WO2003099609A1

WO2003099609A1 - Tyre change vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2003099609A1
Application number: PCT/AU2002/000653
Authority: WO
Inventors: Iraj Rahmani
Original assignee: Rahmani Holdings Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2002-05-23
Filing date: 2002-05-23
Publication date: 2003-12-04
Also published as: AU2002308430A1

Abstract

A tyre change vehicle includes a storage compartment (14) which includes a tyre changer (25), wheel balancer (26) and wheel alignment machine (27). A gate (35) is pivotally mounted at the rear of the vehicle and mounts a hoist (45). The gate (35) can be moved from an upright position to a lowered position by hydraulic rams so that a car can be driven up onto the gate (35) above the hoist (45). The hoist (45) lifts the car above the gate (35) so that the wheels can be removed to facilitate change of a tyre and replacement of the wheels on the car. Levelling rams (70) are provided beneath the floor (16). A canopy extends rearward of the vehicle to the gate (35) when the gate (35) is in the upright position, and awnings are provided in the canopy for sliding outwardly of the canopy. A slidable but fixed ramp (49) and a completely removable ramp (51) are provided in the gate (35).

Description

TYRE CHANGE VEHICLE Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a tyre change vehicle which can be driven or towed to various locations in order to change a tyre of a car without the car having to be driven to a specialised tyre sales and change centre.

Summary of the Invention

The invention provides a tyre change vehicle including: a tray for receiving a car; a hoist on the tray for raising the car relative to the tray; and tyre change apparatus in the vehicle for changing a tyre on a wheel of the car.

The present invention therefore provides a vehicle which is able to be driven to various locations to facilitate the changing of tyres of a car without the car having to be driven to a specialised centre. This enables tyre changes to occur while the owner of the car is at work or at home, and without the inconvenience of having to drive to a tyre change centre and wait or leave the vehicle at the centre until the tyres of the vehicle are changed.

Preferably the vehicle includes levelling means for levelling the tray of the vehicle to place the tray in a substantially horizontal position so that the car can be stably supported on the tray and on the hoist.

Preferably the tray comprises a floor section of the vehicle and a gate, and the vehicle further includes moving means for moving the gate between an upright position to enable the vehicle to be driven on a roadway, and a lowered position at which the gate forms a continuation of the floor so that the car can be supported on the floor and/or gate when the gate is in the substantially horizontal position. Preferably the hoist is mounted on the gate.

Preferably the moving means is also for moving the gate to an inclined position at which the gate forms a ramp to facilitate driving of a car onto the gate and/or floor so that the car is arranged above the hoist and so the hoist can be activated to lift the car relative to the floor and/or gate.

Preferably the gate carries a pair of ramps which are moveable relative to the gate so as to form an extension of the gate and which can engage the ground so as to form a continuous ramp with the gate on which a car can be driven.

Preferably the tyre change apparatus includes a wheel balancer, a tyre changer, and a wheel alignment machine.

Preferably the vehicle is a driven vehicle and includes a cabin, a storage compartment formed by the floor, a pair of side walls and a roof, the wheel balancer, tyre changer and wheel alignment machine being located in the storage compartment .

Preferably the vehicle includes a canopy extending from the roof rearwardly of the vehicle to the gate when the gate is in the upright position.

Preferably the canopy includes a pair of awnings moveable laterally outwardly of the canopy to provide sheltered space at the sides of the vehicle.

Preferably the vehicle has a generator for generating power to be supplied to the wheel balancer and wheel alignment machine. Preferably the vehicle includes a compressor for supplying compressed air to the tyre changer for operating the tyre changer.

Preferably the hoist is provided with a plurality of bellows for lifting the hoist relative to the tray and lowering relative to the tray, and a compressor for supplying compressed air to the bellows.

Preferably a compressed air tank is provided between the compressor and the tyre changer and bellows, the compressor charging the tank with compressed air for supply to the tyre changer and bellows to operate the tyre changer and the hoist .

Preferably the levelling means comprises a pair of fluid operated rams, one of the rams being connected to the tray at one side of the vehicle, and the other being connected to the tray at the other side of the vehicle, the rams being independently operable so as to move the tray relative to the vehicle suspension to level the tray.

Preferably the levelling means further includes level indicating means to provide a visual indication of the level of the tray.

Preferably the rams are hydraulic rams.

Preferably the moving means, for moving the gate between the upright position and the substantially horizontal position, comprises at least one fluid operated ram.

Preferably the moving means comprises two fluid operated rams.

Preferably the rams are hydraulic rams. Preferably the rams of the levelling means are pivotally coupled to the tray for movement from a stowed position to a ground engaging position.

Preferably the levelling means includes locking means for locking the rams in the ground engaging position.

Preferably the locking means comprises a bracket for receiving the rams and a pin for holding the rams in the bracket.

Preferably the floor includes two alignment plates for receiving the front wheels of the car, the alignment plates being moveable relative to the floor so as to position the alignment plates to enable the front wheels of the car to drive on to the plates, pivotal mounting means for mounting the plates for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, so that the plates can be pivoted whilst the wheels of the car are on the plates to set the amount of toe in or toe out of the wheels of the car.

Preferably each plate is supported on a carriage, the carriage being mounted on a pair of rails provided in the floor so that the carriages, and therefore the plates, can be moved to adjust the position of the plates so that the plates are aligned with the wheel of the car.

Preferably the ramps each include a first ramp section fixed to the gate but moveable relative to the gate so as to extend outwardly of the gate substantially in the plane of the gate, and a second ramp section completely separable from the gate and for coupling on the end of the first ramp section for extending between the first ramp section and the ground.

The invention in a further aspect provides a tyre change vehicle including: a storage compartment; tyre change apparatus located in the storage compartment for changing a tyre on a wheel of a car; a gate at the rear of the vehicle; pivotal coupling means for pivotally coupling the gate to the vehicle; drive means for driving the gate between an upright position and a lowered position so that the car can be driven onto the gate when in the lowered position; and a hoist mounted on the gate for lifting the car relative to the gate when the gate is in the lowered position, to enable the wheels of the car to be removed to facilitate change of a tyre by the tyre changing apparatus in the storage compartment of the vehicle.

Preferably the vehicle includes levelling means for levelling the vehicle to place the hoist in a substantially horizontal position so that the car can be stably supported on the hoist.

Preferably the drive means is also for moving the gate to an inclined position at which the gate forms a ramp to facilitate driving of a car onto the gate so that the car is arranged above the hoist and so the hoist can be activated to lift the car relative to the gate.

Preferably the tyre change apparatus includes a wheel balancer, a tyre changer, and a wheel alignment machine. Preferably the vehicle is a driven vehicle and includes a cabin, a storage compartment formed by the floor, a pair of side walls and a roof, the wheel balancer, tyre changer and wheel alignment machine being located in the storage compartment .

Preferably the levelling means comprises a pair of fluid operated rams, one of the rams being connected to one side of the vehicle, and the other being connected at the other side of the vehicle, the rams being independently operable so as to move the vehicle relative to the vehicle suspension to level the tray.

Preferably the levelling means further includes level indicating means to provide a visual indication of the level of the vehicle.

Preferably the rams are hydraulic rams.

Preferably the driving means, for moving the gate between the upright position and the substantially horizontal position, comprises at least one fluid operated ram.

Preferably the driving means comprises two fluid operated rams .

Preferably the rams are hydraulic rams.

Preferably the rams of the levelling means are pivotally coupled to the tray for movement from a stowed position to a ground engaging position.

The invention also provides a tyre change vehicle including: a storage compartment; tyre change apparatus in the storage compartment for changing a tyre on a wheel of a car; a tray for receiving the car; a hoist on the tray for lifting the car relative to the tray; and levelling means for levelling the tray so that the tray and hoist are substantially horizontal so that the car can be securely and safely lifted by the hoist.

Preferably the tray comprises a floor section of the vehicle and a gate, the vehicle further including moving means for moving the gate between an upright position to enable the vehicle to be driven on a roadway, and a lowered position at which the gate forms a continuation of the floor so that the vehicle can be supported on the floor and/or gate when the gate is in the substantially horizontal position.

Preferably the hoist is mounted on the gate.

Preferably the tyre change apparatus includes a wheel balancer, a tyre changer, and a wheel alignment machine. Preferably the levelling means comprises a pair of fluid operated rams, one of the rams being connected to the tray at one side of the vehicle, and the other being connected to the tray at the other side of the vehicle, the rams being independently operable so as to move the tray relative to the vehicle suspension to level the tray.

Preferably the rams are hydraulic rams.

Preferably the moving means, for moving the gate from the upright position to the substantially horizontal position, comprises at least one fluid operated ram.

Preferably the moving means comprises two fluid operated rams.

Preferably the rams are hydraulic rams.

Preferably the locking means comprises a bracket for receiving the rams and a pin for holding the rams in the bracket .

A tyre change vehicle including: a storage compartment; tyre change apparatus in the storage compartment for changing a tyre on a car; a tray for receiving the car; a hoist on the tray for lifting the car relative to the tray; a gate moveable from an upright position to a lower position and for forming at least part of the tray when the gate is in the lowered position; and at least one fluid operated ram connected between the vehicle and the gate for driving the gate between the upright position and the lowered position.

Preferably the hoist is mounted on the gate.

Preferably the rams are hydraulic rams.

Preferably the at least one fluid operated ram comprises two hydraulic rams.

The invention also provides a tyre change vehicle including: a storage section; tyre change apparatus in the storage section for changing a tyre on a wheel of a car; a gate at the rear of the vehicle; pivotal coupling means for pivoting the gate to the vehicle; drive means for driving the gate from an upright position to a substantially horizontal position; a hoist for lifting a car; and a canopy extending from the storage compartment substantially to the gate when the gate is in the upright position.

Preferably the vehicle includes levelling means for levelling the vehicle to place the vehicle in a substantially horizontal position so that the car can be stably supported on the tray and on the hoist.

Preferably the hoist is mounted on the gate.

Preferably the hoist is provided with a plurality of bellows for lifting the hoist relative to the tray and lowering the hoist relative to the tray, and a compressor for supplying compressed air to the bellows.

Preferably the rams are hydraulic rams.

Preferably the drive means for driving the gate from the upright position to the substantially horizontal position and to the inclined position, comprises at least one fluid operated ram.

Preferably the driving means comprises two fluid operated rams.

Preferably the rams are hydraulic rams.

A tyre change vehicle including: a storage section; tyre change apparatus in the storage section for changing a tyre on a wheel of a car; a gate at the rear of the vehicle; pivotal coupling means for coupling the gate to the vehicle; drive means for driving the gate between an upright position and a lowered position; a hoist on the vehicle for lifting the car so that the wheels of the car can be removed from the car; a pair of first ramp sections extendable and retractable relative to the gate; and a pair of removable ramps carried by the gate so that the ramps can be removed from the gate, and connected to the first ramp sections when the ramp sections are extended so as to form a ramp to enable a car to drive up onto the vehicle and be lifted by the hoist.

Preferably the vehicle includes levelling means for levelling the vehicle to place the vehicle in a substantially horizontal position so that the car can be stably supported on the hoist.

Preferably the hoist is mounted on the gate.

Preferably the vehicle is a driven vehicle and includes a cabin, a storage compartment formed by the floor, a pair of side walls and a roof, the wheel balancer, tyre changer and wheel alignment machine being located in the storage compartment.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view from the rear of a tyre change vehicle according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a view of the vehicle showing the vehicle being moved into a configuration to facilitate change of a tyre of a car;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but showing the vehicle in the configured position to receive a car;

Figure 4 is a view from the rear of a gate of the vehicle in an upright orientation;

Figure 5 is a view along the line V-V of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a detailed view of part of the roof of the vehicle of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a side view of the vehicle;

Figure 8 is a side view, but showing a gate in a lowered position; Figure 9 and Figure 10 are detailed views showing rams which are carried by the gate;

Figure 11, Figure 12 and Figure 13 are views showing levelling of the vehicle so the vehicle can receive a car to facilitate change of tyres on the wheels of the car;

Figure 14 and Figure 15 are more detailed views showing how the vehicle is levelled;

Figure 16 is a side view showing the gate in an orientation forming a continuous inclined ramp so a car can be driven up onto the vehicle;

Figure 17 is a side view showing the hoist in an activated position;

Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A of Figure 15; Figure 19 is a more detailed view of the hoist provided on the gate of the vehicle;

Figure 20 is a top perspective view showing the hoist on the gate;

Figure 21 is a plan view of a hoist frame of the preferred embodiment;

Figure 22 is a view of a rotatable plate facilitating the adjustment of tow in and tow out of a wheel of a car;

Figure 23 is a view of a visual level used in the preferred embodiment;

Figure 24 is a cross-sectional view through the level of Figure 23;

Figure 25 shows a car on the vehicle ready to have its tyres changed;

Figure 26 shows the car lifted by the hoist;

Figure 27 is a block electric circuit diagram used in the preferred embodiment;

Figure 28 is a pneumatic circuit diagram of the pneumatically operated components of the preferred embodiment; and

Figure 29 is a hydraulic circuit diagram of the hydraulically operated components of the preferred embodiment .

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

A tyre change vehicle 10 is shown which is in the form of a driven vehicle. However, in other embodiments, the vehicle may be in the form of a towed trailer and it should be understood that the term "vehicle" used in this specification includes a driven vehicle of the type shown in Figure 1, as well as a trailer which is towed by a separate vehicle.

The vehicle 10 has a cabin 12 and a storage compartment 14 generally defined by a floor 16 of the vehicle, side walls 18 and 20 (see Figure 2), front wall 22 and roof 24.

As is shown in Figures 1 and 2, the storage compartment 14 carries a tyre change machine 25, a wheel balance machine 26 and a wheel alignment machine 27.

The machines 25, 26 and 27 are mounted on the floor in the storage compartment 14. Storage compartment 14 has a shelf 29 which forms a floor or partition of forward projecting section 30 of the storage compartment 14, which is located above the cabin 12. A generator 32 is provided on the shelf 29 and a compressed air storage tank 33 is also mounted in the forward projecting portion 30 of the storage compartment 14. New tyre (not shown) can also be carried in the storage compartment 14.

The vehicle 10 has a gate 35 pivotally connected to the rear of the vehicle 16 by hinges 37 (see Figures 4 and 17) connected between a frame section 36 which forms part of the chassis of the vehicle 10, and cross-frame member 252 of the gate 35.

A pair of hydraulic rams 38 are pivotally connected to the chassis frame section 36 of the vehicle by pivot pins 39 at one end and have ram arms 40 which are pivotally connected to cross-frame member 41 of the gate 35 by pivot pins 42.

As is evident from Figure 1, when the ram arms 40 are extended, the gate 35 is pivoted into the upright or closed position shown in Figure 1 so that the vehicle can be driven on a road. When the ram arms 40 are retracted, the gate 35 is pivoted about the hinges 37 shown in Figures 4 and 17 to the lowered position shown in Figure 2.

The gate 35 carries a hoist 45 for lifting a car to facilitate the change of tyres on the wheels of the car, as will be explained in more detail hereinafter.

Figure 4 is a rear view of the gate in the upright position shown in Figure 2, showing the frame structure of the gate without showing any of the hoist 45 or the rams 38.

The gate comprises a pair of box sections 47. The box sections 47 are connected by a frame 251 at their upper end (which will form the rearward most end of the gate 35 when the gate is in the lowered position shown in Figures 2 and 3), and a frame member 252 at the end of the gate which carries one of the hinge components 37 for hingedly coupling the gate to the frame 36 of the chassis of the vehicle 10.

An intermediate cross frame 41 is connected between the box sections 47, between the frame members 251 and 252. A pair of longitudinal frame members 256 and 257 extend between the frame section 41 and the frame section 252.

A cross frame member 253 is connected between the frame sections 256 and 257. The cross frame section 253 carries lugs 129' which will be used to couple one end of a first scissor linkage of the hoist 45. A pin or bar 125 is also coupled between the frame sections 256 and 257, and the pin or bar 125 will mount a sleeve 124 for rotation on the pin or bar 125. The sleeve 124 is connected to one end of a second scissor linkage of the hoist 45.

As is shown in Figure 4, the box sections 47 each form a first channel 48 and a second channel 50. The channels 48 and 50 are separated by flanges 48' and first ramp sections 49 locate in the channels 48 and rest on the flanges 48' and a removable ramp 51 is located in the channel 50 below the respective ramp 49.

As is best shown in Figure 9, each ramp section 49 can be pulled partly out of its channel 48, but is prevented from being pulled completely out of the channel 48 so that it always forms part of the gate 35. The ramp 49 has a bar 52 at its outermost end. The ramp 51 can be completely removed from the channel 50 and has a U-shaped bracket 53 which hooks over the bar 52 to thereby connect the ramp 51 to the ramp section 49. The ramps 51, when connected onto the bars 52, therefore form a ramp up which a car can be driven so as to locate the car on the tray 15 of the vehicle, which is partly defined by the floor 16 and the gate 35 when the gate is in the lowered position shown in Figure 2.

Abutment plates 55 may also be provided and simply carried in the storage base 14 for location at the end of the ramp 49 to provide an abutment to prevent the car, when located on the gate 35, from unwontedly rolling back towards the ramp 51. The plate 55 includes an abutment plate 55a, a flange 55b and a locking plate 55c. The locking plate 55c is located in the space between the bracket 53 and end 57 of the ramp section 49, with the flange 55b resting on the bracket 53 and bar 52, as is shown in Figure 10.

Figure 3 shows the vehicle with the ramp sections 49 and ramps 51 in their operative position to enable a car to drive up the ramps 51 onto the ramps 49 and then onto the gate 35 and floor 14 of the vehicle 10.

As is shown in Figure 1, the roof 24 is provided with a canopy extension 56 which extends from the end of the wall 18 to the gate 35 when the gate is in the upright position shown in Figure 1. The canopy 35 has two retractable and extendable awnings 57 which can be moved inwardly and outwardly of the canopy 56, as is illustrated by the arrow B in Figure 3 to provide a sheltered space at the side of the vehicle. As is best shown in Figure 6, the canopy 56 has longitudinal frame member 58 and cross frame member 59 which sits below the frame member 58. The awnings 57 slide into the canopy 56 just above the frame member 58 until they abut the frame member 59. As is shown in Figure 6, the canopy 56 also has a rubber bumper 60 and guide brackets 61 which facilitate location of the gate against the canopy 56 when the gate is in the upright position shown in Figure 1. The bumper 60 is formed from any suitable tubular resilient material such as rubber or the like.

Figure 6 also shows a light 62 which may be provided in the vehicle for illuminating the storage space 14 and the work area about the gate 35 when the gate is in the lowered position.

Figure 7 is a side view showing the gate 35 in the upright position. The gate 35 is moved to the lower position by inserting a key into key hole 63 so as to activate a control box which enables the electric, pneumatic and hydraulic systems of the vehicle to be operated. Control lever 66 is operated to retract the ram arms 40 of the rams 38 to thereby lower the gate 35 into the lower position such as the horizontal position shown in Figure 8. The lever 66 is also operated to return the gate 35 to the upright position shown in Figure 5.

The vehicle also carries a pair of hydraulic levelling rams 70 which both stabilise the vehicle and also level the floor 16 and the gate 35 when the gate is in the lower position shown in Figure 2. The levelling rams 70 enable the floor 16 and gate 35 to be levelled when in the operative condition, in case the vehicle is parked on an incline or rough terrain in which the floor 16 and gate 35 are not horizontal. If the hoist lifts the car in this configuration, the hoist may overbalance, causing the car to slide or slip on the hoist, which would obviously be extremely dangerous and also would cause serious damage to the car. By operating the rams 70 in the manner described below, the floor 16 and gate 35 can be levelled and made horizontal, notwithstanding the fact that the vehicle may be parked on an incline or rough terrain. The rams 70 also securely support the vehicle so the floor 16 does not drop under the weight of the vehicle against the suspension of the vehicle when the car is driven onto the gate 35 and floor 16.

The rams 70 are shown in the lower position in Figure 1 for illustrative purposes only. ien the vehicle is in the condition for driving along a road, the rams 70 are moved to the stowed position, which will be described hereinafter.

The control levers 69 and 78 are used to control the rams 70 so as to extend the rams 70 for supporting the vehicle and levelling the vehicle.

Figure 11 shows the rams 70 in the stowed position, Figure 12 shows the ram moved to the operative position, Figure 13 shows the ram extended to engage the ground so as to support the floor 16 of the vehicle, and also level the floor.

Figures 14 and 15 show the ram in the stowed position and operative position in more detail.

As is shown in Figure 14, a bracket 79 is connected to the underside of the floor 16 of the vehicle and carries a bolt 71 which is biased by a spring 72 into the position shown in Figure 14. The ram 70 has a ram arm 80 which carries a ground-engaging plate 81 which is pivotally connected to the arm 80 by a pivot pin 82. As can be seen in Figure 14, the plate 81 is locked above the bolt 71 so as to hold the ram 70 in the stowed position shown in Figure 14. The ram 70 is pivotally connected to the floor

16 by a pivot pin 83 which is connected between a bracket 85 coupled to the floor 16 and the end of the ram 70.

When it is desired to support the floor 16 and level the vehicle, the bolt 71 is pulled in the direction of arrow C in Figure 14, so the bolt 71 is released from the plate 81. The ram 70 can then swing into the position shown in Figure 12. At the same time, the plate 81 will take up a generally horizontal position simply under the influence of gravity, ready to sit on the ground when the arm 80 is extended. By operating the control lever 69, the ram arm 80 is extended until the plate 81 firmly engages the ground and supports the floor 16.

The ram 70 is stowed simply by retracting the arm 80, pivoting the ram 70 about the pivot pin 83, and locating the plate 81 above the bolt 71.

Extension of the ram arm 80 when the ram 70 is in the position shown in Figure 13 causes the floor 16 to move relative to the wheels W of the vehicle by virtue of the vehicle suspension between the wheels W and the floor 16.

In order to level the floor 16, the operator controls the control lever 69 to extend the arm 80 or retract the arm 80 until the floor 16 is level, as viewed on level indicator 85. The ram 70 on the other side of the vehicle is manipulated in the same manner by the control lever 70. Usually the vehicle 10 will be operated by two people, and one person can operate the lever 78 whilst the other stands on the opposite side of the vehicle and views the level indicator (the same as the level indicator 85) on the other side of the vehicle adjacent the ram 70 on that vehicle, until the indicator 85 shows that the floor 16 is level. Level indicators (again similar to the indicator 85) are also provided inside the storage compartment 14 on the floor 16, which can be seen by the user when the user manipulates the levers 69 and 70.

Level indicators 87 (once again the same as the indicator 85) are provided on the sides of box sections 47 of the gate 35 adjacent pivot connection 37, as shown in Figures 11 to 13, and a further level indicator 89 (which is shown in Figure 2) is provided on the inside of rear cross frame 251 of the gate 35. That indicator can be viewed by the operator manipulating the levers 66, 69 and 78. The gate 35 is levelled by manipulating the lever 66 which operates the hydraulic rams 38.

The level indicator 85 is shown in Figure 22, and comprises a transparent cover plate 92 in which an arcuate groove 94 is formed. A ball 95 sits in the groove 94 and the plate 92 is bolted to a back plate 96 which is in turn fixed to the vehicle. When the vehicle is level the ball 95 is at the lowest part of the arcuate groove 94, as indicated by indicator line 97. If the vehicle is not level, the ball will roll to the lowest point in the groove 94 away from the line 97, thereby indicating that further adjustment is needed to level the floor 16 and the gate 35.

Other forms of level indicators, such as conventional spirit levels or the like could also be used instead of the indicator 85.

Depending on the size of the car which is to be driven onto the vehicle 10, the gate 35 can be lowered to the substantially horizontal position and the ram section 49 and ramp 51 engaged as shown in Figure 3, so the car can drive up onto the gate 35 and floor 14, above the hoist 45. Cars with large clearance, such as four wheel drives and light vans or trucks, will have no difficulty in traversing the ramp 51 and the horizontal ramp section 49. However, if the car has lower clearance, the gate 35 can be further lowered from the horizontal position to a lowered incline position, as shown in Figure 16, so that the gate 35, the ramp section 49 and the ramp 51 form a continuous inclined surface upon which the vehicle can drive up onto the gate 35 and floor 16 of the vehicle. It should be understood that the term car used in the specification means vehicles including four wheel drives, vans and trucks .

When the ram 70 is in the lowered position shown in Figures 13 and 15, the ram 70 is locked in position by being received in a U-shaped bracket 101 (see Figure 18), which is connected to the underside of floor 16 or the chassis of the vehicle on which the floor 16 is supported.

A pin 103 is located through aligned holes 105 in arms 106 of the bracket 101, so as to trap the ram 70 in the bracket 101 and prevent the ram from pivoting towards the stowed position. This therefore stably holds the ram in the vertical position for engagement of the plate 81 with the ground. When it is desired to return the ram 70 to the stowed position, the pin 103 is removed so that the ram 70 can be pivoted to the stowed position and locked in place by the bolt 71.

Figure 17 shows the hoist 45 in the raised position for lifting a car relative to the gate 35 and the floor 16 so that the wheels are free for removal from the car so that the tyres on the wheels can be changed by the tyre changing machine 25 in the storage compartment 14. Once the tyres have been changed and the wheels balanced, the wheels can be returned to the car. The wheel alignment machine 27 can then be used to align the wheels on the car.

The hoist 45, as is best shown in Figures 17, 19, 20 and 21, comprises a frame structure having longitudinal frame members 110 and 111, and cross frame members 112 and 113. Vehicle engaging plates 114 are connected to the frame members 112 and 113. The frame member 112 has lugs 121' for receiving pivot pins of a scissor lift linkage (not shown in Figure 21) . The scissor lift linkage is comprised of first links 120 which are pivotally connected to the lugs 121' on frame 112 at one end by pivot pins 121, and to the gate 35 at the other end by connecting the links 120 to the sleeve 124 which is rotatable on the rod 125 (see Figure 4) and which is connected to the gate 35. Second links 123 are connected in the opposite manner by having ends of the links 123 connected to a sleeve 126 which is provided on a rod 255 (see Figure 21) which is connected between the frame members 110 and 111. The other ends of the links 123 are pivotally connected to the gate 35 by pivot pins 129 which connect to lugs 129' (see Figure 4) . The links 120 and 123 are pivotally connected together by pivot pins 131, which couple adjacent links 120 and 123 to one another.

Four pneumatic bellows 135 are arranged between the gate 35 and the plates 114. The bellows 135 have one end supported and connected to a respective one of the box sections 47, and the opposite end connected beneath the respective plate 114. The bellows 135 are connected to a source of compressed air, so that when compressed air is supplied to the bellows 135, the bellows expand to lift the plates 114 upwardly from the gate 35. The upward movement of the plates 114 is guided and accommodated by the opening of the links 120, 123, so the plates 114 engage the underneath of a car and lift the car above the gate 35 and the floor 16.

The gate 35 carries pivotally connected legs 137, which can be manually pivoted from a position parallel with the gate 35 into an upright position as shown by arrow (Figure 19) and then engage beneath the plates 114 for providing a safety support for holding the plates 114 in the raised condition, and prevent the plates 114 from falling, should the supply of compressed air to the bellows 135 discontinue or the bellows otherwise fail.

When it is desired to lower the hoist, the legs 137 are pivoted back to the position parallel with the gate 35, so that the bellows can be decompressed to enable the plates 114 to lower with the scissor linkages 120 and 132, so the vehicle wheels are lowered to engage the gate 35 and the floor 16.

Depending brackets 259 are connected to the frame members 110 and 111 and project below those frame members so that when the hoist is in the lowered position, the brackets locate just on the outside of the frame members 256 and 257 to facilitate locating of the hoist in the lowered position and stop sideways movement of the hoist when the vehicle is driven on a roadway.

The bellows 135 are controlled to enable the hoist 45 to raise or lower by controlling the control knob 140 which is located above the key hole 63 and beside the control levers 66, 69 and 78.

The floor 16 of the vehicle 10 supports two toe in, toe out adjustment plates 150 which are arranged just rearwardly of mesh deck 151 on the floor 16. Just in front of the mesh deck 151 are two stop bars 153 to prevent the wheels of a car driven up onto the gate 45 and floor 16 from moving any further forward relative to the vehicle 10.

The tow in, tow out plates are intended to receive the front wheels of a car when the hoist 45 is lowered so that the amount of tow in and tow out of the wheels can be adjusted.

The tow in, tow out plates are best shown in Figure 22, and comprise a carriage 155 which has downwardly extending flanges 157. The flanges 157 rest over guide rails 158 which are mounted in open portions of the floor 16. The carriage 155 has a handle 159 and side frame 160 of the vehicle 16 is provided with a cut out section 161 so that axis can be easily gained through the handle 159. By pushing or pulling the handle 159 in the direction of double-headed arrow D, the carriage 155 is moved along the rails 158.

The carriage 155 supports a circular toe in, toe out plate 170. The plate 170 is mounted for rotation on the carriage 155 by shaft 171 which is journalled in the carriage 155. The plate 170 carries a scale 172 so that the amount of rotation of the plate 170 can be measured.

In order to adjust the amount of toe in or toe out of the wheels of the vehicle, the carriage 155 is pushed or pulled in the direction of double-headed arrow D so that the plates 170 of the two devices 150 are in alignment with the wheels of the car. The car is then driven or moved so that the wheels rest on the plates 170. The suspension components of the vehicle are then loosened so that the plate 170 can be rotated to thereby rotate the wheels of the vehicle to set the amount of toe in or toe out of the wheels . When the degree of toe in or toe out has been set by rotation of the plate 170, the suspension components of the car are tightened so as to maintain that setting. The plate 170 is locked in place by a pin 174 which is located through a hole in bracket 175, and also a hole in lug 176 which is connected to the plate 170, to prevent the plate from spinning when the vehicle is travelling on a roadway. The pin 174 is simply retracted, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 22 to free the plate 170, so the plate can be rotated to set the tow in or tow out of the vehicle wheel.

Figure 25 is a view which shows a car C driven up onto the gate 45 with the front wheels W' resting on the plates 170 (which are not shown in detail in Figure 24) . The hoist

45 is in its lowered configuration. Figure 26 is a view similar to Figure 25, but with the hoist 45 raised to lift the car so that the wheels are free and can be removed from the car to facilitate change of the tyres on the wheel .

Figure 27 is a schematic block diagram showing the basic circuit layout for power generated by the generator 32. The generator 32 is connected by way of control box 180, which is switched on by the key which is locatable in key hole 63. The box 180 is an overall control box and prevents all of the previously described functions of the vehicle from operating until the key is turned on, to prevent operation of the vehicle unless the operator has the key to operate the vehicle. The control box 180 enables power from the generator 32 to be supplied to compressor 190, wheel alignment machine 27 and wheel balancing machine 26. The generator 32 may also supply power to the light 62 shown in Figure 6, although light 62 may be powered by the battery of the vehicle 10. Thus, the generator 32 enables power to be supplied to the tyre changing apparatus in the storage compartment 14 so that those machines can be operated.

Figure 28 is a schematic pressurised air system. Once again, a key in the key hole 63 is required in order to enable the hydraulic system to operate via control box 180. The pneumatic system comprises the compressor 190. The compressor 190 can be stored in storage compartment 191 at the side of the vehicle, as best shown in Figure 2. The compressor 190 supplies compressed air to tank 33 in order to provide a supply of compressed air without the compressor 190 needing to be operating at all times. The tank 33 is connected to tyre change machine 25 to operate the tyre change machine and also to the bellows 135 which can be operated by the control handle 140 previously described. A compressed air outlet 195 is also supplied to which a hose can be connected to provide compressed air to a tool, which may be needed by the operators of the vehicle (such as a wheel nut tool, or the like) .

Figure 29 shows the schematic hydraulic operation of the system. Once again, the key hole 163 needs to be turned on to operate the box 180 so that a pump 200 can supply pneumatic fluid to rams 70 which are controlled by the control levers 69 and 70, and also to the rams 38 to operate the gate 35 via the control lever 66.

Since modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention may readily be effected by persons skilled within the art, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiment described by way of example hereinabove.

Claims

Claims :

1. A tyre change vehicle including: a tray for receiving a car; a hoist on the tray for raising the car relative to the tray; and tyre change apparatus in the vehicle for changing a tyre on a wheel of the car.

2. The tyre change vehicle of claim 1 wherein the vehicle includes levelling means for levelling the tray of the vehicle to place the tray in a substantially horizontal position so that the car can be stably supported on the tray and on the hoist .

3. The tyre change vehicle of claim 2 wherein the tray comprises a floor section of the vehicle and a gate, and the vehicle further includes moving means for moving the gate between an upright position to enable the vehicle to be driven on a roadway, and a lowered position at which the gate forms a continuation of the floor so that the car can be supported on the floor and/or gate when the gate is in the substantially horizontal position.

4. The tyre change vehicle of claim 1 wherein the hoist is mounted on the gate.

5. The tyre change vehicle of claim 2 wherein the moving means is also for moving the gate to an inclined position at which the gate forms a ramp to facilitate driving of a car onto the gate and/or floor so that the car is arranged above the hoist and so the hoist can be activated to lift the car relative to the floor and/or gate.

6. The tyre change vehicle of claim 1 wherein the gate carries a pair of ramps which are moveable relative to the gate so as to form an extension of the gate and which can engage the ground so as to form a continuous ramp with the gate on which a car can be driven.

7. The tyre change vehicle of claim 1 wherein the tyre change apparatus includes a wheel balancer, a tyre changer, and a wheel alignment machine.

8. The tyre change vehicle of claim 1 wherein the vehicle is a driven vehicle and includes a cabin, a storage compartment formed by the floor, a pair of side walls and a roof, the wheel balancer, tyre changer and wheel alignment machine being located in the storage compartment .

9. The tyre change vehicle of claim 1 wherein the vehicle includes a canopy extending from the roof rearwardly of the vehicle to the gate when the gate is in the upright position.

10. The tyre change vehicle of claim 9 wherein the canopy includes a pair of awnings moveable laterally outwardly of the canopy to provide sheltered space at the sides of the vehicle.

11. The tyre change vehicle of claim 7 wherein the vehicle has a generator for generating power to be supplied to the wheel balancer and wheel alignment machine.

12. The tyre change vehicle of claim 7 wherein the vehicle includes a compressor for supplying compressed air to the tyre changer for operating the tyre changer.

13. The tyre change vehicle of claim 7 wherein the hoist is provided with a plurality of bellows for lifting the hoist relative to the tray and lowering the hoist relative to the tray, and a compressor for supplying compressed air to the bellows.

14. The tyre change vehicle of claim 13 wherein a compressed air tank is provided between the compressor and the tyre changer and bellows, the compressor charging the tank with compressed air for supply to the tyre changer and bellows to operate the tyre changer and the hoist.

15. The tyre change vehicle of claim 2 wherein the levelling means comprises a pair of fluid operated rams, one of the rams being connected to the tray at one side of the vehicle, and the other being connected to the tray at the other side of the vehicle, the rams being independently operable so as to move the tray relative to the vehicle suspension to level the tray.

16. The tyre change vehicle of claim 15 wherein the levelling means further includes level indicating means to provide a visual indication of the level of the tray.

17. The tyre change vehicle of claim 15 wherein the rams are hydraulic rams.

18. The tyre change vehicle of claim 1 wherein the moving means, for moving the gate between the upright position and the substantially horizontal position, comprises at least one fluid operated ram.

19. The tyre change vehicle of claim 18 wherein the moving means comprises two fluid operated rams.

20. The tyre change vehicle of claim 19 wherein the rams are hydraulic rams .

21. The tyre change vehicle of claim 15 wherein the rams of the levelling means are pivotally coupled to the tray for movement from a stowed position to a ground engaging position.

22. The tyre change vehicle of claim 15 wherein the levelling means includes locking means for locking the rams in the ground engaging position.

23. The tyre change vehicle of claim 22 wherein the locking means comprises a bracket for receiving the rams and a pin for holding the rams in the bracket.

24. The tyre change vehicle of claim 3 wherein the floor includes two alignment plates for receiving the front wheels of the car, the alignment plates being moveable relative to the floor so as to position the alignment plates to enable the front wheels of the car to drive on to the plates, pivotal mounting means for mounting the plates for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, so that the plates can be pivoted whilst the wheels of the car are on the plates to set the amount of toe in or toe out of the wheels of the car.

25. The tyre change vehicle of claim 24 wherein each plate is supported on a carriage, the carriage being mounted on a pair of rails provided in the floor so that the carriages, and therefore the plates, can be moved to adjust the position of the plates so that the plates are aligned with the wheel of the car.

26. The tyre change vehicle of claim 6 wherein the ramps each include a first ramp section fixed to the gate but moveable relative to the gate so as to extend outwardly of the gate substantially in the plane of the gate, and a second ramp section completely separable from the gate and for coupling on the end of the first ramp section for extending between the first ramp section and the ground.

27. A tyre change vehicle including: a storage compartment; tyre change apparatus located in the storage compartment for changing a tyre on a wheel of a car; a gate at the rear of the vehicle; pivotal coupling means for pivotally coupling the gate to the vehicle; drive means for driving the gate between an upright position and a lowered position so that the car can be driven onto the gate when in the lowered position; and a hoist mounted on the gate for lifting the car relative to the gate when the gate is in the lowered position, to enable the wheels of the car to be removed to facilitate change of a tyre by the tyre changing apparatus in the storage compartment of the vehicle.

28. The tyre change vehicle of claim 27 wherein the vehicle includes levelling means for levelling the vehicle to place the hoist in a substantially horizontal position so that the car can be stably supported on the hoist .

29. The tyre change vehicle of claim 27 wherein the drive means is also for moving the gate to an inclined position at which the gate forms a ramp to facilitate driving of a car onto the gate so that the car is arranged above the hoist and so the hoist can be activated to lift the car relative to the gate.

30. The tyre change vehicle of claim 29 wherein the gate carries a pair of ramps which are moveable relative to the gate so as to form an extension of the gate and which can engage the ground so as to form a continuous ramp with the gate on which a car can be driven.

31. The tyre change vehicle of claim 27 wherein the tyre change apparatus includes a wheel balancer, a tyre changer, and a wheel alignment machine.

32. The tyre change vehicle of claim 27 wherein the vehicle is a driven vehicle and includes a cabin, a storage compartment formed by the floor, a pair of side walls and a roof, the wheel balancer, tyre changer and wheel alignment machine being located in the storage compartment .

33. The tyre change vehicle of claim 28 wherein the levelling means comprises a pair of fluid operated rams, one of the rams being connected to one side of the vehicle, and the other being connected at the other side of the vehicle, the rams being independently operable so as to move the vehicle relative to the vehicle suspension to leyel the tray.

34. The tyre change vehicle of claim 33 wherein the levelling means further includes level indicating means to provide a visual indication of the level of the vehicle.

35. The tyre change vehicle of claim 33 wherein the rams are hydraulic rams.

36. The tyre change vehicle of claim 29 wherein the driving means, for moving the gate between the upright position and the substantially horizontal position, comprises at least one fluid operated ram.

37. The tyre change vehicle of claim 36 wherein the driving means comprises two fluid operated rams.

38. The tyre change vehicle of claim 37 wherein the rams are hydraulic rams.

39. The tyre change vehicle of claim 33 wherein the rams of the levelling means are pivotally coupled to the tray for movement from a stowed position to a ground engaging position.

40. The tyre change vehicle of claim 33 wherein the levelling means includes locking means for locking the rams in the ground engaging position.

41. A tyre change vehicle including: a storage compartment; tyre change apparatus in the storage compartment for changing a tyre on a wheel of a car; a tray for receiving the car; a hoist on the tray for lifting the car relative to the tray; and levelling means for levelling the tray so that the tray and hoist are substantially horizontal so that the car can be securely and safely lifted by the hoist.

42. The tyre change vehicle of claim 41 wherein the tray comprises a floor section of the vehicle and a gate, the vehicle further including moving means for moving the gate between an upright position to enable the vehicle to be driven on a roadway, and a lowered position at which the gate forms a continuation of the floor so that the vehicle can be supported on the floor and/or gate when the gate is in the substantially horizontal position.

43. The tyre change vehicle of claim 41 wherein the hoist is mounted on the gate.

44. The tyre change vehicle of claim 42 wherein the moving means is also for moving the gate to an inclined position at which the gate forms a ramp to facilitate driving of a car onto the gate and/or floor so that the car is arranged above the hoist and so the hoist can be activated to lift the car relative to the floor and/or gate .

45. The tyre change vehicle of claim 44 wherein the gate carries a pair of ramps which are moveable relative to the gate so as to form an extension of the gate and which can engage the ground so as to form a continuous ramp with the gate on which a car can be driven.

46. The tyre change vehicle of claim 41 wherein the tyre change apparatus includes a wheel balancer, a tyre changer, and a wheel alignment machine.

47. The tyre change vehicle of claim 41 wherein the levelling means comprises a pair of fluid operated rams, one of the rams being connected to the tray at one side of the vehicle, and the other being connected to the tray at the other side of the vehicle, the rams being independently operable so as to move the tray relative to the vehicle suspension to level the tray.

48. The tyre change vehicle of claim 47 wherein the levelling means further includes level indicating means to provide a visual indication of the level of the tray.

49. The tyre change vehicle of claim 47 wherein the rams are hydraulic rams.

50. The tyre change vehicle of claim 42 wherein the moving means, for moving the gate from the upright position to the substantially horizontal position, comprises at least one fluid operated ram.

51. The tyre change vehicle of claim 50 wherein the moving means comprises two fluid operated rams.

52. The tyre change vehicle of claim 51 wherein the rams are hydraulic rams.

53. The tyre change vehicle of claim 47 wherein the rams of the levelling means are pivotally coupled to the tray for movement from a stowed position to a ground engaging position.

54. The tyre change vehicle of claim 41 wherein the levelling means includes locking means for locking the rams in the ground engaging position.

55. The tyre change vehicle of claim 54 wherein the locking means comprises a bracket for receiving the rams and a pin for holding the rams in the bracket.

56. A tyre change vehicle including: a storage compartment; tyre change apparatus in the storage compartment for changing a tyre on a car; a tray for receiving the car; a hoist on the tray for lifting the car relative to the tray; a gate moveable from an upright position to a lower position and for forming at least part of the tray when the gate is in the lowered position; and at least one fluid operated ram connected between the vehicle and the gate for driving the gate between the upright position and the lowered position.

57. The tyre change vehicle of claim 56 wherein the vehicle includes levelling means for levelling the tray of the vehicle to place the tray in a substantially horizontal position so that the car can be stably supported on the tray and on the hoist.

58. The tyre change vehicle of claim 56 wherein the hoist is mounted on the gate.

59. The tyre change vehicle of claim 56 wherein the gate carries a pair of ramps which are moveable relative to the gate so as to form an extension of the gate and which can engage the ground so as to form a continuous ramp with the gate on which a car can be driven.

60. The tyre change vehicle of claim 56 wherein the tyre change apparatus includes a wheel balancer, a tyre changer, and a wheel alignment machine.

61. The tyre change vehicle of claim 56 wherein the vehicle is a driven vehicle and includes a cabin, a storage compartment formed by the floor, a pair of side walls and a roof, the wheel balancer, tyre changer and wheel alignment machine being located in the storage compartment .

62. The tyre change vehicle of claim 61 wherein the vehicle includes a canopy extending from the roof rearwardly of the vehicle to the gate when the gate is in the upright position.

63. The tyre change vehicle of claim 62 wherein the canopy includes a pair of awnings moveable laterally outwardly of the canopy to provide sheltered space at the sides of the vehicle.

64. The tyre change vehicle of claim 57 wherein the levelling means comprises a pair of fluid operated rams, one of the rams being connected to the tray at one side of the vehicle, and the other being connected to the tray at the other side of the vehicle, the rams being independently operable so as to move the tray relative to the vehicle suspension to level the tray.

65. The tyre change vehicle of claim 64 wherein the levelling means further includes level indicating means to provide a visual indication of the level of the tray.

66. The tyre change vehicle of claim 64 wherein the rams are hydraulic rams.

67. The tyre change vehicle of claim 64 wherein the at least one fluid operated ram comprises two hydraulic rams.

68. A tyre change vehicle including: a storage section; tyre change apparatus in the storage section for changing a tyre on a wheel of a car; a gate at the rear of the vehicle; pivotal coupling means for pivoting the gate to the vehicle; drive means for driving the gate from an upright position to a substantially horizontal position; a hoist for lifting a car; and a canopy extending from the storage compartment substantially to the gate when the gate is in the upright position.

69. The tyre change vehicle of claim 68 wherein the vehicle includes levelling means for levelling the vehicle to place the vehicle in a substantially horizontal position so that the car can be stably supported on the tray and on the hoist.

70. The tyre change vehicle of claim 68 wherein the hoist is mounted on the gate.

71. The tyre change vehicle of claim 68 wherein the gate carries a pair of ramps which are moveable relative to the gate so as to form an extension of the gate and which can engage the ground so as to form a continuous ramp with the gate on which a car can be driven.

72. The tyre change vehicle of claim 68 wherein the tyre change apparatus includes a wheel balancer, a tyre changer, and a wheel alignment machine.

73. The tyre change vehicle of claim 68 wherein the vehicle is a driven vehicle and includes a cabin, a storage compartment formed by the floor, a pair of side walls and a roof, the wheel balancer, tyre changer and wheel alignment machine being located in the storage compartment .

74. The tyre change vehicle of claim 68 wherein the canopy includes a pair of awnings moveable laterally outwardly of the canopy to provide sheltered space at the sides of the vehicle.

75. The tyre change vehicle of claim 68 wherein the hoist is provided with a plurality of bellows for lifting the hoist relative to the tray and lowering the hoist relative to the tray, and a compressor for supplying compressed air to the bellows.

76. The tyre change vehicle of claim 69 wherein the levelling means comprises a pair of fluid operated rams, one of the rams being connected to the tray at one side of the vehicle, and the other being connected to the tray at the other side of the vehicle, the rams being independently operable so as to move the tray relative to the vehicle suspension to level the tray.

77. The tyre change vehicle of claim 76 wherein the levelling means further includes level indicating means to provide a visual indication of the level of the tray.

78. The tyre change vehicle of claim 76 wherein the rams are hydraulic rams.

79. The tyre change vehicle of claim 68 wherein the drive means for driving the gate from the upright position to the substantially horizontal position and to the inclined position, comprises at least one fluid operated ram.

80. The tyre change vehicle of claim 79 wherein the driving means comprises two fluid operated rams.

81. The tyre change vehicle of claim 80 wherein the rams are hydraulic rams.

82. The tyre change vehicle of claim 76 wherein the rams of the levelling means are pivotally coupled to the tray for movement from a stowed position to a ground engaging position.

83. The tyre change vehicle of claim 69 wherein the levelling means includes locking means for locking the rams in the ground engaging position.

84. The tyre change vehicle of claim 83 wherein the locking means comprises a bracket for receiving the rams and a pin for holding the rams in the bracket .

85. The tyre change vehicle of claim 71 wherein the rams each include a first ram section fixed to the gate but moveable relative to the gate so as to extend outwardly of the gate substantially in the plane of the gate, and a second ramp section completely separable from the gate and for coupling on the end of the first ramp section for extending between the first ramp section and the ground.

86. A tyre change vehicle including: a storage section; tyre change apparatus in the storage section for changing a tyre on a wheel of a car; a gate at the rear of the vehicle; pivotal coupling means for coupling the gate to the vehicle; drive means for driving the gate between an upright position and a lowered position; a hoist on the vehicle for lifting the car so that the wheels of the car can be removed from the car; a pair of first ramp sections extendable and retractable relative to the gate; and a pair of removable ramps carried by the gate so that the ramps can be removed from the gate, and connected to the first ramp sections when the ramp sections are extended so as to form a ramp to enable a car to drive up onto the vehicle and be lifted by the hoist.

87. The tyre change vehicle of claim 86 wherein the vehicle includes levelling means for levelling the vehicle to place the vehicle in a substantially horizontal position so that the car can be stably supported on the hoist .

88. The tyre change vehicle of claim 87 wherein the hoist is mounted on the gate.

89. The tyre change vehicle of claim 86 wherein the tyre change apparatus includes a wheel balancer, a tyre changer, and a wheel alignment machine.

95. The tyre change vehicle of claim 86 wherein the vehicle is a driven vehicle and includes a cabin, a storage compartment formed by the floor, a pair of side walls and a roof, the wheel balancer, tyre changer and wheel alignment machine being located in the storage compartment .