Abstract: Apparatus for mounting and centering a wheel on a mounting spindle of a testing machine, including a shaft portion, a centering taper member on the shaft portion for engaging a center hole in a wheel to be mounted, a fixing nut which can be screwed on the shaft portion for pressing the wheel against the centering taper member for centering the wheel, a spring operable to urge the taper member towards the nut, a housing member on the shaft portion around a part of the spring, a covering means covering the spring for protection thereof, the covering means being disposed on the shaft portion and at least partly in the housing member, and means for limiting the movement of the spring towards a fully relaxed condition thereof thereby to maintain a pre-stressing in the spring.

Abstract: A wheel fixing device for a wheel balancer, by which all types of vehicle wheels can be mounted in a simple manner between a flange portion of an adapter and a push member which includes a plurality of links, each link having a pin for holding a vehicle wheel, the number and the position of the pin being changed according to the type of the wheel.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for releasably locking a wheel to a rotatable hollow shaft having a terminal end includes expandable segments located axially outwardly of the shaft terminal end, and an expanding rod extending through the shaft and segments. Axial movement of the rod relative to the shaft and segments selectively expands the segments outwardly into releasable locking engagement with a sleeve positioned over the segments.

Abstract: A clamping arrangement for clamping vehicle wheels against a rotatable counter plate of a test apparatus. A clamping plate is adjustably movable toward the counter plate. Clamping pins are mounted on a pressure plate and adapted to extend into and engage a mounting hole in a vehicle wheel. In order to enable the rapid alignment of a vehicle wheel in the apparatus, while assuring positive clamping, guide pins to the pressure plate. The ends of the clamping pins are contoured to enable them to fit the mounting holes of different diameters.

Abstract: Device for fixing a vehicle wheel on a balancing machine comprising a platen to be fixed at its center on the rotary shaft of the balancing machine. A series of passages having axes parallel to the axis of rotation of the shaft are formed in the platen, the axes being located at the angles of at least two regular polygons. There is provided a set of cranks each having a journal for engagement in a corresponding one of the passages and a stud eccentric with respect to the journal for engagement in one of the fixing operations of the wheel. A mechanism simultaneously drives all the cranks upon rotation of one of the cranks so that the studs of the cranks are at a distance from the center of the platen which is equal to the distance between the fixing apertures and the center of the wheel. One of the passages constitutes an angle common to all the polygons and all the passages are located on the same circumference on the platen.

Abstract: A tool for inserting balance weights in a rotatable body such as a turbine rotor includes an elongated insertion rod having structure such as threads at one end for attachment to a balance weight. An elongated sleeve slideably surrounds the insertion rod and includes on one end a surface conformed to strike the balance weight when the sleeve is moved on the rod. By striking one end of the sleeve, the balance weight may be upset into a recess in the rotor. A method of using the tool is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the amount and location of imbalance in an article which is to be balanced about its axis includes a table for receiving the article and for positioning its axis. The table is supported upon a base for substantially free tilting movement generally about a point on a vertically extending axis defined by the base. A number of proximity transducers for sensing the orientation of the table relative to the base are provided. A pair of force coils positioned in quadrature about the axis between the base and the table are responsive to the proximity transducers to apply forces between the table and the base to bring the table and the article which rests thereon into a substantially neutral orientation with respect to the base. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of placing the article on the table with the article axis at a predetermined position thereon.

Abstract: A suspension type portable wheel-balancer for "do-it-yourself" automobile owners includes a vertical hollow shaft with a plate member threadedly adjustable at a given horizontal level on the shaft. A suspending wire is actually secured in the interior of the shaft and extends out the top where it may be suspended from any appropriate fixture. The plate member includes three cam members equally radially spaced from the axis of the shaft serving to engage the inner periphery of the hub opening of the automobile owner's wheel to position the wheel in exact coaxial alignment with the axis of the hollow shaft and suspending wire. Each cam member is eccentrically rotatably mounted so that the radial distance of the radially most distant points of the cam members can be adjusted and locked in place to correspond to the specific radius of the hub opening of the automobile owner's wheels.

Abstract: An apparatus for clamping and centering bodies during rotation for balancing with a body receiving plate which is mounted on a spindle and which has a pair of concentric flexible rings or gaskets mounted on the upper surface thereof to define, when the body rests on the rings, a vacuum chamber from which air is removed to lock the body in place by channels which extend through the plate and communicate with the vacuum chamber. A housing extends about and is connected to the spindle by bearings with the space between the housing and spindle communicating with the vacuum chamber and with a connection extending through the housing for removing air from the vacuum chamber. Extensions of the spindle and vent holes between the housing space and the bearing prevent a vacuum from being developed in the area of the bearings.

Abstract: A wheel mounting assembly for a tire balancing machine of a type for rotating a wheel with a tire mounted thereon includes an annular support plate arranged to be mounted for rotation by the machine. The support plate carries means for simultaneously moving a plurality of studs uniformly between first and second radial positions defined about the axis of rotation of the support plate. The foregoing means includes a central gear disposed on the axis of rotation of the support plate. A plurality of satellite gears corresponding in number to the number of the studs needed for support of a given wheel are disposed about the axis of rotation of the plate in engagement with the central gear. The studs are carried on means supported from each satellite gear so as to revolve about the axis of rotation of the satellite gears whereby rotation of one of the satellite gears serves to rotate the others to the same degree via the central gear so as to move all studs simultaneously from the first to the second position.