Wheelwright machines – Miscellaneous
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-10
2001-06-05
Morgan, Eileen P. (Department: 3723)
Wheelwright machines
Miscellaneous
C157S001240
Reexamination Certificate
active
06240994
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns a method of mounting a tire on a rim and a device for use in said method. More precisely, said rim is such that on its peripheral flanges it has seats, respectively, intended to receive the tire beads.
In relation to
FIGS. 1 and 2
presented below, such a rim
30
has the following characteristics.
On its two peripheral projections
31
, it has first and second rim seats
32
inclined outward and respectively intended to receive first and second beads
21
of the tire
20
(only the corresponding first projection
31
, first seat
32
and bead
21
are shown). Provided between the seats
32
, on one side, there is a bearing
33
intended to receive a support
22
for the tread
23
for said tire
20
and, on the other side, there is amounting groove
34
connecting said bearing
33
to an axially inner flange
32
a
of said first seat
32
.
In the course of the present specification, the seat adjacent to the groove
34
will be referred to by convention as first seat
32
and the seat opposite said groove
34
will be called second seat.
As for the axially outer flange of the seat
32
, it is formed by the corresponding peripheral projection
31
.
In a known manner, mounting of the tire
20
on said particular rim
30
is carried out as follows.
The first bead
21
is presented on the rim
30
, on the side of the second seat, and said first bead
21
is then slid axially on the bearing
33
, so as to insert it in the groove
34
. Said second bead is then mounted on the second seat.
Next, in an extraction stage, the first bead
21
is extracted from the groove
34
, so as to bring it axially outside the projection
31
of the first seat
32
.
Finally, in a mounting stage, that first bead
21
is mounted on the first seat
32
.
In order to use said extraction stage, one proceeds manually in the usual manner by means of lever type tools, so as to progressively extract the first bead
21
from the groove
34
.
One major disadvantage of this procedure which is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,366, resides in the relatively long time that extraction takes on the whole circumference of the tire and, consequently, the inadequacy of said method for series fabrication of mounted assemblies incorporating that type of rim.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present invention is to propose a method of mounting a tire on a rim, said rim having on each of its two peripheral edges a rim seat intended to receive a bead of said tire, said rim including a bearing on one side, between its two seats, and, on the other side, a mounting groove connecting said bearing to an axially inner flange of one of said seats, or first seat,
said method including presenting one of the beads of said tire on said rim and on the side of the other seat, or second seat, then moving that first bead axially along said bearing, so as to insert it in said groove, mounting the other bead, or second bead, on said second seat, and then, in an extraction stage, extracting said first bead from said groove, so as to bring it axially outside said first seat and, in a mounting stage, of mounting said first bead on said first seat,
which makes it possible to fabricate series of mounted assemblies at a relatively fast rate without risk of altering the corresponding tires.
For this purpose, said extraction stage includes, in a first step, creating at least one local space between said first bead and said axially inner flange, in a second step, inserting a gripping means in said local space so that it occupies a support position on the inner face of said first bead, in a third step, pivoting said gripping means in said support position, so as to bring said first bead into a local extraction position, radially and axially outside said first seat, and in a fourth step, extracting said first bead on the whole circumference of said tire,
the said second step including pivoting said gripping means on a first pivot pin situated radially outside said groove, so that said gripping means occupies said support position, and said third step includes controlling the pivoting of said gripping means in said support position under the control of a control means to which said gripping means is coupled, so that said gripping means pivots on a second pivot pin situated radially inside said groove.
According to another characteristic of the method of the invention, for the application of said first step, a localized site on the sidewall of said tire ending in said first bead is relied upon, so as to create said local space.
According to another characteristic of the method of the invention, for the application of said fourth step, said tire is rotated on its axis of rotation, said gripping means occupying the said local extraction position.
According to a first method of application of said fourth step, said tire and said rim are together integrally driven in rotation.
According to a second method of application of said fourth step, said inner face of said first bead is inserted at another point on the circumference of said tire, the appreciably flat base of an L-shaped curved lug, said tire, said rim and said gripping means being integrally driven in rotation relative to said lug.
Another object of the present invention is to propose a device for the extraction of said bead including a frame and a platform intended to receive said rim equipped with said tire perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the latter, a gripping means intended to bear on the first bead being pivotally mounted on a first pivot pin, mobile in relation to said frame and parallel to the plane of said platform, that device producing, on operation in series, the aforesaid result of a relatively fast rate of mounting.
For this purpose, said device is such that said gripping means is coupled, by means of a rod, to a control means provided to control the pivoting of said gripping means on a second pivot pin, mounted stationary on said frame and also parallel to the plane of said platform.
According to another characteristic of a device of the invention, said rod is hinged on said pivot pins.
Said gripping means is, for example, provided with an arm designed to activate it on pivoting, so that said gripping means appreciably forms the oblique branch of a “y” whose leg is formed by said arm, said first pivot pin being mounted at one end of said arm which is opposite the free end of said gripping means.
Said gripping means preferably has a curvature which allows centering of said first pivot pin.
Said gripping means advantageously has a tapered free end and beveled side edges in a mid-portion of said gripping means, where its radius of curvature is appreciably maximal.
According to one embodiment of the invention, said device includes a finger intended to bear on said tire, said finger being mounted along the side of said arm opposite that of said gripping means and also being controlled by said control means.
According to another characteristic of a device of the invention, said frame is equipped with locking means for locking said control means in said extraction position.
Said control means and/or said arm and/or said finger are advantageously provided, respectively, with jacks to activate them.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1482304 (1924-01-01), Hoag
patent: 2463071 (1949-03-01), Vanleirsberghe
patent: 3267983 (1966-08-01), Furrer
patent: 3742999 (1973-07-01), Myers, Jr.
patent: 5836366 (1998-11-01), Muhlhoff
patent: 587978 (1925-04-01), None
Baker & Botts L.L.P.
Danganan Joni B.
Michelin Recherche ET Technique S.A.
Morgan Eileen P.
LandOfFree
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