Systems and methods of preparing wheel surfaces and maintaining air circulation in a mobile environment

Abstract

An integrated system of preparing wheel surfaces and maintaining air circulation in a mobile enclosure is provided. The system could include a first compartment having a wheel rotating apparatus configured to rotate a wheel about an axis. The system could also include an air circulation system to filter pollutants from the outside environment before drawing air into the mobile enclosure. The air circulation system could also filter pollutants inside the mobile enclosure before releasing air outside of the mobile enclosure through an opening disposed on the floor of the mobile enclosure.

Description

The present disclosure relates generally to motor vehicle wheels, and in particular to systems and methods of preparing wheel surfaces.

BACKGROUND

A tire is typically mounted about a wheel made of a lightweight metal or metal alloy, such as aluminum, magnesium, and titanium. These wheels require certain surface treatments when they are manufactured and could require re-treatments after they have been in use for some time or are disfigured by, for example, contact with a curb, pothole, or the like. Accordingly, such wheels may require proper surface preparation, treatments, resurfacing, or some kind of reconditioning.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide integrated systems and methods of preparing wheel surfaces.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a system for use in a mobile enclosure. The system could include an apparatus having a plurality of rollers to rotate a wheel about an axis. The system could also include an exhaust system to filter pollutants inside the mobile enclosure before releasing air to the outside environment.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides an integrated system of preparing wheel surfaces and maintaining air circulation in a mobile enclosure. The system could include a first compartment having a wheel rotating apparatus configured to rotate a wheel about an axis. The apparatus could also include a plurality of rollers. The system could further include an air circulation system to filter pollutants from the outside environment before drawing air into the mobile enclosure. The air circulation system could also filter pollutants inside the mobile enclosure before releasing air outside of the mobile enclosure through an opening disposed on the floor of the mobile enclosure.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of manipulating a wheel surface while maintaining air quality inside and outside of a mobile enclosure. The method could include rotating a wheel about an axis using an apparatus to aid in manipulating the wheel surface. The apparatus could include a plurality of rollers. The method could also include filtering pollutants from the outside environment before drawing air into the mobile enclosure. The method could further include filtering pollutants inside the mobile enclosure before releasing air outside of the mobile enclosure through an opening disposed on the floor of the mobile enclosure.

Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of this disclosure and its features, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary mobile trailer having an integrated air circulation and wheel surfacing system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B illustrates the exemplary mobile trailer shown in FIG. 1A having a movable door-like apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary integrated air circulation and wheel surfacing system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A illustrates an exemplary wheel rotation apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B is another illustration of the exemplary wheel rotation apparatus shown in FIG. 3A having a wheel in an engaged position according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary integrated method of air circulation and wheel surface preparation according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure generally provides integrated systems and methods of air circulation and wheel surfacing.

FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary mobile trailer 100 configured to house, transport, and provide an integrated apparatus to prepare wheel surfaces and to maintain air circulation, to maintain environmental integrity inside mobile trailer 100, and to treat pollutants generated inside mobile trailer 100 before releasing any air into the outside environment according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of mobile trailer 100 shown in FIG. 1A is for illustrative purposes only. It should be understood that other embodiments of mobile trailer 100 could also be used in accordance with the present disclosure.

Mobile trailer 100 is configured to be mobile either as a stand-alone unit or in conjunction with another apparatus having a suitable mechanism for providing mobility. In one embodiment, for example, mobile trailer 100 could include an optional motor vehicle portion 102 and an enclosure portion 104. Optional motor vehicle portion 102 could include a truck, a straight truck, an articulated truck, small panel truck, medium-sized truck, large 18-wheeler truck, freight truck, cab, trailer, van, car, sports utility vehicle (SUV), bus, or any other suitable motor vehicle apparatus. Enclosure portion 104 could include any suitable workspace, work area, enclosure, partial enclosure, trailer hitch, trailer-like apparatus, other room-like space or apparatus, or any suitable combination thereof. Although FIG. 1A illustrates only one mobile trailer portion 100, motor vehicle 102, and enclosure portion 104, it should be understood that any number of or different configurations of motor vehicle portion 100, motor vehicle 102, and/or enclosure portion 104 could be used in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B illustrates mobile trailer 100 having a movable door-like apparatus or a selectively positionable door 106 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of door 106 shown in FIG. 1B is for illustrative purposes only. It should be understood that other embodiments of door 106 could also be used in accordance with the present disclosure.

In FIG. 1B, door 106 is shown in a fully closed position. Door 106, however, is preferably configured to provide selective access to the interior of enclosure portion 104. For example, door 106 could be moved or otherwise repositioned to a fully opened, semi-open, semi-closed, fully closed, locked, secure, other position or disposition, or any suitable combination thereof. As a result, door 106 could be selectively positioned to provide access to the interior of the enclosure portion 104, air circulation in enclosure portion 104, natural sunlight to enclosure portion 104, exposure to the ambient environment, or for any other suitable reason or combination of reasons.

Door 106 could include a track operated door, a trackless door, an overhead door, a sectional door, a rolling door, a roll-up door, a swing door, a panel door, a retractable door, a collapsible door, a canopy-like door, a ball-bearing door, a sliding door, a magnetic door, a push-pull door, a rack and pin controlled door, a remote controlled door, a movable wall, a movable window, a movable panel, a curtain, a divider, a controllable opening, a configurable aperture, other door-like apparatus, or any suitable combination thereof. It should be understood that, although FIG. 1B illustrates only one door 106, other embodiments of enclosure portion 104 could include any suitable number of doors 106 in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an interior view of enclosure portion 104 having an exemplary integrated wheel surfacing system 200 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of system 200 shown in FIG. 2 is for illustrative purposes only. It should be understood that other embodiments of system 200 could also be used in accordance with the present disclosure.

System 200 could include two separate compartments 202a and 202b separated by a panel, wall, surface, or divider 202c. Although FIG. 2 illustrates only two compartments 202a and 202b (sometimes collectively referred to herein as compartments 202), it should be understood that enclosure portion 104 could include any suitable number of compartments 202 in accordance with the present disclosure. System 200 could further include a top surface 202d.

Compartments 202 could generally be used to prepare, resurface, or treat the surface of a motor vehicle wheel or hubcap-like apparatus (e.g., by repairing, sanding, buffing, polishing, treating, coating, painting, finishing, or performing some other suitable function or combination of functions). In one embodiment, however, compartment 202a could preferably be used for any process or treatment requiring a relatively pristine, clean, dust-free, unwanted particle-free, or debris-free environment such as, for example, when coating, painting, polishing, or otherwise finishing the wheel surface, while compartment 202b would preferably be used for any process or treatment that could result in some degree of dust, unwanted particles, or debris.

Compartment 202a could be formed by one or more frame-like structures having a back surface 204a, a side surface 206a, a permeable or slotted surface 208a, and a panel surface 210a. Similarly, compartment 202b could be formed by one or more frame-like structures having a back surface 204b, a side surface 206b, a permeable or slotted surface 208b, and a panel surface 210b.

It should be understood that compartments 202 shown in FIG. 2 are illustrative only and, in one embodiment, for example, divider 202c could include both panel surfaces 210a and 210b. In addition, back surfaces 204a and 204b could be a continuous surface (sometimes collectively referred to herein as back surface 204), slotted surfaces 208a and 208b could be a continuous surface (sometimes collectively referred to herein as slotted surface 208), or any suitable combination thereof. It should also be understood that any one of compartments 202 could include any number of permeable or slotted surfaces. As an example, back surfaces 204 and side surfaces 206a and 206b could also include permeable or slotted surfaces.

Divider 202c, back surfaces 204, side surfaces 206a and 206b, and slotted surfaces 208 could be made of any suitable material including, for example, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, metal, plastic, glass, rubber, silicone, plexiglass, fiberglass, tile, ceramic, porcelain, wood, laminate, drywall material, concrete, molded material, coated or treated paper, cardboard, canvas, fabric, or any combination thereof.

The Air Intake System

Compartments 202a and 202b could also include intake systems 212a and 212b, respectively. Intake systems 212a and 212b are sometimes collectively referred to herein as intake systems 212. Although FIG. 2 illustrates only two intake systems 212, it should be understood that any suitable number of and configurations of intake systems 212 could be used in accordance with the present disclosure.

Intake system 212a could include an aperture or opening 214a disposed on side surface 206a, optional fan system 216a, and intake filter system 218a. Intake system 212a or portions of intake system 212a are mounted or otherwise attached to side surface 206a. Similarly, intake system 212b or portions of intake system 212b are mounted or otherwise attached to side surface 206b and could include an aperture or opening 214b disposed on side surface 206b, an optional fan system 216b, and an intake filter system 218b.

Openings 214a and 214b (sometimes collectively referred to herein as openings 214) provide a passageway for air from outside of enclosure portion 104 to flow to the inside of enclosure portion 104 with the aid of optional fan system 216a and fan system 216b, respectively. It should be understood that openings 214 could be in any suitable configuration, size, shape, or location.

Optional fan systems 216a and 216b (sometimes collectively referred to herein as fan systems 216) are configured to draw air from the outside of enclosure portion 104 to the inside of enclosure portion 104. Optional fan systems 216 could include any suitable system for drawing air from the outside of enclosure portion 104. Optional fan systems 216a and 216b are preferable disposed in or about openings 214a and 214b, respectively, and could include any suitable number of fans, humidifiers, air cleaners, air purifiers, controllers, gauges, detectors, and other related components and could be in any suitable configuration, size, shape, or location.

In one embodiment, optional fan systems 216 could include a fan configured to move or otherwise process air at an acceptable level to maintain a predetermined or desired air quality. Optional fan systems 216 could also be configured to provide or maintain a predetermined temperature or temperature range, humidity, oxygen level, other environmental or comfort requirements, or any suitable combination thereof.

Intake filter systems 218a and 218b (sometimes collectively referred to herein as intake filter systems 218) could be configured to clean or otherwise filter the outside air before it enters the inside of enclosure portion 104. Intake filter systems 218 could include any suitable system to filter the air drawn in from the outside of enclosure portion 104. In one embodiment, intake filter systems 218 could include a filter configured to clean or otherwise filter outside air to filter dust, debris, and other particles to comply with a predetermined and acceptable level of filtering, one or more required environmental standards, one or more safety regulations, certain quality controls, ambient air requirements, temperature requirements, humidity levels, or any other specified requirements, or any suitable combination thereof before such air is drawn into enclosure portion 104. Intake filter system 218 could include a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, carbon filter, active carbon filter, ultraviolet (UV) filter, purifying filter, other suitable filter, or any combination thereof.

The Air Exhaust System

Compartments 202a and 202b could also include exhaust system 220. Although FIG. 2 illustrates only one exhaust system 220, it should be understood that any suitable number and configurations of exhaust system 220 could be used in accordance with the present disclosure.

Exhaust system 220 could include an aperture or exit opening 222 disposed on floor surface 224 of enclosure portion 104, exhaust fan system 226, exhaust filter system 228, and duct system 230. Exhaust system 220 or portions of exhaust system 220 are mounted or otherwise attached to exit opening 222. In one embodiment, exhaust system 220 is located proximate to slotted surface 208 and exit opening 222.

Exhaust system 220 could remove dust, debris, fumes, or any other particles and pollutants away and out of compartments 202 and, in particular, direct such material to the outside of enclosure portion 104 through exhaust filter system 228 and, ultimately to the environment outside of enclosure portion 104 through exit opening 222. In one embodiment, exhaust system 220 could store or otherwise retain such pollutants so as to eliminate contamination of the ambient work environment in compartments 202 and the environment outside of enclosure portion 104.

Exit opening 222 provides a passageway for air from the inside of enclosure portion 104 to flow to the outside of enclosure portion 104 with the aid of exhaust fan system 226. It should be understood that exit opening 222 could be in any suitable configuration, size, shape, or location and could include a screen, shield, other apparatus, or any suitable combination thereof to aid in blocking any dust, debris, or other particles from the outside of enclosure portion 104 to enter the inside of enclosure portion 104. It should also be understood that any suitable number of exit openings 222 could be used in accordance with the present disclosure.

Exhaust fan system 226 is configured to draw air from the inside of the enclosure portion 104 to the outside of enclosure portion 104. Exhaust fan system 226 could include any suitable system for drawing air from the inside of the enclosure portion 104. Exhaust fan system 226 is preferable disposed in or about exit opening 222 and could include any suitable number of fans and other related components and could be in any suitable configuration, size, shape, or location. It should also be understood that any suitable number of exhaust systems 220 could be used in accordance with the present disclosure.

In one embodiment, exhaust fan system 226 could include a fan configured to move or otherwise process air at an acceptable level to maintain air quality. Exhaust fan system 226 could also be configured to provide or maintain a predetermined temperature or temperature range, humidity, oxygen level, other environmental or comfort requirements, or any suitable combination thereof.

Exhaust filter system 228 could be configured to clean or otherwise filter the ambient air inside enclosure portion 104 before such air exits the inside of enclosure portion 104. Exhaust filter system 228 could include any suitable system for filtering the air drawn from the inside of enclosure portion 104. In one embodiment, exhaust filter system 228 could include a filter configured to clean or otherwise filter the air inside of enclosure portion 104 to filter dust, debris, and other particles to comply with a predetermined and acceptable level of filtering, one or more required environmental standards, one or more safety regulations, certain quality controls, ambient air requirements, temperature requirements, humidity levels, or any other specified requirements, or any suitable combination thereof before such air is drawn out of enclosure portion 104 into the outside environment. It should be understood that any suitable number and configurations of exhaust filter systems 228 could be used in accordance with the present disclosure.

Exhaust filter system 228 could include a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, carbon filter, active carbon filter, ultraviolet (UV) filter, purifying filter, other suitable filter, or any combination thereof. Exhaust system 220 could also include duct system 230 disposed between slotted surface 208 and exit opening 222. Duct system 230 could be shaped in a funnel-like configuration as shown in FIG. 2 or in any other suitable configuration to direct air out of enclosure portion 104 and, in particular, exit opening 222. It should be understood that any number, shape, size, or suitable configuration of ducts or duct-like structures could be used as duct system 230 in accordance with the present disclosure.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure controls the presence and concentration of polluted air, fumes, dust, debris, particles, or other by-products generated by any process or treatment conducted within enclosure portion 104 (or within compartments 202) by removing such materials before releasing the air from the inside of enclosure portion 104 to the outside of enclosure portion 104.

Accordingly, intake system 212 and exhaust system 220 aid in meeting environmental standards, government regulations, company requirements, health and safety rules and regulation, and employee preferences to maintain a relatively pristine, clean, dust-free, unwanted particle-free, and debris-free environment inside enclosure portion 104.

In addition, intake system 212 and exhaust system 220 could maintain certain temperature, humidity, oxygen level, air quality, other requirements, or any suitable combination thereof inside enclosure portion 104. Moreover, intake system 212 and exhaust system 220 aid in regulating the amount of pollutants emitted into the air outside of enclosure portion 104.

The Wheel Manipulating Apparatus

System 200 includes wheel manipulating apparatus 232. Although FIG. 2 illustrates only one apparatus 232, it should be understood that any suitable number and configurations of apparatus 232 could be used in accordance with the present disclosure. In addition, FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate other exemplary views of apparatus 232 and are provided for illustration purposes only. It should be understood that other embodiments of apparatus 232 could also be used in accordance with the present disclosure.

Apparatus 232 provides a system for easily manipulating the disposition of a wheel or other object having a hub-cap like structure 238 (referred to herein as wheel 238) as seen in FIG. 3B. Apparatus 232 could include three free-rolling rollers 234a, 234b, and 234c (sometimes collectively referred to herein as rollers 234) as shown in FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B. Rollers 234 could rotate in a clockwise motion, a counter-clockwise motion, or both. In one embodiment, rollers 234 could include a suitable locking system to lock or otherwise retain rollers 234 in a particular position. It should be understood that any suitable number, configuration, size, shape, or location for rollers 234 could be used in accordance with the present disclosure.

Rollers 234 could be made of any suitable material including, for example, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, metal, plastic, glass, rubber, silicone, plexiglass, fiberglass, tile, ceramic, porcelain, wood, laminate, foam, concrete, molded material, or any combination thereof. Rollers 234 could include ball-bearing, roller-bearing, pivot bearing, axis-bearing, turntable bearing, ball-thrust bearing, roller-thrust bearing, tapered-roller bearing, cylindrical bearing, spherical bearing, other suitable structure bearing, or any combination thereof.

In one embodiment, rollers 234 could be optionally configured to automatically position wheel 238 by a suitable motorized apparatus. For example, rollers 234 could be configured to rotate each of rollers 234 at a controllable speed and/or at specified time intervals either by a hard-wired control system or a wireless control system. Accordingly, wheel 238 could be repositioned with a press of a button or other actuation. In other embodiments, wheel 238 could be repositioned automatically through a control system programmed to rotate each of rollers 234 at a desired speed or at specified time intervals.

Rollers 234a and 234b are mounted on frame 236a. Frame 236a is mounted on slotted surface 208. Rollers 234a and 234b are mounted at an angle relative to frame 236a such that the proximate end of rollers 234a and 234b (i.e., the part of rollers 234a and 234b closest to the open end of compartment 202b) is at a height relatively higher than that of the distal end of rollers 234a and 234b as shown in FIG. 3B, for example.

Similarly, roller 234c is mounted on angular frame 236b on back surface 204b, such that a proximate end of roller 234c is at a relatively greater distance from the back surface of compartment 202b than the distal end of roller 234c. Thus, frames 236a and 236b (sometimes collectively referred to herein as frame 236) aid in providing an apparatus wherein wheel 238 could be placed on rollers 234a and 234b at a slightly angled vertical position as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. When in position, wheel 238 could be easily rotated in either clockwise or counter-clockwise position without the need for additional support systems to retain wheel 238 in place.

Other Features

FIG. 2 also illustrates many other features of system 200. For example, system 200 could include lighting system 240, battery or power system 242, environmental monitoring system 244, power-painting or spray system 246, high-pressure air system 248, wheel-restructuring apparatus 250, cleaning station 252, an air conditioning unit 254, other sub-systems to aid in maintaining the air quality of enclosure portion 104, other sub-systems to aid in re-finishing, re-surfacing, preparing, or otherwise changing or manipulating the surface of wheel 238, or any suitable combination thereof. It should be understood that other embodiments of system 200 and any associated subsystems could also be used in accordance with the present disclosure.

Lighting system 240 could include any suitable devices or system of devices for lighting compartments 202. For example, lighting system 240 could include light bulbs, fluorescent lighting, compact fluorescent lighting, halogen lighting, light emitting diodes (LEDs), other suitable lighting sources, or any combination thereof. It should be understood that any suitable embodiments of lighting system 240 could also be used in accordance with the present disclosure.

Battery or power system 242 could include sources of AC or DC power including, for example, a battery, an AC power outlet, a power generator, a solar panel, connections to an external power source, connections to the power source of motor vehicle portion 102, or any combination thereof. Battery or power system 242 could be used to power door 106, intake system 212, optional intake fan system 216, intake filter system 218, exhaust system 220, exhaust fan system 226, exhaust filter system 228, apparatus 232, lighting system 240, environmental monitoring system 244, spray system 246, high-pressure system 248, wheel-restructuring apparatus 250, other suitable apparatus requiring power, or any suitable combination thereof. It should be understood that any suitable embodiments of battery or power system 242 could also be used in accordance with the present disclosure.

Environmental monitoring system 244 could include a detector, monitor, sensor, gauge, thermometer, other monitoring apparatus, or any suitable combination thereof to monitor, sense, evaluate, record, or otherwise determine the amount of dust, debris, chemicals, pollutants, vapors, humidity, other measures of air quality and conditions, or any suitable combination thereof.

Environmental monitoring system 244 could also aid in monitoring whether the ambient environment within enclosure portion 104 complies with a predetermined and acceptable level of filtering, one or more required environmental standards, one or more safety regulations, certain quality controls, ambient air requirements, temperature requirements, humidity levels, or any other specified requirements, or any suitable combination thereof. It should be understood that any suitable embodiments of environmental monitoring system 244 could also be used in accordance with the present disclosure.

In one embodiment, environmental monitoring system 244 could be in communication with, monitor, or otherwise sense or control various parts of enclosure portion 104. As an example, suppose environmental monitoring system 244 senses that the ambient air within enclosure portion 104 is at an unsafe level, environmental monitoring system 244 could send a signal (via a hardwire connection or wireless signal) to release and open door 106 immediately to help avoid any danger to those that could be in enclosure portion 104. Environmental monitoring system 244 could also activate a corresponding safety mechanism, sprinkler system, chemical bath or dousing system, other safety response apparatuses, or any combination thereof to mobilize, alleviate, or otherwise treat the unsafe condition.

In one embodiment, suppose environmental monitoring system 244 were to sense that a fire may have broken out within enclosure portion 104, then environmental monitoring system 244 could activate a corresponding safety mechanism, sprinkler system, chemical bath/shower, chemical dousing system, emergency air intake or exhaust system, other safety response apparatuses, or any suitable combination thereof.

Upon sensing a dangerous situation, environmental monitoring system 244 could also alert a person inside or otherwise proximate to enclosure portion 104, a person inside or otherwise proximate to mobile trailer 100, a home or centralized location of such safety failure by a satellite, phone, text message, alarm, strobe lighting, other communication signal or alarm, or any suitable combination thereof. Accordingly, environmental monitoring system 244 could selectively alert, depending on the severity of the safety failure, co-workers, company officials, safety personnel, police, firefighter, private security personnel, other health and safety personnel, or any suitable combination thereof if one or more safety hazards or violations are present in either or both of mobile trailer portion 100 and motor vehicle 102.

Power-painting or spray system 246 could include any suitable apparatus to provide a spray-like applicator to coat or otherwise treat wheel 238 shown in FIG. 3B. It should be understood that any suitable embodiment of power-painting or spray system 246 could be used in accordance with the present disclosure.

High-pressure air system 248 could include any suitable apparatus to provide compressed or pressurized air for applications requiring air at high pressures such as, for example, in cleaning surfaces, drying, curing surfaces, other surface treatments, or any suitable combination thereof. It should be understood that any suitable embodiment of high-pressure air system 248 could be used in accordance with the present disclosure.

Wheel-restructuring apparatus 250 could include any suitable apparatus to aid in reshaping, realigning, or otherwise restructuring a wheel such as wheel 238. It should be understood that any suitable embodiment of wheel-restructuring apparatus 250 could be used in accordance with the present disclosure. In one embodiment, wheel-restructuring apparatus 250 includes a rotatable adapter plate supported on a base support to allow for rotation of the adapter plate about the vertical axis of a mounted wheel such as wheel 238. Adjustable chucks could be set in place on the adapter plate to mount and hold wheel 238 in place during the restructuring process.

Cleaning station 252 could include a water supply and a sink or basin-like structure to aid in washing, rinsing, or otherwise cleaning wheel 238 or any other apparatus. A person could also use cleaning station 252 to wash, rinse, or otherwise clean hands or other body parts. It should be understood that any suitable embodiment of cleaning station 252 could be used in accordance with the present disclosure.

Accordingly, mobile trailer 100 provides an integrated system to house, transport, and ultimately use as an apparatus to prepare wheel surfaces while maintain air circulation and environmental integrity inside the mobile trailer 100. Mobile trailer 100 also treats pollutants generated inside mobile trailer 100 before being released into the outside environment according to one embodiment of the present disclosure to meet certain environmental standards, laws, rules, and regulations.

Integrated Methods of Preparing Wheel Surfaces and Maintaining Air Circulation

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary method 400 of maintaining the integrity of or relative air quality of an enclosed area used to, for example, repair, sand, buff, polish, treat, coat, paint, finish, or perform some other suitable function or combination of functions on a surface of a wheel or hubcap-like apparatus, such as wheel 238, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Method 400 is provided for illustration purposes only. It should be understood that method 400 could be performed in any suitable order of steps or combination of steps and that other embodiments of method 400 could also be used in accordance with the present disclosure.

Method 400 could begin with placing a wheel in an engaged position in step 402. As an example, wheel 238 could be placed in an engaged position in apparatus 232 as shown in FIG. 3B.

After wheel 238 is in an engaged position, the method 400 continues by assessing whether, at the very least, the intake and exhaust fan systems are operating and functional in step 404. As an example, method 400 could assess whether optional intake fan system 216 and exhaust fan system 226 are operating and function. In one embodiment, method 400 could also include making sure that environmental monitoring system 244 is operating and functioning.

If, however, in step 404, the intake and exhaust fan systems are not operating, method 400 could include requiring that the intake and exhaust fan systems are indeed operating in step 406, before proceeding with step 408. In one embodiment, step 406 could include requiring that environmental monitoring system 244 is operating, before proceeding with step 408.

If in step 404, the intake and exhaust fan system is operating, method 400 could continue with step 408. In one embodiment, step 404 could also include requiring that environmental monitoring system 244 is also operating, before continuing with step 408. In step 408, method 400 includes performing a wheel surface treatment such as some sort of repair, sanding, buffing, polishing, treating, coating, painting, finishing, or performing some other suitable function or combination of functions on a surface of a wheel or hubcap-like apparatus, such as the surface of wheel 238. The wheel surfacing treatment could cause dust, unwanted particles, debris, chemicals, fumes, or other pollutants to have a presence in the ambient environment within enclosure portion 104.

Method 400 continues until the surface treatment in step 408 is complete and then method 400 ends. Accordingly, method 400 provides an integrated method of preparing wheel surfaces and maintaining air circulation in a mobile environment.

It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used in this patent document. The term “couple” and its derivatives refer to any direct or indirect communication between two or more elements, whether or not those elements are in physical contact with one another. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like.

While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. For use in a mobile enclosure, a system comprising:

an apparatus having a plurality of rollers to rotate a wheel about an axis; and

an exhaust system to filter pollutants inside the mobile enclosure before releasing air to the outside environment.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to position the wheel at an angle relative to a floor of the mobile enclosure.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of rollers includes a first roller, a second roller, and a third roller, wherein proximate ends of the first roller and the second roller are disposed at a height relatively higher than the respective distal ends of the first roller and the second roller.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the third roller is disposed at an angle relative to a vertical surface of the mobile enclosure.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein a proximate end of the third roller is disposed at greater distance from a vertical surface of the mobile enclosure relative to a distal end of the third roller.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the first roller, the second roller, and the third roller are configured to rotate in a clockwise and a counter-clockwise motion.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a frame to retain the plurality of rollers in a relative position.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a slotted surface disposed proximate to the exhaust system allowing pollutants to be drawn from the ambient environment surrounding the apparatus to the exhaust system.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

an opening disposed on a floor of the mobile enclosure and proximate to the exhaust system allowing air passage to the outside environment.

10. The mobile enclosure of claim 9, wherein the opening includes a filter.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

an intake system to filter pollutants from the outside environment before drawing air into the mobile enclosure.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile enclosure is transportable by at least one of: a truck, a van, a car, a sports utility vehicle (SUV), a bus, a cab, a trailer, and a motor vehicle.

13. An integrated system of preparing wheel surfaces and maintaining air circulation in a mobile enclosure, the system comprising:

a first compartment having a wheel rotating apparatus configured to rotate the wheel about an axis, the apparatus having a plurality of rollers; and

an air circulation system to filter pollutants from the outside environment before drawing air into the mobile enclosure and to filter pollutants inside the mobile enclosure before releasing air outside of the mobile enclosure through an opening disposed on the floor of the mobile enclosure.

14. The system of claim 13 further comprising:

a frame to retain the plurality of rollers in a relative position.

15. The system of claim 13 further comprising:

a slotted surface disposed proximate to the exhaust system allowing pollutants to be drawn from the ambient environment surrounding the apparatus to the exhaust system.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the opening includes a filter.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the mobile enclosure is transportable by at least one of: a truck, a van, a car, a sports utility vehicle (SUV), a bus, a cab, a trailer, and a motor vehicle.

18. For use in a mobile enclosure, a method of manipulating a wheel surface while maintaining air quality inside and outside of the mobile enclosure, the method comprising:

rotating a wheel about an axis using an apparatus to aid in manipulating the wheel surface, the apparatus having a plurality of rollers;

filtering pollutants from the outside environment before drawing air into the mobile enclosure; and

filtering pollutants inside the mobile enclosure before releasing air outside of the mobile enclosure through an opening disposed on the floor of the mobile enclosure.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the manipulating the wheel surface further comprises performing at least one of: repairing, sanding, buffing, polishing, treating, coating, painting, and finishing.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

transporting the mobile enclosure by at least one of: a truck, a van, a car, a sports utility vehicle (SUV), a bus, a cab, a trailer, and a motor vehicle.