Abstract: A tire gripping device includes a chuck mechanism having a pair of chuck portions adjacent in a width direction of a tire and contact members disposed on each of the chuck portions in a circumferential manner. The contact members are able to be brought into contact with an open end portion of a bead portion of the tire. The contact members are able to enter a state of allowing relative movement with a contact surface of an open end portion in a first contact stage and enter a state of non-relative movement with the contact surface in a second contact stage subsequent to the first contact stage. The tire gripping device further includes a first driving mechanism for moving the contact members in a radial direction of the tire and a second driving mechanism for moving the pair of chuck portions in the width direction of the tire.

Abstract: An improved vehicle wheel spraying support tool is provided. The improved vehicle wheel spraying support tool is composed of a base plate, rotary sleeves, adjustment rods, supporting pins, a stationary sleeve, a flange, fixed plates and the like. In use, the rotary sleeves with random number are mounted in a slot of the base plate and a slot of the flange through sliding pins according to requirements; after angles among the supporting pins are adjusted, the rotary sleeves are fixed through screws III; the positions of the supporting pins can be adjusted to fit in vehicle wheels of different pitch circles by adjusting the positions of the adjustment rods in the rotary sleeves; and the vertical heights of the supporting pins can be adjusted through threads of the lower parts of the supporting pins, and the supporting pins are locked through locking nuts.

Abstract: A for inspecting the internal surface located between a first and a second bead of a tire (P), comprising means for acquiring the image of the internal surface (1) of the tire, and centering means that are able to lock the first bead around its entire circumference on a reference plate, and to set the tire into relative rotation about its axis XX? with respect to said image acquisition means. This device comprises means for opening and for holding the second bead, said means comprising two internal holding rollers (32, 32) which have a generally radial axis, and at least one external holding roller (33) which has a generally radial axis, is disposed substantially in the middle of the angular sector formed by the two internal holding rollers (31, 32) and is able to come into abutment against the external part of said second bead, the internal (31, 32) and external (33) holding rollers being mounted so as to rotate as one about the axis XX? of said image acquisition means (1).

Abstract: Described are an adjustable tire spreader and inspection apparatus 10 and method comprising a pallet 14 for supporting a tire 12 to be viewed for inspection, the pallet 14 having an aperture 26 aligned with the hole of the tire; a plurality of a pair of paws 40, 42, the paws vertically aligned and adapted to separate the beads 60, 62 of the tire to allow an optical inspection apparatus to inspect the tire; each pair of paws positioned about the aperture of the pallet and capable of rotating from a closed position 42 A to an open position of the tire beads; each pair of paws spaced about the beads of the tire and simultaneously moves to separate the beads of the tire for inspection of the tire. In the method, one operates the apparatus 10 by placing the tire 12 on the pallet 14; aligning the paws with the bead of the tire; simultaneously moving the paws 40, 42 to separate the beads 60, 62 of the tire; and inspecting the tire. Thereafter, the tire is removed from the pallet and tire spreader assembly.

Abstract: Method of, and apparatus for, fitting a resilient ring substantially circular in shape into a tire, and removing it therefrom, the method comprising the following steps in sequence: initial deforming of the resilient ring by slightly stretching it along one diameter thereof so as to cause it to change from a circular to an elliptical shape; fitting of the thus deformed ring lengthwise into the light of a tire in which the ring is to be assembled; first releasing of the ring whereby it tends to regain its initial circular shape while remaining engaged in the tire light; final deforming of the resilient ring by stretching it in a radial direction within the tire, and final releasing of the deformable ring whereby it regains its initial circular shape within the tire.