Patent ID: 6382644
Filing Date: 2002-05-07
Classification: B60B

Abstract:
An apparatus for receiving, transporting and positioning tire and wheel assemblies, each assembly having a circumferential tire tread surface, adjoining side surfaces extending generally radially inwardly from the tread surface and a hub portion radially centered about an axis and projecting axially beyond an adjacent one of the side surfaces, the apparatus comprising:a lower frame; an upright support coupled to one side of the lower frame; a vertical positioning device coupled to the upright support; and a tire and wheel assembly support slidingly engaged with the upright support and vertically movable with the vertical positioning device, the tire and wheel assembly support being cantilevered from the upright support to extend over the frame and having a lower portion against which the tread surface of a received assembly rests and a side portion extending upwardly from the lower portion, the side portion having a circular opening generally coaxial with and sized to receive the hub portion of the received assembly and at least one attached roller at a height above the axis of the received assembly, wherein the lower and side portions are positioned relative to each other such that the received assembly is inclined to rest against the support at an angle offset from vertical by contact of one side surface in an area above the axis with the upper portion of the support, the hub portion extending at least partially through the opening, and the tread surface contacting the lower portion of the support, the axis of the received assembly being inclined relative to horizontal by the same angle, and wherein the lower and side portions maintain the received tire and wheel assembly inclined at the same angle throughout raising and lowering of the tire and wheel assembly.