Wheel cleaning system
AssigneeMatthews Tire, Inc.
InventorTrevor REZNER
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Wheel cleaning systems and methods are described for removing corrosion from a wheel rim. An enclosure comprises a plurality of walls that define a work area, and houses a turntable that can hold a wheel rim. The turntable is driven by a motor to rotate the wheel about an axis. The enclosure may have a transparent shield or window to allow a user to view the wheel during the cleaning process and be protected from sparks and other debris. The enclosure may be fully enclosed with gloved openings, or contain one or more open sections to allow the user to maneuver a tool (e.g., a grinder) in multiple positions within the enclosure, and clean the wheel rim. The system further comprises an exhaust unit that draws out small particles and airborne debris from within the enclosure, and produced during a cleaning process.
Claims20
A wheel cleaning system comprising:
- a protective enclosure defining a covered work area for cleaning a wheel, the enclosure comprising a plurality of walls, a transparent shield, and at least one open portion to access a turntable for holding a wheel within the work area, the transparent shield extending downwards from an upper portion of the enclosure, and the at least one open portion extending downwards from a bottom edge of the shield;
- a stand supporting the turntable;
- a motor connected to the turntable, the motor operated by a controller;
- and
- an exhaust unit to remove airborne debris produced within the enclosure.
A method comprising:
- defining, with a protective enclosure, a work area for cleaning a wheel with a protective enclosure, the enclosure comprising a plurality of walls, a transparent shield, and at least one open portion to access a turntable for holding a wheel within the work area, the transparent shield extending downwards from a bottom edge of the shield;
- supporting the turntable with a stand;
- connecting a motor to the turntable, the motor operated by a controller;
- and
- removing airborne debris produced within the enclosure with an exhaust unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.