An improved clamping mechanism to secure a tire between a bead ring and a wheel utilizing a bolt is provided. The bolt has a ball seat that pivots within an enlarged pilot hole in the bead ring as the bolt threads engage in threaded section of the wheel, pulling the bead ring toward the wheel. As the bead ring is tightened upon the wheel, eventually the bead ring contacts a fulcrum on the wheel, at which point the outer edge of the bead ring is leveraged against the tire bead bundle and pressing down the tire bead to lock it in place against the wheel. As the bead ring can pivot within the enlarged pilot hole around the bolt, the bolt is not stressed. Further, the wheel comprising a safety bead and non-skid coating on the inner wall of the wheel to prevent the wheel sliding around 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 modular billet hub which includes a removable hub ring having a plurality of hub ring openings located around a periphery of the removable hub ring, a removable barrel having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the removable barrel is operatively attached to the removable hub ring, a removable billet insert located within the removable hub barrel and located adjacent to the second end of the removable barre, and a retaining ring located within the removable hub barrel and located adjacent to the billet insert in order to retain the billet insert within the removable barrel.

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 wheel assembly to be coupled to a hub of a vehicle may include an inner rim to be coupled to the hub of the vehicle, an outer rim surrounding the inner rim, and gas springs operatively coupled between the inner rim and the outer rim to provide a gas suspension permitting relative movement between the inner rim and the outer rim. Each of the gas springs may include a gas cylinder having an inner surface, and a piston movable within the gas cylinder. The piston may include a shaft, a piston head coupled to the shaft and having at least one recess therein, and at least one biasing member within the at least one recess. Each gas spring may also include at least one damping member adjacent the at least one biasing member and within the at least one recess to frictionally engage the inner surface of the gas cylinder.

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.

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 wheel assembly for a tire includes a circular hub member for securing to a rotatable axle of a vehicle, an annular first rim piece for engaging the tire, the first rim piece being secured to a first axial end of the circular hub member, an annular second rim piece for engaging the tire, the second rim piece being secured to an opposite second axial end of the circular hub member, a plurality of cylindrical bolts for engaging both the first rim piece and the second rim piece, the cylindrical bolts each engaging the first rim piece, the second rim piece, and a spoke structure of the tire; and a threaded tension bolt for varying a radial position of a first axial end of one of the cylindrical bolts relative to a first elongate opening of the first rim piece.

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 spoke tension adjustment tool has a longitudinally elongated body with a central longitudinal cavity configured to house an end portion of a spoke. The housing has a longitudinal slit that allows the end portion of the spoke to enter the longitudinal cavity. The longitudinally elongated body has a grip portion and a shaped end portion configured to couple with a stem of a spoke attachment element. The shaped end portion is smaller than the grip portion and smaller than the diameter of a rim spoke attachment hole in which the stem is inserted.