Wheel adapters for truing and balancing tires

• US 4,478,081 A
• Filed: 10/21/1982
• Issued: 10/23/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/1982
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Amermac Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Amermac Incorporated
• Inventors: Greene, Aubrey E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gill, James J.
• Application Number:
  US06/435,853
• Time in Patent Office: 733 Days
• Field of Search: 73/487, 157/14, 157/21, 51/DIG. 33
• US Class Current: 73/487
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 1/045 the body being a vehicle wheel

Abstract

Adapters are provided for mounting automobile wheel assemblies of different sizes and types to the mandrel of a wheel balancing or tire truing machine. The adapters have few parts and precisely align the wheel assembly with the mandrel.

Claims

1. An assembly for truing and/or balancing a tire comprising:

a backing plate including an integral, centrally located tubular extension extending from said backing plate in axial alignment therewith,

an adapter that fits over said tubular extension coaxial therewith,

said adapter including a set pattern of apertures therein,

said set pattern of apertures in said adapter plate is formed with the apertures equi-angularly spaced relative to each other with their centers being on the circumference of a circle with the center of the circle coinciding with the axis of said adapter plate with apertures on circles of increased radius angularly spaced from an adjacent circle of apertures of lesser radius,

spacer means separating said adapter from said backing plate,

and means for securing said adapter on said tubular extension of said backing plate.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which:

said spacer means are pods,

said pods having a nonthreaded end that fits into one of said apertures of said adapter plate,

said nonthreaded end having an o-ring thereon for holding said pod in said aperture.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 which includes:

a mandrel that extends through said backing plate and said tubular extension, and

means for securing said mandrel to said backing plate and said tubular extension.

4. An assembly as claimed in claim 3, in which:

said mandrel is of a smooth surface, and

said means for securing said mandrel in place is a cam means.

5. An assembly as claimed in claim 4, in which:

said spacer means are pods,

said pods having a nonthreaded end that fits into one of said apertures of said adapter plate,

said nonthreaded end having an o-ring thereon for holding said pod in said aperture.

6. An assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

said means for securing said adapter on said tubular extension is a wing nut.

7. An assembly for truing and/or balancing a tire comprising:

a backing plate including an integral, centrally located tubular extension extending from said backing plate in axial alignment therewith,

an adapter that fits over said tubular extension coaxial therewith,

said adapter including a set pattern of apertures therein,

spacer means separating said adapter from said backing plate,

said spacers are threaded studs,

said studs having an attached tab, and

a pin extending from said tab parallel with said stud,

said pin being spaced from said stud a distance equal to a spacing between said apertures in adjacent circles of apertures for supporting said stud,

and means for securing said adapter on said tubular extension of said backing plate.

8. A kit for forming an assembly for truing and/or balancing a tire comprising:

a backing plate;

said backing plate including a tubular extension;

said tubular extension having a threaded, outer end portion;

said tubular extension having an eccentric inner end portion;

a plurality of adapter plates, each of said adapter plates having a different set pattern of apertures therein to accommodate different lug arrangements of different wheels measured in inches and millimeters;

a plurality of long pods;

a plurality of short pods;

a plurality of long studs;

a plurality of short studs;

each of said studs including a tab and a pin extending from said tab parallel with said stud;

a wing nut for securing said one of said plurality of said adapter plates onto said backing plate tubular extension;

a mandrel, and

a cam having an eccentric end for securing said mandrel to said tubular extension.