Laminated clamp for rim holding tire changers

A clamp for gripping the rim of a wheel on a rim holding tire changer, comprising:

• at least four gripping plates constructed for engagement with a wheel and alternately interposed between a plurality of relative by rigid support plates in a layered fashion;
• wherein each of the gripping plates includes an elastomeric edge having a notch configured to grip an outside surface of the wheel rim and a surface configured to grip an inside surface of the wheel rim, and wherein the edge extends peripherally beyond adjacent support plates to prevent the rim from contacting the support plates when the rim is seated in the clamp;
• and
• wherein the plurality of support plates includes first and second mounting plates each having a base configured for attachment to the tire changer, first and second end plates, and an intermediate plate.

A method of gripping the rim of a wheel on a tire changer, comprising:

• a) providing at least one gripping unit, each gripping unit including:
• at least one gripping plate disposed between a plurality of relatively rigid support plates, said at least one gripping plate having at least one elastomeric edge configured to grip the rim of a wheel;
• and
• b) causing the at least one gripping plate to engage the rim of the wheel so that the gripping edge is held firmly against the rim and the support plates are prevented from contacting the rim.