An article handling apparatus comprising a handling frame comprising a plurality of arm members adapted to grip the article, at least one of the plurality of arm members being of variable length. There is also disclosed means for dismounting a tire from a wheel, the means comprising a housing and a pad, the housing being adapted to be releasably attached to gripping means and the pad adapted to break the bead of the tire to facilitate removal of the tire from the wheel.

A wheel lifting device comprising a first portion and a second portion is disclosed. Each of the first portion and the second portion comprise a vertical member, a horizontal member, and a plurality of rotatatable devices coupled to and spaced apart laterally on the horizontal member. The horizontal member of the first portion is generally parallel to the horizontal member of the second portion and both horizontal members are generally perpendicular to a plane defined by the two vertical members.

The present invention relates to an online roundness correcting device for a semifinished wheel, which consists of a jacking and rotating system, a left correcting system, a right correcting system and a central locating system. According to the online roundness correcting device provided by the present invention, in service, an online roundness correcting function for the semifinished wheel can be achieved, and the corrected wheel has good roundness and cylindricity, so that not only can the labor intensity for workers be lowered, but also the online roundness correcting device has the characteristics of high degree of automation, advanced process, simple structure and safe and stable performance.

A gripper, a gripper station and a method for gripping an annular tire component, wherein the gripper has a plurality of gripper members distributed in a circumferential direction about a gripper axis and movable with at least a vector component in a radial direction perpendicular to the gripper axis over a main range with a radially inner endpoint and a radially outer endpoint. The gripper further has a limiter for limiting the movement of the plurality of gripper members in the radial direction to a subrange within the main range, wherein the subrange has an adjustable subrange position relative to the main range. The gripper has a synchronization member for synchronizing movements of the plurality of gripper members in the radial direction, wherein the synchronization member defines the main range, and wherein the limiter is arranged for limiting the synchronization member to define the subrange.

A gripper, a gripper station and a method for gripping an annular tire component, wherein the gripper has a plurality of gripper members distributed in a circumferential direction about a gripper axis and movable with at least a vector component in a radial direction perpendicular to the gripper axis over a main range with a radially inner endpoint and a radially outer endpoint. The gripper further has a limiter for limiting the movement of the plurality of gripper members in the radial direction to a subrange within the main range, wherein the subrange has an adjustable subrange position relative to the main range. The gripper has a synchronization member for synchronizing movements of the plurality of gripper members in the radial direction, wherein the synchronization member defines the main range, and wherein the limiter is arranged for limiting the synchronization member to define the subrange.

A robotic wheel gripper unit that is configured for gripping and transporting a wheel to a predetermined position during an assembly operation with a tire is disclosed. The robotic wheel gripper unit comprises a selectively moveable arm that includes a gripper tool connected thereto. The gripper tool further includes a plurality of gripper fingers and at least one sensor. The gripper fingers are configured for selectively engaging a portion of a wheel. The sensor is configured to detect a predetermined element on the wheel, such as a TPMS valve stem, to assist in placement of the wheel during an assembly operation.

A robotic wheel gripper unit that is configured for gripping and transporting a wheel to a predetermined position during an assembly operation with a tire is disclosed. The robotic wheel gripper unit comprises a selectively moveable arm that includes a gripper tool connected thereto. The gripper tool further includes a plurality of gripper fingers and at least one sensor. The gripper fingers are configured for selectively engaging a portion of a wheel. The sensor is configured to detect a predetermined element on the wheel, such as a TPMS valve stem, to assist in placement of the wheel during an assembly operation.

An automatic anti-slipping system for a rotationally fixed attachment of a rim of a wheel in a wheel service machine, comprises a wheel supporting and rotating means (20), for supporting and rotating a wheel to be serviced. At least two driving pins (32) are provided at the wheel supporting and rotating means (20) for reversibly generating a rotationally fixed connection between a wheel supporting and rotating means (20) and a rim of a wheel to be serviced, wherein at least one of the at least two driving pins (32) is adapted to come in a positive locking engagement with at least one recess of a rim, and wherein the at least two driving pins (32) are adapted to be reversibly moveable, and actuator means (40) are able to reversibly move the driving pins (32) in an actuated state.

An automatic anti-slipping system for a rotationally fixed attachment of a rim of a wheel in a wheel service machine, comprises a wheel supporting and rotating means (20), for supporting and rotating a wheel to be serviced. At least two driving pins (32) are provided at the wheel supporting and rotating means (20) for reversibly generating a rotationally fixed connection between a wheel supporting and rotating means (20) and a rim of a wheel to be serviced, wherein at least one of the at least two driving pins (32) is adapted to come in a positive locking engagement with at least one recess of a rim, and wherein the at least two driving pins (32) are adapted to be reversibly moveable, and actuator means (40) are able to reversibly move the driving pins (32) in an actuated state.

A single-point clamp of four-wheel aligner for vehicles connected to a fixing hub nut on the wheel comprises a sleeve, a single-point variable hexagonal grip, a fastening nut, a connecting board, and a target board with magnets. The single-point variable hexagonal grip and the fastening nut are respectively disposed at two ends of the sleeve. The single-point variable hexagonal grip is firmly lodged in the fixing hub nut. Two ends of the connecting board are respectively connected to the sleeve and the target board. A using method includes: (1) loosening the fastening nut of the single-point clamp; (2) inserting the single-point variable hexagonal grip into the fixing hub nut of the wheel; and (3) rotationally fastening the fastening nut for clamping the fixing hub nut firmly.