Abstract: A laminated clamp for use in connection with rim holding tire changers. The clamp includes a plurality of pliable gripping plates alternately disposed between a plurality of rigid support plates. The plurality of gripping plates provide multiple surfaces for effectively gripping the rim of a wheel and the support plates provide a rigid support structure for the clamp. The gripping plates are constructed of a material that is capable of gripping the rim without causing damage thereto. The gripping plates and support plates are configured to form claws for gripping the wheel rim from either the outside or the inside the rim. To prevent damage to the wheel, the edges of the gripping plates extend peripherally beyond the edges of the support plates thereby preventing the support plates from contacting the rim when the rim is operably seated in the clamp. Two of the support plates include base portions configured for attachment to the clamp carrier of the tire changer.

Abstract: A device which can be retrofitted onto existing passenger vehicle rim holding tire changers or provided as a feature of such equipment by the original equipment manufacturer. An operator rolls a tire into contact with the device and the device lifts the tire, causing it to spin and come to rest adjacent a bead loosener shoe with a different section of the tire facing the shoe. The device includes a pair of parallel rollers arranged at different heights and spaced slightly from each other. The roller that is relatively lower is closer to the operator while the higher roller is to the rear of the tire changer. The rollers extend perpendicularly from the side of the tire changer. When a tire is rolled into contact with the device, it engages the lower roller first and bounces up to become slightly airborne. The bounce causes the tire to spin relative to its rolling path. The tire then engages both rollers and cradles on them in a resting position.

Abstract: A dual purpose clamp for use in connection with rim holding tire changers. The clamp includes a base, a body and claws for gripping the rim of a tire. In the preferred embodiment, the base is generally L-shaped and includes perpendicular legs comprising spaced apart walls which define interior channels. Rails are mounted along a portion of the inner surface of the walls of each leg, and are configured to slidably engage oppositely disposed channels formed on the clamp carriers of the tire changer. Each leg of the base further includes a bore formed therein and configured to receive a locking pin for releasably securing the clamp to the clamp carrier in the desired position. First and second claws are attached to the body opposite the base. The first claw is configured to accommodate a first rim type, and the second claw is configured to accommodate a second rim type.

Abstract: A quick change assembly for connecting a mount/dismount head to a swing arm of a rim holding tire changer. The rim holding tire changer includes a swing arm mounted for swinging the mount/dismount head into and out of engagement with a tire on the table of the rim holding tire changer. The quick change assembly is connected to the end of the swing arm. The quick change assembly acts to connect the mount/dismount head to the end of the swing arm in a pre-aligned rotatable orientation. One end of the connector is adapted to mate with the mount/dismount head. That end includes an adjuster for adjusting the aligned relation of the mount/dismount head with respect to the connector end. The other end of the connector includes a locator for locating the pre-aligned rotatable orientation with respect to the swing arm end. Such locator may be a dowel inset in the swing arm end and a slot in the end of the connector which mates to the swing arm. A bore-counter-bore would be sufficient as well.

Abstract: A unique hand wheel engagement/disengagement mechanism for a brake lathe employs a single slide drive motor which drives a drive shaft that provides a power supply to multiple lead screws. The mechanism includes a hand wheel tube which has a compression spring contained within the tube. A push button is also located within the hand wheel tube. The push button has a base which captures the compression spring between the base and the end of the drive shaft. The compression spring causes pressure against the face of the base to push it away from the drive shaft when the system is in its normal, at rest position. The push button includes a shank extending between head of the push button protruding from the hand wheel tube and its base. The shank has a shoulder which reduces the diameter of the shank to create a recess within the hand wheel tube.

Abstract: Applicants' invention is an enhanced chip guard assembly particularly adapted to be used in conjunction with a vehicular brake lathe having a tubular slide cross-feed with an integral dove tail mount for longitudinal feed. The enhanced chip guard assembly of the present invention includes a clip that fits within an opening in the cross feed assembly of the machine, a slide that fits over the clip, and a follower that fits about the neck of the drum feed guide arm and rides on the slide.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire inflator is provided for use with a source of pressurized air and a device for controlling the flow of air therefrom. The inflator includes first and second air flow circuits, each circuit having an inlet end communicating with the downstream side of the device, and an outlet end. The first circuit is provided with a regulator having an inlet communicating with the first circuit inlet end, and an outlet. The regulator is preset whereby the air discharged from the outlet is at a predetermined tire pressure. A pressure sensitive first valve, biased to normally assume an open position, is provided having a first inlet communicating with the regulator outlet, a valve outlet, and a second inlet, the latter being segregated from the first inlet and outlet by a pressure sensitive member. The pressure sensitive member interrupts communication between the first inlet and the valve outlet when there is a predetermined pressure at said second inlet overcoming the opening bias.

Abstract: An improved system is provided for use with a tire changer to regulate and control the inflation of pneumatic tires. This system regulates the flow of air in an air supply conduit through which pressurized air flows from a supply source to an outlet such as an air hose and chuck which an operator connects to a pneumatic tire. The system includes a first and second valve serially connected to the air supply conduit. A foot pedal activating member opens the first valve and closes a switch which activates a timer. The timer opens the second valve for a first predetermined time period and then maintains it in a closed position for a second predetermined time period. During the first period, the air flows through the conduit under relatively high pressure to inflate a pneumatic tire. During the second period, the second valve prevents the flow of air so that the system may stabilize and indicate the pressure in the pneumatic tire.

Abstract: Apparatus for rapidly achieving a desired pressure level in a tire by gas flow through a port in the tire such as the valve stem including a conduit having one end for connection to a source of gas under pressure and another end for connection to the inflation port. Valves are utilized for selectively closing and opening the conduit and for venting the conduit to the atmosphere. A selector whereby a desired pressure level to be achieved within the tire is provided as is a pressure level sensor which is connected to the conduit. A control in the form of a microprocessor digitally operates the valves to thereby provide for rapid inflation of the tire inasmuch as substantially full source pressure is applied to the tire to thereby provide a high pressure differential and increased gas flow.

Abstract: A tire changing tool (20) including a tool body (24) having a head (26) for performing a tire changing operation. The head has a first surface (32) for engagement with the bead of a tire and a second surface (34, 38, 42) adapted to face a wheel (36) to have a tire mounted thereon or demounted therefrom. A magazine (52) is provided which receives a solid abrasion eliminating material (58) and an opening (48) is provided in the second surface (34, 38, 42) and extends to the magazine. A feeding rod (60) is provided for feeding the material (58) from the magazine (52) through the opening (48).

Abstract: A device for clamping a wheel and loosening the bead of a tire having a plurality of converging, movable shoes. The shoes move simultaneously toward the axis of the wheel for engagement of the rim, a tongue is extended from each shoe between the rim and the tire bead to loosen the bead from the wheel whereupon the wheel is clamped between the shoes.

Abstract: A wheel balancer having a threaded shaft with a free end for receiving a wheel to be balanced and a drive for rotating the shaft to a wheel secured thereon so as to enable the obtaining of data relative to imbalance of the wheel as the wheel rotates. A locating device is provided for engaging a wheel on the shaft to locate the wheel properly thereon and a nut is utilized in connection with the shaft for holding the wheel against the locating device. The nut includes apparatus for selectively moving the nut threads radially inwardly into engagement with the shaft threads and radially outwardly out of engagement with the shaft threads so that the nut may be rapidly advanced on or removed from the shaft without rotation when the nut threads are out of engagement with the shaft threads.

Abstract: A tire changer including a base having a lower extremity to support the base on an underlying surface, a tabletop having wheel grippers, a pivot mounting the tabletop on the base for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis between a generally horizontal, tire changing position and a generally vertical, wheel loading and unloading position whereat the wheel gripper is in sufficiently close proximity to the underlying surface supporting the base so as to be engageable with and securable to an upright wheel and tire on an underlying surface, a motor for selectively pivoting the tabletop between the two positions thereof, a bead loosening device connected to the base and defining a tire and wheel receiving space for receipt of an upright tire and wheel, the bead loosening device including at least one bead loosening shoe generally horizontally movable across the space in a direction generally transverse to the horizontal axis.

Abstract: A tire changer including a base mounting a tabletop provided with wheel securing clamps. The tabletop is mounted on the base for movement between tire changing positions and a generally vertical wheel loading and unloading position. The tabletop is provided with a tire changing tool driving fixture and a tool is receivable in the fixture and includes a head for engaging a tire bead for changing positions and a tire support surface spaced from the tool head for suppporting a tire during the initial stages of a mounting operation eliminating any need for the operator of the changer to provide such support.

Abstract: A tire changer including a base having a lower extremity to support the base on an underlying surface, a tabletop having wheel grippers, a pivot mounting the tabletop on the base for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis between a generally horizontal, tire changing position and a generally vertical, wheel loading and unloading position whereat the wheel gripper is in sufficiently close proximity to the underlying surface supporting the base so as to be engageable with and securable to an upright wheel and tire on an underlying surface, a motor for selectively pivoting the tabletop between the two positions thereof, a bead loosening device connected to the base and defining a tire and wheel receiving space for receipt of an upright tire and wheel, the bead loosening device including at least one bead loosening shoe generally horizontally movable across the space in a direction generally transverse to the horizontal axis.

Abstract: An improved tire bead seating apparatus for use with tire changers. The tire changer serves as a support structure for tire bead seating apparatus which includes at least one nozzle having an outlet end adapted to be directed at the interface of a tire bead and wheel rim. The nozzle has an internal passage terminating at the outlet end which internal passage has a straight line length extending from the outlet end of at least 1/4 inch. The internal passage in the nozzle also has a substantially uniform cross section over the straight line length thereof. One embodiment of the invention shows the use of the improved bead seating apparatus in a tire changing stand of the type having a rotatable rim receiving table while another embodiment illustrates the tire bead seating apparatus in connection with a tire changing apparatus having a stationary table.

Abstract: A tire changer including a base adapted to be supported upon an underlying surface, a tire supporting table disposed in an elevated position on the base and comprising at least three radially outwardly extending arms, a plurality of hook-shaped notches in the upper surfaces of two of the arms and opening upwardly to define hooks directed towards the center of the table, a plurality of rim clamps, each comprising a pair of spaced plates with aligned hook formations adapted to engage the rim of a wheel placed on the table and interconnected by two spaced rods, the plates being spaced sufficiently so as to straddle a corresponding arm with one of the rods received in a selected one of the notches in the other of the rods in substantial abutment with the upper surface of the corresponding arm to locate the associated hook formation above the corresponding arm in a position opening toward the center of the table at a location generally radially outwardly with respect to the arm of the pin received in the notch, at