U.S. patent number RE39,312 [Application Number 10/691,431] was granted by the patent office on 2006-10-03 for dual ring tire inflator with splittable support plate.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Burke E. Porter Machinery Company. Invention is credited to John P. Kane, Karl D. Sachs.
United States Patent |
RE39,312 |
Kane , et al. |
October 3, 2006 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Dual ring tire inflator with splittable support plate
Abstract
An apparatus for inflating a tire mounted on a rim can include a
conveyor for transporting a tire mounted on a rim to a
predetermined position at a tire inflating work station. The
conveyor can include carrier surfaces spaced laterally with respect
to one another along a path of travel for engaging the tire and rim
for transport. The carrier surfaces are moveable along the path of
travel and moveable vertically between a raised transport position
and a lowered transfer position. A support surface at the tire
inflating workstation has at least two portions. The portions
include at least one interlocking joint for holding the portions of
the support surface in sealing engagement with respect to one
another during an inflation process. An apparatus for inflating a
tire mounted on a rim can include a reciprocal inflation head
moveable from a first position spaced from the tire to a second
position engagable with the side wall of the tire for communicating
pressurized fluid to inflate the tire on the rim. At least two
concentric seals are selectively moveable with respect to one
another to bring at least one seal into sealing engagement with a
side wall of the tire to be inflated. A mechanism for moving at
least one seal with respect to the other seal is provided for
selectively presenting one seal in operable position for engaging a
side wall of the tire to be inflated.
Inventors: |
Kane; John P. (Sterling
Heights, MI), Sachs; Karl D. (Birmingham, MI) |
Assignee: |
Burke E. Porter Machinery
Company (Grand Rapids, MI)
|
Family
ID: |
24492053 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/691,431 |
Filed: |
October 22, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
09621883 |
Jul 21, 2000 |
06502618 |
Jan 7, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
157/1.2;
157/1.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60C
25/05 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60C
25/132 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;157/1.2,1.1,1.11,1,1.17,1.21,14-21 ;141/38 ;29/894.31 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Meislin; Debra S
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Van Dyke, Gardner, Linn &
Burkhart, LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for inflating a tire mounted on a rim comprising: a
conveyor for transporting a tire mounted on a rim to a
predetermined position at a tire inflating workstation, the
conveyor having carrier surfaces spaced laterally with respect to
one another along a path of travel for engaging the tire and rim
for transport, the carrier surfaces moveable along the path of
travel and moveable vertically between a raised transport position
and a lowered transfer position; and a support surface at the tire
inflating workstation, the support surface having at least two
portions, the portions having at least one interlocking joint for
holding the portions of the support surface in sealing engagement
with respect to one another during an inflation process, at least
one portion of the support surface moveable transversely with
respect to the path of travel of the conveyor for allowing transfer
of the tire and rim transported by the conveyor to the support
surface as the conveyor moves between the raised transport position
and the lowered transfer position.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support surface further
comprises: a central portion and two end portions on opposite sides
of the central portion, each end portion having an interlocking
joint with respect to the central portion for holding the portions
of the support surface in sealing engagement with respect to one
another during an inflation process, each end portion moveable
transversely toward and away from the central portion for allowing
passage of the conveyor between the central portion and the end
portions as the conveyor moves between the raised and lowered
positions.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising: the central portion
moveable vertically between a locked position and an unlocked
position with respect to the end portions; and means for moving the
central portion between the locked and unlocked positions.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: means for moving
one portion of the support surface transversely with respect to the
other portion of the support surface.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: one portion of the
support surface moveable between a locked position and an unlocked
position with respect to the other portion of the support surface;
and means for moving the one portion between the locked and
unlocked positions.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the conveyor further
comprising: two endless loop conveying surfaces spaced apart from
one another and operably engagable with a drive shaft and an idler
wheel; a vertically reciprocal frame supporting the drive shaft and
idler wheel, the frame moveable between the raised position and the
lowered position; and means for moving the frame between the raised
and lowered positions.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: means for moving
the carrier surfaces along the path of travel.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: means for
communicating pressurized fluid to inflate the tire on the rim, the
communicating means including a reciprocal inflation head moveable
from a first position spaced from the tire to a second position
engagable with a side wall of the tire, the head having at least
two concentric seals selectively moveable with respect to one
another to bring at least one seal into sealing engagement with a
side wall of the tire; and means for moving at least one seal with
respect to the other seal for selectively presenting one seal in
operable position for engaging a side wall of the tire to be
inflated.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the inflation head further
comprises: a first circular wall extending outwardly from the
inflation head and supporting a first seal corresponding to one of
the at least two concentric seals for operable engagement with the
side wall of the tire to be inflated; and a second circular wall
reciprocally mounted with respect to the inflation head for
movement between an extended position and a retracted position, and
supporting a second seal corresponding to another of the at least
two concentric seals for operable engagement with the side wall of
the tire to be inflated, the first seal positioned for operable
engagement with a first size tire when the second circular wall is
in the retracted position, and the second seal positioned for
operable engagement with a second size tire when the second
circular wall is in the extended position.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the first size tire is smaller
than the second size tire.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising: the moving means
operable to move the second circular wall with respect to the first
circular wall of the inflation head.
12. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising: means for locking
the second circular wall with respect to the inflation head when
the second circular wall is in the extended position.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the locking means further
comprises: a plurality of rods supporting the inflation head from a
carriage for movement between the first and second positions, each
rod having a keyway recess formed therein; a plate operably
connected to the second circular wall, the plate having a plurality
of apertures formed therein for allowing passage of the plurality
of rods, each aperture having an enlarged portion allowing free
movement relative to the rod and a key portion operably engagable
with the keyway recess in each rod when the second circular wall is
in the extended position for locking the second circular wall with
respect to the inflation head, the plate moveable to operably
engage the key portion with respect to the keyway recess in each
rod.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising: means for moving
the plate between an engaged position where the key portion of each
aperture is engaged with the keyway recess of each rod and a
disengaged position where the enlarged portion of each aperture
allows free movement of the plate with respect to the corresponding
rod.
15. An apparatus for inflating a tire mounted on a rim comprising:
a reciprocal inflation head moveable from a first position spaced
from the tire to a second position engagable with a side wall of
the tire for communicating pressurized fluid to inflate the tire on
the rim, the head having at least two concentric seals selectively
moveable with respect to one another to independently bring each
one of the at least two concentric seals selectively into sealing
engagement with a side wall of the tire depending on the size of
the tire to be inflated on the rim; and means for moving at least
one seal with respect to the other seal for selectively presenting
an appropriate one of the at least two concentric seals in operable
position for engaging a side wall of the tire to be inflated
depending on the size of the tire to be inflated on the rim.
16. An apparatus for inflating a tire mounted on a rim comprising:
a reciprocal inflation head moveable from a first position spaced
from the tire to a second position engagable with a side wall of
the tire for communicating pressurized fluid to inflate the tire on
the rim, the head having at least two concentric seals selectively
moveable with respect to one another to bring an appropriate one of
the at least two concentric seals selectively into sealing
engagement with a side wall of the tire depending on the size of
the tire to be inflated on the rim, wherein the inflation head
includes a first circular wall extending outwardly from the
inflation head and supporting a first seal corresponding to one of
the at least two concentric seals for operable engagement with the
side wall of the tire to be inflated, and a second circular wall
reciprocally mounted with respect to the inflation head for
movement between an extended position and a retracted position, and
supporting a second seal corresponding to another of the at least
two concentric seals for operable engagement with the side wall of
the tire to be inflated, the first seal positioned for operable
engagement with a first size tire when the second circular wall is
in the retracted position, and the second seal positioned for
operable engagement with a second size tire when the second
circular wall is in the extended position; and means for moving at
least one seal with respect to the other seal for selectively
presenting one of the at least two concentric seals in operable
position for engaging a side wall of the tire to be inflated
depending on the size of the tire to be inflated on the rim.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the first size tire is
smaller than the second size tire.
18. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising: the moving means
operable to move the second circular wall with respect to the first
circular wall of the inflation head.
19. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising: means for locking
the second circular wall with respect to the inflation head when
the second circular wall is in the extended position.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the locking means further
comprises: a plurality of rods supporting the inflation head from a
carriage for movement between the first and second positions, each
rod having a keyway recess formed therein; a plate operably
connected to the second circular wall, the plate having a plurality
of apertures formed therein for allowing passage of the plurality
of rods, each aperture having an enlarged portion allowing free
movement relative to the rod and a key portion operably engagable
with the keyway recess in each rod when the second circular wall is
in the extended position for locking the second circular wall with
respect to the inflation head, the plate moveable to operably
engage the key portion with respect to the keyway recess in each
rod.
21. The apparatus of claim 20 further comprising: means for moving
the plate between an engaged position where the key portion of each
aperture is engaged with the keyway recess of each rod and a
disengaged position where the enlarged portion of each aperture
allows free movement of the plate with respect to the corresponding
rod.
22. An apparatus for inflating a tire mounted on a rim comprising:
a reciprocal inflation head moveable from a first position spaced
from the tire to a second position engagable with a side wall of
the tire for communicating pressurized fluid to inflate the tire on
the rim, the head having at least two concentric seals selectively
moveable with respect to one another to bring an appropriate one of
the at least two concentric seals selectively into sealing
engagement with a side wall of the tire depending on the size of
the tire to be inflated on the rim; means for moving at least one
seal with respect to the other seal for selectively presenting one
of the at least two concentric seals in operable position for
engaging a side wall of the tire to be inflated depending on the
size of the tire to be inflated on the rim; means for transporting
a tire mounted on a rim to a predetermined position at a tire
inflating workstation, the transporting means having carrier
surfaces spaced laterally with respect to one another along a path
of travel for engaging the tire and rim for transport, the carrier
surfaces moveable along the path of travel and moveable vertically
between a raised transport position and a lowered transfer
position; and a support surface at the tire inflating workstation,
the support surface having at least two portions, the portions
having at least one interlocking joint for holding the portions of
the support surface in sealing engagement with respect to one
another during an inflation process, at least one portion of the
support surface moveable transversely with respect to the path of
travel of the conveyor for allowing transfer of the tire and rim
tramported by the conveyor to the support surface as the conveyor
moves between the raised transport position and the lowered
transfer position.
23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the support surface further
comprises: a central portion and two end portions on opposite sides
of the central portion, each end portion having an interlocking
joint with respect to the central portion for holding the portions
of the support surface in sealing engagement with respect to one
another during an inflation process, each end portion moveable
transversely toward and away from the central portion for allowing
passage of the conveyor between the central portion and the end
portions as the conveyor moves between the raised and lowered
positions.
24. The apparatus of claim 23 further comprising: the central
portion moveable vertically between a locked position and an
unlocked position with respect to the end portions; and means for
moving the central portion between the locked and unlocked
positions.
25. The apparatus of claim 22 further comprising: means for moving
one portion of the support surface transversely with respect to the
other portion of the support surface.
26. The apparatus of claim 22 further comprising: one portion of
the support surface moveable between a locked position and an
unlocked position with respect to the other portion of the support
surface; and means for moving the one portion between the locked
and unlocked positions.
27. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the transporting means
further comprising: two endless loop conveying surfaces spaced
apart from one another and operably engagable with a drive shaft
and an idler wheel; a vertically reciprocal frame supporting the
drive shaft and idler wheel, the frame moveable between the raised
position and the lowered position; and means for moving the frame
between the raised and lowered positions.
28. The apparatus of claim 22 further comprising: means for moving
the carrier surfaces along the path of travel.
29. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: the support
surface having a plurality of upwardly extending concentric annular
sealing flanges engagable with a lower side wall of a tire to be
inflated.
30. The apparatus of claim 22 further comprising: the support
surface having a plurality of upwardly extending concentric annular
sealing flanges engagable with a lower side wall of a tire to be
inflated.
.Iadd.31. An apparatus for inflating a tire mounted on a rim
comprising: a reciprocal inflation head movable from a first
position spaced from the tire to a second position engagable with a
side wall of the tire for communicating pressurized fluid to
inflate the tire on the rim, the head having at least two
concentric seals selectively moveable with respect to one another
to independently bring each one of the at least two concentric
seals selectively into sealing engagement with a side wall of the
tire depending on the size of the tire to be inflated on the rim;
and a reciprocation assembly coupled with at least one of said
seals comprising a selectively elongatable member adapted to move
at least one seal with respect to the other seal for selectively
presenting an appropriate one of the at least two concentric seals
in operable position for engaging a side wall of the tire to be
inflated depending on the size of the tire to be inflated on the
rim..Iaddend.
.Iadd.32. An apparatus for inflating a tire mounted on a rim
comprising: a reciprocal inflation head moveable from a first
position spaced from the tire to a second position engagable with a
side wall of the tire for communicating pressurized fluid to
inflate the tire on the rim, the head having at least two
concentric seals selectively moveable with respect to one another
to bring an appropriate one of the at least two concentric seals
selectively into sealing engagement with a side wall of the tire
depending on the size of the tire to be inflated on the rim,
wherein the inflation head includes a first circular wall extending
outwardly from the inflation head and supporting a first seal
corresponding to one of the at least two concentric seals for
operable engagement with the side wall of the tire to be inflated,
and a second circular wall reciprocally mounted with respect to the
inflation head for movement between an extended position and a
retracted position, and supporting a second seal corresponding to
another of the at least two concentric seals for operable
engagement with the side wall of the tire to be inflated, the first
seal positioned for operable engagement with a first size tire when
the second circular wall is in the retracted position, and the
second seal position for operable engagement with a second size
tire when the second circular wall is in the extended position; and
a reciprocation assembly coupled with at least one of said seals
comprising a selectively elongatable member adapted to move at
least one seal with respect to the other seal for selectively
presenting one of the at least two concentric seals in operable
positions for engaging a side wall of the tire to be inflated
depending on the size of the tire to be inflated on the
rim..Iaddend.
.Iadd.33. An apparatus for inflating a tire mounted on a rim
comprising: a reciprocal inflation head moveable from a first
position spaced from the tire to a second position engagable with a
side wall of the tire for communicating pressurized fluid to
inflate the tire on the rim, the head having at least two
concentric seals selectively moveable with respect to one another
to bring an appropriate one of the at least two concentric seals
selectively into sealing engagement with a side wall of the tire
depending on the size of the tire to be inflated on the rim; a
reciprocation assembly coupled with at least one of said seals
comprising a selectively elongatable member adapted to move at
least one seal with respect to the other seal for selectively
presenting one of the at least two concentric seals in operable
position for engaging a side wall of the tire to be inflated
depending on the size of the tire to be inflated on the rim; a tire
transport conveyor adapted to transport a tire mounted on a rim to
a predetermined position at a tire inflating workstation, said tire
transport conveyor having carrier surfaces spaced laterally with
respect to one another along a path of travel for engaging the tire
and rim for transport, the carrier surfaces moveable along the path
of travel and moveable vertically between a raised transport
position and a lowered transfer position; and a support surface at
the tire inflating workstation, the support surface having at least
two portions, the portions having at least one interlocking joint
for holding the portions of the support surface in sealing
engagement with respect to one another during an inflation process,
at least one portion of the support surface moveable transversely
with respect to the path of travel of the conveyor for allowing
transfer of the tire and rim transported by the conveyor to the
support surface as the conveyor moves between the raised transport
position and the lowered transport position..Iaddend.
.Iadd.34. An apparatus for inflating a tire mounted on a rim
comprising: a reciprocal inflation head moveable from a first
position spaced from the tire to a second position engagable with a
side wall of the tire for communicating pressurized fluid to
inflate the tire on the rim, the head having at least two
concentric seals selectively moveable with respect to one another
to bring an appropriate one of the at least two concentric seals
selectively into sealing engagement with a side wall of the tire
depending on the size of the tire to be inflated on the rim; a
reciprocation assembly coupled with at least one of said seals
comprising a member adapted to move at least one seal with respect
to the other seal for selectively presenting one of the at least
two concentric seals in operable position for engaging a side wall
of the tire to be inflated depending on the size of the tire to be
inflated on the rim; a tire transport conveyor adapted to transport
a tire mounted on a rim to a predetermined position at a tire
inflating workstation, said tire transport conveyor engaging the
tire and rim for transport and being moveable along the path of
travel and moveable vertically between a raised transport position
and a lowered transfer position; and a support surface at the tire
inflating workstation, the support surface having at least two
portions, at least one portion of the support surface being
moveable transversely with respect to the path of travel of the
conveyor for allowing transfer of the tire and rim transported by
the conveyor to the support surface as the conveyor moves between
the raised transport position and the lowered transport
position..Iaddend.
.Iadd.35. An apparatus for inflating a tire mounted on a rim
comprising: a reciprocal inflation head moveable from a first
position spaced from the tire to a second position engagable with a
side wall of the tire for communicating pressurized fluid to
inflate the tire on the rim, the head having at least two
concentric seals selectively moveable with respect to one another
to independently bring each one of the at least two concentric
seals selectively into sealing engagement with a side wall of the
tire depending on the size of the tire to be inflated on the rim;
and a reciprocation assembly coupled with at least one of said
seals, said reciprocation assembly being configured to move at
least one seal with respect to the other seal for selectively
presenting an appropriate one of the at least two concentric seals
in operable position for engaging a side wall of the tire to be
inflated depending on the size of the tire to be inflated on the
rim..Iaddend.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for inflating a tire
mounted on a rim, and more particularly a reciprocal inflation head
having at least two concentric seals selectively moveable with
respect to one another to bring at least one seal into sealing
engagement with a side wall of tires of different sizes, and
alternatively or additionally, a splittable support surface at the
tire inflating work station where a portion of the support surface
is moveable transversely with respect to a path of travel on a
conveyor for allowing transfer of a tire and rim transported by the
conveyor to the support surface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Mounting tubeless tires on wheel rims by automobile manufacturers
is normally accomplished by high production devices where a wheel
is placed on a conveyor, the tire is preliminary positioned
relative to the rim, and the rim and tire are conveyed from station
to station. At the various stations, the tire can be soaped, forced
over the rim, and mounted intermediate the upper and lower lips of
the rim. Optionally, the rim and tire may be rotated relative to
each other in accordance with previously applied reference points.
The tire is inflated to a predetermined pressure at an inflation
work station.
To reduce the duration of time required for inflation, it is known
to impose an annular axial force on one of the tire side walls
which causes the other tire side wall to seal against a support
surface while the deflected side wall bead is displaced from the
lip of the rim. An inflation chamber is defined by the support
surface and the tire, and compressed air is forced into the tire
around the displaced side wall bead. After the desired pressure is
achieved in the inflation chamber, the deflected tire side wall is
permitted to expand to seat the bead against the corresponding lip
of the rim to maintain the inflation pressure. This process permits
inflation of the tire to be accomplished in a very short period of
time.
An inflation chamber for a high production tire inflation devices
includes the interior of the tire, where pressurization of the
chamber produces the desired pressure within the tire. To define
the inflation chamber, an annular tire side wall seal is normally
employed to engage the tire side wall and to displace the bead
associated with the side wall from the lip of the rim. Sufficient
pressure is applied to seal the opposite tire side wall against the
support surface. Pressurizing the chamber drives the bead
associated with the opposite tire side wall into engagement with
the lip of the rim while the deflected tire side wall maintains an
open passage until the pressurization of the inflation chamber is
complete. The deflected tire side wall is then permitted to expand
to seat the associated bead against the lip of the rim to maintain
the inflation pressure.
Alternatively, an annular inflation chamber can be defined to
include the interior of the tire, an annular wheel seal employed to
engage the rim, and an annular tire side wall seal employed to
engage the tire side wall for displacing the side wall with respect
to the lip of the rim. In this configuration, no support surface or
sealing device is associated with the opposite side of the tire as
a seal, since the seal opposite from the displaced side wall is
achieved by the engagement of the tire bead with the lip of the rim
during the inflation process. Typically, the side wall engaging
seal and the wheel rim engaging device are displace able with
respect to each other to produce the desired sequence of operation
for this type of annular inflation chamber.
Known tire inflation devices typically can handle only a limited
variation in tire sizes due to the predetermined diameter of the
annular tire side wall seal used to define the inflation chamber
and deflect the tire side wall during the inflation process. Most
tire inflation devices require the size of the sealing structure
for the rim and/or tire side wall to be changed when different
sizes of wheel rims and tires are to be inflated. Changeover of the
inflation line from one tire size to another is time consuming and
expensive. Furthermore, there is often a need to mix tire sizes on
an inflation line as required for production purposes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is desirable in the present invention to provide a tire
inflation apparatus capable of inflating various tire sizes
automatically without requiring changeover of the sealing
structure. In addition, it is desirable in the present invention to
provide a tire inflation apparatus capable of automatically
inflating a mix of tire sizes on an inflation line, where large
differences may occur between the sizes, so that the present
invention can automatically accommodate different rim and tire
sizes.
An apparatus for inflating a tire mounted on a rim according to the
present invention can include a conveyor for transporting a tire
mounted on a rim to a predetermined position at a tire inflating
work station. The conveyor can have carrier surfaces spaced
laterally with respect to one another along the path of travel for
engaging the tire and rim for transport. The carrier surfaces are
moveable along the path of travel and moveable vertically between a
raised transport position and a lowered transfer position. A
support surface at the tire inflating work station is provided. The
support surface has at least two portions. The portions include at
least one interlocking joint for holding the portions of the
support surface in sealing engagement with respect to one another
during an inflation process. At least one portion of the support
surface is moveable transversely with respect to the path of travel
of the conveyor for allowing transfer of the tire and rim
transported by the conveyor to the support surface as the conveyor
moves between the raised transport position and the lowered
transfer position.
An apparatus for inflating a tire mounted on a rim according to the
present invention can include a reciprocal inflation head moveable
from a first position spaced from the tire to a second position
engageable with a side wall of the tire for communicating
pressurized fluid to inflate the tire on the rim. The inflation
head has at least two concentric seals selectably moveable with
respect to one anther to bring at least one seal into sealing
engagement with a side wall of the tire. Means are provided for
moving at least one seal with respect to the other seal for
selectively presenting one seal in operable position for engaging a
side wall of the tire to be inflated. The appropriate seal is
selectively presented to correspond to the tire and rim size to be
inflated at the inflating work station.
Other objects, advantages and applications of the present invention
will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following
description of the best mode contemplated for practicing the
invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings
wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the
several views, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a conveyor for transporting a
tire mounted on a rim to a predetermined position at a tire
inflating work station with a support surface for receiving the
tire and rim;
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a frame supporting the
conveyor and means for moving the frame vertically between a raised
transport position and a lowered transport position;
FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the conveyor illustrated in
FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a side cross sectional view of the support surface at the
tire inflating work station for receiving a tire mounted on a rim
with means for moving one portion of the support surface between a
locked position and an unlocked position with respect to the other
portion of the support surface;
FIG. 5 is an end cross sectional view of the support surface with
means for moving at least one portion of the support surface
transversely with respect to the other portion of the support
surface;
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the support surface at the tire inflating
work station;
FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a reciprocal inflation head at
the tire inflating work station moveable from a first position
spaced from the tire and rim to a second position engageable with a
side wall of the tire supported on the support surface to be
inflated;
FIG. 8 is an end elevational view of the reciprocal inflation head
illustrated in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a plan view of the reciprocal inflation head;
FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the reciprocal inflation head
taken as shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 11 is a simplified schematic view of a support surface or
pallet having a plurality of upwardly extending sealing flanges for
engaging a lower side wall of different size tires for creating a
sealed chamber during the inflation process; and
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the plate or pallet illustrated in
FIG. 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, a lower portion of an apparatus 10
for inflating a tire mounted on a rim is illustrated. The lower
portion of the apparatus 10 preferably includes a conveyor 12 for
transporting a tire mounted on a rim to a predetermined position at
a tire inflating work station 14. The conveyor 10 has carrier
surfaces 16, 18 spaced laterally with respect to one another along
a path of travel for engaging the tire and rim during transport.
The carrier surfaces 16, 18 are moveable along the path of travel,
and are also moveable vertically between a raised transport
position (partially shown in phantom at 20), and a lowered transfer
position shown in solid line at 22. A support surface 24 is
disposed at the tire inflating work station 14 for receiving the
tire mounted on the rim to be inflated. The support surface 24 can
include at least two portions with at least one interlocking joint
26 for holding the portions of the support surface 24 in sealing
engagement with respect to one another during an inflation process.
Preferably at least one portion of the support surface 24 is
moveable transversely with respect to the path of travel of the
conveyor 12 for allowing transfer of the tire and rim transported
by the conveyor 12 to the support surface 24 as the conveyor 12
moves between the raised transport position 20 and the lowered
transfer position 22.
The carrier surfaces 16, 18 of the conveyor 12 can include two
endless conveying surfaces 28, 30 spaced apart from one another and
operably engageable with a drive shaft 32 and an idler wheel 34. A
vertically reciprocal frame 36 supports the drive shaft 32 and
idler wheel or pulley 34. The frame 36 is movable between the
raised transport position 20 and the lowered transfer position 22.
Means 38 is provided for moving the carrier surfaces 16, 18 along
the path of travel. The moving means 38 can include an electric
motor 40 operatively connected to rotate the drive shaft 32. Means
42 is provided for reciprocating the frame vertically between the
raised transport position 20 and the lowered transport position 22.
The reciprocating means 42 can include a fluid operated actuator,
such as a pneumatic or hydraulic, double acting cylinder for
driving the frame 36 between the raised and lowered positions.
Referring now to FIGS. 1, and 4 through 6, the support surface 24
operable engages and supports a tire mounted on a rim at a
predetermined position at the tire inflating work station 14. The
support surface 24 is capable of creating a seal with respect to
the lower side wall of a tire when the opposite side wall of the
tire is engaged and deflected by annular axial force imposed by an
annular inflation chamber to be described in greater detail below
with respect to FIGS. 7 through 10. The support surface can include
at least two portions, and preferably three portions 24a, 24b, 24c
as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. Two end portions 24a, 24b are
disposed on opposite sides of a central portion 24c of the support
surface 24. Each end portion 24a, 24b has an interlocking joint
44a, 44b with respect to the central portion 24c of the support
surface 24 for holding the separate portions 24a, 24b, 24c of the
support surface 24 in sealing engagement with respect to one
another during an inflation process. Each end portion, 24a, 24b is
moveable transversely toward and away from the central portion 24c
for allowing passage of the conveyor 12 between the central portion
24c and the end portions 24a, 24b as the conveyor 12 moves between
the raised and lowered positions 20, 22 respectively. Drive means
46 is provided for driving each end portion 24a, 24b of the support
surface 24 transversely with respect to the path of travel for the
conveyor 12. The end portions 24a, 24b of the support surface 24
are moved along one or more guide rails 48 by the drive means
46.
As best seen in FIG. 5, the central portion 24c of the support
surface 24 is moveable vertically between a locked position (not
shown) and an unlocked position with respect to the end portions
24a, 24b. In the transversely retracted position illustrated in
FIG. 5, the conveyor 12 is permitted to move between the end
portions 24a, 24b and the center portion 24c as the conveyor 12
moves between the raised position 20 and the lowered position 22.
When the end portions 24a, 24b are extended toward the central
portion 24c to align the interlocking joints 44a, 44b with respect
to the corresponding interlocking tongue and grooves formed on the
central portion 24c, the central portion 24c can be moved form the
unlocked position to the locked position to engage the interlocking
joints 44a, 44b with respect to the end portions 24a, 24b to form a
rigid, sealed support surface 24 during the inflation process. As
best seen in FIG. 4, reciprocal means 50 are provided for moving
the central portion 24c of the support surface 24 between the
locked and unlocked positions. Rim centering means 52 is provided
mounted to the support surface 24. The rim centering means 52 can
include at least one crank arm 54 having a cam surface or roller 56
operably positioned on an outer end for engagement with an interior
surface of the rim to be centered. A pivot shaft 58 of the crank
arm 54 can pass through the support surface 24. A pinion gear 60
can be connected to an opposite end of the pivot shaft 58 for
operable engagement by a drive gear 62. The drive gear 62 can be
driven through at least a predetermined angular rotation for
centering the rim with respect to the support surface 24 by any
appropriate drive mechanism, such as crank arm 64 and reciprocal
actuator 66.
Referring now to FIGS. 7 through 10, an upper portion of the
apparatus 10 for inflating a tire mounted on a rim is illustrated.
A reciprocal inflation head 68 is moveable from a first position
spaced from the tire to a second position engageable with a side
wall of the tire for communicating pressurized fluid to inflate the
tire on the rim. The head 68 has at least two concentric annular
seals 70, 72 moveable with respect to one another to bring at least
one seal 70 or 72 into sealing engagement with a side wall of the
tire to be inflated. The seals 70, 72 are selectably moved
depending on the size of the tire to be inflated. By way of example
and not limitation, the inner or smaller diameter seal 70 can be
used to inflate tire diameters of between 14 inches to 16 inches
inclusive, while the outer or larger diameter annual seal 72 can be
used to inflate tire diameters of between 17 inches to 19 inches
inclusive. Means 74 is provided for moving at least one seal 72
with respect to the other seal 70 for selectably presenting one
seal 70 or 72 in operable position for engaging a side wall of the
tire to be inflated. The inflation head 68 can include a first
circular wall 74 extending outwardly from the inflation head 68 and
supporting a first seal 70 for operable engagement with the side
wall of the tire to be inflated. A second circular wall 76 is
reciprocally mounted with respect to the inflation head 68 for
movement between an extended position (shown in phantom in FIG. 7)
and a retracted position (shown in solid line in FIG. 7). The
second circular wall 76 supports a second seal 72 for operable
engagement with the side wall of the tire to be inflated. The first
seal 70 is positioned for operable engagement with a first size
tire to be inflated when the second circular wall 76 is in the
retracted position. The second seal 72 is positioned for operable
engagement with a second size tire to be inflated when the second
circular wall 76 is in the extended position. The illustrated
embodiment in FIG. 7 illustrates the first seal 70 for use with a
first size tire which is smaller than a second size tire to be
operably engaged by the second seal 72.
Means 78 is provided for moving the second circular wall 76 with
respect to the first circular wall 74 of the inflation head 68. The
moving means 78 can include inflatable bladders or chambers 80
operably connected to the second circular wall 76 for moving the
second circular wall 76 with respect to the first circular wall 74
in response to inflation and deflation of the corresponding bladder
or chambers or any other suitable motor 80. Means 82 is provided
for locking the second circular wall 76 with respect to the
inflation head 68 when the second circular wall 76 is in the
extended position. The locking means 82 transfers the annular axial
force through the second circular wall 76 to deflect the engaged
tire sidewall away from the lip of the rim in order to create the
inflation chamber used to inflate the tire on the rim. The annular
axial force is sufficient to drive the opposing side wall of the
tire into sealing engagement with the support surface 24 in order
to seal the opposite side of the inflation chamber used to inflate
the tire. As best seen in FIGS. 7 and 10, the locking means 82 can
include a plurality of rods 84 supporting the inflation head 68
from a movable carriage 86 for movement between the first and
second positions. Each rod 84 includes a keyway recess (not shown)
formed therein. A plate 88 is operably connected to the second
circular wall 76. The plate 88 includes a plurality of apertures 90
formed therein for allowing passage of the plurality of rods 84.
Each aperture 90 has an enlarged portion 92 allowing free movement
relative to the corresponding rod 84, and a key portion 94 having
reduced dimensions operably engagable with the keyway recess in
each rod 84, when the second circular wall 76 is in the extended
position for locking the second circular wall 76 with respect to
the inflation head 68. The plate 88 is moveable rotationally about
a central axis to operably engage and disengage the key portion 94
of the apertures 90 with respect to the corresponding keyway recess
in each rod 84. Means 96 is provided for moving the plate 88
between an engaged position illustrated in FIG. 10, where the key
portion 94 is engaged with the keyway recess of each rod 84, and a
disengaged position (not shown) where the enlarged portion 92 of
the aperture 90 allows free movement of the plate 88 with respect
to the corresponding rods 84. The moving means 96 can include a
fluid actuated cylinder 98 or any other suitable drive
mechanism.
As best seen in FIGS. 11 and 12, the plate or pallet 24 can include
a plurality of upwardly extending concentric annular sealing
flanges 100, 102 for operably engaging a lower side wall of the
tire in sealing contact to define an inflation chamber in
combination with the corresponding annual seals 70, 72 of the
inflation head engaging the upper side wall of the tire to be
inflated. Depending on the size of the tire to be inflated, the
lower side wall of the tire will operably engage at least one of
the sealing flanges 100, 102 of the support surface 24 as the
corresponding annular seal 70 or 72 for the particular size tire to
be inflated is brought into contact with the upper side wall of the
tire. After the upper and lower side walls of the tire are
sealingly engaged to define the inflation chamber, pressurized
fluid, such as compressed air, is communicated with the sealed
chamber to inflate the tire on the rim. The inner lower tire seal
100 preferably is tapered to allow the rim centering device to
operate and to prevent interference between the wheel and the inner
lower tire seal 100 during operation of the rim centering device.
The outer lower tire seal can be abrupt.
It should be apparent from the foregoing description that the
conveyor 12 and support surface 24 of the present invention can be
used with other types of tire inflating equipment, and that the
dual ring tire inflation head 68 and moving means 78 for presenting
one seal in operable position for engaging a side wall of the tire
to be inflated can be used with other types of conveyors and
support surfaces. The preferred configuration according to the
present invention is to use the disclosed conveyor and support
surface in combination with the dual ring tire inflation head and
moving means for presenting one seal in operable position for
engaging a side wall of the tire to be inflated. However, other
conveyors and supporting surfaces in combination with the dual ring
tire inflation head and moving means for presenting one seal in
operable position for engaging the side wall of the tire to be
inflated will be considered to be within the scope of the present
invention. The conveyor and splittable support surface according to
the present invention in combination with other inflation heads
will also be considered to be within the scope of the present
invention.
The dual ring inflating head 68 according to the present invention
includes a first inner seal ring 70 which is held stationary with
respect to the reciprocal inflation head 68 that can be moved
vertically by carriage 86 from a first or raised position to a
second or lowered position in order to bring the first inner seal
70 into sealing contact with the upper side wall of a tire to be
inflated on a wheel rim. When inflating tires of smaller diameter,
the second outer seal ring is held in a raised position, with
respect to the first inner seal ring, out of engagement with the
side wall of the tire to be inflated. The second outer seal 72 is
moveable with respect to the inner seal 70 by a plurality of
inflatable chambers or any other suitable motors 80 disposed
between the upper surface of the first inner seal ring, and the
upper wall of a reciprocal housing supporting the second outer seal
ring 72. An inflatable chamber 80 is also positioned between the
upper surface of the reciprocal housing supporting the second seal
ring 72 and the carriage 86 supporting the inflation head 68. This
allows movement of the second seal ring 72 between a raised
position and a lowered position with respect to the inner seal ring
70. When in the lowered position, the second outer seal ring 72 can
be brought into engagement with the upper sidewall of a larger
diameter tire to be inflated on a wheel rim by movement of the
carriage 86 from the raised position to the lowered position. Due
to the high forces existing during inflation of a tire on the wheel
rim, it is necessary to hold the reciprocal housing supporting the
second outer seal ring 72 in a fixed position relative to the
vertically extending support guides. In order to achieve this, the
vertically extending support guides or rods 84 include a narrowed
diameter or groove or keyway recess adjacent a lower end operably
engageable when the reciprocal housing supporting the second outer
seal ring 72 is in the lowered position with respect to the first
inner seal ring 70. When in this position, the plate 88 is rotated
through a predetermined arc to bring reduced diameter key surfaces
94 into operable engagement with the grooves of the vertically
extending rods 84 to lock the reciprocal housing supporting the
second outer seal ring 72 in the lowered position against the
forces present during the inflation process. The upper carriage 86
supporting the first inner seal ring 70 and second outer seal ring
72 for movement between the raised and lowered position is driven
in reciprocation by two compressed air operated cylinders. A larger
central hydraulic operated cylinder is used to lock the carriage in
the desired position against the forces imposed during the
inflation process.
The conveyor 12 according to the present invention can include a
chain conveyor movable between a upper position 20 and a lower
position 22. When in the upper position, the chain conveyor moves a
tire and wheel rim combination to the inflation work station. The
central portion 24c of the pallet 24 is raised to an upper position
and an actuator 66 drives outwardly rotatable arms 54 into
engagement with the wheel rim in order to center the wheel rim and
tire with respect to the central portion 24c of the pallet 24.
After centering, the central portion 24c of the pallet 24 and
conveyor 12 are moved into the lowered position. While being
lowered, the outer peripheral portions 24a, 24b of the pallet 24
are moved radially inward toward one another to align complementary
interlocking tongue and groove portions for engagement with the
central portion 24c of the pallet 24. The tongue and groove
portions of the central pallet 24c and outer portions 24a, 24b of
the pallet 24 tie the pallet 24 together in order to resist the
high forces imposed during the inflation process and in order to
seal the pallet pieces with respect to one another so that a seal
can be provided with respect to the lower surface of the tire to be
inflated. After inflation, the chain conveyor can be raised to the
upper position to remove the inflated tire from the inflation
workstation, and to present an uninflated tire and wheel rim
combination to the workstation to be processed.
While the invention has been described in connection with what is
presently considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be
limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is
intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which
scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to
encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is
permitted under the law.
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