Aircraft tire storage and inspection rack

A storage and inspection rack for wheel and tire assemblies. The inspection rack includes an exterior tubular metal framework, a removable fire retardant protective cover and roller carriage assemblies. The frame provides a plurality of individual bays. Each bay houses a roller carriage assembly for easy loading and unloading of the wheel and tire assembly which stand upright therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The invention relates to an aircraft wheel/tire assembly storage and 
inspection structure and in particular to a storage and inspection 
structure providing storage for a plurality of different sized aircraft 
wheel/tire assemblies while permitting easy inspection thereof and 
protecting the wheel/tire assemblies from deterioration and damage. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
There is a critical problem in the prior art in obtaining reliable and 
efficient storage and inspection structures for aircraft wheel/tire 
assemblies and aircraft tires. A wheel/tire assembly includes the tire 
attached to the wheel. This problem exists because of the large size of 
aircraft wheel/tire assemblies and because of the critical inspection 
requirements for the stored wheel/tire assemblies which when removed from 
storage are directly mounted onto the aircraft which immediately subjects 
the wheel/tire assemblies to severe operating conditions. Generally, it is 
required in the aircraft industry that the wheel/tire assemblies be stored 
on suitable racks which segregate them from commercial wheel/tire 
assembles. It is also required that the rack be fully adjustable with a 
facility for wheel/tire rotation, in situ, and that each wheel/tire 
assembly be separated from each other. It is further required that the 
wheel/tire assembles be rotated and inspected about every three months and 
inspection records be kept. 
It is suggested in the tire industry that tires should be stored in a dark 
room, away from electrical and heating equipment at a constant temperature 
between 50 and 80 F. Care must be taken to prevent contamination of the 
tires by fluids of any description and damage by sharp objects. Tires 
should be stored vertically, side by side in tubular racks and supported 
by their threads at two positions so that about two thirds of their 
circumference is above those positions. The tires should be turned to a 
new position about every two to three months. 
Previous attempts to produce suitable racks to accommodate the requirements 
of the aircraft industry have been unsuccessful. Among the deficiencies of 
prior art racks are the following: 
(1) there is no protection from ultraviolet light; 
(2) there is no protection from damage from moving equipment in the storage 
area; 
(3) there is no protection from spilled fluids, especially from "Skydol" an 
aircraft hydraulic fluid which has a severely deleterious effect on the 
tire rubber and is used frequently for a variety of applications in 
aircraft maintenance; 
(4) the straight rollers used for supporting the wheel/tire assemblies will 
not hold the assemblies upright since the wheels are heavier on the 
outboard side than on the inboard side; 
(5) since the wheel/tire assemblies are not held upright, the assemblies 
rest one upon the other which makes removal extremely difficult and 
subjecting the remaining wheel/tire assemblies to "domino effect" when one 
assembly is removed; 
(6) rotation of the wheel/tire assemblies cannot be accomplished when the 
assemblies are leaning one upon the other. 
Although there are many proposed requirements and suggestions for storing 
aircraft wheel/tire assemblies and aircraft tires, there is a critical 
need for a storage and inspection structure which meets all of the 
requirements for inspections and storage for commercial aircraft and 
military aircraft wheel/assembles. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an 
aircraft tire storage and inspection structure which meets the needs of 
the aircraft industry and tire industry. 
It is another object of the invention to provide the aircraft tire storage 
and inspection structure which stores a plurality of aircraft wheel/tire 
assembles having each wheel/tire assembly separated from one another. 
It is a further object of the invention to provide the aircraft tire 
storage and inspection structure with an efficient roller assembly for 
easy loading and unloading of each stored wheel/tire assembly by one 
person. 
It is another further object of the invention to provide the aircraft tire 
storage and inspection structure which has a removable covering which 
protects the stored wheel/tire assembles from the elements. 
It is another further object of the invention to provide the aircraft tire 
and storage structure with a strong frame which firmly supports the 
structure and protects the tire assemblies from damage from other objects. 
It is another further object of the invention to provide the aircraft tire 
storage and inspection structure which affords additional storage space 
for storing other materials. 
These and other objects of the present invention are obtained by the 
present aircraft tire storage and inspection structure for aircraft 
wheel/tire assemblies and aircraft tires. The present structure includes a 
welded tubular steel frame having a steel diamond plate roof which can be 
used for additional storage of other items. The tubular steel frame 
provides support for the structure and protects the stored wheel/tire 
assemblies from physical damage from moving equipment and from falling 
objects or spilled fluids. The steel frame is structurally positioned into 
a plurality of individual bays, each bay housing an separate wheel/tire 
assembly. The steel frame is covered by fire retardant flap panels which 
are removable and protect the stored wheel/tire assemblies from the 
elements. Each bay houses a roller carriage assembly which supports one 
wheel/tire assembly. The roller carriage assembly includes a front and 
rear ramp and two separated rubber coated rollers mounted therebetween 
upon which the wheel/tire assembly stand upright. The front ramp has an 
inclined surface which permits easy loading and unloading of the 
wheel/tire assembly by one person.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
Referring more specifically to the drawings, the aircraft tire storage and 
inspection structure 10 for wheel/tire assemblies 11 is shown in FIGS. 
1-5. It embodies tubular metal frame 12 enclosed within protective plastic 
flaps 14 and forming a number of rectangular bays 16, each bay housing a 
roller carriage assembly 18. 
Metal frame 12, as shown in FIG. 1, forms a rectangular shaped tubular 
structure formed from integrally joined metal tubing 20. The metal tubing 
includes uprights 22 forming laterally spaced succeeding side rows 24 
having three uprights in each row. The three tubular uprights in each side 
row are integrally joined together by horizontal intermediate tubular row 
members 26, 26a and 26b and the side rows of tubular uprights are 
integrally joined to the other side rows by horizontal tubular cross 
members 28, 28a and 28b. Rectangular metal frame 12 is supported at its 
base by base supporting intermediate tubular side row member 26a and base 
supporting intermediate tubular cross member 28a. The metal frame is 
supported at the top by top supporting intermediate tubular side row 
member 26b and top supporting intermdeiate tubular cross member 28b. 
Intermediate tubular cross members 28, 28a and 28b connect horizontally 
across the rear 30 of metal frame 12 of tubular uprights 22 and tubular 
side row members 26, 26a and 26b extend horizontally between the 
succeeding tubular uprights 22 in each succeeding side row 24 to form 
individually separated parallel rectangular bays 16. Each bay is open at 
the front of the metal frame and connected at the rear 30, sides, bottom 
and top thereof by tubular uprights 22, tubular side row members 26, 26a 
and 26b and tubular cross members 28, 28a and 28b. Metal frame 12 as seen 
in FIG. 1 forms an open frame structure with four bays 16 side by side, 
each bay having opposing sides and a rear and an open front. Horizontal 
bottom tubular row members 26a and cross member 28a shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 
and 5 engage the floor or ground to support the structure 10 while 
horizontal top tubular row members 26b and tubular cross members 28b 
support horizontal flat roof member 32. The tubular uprights 22 and 
horizontal tubular members 26, 26a, 26b, 28, 28a and 28b, as shown, are 
preferably made of welded tubular steel but other similar materials and 
methods of joining the members together are permissible. The flat roof 
member 32 shown in FIG. 2 is preferably made of 10 gage steel diamond 
plate one eighth of an inch thickness. Although the uprights and 
horizontal tubular frame members form four adjoining bays 16 in a standard 
structure 10, as seen in FIG. 1, there is no limit to the number of 
sections to meet the needs for storage and inspection. Generally, the 
metal frame 12 having four bays 16 is about 100.5 inches in length, about 
48 inches deep and about 54 inches in height. Each bay 16 is about 231/2 
inches wide, 48 inches deep and 54 inches in height. The size of each bay 
16 is sufficient to accommodate the wheel/tire assembly 11 size of all 
civilian aircraft and all military aircraft wheel/tire assembly sizes up 
to 49 inches by 19.5 inches. 
The protective flaps 14 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 encompasses side flap panels 
36 covering the sides of metal frame 12 and the four front bay flap panels 
38 each covering an individual bay 16 on the front of the metal frame. The 
side flap panels 36 and front bay flap panels 38 are releasably attached 
at their top surfaces to the structure by snap fasteners 40 such as nickel 
plated snap fasteners or similar releasable securing means which allow the 
flaps to be quickly and easily removed from the structure. Preferably, the 
protective flaps 14 include a one inch to 11/2 inches hem 42 at its edges 
and having a metal stiffener 44 embedded within the bottom hem to weigh 
down and prevent the flaps from curling up. It is preferred that 
protective flaps 14 be made of a fire retardant durable plastic or similar 
material such as 18 oz. polyester reinforced fire retardant vinyl fabric. 
The protective flaps protect the wheel/tire assemblies from the 
deteriorating effects of ultraviolet light and further protection from 
spilled fluids and occasional projectile objects. The rear of the 
structure usually does not require a protective flap when the structure is 
installed against a wall. However, a protective flap for the rear of the 
structure may be used if required or desired. Additionally, weatherized 
front bay flap panels with the side edges fitted with zippers for out of 
doors use to provide protection from the elements as well as blown debris 
caused by incidental "jet-wash" or "prop-wash". Generally, the protective 
flaps are about 50 inches in length with the end protective flap being 
about 47 inches in width and the bay protective flap being about 241/2 
inches in width. 
The flat roof member 32 as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 is made of 10 gage steel 
diamond plate about 1/8 inch thickness. It is secured to horizontal top 
tubular members 26b and 28b of metal frame 12 by welding on other suitable 
means. The dimensions of the roof member for the conventional four bay 
storage and inspection structure previously described is about 1001/4 
inches in length and about 48 inches in width. The roof member 32 forms a 
solid base support which is available for storing other materials. Safety 
rail and ships ladder attachment 80 as seen in FIGS. 11 and 12 is an 
available alternate structure when roof member 32 is used for storage. 
Ship's ladder 80 and rungs 82 are made of metal tubing 20 and are secured 
to roof member 32 by welding or similar securing means. Roof carrier frame 
84 is secured to the top of metal frame 12 to protect the stored metal 
material. 
Each bay 16 of metal frame 12 is capable of housing a roller carriage 
assembly 18 as seen in FIG. 1. The roller carriage assembly as shown in 
FIGS. 6-10 comprises roller carriage support 46 and rollers 62. Roller 
carriage support 46 provides support for rollers 62 and permits adjustment 
of rollers 62 to accommodate wheel/tire assemblies 11. In FIG. 6 roller 
carriage support 46 as shown includes two opposing angle side supports 
extending its entire length from its front to its rear having a flat base 
48 extending outwardly from perpendicular side wall 50. Side wall 50 
slopes upwardly from the front of the side support and four pairs of 
opposing spaced apart slots 52 are located on top ledges 54 of the side 
supports. Inclined flat metal front ramp 56 is supported on the front 
upwardly sloping and leveling ledge 54 enclosing the front area of the 
roller carriage allowing quick and easy loading and unloading of the 
wheel/tire assembly by a single person. The inclined front ramp 56 
provides means for easily loading and unloading wheel tire assemblies 
weighing up to about 500 pounds. Flat rear ramp 58 is supported on the 
back end of ledges 54 enclosing the back area of the roller carriage and 
thereby forming open space 60 in the central area of the roller carriage. 
Slots 52 are located on the opposing top ledges 54, two pairs of slots at 
the front and two pairs at the rear of open space 60 close to front ramp 
56 and rear ramp 58. 
A pair of spaced apart rollers 62 hold the wheel/tire assembly 11 upright 
allowing easy visual inspections thereof and also preventing the 
occurrence of "flat spots" in the tires. Generally, "flat spots" are a 
problem with prior art racks. However, because of the unique construction 
and the tapered structure of the rollers shown in FIG. 10 it is not a 
problem here. Rollers 62 each having an inwardly tapered structure forms a 
cradle which holds the wheel/tire assembly 11 upright thus preventing the 
assembly falling over. The rollers 62 are constructed of a steel tube 64 
extending the entire length of the roller. The steel tube is covered with 
a rubber molding 66 which is molded around or otherwise encompasses the 
steel tube exterior surface. The rubber molding is tapered 68 downwardly 
from each end towards the center forming an indented flat surface 70 in 
the center as seen in FIG. 10. Preferably, the rubber molding is a hard 
rubber material such as a neoprene rubber, preferably black in color, of 
about eighty durometer hardness molded around the steel tube 64. Rubber 
molding 66 contacts the tire at two points of contact and provides a 
unique contact of rubber on rubber during storage and rotation of the 
wheel/tire assembly. The tube is fitted at each end with cap inserts 72 
having an inside diameter suitable to receive a steel shaft 74 without 
slippage or play, preferably about 5/8 inch diameter stainless steel 
shaft. Steel shaft 74 is sized to accept needle bearings 76 which fit into 
slots 52 on ledges 54. Needle bearings 76 provide easy rotation within 
slots 52 and also prevent wear of the slots. Retainers rings 78 are seen 
on each side of the needle bearings 76 on steel shaft 74. The retainer 
rings maintain the required center-to-center dimension between the needle 
bearings to insure proper fit of the needle bearings in slots 52 and 
prevent horizontal movement of the needle bearings on the shaft. 
The rollers 62 are generally about 18 inches in overall length having a 
diameter of about 33/4 inches at the ends tapering to about 23/8 inches at 
the centerline of the molded rubber steel tube 64. Preferably, steel tube 
64 is a round welded steel tube having a wall thickness of about 3/32 
inch. Concentricity among the shaft receiving opening in cap inserts 72, 
the opening in steel tube 64, and the outside diameter of the roller 
should be maintained within a tolerance of 1/8 inch. The unique placement 
of slots 52 allows three roller spacing combinations to accommodate 
different size aircraft tires. Roller carriage 18 of the invention 
accommodates tire sizes for all civilian aircraft, including new Boeing 
777, as well as all military aircraft tires up to 49 inches by 19.5 
inches. 
From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain 
the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing 
from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and 
modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and 
conditions.