TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to equipment for removing, repairing, and installing tires, and particularly to a tire run-flat ring removal and installation machine for removing and replacing the solid run-flat ring in a pneumatic tire once the tire and ring assembly has been removed from the wheel.

BACKGROUND ART

A number of different configurations of tires having some form of run-flat capability are known, i.e., the tire does not go completely flat when punctured or damaged, but retains at least a large percentage of its original sidewall height due to sidewall construction, an insert within the tire, etc. One principle of run-flat tire uses an essentially conventional tire with a solid rubber run-flat ring installed within the tire at the time the tire is installed upon its wheel. The run-flat ring has an outer diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of the

^} tire casing, but has a section height of at least a few inches in order to prevent the complete collapse of the tire if the casing is penetrated. Such run-flat rings are commonly installed in tires used on many military vehicles, particularly those used in combat zones or areas of hazardous duty. Such run-flat rings permit the vehicle to maintain its speed after the tire is penetrated by gunfire, shrapnel, etc., thus allowing the vehicle to escape a potential ambush.

When a tire is damaged and requires replacement, oftentimes the run-flat ring is reusable. Accordingly, the tire repair technician will remove the run-flat ring from the old tire and reinstall the ring in a new or serviceable tire. Such tire and run-flat ring assemblies are installed on so-called "split wheels," i.e., the wheel has inner and outer portions that bolt together, sandwiching the center of the tire therebetween. After removing the wheel and tire assembly from the vehicle, the technician initially verifies that there is no residual air pressure within the tire and then separates the two wheel halves of the split wheel and removes them from the tire.

At this point, the run-flat ring can be removed from the tire casing. Conventionally, this has been done by means of a strap installed diametrically about the run-flat ring while it is still installed within the tire casing. The technician then uses a ratcheting binder mechanism to draw up the strap, thereby compressing the run-flat ring across its diameter. One end of the long axis of the compressed run-flat ring can be worked further into the tire casing, with the opposite end being withdrawn from the casing for removal of the ring. The above-described procedure is quite tedious and taxing and requires a significant amount of time, perhaps as much as an hour or more for the removal of a single run-flat ring. The process must then be reversed to reinstall the run-flat ring in another tire. Thus, a tire run-flat ring removal and installation machine solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The tire run-flat ring removal and installation machine includes a table having several powered mechanisms therein for facilitating the handling of a relatively large tire and run-flat ring assembly for the removal and replacement of the run-flat ring in the tire. The mechanisms are preferably powered by electro-hydraulic systems, but other principles of operation may be used, e.g., pure electrical power, pneumatic power, etc. While the machine is quite versatile and may handle a relatively wide range of tire and run-flat ring sizes, it is particularly well adapted for use with relatively large and heavy tire and run-flat ring assemblies weighing about four hundred pounds or more.

The table includes a retractable lateral extension for temporarily securing a tire and run-flat ring assembly thereto. A powered reel installed beneath the table is used to pull the run-flat ring from the tire casing as the tire casing is secured to the extension. Once the run- flat ring has been pulled from the tire casing, it is examined for possible reuse. The tire casing is removed from the extension and repaired or replaced as required.

At this point, the run-flat ring (either new or used) is hoisted over the table by means of a davit and winch extending from the table, and placed about a hollow tower or column extending from the approximate center of the table. Retractable lifts are extended from the table to support the run-flat ring for this part of the operation. Straps extend upwardly through the hollow core of the tower and are secured about opposite sides of the run-flat ring. A second powered reel is then actuated to retract the straps, thereby compressing the ring to a generally oval shape.

The davit and winch are then used to lift a tire casing (new or used) over the top of the table, and the compressed run-flat ring is secured about the top of the tower on the table. One side of the tire casing is placed over one end of the elongate, oval compressed run-flat ring, and the opposite side of the casing is pulled over the opposite end of the elongate run-flat ring by the reel-and-strap mechanism used initially to pull the run-flat ring from the tire casing. Once the tire has been installed about the run-flat ring, the same strap is secured across the tire to hold the tire and ring assembly down while the upper bead of the tire is lifted by the davit and winch so that the operator may access the run-flat ring compression straps and remove them from about the run-flat ring. When this has been accomplished, the davit and winch are used to lift the completed tire and run-flat ring assembly from the table for installation on the wheel.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a side elevation view of a tire run-flat ring removal and installation machine according to the present invention, illustrating various mechanisms and features thereof.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the electrical and hydraulic systems of the machine of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detailed perspective view of a first step of a process in using the machine of Fig. 1, showing the retractable extension for holding a tire and ring assembly for extraction of the run-flat ring therefrom.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a second step in using the machine of Fig. 1 , showing transfer of the run-flat ring from its removal from the tire to a position over the tower extending upwardly from the table. Fig. 5 is a detailed perspective view of a third step in using the machine of Fig. 1 , showing the raised run-flat ring supports supporting the ring, and positioning of the ring compression straps around the ring.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the arrangement shown in Fig. 5, showing further details thereof. Fig. 7 is a top plan view similar to that of Fig. 6, but showing the retraction of the ring compression straps and the compression of the ring.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a step in the process of using the machine of Fig. 1 , showing lifting of the tire for installation over the run-flat ring.

Fig. 9 is an end elevation view of the table of the machine of Fig. 1, shown with the run-flat ring secured about the tower and one side of the tire installed over the ring.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the assembled tire and run-flat ring secured to the top of the table of the machine of Fig. 1. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a step in using the machine of Fig. 1 , showing lifting of the tire bead for access to the run-flat ring compression straps installed about the ring for removal of the straps therefrom.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing removal of the completed tire and run-flat ring assembly from the table of the machine of Fig. 1.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tire run-flat ring removal and installation machine for removing and installing a solid rubber run-flat ring in a tire equipped with such a ring. Many larger tire and run-flat ring assemblies for larger vehicles can weigh up to four hundred pounds or perhaps even more, and the machine provides for the powered handling of such tire and run-flat ring assemblies throughout the entire ring removal and installation process to obviate excessive physical stress and strain on the tire technician and to reduce the time required for the operation.

Fig. 1 provides a side elevation view of the run-flat ring removal and installation machine 10, showing all of its basic components. The machine 10 includes an elevated table 12 having a first end 14 and opposite second end 16, with a generally central primary passage 18 (shown most clearly in Figs. 6 and 7) and lift strut passages 20 formed therethrough, the lift strut passages generally at least partially surrounding the primary passage 18.

First and second powered reels are disposed beneath the table 12. The two reels selectively retract corresponding flexible tensile members (e.g., straps, although cables, chains, or the like might be used alternatively) for the manipulation of the tire and run-flat ring. A first powered reel 22 is disposed generally centrally beneath the table 12. A take-up drum 24, driven by the first reel 22, is disposed beneath the primary passage 18 to draw a series of straps 26a through 26d therethrough. A second powered reel 28 is installed beneath the table 12 and toward the first end 14 thereof. A take-up drum 30, driven by the second reel 24, serves to retract a single strap 32 thereon. An additional powered device is disposed beneath the table 12, comprising a telescoping strut or ram 34 (hydraulic, etc.) that selectively lifts a plate 36 to drive a series of run-flat ring lifting arms 38 through the lift strut passages 20 of the table 12. Finally, a powered winch 40 is installed atop the arm 42 of a davit assembly 44 extending upwardly from one edge of the table 12. The functions of these various powered devices are described in detail further below.

Fig. 2 is a schematic drawing showing the power systems provided to operate the two powered reels 22 and 28, the lift strut 34, and the winch motor 40. The system is preferably hydraulic (with the exception of the electric winch motor 40) with hydraulic pressure and flow provided by electrically powered pumps, but other systems or principles may be used as desired. In the exemplary system illustrated in Fig. 2, electrical power is provided by a pair of twelve-volt batteries 46a, 46b wired in series to provide twenty-four volts. The electrical system may alternatively be constructed to operate from a single battery, from the standard electrical grid voltage, from the electrical system of a motor vehicle, or from a portable or other generator. A master switch 48 (e.g., normally open, requiring the operator to hold the switch closed for operation of the system, or other switch type) is provided in the electrical power circuit. The electrical circuit also provides power to the electric winch motor 40 through a switch 50. The electrical circuit also provides power to a pair of electric motors 52a, 52b wired in parallel with the electrical power circuit. Alternatively, a single motor of sufficient power, or other motor means, may be used. Each motor, in turn, drives a hydraulic pump, respectively pumps 54a, 54b, with the pumps being in series in the hydraulic circuit. As in the case of other components of the system, a single pump of sufficient capacity may be provided in lieu of the dual pumps 54a, 54b shown.

When the hydraulic system is activated by operation of the two electric motors 52a, 52b, the two pumps 54a, 54b provide hydraulic pressure to a series of three hydraulic controls for the operation of the two hydraulic reels 22 and 28 and the hydraulic strut 34. It will be understood that the diagram of Fig. 2 is schematic, and the actual relationship of components, including the three control valves, need not be in the exact order or relationship shown. Hydraulic fluid is provided by a hydraulic reservoir 56, with the system further incorporating conventional componentry such as filters, anti-backflow valves, return lines, vents, etc.

The first hydraulic control 58 controls hydraulic pressure and fluid flow to the run-flat ring lift strut 34. When this control 58 is actuated the strut 34 is extended, driving the lift plate 36 upwardly to lift the plurality of lift arms 38 above the table in order to support the relatively heavy run-flat ring and/or tire thereon. The timing of this step in the sequence of operations is discussed further below. The second hydraulic control valve 60 selectively provides hydraulic fluid pressure and flow to the hydraulic motor and drive 62 of the first powered reel 22 to drive its drum 24. The third hydraulic control valve 64 provides _^ hydraulic pressure and flow to the second hydraulic motor and drive 66 of the second powered reel 28 to drive its drum 30. The hydraulic motor and drive 62 of the first powered reel 22, as well as the essentially identical hydraulic motor and drive 66 of the second powered reel 28, may comprise worm drives rotated by hydraulic motors. The worm drives are geared to the peripheries of the reels 22 and 28 to rotate their corresponding drums 24 and 30. Other means of driving the rotation of the drums 24 and 30 may be provided, if desired. A tire retaining plate 68 selectively extends and retracts from the first end 14 of the table 12, serving to hold the tire T during the initial portion of the run-flat ring removal and installation process. The tire retaining plate 68 extension and retraction process is preferably manual, as the plate 68 extends substantially horizontally from the table 12 and does not require excessive force for extension or retraction. The tire retaining plate 68 has a toroid configuration, with the toroid plate 68 per se at least approximately matching the inner and outer diameters of the tire T. The open central area 70 of the tire retaining plate 68 provides access to the run-flat ring R contained within a tire T secured to the plate 68. Substantially horizontal tire retaining plate struts 72 extend and retract from beneath the first end 14 of the table 12. The distal ends 74 of these struts 72 are permanently and rigidly affixed (e.g., welded, etc.) to the tire retaining plate 68 to position the plate 68 substantially normal to the struts 72, i.e., with the plane of the plate 68 being substantially vertical. The struts 72 may be locked in their extended or retracted positions by corresponding spring-loaded T-pins 76 or the like, which may be selectively installed through cooperating passages in the fixed structure of the table 12 and the struts 72. Fig. 3 provides a detailed perspective view of the initial step in the operation of removing and replacing a run-flat ring in a tire. Initially the tire T and run-flat ring R are secured to the tire retaining plate 68 extended from the table 12 as required. The tire T, with its run-flat ring R therein, is secured to the retaining plate 68 by one or more straps 78 that attach to the distal ends 74 of the plate support struts 72 and extend around the tire T. At this point, any tension on the second powered reel 28 and its single tensile member or strap 32 is released, to allow the strap 32 to be extended to extract the run-flat ring R from the tire T. The strap 32 has a hook 80 (shown in Figs. 10 and 11) on its distal end, to which a supplementary tensile member or strap 82 is attached to form a loop around the run-flat ring R. Once the straps 32 and 82 are secured, the third hydraulic control 64 (Fig. 3) is actuated to take up the slack in the tensile members 32 and 82 and pull the run-flat ring R from the tire T retained by the extended tire retaining plate 68, generally as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

When the run-flat ring R is free of the tire T, the ring R is lifted for placement atop the table 12 (or a new ring R is placed atop the table 12, if the original ring is unserviceable). This is accomplished by means of the davit assembly 44, shown most completely in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The davit assembly 44 includes a lower support column 84 immovably affixed to the table 12 adjacent the first end 14 thereof, and extending upwardly therefrom. An upper support column 86 is attached to the lower column 84 by a hinge 88, with a locking pin 90 diametrically opposite the hinge 88 securing the davit assembly 44 in its fully extended and upright position as shown in solid lines in Fig. 1. When the locking pin 90 is removed, the upper column 86 with its arm 42 and other structure may be folded downwardly against the table 12 for compact storage and transport of the machine 10, as shown by the davit upper structure in broken lines in Fig. 1.

The run-flat ring R is lifted by first extending the davit assembly 44 as shown in solid lines in Fig. 1. The generally horizontal arm 42 of the davit is pivotally attached to the upper end of the upper support column 86, and is swung around to position the distal end of the arm 42 at least approximately over the run-flat ring R just removed from the tire T in the operation shown in Fig. 3. The initial position of the davit arm 42 for lifting the run-flat ring R is shown in broken lines in the top plan view of Fig. 4. The looped tensile member or strap 82 secured about the run-flat ring R to extract it from the tire T remains secured about the run-flat ring R, and is connected to the central hook member 92b of the three hook members 92a, 92b, 92c depending from the tree or yard 94 suspended from the winch cable 96.

At this point the davit winch 40 is actuated to retract the cable 96, thereby lifting the run-flat ring R from its position (shown in broken lines in Fig. 4) between the tire retaining plate struts 72. When the run-flat ring R has been lifted to a sufficient height, the davit arm 42 is swung around to the approximate position shown in solid lines in Fig. 4 and the winch 40 reversed to extend the winch cable 96 and lower the run-flat ring R over the hollow tower 98 extending upwardly from the larger central passage 18 through the table 12. Final positioning of the ring R is done by hand, with at least some of the weight of the ring R being supported by the davit assembly 44.

Once the run-flat ring R has been positioned around the tower 98 atop the table 12, the first hydraulic control 58 is operated to actuate the run-flat ring lift strut 34. This raises the arm lift plate 36, which in turn raises each of the run-flat ring lift arms 38 extending through the table 12. The arms 38 have relatively wide shoes or plates on their upper ends to distribute the load of the run-flat ring R and to reduce the criticality of the positioning of the run-flat ring R atop the table 12 and lift arms 38, and are arranged in at least a partial circumferential array about the tower 98 to support the run-flat ring R more or less evenly. The raised run-flat ring R is shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. The purpose for lifting the run-flat ring R above the surface of the table 12 is to allow the operator or technician to reach beneath the run-flat ring R to access two of the tensile members or straps 26a through 26d that extend from the second reel drum 24, through the central passage 18 of the table 12, and upwardly through the hollow tower 98. The second hydraulic control 60 may be operated to allow the straps 26a through 26d to be extended from the first reel 22 and its drum 24 as required to provide sufficient length. Two of the straps, i.e., straps 26b and 26d, extend to opposite sides of the tower 98 and below the run- flat ring R, and two of the straps, i.e., straps 26a and 26c, extend to opposite sides and are brought over the top of the run-flat ring R.

Each of the straps 26a through 26d has a closed loop in its distal end. The ends, of two of the straps, e.g., upper straps 26a and 26c, are passed through the loops of the opposite strap 26b and 26d on the corresponding side of the tower 98 and run-flat ring R, and a strap link pin 100 or "dog bone" (so called due to its shape, with its knobbed strap retaining ends) is inserted through the loop of each upper strap 26a and 26c to secure the straps of each upper and lower pair together around the run-flat ring R. The result is somewhat as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

When the straps 26a through 26d have been secured around opposite sides of the run- flat ring R as described above, the second control 60 is actuated to wind the four straps 26a through 26d back onto the drum 24 of the first reel 22. This draws the straps 26a through 26d downwardly through the tower 98 and central passage 18 of the table 12, thereby also drawing the two opposite sides of the run-flat ring R together due to their being captured within the straps. The result is the compression of the run-flat ring R into an elongated, generally oval shape as shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

At this point, the tire T is positioned atop the run-flat ring R for mounting thereon. The davit 44 is used to lift a tire T upwardly and over the run-flat ring R secured and compressed on the tower 98 above the table 12, generally as shown in Fig. 8. The davit arm 42 is swung around to position the tire T above the run-flat ring R, and the davit winch 40 is released to allow the tire T to drop down onto the run-flat ring R. One side of the tire T is manually positioned over and around the elongated end of the run-flat ring R that is closer to the second end 16 of the table 12, generally as shown in Fig. 9. The opposite side of the tire T will rest atop the opposite elongated end of the compressed run-flat ring R.

Once the tire T has been positioned as described above, the single tensile member or strap 32 extending from the drum 30 of the second reel 28 is extended and passed over or through a guide 102 installed atop the first end 14 of the table 12, generally as shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings. The single strap 32 has a distal end with a wide, flat hook 104 extending therefrom, much like the hooks 92a through 92c extending from the tree or yard 94 depending from the davit arm 42. The hook 104 is hooked around the bead of the tire T closest to the first end 14 of the table 12 with its guide 102, and the third control 64 is operated to actuate the second reel 28 and drum 30 to wind the strap 32 thereon, thereby pulling the bead of the tire T outwardly and downwardly over the extended end of the run-flat ring R. The second control 60 is then operated to release the first reel 22 and its drum 24, thereby releasing the tension on the four straps 26a through 26d compressing the run-flat ring R, and allowing the ring R to expand inside the tire T. The result is generally as shown in Fig. 10, with the tire T completely installed over the run-flat ring R. However, the four straps 26a through 26d still surround the opposite sides of the run-flat ring R within the tire T. The straps 26a through 26d must be disconnected from one another and removed, in order to remove the tire and run-flat ring assembly from the table 12. This is accomplished by lifting the upper bead of the tire T to access the inside of the tire and remove the "dog bone" strap link pins 100 from the straps.

However, the tire T must be held down atop the table 12 to prevent its being lifted when the bead is lifted. The tire hold-down process is achieved by extending the single strap 32 from the second reel drum 30, over and/or through the guide 102 to extend across the top of the tower 98. A supplemental strap 82 is connected to the single strap 32 by means of the hook 80 extending from the end of the strap 32. The supplemental strap 82 includes a wide and flat hook 106 extending from its distal end, much like the hook 104 on the distal end of the strap 32 shown in Fig. 9. The hook 106 of the supplemental strap 82 is hooked to an anchor 108 extending from the second end 16 of the table 12, and the third control 64 is actuated to draw the strap 32 taut across the tire T by means of the second reel 28 and its drum 30. The top of the tower 98 includes smoothly beveled surfaces 110 thereon, to preclude damage to the straps 32 and 82.

When the tire T with its run-flat ring R contained therein has been strapped down, generally shown in Fig. 11, the two outboard hooks and links 92a and 92c depending from the opposite ends of the yard or tree 94 are hooked inside the upper bead of the tire T generally normal to the orientation of the hold-down straps 32 and 82 and in general alignment with the four ring compression straps 26a through 26d. The winch motor 40 is actuated to draw the tree or yard 94 upwardly, thus lifting the upper bead of the tire T over the area where the ring compression straps 26a through 26d surround the run-flat ring R within the tire T.

As the tension on the four ring compression straps 26a through 26d was released somewhat earlier, the operator or technician need only reach beneath the lifted bead of the tire T to access and remove the "dog bone" strap link pin 100 connecting each pair of straps on each side of the run-flat ring R. The second control 60 is then operated to actuate the first reel 22 and its drum 24, thereby retracting the four straps 26a through 26d from their positions within the tire T.

Once the tire T and run-flat ring R assembly has been freed from the four straps 26a through 26d, the operator or technician need only continue to raise the tire and run-flat ring assembly by means of the davit winch 40 until the tire and ring assembly is clear of the tower 98, and swing the davit arm 42 around as required for the tire and ring assembly to clear the table 12. The tire T and its run-flat ring R contained therein may be lowered to the surface or lowered onto some suitable means of transport for storage or installation upon a vehicle, as desired. The machine 10 is then ready to accept another tire and run-flat ring assembly for removal of the ring therefrom and installation of the ring, or another ring, within a new or repaired tire, all without undue physical stress and strain upon the operator of the machine 10.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.