Patent Description:
Tyre handling apparatuses are used for fitting and removing tyres e.g. to replace a tyre which is worn or damaged with a new tyre, or to replace a tyre with another tyre which is better suited to certain conditions e.g. the weather or terrain.

It is beneficial for a tyre handling apparatus to be portable. In particular, for mobile tyre service providers, or in a competitive environment, e.g. car, UTV and buggy racing, it is important for a tyre handling apparatus to be lightweight and compact.

Existing solutions for a portable tyre handling apparatus include a fixed base to grasp and rotate the wheel rim. For these apparatuses, an external support structure is required to support a mount/demount tool, e.g. a duck head, in a suitable position to engage with the wheel rim. Such supporting structures are generally very large and heavy.

Patent documents <CIT> and <CIT> describe tyre removers that require an external support structure.

Alternatively, existing solutions may include a base section for grasping a wheel rim in place, with the duck head coaxially mounted. For these apparatuses, the duck head is generally operated with a long arm or lever to rotate around a circumference of the wheel rim. Such a lever is not compact, and the force required to drive the duck head generally means that the tyre handling apparatus must be fixed to the ground. Patent document <CIT> describes a tyre remover that requires a long arm. Patent document <CIT> describes a tyre remover requiring a solid base fixed to the ground. Patent document <CIT> describes a tyre remover where a mount/ dismount head rotates around a wheel rim.

The present invention aims to address these problems in the state of the art.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tyre handling apparatus according to claim <NUM>.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of removing a tyre from a wheel rim according to claim <NUM>. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of fitting a tyre on a wheel rim according to claim <NUM>.

Optional features are as set out in the dependent claims.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

The present invention relates to a tyre handling apparatus, and a method of removing and/or fitting a tyre on a wheel rim. In particular, the tyre handling apparatus is configured to hold a wheel rim and engage a mount/demount tool with the wheel rim to fit or remove a tyre.

<FIG> of the accompanying drawings shows a tyre handling apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment. The tyre handling apparatus <NUM> comprises a central axle <NUM>, a coupling part <NUM>, a driving unit <NUM> and a mount/demount unit <NUM>.

<FIG> of the accompanying drawings shows a tyre handling apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment. As shown, the central axle <NUM> is configured to mount a wheel rim A.

By mounting the wheel rim A on a central axle <NUM> of the tyre handling apparatus <NUM>, the tyre handling apparatus <NUM> can be made more compact. Furthermore, the apparatus can be well balanced around the central axle <NUM>, reducing the amount of stabilisation required for the apparatus. This can reduce a weight required for a supporting structure of the apparatus, and avoid the need to secure the apparatus in place. In this way, implementations of the tyre handling apparatus <NUM> can be made portable.

<FIG> of the accompanying drawings shows an exploded view showing a tyre handling apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment. The coupling part <NUM> is rotatably mounted on the central axle <NUM>. The coupling part <NUM> is configured to couple to a mounted wheel rim, such that rotation of the coupling part <NUM> causes rotation of the wheel rim.

By rotating the wheel rim relative to the mount/demount unit <NUM> using a driving unit <NUM>, the amount of torque required to overcome the frictional resistance between the tyre and the duck head can be provided with a small motor or manual driving unit. In this way, the size and weight of the apparatus can be reduced. Furthermore, a smaller driving unit with a low torque can increase stability of the apparatus, and avoid the need to secure the apparatus in place. In this way, implementations of the tyre handling apparatus <NUM> can be made portable.

In some embodiments, the mount/demount unit <NUM> may be slidably mounted on the central axle <NUM>. In this way, the mount/demount unit <NUM> can be arranged at the correct position along the central axle <NUM> for a variety of differently sized wheel rims. Furthermore, the mount/demount can slide along the central axle <NUM> to disengage the mount/demount unit <NUM> from the wheel rim and allow demounting of a wheel rim.

In some embodiments, the mount/demount unit <NUM> may be configured to be demounted from an end of the central axle <NUM> distal from the coupling part <NUM>. In this way, a wheel rim can be mounted on the central axle <NUM> between the coupling part <NUM> and the mount/demount unit <NUM>. In some examples, the mount/demount unit <NUM> may be configured to slide off and onto one end of the central axle <NUM>. For example, the mount/demount unit <NUM> or a bracket of the mount/demount unit <NUM> may include an opening to receive one end of the central axle <NUM>. In some examples, the mount/demount unit <NUM> may be configured to clamp onto a mid-point of the central axle <NUM>, or fix onto one of the central axle <NUM> with the screw and/or bolt attachment.

In some embodiments, the central axle <NUM> may include a first portion <NUM> with a circular cross-section for mounting the wheel rim and a second portion <NUM> with a polygonal cross-section for mounting the mount/demount unit <NUM>. In this way, a wheel rim with a circular opening may freely rotate on the first portion <NUM>, and the mount/demount portion may be engaged with the polygonal cross-section of the second portion <NUM> to fix an angular position of the mount/demount unit <NUM>. For example, the mount/demount unit <NUM> may include a polygonal opening corresponding to the second portion <NUM>, such that the second portion <NUM> is free to pass through the polygonal opening but restricted from rotating within the polygonal opening.

In some examples, an outer radius of the second portion <NUM> may be smaller than or the same as an outer radius of the first portion <NUM>. In this way, the wheel rim may pass freely over both portions when mounted or unmounted from the central axle <NUM>. Alternatively, in some examples, the cross-section of the central axle <NUM> may be polygonal along its full length, or may be generally circular with one or more flat portions to engage with the mount/demount unit <NUM>.

<FIG> of the accompanying drawings shows a driving unit <NUM> of a tyre handling apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment. The driving unit <NUM> is configured to rotate the coupling part <NUM>.

As described above, implementations of the tyre handling apparatus <NUM> can use a small motor or manual driving unit <NUM>. In this way, the size and weight of the apparatus can be reduced. Furthermore, a smaller driving unit <NUM> with a lower torque can increase stability of the apparatus, and avoid the need to secure the apparatus in place. In this way, implementations of the tyre handling apparatus <NUM> can be made portable.

In some embodiments, the driving unit <NUM> may include a control unit <NUM> to activate and/or deactivate the driving unit <NUM>. For example, the driving unit <NUM> may include an electronic switch implemented in, e.g., a floor pedal (as shown in <FIG>).

In some embodiments, the driving unit <NUM> may include a motor <NUM> and a gearbox <NUM>. In some embodiments, the gearbox <NUM> may include a worm gear reducer. In this way, a low-torque, high-speed output of the motor <NUM> may be converted to a low-speed, high-torque rotation of the coupling part <NUM>. In some examples, the driving unit <NUM> may include a chain or belt drive <NUM> to account for different angles of input and output of the gearbox <NUM>. In this way, the driving unit <NUM> can be positioned directly below the gearbox <NUM>, lowering a centre of mass of the tyre handling apparatus <NUM> and reducing the overall dimensions.

In some embodiments, the gearbox <NUM> may include a direct reducer. In this way, the number of components and the overall dimensions of the tyre handling apparatus <NUM> can be reduced.

As shown in <FIG>, the coupling part <NUM> may include an engaging plate <NUM> arranged perpendicular to the central axle <NUM>, and a plurality of wheel studs <NUM> attached to the engaging plate <NUM> and arranged to engage with a plurality of bolt holes in the mounted wheel rim. In some examples, the engaging plate <NUM> may include a pattern of stud holes, allowing the plurality of wheel studs <NUM> to be arranged in a variety of configurations suitable for a variety of different wheel rims. Alternatively, in some examples, the coupling part <NUM> may include a grasping or clamping mechanism to couple with the wheel rim.

In some embodiments, the coupling part <NUM> may include a cylindrical sleeve <NUM> configured to fit around the central axle <NUM>. The engaging plate <NUM> may be fixed at one end of the sleeve, and a drive wheel <NUM> may be fixed at the other end. The driving unit <NUM> may be configured to rotate the drive wheel <NUM>. In this way, the driving unit <NUM> may be arranged at a point on the central axle <NUM> distal from the coupling part <NUM>. The drive wheel <NUM>, cylindrical sleeve <NUM> and engaging plate <NUM> may be fixed as a single piece to rotate together around the central axle <NUM>. Alternatively, in some examples, the driving unit <NUM> may be configured to rotate the engaging plate <NUM> directly.

In some embodiments, a conical spacer <NUM> may be arranged between the mounted wheel rim and the mount/demount unit <NUM>. The conical spacer <NUM> may be mounted on the central axle <NUM> between the mounted wheel rim and the mount/demount unit <NUM>. The conical spacer <NUM> may be configured to keep the mounted wheel rim in position, by urging the wheel rim against the coupling part <NUM>. In some examples, the conical spacer <NUM> may be formed with a circular cross section and a conical profile, wherein a radius of the conical spacer <NUM> decreases in the direction of the central axle <NUM>. The conical spacer <NUM> may be arranged to have an end with the smallest radius directed to towards the wheel rim. In this way, the conical spacer <NUM> can be made to fit into a central opening of any size on a variety of wheel rims. In some examples, the conical spacer <NUM> is configured to be demounted from the central axle <NUM> to allow a wheel rim to be mounted onto the central axle <NUM>.

<FIG> of the accompanying drawings shows a mount/demount unit <NUM> of a tyre handling apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment. The mount/demount unit <NUM> is mounted on the central axle <NUM>. The mount/demount unit <NUM> is mounted with a fixed angular position. The mount/demount unit <NUM> comprises a mount/demount tool <NUM>. The mount/demount tool <NUM> is arranged to engage with the mounted wheel rim to fit or remove a tyre.

By arranging the mount/demount unit <NUM> on the central axle <NUM>, the tyre handling apparatus <NUM> can be made more compact, as there are no elements required to be outside an outer circumference of a mounted tyre. The mount/demount unit <NUM> and a mounted wheel rim share a common axis provided by the central axle <NUM>, so the mount/demount tool <NUM> can be arranged at a fixed position to engage with the mounted wheel rim. By rotating the wheel rim relative to the mount/demount unit <NUM>, the mount/demount unit <NUM> can be mounted using a simple attachment with a fixed angular position, reducing the complexity of the device and allowing the mount/demount device to be easily demounted while a wheel rim is mounted onto the central axle <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the mount/demount unit <NUM> may comprise a bracket <NUM> mounted on the central axle <NUM> with a fixed angular position, and a support arm <NUM> slidably attached to the bracket <NUM> and arranged to extend radially out from the central axle <NUM>. The mount/demount tool <NUM> is fixed at an end of the support arm distal from the central axle <NUM>. In this way, the mount/demount tool <NUM> can be arranged to engage with a variety of differently sized wheel rims. Alternatively, in some examples, the mount/demount tool <NUM> may be arranged at a fixed radius adapted for a specific size of wheel rim.

As shown, the mount/demount unit <NUM> may include one or more control levers <NUM>. Each of the control levers <NUM> may be configured to engage a braking mechanism to fix a position of the mount/demount unit <NUM>. For example, a first control lever 44a may lock a position of the support arm <NUM> and thus fix the radial position of the mount/demount tool <NUM>. A second control level 44b may lock a position of the bracket on the central axle <NUM> and thus fix a longitudinal position of the mount/demount unit <NUM>. In this way, the arrangement of the mount/demount unit <NUM> can be adjusted, and fixed in position before use. In some examples, the control levers <NUM> may be replaced with dials, wheels or electronic switches. In some examples, the braking mechanisms may be replaced with motorised actuators. Alternatively, one or both of the bracket <NUM> and support arm <NUM> may be fixed in position without the control levers <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the mount/demount tool <NUM> may be a duck head. A duck head tool is a tool which can be used to fit the bead of a tyre onto a wheel rim, and also used to remove the tyre bead from the wheel rim. In some examples, an alternative mount/demount tool <NUM> may be used such as a tyre lever or similar arrangement. In this way, a single tool can be used to fit or remove a tyre. In this way the tyre handling apparatus <NUM> can be used to remove one tyre and fit another, e.g. a new tyre, immediately after.

In some embodiments, the tyre handling apparatus <NUM> may also include a plurality of supporting legs <NUM>. In some examples, the legs <NUM> are attached to the driving unit <NUM>. Alternatively, the legs <NUM> may be attached to the central axle <NUM>. The tyre handling apparatus <NUM> may include three or four legs.

As shown in <FIG>, the legs <NUM> may be foldable or collapsible. In this way, the tyre handling apparatus <NUM> can be made portable. Alternatively, the legs <NUM> may be fixed in position.

<FIG> of the accompanying drawings shows a tyre handling apparatus <NUM>, including a plurality of fixed legs <NUM>. Each of the legs <NUM> may be fixed in position at the driving unit <NUM>. Each of the legs <NUM> may be formed with a bend along its length, e.g. a <NUM>-degree curve at a point along its length. Each of the legs <NUM> may be formed with a flattened cross section. Each of the legs <NUM> may initially extend in a direction perpendicular to the central axle <NUM>, e.g. away from the central axle <NUM>, and curve to a direction parallel to the central axle <NUM>. In this way, the fixed legs <NUM> may form a stable base to the apparatus with a low centre of gravity, such that the central axle <NUM> extends vertically when the legs <NUM> of the tyre handling apparatus <NUM> are placed on a flat horizontal surface.

<FIG> of the accompanying drawings shows a tyre handling apparatus <NUM>, including a plurality of fixed legs <NUM>. The plurality of legs <NUM> may be formed with a leg member forming each pair of legs <NUM>. Each of the leg members may be formed with one or more bends along its length, e.g. a <NUM>-degree curve at one or two points along its length. Each of the legs <NUM> may be formed with a flattened cross section. Each of the legs <NUM> may initially extend in a direction parallel to the central axle <NUM>, e.g. along a length of the driving unit <NUM>. Each of the leg members may be fixed in position at the driving unit <NUM>, e.g. at one or two points along the length of the driving unit <NUM>. Each leg member may be formed with a <NUM>-degree curve at each end of the driving unit <NUM>, to form a pair of legs <NUM>. Each of the legs <NUM> may be curved to a direction perpendicular to the central axle <NUM>. For example, each of the legs <NUM> may be curved to extend in the same direction. In this way, the fixed legs <NUM> may form a stable base to the apparatus with a low centre of gravity, such that the central axle <NUM> extends horizontally when the legs <NUM> of the tyre handling apparatus <NUM> are placed on a flat horizontal surface.

Alternatively, in some examples, the tyre handling apparatus <NUM> may be formed with a fixed base e.g. a flat plate or box shaped base to support the apparatus.

<FIG> of the accompanying drawings shows a method of removing and/or fitting a tyre on a wheel rim A using the tyre handling apparatus <NUM> of any embodiment.

At step S12, the method includes demounting the mount/demount unit <NUM> from the central axle <NUM>.

<FIG> of the accompanying drawings shows the tyre handling apparatus <NUM> of an embodiment after step S12. As shown, the mount/demount unit <NUM> is demounted from the central axle <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the mount/demount unit <NUM> may be slidably mounted on the central axle <NUM>. In this way, the mount/demount unit <NUM> can slide along the central axle <NUM> to disengage the mount/demount tool <NUM> from a wheel rim and allow demounting of a wheel rim.

As shown, the central axle <NUM> may include a first portion <NUM> with a circular cross-section for mounting the wheel rim and a second portion <NUM> with a polygonal cross-section for mounting the mount/demount unit <NUM>. In this way, a wheel rim with a circular opening may freely rotate on the first portion <NUM>, and the mount/demount portion <NUM> may be engaged with the polygonal cross-section of the second portion <NUM> to fix an angular position of the mount/demount unit <NUM>.

As shown, the coupling part <NUM> may include an engaging plate <NUM> arranged perpendicular to the central axle, with a pattern of stud holes. A plurality of wheel studs <NUM> may be attached to the stud holes to engage with a plurality of bolt holes in a variety of configurations suitable for a variety of different wheel rims.

<FIG> of the accompanying drawings shows the tyre handling apparatus of an embodiment with a plurality of wheel studs <NUM> attached to the engaging plate <NUM>.

At step S13, the method includes mounting the wheel rim A onto the central axle <NUM>, and coupling the coupling part <NUM> to the mounted wheel rim A.

<FIG> of the accompanying drawings shows the tyre handling apparatus <NUM> of an embodiment after step S13. As shown, a wheel rim A is mounted on the central axle <NUM>.

As shown, an outer radius of the second portion <NUM> may be smaller than or the same as an outer radius of the first portion <NUM>. In this way, the wheel rim A may pass freely over both portions when mounted or unmounted from the central axle <NUM>.

In some examples, as shown, the wheel rim A may be mounted with a tyre, e.g. for removal of the tyre and/or fitting a new tyre. Alternatively, in some examples, the wheel rim A may be mounted without a tyre, e.g. for fitting a tyre to the wheel rim A.

In some embodiments, a conical spacer <NUM> may be arranged between the mounted wheel rim A and the mount/demount unit <NUM>. The conical spacer <NUM> may be mounted on the central axle <NUM> between the mounted wheel rim A and the mount/demount unit <NUM>. The conical spacer <NUM> may be configured to keep the mounted wheel rim A in position, by urging the wheel rim A against the coupling part <NUM>. In some examples, the conical spacer <NUM> may be formed with a circular cross section and a conical profile, wherein a radius of the conical spacer decreases in the direction of the central axle. The conical spacer <NUM> may be arranged to have an end with the smallest radius directed to towards the wheel rim A. In this way, the conical spacer <NUM> can be made to fit into a central opening of any size on a variety of wheel rims. In some examples, the conical spacer <NUM> is configured to be demounted from the central axle <NUM> to allow a wheel rim A to be mounted onto the central axle <NUM>.

<FIG> of the accompanying drawings shows the tyre handling apparatus <NUM> of an embodiment with a conical spacer <NUM>.

At step S14, the method includes mounting the mount/demount unit <NUM> onto the central axle <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the mount/demount unit <NUM> may be slidably mounted on the central axle <NUM>. In this way, the mount/demount tool <NUM> can be arranged at the correct position along the central axle <NUM> for a variety of differently sized wheel rims. In some examples, the mount/demount unit <NUM> may be configured to clamp onto a mid-point of the central axle <NUM>, or fix onto one of the central axle <NUM> with a screw and/or bolt attachment.

<FIG> of the accompanying drawings shows the tyre handling apparatus <NUM> of an embodiment after step S14. As shown, the mount/demount unit <NUM> is mounted on the central axle <NUM>.

As shown, the mount/demount unit <NUM> may comprise a bracket <NUM> mounted on the central axle <NUM> with a fixed angular position, and a support arm <NUM> slidably attached to the bracket <NUM> and arranged to extend radially out from the central axle <NUM>. The mount/demount tool <NUM> is fixed at an end of the support arm <NUM> distal from the central axle10. In this way, the mount/demount tool <NUM> can be arranged to engage with a variety of differently sized wheel rims.

As shown, the mount/demount unit <NUM> may include one or more control levers <NUM>. Each of the control levers <NUM> may be configured to engage a braking mechanism to fix a position of the mount/demount unit <NUM>. For example, a first control lever 44a may lock a position of the support arm <NUM> and thus fix the radial position of the mount/demount tool <NUM>. A second control level 44b may lock a position of the bracket <NUM> on the central axle <NUM> and thus fix a longitudinal position of the mount/demount unit <NUM>. In this way, the arrangement of the mount/demount unit <NUM> can be adjusted, and fixed in position before use.

As shown, the mount/demount tool <NUM> may be a duck head. A duck head tool is a tool which can be used to fit the bead of a tyre onto a wheel rim A, and also used to remove the tyre bead from the wheel rim A. In this way the tyre handling apparatus <NUM> can be used to remove one tyre and fit another, e.g. a new tyre, immediately after.

At step S15, the method includes engaging the mount/demount tool <NUM> with the mounted wheel rim A to remove a tyre from the wheel rim A and/or fit a tyre to the wheel rim A.

<FIG> of the accompanying drawings shows the tyre handling apparatus <NUM> of an embodiment after step S15. As shown, the mount/demount tool <NUM> is engaged with the mounted wheel rim A. In some examples, an additional tool, e.g. a tyre lever, may be used to engage the mount/demount tool <NUM>. Although the mount/demount tool <NUM> as shown is being used to remove the tyre from the wheel rim, the same mount/demount tool <NUM> may be used to fit a tyre to the wheel rim.

At step S16, the method includes activating the driving unit <NUM> to rotate the coupling part <NUM>.

As shown, the driving unit <NUM> may include a control unit <NUM> to activate and/or deactivate the driving unit <NUM>. For example, the driving unit <NUM> may include an electronic switch implemented in, e.g., a floor pedal.

<FIG> of the accompanying drawings shows the tyre handling apparatus <NUM> of an embodiment after step S16. As shown, the driving unit <NUM> has been activated and the coupling part <NUM> has been rotated. In this way, the bead of the tyre is removed from the wheel rim A.

In some examples, the method includes repeating the steps S15 and S16 for a second bead of the tyre. As shown, a tyre lever or other tool can be used to engage the mount/demount tool <NUM> with the other side of the mounted wheel rim A. Once engaged, the driving unit <NUM> may be activated for a second time.

<FIG> of the accompanying drawings shows the tyre handling apparatus <NUM> of an embodiment after activating the driving unit <NUM> for a second time. As shown, the tyre has been removed from the wheel rim A.

In some examples, the method may include repeating the steps S15 and S16 to fit a tyre, e.g. to fit a new tyre onto the wheel rim A.

Claim 1:
A tyre handling apparatus, comprising:
a central axle (<NUM>) configured to mount a wheel rim (A);
a coupling part (<NUM>) rotatably mounted on the central axle and configured to couple to a mounted wheel rim, such that rotation of the coupling part causes rotation of the wheel rim;
a driving unit (<NUM>) configured to rotate the coupling part;
a mount/demount unit (<NUM>) mounted on the central axle with a fixed angular position and comprising a mount/demount tool (<NUM>) arranged to: (i) engage with the mounted wheel rim to fit a tyre, and (ii) engage with the mounted wheel rim to remove a tyre, wherein the central axle has one or more flat portions to engage with the mount/demount unit.