Device for handling tires

Abstract

There is provided a device for handling tires having an anchor for attaching to a prime mover and a clamping device rotatably mounted to the anchor that rotates relative to the anchor about a rotation axis. The clamping device has a plurality of engagement members connected by a mechanical linkage and a carrying body with a plurality of guides. The weight distribution of the clamping device is balanced about the rotation axis. Each guide carries one of the engagement members and is oriented to allow the engagement members to move perpendicular to the rotation axis between clamping and release positions. The mechanical linkage includes a rotating actuator and controls movement of the engagement members along the guides. The movement of each engagement member is rotationally symmetric about the rotation axis relative to the movement of the other engagement members. The device has an actuator that actuates the mechanical linkage.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for handling tires, comprising:
 an anchor for attaching to a prime mover;   a clamping device rotatably mounted to the anchor, the clamping device rotating about an axis of rotation relative to the anchor, the clamping device comprising a carrying body and a plurality of engagement members, the plurality of engagement members being connected by a mechanical linkage, the carrying body comprising a plurality of guides, the clamping device having a weight distribution that is balanced about the axis of rotation, wherein:
 the guides are distributed circumferentially about the axis of rotation, each guide carrying one of the plurality of engagement members, the guides being oriented to allow the engagement members to move in a direction that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation between a clamping position and a release position; and 
 the mechanical linkage comprises a rotating actuator that rotates about the axis of rotation relative to the carrying body and the anchor, the mechanical linkage controlling the movement of the engagement members along the guides, the movement of each engagement member being rotationally symmetric about the axis of rotation relative to the movement of the other engagement members; and 
   an actuator that actuates the mechanical linkage.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor comprises a pivot such that the clamping device is pivotally mounted to the prime mover. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the anchor comprises a releasable pivot lock for locking the pivot in a selected pivotal position. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the pivot has a pivot axis that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the guides comprise arms that extend outward relative to the axis of rotation, and the engagement members comprise sleeves that receive the arms. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the guides are linear. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the mechanical linkage comprises a rotating plate and a connecting link connected between the rotating plate and each engagement member, the connecting links converting the rotational movement of the rotating plate to linear movement of the engagement members along the guides. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a linear actuator. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the linear actuator is connected between the carrying body and one of the engagement members, such that the mechanical linkage is actuated by movement of the one of the engagement members. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement members engage an outer perimeter of a tire. 
     
     
         11 . A method of handling a tire, the method comprising the steps of:
 positioning a device for handling tires comprising an anchor attached to a prime mover in proximity to a tire, the device for handling tires further comprising a clamping device rotatably mounted to the anchor, the clamping device comprising a carrying body, a plurality of engagement members, the plurality of engagement members being connected by a mechanical linkage, the carrying body comprising a plurality of guides, the clamping device having a weight distribution that is balanced about the axis of rotation, wherein:
 the guides are distributed circumferentially about the axis of rotation, each guide carrying one of the plurality of engagement members; and 
 the mechanical linkage comprises a rotating actuator that rotates about the axis of rotation relative to the carrying body and the anchor; 
   moving the device for handling tires to position the engagement members adjacent to an outer surface of the tire;   actuating an actuator connected to the mechanical linkage to cause the mechanical linkage to rotate, rotation of the mechanical linkage causing the engagement members to move along the guides a direction that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation from a release position to a clamping position engaging the outer surface of the tire, the mechanical linkage controlling the movement of the engagement members along the guides, the movement of each engagement member being rotationally symmetric about the axis of rotation relative to the movement of the other engagement members;   moving the tire to a desired location using the prime mover;   actuating the actuator to cause the mechanical linkage to rotate to cause the engagement members to move from the clamping position to the release position disengaged from the outer surface of the tire; and   removing the device for handling tires from adjacent to the outer surface of the tire.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein moving the tire to a desired location further comprises rotating the clamping device about an axis of rotation relative to the anchor to rotationally position the tire. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the anchor comprises a pivot, and further comprising the step of pivoting the clamping device relative to the prime mover about a pivot axis that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the anchor comprises a releasable pivot lock, and wherein moving the tire to a desired location further comprises the steps of:
 releasing the pivot lock;   pivoting the clamping device about the pivot axis to pivotally position the tire; and   locking the pivot in a selected pivotal position.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the guides comprise arms that extend outward relative to the axis of rotation, and the engagement members comprise sleeves that receive the arms. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the guides are linear. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the mechanical linkage comprises a rotating plate and a connecting link connected between the rotating plate and each engagement member, the connecting links converting the rotational movement of the rotating plate to linear movement of the engagement members along the guides. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the actuator is a linear actuator. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the linear actuator is connected between the carrying body and one of the engagement members, such that the mechanical linkage is actuated by movement of the one of the engagement members.