# US 9,038,692 B2 · Wheel-clamping device for a wheel-service-machine and method for reversibly clamping a wheel on a wheel-clamping device for a wheel-service-machine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,038,692 B2 - Document ID: US9038692B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/852,954 - Filed: 2013-03-28 - Published: 2013-09-12 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2012-03-12 - Assignees: Snap-On Equipment Srl A Unico Socio - Applicants: Snap-On Equipment Srl A Unico Socio - Inventors: Paolo Sotgiu - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9038692B2 ## CPC - B60C 25/00: Apparatus or tools adapted for mounting, removing or inspecting tyres (testing of tyres G01M17/02) - B23Q 1/70: Stationary or movable members for carrying working-spindles for attachment of tools or work {(B23Q1/01 takes precedence; designed to be moved by using particular mechanisms B23Q1/44)} - B60C 25/0542: {with self-centering means, e.g. cones} - Y10T 29/49998: Work holding - B60C: VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES - B23Q: DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING (tools of the kind used in lathes or boring machines B23B27/00); MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract The present invention concerns a wheel-clamping device for wheels on wheel-service-machines with only one drive unit and further a method for clamping wheels on a wheel-clamping device of wheel-service-machines with only one drive unit. The innovative wheel-clamping device for a wheel-service-machine according to the present invention comprises a frame 20 having a through-opening 22, and a spindle 30 being rotatably supported in the through-opening 22. Further, the spindle 30 has a through-hole 32 with a mounting-side end 30b and a driving-side end 30a, which is connectable to a drive means which is provided for a rotary movement for the spindle 30, wherein the spindle 30 has an external thread 34 on an external circumferential portion. Moreover, the wheel-clamping device comprises a sleeve 50 with a turntable 58 for the wheel to be clamped, wherein the sleeve 50 has an internal thread portion 52 which is in threaded engagement with the external thread-portion 34 of the spindle 30. Furthermore, a stopping or holding means 70 is able to temporarily hold the sleeve 50, and a clamping means 60 for the temporarily fixation of a fixing element 40 which is inserted through the mounting-side end 30b, to the spindle 30 is also provided in the innovative wheel-clamping device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A wheel-clamping device for a wheel-service-machine, comprising: a frame (20) with a through-opening (22), a spindle (30) being rotatably supported in the through-opening (22) of the frame (20), wherein the spindle (30) has a mounting-side end (30b) being provided with an opening, and a driving-side end (30a), wherein the spindle (30) is connectable at its driving side end (30a) to a drive means provided for a rotary movement of the spindle (30), and wherein the spindle (30) has an external thread (34) on an external circumferential portion, a sleeve (50) having a turntable (58) for the wheel to be temporarily clamped, wherein the sleeve (50) has an internal thread-portion (52), which is in threaded engagement with the external thread-portion (34) of the spindle (30), stopping/holding means (70, 180) for at least temporarily rotationally holding of the sleeve (50) such that, when the sleeve (50) is temporarily rotationally hold by the stopping/holding means (70, 180), it moves in a direction along a center axis of the threaded engagement, and clamping means (60, 160) for temporarily fixing a fixing element (40) to the spindle (30), wherein the fixing element (40) is inserted into the mounting-side opening of the spindle (30). ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The wheel-clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stopping/holding means (180) comprises a nut-profile (182) having an unlocking-ramp (182c) and a locking-ramp (182d). ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The wheel-clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one cursor (184) is adapted to engage a nut-profile (182) of the stopping/holding means (180), and wherein the cursor (184) is rotationally fixed. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The wheel-clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stopping/holding means (70) comprise at least one clutch pack (72). ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The wheel-clamping device as claimed in one of claim 1, wherein the stopping/holding means (70, 180) applies a first amount of frictional forces onto the sleeve (50) while rotating in a first rotating direction, wherein the stopping/holding means (70, 180) applies a second amount of frictional forces onto the sleeve (50) while rotating in a second rotating direction, and wherein the second amount of frictional forces is greater than the first amount of frictional forces. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The wheel-clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sleeve (50) is connectable to the frame (20) via the stopping/holding means (70, 180), and wherein the stopping/holding means (70, 180) is adapted to be actuated by an actuator means. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The wheel-clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clamping means (60, 160) is adapted to be actuated by a movement of the sleeve (50). ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The wheel-clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clamping means (60, 160) comprises at least one clamping claw (64, 164) and at least one clamping claw actuator (62, 162). ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The wheel-clamping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spindle (30) provides at least one spindle recess (30d) extending in at least an axial direction of the spindle (30) to house the clamping means (60, 160). ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A method for reversibly clamping a wheel on a wheel-clamping device for a wheel-service-machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a rotation of the spindle (30) in a first rotating direction moves the sleeve (50), which is temporarily rotationally held by the stopping/holding means (70, 180), in a direction along the center axis of the threaded engagement towards the wheel, thereby the clamping means (60, 160) is actuated to reversibly fix the rim (R) by the fixing element (40), and wherein a rotation of the spindle (30) in a second rotating direction moves the sleeve (50), which is temporarily rotationally held by the stopping/holding means (70, 180), in a direction along the center axis of the threaded engagement away from the wheel, thereby the clamping means (60, 160) is actuated to let loose of the rim (R) by the fixing element (40). ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the stopping/holding means (70, 180) applies a first amount of frictional forces onto the sleeve (50) while rotating in a first rotating direction, wherein the stopping/holding means (70, 180) applies a second amount of frictional forces onto the sleeve (50) while rotating in a second rotating direction, and wherein the second amount of frictional forces is greater than the first amount of frictional forces. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the clamping means (60, 160) is adapted to be actuated by the movement of the sleeve (50). ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the clamping means (60, 160) comprise at least one clamping claw (64, 164) and at least one clamping claw actuator (62, 162), and wherein the sleeve (50) acts on the at least one clamping claw actuator (62, 162). ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the at least one clamping claw actuator (62, 162), being actuated by the movement of the sleeve (50), actuates the at least one clamping claw (64, 164) to clamp the fixing element (40). ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the at least one clamping claw (64, 164) is adapted to be spring loaded by a spring (66, 166), and wherein the at least one clamping claw (64, 164) tends to engage a threaded rod (42) being part of the fixing element (40), as a result of the spring load.