WO2001025035A1

WO2001025035A1 - A clamping apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2001025035A1
Application number: PCT/AU2000/001205
Authority: WO
Inventors: Scott Brown; Darryl Shaw
Original assignee: KLINGE HOLDINGS Pty Ltd
Current assignee: KLINGE HOLDINGS Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1999-10-01
Filing date: 2000-10-02
Publication date: 2001-04-12
Anticipated expiration: 2002-04-01
Also published as: AUPQ325099A0

Abstract

A clamping apparatus for use with a wheel assembly having a removable seat band (14) and a removable flange (16) for facilitating removal and replacement of a tyre. The clamping apparatus includes a bead seat bearing member (18) and a flange bearing member (34). The flange bearing member (34) is configured to bear against the flange (16). In an operative position the bead seat bearing member (18) and the flange bearing member (34) bear against the bead seat band (14) and the flange (16) respectively. Alternatively, in an inoperative position the bearing members can be removed from the bead seat band (14) and the flange (16). The members are configured so that when the bearing members bear against the bead seat band (14) and the flange (16) the bead seat band (14) and the flange (16) may be manipulated as an assembled unit. The apparatus further includes a displacement mechanism which permits a user to displace the bearing members between the operative and inoperative positions.

Description

A CLAMPING APPARATUS

This invention relates to a clamping apparatus. More particularly, this invention relates to a clamping apparatus for use with a wheel assembly.

Wheels for light vehicles usually include a unitary wheel rim and a tyre. When carrying out repairs, the tyre is forced on and off the wheel rim by suitable machinery or manually with suitable tools.

With larger vehicles, particularly those used in construction and earth moving applications, it is simply not possible to force a tyre on and off such a unitary wheel rim. In order to facilitate removal and replacement of tyres for such vehicles, the vehicles are provided with wheel rim assemblies. Such wheel rim assemblies have a wheel rim, a removable bead seat band and a removable flange. The bead seat band and the flange are removable from the wheel rim to allow a tyre to simply be slid on and off the wheel rim.

Thus, a standard procedure has been to remove the wheel from the vehicle and place it on a suitable substrate. The tyre is then deflated (if it is not already deflated) the bead is broken and the flange and bead seat band are removed separately.

When the wheel is positioned on the substrate, it is a relatively straightforward procedure to replace the bead seat band and the flange since they can be supported in position by the replaced tyre.

It is often necessary, however, to replace tyres in the field while the wheel remains in position. It has been found that it is extremely difficult and hazardous to retain the bead seat band and the flange in their correct positions relative to each other so that the necessary O-ring and lock ring can be fitted. One of the main reasons for this is that the upright position of the wheel makes it difficult to fit the O-ring and lock ring into position with the bead seat band and the flange in their correct positions relative to each other. It has been found that, attempting to hold these components by hand can be extremely dangerous. Furthermore, the shape of these components makes it difficult to grip the components or to clamp the components together with conventional workshop tools.

It is therefore to be appreciated that it is desirable that a clamping apparatus be provided whereby the flange and the bead seat band can be held in the correct orientation relative to each other while the O-ring and lock ring are fitted.

Thus, according to the invention, there is provided a clamping apparatus for use with a wheel assembly having a removable bead seat band and a removable flange for facilitating removal and replacement of a tyre of a wheel assembly, the clamping apparatus including a bead seat bearing member which is configured to bear against the bead seat band; a flange bearing member which is configured to bear against the flange, the bearing members being connected together and being displaceable relative to each other between an operative position in which the bead seat bearing member and the flange bearing member can bear against the bead seat band and the flange, respectively, and an inoperative position in which the bearing members can be removed from the bead seat band and the flange, and being configured so that, when the bearing members bear against the bead seat band and the flange, the bead seat band and the flange are clamped together to allow manipulation of the bead seat band and the flange as an assembled unit; and a displacement mechanism which is operatively positioned with respect to the bearing members to permit a user to displace the bearing members between the operative and inoperative positions. The bearing members may be pivotally connected together so that the bearing members can pivot between the operative and inoperative positions.

The bead bearing member may have a bearing formation which is positioned to bear on an outer surface of a bead defined by the bead seat band. The flange bearing member may also define a bearing formation which is positioned to bear against an operatively inner surface of the flange, so that, when the bearing members are displaced into their operative positions, the bearing formations are displaced at least generally towards each other, thereby urging the flange against an inner surface of the bead seat band.

The clamping apparatus may include a positioning member which is mounted on one of the bearing members to engage the flange. The positioning member may be configured so that the positioning member can engage the flange to inhibit pivotal, operatively outward movement of the flange when the bearing members are in their operative positions.

The positioning member may be adjustably mounted with respect to the bead bearing member in a position in which the positioning member can engage an operatively outer side of the flange.

The bearing formation of the flange bearing member is defined by a portion of the flange bearing member which has a profile corresponding to that of the inner surface of the flange.

The bead bearing member may include a body with the bearing formation of the bead bearing member extending operatively inwardly from the body. The bead bearing member may further include a carrier which extends from the body in an operatively radially outward direction. One end of the flange bearing member may be pivotally connected to the carrier at a position intermediate ends of the carrier. The displacement mechanism may include a clamping screw member which is threadedly received through the carrier intermediate said position at which the flange bearing member is pivotally connected to the carrier and a free end of the carrier. The clamping screw member may be operatively positioned with respect to the flange bearing member so that a distal end of the clamping screw member can act on the flange bearing member when displaced away from the carrier on rotation of the clamping screw member to displace the flange bearing member generally towards the bead seat bearing member.

The clamping apparatus may include a bearing plate that is connected to the flange bearing member and is positioned so that the distal end of the clamping screw member can bear against the bearing plate upon rotation of the clamping screw member.

The positioning member may include a thrust screw member which is threadedly received through the carrier at a position intermediate said position at which the flange bearing member is pivotally mounted on the carrier and the body. A thrust bearing member may be arranged on a distal end of the thrust screw member and may be positioned to bear against the outer side of the flange.

The clamping apparatus may include a handle to facilitate manipulation of the clamping apparatus. The handle may be attached to the flange bearing member.

A clamping apparatus in accordance with this invention may manifest itself in a variety of forms. It will be convenient hereinafter to describe in detail two preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. The purpose of this specific description is to instruct persons having an interest in the subject matter of the invention how to carry the invention into practical effect. It is to be clearly understood, however, that the specific nature of this description does not supersede the generality of the preceding broad description. In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of a clamping apparatus, in accordance with the invention, for use with a wheel assembly; Figure 2 shows a front view of the apparatus of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a front view of a carrier and a bead seat bearing member of a second embodiment of a clamping apparatus, also in accordance with the invention;

Figure 4 shows a side view of a second embodiment of a clamping apparatus, in accordance with the invention; and

Figure 5 shows a front view of a handle of the apparatus of Figure 4.

In Figures 1 and 2, reference numeral 10 generally indicates a clamping apparatus, in accordance with the invention, for use with a wheel assembly, part of which is indicated at 12. The part 12 of the wheel assembly includes a bead seat band 14 and a flange 16.

The wheel assembly is a wheel assembly for a heavy duty vehicle, such as a vehicle used in large earthmoving and construction operations.

It follows that, in use, the bead seat band 14 and the flange 16 are held in position by an O-ring and a lock ring prior to inflation of a tyre.

As is well known, prior to removal of a tyre (not shown) the bead seat band 14 and the flange 16 are removed from a wheel rim to facilitate removal and replacement of the tyre.

The clamping apparatus 10 includes a bead seat bearing member 18 which is configured to bear against the bead seat band 14. The bead seat bearing member 18 includes a body 20. The body 20 includes a pair of plates 22 and a crossbar 24 extending between the plates 22. The bead seat bearing member 18 includes a bearing formation in the form of a cylindrical rod which is connected to and extends between free ends 28 of the plates 22. The rod 26 is longitudinally arcuate and has a radius corresponding to that of an outer surface 30 of the bead seat band 14.

The bead seat bearing member 18 includes a carrier 32. The clamping apparatus 10 includes a flange bearing member 34. The flange bearing member 34 includes, in turn, a pair of opposed, spaced arms 36 which are interconnected by a pivot bar 38 which extends through a pivot passage 40 defined through the carrier 32. Each arm 36 has a curved bearing surface 42 which bears against a curved inner surface 44 of the flange 16.

A bearing plate 46 is mounted on each arm 36 to extend between the arms 36.

The clamping apparatus 10 includes a displacement means in the form of a clamping screw member or clamping screw 48 having a handle 50 and a threaded shank 52 which extends from the handle 50 and is threadedly received through a threaded opening 54. The clamping screw 48 is positioned so that a distal end 56 of the shank 52 can bear against the bearing plate 46 when the clamping screw 48 is rotated. In particular, the bearing plate 46 and the clamping screw 48 are respectively positioned so that, when the distal end 56 bears against the bearing plate 46, the arms 36 are urged, pivotally, towards the cylindrical rod 26.

The apparatus 10 includes a positioning member 58 which is displaceable relative to the carrier 32 to bear against an outer side 60 of the flange 16. In particular, the positioning member 58 includes a thrust screw member or thrust screw 62 which is threadedly received through a threaded opening 64 in the carrier 32 positioned between the body 20 and the pivot bar 38. The thrust screw 62 has a gripping formation 66 at a proximal end of the thrust screw 62 and a thrust bearing member in the form of a wedge 68 positioned at a distal end of the thrust screw 62. The wedge 68 is positioned to engage an edge 70 of the flange 16. The thrust screw 62 and the clamping screw 48 can be manipulated so that the arms 36 bear against the flange 16 with the flange 16 gripped between the wedge 68 and the arms 36. At the same time, the cylindrical rod 26 bears against the bead seat band 14.

Conventionally, the bead seat band 14 defines an inner shoulder 72 against which an inner edge 74 of the flange 16 is seated. Thus, the cylindrical rod 26 is positioned so that, when the flange 16 is gripped, as set out above, the cylindrical rod 26 bears against the outer surface 30 of the bead seat band 14, thereby retaining the flange 16 and the bead seat band 14 in an operative position relative to each other.

It will readily be appreciated that, with two or more equally spaced clamping apparatus 10, the bead seat band can be retained securely in position relative to the flange 16.

The apparatus 10 includes a handle 86 to facilitate manipulation of the apparatus 10. The handle 86 is mounted on and extends between the arms 36.

In Figure 4, reference numeral 80 generally indicates a second embodiment of a clamping apparatus, in accordance with the invention, for use with a wheel assembly. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, like reference numerals refer to like parts, unless otherwise specified.

The primary difference between the apparatus 10 and the apparatus 80 is that the positioning member 58 does not include the wedge 68. Instead, the positioning member 58 includes a stop member or stop 82 which is displaceable relative to the body 20 to bear against an outer surface 84 of the flange 16.

In use, two or more of the clamping apparatus 10, 80 are used, depending on a wheel size. The clamping apparatus 10, 80 is to be used on tyres that are completely deflated and on which the bead is broken. Furthermore, the clamping apparatus 10, 80 is removed prior to inflation of a newly fitted tyre.

In use, when removing a tyre in the field, the tyre is first deflated. The front and rear beads of the tyre are then broken. Tyre handler grabs are then engaged with the tyre and the tyre is pushed away from the flange 16. The tyre handler grabs are then clamped onto the flange 16 and manipulated with conventional equipment until the flange 16 bears against the inner shoulder 72 of the bead seat band 14. The appropriate number of clamping apparatus 10, 80 are then engaged, in the manner described above, with the bead seat band 14 and the flange 16. The resultant flange and bead seat band assembly is then removed from the rim with the tyre handler.

The tyre can then be safely removed.

When carrying out the mounting procedure, the bead seat band 14 and the flange 16 are assembled on a suitable substrate by initially engaging the clamping apparatus 10, 80 in the manner described above to ensure that the flange 16 and bead seat band 14 are clamped together. When the flange 16 and the bead seat band 14 are clamped together, they can be lifted and installed into position in a single operation. Thus, the tyre handler is brought into position and the bead seat band and flange assembly is lifted and rotated into a vertical position. Thereafter, the bead seat band and flange assembly is aligned with the rim and slid into the relevant position. Once the O ring and the lock ring are fitted, the clamping apparatus 10, 80 is removed so that the tyre can be inflated.

The applicant believes that the invention provides a means whereby tyres can be removed and replaced in the field with substantially less danger to operators and in a far quicker and more efficient manner than was previously possible.

Claims

1. A clamping apparatus for use with a wheel assembly having a removable bead seat band and a removable flange for facilitating removal and replacement of a tyre of the wheel assembly, the clamping apparatus including a bead seat bearing member which is configured to bear against the bead seat band; a flange bearing member which is configured to bear against the flange, the bearing members being connected together and being displaceable relative to each other between an operative position in which the bead seat bearing member and the flange bearing member can bear against the bead seat band and the flange respectively, and an inoperative position in which the bearing members can be removed from the bead seat band and the flange, and being configured so that, when the bearing members bear against the bead seat band and the flange, the bead seat band and the flange are clamped together to allow manipulation of the bead seat band and the flange as an assembled unit; and a displacement mechanism which is operatively positioned with respect to the bearing members to permit a user to displace the bearing members between the operative and inoperative positions.

2. A clamping apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , in which the bearing members are pivotally connected together so that the bearing members can pivot between the operative and inoperative positions.

3. A clamping apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the bead bearing member has a bearing formation which is positioned to bear on an outer surface of a bead defined by the bead seat band, and the flange bearing member defines a bearing formation which is positioned to bear against an operatively inner surface of the flange, so that, when the bearing members are displaced into their operative positions, the bearing formations are displaced at least generally towards each other, thereby urging the flange against an inner surface of the bead seat band.

4. A clamping apparatus as claimed in claim 3, which includes a positioning member which is mounted on one of the bearing members to engage the flange, the positioning member being configured so that the positioning member can engage the flange to inhibit pivotal, operatively outward movement of the flange when the bearing members are in their operative positions.

5. A clamping apparatus as claimed in claim 4, in which the positioning member is adjustably mounted with respect to the bead seat bearing member in a position in which the positioning member can engage an operatively outer side of the flange.

6. A clamping apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or 5, in which the bearing formation of the flange bearing member is defined by a portion of the flange bearing member which has a profile corresponding to a radial profile of the inner surface of the flange

7. A clamping apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, in which the bead seat bearing member includes a body with the bearing formation of the bead seat bearing member extending operatively inwardly from the body, the bead seat bearing member further including a carrier which extends from the body in an operatively radially outward direction, one end of the flange bearing member being pivotally connected to the carrier at a position intermediate ends of the carrier.

8. A clamping apparatus as claimed in claim 7, in which the displacement mechanism includes a clamping screw member which is threadedly received through the carrier intermediate said position at which the flange bearing member is pivotally connected to the carrier and a free end of the carrier, the clamping screw member being operatively positioned with respect to the flange bearing member so that a distal end of the clamping screw member can act on the flange bearing member when displaced away from the carrier on rotation of the clamping screw member to displace the flange bearing member generally towards the bead seat bearing member.

9. A clamping apparatus as claimed in claim 8, which includes a bearing plate that is connected to the flange bearing member and is positioned so that the distal end of the clamping screw member can bear against the bearing plate upon rotation of the clamping screw member.

10. A clamping apparatus as claimed in claim 9, in which the positioning member includes a thrust screw member which is threadedly received through the carrier at a position intermediate said position at which the flange bearing member is pivotally mounted on the carrier and the body, and a thrust bearing member which is arranged on a distal end of the thrust screw member and is positioned to bear against said outer side of the flange.

11. A clamping apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes a handle to facilitate manipulation of the clamping apparatus.

12. A clamping apparatus as claimed in claim 11 , in which the handle is attached to the flange bearing member.

13. A new clamping apparatus, substantially as described herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings.