Abstract: An article handling apparatus comprising a handling frame comprising a plurality of arm members adapted to grip the article, at least one of the plurality of arm members being of variable length. There is also disclosed means for dismounting a tire from a wheel, the means comprising a housing and a pad, the housing being adapted to be releasably attached to gripping means and the pad adapted to break the bead of the tire to facilitate removal of the tire from the wheel.

Abstract: A winch powered tire bead breaker has a static support arm for temporarily mounting the bead breaker to a vehicle mountable winch and bracing there against. The bead breaker further has a moveable arm that is pivotally connected to the static support arm which is moveable relative to the static support arm. A working end of the winch can be releasably secured to the moveable arm and the winch actuated for moving the moveable arm from an open position to its closed position. The sidewalls of a wheel mounted tire, positioned between the moveable and static support arms, are squeezed as the moveable arm is actuated into its closed position for breaking a tire bead.

Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a collapsible wheel and an airless flexible tire mounted on the wheel. The wheel includes a central portion and a plurality of circumferentially spaced mounting elements attached to the central portion. Each of the mounting elements is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, and may be pivotally attached to the central portion of the wheel and configured to pivot between the retracted position and the extended position. The tire may be positioned on the wheel when one or more of the mounting elements is in the retracted position, and the one or more mounting elements are moved to the extended position wherein the mounting elements engage and support the tire.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a tire pre-inflator to assist in mounting a tire on a tire rim. The pre-inflator includes a bladder that may be positioned within a tire prior to mounting and a bladder filling insert that extends through a valve stem mounted in the rim.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to seat a tire on a rim are described. Protrusions and a handle on the apparatus allow a user to brace the protrusions against the rim to prevent blow back when air is vented into the gap between the tire and the rim to seat the tire bead. The air is vented through a plurality of holes in the apparatus and the flow of the air into the apparatus is controlled by positioning a bridge handle of a flow control valve situated between the apparatus and a tank of air.

Abstract: A device for changing the rotational angle position of a pneumatic tire relative to a rim, on which the pneumatic tire is fitted to the rim, includes a manipulating device with a gripper adapted to be rotated by a positionable rotary drive mechanism and having radially adjustable gripper fingers with oppositely facing lift-off devices. Via the gripper it is possible to load a wheel into a clamping fixture, and following unseating of the tire beads from the clamped rim the pneumatic tire can be rotated relative to the rim through a computed angular difference.

Abstract: A tire changing machine for changing difficult to mount tires is provided. The machine utilizes various implements configured about the machine's chassis in such a way that they do not interfere with each other's operation. In this way, the machine enables an operator to effectively change various tires.

Abstract: A device for mounting a tire on a wheel that includes a locking ring to hold the tire in place on the wheel, where the device includes a locking member which locks to the rim of the wheel and includes a cross bar with depending feet, which is connected to the locking member and is movable toward the locking member with the depending push bars engaged with the locking ring to press the locking ring into locking engagement with the wheel.

Abstract: In a filling bell (1) for filling a tubeless tire (30) arranged on a wheel rim with a pressurized gas, comprising an annular sealing face (3) which can be pressed onto a side wall (31) of the tire and a central opening (6), into which the wheel rim may penetrate, it is provided for the sealing face (3) to be formed by an annular flange (2) which surrounds the opening (6) and comprises a plurality of wedge-shaped segments (4), of which the width increases away from the opening (6) and which are displaceable relative to one another and substantially radially relative to the opening (6).

Abstract: A tire filling apparatus preferably includes a support and seal arrangement on which a wheel-tire combination is supported in a horizontally lying orientation, a tire filling plate, and a plurality of differently-sized tire filling rings. Based on the diameter of the wheel-tire combination to be filled with air, a properly sized one of the filling rings is selected and positioned coaxially along the wheel axis between the tire and the filling plate. The filling plate moves toward the tire, sealingly contacts the filling ring, and presses the filling ring against the upwardly facing tire sidewall, until an open air filling gap is formed between the tire sidewall bead and the wheel rim. Pressurized air is introduced through the filling plate, the filling ring, and the open air filling gap into the tire interior, until the gap is closed by the increasing air pressure in the tire.

Abstract: A method for dismounting self-supporting tires (1) from the relative rim (2), said self-supporting tires comprising an outer cover (10) that contains a rigid auxiliary ring (16) provided with two flexible sidewalls (18, 19).

Abstract: A portable bead breaking apparatus useful for breaking the bead of an ATV-type, low-pressure, balloon tire away from a safety rim upon which the tire is mounted. The apparatus applies carefully directed downward and inward pressure at opposing sides of the tire bead. By applying pressure in this manner against the bead, the bead is broken without injury to the tire and the tire may then be removed from the rim. The apparatus is portable and collapsible into a convenient storage pouch so that an ATV operator may readily carry the device with him or herself when operating the vehicle in regions remote from a tire service facility. Using the apparatus, an operator may readily remove a tire and repair damage thereto. The tire may then be remounted and reinflated.

Abstract: A tire changing machine for changing difficult to mount tires is provided. The machine utilizes various implements configured about the machine's chassis in such a way that they do not interfere with each other's operation. In this way, the machine enables an operator to effectively change various tires.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a tire on a wheel rim includes a mounting head with a tire bead deflector and a tire press-in roller, and a drive that moves the mounting head toward, and rotates the bead deflector and the press-in roller around, the wheel rim. To avoid a damage-causing contact between the bead deflector and the wheel rim, an arrangement for monitoring a minimum spacing distance between the wheel rim and the mounting head is arranged preferably on the bead deflector. If an improper working position closer than the minimum spacing distance is detected, the arrangement produces a signal that influences, e.g. stops, the motion of the mounting head. The arrangement preferably includes a contact member of a comparatively soft low-friction material at a working end of the bead deflector. If the contact member contacts the wheel rim, this actuates a piezoelectric element to generate the required electrical signal.

Abstract: A machine for fitting and removing vehicle wheel tires, comprising a supporting frame for elements for coupling and rotating a rim about a rotation axis and for a working arm provided with one end on which a working head is supported for fitting and removing a tire on and from the rim, the coupling and rotation elements being movably associated with the frame by interposing elements for movement on a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis, the arm being movably associated with the frame by way of the interposition of first elements for translational actuation in a direction that is substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the rim, second actuation elements being interposed between the arm and the first actuation elements and being adapted to allow the arm to move between a first active end configuration, in which the working head is arranged proximate to the first actuation elements, and a second active end configuration, in which the working head is substantially spaced with res

Abstract: A mobile bead breaker (100) may be provided comprising a pair of conjoined housings (102, 104). In a first of such housings (104) may be the control and drive mechanisms of the present invention including a pump, hydraulic ram (118), a vertical guide plate (114) and the apparatus' controls. In the second of such housings (102) may be located a supporting wall (122) and for smaller tires a positioning rod (126) for locating and then maintaining the tire/rim assembly in a stationary vertical position for engagement by the bead breaker mechanism. The bead breaker mechanism, additionally located within the second housing (102), may be a spider assembly (200) comprising a plurality of legs (202) equally spaced about a central hub (206). The central hub (206) of such spider assembly (200) may be mounted to the hydraulic ram (118). When the ram (118) is activated, the spider assembly (200) moves toward and engages the tire/rim assembly about the bead of the tire to break the rim/bead seal.

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 device and method for mounting a tire (20) on a wheel (22) wherein the wheel is secured to a mounting table (48) and the tire is secured between the fingers (62) of a pivot arm (54). The pivot arm swings the tire into a position over the wheel wherein a sector of the tire beads (30 and 32) are laterally opposite the radial perimeter surface (38) of the wheel. The pivot arm is then advanced toward the mounting table so that the sector of the tire beads (30 and 32) contacts the radial perimeter surface (38) that is defined between the flanges (42 and 44) of the wheel (22). A button arm (66) advances toward the wheel (22) in an axial direction to cause a second sector of the tire beads (30 and 32) to pass over one of the wheel flanges (42 or 44) and position the tire beads within the second sector within a well (40) that is defined between the flanges (42 and 44) of the tire (22). The pivot arm then releases the tire and the button arm retracts from the tire.

Abstract: A tire assembling-disassembling machine includes a supporting, locking and rotating device for a wheel-rim for a vehicle tired-wheel about the axis of rotation of the wheel, at least one bead releasing assembly provided with a fixed support structure and a pair of supports extendible-retractable in a substantially radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation starting from the fixed support structure and slidingly mounted along guide structure, at least one bead releasing roller carried at one end of a respective extendible-retractable support, driving structure for moving the arms towards and away from each other, a tool for fitting a tire onto the wheel-rim, a controller for radially extending-retracting each support and controllable locking-releasing structure for each support in an extended position thereof, and additional controllable driving structure to effect an additional extension of its respective support when locked in its extended working position by the locking-releasing structure.

Abstract: An elongated bar with a threaded central aperture has a laterally spaced unthreaded oval slot on each side of the aperture. A threaded side rod extends through each oval slot with threaded jam nuts on each side of the bar. A central rod has a threaded central extent received in the aperture. The upper end of the rod has a head to facilitate turning the rod within the bar and the axial movement there between. The lower end is formed with an axial slot and a radial hole. A pivoting wing locking plate has a pivot pin rotatably coupling the locking plate to the rod. The locking plate is positionable in contact with a side of a wheel remote from the bar. A radius plate secured to the lower end of each side rod has a lower face positionable in contact with a side of a tire adjacent to the bar.

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 refitting apparatus for a tire assembly “w” having a disk wheel “a” having engaging rims and a tire “d” fitted to the disk wheel and having tire bead rims and side walls. The apparatus is constituted to perform a refit process in which a pressing step of bringing one of the tire bead rims “e” of the tire into pressing contact with one of the engaging rims “b” of the disk wheel “a” by supplying air into the tire “d” and a releasing step of releasing the one of tire bead rims “e” of the tire “d” from the one of engaging rims “b” of the disk wheel “a” are repeated a predetermined number of times for each of the tire bead rims “e”.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detaching a bead of a tire, has a tire bead separation shoe (1), which has a wedge portion (12) which engages a rim edge (WR) of a wheel (W) having a tire (T). The rim is mounted on a turntable (R). The wedge portion (12) is between the rim edge and the tire bead (TB) and the tire bead fold-back portion (11), and is arranged above the turntable such that it moves up and down. A thrusting rod (4) having a claw (41) provided at its tip end portion is operated when the said wedge portion (12) is shoved between the tire bead (TB) and the rim edge (WR) of the wheel. The claw (41) is shoved between the tire bead and the rim edge. A part of the tire bead is squeezed out of the wheel by the claw onto the bead fold back portion (11). The turntable is revolved so as to smoothly detach the whole circumference of the tire bead (TB) from the rim edge of the tire (W).

Abstract: A tire tool for facilitating the removal of a tire from a wheel rim having multiple radially spaced stud holes. The tire tool comprises a main body portion with two threaded bores at opposite ends of the main body portion. Secured to a first threaded bore of the main body portion is a means for driving the first end of the main body portion in a downward direction. The driving means is adapted to rest on the inner edge of a tire. Secured to the second threaded bore of the main body portion is a means for releasably securing the main body portion to the plurality of stud holes of the rim. The tire removal is accomplished by the downward driving force which causes the bead of the tire to break from the rim of the wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus for inflating a tire mounted on a rim can include a conveyor for transporting a tire mounted on a rim to a predetermined position at a tire inflating work station. The conveyor can include carrier surfaces spaced laterally with respect to one another along a path of travel for engaging the tire and rim for transport. The carrier surfaces are moveable along the path of travel and moveable vertically between a raised transport position and a lowered transfer position. A support surface at the tire inflating workstation has at least two portions. The portions include at least one interlocking joint for holding the portions of the support surface in sealing engagement with respect to one another during an inflation process. An apparatus for inflating a tire mounted on a rim can include a reciprocal inflation head moveable from a first position spaced from the tire to a second position engagable with the side wall of the tire for communicating pressurized fluid to inflate the tire on the rim.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire filling station includes a support and seal arrangement on which one side wall of the tire is supported and sealed, and a tire filling bell that presses and seals against the opposite side wall of the tire and then supplies pressurized air into the tire. The filling bell includes outer and inner rings that are concentrically slidable relative to each other. One of the rings is selected for the filling operation depending on the size of the tire. The support and seal arrangement includes plural plate members that are joined and sealed together to form a continuous support and seal surface, or moved laterally apart to allow a transport apparatus to carry and support the mounted tire from underneath. The tire filling station is adaptable to different models and sizes of mounted tires even in a mixed process flow, in an automated manner.

Abstract: A tool for use in installing the bead seat band (44) and rim flange (42) of a multiple piece wheel as part of a tire changing or servicing operation that includes a tool body (10) having a corner with a first elongated surface (34) at the corner adapted to engage a rim flange (42) and a bead seat band (44) in an axial direction. The tool includes a second elongated surface (36) at the corner adjacent the first surface (34) at an acute angle to the first surface and adapted to engage the rim flange (42) in an axial direction at a location spaced from the intended point of engagement of the ring flange (42) by the first surface (34). The first and second surfaces (34), (36) define a notch (32) opening away from the body (10) and a tool mounting fixture (26) is connected to the body (10) generally opposite the notch (32).

Abstract: A kit of removable adapters for converting conventional kinds of tire changing machine into tire changing machines for special run-flat tires comprising: a first separator element for separating the tire and the wheel rim shaped and fixable by way of complementarily shaped profiles and with corresponding devices to the lower end of the conventional corresponding vertical tool with which the tire changing machine is provided; a second bead breaker element provided with an auxiliary shoe for contacting and pushing the beads of a tire and with coupling elements for removable coupling to the conventional bead breaker shoe with which the tire changing machine is equipped; a lever for the localized extraction of the beads of the tires from the respective flanges of the wheel rims, which can be functionally coupled to supporting elements adapted for resting against the wheel rim in order to protect the wheel rim.

Abstract: A helper arm for use in conjunction with a rim-holding tire changer for assisting with the mounting/demounting of a tire. The helper arm comprises an arm having one end attached to a support device and an opposite end operably attached to an adjustable vertical member. The arm is preferably jointed and pivotally attached to the support device. Controls are provided to enable vertical adjustment of the vertical member. The vertical member may comprise a cylinder assembly having a cylinder shaft that may be moved up or down into operable engagement with the tire and wheel rim. A contact block is attached to the lower end of the cylinder. The contact block includes an attachment head configured to enable attachment of the block to the vertical member. Further, the contact block includes a shoulder having a rim-stop surface, a hook member opposite the shoulder, a heel extending downwardly from the body of the block and an instep along the underside of the block.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bead seating a tubeless tire onto a rim. Air stored in a portable tank is released as a single pneumatic pulse having an extremely fast rise time. This is accomplished using a charging reservoir having a fill/quick-release port, an inlet and an outlet. A piston divides the charging reservoir into two sections, a control section containing the fill/quick-release port and an outlet section containing the inlet and the outlet. The portable tank is connected to the inlet of the outlet section. Air that is introduced into the fill/quick-release port fills the control section of the charging reservoir. Since the piston is a loose fit, air is able to slowly leak past the piston and fill the outlet section of the charging reservoir and the portable tank that is connected to the inlet. The pressure differential across the piston keeps the piston tightly against the outlet, holding the pressurized air in the outlet section and the portable tank.

Abstract: An apparatus for inflating a tire mounted on a rim can include a conveyor for transporting a tire mounted on a rim to a predetermined position at a tire inflating work station. The conveyor can include carrier surfaces spaced laterally with respect to one another along a path of travel for engaging the tire and rim for transport. The carrier surfaces are moveable along the path of travel and moveable vertically between a raised transport position and a lowered transfer position. A support surface at the tire inflating workstation has at least two portions. The portions include at least one interlocking joint for holding the portions of the support surface in sealing engagement with respect to one another during an inflation process. An apparatus for inflating a tire mounted on a rim can include a reciprocal inflation head moveable from a first position spaced from the tire to a second position engagable with the side wall of the tire for communicating pressurized fluid to inflate the tire on the rim.

Abstract: This new wheel compressor has a spring loaded, shaft with a foot operated torque brace, that when stepped on moves the shaft down. The shaft has an ACME threaded collar welded to the inside that has an ACME bolt threaded T-bar that has a compressor wing that when inserted through the center axel of the wheel threaded to the shaft compresses the wheel.