Abstract: A method for removing a dual wheel from a primary wheel of a dual wheel assembly. The dual wheel is secured to the primary wheel while forming a gap between a periphery of the dual wheel and a periphery of the primary wheel. The dual wheel and the primary wheel each may have a tire mounted thereon, with the dual wheel assembly being carried on an axle. The method comprising inserting an uninflated, high pressure airbag at least partially into the gap between the dual wheel and said primary wheel; inflating the high pressure airbag to expand the gap between the dual wheel and the primary wheel so as to separate the dual wheel and the primary wheel; and finally, removing the dual wheel from the primary wheel. Likewise, a similar method can be used to remove a wheel from an axel, the wheel being carried on and secured to the axel while forming a gap between a periphery of the wheel and a periphery of the axel.

Abstract: A roller platform for use in a tire inflation cage includes a frame and at least one roller assembly and facilitates the rotation of a rim-wheel within the tire inflation cage. The roller platform includes a frame having members that are spaced so that the tire stop on a tire inflation cage fits between the frame members. The roller platform includes cross members that are spaced so that the cross members fit between adjacent bars of a tire inflation cage and so a bar fits between the cross members.

Abstract: A tire demounting tool for demounting a second bead of a tire from a deep-dish wheel rim having a flange includes a handle that extends along a longitudinal axis. Extending from the handle is an extension section that extends radially away from the longitudinal axis at an oblique angle. Attached to the extension section is a curved pivot from which a wedge extends therefrom. The wedge is inserted between the second bead of the tire and the flange of the wheel rim, such that the pivot rests upon a sidewall of the tire, while the handle of the demounting tool extends back across the wheel rim. Thus, one individual is able to anchor the tire while applying a force to the handle of the demounting tool to lift the wedge to demount the second bead of the tire from the deep-dish wheel rim.

Abstract: A tire inflation cage includes a plurality of retention members that include spaced, substantially vertical upstanding members. The upstanding members are attached at their ends to a base and at a point along their outer surface to support members that extend at a substantially right angle from the base. The spaced retention members allow a tire assembly to be received therein and to be retained between a pair of tire stops for servicing of the tire. The substantially perpendicularly extending support members serve to increase the shear strength of the attachment of retention members to the base, thus preventing the retention member from separating from the base in the event that the tire assembly separates as it is being serviced in the inflation cage.

Abstract: A method for repairing damaged valve stem assemblies includes enlarging a bore within a body of a valve stem to form an enlarged bore portion and creating a conical hole in an end of the valve stem body around the enlarged bore portion. Internal threads are created within the enlarged bore portion, and a valve stem repair extension is installed in the enlarged bore portion. The valve stem repair extension has a beveled surface that mates with the conical hole to form a hermetic seal between the valve stem body and the valve stem repair extension. The steps of enlarging the bore and creating the conical hole may both be performed using a countersinking drill bit having a beveled cutting portion.

Abstract: A method for repairing damaged valve stem assemblies includes enlarging a bore within a body of a valve stem to form an enlarged bore portion and creating a conical hole in an end of the valve stem body around the enlarged bore portion. Internal threads are created within the enlarged bore portion, and a valve stem repair extension is installed in the enlarged bore portion. The valve stem repair extension has a beveled surface that facilitates formation of a hermetic seal between the valve stem body and the valve stem repair extension. The steps of enlarging the bore and creating the conical hole may both be performed using a countersinking drill bit having a beveled cutting portion.

Abstract: A roller platform for use in a tire inflation cage includes a frame and at least one roller assembly and facilitates the rotation of a rim-wheel within the tire inflation cage. The roller platform includes a frame having members that are spaced so that the tire stop on a tire inflation cage fits between the frame members. The roller platform includes cross members that are spaced so that the cross members fit between adjacent bars of a tire inflation cage and so a bar fits between the cross members.

Abstract: A method for repairing damaged valve stem assemblies includes enlarging a bore within a body of a valve stem to form an enlarged bore portion and creating a conical hole in an end of the valve stem body around the enlarged bore portion. Internal threads are created within the enlarged bore portion, and a valve stem repair extension is installed in the enlarged bore portion. The valve stem repair extension has a beveled surface that mates with the conical hole to form a hermetic seal between the valve stem body and the valve stem repair extension. The steps of enlarging the bore and creating the conical hole may both be performed using a countersinking drill bit having a beveled cutting portion.

Abstract: A roller platform for use in a tire inflation cage includes a frame and at least one roller assembly and facilitates the rotation of a rim-wheel within the tire inflation cage. The roller platform includes a frame having members that are spaced so that the tire stop on a tire inflation cage fits between the frame members. The roller platform includes cross members that are spaced so that the cross members fit between adjacent bars of a tire inflation cage and so a bar fits between the cross members.

Abstract: A punch tool includes a housing, a ram bar, and a floating punch assembly. The housing includes a cap having a lip defining an opening, and elongated slots. The floating punch assembly includes a floating punch having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion with ledges formed at the intersection of the three portions. One ledge is larger than the opening in the cap. The floating punch also includes a bore, and a retaining pin extends through the slots in the housing and the bore.

Abstract: A tire ring tool used in connection with a lock ring and a retaining ring for securing a tire on a rim, the ring tool including a handle and a working end extending from the handle adapted to manipulate the lock ring.

Abstract: A bead holder for installing a tire on a wheel includes a body portion, a first portion, and a second portion. The second portion includes a flat inner surface and a flat outer surface. The flat inner surface includes a shoulder and a face, and a ledge defined between the shoulder and the face. A tire may be installed on a wheel using the bead holder by placing the first portion into a lughole on the wheel and bringing the second portion into contact with the rim, whereby the flat outer surface of the second portion prevents a tire bead from slipping back over the rim. A user may then work around the tire bead, stretching it over the rim of the tire without having the tire bead slip back over the rim.

Abstract: A mounting tool and method for mounting a tire onto a rim, the tool including a working end having a tip insertable between the tire's beads and the rim and adapted to lift the beads on to the rim, a body portion extending upward relative to the tip to hold the bead as it is stretched on to the rim, and an extension connecting the tip and body portion to the handle. The extension has a first portion having a radial extent adapted for receipt between the beads of the tire as the working end is rotated, and a second portion defining a second clearance that opens axially inward to receive the second bead therein as the working end is rotated to mount the first bead. With the first portion received between the first and second beads and the second portion providing a clearance for the second bead, the handle is rotated radially outward relative to the rim and body weight applied downwardly to the handle to mount the first bead.

Abstract: A tire demounting tool for demounting a second bead of a tire from a rim having a flange, the tire demounting tool including a handle; a head extending radially outward as it extends axially outward from the handle; a bill extending axially outward from the head, wherein the bill includes a tip insertable between the second bead and the rim and wherein the head extends radially outward relative to the bill to capture the second bead when the bill is inserted between the rim and the second bead.

Abstract: A protective pad which removably attaches to the rim of a wheel thereby protecting the wheel from damage during tire mounting and demounting when such mounting or demounting is performed manually using a tire working implement.

Abstract: A tool for demounting a first and second bead of a tire mounted on a rim, the tool comprising a handle having a first end for disengaging a first tire bead from a rim and a second opposite end for disengaging a second tire bead from the rim. The first handle end includes a heel extending radially outward from the handle; an elongate arm portion extending radially outward from the heel and forming a forward opening crook; a raised arm portion disposed adjacent the crook; and a tip extending radially outward from the body portion. The opposite second end of the tool handle is configured to disengage a second bead of the tire from the rim and includes a heel extending radially outward from the handle; an elongate lever arm portion extending radially outward from the heel and defining an open crook adjacent the heel; and an elongate raised arm portion adjacent the crook extending outward to a tip portion.

Abstract: A pivoting blow-gun with a pivoting barrel having sufficient strength to receive pressurized air while at the same time dimensioned to allow the manipulation of the pivoting barrel into non-linear configurations which non-linear configurations are maintainable during use of the blow-gun in order to use the pivoting blow-gun to reach areas which would otherwise be hard to reach. A quick-connect attachment device can be used to permit relatively fast and easy changing of barrels.

Abstract: A tool for demounting a first and a second bead of a tire mounted on a rim, the tool comprising a handle having a first end for disengaging a first tire bead from a rim and a second opposite end for disengaging a second tire bead from the rim. The first handle end includes a heel extending radially outward from the handle; an elongate arm portion extending radially outward from the heel and forming a forward opening crook; a raised arm portion disposed adjacent the crook; and a tip extending radially outward from the body portion. The opposite second end of the tool handle is configured to disengage a second bead of the tire from the rim and includes a heel extending radially outward from the handle; an elongate lever arm portion extending radially outward from the heel and defining an open crook adjacent the heel; and an elongate raised arm portion adjacent the crook extending outward to a tip portion.

Abstract: A mounting tool for mounting a tire onto a rim, the tool comprising a handle having a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axis; a first mounting end adjacent the first end of the handle; the first mounting end including a dependent shaft extending outwardly from the handle and a dependent tip extending from an end of the shaft; a wing located adjacent the shaft and inward of the tip and the wing including a wheel rim engaging surface extending outward beyond at least one side of the tip and in an orientation perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle.