Apparatus for reconditioning wheels

Abstract

An apparatus for reconditioning wheels, the apparatus including: a trolley mounted base; and a reconditioning assembly rotatably mounted to the base, the reconditioning assembly including at least one reconditioning element.

1 . An apparatus for reconditioning wheels, the apparatus comprising:
 a trolley mounted base; and   a reconditioning assembly rotatably mounted to the base, the reconditioning assembly including at least one reconditioning element.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further including a drive means configured to rotate the reconditioning assembly. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the reconditioning assembly includes a plurality of reconditioning elements. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the reconditioning elements are polishing or cleaning elements. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as claim in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of reconditioning elements are circumferentially spaced about the axis of rotation of the reconditioning assembly. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each reconditioning element is mounted to a respective support arm extending from or attached to a central hub of the reconditioning assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the central hub is mounted to a shaft rotated by the drive means. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the radial positioning of each reconditioning element, with respect to the axis of rotation of the reconditioning assembly, is adjustable via movement, extension, retraction, rotation or adjustment of the support arms. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the support arms are adjustable in length. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the support arms are moveable between extended and retracted states via telescopic engagement with the central hub. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the support arms are hingedly mounted to the central hub, and pivoting movement of the support arms adjusts the radial positioning of the reconditioning elements. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the apparatus includes a linker connecting the support arms, the linker configured to ensure synchronized and/or coordinated movement of the support arms. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the linker is a slotted plate permitted to rotate with respect to the axis of rotation of the reconditioning assembly, and each support arm is pivotally linked to a respective slot in the plate. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the support arms are non-fixedly connected with the central hub such that during rotation of the reconditioning assembly, the centrifugal force provided by rotation of the reconditioning assembly leads to movement of the support arms to an extended position wherein the radial extension the reconditioning elements is increased. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the reconditioning assembly includes a spring mechanism which biases the support arms in a retracted configuration. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the support arms are inflexible. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the drive means includes a motor. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein each reconditioning element is mounted to a respective support arm via a mounting rod, the mounting rod extending in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the reconditioning assembly 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reconditioning element includes a flap of material. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the at least one reconditioning element includes a flap of material with a socket therein for sleeve type engagement with the mounting rod. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the mounting rod extends only partially along an edge of the flap such that the flap extends beyond the distal end of the mounting rod. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the flap is formed of a textile, fabric or cloth material. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the flap is of substantially rectangular shape. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the reconditioning element includes a brush. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus as claim in  claim 24 , wherein the brush includes a plurality of substantially aligned resilient bristles. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the bristles are aligned in a direction offset from parallel to the axis of rotation of the reconditioning assembly. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the reconditioning element includes a cover to cover all or part of the bristles. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the cover is formed of a textile, fabric or cloth material. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further includes an alignment rod which extends along the axis of rotation of the reconditioning assembly. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the alignment rod is configured for engagement with an alignment bracket, the alignment bracket being configured to releasably engage a wheel. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the height of the reconditioning assembly is adjustable. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the trolley mounted base include a scissor lift mechanism to adjust the height of the reconditioning assembly. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  further including a control unit configured control the height and/or rotation of the reconditioning assembly based on input received form a user. 
     
     
         34 . A reconditioning element configured for an apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         35 . A reconditioning element for a reconditioning apparatus, the reconditioning element comprising:
 a brush having array of bristles;   a cover configured to cover at least a first side of the array.   
     
     
         36 . A reconditioning element as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein the cover is configured to additionally cover the tips of the bristles. 
     
     
         37 . A recondition element as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein the array of bristles is a substantially rectangular array. 
     
     
         38 . A reconditioning element as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein the cover is releasably attachable to the bristles. 
     
     
         39 . A reconditioning element as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein the cover is releasably attachable to the bristles via a strap which loops around the array. 
     
     
         40 . A reconditioning element as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein the element is for polishing and/or cleaning. 
     
     
         41 . A reconditioning element for a reconditioning apparatus, the reconditioning element including a flap of material, the flap of material including a socket therein for receiving a mounting rod of the apparatus.