For Collapsing Or Shifting Tire Axially Patents (Class 157/1.17)
  • Publication number: 20120216962
    Abstract: A system for mounting a tire and a wheel is disclosed. The system includes a robotic arm pivotably-connected to an end effector. The system also includes a tire-supporting portion including a support surface and a pair of wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portions disposed upon the support surface. The pair of wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portions includes a first wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portion fixedly-disposed relative the support surface and a second wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portion movably-disposed relative the support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: Android Industries LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Lawson, Robert Reece, Joshua J. Hicks
  • Publication number: 20120205054
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting and demounting a tire on and from a rim of a vehicle wheel. The apparatus comprises at least one fitting or removal tool for mounting and demounting the tire, and a control unit for controlling movement of the fitting or removal tool. A load measuring device measures the load applied on the tool while mounting or demounting the tire. A counterpart method comprises moving the fitting or removal tool towards or away from the vehicle wheel for mounting or demounting the tire to and from the rim, capturing the load applied to the tire by the fitting or removal tool, calculating the load applied to the tire by the fitting or removal tool while mounting or demounting the tire, and controlling movement of the fitting or removal tool on the basis of the load applied to the tire by the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventor: Klaus KIRSTÄTTER
  • Patent number: 8215367
    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 support arm including a travel 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Hennessy Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John Story
  • Patent number: 8215366
    Abstract: The invention refers to a mounting device for mounting or dismounting a vehicle tire on a wheel rim, the wheel rim or the wheel being supported on a mounting table and a pressing-down device being provided for sliding the vehicle tire on the wheel rim. The invention is characterized by a movement of the pressing-down device which is essentially parallel to the wheel axis for sliding the vehicle tire on the wheel rim or pulling off the vehicle tire from the wheel rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Immler
  • Publication number: 20120152467
    Abstract: An apparatus is configured to receive a tire having at least two bead portions, including a first bead portion and a second bead portion. The apparatus includes a plurality of members configured to engage the first bead portion of the tire, at least one expander configured to move the plurality of members outward, and a rotating device configured to rotate the plurality of members about an axis of the tire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS TIRE OPERATIONS, LLC.
    Inventors: Neel K. Mani, John L. Turner
  • Publication number: 20120125542
    Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method includes the step of determining a spatial location of a match-mark region of each of a tire and a wheel, wherein at least one of the tire and the wheel does not include a physical match mark formed upon a surface or within a body portion of the tire and the wheel. A system is also disclosed. An apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Android Industries LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Lawson, George B. Byma, Robert Reece, Ramsey R. Niazy
  • Patent number: 8176960
    Abstract: A factory layout including a track circuit, one or more wheeled carts for traversing the track circuit and a tire/wheel assembly carried by the wheeled cart. One or more work stations can be positioned at locations along the track circuit. Various wheeled cart embodiments are disclosed and various work station configurations are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Android Industries LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Lawson, Edwin Reece, Robert Reece
  • Publication number: 20110315286
    Abstract: A system is provided for refitting a tire system on a four-wheel-drive compact tractor which typically comes equipped with a set of industrial tires mounted on standard industrial size wheels. The tractor has a frame size falling within an industry classification of extra large frame, large frame, mid-frame or small frame. A set of replacement agricultural tires or turf tires is provided. The industrial tires are replaced with the replacement agricultural tires or turf tires without changing at least the front wheels on the compact tractor. The replacement tires are selected so as to maintain a front tire overspeed within manufacturer specified ranges for the majority of tractors falling within the industry classification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Allen, Jeffery L. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20110297330
    Abstract: An automatic bead seating assembly to automatically move a bead seating assembly or manifold into contact with a wheel or tire assembly and cause the bead to be seated. The assembly comprises an extendable and retractable seater arm attached at one end to a base, with a bead seater or manifold assembly attached or mounted at the other end. The bead seater or manifold assembly may comprises a reservoir filled with compressed air or other gas, and a hose or pipe for movement of the air or gas from the reservoir to a nozzle of an appropriate size and shape to fit a particular wheel or tire. The seater arm extends forward until the bead seater or maniforld assembly comes into contact with the wheel or tire assembly, whereupon air or gas from the manifold reservoir is released, causing the tire bead to be seated. The seater arm then retracts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventor: David STRICKLAND, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110253318
    Abstract: A tool for seating a tubeless tire on a rim using pressurized gas includes a cylindrical pressure vessel with a pistol grip extending radially from the tank. The tool includes a rapid opening gas valve positioned between the cylindrical pressure vessel and a nozzle. In some embodiments the nozzle includes a jet configured to receive pressurized gas from the cylindrical pressure vessel into a chamber of the nozzle so that as the stream of gas enters the chamber, the Venturi effect causes air to enter the chamber through air intake ports and the stream of gas and air from the air intake ports is blown out of the outlet of the nozzle. The tire is seated on the rim by positioning the system so that the air from the nozzle rapidly blows into the tire between the bead of the tire and the rim upon the valve being opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: GAITHER TOOL COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: Daniel Kunau
  • Publication number: 20110247760
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to seat a tire on a rim are described. Protrusions and a handle on the apparatus allow a user to brace the protrusions against the rim to prevent blow back when air is vented into the gap between the tire and the rim to seat the tire bead. The air is vented through a plurality of holes in the apparatus and the flow of the air into the apparatus is controlled by positioning a bridge handle of a flow control valve situated between the apparatus and a tank of air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: SPX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael R. WHITE
  • Publication number: 20110226050
    Abstract: A rim mounting device configured in such a manner that, even if a permanent magnet breaks due to impact produced during mounting thereof by magnetic attraction, the rim mounting device can be handled easily after the breakage of the permanent magnet. The rim mounting device is provided to a tire testing device having a spindle for rotating a tire and is adapted that a rim is mounted to the tip of the spindle. The rim mounting device is provided with: a rim mounting section provided to the tip of the spindle, having a rim mounting surface capable of making contact with the rim, and having mounting recesses formed in the rim mounting surface so as to be arranged side by side; permanent magnets inserted in the mounting recesses, respectively, and generating magnetic force for attracting the rim to the rim mounting surface; and scatter suppressing members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
    Inventors: Maiko Nakayama, Takashi Sumitani, Mikio Kato, Masao Murakami, Hikaru Hamada
  • Publication number: 20110220297
    Abstract: A tire bead seating apparatus for seating tire beads on a vehicle wheel, the apparatus comprising: (a) a repositionable arm operatively coupled to a rotatable drum, the repositionable arm directing the rotatable drum into selective engagement with an inflated tire mounted to a vehicle wheel, the rotatable drum operative to rotate when engaging the inflated tire to rotate the inflated tire and the vehicle wheel; (b) a first set of rollers selectively contacting a first peripheral surface of the inflated tire, the first peripheral surface bridging between a first sidewall and a treaded surface of the inflated tire; (c) a first set of rollers selectively contacting a second peripheral surface of the inflated tire, the second peripheral surface bridging between a second sidewall and the treaded surface of the inflated tire, the first sidewall being generally opposite the second sidewall; (d) a first bead roller selectively contacting the first sidewall proximate a first bead of the inflated tire; and, (e) a secon
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Clinton Robert Clark, Charles Edward O'Connor, IV
  • Publication number: 20110203741
    Abstract: A method of processing a vehicle tyre, comprising mounting the tyre to an apparatus for handling, for example moving, transporting and rotating, the tyre; and dismounting the tyre from the apparatus for handling the tyre; and a corresponding apparatus and system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: Norbert Seitz
  • Patent number: 7971621
    Abstract: A filling bell can be used to fill a tubeless tire arranged on a wheel rim with a pressurized gas. The filling bell includes an annular sealing face which can be pressed onto a side wall of the tire. The filling bell also includes a central opening, into which the wheel rim may penetrate. The sealing face is formed by an annular flange which surrounds the opening and includes a plurality of wedge-shaped segments. The width of the wedge-shaped segments increases away from the opening. The wedge-shaped segments are displaceable relative to one another and substantially radially relative to the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Schenck RoTec GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Rogalla, Werner Lehr
  • Publication number: 20110155329
    Abstract: A device for fitting and removing tires includes a support having a connecting portion associable with the movable arm of a tire changing machine, a first protruding element associated with the support and suitable to be positioned in correspondence with a section of the edge of a wheel rim, a guide element having a substantially elongated shape and extending substantially orthogonal to the protruding element, a gripping tool associated with the support, suitable to be inserted between the tire and the rim and having a substantially curved end section, the gripping tool being movable between a retracted position, wherein the end section is arranged in proximity of the first protruding element, and an extracted position, wherein the gripping tool extends from the first protruding element towards the wheel. The first protruding element is arranged substantially at the side of the gripping tools, in correspondence with a side of the gripping tool substantially opposite to the guide element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: M&B ENGINEERING S.R.L.
    Inventor: Franco Magnani
  • Publication number: 20110095597
    Abstract: A tire and rim combination includes a pair of circular rims with each of the rims including a radially extending flange member. The flange member can be releasably fit into the perimeter groove of the tire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventor: Steve Knowles
  • Publication number: 20110079362
    Abstract: A swing arm style tire changer includes a base (1), a workbench (2), an upright stem (12), a swing arm (10) and a dismounting head (14). The swing arm (10) is attached to the upright stem (12) and is capable of rotating horizontally. The swing arm style tire changer also includes a first helper arm (11) connected to the swing arm (10); under said first helper arm (11) and connected thereto is a tire-pressing wheel (15) that may be moved vertically upwards and downwards. The first helper arm (11) is attached to the swing arm (10) and is capable of rotating horizontally, and a pneumatic cylinder (8) is arranged on said first helper arm (11). The swing arm style tire changer also includes a second helper arm (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventor: Cai Xilin
  • Patent number: 7905269
    Abstract: A tool for pulling a first and second tire bead off of a wheel assembly. The tool is inserted between the bead to be removed and the rim edge, and engages the bead to be removed with a grappling structure and pulls the bead over the rim edge by a linear drive assembly disposed inside a tubular structure affixed to the grappling structure. Simultaneously an angled stay is positioned on the rim which is pressed in an opposite direction of the pulling motion. A second embodiment pulls the rim from a second bead of a tire. A hook is inserted between the rim edge and the second tire bead and hooks onto the lower rim edge. A linear drive assembly provides a pulling motion to pull the rim over the second bead, while a push plate simultaneously pushes the tire side wall in an opposite direction from the pulling motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Ochoa Roadrunner Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Ochoa, Sandy Ochoa
  • Publication number: 20110042015
    Abstract: A factory layout including a track circuit, one or more wheeled carts for traversing the track circuit and a tire/wheel assembly carried by the wheeled cart. One or more work stations can be positioned at locations along the track circuit. Various wheeled cart embodiments are disclosed and various work station configurations are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: Android Industries LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Lawson, Edwin Reece, Robert Reece
  • Patent number: 7882882
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Hennessy Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles L. Cunningham
  • Publication number: 20100307693
    Abstract: Device for automatically separating the tire and the rim in a vehicle wheel. The feed-in device feeds in vehicle wheels and a press-in device is located in an inactive position at a distance from the rim edge and is shifted to an active position. Press-in members are adjusted in the direction of the rim in order to press in the rim edge, whereafter the rim can be pressed out. The press-in device with a number of press-in elements forms a unit, which is movably suspended from a frame in which the wheel is placed in position to separate the tire and the rim. Feed-out devices feed out the separated rims to a first collection point and the separated tires to a second collection point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: Tyre Save Swenden AB
    Inventor: Lars Jönsson
  • Patent number: 7832449
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for mounting and dismounting tires. Apparatus typically comprises a pressing assembly positionable relative to a fixed wheel rim such that the pressing assembly controls force distribution across selected portions of a tire causing a tire bead to be eased onto the wheel rim. The apparatus typically includes an axis of rotation perpendicular to the wheel rim axis and wherein the axis of rotation is positionable in a plane that includes the wheel rim axis. The wheel rim can be fixed to a base assembly and handles allow positioning and transmittal of force to the pressing assembly. A bead breaking assembly for deflating an inflated tire may be provided. Methods of operating these and other such apparatus are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventors: Robert Kenjiro Levin, Sakae Tasaki
  • Patent number: 7798196
    Abstract: A tire mounting-demounting machine having a bead breaking arm with a work head having a head-holder support (10), bracket member (6) pivoted at one end thereof to the head-holder support (10), a bead breaker tool (2) supported at the other end of the at least one bracket member (6) and configured to engage a bead of a tire (P), a lever element (7) pivoted to the head-holder support (10) and bearing a feeler pin arm portion (9) configured to control the lever element (7) and a biasing member configured to yieldably keep the lever element (7) in the work position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Butler Engineering & Marketing S.p.A.
    Inventors: Tullio Gonzaga, Silvano Santi
  • Patent number: 7784519
    Abstract: A tire fitting machine having a wheel mounting means 1 which is mounted rotatably about a vertical axis 5 and to which a wheel rim 6 is to be fixed when fitting or removing a tire, wherein the wheel rim 6 rests on a support surface 2 of the wheel mounting means 1, the support surface extending perpendicularly to the axis 6, wherein the support surface 2 is displaceable along the axis 5 and is fixable in a plurality of positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Snap-On Equipment Srl a Unico Socio
    Inventor: Paolo Sotgiu
  • Patent number: 7740043
    Abstract: Tire changer apparatus having a horizontally extended frame; a wheel holder device provided on said frame and designed to support a tired wheel (14) with horizontally positioned wheel axis; a carriage supported movably along the frame; a tool holder provided on the carriage; at least one tire changing tool for mounting the tire onto the wheel and/or for demounting the tire from the wheel; and actuator means to move the tool holder on the carriage to operating positions in which the tire changing tool is able to act on the tire for mounting or demounting on both sides of the tire, wherein during the mounting operation or demounting operation the carriage is driven by an actuator device along the frame; the tool holder is movably supported on a tool holder carriage which is movably supported on said carriage and driven by an additional actuator device provided on said carriage, and said additional actuator device is in drive connection with the tool holder carriage via a mechanical speed-increasing transmiss
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Snap-On Equipment SRL a Unico Socio
    Inventors: Paolo Sotgiu, Antonio Fragale
  • Publication number: 20100139870
    Abstract: A tool for pulling a first and second tire bead off of a wheel assembly. The tool is inserted between the bead to be removed and the rim edge, and engages the bead to be removed with a grappling structure and pulls the bead over the rim edge by a linear drive assembly disposed inside a tubular structure affixed to the grappling structure. Simultaneously an angled stay is positioned on the rim which is pressed in an opposite direction of the pulling motion. A second embodiment pulls the rim from a second bead of a tire. A hook is inserted between the rim edge and the second tire bead and hooks onto the lower rim edge. A linear drive assembly provides a pulling motion to pull the rim over the second bead, while a push plate simultaneously pushes the tire side wall in an opposite direction from the pulling motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Justin Ochoa, Sandy Ochoa
  • Patent number: 7712510
    Abstract: An installation tool for mounting a tire to a wheel, the tire and wheel defining a central axis, the tire having opposing annular sides and two circumferential beads that define an opening through the opposing annular sides and the wheel having shoulders for receiving the circumferential bead, the installation tool comprising a shoe having an upper axial side, a lower axial side and an outer radial side, wherein the shoe includes a beveled transition zone that extends across at least a part of at least one of the upper axial side and the outer radial side, the beveled transition zone defining a bead drawing surface that mounts the bead of the tire to the shoulder of the wheel when rotatable movement is introduced between the tire and the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Android Industries LLC
    Inventor: Patrick W. Zoller
  • Publication number: 20100101735
    Abstract: A tire/wheel bead entrapment remover is disclosed. The tire/wheel bead entrapment remover includes one or more working assemblies having a circumferential perimeter that substantially engages a tire. The one or more working assemblies axially-moves one of a wheel of the tire mounted to the wheel while axially-fixing the other of the tire or the wheel to remove one or more entrapments between a bead of the tire and a beat seat of the wheel. According to an embodiment, a tire/wheel bead entrapment remover includes one or more wheels that engages an outboard surface or an inboard surface of a tire mounted to a wheel. The radial axis extends through the one or more wheels. The radial axis traverses a radial line that radially extends from a common axis of rotation of the tire and the wheel. A method for removing an entrapment from a tire/wheel assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: ANDROID INDUSTRIES LLC
    Inventors: LAWRENCE J. LAWSON, EDWIN REECE, ROBERT REECE
  • Publication number: 20100065224
    Abstract: An apparatus for tire-changing machines includes a base having a face turned upward, a supporting and locking platform for wheels, mounted rotating on such face around a rotation axis and defining a supporting and locking table, support means of tools extending upward from the base, the support means being movable along the base in a direction of movement perpendicular to the rotation axis, so as to move closer or away from the rotation axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Gino Ferrari, Franco Maioli
  • Patent number: 7677292
    Abstract: A tool for pulling a first and second tire bead off of a wheel assembly. The tool is inserted between the bead to be removed and the rim edge, and engages the bead to be removed with a grappling structure and pulls the bead over the rim edge by a linear drive assembly disposed inside a tubular structure affixed to the grappling structure. Simultaneously an angled stay is positioned on the rim which is pressed in an opposite direction of the pulling motion. A second embodiment pulls the rim from a second bead of a tire. A hook is inserted between the rim edge and the second tire bead and hooks onto the lower rim edge. A linear drive assembly provides a pulling motion to pull the rim over the second bead, while a push plate simultaneously pushes the tire side wall in an opposite direction from the pulling motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Inventors: Justin Ochoa, Sandy Ochoa
  • Publication number: 20100051206
    Abstract: A single-cell workstation for processing a tire-wheel assembly including a tire and a wheel is disclosed. The single-cell workstation includes a mounting and indexing sub-station including a first plurality of tire engaging portions including one or more first tire-engaging surfaces, and a second plurality of tire engaging portions including one or more second tire-engaging surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Android Industries LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Lawson
  • Patent number: 7640963
    Abstract: A tire/wheel bead entrapment remover is disclosed. The tire/wheel bead entrapment remover includes one or more working assemblies having a circumferential perimeter that substantially engages a tire. The one or more working assemblies axially-moves one of a wheel of the tire mounted to the wheel while axially-fixing the other of the tire or the wheel to remove one or more entrapments between a bead of the tire and a beat seat of the wheel. According to an embodiment, a tire/wheel bead entrapment remover includes one or more wheels that engages an outboard surface or an inboard surface of a tire mounted to a wheel. The radial axis extends through the one or more wheels. The radial axis traverses a radial line that radially extends from a common axis of rotation of the tire and the wheel. A method for removing an entrapment from a tire/wheel assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Android Industries LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Lawson, Edwin Reece, Robert Reece
  • Patent number: 7631681
    Abstract: A portable tire bead breaker comprising a plurality of elements which can be disassembled to form a compact kit. Includes a base over which a tire and rim may be placed, a support member, and a lever arm. Also included is a plunger member configured to engage the tire and break the bead thereon. To break a tire bead, the elements are assembled and a force is extended upon the lever arm, engaging the plunger member upon the tire and creating sufficient force against the tire in opposition to the rim to disassociate therefrom. The tire bead breaker can be disassembled into a compact unit for storage and transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Inventor: David Petersen
  • Publication number: 20090283221
    Abstract: A single-cell workstation for processing a tire-wheel assembly including a tire and a wheel is disclosed. The single cell workstation includes a soaping sub-station. The soaping sub-station includes a housing defined by a support surface and one or more walls extending from the support surface and a plurality of fluid dispensing portions extending from the support surface. An apparatus for lubricating one or more beads of a tire is also disclosed. The apparatus includes a head portion; a plurality of radially-adjustable clamping portions axially extending from the head portion; and a plurality of radially-adjustable lubrication applicators axially extending from the head portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: Android Industries LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Lawson
  • Patent number: 7604035
    Abstract: A tire mounting apparatus includes a mounting head that is rotated by a drive shaft and slidably carries two adjusting plates. A push rod extends coaxially through the drive shaft, and a deflecting rod slopes laterally from the push rod through openings in the plates. The deflecting rod has two sloping actuating surfaces with different slope angles that engage in the openings of the plates to cause different sliding displacement of each plate by an axial actuation of the push rod. A bead deflector and a pressing roller are respectively mounted on the plates so they can be adjusted to different wheel rim diameters. A toggle lever and/or a pivot joint adjust a pivot angle of at least one of the tire mounting tools to remain tangential to the wheel rim circumference while it is slidingly adjusted to a different wheel diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Schenck RoTec GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Lehr, Andreas Peinelt
  • Publication number: 20090236047
    Abstract: A mounting press device of a tire mounting/dismounting apparatus is provided which prevents the damage of a tire bead even in the case of a tire having high rigidity and mounts the tire to a wheel easily and speedily. A swing arm is provided with a first arm and a second arm. The first arm is provided with a first pressing member so that the first pressing member is movable along the first arm. The second arm is provided with a second pressing member so that the second pressing member is movable along the second arm 34 and can be moved up and down by a second moving up-and-down section. The swing arm and the first and second arms are coupled to the a moving up-and-down body of a first moving up-and-down section so as to be rotatable around an axis parallel to a rotational axis of a turntable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Yoshio Mimura
  • Patent number: 7591295
    Abstract: A bead breaking unit for tire changing machines includes an arm having an adjustable supporting device for the pad against which a tire can be positioned, the adjustable supporting device including a first body mounting the pad, a second body attached to the base of the tire changing machine, and first and second rods extending through lateral slots in the bodies to control horizontal telescopic movement of the first body relative to the second body and the slant of the pad relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Giuliano S.p.A.
    Inventor: Maurizio Bonacini
  • Patent number: 7584775
    Abstract: The invention provides a tire mounter capable of preventing a tire from being damaged by minimizing a contact of a bead part of the tire relative to a wheel. The tire mounter, for receiving the wheel on which the tire is temporarily fixed aslant and mounting the tire on the wheel from a temporarily fixed state when mounting the tire, comprises a bead guide plate having an arc-shaped plate piece, the arc-shaped plate piece having a bottom surface side positioned on an upper surface side of the wheel, and an outer peripheral arc-shaped part positioned on an outer peripheral surface of the wheel. The bead guide plate is turned toward a bead part of the tire at a non-mounting side of the tire while being interlocked with a turning of a tire bead press roller, and thereby the bead guide plate turns ahead of the tire bead press roller so that the bead part of the tire at the non-mounting side of the tire slides on a surface side of the bead guide plate to be mounted on the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Altia Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Teruji Nomura
  • Publication number: 20090173453
    Abstract: A tyre fitting machine having a wheel mounting means 1 which is mounted rotatably about a vertical axis 5 and to which a wheel rim 6 is to be fixed when fitting or removing a tyre, wherein the wheel rim 6 rests on a support surface 2 of the wheel mounting means 1, the support surface extending perpendicularly to the axis 6, wherein the support surface 2 is displaceable along the axis 5 and is fixable in a plurality of positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventor: Paolo SOTGIU
  • Publication number: 20090173452
    Abstract: The present invention aims to coaxially aligning a tire with support rims with high accuracy by eliminating an effect of a tread outer surface. A radial inner end position of the bead portion of the tire is detected by a photoelectric sensor at circumferentially separated four points, and a deviation between the central axis of the tire and the central axis of a pair of support rims. The bead portion of the tire, which is an subject of the detection of the inner end position, is a portion where its dimension and shape are hardly changed even if the tire runs (i.e., is used) for a long time, so that the above-mentioned deviation can be determined at a high accuracy to, thereby, conduct a center alignment of the tire with the support rims at a high accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 7556470
    Abstract: A device for separating individual tires that have become entwined including a movable head for engaging at least one tire in a stack of tires, an engaging finger coupled to the movable head, and at least one manipulating apparatus for moving the engaging finger and the movable head to dislodge entwined tires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Android Industries LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Lawson, Lawrence L. Reece, Robert Reece, Richard J. Standen
  • Patent number: 7543622
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Hennessy Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Carpenter, Charles L. Cunningham, Anton Varshavchik
  • Publication number: 20090101287
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a work head with bead breaker roller for a tire mounting-demounting machine, suitable for bead breaking of a tire (P) from the edge (B1) of a rim (C) of a tired wheel, the work head comprising: a head-holder support (10) fixable to a bead breaker arm of a tire mounting-demounting machine; at least one bracket member (6) pivoted at one end thereof to the head-holder support (10) around a pivoting axis (x-x); a bead breaker tool (2) supported at the other end of the at least one bracket member (6) and designed to engage a bead of a tire to be bead broken (P); a lever element (7), which is pivoted to the head-holder support (10) and bears a feeler pin arm portion (9) designed to control, in use, the lever element (7), whereby it is angularly moved between a work position, in which it thrusts against the bead breaker tool, and at least one rest position, it which it is angularly arranged at a distance from the bead breaker tool (2); and return means (10) designed to yieldably k
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Tullio GONZAGA, Silvano SANTI
  • Patent number: 7513288
    Abstract: Tool for mounting a tire onto a rim, suitable for making it easier to insert the bead of the tire under the bead-stopping edge of the rim and inside the channel of the rim itself; said tools comprises a body equipped with a fixed jaw and with a mobile jaw to which actuation means are operatively connected suitable for taking said mobile jaw closer to said fixed jaw to lock said body to the edge of the rim, a base intended to be rested on the sidewall of the tire being associated with said body, said base being fixedly connected to said body so as to be able to oscillate towards the axis of the rim to make it easier to insert the bead inside the bead-stopping edge of the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Corghi S.p.A.
    Inventor: Remo Corghi
  • Patent number: 7506671
    Abstract: A tire filling apparatus preferably includes a support and seal arrangement on which a wheel-tire combination is supported in a horizontally lying orientation, a tire filling plate, and a plurality of differently-sized tire filling rings. Based on the diameter of the wheel-tire combination to be filled with air, a properly sized one of the filling rings is selected and positioned coaxially along the wheel axis between the tire and the filling plate. The filling plate moves toward the tire, sealingly contacts the filling ring, and presses the filling ring against the upwardly facing tire sidewall, until an open air filling gap is formed between the tire sidewall bead and the wheel rim. Pressurized air is introduced through the filling plate, the filling ring, and the open air filling gap into the tire interior, until the gap is closed by the increasing air pressure in the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Schenck RoTec GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Peinelt, Martin Rogalla, Werner Lehr, Roland Lehmann
  • Patent number: 7500503
    Abstract: An apparatus of the present invention is designed for assembling tires having a pair of spaced beads of various diameters and configurations with the respective wheels having a pair of seats moveable by a conveyor along an assembly path. A mounter station is disposed on the conveyor and presenting an alignment axis. A sealing mechanism is cooperable with the mounter station and is moveable around the alignment axis by a drive unit connected thereto for forcing at least one of the beads of the tire between the seats of the wheel. The apparatus accommodates a wide variety of wheel and tire sizes, is not complex and bulky, and reduces number of parts required to form the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Schencky Rotec Corporation
    Inventors: Ben Giacona, Dan Pellerin
  • Patent number: 7500504
    Abstract: A bead breaking unit includes an arm which is attachable to the base of a tire changing machine and has a first end for attachment of a bead breaking tool and a second end opposite the first. The first end is mobile between an idle position, in which the bead breaking tool is placed away from the base, and a working position, in which the bead breaking tool is placed in contact with a wheel to bead break, positioned in proximity to the base. The bead breaking unit also includes an adjustment device for adjusting the trajectory of the bead breaking tool when moving between the idle position and the working position, which are interposed between the base and the arm and suitable for defining a first operating configuration in which the trajectory is curvilinear and a second operating configuration in which the trajectory is rectilinear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Giuliano S.p.A.
    Inventor: Maurizio Bonacini
  • Patent number: 7481258
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved device for tire disassembling machines in general, designed to simplify tire assembling on rim without excessive stretching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Societa' Italiana Construzioni Elettromeccaniche- S.I.C.E.-S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuliano Vignoli
  • Patent number: 7455097
    Abstract: A machine for fitting and removing vehicle wheels includes a base frame, a clamping and rotating device for clamping and rotating the rim of a vehicle wheel around a horizontal rotation axis, which are fitted on the base frame by interposing straight first guide means along a vertical sliding direction and at least one operating arm which is associated with the base frame along an oblique direction with respect to the position plane of the rotation axis and of the sliding direction and which has a work tool for fitting and removing a tire onto and from the rim. The operating arm is positionable in an operating position in which it is arranged at right angles and incidental to the rotation axis and the work tool is positioned near the circumferential edge of the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Giuliano S.p.A.
    Inventor: Maurizio Bonacini