Abstract: A machine for supporting and lifting an automotive chassis module into position for assembly with an automobile body includes a mobile vehicle having at least one fixture arranged above the vehicle for receiving and supporting the chassis module and a guided lift mechanism for moving the fixture vertically between lowered and raised positions. The lift mechanism includes a helical push actuator having a drive motor and at least one band that can be advanced and retracted in a vertical helix with an end of the band being coupled to the fixture to move the fixture between the lowered and raised positions by helical advancement of the band under control of the motor. The lift mechanism includes spaced support members that each extend between the fixture and the vehicle to guide the fixture in the vertical direction and restrain the fixture from moving horizontally.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for seating a tire bead in the bead seat of a wheel includes the basic steps of: engaging the wheel and generating reciprocating movement of the wheel along the axis of rotation to fully seat the tire bead on the wheel. The method and apparatus further involves the step of rotating the tire and wheel about the wheel's axis of rotation while generating the reciprocating movement, as well as the step of applying pressure to the side walls of the tire while generating the reciprocating movement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for seating a tire bead in the bead seat of a wheel includes the basic steps of: engaging the wheel and generating reciprocating movement of the wheel along the axis of rotation to fully seat the tire bead on the wheel. The method and apparatus further involves the step of rotating the tire and wheel about the wheel's axis of rotation while generating the reciprocating movement, as well as the step of applying pressure to the side walls of the tire while generating the reciprocating movement.

Abstract: Apparatus for inflating a wheel-mounted tire on a high production basis comprises a platen supported on a frame beneath an inflation head on which the wheel-mounted tire is received. The platen has internal air passages opening opposite a fixed support plate of the frame through which pressurized air is directed to selectively float the platen above the support plate to facilitate near-frictionless horizontal movement of the platen in all radial directions. A centering device locates the wheel-mounted tire precisely in line with the inflation head after which the air is discontinued to lower the platen back onto the support plate. The inflation head is then operated to inflate the tire. The platen is refloated and centered in a home position by a platen centering device.

Abstract: A machine for supporting and lifting an automotive chassis module into position for assembly with a vehicle body being conveyed overhead along an assembly line includes a mobile vehicle having at least one fixture arranged above the vehicle for receiving and supporting the chassis module, and a guided lift mechanism for moving the fixture vertically between lowered and raised positions. The lift mechanism includes a push chain that is coupled to the fixture and a sprocket that engages the chain and is operative when driven to displace a section of the chain vertically to move the fixture. The lift mechanism further includes at least one support member extending between the fixture and the vehicle which operates to guide the fixture in the vertical direction while isolating the push chain from any loads transverse to the vertical direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically inserting valve stems of varying sizes into wheels of various sizes in which the appropriate valve stem size is selected by analyzing images of the wheel detected by a camera. The camera is used to determine the diameter, width, and color or contrast of the wheel as well as to determine when a valve stem opening in the wheel is in a proper position for insertion of a valve stem.