System and Method for Mounting a Tire and a Wheel
AssigneeAndroid Industries LLC
InventorsLawrence J. Lawson, Robert Reece, Joshua J. Hicks
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for mounting a tire and a wheel is disclosed. The system includes a robotic arm pivotably-connected to an end effector. The system also includes a tire-supporting portion including a support surface and a pair of wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portions disposed upon the support surface. The pair of wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portions includes a first wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portion fixedly-disposed relative the support surface and a second wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portion movably-disposed relative the support surface.
Claims14
A system for mounting a tire and a wheel, comprising:
- a robotic arm pivotably-connected to an end effector;
- and
- a tire-supporting portion including
- a support surface,
- a pair of wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portions disposed upon the support surface, wherein the pair of wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portions includes
- a first wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portion fixedly-disposed relative the support surface, and
- a second wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portion movably-disposed relative the support surface.
A method for mounting a tire and a wheel, comprising the steps of:
- releasably-fixing the wheel to a robotic arm;
- disposing the tire upon a tire-supporting portion including a support surface;
- utilizing the robotic arm to locate the wheel at least proximate the tire;
- utilizing a pair of wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portions disposed upon the support surface for
- engaging a portion of the circumference of the wheel, and
- engaging and manipulating an axial end surface/sidewall of the tire;
- and
- further utilizing the robotic arm for
- moving the wheel and tire relative the pair of wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portions wherein the wheel drags the tire against the wheel-engaging member thereby
- mounting the tire to the wheel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.