Abstract:
A device that clamps to the flange ring of a tire. The clamp has a rear section that can be used to attach a lifting chain or other implement to facilitate the removal and lifting of these flanges. The device consists of a pair of jaws mounted on a body. The jaws can pivot to open and close them about a rim flange. A bolt secures the clamp in place and is used to remove it when it is no longer needed. The clamp also has an eye or hook for attaching a chain for lifting or pulling on the flange.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/281,537, filed Apr. 2, 2001. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
   Not Applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to rim flange clamps and particularly to rim flange clamps that have lifting capability. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   This invention relates generally to an apparatus for removing or replacing flange rings and bead seat band rings on large tires. In the repair of large tires such as those used on heavy-duty equipment, it is often necessary to remove the tire rim from the rim assembly. In tire installations such as these, the rims are large and heavy components. These rims must be carried to be positioned and set so that the tries can be installed. Moving these large rims requires a lot of muscle or equipment. Being able to lift and maneuver these rims makes the job easier and safer. To move the rims by a small lift or crane, there must be a convenient way to attach the lifting chains to the rims so that it can be lifted or moved. 
   One tool for such an operation is found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,900,016. This tool is used to force the tire away from the edge of the rim as part of the installation or removal process. This device is a small clamp that clamps to the ring around the tire. It has an arm that attaches to a large lever that is used to push the tire away from the rim. Once the bead seal has been broken, the tool is moved to another location on the rim. Although this tool is useful in breaking a tire free of the rim, it has no means for removing or lifting the rim. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The instant overcomes the problems of moving these large rims. It is a device that clamps to the flange ring. The clamp has a rear section that can be used to attach a lifting chain or other implement to facilitate the removal and lifting of these flanges. The device consists of a pair of jaws mounted on a body. The jaws can pivot to open and close them about a rim flange. A means for tightening the clamp is provided to secure the clamp in place and to remove it when it is no longer needed. The clamp also has a means for attaching a chain for lifting or pulling on the flange. 
     It is an object of this invention to produce a tool for convenient lifting and handling of the rim ring gear. 
     It is a further object of this invention to produce a tool for convenient lifting and handling of the rim ring gear while as tire is mounted on the rim. 
     It is yet a further object of the invention to produce a tool for convenient lifting and handling of the rim ring gear that is small, simple and economical to use. 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of the invention positioned on a rim showing the hook member in an upward orientation. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the invention positioned on a rim showing the hook member in a downward orientation. 
       FIG. 3  is an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of a first jaw of a third embodiment. 
       FIG. 5  is a top view of the first jaw of a third embodiment. 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of a second jaw of a third embodiment. 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of the second jaw of a third embodiment. 
       FIG. 8  is an inside view of the left side housing of the third embodiment. 
       FIG. 9  is an inside view of the right side housing of the third embodiment. 
       FIG. 10  is a front view of the left side housing of the third embodiment. 
       FIG. 11  is a front view of the right side housing of the third embodiment. 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the third embodiment showing a shackle and hook attached to the first jaw. 
       FIG. 13  is a top view of the third embodiment. 
       FIG. 14  is a front perspective view of the third embodiment. 
       FIG. 15  is a detail view of the third embodiment on place on a rim flange. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a first embodiment of the tool  10  is shown. The tool has two side plates  7  that are oppositely disposed. Two clamping jaws  1  and  2  are mounted between them. As shown, jaw  1  has a chisel point edged clam jaw at one end, which is secured to the flange ring  100 . The jaw  1  has a taper that narrows toward the other end of the jaw. The second end of the jaw  1  ends in a grab hook  8  as shown.  FIG. 1  shows the grab hook  8  facing upward. 
   Jaw  1  is secured in between the side plates by a bolt that fits in a bushed cap hole  4 . This bolt allows jaw  1  to pivot about the bolt. 
   The second jaw  2  has a chisel point edged clamp jaw at one end that is shown secured to the flange ring  100 . Note the placement of this jaw  2  is opposite to that of jaw  1 . Together these jaws form a clamp. 
   Jaw  2  is secured to the side plates  7  by two cap bolts  5  and  6 . Jaw  2  is not tapered. The two cap bolts  5  and  6  secure jaw  2  to the plates so that it is fixed with respect to jaw  1 . 
   Near the end of jaw  1  opposite of that having the clamp jaw, is a threaded hole through which torque bolt  3  passes. Torque bolt  3  is used to activate the clamp. By tightening the bolt  3  into the jaw, it pushes upward against jaw  1 , which causes the hook end of jaw  1  to move upward, which in turn causes jaw  1  to pivot, there by pressing jaw  1  hard against the rim flange  100 . This secures the clamp to the rim flange for use. 
     FIG. 2  shows the same tool with a modification to jaw  1 . Here, jaw  1  has the same end clamp and taper. In this embodiment, however, the grab hook  8  is turned downward instead of upward as in  FIG. 1 . 
   The tool is used as follows: first, the clamping jaws are opened by turning the torque screw  3  outwards, which allows jaw  1  to pivot upwards. The tool is then placed over a flange ring until the flange ring comes into contact with the side plates  7 . Torque bolt  3  is then turned until jaw  1  pivots against the flange rim and holds the ring firmly. 
   Ordinarily, two tools are placed 180 degrees apart on the flange. Then a length of chain is secured between them by attaching the chain to the grab hooks on jaw  1 . Next, the chain, or other pulling implement, such as a wire rope, or nylon rope, a come-along winch or similar tool, can be lifted in the center of then chain. The force exerted on the chain is placed on the pivoting jaws  1  on both clamps. This force increases the grip on the flange by the two jaws  1 . 
   Lifting the chain at the center of the flange ring also causes the flange ring and bead seat band to come off the rim assembly. 
   Setting the rings down on a flat surface releases the pressure on the pivoting jaws  1 . The chain can then be removed from the hooks and the torque bolt  3  can be loosened, which allows the pivoting jaw  1  to release from the rim flange, allowing the tool to be removed. 
     FIG. 3  is an alternative embodiment in which the grab hook  8  has been replaced with an eye  12  that can be used with a shackle (not shown). In this way, the eye can be used as a modified version of the grab hook for operations as before. 
     FIGS. 4–15  show a third embodiment of the invention. This embodiment of the invention is similar to the second embodiment except that the eye is formed as a part of the jaw. 
     FIG. 4  is a side view of a first jaw  21  of a third embodiment  20 . This jaw has a rounded body that has an enlarged pivot head  22  and a chisel point end  23  as in the earlier embodiments. This jaw  21  has a pivot hole  24  and a tool hole  25 . The tool hole  25  is used to secure a shackle or other fastener for use with chains, or other pulling implements, as described above.  FIG. 5  is a top view of this jaw  21 . This view shows the placement of the holes  24  and  25 . 
     FIG. 6  is a side view of a second jaw  30  of a third embodiment  20 . This jaw  30  has a chisel point end  31  that corresponds to the end  23  of the first jaw  21 . This jaw  30  has two mounting holes  32  and  33  as shown. A hole  34 , perpendicular to the mounting holes, is used to hold the torque bolt  35  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 12 ) that is used to activate the clamp, as in the pervious embodiments.  FIG. 7  is a top view of the second jaw  30  of the third embodiment. 
     FIG. 8  is an inside view of the left side housing of the third embodiment.  FIG. 9  is an inside view of the right side housing of the third embodiment. Here, the two housing members  40  and  41  are shown. These housings have recesses  42  and  43  formed in them to allow for debris to be cleared from the housing. They also have a set of mounting holes  44  and  45  formed in them. The mounting holes  44  are used to secure the second, or fixed jaw  30 . The mounting holes  45  are used to mount the first jaw  20  through the pivot hole  24 . In this way, the first jaw  20  is free to move about the pivot, as in the earlier embodiments.  FIG. 10  is a front view of the left side housing  40  of the third embodiment.  FIG. 11  is a front view of the right side housing  41  of the third embodiment. 
     FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the third embodiment showing a shackle  110  and hook  120  attached to the first jaw at hole  25 . Here, the housing members  40  and  41  are shown secured to the jaws by bolts  50  and  51  and by nuts  52 . The torque screw  35  is shown in place. As discussed above, this screw  35  is turned to close or open the jaws. With the hook  120  and shackle  110  attached, the device can be used with a chain, a come-along, or lift, to pull and manipulate the rim flanges, as discussed above. Note that the hole  25  in the first jaw is not limited to receiving a shackle. Any other connecting fastener, such as a clip, a pin, or a ring may be used as well. 
     FIG. 13  is a top view of the third embodiment showing the placement of the jaws in the housings as well as the bolts. 
     FIG. 14  is a front perspective view of the third embodiment, showing the placement of the jaws in the housings as well as the bolts. 
     FIG. 15  is a detail view of the third embodiment on place on a rim flange. Here, a rim flange  130  is shown as part of a wheel assembly  140 . The clamp is secured to the rim flange  130  by opening the jaws and placing them over the flange. The torque screw  135  is then tightened down as before to close the jaws down on the rim flange so that it can be used to work the flange as desired. 
   The present disclosure should not be construed in any limited sense other than that limited by the scope of the claims having regard to the teachings herein and the prior art being apparent with the preferred form of the invention disclosed herein and which reveals details of structure of a preferred form necessary for a better understanding of the invention and may be subject to change by skilled persons within the scope of the invention without departing from the concept thereof.