Tire testing machine with removable hanger hoist and method for loading a tire

A tire testing machine for testing a tire;

• the machine comprising:
• a spindle adapted to rotatably support the tire to be tested;
• a frame defining an opening that allows the tire to be loaded onto the spindle and unloaded from the spindle;
• the frame having an upper frame member that spans at least a portion of the opening;
• and
• a hoist hanger removably connected to the upper frame member;
• the hoist hanger adapted to removably support a tire hoist that allows the tire to be supported while it is unloaded from the spindle and the machine.

A tire testing machine for testing a tire;

• the machine comprising:
• a spindle adapted to rotatable support the tire to be tested;
• a frame defining an opening that allows the tire to be loaded onto the spindle and unloaded from the spindle;
• the frame having an upper frame member that scans at least a portion of the opening;
• and
• a hoist hanger removably connected to the upper frame member;
• the hoist hanger adapted to removably support a tire hoist that allows the tire to be supported while it is unloaded from the spindle and the machine;
• wherein the hanger includes:
• a support bracket slidably disposed over the upper frame member;
• the support bracket having an outer leg, an upper bridge;
• and an inner leg;
• the upper bridge disposed on top of the upper frame member;
• the upper bridge having an inner end and an outer end;
• the outer leg being connected to the upper bridge at a location adjacent the outer end of the upper bridge;
• the inner leg being connected to the upper bridge at a location adjacent the inner end of the upper bridge;
• a frame clamp supported by the outer leg;
• the clamp having a clamping member adapted to selectively engage the frame member to securely connect the hanger to the tire testing machine;
• the inner leg having a lower end;
• a support arm having an inner end and an outer end;
• the inner end of the support arm being connected to the inner leg at a location adjacent the lower end of the inner leg;
• and
• a hoist support connected to the support arm.

A removable hoist hanger for use with a frame member on a tire testing machine;

• the hanger comprising:
• a support bracket adapted to removably engage the frame member;
• the support bracket having an outer leg, an upper bridge;
• and an inner leg;
• the upper bridge having an inner end and an outer end;
• the outer leg being connected to the upper bridge at a location adjacent the outer end of the upper bridge;
• the inner leg being connected to the upper bridge at a location adjacent the inner end of the upper bridge;
• a support arm having an inner end and an outer end;
• the inner end of the support arm being connected to the inner leg;
• a frame clamp supported by the outer leg;
• the clamp having a clamping member adapted to selectively engage the frame member to securely connect the hanger to the tire testing machine;
• and
• the frame clamp being disposed at a first distance from the upper bridge and the support arm being disposed a second distance from the upper bridge;
• the first distance being longer than the second distance.

A method of loading an unloading a tire from a testing machine wherein the tire testing machine has a spindle adapted to rotatably support the tire to be tested;

• a frame defining an opening that allows the tire to be loaded onto the spindle and unloaded from the spindle;
• the frame having an upper frame member that spans at least a portion of the opening;
• the method comprising the steps of:
• removably connecting a hoist hanger to the upper frame member;
• the hoist hanger having a hoist support;
• connecting a hoist to the hoist support;
• lifting a tire with the help of the hoist;
• mounting the tire onto the spindle;
• removing the tire from the hoist after the tire is supported by the spindle;
• removing the hoist hanger from the frame;
• testing the tire;
• re-connecting the hoist hanger and hoist to the upper frame member;
• connecting the tire to the hoist;
• lifting the tire from the spindle with the help of the hoist;
• and
• removing the tire from the machine.