Means Rotates Around Relatively Fixed Axis Patents (Class 157/20)
  • Patent number: 9038692
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a wheel-clamping device for wheels on wheel-service-machines with only one drive unit and further a method for clamping wheels on a wheel-clamping device of wheel-service-machines with only one drive unit. The innovative wheel-clamping device for a wheel-service-machine according to the present invention comprises a frame 20 having a through-opening 22, and a spindle 30 being rotatably supported in the through-opening 22. Further, the spindle 30 has a through-hole 32 with a mounting-side end 30b and a driving-side end 30a, which is connectable to a drive means which is provided for a rotary movement for the spindle 30, wherein the spindle 30 has an external thread 34 on an external circumferential portion. Moreover, the wheel-clamping device comprises a sleeve 50 with a turntable 58 for the wheel to be clamped, wherein the sleeve 50 has an internal thread portion 52 which is in threaded engagement with the external thread-portion 34 of the spindle 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: SNAP-ON EQUIPMENT SRL A UNICO SOCIO
    Inventor: Paolo Sotgiu
  • Patent number: 8720522
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventor: Sam Combs
  • Publication number: 20140034249
    Abstract: The wheel-clamping device comprises a frame 20 having a through-opening 22, and a spindle 30 being rotatably supported in the through-opening 22, the spindle 30 has an external thread 34 on an external circumferential portion. The wheel-clamping device comprises a sleeve 50 with a turntable 58 for the wheel to be clamped, wherein the sleeve 50 has an internal thread portion 52 which is in threaded engagement with the external thread-portion 34 of the spindle 30. Furthermore, a stopping or holding means 70 is able to temporarily hold the sleeve 50, and a clamping means 60 for the temporarily fixation of a fixing element 40.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventor: Paolo SOTGIU
  • Publication number: 20130233495
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a wheel-clamping device for wheels on wheel-service-machines with only one drive unit and further a method for clamping wheels on a wheel-clamping device of wheel-service-machines with only one drive unit. The innovative wheel-clamping device for a wheel-service-machine according to the present invention comprises a frame 20 having a through-opening 22, and a spindle 30 being rotatably supported in the through-opening 22. Further, the spindle 30 has a through-hole 32 with a mounting-side end 30b and a driving-side end 30a, which is connectable to a drive means which is provided for a rotary movement for the spindle 30, wherein the spindle 30 has an external thread 34 on an external circumferential portion. Moreover, the wheel-clamping device comprises a sleeve 50 with a turntable 58 for the wheel to be clamped, wherein the sleeve 50 has an internal thread portion 52 which is in threaded engagement with the external thread-portion 34 of the spindle 30.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: SNAP-ON EQUIPMENT SRL A UNICO SOCIO
    Inventor: Paolo SOTGIU
  • Patent number: 8464775
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Teco S.r.l.
    Inventors: Mauro Barbetti, Roberto Iotti, Gianfranco Pellacani
  • Patent number: 8453702
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Corghi S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giulio Corghi, Andrea Bacchi
  • Patent number: 7896054
    Abstract: A machine for fitting and removing wheel tires for vehicles includes a supporting structure of a clamping and rotating device for clamping and rotating the wheel rim and an operating head for fitting/removing a tire onto/from the rim. The operating head has a removal tool associated with a first actuator and turnable between a first clamping position in which the tool is tilted towards the rotation axis of the rim, and a second entrainment position in which the tool extends along a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the rim. The operating unit includes an arrangement for transforming the movement generated by a second actuator into the sideways movement of the operating head along a curved direction and near and away to a section of the annular flange of the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Giuliano, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Maurizio Bonacini
  • Publication number: 20100269982
    Abstract: A tyre-changing machine comprising a chuck (5) having a self-centring group (51) for blocking a rim (100) of a wheel, which self-centring group (51) comprises a plurality of blocking jaws (7) of the rim (100) arranged angularly equidistanced along a circumference centred on a rotation axis (A) of the chuck (5), and means for moving (52, 57) for radially distancing and nearing the blocking jaws (7) with respect to the rotation axis (A) of the chuck (5) such as to vary a diameter of the circumference on which the blocking jaws (7) are arranged while maintaining an inclination of each blocking jaw (7) constant with respect to the rotation axis (A) of the chuck (5), characterised in that each blocking jaw (7) comprises a first portion (70) which is connected to the means for moving (52, 57), and a second portion (71) which is mobilely coupled to the first portion (70) such as to be able to change an overall development of the blocking jaw (7) in a radial direction with respect to the rotation axis (A) of the chuc
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Corghi S.P.A.
    Inventor: Remo Corghi
  • Publication number: 20090260765
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: Android Industries LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Lawson, John Fox
  • Publication number: 20090126878
    Abstract: The machine for fitting and removing wheel tires for vehicles comprises a supporting structure of a clamping and rotating device for clamping and rotating the wheel rim for vehicles, at least an operating unit associated moving with the supporting structure and having at least an operating head for fitting/removing a tire onto/from the rim, in which the operating head has a removal tool associated with a first actuator and turnable between a first clamping position of a section of the bead of the tire, in which the tool is tilted towards the rotation axis of the rim, and a second entrainment position of the bead section, in which the tool extends along a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Maurizio Bonacini
  • Patent number: 7373963
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for simply and inexpensively positioning mounted automobile and truck tires for effective setting of a bead, with subsequent inflation in an efficient manner. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus is a wheel-like structure with an outer rim in the shape of a polygon, such as a circle, octagon, hexagon, or square. The outer rim supports a plurality of mounting brackets adapted to hold tires for inflation. Tires that have been mounted on wheel rims are placed on the mounting brackets, a bead is set by a blast of air, and an air inflation hose is connected to the tire. The wheel rotates, so that additional tires can be placed on subsequent mounting brackets, resulting in a series of tires being inflated continuously and simultaneously. When a tire is completely inflated, the hose is disconnected and the tire removed from the device for storage, shipping or further handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Inventor: David Strickland, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20080105358
    Abstract: A chuck and a chuck system, and a method for processing a toroidal structure such as a tire carcass. The carcass includes an internal circumference and tapered ends. The chuck system comprises a plurality of chucks wherein each chuck includes a circumferential or substantially circumferential external surface and a plurality of friction reducing members positioned on the external surface. The friction reducing members are positioned to engage the internal circumference of the toroidal structure such as a tire. The method of processing a tire carcass includes positioning the tire carcass on fixed diameter chucks having friction reducing members on the external surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Amir Serdarevic, John J. Kaiser, William Lutes
  • Patent number: 7284586
    Abstract: A vehicle-mounted wheel repair platform includes a vehicle connection assembly, a wheel repair platform assembly, and a wheel securing assembly. The vehicle connection assembly includes a horizontal section having a vehicle attachment port for coupling to a vehicle, and a vertical section connected to the horizontal section. The platform assembly includes a vertically-oriented section configured to engage the vertical section of the vehicle connection assembly, and a wheel platform connected to the vertically-oriented section. The wheel securing assembly is coupled to the wheel platform and operable to secure a wheel to the top surface of the wheel platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Inventor: David Howland
  • Patent number: 7143801
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Sicam S.R.L.
    Inventor: Marco Matteucci
  • Patent number: 6536501
    Abstract: An apparatus for the mounting/dismounting of tires on wheels. A bead breaker module with elongated pressure clamps pivotally moved by an actuator such that the elongated pressure clamps extend from the perimeter of a tire to a position proximal the tire side and bead; the actuator urges the elongated pressure clamps together to disengage the bead from the rim. A time mount/dismount module having a base plate affixed to a wheel; a receiver and drive assembly rotatably affixed to the base plate with a receiver receiving a bead rolling tool which is inserted between a tire bead and wheel rim and which, when the receiver and drive assembly is rotated, disengages the bead from the rim or, when installing a tire, engages the bead relative to the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Kenn Bishop
  • Patent number: 5728220
    Abstract: A tire soaper apparatus including a soaper station and a conveyor for selectively advancing tires to the soaping station. The soaping station is characterized by a translationally mounted rotator for being moved into engagement with a tire to thereby rotate it, a pivotally mounted soap applicator located above the conveyor for selectively contacting the beads of the tire, and a soap dispensing circuit for selectively providing soap at the soap applicator for applying soap to the beads of the tire. The soap applicator is pivoted into the central opening of the tire and engages, via bead receptacles, each of the beads thereof. The tire is rotated by the rotator rotating against the tread of thereof, wherein the rotator moves translationally toward the soap applicator so that the tire is squeezed therebetween with the beads seated in the bead receptacles and soap transferred to the beads as the tire rotates in relation to the soap applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Ultimation, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Curcuri, Jack T. Curcuri, Craig J. Hudock
  • Patent number: 5088539
    Abstract: A tire changer having a vertical wheel hold down shaft rotatably mounted in a base cabinet and extending upward to a wheel mounting end portion above the cabinet. A collar attached to the hold down shaft beneath its mounting end portion and having a frusto-conical section extending upward to a backing flange centered about the hold down shaft. A locking pin which fits into a wheel lug hole extends upward from the flange. An upwardly extending biased centering cone slidably fitted around the hold down shaft. A bead breaker arm pivotally attached to an outside wall of the cabinet to pivot in a horizontal plane. A pneumatic cylinder is provided which is linked to both the hold down shaft and the bead breaker arm to actuate both, thus providing one pneumatic means for two different functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Bryce Mannen, Gregory M. Calico, Tumkur R. Vijay
  • Patent number: 4840215
    Abstract: Safety apparatus for a tire changer having a support table for tire/rim assemblies and a tire inflation system includes a post having a quick disconnect mechanism for engagement with and release from the support table. The post has high pitch threads which receive a restraining cone with mating threads. The post is engaged with the table through a central rim opening and the restraining cone is moved on the threads to engage the edges of the rim opening. The post-table engagement actuates an air interlock which enables the tire inflation system. The cone is trapped on the post by structure on either end of the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Tumkur R. Vijay, Bryce L. Mannen
  • Patent number: 4785864
    Abstract: A rim mount for a tire uniformity machine. The upper rim has bolts that cooperate with keyhole slots in an adaptor to mount the upper rim. The lower rim has keyhole slots that cooperate with bolts threaded into a lower chuck to mount the lower rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry D. Cargould, James C. Beebe
  • Patent number: 4768909
    Abstract: A high-speed lock nut, especially for attaching a vehicle wheel to the clamping shift of a balancing machine, has a casing or body in which at least one threaded segment is positioned in a radially movable manner. Manually actuating means serve to move the segment radially. The actuating means engage with the segment by means of a radially-acting connecting link guide comprising pins on the segments and cooperating oblique slots in a coaxial disk. By means of the connecting link guide, the segment can be activated easily and securely, even under high contact pressures, for example, with contaminated threads. Furthermore, the thread segment is automatically locked in closed position against the threaded shaft of the balancing machine by the connecting link guide. The construction is very simple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Inventor: Horst Warkotsch
  • Patent number: 4563975
    Abstract: A mechanism for lifting wheels from a conveyor and positioning them in a wheel soaping mechanism. Also included is a device for rotating a lifted wheel through 360.degree. for presentation to a spray nozzle for soaping the wheel. The rotating mechanism is adapted to rotate each sequentially presented wheel in a direction opposite to that of the previously presented wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1986
    Assignee: Dominion Tool & Die Co.
    Inventors: Chester P. Kozlowski, Thomas J. Curcuri
  • Patent number: 4538660
    Abstract: A drive arrangement is disclosed for rotating the rim and tire supporting mandrel of a tire dismounting machine. The drive arrangement includes a hydraulic cylinder reciprocable relative to a piston rod fixed in the machine housing. The cylinder carries a rack engaging a pinion on an arbor which supports the mandrel, whereby reciprocation of the cylinder in opposite directions relative to the piston rod rotates the mandrel and thus a rim and tire thereon in opposite directions, each of which directions provide for one revolution of the mandrel in the corresponding direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: F.A.I.P. S.p.A.
    Inventor: Boccaletti Franco