An apparatus (10) for fitting and/or removing wheel nuts. The apparatus (10) includes a base structure that supports a movable wheel engaging portion, the wheel engaging portion including a socket wrench (23) and a positioning device, wherein the positioning device can be used to locate the wheel engaging portion to aid the socket wrench (23) to fit or remove a wheel nut.

An apparatus (10) for fitting and/or removing wheel nuts. The apparatus (10) includes a base structure that supports a movable wheel engaging portion, the wheel engaging portion including a socket wrench (23) and a positioning device, wherein the positioning device can be used to locate the wheel engaging portion to aid the socket wrench (23) to fit or remove a wheel nut.

The present invention relates to a lubricating agent for mounting or releasing a tire bead, comprising alkaline electrolyzed water and a lubricant component. The lubricant component comprises a lubricant base oil, which is made up of a mineral oil and/or a synthetic oil, and a surfactant. The present invention relates to a method for producing a lubricating agent for mounting or releasing a tire bead, the method comprising: mixing an alkaline electrolyzed water with a lubricant component. A tire and wheel assembly method, comprising: applying the above lubricating agent onto a contact surface of the wheel with a tire bead, and thereafter assembling the tire onto the wheel having had the lubricating agent applied thereon. A method for dismantling a tire and wheel integrated together, comprising: causing the above lubricating agent to seep onto a part of a contact surface of a wheel and a tire bead, and thereafter releasing the tire from the wheel. The provided is a lubricating agent for mounting or releasing a tire bead allows mounting a tire easily onto a wheel, at a bead seating pressure of 300 kPa or less; leaves little residual component after mounting; and enables easy releasing of a tire from a wheel. The present invention provides a tire and wheel assembly method and dismantling method in which the lubricating agent for mounting or releasing tire beads is utilized.

The present invention relates to a lubricating agent for mounting or releasing a tire bead, comprising alkaline electrolyzed water and a lubricant component. The lubricant component comprises a lubricant base oil, which is made up of a mineral oil and/or a synthetic oil, and a surfactant. The present invention relates to a method for producing a lubricating agent for mounting or releasing a tire bead, the method comprising: mixing an alkaline electrolyzed water with a lubricant component. A tire and wheel assembly method, comprising: applying the above lubricating agent onto a contact surface of the wheel with a tire bead, and thereafter assembling the tire onto the wheel having had the lubricating agent applied thereon. A method for dismantling a tire and wheel integrated together, comprising: causing the above lubricating agent to seep onto a part of a contact surface of a wheel and a tire bead, and thereafter releasing the tire from the wheel. The provided is a lubricating agent for mounting or releasing a tire bead allows mounting a tire easily onto a wheel, at a bead seating pressure of 300 kPa or less; leaves little residual component after mounting; and enables easy releasing of a tire from a wheel. The present invention provides a tire and wheel assembly method and dismantling method in which the lubricating agent for mounting or releasing tire beads is utilized.

A tire changer machine, and method of operation, configured with a tire-engaging wheel clamp assembly to secure a wheel assembly consisting of a wheel rim and tire mounted thereon to a drive assembly, and for demounting of the tire from the wheel rim. Upon dismounting of the tire from the wheel rim, a recessed surface and annular flange of the tire-engaging wheel clamp assembly is configured to catch and retain a rim or bead of the demounted tire, restricting movement of the tire upon dismounting from the wheel rim, until retrieved by an operator.

A tire changer machine, and method of operation, configured with a tire-engaging wheel clamp assembly to secure a wheel assembly consisting of a wheel rim and tire mounted thereon to a drive assembly, and for demounting of the tire from the wheel rim. Upon dismounting of the tire from the wheel rim, a recessed surface and annular flange of the tire-engaging wheel clamp assembly is configured to catch and retain a rim or bead of the demounted tire, restricting movement of the tire upon dismounting from the wheel rim, until retrieved by an operator.

A portable tire changing stand that includes a frame, a rear support leg and a horizontal front leg that attaches to the lower end of the frame and is removable. A removable center shaft perpendicular to the frame is attached to the central part of the frame. For accurate centering of the rim, a stepped bushing is arranged on the center shaft. Plastic support surfaces are attached to the frame above and below the center shaft. A tire lever is attached to the socket and a tire bead is pushed off the rim with the plate attached to the lever. The position of the plate can be adjusted by changing the distance between the bracket and the center shaft. A socket is attached to the ratchet mechanism and the lever attached to it gives the mounting head movement around the center shaft.

A fixture for eccentric clamping of a wheel is composed of a base (1), a cylinder (2), a cylinder support (3), a connecting seat (4), a movable positioning seat (5), a guide rail sliding seat (6), a linear guide rail (7) and a fixed positioning seat (8), wherein the cylinder support (3), the linear guide rail (7) and the fixed positioning seat (8) are fixed on the base (1), the cylinder (2) is mounted on the cylinder support (3), an output shaft of the cylinder (2) is connected with the connecting seat (4), the connecting seat (4) is connected with the linear guide rail (7) via the guide rail sliding seat (6), the movable positioning seat (5) is fixed on the connecting seat (4), and the cylinder (2) is configured to drive the connecting seat (4) and the movable positioning seat (5) to move along the linear guide rail (7).

A fixture for eccentric clamping of a wheel is composed of a base (1), a cylinder (2), a cylinder support (3), a connecting seat (4), a movable positioning seat (5), a guide rail sliding seat (6), a linear guide rail (7) and a fixed positioning seat (8), wherein the cylinder support (3), the linear guide rail (7) and the fixed positioning seat (8) are fixed on the base (1), the cylinder (2) is mounted on the cylinder support (3), an output shaft of the cylinder (2) is connected with the connecting seat (4), the connecting seat (4) is connected with the linear guide rail (7) via the guide rail sliding seat (6), the movable positioning seat (5) is fixed on the connecting seat (4), and the cylinder (2) is configured to drive the connecting seat (4) and the movable positioning seat (5) to move along the linear guide rail (7).

A procedure for evaluating tire tread depth measurement data points acquired from a tread region on the surface of a tire in order to generate a representation of the tire tread region having an appearance of having been worn over time, so as to convey to a recipient a visual indication of potential tire tread wear at a point in time subsequent to the acquisition of the tire tread depth measurements.