Tire changing and bead breaker apparatus

{
  "publication_number": "US6536501B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Tire changing and bead breaker apparatus",
  "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.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A tire changing and bead breaker apparatus comprising: a) a tire bead breaker module (10) having bead breaking means to apply pressure to both sides of a tire (6) having two sides (9), rims (7) and tire beads (8); the bead breaking means causing the tire bead (8) at each side of the tire (6) to disengage from the rim (7) of a wheel (4) having a front and a rear (12, 14); b) a tire mount/dismount module (60) having a receiver and drive assembly (110) rotatably affixed to a wheel (4) by affixing means; rotating means to rotate the receiver and drive assembly (110), a receiver (118) affixed to the receiver and drive assembly (110) receives a bead rolling tool (140) and positions the bead rolling tool (140) to be received between the rim (7) and the tire bead (8); c) the rotating means comprised of a movable rotating drive means (112) rotatably interrelated to a stationary ring gear (114); the movable rotating drive means (112) rotatably affixed to the receiver and drive assembly (110).",
    "2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a) the bead breaking means comprised of at least two pressure clamps (30); each at least two pressure clamps (30) having A clamp first and second end (32, 14); the at least two pressure clamps (30) positioned such that the respective clamp first ends (32) are proximal the respective tire side (9); 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); b) the tire mount/dismount module (60) having a base plate assembly (70) immovably secured to the wheel (4) by affixing means; the receiver and drive assembly (110) rotatably affixed to the base plate assembly (70); drive means (130) to rotate said rotating means and the receiver and drive assembly (110), a frame (116) affixed to and supporting the receiver and drive assembly (110); the receiver (118) affixed to the He (116).",
    "3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising: a) a bead pad clamp (40) affixed by affixing means proximal the respective clamp first ends (32); the bead pad clamp (40) elongated, sized and oriented to be received at a tire (6) side (9) which is generally parallel with the rim (7); each of the at least two pressure clamps (30) comprised of an elongated member (31) having the clamp first and second end (32, 34); the bead pad clamp (40) positioned proximal cach of the clamp first ends (32); b) the wheel (4) having hands (5) and apertures; the base plate assembly (70) immovably secured to at least one wheel (4) hand (5) by at least one bolt (74) and nut (75); said at least one bolt (74) received through at least one slot (77) in frame (116) and into the at least one wheel (4) hand (5).",
    "4. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising: a) a tire bead breaker mounting bar (20) having a mounting bar first and a second end (22, 24); the at least two pressure clamps (30) composed of elongated members (31) pivotally affixed, intermediate the said clamp first and second ends (32, 34), to the mounting bar (20) such that one of said at least two pressure clamps (30) is proximal the mounting bar first end (22) and that another one of said at least two pressure clamps (30) is intermediate the pivotally affixed pressure clamp (30) 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 clamp first ends (32) oppose each other and the respective clamp second ends (34) oppose each other; force means (50) composed of an actuator (50) having means of extension and retraction; said force means (50) affixed proximal the clamp second ends (34) such that actuation of said actuator (50) causes the respective at least two pressure clamps (30) to pivot; b) the at least one bolt (74) comprised of a threaded “J” bolt; the movable rotating drive means (112) comprised of a drive gear rotatably interrelated to a stationary ring gear (114) comprised of a stationary ring gear; the at least one drive means (130) rotates the drive gear (112); spacing and affixing means (79) to interconnect the base plate assembly (70) and receiver and drive assembly (110); a center shaft (71) centrally positioned in relation to a concentrically related base plate assembly (70) and receiver and drive assembly (110) around which the receiver and drive assembly (110) revolve.",
    "5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising; a) force means (50) comprised of at least one hydraulic, pneumatic or electric actuator (50) having a cylinder (52) and a piston (54); the actuator (50) affixed at the clamp 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 opposing clamp second end (34); extension actuation of the at least one actuator (50) causing extension of the piston (54) causing the clamp first ends (32) to move toward each other and retraction actuation of the at least one actuator (50) causing retraction of the piston (54) causing tire clamp first ends (32) to move away from each other; actuator power means and control means provided for operation of the actuator (50); a clamp stop pill (37) intermediate the clamp first end and second end (32, 34) positioned to contact the mounting bar (20) intermediate a pivot point (25) of each of the at least two pressure clamps (30) to stop movement of the respective at least two pressure clamps (30) upon disengagement of the bead (8) allowing progression of the opposing at least two pressure clamps (30) in disengaging the bead (8) against which it bears.",
    "6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising: a) a rim adapter 150 comprising a rim adapter frame (152) to support the tire mount/dismount module (60) when mounting dismounting tires from the rear of the wheel (4).",
    "7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising: a) the rim adapter frame (152) formed to be received at the wheel rear (14).",
    "8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising: a) the rim adapter frame (152) formed of at least two semi-circular members having ends; said ends interconnected with tubes (154) permitting adjustment of the distance between the at least two semicircular members of the rim adapter frame (152); adjustment of the position of the tubes (154) facilitated by tube adjustor levers (158); the rim adapter frame (152) interconnected with a wheel (4) by an interconnecting means.",
    "9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising: a) the means of interconnecting the rim adapter frame (152) with the wheel (4) comprised of a rim connector (156) secured to the rim adapter frame (152) where said rim connector (156) has apertures to receive at least one bolt and nut for interconnection with apertures at the wheel (4).",
    "10. A method of tire changing and bead breaking using the apparatus of claim 1 wherein; a) positioning the tire bead breaker module (10) at the wheel (4) having the tire (6); applying pressure to both sides of the tire (6) causing the tire bead (8) at each side of the tire (6) to disengage from a rim (7) of the wheel (4); b) affixing the tire mount/dismount module (60), having the receiver and drive assembly (110), rotatably to the wheel (4) by the affixing means; and c) rotating the receiver and drive assembly (10) by a rotating means; wherein the receiver (118) is affixed to the receiver and drive assembly (110), the receiver receiving the bead rolling tool (140) and wherein the bead rolling tool (140) is positioned between the rim (7) and the tire bead (8).",
    "11. A method of tire changing and bead breaking comprising the steps of: a) positioning a tire bead breaker module (10) at a wheel (4) having a tire (6) having two sides (9); applying pressure to both sides of the tire (6) causing a tire bead (8) at each side of the tire (6) to disengage from a rim (7) of the wheel (4); b) affixing a tire mount/dismount module (60), having a receiver and drive assembly (110), rotatably to a wheel (4) by an affixing means; and c) rotating the receiver and drive assembly (110) by a rotating means; wherein a receiver (118) is affixed to the receiver and drive assembly (110), the receiver comprising a bead rolling tool (140) to be positioned between the rim (7) and the tire bead (8); and wherein the rotating means comprises a movable rotating drive means (112) rotatably interrelated to a stationary ring gear (114); the movable rotating drive means (112) rotatably affixed to the receiver and drive assembly (110)."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present disclosure relates to changing automotive and vehicle tires. The apparatus relates in particular to bead breaking and mounting/dismounting truck tires.\n\nTruck tire failure poses time, labor and transit delay. Historical practices required transport of replacement tires and tire changing equipment imposing the labor on the driver of changing the failed tire. More recently trucking companies have provided for communication means allowing a driver to notify a central facility to send assistance. The changing of a truck tire while on the road, by one with experience, requires approximately 20-40 minutes. Tire sales and service companies, having automated equipment, experience truck tire changing at the rate of approximately three per hour. A medium sized tire service company may change forty to fifty truck tires per day requiring sufficient staff for such labor. U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,611 to Schmidt discloses a tire changing machine; U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,358 to Ling discloses a tire bead loosening tool and 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 Mandelko discloses a tire bead separator; U.S. Pat. No. 4,263,958 discloses a tire mounting, bead seating and inflation apparatus and method of use; U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,052 discloses a tire mount/dismount bar; U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,392 to Unrau discloses a tire bead breaker; U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,257 to Reeves discloses a tire breaker apparatus for all-terrain vehicle tires; U.S. Pat. No. 4,947,918 to Unrau discloses a tire changer; U.S. Pat. No.",
  "cpc": [
    "B60C 25/13"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B60C 25/13"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Kenn Bishop"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2001-10-10",
  "publication_date": "2003-03-25",
  "grant_date": "2003-03-25",
  "priority_date": "2001-10-10",
  "application_number": "US-97488001-A",
  "family_id": "25522488",
  "cited_by_count": 15,
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}