FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of presses for mounting and dismounting solid tires on and from rims, and more particularly to the field of portable presses for mounting and dismounting solid tires.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Presses for mounting a tire on a rim and for dismounting the tire from the rim are known. The existing presses for mounting and dismounting solid tires are typically very large since a considerable pressing force has to be applied, usually in the range of 80-150 tons. In order to press the tire, a different adaptor has to be used for any given diameter of the tire. An example of using adaptors for mounting and dismounting a tire can be seen on the YouTube® net under "press solid tires Rodaco" by Rodaco industrial tires.

The most common adaptor comprises a first ring-like disc, a second ring-like disc, and a variety of round bars connecting therebetween. As can be understood, this adaptor has a form of a round cage, and, therefore, hereinafter will be called a cage.

The process for dismounting a tire from the rim is quite cumbersome and, typically, involves the following steps:

1- Lifting the wheel (rim + tire) up to the height of the press (manually or by means of a lifting platform).

2- Laying the wheel on a rim support platform of the press. 3- Bringing a suitable size cage.

4- Lifting the cage and positioning it on the tire. 5- Lowering the lifting platform that lifted the cage.

6- Centering the cage with respect to the rim.

7- Lowering the upper press plate up to the cage.

8- Centering the wheel and the cage with respect to the press plate.

9- Beginning pressing the cage downwards by means of the press.

10- Manually dismounting a ring in the upper part of the rim.

11 - Lifting the upper press plate above the cage.

12- Taking off the ring that was mounted at the upper part of the rim.

13- Taking off the cage.

14- Taking off the wheel from the press.

15- Bringing the cage to the lifting platform.

16- Lifting the cage up to the height of the press.

17- Positioning the cage on the support platform of the press.

18- Bringing the wheel.

19- Lifting the wheel by means of the lifting platform up to a height above the cage.

20- Positioning the wheel above the cage.

21 - Lowering the lifting platform.

22- Centering the wheel with respect to the cage.

23- Bringing a cylinder, lifting it up, and positioning it within the rim.

24- Oiling/wetting the perimeter between the tire and the rim.

25- Lowering the upper press plate up to the cylinder.

26- Pressing down the cylinder and loosening the rim out of the tire.

27- Lifting the upper press plate.

28- Removing the tire.

29- Removing the rim.

30- Removing the cage.

Likewise, the process for mounting a tire on a rim typically involves the following steps:

1- Positioning a support ring on the lower platform of the press. 2- Positioning a rim on the support ring such that its wider section faces downwards.

3- Preparing a new tire.

4- Oiling the inner section of the tire.

5- Bringing the tire to the press.

6- Lifting the tire by means of a lifting platform up to the upper section of the rim.

7- Positioning the tire on the upper section of the rim and centering it with respect to the rim.

8- Positioning an upper ring at the upper section of the tire and centering therebetween.

9- Bringing a cage.

10- Lifting the cage by means of a lifting platform up to the upper section of the tire.

11 - Positioning the cage on the tire.

12- Lowering the lifting platform.

13- Centering the cage and the ring with the tire.

14- Centering the cage, the ring, and the tire with the press.

15- Lowering the upper press plate up to the cage.

16- Pressing the cage downwards and pushing the tire onto the rim.

17- Raising the upper press plate.

18- Taking out the cage, lowering it and removing it.

19- Taking out the assembled wheel (rim + tire).

Some presses known in the market, e.g., by Salvadori company for diameters from 8" to 20" (can be seen on the "YouTube"® net under "solid tyre press Salvadori"), or by Penny Hydraulics company, use presses having manually adjusted arms. These arms slide within radially directed slots and are entirely manually adjusted to the desire radial position.

According to this kind of presses, the dismantling of a tire from a rim involves the following steps: 1- Positioning a small pushing cylinder on the lower press plate.

2- Positioning the wheel (tire + rim) on the small pushing cylinder.

3- Coarse adjustment of the upper arms of the press to the appropriate diameter.

4- Starting the press operation.

5- Lifting the press piston (lower one) until the rim gets to the upper arms.

6- In a case that there is no need for further radial adjustment of the arms, continuing pushing and pressing the tire downwards by the arm "shoes".

7- Releasing and removing two rings from the upper part of the rim.

8- Lowering the lower press platform.

9- Removing the tire and the rim.

10- Removing the small pressing cylinder.

11 - Positioning a large pressing cylinder on the lower press platform.

12- Positioning the wheel (tire + rim) on the large pressing cylinder.

13- Pushing the tire downwards by means of the arm shoes and releasing the tire from the rim.

14- Removing the rim.

15- Lowering the lower press platform.

16- Removing the large pressing cylinder.

17- Removing the tire.

Likewise, the mounting of a tire onto a rim involves the following steps:

1- Positioning the rim on the lower press platform with its wider section facing downwards, and centering it.

2- Positioning a lead cone on the upper section of the rim.

3- Positioning a tire on the rim.

4- Lifting the press piston until the tire gets to the arm shoes.

5- Continuing pushing the piston until the entire rim gets into the tire.

6- Lowering the press platform. 7- Positioning a peripheral ring between the cone and the tire.

8- Positioning a partial ring on the cone.

9- Positioning a large pressing cylinder on the partial ring.

10 Pushing the piston upwards until the partial ring gets into its position.

11 Lowering the piston.

12- Removing the large pressing cylinder.

13 Removing the cone.

14- Removing the new wheel (tire + rim).

15 Switching off the press.

There are various devices known in the art which have radially adjusted arms like disclosed, e.g., in GB703086. As shown in figs. 1 and 3 of '086, by rotating a wheel 58 around a vertically positioned threaded shaft, the upward or downward movements of the arms 52 cause inner or outer radial sliding of the fingers 40 with respect to the bracket 37. In such a device, the wheel 58 has to be rotated a considerable number of turns, involving much labor and time, in order to radially adjust the fingers 40 to the desired radial position. Furthermore, such a device cannot be used or modified to press solid tires.

EP0090925B 1 to Weilnhammer discloses a device for fitting solid tires to rims or respectively dismantling them therefrom. The device has rim taper; sidewall and closure rings (14, 15) as detachable parts that are centrically adapted to the diameter of the rim (10) and acting against one another. The device provides a mounting (8) for the rim as well as abutments for the axial pressing of the solid tire. The device uses a stationary horizontally arranged flat steel plate (2) with an opening (11) that exceeds the outside diameter of the lateral sidewall ring (15) of the rim (10). The plate (2) is provided as abutment and has reinforcing ribs (12, 12') at location of maximum bending load. The mounting (8) for the rib (10) is arranged on a vertically acting lifting unit (1). The device of '925 encounters several disadvantages. First, the flat steel plate (2) is large and heavy, therefore limiting the use of the device as a portable one. Second, if wanted to be portable, the size and weight of the device limits its transportation to heavy trucks only. Third, the stationary opening of the flat steel plate (2) limits its use to one size rim only, whereby the use of a larger rim will requires a different flat steel plate having a larger opening.

EP0243785A2 to Weilnhammer discloses a method and a device for mounting or removing a solid or a pneumatic tire, especially for commercial vehicles, on or from a rim. The tire is pressed against at least one abutment and locking parts being fitted or removed. According to the invention the tire is removed from or fitted to the rim with the rim remaining in the horizontal position. This is accomplished by swivelling assembly elements 12, 13 mounted on a steel plate 10 and/or on a lifting unit 3 in the area of the rim which are designed, for example, as double rockers, each having a blade-like pressure finger 14.

In 785, since the operation of the swivelling assembly elements 12 and 13 is implemented through horizontal piston 20 that tilts an arm 18 around a fixed shaft 16, the radial stroke of the fingers 14 is limited, and the axial stroke of the fingers 14 is even more limited. This fact considerably reduces the span of sizes of rims and tires that can be used with this press. Furthermore, as can be understood by a person skilled in the art, the construction of the fingers 14 is such that they cannot withstand high axial forces. That means that forces in the magnitudes that are used in the industry for removing and mounting solid tires from and on rims, e.g., 80-150 tons, will tend to bend the fingers 14 around pins 53.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a solid tire press that significantly reduces or overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a solid tire press that can operate with a large variety of rim and tire diameters and widths.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a solid tire press that can be operated without additional adaptors as used in the market.

It is still yet a further object of the present invention to provide a solid tire press that is relatively light, small, and can be carried by a light 5 tons truck instead of heavy 12-15 tons trucks that are used today.

It is also a further object of the present invention to provide a solid tire press that can be shortened in order to be inserted into a light truck.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a solid tire press that can be easily and safely carried by a forklift and loaded into a light truck.

It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a solid tire press that can be self-opened to its maximal span without any external power.

It is still further another object of the present invention to provide a solid tire press that is cheap, easy and efficient to use, can be used within a vehicle or outer therefrom, and is very safe to operate without a risk of flying adaptors of various kinds.

It is also another object of the present invention to provide a solid tire press that enables power tire lifting and prevents a need to manual lifting of the tire or rim.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a process for mounting and dismounting a solid tire press.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a solid tire press for mounting and dismounting a solid tire on and from a rim, the solid tire press having a press axis (A) and comprises:

a frame comprising at least a pair of vertical columns,

an hydraulic press piston connected to the frame,

a shoe adjustment piston connected to the frame and having an adjustment piston axis that coincides with the press axis, a multitude of independently operated upper pressing arms, wherein;

each of the upper pressing arms is connected to a pressing shoe.

Advantageously, each of the upper pressing arms supports a pressing shoe at two spaced apart regions at a direction that is substantially parallel to the press axis.

Further advantageously, each of the upper pressing arms supports a pressing shoe through at least two links.

Typically, each of the upper pressing arms supports a pressing shoe through three links.

Advantageously, each of the pressing shoes is rigid and unbendable.

If desired, each of the vertical columns of the frame is retractable.

Further if desired, the solid tire press is self-opened to a maximal span.

In some embodiments, the frame comprises hollow base beams having a cross-section adapted to receive therein forks of a forklift for lifting the solid tire press.

If desired, the solid tire press further comprises a lifting mechanism for lifting and lowering rims and tires onto and from the press piston.

Advantageously, the lifting mechanism is manually operated and gas- piston assisted.

Practically, the lifting mechanism having a tire lifting arm and is integrally formed with the solid tire press.

In use, the tire lifting arm is movable between an operating position and a tire loading position.

Typically, the tire lifting arm is movable between the operating position and the tire loading position around a vertical axis of the tire lifting arm.

Advantageously, the tire lifting arm comprises a main beam and two tire support bars that diverge from each other and away from the main beam.

If desired, the tire lifting arm is raised and lowered by a hydraulic piston.

Further if desired, the tire lifting arm is raised and lowered by a lifting screw. Still further if desired, the solid tire press is installed within a light truck weighing between 5 to 7 tons.

Typically, the solid tire press comprises a hydraulic system and an electric motor.

Most advantageously, mounting and dismounting a tire on and from a rim is obtained by the use of only one adaptor.

Still in accordance with the present invention there is provided a process for dismounting a solid tire from a rim, the process comprises the steps of: a. Providing a solid tire press having a lower press piston and a multitude of upper pressing arms operated by a shoe adjustment piston, each arm having a pressing shoe.

b. Positioning an abutment cylinder on the press piston.

c. Positioning the rim facing downwards on the abutment cylinder.

d. Lifting the press piston until the pressing shoes almost touch the tire. e. Hydraulically adjusting the pressing shoes to a desired diameter.

f. Continuing lifting the press piston until complete extraction of the tire from the rim.

Further in accordance with the present invention there is provided a process for mounting a solid tire on a rim by means of the solid tire press, the process comprises the steps of:

a. Verifying positioning of the abutment cylinder on the press piston. b. Turning over the rim and positioning it facing upwards.

c. Positioning a tire on the rim, when an easy-fit device of the tire faces upwards.

d. Lifting the press piston until the tire completely mounts the rim.

If desired, the process further comprises after step (b) the step of:

1- Positioning on the rim a leading-expanding cone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be carried out in practice, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a solid tire press according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the solid tire press of Fig. 1 with the pressing shoes in their minimal radial position;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the solid tire press of Fig. 1 with the pressing shoes in their maximal radial position;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one pressing arm and its pressing shoe;

Fig. 5 is a side view of the solid tire press of Fig. 1 in its shortened position;

Fig. 6 is a side view of the solid tire press of Fig. 1 self-opened to its maximal span;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the tire lifting arm;

Fig. 8 is a top view of the tire lifting arm of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a partial perspective view of the tire lifting elevator by means of a screw mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a partial perspective view of the tire lifting elevator by means of an hydraulic piston;

Fig. 11 is a partial top view of the solid tire press with the tire lifting arm in an operating position ; and

Fig. 12 is a partial top view of the solid tire press with the tire lifting arm in a tire loading position.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Attention is first drawn to Fig. 1 that shows a solid tire press 10 according to the present invention. The solid tire press 10 can be used with various kinds of rims known in the market, i.e., (a) a rim made of one piece for easy-fit tires, (b) a rim made of one piece for ordinary tires with locking rings, (c) a split rim. Both (a) and (b) kinds of rims have a rim shoulder at one end thereof, and the dismounting and mounting of the tire takes place at the end remote from the rim shoulder. The (c) kind of rim, i.e., the split rim has a rim shoulder at both ends thereof and, therefore, is used in a slight different manner.

As shown in figs. 1 to 3, the solid tire press 10, having a press axis A, comprises a pair of vertical columns 12, forming a part of a frame 13, that are spaced apart a span having a width W. Each of the columns 12 has a column upper section 14, at an upper portion thereof, and a column lower section 16, at a lower portion thereof. Each of the columns 12 may be formed as a solid profile, a hollow profile, or a combination thereof, depending on specific requirements of strength, weight and dimensions. Furthermore, as will be later described in details, each of the columns 12 may be formed from two or more parts that can slide into each other or otherwise connected.

Each column lower section 16 is connected to a base beam 18 that is perpendicular to the column 12. The base beams 18 serve as a base to the entire solid tire press 10 and may be provided with fixing holes 20 into which a proper fastener (not shown) may be inserted for fastening the solid tire press 10 to a floor or other base platform. Furthermore, according to preferred embodiments, each base beam 18 is formed from a hollow beam having a rectangular cross-section 22, adapted to receive therein a fork of a forklift (not shown in the figures). Thus, it is guaranteed that the solid tire press 10 is self- standing in an upright position, from one side, and, can be easily lifted by forks of a forklift, to be carried into and from a truck or otherwise transported, from another side.

As can be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, each base beam 18 can be provided with slots or holes 24 that contribute to reduce weight of the solid tire press 10 without compromising its strength and rigidity.

A supporting bridge 26 is connected between the columns upper sections 14. The supporting bridge 26 may be formed from a solid profile, a hollow profile, or, as shown in the figures, from two spaced apart bridge plates 28, each of which is provided with slots or holes that contribute to reduce weight of the supporting bridge 26 without compromising its strength and rigidity.

An arm assembly 30 is connected to the supporting bridge 26. The arm assembly 30 is provided with a multitude of support brackets 32. Typically, the solid tire press 10 is provided with four support brackets 32 that are perpendicular to each other.

Each support bracket 32 typically comprises two support plates 34 that serve as a support to a pressing arm 36. Each pressing arm 36 is independently operated and comprises a leading bracket 38, a trailing bracket 40, a connecting arm 42, and, a pressing shoe 44. The leading bracket 38 comprises a leading portion 46, into which the connecting arm 42 is connected, and, a trailing portion 48, that is similar in length to the trailing bracket 40.

It should be noted that directional terms appearing throughout the specification and claims, e.g. "forward", "rear", "upper", "lower" etc., are used as terms of convenience to distinguish the location of various surfaces relative to each other. These terms are defined with reference to the figures, however, they are used for illustrative purposes only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.

The pressing arm 36 comprises six axes that are parallel to each other. A first arm axis CI passes through an arm upper bore 50 of the connecting arm 42. A second arm axis C2 passes through an arm lower bore 52 of the connecting arm 42 (shown in dashed lines in fig. 4) and through a front bore 54 of the leading bracket 38. A third arm axis C3 passes through a rear bore 56 of the leading bracket 38. A fourth arm axis C4 passes through an upper tracing bore 58 of the trailing bracket 40. A fifth arm axis C5 passes through a leading bracket lower bore 60, of the leading bracket 38, and through a shoe front bore 62 of the pressing shoe 44. A sixth arm axis C6 passes through a trailing bracket lower bore 64, of the trailing bracket 40, and through a shoe rear bore 66 of the pressing shoe 44.

According to the construction described above it can be understood that the construction of the pressing arms 36 and the pressing shoes 44 is very compact, nevertheless is very strong and rigid comparing with similar size of presses known in the market. This is accomplished by the construction of the pressing arm 36 and its attachment to the pressing shoe 44. Each pressing arm 36 supports a pressing shoe 44 at two spaced apart regions, i.e., at the shoe front bore 62 and at the shoe rear bore 66. The support is in a vertical direction and parallel to the press axis A such that the pressing shoe 44 always remains horizontal.

Furthermore, in order to increase rigidity and power transmission, the pressing arm 36 supports the pressing shoe 44 through three links; (1) the leading portion 46 of the leading bracket 38, (2) the trailing portion 48 of the leading bracket 38, (3) the trailing bracket 40. In addition, each of the above described links is "doubled", i.e., formed from two independent plates, a fact that further reduces the total weight while increasing strength and rigidity.

The construction of each pressing shoe 44 is such that the pressing shoe 44 acquires maximum rigidity with a relatively small size. The pressing shoe 44 is formed similar to a solid block, formed from distinctive plates welded to each other, or, formed as a hollow cross-section profile, thus assuring that it is very rigid and unbendable, while still enabling reaching and pressing at the exact required region of the tire.

A strengthening rod 68 is connected in a peripheral region 70 of each support bracket 32 and it connects between each two adjacent support brackets 32. Each support bracket 32 is provided with an external bore 72, in the peripheral region 70 of the support bracket 32, with an internal bore 74, located radially inwardly with respect to the external bore 72, and, an elongated opening 76 located radially inwardly to the internal bore 74.

A shoe adjustment piston 78 is located on a piston plate 80 located on top of the supporting bridge 26 and of the support brackets 32. The shoe adjustment piston 78 is vertically mounted and operated, and its adjustment piston axis D merges with the press axis A. A connecting flange 82, into which the connecting arms 42 are connected, is connected on top of the shoe adjustment piston 78. The connecting flange 82 comprises four connecting segments 84 that are evenly distributed around the connecting flange 82.

Each of the pressing arms 36 is connected to one of the support brackets 32 in the following manner: The fourth arm axis C4 of the trailing bracket 40 is centered within the external bore 72 of the support bracket 32. The third arm axis C3 of the leading bracket 38 is centered within the internal bore 74 of the support bracket 32. The second arm axis C2 of the leading bracket 38 and the arm lower bore 52 lie within the opening 76 of the support bracket 32. And, as was mentioned above, the arm upper bore 50, with the first arm axis CI, are connected to one connecting segment 84 of the connecting flange 82.

The column lower sections 16 of each of the columns 12 are connected by a lower support frame 86 that enables the solid tire press 10 to form a rigid and compact structure. A press piston 88 is connected to the lower support frame 86 concentrically with the press axis A. The press piston 88 is operated by a hydraulic operating system 90 that is driven by an electric motor 92. The hydraulic operating system 90 also operates the shoe adjustment piston 78.

As can be best seen in Figs. 2 and 3, the operation of the pressing arms 36 will now be described. Since the pressing arms 36 are identical, for sake of simplicity, the operation of only one pressing arm 36 will be disclosed in detail.

When it is desired to move the pressing shoe 44 radially inwardly, the shoe adjustment piston 78 is raised. Thus, by means of the connecting flange 82 and the connecting segment 84, the connecting arm 42 is pulled upwardly. Since the rear bore 56 of the leading bracket 38 is fixed within the internal bore 74 of the support bracket 32, the leading bracket can only rotate around the third arm axis C3. Thus, the front bore 54 of the leading bracket 38 goes under a combined rotational and translational movement within the opening 76 in the support bracket 32. The rotational movement is around the internal bore 74 of the support bracket 32 and the translational movement is upwardly. As a consequence, the pressing shoe 44 undergoes a radially inwardly movement as shown by the arrow RI in Fig. 2. Since the external bore 72 and the internal bore 74 of the support bracket 32 lie in a plane P that is perpendicular to the press axis A, and since the trailing portion 48 of the leading bracket 38, i.e., the distance between the rear bore 56 of the leading bracket 38 to the leading bracket lower bore 60, is equal to the trailing bracket 40, i.e., the distance between the upper tracing bore 58 of the trailing bracket 40 to the trailing bracket lower bore 64, a "four links" mechanism is obtained. Hence, it is guaranteed that the pressing shoe 44 will always be perpendicular to the press axis A.

When it is desired to move the pressing shoe 44 radially outwardly, the shoe adjustment piston 78 is lowered. By means of the connecting flange 82 and the connecting segment 84, the connecting arm 42 is pushed downwardly. Thus, in a process reversed to the described above, the pressing shoe 44 undergoes a radially outwardly movement as shown by the arrow RO in Fig. 3.

The two extreme positions of the pressing shoe 44 were described above, i.e., the maximal radial inward position and the maximal radial outward position. However, it should be understood that any other position therebetween may be chosen as well.

The process for dismounting a solid tire from a rim by means of the solid tire press 10 will now be described. The rim and tire may be; (1) manually transferred and lifted into the solid tire press 10, (2) power lifted by the aid of an external additional tool, or, (3) by means of a lifting mechanism integrally formed with the solid tire press 10. The dismounting steps are as follows:

a. Positioning an abutment cylinder (not shown) on the press piston

88. The abutment cylinder provides space below the rim into which the removed tire will be loosened,

b. Positioning the rim facing downwards on the abutment cylinder.

In this position, the smallest radial dimension of the rim is at its bottom thereby enabling dismounting the tire in a downward direction. c. Lifting the press piston 88 until the pressing shoes 44 almost touch the tire.

d. Hydraulically adjusting the radial position of the pressing shoes

44 to the desired diameter. This is done to a position as close as possible to the rim, thus enabling the following advantages: (1) no metal contact takes place between the rim and the pressing shoes, (2) by the structure of the pressing shoes and by the pressure applied it is guaranteed that the tire will be removed from the rim in its entirety without leaving any tire residuals that should be removed later in another process.

e. Continuing lifting the press piston 88 until complete extraction of the tire from the rim.

Upon removing the old tire, a new tire is brought to the solid tire press and is ready for being mounted on the rim according to the following steps: a. Verifying positioning of the abutment cylinder on the press piston

88. This step is only verification since the abutment cylinder is in its position from the dismounting stage.

b. Turning over the rim and positioning it facing upwards. This guarantees that the minimal radial dimension of the rim is in its top thereby enabling the insertion of the tire from the upper part of the rim in a downward direction.

c. Positioning on the rim a leading-expanding cone. This step is not obligatory, however, it enables easy leading of the tire towards the rim and slight expansion of the inner perimeter of the tire during slidingly insertion on the rim.

d. Positioning a tire on the rim, when an easy-fit device of the tire faces upwards.

e. Lifting the press piston 88 until the tire completely mounts the rim. As can be understood by a person skilled in the art, the upper pressing arms 36 are short and sturdy, therefore enabling working with high working pressures, typically up to 100 tons, in a relative small size and in a safe manner.

The construction of the solid tire press 10 according to the present invention, in contrary to prior art presses, enables the use of only one adaptor in order to mount and dismount a solid tire from a rim. Furthermore, this construction enables dismounting a tire without the need of using an additional plate in which upper arms may press thereon.

The radially adjusted sturdy pressing arms 36, by means of the pressing shoes 44, enable strong and efficient pressing on the inner layer of the tire, thereby preventing tearing the outer layer/layers of the tire, and eliminating the need to use additional instruments for scraping and removing tire residuals from the rim. According to preferred embodiments, the vertical columns 12 of the solid tire press 10 are retractable, hence, the column lower section 16 and the column upper section 14 do not form a unitary piece. The retraction of the vertical columns during transportation enables the following: (a) insertion of the solid tire press 10 through a rear opening of a small truck, a task that cannot be performed with presses known in the market due to their relatively large overhaul height dimension, (b) lowering the total center of gravity of the press and truck, a fact that increases driving safety and vehicle stability.

As shown in Fig. 1, each column lower section 16 comprises a lower mounting bore 94 at the column lower section 16, and, an upper mounting bore 96, upwardly to the lower mounting bore 94. Each column upper section 14 comprises a height fixing bore 98 in a lower portion thereof. A height fixing pin 100 is inserted through the height fixing bore 98 of the column upper section 14, and, through the desired mounting bore of the column lower section 16.

If the solid tire press 10 is to be carried in a retracted position or

"travelling position", than, the height fixing pin 100 is inserted into the lower mounting bore 94 of the column lower section 16. If the solid tire press 10 is to be extended into a fully extended position or "working position", than, the height fixing pin 100 is inserted into the upper mounting bore 96 of the column lower section 16.

The solid tire press 10 can be extended or retracted in two different manners: (a) by the aid of a forklift or an upper winch; the columns upper sections 14 and the structure therebetween (i.e., the supporting bridge 26, the support brackets 32, etc.) are slightly lifted in order to remove vertical pressure from the height fixing pin 100 until it can be pulled out from the current mounting bore (be it the lower mounting bore 94 or the upper mounting bore 96). Then, the columns upper sections 14 are lifted or lowered into the required position and then the height fixing pin 100 is inserted back again into the relevant mounting bore (the upper mounting bore 96 or the lower mounting bore 94) to lock the solid tire press 10 in its new required position.

(b) self lifting and lowering the columns upper sections 14 by means of the press piston 88 and with the aid of a lifting adaptor (not shown) that bridges the gap between the press piston 88 and the supporting bridge 26.

According to some embodiments, the solid tire press according to the present invention weighs between 600 Kg to 1,000 Kg, whereby known solid tire presses of the same capacity, i.e., that can operate the same sizes and types of tires, weigh between 1,600 Kg to 3,000 Kg. Due to the relatively low weight and size, the solid tire press according to the present invention may be carried by a 5 tons truck instead of a 12-15 tons truck as known in the market. As a result, the following advantages are obtained:

1- Lower truck purchase costs.

2- Lower truck insurance costs.

3- Lower truck maintenance costs.

4- Lower truck fuel costs.

5- Lower fuel consumption.

6- Lower air pollution. In some cases, typically when handling relative large tires that are heavy, the manual lifting of the tires on and from the press piston is quite difficult, tiring and may hurt the worker's back. Therefore, in some embodiments, the press further includes a tire lifting elevator. The tire lifting elevator, which may be referred to as a lifting mechanism 102, is shown in Figs. 7 to 12 and is integrally formed with the solid tire press 10.

According to some embodiments, the lifting mechanism 102 comprises an hydraulic piston 104 that serves as a lifting piston and utilizes the hydraulic system of the solid tire press 10. According to other embodiments (not shown), the lifting mechanism utilizes an independently operated gas piston which enables manual power lifting. The lifting mechanism further comprises a tire lifting arm 106 that serves as a support platform on which the rim and tire are placed.

One embodiment of the tire lifting arm 106 can be best seen in Figs. 7 and 8. As shown, the tire lifting arm 106 comprises a pair of tire support bars 108 that are connected to a main beam 110. The tire support bars 108 are connected such that they diverge from each other and away from the main beam 110. This arrangement enables the tire lifting arm 106 to effectively handle a large variety of tire sizes.

The main beam 110 ends, in an inner portion thereof, with a hollow cylindrical socket 112 having abutment surfaces 114 at both ends thereof and a central bore 116, having a central bore axis E, extending therebetween.

According to one embodiment, as shown in Fig. 9, the tire lifting arm 106 is lifted by a screw mechanism 118. The screw mechanism 118 comprises an upper plate 120, a lower plate 122, and a pair of leading bars 124 extending therebetween. The screw mechanism 118 is connected to a column 12 of the solid tire press 10 at least by the upper plate 120 and by the lower plate 122 at upper and lower ends of the screw mechanism 118. Typically, the leading bars 124 have a round cross-section, however, other cross- sections, e.g., square, may be chosen as well. An electric driving motor 126 is located on top of the upper plate 120 and is engaged, through a transmission, with a lifting screw 128 extending vertically downwardly therefrom. A lower end 130 of the lifting screw 128 is received within a lower plate bracket 132 and can freely rotate with respect thereto.

The cylindrical socket 112 of the tire lifting arm 106 is engaged into a lifting assembly 134 that can freely slide up and down on the leading bars 124. The cylindrical socket 112 rests on a bearing (not shown) thus can freely rotate with respect to the lifting assembly 134 around the central bore axis E.

The cylindrical socket 112 is engaged with the lifting screw 128 through a bushing (not shown). Thus, operation of the driving motor 126 rotates the lifting screw 128 and this rotation causes up and down movement of the lifting assembly 134 together with the tire lifting arm 106.

Another embodiment of the lifting mechanism is shown in Fig. 10. As shown, the hydraulic piston 104 is connected to one column 12 of the solid tire press 10 by means of piston connectors 136. Preferably, two spaced apart piston connectors 136 are used, however, other connecting methods may be implemented as well.

The hydraulic piston 104 comprises a piston cylinder 138 and a piston rod 140 protruding downwardly therefrom. The cylindrical socket 112 of the tire lifting arm 106 is connected onto the piston rod 140 such that it can easily and freely rotate with respect to the hydraulic piston 104 around the central bore axis E.

In order to lower the tire lifting arm 106 the piston rod 140 is moved outwardly from the piston cylinder 138 in a downward direction. In order to raise the tire lifting arm 106 the piston rod 140 is moved inwardly into the piston cylinder 138 in an upward direction.

During operation, when it is desired to remove a rim with a tire thereon from the solid tire press 10, the tire lifting arm 106 is manually rotated into a working position, as shown in Fig. 11, until the tire support bars 108 are in a correct position under the tire 142.

In this position, the tire lifting arm 106 is raised, by means of one of the embodiments described above, until the tire support bars 108 lift the tire 142 from its position. Now, the tire lifting arm 106 is easily and freely manually rotated into a tire loading position as shown in Fig. 12. In this position, the tire lifting arm 106 is completely lowered, typically up to the floor level, so that the tire 142 can be easily removed and a new tire may be loaded.

Now, the tire lifting arm 106 is raised up to the required height, then, it is easily and freely manually rotated until the tire 142 is centered with the press axis A.

Although the present invention has been described to a certain degree of particularity, it should be understood that various alterations and modifications could be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

For example, the base beams do not have to be fitted with slots adapted to receive therein forks of a forklift, and they may be formed from smaller and lighter support brackets.

The "frame" of the solid tire press does not have to comprise a lower support frame and it may be formed without a lower support frame that connects between the vertical columns.

The solid tire press does not have to be provided with four support brackets and any other number, practically between two to eight, may be equally applicable, depending on weight restrictions, size, required pressing pressure, and distribution of pressure on the treaded tire. Regardless the number of support brackets, it is advantageous that they will be evenly peripherally distributed around the tire in order to prevent unintentional radial forces acting on the tire that may alter its concentricity with the solid tire press. The solid tire press does not have to be limited to be operated through the upper mounting bore and lower mounting bore only, and it may be provided with additional bores therebetween.

The solid tire press does not have to be provided with fixing holes into which proper fasteners are inserted for fastening the solid tire press to a floor or other base platform, even if the fasteners are fixed ones or quick-release type fasteners. Alternatively, the solid tire press may be temporarily or permanently fastened to the floor, side walls, or ceiling of the carrying vehicle by means of chains, ropes, straps, quick release connectors, etc.

The strengthening rod between the support brackets does not have to be always provided and, according other embodiments, the supporting bridge and support brackets are formed without a strengthening rod.

In some embodiments where the vertical columns are retractable, another mechanical position fixing device is added in addition to the height fixing pins, thereby adding safety and reliability and decreasing shearing stresses acting on the height fixing pins.

The electric driving motor does not have to be engaged to the lifting screw through a transmission, and it can be connected directly thereto by an engagement manner known in the art.