IP Library Granted Patent US 9,522,580
Granted Patent B2
US 9,522,580 · App. 13/369,020 · Granted Dec 20, 2016

Tire spoon surface profile and method of making

Inventors: Michael White (Montgomery City, MO); Robert Jensen (Clarks Grove, MN); Larry Betcher (Northfield, MN)
Assignee: BOSCH AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES SOLUTIONS INC.
B60C25/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,522,580
App. No.
13/369,020
Granted
Dec 20, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A tire spoon may be provided. The tire spoon may include: a bar; and a spoon portion at one end of the bar, the spoon portion having two outer side edges and a middle portion located between the two outer side edges, and at a given cross section of the spoon portion, the middle portion cross sectional thickness is greater than a cross sectional thickness of the two outer side edges. A method of forming a tire spoon is provided. The method may include: providing a spoon portion on an end of a bar; and forming the spoon portion to have middle section that has a thicker cross section than either side portion of the spoon portion.

Claims (36)

1. A tire spoon comprising:

a bar;

a first spoon portion at a first end of the bar, the first spoon portion having a top portion, a bottom portion, two outer side edges and a middle portion located between the two outer side edges, and at a given cross section of the first spoon portion, the middle portion's cross sectional thickness is greater than a cross sectional thickness of the two outer side edges;

a first projection arranged between the bar and the first spoon portion, the first projection extending upwards from the top portion of the first spoon portion;

a second spoon portion at a second end of the bar that is opposite the first end of the bar, the second spoon portion having a top portion, a bottom portion, two outer side edges and a middle portion located between the two outer side edges, and at a given cross section of the second spoon portion, the middle portion's cross sectional thickness is greater than a cross sectional thickness of the two outer side edges; and

a second projection extending downwards from the bottom portion of the second spoon portion, wherein

the top portion of the first spoon portion, the top portion of the second spoon portion, the bottom portion of the first spoon portion, and the bottom portion of the second spoon portion slope to form multiple peaks and multiple valleys that run generally parallel to the bar.

2. The tire spoon of claim 1 , wherein therein the first spoon portion is generally shaped such that the top portion is curved from a connecting portion of the first spoon portion that connects the bar to an end of the first spoon portion.

3. The tire spoon of claim 2 , wherein a bottom surface of the first spoon portion is curved from the connecting portion of the first spoon portion that connects to the bar to the end of the first spoon portion.

4. The tire spoon of claim 1 , wherein a cross sectional thickness of the peaks are thicker than the cross sectional thickness of the two outer side edges.

5. The tire spoon of claim 1 , wherein the tire spoon is steel.

6. The tire spoon of claim 1 , wherein the bar and the first spoon portion are continuous.

7. The tire spoon of claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the cross-sectional area of the first spoon portion is thickest in a center portion.

8. The tire spoon of claim 1 , wherein the bar is configured to be a handle.

9. A method of forming a tire spoon comprising:

providing a first spoon portion on an end of a bar, the first spoon portion having a top portion, a bottom portion, and two side portions;

providing a second spoon portion at another end of the bar, the second spoon portion having a top portion, a bottom portion, and two side portions;

forming the first spoon portion to have a middle section that has a thicker cross section than either side portion of the first spoon portion;

forming a first projection arranged between the bar and the first spoon portion, the first projection projecting upward from the top portion of the first spoon portion;

forming the second spoon portion to have a middle section that has a thicker cross section than either side portion of the second spoon portion; and

forming a second projection arranged between the bar and the second spoon portion, wherein

the top portion of the first spoon portion, the top portion of the second spoon portion, the bottom portion of the first spoon portion, and the bottom portion of the second spoon portion slope to form multiple peaks and multiple valleys that run generally parallel to the bar.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein a cross sectional area of the first spoon portion is thickest at a center of the first spoon portion.

11. A tire spoon comprising:

a shaft having a round cross-sectional shape, the shaft comprising:

a first spoon portion on a first side of the shaft,

a second spoon portion on a second side of the shaft, and

a handle;

the first spoon portion and the second spoon portion each comprising a flat portion that is wider and thinner than the shaft and that has contours of varying thickness, each spoon portion comprising a projection in between the shaft and the flat portion, each spoon portion being a different material than the shaft, and each spoon portion being attached to the shaft; and

the first spoon portion and the second spoon portion each have a curved S-shape, each spoon portion comprising a top portion and a bottom portion, and each spoon portion further comprising two side portions and a center portion, wherein the center portion is thicker than the side portions and wherein the top portion and the bottom portion are mirror images of each other,

wherein the top portion of the first spoon portion, the bottom portion of the first spoon portion, the top portion of the second spoon portion, and the bottom portion of the second spoon portion slope to form multiple peaks and valleys that run generally parallel to the shaft.

12. The tire spoon of claim 11 , wherein a cross sectional thickness of the peaks are thicker than the cross sectional thickness of the side portions.

13. The tire spoon of claim 11 , wherein therein the first spoon portion is generally shaped such that the top portion is curved from a connecting portion of the first spoon portion that connects the shaft to an end of the first spoon portion.

14. The tire spoon of claim 11 , wherein a bottom surface of the first spoon portion is curved from a connecting portion of the first spoon portion that connects to the shaft to an end of the first spoon portion.

15. The tire spoon of claim 11 , wherein the shaft and the first spoon portion are continuous.

16. The tire spoon of claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the cross-sectional area of the first spoon portion is thickest in a center portion.

Assignments (4)
MERGER Recorded Nov 4, 2016
From: BOSCH AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE SOLUTIONS LLC
To: BOSCH AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE SOLUTIONS INC.
Reel/Frame 040231/0685 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 4, 2016
From: SERVICE SOLUTIONS U.S. LLC
To: BOSCH AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE SOLUTIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 040569/0380 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 13, 2013
From: SPX CORPORATION
To: SERVICE SOLUTIONS U.S. LLC
Reel/Frame 029807/0384 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 8, 2012
From: WHITE, MICHAEL; JENSEN, ROBERT; BETCHER, LARRY
To: SPX CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 027673/0581 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20130199733A1 · Aug 8, 2013