Abstract:
A method and apparatus for demounting tires from wheel assemblies with a hook assembly and a prying foot. One tool has two holding hooks that grasp the tool to the wheel and a foot that is attached to the holding hooks, and a bearing pivot point that allows the demounting tool to easily and safely remove the tire from the wheel. The tool can be used for all types of tire and wheel types. One tool is for large truck and trailer tires and a second too is for light truck, trailer and automobile tires. A third tool is designed for low profile, stiff sidewall tires and includes a telescoping structure to raise and lower the dual hooks. A forth embodiment is for demounting a first and second bead using a fixed pivot hook, sized prying feet and a telescoping assembly for pulling the bead from the wheel assembly.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/203,296 entitled “Portable Tire Demounting Tool”, filed on Sep. 3, 2008, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field) 
         [0003]    The presently claimed invention generally relates to tire tools and more particularly to hand operated portable tire demounting tools and assisting components thereof. 
         [0004]    2. Background Art 
         [0005]    There is a large variety of hand operated and power assisted tire demounting tools on the market. They range from simple pry bars too geometrically complex leveraging devices, along with power operated demounting devices. 
         [0006]    With the wide range of composite materials, sizes, bead shapes, and methods of manufacture for tire and wheel assemblies, there are a number of inherent limitations to the current methods and apparatuses for tire demounting. These limitations range from functionality to adaptability. They fail to address some key factors in the successful removal of a tire from the rim or wheel assembly. 
         [0007]    The functionality of the prior art systems for demounting tires is limited in a number of ways. Many conventional pry spoons and bars are made with a narrow design in relationship to the tire bead. This results in damage and tearing of the tire bead while trying to remove the tire from the wheel. The construction of low profile tires also is a limiting factor for many of the current tools. These low profile sidewalls and the use of multi-ply steel or fiber construction, make these tires stiff and difficult to work with. Power operated devices tend to tear and ruin the bead of these types of tires. Hand tools often prove ineffective, having neither the shape to conform to such tires or the prying force to extract it from the rim or wheel. Removal of these tires with the current devices results in damaging the tire beyond repair, and, thus, defeating the purpose of repairing and remounting the tire. 
         [0008]    A further limiting factor for many of the current tools is removal of soft side wall tires with a highly pliable bead. These tires present the problem of having a bead that stretches, but becomes difficult to extract from the wheel. The highly pliable bead will typically be pried above the rim only in the area directly engaged by the tool or pry bar. Disengaging the tool from this area will cause the elastic bead to return to its original position, thus failing to remove the tire from the rim. The narrow hand operated spoons and pry bars are especially susceptible to this malfunction, and there is often the added consequence of bead tearing. 
         [0009]    The current conventional hand tire demounting tools fail in their adaptability because they are confined to being used with specific sized tires and wheel assemblies. Power type tools are also limited in their range of size, type of wheel, and tire assemblies to work effectively. The power operated tools are further limited in their ability to work in remote locations away from air, electric, hydraulic or other power sources. Further, some wheel assemblies have “a reverse wheel” having the main part of the hub center offset to the top of the demounting side. This type of hub center limits the leveraging stroke of the current pry bar type tools to such a degree that they are ineffective. 
         [0010]    Finally, these prior art methods, whether power or hand operated tire demounting systems, fail to address a key issue in the successful demounting of a tire from its rim assembly, namely the manipulation of the bead into a shallow channel that is referred to as the drop center of the wheel assembly during the demounting procedure. This drop center is a channel in the wheel assembly running parallel to the plane of the rim flanges, and having a circumference smaller than the rim flanges in the trough of the channel. The tire bead must be directed into this channel or trough on the opposite side from which the demount tool engages the bead during the demounting procedure. Channeling the bead into this drop center in this fashion allows enough slack in the tire bead so it may be removed from the rim without excessive stretching or tearing of the bead. The prior art methods, whether power or hand operated tire demounting systems, have no mechanical means to ensure that the bead is in the drop center, thereby allowing undue pressure to be placed on the tire bead during demounting and causing further damage to the bead or resulting in an unsuccessful demounting procedure. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0011]    Aspects disclosed herein address the above stated needs by apparatuses, methods, and systems for demounting a plurality of different types of tires from a plurality of rims without causing damage to the tire bead. 
         [0012]    Disclosed is a hand operated demounting tool. A handle, preferably a cylindrical member, of adequate length provides sufficient leveraging pressure and mechanical advantage to the tire bead during the demounting procedure. The handle accommodates gripping positions along its length for an operator to grip the tool during the demounting procedure. At one end it can have a molded plastic or rubber grip. On the second end is an open spanning element. This element consists of a yoke connected, and running substantially perpendicular to the length of the handle. On either side of this yoke assembly are two upright members running substantially parallel to the handle. This facilitates the spanning of the wheel center on reverse wheel assemblies where the cup of the wheel is to the topside of the demount position by allowing an increased prying stroke. 
         [0013]    Attached to the handle on the end of the spanning element is a prying foot placed substantially at a right angle in relationship to the handle. The prying foot is of a predetermined length to engage one side of the bead and side wall of the tire and to provide a mechanical advantage in relationship to the handle during the demounting procedure. The prying foot has a novel shape to easily be inserted into the tire cavity between the bead and the outer portion of the rim flange while maintaining the engagement of the tire bead and side wall to provide adequate prying pressure during the demount procedure. This unique shape works on both low profile and stiff sidewall tires. It also facilitates its use on soft sidewall tires as well, prying enough of the bead over the rim flange to demount the tire effectively in one simple prying motion. 
         [0014]    The prying foot is of adequate Width to engage enough of the tire bead during the demount procedure to preserve the tire bead from tearing or being damaged and to ease the release of the tire bead from the rim and wheel assembly. 
         [0015]    Another aspect of the hand operated tool is dual rim hooks. The dual rim hooks work in conjunction with the prying foot and are concurrently inserted between the tire bead and rim flange. The dual rim hooks are shaped components to grab the rim flange and each of the rime hooks are substantially of the same size, shape, and dimension and are placed parallel to one another and disposed on either side of the prying foot. The dual rim hooks have an axle pivot point near the heel portion of the prying foot running through an enclosed tubular bearing surface that is permanently attached to the heel portion of the prying foot. The axle pivot joins the two rim hooks together so that they rotate on the same plane in unison. The axle pivot assembly is affixed substantially parallel to the tire bead when the tool is inserted between the tire bead and rim flange. The dual rim hooks are further shaped for easy insertion between the rim flange and tire bead. In addition, the hooks are shaped to engage the rim flange at two points when the tool is inserted between the tire bead and wheel flange. After engagement of the prying foot and dual rim hooks on a mounted tire/wheel assembly, when the handle portion is raised from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position, the dual rim hooks “hooking feature” engages the rim flange, thereby locking the prying portions of the tool into proper working position. As the handle portion continues on its demounting arc of motion a “heel portion” of the dual rim hook, which extends past the axle portion of the pivot assembly, engages the inside surface of the rim flange. In addition, the prying foot begins to pivot away from the dual rim hooks which remain engaged to the rim flange via the “hooking feature”. This provides a fixed pivot point by which the mechanical advantage and leveraging pressure are increased upon the prying foot during the demounting procedure, thereby making the demounting of the tire easier and more stable as opposed to conventional methods. 
         [0016]    Due to the variety of shapes and sizes of tire and wheel assemblies, these tools and their subsequent methods of operation may require unique sizing and geometry of the tool; however the operational principles remain the same. 
         [0017]    An alternative demounting apparatus and method includes a retractable mechanism for adding a linear axis of motion to peel the tire from the wheel assembly. Thus, instead of prying the tire from the wheel by pushing down on the handle, the tool has a telescoping feature that performs the same task. This tool is very useful in removing the second or bottom bead from the wheel. Similar to the first embodiment, this embodiment has a hollow handle portion, connected to a prying foot. In this alternative embodiment the spanning element is eliminated. A hole is placed in the bottom of the prying foot to match the position of the hollow portion of the handle. A drive assembly is inserted and housed inside the top portion of the hollow handle, along its length, and on the opposite end of the prying foot. The drive assembly can be a threaded bolt with a washer, a bushing, and a second bushing/retainer. The entire drive assembly is disposed in the hollow tubular handle running parallel with its length. Once in place the entire assembly remains fixed in place, but allows the drive bolt of the drive assembly to spin freely. 
         [0018]    The hole at the bottom of the prying foot is shaped to accept a retractable element to be received into the hollow handle portion in a telescoping fashion from the bottom side of the prying foot. This retractable element maintains a close tolerance in the hollow handle and yet slides freely in a motion parallel with the length of the hollow handle. In this embodiment the hollow tube and the retractable element are preferably square tubing to eliminate a rotating or twisting motion. Other telescoping shapes and methods may be used to accomplish this same feature, and would be obvious to those skilled in the art. The retractable element is of a length slightly smaller than the hollow handle. At the top end, retractable element has a female threaded structure recessed into the tube running parallel with its length. At the bottom end is an axle pivot point element, such as the one described in the first embodiment. The retractable element is placed into the hollow handle portion of the tool via the receiving aperture at the bottom of the prying foot, top end first, where the dual rim hooks run parallel with the length of the prying foot. As it is slid into place, the threads on the bolt of the drive assembly engage the female thread of the retractable element on it top side. An appropriate wrench or ratchet is then used to rotate the head of the bolt on the drive assembly running the treads up until the dual hook assembly and the prying foot are on a parallel plane. 
         [0019]    Another embodiment can be used to remove the first and second bead from a wheel assembly. This embodiment is similar to the aforementioned telescoping or retractable embodiment; however it has a single fixed pivot rim hook for engaging the rim flange and a shaped prying foot, a first predetermined shape for the first bead and a second predetermined shape for the second bead of the tire. The fixed pivot rim hook is temporarily affixed to the rim flange and the shaped prying foot is pulled away from the rim when the telescoping system is engaged. 
         [0020]    The method of demounting a tire using these embodiments is hereafter described. The prying foot and dual hooks or fixed pivot rim hooks are inserted in between the tire bead and the wheel rim in the same fashion as described earlier. A rotating motion is used to pry the tire from the wheel in the same fashion as described earlier until the tool has gone from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position. At this point the operator engages the drive mechanism with the appropriate hand operated wrench or ratchet or spin wrench, and begins to retract the prying foot in a linear motion thereby peeling the tire effectively from the rim assembly. After the tire has been successfully removed from the rim assembly the operator will reverse the motion and return the tool to its original starting position with the prying foot and the dual hook assembly or fixed pivot rim hook assembly on the same working plane. 
         [0021]    These tools, being hand operated, need no outside power sources such as electric, hydraulic, air or the like, although power tools can be used to raise and lower the telescoping embodiments. 
         [0022]    It is the general object of the presently claimed invention to provide a novel and advanced method for the demounting of tires from their wheel or rim assemblies along with the accompanying systems which solve the above mentioned problems. 
         [0023]    An objective of the presently claimed invention is to provide a hand operated tool or tools which remove a tire from a wheel assembly effectively while preserving the tire bead, and can be used on low profile and multi-ply, stiff side wall tires. 
         [0024]    Yet another object of the presently claimed invention is to provide a hand operated tool or tools which will remove the tire from the wheel assembly effectively on soft sidewall, highly pliable tires while preserving the tire bead and the usefulness of the tire. 
         [0025]    Another object of the presently claimed invention is to provide a hand operated tool or tools which will work on a variety of tire and wheel assemblies, including reverse wheel and tire assemblies, and standard wheel and tire assemblies. 
         [0026]    An advantage of the presently claimed invention is that it can be used in remote locations and does not require air, electric or hydraulic power sources. 
         [0027]    Another advantage of the presently claimed invention is that it ensures that the bead on the opposite side of the demount tool is successfully guided into the drop center of the wheel assembly. 
         [0028]    Other objects, advantages and novel features, and further scope of applicability of the presently claimed invention will be set forth in part in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the presently claimed invention. The objects and advantages of the presently claimed invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate several embodiments of the presently claimed invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the presently claimed invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the presently claimed invention and are not to be construed as limiting the presently claimed invention. In the drawings: 
           [0030]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a first embodiment of a demount tool for large truck and trailer tires. 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  is a side cut away view of the first embodiment inserted into the first bead. 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is a side cut away view of the first embodiment in a forty five degree (45°) working position. 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the first embodiment showing the removal of the first bead. 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the first embodiment showing insertion of the demount tool into the second bead for removal. 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the first embodiment in the final phase of the tire and bead removal from the wheel assembly. 
           [0037]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a second embodiment showing the tire demount tool for light truck, trailer, and automotive tires. 
           [0038]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the second embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the drop center bead wedge. 
           [0040]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the drop center bead wedge. 
           [0041]      FIG. 12  is a side cut away view of the hand operated tire demount tool for light truck, trailer, and automotive tires inserted into the first bead of the tire and wheel assembly. 
           [0042]      FIG. 13  is a side cut away view of the hand operated tire demount tool for light truck, and automotive tires in the first bead removal position. 
           [0043]      FIG. 14  is a side view of the mechanically retractable tire demount tool. 
           [0044]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the hand operated, mechanically retractable tire demount tool. 
           [0045]      FIG. 16  is a side view of the retractable screw assembly for the mechanically retractable tire demount tool for the second tire bead with the floating swivel hook assembly. 
           [0046]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the retractable screw assembly for the mechanically retractable tire demount tool for the second tire bead with the floating swivel hook assembly. 
           [0047]      FIG. 18  is a side view of the hand operated socket crank for the mechanically retractable tire demount tool. 
           [0048]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the hand operated socket crank for the mechanically retractable tire demount tool. 
           [0049]      FIG. 20  is a side view of the retractable screw assembly for the mechanically retractable tire demount tool for the second tire bead with the floating swivel hook assembly in the final phase of the tire bead removal from the wheel assembly. 
           [0050]      FIG. 21  is a side view of the retractable screw assembly for the mechanically retractable tire demount tool for the first bead with a fixed pivot hook. 
           [0051]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the retractable screw assembly for the mechanically retractable tire demount tool for the first bead with a fixed pivot hook. 
           [0052]      FIG. 23  is a side view of the retractable screw assembly for the mechanically retractable tire demount tool for the first bead with a fixed pivot hook in the final phase of the tire bead removal from the wheel assembly. 
           [0053]      FIG. 24  is a side view of the retractable screw assembly for the mechanically retractable tire demount tool for the second bead with a fixed pivot hook. 
           [0054]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view of the retractable screw assembly for the mechanically retractable tire demount tool for the second bead with a fixed pivot hook. 
           [0055]      FIG. 26  is a side view of the retractable screw assembly for the mechanically retractable tire demount tool for the second bead with a fixed pivot hook in the final phase of the tire bead removal from the wheel assembly. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Best Modes for Carrying Out the Presently Claimed Invention 
       [0056]    The presently claimed invention is a unique hand operated tire demount tool along with its method of operation.  FIG. 1  is a side view of the hand operated tire demount tool  10  for large truck and trailer tires.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of hand operated tire demount tool  10  of  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , hand operated tire demount tool  10  has a handle portion  12  fashioned to offer griping positions along its length. A grip  14  can be placed at a top end of handle portion  12  for added functionality. An adjustable griping member  16  can also be placed anywhere along the length of handle portion  12 , depending on the preference of the operator. On the bottom end of handle portion  12  is prying foot assembly  26  with a prying foot  18  placed substantially at a right angle to the handle portion  12 . Prying foot  18  can be permanently affixed to handle portion  12  or affixed to a tubular receiving socket  20  which can receive handle portion  12 , for modularity. Prying foot  18  is also shaped in a novel way with unique geometric design for large truck and trailer tires. Prying foot  18  has attaching section  22 , which attaches to receiving socket  20  at substantially ninety degrees (90°) to handle portion  12 . Thereafter, scooping shaped section  24 , located at the end of attaching section  22 . Scooping shaped section  24  is formed by a sloped section  19 , a flat section  21  and an upturned toe section  23 . These collective features work to aggressively engage the tire bead at the proper moment of inertia during the demounting procedure, and further provide an optimum mechanical advantage to the user and create a scooping motion for removal of the tire from the wheel assembly. The unique shape of prying foot  18  provides a contour that conforms to the profile shape of most common wheel assemblies and provides for easy insertion of prying foot  18  between the tire bead and the wheel assembly. These differently configured prying foot assemblies  26  can be modularized for versatility and use on different sized wheel assemblies. The dimensions of prying foot  18  can be optimized for use on different sized tires and wheels. Prying foot assembly  26  has a bearing element  28  affixed to bottom of attaching section  22 . Bearing element  28 , in this embodiment a tubular shape, provides rotational movement  30  for dual rim hooks  32 . Dual rim hooks  32  are placed parallel to one another along either side of prying foot  18 , as shown. Dual rim hooks  32  are connected to bearing element  28  and prying foot  18  via an axle pivot assembly in bearing element  28 , which has a nut, bolt, and washer configuration. Dual rim hooks  32  have a predetermined distance  42  from bearing element  28  and engagement hooks  44 . This predetermined distance  42  is necessary to remove the first and second bead from a tire with the same demount tool  10 . This will be explained more fully in the discussion below. Disposed on the rear portion of dual rim hooks  32  is heel portion  34  which contacts the face of the rim when demount tool  10  is in operation. Heel portion  34  is preferably made from a material that does not scratch or deface the rim when demount tool  10  is used. Heel portion  34  is affixed to prying foot  18 , thus it also swivels or rotates  30 , as shown. Heel portion  34  can also be connected to prying foot  18  via a nut, bolt, and washer assembly that spans between dual rim hooks  32 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 3  is a side cut away view of the hand operated tire demount tool  10  for large truck and trailer tires at the beginning of a demounting operation. Prying foot  18  is inserted between the top of rim flange  36  and first bead  38  of tire  40 . Due to the rotational movement of dual rim hooks  32  they are easily positioned to reach below and past the rim flange  36 , as shown. Demount tool  10  is now properly inserted, and in a horizontal position for the removal of first bead  38  of tire  40 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 4  is a side cut away view of tire demount tool  10  for large truck and trailer tires in the middle stage of operation. Prying foot  18  is pivoted backwards approximately forty-five degrees (45°) towards the center of tire  40  via handle portion  12  being lifted forty-five degrees (45°) toward a vertical orientation. Prying foot  18  begins to apply pressure against first tire bead  38  and the tire side wall  48 . This motion effectively lifts first tire bead  38  and tire sidewall  48  off of the topmost rim flange  36 . Dual rim hooks  32  begin to engage rim flange  36  on engagement hooks  44  at this stage of operation, providing a secure and stable leverage point. 
         [0059]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of tire demount tool  10  for large truck and trailer tires in the late stage of operation. Tire demount tool  10  is pivoted backwards approximately one hundred and forty degrees (140°) or enough to remove first tire bead  38  from wheel assembly  50 .  FIG. 5  further illustrates the operator&#39;s hands  52  and  52 ′ positioned for normal use. A first hand  52  engages grip  14  and the second hand  52 ′ holds adjustable gripping member  16  while applying downward pressure.  FIG. 5  further illustrates heel portion  34 , in this case, a tubular elongated bushing, pressing against wheel assembly  50 . This stage of operation effectively removes the entire top tire bead  38  from wheel assembly  50 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 6  is a side cutaway view of tire demount tool  10  for large truck and trailer tires in the early stage of operation while removing second tire bead  54 . Prying foot  18  is inserted between top rim flange  36  and second or lower tire bead  54  of tire  40 . Engagement hooks  44  are positioned so as to reach below and past top rim flange  36 . As previously discussed, the predetermined distance  42  or “float” distance of  FIG. 2  allows this embodiment of tire demount tool to be used to remove both first bead  38  and second bead  54  with a single tool. Predetermined distance  42  allows the user an additional “float” distance to engage prying foot  18  under second bead  54  when inserting tire demount tool  10  into tire  40 . Bearing element  28  provides an end stop when inserting demount tool  10 . Again, due to the rotational movement of dual rim hooks  32 , this process is easily performed. Tool  10  is now properly inserted, and in position for the removal of second tire bead  54 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 7  is a side cutaway view of tire demount tool  10  for large truck and trailer tires in the late stage of operation while removing second tire bead  54 . Prying foot  18  is pivoted backwards approximately one hundred and eighty degrees (180°) degrees towards the center of the wheel assembly  50  via handle portion  12  which is being moved at the same angle by an operator holding grip  14  and laterally adjustable gripping member  16 . As this process is carried out, rim flange  36  moves along predetermined distance  42  towards engagement hooks  44  finally engaging them. During this process, prying foot  18  begins to apply pressure against second tire bead  54  and the second or lower tire side wall  56 . Dual rim hooks  32  engage rim flange  36  on engagement hooks  44  providing a secure prying or leverage position. As this occurs heel portion  34  engages inside wheel flange  58 . These components working in unison with one another creates a leveraging motion effectively lifting second tire bead  54  and second tire sidewall  56  off of topmost rim flange  36  successfully and freeing tire  40  from wheel assembly  50 . 
         [0062]    A second embodiment can be used to remove smaller tires.  FIG. 8  is a side view of tire demount tool  100  for light truck, trailer, and automotive tires, while  FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 8 . Tire demount tool  100  has a handle portion  112 . Handle portion  112  is fashioned to offer griping positions along its length with a grip  114  placed at an end. On the other end of handle portion  112  is affixed a bridging frame  116 , which is a boxlike configured member, that allows the spanning of reverse wheel rim centers as better illustrated in  FIG. 13 . Bridging frame  116  is also a link between handle portion  112  and prying foot  118 . Prying foot  118  is also shaped in a novel way with a unique geometric design for light truck, trailer, and automotive tires and is designed for removal of a first bead. Prying foot  118  is contoured to have a slight reverse pitch  119  greater than ninety degrees (90°) in conjunction with handle portion As shown, at the end of prying foot  118  is slightly bulged toe protrusion  123  to aggressively engage the tire bead and sidewall during a demount procedure. Prying foot  118  is further comprised of a bearing element  128  located at the rear of prying foot  118 , providing a fulcrum pivot point for rotational movement  130  between prying foot  118  and handle portion  112 . Other elements of the second embodiment of tire demount tool  100  are the unique and novel dual rim hooks  132 . Dual rim hooks  132  for this second embodiment contain spear shaped engagement hooks  144  at the ends to aid in inserting tire demount tool  100  without causing damage to the tire bead. Prying foot  118  is sandwiched between dual rim hooks  132 , rim hooks are placed parallel to one another along either side of the prying foot  118 . Dual rim hooks  132  are connected to bearing element  128  and prying foot  118  creating an axle pivot or swivel assembly and affixed via a nut, bolt, and washer configuration. Bearing element  128 , in this embodiment is a tubular shape, which provides rotational movement  130  for dual rim hooks  132 . Dual rim hooks  132  have a heel portion  134  which extend past bearing element  128 . Heel portion  134  is preferably made from a material that does not scratch or deface the rim when demount tool  100  is used. Heel portion  134  is affixed to prying foot  118 , thus it also swivels or rotates  30 , as shown. Heel portion  134  can also be connected to prying foot  118  via a nut, bolt, and washer assembly that spans between dual rim hooks  132 . 
         [0063]    In order to maintain the position of a tire on a wheel during a demounting procedure and assure the first bead of the tire is in the drop center of a wheel a drop center wedge can be used. This is especially useful in demounting newer tires with stiff sidewalls.  FIG. 10  is a side view and  FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an embodiment of drop center bead wedge  170 . Drop center bead wedge  170  has rim retainer portion  152 , a wedge spacer  154  and a side wall skid  156 . The function of drop center bead wedge  170  is further illustrated in  FIG. 12  and the description therein. 
         [0064]      FIG. 12  is a side cut away view of the second embodiment of tire demount tool  100  for light truck, trailer, and automotive tires inserted into first bead  138  of tire  140  and wheel assembly  150  in the early stage of operation. Prying foot  118  is inserted between the top of rim flange  136  and first bead  138  of tire  140 . Dual rim hooks  132  are positioned to reach below and past rim flange  136  on engagement hooks  144 . Tool  100  is now properly inserted and in position for the removal of first bead  138 .  FIG. 12  further illustrates the use of drop center bead wedge  170  in operation. Drop center bead wedge  170  is secured in place with a downward motion of pressure applied on the top side of rim retainer  152 , on an opposite side of tire demount tool  100 , as shown. Wedge spacer  154  and side wall skid  156  force first bead  138  and top tire side wall  148  into the drop center  160  of wheel assembly  150  effectively allowing for free movement of first tire bead  138  during the demounting process. 
         [0065]      FIG. 13  is a side cut away view of the second embodiment of demount tool  100  for light truck, and automotive tires during the removal of first bead  138  from the wheel assembly  150  in the late stage of operation. Prying foot  118  is pivoted backwards or towards the center of the wheel assembly  150  via movement  162  of handle portion  112 . Prying foot  118  begins to apply pressure against first tire bead  138  and the tire side wall This motion effectively lifts first tire bead  138  and tire sidewall  148  off of the topmost rim flange  136 . Engagement hooks  144  begin to engage rim flange  136 , providing a secure and stable leverage point. Bridging frame  116  is configured to allow sufficient movement of handle portion  112  by preventing raised hub  164  from stopping handle portion  112 , when this operation is performed. The void in bridging frame  116  envelops raised hub  164 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 14  is a side view and  FIG. 15  is a perspective view of retractable screw assembly  200  for the mechanically retractable tire demount tool  300 . The preferred embodiment of retractable screw assembly  200  consists of a hex head threaded drive bolt  202 , a flat washer  204 , a square weld-in block bushing  206 , a bushing retainer  208 , and a weld-in threaded block nut  210 . Retractable screw assembly  200  is the drive mechanism for the third embodiment of demount tool  300 . 
         [0067]      FIG. 16  is a side view and  FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a retractable, tire demount tool  300 . This embodiment is useful for the removal of the second or lower bead. These tires tend to be harder to manage and result in tearing or stretching the bead to render the tire useless. The use of this embodiment removes the first bead easily by peeling the bead off with no bead tearing or undue bead stretching, thus, preventing ruining of the tire. Retractable tire demount tool  300  consists of a hollow handle portion  312 , connected to a prying foot  318 . Retractable screw assembly  200 , of  FIGS. 14 and 15 , is inserted and housed inside the top portion of hollow handle portion  312 , opposite prying foot  318 . The mating portion of retractable screw assembly  300  is a secondary hollow tube retractable element  362  received into hollow handle portion  312  in a telescoping fashion, to raise and lower  364  dual rim hooks  332  via an aperture on the bottom side of prying foot  318 . Secondary hollow tube retractable element  362  is affixed to threaded block nut  210  of  FIGS. 14 and 15 , and by turning hex head threaded drive bolt  202  causes raising and lowering  364  of dual rim hooks  332  in relation to prying foot  318  in a telescoping fashion. As shown in  FIGS. 17 and 20 , optional lever arm  313  and adjustable griping member  315  can be affixed to handle portion  312  to multiply the torque to tire demount tool  300 . Lever arm  313  is attached permanently or removeably, to and at an approximate forty five degree (45°) angle to handle portion  312 . Lever arm  313  provides the additional torque, and lessens the amount of force to pry the tire from the wheel assembly during a demount procedure. Further, as previously described in the first embodiment, adjustable gripping member  315  can be placed anywhere along handle portion  312  to aid in gripping demount tool  300 . 
         [0068]    Similar to the other embodiments, this third embodiment has swiveling dual rim hooks  332  that have rotational movement  330  via a bearing element  328 , in the figures a tubular bearing. Bearing element  328  is affixed to tubular retractable element  362  via an attached push plate  366 . Bearing element  328  provides a pivot/leverage point and place of fastening for dual rim hooks  332 . Dual rim hooks  332  are placed parallel to one another along either parallel side of push plate  366 . Dual rim hooks  332  are connected to bearing element  328  and push plate  366  via an axle pivot assembly which can have a nut, bolt, and washer configuration. Dual rim hooks  332  further have a heel portion  134  which extends past bearing assembly  328 . Heel portion  334  can be connected to one another via of a nut, bolt, and washer assembly. 
         [0069]      FIG. 18  and  FIG. 19  show a hand operated socket crank  370  for providing the telescoping movement of retractable tire demount tool  300 . Hand operated socket crank  370  is made up of a socket  372  to engage the hex head, threaded drive bolt  202  of  FIGS. 14 and 15 , a crank arm  374  and a crank handle  376 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 20  is a side cutaway view of the hand operated, mechanically retractable tire demount tool  300  in the final stage of operation for the removal of second tire bead  354  from wheel assembly  350 . Prying foot  318  is pivoted backwards towards the center of wheel assembly  350  via hollow handle portion  312 . Prying foot  318  begins to apply pressure against second tire bead  354  and lower tire side wall  356 . Dual rim hooks  332  engage top rim flange  336  via engagement hooks  344  providing a secure prying or leverage position. As this occurs heel portion  334  engages the inside wheel flange  358 . These components work in unison to create a leveraging motion effectively lifting second tire bead  354  and second tire sidewall  356  above the topmost rim flange  336 . From this point retractable screw assembly  200  is engaged by rotating hex head threaded drive bolt  202  with hand operated crank  370 , pushing against push plate  366  and the secondary tubular retractable element  362  elevating prying foot  318 . This provides a raising movement  364  and thereby successfully freeing tire  340  from wheel assembly  350 . 
         [0071]      FIG. 21  is a side view and  FIG. 22  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a retractable tire demount tool for the first bead. This embodiment is similar to the third embodiment with use of a telescoping assembly to raise and lower the prying foot in relation to the rim hook; however the configuration of the prying foot and the rim hook are different. Retractable tire demount tool for the first bead  400  has a hollow handle portion  412 , connected to a shortened prying foot  418 . As is shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15  the retractable screw assembly is inserted and housed inside the top portion of hollow handle portion  412 , opposite shortened prying foot  418 . The mating portion of the retractable tire demount tool for first bead  400  is a secondary hollow tube retractable element  462  received into hollow handle portion  412  in a telescoping fashion, to raise and lower  464  fixed pivot rim hook  432  in relation to shortened prying foot  418 . As shown, at the end of shortened prying foot  418  has a slightly bulged toe protrusion or uplifted portion  419  to aggressively engage the tire bead and sidewall during a demount procedure. Shortened prying foot  418  is so named because foot length  421  is optimized for insertion of shortened prying foot  418  between the wheel and the tire to engage the first bead, as described below. Foot length  421  can be altered for differing sized wheel assemblies. Secondary hollow tube retractable element  462  is raised and lowered as shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , and by turning hex head threaded drive bolt  202  which causes raising and lowering  464  of fixed pivot rim hook  432  in relation to shortened prying foot  418  in a telescoping fashion. Optional lever arm  413  can be affixed to handle portion  412  to multiply the torque to retractable tire demount tool for first bead  400 . Lever arm  413  can be attached permanently or removably, preferably at an approximate forty five degree (45°) angle to handle portion  412 . Lever arm  413  provides the additional torque, and lessens the amount of force to cam demount tool  400  from the wheel assembly during a demount procedure. 
         [0072]    This fourth embodiment retractable tire demount tool for first bead  400  has a fixed pivot rim hook  432 . Fixed pivot rim hook  432  provides a fixed position by which to cam the tool over providing an optimum point by which to engage the retractable drive bolt  202  and thereby remove the tire from the wheel assembly. Fixed pivot hook  432  is a “J” shaped member  435  on the inner portion for engaging and securing the rim flange when the telescoping function is engaged. Fixed pivot hook  432  has a spear shaped configuration  433  to aid in inserting it between the tire bead and the wheel assembly. 
         [0073]    As in the aforementioned embodiments, demount tool  400  is inserted between rim or wheel assembly  450  and tire  440  by inserting shortened prying foot  418  into the interior of tire onto upper tire side wall  456  and engaging the same. Fixed pivot foot  432  is hooked to rim flange  426  by engaging “J” shaped member  435 , as shown, thus readying the demount procedure. Fixed pivot foot  432  can have a spear shaped configuration  433  to aid in the insertion procedure.  FIG. 23  is a side cutaway view of hand operated, mechanically retractable tire demount tool  400  in the final stage of operation for the removal of first tire bead  454  from wheel assembly  450 . Shortened prying foot  418  is pivoted backwards towards the center of wheel assembly  450  via hollow handle portion  412 . Shortened prying foot  418  begins to apply pressure against first tire bead  454  and upper tire side wall  456 . Fixed pivot rim hook  432  engages top rim flange  436 , providing a secure prying or leverage position. These components work in unison to create a leveraging motion effectively lifting first tire bead  454  and first tire sidewall  456  above rim flange  436 . Retractable screw assembly  200  is engaged by rotating hex head threaded drive bolt  202  with a hand operated crank or power tool, pushing against the fixed pivot rim hook  432  and the secondary tubular retractable element  462 , thereby elevating the shortened prying foot  418 . This provides a raising movement  464  as shown in  FIG. 21 , thereby successfully freeing tire  440  from wheel assembly  450 . 
         [0074]      FIGS. 24 and 25  show a fifth embodiment of a retractable tire demount tool for the removal of a second bead. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 21 through 23 ; however the configuration of the prying foot is different. Retractable tire demount tool for the second bead  500  has of a hollow handle portion  512 , connected to a lengthened prying foot  518 . As shown, at the end of lengthened prying foot  518  has a slightly bulged toe protrusion or uplifted portion  519  to aggressively engage the second tire bead and sidewall during a demount procedure. Lengthened prying foot  518  is so named because foot length  521  is optimized for insertion of lengthened prying foot  518  between the wheel and the tire to engage the second bead and is considerably longer that shortened prying foot  418 , as described below. Foot length  521  can be altered for differing sized wheel assemblies; however foot length  521  should preferably be at least as wide as the wheel assembly. The retractable screw assembly as previously described in  FIGS. 14 and 15  is inserted and housed inside the top portion of hollow handle portion  512 , opposite lengthened prying foot  518 . The mating portion of retractable tire demount tool for the second bead  500  is a secondary hollow tube retractable element  562  received into hollow handle portion  512  in a telescoping fashion, to raise and lower  564  fixed pivot rim hook  532  in relation to lengthened prying foot  518 . Secondary hollow tube retractable element  562  is affixed to threaded block nut as described in  FIGS. 14 and 15  and by turning hex head threaded drive bolt  202 , causes raising and lowering  564  of fixed pivot rim hook  532  in relation to the lengthened prying foot  518  in a telescoping fashion. Optional lever arm  513  can be affixed to handle portion  512  to multiply the torque to retractable tire demount tool for the second bead  500 . Lever arm  513  is attached permanently or removably, at an approximate forty five degree (45°) angle to handle portion  512 . Lever arm  513  provides the additional torque, and lessens the amount of force to cam demount tool for second tire bead  500  the wheel assembly during a demount procedure. 
         [0075]    This fifth embodiment of the retractable tire demount tool for the second bead  500  has a fixed pivot rim hook  532  that is similarly “J” configured  535  on the inner portion, as in the previous embodiment. Further fixed pivot hook  532  can have a spear shaped member  533  to aid in the insertion of it between the wheel assembly and the second bead of the tire. Fixed pivot rim hook  532  provides a fixed position by which to cam the tool over providing an optimum point by which to engage the retractable drive bolt  202  and thereby remove the tire from the wheel assembly. 
         [0076]      FIG. 26  is a side cutaway view of hand operated, mechanically retractable tire demount tool  500  in the final stage of operation for the removal of second tire bead  554  from wheel assembly  550 . As in the aforementioned embodiments, demount tool  500  is inserted between rim or wheel assembly  550  and tire  540  by inserting lengthened prying foot  518  to the exterior of tire onto lower tire side wall  556  and engaging the same. Fixed pivot foot  532  is hooked to rim flange  536  by engaging “J” shaped member  535  to rim flange  536 , thus readying the demount procedure. Providing a spear shape  533  to fixed pivot foot  532  aids in this procedure. Lengthened prying foot  518  is pivoted backwards towards the center of wheel assembly  550  via hollow handle portion  512 . Lengthened prying foot  518  begins to apply pressure against second tire bead  554  and lower tire side wall  556 . Fixed pivot rim hook  532  engages top rim flange  536  providing a secure prying or leverage position. These components work in unison to create a leveraging motion effectively lifting second tire bead  554  and second tire sidewall  556  above rim flange  536 . From this point retractable screw assembly  200  is engaged by rotating hex head threaded drive bolt  202  with a hand operated crank or power tool, pushing against fixed pivot rim hook  532  and secondary tubular retractable element  562  elevating lengthened prying foot  518 . This provides a raising movement  564  and thereby successfully freeing tire  540  from wheel assembly  550 . 
         [0077]    Although the invention has been described in detail with particular reference to these preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achieve the same results. Variations and modifications of the presently claimed invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and equivalents. The entire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, and publications cited above, are hereby incorporated by reference.