Lifting device for tyre removal machines

• US 20020154983A1
• Filed: 04/17/2002
• Published: 10/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corghi SpA (Nexion S.p.A.)
• Original Assignee: Corghi SpA (Nexion S.p.A.)
• Inventors: Corghi, Remo
• Granted Patent: US 6,854,950 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 414/680
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 25/05 Machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 25/0521 Handling of rim or tyre, e.g. lifting and positioning devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 414/13 Handlers utilizing parallel links

Abstract

The tire removal machine comprises an upper member (15) which rigidly supports the rim of a wheel positioned coaxial to it, and is positioned at the top of a coaxial vertical rotary shaft (12) projecting upwards from a machine casing (11). The device of the invention comprises a support means (20) for supporting a wheel resting thereon, and transfer means for raising and lowering the support means (20) to move it from a first position, in which the means (20) is disposed close to the floor surface in order to receive/unload the wheel, to an upwardly raised position in which the wheel rests on said upper member (15), and vice versa.

Claims

1. A lifting device for tyre removal machines comprising an upper member (15) for rigidly supporting the rim of a wheel positioned coaxial to it, said upper member (15) being positioned at the top of a coaxial vertical rotary shaft (12) projecting upwards from a machine casing (11), characterised by comprising a support means (20) for supporting a wheel resting thereon, and transfer means for raising and lowering the support means (20) to move it from a first position, in which the means (20) is disposed close to the floor surface in order to receive/unload the wheel, to an upwardly raised position in which the wheel rests on said upper member (15) and vice versa.

2. A lifting device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the transfer means are disposed to the side of the machine casing (11) from which the vertical shaft projects, the support means (20) projecting horizontally and transversely outwards from the transfer means such that when in its first position it lies to the front of the casing (11), and when in its raised position it lies above the casing (11).

3. A lifting device as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the support means (20) comprises a first frame (21) on which the radially most outward part of the wheel rests, and which has its central part empty to enable it to descend about the upper member (15) without interfering with it, said frame (21) being disposed in an inclined position when the support means (20) is in said first position, and in a virtually horizontal position when the support means (20) is raised above the upper member (15).

4. A lifting device as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the support means comprises a second frame (22) which lies virtually horizontal when the support means is in said first position, and on which the wheel tread rests.

5. A lifting device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said transfer means comprise a lever mechanism, which at one end carries the support means (20) and at its other end is hinged on a horizontal axis to a vertically movable element (31).

6. A lifting device as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that said transfer means comprise:

a slider element (31) movable vertically along vertical guide means (32, 34, 52) fixed to one side of the machine casing (11) from which the vertical shaft (12) projects,

drive means (35, 55) for moving the slider element (31) between an upper and a lower position,

a support arm (40) having one end hinged on a horizontal axis to the slider element (31), its movable end carrying the support means (20),

means (45, 61) for rotating the support arm (40) about the axis of the hinge (42) between a downwardly inclined position, which determines said first position of the support means (20), and an upwardly inclined position,

said slider element (31) being disposed in its upper position when the support arm (40) is inclined downwards, and being moved into its lower position, after the support arm (40) has been inclined upwards, in order to lower the support means (20) below the upper member (15).

7. A lifting device as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that said support arm (40) is rotated by a hydraulic cylinder-piston unit (45) connected to the arm (40) and to the slider element (31).

8. A lifting device as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that said support arm (40) is also hinged, at an intermediate point thereof, to the end of a rotary lever (61).

9. A lifting device as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that the support means (20) comprises a first frame (21) on which the radially most outer part of the wheel rests and which is rigidly fixed to the movable end of the support arm (40), and a second frame (22) on which the wheel tread rests and which is pivoted to the free end of the arm (40) and to a rod (24) parallel to the support arm (40), which together with this arm (40) defines an articulated quadrilateral which maintains the second frame (22) in a substantially horizontal position during the rotation of the support arm (40).

10. A lifting device as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that the support means (20) comprises a first frame (21) on which the radially most outer part of the wheel rests and which is rigidly fixed to the movable end of the support arm (40), and a second frame (22) on which the wheel tread rests, both being rigidly fixed to the movable end of the support arm (40).

11. A lifting device as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that said drive means (35) for moving the slider element (31) between an upper and a lower position comprise a hydraulic cylinder-piston unit (35), the rod (351) of which acts on the slider (31) via a crank system (71-74) which amplifies the movements of the rod (351).