Abstract: An improved tire bead seating apparatus for use with tire changers. The tire changer serves as a support structure for tire bead seating apparatus which includes at least one nozzle having an outlet end adapted to be directed at the interface of a tire bead and wheel rim. The nozzle has an internal passage terminating at the outlet end which internal passage has a straight line length extending from the outlet end of at least 1/4 inch. The internal passage in the nozzle also has a substantially uniform cross section over the straight line length thereof. One embodiment of the invention shows the use of the improved bead seating apparatus in a tire changing stand of the type having a rotatable rim receiving table while another embodiment illustrates the tire bead seating apparatus in connection with a tire changing apparatus having a stationary table.

Abstract: An improved tire changing apparatus for changing so-called "difficult tires" and/or changing tires at a more rapid rate and/or use in facilities having low pressure or widely fluctuating air pressure sources. The apparatus includes a base having an upwardly extending frame mounted thereon, a tire receiving table mounted on the frame, an elongated rocker arm pivoted at a point intermediate its ends to the frame, upper and lower bead loosening assemblies associated with respective ends of the arm, a rotatable post mounted on the table top, a linkage interconnecting the arm and the post for rotating the post in response to pivotal movement of the arm, a first cylinder connected between the arm and the base for pivoting the arm in one direction and a booster cylinder connected between the arm and the base for pivoting the arm in the one direction in concert with the first cylinder. Also disclosed is a retraction mechanism for an air chuck.