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The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Patent No.:

US 11872841 B1

PDFFull Text
Date of Patent:
Jan. 16, 2024

Filed:

Feb. 10, 2023

Automated removal and replacement of vehicle wheels and tires

Applicant:

Robotire, Inc., Canton, MI (US);

Inventors:

Victor Darolfi, San Francisco, CA (US);

Jonathan Downey, Canton, MI (US);

Robert Baranowski, San Francisco, CA (US);

Mark Bauer, San Francisco, CA (US);

Bernard J. Michini, San Francisco, CA (US);

Assignee:

RoboTire, Inc., Canton, MI (US);

Attorneys:

Cognition IP, P.C.

Edward Steakley

Primary Examiner:

Jermie E Cozart

Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B60C 25/05 (2006.01); B25J 9/16 (2006.01); B23P 19/04 (2006.01); B23P 19/06 (2006.01); B23P 6/00 (2006.01); B60S 5/00 (2006.01); B23P 21/00 (2006.01); B60B 29/00 (2006.01); B25J 11/00 (2006.01); B21D 39/00 (2006.01); B66F 7/26 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B60B 29/001 (2013.01); B21D 39/00 (2013.01); B23P 6/00 (2013.01); B23P 19/04 (2013.01); B23P 19/06 (2013.01); B25J 9/1656 (2013.01); B25J 9/1679 (2013.01); B25J 9/1697 (2013.01); B25J 11/005 (2013.01); B25J 11/008 (2013.01); B60B 29/00 (2013.01); B60C 25/0515 (2013.01); B23P 19/069 (2013.01); B23P 21/002 (2013.01); B23P 2700/50 (2013.01); B25J 9/1661 (2013.01); B25J 9/1674 (2013.01); B60B 2320/00 (2013.01); B60B 2320/10 (2013.01); B60B 2340/18 (2013.01); B60B 2340/34 (2013.01); B60B 2340/50 (2013.01); B60B 2340/52 (2013.01); B60S 5/00 (2013.01); B66F 7/26 (2013.01);
Abstract

Systems, methods and apparatus for automated vehicle wheel removal and replacement are provided. One system includes a computer system with applications for scheduling the replacement of tires for the vehicle. An electronically controlled lift device and robotic apparatus is configured for interaction with the computer system. The lift device mechanically adjusts arms for placement on lift points of vehicles. The robotic apparatus detects positioning of lug nut configuration for a wheel, removes lug nuts, and then removes the wheel from the wheel hub with gripping arms. The wheel and tire are then handed off to a separate tire changing machine. When a new tire is replaced the robotic apparatus then mounts the wheel to the original wheel hub, and then secures the lug nuts to the lug nut bolts.

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