Apparatus for cleaning the bead seating profile of a tire rim

Apparatus for cleaning the annular bead seating profile of a tire rim. The tire rim is supported with the central axis of the rim disposed in a predetermined orientation. A cleaning brush is rotatable about an axis, and means are provided for rotating the cleaning brush about the axis. Means are provided for supporting the cleaning brush in an orientation in which it engages the bead seating profile at the outer peripheral surface of the tire rim as the cleaning brush rotates about its axis. Additionally, means are provided for maintaining the cleaning brush under a predetermined state of pressure against the bead seating profile of the tire rim, the tire rim and the cleaning brush also being supported in such a manner that the cleaning brush can orbit relative to the outer peripheral surface of the tire rim while the cleaning brush is maintained in said predetermined orientation and in said predetermined state of pressure against the bead seating profile of the rim, to effect cleaning of the bead seating profile of the tire rim as the cleaning brush rotates about its axis and orbits relative to the outer peripheral surface of the tire rim.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning the metal rim of 
a wheel such as used on a vehicle. 
A vehicle wheel generally comprises a synthetic elastic rubber body (tire) 
that is mounted on an annular metal rim. The annular metal rim has an 
annular outer portion that circumscribes a central axis, and a radial 
portion that extends radially inward toward the central axis. The tire has 
a bead section that sealingly engages against a pair of annular bead 
seating profiles on the rim when the tire is mounted on the rim and 
inflated with air. Often, each of the bead seating profiles of the rim has 
a complex outer periphery that is shaped to allow it to engage the bead 
section of the tire in tight seating engagement in order to seal against 
leakage and to transmit torque between the tire and the metal rim. 
Normally, during assembly of a tire, the bead section of the tire is 
disposed against the annular outer portion of the metal rim, and is held 
in tight sealing relation with it by air pressure. A liquid lubricant or 
sealer may be disposed between the tire and the metal rim to further help 
seal between those members. 
When it is desired to change a tire, or to repair it, the tire first has to 
be separated from the metal rim. To do that, the tire is mounted on a tire 
changing device, of well known construction, that supports the metal tire 
rim in a fixed position. The tire is loosened from engagement with the 
bead seating profiles of the rim by upper and lower ram type wedges. Then, 
a power driven lever-like tool is wedged between the tire and the metal 
rim, and rotated at least partially about the periphery of the metal rim 
to separate the tire from the metal rim. 
Often, when a tire is removed from a metal rim, a visual inspection reveals 
considerable rust deposits, rubber deposits, or other dirt on the upper 
and lower bead seating profiles of the metal rim. The deposits can be 
caused by various factors, e.g., foreign substances (salt, grit, etc.) 
that work their way between the tire and the bead seating profiles of the 
rim, or rust that forms on the metal rim itself. Such substances, if 
allowed to remain on the bead seating profiles of the metal rim, can 
prevent a tire from properly seating against the bead seating profiles of 
the metal rim when the tire is attached to the metal rim. In the case of 
tubeless tires, this can result in slow leakage of air from the tire. 
Moreover, with both tubeless and tube tires, corrosion or debris on the 
bead seating profiles of the rim can impair proper torque transmission 
between the tire and the rim. Also, corrosion, if not removed from the 
bead seating profiles of the rim, can propagate and ultimately damage the 
metal rim itself. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for cleaning the 
bead seating profiles of a metal rim, before a tire is secured to the 
metal rim. The invention is useful in cleaning the bead seating profiles 
of a metal rim when the tire is being changed, so that the cleaning is 
effected before the new or repaired tire is attached to the metal rim. The 
preferred embodiment of the invention incorporates the cleaning apparatus 
into a conventional tire-changing mechanism, so that the bead seating 
profiles of a metal rim can be cleaned at the time a tire is being 
changed. 
According to the invention, a metal tire rim is supported with its central 
axis disposed in a predetermined orientation. With a conventional tire 
changing mechanism, the metal tire rim would be supported with its central 
axis disposed vertically. A cleaning brush is supported for rotation about 
an axis and the cleaning brush is also supported in an orientation in 
which it engages the bead seating profile on the outer peripheral surface 
of the rim as the cleaning brush rotates about its axis. Further, the tire 
rim and the cleaning brush are supported in such a manner that the 
cleaning brush can orbit relative to a bead seating profile at the outer 
peripheral surface of the tire rim while the cleaning brush is engaging 
the bead seating profile of the outer peripheral sealing surface of the 
metal rim. Still further, the cleaning brush is supported in such a way 
that it is maintained in a predetermined state of pressure against the 
bead seating profile of the tire rim as the cleaning brush orbits relative 
to the bead seating profile of the tire rim. As the cleaning brush rotates 
about its axis and orbits relative to the bead seating profile at the 
outer peripheral surface of the rim, it cleans the rust deposits, rubber 
deposits and other foreign substances and corrosion from the bead seating 
profile of the metal tire rim. 
In the preferred embodiment, the cleaning brush is maintained under a 
predetermined state of pressure against the bead seating profile at the 
peripheral surface of the tire rim, and the amount of pressure is 
selectively adjustable. Specifically, a guide roller member is connected 
to the cleaning brush, and is spaced from the cleaning brush about the 
periphery of a tire rim. The guide roller rolls (or orbits) along the bead 
seating profile at the peripheral surface of the tire rim, and holds the 
cleaning brush in engagement with the bead seating profile of the rim as 
the cleaning brush cleans the bead seating profile of the rim. The spacing 
between the guide roller and the cleaning brush determines the amount of 
pressure that exists between the cleaning brush and the bead seating 
profile of the rim as the cleaning brush orbits relative to the rim. The 
spacing between the guide roller and the cleaning brush is selectively 
adjustable to adjust the pressure between the cleaning brush and the bead 
seating profile of the rim. 
According to a further feature of the invention, the cleaning brush is also 
selectively adjustable in both radial and axial directions relative to the 
bead seating profile of the tire rim. Thus, the cleaning brush can be 
adjusted axially along the periphery of the tire rim, and radially 
relative to the tire rim, so that it can completely clean bead seating 
profiles along the periphery of the tire rim.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
As discussed above, the invention provides a method and apparatus for 
cleaning the bead seating profiles of a metal tire rim, and the apparatus 
can be incorporated into a conventional tire changing mechanism. FIGS. 1-8 
show the apparatus incorporated into a conventional tire-changing 
mechanism, after the tire has been removed from a rim and the rim is being 
supported on the tire-changing mechanism. 
Initially, it is important to understand the criticality of proper sealing 
between a tire and a metal rim at the bead seating profiles of the metal 
rim. FIGS. 9-11 illustrate the principles of engagement between a tubeless 
tire T and one of the annular bead seating profiles BSP on a metal tire 
rim R. As illustrated by FIG. 9, a tubeless tire T has a bead B that seats 
against the annular bead seating profile BSP along the outer periphery of 
the metal rim R. When the tire is inflated with air, the bead must seat 
tightly against the bead seating profile BSP of the metal rim to seal 
against leakage of air, and to transmit torque between the tire and the 
metal rim. 
FIG. 10 schematically illustrates (by arrows) the area where the principal 
pressures are applied against the outer periphery of the tire T, when it 
engages the bead seating profile of the metal rim. FIG. 11 schematically 
illustrates (by arrows) the area of the bead seating profile BSP where 
those principal pressures are applied. With a tubless tire, as shown in 
FIG. 9, it is critically important to achieve a tight engagement between 
the tire bead and the bead seating profiles of the rim, both for good 
torque transmission, but also for proper sealing. With tube tires, where 
the tire itself is an annular closed body, the sealing problem is not as 
critical, but the torque transmission problem between the tire and the rim 
is still very important. Thus, a tube tire must tightly engage the bead 
seating profile of a metal rim to insure proper torque transmission 
between the tire and the rim. Deposits of rust, rubber particles, or any 
other foreign substances or debris in the bead seating profile of the 
metal rim can impair proper torque transmission, in the case of both tube 
and tubeless tires. Further, such deposits can impair proper sealing 
between a tubeless tire and a metal rim. Thus, the applicants believe that 
the ability to effectively clean the entire bead seating profile of a 
metal tire rim, particularly at the time that a tire is changed, is 
extremely important. 
As shown by FIG. 1, a metal tire rim typically comprises an annular metal 
body 12 that circumscribes a central axis 14. The annular metal body 12 
defines (i) a central opening 15, (ii) a radial portion 16 that extends 
outward from the central opening 15 and an axially extending outer portion 
18. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the radial portion 16, and the outer portion 
18 are not straight, but are somewhat complex geometrical forms. The outer 
portion 18 has the annular bead seating profiles BSP at its outer 
peripheral surface 20, and it is those profiles that are cleaned by 
apparatus according to the principles of this invention. 
In this application, reference to the "radial portion" of a tire rim means 
a portion such as shown at 16 in FIG. 1, that extends in a generally 
radial direction, relative to the central axis 14 of the rim, regardless 
of its particular geometric configuration. Reference to an "outer portion" 
of a tire rim means a portion of a tire rim that extends axially with 
respect to the central axis 14 of the rim, again regardless of its 
specific geometric configuration. Reference to the "outer peripheral 
surface" of a tire rim means the radially outermost surface of that outer 
portion, which has the bead seating profiles that are engaged by the 
tubular rubber body of a tire, and which are most susceptible to corrosion 
and collection of dirt. It is the bead seating profiles of a tire rim, at 
that outer peripheral surface, that are cleaned by apparatus according to 
the principles of the present invention. 
The tire rim changing mechanism includes a conical base support 22, and a 
threaded central shaft 24 which is connected to the conical base support 
22. Normally, a tire rim is supported by a tire changing mechanism with 
one axial side of the metal rim resting on the conical base support 22, 
and the central opening 15 of the tire rim surrounding the central shaft 
24. A conical chuck 26 has internal threads that engage the central shaft 
24, and the conical chuck 26 is utilized to clamp the tire rim fast 
against the base support 22. While the metal rim is clamped against the 
base support 22, a tire can be attached to, or removed from, the metal 
rim. The mechanism includes wedges (not shown) for loosening the tire from 
the bead seating profiles of the rim, and a power driven lever-like tool 
(also not shown) that is rotated about the rim to remove the tire from the 
rim. 
The rim cleaning apparatus according to the preferred embodiment is 
attached to the tire changing mechanism, when the tire has been removed 
from a metal tire rim, and the metal tire rim is still clamped against the 
base support 22. The rim cleaning apparatus comprises a support assembly 
30 that includes a disc 32 which surrounds the central shaft 24 and is 
held against rotation by tabs 34 that engage mating slots in the conical 
chuck 26. A sleeve 35 surrounds the portion of the central shaft 24 and is 
supported on the disc 32. Another conical chuck 36 threadedly engages the 
portion of shaft 24 that extends beyond the sleeve, and operates to clamp 
the sleeve 35 to the tire changing mechanism. 
A cross tube 38 is connected to the sleeve 35, and extends at least 
partially across a tire rim supported on the apparatus. As seen from FIG. 
2, the cross tube 38 is offset from the central axis 14 of the tire rim. 
One end of the cross tube supports a cleaning brush assembly 40. The other 
end of the cross tube 38 supports a tensioning device, which according to 
the preferred embodiment, comprises a roller assembly 42. 
The cleaning brush assembly 40 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. It includes (i) a 
support frame 41 fixedly connected to the cross tube 38, (ii) a motor 43 
connected to the support frame 41, and (iii) a pair of brushes 44 that are 
supported for rotation about a shaft 46 extending parallel to the central 
shaft 24 that supports the tire rim. The brushes 44 have outwardly flared 
metal bristles 44a that are anchored between respective collars 44b, 44c 
that surround the shaft 46. The bristles 44a are designed to engage the 
bead seating profiles at the outer peripheral surface 20 of a metal tire 
rim to clean those bead seating profiles of the metal rim. The rotation of 
the bristles helps urge them against the bead seating profiles of a tire 
rim, to promote the cleaning action of the bristles. 
The motor 43 has an output shaft 45 that drives a rotary coupling member 
47, and that coupling member drives a sleeve 48 that surrounds the shaft 
46. The sleeve 48 has a splined connection to one end of the shaft 46, so 
that the sleeve 48 and the shaft 46 can rotate jointly. The sleeve 48 can 
also slide axially along the shaft 46. Another sleeve 50 is splined to the 
other end of shaft 46. That sleeve can also slide axially along the shaft 
46. 
A spacer member 52 is splined to the shaft 46, and is located between the 
sleeves 48 and 50. The sleeve 48 clamps the collars 44b, 44c of one brush 
against one side of the spacer member 52. The sleeve 50 clamps the collars 
44b, 44c of the other brush 44 against the other side of the spacer member 
52. 
The motor's output shaft 45, and the sleeves 48, 52 are supported in 
respective bearings in support member 54 that is supported from the frame 
41. Those members all rotate about a common central axis 49 that is 
parallel to the central axis 14 of a tire rim. Rotation of motor 43 
rotates the brushes 44 and the shaft 46 about the common central axis 49. 
The brushes 44 and the spacer member 52 can be moved axially along the 
shaft 46 by shifting the sleeves 48, 50 and the spacer member 52 axially 
along the shaft 48. The splined connections between the shaft 46 and 
sleeves 48, 50 and spacer member 52 couple those members for joint 
rotation, but allow the sleeves 48, 50 and the spacer member 52 to slide 
axially along the shaft 46. The sleeves 48, 50 and the spacer member 52 
can be fixed at a particular axial location along the shaft 46 by 
tightening locking screws 56 that fix the spacer member 52 to the shaft 
46. The locking screws 56 can be loosened in order to slide the sleeves 
48, 50, the spacer member 52, and the brushes 44 axially along the shaft 
46. 
The support member 54 that supports the cleaning brushes 44 for rotation is 
pivotal about a shaft 58 that is supported on the frame 41. By pivoting 
the support member 54 about the shaft 58, the brushes 44 can be moved 
radially into and out of engagement with the bead seating profiles of the 
tire rim. A handle 60 that is connected to the support member 54 can be 
manually operated to pivot the cleaning brush assembly 40 about the shaft 
58. Locking means (not shown) can be provided to lock the support member 
54 (and thereby the cleaning brushes 44) in a predetermined angular 
position relative to the bead seating profile of a tire rim. 
The guide roller assembly 42 at the other end of the cross tube 38 includes 
a frame 63 fixedly connected to the cross tube 38. A pivot shaft is 
connected to the frame 63, and a longitudinal member 64 is connected with 
the shaft 59 and can pivot about the central axis 57 of the shaft 59. A 
roller 65 is supported for free rotation about another shaft 66 that is 
mounted on the longitudinal member 64. The shaft 66 supports the roller 65 
in a position such that the roller 65 can engage the bead seating profile 
of a metal tire rim supported on the apparatus. As seen from FIG. 1, the 
shaft 66 defines an axis of rotation 69 for the roller 65, and that axis 
of rotation 69 is parallel to the central axis 14 of a tire rim. Also, as 
seen from FIG. 2, the axis of rotation 69 of the roller 65 is 
diametrically opposite the axis of rotation 49 of the brushes 44. The 
longitudinal member 64 can pivot about the shaft 59, to allow the roller 
65 to be pivoted about the axis 57 toward and away from a tire rim. 
A pivot rod 67 is pivotally connected to the frame 63 and the longitudinal 
member 64, at a point located between the pivot shaft 59 and the shaft 66 
that supports the rubber wheel 66. The pivot rod 67 is pivotal on a pin 71 
that is supported by the frame and the longitudinal member 64 and which 
defines a pivot axis 73 that is parallel to the central axis 57 of the 
shaft 59 and the axis of rotation 69 of the roller 65. A locking nut 68 is 
associated with the pivot rod 67. The locking nut 68 can be tightened to 
secure the pivot rod 67 to the frame 63. That locks the longitudinal 
member 64 in a predetermined angular position relative to the frame 63. 
The locking nut 68 can be loosened in order to allow the longitudinal 
member 64 to pivot about the shaft 59, thus allowing the angular position 
of the longitudinal member 64 relative to the frame 63 to be changed. 
The center portion of the cross tube 38 is fixedly connected to a sleeve 70 
that extends at right angles to the cross tube 38. The sleeve 70 has an 
integral hub 71 which surrounds the sleeve 35 that is fixed to the central 
shaft 24. Importantly, as seen from FIG. 1, the central axis 72 of the hub 
71 is eccentrically offset from the common central axis 74 of the sleeve 
35 and the central shaft 24. The hub 71 can orbit about the sleeve 35, to 
allow the entire cleaning assembly, including the brushes 44, to orbit 
about the tire rim. 
When the roller 65 and the brushes 44 are engaged with the bead seating 
profile(s) at the outer peripheral surface 20 of a tire rim, the hub 71 
has an eccentric position relative to shaft 24. The roller 65 engages one 
of the bead seating profiles of the rim, and holds the cleaning brushes 44 
in a position that places the brushes that engage the bead seating profile 
of the rim under a predetermined pressure against the bead seating profile 
of the metal tire rim, as the roller and the brushes orbit about the tire 
rim. For example, in FIG. 1, the roller 65 engages the upper bead seating 
profile of the rim, and the brush assembly has been shifted downwardly, so 
that one of the brushes engages the lower bead seating profile on the rim. 
In order to change the pressure between the brushes and the rims, the 
locking nut 68 associated with pivot lever 67 is loosened, and the 
longitudinal member 64 is pivoted about shaft 59. As the longitudinal 
member 64 pivots, the pivot rod 67 pivots about the shaft 59 and the cross 
rod 38 shifts axially. When the cross tube 38 is shifted axially, the 
eccentricity of the hub 71 relative to shaft 24, changes. As that 
eccentricity changes, the spacing between the roller 65 and the cleaning 
brushes 44 changes. As the spacing changes, the pressure between the 
brushes 44 and the bead seating profiles of a tire rim also changes. Thus, 
changing the eccentricity of hub 71 on the shaft 24 adjusts the pressure 
between the brushes 44 and the bead seating profiles at the outer 
periphery of the metal tire rim. 
In use, the guide roller 65 and the brushes 44 are disposed against the 
bead seating profile(s) at the periphery of the rim, and the motor 43 is 
operated to rotate the brushes 44 and the shaft 46 about the central axis 
49. Then, the support assembly 30 is orbited about the outer peripheral 
surface 20 of the tire rim so as to orbit the brushes 44 about the bead 
seating porfile(s) at the periphery of the rim. The handle 60 on the brush 
assembly allows the support assembly 30 to be manually orbited about the 
rim. However, it is contemplated that a motor can also be used to drive 
the support assembly 30 about the tire rim. Cleaning of the bead seating 
profile of the rim is effected as the brushes 44 rotate about their axis, 
and orbit about the periphery of the tire rim. 
As seen by the preferred embodiment, a cleaning apparatus according to the 
invention can be incorporated into a conventional tire changing mechanism. 
However, it is also contemplated that cleaning apparatus according to the 
principles of this invention can be formed as an integral part of a tire 
changing mechanism. Still further, it is contemplated that a separate 
cleaning mechanism can be constructed according to the principles of the 
invention, rather than incorporating the cleaning mechanism into a tire 
changing mechanism. 
Additionally, while the preferred embodiment discloses the brushes as 
orbiting about the periphery of a fixed metal rim, it is contemplated that 
the brushes could be maintained in a fixed location, and the rim rotated 
about its central axis to effect orbital movement of the brushes relative 
to the bead seating profile of the rim. In this application, reference to 
the brushes as orbiting relative to the bead seating profile(s) at the 
periphery of the rim is intended to encompass both types of movement. 
Further, it is contemplated that the apparatus may include a shield 
disposed above the brushes which engage the bead seating profile of a 
metal rim, to protect against scattering of the debris that is cleaned 
from the metal rim. Moreover, it is contemplated that various alternatives 
for tensioning the brushes against the bead seating profile of the rim, 
and various alternatives for powering the roller will be apparent to those 
of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the guide roller 65 could also 
be powered to enable the roller and the brushes to orbit about the metal 
rim. Further, the roller could be designed to function as a drag roller to 
help increase the tension between the brushes and the bead seating 
profile(s) of the rim. Finally, while the motors for operating the brushes 
are preferably air motors, it will of course be apparent to those of 
ordinary skill in the art that they could also be hydraulic or electric.