Abstract: A mounting device for mounting or dismounting a vehicle tire on a wheel rim, the wheel rim or the wheel being supported on a mounting table and a pressing-down device being provided for sliding the vehicle tire on the wheel rim. A movement of the pressing-down device is essentially parallel to the wheel axis for sliding the vehicle tire on the wheel rim or pulling off the vehicle tire from the wheel rim.

Abstract: A machine for fitting and removing a tire (1) from a rim (2) of a wheel (3). The machine comprises a frame (10), a rotating table (11) for attaching the wheel to and for rotating the rim about its axis (Y), and a tool for fitting and/or removing the tire from the rim. The machine also comprises a lever (12) to which a pressure element (13) is attached in order to push the bead (6) of the tire toward a circumferential recess of the rim. The lever (12) is connected to the frame (10) and comprises a first articulation in order to bring a pressure element (13) closer to or further from the axis (Y), and a second articulation in order to bring the pressure element (13) closer to or further from a central plane (PC) perpendicular to the axis (Y) and passing through the center (D) of the rim (2).

Abstract: A tool for tire uninstalling and installing machines includes an element for connection to a movable bearing member of the tire uninstalling and installing machine, which has a longitudinal axis, and a round contact element which is freely and rotatably supported by said connection member about a rotation axis and which has an external outline in contact with a contact portion of a side of a tire installed to a rim, the round element having a flared contacting and lifting surface suitable to contact and lift the tire from the rim, which has a base facing toward the rim and defining a first opposed vertex, touching means extending from the base toward the rim for touching a portion of the rim.

Abstract: The blocking device of a wheel rim on a tire-mounting machine is provided with a rotating support plate having a central hole, and includes a stem for engaging with the rotating support plate, and a cursor which is slidable on the stem and which includes a conical centring body and a device for activating for moving the cursor along the stem. The device for activating includes a mechanical transmission between a collar and a motor and the coupling between the cursor and the stem is such as to prevent rotation of the cursor about the stem.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for demounting tires from wheel assemblies with a swiveling dual hook assembly and a prying foot. The tool has two holding hooks that grasp the tool to the wheel and a foot that is attached to the holding hooks, and a bearing pivot point that allows the demounting tool to easily and safely remove the tire from the wheel with no damage to the wheel or tire. The tool can be used for all types of tire and wheel types. One tool is for large truck and trailer tires and a second too is for light truck, trailer and automobile tires. A third tool is designed for low profile, stiff sidewall tires and includes a telescoping structure to raise and lower the dual hooks.

Abstract: A wheel clamping assembly provides a frame having three arms, two fixed stops and a turnable cam. The arms are equally spaced and have holes to admit the stops and the cam. The stops have an extension eccentrically located upon the top of the cylinder. Then the cam has an involute, having an expanding radius, upon the top of the cam. In use, the stops are placed upon two arms and the cam is placed upon the remaining arm, all at the same radius. A wheel rim is positioned upon the stops and the cam. The cam is then turned to grasp the wheel. The stops and the cam are made of a non-marring material.

Abstract: Tire removal machine with manually or automatically positionable turret comprising a casing supporting a rotatable plate provided with self-centering jaws; a vertical column rising to the side of the plate; a shaft slidable horizontally relative to the column and lockable in position; a sleeve rigid with said shaft and within which the tool holder turret slides vertically, said turret being associated with a spring which maintains the turret spaced from said plate; pneumatic means for locking said shaft and said turret in position; and turret operating and locking means controlled independently by two three-way slide valves which can be switched between an active position in which the compressed air feed line communicates with the delivery lines of said turret operating and locking means, and an inactive position in which said delivery lines are connected to a discharge line respectively, said two slide valves being both associated with a single trigger the operation of which switches them into their inactive

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 method and machine for mounting tires, bead by bead, in which, after hag partially set a first bead in place in the groove of a wheel rim, that mounting of the first bead of the tire is completed by means of a rotation of the wheel and tire assembly against a mounting roller.

Abstract: A tire support structure capable of spreading the beads of a tire for inspection and repair is supported by a mechanism for raising and lowering the structure. This permits the structure to be positioned in a lower position at a convenient height for a worker in an adjoining working position and permits the structure to be raised to an elevated position for retrieving a tire from an overhead conveyor system or delivering a tire to the conveyor system. A work bench is preferably located adjacent the worker position for supporting tools and supplies for repairing the tire.

Abstract: A tire changing machine having a self-centering platform with a vertical axis is provided with a safety device for releasably locking on the platform a wheel with a tire. The device is particularly useful during tire-inflating operations to prevent an operator from suffering injury due to an explosion of the tire. The device comprises a stem which is vertically slidable with respect to a horizontal arm, the stem inferiorly bearing a plate interacting contactingly with the wheel placed on the platform. A retaining organ exhibits a hole in which a vertical rod which is solidly constrained to the arm is inserted with a predetermined degree of play. The retaining organ is hinged to the stem in such a way as to be able to assume at least one locked position in which it prevents the stem from rising.

Abstract: A device which can be retrofitted onto existing passenger vehicle rim holding tire changers or provided as a feature of such equipment by the original equipment manufacturer. An operator rolls a tire into contact with the device and the device lifts the tire, causing it to spin and come to rest adjacent a bead loosener shoe with a different section of the tire facing the shoe. The device includes a pair of parallel rollers arranged at different heights and spaced slightly from each other. The roller that is relatively lower is closer to the operator while the higher roller is to the rear of the tire changer. The rollers extend perpendicularly from the side of the tire changer. When a tire is rolled into contact with the device, it engages the lower roller first and bounces up to become slightly airborne. The bounce causes the tire to spin relative to its rolling path. The tire then engages both rollers and cradles on them in a resting position.

Abstract: A tire inflating method and apparatus, allowing inflation of different sized tires without changing over a tire inflation device. The tire inflation device has two chambers, an inner chamber and an outer chamber. The inner chamber is within the outer chamber and extends downwardly when a smaller sized rim is being used. The tire inflation device has a linear transducer, with a magnetic ring, that determines the height of the tire inflation head and knows when to shut off inflation. A method of inflating tires without changing over an inflation device is also provided. The method includes the steps of photo switches detecting the size of the rim being used, an inflation head adjusting to a corresponding size of the tire rim, and the inflation head inflating the tire and rim to a specified pressure.

Abstract: A tire lever is adopted for use in removing a tire having a bead from a bicycle wheel rim having a plurality of spokes disposed thereon. The lever includes an elongated body having an axis, and including a tire engagement end for engaging the bead of the tire, a top surface, a bottom surface, a side surface connecting the top and bottom surfaces, and walls projecting from opposite side surfaces defining engagement surfaces for engaging one of the spokes. The engagement surfaces have axial lengths greater than the distance between the top and bottom surfaces and forms an acute angle with the axis.

Abstract: Apparatus usable with a tire changing machine includes a protective arm that may be pivoted about a shaft having an axis that is generally parallel to the radial axis of the wheel and tire assembly when positioned in the tire changing machine. A first section of the arm has one end mounted to the shaft so that the first section may be pivoted substantially in a plane perpendicular to the shaft. At the second end of the first section the arm extends in a section direction generally perpendicular to the first section. Pivoting of the arm permits the second section of the arm to be adjacent, and substantially parallel, to the circumferential surface of the tire and the first section to be adjacent, and substantially parallel, to the side wall surface of the tire. The arm thereby forms a safety barrier against the release of components of the wheel and tire assembly.

Abstract: A new Portable Tubeless Tire Inflating System for forcing a large volume of air into a tubeless tire which presses the side-walls of the tire against the rim, thereby setting a bead so the user may fully inflate the tire using a conventional valve stem. The inventive device includes a conventional portable air tank and an air releasing means attached to the conventional portable air tank providing a burst of air to a tire during mounting.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire sealing device that seals the beads of a tire to a wheel rim preferably includes a split nozzle that directs pressurized air in two diverging directions such that when the split nozzle is inserted between a tubeless pneumatic tire and a wheel rim, the air exiting through the split nozzle will travel in opposite directions around the wheel rim and within the tire. The tire sealing device also can include a locking mechanism by which the tire sealing device is safely and securely locked to the wheel rim during the sealing process. This prevents the tire sealing device from being propelled away from the wheel (and vice versa) when a burst of pressurized air is discharged through the nozzle. The locking mechanism can be used with tire sealing devices that include standard nozzles as well as those having a split nozzle. Other safety features also are disclosed.

Abstract: Wheel lubricating apparatus includes a conveyor for transporting wheels on their side in succession into position to be lifted by a lower unit into clamp engagement with an upper stationary unit to support the wheel to be lubricated against rotation. A pair of lubricant brushes are supported by a rotary carriage on opposite sides of the wheel and are rotated in alternating half rotations during each successive soaping cycle to apply soap to the bead seats of the wheels.

Abstract: A machine for removing and mounting tires from and onto respective wheel rims has a base (1;20), a platform (3;22) rotating on the base, and a column (7; 26) which extends vertically upwards from the base to the side of the platform and supports, one following the other, two mutually slidable elements one of which carries at its end a tool (15; 33) which is to operate on the tire bead. The element which supports the tool is secured to the center of the wheel rim.

Abstract: A versatile tire derimming machine comprises three crushing arms articulated at a top of the device, hydraulic actuators for each arm and a power multiplying arrangement. The device is generally mounted on a rotating means of a mechanical arm such as a hydraulic excavator or a log loader and can be remotely moved into position to "pick" a tire and wheel combination from a resting place, place the tire and wheel combination in a desired orientation and deform the wheel therein thus facilitating removal of the tire therefrom quickly and easily. The machine may be configured for and used on every size wheel and tire combination but is particularly suited for use in derimming large truck tires from their wheels. The device avoids the need for a worker lifting or moving the tire/wheel combinations which can easily weight 120 lbs.

Abstract: A safety device which can be retrofitted onto existing rim holding tire changers or provided as a feature of such devices by the original equipment manufacturer. Applicant's safety feature is a barrier, in the preferred embodiment a U-shaped steel tube approximately 18" across and 5' in height, mounted to the tower of the device. The actuator for applying pressure during the bead seating process (and during the inflation process) consists of two buttons on the opposite side of the barrier from the table top on which the tire and rim sit during the process. To actuate the pressure during the bead seating step of the process, both buttons must be depressed. This requires that the operator uses both hands to actuate the system. Also, the actuator being located on the opposite side of the barrier from the table top requires the operator the walk behind the barrier in order to actuate this step of the process.

Abstract: A tire and wheel servicing arrangement including a bead breaking station, a tire changing station, a tire inflating station, and a wheel balancing station in which the stations are positioned sequentially in a line and adjacent each other to permit transfer of a wheel-mounted tire from one station to the next by simply pushing or sliding of the tire. The inflating station can include a V-shaped tire receiver for facilitating turning over of the wheel mounted tire. That tire receiver can be tiltable downwardly under the weight of a wheel mounted tire to aid in positioning the wheel mounted tire on the wheel balancing station.

Abstract: A tire bead seating tool for tubeless tires that initializes a sealing contact between the beads of a tire and the flanges of a wheel rim to enable inflating the tire through a valve stem of the wheel rim. The tool utilizes a valve controlled large volume, high pressure jet of air that is injected into the cavity of a deflated tire that has been mounted on a wheel rim. The jet of air is directed into the cavity through the space between the tire bead and the wheel rim flange. The large volume, high pressure jet of air will, due to the increased pressure generated within the cavity, force the sidewalls of the tire outward to move the beads of the tire into sealing contact with the wheel rim flanges.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating larger tubeless tires (80), such as those utilized on farm tractors, includes a segmented manifold (104) which is expandable radially to accommodate different sizes of tires. The segmented manifold (104) includes outlet holes (36) from which pressurized gas may exit to inflate the tire (80). The holes (36) have centerlines which make angles generally between 40.degree. and 75.degree. with a plane containing the manifold (104). The angled holes (36) direct the pressurized gases exiting the manifold in optimum directions to expand the tire sidewall against the wheel flange (92) to assist in sealing the tire beads against the wheel (82).

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for mounting tires on divided or split wheels. Tension members are guided by a guide body through holes of the wheels to pull the two halves of the wheel together after a tire has been put in place between the halves. Lug bolts to hold the wheel segments together are placed in cavities in the guide body and protrude to hold the bolts in position for affixing nuts and to prevent paint damage on the surface of wheels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bead seating a tubeless tire onto a rim. Two separate reservoirs are provided with an inflation reservoir being at a slightly lower pressure than a charging reservoir. Both reservoirs are filled at the same time via a pressure differential valve. A push button causes the pressure to change slightly in the charging reservoir. A quick release valve, sensing the slight pressure change, substantially instantaneously releases the air in the charging reservoir. The release of air permits a piston to slide thus substantially instantaneously releasing the air in the inflation reservoir which is channeled to a nozzle which seats the bead of the tire on the rim.

Abstract: A tire bead breaker is used for a pneumatic tire mounted on a wheel. The breaker has an elongate main body that extends from the tire rim where the bead is to be broken across the center of the wheel. Two rim engaging hooks at the end of the main body engage under the wheel rim and are held in place using a retainer plate that engages the inside of the rim and is itself retained in place using a keeper mounted on the main body. The bead is dislodged using a push rod with a curved, spatulate head that engages the side wall of the tire and is driven against the tire side wall using a bolt threaded into the end of a sleeve in which the push rod slides.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for assembling and balancing automotive wheels. Each wheel includes a wheel rim having a valve stem opening and a tire adapted to be mounted on the rim. The circumferential position and magnitude of any tire imbalance is marked on the tire. A plurality of valve stems is also provided wherein the valve stems vary in weight from each other. The tire is positioned with respect to the rim so that the valve stem opening is substantially diametrically opposed to the circumferential position of the tire imbalance and a valve stem having a weight substantially the same as the magnitude of the tire imbalance is then positioned in the valve stem opening. The tire is then inflated thus completing the assembly and balancing of the tire.

Abstract: A method for recycling a used tire constructed of rubber and other materials that does not devulcanize the rubber, comprising the steps of soaking the tire in a composition comprising an organic solvent for a time sufficient to reduce the tensile strength of the rubber by at least about 50%, applying sufficient shear forces to the soaked tire to disintegrate the rubber from the other materials, and sorting the disintegrated rubber from the other materials.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved pneumatically operated circuit for automatically shutting off the flow of high pressure air being introduced into an object to be inflated, such as a tire, when the pressure in the object reaches a preselected maximum pressure significantly below that of the high pressure supply. The air at high pressure is introduced into the object and into a control duct also connected to the object, until pressure in the control duct overcomes the bias of a control valve, at which time the control valve closes to interrupt the flow of high pressure air and allow pressure in the object and the control duct to equilibrate; if the equilibrated pressure does not continue to overcome the bias of a control valve, the control valve again opens to admit additional high pressure air to the object and control duct until the bias of the control valve again is overcome and the control valve closed as previously, repeating the closing cycle.

Abstract: A method for universally fixturing a tire bead loosening tool to a variety of standard off-road vehicle wheel rim configurations or designs and a radially and axially adjustable mounting apparatus for performing the method including a hook extending outwardly from a frame of the tool for interlocking with a tool mounting flange of the rim and an adapter carried by the tool for supporting the tool when mounted to the rim. The adapter has a first portion which is immovably affixed to or integral with a forward face of the tool frame, a second trunnion portion depends from the first adapter portion and a third swivel portion is pivotally carried by a pair of gudgeon arms of the trunnion. Each adapter portion has one or more threaded holes for threadably receiving a desired number of pressure bolts for supporting the tool when mounted. In use, the rim is surveyed and the adapter portion which provides the most stable tool support for such rim type is selected.

Abstract: A pneumatic device for seating the beads of a tubeless tire onto the bead area of a tubeless wheel or rim, comprising a pneumatic pipe having a first end portion and a second end portion and shaped in the form of an arc from the first end portion to the second end portion; a first handle attached to the first end portion of the pipe for providing a stabilizing hand grip at the first end portion of the pipe; a pneumatic valve attached to the second end portion of the pipe for selectively communicating the pipe with a source of compressed air, and including a second handle for providing a stabilizing hand grip at the second end portion of the pipe; and pneumatic openings in the arc-shaped portion of the pipe communicating with the valve and positioned to direct compressed air into the gap between an unseated tubeless tire bead and the bead area of the wheel or rim upon which the bead is to be seated.

Abstract: Apparatus for fitting a motor vehicle tire on a disc wheel comprises a tire fitting tool mounted rotatably about an axis, an electric drive motor to drive the tire fitting tool about the axis, a current supply means for the drive motor, and a torque limiting means to terminate the rotary drive to the motor when a predetermined torque transmitted to the tire fitting tool is exceeded, thereby to protect the tire from overloading in the fitting operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting and inflating an automobile tire on a rim assembly, the apparatus comprising a tire changing machine (11) having foot valve (32) and control means (12, 51) for limiting the air pressure developed within the tire during a step of sealing the annular beads of the tire to the flanges of the rim assembly. The control means delivers source air pressure, typically 120-200 PSI at most shops, to the fill line (34) of the tire changing machine during sealing and inflating without substantially diminishing the source air pressure delivered thereto. The control means rapidly and frequently compares the pressure attained within the tire with a selected pressure, and once the selected pressure has been attained, the control means cuts off further delivery of source air pressure. An audible alarm (72) is provided to indicate that pressurized air is flowing and to indicate that the desired pressure level has been achieved within the tire.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling pressurized air into a tire includes a table for supporting thereon a tire mounted on a rim, an inner cylinder member air-tightly engageable with a flange of the rim, and an outer cylinder member air-tightly engageable with a side rubber of the tire and forming an air-tight space in cooperation with the inner cylinder member. The end face of the outer cylinder member air-tightly engageable with the side rubber of the tire is inclined to the rotating axis of the tire. Therefore, the bead portion of the tire needs only to get over the part of the hump of the rim positioned oblique relative thereto along its circumference little by little during filling pressurized air into the tire. As a result, the bead portion of the tire is only subjected to a little deformation and comes into close contact with the rim, the bead portion of the tire substantially uniformly closely contacts the rim.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for seating tubeless tires, particularly large tubeless truck tires, on a rim. A tank having a volume related to the internal volume of the largest tire to be seated is charged with compressed air at a pressure which is within the range of pressures considered safe for general purpose vehicular applications. A discharge barrel having an internal passage with an area of from 8 to 20 square centimeters is disposed between the tank and the bead of the tire and positioned so that air discharged therefrom strikes the bead from a direction roughly perpendicular to the plane of the bead. An approximately full-flow valve, positioned in flow control relationship to the barrel, is opened abruptly to direct a pneumatic pulse having a fast-rising leading edge against the bead. The bead then seats on the rim as a result of the combined effect of the motion imparted thereto by the impact of the pulse and the air injected into the tire in connection with that impact.

Abstract: An auxiliary tire bead depressor is provided for use with an apparatus for inflating a tubeless tire having sidewalls and upper and lower annular tire beads. The tire is mounted on a wheel having upper and lower wheel flanges against which the upper and lower tire beads seal, respectively. The apparatus has an inflation head and an annular tire seal ring extending outwardly therefrom for depressing the tire sidewall. The auxiliary tire bead depressor comprises a mechanism, spaced from the annular tire seal ring, for selectively depressing the upper tire bead away from the upper wheel flange. The tire bead depressing mechanism is moved from an advanced position wherein the depressing mechanism engages and depresses the tire, to a retracted position wherein the depressing mechanism is spaced from the tire. The auxiliary tire bead depressor is mounted to the inflation head.

Abstract: An apparatus for quickly positioning a tubeless tire on a corresponding wheel rim includes a retractable nozzle associated with a valve member mobile in a substantially cylindrical chamber under the action of compressed air and against another predetermined pressure lower than that pressure which causes its movement, this valve member opening at the end of its movement in the chamber to enable said air to reach this nozzle, the cylindrical chamber being connected to a vessel containing a predetermined quantity of air at the higher pressure, between this chamber and the vessel there being provided valve means preferably operated by a pedal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bead setting and inflating tubeless tires on a vehicle wheel is provided. The apparatus for seating a loosely mounted tire ont he rim of the wheel comprises a compressed air tank, a support for the tank including rim engaging saddles slidably mounted on arms which ae releasably connected to the support body. Air from the tank passes out through a fast acting valve to an exhaust manifold to flexible lines and to nozzles mounted on the saddles to ensure the air is directed at the most efficient angle to the inside of the tire to expand it and force a seating of the beads. A main compressed air tank is used in conjunction with the bead seating air tank to supply air thereto and to simultaneously and subsequently supply air to the tire through a conventional tire stem to inflate the tire to the desired level.

Abstract: An improved inflator for use in automated wheel/tire assembly lines is disclosed herein. The improved inflator incorporates temperature sensors to sense both the temperature of the compressed air used to inflate the tire and the ambient air temperature in response to which control means will adjust a base reference inflation pressure to compensate for these variables. A pressure sensor is also provided which serves to provide feed back information as to the actual pressure to which the tire is inflated.

Abstract: An improved tubeless tire inflation device, for sealing between a tubeless tire and a rim during the tire inflation process, is provided, comprising a sleeve having an inside diameter not greater than the largest outside diameter of the tire rim, the sleeve having an axial length such that the sleeve may sealingly span between the rim and the tire. The sleeve is composed of a resilient material, such as belted rubber, which is deformable, yet retains sufficient strength and shape to provide the desired seal between rim and tire. The sleeve is further provided with a layer of compressible material around its entire circumference on at least one end.

Abstract: An automated tire mounting and inflation system is shown which includes a tire mounting station for seating an uninflated tire on a wheel rim with the tire upper and lower beads between the rim flanges. A conveyor moves the uninflated tire from the mounting station to an inflation station. An inflation bell is lowered at the inflation station to contact the tire upper sidewall and form an airtight enclosure whereby air can be supplied to the interior of the bell, air pressure passing between the tire bead and wheel flange around the entire perimeter of the rim to inflate the tire. The conveyor then moves the inflated tire from the inflation station to a staging area.

Abstract: A tire derimmer and method for derimming, the tire derimmer including a base edge partially bounding the opening. A jaw is movable between a raised position and a lowered position. The jaw is disposable in the lowered position to clamp a tire against the base, adjacent the opening and opposite the working edge. A ram is connected to the jaw. The ram is extendible against a wheel mounted to a tire clamped by the jaw, to pivot the wheel about the working edge and separate the wheel from the tire.

Abstract: Herein disclosed in a method for coupling a tubed tire with a wheel assuring a dynamically balanced coupling therebetween. The tube has an inflation valve and the wheel has a valve aperture. The method comprises in steps finding and marking a first portion of the wheel where the radial run-out value (RR) is the minimum and a second portion of the tire proper where the radial force variation value (RFV) is the maximum, disposing the tube in the tire proper, sliding the tube within the tire proper to a position where an angular position of the second portion relative to the inflation valve is equal to that of the first portion relative to the valve aperture, and coupling the tubed tire with the wheel having the inflation valve passed through the valve aperture.

Abstract: A tire bead breaking tool has a primary frame with a stem segment and a perpendicular retaining segment. A sliding member slides parallel to this stem segment. A threaded engagement bolt is used to adjust and secure the relative position of the sliding member with respect to the primary frame. A parallel arm is connected through a slot in the stem segment to the sliding member, and translates parallel to the stem segment as the position of the sliding member is adjusted by the engagement bolt. A second, hinged arm is pivotally attached to the end of the parallel arm distal from the cross segment. An actuating bolt is employed to pivot this hinged arm with respect to the parallel arm.

Abstract: An improved system is provided for use with a tire changer to regulate and control the inflation of pneumatic tires. This system regulates the flow of air in an air supply conduit through which pressurized air flows from a supply source to an outlet such as an air hose and chuck which an operator connects to a pneumatic tire. The system includes a first and second valve serially connected to the air supply conduit. A foot pedal activating member opens the first valve and closes a switch which activates a timer. The timer opens the second valve for a first predetermined time period and then maintains it in a closed position for a second predetermined time period. During the first period, the air flows through the conduit under relatively high pressure to inflate a pneumatic tire. During the second period, the second valve prevents the flow of air so that the system may stabilize and indicate the pressure in the pneumatic tire.

Abstract: A tire changer has a base on which is mounted a rim and tire assembly support table upon which tires are inflated through an air inflation hose. A rigid arm-like member is pivotally attached to the base of the tire changer in a position so that it may be pivoted between a safety position overlying the support table and a rim/tire assembly thereon and a stowed position away from the support table. In one embodiment the rigid arm pivots from an overhead position to the safety position and in another embodiment the rigid arm pivots from a lateral position to the safety position. The rigid arm carries the air inflation hose with a short length of the hose extending therefrom, so the arm must overlie the support table for the hose to reach the inflation valve on a tire supported on the table.

Abstract: A tire changer has a base on which is mounted a rim and tire assembly support table upon which tires are inflated through an air inflation hose. A rigid arm-like member is pivotally attached to the base of the tire changer in a position so that it may be pivoted between a safety position overlying the support table and a rim/tire assembly thereon and a stowed position away from the support table. In one embodiment the rigid arm pivots from an overhead position to the safety position and in another embodiment the rigid arm pivots from a lateral position to the safety position. The rigid arm carries the air inflation hose with a short length of the hose extending therefrom, so the arm must overlie the support table for the hose to reach the inflation valve on a tire supported on the table.

Abstract: A bead seating system which comprises a wheel and tire support having a small diameter central hub, a plurality of widely spaced radial clamp carrying support arms, a single, elongated air nozzle located below and in proximity to the support and a noise reduction housing enclosing the nozzle. The orifice of the nozzle is elongate in the horizontal direction and directs a flat, trapezoidal stream of air through an opening in the noise reduction housing and the space between two of the radial support arms into the area between the bead of the tire and the rim of a wheel resting on the support. The nozzle is angularly oriented relative to the horizontal so that for all rim sizes the air stream is directed either into the space between the rim and the bead or in a direction nearly tangential to the outer wall of the tire. Accordingly, the air flows along the side wall of the tire in a laminar manner into the tire.

Abstract: Apparatus for assuring that an uninflated mini tire mounted on a wheel is coaxially centered relative to the wheel prior to the arrival of the mini tire-wheel unit at the inflation station of a tire-wheel assembly line is disclosed which the mini-tire wheel unit is being conveyed in a horizontal position from the mounter to the inflator it is subjected to a hammer blow against the tire tread and subsequently apparatus mounted along opposite sides of the conveyor vertically press against an adjacent portion of one side wall of the tire. These actions jar the tire beads loose from a partially wedged engagement within the drop well of the wheel which tends to occur during the mounting of the mini tire on the wheel and to seat one bead of the tire upon the associated bead seat of the wheel.