WO2005118214A1

WO2005118214A1 - Mobile wheel reconditioning facility

Info

Publication number: WO2005118214A1
Application number: PCT/EP2005/052336
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas E. Morris; Robert H. Rice
Original assignee: Wheel Repairs Solutions Of Europe B.V.; Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists, Inc.
Priority date: 2004-05-26
Filing date: 2005-05-20
Publication date: 2005-12-15
Also published as: CA2564476A1; CA2564476C

Abstract

The invention relates to a mobile wheel reconditioning facility (1) comprising a plurality of walls (2) determining said facility and a plurality of reconditioning stations, wherein said reconditioning stations at least include a paint station (10) and a wheel spinning station (11). Accordingly, the range of operations for reconditioning wheels is expanded by the facility according to the invention, while the mobile nature of the facility allows on-site service. The invention further relates to a paint station (10), a wheel spinning station (11) and a wheel straightener.

Description

Mobile wheel reconditioning facility

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates automotive road wheels and in particular to a mobile wheel reconditioning facility.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Road wheels are among the most prominent features of an automobile. Indeed, consumers sometimes spend significant sums to replace the factory "standard" road wheels with larger or more ornate or stylish wheels. Automotive road wheels are generally fabricated from an aluminium alloy or steel, with aluminium alloy wheels being the most common. A common structural attribute or feature of automotive wheels is an annular outer rim bead which extends in sealed engagement with the tire mounted to the wheel . The outer rim bead typically defines the outermost or distal portion of the wheel, and thus is the most susceptible to damage when the tire is inadvertently subjected to abrasive contact from, for example, a curb, as often occurs during turning and parallel parking of the automobile. Because of the orientation of the outer rim bead relative to the tire, the abrasive contact of the tire to a curb or similar obstruction often results in harmful impact or abrasive contact to the outer rim bead, frequently causing abrasive damage and/or superficial fragmentation damage to one or more sections thereof. Due to the visual prominence of the automotive wheels and the location of the outer rim bead relative to the tire, damage to even a relatively small section of the outer rim bead is easily noticed even at a glance. The face of the wheel, the spokes and other parts of wheels also can be damaged. Due to the relatively high cost of automotive wheels, it is often more economical to repair a damaged outer rim bead or other wheel part rather than to purchase a complete replacement wheel . Of course, it will be appreciated that the degree of damage to the outer rim bead of the wheel should be such that repair or reconditioning is practical, and that extensive damage will often necessitate a complete replacement of the wheel. United States Patent 6,347,444 discloses a method for refurbishing an automotive wheel comprising a first grinding process and a second grinding process followed by a painting step. The '444 patent discloses that a damaged automotive wheel can be refurbished on-site without removing the wheel from the vehicle and without removing the tire from the wheel. A disadvantage of the method disclosed in the '444 patent is that it applies only to automotive wheel beads that are painted. Accordingly, it can be seen that a need yet remains for a method and apparatus for mobile reconditioning of painted automotive wheels, as well as unpainted wheels. It is to the provision of such a method and portable apparatus that the present invention is primarily directed.

SUMMARY. OF THE INVENTION .< In one preferred form, the present invention comprises a mobile wheel reconditioning facility. The wheel reconditioning facility includes an enclosure, a wheel straightening station, and a metal preparation station. The mobile wheel reconditioning facility further includes a wheel painting booth housed within the enc1osure . Preferably, the mobile wheel reconditioning facility comprises a trailer adapted to be towed behind another vehicle. Optionally, the mobile wheel reconditioning facility can be truck-mounted (or van-mounted) , dispensing with the need for a separate trailer. Optionally, the mobile wheel reconditioning facility can be provided further with a wheel/tire separator apparatus for removing a tire from a wheel and for subsequently remounting a tire to the wheel. Preferably, the enclosure is partitioned into at least two chambers, including a paint booth chamber and a preparation chamber. Preferably, the preparation chamber houses the wheel straightening stations and the metal preparation station. Optionally, a movable door can be provided for providing convenient access to the paint booth chamber from the preparation chamber. Also preferably, the mobile wheel reconditioning facility is provided with a compressed air compressor. Also, the mobile wheel reconditioning facility can be provided with an electric power generator. Preferably, the painting booth is provided with a downdraft exhaust for drawing paint fumes and overspray out of the painting booth and for directing the same out beneath the mobile wheel reconditioning facility, rather than to the side of the mobile wheel reconditioning facility. Preferably, the metal preparation station includes a device for spinning a wheel to facilitate abrasive finishing and/or light machining of parts of the wheel. Advantageously, the mobile wheel reconditioning facility can be provided with wheel rotation apparatus to allow the wheel to be rotated slightly to provide better access for preparing the wheel for paint and/or for painting the wheel . -Such a wheel rotation apparatus can be in the. form of an inclined table with support rollers for engaging the tire or wheel for smoothly supporting the wheel at an incline as it is rotated. In another preferred form, the present invention comprises a mobile wheel reconditioning facility. The mobile wheel reconditioning facility according to the second preferred form of invention includes a wheel spinning station for facilitating preparation of the wheel for painting and a painting station for applying paint to the wheel . The wheel spinning station provides powered rotation of the wheel, enabling an operator to lightly machine the wheels or wheel beads, such as by polishing or simulating lathe lines with abrasive pads. Accordingly, the range of operations for reconditioning wheels is expanded by the facility according to the invention, while the mobile nature of the facility allows on-site service. The painting station and/or the wheel spinning station may be adapted to function within the facility and may be fixed to one or more of the walls of the facility. Fixation of one or more reconditioning stations may be advantageous for a mobile facility. The invention further relates to a paint station for painting wheels or wheel beads comprising a housing, the paint station being adapted to connect a high volume low pressure paint gun, and ventilation means provided in said housing adapted to generate an air flow for exhausting, in use, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the paint station. The combination of the high volume low pressure paint gun and the ventilation means provides for a paint station that is adapted to function within a mobile facility. The invention also relates to a reconditioning station for a wheel comprising a flywheel, capturing means to secure said wheel and driving means or rotating said flywheel . Such a reconditioning station is advantageous for a mobile wheel reconditioning facility in that it expands the range of on-site machining operations for reconditioning^of the wheels. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims and will be explained in more detail in the description of the invention. The invention will be further illustrated with reference to the attached drawings, which schematically show a preferred embodiment according to the invention. It will be understood that the invention is not in any way restricted to this specific and preferred embodiment .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES Fig. 1 shows a plan of the interior of a mobile wheel reconditioning facility according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention. Figs. 2A and 2B are side and front views, respectively, of portions of the mobile wheel reconditioning station of Fig.

1, and in particular show a diagrammatic illustration of a paint station in side view and front view respectively. Figs . 3A and 3B are diagrammatic illustrations of a wheel spinner portion in side-view and in top view of the invention of Fig. 1. Figs . 4A - 4D are diagrammatic illustrations of a wheel straightener portion of the mobile wheel reconditioning station of Fig. 1, and in particular show the wheel straightener in cross-section and in side-view according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 5A is a rear perspective view of a mobile wheel reconditioning facility according to a second preferred form of the invention. Fig. 5B is a front perspective view of a portion of the mobile wheel reconditioning facility of Fig. 5A. Fig. 6 shows a plan of the interior of a mobile wheel reconditioning facility of Fig. 5A. Fig. 7 is a schematic, perspective interior view of a portion of the mobile wheel reconditioning facility of Fig. 5A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now in detail to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numerals depict like parts throughout the several views, Fig. 1 shows a plan of the interior of a mobile wheel reconditioning facility 1, e.g., a trailer. It should be understood that although the invention is shown in the form of a trailer by way of example, it could be made to be self- propelled, as in the form of a truck with preparation and paint booth chambers located within an enclosed housing. The trailer 1 is defined by walls 2 having entry doors 3 for entry and leaving the facility. The room provided by the walls 2 is divided by a partition wall 4, also comprising a door 3'. The roof (not shown) of the trailer 1 comprises vents 5. The trailer 1 further has a structure 6 for transporting the trailer 1 by means of another vehicle. The structure 6 may comprise a support 7, e.g., a wheel, to allow stand-alone operation of the trailer 1. It should be appreciated that the facility 1 may also comprise a driving compartment and a motor itself, allowing movement of the facility 1 without the aid of another vehicle. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, the dimensions of the trailer 1 are a length of approximately 3,5 metres, a width of approximately 1,8 metres and a height of 2,2 metres . The equipment of the trailer 1 allows a range of operations to be performed for reconditioning wheels, amongst which are a painting station 10 and a wheel spinning station 11. The painting station 10 and wheel spinning station 11 will be described in more detail with respect to Figs . 2A and 2B respectively, Figs. 3A and 3B. The trailer 1 further comprises a preparation station 12 and a drying station 13. Moreover several compartments 14 are provided for storage of tools and materials . Finally, a power supply is present. In operation, a damaged wheel is taken into the trailer 1 through the entry door 3. First, the tire is broken from the bead of the wheel (or removed) . Next, grinding of the wheel may be performed in the preparation station 12 to an adequate surface for restoration. The grinding process may e.g. involve the first and second grinding processes disclosed in US 6,347,444. In general, the preparation station 12 allows the wheel bead to be prepared either to be painted in the painting station 10 or to be machined by employing the wheel spinning station 11. The preparation station 12 may have ventilation means V to exhaust compounds from the inside of the trailer 1. It should be appreciated that the extent of preparation may depend on the amount of damage of the wheel bead. If the wheel is to be painted, it is subsequently taken from the preparation station 12 through the door 3 in the further wall 4 to the painting station 10. The further wall 4 preserves appropriate conditions in the part of the trailer 1 wherein the wheels are painted and/or dried while simultaneously preparation and/or machining of other wheels is performed. It is avoided that dust of small particles of wheel beads generated during preparation or machining are transported via the air to the painted wheels. The painting station 10 is displayed in Figs. 2A and 2B in cross-section along 2A-2A and in front view (i.e. the direction of the arrow B in Fig. 2A) . The painting station 10 comprises a housing 20 with an open top that is fixed to a wall 2. The paint station 10 comprises a connection point 21 for a paint gun 22 connected via a hose 23. The paint gun 22 may be a high volume, low pressure (HVLP) paint gun. The pressure can be obtained from a compressor air tank 24 (see Fig. 1) . One suitable paint gun 22 is an HVLP gravity spray gun as manufactured by SATA, Inc. employing an atomising air regulator to control the air flow. The paint flow going out of the HVLP gun 22 can be finely tuned. Such a paint gun 22 reduces contamination and over-spray. The housing 20 of the paint station 10 further comprises ventilation means to generate an air flow E for exhausting, in use, volatile organic compounds (VOC's) from the paint station 10. The ventilation means comprises an exhaust fan 25 and a filter 26. Accordingly, reconditioning of wheels by painting can be performed in the closed room of the trailer 1, since down draft paint stations 10 catch the VOC's sprayed in the paint process . _*. Further, the paint station 10 comprises rotation means for rotating the wheel . The circumference of an imaginary wheel W is shown in Fig. 2B for illustrative purposes regarding the rotation means . The rotation means in this embodiment comprise rollers 27 appropriately attached to the housing 20 on a frame 28 and wheels 29 on supports 30. The wheel W can be provided on the rollers 27 such that it is supported by the wheels 29 under an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the wall 2. Accordingly, during painting the wheel W can be rotated over the rollers 27 and supported by the wheels 29 to facilitate painting by means of the HVLP paint gun 22. It should be appreciated that the configuration of the rotation means may be different; the rollers 27 may, e.g., be supported by a frame with only three bars building respective angles of approximately 60 degrees with each other. After painting, the wheel may be dried either in the painting station 10 itself or in the drying station 13. The drying station 13, and preferably also the painting station 10, are provided with heating means H (see Fig. 1) , such as a 1500 watt heat lamp. If the wheel or wheel bead is to be machined instead of painted, it is taken to the wheel spinning station 11 after preparation. Such machining may simulate lathe lines by using abrasive pads or polishing to obtain a shiny wheel or wheel bead. The wheel spinning station 11 comprises a support 35 on top of which rests a base 36. A flywheel 37 is rotatably mounted over the base 36. A standard bead breaker 38 is attached to the base 36 as well. A bead breaker allows reconditioning of a wheel or wheel bead without removing the tire from the wheel . The fact that the wheel spinner function and the bead breaking function are combined in one apparatus, wherein the flywheel is provided on top of the bead breaker to optimise the use of floor space in the trailer 1. The flywheel 37 comprises a V-groove (not shown) and an axle. The axle 39 it adapted to receive a cone 40 to constitute capturing means for fixating a wheel . Further, the wheel spinning station 11 comprises a driving means 41, such as a DC-motor, allowing control of rotation direction and speed of the flywheel 37 and, consequently, of the wheel. The motor 41 drives a shaft 42 that is supported by a pillow block bearing 43 just below a drive pulley 44. The drive pulley 44 is attached to the shaft 42 on one side and accommodated in the V-groove of the flywheel 37 on the other side . The wheel spinning station 11 is configured such that a wheel can be rotated around its true centre. The inside hub of a wheel is a machined surface. If the wheel is positioned on flywheel 37, it is positioned with its centre hole over the axle 39 and the inside hub surface will rest flush against the flywheel 37. Once the wheel is flat against the flywheel 37, it is precisely located axially. Now the tapered cone 40 is placed over the axle 39 and as it is pushed into the centre hole of the wheel, the wheel is captured in the wheel spinning apparatus and is located radially in the center. The wheel can now be spun around its true centre. Further positioning means (not shown) may be employed to position the wheel away from the flywheel 37 to avoid contact between the drive pulley 44 and the wheel . While the wheel is spinning, many different techniques with tools and abrasives can be used to accomplish a wide variety of surface repairs for wheels. Such surface repairs include polishing and simulating lathe lines with abrasive pads. Since the wheel is precisely centred in a horizontal plane, it can safely be spun on a variable speed DC drive motor in the range of 1 to 450 rpm in either direction. Unique results can be achieved by spinning the wheel at a variety of speeds and in opposite directions. The consistency of the spinning speed enables the operator to create simulated machining lines on the wheels. Ultimately, the wheel spinning station can be used for very slow spinning to provide a way to obtain accurate run-out measurements and can be run at other speeds for effective machining operations. In some instances, the wheels are deformed by, e.g., a curb. Accordingly, the trailer 1 may have a wheel straightener 50 as schematically displayed in Figs. 4A-4D. Figs. 4A and 4B show the wheel straightener 50 in cross-section 4A-4A and in side view (arrow 4B) respectively. The wheel straightener 50 comprises a cylinder 51 that is closed at one side by a cap 52 and a pressure member 53. Further, a plunger rod 54 is connected to a plunger 55. The plunger rod 54 is connected to a curved member or presser foot 56B. On the other side of the wheel straightener 50 a corresponding curved member or presser foot 56A is present. Curved member 56A may be stationary with respect to the cylinder 51. The wheel straightener 50 has a connection point 57, e.g., a valve, for feeding a liquid, such as oil, to hydraulically pressurize the system from a liquid reservoir (not shown) . A spring 58 is present to exert spring force .action on the plunger 55. The wheel straightener 50 may comprise a rod 60 with a plurality of openings 61 connected to the cylinder 51. A threaded member 62 is applied over the rod 60, and the threaded member 62 has a central opening (not shown) such that it can move in at least the axial direction along the rod 60. Further, the threaded member 62 comprises an opening 63 that is adapted to cooperate with the openings 61. This cooperation can be achieved by a pin member 70 shown in Fig. 4C. Finally, a capture cap 64 and a nut 65 are applied over the threaded member 62, wherein at least the nut 65 is internally threaded such that it cooperates with the threads of the member 62. The wheel straightener 50 may be portable (removable) or it can be fixedly located in or on the trailer 1. In operation, the rod 60 is moved through the axial opening of the wheel W. The wheel W is positioned such that the part to be straightened abuts at least one of the curved members 56A, 56B. Subsequently, the threaded member 62, comprising the capture cap 64 and nut 65, is moved axially along the rod 60 to an appropriate position and fixated by the pin member 70. In doing so, opening 63 is aligned with an opening 61 of the rod 60 and an end 71 of the pin member 70 is pushed through both the openings 61, 63. The other side of the pin member 70 is bent, enabling curvature 72 to rest or to be forced against the threaded member 62. Then the nut 65 is turned to push the capture cap 64 into the axial opening of the wheel W to hold the wheel during the straightening operation. The straightening of the wheel involves the supply of pressurized oil in the oil chamber 80 via the valve 57, as shown in Fig. 4D. Consequently, the curved member 56B is pushed out in a radial direction of the wheel W such that the wheel bead is repaired. This hydraulic operation allows a sufficient force to be exerted on the wheel for repair. Accordingly, the presence of the wheel straightener 50 is useful for the mobile wheel reconditioning facility 1. Fig. 5A shows a mobile wheel reconditioning facility

101 in a second preferred form of the invention. In this preferred form, the mobile wheel reconditioning facility 101 is also in the form of a trailer to be towed behind a vehicle, a portion of which is shown in Fig. 5A. The trailer 101 is defined by side walls 102 and has two rear entry doors 103, 103' for entering and leaving the facility. The roof of the trailer 101 comprises vents, such as vent 105. The trailer 101 further has a frame 106 for transporting the trailer 101 by means of another vehicle. The frame 106 includes ground wheels, such as ground wheels 107, 107'. In the commercial embodiment, the dimensions of the trailer 101 are a length of approximately 10 feet, a width of approximately 6 feet and a height of about 8 feet. As shown in this figure, a mobile access door 108 conceals a pullout electric power generator indicated generally at 109. Preferably, the electric power generator produces electric power at 110 volts, 7000 kWA. As shown in Fig. 5B, the mobile wheel reconditioning facility 101 also includes an air compressor indicated at 111 located at a front end of the trailer 101. Indeed, the air compressor 111 is mounted above the tongue 112 of the frame 106. The air compressor provides a suitable quantity of compressed air for spraying and other reconditioning operations. As shown in the schematic plan view of Fig. 6, the mobile wheel reconditioning facility 101 has a front end indicated at 113 and a rear end indicated generally at 114. The tongue 112 is located at the front end 113. As shown in the previous figure, the air compressor 111 is mounted atop the tongue 112. The rear entry doors 103, 103' are positioned at the rear 114 of the trailer. A five drawer toolbox 116 is positioned just inside entry door 103 in a preparation chamber portion 120 of the trailer 101. A partition 125 divides the interior of the trailer 101 into the rear or preparation chamber 120 and a forward or paint chamber 130. A double workstation 117 is positioned along the left edge of the preparation chamber 120 for grinding and sanding wheels in preparation, such as for potential painting of the wheels. The double workstation 117 is in the form of an open work table arranged at an incline for supporting wheels at a comfortable angle and height for sanding, grinding and other operations. The double workstation includes wheel supports for allowing the wheels to be rotated easily, as described earlier in the application. A ceiling vent 105 is positioned in the roof/ceiling of the preparation chamber. Inside the preparation chamber is a roof-mounted air conditioner and heater unit 118 for providing a comfortable working environment in the preparation chamber. A wheel spinner and combination bead breaker 119 is positioned in a forward portion of the preparation chamber 120, generally near the partition 125. The partition 125 includes a movable door 127 to provide access from the preparation chamber 120 to the paint booth 130 and vice versa. The movable door 127 opens rearwardly away from the paint booth 130. Just inside the paint chamber 130 is a paint storage cabinet 131 for storing paints and paint supplies. In a forward portion of the paint booth 130 is a paint mixing bench 132. A double work/spray station 133 is positioned to one side of the mixing bench 131. The double workstation 133 is in the form of an open work table arranged at an inclined for supporting wheels at a comfortable angle and height_*, for spraying and other operations . The double workstation includes wheel supports for allowing the wheels to be rotated easily, as described earlier in the application. The double workstation also includes a powerful exhaust for drawing fumes and airborne particles out of the paint booth and exhausting the same directly downwardly beneath the trailer, rather than out to the side of the trailer. As the air is drawn from the paint booth or forward chamber 130, it passes through filter material to trap paint particles or dust and prevent the same from being exhausted to the outside. A pair of high-intensity infrared curing lamps 134 are positioned over the workstation 133 and can be repositioned as needed. In this regard, the infrared lamps 134 are mounted on an articulated support frame . Preferably, either the partition door 127 or the walls of the partition itself 125 are provided with one or more air inlets filled with filter material. This is shown in Fig. 7, in which the door 127 is seen from the preparation chamber side. The door 127 includes upper and lower filter mats 141 and 142 which are held in place in unshown corresponding openings in the door 127. Alternatively, instead of providing the filter mats in either the door or the partition wall, filter mats could be provided in both the door and the partition wall . Alternatively, the paint booth could be vented directly from the outside (instead of through the partition) , although it might still be advantageous to provide filtering to filter out any dust or contaminants that might be entrained in the air coming into the paint booth 130. While the invention has been disclosed in preferred forms, those skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications, additions, and deletions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A mobile wheel reconditioning facility, comprising: a moveable enclosure; a wheel straightening station; a metal preparation station; and a wheel painting booth housed within the enclosure.

2. A mobile wheel reconditioning facility as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the mobile wheel reconditioning facility comprises a trailer adapted to be towed behind a vehicle.

3. A mobile wheel reconditioning facility as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the mobile wheel reconditioning facility is self-propelled.

4. A mobile wheel reconditioning facility as claimed in Claim 1 further comprising a wheel/tire separator apparatus for removing a tire from a wheel and/or breaking the bead seal and for subsequently remounting a tire to the wheel .

5.. A mobile wheel reconditioning facility as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the enclosure is partitioned into at least two chambers, including a paint booth chamber and a preparation chamber.

6. A mobile wheel reconditioning facility as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the preparation chamber houses one or more wheel straightening stations.

7. A mobile wheel reconditioning facility as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the metal preparation station includes a device for spinning a wheel to facilitate abrasive finishing of parts of the wheel.

8. A mobile wheel reconditioning facility as claimed in Claim 5 wherein a movable door is provided for access to the paint booth chamber from the preparation chamber.

9. A mobile wheel reconditioning facility as claimed in Claim 1 further comprising a compressed air compressor and an electric power generator.

10. A mobile wheel reconditioning facility as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the painting booth is provided with a downdraft exhaust for drawing paint fumes and overspray out of the painting booth and for directing the same out beneath the mobile wheel reconditioning facility, rather than to the side of the mobile wheel reconditioning facility.

11. A mobile wheel reconditioning facility as claimed in Claim 1 further comprising at least one wheel rotation apparatus to allow the wheel to be rotated slightly to provide better access for preparing the wheel for paint and/or for painting the wheel .

12. A mobile wheel reconditioning facility as claimed in Claim 11 wherein the at least one wheel rotation apparatus comprises an inclined table and support rollers for engaging the tire or wheel for smoothly supporting the wheel as it is rotated.

13. A mobile wheel reconditioning facility as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the one or more wheel straightening stations comprises at least one apparatus for clamping a wheel in place and a hydraulic jack for forcing a portion of a wheel into a proper position.

14. A mobile wheel reconditioning facility (1) comprising a plurality of walls (2) defining an enclosure and a plurality of reconditioning stations (10, 11, 12, 13), wherein said reconditioning stations at least include a paint station (10) and a wheel spinning station (11) .

15. The mobile wheel conditioning facility (1) according to Claim 14, wherein said reconditioning stations further include a preparation station (12) and/or a drying station (13) .

16. The mobile wheel conditioning facility (1) according to Claim 14, wherein said reconditioning stations further include a wheel straightener (50) for straightening wheels .

17. The mobile wheel reconditioning facility (1) according to Claim 14, wherein one or more of said reconditioning stations (10, 11, 12, 13) are fixated to at least one of said walls (2) .

18. The mobile wheel reconditioning facility (1) according to Claim 14, wherein said paint station (10) is determined by a housing (20) and ventilation means (25, 26) are provided in said housing to generate an air flow for exhausting volatile organic compounds .

19. The mobile wheel reconditioning facility (1) according to Claim 18, wherein said ventilation means comprises an exhaust fan (25) and a filter (26) .

20. The mobile wheel reconditioning facility (1) according to Claim 14, wherein at least one of said reconditioning stations (10) is determined by a housing (20) and said housing comprises rotation means (27, 29) for rotating a wheel.

21. The mobile wheel reconditioning facility (1) according to Claim 14, wherein said facility comprises one or more further walls (4) separating at least a first reconditioning station (10) from a second reconditioning station (12) .

22. -The mobile wheel reconditioning facility (1) according to Claim 14, wherein said wheel spinning station (11) is combined with a bead breaker (38) .

23. The mobile wheel reconditioning facility (1) according to Claim 14 wherein one or more of said reconditioning stations (10; 13) comprises heating means (H) .

24. A reconditioning station (11) for reconditioning an automotive road wheel comprising a flywheel (37) , capturing means (39, 40) to fixate said wheel and driving means (41) for rotating said flywheel (31) .

25. The reconditioning station (11) according to Claim 24, wherein said capturing means comprise a central rod (39) attached to said flywheel (37) and a tapered cone (40) adapted to penetrate a centre hole of said wheel .

26. The reconditioning station (11) according to Claim

24, wherein said driving means (41) is a controllable DC motor adapted to rotate said flywheel at a continuous speed in both rotation directions.

27. The reconditioning station (11) according to Claim 24, wherein said reconditioning station further includes a bead breaker (38) .

28. The reconditioning station (11) according to Claim 27, wherein said bead breaker comprises a base (36) and said flywheel (37) is mounted over said base (36) .

29. The reconditioning station (11) according to Claim 24, wherein said recondition station comprises positioning means for positioning a wheel away from the flywheel (37) .

30. A wheel straightener (50) comprising a set of curved members (56A,56B) adapted to abut the inner sides of a wheel and hydraulic pressure means adapted to exert a force on said inner sides of said wheel.

31. The wheel straightener (50) of claim 30, wherein said wheel straightener (50) further comprises a rod (60) with at least one opening (61) and means (62,64,65,70) to fixate said wheel when abutting said inner sides .