Tire bead breaker

Abstract

An apparatus and method for breaking a tire bead from a rim. Interchangeable grappling hook offers three distinct points of contact to more effectively work on a range of tires and rims. A first contact point with a broadened hook is less aggressive for lighter contact on rims thereby reducing marring or scratching. A second contact point comprising a notch grapples rims with large ledges or flanges that do not allow surface clamping. A third point of contact is an aggressive gouge for commercial or agricultural rims. Grappling hook has a landing surface for a linear drive that actuates the hook. The bead breaker includes a right angle leverage point to increase the stability during operation and greater setting force to the grappling hook during a clamping procedure.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.