Wheel clamping apparatus and method
First Claim
1. An adjustable wheel holding apparatus for use on a wheel servicing machine having a rotatable shaft and a rod extending from the shaft, the apparatus comprising:
- a hub having a central axis;
a plurality of arms radially extending from the hub;
at least one arm is angularly moveable relative to at least one other arm; and
a recessed portion positioned in the hub operative for engaging a locking member attached to the rod.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A wheel servicing machine provides a rotatable shaft having a retractable rod slidably disposed in a center bore of the rotatable shaft, wherein the retractable rod is longitudinally moveable relative to the shaft. A rotatable locking member is disposed on the distal end of the retractable rod. The locking member includes one or more mounting studs protruding radially therefrom for engaging a centering cone or a wheel clamp. A tool support arm including a stage protrudes from the base. A tool adapted for engaging a sidewall of a tire is attached to support arm. A second stage including a second tool configured for engaging the opposite sidewall of the tire may also extend from the base. A platform assembly having one or more spring-loaded rollers is attached to the base in some embodiments. A longitudinally moveable travel arm with a jointed auxiliary arm is also provided. A wheel clamp having a plurality of arms, wherein at least one arm is moveable relative to at least one other arm, is also provided. A method of securing a wheel to a wheel servicing machine is also provided.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An adjustable wheel holding apparatus for use on a wheel servicing machine having a rotatable shaft and a rod extending from the shaft, the apparatus comprising:
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a hub having a central axis; a plurality of arms radially extending from the hub; at least one arm is angularly moveable relative to at least one other arm; and a recessed portion positioned in the hub operative for engaging a locking member attached to the rod. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A wheel clamp for securing a wheel rim to a wheel servicing machine via a plurality of lug holes in the wheel rim, the wheel clamp comprising:
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a base plate having a central axis; a plurality of arms attached to the base plate and extending generally radially from the base plate; at least one pin extending from each arm in a direction substantially aligned with the central axis, each pin shaped to engage a lug hole; at least one arm is angularly moveable relative to at least one other arm about the central axis; at least one pin is moveable generally radially along its corresponding arm; a notch defined in the base plate; the wheel clamp further comprises an inner side substantially facing the wheel and an outer side substantially facing away from the wheel; each pin protrudes outward from the inner side; and the notch is defined on the outer side. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A wheel clamp apparatus for securing a wheel to a wheel servicing machine, the clamp apparatus comprising:
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a first arm member including inner and outer base plates extending therefrom, wherein the inner and outer base plates define a hub gap therebetween; a second arm member including a second arm socket positioned in the hub gap adjacent the outer base plate, the second arm socket being axially aligned with the inner and outer base plates; and a third arm member including a third arm socket positioned in the hub gap adjacent the inner base plate, wherein the second and third arm sockets are axially aligned with the inner and outer base plates. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification