Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus is provided for mounting on a wheel rim a deflated run-flat type tire which has been loosely preassembled on the wheel. The apparatus includes a wheel support for accommodating the preassembled tire and wheel and retaining same in a horizontal plane. A locking member coacts with the wheel support and locks the preassembled tire and wheel in the horizontal plane. An upright post is fixed a predetermined radial distance from the wheel support and is radially spaced from the periphery of the accommodated tire and wheel. A clamp device is mounted for vertical and transverse adjustment on the upright post and is adapted to clamp a segment of the beaded inner edge of the tire sidewall against a portion of a flange formed on the rim of the accommodated wheel. An installer unit is mounted at a selected elevated position relative to the accommodated tire and wheel and is adapted to be manually rotated intermittently about the axis of the accommodated wheel. The unit includes a radially extending arm having a roller piece pivotally connected ot a distal end of the arm. The roller piece is manually adjustable between operative and inoperative modes. When in the inoperative mode the roller piece rests upon a portion of the exposed surface of one sidewall of the preassembled tire, and, when in the operative mode, the roller piece pivots downwardly and inwardly toward the wheel axis causing the engaged sidewall portion to be distorted and the beaded inner edge thereof to fold over and engage the underside of a portion of the wheel rim flange.

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First Claim