Patent ID: 8347934

Claim:
A clamp for use in securing a wheel rim on a rim-holding tire changer, said clamp comprising: a base portion including first and second side walls and a top portion, wherein the first and second side walls are interconnected by the top portion; a body plate extending upwardly from said top portion at a location between said side walls and in a direction substantially opposite said side walls; a pair of gripping plates removably secured to said body plate, a first portion of at least one gripping plate extending outwardly beyond said body plate along a longitudinal center axis of said base portion; a pair of support plates removably secured to said body plate, a first portion of at least one support plate extending outwardly beyond said body plate along a longitudinal center axis of said base portion; wherein each one of said pair of gripping plates is disposed between said body plate and a corresponding support plate; wherein at least one gripping plate is configured to operably engage the wheel rim, wherein the body plate, the top portion, and the first and second side walls are unitarily constructed.