Tire-fitting machine, particularly for bicycle wheels

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tire-fitting machine, particularly for bicycle wheels, which enable to tire-changing staff to speed up and simplify tire-fitting / removing operations by greatly reducing manual interventions on tires so as to safeguard fatigue to users' fingers.

Description

[0001] TIRE-FITTING MACHINE, PARTICULARLY FOR BICYCLE WHEELS

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a tire-fitting machine, particularly for fitting tires on bicycle wheels.

[0004] Background Art

[0005] As is well known, a bicycle comprises a frame on which a pair of wheels, one at the front and one at the rear for supporting respective tires, are swivel-mounted. An inner tube can be fitted inside the tire or, in the case of tubeless tires, pressurized air can be introduced directly to hold and cushion the weight of the bicycle and rider.

[0006] It is also well known that the wheels consist of a cylindrical metal rim provided, at the radial end, with two annular retaining flanges between which a channel is defined for fitting the tire by interlocking. In the fitting configuration, the side portions of the tire, so-called “beads”, stop inside the retaining flanges.

[0007] In the case of tubeless tires, an insert that fits between the rim and the tire is often used, also known as “mousse”, which allows the rim to be protected from breaking. Such mousse prevents, in fact, the rim from slamming directly into obstacles when low tire pressures are held.

[0008] In professional cycling, tires are replaced very often. At the end of each race, the technical staff of a team provides for the replacement of all tires on a variety of bicycles. These operations generally take quite some time and are very tiring and also painful for technicians. In fact, fitting / removing a tire on / from the bicycle rim is still an operation carried out manually.

[0009] For example, the operation of fitting a tire on the rim is first done by inserting one of the two beads of the tire between the annular flanges of the rim. Next, in the case of the presence of an inner tube or mousse, the latter is fitted into the tire by settling it between the tire and the rim. Finally, the second bead of the tire is inserted into the rim. This last stage is currently carried out with the aid of hooked wrenches or by means of completely manual operations to allow the second bead to be progressively inserted into the rim. The greatest difficulty precisely occurs at the ending stage of fitting the second bead when a large part of it has already overrun the annular flange of the rim, while a remaining circular portion is still in position outside the rim. Since the diameter of the bead is slightly smaller than the diameter of the flanges, it is necessary to tension and partly deform the remaining circular portion in order for the bead to overrun the flange. This operation, referred to in the jargon as “bead-forming” is made by squeezing and pressing with the fingers of the hands (generally levering with the thumbs) to allow radial deformation which enables the circular portion to finally enter the rim. It should be noted that the force required for bead-forming, in the case of the presence of mousse, is generally two to three times greater than the force required for standard bead-forming.

[0010] By virtue of the above, the need emerged to develop a solution that would enable tire-changing staff to speed up and simplify tire-fitting / removing operations by greatly reducing manual interventions on tires so as to safeguard fatigue to users’ fingers.

[0011] Description of the Invention

[0012] The main aim of the present invention, therefore, is to develop a tire-fitting machine, particularly for bicycle wheels, which allows making the process of tire-fitting / removing faster, less strenuous as well as easier and simpler to use. This and other objects are achieved by a tire-fitting machine, particularly for bicycle wheels, having the characteristics of claim 1.

[0013] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a tire-fitting machine, particularly for bicycle wheels, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example in the attached tables of drawings wherein:

[0015] Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of a tire-fitting machine according to the invention;

[0016] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a tire-fitting machine on which a wheel is fitted according to the invention;

[0017] Figure 4 is a front view of the machine according to the invention; Figure 5 is a sectional view of the machine according to the invention.

[0018] Embodiments of the Invention

[0019] With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally denotes a tire-fitting machine in accordance with the invention.

[0020] The machine 1 first comprises a supporting frame 2, gripping and rotating means 3 associated with the supporting frame 2 to support the rotation of a rim C of a wheel R of a bicycle around its own axis of rotation X-X, and a bead forming assembly 4 adapted to form at least one of the two beads Tl, T2 of the tire P.

[0021] As shown in Figure 6, the rim C comprises a first annular flange-like end Cl and a second annular flange-like end C2, which are substantially parallel to each other, and the tire P comprises a first sidewall, provided with a first bead Tl approachable to the first annular flange-like end Cl, and a second sidewall, provided with a second bead T2 approachable to the second annular flange-like end C2. At its own ends, the rim C substantially ends up with two annular flange-like ends Cl, C2 which have transversely and overall a substantially “U” shape. As a matter of fact, between the first annular flange-like end Cl and the second annular flange-like end C2 is defined the channel D of the rim C, i.e., the annular flap of the rim C (not visible when the tire P is fitted on the rim C wherein the beads Tl, T2 are approached). As is well known, the tire P has a substantially loop conformation and comprises a tread B which contacts the ground during the use of the wheel R.

[0022] In the context of the present disclosure, the term “fitted” when referring to the first bead Tl and / or to the second bead T2, means the condition wherein the first bead Tl and / or the second bead T2 are allocated between the first annular flange-like end Cl and the second annular flange-like end C2, i.e., arranged within the channel D.

[0023] Likewise, the term “released” refers to the condition wherein the first bead Tl and / or the second bead T2 are allocated in a space not comprised between the first annular flange-like end Cl and the second annular flange-like end C2.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1-5, the frame 2 is preferably intended to be placed on a horizontal surface, such as e.g. on a table or the ground, in order to be oriented horizontally and simplify tire-fitting operations.

[0025] The supporting frame 2 comprises a horizontally-directed and preferably square-shaped upper plate 5 wherein a circular depression 6 is formed. This depression 6 extends substantially parallel to the plate 5 and is adapted to receive, by shape coupling, a circular crown 7 intended to rotate together with the wheel R and to support the rim C during rotation. In detail, the circular crown 7 is coaxially rotatable in the circular depression 6 in order to, as will be appreciated in the following description, support the wheel R, more specifically the first annular flange-like end Cl of the rim C during bead-forming. For this purpose, the circular crown 7 has a ring-shaped surface 8 facing, in use, upwards, i.e., from the opposite side to the upper plate 5 of the frame 2.

[0026] As illustrated in the example in Figure 5, which shows a cross section of the machine 1, the outer diameter dl of the circular crown 7 is comprised between 650 mm and 750 mm, preferably 705 mm while the inner diameter d2 is comprised between 550 mm and 650 mm, preferably 634 mm.

[0027] As visible in Figure 2, the circular depression 6 has a circular opening 9, preferably with a diameter d3 of about 500 mm, for the passage of the gripping and rotating means 3 extended coaxially to the circular opening 9.

[0028] Additionally, the frame 2 comprises a lower plate 10 positioned inferiorly and parallel to the upper plate 5, being substantially corresponding to the latter in shape, and connected thereto by means of pins 11 preferably arranged at the corners of the plates 5, 10 around the circular depression 6.

[0029] Conveniently, the plates 5, 10 and the circular crown 7 are made at least partly of polyamide material such as, e.g., nylon, Kevlar, nomex or the like.

[0030] Preferably, the sides of the plates 5, 10 have lengths comprised between 800 mm and 1000 mm, preferably 900 mm.

[0031] Conveniently, the lower plate 10 is intended to support the gripping and rotating means 3 of the wheel R. Specifically, the gripping and rotating means 3 are placed in the center of the lower plate 10, along the axis of rotation X-X of the wheel R. As illustrated, the gripping and rotating means 3 comprise an upright 12 which can be coupled to the pivot and / or to the hub of the wheel R of the bicycle. Specifically, the upright 12 is rotatable idle so that the user, once the upright 12 is coupled to the wheel R, can made the wheel R rotate very easily to bead-form the tire P. In detail, the upright 12 is intended to support the wheel R during the replacement and / or maintenance operations of the wheel R itself and is preferably set in rotation by a central shaft (not shown) that protrudes from the lower plate 10 on which the upright 12 is fitted.

[0032] In accordance with an optional embodiment, the shaft of the upright 12 may be associated with a gearmotor assembly (not shown) arranged in an internal volume of the frame 2 which, using an appropriate motor, drives the gearmotor and, consequently, the gripping and rotating means 3. In this case, the rotation of the wheel R can be driven automatically, thus allowing the user to have both hands free.

[0033] As shown in the figures, the bead forming assembly 4 is configured to beadform the second bead T2 when the first bead T1 is already fitted on the rim C. For this purpose, the bead forming assembly 4 is positionable alternately between a home configuration, wherein it is positioned away from the second bead T2, and a work configuration, wherein it operates on the second bead T2 to exert tension on the second bead T2 along a direction of tensioning substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel R.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, the bead forming assembly 4 comprises a cylindrical stand 13 associated with the first plate 5 and extends, preferably upwards vertically, by a predetermined length. The cylindrical stand 13 is also configured to support a tubular bead forming arm 14 projecting orthogonally with respect to the cylindrical stand 13 by a predetermined length towards the gripping and rotating means 3, particularly towards the upright 12 in a radial pattern.

[0035] Preferably, the bead forming arm 14 is rotatable around the axis of the cylindrical stand 13 and also slides vertically on the cylindrical stand 13 itself by means of a tubular portion 15 fitted on the cylindrical stand. A cylindrical sleeve 16 rotatable around the axis of the bead forming arm 14 is also provided on the bead forming arm 14 in order to slide over the second bead T2 of the tire P without friction during the bead-forming operations. In the work configuration, the bead forming arm 14 is substantially positioned at a height substantially corresponding to the second annular flange-like end C2 of the rim C such that the second bead T2 is tensioned downwards by the cylindrical sleeve 16 during the passage of the tire P where the bead forming assembly 4 is located.

[0036] In one embodiment, the tubular portion 15 of the bead forming arm 14 can be clamped on the cylindrical stand 13 by means of suitable clamping means (e.g., hollow head screws which can be screwed onto threaded through openings provided on the tubular portion). Thus, once the wheel R is fitted on the machine 1, it is possible to clamp the position of the bead forming arm 14 and proceed with the bead-forming operation by conveniently making the wheel R rotate by means of the gripping and rotating means 3 until bead-forming is completed.

[0037] It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects. In particular, thanks to the tire-fitting machine of the invention, it is possible to accelerate and simplify tire-fitting operations by greatly reducing manual jobs on the tires so as to safeguard fatigue to users’ fingers, especially in the case of the presence of mousse between the rim and the tire, within the framework of a simplified and also economical solution that greatly accelerates bead-forming operations.

[0038] The kinds of structural combinations of the tire-fitting machine are potentially infinite and obviously a technician in the field, in order to meet contingent and specific needs, may make numerous modifications and variations to the examples of embodiments described above, all of which, however, are contained within the scope of protection of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1) Tire-fitting machine (1) for fitting a tire (P) on the rim (C) of a wheel (R) of a bicycle, wherein: the rim (C) comprises a first annular flange-like end (Cl) and a second annular flange-like end (C2), and wherein the tire (P) comprises a first sidewall, provided with a first bead (Tl) approachable to the first annular flange-like end (Cl) and a second sidewall, provided with a second bead (T2) approachable to the second annular flange-like end (C2), the machine (1) being characterized by the fact that it comprises: a supporting frame (2), gripping and rotating means (3) associated with the supporting frame (2) and adapted to support the rotation of the rim (C) around its own axis of rotation (X-X), a bead forming assembly (4) adapted to form the second bead (T2) when the first bead (Tl) is already fitted on the rim (C) and alternately positionable between a home configuration, wherein it is positioned away from the second bead (T2), and a work configuration, wherein it operates on the second bead (T2) to exert tension on the second bead (T2) along a direction of tensioning (P) substantially parallel to the axis of rotation (X- X) of the wheel (R).2) Machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the supporting frame (2) comprises a horizontally-directed upper plate (5) wherein a circular depression(6) extended substantially parallel to the upper plate (5) is formed and adapted to receive, by shape coupling, a circular crown (7) coaxially rotatable in the circular depression (6).3) Machine (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said circular crown(7) has a ring-shaped surface (8) configured to support the first annular flangelike end (Cl) of the rim (C) of the wheel (R).4) Machine (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the circular depression (6) has a circular opening (9) for the passage of the gripping and rotating means (3)coaxially to the circular opening (9).5) Machine (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the gripping and rotating means (3) comprise an upright (12) which can be coupled to the pivot and / or hub of the wheel (R) of the bicycle.6) Machine (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the supporting frame (2) comprises a lower plate (10) positioned inferiorly and parallel to the upper plate (5) and connected thereto to support the upright (12).7) Machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the upright(12) is rotatable idle.8) Machine (1) according to any of claims 2 to 7, wherein the bead forming assembly (4) comprises a cylindrical stand (13) associated with the first plate (X) and extending vertically by a predetermined length, the cylindrical stand(13) being configured to support a bead forming arm (14) projecting orthogonally with respect to the cylindrical stand (13) by a predetermined length towards the gripping and rotating means (3).9) Machine (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the bead forming arm (14) is rotatable on the cylindrical stand (13).10) Machine (1) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the bead forming arm (14) is sliding vertically on the cylindrical stand (13).11) Machine (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the bead forming assembly (4) comprises a cylindrical sleeve (16) fitted on the bead forming arm(14) and axially rotatable on the latter and sliding on the second bead (T2) of the tire (P).12) Machine (1) according to any of claims 8 to 11, wherein, in the work configuration, the bead forming arm (14) is positioned at a height substantially corresponding to the second annular flange-like end (C2) of the rim (C) such that the second bead (T2) is tensioned downwards by the tubular portion (15) during the passage of the tire (P) where the bead forming assembly (4) is located.

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