Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for introducing a compensating material into a tire/wheel assembly by providing at least one self-contained batch of a compensating material having a predetermined amount of such material and being selectively transferable into a tire. The at least one batch of material remains substantially self-contained for shipping and handling. The at least one batch is then transferred into the tire, and the tire is thereafter mounted onto a vehicle for operation or otherwise rotated wherein the at least one self-contained batch of material disperses the material within the tire upon rotation.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for introducing a compensating material into a tire/wheel assembly by providing at least one self-contained batch of a compensating material having a predetermined amount of such material and being selectively transferable into a tire. The at least one batch of material remains substantially self-contained for shipping and handling. The at lest one batch is then transferred into the tire, and the tire is thereafter mounted onto a vehicle for operation or otherwise rotated wherein the at least one self-contained batch of material disperses the material within the tire upon rotation. The invention is also directed to a system for introducing a compensating material into a tire/wheel assembly, wherein a predetermined amount of a compensating material in a self-contained batch which remains substantially self-contained during handling, is introduced into a tire prior to assembly with a wheel, and thereafter disperses within the tire during rotation of the tire/wheel assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for introducing a pulverulent material into a tire of a wheel assembly, through the valve stem thereof, without a large amount of operator time, effort, or intervention. The apparatus includes two main types of components--the mainframe component and one or more workstation components. Each workstation component serves as a location from which an operator of the apparatus introduces the pulverulent material into a tire and the mainframe component includes the a container for confining a predetermined amount of the pulverulent material and includes the other components required to dispense the pulverulent material into the container from a hopper or the like, and to evacuate the pulverulent material from the container and distribute the same out to a workstation through a suitable conduit where the pulverulent material is introduced into a tire. A method of introducing pulverulent material into a tire is also described.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a portable and easy to use end-line filter designed to be utilized between a source of compressed air such as a pneumatic hose with an air chuck on its terminal end, and the inlet valve of an inflatable such as a pneumatic tire, to remove moisture from the compressed air before the compressed air enters the inflatable. The invention may also be utilized between the end of a pneumatic hose and a compressed air powered tool. A porous filter media is utilized which has pores that allow the passage of air but do not allow the passage of water or moisture. As the filter becomes saturated, the pores progressively close and eventually block the passage of air. In this manner, the filter automatically indicates the need for a replacement filter element.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for introducing pulverulent material into a tire for the purpose of balancing a tire and an associated wheel assembly. A quantity of polymeric pulverulent material sufficient to balance a tire and an associated wheel assembly is charged to a cylindrical chamber and confined therein. Pressurized air is passed through the chamber in such manner as to form cyclonic air currents in the chamber. The cyclonic air currents can be obtained by configuring the air inlet and the air outlet for the chamber so that their respective axes are not aligned. A mixture of air and pulverulent material is withdrawn from the chamber and passed to a tire which is being balanced.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for introducing pulverulent material into a tire through a tire valve stem is performed by confining a predetermined amount of pulverulent material in a cylindrical chamber having axially spaced and radially offset inlets and outlets, subjecting the confined pulverulent material to pressurized air which is transformed into a cyclonic air current within the chamber by the radially offset inlet and outlet, and introducing admixed air/pulverulent material from the chamber into a tire through its associated tire valve stem.

Abstract: A machine for refinishing a rim/wheel by first elevating the rim/wheel from ground level into a washing and degreasing chamber, washing and degreasing the rim/wheel in the chamber, transferring the rim/wheel into a shot blast chamber, shot-blasting the rim/wheel, transferring the rim/wheel to a spray coating area, spray-coating the rim/wheel with a protective material, and thereafter returning the rim/wheel to its initial elevation for subsequent tire/retread application thereto. The rim/wheel is transferred through the machine with its axis in a generally horizontal plane and is also rotated about its axis during washing/degreasing and shot-blasting. During the spray coating, the rim/wheel is coated with its axis disposed both vertically and horizontally.

Abstract: A method of balancing a wheel assembly is achieved by providing a wheel assembly which includes a tire in a range substantially between 13" and 24.5" size, providing pulverulent polymeric/copolymeric synthetic plastic material in a range substantially between 8-12 screen size and 40-200 screen size, and placing a selected screen size range of the pulverulent material in free movable relationship to the tire in a weight range substantially between 1/2 ounce to 24 ounces for the tire size ranges of substantially between 13" to 24.5" size.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a tire for defects by applying to an interior surface of a tire a coating of material which accentuates defects when influenced by predetermined electromagnetic wavelengths, and applying the predetermined electromagnetic wavelengths to an exterior surface of the coated tire whereby coating material which has migrated through a defect in the tire to the exterior is accentuated and thereby readily detected. Preferably the coating material fluoresces or brightens when subjected to ultraviolet light. The tire is preferably placed upon a hub, internally pressurized, and rotated incident to the inspecting operation. The coating material is also preferably a liquid admixture composed of the ultraviolet light accentuating material and a detergent, the tire is also dipped and rotated in a tank containing the liquid admixture, and the latter cleans the tire exterior incident to further inspection, recapping and subsequent sidewall painting.

Abstract: A machine for applying tire paint and tire sealant to recapped tire sidewalls and interiors, respectively. The machine includes a pair of tire paint applicator pads which are carried by a frame and carriage capable of reciprocal motion in three different directions to bring the applicator pads into selective engagement with tire sidewalls. The machine also includes spray nozzles carried by an associated frame and carriage for bringing the nozzles into a position to direct tire sealant into the interior of an associated recapped tire.

Abstract: A machine (10) for refinishing a rim/wheel (R) by first elevating (20) the rim/wheel from ground level into a washing and degreasing chamber (13), washing and degreasing the rim/wheel in the chamber (13), transferring the rim/wheel into a shot blast chamber (14), shot-blasting the rim/wheel, transferring the rim/wheel to a spray coating area (15), spray-coating the rim/wheel with a protective material (C), and thereafter returning the rim/wheel to its initial elevation for subsequent tire/retread application thereto (20). The rim/wheel is transferred through the machine with its axis in a generally horizontal plane FIG. 1) and is also rotated about its axis during washing/degreasing and shot-blasting. During the spray coating, the rim/wheel is coated with its axis disposed both vertically and horizontally.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a tire for defects by applying to an interior surface of a tire a coating of material which accentuates defects when influenced by predetermined electromagnetic wavelengths, road-running the tire to thereby create tread wear, buffing the exterior tread surface of the tire, and applying predetermined electromagnetic wavelengths to the exterior of the buffed tread surface whereby coating material which has migrated through a defect in the tire to the exterior is accentuated and thereby readily detected. Preferably the coating material fluoresces or brightens when subjected to ultraviolet light. The coating material is preferably part of an admixture composed of the ultraviolet light accentuating coating material and a tire sealant which seals punctures, nail holes and the like when the same migrates through the tire.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a rust-proof, leak-proof and air-impervious welded tire rim by providing a pair of rim bodies each of which includes a peripheral bead and at least one of which includes a valve seat defined by an opening and with the rim bodies being welded to each other along an exterior circumferential weld; liquid-cleaning the welded rim; and applying to the entirety of all exposed surfaces of the rim an air-impervious coating of resilient copolymeric material whereby any porosity of the circumferential weld is sealed against air migration and the rim beads and valve seat are all totally coated with a resilient air-impervious coating for effectively sealing against air migration in association with a tire bead and an air valve body, respectively.