Abstract: The invention relates to bicycle work stands for making repairs and changing and mounting tubeless tires. There is provided a one-sided wheel work stand with a pivotal upper wheel bracket which allows the user to work unobstructed on the wheel and then acts as a device to lay the wheel flat for better sealing. In related embodiments, the work stand is configured to assist a user in adapting 32 mm 15 QR axle hubs and in truing a bicycle wheel while attached to the work stand.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tire support member including a first tire support member, a second tire support member and a third tire support member. Each of the first, second and third tire support members include an upper surface and a lower surface. The apparatus includes a plurality of tire engaging devices including a first tire tread engaging post and a second tire tread engaging post. A method for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tire support member including a first tire support member, a second tire support member and a third tire support member. Each of the first, second and third tire support members include an upper surface and a lower surface. The apparatus includes a plurality of tire engaging devices including a first tire tread engaging post and a second tire tread engaging post. A method for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A motorcycle wheel changing tool is presented that utilizes a rolling carriage that immobilizes the front or back wheel utilizing flat steel swing arms and a tension spring that holds the wheel in place with a knockout retaining rod through the wheel. The entire unit can be rolled and/or lifted in place to work in conjunction with a motorcycle stand. There is a folding handle that expands or contracts to accommodate different size tire/wheel widths and can pull the unit. The rolling wheels can be raised or lowered for different motorcycles depending on the height of the bike in relation to the wheel stand. Additionally, four large eye hooks can be raised or lowered to secure the wheel. Two threaded rods are utilized that secure both angle ends in place to secure the unit so that it is perpendicular to the wheel and keeps the unit from flexing.

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: 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: Methods and machines for changing tires on a wheel rim are disclosed. The machine includes a drive shaft having a drive axis that can positioned at different angles for convenience of the machine operator to mount a variety of differently-sized wheel rims to the drive shaft without undue lifting and handling of the wheel rims.

Abstract: A machine for fitting and removing wheel tires for vehicles includes a bearing structure that supports a clamping and rotating device of the wheel rim for vehicles around a substantially vertical rotation axis, at least one tool supported by the bearing structure and suitable for the fitting/removal of a tire onto/from the rim, and a lifting arrangement adapted to position and remove the wheel onto/from the clamping and rotating device. The lifting arrangement includes a first framework that defines a substantially horizontal support surface for the wheel and is associated with the bearing structure and mobile between a lowered position in which it surrounds the clamping and rotating device at least partially and a raised position in which it is substantially higher than the clamping and rotating device, a second framework with a resting portion for the wheel and which is associated with and rotates along the bearing structure, and a moving device for the first and second frameworks.

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 inflation and handling assistance device provides an adequately stabilized and supported vertical tire support member having a hub engagement and stop structure which can be pivoted from a first generally horizontal, stable position to a stable angled position from about 50 to 75 degrees and more preferably over a range of from about 55 to 70 degrees from the horizontal to enable an uninflated hub and tire assembly to be tilted to a position engaging the tire support member and to facilitate sealing engagement in forming an inflated hub and tire assembly. The angle utilized may be dependent upon the shape and extent of engagement of the hub engagement and stop structure.

Abstract: A spindle for fastening rims of vehicle wheels on repair shop machines, which comprises a frame that can be associated rotationally about a working axis with a repair shop machine, six or more movable arms that are associated with the frame, are distributed around the working axis and can rotate about respective rotation axes that lie on a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the working axis, and claws for gripping the rim of a vehicle wheel, which are associated with the arms and on which it is possible to fit the internal cylindrical portion of the rim.

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: 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: An apparatus for handling and working on vehicle tires is disclosed which includes a turnable wheel mounting head and a holder for tools; a base; a wheel holder chassis which is upstanding from the base and which carries a laterally projecting wheel holder spindle and an associated driving system for rotating the spindle with the wheel holder chassis being pivotably connected to the base to tilt between an upright receiving position at which a wheel is directly receivable on the laterally projecting wheel holder spindle and a rearwardly slanting position at which a mounted wheel is raised from the floor to be freely rotatable by the associated driving system; a bead breaking tool mounted on a fixed carrier structure which is shiftable between an inwardly projecting operative position for breaking a tire bead by applying force to tire sides in response to a controlled tilting of the wheel holder chassis and an inoperative position at which the chassis and a wheel mounted on the laterally projecting wheel holde

Abstract: A tire-removal machine comprises a frame (1) with a self-centering unit (4) for locking the wheels in a horizontal position in front of an overlying tool head (13) for mounting/removing the respective tires. The self-centering unit is connected to the frame (1) by way of a vertically lying articulated parallelogram having one the (55-66) formed by said frame, to the side (5-6) opposite the preceding there being hinged the self-centering unit in such a manner that this unit is able to occupy a lowered wheel loading/unloading position in which it is close to the floor and inclined to the side opposite the frame, and a raised working position, selectable at will, in which it arranges the wheel horizontal and within the radius of action of the tool head.

Abstract: The rotatable wheel holder of a tire mounting apparatus is provided laterally protruding from one end of a horizontal carrier arm, the other end of which is secured in a pivotal manner to a carrier block, which is height adjustably held by an upright, such that the carrier arm can be pivoted about an axis parallel with its own length direction. Hereby the wheel holder may receive and deliver a wheel standing upright on the floor, and the wheel may be raised to a convenient working height and be tilted both ways to a lying working position. With the wheel holder pointing downwardly the tire may be dismounted and released simply by dropping.

Abstract: A tire changer has the feature of therefor restraining vehicle tire/rim assemblies which are caused to explode due to tire overinflation or tire bead failure for any reason. A tire and rim assembly hold down bar is pivotally attached to one side of the body of the tire changer and is secured in position immediately overlying the tire/rim assembly on the tire changer by engaging a tongue in a buckle assembly mounted on the bar. The tongue is attached to the end of a web belt which is secured to the other side of the body of the tire changer. Engagement of the tongue in the buckle also actuates an enabling valve in a conduit for transmitting tire inflation air from a pressure source to the tire. Inflation air may then be provided at will to the tire by actuation of an inflation valve located in the air conduit between the pressure source and the 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 the feature of restraining vehicle tire/rim assemblies which are caused to explode due to tire overinflation or tire bead failure for any reason. A tire and rim assembly hold down bar is pivotally attached to one side of the body of the tire changer and is secured in position immediately overlying the tire/rim assembly on the tire changer by engaging a tongue in a buckle assembly mounted on the bar. The tongue is attached to the end of a web belt which is secured to the other side of the body of the tire changer. Engagement of the tongue in the buckle also actuates an enabling valve in a conduit for transmitting tire inflation air from a pressure source to the tire. Inflation air may then be provided at will to the tire by actuation of an inflation valve located in the air conduit between the pressure source and the tire.

Abstract: A tire changer including a base having a lower extremity to support the base on an underlying surface, a tabletop having wheel grippers, a pivot mounting the tabletop on the base for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis between a generally horizontal, tire changing position and a generally vertical, wheel loading and unloading position whereat the wheel gripper is in sufficiently close proximity to the underlying surface supporting the base so as to be engageable with and securable to an upright wheel and tire on an underlying surface, a motor for selectively pivoting the tabletop between the two positions thereof, a bead loosening device connected to the base and defining a tire and wheel receiving space for receipt of an upright tire and wheel, the bead loosening device including at least one bead loosening shoe generally horizontally movable across the space in a direction generally transverse to the horizontal axis.