Importance

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Abstract

Apparatus for mounting and demounting tires and methods of mounting and demounting tires. The apparatus may include a clamp for holding a wheel as well as a tire clamp and pushing device for gripping a tire and applying a moving force thereto. The tire clamp is mounted for movement toward and away from the wheel clamp and toward and away from a support for the wheel clamp. It is operated, during tire mounting, to nonaxially urge a tire having one part of one bead received in the drop center of a wheel away from the wheel to draw that part into the drop center while axially moving the tire at a remote location toward the wheel so that the beads at the remote location are disposed between the flanges of the wheel. Both beads at the remote location are also brought towards each other into sufficient proximity so that both may enter the drop center of the wheel and thereafter, the tire is nonaxially urged at the remote location toward the wheel to dispose both the beads at the remote location within the drop center of the wheel. Thereafter, the tire is axially moved toward the wheel causing the remaining part of the bead to be received between the wheel flange. In demounting the tire, the tire clamp is utilized to bring the beads at one location into sufficient proximity such that both may enter the drop center of the wheel and thereafter, the tire is nonaxially urged in a direction to cause both of the beads to enter the drop center of the wheel. Oppositely therefrom, the tire is axially moved away from the wheel until both beads at the opposite location, are moved from between the wheel flanges.

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First Claim