Protective apparatus for mounting tires

Claim 2

A safety and protective apparatus for use in mounting a tire on a multi-piece rim assembly to prevent rim escapement during inflation of said tire comprising: a base member; an arm member; support means for pivotably mounting said arm member on said base member; said arm member being movable away from said base member permitting placement of said tire and rim thereon and movable over said base member to a superposed position directly above said tire and rim; engagement means carried by said arm for engaging said rim crcumferentially to prevent escapement and flying apart thereof during inflation of the tire; and means for locking said arm member in said superposed position.

Claim 3

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support means includes an upstanding support carried by said base member on which said arm member is pivotably carried.

Claim 4

The apparatus set forth in claim 2 wherein said arm member is pivotable about said upstanding support in a substantially horizontal plane.

Claim 5

The apparatus set forth in claim 2 wherein said support means includes a vertically adjustable sleeve rotatably carried on said upstanding support with said arm member being carried by said sleeve.

Claim 6

The apparatus set forth in claim 4 wherein said locking means includes a vertically adjustable abutment member carried on said upstanding support above said sleeve preventing removal thereof in an upward direction.

Claim 7

The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said engagement means includes a plurality of finger elements depending downwardly from said arm member to engage said rim at circumferentially spaced points while providing access therebetween for rim seating inspection.

Claim 8

The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said locking means includes a locking assembly carried adjacent a free end of said arm member for maintaining said arm member in a hold-down position when superposed over said tire and rim.

Claim 9

The apparatus set forth in claim 7 wherein said locking assembly includes a locking member carried by said base diametrically opposite said support means and a releasable latch member carried adjacent said free end of said arm member for engaging said locking member to form a lock therebetween.

Claim 10

A safety and protective apparatus for use in mounting a tire on a multi-piece rim assembly to prevent rim escapement during inflation of said tire comprising: a base member; an upstanding support mounted on said base member; an arm member pivotably carried by said upstanding support; said arm member being pivotable away from said base member to permit placement of said tire and rim assembly on said base member and pivotable over said base to a superposed position directly above said tire and rim; engagement means carried by said arm member for engaging said rim at circumferentially spaced points to prevent escapement and flying apart thereof during inflation of the tire; and releasable lock means carried by said base member for locking the free end of said arm member in a hold-down position when said arm member is in said superposed position.

Claim 11

A safety and protective apparatus for use in mounting a tire on a multi-piece rim assembly to prevent rim escapement during inflation of said tire comprising: a base member; an upstanding support mounted on said base member; an arm member pivotably carried by said upstanding support; said arm member being pivotable away from said base member to permit placement of said tire and rim assembly on said base member and pivotable over said base to a superposed position directly above said tire and rim; engagement means carried by said arm member for engaging said rim at circumferentially spaced points to prevent escapement and flying apart thereof during inflation of the tire; and releasable lock means carried by said base member for locking the free end of said arm member in a hold-down position when said arm member is in said superposed position.

Claim 12

The apparatus set forth in claim 9 including a sleeve rotatably carried on said upstanding support, means for vertically adjusting the position of said sleeve along the length of said upstanding support, and said arm member being affixed to said sleeve for rotation therewith.