초록 ▼

A tire changing machine for changing difficult to mount tires is provided. The machine utilizes various implements configured about the machine's chassis in such a way that they do not interfere with each other's operation. In this way, the machine enables an operator to effectively change various t

A tire changing machine for changing difficult to mount tires is provided. The machine utilizes various implements configured about the machine's chassis in such a way that they do not interfere with each other's operation. In this way, the machine enables an operator to effectively change various tires.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A tire changing machine comprising: a chassis defining a top, a bottom, a back, a front and first and second lateral sides; a rotatable turntable configured to retain a wheel rim; a tower carrying a mount/demount head movable toward and away from the wheel rim in a plane angu

What is claimed is: 1. A tire changing machine comprising: a chassis defining a top, a bottom, a back, a front and first and second lateral sides; a rotatable turntable configured to retain a wheel rim; a tower carrying a mount/demount head movable toward and away from the wheel rim in a plane angularly offset from a back-to-front axis of said chassis extending transverse to a rotational axis of said turntable; a plurality of pedal actuators located on a first lateral side of said chassis, said actuators being operative to control operation of at least said turntable; wherein the tower tilts toward the turntable from a position generally diagonally across the chassis from said pedal actuators; and a tire lift mechanism mounted adjacent to said chassis, said tire lift mechanism including a lift arm having a distal end that moves between a first lowered position and a second fully extended position; wherein the distal end is located adjacent to the bottom of said chassis in the first position and the distal end pivots away from said chassis to the second position, wherein the distal end is located above the top of the chassis and alongside the rotatable turntable. 2. A tire changing machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tire lift mechanism is located adjacent said front of said chassis. 3. A tire changing machine as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a removable bracket that may be connected to said lift arm for facilitating ovalation of a tire. 4. A tire changing machine as set forth in claim 3, further comprising a horizontal roller assembly having at least one roller, the horizontal roller assembly being located adjacent said back of said chassis. 5. A tire changing machine as set forth in claim 4, wherein said horizontal roller assembly includes at least one roller mounted at the distal end of an elongate bar, said bar being slidable in a horizontal receiver. 6. A tire changing machine as set forth in claim 5, wherein said receiver is vertically movable. 7. A tire changing machine as set forth in claim 5, wherein a rotational axis of said roller is laterally offset from an axis of said elongate bar. 8. A tire changing machine as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a helper arm assembly located adjacent said back of said chassis. 9. A tire changing machine as set forth in claim 8, wherein said helper arm assembly includes a pivotal helper arm having a fluid actuated cylinder at a distal end thereof. 10. A tire changing machine as set forth in claim 9, wherein said fluid actuated cylinder carries a contact block for engaging a sidewall of a vehicle tire. 11. A tire changing machine as set forth in claim 10, wherein said pivotal helper arm comprises first and second arm segments articulated at an intermediate pivot point. 12. A tire changing machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rotatable turntable has a plurality of radially movable clamps operative to engage said wheel rim. 13. A tire changing machine as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a roller arm assembly located adjacent a back side of said chassis. 14. A tire changing machine as set forth in claim 13, wherein said roller arm assembly includes a pivotal arm having a fluid actuated cylinder located at a distal end thereof, said fluid actuated cylinder carrying a roller head for engaging a sidewall of a vehicle tire. 15. A tire changing machine as set forth in claim 14, wherein said roller head comprises first and second rollers each having a tapered roller surface. 16. A tire changing machine as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a finger roller attached at a fixed location adjacent to said mount/demount head to facilitate tire mounting. 17. A tire changing machine as set forth in claim 16, wherein said finger roller is removable when not in use. 18. A tire changing machine as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a bead loosening assembly located at a second lateral side of said chassis. 19. A tire changing machine as set forth in claim 18, wherein said bead loosening system utilizes a three-position valve. 20. A tire changing machine comprising: a chassis defining a top and a bottom; a rotatable turntable configured to retain a wheel rim; a tower carrying a mount/demount head movable toward and away from the wheel rim; and a tire lift mechanism mounted adjacent to said chassis, said tire lift mechanism including a lift arm having a distal end that moves between a first lowered position and a second fully extended position; wherein the distal end is located adiacent to the bottom of said chassis in the first position and the distal end pivots away from said chassis to the second position, wherein the distal end is located above the toP of the chassis and alongside the rotatable turntable. 21. A tire changing machine as set forth in claim 20, wherein said tire lift mechanism is located adjacent a front of said chassis. 22. A tire changing machine as set forth in claim 20, wherein said lift arm pivots about a pivot axis adjacent to a top surface of said chassis. 23. A tire changing machine as set forth in claim 22, further comprising a transverse tire support element located at the distal end of said lift arm. 24. A tire changing machine as set forth in claim 23, wherein said transverse tire support element comprises a bar. 25. A tire changing machine as set forth in claim 20, further comprising a removable bracket that may be connected to said lift arm for facilitating ovalation of a tire. 26. A tire changing machine as set forth in claim 25, wherein said lift arm defines a plurality of attachment holes for said bracket. 27. A tire changing machine as set forth in claim 26, wherein said plurality of attachment holes includes first and second vertical rows of attachment holes such that said holes are arranged in horizontally-aligned pairs. 28. A tire changing machine as set forth in claim 27, wherein said bracket includes a plurality of knobs each received in a respective one of said attachment holes. 29. A tire changing machine as set forth in claim 25, wherein said bracket defines a generally arcuate leading edge for engaging a tread portion of the tire. 30. A tire changing machine as set forth in claim 25, wherein said lift mechanism further includes a fluid actuated cylinder located under said lift arm to cause pivoting movement thereof. 31. A tire changing machine comprising: a chassis; a rotatable turntable configured to retain a wheel rim; a tower carrying a mount/demount head movable toward and away from the wheel rim; a tire lift mechanism mounted adjacent to said chassis, said tire lift mechanism including a lift arm that pivots away from said chassis to raise a tire to a raised position so that the tire is positioned alongside the rotatable turntable; and a removable bracket that may be connected to said lift arm for facilitating ovalation of a tire in the raised position.