Abstract: An apparatus (1) for checking the attitude of a vehicle (2) comprises: at least one target (3) defining a spatial reference system; a mobile unit (4) equipped with measuring means (10) for measuring the value of parameters representing the geometric characteristics of a wheel (9) of the vehicle (2) and its position relative to the mobile unit (4), and with means (11) for viewing the at least one target (3); a processor (13) connected to the measuring means (10) and to the viewing means (11) for calculating the position and orientation of the wheel (9) relative to the reference system and to obtain characteristic parameter values for the attitude of the vehicle (2); an interface (23) designed to make available in real time to the user driving the mobile unit (4) information relating to the position of the measuring means (10) relative to the wheel (9), the mobile unit (4) being able to be driven manually by one user to position it in proximity of (facing) the wheel (9).

Abstract: A tyre-changing machine comprising support means (4) for a wheel, a tool- bearing arm (50) at an end of which a bead-breaking tool (6) is hinged according to a hinge axis (E) which is perpendicular to an axis (A) of the wheel, and first motohsed means (32, 33) for causing a relative movement, in a parallel direction to the axis (A) of the wheel, between the support means (4) and the tool-bearing arm (50), such as to press the bead-breaking tool (6) against a flank of a tyre on the wheel, characterised in that it comprises second motorised means (64), activatable independently from the first motorised means (32, 33), which second motorised means (64) are destined to rotate the bead-breaking tool (6) about the hinge axis (E) with the too- bearing arm (50), in order to vary an inclination of the bead-breaking tool (6) with respect to the axis (A) of the wheel which is mounted on the support means (4).

Abstract: A device and a method for checking an attitude of a vehicle (100), comprising at least a measuring instrument (3) for measuring at least one characteristic attitude parameter, in which the measuring instrument (3) is installed on board a self-propelled unit (2) which moves autonomously on the ground, in such a way as to follow variable trajectories.

Abstract: A tyre-changing machine comprising a chuck (5) having a self-centring group (51) for blocking a rim (100) of a wheel, which self-centring group (51) comprises a plurality of blocking jaws (7) of the rim (100) arranged angularly equidistanced along a circumference centred on a rotation axis (A) of the chuck (5), and means for moving (52, 57) for radially distancing and nearing the blocking jaws (7) with respect to the rotation axis (A) of the chuck (5) such as to vary a diameter of the circumference on which the blocking jaws (7) are arranged while maintaining an inclination of each blocking jaw (7) constant with respect to the rotation axis (A) of the chuck (5), characterised in that each blocking jaw (7) comprises a first portion (70) which is connected to the means for moving (52, 57), and a second portion (71) which is mobilely coupled to the first portion (70) such as to be able to change an overall development of the blocking jaw (7) in a radial direction with respect to the rotation axis (A) of the chuc

Abstract: The blocking device (10) of a wheel rim (100) on a tyre-mounting machine is provided with a rotating support plate (5) having a central hole (6), and comprises a stem (11) for engaging with the rotating support plate (5), and a cursor (15) which is slidable on the stem (11) and which comprises a conical centring body (16) and means for activating for moving the cursor (15) along the stem (11). The means for activating comprise a mechanical transmission between a collar (20) and a motor (28) and the coupling between the cursor (15) and the stem (11) is such as to prevent rotation of the cursor (15) about the stem (11).

Abstract: A method and a machine for balancing vehicle wheels with weights (18), the method comprising stages of: using a video camera (5, 6, 206) to frame a portion of a surface of a hub (101) of a wheel on which a weight (18) is to be applied, locating, in images of the hub (101) taken by the camera (5, 6, 206), at least a balancing plane (E1, E2) which is perpendicular to a rotation axis (A) of the wheel, piloting at least a pick-up device (8, 9, 209) such as to direct the at least a pick-up device (8, 9, 209) onto a point (P1, P2) of the hub (101) belonging to the balancing plane (E1, E2), detecting, by means of the pick-up device (8, 9, 209) characteristic geometric parameters of the hub (101) at the balancing plane (E1, E2), measuring an imbalance of the wheel, calculating, by means of an electronic calculator (4, 204) an entity of at least a weight (18) to be applied to the hub (101) at the balancing plane (E1, E2), and also calculating an angular position (T1, T2) of the weight (18) in the balancing plane (E1,

Abstract: A method for balancing motor vehicle wheels, comprising mounting the wheel onto the rotating spindle of a balancing machine, using a probe of known type, selecting balancing planes and diameters, providing the data to the balancing machine, spinning the wheel, calculating the value of imbalance, calculating an entity and angular position for balancing weights to be applied in the balancing planes and diameters previously selected by the operator; during the spinning of the wheel, measuring an acceleration time between two predetermined speeds of the wheel; calculating an imbalance threshold value and applying the balancing weight only if it is above the calculated threshold value.

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.

Abstract: A method for dismounting self-supporting tires (1) from the relative rim (2), said self-supporting tires comprising an outer cover (10) that contains a rigid auxiliary ring (16) provided with two flexible sidewalls (18, 19).

Abstract: A method for balancing motor vehicle wheels, comprising mounting the wheel onto the rotating spindle of a balancing machine, using a probe of known type, selecting balancing planes and diameters, providing the data to the balancing machine, spinning the wheel, calculating the value of imbalance, calculating an entity and angular position for balancing weights to be applied in the balancing planes and diameters previously selected by the operator; during the spinning of the wheel, measuring an acceleration time between two predetermined speeds of the wheel; calculating an imbalance threshold value and applying the balancing weight only if it is above the calculated threshold value.

Abstract: Self-centering unit for tire removal machines, comprising a plate provided with a series of angularly equidistant radial slots, in each of which a clamping jaw is received and slides to grip the edge of a wheel rim, said clamping jaws being linked together in such a manner as to be always equidistant from the axis of said plate, at least one clamping jaw being associated with actuator means causing it to translate in a radial direction by means of a positioner device arranged to vary the working position of said clamping jaws relative to the actuator means, without modifying their travel stroke.

Abstract: A support bracket (1) for sensors adapted to be fastened to the wheel cover of a wheel mounted on a vehicle, comprising a central body from which there derives on one side a support device (3) of the sensor, and on the opposite side at least three devices (7) adapted to be engaged in the lugs which fasten the wheel cover to the vehicle; at least one of said engagement devices (7) comprises a jaw (73), placed at the end of a rod (72) sliding in a tubular body (70), adapted to be inserted on the head of a fastening screw of the wheel cover, means being foreseen to slide the rod in the tubular body so that it enlarges and tightens the jaw.

Abstract: Tool for mounting a tyre onto a rim, suitable for making it easier to insert the bead of the tyre 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 tyre 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.

Abstract: An automatic device (1) for mounting and dismounting a tire (100) onto/from the rim (201) of a wheel (120) associated with a tire-dismounting machine (100) comprising a lower base (101) on which are associated rotating support and locking means (102) of the rim (201) of a wheel, a pole (103) extending vertically associated with said base (101), a horizontal support arm (104) associated with said pole (103), said device comprising a mobile shaft (2b) that can slide vertically inside a pipe (2) supported so that it can slide horizontally on said arm (104), an articulated quadrilateral made up of a tire-dismounting tool (4), a pair of opposite connecting rods (13, 14) and a body (6) fixed to the lower end of the mobile shaft (2b), and a manoeuvring lever (7) articulated with said quadrilateral and suitable for deforming it to transmit the roto-translating motion to the tool (4) that goes from a seeking configuration to an extraction configuration of the bead (202?) from the rim (201).

Abstract: Method for determining the angles and the characteristic parameters of the alignment of a vehicle situated at a measurement location comprising the following steps: equipping each of the wheels of the vehicle with a flat target carrying any design; determining the relationship between the position of the target and the wheel; arranging at least one pair of television cameras making a stereo system in a position such as to see at least the target associated with a wheel; creating a spatial reference system W to which the three-dimensional image of the target created by said at least one pair of television cameras refers; processing the three-dimensional image of the target collected by the two television cameras and determining the angular orientation and the position of the target in the spatial reference system W; using said position and angular orientation to determine the alignment of the wheel relative to the spatial reference system.

Abstract: A bead breaker device (1) having an arm (2) able to slide horizontally along a sliding axis (X—X), in a pipe (3) supported so that it can slide vertically on a post (4) projecting cantilevered from a base; an orientable bead breaker tool (10) associated with an end of said arm (2) and suitable for breaking the bead of a tire of a wheel removably fixed onto rotary support and locking apparatus of the rim; an actuating device (14, 15, 17) suitable for orienting said tool (10) between a first thrusting configuration and a second penetration configuration, said actuating device (14, 15, 17) including a thrusting body (14) and an elastic element (17) cooperating with said tool (10), said thrusting body (14) being able to be actuated between a first extension position against the action of said elastic element (17) and a second release position in which the force exerted by said elastic element (17) prevails.

Abstract: A bead release device (1) for tire removal machines (100), comprising: a movable arm (2) having a first end (3) removably associated with a base (4); a positionable bead release tool (6) associated with a second end (5) of the arm (2) distant from said first end (3), to release the tire bead of a wheel resting on a support surface (8); manipulator means (10) for moving said arm (2) within a plane of swivel of the arm (2) lying perpendicular to the base (4); said first end (3) of the arm (2) being associated with the base (4) by means of a locking and release system (12) enabling said first end (3) of the arm (2) to undergo movement, said movement rotating said plane of swivel of the arm (2) about an axis of rotation lying within said plane of swivel and positioned substantially perpendicular to said base (4).

Abstract: A device for supporting the wheels of vehicles in general during their attitude check, comprising a horizontal plate (8) which is supported in such a manner as to enable it to undergo rotation and translation within the plane in which it lies, about a position known as the zero position, and means able to disable the mobility of said plate, said means comprising a lower central appendix (11) which is rigid with the plate, and with which there is associated an automatic centering, retention and release system, which is activated and deactivated by a remote command.

Abstract: A tool (1) for the insertion of an elastic ring inside a tyre and for the extraction of the same, comprising a jack (2) which causes the mutual separation and approaching of two opposing shoes (4, 5) adapted to deform the elastic ring, and command means (12, 13) of the jack (2); said jack (2) being integrally associated with a handle (10) adapted to permit the manual movement of the tool (1) itself.