Wheel nut indicator

Abstract

A wheel nut indicator 10 includes an attachment section 12 for fitting to a wheel nut/lug nut of a wheel and a pointer section 14 extending radially away from the attachment section 12, the wheel nut indicator 10 being provided with a changeable secondary indication means which is moveable between a first position (FIG. 1) for indicating a first status, and a second position (FIG. 3) for indicating a second status.

Claims

1. A wheel nut indicator including an attachment section for fitting to a wheel nut/lug nut of a wheel and a pointer section extending radially away from the attachment section, the wheel nut indicator being provided with a moveable secondary indication means which is moveable between a first position for indicating a first status, and a second position for indicating a second status, either of the first position or the second position of the moveable secondary indicator being selectable when the wheel nut indicator is attached to a wheel nut/lug nut.

2. A wheel nut indicator as claimed in claim 1, in which first indicia is displayed in the first position and second indicia is displayed in the second position.

3. A wheel nut indicator as claimed in claim 2, in which the first indicia is a first colour and the second indicia is a second colour.

4. A wheel nut indicator as claimed in claim 1, in which the movable secondary indicator includes a rotatable element.

5. A wheel nut indicator as claimed in claim 4, in which the rotatable element rotates on an axis which extends substantially away from the attachment section.

6. A wheel nut indicator as claimed in claim 5, in which the axis extends away from the attachment section in a radial direction.

7. A wheel nut indicator as claimed in claim 1, in which the movable secondary indicator is the pointer.

8. A wheel nut indicator as claimed in claim 1, in which holding means are provided for holding the secondary indicator in position.

9. A wheel nut indicator as claimed in claim 8, in which one or more extensions are provided on an edge of one of the movable secondary indicator and the attachment section, and in which corresponding aperture(s) are provided on the other of the movable secondary indicator and the attachment section, the extensions cooperating with the apertures to prevent rotation.

10. A wheel nut indicator as claimed in claim 8, in which the holding means are urged into a held configuration by a spring.

11. A wheel nut indicator as claimed in claim 1, in which the attachment section is in the form of a cap for fitting substantially over a wheel nut/lug nut of a wheel, the cap having an open end and a closed end.

12. A wheel nut indicator as claimed in claim 11, in which the pointer and the secondary indicator are provided adjacent the closed end of the cap.

13. A wheel nut indicator as claimed in claim 11, in which the pointer and the secondary indicator are provided adjacent the open end of the cap.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, preferred embodiments will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wheel nut indicator according to the invention, with the secondary indication means in the first position showing a first indicia, in this example a first colour, and indicating a first status;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the wheel nut indicator of FIG. 1, while the secondary indication means is being moved to the second position showing a second indicia, in this example a second colour, and indicating a second status;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the wheel nut indicator of FIG. 1, with the secondary indication means in the second position;

(5) FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the wheel nut indicator of FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a wheel nut indicator according to the invention; and

(7) FIG. 6 shows a plurality of the wheel nut indicators of FIG. 1, in use and installed on the lug nuts of a vehicle wheel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(8) Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, it is clear how the pointer section 14 may be rotated with respect to the attachment section 12. The cylindrical aperture 22 of the pointer section 14 fits over and around a radially extending pin 24, which protrudes from the attachment section 12. Extensions 26a, 26b are provided on the curved edge 16c of the pointer 14, and correspond with apertures 28 on the curved outer surface of the short cylindrical end section 18b. The pointer section 14 can be pulled in the direction of arrow A to move the extensions 26a, 26b clear of the apertures 28, and the pointer section 14 can then be rotated about the pin 24, as shown in FIG. 2. The pointer section 14 is shown in FIG. 3, with the other side facing away from the wheel in use (substantially upwards in the Figures). Since the two sides of the pointer section 14 are different colours, and also one side may include indicia 30 to indicate that the nuts need re-torqueing, the rotatable pointer section 14 as described works as a secondary indication means.

(9) Referring now in particular to FIG. 4, a spring 32 is provided for urging the pointer 14 radially towards the attachment means 12. In other words, the spring 32 urges the pointer 14 in a direction opposite to arrow A. The spring sits against a detent (not seen in the drawings) at the curved edge end of the cylindrical aperture 22 of the pointer 14. The spring is held at the other end by a washer 34 and a snap ring 36, in a recess 38 towards a distal end of the pin 24.

(10) In FIG. 5, a second embodiment of a wheel nut indicator 10 is illustrated. This embodiment is substantially identical to the first embodiment 10, save that the pointer 14 is provided adjacent the lower short cylindrical end section 18a, i.e. next to the open end 12a of the attachment section 12. The pointer will therefore sit substantially against the surface of a wheel, when fitted.

(11) The wheel nut indicators 10, 10 provide all the normal features of a wheel nut indicator, in that they provide a ready visual indication if a nut has rotated in use. In addition, the pointer 14 of the wheel nut indicator may be rotated when a wheel is removed and replaced, as a reminder that the nuts will shortly require re-torqueing. This provides a valuable extra safety feature, and takes advantage of the fact that drivers already inspect their wheel nut indicators as a matter of course. FIG. 6 shows a plurality of the wheel nut indicators 10 installed over the lug nuts of a vehicle wheel 100.

(12) The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.