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Method and system for providing assistance to vehicles with damaged wheel components

  • US 7,457,614 B2
  • Filed: 10/31/2001
  • Issued: 11/25/2008
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2001
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for providing assistance to a distressed vehicle having a damaged wheel component, the method comprising:

  • authorizing establishment of a plurality of geographically diverse assistance point facilities;

    authorizing establishment of a plurality of geographically diverse wheel component warehouse facilities;

    receiving an assistance request regarding the distressed vehicle;

    identifying an appropriate assistance point facility in a vicinity of a location of the distressed vehicle;

    transmitting information to the appropriate assistance point facility;

    transmitting authorization to the appropriate assistance point facility;

    directing the repaired distressed vehicle, fitted with a loaner wheel component, to visit one of a plurality of dealer facilities;

    providing authorization to the dealer facility to replace the loaner wheel component with a new wheel component; and

    directing shipment of the loaner wheel component to one of the assistance point facilities;

    wherein each assistance point facility maintains an inventory of loaner wheel components for a plurality of vehicles having differing wheel component requirements,wherein the assistance request comprises;

    information on the location of the distressed vehicle;

    information on a nature of damage to the distressed vehicle'"'"'s wheel component; and

    information regarding wheel component requirements of the distressed vehicle;

    wherein the transmitted information;

    reveals the location of the distressed vehicle; and

    enables identification of the loaner wheel component corresponding to the wheel component requirements of the distressed vehicle;

    wherein the transmitted authorization;

    authorizes a service call to be made to the distressed vehicle; and

    authorizes repair of the distressed vehicle by replacing the damaged wheel component with the loaner wheel component.

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