A device is provided for placing one or more sensors along the inside surface of a tire. The device can accommodate tires of different shapes and sizes as well as projecting features along the inside surface of the tire. In one embodiment, sensors can be inserted into the interior of the tire and simultaneously deployed along the inside surface of both sidewalls. This embodiment of the device allows for repeated insertion and withdrawal of the sensors over a range of tire sizes so as to automate steps in the inspection process.

A device for rotating a tire includes a fixed support, a driving belt, a plurality of first pulleys, and at least one second pulley. The driving belt has a contact face for contacting an annular part of the tire, and the driving belt enables rotation of the tire. The first pulleys are mounted on the support and are in abutment with the driving belt on a side opposite to the contact face in order to press the contact face radially against the annular part of the tire. The at least one second pulley is in abutment with the contact face of the driving belt and is mounted for translational movement on the support in order to locally space the contact face apart from the annular part of the tire.

A pneumatically operated gas valve mounted on a vessel containing pressurized gas. The gas valve includes a piston positioned in a cylinder with one closed end so that the piston seats against a gas outlet to close the gas valve. A control reservoir is formed in the cylinder between the piston and the closed end of the cylinder. Upon filling vessel, some of the pressurized gas enters the control reservoir to provide a control pressure behind the piston. Actuating the control mechanism vents the control reservoir, resulting in the gas valve opening rapidly to release the pressurized gas in the vessel through an exhaust port of the gas valve.

A run-flat tire insert, according to particular embodiments, that is configured to be received inside a cavity of a tire. The run-flat tire insert comprising a monolithic, generally toroid shaped insert that includes (a) a first and a second sidewall, (ii) an outer surface that couples the first sidewall to the second sidewall, and (iii) an inner surface that couples the first sidewall to the second sidewall. Additionally, the monolithic, generally toroid shaped insert has an outer diameter that is substantially equal to an outer diameter of a tire in which the monolithic, generally toroid shaped insert will be installed into when the tire is not inflated with air.

A system is disclosed. The system includes a processing station for processing at least one of a tire and a wheel prior to joining the tire and the wheel for forming a tire-wheel assembly. The processing station includes one of a tire lubricating sub-station and a wheel lubricating sub-station. A lubrication conditioning system is fluidly-coupled to the processing station. The lubrication conditioning system includes: a lubricant reservoir, a lubricant temperature modifier arranged at least proximate to the lubricant reservoir, a lubricant temperature sensor arranged within a cavity formed by the lubricant reservoir and a controller communicatively-coupled to both of the lubricant temperature modifier and the lubricant temperature sensor.

A system is disclosed. The system includes a processing station for processing at least one of a tire and a wheel prior to joining the tire and the wheel for forming a tire-wheel assembly. The processing station includes one of a tire lubricating sub-station and a wheel lubricating sub-station. A lubrication conditioning system is fluidly-coupled to the processing station. The lubrication conditioning system includes: a lubricant reservoir, a lubricant temperature modifier arranged at least proximate to the lubricant reservoir, a lubricant temperature sensor arranged within a cavity formed by the lubricant reservoir and a controller communicatively-coupled to both of the lubricant temperature modifier and the lubricant temperature sensor.

The invention relates to a device for protecting the embellished surface of a wheel rim, the device comprises a tool that can be installed on the surface of a wheel rim for the protection of said rim, the tool comprising a circular structure formed in such way as to be held detachably on said wheel rim, the circular structure comprising an inwardly bent contour, the circular structure preferably comprises two semi-annular sub-structures connected by at least one resilient element bringing the two sub-structures closer to each other, said semi-annular sub-structures being held detachably in an adjustable manner on wheel rims of variable dimensions.

The invention relates to a device for protecting the embellished surface of a wheel rim, the device comprises a tool that can be installed on the surface of a wheel rim for the protection of said rim, the tool comprising a circular structure formed in such way as to be held detachably on said wheel rim, the circular structure comprising an inwardly bent contour, the circular structure preferably comprises two semi-annular sub-structures connected by at least one resilient element bringing the two sub-structures closer to each other, said semi-annular sub-structures being held detachably in an adjustable manner on wheel rims of variable dimensions.

A method for installing a monitoring device in a tire for vehicle wheels, includes: providing a monitoring device including: an electronic unit; a connecting member having an upper structure and a lower structure that, in cooperation, define a housing for the electronic unit, the lower structure including two base portions mutually separated by a separation region, each of the base portions having a respective base surface associable with an inner surface of a tire. The method further includes providing a positioning device including two separate active portions, each having a main surface in the shape of which matches that of a respective portion of an outer surface of the monitoring device, the separate active portions being adapted to cooperate with at least the base portions; associating the positioning device with the monitoring device to keep the monitoring device in an installation condition in which the base portions are maintained at a given mutual distance by the active portions; fastening the base portions to the inner surface of the tire; and removing the positioning device.

A method for installing a monitoring device in a tire for vehicle wheels, includes: providing a monitoring device including: an electronic unit; a connecting member having an upper structure and a lower structure that, in cooperation, define a housing for the electronic unit, the lower structure including two base portions mutually separated by a separation region, each of the base portions having a respective base surface associable with an inner surface of a tire. The method further includes providing a positioning device including two separate active portions, each having a main surface in the shape of which matches that of a respective portion of an outer surface of the monitoring device, the separate active portions being adapted to cooperate with at least the base portions; associating the positioning device with the monitoring device to keep the monitoring device in an installation condition in which the base portions are maintained at a given mutual distance by the active portions; fastening the base portions to the inner surface of the tire; and removing the positioning device.