Patents by Inventor John Michael Curtis

John Michael Curtis has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6932137
    Abstract: A tire bead breaking tool for removing a tire from a tire wheel rim includes an elongated support, which is positionable across the diameter of the tire. First and second clamps are coupled to the elongated support for securing the tire bead breaking tool to the wheel rim. The elongated support is attached to a first and second bracket. A lever arm is removably coupled to the first bracket and provides force against a bead breaker foot, which contacts the tire. The bead breaker foot is positioned at a 10 degree angle and extends between the first and second clamps for facilitating breaking of the bead of the tire. The second clamp is threadedly attached to the tire bead breaking tool for adjustment of the second clamp with respect to the first clamp for using the bead breaking tool for various sized tires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventor: John Michael Curtis
  • Patent number: 6178814
    Abstract: A tire support device for automobile racing tires is a self contained unit which can be conveniently transported and used at a race track or other location for mounting the tire for enabling a person to conveniently and easily perform various procedures on the tire, such as measuring the circumference, run out, and wear of an automobile tire or for preparing the surface of the tire. The mount includes an elongated member for elevating the tire above the ground. The tire support device further includes a mount having a rotatable member for rotating the tire while supported by the mount. A motor can be connected to the rotatable member for rotating the tire and improving the efficiency of the process. A clutch attached to the motor and to the rotatable member enables the tire to be automatically or manually rotated. The mount may be pivotally attached to the base for enabling the tire to be positioned in either a horizontal or vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Inventor: John Michael Curtis
  • Patent number: 6089083
    Abstract: A tire inspection and preparation device for automobile racing tires is a self contained unit which can be conveniently transported and used at a race track or other location for measuring the circumference, run out, and wear of an automobile tire or for preparing the surface of the tire. The tire inspection and preparation device includes a mount having a rotatable member for rotating the tire while supported by the mount. The mount further includes an elongated member for elevating the tire above the ground. Leveling pads can be used to adjust the position of the tire for substantially balancing the tire for providing accurate measurements. Several tools may be interchangeably attached to the mount and used for performing several tasks, such as a contact wheel and encoder for accurately measuring circumference, a dial indicator for measuring run out, or a preparation tool for cleaning debris from the tire or scuffing the surface of the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: John Michael Curtis
  • Patent number: 5988955
    Abstract: The lug nut taper trueing tool includes a first disk which is positioned on one side of an automobile racing wheel and a second disk which is positioned on an opposite side of the wheel. The first disk has an extension sized to fit and extend within the center wheel hole of the automobile wheel. The first disk has a center bore, and a plurality of holes which are alignable with lug nut holes of the wheel. A bushing is positioned and secured within the plurality of holes of the first disk and has a flange which fits and extends within the lug nut holes of the wheel. The bushing has a bore for insertion of a pin, which is attached to a cutting tool. The second disk is attached to a threaded shaft, which is engagable with the first disk for securing the first disk, second disk, and wheel together. The cutting tool has at least one cutting edges and may have either a handle for a person to manually rotate the cutting tool or a shaft end for attachment to an automatic rotation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Inventor: John Michael Curtis
  • Patent number: 5694697
    Abstract: A tire measuring device includes a first and second telescopic arm slidably attached together. The tire measuring device further includes a pair of handles, each disposed on one end of a rod for enabling a person to manipulate and transport the tire measuring device. A roller is disposed on an opposite end of each rod for rolling against a tire during the measurement process. The handles and rollers are detachably attached to the rods by use of grooves and ball set screws. A measuring instrument, such as a digital readout mechanism and a measurement track, is attached to at least one of the first and second telescopic arms for accurately and repeatably indicating a measurement of the tire. A guard is attached to the tire measuring device for providing protection to the measuring instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Inventor: John Michael Curtis