GB2570718A

GB2570718A - Vehicle inspection apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2570718A
Application number: GB1801870.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dennis Higginson Mark
Original assignee: Tap N Check Ltd
Current assignee: Tap N Check Ltd
Priority date: 2018-02-06
Filing date: 2018-02-06
Publication date: 2019-08-07
Also published as: GB201801870D0

Abstract

The vehicle inspection hammer 1 includes a hammer head 2 providing a first contact surface 4 for engaging a wheel nut of a vehicle. A telescopic elongate handle 3 extends from the hammer. The handle may comprise hollow tubes 8, 9 having a cavity for sliding. A clamping mechanism 10, 11 may be used to releasably secure the hollow tubes relative to each other. The clamping mechanism may comprise a cam lever or a ratchet. At least one LED 17 may be located on the hammer head or handle. A battery pack (21, Figure 4) in communication with the LED may be located within the handle. A portion of the handle may comprise an outer rubber grip and/or a reflective portion. The hammer may be used for inspecting a braking system of a vehicle or for checking the wheel nuts of a vehicle.

Description

Vehicle Inspection Apparatus

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to vehicle inspection apparatus, and in particular to a vehicle inspection hammer.

Background

Commercial vehicles are required by legislation to be inspected regularly in order to identify any operating faults. In particular, drivers of commercial vehicles are required to regularly check that the vehicle is in good working order prior to commencing a journey. The drivers are required to check that the wheels are securely attached to the vehicle and that the braking system is working correctly. In order to check that the vehicle is in working order the driver is required to walk around the vehicle, carry out an inspection and record any defects. The inspection is normally carried out by the driver on their own. It can however be difficult for the inspection to be carried out by a single person. For example, in order to check the operation of the braking system the brake pedal must be pressed in order for the brake lights to be illuminated. It is therefore difficult, if not impossible, for the driver to be able to determine by themselves if the braking system is operating or not. Furthermore, during the hours of darkness the driver will need to be able to carry and operate a torch at the same time as tapping each wheel nut to check that the wheels are securely fastened to the vehicle.

Prior Art

CA2823359 (PATTERSON) discloses a 3 in 1 transformable tool, to assist truck drivers to perform a pre-trip check. The tool comprises a C hook, a push rod, a control housing, an automatic locking system, a cylindrical body and a pulling means. The control housing encloses the automatic locking system with a releasing means protruding from one end. One end of the cylindrical body is attached permanently to the bottom panel of the control housing, and the second end is intersected by a pulling means at one side. The C hook can be hooked onto a steering wheel, while the telescopic body is manually adjusted, and automatically holds a brake pedal downwards, in order to check if a brake light is faulty.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an extendable vehicle inspection hammer comprising: a hammer head providing a first contact surface for engaging a wheel nut of a vehicle; and a telescopic elongate handle extending from the hammer head.

The telescopic elongate handle is preferably moveable between a retracted position and at least one extended position. Preferably, the telescopic elongate handle is moveable between a retracted position and a plurality of extended positions. The plurality of extended positioned may be a plurality of discrete, predetermined extended positions. Preferably, the telescopic elongate handle is moveable between a retracted position and a continuous range of extended positions.

The telescopic elongate handle preferably comprises a first hollow tube providing a cavity, at least a second hollow tube shaped and dimensioned to be slideably received within the cavity, and at least one clamping mechanism operable to releasably secure the second hollow tube in positioned relative to the first hollow tube.

The at least one clamping mechanism preferably comprises a cam lever.

The at least one clamping mechanism preferably comprises a ratchet mechanism.

The first and second tubes are preferably composed of steel.

The hammer preferably further comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED) located on one or more of the hammer head and/or telescopic handle.

The handle preferably comprises a first end located adjacent the hammer head; a second opposed free end; and a front portion and an opposed rear portion extending therebetween. The front portion preferably extends adjacent the first contact surface of the hammer head. The front portion of the handle may extend substantially parallel to the first contact surface of the hammer head. The front portion may further comprise at least one LED.

The hammer head preferably comprises a first contact surface, an opposed rear end, and an upper surface providing a second contact surface and an opposed lower surface extending therebetween. The hammer head may be a conventional hammer head or a claw hammer head.

The telescopic elongate handle preferably extends substantially perpendicular to the lower surface. The telescopic elongate handle preferably comprises a longitudinal axis extending substantially perpendicular to the lower surface of the hammer head.

At least one LED is preferably located on the upper surface of the hammer head.

The hammer preferably further comprises a battery pack in electrical communication with at least one LED.

The battery pack may be located within the handle. The hammer may further comprise a charging port for charging the battery pack. The charging port is preferably located on the handle.

At least a portion, preferably all, of the hammer head is composed of carbon steel.

The first contact surface may further comprise a coating of shock absorbent material. The first contact surface may further comprise a shock absorbent cap. The shock absorbent material or shock absorbent cap may be composed of plastic material.

At least a portion of the handle may comprise an outer rubber grip portion.

At least a portion of the handle may comprise a reflective portion.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided: a method for inspecting a braking system of a vehicle using an extendable vehicle inspection hammer as herein described, comprising the steps of: providing the extendable vehicle inspection hammer in a first retracted position; adjusting the extension of the telescopic elongate handle to a second extended position having a predetermined extension; positioning the extended vehicle inspection hammer in the second extended position between a brake pedal of a vehicle and an adjacent vehicle seat such that the hammer head engages the vehicle seat, and a portion of the handle contacts and depresses a brake pedal sufficiently to operate the braking system of the vehicle.

The extendable vehicle inspection hammer may be used to check the brake lights and/or the pneumatic braking system to check for faulty electrical connections and/or faulty lights and/or air loss within the braking system.

Embodiments and advantages of the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying Figures.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a schematic illustration of a perspective view of an embodiment of the extendable vehicle inspection hammer of the present invention in a first retracted position;

Figure 2 shows a schematic illustration of a perspective view of the extendable vehicle inspection hammer of Figure 1 in a second extended position;

Figure 3 shows a further schematic illustration of a perspective view of the extendable vehicle inspection hammer of Figure 1 in the second extended position; and

Figure 4 shows a schematic illustration of an exploded view of the extendable vehicle inspection hammer of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the Figures, the extendable vehicle inspection hammer 1 comprises a hammer head 2 and a telescopic elongate handle 3. The hammer head 2 in the illustrated embodiment is in the form of a conventional hammer head. It is however to be understood that the hammer head 2 may be in any suitable form and may for example comprise a claw hammer head.

The hammer head 2 provides a first contact surface 4 for engaging a wheel nut of a vehicle. The hammer head 2 is composed of a pair of carbon steel portions 5a, 5b. The first contact surface 4 may be composed of any suitable material. The first contact surface 4 may be composed of or may further comprise shock absorber material or a shock absorber cap composed of plastic material.

The telescopic elongate handle 3 extends from the hammer head 2. It can be seen from the Figures that the longitudinal axis of the handle 3 extends substantially perpendicular to the hammer head 2. It is however to be understood that the handle 3 may extend at any suitable angle relative to the hammer head 2.

The telescopic elongate handle 3 is moveable between a retracted position as shown in Figure 1 and a continuous range of extended positions as shown in Figures 2 and

3. It is however to be understood that the telescopic elongate handle 3 may be moveable between a retracted position and a single predetermined extended position or a plurality of discrete, predetermined extended positions.

The telescopic elongate handle 3 comprises an outer handle portion 6 comprising a rubber grip portion. The outer handle portion 6 defines a cavity. The handle 3 further comprises a first tube 8 shaped and dimensioned to be received within the cavity of the handle portion 6. The first tube 8 defines a further cavity (not shown). The handle 3 further comprises a second tube 9 shaped and dimensioned to be slideably received within the cavity of the first tube 8 to provide a telescopic arrangement. The second tube 9 may be a hollow tube. The handle 3 may comprise further additional tubes forming the telescopic arrangement. Alternatively, the handle 3 may include a single tube slideably moveable relative to the outer handle portion. The first and second tubes 8, 9 are composed of steel. It is however to be understood that the tubes may be composed of any suitable material.

The handle 3 further comprises two clamping mechanisms 10, 11 operable to releasably secure the first and second tubes 8, 9 in position relative to the handle 3. The clamping mechanisms 10,11 each comprise a cam lever. Although the illustrated embodiments comprise two clamping mechanisms, it is to be understood that the or each tube may be secured in place relative to the outer handle portion 6 by any suitable attachment means and is not to be limited to including clamping mechanisms.

The handle 3 comprises a first end 12 located adjacent the hammer head 2; a second opposed free end 13; and a front portion 14 and an opposed rear portion 15 extending therebetween. The front portion 14 extends adjacent the first contact surface 4 of the hammer head 2. The front portion 14 of the handle 3 extends substantially parallel to the first contact surface 4 of the hammer head 2. The front portion 12 of the handle 3 further comprises a light arrangement comprising an LED 17. The LED is provided in a linear arrangement. It is however to be understood that the LED may be provided in any suitable arrangement on any suitable surface of the handle 3.

The hammer head 2 comprises a first contact surface 4, an opposed rear end 15, and an upper surface 16 providing a second contact surface 16 and an opposed lower surface 18 extending therebetween.

The telescopic elongate handle 3 extends substantially perpendicular to the lower surface 18 of the hammer head 2. The telescopic elongate handle 3 comprises a longitudinal axis extending substantially perpendicular to the lower surface 18 of the hammer head 2.

A second LED 20 is located on the upper surface 16 of the hammer head 2. The second LED 20 is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the handle 3.

The hammer 1 preferably further comprises a battery pack 21 in electrical communication with the LEDs 17,20.

The battery pack 21 is located within the handle 3. The hammer 1 further comprises a charging port 22 for charging the battery pack 21. The charging port 22 is located on the handle 3.

In use, the driver carries the vehicle inspection hammer to inspect the braking system and/or wheels of a commercial vehicle.

The driver taps each wheel nut on each wheel with the first contact surface 4 of the hammer head. In night time conditions, the hammer can be operated so as to illuminate one or more of the first and second LEDs 17, 20 on the hammer to help illuminate the area of the vehicle to be inspected. By tapping each wheel nut, the driver will be able to detect from the hammer which, if any, of the wheel nuts are loose and need to be tightened.

In order to assess the braking system, the driver may adjust the extension of the telescopic elongate handle to a predetermined distance. This is achieved by releasing one or more of the clamping mechanisms 10, 11 and re-securing them once the tubes 8, 9 are in a predetermined position to provide the required extension. The hammer is preferably extendable between 250 mm and 750 mm, preferably between 300 mm and 700 mm, preferably between 300 mm and 650 mm.

The driver may then position the extended vehicle inspection hammer between a brake pedal of a vehicle and the adjacent driver seat such that the upper surface 16 of the hammer head engages the vehicle seat, and a portion of the handle contacts and depresses a brake pedal sufficiently to operate the braking system of the vehicle. Ideally, the free end 13 of the hammer contacts the pedal.

Leaving the engine running, and the pedal in the operating position, the driver may then walk around the vehicle to check the brake lights are illuminated and check that the pneumatic braking system is operating correctly and that there are no faulty electrical connections and/or faulty lights and/or air loss within the braking system. The hammer of the present invention therefore provides a tool which may be used for multiple purposes to inspect a commercial vehicle. The hammer may also be used by a single user to simplify the checking of the braking system of the commercial vehicle.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

Claims

1. An extendable vehicle inspection hammer comprising:

a hammer head providing a first contact surface for engaging a wheel nut of a vehicle; and a telescopic elongate handle extending from the hammer.

2. An extendable vehicle inspection hammer as claimed in claim 1, in which the telescopic elongate handle comprises a first hollow tube providing a cavity, at least a second hollow tube shaped and dimensioned to be slideably received within the cavity, and at least one clamping mechanism operable to releasably secure the second hollow tube in positioned relative to the first hollow tube.

3. An extendable vehicle inspection hammer as claimed in claim 2, in which the at least one clamping mechanism comprises a cam lever.

4. An extendable vehicle inspection hammer as claimed in claim 2, in which the at least one clamping mechanism comprises a ratchet mechanism.

5. An extendable vehicle inspection hammer as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, in which the first and second tubes are composed of steel.

6. An extendable vehicle inspection hammer as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, further comprising at least one LED located on one or more of the hammer head and/or telescopic handle.

7. An extendable vehicle inspection hammer as claimed in claim 6, in which the handle comprises a first end located adjacent the hammer head; a second opposed free end; and a front portion and an opposed rear portion extending therebetween, and in which the front portion extends adjacent the first contact surface of the hammer head and in which the front portion comprises at least one LED.

8. An extendable vehicle inspection hammer as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the hammer head comprises a first contact surface, an opposed rear end, and an upper surface providing a second contact surface and an opposed lower surface extending therebetween, in which the telescopic elongate handle extends substantially perpendicular to the lower surface.

9. An extendable vehicle inspection hammer as claimed in claim 8, in which at least one LED is located on the upper surface of the hammer head.

10. An extendable vehicle inspection hammer as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9, further comprising a battery pack in electrical communication with the at least one LED.

11. An extendable vehicle inspection hammer as claimed in claim 10, in which the battery pack is located within the handle.

12. An extendable vehicle inspection hammer as claimed in either of claims 10 and 11, further comprising a charging port for charging the battery pack.

13. An extendable vehicle inspection hammer as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the hammer head is composed of carbon steel.

14. An extendable vehicle inspection hammer as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least a portion of the handle comprises an outer rubber grip portion.

15. An extendable vehicle inspection hammer as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least a portion of the handle comprises a reflective portion.

16. A method for inspecting a braking system of a vehicle using an extendable vehicle inspection hammer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 comprising the steps of:

adjusting the extension of the telescopic elongate handle to a predetermined distance;

positioning the extended vehicle inspection hammer between a brake pedal of a vehicle and an adjacent vehicle seat such that the hammer head engages the vehicle seat, and a portion of the handle contacts and depresses a brake pedal sufficiently to operate the braking system of the vehicle.