Tire Or Wheel Type Patents (Class 211/23)
  • Patent number: 12048377
    Abstract: A tank rack may have a back frame member and at least two tank support members spaced apart from one another along the back frame member. Each of the tank support members may have two inner sections, two outer sections and a rear portion. The rear portion may be connected to the back frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Adrian Steel Company
    Inventor: Elizabeth Elaine Willnow
  • Patent number: 12042068
    Abstract: A system for displaying a wheel that includes the shelf unit that can be mounted on the wall. The shelf unit includes a shelf upon which an inner perimeter of the wheel may be supported. A retainer clip is inserted into the shelf unit and prevents the wheel from sliding off of the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Inventor: Adel Batarseh
  • Patent number: 11849821
    Abstract: A vehicle-carrying leisure-purpose parasol rack includes a screw rod including a hollow tubular grip and a holding seat attached thereto; a connection ring having a thread in mating engagement with the screw rod; a plurality of clamp arms, each of which includes a clamping terminal in a hook form, an extension section, and a mounting terminal, the clamping terminal and the mounting terminal being arranged on two opposite ends of the extension section, the mounting terminals respectively corresponding to retaining notches formed in the connection ring so that the clamp arms are detachably connected to the connection ring; and an assisting member having a fixed terminal and a hollow tubular terminal. The fixed terminal is detachably connected to the extension section of one of the clamp arms, such that the hollow tubular terminal is in alignment with the hollow tubular grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventor: Yu-Wei Tai
  • Patent number: 11787233
    Abstract: In the context of service and maintenance of heavy road vehicles, apparatus is provided that is configured to engage and support a rack and manoeuvre it into position relative to the vehicle to facilitate removal and installation of the wheels. The rack has a frame with a base and a pair of arms, each arm being pivotally attached to opposite sides of the base to pivot between an open configuration and a folded configuration. The apparatus may be expanded and contracted between an expanded configuration, where the rack engagement assembly is configured to engage the rack in the open configuration, and a contracted configuration where the rack engagement assembly is configured to engage the rack in the folded configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Workplace Maintenance Solutions Pty Ltd (ACN 626 363 095)
    Inventor: Allan Martin James
  • Patent number: 10926151
    Abstract: A shelf is configured for use with a weight rack including first and second vertical members extending generally parallel to each other and positioned in spaced relation to each other. The shelf supports one or more free weights and has first and second opposed ends and front and rear sides extending between the ends, where the first end of the shelf is connected to the first vertical member and the second end of the shelf is connected to the second vertical member, such that the first and second vertical members support the entire weight of the shelf. The shelf may include a rotation limiting structure to limit rotation of the shelf with respect to the vertical members. A weight rack may be outfitted with one or more such shelves, and in one configuration, the weight rack may include a number (N) of adjacent shelf stacks supported by number (N+1) of vertical members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Coulter Ventures, LLC.
    Inventor: Nash Dunahay
  • Patent number: 9688176
    Abstract: A self-loading post caster dolly for lifting and moving heavy objects. A fixed structural frame includes a vertical socket. A horizontal lifting bar includes a vertical post that is moved through the vertical socket then secured to hold the object with the lifting bar at a desired height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Paul Mason
  • Publication number: 20150096947
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a wheel rack includes a locking frame plate having a first L-shaped plate, a second L-shaped plate, and a stopper plate. A ball seat is fixed to the locking frame plate, and a rod has a first end with a sphere attached thereto. The locking frame plate is configured to be fixed to a jamb of a vehicle lift. In another embodiment, a wheel rack includes a locking frame plate having a first L-shaped plate, a second L-shaped plate, and a stopper plate. A ball seat is fixed to the locking frame plate. The wheel rack also includes a locking seat and a rod that has an end with a sphere attached thereto. The locking frame plate is configured to be fixed to a jamb of a vehicle lift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: MVP (HK) Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William Shaw
  • Publication number: 20150083673
    Abstract: An adjustable tire rack is provided for mounting to the wall of a structure to support, store and/or display truck, car and motorcycle tires, rims and tire/rim combinations having a wide range of diameters and widths. The adjustable tire rack generally comprises a rail member and a first and second adjustable telescoping tire support. The rail member has a raised u-shaped channel running along its length and is configured to be secured to the wall studs of a structure. The first and second adjustable telescoping tire supports each have a c-channel that is configured to fit over the raised u-shaped channel of the rail member and secured at multiple positions along the length of the rail member to accommodate various tire diameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Todd Mansor
  • Patent number: 8955700
    Abstract: A tire rack includes a base having a plurality of apertures in a bottom surface, and a plurality of posts extending from a top surface of the base. Each of the plurality of posts has a reduced diameter portion having dimensions corresponding to the apertures in the bottom surface of the base. The tire rack further includes a plurality of side bars. Each side bar extending between two of the plurality of posts, and each side bar having a plurality of apertures. The tire rack also has a plurality of crossbars. Each crossbar extends between two of the plurality of side bars, wherein each crossbar has a first end removably received in an aperture of a first side bar and a second end removably received in an aperture of a second side bar. The plurality of crossbars are configured to receive a plurality of tires in an upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Dealer Tire, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Barber, Mark King, David Shaffstall
  • Patent number: 8881898
    Abstract: A wheel storage and transport frame comprising: a floor; a first corner pillar fixedly attached to the floor; a second corner pillar fixedly attached to the floor; a third corner pillar fixedly attached to the floor; a fourth corner pillar fixedly attached to the floor; a first end wall fixedly attached to the floor and the first and second corner pillars; a rear wall fixedly attached the floor and the second and third corner pillars; a second end wall fixedly attached to the floor and third and fourth corner pillars; a rotatable front panel rotatably attached to the floor via at least one hinged element, and adjacent to the first and fourth corner pillars, the bottom of the rotatable front panel remaining generally parallel to the floor, and the top of the rotatable front panel also remaining generally parallel to the floor and also moveable in generally a circular path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Mobile Shelter Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael DeForest
  • Patent number: 8596322
    Abstract: A tire support device for supporting the bead area of a tire is described. The tire support device includes an inner support member having a plurality of support vanes mounted to the support member, the support vanes radially extend from the inner support member. The tire support device further comprises a plurality of cover plates forming an outer cylindrical surface for supporting the bead area of a tire. The cover plates having an inner rib which extends radially inward, said rib having one or more guide members, each slide member slidably mounted on the support vane, wherein the guide members are slidably from a radially inward position to close the cover plates, and to a radially outward position to radially expand the tires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: George Michael Stoila, Dale Eugene Wells, Thomas Alan Sells
  • Patent number: 8431062
    Abstract: A tire unloading apparatus for separating a cured tire from a toroidally shaped segmented core body configured to carry the cured tire includes a plurality of tire engaging paddle mechanisms positioned in a spaced apart circular array defining a cured tire receiving central opening, the cured tire mounted to a core body. The paddle mechanisms operatively move between a radially outward tire release position and a radially inward tire gripping position. The tire unloading apparatus further includes a core segment manipulating apparatus operative to move individual core segments from a radially outward tire supporting core body position to a radially inward segment removal position. A plurality of segment support arms forming a circular array below the tire receiving opening are in an operative location to support respective core body segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: William Dudley Currie, Dennis Alan Lundell, David Alan Henthorne, Mary Beth Dombrosky
  • Patent number: 8393480
    Abstract: A manufacturing facility includes a storage facility and a production facility. Workpieces are located in the storage facility in temporary storage accommodations, and are moved between the storage facility and stations in the production facility by mobile carrier units. The temporary storage accommodations may be units having a generally circular lading envelope, and an hexagonal optimal packing density. The mobile carrier units may be automated guided vehicles and may include self-navigating software, and interactive communication with other guided vehicles to permit suitable routes to be chosen, or to permit obstacles to be avoided. The facility may include a workpiece retrieval apparatus used for transferring workpieces between the storage accommodations and the automated guided vehicles, or to other locations. The workpiece retrieval apparatus may be mounted on a bridge, and may include a multi-element raising and lowering array that is biased to oppose torsional deflection of the lifting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: RMT Robotics Limited
    Inventors: Douglas M. Pickard, Richard Baumann, Tom Pollard, John Hordyk
  • Patent number: 8235224
    Abstract: Disclosed is a knockdown shelving system which comprises a plurality of connected shelves with storage compartments that are configured to store vehicle wheels or tires upright and parallel to each other. Vertical posts are located at each corner of the connected shelves and shared between adjacent shelves. The vertical posts are formed of a rolled hollow T-profile which comprises rows of longitudinally spaced perforations that extend along the vertical posts. The vertical posts are connected by lengthwise and crosswise struts, the struts having hooks which engage the perforations of the vertical posts. Storage compartments for tires or wheels are formed by tire carriers which are placed onto lengthwise struts and extend parallel between front and rear vertical posts, and by crosswise struts which extend perpendicular to the tire carriers between two front vertical posts and two rear vertical posts, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Irega AG
    Inventor: Gottfried Scholz
  • Publication number: 20120111808
    Abstract: Disclosed is a knockdown shelving system which comprises a plurality of connected shelves with storage compartments that are configured to store vehicle wheels or tires upright and parallel to each other. Vertical posts are located at each corner of the connected shelves and shared between adjacent shelves. The vertical posts are formed of a rolled hollow T-profile which comprises rows of longitudinally spaced perforations that extend along the vertical posts. The vertical posts are connected by lengthwise and crosswise struts, the struts having hooks which engage the perforations of the vertical posts. Storage compartments for tires or wheels are formed by tire carriers which are placed onto lengthwise struts and extend parallel between front and rear vertical posts, and by crosswise struts which extend perpendicular to the tire carriers between two front vertical posts and two rear vertical posts, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: IREGA AG
    Inventor: Gottfried Scholz
  • Publication number: 20120074084
    Abstract: A tire rack includes a base having a plurality of apertures in a bottom surface, and a plurality of posts extending from a top surface of the base. Each of the plurality of posts has a reduced diameter portion having dimensions corresponding to the apertures in the bottom surface of the base. The tire rack further includes a plurality of side bars. Each side bar extending between two of the plurality of posts, and each side bar having a plurality of apertures. The tire rack also has a plurality of crossbars. Each crossbar extends between two of the plurality of side bars, wherein each crossbar has a first end removably received in an aperture of a first side bar and a second end removably received in an aperture of a second side bar. The plurality of crossbars are configured to receive a plurality of tires in an upright position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: DEALER TIRE, LLC
    Inventors: Scott BARBER, Mark KING, David SHAFFSTALL
  • Publication number: 20120027558
    Abstract: A tire storage system includes two spaced apart arrays of tire storage locations. An array of transfer locations is disposed between the two arrays of storage locations. Tires are loaded on and removed from carriages when the carriages are at transfer locations. The carriages are movable from the transfer locations to the storage locations along a path which extends along central axes of tires disposed on the carriages. The carriages may be suspended above a floor. Upper and lower arrays of storage and transfer locations may be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: TODD M. WEEDEN, Michael G. Rickabaugh
  • Patent number: 7546922
    Abstract: An apparatus for storing articles comprises a plurality of individual article support devices for supporting a plurality of articles independent of the side walls of a container. Each article support device comprises a first rack and a second rack. Each one of the racks comprises a first spine and a second spine, each spine having notches for receiving the peripheral surface of the articles. Each rack also has a plurality of openings formed in each rack disposed intermediately to each spine. At least one of the racks has a coupling mechanism for coupling the first spine and the second spine to form one of the racks for coupling to the other rack through one of the openings. The racks are coupled so that the spines of one of the racks are oriented approximately ninety degrees to the adjacent spines of the other rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Foam Design Inc.
    Inventor: Randy Louis Howard
  • Publication number: 20080296239
    Abstract: A wheel storage rack for storing wheels when not in use includes a vertically extending central post with arms extending from the central post. The arms support receivers for attaching wheel mounts. Each wheel mount is removably attachable to a wheel. The wheel mount has a hub for attaching to the inside surface of a wheel. A lug bolt passes through a lug hole in the wheel to secure the wheel to the hub, and a mounting post extends from the wheel mount in a direction opposite the hub. The mounting post is inserted into the receiver to mount the wheel to the storage rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Daniel S. Hurd
  • Patent number: 7413091
    Abstract: Attached to an upper end or rear sidewall of each of a plurality of movable racks is a hollow tube mounted on a rectangular plate in two places on each rack. Passing through the hollow tubes of each of the plurality of movable racks is a solid rod having a diameter of one to two inches. The solid rod is anchored at opposite ends on two stationary or fixed racks to facilitate sliding of the plurality of racks across a floor. No special equipment is required to maximize floor space for storage of tires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Big O Tires, Inc.
    Inventor: Krystal Krull
  • Publication number: 20040232093
    Abstract: A tire storage system is disclosed, for securely storing one or more tires. The tire storage system consists of two identical tire caps and a connecting spacer. One of the tire caps is placed horizontally on a flat surface. The used tire is placed upon one of the tire caps, such that part of the tire cap extends upward through the opening of the tire. The spacer is securely affixed to the tire cap, and generally fills the rest of the tire opening. The other tire cap is placed horizontally over the tire and is also secured to the spacer. The tire storage system seals the inside of the tire from outside access, so as to prevent mosquito breeding and infestation. The tire storage system can be used to stack multiple tires of different sizes, for efficient storage, and can be recycled with the tire at a later time. The tire storage system can be made from or treated with fire-retardant materials, to inhibit unwanted fires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Yvette S. Atkinson, Simon J. Atkinson, Stevens Sanchez, Suzanne Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20040217074
    Abstract: A wheel rim stacking apparatus to stack at least two wheel rims in a co axial and vertical relationship. The apparatus including an annular flange including an inwardly directed substantially cylindrical shaped wall of a diameter substantially commensurate with the outside diameter of the bead of a the wheel rim to allow a the wheel rim to be located with the cylindrical wall to be located on the outside thereof, the cylindrical wall having an upper edge and a lower edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventor: Stephen Thomas Taylor
  • Patent number: 6685070
    Abstract: A modular cargo carrier system comprising at least one pair of carrier modules and means for attaching said modules to a vehicle or to a support on a vehicle. The modules each have a top, a bottom, sides and ends, the attaching means being located on at least a bottom and one side whereby the modules may be mounted in different orientations on the vehicle top to carry different types of cargo. The modules further include longitudinal and transverse cargo grooves or contoured cargo contact surfaces on the top and on at least one side and/or end for supporting cargo in said grooves. Module connectors are provided for attaching the modules to each other in a variety of configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Josef Szigeti
  • Patent number: 6673182
    Abstract: A green tire holding device (50) including a horizontal turning spindle (52) which supports and turns a green tire (T) so that no set portion of the tire is constantly subjected to the downward pull of the rest of the tire carcass. The spindle (52) can be programmed to automatically continuously turn the green tire (T) or to automatically turn the green tire (T) at spaced intervals corresponding to desired angular movements. In a tire manufacturing method, the holding device (50) is used to turn the green tire (T) during a pre-curing wait cycle to thereby minimize distortion of the green tire (T).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC
    Inventor: Paul A. Merendino, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6656301
    Abstract: A green tire holding device (10) including a frame (12), a rod (14) extending horizontally from the frame (12), and a bladder (16) mounted on the rod (14). The bladder (16) is inflatable to an inflated shape so that it contacts a substantial portion of an inner circumference of a green tire (T) to support the green tire during a pre-curing wait cycle. The green tire holding device (10) can comprise a plurality of rods (14), a plurality of bladders (16), and/or a plurality of bladders (16) on each rod (14). The bladders (16) can be inflated at substantially the same time and/or certain bladders (16) can be deflated independently of other bladders (16). In a tire manufacturing method, the loaded green tire storage device (10) is transported to a doping/curing area with the bladders (16) deflated. At the doping/curing area, the tires (T) are removed from the rods (14), doped, and re-hung on the rods (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC
    Inventor: James M. Kirby
  • Patent number: 6591885
    Abstract: A device for the substantially vertical suspension of tire carcasses, which includes a plurality of articulated supports, the latter being able to bear on the inside of a tire carcass, each of said supports having a convex bearing surface capable of adopting a plurality of angular positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Guide
  • Patent number: 6558495
    Abstract: A device for the substantially vertical suspension of tire carcasses which includes a plurality of supports arranged about a lifting axis (XX′), which supports bear on the inside of a tire carcass, the supports being mobile radially relative to the lifting axis, the device further including a system having at least one spring which exerts a radial expansion force on the supports, this expansion being limited by a stop. The invention also relates to a process for building a tire in using this device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventor: Angelo Bagnasco
  • Patent number: 6499607
    Abstract: Device for securing multiple vehicle wheels or vehicle tires, having a base unit adapted for being secured to a ceiling or a wall of a building; at least pair of one receiving elements, each receiving element connected to the base unit and has a longitudinal axis, each longitudinal axis oriented 90° from each other; and at least one mounting element associated with each receiving element, wherein each mounting element is the form of a longitudinally extending mounting arm and including a first end and a second end, wherein each mounting element is connected at the first end to the receiving element, and the second end to mounting device, the mounting element device adapted to hold the wheels or tires; each mounting element is independently pivotably connected to the corresponding receiving element between a receiving position and a storage position; each mounting element is independently lockable in the storage position via a locking device; and each mounting device extending perpendicular from the corres
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Reifenspinne GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Fijalkowski, Oskar Harsch
  • Publication number: 20010050260
    Abstract: A device is provided for supporting a vehicle tire having a body formed with a front ramp surface adapted to permit the tire to roll up onto the device, and a top surface for supporting the tire having an arcuate configuration adapted for supporting the tire. The top surface includes a pair of spaced apart peaks and a trough positioned between the peaks for supporting the vehicle tire. Additionally, support blocks may be provided beneath the device for raising the device to ensure that the vehicle, when supported, remains level. Still further, the device provides for grooves extending through the top surface to permit drainage and air flow around the vehicle tire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: James Ralph Graham
  • Patent number: 6328168
    Abstract: A supportive tire rack for green tire transfer and storage includes a base assembly that carries at least four support pins that are horizontally cantilevered from the base. A pair of upper support plates and a pair of lower support plates are carried by the pins. The upper support plates engage the bead rings of the tire while the lower support plates cradle the lower surface of the tire. Each support plate is pivotally carried on an arm that is pivotally carried on a pin. Each arm is also in the form of a damper that dampens oscillatory forces in the tire. The arms and plates are biased toward resting positions by springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
    Inventor: Neel K. Mani
  • Patent number: 6298998
    Abstract: A supportive tire rack for green tire transfer and storage includes a base assembly that carries at least four support pins that are horizontally cantilevered from the base. A pair of upper support plates and a pair of lower support plates are carried by the pins. The upper support plates engage the bead rings of the tire while the lower support plates cradle the lower surface of the tire. Each support plate is pivotally carried on an arm that is pivotally carried on a pin. Each arm is also in the form of a damper that dampens oscillatory forces in the tire. The arms and plates are biased toward resting positions by springs. Alternatively, the lower support is a spring biased sling formed of a flexible material and the upper support is a pair of spring biased T-shaped arms which are pivotally mounted on two of the pins for engaging the bead rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Bridgestone/Firestone Inc.
    Inventor: Neel K. Mani
  • Patent number: 6205398
    Abstract: A navigation apparatus allowing a user to know an outline of a route searched for and selected. The apparatus includes: a searching element for searching for a route to a destination; a determining element for determining a pattern of the route searched for by the searching element; an extracting element for extracting information pertaining to the route searched for by the searching element; a preparing element for preparing an abstract of the route by applying the information extracted by the extracting element to the pattern determined by the determining element; and an outputting element for outputting the abstract of the route prepared by the preparing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Kobayashi, Hiroto Narioka, Kazushi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6135295
    Abstract: A supportive tire rack for green tire transfer and storage includes a base assembly that carries at least four support pins that are horizontally cantilevered from the base. A pair of upper support plates and a pair of lower support plates are carried by the pins. The upper support plates engage the bead rings of the tire while the lower support plates cradle the lower surface of the tire. Each support plate is pivotally carried on an arm that is pivotally carried on a pin. Each arm is also in the form of a damper that dampens oscillatory forces in the tire. The arms and plates are biased toward resting positions by springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
    Inventor: Neel K. Mani
  • Patent number: 6079572
    Abstract: A rack for removably mounting in-line skate wheels includes a top plate having a retainer for releasably locking a wheel-mounting spindle thereto. The spindle is rotatably secure to the rack. Preferably, a plurality of spindles are deplayed. The rack may be incorporated into a multi-compartment framing which includes shelves and at least one drawer. By enveloping the rack within a suitable covering, a carry-all or carrying bag or case is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Inventor: Patricia N. Irvin
  • Patent number: 5887718
    Abstract: A base mountable in a container supports a plurality of article support members having notches offset from notches in adjacent article support members for supporting articles in a horizontally nested orientation. Additional article support members are engagable with upper portions of the articles for receiving articles in a second overlaying tier in which the second tier of articles are nested vertically within the first tier of articles as well as horizontally from other articles in the second tier of articles. Each article support member is formed of an extruded tubular member having exterior flanges which receive a rack carrying the notches. The rack is formed of cross-linked polyethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Creative Foam Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Oslin, James R. Stein, James P. Olender, Donald E. Schultz
  • Patent number: 5840237
    Abstract: A pallet for raw cover tire has a circular bottom plate, and a supporting portion provided to a periphery of the bottom plate and supporting one of outer side surfaces of side walls of a raw cover tire. The supporting portion has a first receiving surface of a cone form inclining downwardly toward the bottom plate at an angle .alpha. to the bottom plate, and a second receiving surface of a cone form extending upwardly from an upper edge of the first receiving surface at an angle .beta. smaller than the angle .alpha..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukihide Ohya
  • Patent number: 5752608
    Abstract: A spacer rack for stacking wheel rims includes a plurality of plastic rim holders interconnected with one another in coplanar relationship. Each rim holder includes a vertical, circular positioning edge arid a spacer ring projecting inwardly from the positioning edge. The positioning edge projects upwardly and downwardly beyond the spacer ring to define the outer peripheries of wheel rim-receiving areas. Each rim holder includes outer flanges that are connected to the outer flanges of other rim holders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Koenig Investment Group International Inc.
    Inventor: Gero Dingeldein
  • Patent number: 5749475
    Abstract: The apparatus of this invention comprises first and second support members, wherein each support member includes horizontally extending legs and an upright portion. One leg of each support member is arranged to overlie a leg of the other support member, and locking tabs on the overlying legs insert and lock into notches of the underlying legs to interlock the supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Benchmarc Display, Incorporated
    Inventor: Jimmy M. Krebs
  • Patent number: 5743391
    Abstract: A wheel retaining device for retaining a plurality of replacement wheels. The wheel retaining device includes an elongate body dimensioned for insertion through apertures formed in the wheels and retainers positioned proximate opposite ends of the elongate body for retaining the wheels on the elongate body. The wheel retaining device includes a locking mechanism for securing the wheels on the elongate body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Louis Hsiao
    Inventor: Louis Hsiao
  • Patent number: 5671850
    Abstract: A storage rack apparatus is configured to be mounted on a wall for holding articles. The storage rack apparatus includes a back frame section configured to be rigidly coupled to the wall, and a bottom frame section pivotably coupled to the back frame section. The bottom frame section includes a first support member and a second support member spaced apart from the first support member for holding the articles therebetween when the bottom section is in an upwardly pivoted storage position. The apparatus also includes a loading bar coupled to the bottom frame section. The loading bar includes a frame member extending generally parallel to the first and second support members of the bottom section for holding the articles in a downwardly pivoted loading and unloading position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Inventor: Donald C. Basala
  • Patent number: 5626241
    Abstract: A storage and inspection rack for wheel and tire assemblies. The inspection rack includes an exterior tubular metal framework, a removable fire retardant protective cover and roller carriage assemblies. The frame provides a plurality of individual bays. Each bay houses a roller carriage assembly for easy loading and unloading of the wheel and tire assembly which stand upright therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Inventor: Peter B. Holden
  • Patent number: 5588538
    Abstract: The instant invention is a method and apparatus for stacking discarded tires for use in the formation of non-degradable structures and supports. The method consists of placing discarded vehicle tires on banding posts that are capable of maintaining numerous cut tires in-line. The tire stacks form part of a triangular bundle which allows for the formation of hexagon shaped bundles of a vertical disposition providing predictable compressibility and longevity for use in artificial reefs, structure support for buildings and pavement. In addition, placement of the triangular tire stacks in a horizontal position allows for formation of wave reducing reefs or levy construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Inventors: Christopher Rundle, Michael Borell
  • Patent number: 5560526
    Abstract: A channel adapted to receive the wheel of a bicycle or motor cycle. The walls are inclined toward the base of the channel to provide a firm grip on wheels of varying sizes. The walls of the channel contain in one case holes in an alternative embodiment slots which are connected by a pin or bar that secures the wheel in the channel. The pin and bar contain holes that will accept a lock and prevent its removal. A series of channels may be mounted on a plate or other structure to allow for the secure storage of a number of cycles simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Inventors: Jerry E. Jantzen, Patricia L. Jantzen
  • Patent number: 5259325
    Abstract: In a pallet, in particular for the carrying of vehicle tires comprising a bottom part and two opposite side parts, which are attached perpendicularly to the bottom part to form together with the bottom part a tire-receiving region, and in which tire supporting members are provided in the tire-receiving region, provision is made for a vertically extending introduction slot freely accessible from above in at least one of the side parts, in particular for a tire handling device. This introduction slot allows without problem a deep lowering of rod-like tire handling devices which extend transversely above the side parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: SP Reifenwerke GmbH
    Inventor: Josef Pilger
  • Patent number: 5221389
    Abstract: A movable, adjustable carrier assembly suitable for transporting a tire through a tire retreading plant along a conveyor track at different heights. The adjustable carrier assembly includes a main bar and a support bar. The support bar self-lockingly engages one of a plurality of notches or slots in the main bar. By reason of the multiplicity of notches, the height of the support bar, and accordingly the height of the tire it is transporting, can be adjusted, thus permitting a tire to be transported throughout a tire retreading plant on a single adjustable carrier, the height of the tire being adjusted as needed at the various operational stations. Also, the same adjustable carrier can be adjusted to accommodate tires of different sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: Hercules Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Robert H. Majewski
  • Patent number: 5213297
    Abstract: A tire display device having an arm assembly, a pivotable bracket assembly, and a plate assembly, the arm assembly comprising a wall bracket, an arm having one end secured to the wall bracket, and a free end pivotally supporting the pivotable bracket assembly for pivotable movement in a horizontal plane. The bracket assembly, in turn, supports a plate having peripheral flanges provided with slots for admitting respective slide arms having inner ends provided with threaded bores for aligning with respective radially extending slots in the plate so that a bolt can be passed through the slot into the threaded bore for adjustably securing the slide arm on the plate. The other end of the slide arm is provided with a pocket for engaging a bead on the tire. The slidable adjustability of the slide arms permit mounting of tires having different diameters. The plate is provided with a central opening for admitting a flanged bushing which is mountable on a shaft secured to a base of the pivotable bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Ready Metal Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Len Laskowski
  • Patent number: 5201427
    Abstract: A rack for stacking articles and maintaining stacked articles under compression for compact storage, includes upper and lower cooperating U-shaped members. The U-shaped members each include a horizontal support and a leg extending vertically from opposite ends of the horizontal support. The vertical legs of at least one of the upper and lower members cooperate with the vertical legs of the other of the upper and lower members for vertical adjustment of the upper member relative to the lower member. A device is provided for locking the upper and lower members from relative movement with each other, subsequent to adjustment of the upper and lower members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: MDR Cartage, Inc.
    Inventor: Alvis E. Dowty
  • Patent number: 5097785
    Abstract: A hanger assembly for a tire bumper comprising inner and outer legs which define a slot for receiving a tire side wall, one leg having a clinching rib formed thereon for clinching with the bead of the tire and the other leg extending radially into the tire carcass between its side walls and having a seating position formed thereon for seating against the interior of the tire along complementary surfaces in radial alignment with the thread portion of the tire, the outer leg having an aperture for receiving a securing element attachable to a mooring pier for holding the tire thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Inventor: Charles E. Zidek
  • Patent number: 4988023
    Abstract: A vehicle has a rear bumper and a spare tire carrier. A retracting mechanism is actuated by a rotatable shaft which extends toward and is spaced from the rear bumper. An aperture through the rear bumper enables a crank to be inserted therethrough and into engagement with the rotatable shaft. A drive device is inserted through the bumper and into the shaft where it is attached in lieu of the previous crank. A marginal end of the drive device extends through the bumper and is a polygon in cross-section configuration. A rotatable housing is removably locked about the polygon so that the polygon is inaccessible and therefore cannot be rotated when the rotatable housing is engaged by a rotatable means. When the housing is removed, the polygon is engaged by a crank and rotated, thereby rotating the rotatable shaft whereupon the spare tire is extended from the tire carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Inventor: Ellis W. Heathcoat
  • Patent number: 4856659
    Abstract: There is provided a display apparatus for automobile tires molded as a one piece structure and assembled from two identical members. The tire supporting surface is located on the surface of the legs of each structure. This surface has indentations which protrude on the underside of the surface whereby overlapping legs interlock under the weight of the tire to create a rigid structure supporting the tire in a vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Inventor: Jimmy M. Krebs