Patent Abstract:
A tire bead seating apparatus for seating tire beads on a vehicle wheel, the apparatus comprising: (a) a repositionable arm operatively coupled to a rotatable drum, the repositionable arm directing the rotatable drum into selective engagement with an inflated tire mounted to a vehicle wheel, the rotatable drum operative to rotate when engaging the inflated tire to rotate the inflated tire and the vehicle wheel; (b) a first set of rollers selectively contacting a first peripheral surface of the inflated tire, the first peripheral surface bridging between a first sidewall and a treaded surface of the inflated tire; (c) a first set of rollers selectively contacting a second peripheral surface of the inflated tire, the second peripheral surface bridging between a second sidewall and the treaded surface of the inflated tire, the first sidewall being generally opposite the second sidewall; (d) a first bead roller selectively contacting the first sidewall proximate a first bead of the inflated tire; and, (e) a second bead roller selectively contacting the second sidewall proximate a second bead of the inflated tire.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/314,065, filed Mar. 15, 2010, entitled “TIRE BEAD SEATING,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     RELATED ART 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure is directed to machines for seating a tire bead on a wheel, and related methods for bead seating. 
     2. Brief Discussion of Related Art 
     Various methods and machines have been devised for seating the bead of a tire on a wheel. Generally, it may be desirable to ensure that the bead, or inner rim, of the tire aligns with and/or seats within the bead seat on the wheel to permit proper functioning of the wheel/tire assembly. Due to the substantial friction between the tire (which may be made of rubber) and the wheel (which may be made of metal), lubrication may be used to aid in mounting a tire on a wheel. For example, some methods may include soaping the tire and wheel, installing the tire on the wheel, inflating the tire at least partially, and manipulating the tire in some manner to get the tire bead to seat on the wheel completely around the diameter of the wheel. U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,610, which is incorporated by reference into this Background section, may be related to tire bead seating. 
     INTRODUCTION TO THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to machines for seating a tire bead on a wheel, and related methods for bead seating. 
     It is a first aspect of the present invention to provide a tire bead seating apparatus for seating tire beads on a vehicle wheel, the apparatus comprising: (a) a repositionable arm operatively coupled to a rotatable drum, the repositionable arm directing the rotatable drum into selective engagement with an inflated tire mounted to a vehicle wheel, the rotatable drum operative to rotate when engaging the inflated tire to rotate the inflated tire and the vehicle wheel; (b) a first set of rollers selectively contacting a first peripheral surface of the inflated tire, the first peripheral surface bridging between a first sidewall and a treaded surface of the inflated tire; (c) a first set of rollers selectively contacting a second peripheral surface of the inflated tire, the second peripheral surface bridging between a second sidewall and the treaded surface of the inflated tire, the first sidewall being generally opposite the second sidewall; (d) a first bead roller selectively contacting the first sidewall proximate a first bead of the inflated tire; and, (e) a second bead roller selectively contacting the second sidewall proximate a second bead of the inflated tire. 
     In a more detailed embodiment of the first aspect, the repositionable arm comprises a plurality of repositionable arms, and each of the repositionable arms is coupled to a rotatable drum. In yet another more detailed embodiment, at least two of the rotatable drums selectively engage the inflated tire to rotate the inflated tire. In a further detailed embodiment, the apparatus farther comprises a repositionable rail conveyor that extends between the first set of rollers, the repositionable rail conveyor operative to deliver the inflated tire and vehicle wheel where both can be engaged by the rotatable drum, the repositionable rail conveyor repositionable between an elevated position that positions the inflated tire and vehicle wheel above the first set of rollers, and a retracted position that positions the inflated tire and vehicle wheel into contact with the first set of rollers. In still a further detailed embodiment, the first bead roller is rotationally mounted to a first repositionable shaft, the first repositionable shaft being pivotally mounted to a first chassis, and the second bead roller is rotationally mounted to a second repositionable shaft, the second repositionable shaft being pivotally mounted to a second chassis. In a more detailed embodiment, the first chassis is operatively coupled to a first pneumatic cylinder that repositions the first chassis within a first plane in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction, the second chassis is operatively coupled to a second pneumatic cylinder that repositions the second chassis within a second plane in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction, and the first plane is generally parallel to the second plane. In a more detailed embodiment, a first rotational axis extending axially through the first bead roller is acutely angled with respect to a first radial plane extending through the first sidewall at a location where the first bead roller contacts the first sidewall, and a second rotational axis extending axially through the second bead roller is acutely angled with respect to a second radial plane extending through the second sidewall at a location where the second bead roller contacts the second sidewall. 
     It is a second aspect of the present invention to provide a tire bead seating apparatus for seating tire beads on a vehicle wheel, the apparatus comprising: (a) a first bead roller selectively contacting a first sidewall of an inflated tire proximate a first bead, the inflated tire mounted to a vehicle wheel; (b) a second bead roller selectively contacting a second sidewall of the inflated tire proximate a second bead, the second sidewall and the first sidewall interposed by a tread section; and, (c) a tire rotator operative to rotate the inflated tire and vehicle wheel, where a contact area of the first bead roller is acutely angled with respect to a radius that extends through a first contact area of the inflated tire when the first bead roller contacts the first sidewall, and where a contact area of the second bead roller is acutely angled with respect to a radius that extends through a second contact area of the inflated tire when the second bead roller contacts the second sidewall. 
     In yet another more detailed embodiment of the second aspect, the first bead roller is rotationally mounted to a first repositionable shaft, the first repositionable shaft being pivotally mounted to a first chassis, and the second bead roller is rotationally mounted to a second repositionable shaft, the second repositionable shaft being pivotally mounted to a second chassis. In still another more detailed embodiment, the first chassis is operatively coupled to a first pneumatic cylinder that repositions the first chassis within a first plane in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction, the second chassis is operatively coupled to a second pneumatic cylinder that repositions the second chassis within a second plane in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction, and the first plane is generally parallel to the second plane. In a further detailed embodiment, a first rotational axis extending axially through the first bead roller is acutely angled with respect to a first radial plane extending through the first sidewall at a location where the first bead roller contacts the first sidewall, and a second rotational axis extending axially through the second bead roller is acutely angled with respect to a second radial plane extending through the second sidewall at a location where the second bead roller contacts the second sidewall. In still a further detailed embodiment, the first bead roller contacts the first sidewall at a first location, the second bead roller contacts the second sidewall at a second location, and the first location is positioned directly above the second location. In a more detailed embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a plurality of inclined rollers cooperating to form a tire bed, and a plurality of inclined roller cooperating to form a tire ceiling. 
     It is a third aspect of the present invention to provide a method of seating tire beads on a vehicle wheel, the method comprising: (a) rotating a vehicle wheel and a tire, the tire being mounted to the vehicle wheel and inflated; (b) applying pressure on a first sidewall of the tire proximate a first bead while the vehicle wheel and tire are rotating, where applying pressure on the first sidewall creates a gap between the first sidewall and the vehicle wheel and pulls the first sidewall radially outward with respect to the vehicle wheel; and, (c) applying pressure on a second sidewall of the tire proximate a second bead while the vehicle wheel and tire are rotating, where applying pressure on the second sidewall creates a gap between the second sidewall and the vehicle wheel and pulls the second sidewall radially outward with respect to the vehicle wheel. 
     It is a fourth aspect of the present invention to provide a method of seating tire beads on a vehicle wheel, the method comprising: (a) rotating a vehicle wheel and a tire, the tire being mounted to the vehicle wheel and inflated; (b) applying pressure on a first sidewall of the tire proximate a first bead while the vehicle wheel and tire are rotating; and, (c) applying pressure on a second side wall of the tire proximate a second bead while the vehicle wheel and tire are rotating. 
     In yet another more detailed embodiment of the fourth aspect, the pressure applied to the first sidewall of the tire proximate the first bead occurs simultaneously with the pressure applied to the second sidewall of the tire proximate the second bead. In still another more detailed embodiment, a first roller is used to apply the pressure to the first sidewall of the tire proximate the first bead, and a second roller is used to apply the pressure to the second sidewall of the tire proximate the second bead. In a further detailed embodiment, at least one of the first roller and the second roller is acutely angled with respect to at least one of the first bead and the second bead. In still a further detailed embodiment, the first roller is acutely angled with respect to the first bead, and the second roller is acutely angled with respect to the second bead. In a more detailed embodiment, the first bead roller contacts the first sidewall at a first location, the second bead roller contacts the second sidewall at a second location, and the first location is positioned directly above the second location. In a more detailed embodiment, the vehicle wheel and tire are horizontally rotated, the pressure applied on the first sidewall of the tire proximate the first bead comes from a first roller positioned above the vehicle wheel and tire, and the pressure applied on the second sidewall of the tire proximate the second bead comes from a second roller positioned below the vehicle wheel and tire. In another more detailed embodiment, the vehicle wheel and tire are rotated in excess of four hundred rotations per minute while the pressure is applied to the first and second sidewalls, the first roller is acutely angled with respect to the first bead, and the second roller is acutely angled with respect to the second bead. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an elevated perspective view of a tire assembly. 
         FIG. 2  is a horizontal cross-section of the exemplary tire assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a profile view of an exemplary tire inflation station, showing a cross-section of the tire and how air is provided to inflate the tire. 
         FIG. 4  is a frontal view of an exemplary tire bead seating machine in accordance with the instant disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a frontal view of the exemplary tire bead seating machine of  FIG. 4 , shown with a tire positioned within the working area. 
         FIG. 6  is a right side profile view of the exemplary tire bead seating machine of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a frontal view of the exemplary tire bead seating machine of  FIG. 4 , shown with a tire positioned within the working area and the bead seating rollers contacting respective sidewalls of the tire. 
         FIG. 8  is a right side profile view of the exemplary tire bead seating machine of  FIG. 4 , shown with a tire positioned within the working area and the bead seating rollers contacting respective sidewalls of the tire. 
         FIG. 9  is a right side profile view of the hold-down assembly and upper bead seating assembly shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom view of the hold-down assembly and upper bead seating assembly shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is an elevated perspective view of the lower bead seating assembly shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 12  is a right side profile view of the lower bead seating assembly shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is a first part of a process flow diagram. 
         FIG. 14  is a second part of the process flow diagram of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a graphical representation of an exemplary bead seat roller positioned with respect to a radius of a tire. 
         FIG. 16  is a graphical representation of an exemplary bead seat roller angled at an angle θ with respect to the radius of the tire. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated below to encompass machines for seating a tire bead on a wheel, and related methods for bead seating. Of course, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the preferred embodiments discussed below are exemplary in nature and may be reconfigured without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. However, for clarity and precision, the exemplary embodiments as discussed below may include optional steps, methods, and features that one of ordinary skill should recognize as not being a requisite to fall within the scope of the present invention. 
     Referencing  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an exemplary wheel assembly  100  includes a rubber tire  102  mounted to a vehicle wheel  104 . In exemplary form, the tire  102  is inflated with air or nitrogen to a pressurized state well above atmospheric pressure to provide resistance to collapsing of the tire under a load. The tire  102  includes a tread section  106  that interposes right and left sidewalls  108 ,  110 . An exposed circumferential edge of each sidewall  108 ,  110  includes a bead  112  that is correspondingly received by circumferential bead seats  114  of the vehicle wheel  104 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , as is understood by those skilled in the art, a typical tire inflation station  140  conveys the wheel assembly  100  onto a stationary position beneath an overhead tire inflation head  150 . Centering arms (not shown) may thereafter engage the tire  102  and center it with respect to the inflation head  150 . The inflation head is then moved downwardly into engagement with one of the sidewalls  108 , thereby displacing the bead  112  from the bead seat  114 , and high pressure air is injected between the bead and bead seat  114  to inflate the tire  102 . A more detailed explanation of this process and equipment is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,947,919, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  5 , an exemplary tire bead seating machine  200  is utilized to seat the tire  102  bead  112  of each sidewall  108 ,  110  with respect to the bead seat  114  of the vehicle wheel  104  after the tire has been inflated by the tire inflation station. By seating the bead  112 , the machine  200  ensures that an adequate seal is formed between the bead  112  and bead seat  114  that may have otherwise been compromised by soap or other debris interposing the bead and bead seat resulting from the tire inflation process and mounting the tire  102  onto the wheel  104 . 
     The machine  200  includes a conveyor  202  utilized to reposition the wheel assembly  100  into and out of a working area  204 . In this exemplary embodiment, the conveyor  202  comprising a pair of spaced apart, parallel tracks  206  that each include a series of raised studs  208 . The tracks  206  ride upon a guide wheels (not shown) and are operative to move forward or rearward. The raised studs  208  operate to engage the wheel assembly  100  and retain the wheel assembly on the conveyor  202  as the wheel assembly is moved into or out of the working area  204 . 
     Within the working area  204 , the machine  200  includes a lower wheel bed assembly  220 , which includes a plurality of rollers  222  arranged to horizontally support the wheel assembly  100 . In exemplary form, the rollers  222  comprise cylindrical rollers that are mounted to corresponding supports  224  that angle the rollers approximately five degrees from vertical and orient the rollers within a circular footprint of the wheel assembly  100 . More specifically, the rollers  222  are generally oriented in parallel to respective radius of the wheel assembly  100 . In this manner, the rollers  222  are adapted to contact an end of the lower sidewall  110  proximate the tread section  106 . 
     The machine  200  also includes a plurality of drive roller assemblies  230  operative to selectively contact the tread section  102  of the wheel assembly  100  in order to rotate the wheel assembly while within the working area  204 . In this circumstance, there are four drive roller assemblies  230 A,  230 B,  230 C,  230 D, with two on each side of the machine  200 . It should be noted that each drive roller assembly  230  is substantially identical and accordingly only one drive roller assembly will be described in detail, with it being understood that the other assemblies are substantially identical in terms of construction and operation as described. 
     An exemplary drive roller assembly  230  includes a cylindrical roller  232  mounted at opposing ends to a repositionable frame  234 . The repositionable frame  234  includes a block C-shaped section  236  with corresponding ends that receive corresponding ends of the cylindrical roller  232 . A spindle (not shown) mounted to and extending through the roller  232  is received within respective ends of the C-shaped section  236 . An end of the spindle is operatively coupled to a motor, such as an electric or hydraulic motor, that is operative to rotate the spindle thus rotate the roller  232 . In particular, the motor drives the spindle, thus rotating the roller  232  that is in contact with the tread portion  106  of the tire  102 . This rotation of the roller  232  causes the tire  102  to rotate about a central axis while being seated upon the drive roller assemblies  230 . 
     In order to hold down the tire  102  while it is rotated by the drive roller assemblies  230 , the machine also includes a hold-down assembly  250  that includes a plurality of hold-down rollers  252 . In this exemplary embodiment, the hold-down assembly includes a pair of rollers  252  that are positioned opposite one another. It should be noted, however, that one or more than two rollers  252  may be utilized and oriented in any particular orientation. The hold-down assembly  250  is vertically repositionable to allow the hold-down rollers  252  to selectively engage an opposing sidewall  108  of the tire  102 . In exemplary form, the hold-down rollers  252  comprise frustoconical rollers that are mounted to corresponding supports  254  that angle the rollers approximately fifteen degrees from vertical and orient the rollers within a circular footprint of the wheel assembly  100 . More specifically, the rollers  252  are generally oriented in parallel to respective radius of the wheel assembly  100 . In this manner, the rollers  252  are adapted to contact an end of the upper sidewall  108  proximate the tread section  106  and maintain engagement with the wheel assembly  100  while the wheel assembly is rotated. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4-10 , in order to vertically reposition the hold-down rollers  252  and supports  254 , a repositionable platform  260  is mounted to the supports. In exemplary form, the platform  260  comprises an elongated plate having a cross-member  262  to which the corresponding supports  254  and hold-down rollers  252  are mounted. A predominant dimension of the platform  260  runs perpendicular to the direction of the cross-member, with the cross member being offset from the center of the platform. In order to vertically reposition the platform  260 , a pair of hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders  264  is mounted to a top side  266 . The hydraulic cylinders  264  are operative to reposition the platform  260  between a retracted position (see  FIG. 4 ) and a working (i.e., extended) position (see  FIG. 7 ). In the retracted position, the hold-down rollers  252  are elevated above the working area  204 . In contrast, when in the working position, the hold-down rollers  252  occupy a portion of the working area  204 . 
     Referring specifically to  FIGS. 4 ,  9 , and  10 , an upper bead seating assembly  270  is also mounted to the repositionable platform  260 . The upper bead seating assembly  270  is mounted on a bottom side  272 , opposite the top side  266 . In exemplary form, the upper bead seating assembly  270  includes a pair of pneumatic actuators  274 ,  276  operative to reposition an upper bead seating roller  280 . Specifically, the first actuator  274  is mounted to the platform  260  and concurrently mounted to a repositionable carriage  282 . The carriage  282  is laterally repositionable along a track  284  extending parallel to the dominant dimension of the platform  260 . In other words, the mounting position of the first actuator  274  is fixed with respect to the platform and only a piston  286  of the first actuator is repositionable with respect to the platform. The piston is mounted to the repositionable carriage  282  and, thus, as the piston is repositioned (extended or contracted) laterally, so too is the carriage repositioned laterally. 
     The carriage  282  includes a block  288  having a through passage occupied partially by an L-shaped bracket  290  and a pin  292  that concurrently extends through the L-shaped bracket and a portion of the block. Specifically, the L-shaped bracket  290  is pivotally mounted to the block  288  and pivots around the pin  292 . In contrast, the block  288  is mounted to the carriage  282  in a fixed orientation. A first end  294  of the L-shaped bracket  290  is mounted to a piston  296  of the second actuator  276 , while a second end  298  of the L-shaped bracket is mounted to a spindle  302 . As will be discussed in more detail hereafter, the spindle  302  is mounted to the second end  298  of the L-shaped bracket  290  in a non-perpendicular orientation. Specifically, the spindle  302  is angled at approximately five degrees with respect to a centerline  306  extending through the L-shaped bracket  290 . It should be noted that the centerline  306  extending through the L-shaped bracket  290  is parallel to radius extending from the center of the tire  102  when the platform  260  is lowered to a working position. The other aspect of the second actuator  276  is fixedly mounted to the carriage  282 , but the piston  296  is repositionable with respect to the carriage. 
     In sum, the first actuator  274  is operative to laterally reposition the carriage  282 , while the second actuator  276  is operative to reposition the L-shaped bracket  290 . Repositioning of the L-shaped bracket  290  is operative to reposition the upper bead seating roller  280 , which is mounted to the spindle  302 , between a retracted position (see  FIG. 6 ) and a seating position (see  FIG. 8 ). As will be discussed in more detail hereafter, in operation, the upper bead seating assembly  270  is operative to seat the bead  112  with respect to the bead seat  114  on one side of the wheel assembly  100 . In order to seat the bead  112  with respect to the bead seat  114  on the opposite side of the wheel assembly  100 , the machine  200  includes a lower bead seating assembly  320 . 
     Referring specifically to  FIGS. 4 ,  11 , and  12 , the lower bead seating assembly  320  is mounted to a frame of the machine laterally in-between the rollers  222 . In exemplary form, the lower bead seating assembly  320  includes a pair of pneumatic actuators  324 ,  326  operative to reposition a lower bead seating roller  328 . Specifically, the first actuator  324  is mounted to a fixed position platform  330  and concurrently mounted to a repositionable carriage  332 . The carriage  332  is laterally repositionable along a track  334  extending parallel to the dominant dimension of the platform  330 . In other words, the mounting position of the first actuator  324  is fixed with respect to the platform  330  and only a piston  336  of the first actuator is repositionable with respect to the platform. The piston  336  is mounted to the repositionable carriage  332  and, thus, as the piston is repositioned (extended or contracted) laterally, so too is the carriage repositioned laterally. 
     The carriage  332  includes a block  338  having a through passage occupied partially by an L-shaped bracket  340  and a pin  342  that concurrently extends through the L-shaped bracket and a portion of the block. Specifically, the L-shaped bracket  340  is pivotally mounted to the block  338  and pivots around the pin  342 . In contrast, the block  338  is mounted to the carriage  332  in a fixed orientation. A first end  344  of the L-shaped bracket  340  is mounted to a piston  346  of the second actuator  326 , while a second end  348  of the L-shaped bracket is mounted to a spindle  352 . As will be discussed in more detail hereafter, the spindle  352  is mounted to the second end  348  of the L-shaped bracket  340  in a non-perpendicular orientation. Specifically, the spindle  352  is angled at approximately five degrees with respect to a centerline  356  extending through the L-shaped bracket  340 . It should be noted that the centerline  356  extending through the L-shaped bracket  340  is parallel to radius extending from the center of the tire  102  when the L-shaped bracket  340  repositioned to a working position. The other aspect of the second actuator  326  is fixedly mounted to the carriage  332 , but the piston  346  is repositionable with respect to the carriage. 
     In sum, the first actuator  324  is operative to laterally reposition the carriage  332 , while the second actuator  326  is operative to reposition L-shaped bracket  340 . Repositioning of the L-shaped bracket  340  is operative to reposition the lower bead seating roller  328 , which is mounted to the spindle  352 , between a retracted position (see  FIG. 6 ) and a seating position (see  FIG. 8 ). As will be discussed in more detail hereafter, in operation, the lower bead seating assembly  320  is operative to seat the bead  112  with respect to the bead seat  114  on the opposite side of the wheel assembly  100 . 
     Referring generally to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , an example method of seating a bead using the tire bead seating machine  200  of the instant disclosure includes transferring a single wheel assembly  100  into the machine at step  400 . As discussed briefly beforehand, the tire assembly  100  is positioned within the working area  204  of the machine  200  using the conveyor  202 . Specifically, the wheel assembly  100  is positioned on a portion of the conveyor  202  and conveyed toward the working area  204 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 13 , just before reaching the edge of the forward most rollers  222 , the studs  208  of the conveyor  202  are raised to elevate the wheel assembly  100  above the rollers  222 , while continuing to move the wheel assembly into the working area  204 . In this manner the wheel assembly  100  is elevated above the rollers and generally centered with respect to the rollers. Thereafter, the studs  208  of the conveyor  202  are lowered, resulting in one side of the tire  102  sitting upon the rollers  222 . 
     At step  402 , the drive roller assemblies  230 A,  230 B,  230 C,  230 D are repositioned from a non-contact position (see  FIG. 4 ) to a contact position where the rollers  232  contact the tread portion  106  of the tire  102 . In this exemplary embodiment, the drive roller assemblies  230 A,  230 B,  230 C,  230 D are equidistantly positioned about the circumference of the tire  102 . 
     Referencing  FIGS. 6 and 13 , at step  404 , while the rollers  230  contact the circumference of the tire  102 , the hold-down assembly  250  is lowered from a retracted position (see  FIG. 4 ) to a working position (see  FIG. 7 ) so that the hold-down rollers  252  contact the top circumferential edge between the sidewall  108  and the tread section  106 . 
     At step  406 , the drive roller assemblies  230 A,  230 B,  230 C,  230 D are engaged so that the rollers  232  rotate and correspondingly rotate the tire  102 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 ,  8 , and  13 , at step  408  one or both of the bead seating assemblies  270 ,  320  are repositioned so that one or both bead seating rollers  280 ,  328  contacts a corresponding sidewall  1008 ,  110  of the tire  102 . In this exemplary process, the bead seating assemblies  270 ,  320  are concurrently repositioned so that both bead seating rollers  280 ,  328  contact respective sidewalls  108 ,  110  of the tire  102  at the same time. 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , an exemplary diagram shows the bead seating roller  280 ,  328  oriented coaxially with a radius  450  of the tire  102 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , the exemplary method includes angling the bead seating roller  280 ,  328  with respect to the radius  450  of the tire  102  between an angle θ of two degrees to an angle of approximately forty-five degrees. In exemplary form, the bead seating roller  280 ,  328  is shown angled at approximately five degrees with respect to the radius  450 . 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 7 ,  8 , and  13 , by applying a positive force to a portion of the sidewalls  108 ,  110  in contact with the bead seating rollers  280 ,  328 , a gap is temporarily created between the bead  112  and the bead seat  114 . In this exemplary embodiment, the bead seating rollers  280 ,  328  engage respective sidewalls  108 ,  110  at about ¾″ from the wheel flange and apply a pressure of about 150-265.10 lbf/sq. in. It should be noted, however, that other pressures may be used without departing from the scope of the disclosure. This gap is sufficiently large to allow trapped air in between the bead  112  and bead seat  114  to escape through the gap and displace any debris between the bead and the bead seat as a result of the rotational forces acting on the debris. But the gap is sufficiently small to inhibit significant deflation of the tire  102 . After any debris is displaced, and the bead  112  again contacts the bead seat  114 . This contact occurs after the respective portion of the sidewall is no longer in contact with the bead seating rollers  280 ,  328 . 
     In this exemplary process, the wheel assembly  100  is rotated between approximately 200-1000 revolutions per minute for between approximately one to ten seconds. It should be noted, however, that other rates of rotation may be used and other durations of time may be utilized without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 13 , at step  410 , one or both of the bead seating assemblies  270 ,  320  are repositioned to discontinue contact between the one or both bead seating rollers  280 ,  328  and a corresponding sidewall  108 ,  110  of the tire  102 . In sum, at the end of step  410 , both bead seating assemblies  270 ,  320  no longer contact the tire  102 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 14 , at step  412 , the drive roller assemblies  230 A,  230 B,  230 C,  230 D are disengaged. This includes first stopping the rotation of the rollers  232 , followed by repositioning of the rollers to no longer contact any portion of the tire  102 . 
     At step  414 , the hold-down assembly  250  is raised from the working position (see  FIG. 7 ) to the retracted position (see  FIG. 4 ) to so that the hold-down rollers  252  no longer contact the top circumferential edge between the sidewall  108  and the tread section  106 . 
     At step  416 , the studs  208  of the conveyor  202  are raised to elevate the wheel assembly  100  above the rollers  222 . Thereafter, the conveyor  202  removes the wheel assembly  100  from the working area  204  and conveys it along the conveyor. At this time, while the wheel assembly is positioned on the conveyor outside of the working area, a worker may exchange one wheel assembly  100  having completed the process for another wheel assembly needing to undergo the process. Thereafter, the foregoing process is repeated using steps  400 - 416 . 
     While the machine has been described as a stand-alone piece of equipment, it should be understood that the machine  200  and components thereof may be utilized in an assembly line and/or may perform some or all of the operations discussed above in an automatic manner. 
     Following from the above description and invention summaries, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, while the methods and apparatuses herein described constitute exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the invention contained herein is not limited to this precise embodiment and that changes may be made to such embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the claims and it is not intended that any limitations or elements describing the exemplary embodiments set forth herein are to be incorporated into the interpretation of any claim element unless such limitation or element is explicitly stated. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the identified advantages or objects of the invention disclosed herein in order to fall within the scope of any claims, since the invention is defined by the claims and since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages of the present invention may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1