METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING A TIRE

摘要

Methods and apparatus for mounting a tire onto a wheel rim are provided. The wheel rim has an inside bead seat and an outside bead seat for receipt of an inside bead and an outside bead of the tire respectively. The wheel rim may also have a seat for receipt of a support ring. Seating of the bead rings of the tire into the bead seats is provided. When a support ring is desired and the wheel rim has a seat for receipt of the support ring, seating of the support ring as well as the tire onto the wheel rim is also provided. In certain embodiments, substantially simultaneous mounting of the inside and outside beads of the tire is provided by rollers that press these beads towards one another and onto the respective bead seats of the wheel rim.