Abstract: A tool is provided for assistance in removing and installing tires on wheel rims. The tool can be provided with a handle having a tool head disposed at each end. Each tool head is designed to fit between a tire bead and an associated wheel rim so that when the handle is levered, a force is applied to the bead and rim that moves the bead over the rim. Each tool head has a substantially flat portion which can be easily fit between opposing tire and wheel rim surfaces. One tool head has a slightly hooked distal tip to enable axial engagement with a flange of the wheel rim, and thus can be used either for installing a tire on a rim or for removing a tire from the rim. Another tool head has a protrusion disposed near the tool midpoint to engage a flange of the wheel rim. The protrusion can be a roller member having a pin axis perpendicular to an axis of the tool handle. This roller can be fabricated from a soft polymer or rubber material so that the tool will not damage soft-metal wheel rims such as aluminum.

Abstract: A tool is provided for assistance in removing tires from wheel rims. The tool has a rim engaging member with a lateral opening for engaging the flange of a wheel rim, and a tire engaging member movably coupled to the rim engaging member. The rim engaging member has a slot, within which a pin of the tire engaging member can slide to thereby allow the tire engaging member to rotate and translate relative to the rim engaging member. A roller is mounted on one end of the tire engaging member to exert a downward pressure on the tire sidewall, and a handle protrudes on an opposite end. A resilient roller is mounted on a lip portion of the rim engaging member to facilitate engagement between the member and the rim, and to prevent damage to the rim. The rim engaging member also may have a resilient roller for engaging a portion of the tire engaging member to enable smooth movement of the two pieces with respect to each other.