Tire mounting and demounting machine

Claim 2

In a tire changer for breaking loose both beads of a tire mounted on a wheel having an interior annulus and opposed rim flanges adjacent bead seats for receiving the respective tire beads, the improvement comprising: a frame unit receiving and holding the wheel, a pair of bead breaking devices; means for mounting one of the bead breaking devices on the frame unit for guided movement relative to said frame and to the wheel causing said one bead breaking device to first move into engagement with one bead of the tire for displacing said one bead from the associated rim bead seat toward the interior annulus of the rim; means for mounting the other bead breaking device on the frame unit for movement relative thereto and through a path causing said other bead breaking device to engage the other bead of the tire in offset opposed relation-ship relative to said one bead breaking device and to displace such other bead from the associated rim bead seat toward said interior annulus of the rim; a power source; and floating linkage means coupling the power source to each of said bead breaking device mounting means for moving said bead breaking devices through predetermined distances into engagement with the associated beads and then sequentially through the bead breaking paths of travel thereof, said floating linkage means including force dividing means operably intercoupling the power source and said mounting means for said bead breaking devices for maintaining a predetermined force ratio between each of the bead breaking devices during displacement of the beads from the bead seats regardless of varying magnitudes of resistance to displacement offered by respective beads, the first bead to break being effective to momentarily reduce said proportional forces applied to both beads thereby assuring that the bead breaking device associated with said first bead to break will fully terminate its movement before the other bead is released from its rim.

Claim 3

A tire changer as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bead breaking devices are positioned to engage diametrically opposed bead areas of the tire.

Claim 4

A tire changer as set forth in claim 1 wherein said power source comprises a single prime mover.

Claim 5

A tire changer as set forth in claim 1 wherein said floating linkage means coupling the power source to each of said bead breaking mounting means is operable to permit selective operation of the devices upon both movement of the non-selected device to an inoperative position and movement of one end portion of the non-selected mounting means through its full range of travel.

Claim 6

A tire changer as set forth in claim 1 wherein said floating linkage means includes a first lever arm pivotally carried by the frame unit and supporting said one bead breaking device for movement along the bead breaking path of travel thereof, means on the frame for limiting the pivotal movement of the first lever arm relative to the frame, a second lever arm movably connected to said first arm for shifting relative to the latter, means movably connecting the second arm to the frame unit for moving said first lever and said one bead breaking device along said bead breaking path thereof in response to movement of said second lever arm, means on the frame for limiting the movement of said second arm relative to said frame unit, means operably connecting said second lever arm to said other bead breaking device for moving said other bead breaking device along its bead breaking path of travel when the latter is in the bead breaking position on the frame unit, and means connecting said second lever arm to said power source for shifting said second lever arm upon actuation of said power source.

Claim 7

A tire changer for breaking loose both beads of a tire mounted on a wheel having an interior annulus and opposed rim flanges adjacent bead seats for respective tire beads, the improvement comprising: a frame unit for receiving and holding the wheel; a pair of bead breaking devices; means for mounting one of the bead breaking devices on the frame unit for guided movement relative thereto causing said one bead breaking device to first move into engagement with one bead of the tire for displacing said one bead from the associated rim bead seat toward the interior annulus of the rim; means for mounting the other bead breaking device on the frame unit for movement relative thereto and through a path causing said other bead breaking device to engage the other bead of the tire in offset opposed relationship relative to said one bead breaking device and to displace such other bead from the associated rim bead seat toward said interior annulus of the rim; a power source; and mechanism coupling the power source to each of said bead breaking devices for moving the latter through the bead breaking paths of travel thereof, said mechanism including means operably intercoupling the power source and said bead breaking devices for maintaining predetermined force ratios between the power source force and the force applied by each of the bead breaking devices to the tire beads in directions to effect displacement thereof from the bead seats therefor, regardless of the resistance to displacement offered by respective beads; said mechanism including a first lever arm pivoted on the frame unit and supporting said one bead breaking device for movement along the bead breaking path of travel thereof, a second lever arm pivoted to said first arm for shifting the latter, means movably mounting the second arm on the frame unit in disposition to effect movement of said one bead breaking device along said bead breaking path thereof in response to movement of said second lever arm, means operable by the second lever arm during movement thereof for moving said other bead breaking device along the bead breaking path of travel of the same when the latter is in the bead breaking disposition thereof on the frame unit, and means operated by said power source for shifting said seconD lever arm; said means movably mounting the second lever arm of the frame unit including a link pivotally supported by the frame unit for swinging movement about an axis parallel to and spaced from the axis of pivoting of the first lever arm and the axis of pivotal connection of the second lever arm to the first lever arm, and means pivotally mounting the second lever arm on said link for pivotal support thereby and spaced relationship from the axis of pivoting movement of the link.

Claim 8

A tire changer for breaking loose both beads of a tire mounted on a wheel having an interior annulus and opposed rim flanges adjacent bead seats for respective tire beads, the improvement comprising: a frame unit for receiving and holding the wheel; a pair of bead breaking devices; means for mounting one of the bead breaking devices on the frame unit for guided movement relative thereto causing said one bead breaking device to first move into engagement with one bead of the tire for displacing said one bead from the associated rim bead seat toward the interior annulus of the rim; means for mounting the other bead breaking device on the frame unit for movement relative thereto and through a path causing said other bead breaking device to engage the other bead of the tire in offset opposed relationship relative to said one bead breaking device and to displace such other bead from the associated rim bead seat toward said interior annulus of the rim; a power source; and mechanism coupling the power source to each of said bead breaking devices for moving the latter through the bead breaking paths of travel thereof, said mechanism including means operably intercoupling the power source and said bead breaking devices for maintaining predetermined force ratios between the power source force and the force applied by each of the bead breaking devices to the tire beads in directions to effect displacement thereof from the bead seats therefor, regardless of the resistance to displacement offered by respective beads; said mechanism including a first lever arm pivoted on the frame unit and supporting said one bead breaking device for movement along the bead breaking path of travel thereof, a second lever arm pivoted to said first arm for shifting the latter, means movably mounting the second arm on the frame unit in disposition to effect movement of said one bead breaking device along said bead breaking path thereof in response to movement of said second lever arm, means operable by the second lever arm during movement thereof for moving said other bead breaking device along the bead breaking path of travel of the same when the latter is in the bead breaking disposition thereof on the frame unit, and means operated by said power source for shifting said seconD lever arm; said means movably mounting the second lever arm of the frame unit including a link pivotally supported by the frame unit for swinging movement about an axis parallel to and spaced from the axis of pivoting of the first lever arm and the axis of pivotal connection of the second lever arm to the first lever arm, and means pivotally mounting the second lever arm on said link for pivotal support thereby and spaced relationship from the axis of pivoting movement of the link.

Claim 9

A tire changer as set forth in claim 6 wherein said second lever arm is pivotally coupled at one end thereof to said first lever arm, the means for coupling the second lever arm to said other bead breaking device is located at the opposite end of the second lever arm, and the point of pivotal connection of the link to said second lever arm is intermediate the points of operable coupling of the second lever arm to said first lever arm and said second lever arm to said other bead breaking device respectively.

Claim 10

A tire changer as set forth in claim 6, wherein said link is pivotally carried by an actuator pivotally mounted on the frame unit for swinging movement about an axis parallel to and spaced from the axis of pivoting of the link relative to the actuator, and means for operably coupling the actuator to the power source for swinging the actuator in response to operation of the power source.

Claim 11

A tire changer as set forth in claim 8 wherein said power source includes a power assembly having a shiftable element selectively movable upon actuation of the assembly, said element being operable during movement thereof to swing the actuator and thereby shift the second lever arm to move the bead breaking devices through respective bead breaking paths of travel thereof.

Claim 12

A tire changer for breaking loose both beads of a tire mounted on a wheel having an interior annulus and opposed rim flanges adjacent bead seats for respective tire beads, the improvement comprising: a frame unit for receiving and holding the wheel; a pair of bead breaking devices; means for mounting one of the bead breaking devices on the frame unit for guided movement relative thereto causing said one bead breaking device to first move into engagement with one bead of the tire for displacing said one bead from the associated rim bead seat toward the interior annulus of the rim; means for mounting the other bead breaking device on the frame unit for movement relative thereto and through a path causing said other bead breaking device to engage the other bead of the tire in offset opposed relationship relative to said one bead breaking device and to displace such other bead from the associated rim bead seat toward said interior annulus of the rim; a power source; and mechanism coupling the power source to each of said bead breaking devices for moving the latter through the bead breaking paths of travel thereof, said mechanism including means operably intercoupling the power source and said bead breaking devices for maintaining predetermined force ratios between the power source force and the force applied by each of the bead breaking devices to the tire beads in directions to effect displacement thereof from the bead seats therefor, regardless of the resistance to displacement offered by respective beads; said mechanism including a first lever arm carried by the frame unit and supporting said one bead breaking device for movement along the bead breaking path of travel thereof, a second lever arm operably coupled to said first arm for shifting the latter, means movably mounting the second arm on the frame unit in disposition to effect movement of said one bead breaking device along said bead breaking path thereof in response to movement of said second lever arm, means operable by the second lever arm during movement thereof for moving said other bead breaking device along the bead breaking path of travel of the same when the latter is in the bead breaking disposition thereof on the frame unit, and means operated by said power Source for shifting said second lever arm; the means mounting said other bead breaking device on the frame unit includes a constraint in spaced relationship from a tire carried by the frame unit, an elongated support member adapted to be supported on the constraint, said other bead breaking device being mounted on the end of the support member normally located in proximal relationship to the tire, and a component secured to the support for movement therewith, their being means on said second lever arm and the component for moving the latter in a direction to shift the support member through a displacement to move said other bead breaking device through the bead breaking path of travel thereof.

Claim 13

A tire changer for breaking loose both beads of a tire mounted on a wheel having an interior annulus and opposed rim flanges adjacent bead seats for respective tire beads, the improvement comprising: a frame unit for receiving and holding the wheel; a pair of bead breaking devices; means for mounting one of the bead breaking devices on the frame unit for guided movement relative thereto causing said one bead breaking device to first move into engagement with one bead of the tire for displacing said one bead from the associated rim bead seat toward the interior annulus of the rim; means for mounting the other bead breaking device on the frame unit for movement relative thereto and through a path causing said other bead breaking device to engage the other bead of the tire in offset opposed relationship relative to said one bead breaking device and to displace such other bead from the associated rim bead seat toward said interior annulus of the rim; a power source; and mechanism coupling the power source to each of said bead breaking devices for moving the latter through the bead breaking paths of travel thereof, said mechanism including means operably intercoupling the power source and said bead breaking devices for maintaining predetermined force ratios between the power source force and the force applied by each of the bead breaking devices to the tire beads in directions to effect displacement thereof from the bead seats therefor, regardless of the resistance to displacement offered by respective beads; said mechanism including a first lever arm carried by the frame unit and supporting said one bead breaking device for movement along the bead breaking path of travel thereof, a second lever arm operably coupled to said first arm for shifting the latter, means movably mounting the second arm on the frame unit in disposition to effect movement of said one bead breaking device along said bead breaking path thereof in response to movement of said second lever arm, means operable by the second lever arm during movement thereof for moving said other bead breaking device along the bead breaking path of travel of the same when the latter is in the bead breaking disposition thereof on the frame unit, and means operated by said power Source for shifting said second lever arm; the means mounting said other bead breaking device on the frame unit includes a constraint in spaced relationship from a tire carried by the frame unit, an elongated support member adapted to be supported on the constraint, said other bead breaking device being mounted on the end of the support member normally located in proximal relationship to the tire, and a component secured to the support for movement therewith, their being means on said second lever arm and the component for moving the latter in a direction to shift the support member through a displacement to move said other bead breaking device through the bead breaking path of travel thereof.

Claim 14

A tire changer as set forth in claim 10 wherein said other bead breaking device is pivotally mounted on the support member, there being means on the support member engageable with said other bead breaking device for limiting the extent of swinging thereof in a direction toward the wheel rim when the support member is positioned on the constraint, with said other bead breaking device against the tire adjacent the wheel rim during the first part of movement of said other bead breaking device through the bead breaking path of travel thereof.

Claim 15

A tire changer as set forth in claim 10 wherein is provided selectively interengageable teeth means on the support member and said constraint for facilitating selective positioning of the support member on the constraint to permit variation of the effective length of the support member rela-tive to the constraint.

Claim 16

A tire changer as set forth in claim 1 wherein said frame unit is provided with an essentially horizontally disposed wheel mounting table adapted to support the tire and wheel in generally horizontal disposition, said one bead break-ing device being located below a tire on the table to displace the lower tire bead toward the central annulus of the rim, and the other bead breaking device is positionable over the tire for displacing the upper tire bead toward the central annulus of the wheel.

Claim 17

A tire changer as set forth in claim 1 wherein is provided means operably associated with said bead breaking devices for causing the latter to primarily first shift radially of respective rims between corresponding rim flanges and the tire beads and thence along more axial paths of travel with respect to the wheel to effect displacement of opposed tire beads from the bead seats therefor.

Claim 18

A tire changer as set forth in claim 1 wherein said one bead breaking device is selectively movable to a position clearing the tire during operation of the power source through its full bead breaking stroke.

Claim 19

A bead breaker assembly for a vehicular tire mounted on a wheel having a rim flange, an annular interior area, and a bead seat between the flange and said interior area, said bead breaker assembly comprising: a frame unit for receiving and holding the wheel rim in a fixed position; a bead breaking shoe with a leading lip and structure carried outboard of the wheel rim supporting the shoe in disposition to engage the tire bead adjacent said rim flange; means coupled to said shoe and cooperable with said structure to primarily first shift the shoe lip radially of the wheel rim between the rim flange and the tire bead and to thereafter move the shoe lip generally axially of the wheel rim about a point radially outboard of the rim and generally in the plane of the bead seat in a direction to displace the bead from the bead seat toward said interior area of the wheel while the lip of the shoe remains in spaced relationship from said bead seat.

Claim 20

A bead breaker assembly for a vehicular tire mounted on a wheel having a rim flange, an annular interior area, and a bead seat between the flange and said interior area, said bead breaker assembly comprising: a frame unit for receiving and holding the wheel rim in a fixed position; a bead breaking shoe with a leading lip and structure carried outboard of the wheel rim supporting the shoe in disposition to engage the tire bead adjacent said rim flange; means coupled to said shoe and cooperable with said structure to primarily first shift the shoe lip radially of the wheel rim between the rim flange and the tire bead and to thereafter move the shoe lip generally axially of the wheel rim about a point radially outboard of the rim and generally in the plane of the bead seat in a direction to displace the bead from the bead seat toward said interior area of the wheel while the lip of the shoe remains in spaced relationship from said bead seat.

Claim 21

An assembly as set forth in claim 16 wherein said structure includes an elongated support member carrying the shoe thereon and a contraint outboard of the wheel rim and pivotally supporting said support member for rotation relative thereto.

Claim 22

An assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein said support member and the constraint include means for varying the effective lEngth of the support member to permit selective positioning of the shoe with respect to the tire bead seat area regardless of the effective diameter of the wheel.

Claim 23

An assembly as set forth in claim 18 wherein is provided means pivotally mounting the shoe on the support member for rotation about an axis in parallel relationship to the axis of pivoting movement of the support member about said constraint.

Claim 24

An assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein said support member is provided with stop means thereon positioned to be engaged by the shoe during pivoting thereof to limit the motion of the shoe lip toward the bead seat area as the support member pivots relative to the constraint to first produce limited inward radial lip motion followed by generally axial motion thereof during displacement of said bead from the bead seat toward the interior area of the wheel.

Claim 25

A bead breaker assembly for breaking loose one bead of a vehicular tire mounted on a wheel having a rim flange and a bead seat for said one bead leading to a central annular area, said bead breaker assembly comprising: a frame unit for receiving and holding the wheel rim in a fixed position with said one bead of the tire exposed for displacement thereof toward said annular central area thereof; a bead breaking shoe and; structure radially outboard of the wheel rim bead seat area supporting the shoe for pivoting movement about first and second spaced parallel axes respectively, said structure being operable to first primarily shift the shoe lip radially of the wheel rim between the rim flange and said one tire bead as the shoe pivots about both of said axes of pivoting movement and to thereafter move the shoe primarily axially of the wheel rim in a direction to displace said one bead from the bead seat into the annular central area of the wheel as the shoe pivots about the second of said axis of pivoting movement, said second axis of pivoting movement being located in sufficient space outboard relationship from the mounted wheel rim in essentially the plane of the bead seat and in disposition to cause the shoe lip to move along the bead seat in essentially constant spaced relationship therefrom.

Claim 26

A bead breaker assembly for breaking loose one bead of a vehicular tire mounted on a wheel having a rim flange and a bead seat for said one bead leading to a central annular area, said bead breaker assembly comprising: a frame unit for receiving and holding the wheel rim in a fixed position with said one bead of the tire exposed for displacement thereof toward said annular central area thereof; a bead breaking shoe and; structure radially outboard of the wheel rim bead seat area supporting the shoe for pivoting movement about first and second spaced parallel axes respectively, said structure being operable to first primarily shift the shoe lip radially of the wheel rim between the rim flange and said one tire bead as the shoe pivots about both of said axes of pivoting movement and to thereafter move the shoe primarily axially of the wheel rim in a direction to displace said one bead from the bead seat into the annular central area of the wheel as the shoe pivots about the second of said axis of pivoting movement, said second axis of pivoting movement being located in sufficient space outboard relationship from the mounted wheel rim in essentially the plane of the bead seat and in disposition to cause the shoe lip to move along the bead seat in essentially constant spaced relationship therefrom.

Claim 27

An assembly as set forth in claim 21 wherein said structure includes an elongated support member pivotally carrying the shoe thereon, said structure further including a plurality of selectively engageable pivot means in radial spaced relationship from a tire mounted on said frame unit and on said elongated support to permit rotation of said support member relative to the frame unit and to permit variation of the effective length of the support member and thereby the spacing of said shoe lip from the pivot on said frame unit so that wheels of different diameter may be accommodated on the frame unit.

Claim 28

An assembly as set forth in claim 22 wherein said support member is provided with stop means thereon located to be engaged by the shoe to limit further rotation thereof with respect to the support member after the shoe has penetrated between the rim flange and the bead seat to cause further movement of the shoe lip to be restricted to generally an axial path relative to the bead seat of the wheel.

Claim 29

An assembly as set forth in claim 23 wherein is provided spring means on the support member engaging the shoe for biasing the latter away from said stop means therefor.

Claim 30

A power operated tire changer comprising: a frame for receiving and holding a tire wheel; tire bead loosening means carried by the frame for break-ing loose at least one bead of a tire mounted on a wheel; tire mount-demount means on the frame; a single power source; means for operably coupling the power source to said bead loosening means for effecting bead breaking operation thereof; means for operably coupling the power source to said tire mount-demount means; and selecting means operably associated with said power source for preventing bead loosening means movement in one mode tHereof thereby allowing operation of the tire mount-demount means, and alternately operable in another mode to prevent operation of the tire mount-demount means while allowing bead breaking movement of the bead loosening means.

Claim 31

A power operated tire changer comprising: a frame for receiving and holding a tire wheel; tire bead loosening means carried by the frame for break-ing loose at least one bead of a tire mounted on a wheel; tire mount-demount means on the frame; a single power source; means for operably coupling the power source to said bead loosening means for effecting bead breaking operation thereof; means for operably coupling the power source to said tire mount-demount means; and selecting means operably associated with said power source for preventing bead loosening means movement in one mode tHereof thereby allowing operation of the tire mount-demount means, and alternately operable in another mode to prevent operation of the tire mount-demount means while allowing bead breaking movement of the bead loosening means.

Claim 32

A tire changer as set forth in claim 25 wherein said power source comprises two elements each mounted for movement with respect to said frame and with respect to each other; said first element being operably associated with said tire mount-demount means to shift the latter upon actuation of the power source when the second element is fixed with respect to the frame and said second element being operably associated with said bead loosening means for shifting the latter upon actuation of the power source when said first element is fixed relative to the frame, there being means for permitting movement of a selected element only with respect to the frame.

Claim 33

A tire changer as set forth in claim 25 wherein said power source comprises a fluid actuated assembly having piston and cylinder units selectively movable relatively and relative to the frame, said bead loosening coupling means being operable by one of the units upon movement thereof relative to the frame and the tire mount-demount coupling means being operable by the other unit upon movement of the latter with respect to the frame, there being means associated with said fluid actuated assembly for permitting movement of a selected unit only with respect to the frame.

Claim 34

A tire changer as set forth in claim 25 wherein said means for operably coupling said power source to said bead loosening means includes a movable actuator carried by said frame unit, said actuator being operably coupled to the bead loosening means for moving the latter during operation of the power source, said power source including a driver movable upon actuation of the power source to operate said mount-demount means; and said selecting means includes a movable locking dog normally disposed in blocking relationship to the driver and shiftable to a location clearing the latter permitting operation of the tire mount-demount means by the driver, there being latch means operably associated with the locking dog for preventing motion of the actuator when the locking dog is moved out of blocking relationship with the driver and conversely for allowing motion of the actuator when the locking dog is in blocking relationship with the driver.

Claim 35

A tire changer as set forth in claim 28 wherein said tire mount-demount means includes a rotatable element, said driver including a rack movable therewith, and gear means on the element in operable mesh with the rack for effecting rotation of the element in response to reciprocation of the rack.

Claim 36

A tire changer as set forth in claim 28 wherein said power source comprises a fluid actuated assembly having piston and cylinder units, one of the units being joined to the driver for operating the latter and the other unit being mounted for movement relative to said one unit upon blocking of the driver by said locking dog thereby causing operation of said actuator, said actuator being operably coupled to said other unit to restrain movement thereof when the actuator is locked against movement by the latch means thereby causing shifting of the driver.

Claim 37

A tire changer as set forth in claim 30 wherein is provided means for moving the locking dog into blocking relationship to the driver and the latch means out of latching engagement to the acutator when the bead loosening means is in bead breaking disposition thereof.

Claim 38

A tire changer as set forth in claim 28 wherein is provided means for moving the locking dog into blocking relationship to the driver and the latch means out of latching engagement to the actuator when the bead loosening means is in bead breaking disposition thereof.

Claim 39

A tire changer as set forth in claim 28 wherein is provided means for moving the locking dog out of blocking relationship to the driver and the latch means into latching engagement to the aCtuator when the tire mount-demount means is in mounting or demounting disposition thereof.

Claim 40

A tire changer as set forth in claim 25 wherein means is provided to place said selecting means into operable position for preventing operation of said mount-demount means while allowing bead breaking movement of said bead breaking means when the bead loosening means is in bead breaking disposition thereof.

Claim 41

A tire changer as set forth in claim 25 wherein means is provided to place said selecting means into operable position for preventing operation of said bead loosening means while allowing operation of said mount-demount means when the tire mount-demount means is in mounting and demounting disposition thereof.

Claim 42

A tire changer as set forth in claim 28 wherein said bead loosening means includes a bead breaking shoe, a support member, and means mounting the shoe on the support member in disposition to engage the bead of a tire on said wheel, said support member being provided with means positioned to be operated by said actuator for shifting the support member and thereby the bead breaking shoe to displace the tire bead from the wheel bead seat therefor, there being means joining the locking dog and the latch means for movement thereof into alternate positions of the same, and means positioned to be operated by the bead loosening means when the latter is removed from bead breaking disposition and placed in a stowed position on the frame unit for effecting shifting of the locking dog unit out of locking relationship to the driver as the latch means is moved into disposition to be engaged by the actuator.

Claim 43

A tire changer as set forth in claim 36 wherein said means for shifting the locking dog and latch means includes a pad swingably mounted on the frame unit in disposition to receive the bead loosening means thereon when the bead loosening means is in said stowed position thereof, there being connecting means operably joining the pad to the locking dog and latch means to swing the latter in response to pivoting of the pad by the bead loosening means.

Claim 44

A tire changer as set forth in claim 37 wherein said bead loosening means also includes a rod depending from said support member operably connecting said support member and said actuator for swinging the support member and thereby the bead breaking shoe to displace the tire bead from the wheel bead seat upon operation of the actuator, said rod also being selectively positionable when the bead loosening means is removed from the bead breaking disposition and placed in a stowed position to effect shifting of the locking dog out of locking relationship to the driver as the latch means is moved into latching engagement by the actuator.

Claim 45

In a tire changer for breaking loose both beads of a tire mounted on a wheel having an axis of generation and bead seats for respective tire beads, the improvement comprising: a frame unit for receiving and holding the wheel; lower and upper bead breaking devices disposed at different radial positions relative to the axis of the wheel and each being provided with a bead engaging shoe; means mounting the devices on the frame unit for movement of the shoe of said lower device into engagement with the tire bead in closest proximity to the frame and movement of the shoe of the upper device into engagement with the other bead of a tire on a wheel while the latter is supported on the frame unit; and means for operating both the bead breaking devices, the bead breaking shoe of said lower device being mounted for shifting movement from a normal bead engaging position to a tire clearing location so that only the shoe of the upper device engages the tire during operation of the devices.

Claim 46

In a tire changer for breaking loose both beads of a tire mounted on a wheel having an axis of generation and bead seats for respective tire beads, the improvement comprising: a frame unit for receiving and holding the wheel; lower and upper bead breaking devices disposed at different radial positions relative to the axis of the wheel and each being provided with a bead engaging shoe; means mounting the devices on the frame unit for movement of the shoe of said lower device into engagement with the tire bead in closest proximity to the frame and movement of the shoe of the upper device into engagement with the other bead of a tire on a wheel while the latter is supported on the frame unit; and means for operating both the bead breaking devices, the bead breaking shoe of said lower device being mounted for shifting movement from a normal bead engaging position to a tire clearing location so that only the shoe of the upper device engages the tire during operation of the devices.

Claim 47

A bead breaker assembly for a vehicular tire mounted on a wheel having a rim flange, an annular interior area, a bead seat adjacent the flange, and a safety hump between the bead seat and said interior area, said bead breaker assembly comprising: a frame unit; a wheel support table on The frame unit; means operably associated with the frame unit for holding a wheel in a fixed position thereon; a bead breaking shoe; means mounting the shoe on the frame unit for movement along a path to engage the bead of the tire on said bead seat therefor and to displace such bead from the seat past said safety hump into the interior area of the wheel; said shoe mounting means including means operable to first urge the shoe primarily radially inwardly toward the wheel and then axially of said rim during movement of the shoe along the bead displaying path thereof. means operably joined to the shoe mounting means for moving the shoe along said bead breaking path of the same; and guide means on the shoe located to engage the rim flange of the wheel after the shoe has penetrated past the rim flange to the bead seat area and operable thereafter to prevent further inward radial motion of the shoe toward the bead seat until after the bead engaging part of the shoe has moved axially past the safety hump into the interior area of the wheel.

Claim 48

A bead breaker assembly for a vehicular tire mounted on a wheel having a rim flange, an annular interior area, a bead seat adjacent the flange, and a safety hump between the bead seat and said interior area, said bead breaker assembly comprising: a frame unit; a wheel support table on The frame unit; means operably associated with the frame unit for holding a wheel in a fixed position thereon; a bead breaking shoe; means mounting the shoe on the frame unit for movement along a path to engage the bead of the tire on said bead seat therefor and to displace such bead from the seat past said safety hump into the interior area of the wheel; said shoe mounting means including means operable to first urge the shoe primarily radially inwardly toward the wheel and then axially of said rim during movement of the shoe along the bead displaying path thereof. means operably joined to the shoe mounting means for moving the shoe along said bead breaking path of the same; and guide means on the shoe located to engage the rim flange of the wheel after the shoe has penetrated past the rim flange to the bead seat area and operable thereafter to prevent further inward radial motion of the shoe toward the bead seat until after the bead engaging part of the shoe has moved axially past the safety hump into the interior area of the wheel.

Claim 49

An assembly as set forth in claim 40 wherein said guide means comprises an appendage attached to the face of the shoe proximal to the support table.

Claim 50

An assembly as set forth in claim 41 wherein said appendage comprises an elongated bar located with the longitudinal axis thereof parallel with the shoe and extending transversely of the path of travel of the shoe.

Claim 51

A power operated tire changer comprising: a frame for receiving and holding a tire wheel; tire bead loosening means carried by the frame for breaking loose at least one bead of a tire mounted on a wheel; tire mount-demount means on the frame; a single power source; first means for operably coupling the power source to said bead loosening means for effecting bead breaking operation thereof; second means for operably coupling the power source to said tire mount-demount means; and selectively operable control means associated with said power source and said first and second coupling means, said control means being effective for precluding operation of said bead breaking means and for permitting operation of said mount-demount means when in a mount-demount position, and being effective to permit operation of said bead breaking means when in a bead breaking position.

Claim 52

A power operated tire changer comprising: a frame for receiving and holding a tire wheel; tire bead loosening means carried by the frame for breaking loose at least one bead of a tire mounted on a wheel; tire mount-demount means on the frame; a single power source; first means for operably coupling the power source to said bead loosening means for effecting bead breaking operation thereof; second means for operably coupling the power source to said tire mount-demount means; and selectively operable control means associated with said power source and said first and second coupling means, said control means being effective for precluding operation of said bead breaking means and for permitting operation of said mount-demount means when in a mount-demount position, and being effective to permit operation of said bead breaking means when in a bead breaking position.

Claim 53

In a tire changer for breaking both beads of a tire mounted on a wheel having an axis of generation and bead seats for respective tire beads, the improvement comprising: a frame unit for receiving and holding the wheel; lower and upper bead breaking devices disposed at different radial positions relative to the axis of the wheel and each being provided with a bead engaging shoe; floating linkage means mounting the devices on the frame unit for movement of the shoe of said lower device into engagement with the tire bead in closest proximity to the frame and movement of the shoe of the upper device into engagement with the other bead of a tire on the wheel while the latter is supported by the frame unit; a single power source connected to said floating linkage means, said floating linkage means being responsive upon actuation of said power source for first moving said bead breaking device into engagement with the associated beads and then sequentially through their bead breaking strokes, said floating linkage means acting as a force divider for dividing the input force from said power unit into two proportional bead breaking forces with one of the forces pressing upward on one bead and the other force pressing downward on the other bead until one of the beads breaks from its bead seat and the associated bead breaking device moves through its full stroke, and stop means on said frame for terminating the movement of the bead breaking device first to move through its full stroke for receiving the proportional force directed to said associated bead breaker thereby applying a proportional force of increasing magnitude to the other bead breaker until the other bead breaks from its bead seat.

Claim 54

In a tire changer for breaking both beads of a tire mounted on a wheel having an axis of generation and bead seats for respective tire beads, the improvement comprising: a frame unit for receiving and holding the wheel; lower and upper bead breaking devices disposed at different radial positions relative to the axis of the wheel and each being provided with a bead engaging shoe; floating linkage means mounting the devices on the frame unit for movement of the shoe of said lower device into engagement with the tire bead in closest proximity to the frame and movement of the shoe of the upper device into engagement with the other bead of a tire on the wheel while the latter is supported by the frame unit; a single power source connected to said floating linkage means, said floating linkage means being responsive upon actuation of said power source for first moving said bead breaking device into engagement with the associated beads and then sequentially through their bead breaking strokes, said floating linkage means acting as a force divider for dividing the input force from said power unit into two proportional bead breaking forces with one of the forces pressing upward on one bead and the other force pressing downward on the other bead until one of the beads breaks from its bead seat and the associated bead breaking device moves through its full stroke, and stop means on said frame for terminating the movement of the bead breaking device first to move through its full stroke for receiving the proportional force directed to said associated bead breaker thereby applying a proportional force of increasing magnitude to the other bead breaker until the other bead breaks from its bead seat.

Claim 55

A machine for sequentially breaking both beads of a tire from a wheel rim comprising; a frame including a wheel support, means for securing a wheel and tire to said wheel support, a first lever pivoted to said frame, a first bead breaking shoe operatively connected to one end of said lever and responsive to pivotal movement of said lever through a bead breaking stroke for breaking one bead from the rim, a second lever rotatable and translatable relative to said frame and operatively connected to said first lever, a second bead breaking shoe diametrically opposed to said first shoe and operatively connected to said second lever, said second bead breaking shoe being responsive to break the other bead from the wheel rim upon movement of said second lever through its bead breaking stroke, single power means operatively connected to said second lever for moving said levers through their bead breaking strokes, and stop means for limiting the arcuated movement of each lever upon completion of movement of the associated shoe through its bead breaking stroke, said power means being arranged to apply a predetermined proportion of the total force being exerted by said power means to each lever for urging both shoes against their respective beads with sufficient force to cause one shoe to first break the easiest to break bead from the rim and to terminate its movement prior to exerting a force against the other shoe sufficient to break the other bead from the rim.

Claim 56

A machine for sequentially breaking both beads of a tire from a wheel rim comprising; a frame including a wheel support, means for securing a wheel and tire to said wheel support, a first lever pivoted to said frame, a first bead breaking shoe operatively connected to one end of said lever and responsive to pivotal movement of said lever through a bead breaking stroke for breaking one bead from the rim, a second lever rotatable and translatable relative to said frame and operatively connected to said first lever, a second bead breaking shoe diametrically opposed to said first shoe and operatively connected to said second lever, said second bead breaking shoe being responsive to break the other bead from the wheel rim upon movement of said second lever through its bead breaking stroke, single power means operatively connected to said second lever for moving said levers through their bead breaking strokes, and stop means for limiting the arcuated movement of each lever upon completion of movement of the associated shoe through its bead breaking stroke, said power means being arranged to apply a predetermined proportion of the total force being exerted by said power means to each lever for urging both shoes against their respective beads with sufficient force to cause one shoe to first break the easiest to break bead from the rim and to terminate its movement prior to exerting a force against the other shoe sufficient to break the other bead from the rim.

Claim 57

A machine for sequentially breaking both beads of a tire from a wheel rim comprising, a frame including a wheel support, means for securing a wheel and tire to said support, a first bead breaking shoe, a second bead breaking shoe radially spaced from said first shoe, a power source, and power actuated articulating force transmitting linkage means pivotally connected to said frame at a pivot point and operatively connected to both of said shoes and to said power source for limited arcuate movement through a bead breaking stroke, said articulating linkage means being arranged to apply a proportional bead breaking force to each shoe for urging both shoes against their bead with sufficient force to cause one shoe to first break only the easiest to break bead from the rim and to terminate its movement prior to exerting a force against the other shoe sufficient to break the other bead from the rim.

Claim 58

A machine for sequentially breaking both beads of a tire from a wheel rim comprising, a frame including a wheel support, means for securing a wheel and tire to said support, a first bead breaking shoe, a second bead breaking shoe radially spaced from said first shoe, a power source, and power actuated articulating force transmitting linkage means pivotally connected to said frame at a pivot point and operatively connected to both of said shoes and to said power source for limited arcuate movement through a bead breaking stroke, said articulating linkage means being arranged to apply a proportional bead breaking force to each shoe for urging both shoes against their bead with sufficient force to cause one shoe to first break only the easiest to break bead from the rim and to terminate its movement prior to exerting a force against the other shoe sufficient to break the other bead from the rim.

Claim 59

A machine for sequentially breaking both beads of a tire from a wheel rim comprising, a frame including a wheel support, means for securing a wheel and tire to said support, a first bead breaking shoe, a second bead breaking shoe, a power source, articulated force transmitting means defined by at least a pair of pivotally interconnected levers, one of said bead breaking shoes being operatively connected to one lever and movable into position to engage one bead and the other shoe being operatively connected to another lever and movable into position to engage the other bead at a point radially spaced from said first shoe, means pivotally connecting only one of said pair of levers to said frame, stop means for limiting the pivotal movement of each lever, and means operatively connecting said power means to another of said levers so that actuation of said power means will apply a proportional bead breaking force to each lever for urging both shoes against their beads with sufficient force to cause only one shoe to first break the easiest to break bead from the rim, said stop means being arranged to there-after terminate movement of said one shoe prior to initiation of the bead breaking movement of the other shoe thereby causing the application of a sufficient force against the other shoe to then break the other bead from the rim.

Claim 60

A machine for sequentially breaking both beads of a tire from a wheel rim comprising, a frame including a wheel support, means for securing a wheel and tire to said support, a first bead breaking shoe, a second bead breaking shoe, a power source, articulated force transmitting means defined by at least a pair of pivotally interconnected levers, one of said bead breaking shoes being operatively connected to one lever and movable into position to engage one bead and the other shoe being operatively connected to another lever and movable into position to engage the other bead at a point radially spaced from said first shoe, means pivotally connecting only one of said pair of levers to said frame, stop means for limiting the pivotal movement of each lever, and means operatively connecting said power means to another of said levers so that actuation of said power means will apply a proportional bead breaking force to each lever for urging both shoes against their beads with sufficient force to cause only one shoe to first break the easiest to break bead from the rim, said stop means being arranged to there-after terminate movement of said one shoe prior to initiation of the bead breaking movement of the other shoe thereby causing the application of a sufficient force against the other shoe to then break the other bead from the rim.