Abstract:
A tire press is provided for inserting or removing a variable function insert (VFI) from a tire that includes a frame, a jaw assembly secured to the frame and a pusher assembly secured to the frame for interaction with the jaw assembly to insert or remove the VFI from within the tire. The invention also includes the method of inserting or removing the VFI from the tire using the press.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/511,732, filed on Jul. 26, 2011, the entirety of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to tires and more particularly to a press for use in assembling and disassembling run flat tires. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In order to lessen the dangers associated with a tire on a vehicle going flat during operation of the vehicle, a number of different devices have been developed. One of these devices is an insert positioned within the tire, such as variable function insert (VFI). 
         [0004]    In normal operation, if a tire on a vehicle goes flat the tire loses the air inside the tire, eliminating further traction and mobility, such that travel of the vehicle will halt shortly after losing the air from within the tire. The primary reason for this is that the weight of the vehicle is carried through the wheels, which drops the wheel flange onto the deflated tire crushing the tire between the ground and the wheel flange. As a result, the tire will not roll anymore because the tire is flat and not round. 
         [0005]    Furthermore, the tire bead or edge of the tire will not stay attached to the wheel flange because the power transfer of the vehicle drive-train through the wheel will cause tire bead to separate from the wheel flange. The remaining inflated tires may still provide traction, allowing the vehicle to travel further. However, this movement of the vehicle will cause the flat tire wheel flange to roll over the tire sidewall and cut the tire off the wheel. 
         [0006]    Looking now at FIG.  1 ., the VFI is an solid insert formed of a resilient material, such as a relatively hard rubber, capable of supporting a significant amount of weight, such as that of a motor vehicle, while also being able to deflect a desired amount under that amount of weight. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the VFI  1000  is formed with a shape that is complementary to, but smaller than that of a tire  1002 , such that the VFI  1000  can be fully positioned within the interior of the tire  1002  when the tire  1002  is disposed on a vehicle wheel or rim  1004  without interfering with the normal operation of the tire  1002  when the tire  1002  is properly inflated. However, when the tire  1002  in which the VFI is positioned goes flat, the VFI  1000  provides a structure within the tire  1002  that prevents the tire  1002  from completely collapsing under the weight of the vehicle. As a result, the VFI  1000  to supports the vehicle in a manner that enables the vehicle to continue to be operated and moved until a suitable location is reached where the tire  1002  and VFI  1000  can be removed and repaired or replaced. 
         [0007]    In particular, the benefits provided by a VFI  1000  positioned within the interior  1001  of a tire  1002 , when the tire  1002  deflates after being damaged, include that the solid rubber VFI  1000  keeps the vehicle wheel flange  1006  suspended away from the ground, not allowing the weight of the vehicle to pinch the tire sidewall  1008  between the ground surface and wheel flange  1006 , that the vehicle can continue its movement for hours or days without repair while traveling on the solid rubber VFI  1000 , which is still attached to, i.e., disposed around the wheel  1004  within the tire  1002 , which remains attached to the vehicle wheel  1004 , and that the weight of the vehicle operates to compress the VFI  1000  securely against the tire bead  1010 , thereby pinching the tire bead  1010  between the wheel flange  1006  and the VFI  1000  to maintain the tire  1002  on the wheel  1004 . 
         [0008]    However, due to the nature of the material forming the VFI, in order to enable the VFI to function as intended, the insertion and removal of the VFI from the interior of the tire requires a significant amount of force. 
         [0009]    Thus, it is desirable to develop a device that is capable of inserting and removing a VFI from the interior of a wheel. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    Briefly described, one aspect of the present invention provides a press for assembling or disassembling a run flat tire including a VFI therein. The press includes frame on which is disposed a tire gripping mechanism and an insertion/extraction cylinder. The tire can be positioned on the frame using a lifting apparatus affixed to the frame and engaged by the gripping mechanism to hold the tire on the press. The insertion/extraction cylinder is then operated in order to position a VFI within the tire or to remove a VFI from a tire. 
         [0011]    Numerous other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description together with the drawings figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The drawings illustrate the best mode currently contemplated of practicing the present disclosure. 
           [0013]    In the drawings: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a tire including a VFI positioned therein; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a front isometric view of a tire press constructed according to the present disclosure in an open, retracted position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a front isometric view of the press of  FIG. 2  in an open engaged position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a bottom isometric view of the press of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a front isometric view of the press of  FIG. 2  in a closed, retracted position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a bottom isometric view of the press of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a front isometric view the press of  FIG. 2  in a closed, engaged position; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a rear isometric view of the press of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a side plan view of a pusher rod of the press of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a top isometric view of an extraction rod for use with the press of  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a top isometric view of a jaw and guide rod assembly of the press of  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    Referring now in detail to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, one embodiment of a press constructed according to the present disclosure is illustrated generally at  10  in  FIG. 2 . The press  10  includes a frame  12  having a number of legs  14  extending downwardly therefrom in order to support the press  10  on a surface, such as a floor. 
         [0026]    In general, the frame  12  supports a jaw assembly  16 , a hydraulic unit  39 , a crane assembly  129  and a controller  18 . The jaw assembly  16  includes a right jaw  31  and a left jaw  30 . Each jaw  30 , 31  has a curved shape and is operably connected to a guide assembly  19  and a jaw cylinder  60  that is operably connected to the hydraulic unit  130 . 
         [0027]    As best shown in  FIGS. 4 and 11 , the guide assembly  22  for each jaw  30 ,  31  includes a number of guide rods  23  disposed in channels  34  formed in the frame  12  and connected between the jaw  30 ,  31  and the frame  12 , a guide bushing  24  disposed around and slidable with respect to each rod  23  and a number of mounting plates  40  and reinforcing ribs  40   a  connecting the guide bushings  24  to the jaws  30 ,  31 . In the illustrated embodiment, two rods  23  and bushings  24  are utilized, but additional or fewer rods  23  and bushings  24  can be employed depending upon the strength required for the jaw assembly  16 . 
         [0028]    The jaws  30 ,  31  each have a main body  42 , which in the illustrated embodiment is generally arcuate in shape in order to readily engage and hold a tire  1002  when in use, and an inwardly tapering or extending nose  29 ,  32 , respectively, that terminate in a rim  44  that extends outwardly at an angle with respect to the nose guides  29 ,  32 , and perpendicular to the nose  29 ,  32  in the illustrated embodiment. Also, in the illustrated embodiment, the nose guides  29 ,  32  are fixed to, such as by welding, or formed integrally with the main body  42 . However, the noses  29 ,  32  can be formed to be releasably attached to the main body  42 , in order to enable noses  29 ,  32  with different configurations for different tires  1002  to be utilized on the jaws  30 ,  31 . 
         [0029]    The noses  29 ,  32  are adapted be positioned within the center of the tire  1002  such that the outwardly extending rim  44  on each nose  29 , 32  can engage and hold the tire  1002  thereon during various stages of the insertion or removal of the VFI  1000  using the press  10 . Further, the jaws  30 , 31  are readily removable from the press  10  and replaced by other jaws (not shown) or for use on other presses (not shown) making the press  10  and the jaws  30 , 31  interchangeable with one another. In addition, the jaws  30 ,  31  are designed to be able to insert and extract VFIs  1000  that would break prior art jaw constructions. This is due in part to the construction of the jaws  30 ,  31  which includes the configuration for the jaws  30 ,  31  including the guide bushings  24  and the mounting plates  40  and ribs  40   a  which provides added strength to the jaws  30 ,  31  when in operation. In addition, floor pans  35  are disposed across the frame  12  over and between the guide rods  24  to provide a support surface on the frame  12  around the jaws  30 ,  31 . 
         [0030]    Looking now at  FIG. 4 , between the guide rods  24  is disposed a connecting plate  36 . The plate  36  connects the bushings  24  to one another to ensure that the bushings  24  connected to the jaws  30 ,  31  move in conjunction with one another to control the movement of the entire jaw  30 ,  31  in a uniform manner. The plates  36  are also connected to the corresponding jaw cylinder  60  disposed in the illustrated embodiment below the plates  36  in an horizontal, offset position from one another using a pair of flanges  62  disposed on opposed sides of the cylinder  60 , which reduces the footprint of the assembly  22  and the overall press  10 . A rod  38  extends outwardly from the cylinder  60  and is attached to a stop  26  on the frame  12  via a U-shaped clevis  37 . The cylinders  60  are operably connected to the hydraulic unit  39  which supplies the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the cylinders  60  required for their operation. 
         [0031]    When the cylinder  60  is operated to move the rod  38  out of the cylinder  60 , the attachment of the rod  38  to the frame  12  causes the cylinder  60  to move the associated connecting plate  36  and consequently the bushings  24  along the guide rods  23 , thereby moving the jaws  30 , 31  to the various positions shown in  FIGS. 2-8 . 
         [0032]    Looking now at  FIGS. 2-9 , on the frame  12  and between the jaws  30 , 31  is disposed a pusher cylinder  21  that is operably connected to the hydraulic unit  39  and secured to the frame  12  within a guide tube channel  22  positioned between the jaws  30 , 31 . As best shown in  FIG. 9 , an engagement member, such as a pusher nose plate  11 , is secured to an extension arm  17 , which can be a telescoping arm, affixed to the end of the cylinder  21  and disposed above the channel  22  on the frame  12  by a pin  120  releasably engaged between the plate  11  and an adaptor rod  15 . The rod  15  can be repositioned with respect to the cylinder  21  and extension arm  17  by movement of the adaptor rod  15  within a sleeve  16  secured to the end of the arm  17 . The rod  15  includes a number of apertures therein that are selectively aligned with an opening in a rod channel  14  on the sleeve  16  and secured thereto by a pin  130 . The adaptor rod  15  and pin  120  connects the plate  11  to the cylinder  21 , such that the plate  11  can be moved by the operation of the cylinder  21  in a direction generally perpendicular to the movement of the jaws  30 ,  31 . 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , the pin  120  can be removed from the rod  15  to enable the pusher plate  11  to be removed from the rod  15  to enable a different engagement member, such as an extractor arm  100 , to be affixed to the rod  15 . The extractor  100  includes a slot  250  at one end that receives a pin (not shown) similar to pin  120  perpendicularly therethrough to enable the extractor  100  to be utilized with a strap (not shown) attached at each end within the slot  250  by the pin to remove a VFI  1000  from within a tire  1002 , as will be discussed. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIGS. 5-8 , the frame  12  also supports a crane assembly  129  which is pivotally secured to the frame  12  and includes a cable housing  260 , a motor housing  270 , a boom  280 , and a cable/hook assembly  290 . The motor (not shown) disposed within the motor housing  270  can be operably connected to a power source by a receptacle  170  disposed on the frame in order to operate the crane assembly  129 . The crane assembly  129  can be positioned on the frame  12  in either of a pair of mounting sleeves  125 , during transportation of the press  10 , and  127 , when the press  10  and crane  129  are deployed or in operational mode, that are disposed at adjacent corners of the frame  12 . In the transport or storage configuration for the press  10 , each of the components of the press  10  remains mounted to the frame  12 , but within the dimensions of the frame  12  in order to minimize the length and width footprint of the press  10  in the transport or storage configuration. Also, the frame includes tubes  90  that are engaged with the forks of a forklift (not shown) in order to enable the press  10  to be readily moved. 
         [0035]    The hydraulic unit  39  and the various cylinders  21 ,  60  and motors are controlled by the operation of the controller  18  that includes hydraulic controls  33  disposed on a control bracket  101  movably secured to the frame  12 . The controls  33  are positioned adjacent a stop switch  40  and a motor starter  20 , secured to the frame  12  by a standoff  210  and plate  220 , in order to control the operation of the press  10 . 
         [0036]    When the press  10  is in operation to insert a VFI  1000  within a tire  1002 , initially the jaws  30 ,  31  and channel  22  are lubricated to ensure smooth movement of the components of the press  10 , and the nose plate  11  is drawn to a rearmost position on the frame  12 . The VFI  1000  is then lifted onto the frame  12  by the crane  129  and positioned between the jaws  30 ,  31 . The jaws  30 ,  31  are then operated to engage and squeeze the VFI  1000  until the circular space within the circular VFI  1000  is closed. The curved shape of the main body  42  of each jaw  30 ,  31  serves to retain the VFI  1000  between the jaws  30 ,  31  as it is compressed. The tire  1002  is then raised by the crane  129 , such as by using a hook (not shown) engaged with the tire bead  1010 , to place the tire  1002  around the jaw nose guides  29  and  32 . The jaws  30 ,  31  are then opened slightly to engage the interior circumference of the tire  1002  to hold the tire  1002  on the press  10 . Once engaged, the cylinder  21  is operated to move the nose plate forward to push the compressed VFI  1000  into the interior of the tire  1002 . 
         [0037]    Additionally, when the press  10  is operated to remove a VFI  1000  from within a tire  1002 , initially the nose plate  11  is removed and the extractor  100  is attached to the rod  15 . The jaws  30 ,  31  are then moved to the closed position and the tire  1000  including the VFI  1002  is moved onto the nose  29 ,  32  of the jaws  30 ,  31  using the crane  129 . The jaws  30 ,  31  are then expanded to engage the central opening in the tire  1002  to hold the tire  1002  on the press  10 . A strap (not shown) is then wrapped around the VFI  1000  within the tire  1002  and the opposed ends of the strap are engaged within the slot  250  of the extractor  100  by the pin. The cylinder  21  is then operated to move the extractor  100  away from the frame  10  through the central opening in the tire  1002  to draw the VFI  1000  out of the tire  1002 . If the extractor rod  100  is not long enough to draw the entire VFI  1000  out of the tire  1002 , it may be necessary to disengage and reposition the extractor rod  100  to fully extract the VFI  1000 . Once extracted, the VFI  1000  is removed from the extractor rod  100  and the tire  1002  is moved off of the press  10  by the crane  129 . 
         [0038]    Various other embodiments of the present invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the filed claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.