Vehicle Tire/Wheel Changing Device

Abstract

A device is provided for changing a wheel of a vehicle comprising a carriage assembly including two platform elements running longitudinally with one another and substantially parallel. First and second swingarms are connected to respective platform elements. The swingarms are rotatably positionable at a desired height above the carriage. A lift mechanism selectively raises or lowers the carriage during use. A tow bar allows the carriage to be pushed or pulled on wheels mounted to the carriage. A method of the invention includes mounting the wheel on the platform elements, raising free ends of the swingarms to a desired height so a knock out bar may be placed through a hub of the wheel, operating the lift mechanism to raise the wheel to a desired height, and aligning the wheel with the vehicle so the wheel may be secured to the vehicle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of changing a wheel of a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a carriage assembly including two platform elements running longitudinally with one another and substantially parallel;   providing first and second swingarms, said first swingarm connected to one platform element and the second swingarm connected to the other platform element, each swingarm having a first end rotatably connected to the corresponding platform element, and a second end that is rotatably positionable at a desired height above said carriage assembly;   providing a lift mechanism connected to said carriage assembly;   providing at least two sleeve supports secured between said platform elements enabling said platform elements to be separated from one another, yet remaining substantially longitudinally and parallel aligned with one another;   providing at least one platform retention spring mounted adjacent said at least two sleeve supports and mounted between said platform elements, thereby providing a biasing force to maintain the platform elements at a desired spacing between one another depending upon a width of a wheel to be mounted to said device;   providing a tow bar mounted to said carriage assembly enabling said carriage assembly to be pushed or pulled;   providing a clamp mounted to each said platform element, each said platform element including an opening to receive said clamp and wherein each said clamp is rotatable about an axis extending along said length of said carriage assembly and substantially parallel to an upper surface of said carriage assembly   mounting the wheel on said platform elements;   raising free ends of said swingarms to a desired height;   operating the lift mechanism to raise the wheel to a desired height; and   aligning the wheel with the vehicle so the wheel may be secured to the vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The method, as claimed in  claim 1 , further including;
 providing wheels attached to a lower surface of said carriage assembly for rolling said device while in use.   
     
     
         3 . A method of changing a wheel of a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a carriage assembly including two platform elements running longitudinally with one another;   providing first and second swingarms, said first swingarm connected to one platform element and the second swingarm connected to the other platform element, each swingarm having a first end rotatably connected to the corresponding platform element, and a second end that is rotatably positionable at a desired height above said carriage assembly;   providing a lift mechanism connected to said carriage assembly;   providing at least one platform retention spring mounted adjacent said at least two sleeve supports and mounted between said platform elements, thereby providing a biasing force to maintain the platform elements at a desired spacing between one another depending upon a width of a wheel to be mounted to said device;   providing a clamp mounted to each said platform element, each said platform element including an opening to receive said clamp and wherein each said clamp is rotatable about an axis extending along said length of said carriage assembly;   mounting the wheel on said platform elements;   raising free ends of said swingarms to a desired height; and   aligning the wheel with the vehicle so the wheel may be secured to the vehicle.   
     
     
         4 . The method, as claimed in  claim 3 , further including:
 providing at least two sleeve supports secured between said platform elements enabling said platform elements to be separated from one another yet remaining aligned with one another.   
     
     
         5 . A method of changing a wheel of a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a carriage assembly including two platform elements;   providing first and second swingarms, said first swingarm connected to one platform element and the second swingarm connected to the other platform element, each swingarm having a first end rotatably connected to the corresponding platform element, and a second end that is rotatably positionable at a desired height above said carriage assembly;   providing a lift mechanism connected to said carriage assembly, said lift mechanism having an upper plate connected to said carriage assembly, a lower plate spaced from said upper plate, and a threaded lift screw, wherein rotation of said lift screw selectively raises and lowers said device;   providing at least one platform retention spring mounted adjacent said at least two sleeve supports and mounted between said platform elements, thereby providing a biasing force to maintain the platform elements at a desired spacing between one another depending upon a width of a wheel to be mounted to said device;   providing a tow bar mounted to said carriage assembly enabling said carriage assembly to be pushed or pulled;   providing a clamp mounted to each said platform element, each said platform element including an opening to receive said clamp and wherein each said clamp is rotatable about an axis extending along said length of said carriage assembly;   mounting the wheel on said platform elements;   raising free ends of said swingarms to a desired height;   operating the lift mechanism to raise the wheel to a desired height; and   aligning the wheel with the vehicle so the wheel may be secured to the vehicle.   
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in  claim 5 , further including:
 providing at least two sleeve supports secured to opposite sides of said carriage assembly and extending the width between the opposite sides of said carriage assembly enabling said platform elements to be separated from one another yet remaining aligned with one another.