Abstract: A wheel servicing machine provides a rotatable shaft having a retractable rod slidably disposed in a center bore of the rotatable shaft, wherein the retractable rod is longitudinally moveable relative to the shaft. A rotatable locking member is disposed on the distal end of the retractable rod. The locking member includes one or more mounting studs protruding radially therefrom for engaging a centering cone or a wheel clamp. A tool support arm including a stage protrudes from the base. A tool adapted for engaging a sidewall of a tire is attached to support arm. A second stage including a second tool configured for engaging the opposite sidewall of the tire may also extend from the base. A platform assembly having one or more spring-loaded rollers is attached to the base in some embodiments. A longitudinally moveable travel arm includes a jointed auxiliary arm. The auxiliary arm in some embodiments includes a wheel support extending from one of the auxiliary arm members.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel weight has a mass portion of nonlead material having a first side for juxtaposition against a wheel rim and an opposite second side defining a clip groove. The weight further includes a clip having an extended portion for engaging the wheel rim. The clip further has an attachment portion seated in the clip groove such that the clip is fixed to the mass portion.

Abstract: A wheel servicing machine provides a rotatable shaft having a retractable rod slidably disposed in a center bore of the rotatable shaft, wherein the retractable rod is longitudinally moveable relative to the shaft. A rotatable locking member is disposed on the distal end of the retractable rod. The locking member includes one or more mounting studs protruding radially therefrom for engaging a centering cone or a wheel clamp. A tool support arm including a stage protrudes from the base. A tool adapted for engaging a sidewall of a tire is attached to the support arm. A second stage including a second tool configured for engaging the opposite sidewall of the tire may also extend from the base. A platform assembly having one or more spring-loaded rollers is attached to the base in some embodiments. A longitudinally moveable travel arm includes a jointed auxiliary arm extending therefrom. A wheel clamp includes a plurality of arms, wherein at least one arm is moveable relative to at least one other arm.

Abstract: A wheel balancer for balancing a wheel having a rim and tire. The wheel balancer comprises a chassis and a driven shaft extending away from the chassis for rotating the wheel. An A&D arm, pivotal and axially extendible with respect to the chassis, is also provided. A first laser device is operable to produce a laser spot at a desired weight placement location on an inner surface of the rim. The first laser device is manipulable by an operator to move the laser spot to the desired weight placement location. A second laser device is attached to the A&D arm and movable therewith. The second laser device produces a visible marker on the inner surface of the rim for determining when the A&D arm is in a plane of the desired weight placement location.

Abstract: A tire changing machine for changing difficult to mount tires is provided. The machine utilizes various implements configured about the machine's chassis in such a way that they do not interfere with each other's operation. In this way, the machine enables an operator to effectively change various tires.

Abstract: A wheel balancer utilizing a novel calibration technique in which the operator must only measure and enter one dimension of the tire. By requiring the operator to measure only one dimension of the tire, the probability of introducing measurement error into the system is reduced.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel weight comprises a mass portion cold-formed of nonlead material and a heat-treated spring clip. The mass portion has a front and a back, with the back adapted to be juxtaposed against a wheel rim. The mass portion further defines at least one chamfer on the back thereof. The mass portion also defines a clip securement pocket in which an attachment portion of the spring clip is inserted such that the clip is fixed to the mass portion. The clip further has an extended portion for engaging the wheel rim.

Abstract: A wheel weight segment for use on a wheel including a rim, having a body with a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side and a second side disposed opposite the first side. A top lip portion with a top surface extends outwardly from the first side of the body and a bottom lip portion with a bottom surface extends outwardly from the second side of the body. The top surface of the body and the top surface of the top lip portion lie in a first plane, and the bottom surface of the body and the bottom surface of the bottom lip portion lie in a second plane.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel weight comprises a mass portion cold-formed of nonlead material and a heat-treated spring clip. The mass portion has a front and a back, with the back adapted to be juxtaposed against a wheel rim. The mass portion further defines at least one chamfer on the back thereof. The mass portion also defines a clip securement pocket in which an attachment portion of the spring clip is inserted such that the clip is fixed to the mass portion. The clip further has an extended portion for engaging the wheel rim.

Abstract: A tire changer apparatus comprises a rotor operative to support a wheel rim. A toolhead is movable into engagement with the wheel rim during a tire changing operation. A gas distribution network is provided for routing compressed gas to pneumatic mechanisms in the tire changing apparatus. An oil injector has an outlet in fluid communication with the gas distribution network. The oil injector is operative to introduce lubricating oil into the gas distribution network. Preferably, the oil injector may include a plunger which reciprocates to inject the lubricating oil. For example, the oil injector may be operative to introduce the lubricating oil into the gas distribution network when the plunger reciprocates a selected number of times. The plunger may be moved by a foot pedal on the tire changer apparatus.

Abstract: A tire changing machine comprises a chassis and a rotatable turntable configured to retain a wheel rim. The machine further includes a tower carrying a mount/demount head movable toward and away from the wheel rim. A saddle for retaining a tire in a generally upright configuration is also provided. In addition, the machines includes an ovalation mechanism operative to press on a tread portion of a tire mounted in the saddle so as to ovalate the tire.

Abstract: A tire changing machine for changing difficult to mount tires is provided. The machine utilizes various implements configured about the machine's chassis in such a way that they do not interfere with each other's operation. In this way, the machine enables an operator to effectively change various tires.

Abstract: An apparatus for balancing a vehicle wheel simultaneously shows both dynamic imbalance and static imbalance. At least one corrective weight is attached to the wheel to correct the static imbalance. A residual static imbalance is then determined after attachment of the corrective weight. Finally, the corrective weight is adjusted to reduce the residual static imbalance.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel weight includes a mass portion cold-formed of nonlead material adapted to be juxtaposed against a wheel rim. The mass portion defines a clip securement cavity formed therein which is seamless at its respective ends. A clip made of spring steel is also provided. The clip has an attachment portion inserted into and retained in the clip securement cavity such that an end of the attachment portion is located entirely within the mass portion and the clip is fixed to the mass portion. The clip further has an extended portion for engaging the wheel rim.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel weight has a mass portion of a nonlead material configured as a strip having a plurality of weight segments. Adjacent weight segments are separated by a transverse groove defined in the strip. Each of the grooves is configured so as to provide a web of reduced width thickness that flexibly interconnects adjacent segments. An adhesive is provided at a back surface of the strip to permit attachment of the strip to a vehicle wheel. A release liner is located on the adhesive to protect the adhesive prior to use.

Abstract: An apparatus for balancing wheels includes a chassis, a driven shaft extending from the chassis for rotating the wheel, a wheel mounting accessory operably mounted on the driven shaft for use in mounting the wheel, and an accessory storage device rotatably mounted on the chassis for storing the accessory when not in use.

Abstract: A trolley is provided for supporting and portably moving an on-car brake lathe. The trolley includes wheels for mobility and a pneumatic cylinder for height adjustment. The pneumatic cylinder includes a piston rod, piston, and air valve. The piston has an equalizing port for dampened movement throughout the cylinder's stroke. The air valve allows static height adjustment of the lathe.

Abstract: A brake lathe alignment system is provided for mounting a brake lathe upon an adapter attached to a wheel hub. A first structure is adapted to be attached to the wheel hub. A second structure is adapted to be attached to the brake lathe. A plurality of hydraulic pistons are carried by the second structure and engage the first structure, so that alignment of the second structure relative to the first structure is adjustable by extending and retracting the hydraulic pistons. The adjustment of position of the hydraulic pistons can be manually controlled on-the-fly by operation of manually actuated hydraulic pumps.

Abstract: A helper arm for use in conjunction with a rim-holding tire changer for assisting with the mounting/demounting of a tire. The helper arm comprises an arm having one end attached to a support device and an opposite end operably attached to an adjustable vertical member. The arm is preferably jointed and pivotally attached to the support device. Controls are provided to enable vertical adjustment of the vertical member. The vertical member may comprise a cylinder assembly having a cylinder shaft that may be moved up or down into operable engagement with the tire and wheel rim. A contact block is attached to the lower end of the cylinder. The contact block includes an attachment head configured to enable attachment of the block to the vertical member. Further, the contact block includes a shoulder having a rim-stop surface, a hook member opposite the shoulder, a heel extending downwardly from the body of the block and an instep along the underside of the block.