A tire assembly and disassembly auxiliary device includes a base frame for loading a tire and a handle. The base frame includes a main bar member and two branch bar members. The main bar member is pivotally connected with a joint member. Each of the branch bar members has a front shaft seat at an end, a rear shaft seat having a rear wheel at an opposite end and a rotatable roller between the front shaft seat and the rear shaft seat. The rear shaft seat has a connecting member capable of movably connecting to the main bar member and being fixed to the main bar member through a positioning member. The handle connects with the joint member so as to pivot relative to the main bar member. A restricting member selectively connects with the handle and the main bar member in order to fix the handle.

A wheel lift comprises a frame having ground engaging elements, a four bar linkage structure supported by the frame, lifting arms extending from the four bar linkage and for receiving and supporting a wheel and a handle for operating the four bar linkage to raise and lower the wheel. The frame defines an open space for receiving a wheel, for example a vehicle wheel. The lifting arms may be raised and lowered and locked in position to aid in removing and/or mounting vehicle wheels.

A wheel lift comprises a frame having ground engaging elements, a four bar linkage structure supported by the frame, lifting arms extending from the four bar linkage and for receiving and supporting a wheel and a handle for operating the four bar linkage to raise and lower the wheel. The frame defines an open space for receiving a wheel, for example a vehicle wheel. The lifting arms may be raised and lowered and locked in position to aid in removing and/or mounting vehicle wheels.

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.

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.

A tire lifter is provided having a horizontal frame in a vertical support, the horizontal frame providing for wheel movement of the tire lifter. A drive lift mechanism is positioned within the vertical upright of the frame and includes a screw drive that is used to raise and lower a pair of support arms which cradle a tire or a tire and wheel combination. Further, the support arms which cradle the tire can also be adjusted in a forward and rearward direction to allow for easier placement of a tire relative to an automobile.

Systems and methods for controlling wheel motion during a collision are provided. A retaining member may be connectable between a vehicle frame and a wheel assembly to control motion of the wheel assembly during a collision of a vehicle with an object. The retaining member may include one or more of a first attachment point connecting the retaining member to the vehicle frame, a second attachment point connecting the retaining member to the wheel assembly, a retaining member routing, and/or one or more break-away connections attaching the retaining member to the vehicle frame and/or to the wheel assembly. The first and second attachment points, retaining member routing, and/or break-away connections may be selected to control motion of the wheel assembly within a preferred path to control loading between the object and the vehicle.

There is provided a device for handling tires having an anchor for attaching to a prime mover and a clamping device rotatably mounted to the anchor that rotates relative to the anchor about a rotation axis. The clamping device has a plurality of engagement members connected by a mechanical linkage and a carrying body with a plurality of guides. The weight distribution of the clamping device is balanced about the rotation axis. Each guide carries one of the engagement members and is oriented to allow the engagement members to move perpendicular to the rotation axis between clamping and release positions. The mechanical linkage includes a rotating actuator and controls movement of the engagement members along the guides. The movement of each engagement member is rotationally symmetric about the rotation axis relative to the movement of the other engagement members. The device has an actuator that actuates the mechanical linkage.

There is provided a device for handling tires having an anchor for attaching to a prime mover and a clamping device rotatably mounted to the anchor that rotates relative to the anchor about a rotation axis. The clamping device has a plurality of engagement members connected by a mechanical linkage and a carrying body with a plurality of guides. The weight distribution of the clamping device is balanced about the rotation axis. Each guide carries one of the engagement members and is oriented to allow the engagement members to move perpendicular to the rotation axis between clamping and release positions. The mechanical linkage includes a rotating actuator and controls movement of the engagement members along the guides. The movement of each engagement member is rotationally symmetric about the rotation axis relative to the movement of the other engagement members. The device has an actuator that actuates the mechanical linkage.

A vertical manipulator for large size tyres which includes a platform and mechanisms for holding, raising, and rotating tyres, for the safe working of maintenance workers. The vertical manipulator works on all types of terrain and its movements include those of conventional manipulators, in addition to others specific to the invention, rendering its features superior. The vertical manipulator includes a main transverse body from which are suspended two sets of parallel arms that open and close according to the size of the tyre. To each set of parallel arms is added a support arm, which holds a pivoting arm, equipped with a gripping plate, securing side rollers and a lower roller, the pivoting arm operating supported by a lifting jack, and a work platform being disposed on the parallel arms and supported by the main body.