# US 10,766,318 B2 · Tire lever

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,766,318 B2
- Document ID: US10766318B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/028,782
- Filed: 2018-07-06
- Published: 2020-01-09
- Granted: 2020-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2018-07-06
- Assignees: Snap-on Incorporated
- Applicants: Snap-on Incorporated
- Inventors: Scott A Bendorf
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10766318B2

## CPC

- B60C 25/02: Tyre levers or the like, e.g. hand-held
- B60C: VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES

## Abstract

A tool, such as a tire lever, with a bead holder having a rounded head and a receiving area. In an embodiment, the tool has a first end that includes a tapered tip and a second end that is coupled to the bead holder. The receiving area of the bead holder fits over a flange of a rim such that the rounded head pushes a bead of a tire toward a drop center of the rim while using the flange as a fulcrum.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A tool for installing or removing a tire having a bead on a rim having a flange and a drop center, the tool comprising:
a lever having first and second ends; and
a bead holder coupled to the second end, wherein the bead holder includes a receiving area and a head having a rounded surface, wherein the head includes a beak portion and a lip portion forming the receiving area, and the receiving area is adapted to engage the flange of the rim and the rounded surface of the head is adapted to engage the bead of the tire proximal to the flange to push the bead towards the drop center of the rim using the flange as a fulcrum.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The tool of claim 1, wherein the lever is curved.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The tool of claim 1, wherein the head includes flat sides.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The tool of claim 1, wherein the rounded surface of the head is arc-shaped.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The tool of claim 1, wherein the bead holder includes a neck.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The tool of claim 5, wherein the neck is proximal to the head.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The tool of claim 5, wherein the neck includes a fastener hole.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The tool of claim 1, wherein the bead holder is coupled to the lever via a fastener.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The tool of claim 8, wherein the fastener is a cap screw.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The tool of claim 1, wherein the receiving area includes a circular opening.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The tool of claim 1, wherein the lip portion is curved upwardly toward the beak portion.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The tool of claim 1, wherein the beak portion is offset from the lip portion by about 13.3% of a length of the bead holder.

### Claim 13

A method of mounting a tire having a bead to a rim having a flange and a drop center, the method comprising:
disposing the flange of the rim in a receiving area of a bead holder, the bead holder having a head with a rounded surface, wherein the head includes a beak portion and a lip portion forming the receiving area;
pivoting, using the flange as a fulcrum, the rounded surface against the bead of the tire proximate to the flange; and
pushing, with the rounded surface of the head of the bead holder, the bead of the tire towards the drop center of the rim.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, further comprising rotating the rim and tire while pushing against the bead of the tire with the surface of the head until the tire is seated on the rim.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the receiving area of the bead holder engages the flange.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the bead holder is pivoted away from an axis of the rim.

### Claim 17

A system comprising:
a rim including a flange and a drop center;
a tire including a bead, wherein the bead is disposed proximal to the flange;
a lever having first and second ends, the first end includes a tapered tip; and
a bead holder coupled to the second end, the bead holder includes a receiving area and a head with a rounded surface, wherein the head includes a beak portion and a lip portion forming the receiving area, and the receiving area is adapted to engage the flange and the rounded surface of the head is adapted to engage the bead to push the bead towards the drop center using the flange as a fulcrum.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The system of claim 17, wherein the lever is curved.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The system of claim 17, wherein the head includes flat sides.

### Claim 20 (depends on 17)

The system of claim 17, wherein the rounded surface of the head is arc-shaped.

### Claim 21 (depends on 17)

The system of claim 17, wherein the bead holder incudes a neck coupled to the second end of the lever.