Apparatus, methods, components, and systems for assembling and/or inflating a tire-wheel assembly

A component of an apparatus for processing an un-inflated tire-wheel assembly including a wheel and a tire for forming an inflated tire-wheel assembly, the apparatus including at least a first robotic arm and a second robotic arm forming a pair of robotic arms, an assembling end effecter attached to the first robotic arm, and an inflating end effecter attached to the second robotic arm, wherein the assembling end effecter is indirectly interfaceable with the inflating end effecter by way of the un-inflated tire-wheel assembly, the component comprising:

• a retaining member selectively attached to at least one of the assembling end effecter and the inflating end effecter, wherein the retaining member includes a distal end surface, wherein the retaining member is movable from a radially-retracted, collapsed orientation to a radially-expanded, enlarged orientation to provide
• means for selectively engaging the distal end surface of the retaining member with an inner surface of the wheel.

A component utilized for processing an un-inflated tire-wheel assembly including a wheel and a tire for forming an inflated tire-wheel assembly, comprising:

• a retaining member forming a baton that is affixed to the wheel, wherein the baton extends through a passage formed by the wheel, wherein the baton includes a first distal end and a second distal end, wherein the first distal end extends axially away from a hub of the wheel, wherein the first distal end is located proximate a first side of the wheel, wherein the second distal end extends axially away from the hub of the wheel, wherein the second distal end is located proximate a second side of the wheel.