Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for use in a paint booth to facilitate the coating of an object such as a wheel or rim with a liquid, powder, or other coating. The apparatus is designed to rotate a wheel about both its horizontal and vertical axes. In this manner, the wheel may be more easily and uniformly coated with a minimum of effort by a paint booth operator. After the wheel is coated, the apparatus is designed to lift the object above the work surface so that it can be connected to an overhead conveyor system that may be provided to remove the wheel from the paint booth.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a valve stem for a pneumatic tire and more specifically to a valve stem which is capable of allowing for the introduction of pulverulent matter into the tire directly through the valve while at the same time also being capable of filtering the air released from within the tire through the valve core to prevent pulverulent matter contained within the tire from entering the valve core seat assembly and the atmosphere. The present invention also prevents pulverulent matter which may be contained within a tire from being forced into the valve core over time through use of the tire and due to routine checking of tire air pressure. The invention is suited for use with any size wheel and tire assembly including those found on automobiles, light trucks, heavy duty over-the-road trucks, and heavy duty off-road trucks.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for introducing pulverulent material into a tire for the purpose of balancing a tire and an associated wheel assembly. A quantity of polymeric pulverulent material sufficient to balance a tire and an associated wheel assembly is charged to a cylindrical chamber and confined therein. Pressurized air is passed through the chamber in such manner as to form cyclonic air currents in the chamber. The cyclonic air currents can be obtained by configuring the air inlet and the air outlet for the chamber so that their respective axes are not aligned. A mixture of air and pulverulent material is withdrawn from the chamber and passed to a tire which is being balanced.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for introducing pulverulent material into a tire through a tire valve stem is performed by confining a predetermined amount of pulverulent material in a cylindrical chamber having axially spaced and radially offset inlets and outlets, subjecting the confined pulverulent material to pressurized air which is transformed into a cyclonic air current within the chamber by the radially offset inlet and outlet, and introducing admixed air/pulverulent material from the chamber into a tire through its associated tire valve stem.

Abstract: A reclining chair which includes a base, frame supports, and pivotable seat and back supports. The seat and back supports are pivotally connected for correlative movement, and the seat support is operably connected to an inclined ramp which raises the vertical height of the seat support during reclining.

Abstract: A reclining chair which includes a pivotal connection between the seat support, the arm support and the back support. The connection allows for the seat support to be raised during reclining operation to allow a user to maintain a consistent eye level at all times. The pivotal connection includes links which are pivotally connected at the sides of the chair to their corresponding supports and are actuated by the weight of the user.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for washing and cleaning metallic wheels comprising an apparatus that washes a metallic wheel, and an apparatus that subsequently cleans the washed metallic wheel. A house is provided wherein the cleaned and washed metallic wheel may be painted or coated protectively. A pair of rotating transport cylinders is provided in order to transport the metallic wheel from the apparatus for washing the metallic wheel to the apparatus for cleaning the metallic wheel, and subsequently from the apparatus for cleaning the metallic wheel to the house where the metallic wheel may be painted or coated protectively. A method for washing and cleaning a metallic wheel which includes elevating the metallic wheel from a supporting surface to a level generally horizontal to a pair of cylinders rotatably supported by a conveying frame, and rolling the metallic wheel across the pair of cylinders and into a washing chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for washing and cleaning metallic wheels comprising an apparatus that washes a metallic wheel, and an apparatus that subsequently cleans the washed metallic wheel. A house is provided wherein the cleaned and washed metallic wheel may be painted. A pair of rotating transport cylinders is provided in order to transport the metallic wheel from the apparatus for washing the metallic wheel to the apparatus for cleaning the metallic wheel, and subsequently from the apparatus for cleaning the metallic wheel to the house where the metallic wheel may be painted. A method for washing and cleaning a metallic wheel which includes elevating the metallic wheel from a supporting surface to a level generally horizontal to a pair of cylinders rotatably supported by a conveying frame, and rolling the metallic wheel across the pair of cylinders and into a washing chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for washing and cleaning metallic wheels comprising an apparatus that washes a metallic wheel, and an apparatus that subsequently cleans the washed metallic wheel. A house is provided wherein the cleaned and washed metallic wheel may be painted. A pair of rotating transport cylinders is provided in order to transport the metallic wheel from the apparatus for washing the metallic wheel to the apparatus for cleaning the metallic wheel, and subsequently from the apparatus for cleaning the metallic wheel to the house where the metallic wheel may be painted. A method for washing and cleaning a metallic wheel which includes elevating the metallic wheel from a supporting surface to a level generally horizontal to a pair of cylinders rotatable supported by a conveying frame, and rolling the metallic wheel across the pair of cylinders and into a washing chamber.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a tire for defects by applying to an interior surface of a tire a coating of material which accentuates defects when influenced by predetermined electromagnetic wavelengths, and applying the predetermined electromagnetic wavelengths to an exterior surface of the coated tire whereby coating material which has migrated through a defect in the tire to the exterior is accentuated and thereby readily detected. Preferably the coating material fluoresces or brightens when subjected to ultraviolet light. The tire is preferably placed upon a hub, internally pressurized, and rotated incident to the inspecting operation. The coating material is also preferably a liquid admixture composed of the ultraviolet light accentuating material and a detergent, the tire is also dipped and rotated in a tank containing the liquid admixture, and the latter cleans the tire exterior incident to further inspection, recapping and subsequent sidewall painting.

Abstract: A machine for applying tire paint and tire sealant to recapped tire sidewalls and interiors, respectively. The machine includes a pair of tire paint applicator pads which are carried by a frame and carriage capable of reciprocal motion in three different directions to bring the applicator pads into selective engagement with tire sidewalls. The machine also includes spray nozzles carried by an associated frame and carriage for bringing the nozzles into a position to direct tire sealant into the interior of an associated recapped tire.

Abstract: A machine (10) for refinishing a rim/wheel (R) by first elevating (20) the rim/wheel from ground level into a washing and degreasing chamber (13), washing and degreasing the rim/wheel in the chamber (13), transferring the rim/wheel into a shot blast chamber (14), shot-blasting the rim/wheel, transferring the rim/wheel to a spray coating area (15), spray-coating the rim/wheel with a protective material (C), and thereafter returning the rim/wheel to its initial elevation for subsequent tire/retread application thereto (20). The rim/wheel is transferred through the machine with its axis in a generally horizontal plane FIG. 1) and is also rotated about its axis during washing/degreasing and shot-blasting. During the spray coating, the rim/wheel is coated with its axis disposed both vertically and horizontally.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a tire for defects by applying to an interior surface of a tire a coating of material which accentuates defects when influenced by predetermined electromagnetic wavelengths, road-running the tire to thereby create tread wear, buffing the exterior tread surface of the tire, and applying predetermined electromagnetic wavelengths to the exterior of the buffed tread surface whereby coating material which has migrated through a defect in the tire to the exterior is accentuated and thereby readily detected. Preferably the coating material fluoresces or brightens when subjected to ultraviolet light. The coating material is preferably part of an admixture composed of the ultraviolet light accentuating coating material and a tire sealant which seals punctures, nail holes and the like when the same migrates through the tire.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a rust-proof, leak-proof and air-impervious welded tire rim by providing a pair of rim bodies each of which includes a peripheral bead and at least one of which includes a valve seat defined by an opening and with the rim bodies being welded to each other along an exterior circumferential weld; liquid-cleaning the welded rim; and applying to the entirety of all exposed surfaces of the rim an air-impervious coating of resilient copolymeric material whereby any porosity of the circumferential weld is sealed against air migration and the rim beads and valve seat are all totally coated with a resilient air-impervious coating for effectively sealing against air migration in association with a tire bead and an air valve body, respectively.