公开(公告)号：US3597001A

公开(公告)日：1971-08-03

申请号：US3597001D

申请日：1969-07-08

Applicant: CATERPILLAR TRACTOR CO

Inventor： MORFORD RAYMOND S ,  JEDLICKA BYRL A

IPC: B60B23/00 ,  B60C15/02

CPC classification number: B60C15/02 ,  B60B23/00

Abstract: An adapter device to connect a tire rim to a tire rim of smaller diameter so that the first tire rim and an inflated tire thereon may be used for test driving a piece of heavy equipment before it is sold. The purpose is to enable a set of test tires to be used repeatedly so that the machine can be sold with new tires which have not been marred during testing. The adapter includes an inflatable tube and drive lugs disposed between the tire rim on the machine and the rim of the test tire. Manufacturers of large earthmoving machinery generally operate machines on a test track prior to delivery to a dealer. If during this final check, the tires are marred or even badly soiled, the dealer or eventual customer may demand a discount. Since large tires often cost thousands of dollars each, this becomes very costly to the manufacturer. Using the same tire repeatedly for test purposes and changing to new tires when the machine is delivered is one solution, but this too creates expense in the form of labor involved in mounting two sets of tires rather than one.