Abstract: A machine for testing the uniformity of tires. The machine comprises: a test spindle configured to receive a rim supporting a tire; an index table having a pair of index spindles; indexing means to rotate the index table whereby the index spindles may move a tire between an operator loading station and an index station; a loader robot adapted to move between the test spindle and the index station for transporting therebetween a tire; a roadwheel movable between a retracted position out of contact with a tire and an advanced position in driving contact with a test tire; motor means to rotate the roadwheel while in its advanced position; and transducer means coupled to the test spindle to determine vibrations of the test tire when rotated by the roadwheel as caused by non-uniformities within the tire. Also disclosed is a method for testing tires as with the disclosed machine.

Abstract: A rim assembly and a spindle assembly including locking ramps for releasably coupling them for concurrent rotation. The rim assembly has an exterior peripheral flange, an interior axial opening, a plurality of locking ramps extending radially inwardly into the opening with locking ramps having inclined surfaces on one face thereof. The spindle assembly has a taper body with an exterior face to be received within the opening of the rim assembly, a locking rotor coupled to the taper body, locking ramps extending radially outwardly therefrom with inclined surfaces on one face thereof couplable with the inclined surfaces of the rim assembly upon the rotation of said locking rotor. Locking pins are also included to lock the locking rotor in a first orientation with respect to the taper body when the inclined surfaces of the assemblies are out of contact. Also disclosed are the assemblies, per se.