Abstract:
A tire filling apparatus preferably includes a support and seal arrangement on which a wheel-tire combination is supported in a horizontally lying orientation, a tire filling plate, and a plurality of differently-sized tire filling rings. Based on the diameter of the wheel-tire combination to be filled with air, a properly sized one of the filling rings is selected and positioned coaxially along the wheel axis between the tire and the filling plate. The filling plate moves toward the tire, sealingly contacts the filling ring, and presses the filling ring against the upwardly facing tire sidewall, until an open air filling gap is formed between the tire sidewall bead and the wheel rim. Pressurized air is introduced through the filling plate, the filling ring, and the open air filling gap into the tire interior, until the gap is closed by the increasing air pressure in the tire.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a device for optimizing bead seating (1). According to the invention, a displaceable contact wheel is used to create a tread contact surface (26) between a motor vehicle wheel to be optimized (16) and said contact wheel (2). The contact wheel (2) is pivoted by means of a pivoting receiving element (9), enabling the bead seating to be optimized. In order to ensure a predefinedly high number of vehicle wheels (16) to be optimized, the inventive device for optimizing bead seating (1) is embodied in such a way that the optimization process can be carried out in a fully automated manner.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus are provided for soaping a tire using an inflatable bladder. The inflatable bladder is extended through a center opening in a tire and inflated to cause soap on the surface of the bladder to soap the inner surface of the tire. The bladder is then deflated and removed from the opening in the tire so that the tire can be subsequently mounted to a wheel.
Abstract:
A power tool for removing a tire from a rim for purposes of disposition of the tire. Because preservation of the wheel is not an object, the tool uses the force of rams first to grasp the tire then to force the wheel out of the tire.
Abstract:
A foldable scooter is disclosed with two rotational connections to the steering column, and a fixing structure that maintains the frame elements fixed relative to each other and stable when riding. Once the fixing structure is disengaged, the frame elements are free to rotate relative to each other such that the scooter can be folded into a more compact dimension.
Abstract:
A tire changing tool head, or a mount/demount head for a tire changing machine, includes a head body and a tongue member. The tongue member is pivotally attached to the head body at a pivoting joint. The tongue member includes a tongue shoulder and a tongue blade for engaging a tire bead during tire installation. The tongue member includes a non-metal material, such as a polymer, for preventing wheel rim damage in some embodiments. The head body includes a bead lifter tool protruding therefrom. In some embodiments, the head body and bead lifter tool include a metal material.
Abstract:
The actuator unit includes a hollow body defining a sliding chamber within; a piston mounted sliding inside said sliding chamber such to provide an actuation force and operated by a fluid fed from the outside; a body having one transmission end for the transmission of said actuation force prolonged outside said sliding chamber and one hooking end hooked to said piston, amplification means being interposed between said body and said piston to amplify said actuation force so as to obtain an amplified actuation force.
Abstract:
A single-cell workstation for processing a tire-wheel assembly including a tire and a wheel is disclosed. The single cell workstation includes a soaping sub-station. The soaping sub-station includes a housing defined by a support surface and one or more walls extending from the support surface and a plurality of fluid dispensing portions extending from the support surface. An apparatus for lubricating one or more beads of a tire is also disclosed. The apparatus includes a head portion; a plurality of radially-adjustable clamping portions axially extending from the head portion; and a plurality of radially-adjustable lubrication applicators axially extending from the head portion.
Abstract:
A snug fitting apparatus for improving the finished quality of a tire assembly 1 without sacrificing productivity, including a first pressing member 25 (25a) adapted to be pressed against the ground contact surface F of a tire assembly 1 and a second pressing member 25 (25b) adapted to be pressed against the ground contact surface F to receive the radial reactional force of the ground contact surface F. Measuring device is provided to read variation in the reactional force. As a result, a large, expensive uniformity checking machine is made unnecessary, making it possible to assure quality for all the quantity of tire assemblies 1 on the production line and to fully automate the process.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for lubricating a wheel having a predetermined wheel diameter and width includes a lubricating head for encircling the wheel to be lubricated. First and second lubricating rings are supported on the head. The first and second rings have a common axis and are spaced apart an axial distance from one another complementary with respect to the predetermined width of the wheel to be lubricated. Each of the first and second rings has a diameter greater than the predetermined diameter of the wheel to be lubricated. A mechanism is provided for driving the wheel to be lubricated into operable engagement with the first and second rings of the head, such that the first and second rings of the head operably engage along an entire periphery with respect to the first and second rims of the wheel. Preferably, the mechanism rotates the wheel through at least 360.degree. while in engagement with the first and second rings of the lubricating head to apply lubricant to an entire periphery of the first and second rims of the wheel.