Tire mounting, bead seating and inflation apparatus and method of use

Claim 2

Apparatus for inflating tubeless tires on a vehicle wheel having oppositely disposed rim portions comprising a tire mounting device including a base, means on said base to receive a vehicle wheel, clamp means for engaging the wheel, said device including means for mounting and de-mounting tires on a wheel held by said clamp means, tire bead seating apparatus on said base including an annular tube of larger outer diameter than the wheel to surround the lower rim of a wheel set onto the base, orifice means around the inner periphery of the tube for injecting a substantially continuous ring of air under pressure through the space between the wheel rim and the bead of a noninflated tubeless tire mounted on the wheel and inlet means on the tube for supplying air under pressure to the interior of the tube.

Claim 3

Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further characterized in that said clamp means comprises a plurality of shiftable clamps on said base for engaging the lower rim portion of a wheel, said annular tube comprises a plurality of segments, each end of each segment being sealed, the gaps between the segments being of sufficient size to pass over said clamps but of insufficient size to prevent the formation of a substantially continuous ring of air under pressure, said inlet means on the tube including separate means for supplying air under pressure to the interior of each of the segments.

Claim 4

Apparatus as defined in claim 2, further characterized in the provision of power means to extend and retract the bead seater towards and away from the wheel and tire assembly.

Claim 5

Apparatus for inflating tubeless tires on a vehicle wheel having oppositely disposed rim portions, comprising a tire mounting device including a base, means on said base to receive a vehicle wheel, said device including means for mounting and de-mounting tires on a wheel, tire bead seating apparatus on said base including an annular orifice structure including orifice means provided around a periphery of larger diameter than the diameter of a wheel to surround the lower rim of a wheel set onto the base for injecting air under pressure around the periphery of the wheel through the space between the wheel rim and the bead of a non-inflated tubeless tire mounted on the wheel in sufficient amounts, without using a mechanical seal, so that more air will be injected into the tire than may escape with the result that the tire will be expanded to cause the tire beads to sufficiently close on the wheel rims to permit complete inflation through the conventional valve, and inlet means on said orifice structure for supplying air under pressure to the orifice means.

Claim 6

Apparatus for inflating tubeless tires on a vehicle wheel having oppositely disposed rim portions, comprising a tire mounting device including a base, means on said base to receive a vehicle wheel, said device including means for mounting and de-mounting tires on a wheel, tire bead seating apparatus on said base including an annular orifice structure including orifice means provided around a periphery of larger diameter than the diameter of a wheel to surround the lower rim of a wheel set onto the base for injecting air under pressure around the periphery of the wheel through the space between the wheel rim and the bead of a non-inflated tubeless tire mounted on the wheel in sufficient amounts, without using a mechanical seal, so that more air will be injected into the tire than may escape with the result that the tire will be expanded to cause the tire beads to sufficiently close on the wheel rims to permit complete inflation through the conventional valve, and inlet means on said orifice structure for supplying air under pressure to the orifice means.

Claim 7

Apparatus as defined in claim 4, further characterized in that said orifice structure comprises an annular tube of larger outer diameter than a wheel to surround the lower rim of a wheel set onto the base, said orifice means being provided around the periphery of the tube.

Claim 8

Apparatus as defined in claim 5, further characterized in that said tire mounting device includes clamp means for engaging a vehicle wheel, said clamp means comprising a plurality of shiftable clamps on said base for engaging the lower rim portion of a wheel, said annular tube comprising a plurality of segments, each end of each segment being sealed, the gaps between the segments being of sufficient size to pass over said clamps, said inlet means including separate means for supplying air under pressure to the interior of each of the segments.

Claim 9

ApparatuS as defined in claim 6, further characterized in the provision of power means to extend and retract the bead seater towards and away from a wheel and tire assembly.

Claim 10

Apparatus as defined in claim 4, further characterized in that said tire mounting device includes movable bead breaking structure operable for movement towards the upper portion of said base to engage a wheel lower rim and tire sidewall to break the tire sidewall away from the wheel rim, said orifice structure comprising a ring-like tubular passageway of larger outer diameter than a wheel to surround the lower rim of a wheel set onto the base, said orifice means being provided around the inner periphery of the passageway, said passageway being discontinuous in the area of said bead breaking structure to define a gap for the passage of said bead breaking structure into engagement with a wheel and tire assembly.

Claim 11

Apparatus as defined in claim 4, further characterized in that said tire mounting device includes a shelf structure on top of the base for receiving a vehicle wheel, said shelf structure including a peripheral annular passageway defining said orifice structure, said passageway being of larger outer diameter than a wheel to surround the lower rim of a wheel set onto the shelf structure, said orifice means being provided in said passageway.

Claim 14

The method as defined in claim 10, further characterized in the step of, prior to the injection of air, lifting the tire on the wheel to a position where the other tire bead makes contact with the adjacent wheel rim.

Claim 15

Apparatus for inflating tubeless tires on a vehicle wheel having oppositely disposed rim portions, comprising a tire mounting device including a base, means on said base to receive a vehicle wheel, said device including means for mounting and de-mounting tires on a wheel, tire bead seating apparatus on said base including an orifice for injecting air under pressure through the space between the wheel rim and the bead of a non-inflated tubeless tire mounted on the wheel in sufficient mounts, without using a mechanical seal, so that more air will be injected into the tire than may escape with the result that the tire will be expanded to cause the tire beads to sufficiently close on the wheel rims to permit complete inflation through the conventional valve, and inlet means on said orifice structure for supplying air under pressure to the orifice means.

Claim 16

Apparatus for inflating tubeless tires on a vehicle wheel having oppositely disposed rim portions, comprising a tire mounting device including a base, means on said base to receive a vehicle wheel, said device including means for mounting and de-mounting tires on a wheel, tire bead seating apparatus on said base including an orifice for injecting air under pressure through the space between the wheel rim and the bead of a non-inflated tubeless tire mounted on the wheel in sufficient mounts, without using a mechanical seal, so that more air will be injected into the tire than may escape with the result that the tire will be expanded to cause the tire beads to sufficiently close on the wheel rims to permit complete inflation through the conventional valve, and inlet means on said orifice structure for supplying air under pressure to the orifice means.

Claim 19

Apparatus for seating the bead of a tubeless tire on the rim of a wheel and inflating the tire comprising: a. a plenuM in the form of a discontinuous ring having an inlet for receiving air under relatively high pressure therein; b. a plurality of jets in communication with said plenum for forming relatively high velocity jets of air emanating from said plenum; and c. said jets being positioned for directing said jets of air into the tire between the rim and the bead.

Claim 20

Apparatus for seating the bead of a tubeless tire on the rim of a wheel and inflating the tire comprising: a. a plenuM in the form of a discontinuous ring having an inlet for receiving air under relatively high pressure therein; b. a plurality of jets in communication with said plenum for forming relatively high velocity jets of air emanating from said plenum; and c. said jets being positioned for directing said jets of air into the tire between the rim and the bead.

Claim 21

Apparatus for seating the bead of a tubeless tire on the rim of a wheel and inflating the tire as set forth in claim 14 wherein the plenum is at least partially arcuate and the jets are in communication therewith over at least one arcuate portion.

Claim 22

Apparatus for seating the bead of a tubeless tire on the rim of a wheel and inflating the tire as set forth in claim 14 wherein at least 12 jets are included.