Tire servicing tool

Details Tire servicing tool Tire servicing tool

2000-07-21

2001-11-27

Meislin, D. S. (Department: 3723)

Wheelwright machines

Rubber tire mounting and/or demounting apparatus

For collapsing or shifting tire axially

C157S001200

Reexamination Certificate

active

06321818

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a tire servicing tool, and more specifically, to a tool usable in installing or removing the bead seat band and rim flange of a multiple piece wheel as part of a tire changing or servicing operation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many vehicles in use today, as, for example, off the road vehicles and trucks, employ two or more wheels of the multiple piece variety as opposed to so-called “drop center” wheels commonly employed on passenger cars. While the actual construction of a multiple piece wheel may vary to some degree, they are characterized by a wheel rim that includes at least one removable rim flange which is placed upon the rim after a tire has been installed on the rim. A bead seat band is then located within the rim flange and includes a flange employed to retain the rim flange. The rim includes a first peripheral groove near one side thereof for receipt of an O-ring seal and a second groove axially outward of the O-ring groove which receives a resilient lock ring. The O-ring creates a seal between the bead seat band and the rim while the lock ring bears against a flange on the bead seat band to hold the same in place on the rim when the tire is inflated.
When a tire is installed on or removed from the rim, it is conventionally necessary to move the bead seat band axially inwardly on the rim so as to achieve access to both the O-ring groove and the lock ring groove so that an O-ring may be installed or removed and the lock ring installed or removed.
Typically, relatively high forces are required to move the bead seat band axially inwardly on the rim because of forces resisting such movement imposed upon the bead seat band via the rim flange from the side wall of the tire. Moreover, ready access to the grooves in the rim, particularly that receiving the lock ring, is required to allow easy access to an installed lock ring or to install a lock ring because of the resilient nature of the same.
Servicing large tires is particularly cumbersome because of the weight of the wheel and the weight of the tire. Moreover, such servicing may be performed at remote sites and the environment at the remote sites may make the job even more cumbersome.
Thus, there is a real need for an improved tool for use in installing or removing or otherwise servicing a tire mounted on a multiple piece wheel and which is of relatively simple and inexpensive construction but sufficiently sturdy so as to be long lived in spite of rough handling and use in hostile terrains. The present invention is directed to meeting that need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the principal object of the invention to provide a new and improved tool for use in installing or removing the bead seat band and rim flange of a multiple piece wheel as part of a tire changing or servicing operation.
An exemplary embodiment of the invention achieves the foregoing object in a tool having a tool body with a corner. A first elongated surface is disposed at the corner and is adapted to engage both a rim flange and a bead seat band in an axial direction. A second elongated surface is also provided at the corner in a position adjacent the first surface and at an acute angle to the first surface and adapted to engage the rim flange in an axial direction at a location spaced from the intended point of engagement of the rim flange by the first surface. The first and second surfaces define a notch opening away from the body and a tool mounting fixture is connected to the body generally oppositely of the notch.
In a preferred embodiment, there is a tool set comprising two of the tools mentioned above and in spaced relation to each other and oriented with their respective tool mounting fixtures extending away from one another.
In one embodiment, the tool mounting fixture is a pivot. Preferably, the pivot is a shaft.
In one embodiment, the shaft is generally parallel to the first surface.
A highly preferred embodiment contemplates that the body be generally triangular and have three corners including the first named corner mentioned above and three sides extending between two of the corners, and the tool mounting fixture is located on one of the sides opposite the first named corner.
In a preferred embodiment, the triangular frame includes two generally congruent, triangular plates and webs interconnect the plates in spaced relation. In a highly preferred embodiment, one web is located generally oppositely of the notch and the tool mounting fixture includes a shaft affixed to that particular web.
In a highly preferred embodiment, the first and second surfaces are defined by V-shaped strips, one affixed to each of the plates at the corner whereat the notch is located.
Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3253640 (1966-05-01), Paulauskas
patent: 3500891 (1970-03-01), Collins
patent: 6182736 (2001-02-01), Cunningham et al.

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