System and method for mounting a tire and a wheel

1. A system for mounting a tire and a wheel, comprising:

a robotic arm pivotably-connected to an end effector; and

a tire-supporting portion including

a support surface,

a pair of wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portions disposed upon the support surface, wherein the pair of wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portions includes

a first wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portion fixedly-disposed relative the support surface, and

a second wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portion movably-disposed relative the support surface.

2. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a first substantially vertical flange connected to first wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portion, wherein the first substantially vertical flange extends from the support surface, and

a second substantially vertical flange connected to the second wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portion, wherein the second substantially vertical flange is movably-supported by the support surface.

3. The system according to claim 2 , further comprising:

a substantially horizontal flange connecting the first and second substantially vertical flanges, wherein the second wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portion is slidably-disposed upon the substantially horizontal flange, wherein the substantially horizontal flange extends through an opening formed in the second substantially vertical flange.

4. The system according to claim 2 , further comprising:

a pair of rails extending from the support surface, wherein the second substantially vertical flange defines

a pair of recesses that receives the pair of rails, wherein the second substantially vertical flange is slidably-disposed upon the pair of rails.

5. The system according to claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portions includes:

a housing having an edge surface and an upper surface defining a plurality of openings, and

a plurality of wheels or rollers that extend from the housing and through the plurality of openings.

6. The system according to claim 5 , wherein the plurality of wheels or rollers defines:

means for engaging and manipulating an axial end surface/sidewall of the tire for seating at least one or more of a first and second bead of a tire at least proximate one or more of a first and second bead seat of a wheel.

7. The system according to claim 5 , wherein the edge surface of the housing defines:

means for engaging a portion of the circumference of the wheel.

8. A method for mounting a tire and a wheel, comprising the steps of:

releasably-fixing the wheel to a robotic arm;

disposing the tire upon a tire-supporting portion including a support surface;

utilizing the robotic arm to locate the wheel at least proximate the tire;

utilizing a pair of wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portions disposed upon the support surface for

engaging a portion of the circumference of the wheel, and

engaging and manipulating an axial end surface/sidewall of the tire; and further utilizing the robotic arm for

moving the wheel and tire relative the pair of wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portions wherein the wheel drags the tire against the wheel-engaging member thereby

mounting the tire to the wheel.

9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the releasably-fixing the wheel to the robotic arm includes the steps of:

releasably-fixing the wheel to an end effector that is pivotably-connected to an end of the robotic arm at a joint/pivot point; and

pivoting one or more of the robotic arm and end effector relative the pivot point.

10. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the utilizing the robotic arm to locate the wheel at least proximate the tire step includes the steps of:

locating a first portion of a first, upper bead of the tire at least proximate a first, upper bead seat of the wheel,

locating a second portion of the first, upper bead of the tire at least proximate a drop center portion of the wheel,

locating a first portion of a second, lower bead of the tire at least proximate the drop center portion of the wheel, and

locating a second portion of the second, lower bead of the tire at least proximate an axial end/sidewall of the wheel.

11. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the utilizing the robotic arm to locate the wheel at least proximate the tire step includes the steps of:

locating a first portion of a first, upper bead of the tire proximate a first, upper bead seat of the wheel;

locating a portion of the axial end/sidewall of the wheel adjacent one or more of a second portion of the first upper bead of the tire and a portion of a first/upper axial end/sidewall of the tire; and

locating a first portion of a second, lower bead of the tire at least proximate one or more of a drop center portion and a second, lower bead seat of the wheel.

12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the locating a portion of the axial end/sidewall of the wheel step includes the step of:

substantially crushing a portion of the tire thereby brining opposing portions of the first and second beads of the tire substantially adjacent or proximate one another.

13. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the moving the wheel and tire relative the pair of wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portions step includes the step of:

utilizing the robotic arm to move the wheel along

one or more substantially linear paths, and

a non-linear path.

14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein, responsive to moving the wheel along the non-linear path, further comprising the step of:

engaging opposing portions of the circumference of the wheel adjacent an edge of each of the a first and second wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portion of the pair of wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portions; and

moving the second wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portion of the pair of wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portions away from or toward the first wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portion of the pair of wheel-engaging and tire-manipulating portions.