Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02461648 2004-03-23
1 "TIRE CHANGING AND BEAD BREAKER APPARATUS"
2 FIELD OF THE INVENTION
3 The present disclosure relates to changing automotive and vehicle
4 tires. The apparatus relates in particular to bead breaking and
mounting/dismounting truck tires.
6
7 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
8 Truck tire failure poses time, labour and transit delay. Historical
9 practices required transport of replacement tires and tire changing
equipment
imposing the labour on the driver of changing the failed tire. More recently
11 trucking companies have provided for communication means allowing a driver
to
12 notify a central facility to send assistance. The changing of a truck tire
while on
13 the road, by one with experience, requires approximately 20-40 minutes.
Tire
14 sales and service companies, having automated equipment, experience truck
tire
changing at the rate of approximately three per hour. A medium sized tire
service
16 company may change forty to fifty truck tires per day requiring sufficient
staff for
17 such labour. U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,611 to Schmidt discloses a tire changing
18 machine; U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,358 to Ling discloses a tire bead loosening
tool and
19 universal rim adapter; U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,526 Hamade et al discloses an
automotive flat tire repair system improvement; U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,030 to
21 Mandelko discloses a tire bead separator; U.S. Pat. No. 4,263,958 discloses
a
22 tire mounting, bead seating and inflation apparatus and method of use; U.S.
Pat.
23 No. 5,971,052 discloses a tire mount/dismount bar; U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,392
to
24 Unrau discloses a tire bead breaker; U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,257 to Reeves
discloses
1
CA 02461648 2004-03-23
1 a tire breaker apparatus for afl-terrain vehide tires; U.S. Pat. No.
4,947,918 to
2 Unrau discloses a tire changer; U.S. Pat. No. 4,641,699 to Giles et al
discloses a
3 tire bead breaking device; U.S. Pat No. 4,415,014 to Turpin discloses a bead
4 breaking tool; U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,731 to Ringo discloses a tire casing
spreader;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,263,958 to Cories discloses a tire mounting, bead seating and
6 inflation apparatus and method of use; U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,582 discloses a
bead
7 breaking apparatus; U.S. Pat. No. 3,867,975 to Johnson discloses a tire
changing
8 tool; U.S. Pat. No. 4,787,433 to Thomas discloses a bead breaking device for
9 tractor tires.
11 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
12 Changing a tire requires the damaged or wom tire to be removed
13 from a wheel and a replacement tire mounted on the wheel. A tire changing
and
14 bead breaker apparatus is disclosed. The first act requires the tire bead,
at both
sides of the tire, to be disengaged from both sides of the wheel rim. A tire
bead
16 breaker module is disclosed comprised of at least two elongated pressure
clamps
17 terminating in bead pad clamps. The at least two elongated pressure clamps
18 straddle a tire at the tire perimeter, which is concentric with the wheel
center,
19 positioning the at least two bead pad clamps proximal the tire rim and tire
side
proximal the tire bead. The pressure clamps are urged toward each other thus
21 applying pressure to the tire at both sides and moving the tire side at the
bead to
22 disengage the bead from the tire rim. The pressure clamps, having clamp
first
23 and second ends, are pivotally mounted on a mounting bar. The bead pad
24 clamps are urged toward the opposing bead pad clamp, in the preferred
embodiment, by a hydraulic actuator positioned between and attached to the
2
CA 02461648 2004-03-23
1 clamp second ends. A clamp stop pin positioned intermediate a pressure clamp
2 first end and the pivot point at the mounting bar will encounter the
mounting bar
3 and stop movement of that pressure clamp to allow the opposing pressure
clamp
4 to continue movement and thus insure disengagement of both tire beads from
the
rim.
6 Upon disengagement of the bead from the rim, a tire
7 mount/dismount module is employed as disclosed here. In the preferred
8 embodiment, the 6re mount/dismount module is installed as the initial step
in
9 changing the tire. In the preferred embodiment, the tire changing and bead
breaker apparatus is stabilized by the receiver of the tire mount/dismount
module
11 as the preliminary step to breaking the bead from the tire rim. The tire
12 mount/dismount module is affixed to the wheel by insertion of "J" bolts
through
13 slots in a base plate assembly, into the wheel hands allowing tightening of
wing
14 nuts, on the threaded "J" bolts, and thus securing the base plate assembly
to the
wheel. The base plate assembly, in the preferred embodiment, remains fixed and
16 stationary during the operation of the apparatus. A receiver and drive
assembly,
17 positioned by the base plate assembly, has a receiver which receives a
standard
18 tire bead rolling tool. The tool is received into the receiver at one end
while the
19 opposing end is received between a tire bead and the tire rim. Rotation of
the
receiver and drive assembly, by a drive gear engagement with a stationary ring
21 gear, causes the receiver and tire bead rolling tool to rotate around the
wheel and
22 tire bead perimeter thus performing either the removal or installation of
the tire on
23 the wheel. Both tire beads are addressed resulting in either mounting or
24 dismounting of the tire from the wheel.
3
CA 02461648 2004-03-23
1 The disclosed tire changing and bead breaker apparatus is light
2 weight, portable and substantially less expensive than prior art
apparatuses. The
3 disclosure is of an apparatus which, from commencement of attachment through
4 bead breaking, tire removal and tire mounting, can accomplish the process in
less than two (2) minutes. The apparatus may be used in tire shops as well as
on
6 the road by drivers. The application is of particular interest relative to
truck tires.
7
8 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
9 The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present
disclosure will become more readily appreciated as the same become better
11 understood by reference to the following detailed description of the
preferred
12 embodiment and additional embodiments of the disclosure when taken in
13 conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
14 FIG. 1 is a plan view of the tire bead breaker module illustrating the
mounting bar, mounting bar first and second ends, pivot points, pressure
clamps,
16 elongated members, clamp first and second ends, clamp stop pin, bead par
17 clamps and actuator.
18 FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the bead breaker module.
19 FIG. 3 is a plan view of the bead breaker module relative to a wheel
showing the pressure clamps in the closed position as seen when breaking the
21 beads of a tire from engagement with the rim of a wheel. Illustrated is the
22 mounting bar received into a receiver as a means of stabilizing the
mounting bar
23 during operation of the bead breaker module. Shown is the perimeter of the
tire.
24 FIG. 4 is a plan view as in FIG. 3 showing the pressure clamps in
the open position.
4
.~..,.. ..
CA 02461648 2004-03-23
1 FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view of a wheel with the tire
2 mount/dismount module in place. Seen is the wheel, hand, base plate
assembly,
3 center shaft, receiver and drive assembly, moveable rotating drive means,
4 stationary rotating means, frame, receiver and drive means. This view shows
the
wheel front and wheel center.
6 FIG. 6 is side elevation of the tire mount/dismount module showing,
7 in addition to that shown in FIG. 5, the frame support, base plate assembly
wheel
8 attachment and nut, spacing and affixing means, base ring and frame.
9 FIG. 7, in addition to that shown in FIG. 5, shows the wheel rear
illustrating the rim adapter with rim adapter frame and tube. Also seen is the
11 perimeter of the tire and wheel center.
12 FIG. 8 is a side elevation of FIG. 7.
13 FIG. 9 shows a plan view, side and front elevations which illustrates
14 a portion of the base plate assembly showing the base ring and slots.
FIG. 10 shows a plan view and side elevation illustrating a portion of
16 the base plate assembly showing the stationary rotating means and spacing
and
17 affixing means.
18 FIG. 11 is a side elevation showing the spacing and affixing means,
19 the base plate assembly with frame support and the stationary rotating
means.
Also seen is the center shaft.
21 FIG. 12 is a side elevation of the receiver and drive assembly
22 showing the moveable rotating drive means, frame and drive means.
23 FIG. 13 is a plan view of FIG. 12 showing the frame, drive means,
24 receiver and center shaft.
FIG. 14 is a plan and elevation of a bead rolling tool.
5
CA 02461648 2004-03-23
1 FIG. 15 is a plan and side elevation of the rim adapter showing the
2 rim adapter frame, tubes, rim connector and tube lever.
3 FIG. 16 is a plan view of a semi-circular segment of the rim adapter
4 frame.
6 DETAILED DESCRIPTION
7 The Tire Changing and Bead Breaker Apparatus is depicted in
8 FIGS. 3 and 4 showing the tire bead breaking module (10) and the tire
9 mount/dismount module (60). FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 illustrate the tire bead
breaking
module (10) showing the mounting bar, mounting bar first and second ends,
pivot
11 points, pressure clamps, elongated members, clamp first and second ends,
12 clamp stop pin, bead par clamps and actuator.
13 FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 illustrate a wheel with the 6re
14 mount/dismount module in place. Seen is the wheel, hand, base plate
assembly,
center shaft, receiver and drive assembly, moveable rotating drive means,
16 stationary rotating means, frame, receiver and drive means. Also seen are
the
17 wheel front, rear and center. The tire with perimeter, sides and beads is
18 demonstrated in FIGS. 3 and 7. FIG. 6 additionally shows the frame support,
19 base plate assembly wheel attachment and nut, spacing and affixing means,
base ring and frame.
21 FIG. 7 shows, for application of the invention to tire
22 mounting/dismounting from the wheel rear, a rim adapter with rim adapter
frame
23 and tubes.
6
_.,....._
CA 02461648 2004-03-23
1 Details of the base plate assembly showing the base ring and slots,
2 the stationary rotating means and spacing and affixing means, frame support
and
3 the stationary rotating means and center shaft are seen in FIGS. 9 through
11.
4 FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate the receiver and drive assembly showing
the moveable rotating drive means, frame, drive means, receiver and center
6 shaft. FIG. 14 shows a plan and elevation view of a standard bead rolling
tool.
7 FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate the rim adapter showing the rim adapter frame,
tubes,
8 rim connector and tube lever.
9 Tire Changing and Bead Breaker Apparatus: The tire changing and
bead breaker apparatus comprises a tire bead breaker module (10) having bead
11 breaking means to apply pressure to the both sides of a tire (6) having
sides (9)
12 and tire beads (8); the bead breaking means causing the tire bead (8) at
each
13 side of the tire (6) to disengage from the rim (7) of a wheel (4); the
wheel (4) has
14 a center (11) which is concentric with the perimeter (17) of the tire (6).
In the
preferred embodiment the bead breaking means is comprised of at least two
16 pressure clamps (30); each at least two pressure clamps (30) having a clamp
first
17 and second end (32, 34); the at least two pressure clamps (30) positioned
such
18 that the respective clamp first ends (32) are proximal the respective tire
side (9);
19 each at least two pressure clamps (30) having a force means to urge the
respective clamp first end (32) against the respective tire side (9). In the
preferred
21 embodiment a bead pad clamp (40) is affixed by affixing means proximal the
22 respective clamp first ends (32); the bead pad clamp (40) is generally
elongated
23 and sized and oriented, in its attachment proximal the respective clamp
first end,
24 to be received at the tire (6) side (9) generally parallel with the rim
(7). The bead
pad clamp (40) will generally have a flat to convex surface which contacts the
tire
7
CA 02461648 2004-03-23
1 side with dimensions and shape which will be appreciated by those of
ordinary
2 skill in the tire arts such that damage to a tire side or sidewall will not
be created
3 by exerted pressure.
4 In the preferred embodiment each of the at least two pressure
clamps (30) will be comprised of an elongated member (31) generally composing
6 a shaft, rod or bar. The at least two pressure clamps (30) will be composed
of a
7 material having sufficient structural integrity as to allow forces great
enough to
8 disengage the tire bead from the wheel rim and will thus likely be formed of
9 metal. However, other materials may be utilized including composite
materials,
including Carbon Fibre and Carbon-Carbon Composites, woods, laminated
11 structures and other material recognized by those of ordinary skill in the
art. In
12 the preferred embodiment the at least two pressure clamps (30) have clamp
first
13 and second ends (32, 34) with the bead pad clamp (40) positioned proximal
each
14 of the clamp first ends (32).
It will be seen for the preferred embodiment, that the elongated
16 member (31) is of a length such that the at least two pressure clamps (30)
will
17 straddle a tire (6) at the tire perimeter (17) such that the elongated
member (31)
18 extends the clamp first ends (32) toward and proximal the tire side (9) for
proper
19 placement of the bead pad clamp (40) proximal the tire side (9). Thus at
the
perimeter (17) the mounting bar (20), clamp second ends (34) and actuator (50)
21 will be proximal the tire perimeter (17).
22 The at least two pressure clamps (30) are, in the preferred
23 embodiment, mounted on a mounting bar (20) having a mounting bar first and
a
24 second end (22, 24); the at least two pressure clamps (30) are pivotally
affixed by
pivotally affixing means, intermediate the said clamp first and second ends
(32,
8
CA 02461648 2004-03-23
1 34), b the mounting bar (20) such that one of said at least two pressure
clamps
2 (30) is proximal the mounting bar first end (22) and that one of said at
least two
3 pressure clamps (30) is intermediate the pivotally affixed pressure clamp
(30)
4 proximal the mounting bar first end (22) and the mounting bar second end
(24);
the at least two pressure clamps (30) pivotally affixed such that the
respective
6 clamp first ends (32) oppose each other and the respective clamp second ends
7 (34) oppose each other; force means (50) composed of an actuator (50) having
8 means of extension and retraction is affixed proximal the clamp second ends
(34)
9 such that actuation of said actuator (50) causes the respective at least two
pressure clamps (30) to pivot.
11 Those of ordinary skill in the actuator arts will appreciate that a
12 variety of electric, hydraulic, pneumatic and other actuators providing
movement
13 by cylinder and piston, solenoid and shaft, gear means and other means are
14 available for attachment to and providing force to cause the respective at
least
two pressure clamps (30) to pivot and to move toward and away from the other
at
16 the clamp first ends (32). It will be recognized that the actuator (50) may
be
17 positioned in other locations such as intermediate the clamp first ends and
the
18 mounting bar (20) and pivot point (25). Additionally, it will be seen that
one or
19 move actuators may be utilized providing, e.g., for an actuator (50)
proximal each
clamp first end (32) which urges force to extend or retract a bead bad clamp
(40)
21 toward or away from a tire (6) side (9). In the preferred embodiment force
means
22 (50) is comprised of at least one hydraulic, pneumatic or electric actuator
(50)
23 having a cylinder (52) and a piston (54); the actuator (50) affixed at the
clamp
24 second ends (34) such that the cylinder (52) is rotatably affixed proximal
one of
the clamp second ends (34) and the piston (54) is rotatably affixed proximal
the
9
CA 02461648 2004-03-23
1 opposing clamp second end (34); extension actuation of the at least one
actuator
2 (50) causing extension of the piston (54) causing the clamp first ends (32)
to
3 move toward each other and retraction actuation of the at least one actuator
(50)
4 causing retraction of the piston (54) causing the clamp first ends (32) to
move
away from each other. Actuator power means and control means are provided for
6 operation of the actuator (50).
7 The movement of the at least two pressure clamps (30) toward
8 each other is restricted by a clamp stop pin (37) located intermediate the
clamp
9 first end and second end (32, 34) positioned to contact the mounting bar
(20), or
other structure, intermediate the pivot point (25) and the clamp first end
(32).
11 Restriction of such movement of the at least two pressure clamp (30) allows
the
12 stopping of movement of the respective at least two pressure clamps (30)
upon
13 disengagement of the bead (8) on the tire side (9) of the restricted
movement at
14 least two pressure clamps (30) thereby allowing progression of the opposing
at
least two pressure clamps (30) in disengaging the bead (8) against which it
16 bears. It will be appreciated that the clamp stop pin structure is such
that
17 encounters a structure and terminates movement. The structure may be a pin
18 inserted in an aperture within the at least two pressure clamps (30)
positioned to
19 encounter the mounting bar (20), a machined or moulded extension of
materials
from the at least two pressure damps (30), a structure placed at the mounting
bar
21 (20) such as a bolt extended in the path of travel of the respective at
least two
22 pressure clamps (30) which limits movement and other equivalent structures.
23 The Tire Mount/Dismount Module: The operation of the Tire
24 Mount/Dismount Module (60) is summarized as follows: a first element,
disclosed
here as base plate assembly (70), which is affixed to a wheel (4) so as to be
I~~I~11~1 I e~ ~I~~~I~~~II~~I I~~~~~I I~11~~~~11~ II
CA 02461648 2004-03-23
1 immovable; a second element, disclosed here as a receiver and drive assembly
2 (110), which is rotatably affixed to the first element and which has drive
means to
3 cause rotation of the second element relative to the first element; a third
element,
4 disclosed here as a receiver (118) which receives or which comprises a bead
rolling tool (140); the bead rolling tool (140) is received between a wheel
(4) and
6 a tire bead (8); the bead rolling tool (140) tums as the second element is
rotated
7 thus disengaging the bead (8) from the wheel (4).
8 The tire mount/dismount module (60) has a receiver and drive
9 assembly (110) rotatably affixed to a wheel (4) by affixing means. Provided
is
rotating means to rotate the receiver and drive assembly (110). A receiver
(118)
11 is affixed to the receiver and drive assembly (110) which receives or
comprises a
12 bead rolling tool (140) and positions the bead rolling tool (140) to be
received
13 between a rim (7) and a tire bead (8).
14 The tire mount/dismount module (60) has a base plate assembly
(70) immovably secured to a wheel (4) by affixing means. The receiver and
drive
16 assembly (110) is rotatably affixed to the base plate assembly (70) with
rotating
17 means rotatably affixed to the receiver and drive assembly (110). Drive
means
18 (130) is seen to rotate the rotating means and the receiver and drive
assembly
19 (110). A frame (116) is affixed to and supports the receiver and drive
assembly
(110). The receiver (118) is affixed to the frame (116). It will be
appreciated that
21 the base plate assembly (70) is a frame or positioning means for securing,
22 relative to the wheel (4), the receiver and drive assembly (110) such that
the
23 receiver and drive assembly (110) may rotate relative to the wheel (4)
permitting
24 the bead breaking means, seen here as a bead rolling tool (140), to move
between a wheel rim (7) and tire bead (8). The structure of a wheel front (12)
11
CA 02461648 2007-01-03
1 frequently differs from the structure of the wheel rear (14). The base plate
2 assembly (70) which would be received at a wheel front (12) is not likely to
mate
3 with a wheel rear (14). It will be appreciated that the base plate assembly
(70),
4 functioning as a fixing means and frame means, may be formed in a variety of
shapes and sizes, as indicated by the identification of a base ring (80)
formed to
6 be received by a wheel front (12) or rear (14) and as suggested later in
this
7 specification regarding the Rim Adapter (150). Whether denominated base ring
8 (80) or Rim Adapter (150), such a structure will serve to fix the Tire
9 MountlDismount Module (60) relative to a wheel (4) such that the receiver
and
drive assembly (110) may rotate relative to the wheel (4).
11 Having reference to Fig. 5, the wheel (4) has hands (5). The base
12 plate assembly (70) is received by a wheel front (12) by a base ring (80)
which
13 serves as a.frame member shaped and sized to contact a wheel front (12) for
the
14 stabilizing and securing of the base plate assembly (70) relative to the
wheel (4).
As shown in Fig. 7, the base plate assembly (70) is immovably secured to at
least
16 one wheel (4) hand (5) by affixing means including, in the preferred
embodiment, at
17 least one bolt (74) and nut (75) wherein the at least one bolt (74) is
received through
18 slot or aperture means in the frame (116) and in a slot or aperture means
in the
19 wheel (4) and, in the preferred embodiment, at least bne slot (77) in frame
(116) and
into the at least one wheel (4) hand (5). In the preferred embodiment the
affixing
21 means is comprised of at least one threaded "J" bolt secured, at the "J"
end against
22 the wheel (4) structure received through the hand (5) and with a wing nut
at the slot
23 (77) in the frame (116). Those of ordinary skill will recognize other means
of
24 securing the base plate assembly (70) against the wheel (4) such that the
base plate
assembly (70) does not move including, springs terminating in hooks,
12
CA 02461648 2004-03-23
1 threaded bolts received in apertures within the wheel (4), spring loaded
detent
2 devices and other structures. While the preferred "J" bolt provides a simple
and
3 rapid solution to the interconnection, other devices will suffice.
4 The application of the Tire Mount/Dismount Module (60) at a wheel
(4) rear (14) may require an additional frame member which is received by the
6 wheel rear (14) with means of securing the frame member to the wheel (4) at
the
7 rear (14) and which provides interconnection means b receive and secure the
8 base plate assembly (70) to be immovable relative to the wheel (4). It will
be
9 appreciated that the affixing means discussed herein relative to the
securing of
the base plate assembly (70) at a wheel front (12) will additionally apply
generally
11 to the fixing of an additional frame member and the base plate assembly
(70) to a
12 wheel rear (14). The base ring (80) of the base plate assembly (70) is a
frame
13 member which may be of a variety of shapes and sizes depending upon factors
14 such as the wheel (4) shape/construction most often encountered. Any
deviation
from the wheel (4) front or rear (12, 14) from that which will receive the
base ring
16 (80) may require an additional frame member to act as an adapter between
the
17 wheel (4) and base pate assembly (70). A review of FIGS. 7, 8, 15 and 16
18 illustrate one embodiment of an additional frame member, named here a rim
19 adapter (150), to facilitate the fixing, by fixing means, of the base plate
assembly
(70) to the wheel (4).
21 The rotating means comprised of a movable rotating drive means
22 (112) rotatably interrelated to a stationary rotating means (114) and the
movable
23 rotating drive means (112) is rotatably affixed to the receiver and drive
assembly
24 (110). The movable rotating drive means (112) is, in the preferred
embodiment,
comprised of a drive gear rotatably interrelated to a stationary rotating
means
13
CA 02461648 2004-03-23
1 (114) comprised, in the preferred embodiment, of a stationary ring gear
(114). In
2 the preferred embodiment the movable rotating drive means (112) is rotated
by at
3 least one drive means (130) composed, for example, by an electric, hydraulic
and
4 or pneumatic motor which rotates the drive gear (112) which is in gear
contact
with the stationary ring gear (114) thereby causing the drive means (130),
6 movable rotating drive means (112) or drive gear (112) to move. The receiver
7 (118) is affixed to a frame (116) which is rotated as the drive gear (112)
is
8 rotated. The Figures depict the drive means (130) as extending from the
frame
9 (116). Those of ordinary skill in the machine arts will appreciate that the
structure
of rotating one structure in relation to another may be accomplished by a
variety
11 of methods including, e.g., by a pulley and belt means, a ratchet means and
by
12 other methods. It will be appreciated that the at least one movable
rotating drive
13 means (112) may be the equivalent of or provide an equivalent function as a
ring
14 gear (112) which rotates while a drive gear or stationary rotating means
(114)
remains stationary. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the
16 rotating means including drive means (130) may be positioned central to the
Tire
17 Mount/Dismount Module (60) with rotating drive means (112) rotatably
18 interrelated to a stationary rotating means (114) structured such that the
rotating
19 drive means (112) is a drive gear interrelated to a ring gear and, where
desired,
to a center shaft (71) or constitutes other rotating means interrelated to
gear
21 means and or a center shaft (71).
22 The device is assembled with spacing and affixing means (79), as
23 will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, for the
interconnection of
24 the base plate assembly (70) with the wheel front or rear (12, 14) and of
the base
plate assembly (70) and receiver and drive assembly (110). In the preferred
14
CA 02461648 2004-03-23
1 embodiment a center shaft (71) is centrally positioned in relation to the
2 concentrically related base plate assembly (70) and receiver and drive
assembly
3 (110) around which the receiver and drive assembly (110) revolve. It will be
seen
4 that the center shaft (71) depicted in the preferred embodiment is not a
limiting
structure and that there need be no center shaft (71) but rather the rotatable
6 interrelationship of the immovable base plate assembly (70), relative to the
wheel
7 (4), or its equivalent and the receiver and drive assembly (110) or its
equivalent,
8 e.g., the relationship between the base plate assembly (70) and the receiver
and
9 drive assembly (110) may be determined by the interconnection or
interrelationship of drive means elements including rotating and stationary
11 elements. Such is seen between moveable rotating drive means (112) and
12 stationary rotating means (114).
13 The receiver (118) is, in the preferred embodiment, comprised of a
14 tubular structure forming an aperture denoted here as a bead rolling tool
aperture
(119) which will receive an end of a standard bead rolling tool (140). The
16 opposing end of the standard bead rolling tool (140) is received between a
tire
17 bead (8) and the wheel rim (7) for either mounting or dismounting
operations. The
18 receiver and drive assembly (110) is rotated causing the bead rolling tool
(140) to
19 move the bead (8) relative to the rim (7). For dismounting, the tire (6) is
thus
removed by engaging the bead rolling tool (140) and revolving the receiver and
21 drive assembly (110) until the first bead is clear of the rim (7). The
second bead
22 (8) is then engaged by the bead rolling tool (140) with the revolving
receiver and
23 drive assembly (110) until the second bead is clear of the rim (7) and the
tire (6)
24 is removed from the wheel (4). The process for mounting the tire (6) is
much the
reverse operation. The bead rolling tool (140) is appropriately received by
the
-- - -
CA 02461648 2007-01-03
1 bead rolling tool aperture (119), the appropriate bead rolling tool (140)
end is
2 positioned between the wheel (4) rim (7) and the bead (8) and the receiver
and
3 drive assembly (110) is rotated until the first bead (8) is engaged on the
rim (7).
4 The sequence is repeated with the second bead (8), the receiver and drive
assembly (110) rotated until the second bead (8) is engaged on the rim (7).
Air
6 pressure is applied and the tire (6) is mounted. The tire mount/dismount
module
7 (60) is removed from the wheel (4) and the process is completed. It will be
8 appreciated that the bead rolling tool (140) has a form readily recognized
by
9 those of ordinary skill in the tire and wheel arts providing an end for
dismounting
of tires and an end for mounting of tires. Thus, the preferred embodiment
11 provides an aperture which receives the end of the bead rolling tool (140)
which
12 is not to be used and the appropriate bead rolling tool (140) end is
received
13 between the wheel (4) rim (7) and the bead (8). An alternative embodiment
will
=
14 dispense with the receiver and will provide a fixture means to receive a
bead
rolling tool (140) or, as will be clearly recognized, the fixture means will
comprise
16 the bead rolling tool (140). The structure will provide the equivalence to
the
17 above described receiver (118) with aperture (119) and bead rolling tooi
(140).
18 Rim Adapter: The tire mount/dismount module '(60) may be received at the
wheel
19 front (12) or rear (14). The base ring (80) may be formed to mate with a
wheel
rear (14). However the base ring (80) will be expected to be adjustabte if it
is to
21 mate with both a wheel front and rear (12, 14). Optionally, an adapter may
be
22 required, for the installation of the tire mount/dismount module (60),
depending
23 on the size and style of wheel (4). In the preferred embodiment herein, a
rim
24 adapter (150) is comprised of a frame (152) composed of at least two semi-
circular members having ends which are interconnected by
16
CA 02461648 2004-03-23
1 interconnection means provided, for example, simply by tubes (154) which
allow
2 the semi-circular frame (152) members to be moved relative to the other thus
3 enlarging or contracting the dimensions according to the size and or style
of
4 wheel (4) encountered. As seen in FIGS. 15 and 16, a lever (158) may be
affixed
to the tube (154) to allow ease in adjusting the relative position of the semi-
6 circular frame (152) members. The rim adapter (150) is immovably affixed to
the
7 wheel (4). The tire mounUdismount module (60) is affixed by affixing means
to
8 the rim adapter (150), including bolts and nuts, to a rim connector (156)
having
9 apertures to receive at least one bolt and nut for interconnection with
apertures at
the wheel (4). The base plate assembly (70) is immovably affixed to the rim
11 adapter (150).
12 Alternative embodiments of the rim adapter (150) may be
13 composed of a unitary frame providing a single piece frame structure sized
for
14 particular wheel sizes. An additional embodiment may have the rim adapter
(150)
composed of multiple frame elements. One of ordinary skill in the arts will
16 recognize that many structures will suffice to allow a Tire Mount/Dismount
17 Module (60) to be affixed to a wheel front or rear (12, 14).
18 While a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure has been
19 shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
many
changes and modifications may be made without departing from the disclosure in
21 its broader aspects. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover
all
22 such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of
the
23 disclosure.
17
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