Abstract: A tyre-removal apparatus includes a base having a support for receiving and rotating a wheel, and a frame joined to the base having an upright with a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the wheel. A support arm associated with the upright is movable substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel. A tool for operating on the wheel is mounted pivoting on the support arm. A sensor associated with the tool detects a parameter representing contact between the tool and the wheel, and is connected to a control unit controlling an actuator associated with the support arm, to pivot the tool between a withdrawn position with respect to the axis of rotation of the wheel and an advanced position with respect to the axis of rotation of the wheel, depending on the parameter representing contact between the tool and the wheel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wheel airtight rubber ring press-fitting device, consisting of a frame, first servo motors, ball screw pairs, first guide rails, a first cylinder and the like. The device may be used for automatic continuous production. The central axis of an airtight rubber ring coincides with the central axis of the outer rim of a wheel, so that the positioning precision is improved, and high-precision press-fitting is realized. Through cyclic switching of double manipulators, the press-fitting feeding time is nested, the press-fitting cycle is shortened, and the working efficiency is improved.

Abstract: A rear-view camera and light system for a vehicle having a rear-view camera, a back light, and a brake light and an attachment structure that attaches the system to a center hub of a spare tire at the back of the vehicle. The rear-view camera and light system includes a mounting base having a plate like shape and configured to attach to a mounting bracket provided on about a center of a back of a vehicle for mounting a spare tire, a mounting post having a cylindrical shape with a hollow therethrough and configured to attach to the mounting base at one end, and a camera/light unit having circular shape and configured to attach to another end of the mounting post.

Abstract: A pneumatic vehicle tire has a structured tread which transitions at both sides into sidewalls the end of which is formed by a tire bead which is insertable in air-tight fashion into a wheel rim of a vehicle wheel equipped with the pneumatic vehicle tire, such that an air cavity filled with compressed air is formed between wheel rim and pneumatic vehicle tire. The pneumatic vehicle tire has, on its inner surface situated opposite the tread, a foamed material layer. The porosity of the foamed material layer amounts to between 70% and 99% of the total volume of the foamed material layer.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire seater configured to seat a tubeless tire on a rim has a manual internal slip (MIS) valve mounted on the end of a tank. A nozzle is mounted on one end of the MIS valve, and the other end extends partially into the air tank. The MIS valve has a slotted chamber with slotted chamber holes, and a slip cylinder that fits within the slotted chamber and has slip cylinder holes. A compression spring in the MIS valve exerts force on the slotted cylinder, pushing it forward to line up the cylinder holes with the slotted chamber holes and release the high pressure air from within the tank which goes through the MIS valve and out the nozzle.

Abstract: The tire dolly is a kit of components that are used to aid in replacing a tire with respect to a vehicle. The tire dolly includes a wrench, an adjustable stand, an extension member, and a tire skate. The wrench and adjustable stand work together to aid in loosening lug nuts of a first tire. An extension member is included with the tire dolly, and is attached onto a distal end of the wrench in order to generate more leverage with the wrench, and aid in loosening tight lug nuts. Once the lug nuts are loosened, the tire skate is secured to the tire via a strap, and the first tire is unbolted from the vehicle. The tire skate features a plurality of wheels that mobilize the tire skate and the first tire.

Abstract: An inflation work station for inflating a tire-wheel assembly including a tire mounted to a wheel is disclosed. The inflation work station includes at least one inflation probe including a female portion and a male portion. The male portion is arrangeable with respect to the female portion in one of a non-mated orientation such that the at least one inflation probe is arranged in an offline orientation and a mated orientation such that the at least one inflation probe is arranged in an online orientation. The inflation work station further includes a working device including a controller, at least one movement actuator connected to the controller and the at least one inflation probe. The at least one movement actuator imparts movement to the male portion to result in the online/offline orientation of the at least one inflation probe. The inflation work station includes at least one valve connected to the controller and the at least one inflation probe.

Abstract: A device (D), for clamping an electronic box (B) on a tyre rim (J), comprises an electronic box (B) of a pressure and/or temperature sensor, at least one flexible tie (200) making at least one loop around the rim (J) and at least one means for tensioning said flexible tie, remarkable in that said tensioning means comprises a lever (110) mounted so as to be able to pivot with respect to a plate (120) that comes into abutment on the rim (J), said lever (110) passing from a raised position to a position folded down against the plate (120), the raised position allowing mounting of the ends (210 and 220) and the folded-down position tensioning said flexible tie (200) for the purpose of fixing the box (B) to the rim.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved inner-supporting-type online roundness correcting device for a semifinished wheel, which comprises a machine frame, hydraulic cylinders, guide rails, servo motors and correcting wheels.

Abstract: A bead guide includes a columnar portion having a cylindrical side surface, and a guide plate extending from a distal end of the columnar portion. Through rotation of the bead guide, an expansion bar rotation driving section selectively switches the bead guide between a first position at which the guide plate is retreated radially inwardly from an outer circumferential end of a wheel, and a second position at which at least a part of the guide plate protrudes radially outwardly from the outer circumferential end of the wheel. The bead guide is switched from the first position to the second position so that the guide plate is caused to enter below an upper bead.

Abstract: A bicycle disc wheel or spoked wheel (10) is disclosed, comprising a hub (12), a rim (14) and at least one disc or spoke-type structural element (60) integral with the hub (12) and the rim (14), wherein said at least one structural element (60) is pretensioned. A process for manufacturing thereof comprises the sequential steps of providing a hub (12) and a rim (14), applying a compression on the rim (14) towards the hub (12) elastically deforming it, rendering at least one disc or spoke-type structural element (60) integral with the hub (12) and the rim (14), and removing the compression onto the rim (14) applied in step a).

Abstract: The present invention relates to medical instruments, and particularly to an improved micro-blood-sample collection tube. The auto-suction quantitative micro-blood-sample collection tube of the present invention comprises a micro-blood-sample collection tube which opens at both ends and is of pass-through construction, and a compressible air bag which opens at one end and is hollow. Said micro-blood-sample collection tube is made of hydrophilic material. One end of the micro-blood-sample collection tube is inserted and secured in a port of the air bag, and the inner cavity of the micro-blood-sample collection tube is communicated with the inner cavity of the air bag. The wall of the air bag is provided with a ventilation hole leading to the inner cavity of said air bag. The present invention does not need hydrophilic treatment, has low cost, highly marketable, and greatly increases the accuracy and efficiency of the blood-sampling process.

Abstract: A safety system for containment of explosion when servicing a tire mounted on a rim includes an enclosure capable of receiving the tire and provided with openings to allow passage of air upon tire explosion, and a support device attached to the enclosure for contacting the tire to secure thereof in a servicing position within the enclosure and without contacting the rim. The system also includes a first energy absorbing unit attached to and located within the enclosure to face a first rim side and capable of substantially absorb kinetic energy of first rim parts ejected upon tire explosion. The system further includes a second energy absorbing unit attached to and located within the enclosure to face a second rim side and capable of substantially absorb kinetic energy of second rim parts and any portion of the tire ejected upon tire explosion.

Abstract: Tire changing machines including force and position sensors facilitating automated detection of wheel rim and tire features by a controller. Dimensional and location information for features of interest may be detected and recorded for use by the controller to perform tire change procedures. Positioning error and malfunctioning machine components, including feedback sensors, may also be detected in an automated manner.

Abstract: A roller platform for use in a tire inflation cage includes a frame and at least one roller assembly and facilitates the rotation of a rim-wheel within the tire inflation cage. The roller platform includes a frame having members that are spaced so that the tire stop on a tire inflation cage fits between the frame members. The roller platform includes cross members that are spaced so that the cross members fit between adjacent bars of a tire inflation cage and so a bar fits between the cross members.

Abstract: A nozzle for seating a tubeless tire on a rim using pressurized gas includes an outlet, a jet configured to accept pressurized gas and emit a stream of gas through an orifice into a chamber. As the stream of gas enters the chamber, the Venturi effect causes air to enter the chamber through air intake ports and the stream of gas and air from the air intake ports is blown out of the outlet of the nozzle. A system for seating a tubeless tire on a rim includes the nozzle, a tank and a valve configured to control the flow of pressurized gas from the tank to the nozzle. The tire may be seated on the rim by positioning the system so that the air from the nozzle blows into the tire between the bead of the tire and the rim if the valve is opened.

Abstract: A tire bead seating apparatus for seating tire beads on a vehicle wheel, the apparatus comprising: (a) a repositionable arm operatively coupled to a rotatable drum, the repositionable arm directing the rotatable drum into selective engagement with an inflated tire mounted to a vehicle wheel, the rotatable drum operative to rotate when engaging the inflated tire to rotate the inflated tire and the vehicle wheel; (b) a first set of rollers selectively contacting a first peripheral surface of the inflated tire, the first peripheral surface bridging between a first sidewall and a treaded surface of the inflated tire; (c) a first set of rollers selectively contacting a second peripheral surface of the inflated tire, the second peripheral surface bridging between a second sidewall and the treaded surface of the inflated tire, the first sidewall being generally opposite the second sidewall; (d) a first bead roller selectively contacting the first sidewall proximate a first bead of the inflated tire; and, (e) a secon

Abstract: An inflation work station for inflating a tire-wheel assembly including a tire mounted to a wheel is disclosed. The inflation work station includes an inflation probe including a female portion and a male portion. The inflation work station further includes a movement actuator connected to a controller and the inflation probe. The movement actuator imparts movement to the male portion of the inflation probe to result in the online/offline orientation of the at least one inflation probe. The inflation workstation includes a pressurized fluid source connected to the inflation probe by way of a valve to permit or deny communication of a pressurized fluid through the inflation probe to a cavity formed by the tire-wheel assembly for inflating the tire-wheel assembly. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A roller platform for use in a tire inflation cage includes a frame and at least one roller assembly and facilitates the rotation of a rim-wheel within the tire inflation cage. The roller platform includes a frame having members that are spaced so that the tire stop on a tire inflation cage fits between the frame members. The roller platform includes cross members that are spaced so that the cross members fit between adjacent bars of a tire inflation cage and so a bar fits between the cross members.

Abstract: The tire run-flat ring removal and installation machine includes three basic embodiments, each having a tire support table (14) and actuators for removing and/or reinstalling the run-flat ring (R) in the tire (T). The actuators may be hydraulically, pneumatically, or electromechanically powered, and save the technician considerable time and effort in the process.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to unidirectional TPMS utilizing information from a corresponding vehicle system in order to correlate with vehicle speed information to be used in a tire localization methodology. In an embodiment, the vehicle system is an anti-lock brake system (ABS), and the vehicle speed can be used in a localization scheme that reconstructs a +/?1 g ripple with waveform, amplitude, frequency and phase parameters. Because the waveform is known to be sinusoidal (due to the wheel rotation), the amplitude is known to be 2 g peak-to-peak (due to the gravitational +/?1 g), the frequency depends on vehicle speed (which can be estimated from centrifugal force measurements), and an algorithm is discussed herein for determining the phase by correlation, the +/?1 g ripple can be reconstructed and the wheels localized therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing an un-inflated tire-wheel assembly for forming an inflated tire-wheel assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes at least a first robotic arm and a second robotic arm forming a pair of robotic arms; an assembling end effecter attached to the first robotic arm; and an inflating end effecter attached to the second robotic arm, wherein the assembling end effecter is indirectly interfaceable with the inflating end effecter by way of the un-inflated tire-wheel assembly. One or more methods are also disclosed. One or more components are also disclosed. One or more systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method and an apparatus for assembling a tire (1) onto the rim (2) of a vehicle wheel or for disassembling a tire (1) from the rim (2) of a vehicle wheel. There is provided an electric motor (3) for rotationally driving the rim (2) and the tire (1) during the assembling or disassembling operation, tools (4, 5) for assembling or disassembling the tire (1) onto the rim (2) or from the rim (2), measuring means (6, 15, 16, 18) for measuring the tire temperature and/or forces acting on the tire during the assembling or disassembling operation, and recording means (7) for recording on at least one data carrier the measured values of the tire temperature and/or of the forces acting on the tire during the assembling or disassembling operation.

Abstract: A tyre cage 40 comprising a mounting member 42 and a plurality of arms 44, the mounting member 42 describes a plane and the arms have at least a portion of which extend away from that plane, whereby a tyre 24 may be at least partially enveloped by the mounting member 42 and arms 44 in combination.

Abstract: A roller platform for use in a tire inflation cage includes a frame and at least one roller assembly and facilitates the rotation of a rim-wheel within the tire inflation cage. The roller platform includes a frame having members that are spaced so that the tire stop on a tire inflation cage fits between the frame members. The roller platform includes cross members that are spaced so that the cross members fit between adjacent bars of a tire inflation cage and so a bar fits between the cross members.

Abstract: A tire changing machine comprises a chassis base and a rotatable wheel holder configured to retain a wheel rim. A tower, carrying a mount/demount head movable toward and away from the wheel rim, extends upward from the chassis base. An inflation cage is fixed with respect to the chassis base. The inflation cage defines an interior accessible through a first opening for ingress and egress of a vehicle wheel. Preferably, the inflation cage may be located at a back of the tire changer to rest on a common floor surface with the chassis base.

Abstract: An automatic bead seating assembly to automatically move a bead seating assembly or manifold into contact with a wheel or tire assembly and cause the bead to be seated. The assembly comprises an extendable and retractable seater arm attached at one end to a base, with a bead seater or manifold assembly attached or mounted at the other end. The bead seater or manifold assembly may comprises a reservoir filled with compressed air or other gas, and a hose or pipe for movement of the air or gas from the reservoir to a nozzle of an appropriate size and shape to fit a particular wheel or tire. The seater arm extends forward until the bead seater or manifold assembly comes into contact with the wheel or tire assembly, whereupon air or gas from the manifold reservoir is released, causing the tire bead to be seated. The seater arm then retracts.

Abstract: A wheel servicing machine provides a rotatable shaft having a retractable rod slidably disposed in a center bore of the rotatable shaft, wherein the retractable rod is longitudinally moveable relative to the shaft. A rotatable locking member is disposed on the distal end of the retractable rod. The locking member includes one or more mounting studs protruding radially therefrom for engaging a centering cone or a wheel clamp. A tool support arm including a stage protrudes from the base. A tool adapted for engaging a sidewall of a tire is attached to support arm. A second stage including a second tool configured for engaging the opposite sidewall of the tire may also extend from the base. A platform assembly having one or more spring-loaded rollers is attached to the base in some embodiments. A longitudinally moveable travel arm with a jointed auxiliary arm is also provided. A wheel clamp having a plurality of arms, wherein at least one arm is moveable relative to at least one other arm, is also provided.

Abstract: A factory layout including a track circuit, one or more wheeled carts for traversing the track circuit and a tire/wheel assembly carried by the wheeled cart. One or more work stations can be positioned at locations along the track circuit. Various wheeled cart embodiments are disclosed and various work station configurations are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting the exterior or polished surface of wheels as tires are removed and placed on the wheel. The apparatus includes a substantially flat base having a plurality of stanchions extending out from the base. Each stanchion has a collar positioned adjacent to the base that includes a diameter greater than the stanchion. The stanchions are sized to fit through the bolt holes of the wheel in order to generally align each stanchion with one of those holes. Each collar is sized to be preferably slightly larger than the average bolt, or lug, hole on the wheel. Additionally, each collar is sized to cover substantially the same area as the lug nut or nut that normally attaches the wheels to the vehicle upon which they are used.

Abstract: An automatic bead seating assembly to automatically move a bead seating assembly or manifold into contact with a wheel or tire assembly and cause the bead to be seated. The assembly comprises an extendable and retractable seater arm attached at one end to a base, with a bead seater or manifold assembly attached or mounted at the other end. The bead seater or manifold assembly may comprises a reservoir filled with compressed air or other gas, and a hose or pipe for movement of the air or gas from the reservoir to a nozzle of an appropriate size and shape to fit a particular wheel or tire. The seater arm extends forward until the bead seater or manifold assembly comes into contact with the wheel or tire assembly, whereupon air or gas from the manifold reservoir is released, causing the tire bead to be seated. The seater arm then retracts.

Abstract: A filling bell can be used to fill a tubeless tire arranged on a wheel rim with a pressurized gas. The filling bell includes an annular sealing face which can be pressed onto a side wall of the tire. The filling bell also includes a central opening, into which the wheel rim may penetrate. The sealing face is formed by an annular flange which surrounds the opening and includes a plurality of wedge-shaped segments. The width of the wedge-shaped segments increases away from the opening. The wedge-shaped segments are displaceable relative to one another and substantially radially relative to the opening.

Abstract: A tire cage is disclosed for containing the debris from a tire explosion. The cage includes a lightweight energy absorbing material for protecting structural members of the cage from tire explosion damage so that the cage is reusable. The energy absorbing material may be a metallic foam or other open celled structured material that is able to absorb large amounts of kinetic energy by permanently deforming. The cage is particularly effective in containing explosions of large equipment tires 6 to 12 feet in diameter and having a stored kinetic energy in a range of approximately 900 kilojoules to 1500 kilojoules.

Abstract: A tire-wheel assembly adjuster is disclosed. The tire-wheel assembly comprises a working assembly adapted to be adjustable along an axis relative a workpiece and a sub-assembly coupled to the working assembly that is adapted to be radially adjustable relative the axis. A method for assembling a tire-wheel assembly is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a tire in an un-mounted state relative a wheel to a tire-wheel assembly adjuster; moving a sub-assembly connected to a working assembly in a radial direction relative an axis; moving the working assembly in a first direction about the axis toward the tire and wheel; and causing a wheel adjuster extending from the sub-assembly to circumferentially seat a bead of the tire into a bead seat of the wheel.

Abstract: A device for retaining a wheel having an inner diameter during an assembly operation of a tire-wheel assembly at a single-cell workstation includes a claw portion that releasably-attaches to the inner diameter of the wheel, including a fixed portion and a rotatable portion, wherein the rotatable portion is rotatably-disposed upon the fixed portion; wheel-engaging portions slidably-disposed upon the rotatable portion; sliding portions that are slidably-disposed within the fixed portion, wherein each sliding portion is coupled with one of each wheel-engaging portion, and an actuator portion coupled to the rotatable portion. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tire removal tool for breaking the bead of the tire from the wheel rim is provided. The tool can include a bead member that is removably attachable to a distal end of a support member that is part of a trailer elevation jack. The elevation jack is rigidly attached to a trailer and has a jacking mechanism for retracting and extending the distal end of the support member. The bead member is dimensioned to fit adjacent to a rim and onto a tire bead, with the extension of the distal end of the support member resulting in pressure being applied down onto the tire bead. In this manner, the tire bead is separated from the wheel rim. The bead member can include a collar with an inlet end and a flange that is attached to the collar at a distance spaced apart from the inlet end. The inlet end is dimensioned to accept at least part of the distal end of the support member. In some instances, the collar has a rectangular shaped cross section, while in other instances the collar has a circular shaped cross section.

Abstract: A mounting lever (1) according to one embodiment of the invention for dismantling a vehicle tire from a rim comprises a rod-formed handle portion (101) and a work portion (102) provided at its front end. The work portion (102) has a convex mounting surface (11).

Abstract: A tire cage is disclosed for containing the debris from a tire explosion. The cage includes a lightweight energy absorbing material for protecting structural members of the cage from tire explosion damage so that the cage is reusable. The energy absorbing material may be a metallic foam or other open celled structured material that is able to absorb large amounts of kinetic energy by permanently deforming. The cage is particularly effective in containing explosions of large equipment tires 6 to 12 feet in diameter and having a stored kinetic energy in a range of approximately 900 kilojoules to 1500 kilojoules.

Abstract: An auxiliary tool for putting a tire (8) on a rim (9), in particular for keeping a bead (16) of the tire (8) above the outer edge (15) of the rim (9) and for driving this bead (16) in the recess of the rim (9), wherein this auxiliary tool comprises a body in the shape of a fork or in the shape of a comb, comprising at least two teeth (3).

Abstract: An improved vehicle wheel tire changing system having a tire mount/dismount head coupled to an articulating tire mount/dismount arm assembly and a tire pressure sensor system which is configured to detect the presence of a tire pressure monitoring system sensor, mounted within a vehicle wheel assembly, prior to altering the mounting of a tire on an associated wheel rim.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for simply and inexpensively positioning mounted automobile and truck tires for effective setting of a bead, with subsequent inflation in an efficient manner. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus is a wheel-like structure with an outer rim in the shape of a polygon, such as a circle, octagon, hexagon, or square. The outer rim supports a plurality of mounting brackets adapted to hold tires for inflation. Tires that have been mounted on wheel rims are placed on the mounting brackets, a bead is set by a blast of air, and an air inflation hose is connected to the tire. The wheel rotates, so that additional tires can be placed on subsequent mounting brackets, resulting in a series of tires being inflated continuously and simultaneously. When a tire is completely inflated, the hose is disconnected and the tire removed from the device for storage, shipping or further handling.

Abstract: A method of fitting a tire P and a removable tread support S on a one-piece wheel rim J, rim comprising a first rim seat, inclined outwards, and the tire P comprises a first bead and a second bead to be mounted respectively on the first and second rim seats, in which, before completion of fitting the support S on a rim bearing surface of the rim, the first bead is gripped at a given point and is moved radially outwards to radially separate this point on the first bead from the support S. The fitting of the support S on the rim bearing surface continues and the bead is released after completion of the fitting of the support S.

Abstract: A tire cage is disclosed for containing the debris from a tire explosion. The cage includes a lightweight energy absorbing material for protecting structural members of the cage from tire explosion damage so that the cage is reusable. The energy absorbing material may be a metallic foam or other open celled structured material that is able to absorb large amounts of kinetic energy by permanently deforming. The cage is particularly effective in containing explosions of large equipment tires 6 to 12 feet in diameter and having a stored kinetic energy in a range of approximately 900 kilojoules to 1500 kilojoules.

Abstract: A tire demounting tool for demounting a second bead of a tire from a rim having a flange, the tire demounting tool including a handle; a head extending radially outward as it extends axially outward from the handle; a bill extending axially outward from the head, wherein the bill includes a tip insertable between the second bead and the rim and wherein the head extends radially outward relative to the bill to capture the second bead when the bill is inserted between the rim and the second bead.

Abstract: A transfer device is provided for transferring tires from a tire conveyor line to a wheel conveyor line. The transfer device includes first and second surfaces rotatable with respect to one another. The first surface can receive tires from the tire conveyor line. A rotating device rotates the first surface to induce movement of the tire to the second surface. The second surface can receive the tire from the first surface and rotate toward the wheel conveyor to position the tire to engage the wheel.

Abstract: A tire buffer for buffing a tire casing as part of a retread operation can include a rasp pedestal having a rasp head and a texturing device. A moving assembly can be connected to the rasp pedestal for selectively moving the rasp pedestal along a pair of perpendicular axes. The rasp pedestal can rotate about a vertical axis. A tire hub assembly can be included for rotating the tire casing. The tire buffer can be operated at an operator station by interfacing with a control unit. The tire buffer can automatically buff a tire casing to achieve a predetermined tire casing profile and impart a texture thereto. The tire buffer includes a tire location mechanism and a tire measurement mechanism mounted to the rasp pedestal.

Abstract: A protective pad which removably attaches to the rim of a wheel thereby protecting the wheel from damage during tire mounting and demounting when such mounting or demounting is performed manually using a tire working implement.

Abstract: A safety device for inflating an envelope at risk of bursting comprising: a tubular body, a piston element slidably and sealably mounted within at least one inner portion of the tubular body; at least one piston rod integral with the piston element and extending so as to protrude from a first end of the tubular body; an annular bottom member, located in the tubular body or at the first end of the tubular body and suitable for slidably guiding the piston rod and for closing the tubular body whereby delimiting an annular space together with the tubular body and with the piston; removable anchoring device suitable for acting at a protruding end of piston rod and for constraining the piston rod to a support; at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening formed in the tubular body at the annular space, in operation said inlet opening being suitable for being connected to a pressurize fluid source and the outlet opening being designed to be connected to the envelope to be pressurized; and a yielding re

Abstract: A bell assembly for inflating a tubeless tire on a wheel includes a first bell and a second bell slidably disposed within the first bell. The second bell includes a smaller diameter than the first bell. A shaft extends upwardly from the second bell in one of a relative to the first bell. A locking member is engagable with the shaft and is movable between a first locking position and a second locking position. The locking member secures the second bell in the first bell position when the locking member is disposed in the first locking position. The locking member secures the second bell in the second bell position when the locking member is disposed in the second locking position.

Abstract: A method of separating the bead of a tire from a rim to which it is mounted in a tire/rim combination. One step of the method involves providing a tire lifting device having a working end including a rigid bead puller and a flexible positioner. Next, a sidewall of the tire is depressed, such as via a roller, in order to produce a gap between the bead and the rim. The working end of the tire lifting device is then inserted into the gap such that the flexible positioner engages the rim and the bead puller engages the bead. Finally, the tire pulling device is moved such that the bead is pulled over the rim.