Abstract:
An apparatus for balancing wheels includes a chassis, a driven shaft extending from the chassis for rotating the wheel, a wheel mounting accessory operably mounted on the driven shaft for use in mounting the wheel, and an accessory storage device rotatably mounted on the chassis for storing the accessory when not in use.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the art of wheel balancers. Specifically, the present invention discloses a wheel balancer having a novel accessory storage device. 
     It is well known in the art that a balanced vehicle wheel is desirable for a variety of reasons. A modern wheel balancer can statically and dynamically balance a vehicle wheel to within 0.05 ounces at the rim flange. U.S. Pat. 5,311,777 describes a typical wheel balancer and is incorporated here by reference. 
     The wheel balancer generally includes a chassis which houses a drive motor, imbalance sensors, and various electronics. A driven shaft connects to the motor and extends from the chassis. A vehicle wheel mounts on the driven shaft for rotation during balancing operations. Often a pivotal wheel cover will be provided to shield the operator from the rotating wheel. A control panel typically mounts on the top of the chassis and provides a user interface between the operator and the balancer. 
     The generally accepted method for balancing a vehicle wheel is to remove the wheel from the vehicle and mount the wheel on the driven shaft of the balancer. Specially sized adapters fit in the hub opening of the wheel and slide over the driven shaft to locate the wheel thereon. The operator then lowers the wheel cover over the mounted wheel, and the motor rotates the driven shaft and wheel. Based on the imbalanced condition of the wheel, the imbalance sensors and electronics calculate the amount and location of balancing weights to be added. The operator then attaches one or more weights at the appropriate position on the wheel rim and re-mounts the balanced wheel on the vehicle. 
     In recent years, wheel styling has become a growing concern among automobile and after-market wheel manufacturers. As a result, wheel styles have many different diameters, rim sizes, and hub openings. To accommodate these various wheel styles, a variety of wheel mounting accessories, such as adapters, cones, springs, and spacers, are required for mounting the various wheel styles on the driven shaft. In addition, it is preferable to store the wheel mounting accessories directly on the wheel balancer in close proximity to the driven shaft to allow for quick retrieval and changing of the accessories during the balancing operation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, the present invention provides an improved wheel balancer having a chassis, a driven shaft extending from the chassis for rotating the wheel, an accessory operably mounted on the driven shaft for use in mounting the wheel on the shaft, and a storage device rotatably mounted on the chassis for storing the accessory when not in use. The rotatable storage device may include a plurality of pegs for holding corresponding accessories. Preferably, the storage device comprises a post from which the plurality of pegs radially extend. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides an improved wheel balancer having a chassis, a driven shaft extending from the chassis for rotating the wheel, a wheel mounting accessory operably mounted on the driven shaft for use in mounting the wheel, and a storage device rotatably mounted on the chassis. The storage device includes a post and a retainer for holding the wheel mounting accessory when not in use. Preferably, the retainer comprises a plurality of pegs extending radially from the post. The storage device may further include a tray attached to the post and extending radially from the post. 
     In a still further aspect, the invention provides an improved wheel balancer having a chassis, a driven shaft extending from the chassis for rotating the wheel, a wheel mounting accessory operably mounted on the driven shaft for use in mounting the wheel, and a storage device rotatably mounted on the chassis. The storage device includes a post and a plurality of pegs extending radially from the post for holding the wheel mounting accessory when not in use. The storage device may further include a tray attached to the post and extending radially from the post. 
     Those of ordinary skill in the art will better appreciate the features and aspects of presently preferred embodiments and others upon review of the specification. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof to one skilled in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying figures, in which: 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of wheel balancers known in the art; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a wheel balancer having a novel accessory storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the improved wheel balancer of FIG. 3 with various accessories stored on the accessory storage device; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the accessory storage device used in the wheel balancer of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the accessory storage device shown in FIG. 5 taken along line  6 — 6 ; 
     FIGS. 7A and 7B are cross-sectional views of alternate embodiments of the accessory storage device; 
     FIG. 8 is an elevational view of a still further embodiment of the accessory storage device; 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  9 — 9  of FIG. 8; and 
     FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing the swivel mount utilized in the embodiment of FIG.  8 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications, variations, and equivalent realizations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate two different wheel balancers that are known in the art. Referring to FIG. 1, the balancer  10  includes a chassis  12 , a driven shaft  14 , various accessories such as an adapter  16 , a wheel cover  18 , a control panel  20 , and a storage tray  22 . As illustrated, driven shaft  14  extends from chassis  12 , and adapter  16  slides over driven shaft  14  for mounting a wheel. Wheel cover  18  is pivotally connected to chassis  12  in such a manner that it can be lowered over the wheel before the balancing operation has commenced. Control panel  20  mounts on the top of chassis  12 , and storage tray  22  provides a convenient location for balancing weights or other objects. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, several hooks  24  project from the location near control panel  20 . It will be appreciated that the available surface area in this location limits the number of hooks  24 , and thus the number of accessories that can be stored. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, the balancer  30  again includes a chassis  32 , a driven shaft  34 , an adapter  36 , a wheel cover  38 , a control panel  40 , and a storage tray  42 . Six hooks  44  project from the side of chassis  32 . Although more hooks are available at this location than for the balancer illustrated in FIG. 1, they are farther from driven shaft  34  and not as readily accessible during operations. 
     FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an embodiment of the present invention showing a wheel balancer  50  having a rotatable accessory storage device  70 . Balancer  50  includes a chassis  52 , a driven shaft  54 , an adapter  56 , a pivotal wheel cover  58 , a control panel  60 , and a storage tray  62 . As illustrated, driven shaft  54  extends from chassis  52 , and adapter  56  slides over driven shaft  54  for mounting a wheel. Wheel cover  58  extends over the wheel to protect the operator. Control panel  60  mounts on the top of the chassis, and storage tray  62  provides a convenient location for maintaining a supply of balancing weights or other objects. 
     As shown, storage device  70  mounts on chassis  52 . In the illustrated embodiment, storage device  70  is proximate to driven shaft  54 ; however, other mounting locations on chassis  52  are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the location of other components of balancer  50 , such as the control panel  60  or storage tray  62 , may require storage device  70  to be mounted more distant from driven shaft  54 . 
     Referring now also to FIG. 5, storage device  70  generally includes a post  72 , multiple pegs  74  extending radially outward from the post, and a plate-like tray  76  located below the pegs. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, tray  76  is preferably fixed to post  72  so as to rotate therewith. 
     In this embodiment, post  72  is generally cylindrical, hollow, and made of metal, although other shapes and materials are within the scope of the present invention. For example, post  72  may have a polygonal shape, or it can be made of plastic, fiberglass, rubber, or other suitable substitute. The dimensions of post  72  can vary with the space limitation on chassis  52 , but post  72  may extend approximately 1-2 feet in length in some preferred embodiments. 
     The multiple pegs  74  provide the means by which to hang or suspend various accessories, such as adapters  56 , cones, springs, and nuts as shown in FIG.  4 . In addition to extending radially outward, pegs  74  may also be inclined upward to facilitate secure storage of the accessories. Pegs  74  may be spaced about post  72  at varying distances to accommodate accessories of various sizes and shapes. The specific number of pegs  74  will generally depend on the dimensions of post  72  and anticipated storage needs. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the number of pegs is at least eight. 
     As with post  72 , pegs  74  may be generally cylindrical and made of metal, although other shapes and materials are within the scope of the present invention. For example, pegs  74  may be polygonal, curved, or spring-loaded clips to better secure the adapters  16  in place. In addition, pegs  74  may be made of plastic, fiberglass, rubber, or other suitable substitute. 
     The tray  76  extends radially from post  72  and provides a generally flat, horizontal surface below pegs  74 . As such, the tray can be used to store wheel mounting accessories that cannot be stored on the pegs, such as accessories that lack a through bore. Tray  76  will also advantageously catch items that fall from one of the pegs, thus preventing the item from falling behind the balancing machine. As with post  72  and pegs  74 , tray  76  may be made of metal, plastic, fiberglass, rubber, or other suitable substitute. 
     Referring now to FIG. 6, a mounting plate  78  attaches to chassis  52  by one or more bolts  80 , screws, glue, or other means for attachment known in the art. Mounting plate  78  may include a pedestal  82  having an outer diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of post  72 , allowing post  72  to loosely slide over pedestal  82 . As a result, the weight of the post holds the post down over pedestal  82 , preventing post  72  from moving laterally, while still allowing post  72  to rotate in place about pedestal  82 . 
     FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate alternative mounting structures employing a bearing assembly to reduce the frictional resistance and facilitate rotation of the post. As shown in FIG. 7A, the bearing assembly may comprise a plurality of bearing balls  84  disposed between an annular groove  86  defined on the bottom of tray  76  located at the base of post  72 . A second and opposed groove  88  is defined in an upper portion of chassis  52 . 
     Equivalently, the bearing assembly may comprise an inner and outer race  90  enclosing the bearing balls  84 , as illustrated in FIG.  7 B. Various other types of bearing assemblies are well known in the art and included within the scope of this invention. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, an alternative embodiment of storage device  70  is illustrated. In this case, post  72  is configured as a hollow metal tube defining a series of opposed holes along its height. Diametrically opposite pegs  74  are formed as a single short rod  92  having a bend  94  at the midpoint of its length. Rod  92  is inserted through the holes in post  72  and then secured in position, such as by welding  96 . Tray  76  is located on post  72  at a predetermined distance Y above the mounting location. In presently preferred embodiments, distance Y may be about six inches. 
     In this case, storage device  70  uses a swivel mount  98  similar to the type used for rotatable seats. Swivel mount  98  includes a fixed first portion  100  attached to chassis  52 . Tube  72  is attached to a rotatable second portion  102 . A plurality of bearing elements  104  are located between first portion  100  and second portion  102  to facilitate relative rotation. 
     In this case, accessory storage device  70  is mounted to the hood bracket  106  at which cover  58  is pivotally connected to the chassis. In this way, a structure already provided on chassis  52  for another purpose is advantageously utilized to locate and support storage device  70 . 
     While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it should be understood that any and all equivalent realizations of the present invention are included within the scope and spirit thereof. The embodiments depicted are presented by way of example only and are not intended as limitations upon the present invention. Thus, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in this art that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments since modifications can be made. Therefore, it is contemplated that any and all such embodiments are included in the present invention as may fall within the literal and equivalent scope of the appended claims.