A tire changing device for lifting and positioning a tire, providing rolling members allow for easy vertical adjustment of the tire and whose shape enables a tire to be conveniently rolled on, positioned and retained thereon. The tire mounting device for mounting a tire to a vehicle, includes a lower frame comprising caster wheels and raising and lowering devices which act in concert via a common control. The disclosed device also includes an upper platform in communication with the supporting pneumatic pistons and configured to be raised and lowered thereby to a height of a wheel hub to receive the tire. The device further includes a pair of rollers spaced apart an adjustable space there between less than a diameter of a wheel to be mounted to a vehicle, the pair of adjustable rollers enabling a tire rotation to align wheel hub lugs to rim lug holes.

A device is provided for changing a wheel of a vehicle comprising a carriage assembly including two platform elements running longitudinally with one another and substantially parallel. First and second swingarms are connected to respective platform elements. The swingarms are rotatably positionable at a desired height above the carriage. A lift mechanism selectively raises or lowers the carriage during use. A tow bar allows the carriage to be pushed or pulled on wheels mounted to the carriage. A method of the invention includes mounting the wheel on the platform elements, raising free ends of the swingarms to a desired height so a knock out bar may be placed through a hub of the wheel, operating the lift mechanism to raise the wheel to a desired height, and aligning the wheel with the vehicle so the wheel may be secured to the vehicle.

In the context of service and maintenance of heavy road vehicles, apparatus is provided that is configured to engage and support a rack and manoeuvre it into position relative to the vehicle to facilitate removal and installation of the wheels. The rack has a frame with a base and a pair of arms, each arm being pivotally attached to opposite sides of the base to pivot between an open configuration and a folded configuration. The apparatus may be expanded and contracted between an expanded configuration, where the rack engagement assembly is configured to engage the rack in the open configuration, and a contracted configuration where the rack engagement assembly is configured to engage the rack in the folded configuration.

An apparatus having means for providing axial rotation and support of a wheel, wherein said wheel is intended for at least one of, removal, repair, inspection, installation, and replacement; means for allowing for different size wheels to be supported; means for rendering support for said means for providing axial rotation; means for allowing a lateral movement of said support rendering means along a central axis and operable for aligning the wheel with wheel studs; means for increasing a bottom surface area of said apparatus to create additional support for said apparatus; means for aiding a transportation and placement of said apparatus; and means for adjusting a vertical positioning of the wheel.

Systems, methods and apparatus for automated vehicle wheel removal and replacement are provided. One system includes a computer system with applications for scheduling the replacement of tires for the vehicle. An electronically controlled lift device and robotic apparatus is configured for interaction with the computer system. The lift device mechanically adjusts arms for placement on lift points of vehicles. The robotic apparatus detects positioning of lug nut configuration for a wheel, removes lug nuts, and then removes the wheel from the wheel hub with gripping arms. The wheel and tire are then handed off to a separate tire changing machine. When a new tire is replaced the robotic apparatus then mounts the wheel to the original wheel hub, and then secures the lug nuts to the lug nut bolts.

A tool for mounting a motor-vehicle wheel on a wheel hub includes a tubular body having a coupling portion arranged for coupling to the wheel hub, and a carrier portion for supporting the motor-vehicle wheel during a centering phase of the wheel on the hub. The tool has an inner tubular member and an outer tubular member rigidly connected to each other so as to be coaxial. At the coupling portion, the inner and outer tubular members are spaced apart so as to define a space arranged to receive an end portion of the wheel hub, in such a way that, in an operating condition, the end portion of the hub is interposed between the inner tubular member and the outer tubular member.

A tire stabilizer is provided that includes an upper block, a lower block, and a biasing device. The upper block has an inclined surface that is inclined relative to a bottom surface. The biasing device is disposed between the upper block and the lower block. A method of rotating a lug nut of a vehicle that is elevated above a ground surface is also provided. The method includes positioning a tire stabilizer between the ground surface and a tire of the vehicle, placing a wrench over the lug nut, rotating the wrench, removing the wrench from the lug nut, and removing the tire stabilizer from the tire. The tire stabilizer includes an upper block having an inclined surface, a lower block partially disposed within the upper block, and a biasing device disposed between the upper block and the lower block.

Apparatus for use in robotic servicing of a vehicle has a frame defining a bay for receiving a laterally positioned vehicle and a hallway longitudinally adjacent the bay, the hallway accommodating a mobile robotic servicing sub-system. A wheeled chassis underlies and supports the frame with the top of the chassis providing a floor of the bay and the hallway. A deck is located above the bay and an automated robotic system is used to pick the component from the deck, move a component along the frame, and to lower the component into the hallway for release to and pickup by the mobile robotic servicing sub-system to enable servicing with the component of the vehicle by the mobile robotic servicing sub-system.

A device is provided for changing a wheel of a vehicle comprising a carriage assembly including two platform elements running longitudinally with one another and substantially parallel. First and second swingarms are connected to respective platform elements. The swingarms are rotatably positionable at a desired height above the carriage. A lift mechanism selectively raises or lowers the carriage during use. A tow bar allows the carriage to be pushed or pulled on wheels mounted to the carriage. A method of the invention includes mounting the wheel on the platform elements, raising free ends of the swingarms to a desired height so a knock out bar may be placed through a hub of the wheel, operating the lift mechanism to raise the wheel to a desired height, and aligning the wheel with the vehicle so the wheel may be secured to the vehicle.

Systems, methods and apparatus for automated vehicle wheel removal and replacement are provided. One system includes a computer system with applications for scheduling the replacement of tires for the vehicle. An electronically controlled lift device and robotic apparatus is configured for interaction with the computer system. The lift device mechanically adjusts arms for placement on lift points of vehicles. The robotic apparatus detects positioning of lug nut configuration for a wheel, removes lug nuts, and then removes the wheel from the wheel hub with gripping arms. The wheel and tire are then handed off to a separate tire changing machine. When a new tire is replaced the robotic apparatus then mounts the wheel to the original wheel hub, and then secures the lug nuts to the lug nut bolts.