture that has a distal end with a transverse rod. A wrench has an open end with a jaw assembly that has a mouth to receive the transverse rod. The jaw assembly has a swivel tooth that is manually moved from an open position to allow insertion of the transverse rod into the mouth. For a working mode using the air hammer to hit the mouth, the tooth is moved to a locked mode. A ball and spring assembly ensures the transverse rod stays in the mouth during operation.

A driving tool includes an elongate socket body, and a non-marring cover around the socket body. The socket body includes a socket compatible with lug nuts, and a driver adaptor behind the socket. The cover is supported on the socket body for axial extension and axial retraction ahead of the socket.

A portable roadside assistant device; a system which includes a tool designed to ease the process of removing and changing a tire for any user. The present invention is superior to other systems in that it effectively automatically loosens and tightens lug nuts to assist users in changing a flat tire.

A lug nut removal tool enables a user to remove a seized lug nut from a threaded stud. The lug nut removal tool comprises a drill bit which is drilled through a guide which can be adjusted in size by a collar. The drill bit comprises a plurality of blades separated by slots; the plurality of blades are mechanically coupled to cutting edges. The guide comprises guide slots which can be used to align the guide about the seized lug nut. In this manner, the user can attach the guide onto the seized lug nut and tighten the guide with a set screw. Then the user can attach the drill bit onto an air drill to cutting edge out the seized lug nut.

Screw fastener engaging/disengaging apparatus suitable for attaching/detaching wheels to/from vehicles has a frame and a set of parallel spindles mounted on the frame for holding one type of screw fastener at the spindle ends. The spindle ends are arranged in a circular array with the spindles rotatable about their longitudinal axes. The screw fasteners are configured for screw engagement with screw fasteners of another type mounted on a wheel attachment member to/from which a wheel can be attached/detached. An adjustment mechanism collectively changes positions of the spindle axes between a circular array with a first radius and a circular array with a second radius.