Modular tire service station

• US 10,604,956 B1
• Filed: 12/05/2019
• Issued: 03/31/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
• Original Assignee: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
• Inventors: Hartschuh, Ryan Douglas, Beck, Justin Marcus
• Primary Examiner(s): Chapman, Jeanette E
• Application Number:
  US16/704,006
• Publication Number:
  US 20200109574A1
• Time in Patent Office: 117 Days
• Field of Search: 52 791
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 25/0512 Integrated systems performing multiple operations, e.g. assembly lines
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 5/00 Servicing, maintaining, repairing, or refitting of vehicles vehicles adapted to carry a workshop for servicing or maintenance B60P3/14; servicing rail locomotives B61K
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 5/06 Pits or building structures for inspection or services
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/20 Administration of product repair or maintenance

Abstract

A modular tire service station for servicing vehicle tires includes a first pre-configured service module and a second pre-configured service module that is proximate the first module. A customer area is disposed in at least one of the first module and the second module, a tire storage area is disposed in at least one of the first module and the second module, and a tire service area is disposed in at least one of the first module and the second module.

Claims

1. A method of servicing vehicles using a modular service station, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a web site that enables a customer to select the modular service station as a location for vehicle servicing and to schedule a date for the servicing;

enabling the customer to enter into the web site at least one of an electronic mail address and a phone number at which the customer can be contacted;

providing a designated area for the customer to park the vehicle to be serviced on the scheduled servicing date;

installing a key exchange box near the modular service station, the key box being formed with a plurality of secure compartments for receiving vehicle keys;

enabling the customer to insert the keys for the vehicle to be serviced into a first selected one of the secure compartments and lock the first selected one of the secure compartments;

unlocking and opening the compartments of the key exchange box to retrieve the vehicle keys;

moving the vehicle to a selected area in the modular service station;

servicing the vehicle in the modular service station;

moving the vehicle to a designated area for pickup by the customer upon completion of the servicing;

opening a second selected one of the secure compartments in the key exchange box and inserting the vehicle keys;

locking the second selected one of the secure compartments in the key exchange box;

alerting the customer that the vehicle servicing is complete, including a number corresponding to the second selected one of the secure compartments in the key exchange box and a combination for a lock that secures the second selected one of the secure compartments, thereby enabling the customer to obtain the vehicle keys.

2. The method of servicing vehicles using a modular service station of claim 1, wherein the step of opening the key exchange box is performed by opening a master lock for the key exchange box.

3. The method of servicing vehicles using a modular service station of claim 1, wherein the step of alerting the customer that the vehicle servicing is complete includes sending at least one of an electronic mail message, a phone call, and a text message to the at least one of the electronic mail address and phone number of the customer.

4. The method of servicing vehicles using a modular service station of claim 1, wherein the step of installing a key exchange box near the modular service station includes attaching the key exchange box to a structure of the modular service station.

5. The method of servicing vehicles using a modular service station of claim 1, wherein the step of installing a key exchange box near the modular service station includes attaching the key exchange box to a structure near the modular service station.

6. The method of servicing vehicles using a modular service station of claim 1, wherein the step of providing a web site includes enabling the customer to visit the web site from a location remote from the modular service station.

7. The method of servicing vehicles using a modular service station of claim 1, wherein the step of providing a web site includes enabling the customer to visit the web site from a customer area of the modular service station.

8. The method of servicing vehicles using a modular service station of claim 1, further comprising the step of enabling the customer to order tires on the web site, wherein the servicing includes installation of the ordered tires.

9. The method of servicing vehicles using a modular service station of claim 8, further comprising the step of delivering the ordered tires to the modular service station on or before the schedule installation date.

10. The method of servicing vehicles using a modular service station of claim 8, further comprising the step of storing the ordered tires in a storage area of the modular service station.

11. The method of servicing vehicles using a modular service station of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing the modular service station, wherein the modular service station includes:

a first pre-configured service module;

a second pre-configured service module proximate the first module and being spaced apart from the first module;

a customer area disposed in at least one of the first module and the second module;

a tire storage area disposed in at least one of the first module and the second module;

a tire service area disposed in at least one of the first module and the second module; and

a vehicle parking area disposed in the space between the first module and the second module.

12. The method of servicing vehicles using a modular service station of claim 11, wherein the first module and the second module are disposed in a parking lot.

13. The method of servicing vehicles using a modular service station of claim 11, wherein the first module and the second module are disposed parallel to one another.

14. The method of servicing vehicles using a modular service station of claim 11, wherein the first module and the second module are disposed in an L-shaped pattern relative to one another.

15. The method of servicing vehicles using a modular service station of claim 11, further comprising a pad including a level surface being formed in a portion of the space between the first module and the second module.

16. The method of servicing vehicles using a modular service station of claim 11, wherein the first module is spaced apart from the second module in a parallel manner, and a canopy is attached to and extends between the first module and the second module.

17. The method of servicing vehicles using a modular service station of claim 16, wherein the canopy includes an adjustable rear wall.

18. The method of servicing vehicles using a modular service station of claim 11, wherein the modules are pre-fabricated transportable containers.

19. The method of servicing vehicles using a modular service station of claim 11, further comprising the step of providing power generating means for at least one of the first module and the second module.

20. The method of servicing vehicles using a modular service station of claim 19, wherein the power generating means includes at least one of a generator, a battery unit, and solar panels.