# US 9,434,221 B2 · Tire machine clamping system

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- Number: US 9,434,221 B2
- Document ID: US9434221B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/268,031
- Filed: 2014-05-02
- Published: 2015-11-05
- Granted: 2016-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 2014-05-02
- Applicants: Sandy Ochoa
- Inventors: Sandy Ochoa
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9434221B2

## CPC

- B60C 25/0539: {radially fixing the rim, e.g. with gripping claws}
- B23B 31/1627: {Details of the jaws}
- B60C 25/0527: {Adapting to different wheel diameters, i.e. distance between support and tool}
- B60C: VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES
- B23B: TURNING; BORING (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q)

## Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for adapting a tire machine to accept small wheel assemblies. A first embodiment includes a cross shaped guide with clamp adapters that glide in unison to engage and disengage the small wheel assembly via a rim hooking structure that extends the reach of the OEM tire clamps. Each clamp adapter is set over the OEM tire clamps and is engaged or closed via an engagement clip and opened or disengaged via a disengagement clip disposed on each clamp adapter. Another embodiment includes individual clamp adapters that are slid over the OEM tire clamps to extend the reach of the OEM tire clamps. A stop hook is disposed on the clamp adapters to engage a clamp hook on the OEM tire clamp when the tire machine is activated which engages a raised adapter hook on each clamp adapter to the small wheel assembly rim edge.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A tire machine adapter for connection to an existing tire machine having a plurality of tire clamps to extend a range of reach for small wheel assemblies, the tire machine adapter comprising:
a guide having a plurality of linear arms;
a plurality of clamp adapters configured to connect to each respective tire clamp, wherein each clamp adapter is configured to slide along a respective linear arm of the guide;
a tongue and a retracting adjustable clip disposed on each clamp adapter for respectively engaging substantially opposite facing surfaces on each tire clamp; and
a rim edge hooking structure disposed on each clamp adapter.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The tire machine adapter of claim 1 wherein the guide comprises a cross shaped guide with four arms.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The tire machine adapter of claim 1 wherein each clamp adapter comprises a sleeve disposed on each clamp adapter having a cross-section dimensioned larger than the cross-section of each respective arm.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The tire machine adapter of claim 1 wherein the retracting adjustable clip comprises a pivoting deactivating bar for engaging a hack end of a catch on each respective tire clamp.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The tire machine adapter of claim 1, wherein the rim edge hooking structure comprises a V shaped member configured to engage the rim edge.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The tire machine adapter of claim 1, wherein the rim hooking structure comprises two V shaped members spaced apart in a predetermined dimension.

### Claim 7

A method for clamping a small wheel assembly on an existing tire machine having a plurality of tire clamps, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a tire machine adapter comprising a guide having a plurality of linear arms, a plurality of clamp adapters configured to connect to each respective tire clamp and to extend a range of reach for small wheel assemblies, wherein each clamp adapter is configured to slide along a respective arm of the guide, tongue and a retracting adjustable dip disposed on each clamp adapter for respectively engaging substantially opposite facing surfaces on each tire clamp and a rim edge hooking structure disposed on each clamp adapter;
placing the tire machine adapter over the tire clamps whereby each clamp adapter is aligned with each respective tire clamp;
activating the tire machine;
pushing the tongue on each clamp adapter to engage a catch in the each OEM tire machine clamp; engaging a rim edge on the small wheel assembly by the hooking structure; and centering and holding the wheel assembly.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7 further comprising disengaging the wheel assembly via the tire clamp by pushing the retracting adjustable clip with a surface of the tire clamp.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of pivoting the retracting adjustable clip.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7 wherein the step of centering and holding comprises sliding each clamp adapter along respective linear arms disposed on the guide.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7 wherein the step of engaging a rim edge with a hooking structure comprises engaging two V shaped members disposed on each clamp adapter.