Abstract: A quick release mechanism for the mount/dismount head of a rim holding tire changer, including a wedge plate that overlies the top of the horizontal bar and has an opening in registry with the opening in the sleeve through which the vertical bar passes. The opening in the wedge plate is shaped to mate with the cross-sectional profile of the vertical bar and is only slightly larger than the size of the bar. Thus, when the wedge plate is horizontal so that the axis of the opening is aligned with the axis of the opening of the sleeve, the vertical bar will move freely up and down in response to pressure on the vertical bar. The wedge plate has protrusions on its under side on one side of the opening and the protrusions rest on the upper face of the sleeve. A actuation handle is attached to the underside of the wedge plate and depends perpendicularly from it.

Abstract: A safety device which can be retrofitted onto existing rim holding tire changers or provided as a feature of such devices by the original equipment manufacturer. Applicant's safety feature is a barrier, in the preferred embodiment a U-shaped steel tube approximately 18" across and 5' in height, mounted to the tower of the device. The actuator for applying pressure during the bead seating process (and during the inflation process) consists of two buttons on the opposite side of the barrier from the table top on which the tire and rim sit during the process. To actuate the pressure during the bead seating step of the process, both buttons must be depressed. This requires that the operator uses both hands to actuate the system. Also, the actuator being located on the opposite side of the barrier from the table top requires the operator the walk behind the barrier in order to actuate this step of the process.

Abstract: An electronic wheel balancer apparatus includes an operator interface which adapts the device for concurrent use by multiple operators. A microprocessor works in conjunction with internal memory units to save and retrieve data associated with each operator for use by the processor when a selected operator is actively in control of the balancer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a wheel balancer having a floor standing base and an operator keyboard and display pod mounted to a support above the base. Manually adjustable brackets attaching the substantially L-shaped support to the base and to the pod allow the pod to be adjusted by the operator through four degrees of freedom, including into a space minimizing position for shipping or storage.

Abstract: An improved system is provided for use with a tire changer to regulate and control the inflation of pneumatic tires. This system regulates the flow of air in an air supply conduit through which pressurized air flows from a supply source to an outlet such as an air hose and chuck which an operator connects to a pneumatic tire. The system includes a first and second valve serially connected to the air supply conduit. A foot pedal activating member opens the first valve and closes a switch which activates a timer. The timer opens the second valve for a first predetermined time period and then maintains it in a closed position for a second predetermined time period. During the first period, the air flows through the conduit under relatively high pressure to inflate a pneumatic tire. During the second period, the second valve prevents the flow of air so that the system may stabilize and indicate the pressure in the pneumatic tire.

Abstract: A tire changing tool (20) including a tool body (24) having a head (26) for performing a tire changing operation. The head has a first surface (32) for engagement with the bead of a tire and a second surface (34, 38, 42) adapted to face a wheel (36) to have a tire mounted thereon or demounted therefrom. A magazine (52) is provided which receives a solid abrasion eliminating material (58) and an opening (48) is provided in the second surface (34, 38, 42) and extends to the magazine. A feeding rod (60) is provided for feeding the material (58) from the magazine (52) through the opening (48).

Abstract: An improved tire changing apparatus including a base provided with an elevated tire supporting surface. An arm has one end pivoted to the base and a bed breaker tool receiving structure adjacent its opposite end. A pawl is disposed intermediate the ends of the arms and a ratchet having plural teeth is pivoted to the base above the arm and below the tire supporting table and depends in adjacency to the arm so that the pawl may selectively engage any one of the teeth to adjust the position of the tool receiving formation relative to the support surface.

Abstract: A tire changing device including a stand having a wheel receiving surface for receiving and holding a wheel to permit a tire servicing operation to be performed on a tire on the wheel, a bead breaker assembly mounted for movement on the stand toward and away from the wheel receiving surface for breaking the bead of a tire, and a fluid motor interconnecting the stand and the bead breaker for moving the bead breaker toward the wheel receiving surface, the motor including a cylinder having a closed end with a bore in the closed end, the cylinder being partially closed at its opposite end while being open across at least one diameter, a rod extending through the bore, a piston removably secured to the rod within the cylinder, and a closing member for the partially closed end removably received therein. Both the piston and the closing member are removable through the partially closed end to facilitate servicing.