Apparatus for straightening a damaged or deformed wheel

Abstract

A wheel straightener for repairing a damaged or deformed wheel. The wheel straightener includes a shaft mounted to a cabinet. The shaft includes a mounting plate affixed to an extended end of the shaft. The wheel is seated on the shaft and held in a centered location by a centering cone. The centering cone is seated within a bore of the wheel and held in place by a nut threaded onto the shaft. A hydraulic cylinder / piston assembly is also mounted to the shaft. Force is applied from the shaft, outwardly toward a rim of the wheel through the hydraulic cylinder / piston assembly. The wheel straightener also incorporates a dial indicator for determining the run-out variances of a damaged wheel.

Description

[0001] 1. Technical Field of the Invention[0002] This invention relates to vehicle repair apparatuses, and more particularly, to an apparatus for straightening damaged wheels on a vehicle.[0003] 2. Description of Related Art[0004] Conventional vehicles normally utilize wheels constructed of a metallic alloy having a tire mounted about the wheels of the vehicle. In recent years, the wheels are constructed of very lightweight materials such as aluminum or magnesium. There are various advantages to utilizing such materials, such as reduction of weight, improved fuel efficiency, and enhanced aesthetics of the vehicle. However, the material, although relatively strong, is susceptible to damage caused during accidents. In the past, when the wheel has been damaged or deformed, the wheel would be discarded. However, recently, technology has improved within the vehicle repair industry in such a fashion that the wheel, in many cases, may now be repaired.[0005] Various methods and devices have...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, the material, although relatively strong, is susceptible to damage caused during accidents.

Although these existing devices are effective in applying the force necessary to reform the damaged wheel, the device is not nearly accurate enough to return the wheel to its original form.

In addition, since force is applied from across the opposite side of the wheel, as well as employing a measurement device measuring from the opposite side of the wheel, accurate straightening of the wheel is not possible.

Obvious, these existing devices result in a waste of manpower in properly refurbishing the damaged wheels.

However, Hizono does not teach or suggest employing a force applicator originating from the center bore of the wheel.

In addition, Hizono does not disclose utilizing a measuring device to measure run-out of the wheel.

Hizono suffers from the disadvantage of applying a force in an inaccurate fashion to the wheel, resulting in greater deviations from the nominal run-out on the wheel.

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