Method and device for straightening wheel

Abstract

A method and apparatus for straightening dents and irregularities in wheels including a spindle, a platen mounted on the spindle configured such that the wheel can be mounted on the spindle with the spindle projecting through the central hub hole and at least one actuator device positionable between the spindle and a section of the wheel to be straightened, the actuator exerting a straightening force on the rim of the wheel and a mobile device including the same.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wheel straightening apparatus comprising:
 a spindle having a first end and a second end;   a platen mounted on the spindle at a point intermediate to the first and second ends, the platen configured to engage a wheel assembly in a fixed position relative to the spindle, the wheel assembly comprising a rim and a central portion, the central portion having a dress face and an inbound face;   at least one actuator device threadingly connected to the spindle and configured to exert pressure on a section of the rim of the wheel assembly be straightened, the actuator device configured to exert a straightening force on the rim, wherein the actuator devices is positioned between the spindle and the rim.   
     
     
         2 . The wheel straightening apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an attachment mechanism, rotatably connected to the first end of the spindle, the attachment mechanism configured to be mounted on a support surface, the support surface including at least one of a frame, a floor or a bed located in a mobile device. 
     
     
         3 . The wheel straightening device of  claim 1  wherein the actuator devices are at least one of a hydraulic ram or pneumatic ram and wherein the actuator devices exert pressure on the wheel rim independent of one another or jack screw. 
     
     
         4 . The wheel straightening apparatus device of  claim 1  wherein the platen comprises a central body having a center region connected to the spindle, an upper face and an opposed lower face; and
 at least one fastener engageable with either the slot or at least one lug nut opening in the wheel, the fastener configured to secure the wheel to the platen. 
 
     
     
         5 . The wheel straightening device of  claim 4  further comprising at least one pressure exerting stabilizer device in contact with the spindle and a location on the wheel rim. 
     
     
         6 . The wheel straightening device of  claim 5  further comprising at least one pressure exerting stabilizer device positioned between the spindle and the rim of the wheel assembly at a location opposed to the portion of the wheel to be straightened. 
     
     
         7 . The wheel device of  claim 1  wherein an actuator device is position on each of the dress face and the inbound face of the wheel assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The wheel device of  claim 1  further comprising:
 at least one bracket, the bracket mounted to a support surface and releasably and rotatably engaging at least one end of the spindle; 
 at least one beam, mounted to the spindle and extending outward therefrom; and 
 at least one additional actuator device, the additional actuator device extending between the beam and the rim of the wheel assembly. 
 
     
     
         9 . A mobile device for straightening wheel assemblies comprising:
 a vehicle having a work bed;   an apparatus attached to the work bed of the vehicle, the apparatus composed of:
 a) a mounting device affixed to the work bed; 
 b) a spindle having a first end and a second end, at least one end removably connected to the mounting device, the spindle rotatable along a central axis when the spindle is connected to the mounting device; 
 c) a platen mounted to the spindle, the platen configured to engage a wheel assembly in a fixed position coaxial to the spindle, the wheel assembly comprising a rim and a central portion wherein at least one of the rim and central portions have at least one irregularity; and 
 d) at least two dynamic actuator devices positionable between the spindle and the rim of the wheel assembly, the actuator devices configured to exert a straightening force on the rim. 
 e) a controller operably interacting with the dynamic actuator devices. 
   
     
     
         10 . The mobile device of  claim 9  wherein the actuator device is at least one of a hydraulic ram, a pneumatic ram, or a jack screw. 
     
     
         11 . The mobile device of  claim 10  wherein the apparatus comprised at least two actuator devices adjustably positionable relative to the irregularity in the wheel assembly, wherein the actuator devices are capable of delivering straightening force independent of one another. 
     
     
         12 . The mobile device of  claim 9  wherein at least one additional actuator device is positionable between the spindle and the rim of the wheel assembly at a location opposed to the portion of the wheel to be straightened. 
     
     
         13 . The mobile device of  claim 9  wherein the mounting device includes at least one bracket, the bracket mounted to a support surface and releasably and rotatably engaging at least one end of the spindle and wherein the apparatus further comprises:
 at least one beam, mounted to the spindle and extending outward therefrom; and 
 at least one additional actuator device, the additional actuator device extending between the beam and the rim of the wheel assembly. 
 
     
     
         14 . A method for straightening at least one irregularity in a wheel, the wheel comprising a rim, a central region and a plurality of lug nut holes, the method comprising the steps of:
 fastening the wheel to be straightened on a device, the device including:
 a) a spindle having a first end and a second end; 
 b) a platen mounted on the spindle at a point intermediate to the first and second ends, the platen configured to engage a wheel assembly in a fixed position relative to the spindle, the wheel assembly comprising a rim and a central portion, the central portion having a dress face and an inbound face; 
 c) at least three actuator devices positioned oriented to exert a variable straightening force on the rim of the wheel assembly to be straightened, at least two actuator devices positioned between the rim and that spindle and at least one additional actuator device positioned between the rim and a bracing element essentially independent of the spindle; 
   attaching the platen to the central region of the wheel such that the wheel is located concentric relative to the spindle;   positioning at least two actuator devices between the spindle and a location on the wheel and at least one additional actuator device at between the location on the wheel and the independent bracing element; and   triggering the actuator devices to exert a straightening force on a location associated with the irregularity, the actuator devices each exerting an independent coordinated straightening force.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the fastening step comprises engaging a plurality of fasteners through lug nut holes in the wheel and slots in the platen, each fastener separately torqued into engagement. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of positioning at least one stabilizing device in engagement between the spindle and the wheel rim, the stabilizing device exerting a stabilizing force on the wheel rim. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the forces exerted by the actuator devices on the location on the wheel rim vary over time in response to straightening action detected in the location on the wheel rim. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the spindle is unitary. 
     
     
         19 . A mobile device for straightening wheel assemblies comprising:
 a vehicle having a work bed;   an apparatus attached to the work bed of the vehicle, the apparatus composed of:   a) a mounting device affixed to the work bed;   b) a unitary spindle having a first end and a second end, at least one end removably connected to the mounting device, the spindle rotatable along a central axis when the spindle is connected to the mounting device;   c) a platen mounted to the spindle, the platen configured to engage a wheel assembly in a fixed position coaxial to the spindle, the wheel assembly comprising a rim and a central portion wherein at least one of the rim and central portions have at least one irregularity; and   d) at least one actuator device positionable between the spindle and the rim of the wheel assembly, the actuator device configured to exert a straightening force on the rim.