Wheel servicing apparatus and methods

A wheel servicing machine for securing a wheel to a wheel servicing machine via a plurality of lug holes in the wheel, the apparatus comprising:

• a rotatable shaft having a distal end extending from the machine and a proximal end operatively coupled to the machine, the shaft defining a center bore extending substantially along the axis of rotation of the shaft;
• a retractable rod having a first end slidably disposed in the center bore of the shaft and a second end protruding from the shaft;
• a locking member rotatably mounted on the second end of the rod, the locking member having a mounting stud extending radially outward therefrom;
• a wheel clamp positioned on the rod, the wheel clamp comprising a hub having a central axis and a clamp aperture extending along the central axis, the clamp aperture shaped for receiving the rod, the wheel clamp further comprising a notch for selectively engaging the mounting stud, the wheel clamp having an inner side substantially facing the wheel and an outer side substantially facing away from the wheel, wherein the notch is positioned on the mounting side of the wheel clamp;
• the wheel clamp including a plurality of arms extending radially outward from the hub, each arm including a pin protruding outward from the inner side shaped for engaging one of the plurality of lug holes;
• and
• a centering cone positioned on the rod.

A shaft apparatus for securing a wheel to a wheel servicing machine, the apparatus comprising:

• a rotatable shaft having a distal end extending from the machine and a proximal end operatively coupled to the machine, the shaft defining a center bore extending substantially along the axis of rotation of the shaft;
• a retractable rod having a first end disposed in the center bore of the shaft and a second end protruding from the shaft;
• and
• a mounting stud radially protruding from the second end of the retractable rod.

A shaft apparatus for mounting a wheel to a tire changing machine, the apparatus comprising:

• a shaft having a center bore defined therein;
• a rod slidably disposed in the center bore;
• and
• a collar rotatably disposed on the rod, the collar being freely rotatable when rotated in a first angular direction and angularly lockable when rotated in a second angular direction,
• the rod being longitudinally moveable relative to the shaft.

A method of securing a wheel to a wheel servicing machine, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a wheel servicing machine having a rotatable shaft defining a center bore and a retractable rod slidably disposed in the center bore, the rod including a rotatable locking member disposed on the rod, the locking member including a mounting stud protruding radially therefrom;
• (b) positioning a wheel on the rod;
• (c) positioning a securement means on the rod;
• (d) retracting the rod toward the machine to engage the securement means with the locking member.