Application tool for balancing weight application machine and method of application thereof

Abstract

A wheel-balancing weights application tool for applying wheel-balancing weights to a central portion of a wheel is hereby presented, the wheel-balancing weights application tool comprising a pair of opposed semi-circular weights holder capable of simultaneously carrying two sets of wheel-balancing weights to a wheel for sequentially securing the two sets of wheel-balancing weights to the central portion of the wheel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A weights application tool for applying wheel-balancing weights, the weights application tool comprising:
 a tool hub generally orthogonal to a tool axis thereof;   a first weights holder of a semi-circular shape secured to the tool hub on a first radial side thereof about the tool axis; and   a second weights holder of a semi-circular shape secured to the tool hub on a second radial side thereof about the tool axis.   
     
     
         2 . The weights application tool of  claim 1 , wherein the tool hub comprises a plurality of radially extending portions for securing the weights holders thereon. 
     
     
         3 . The weights application tool of  claim 1 , wherein the weights holders are axially offset from each other. 
     
     
         4 . The weights application tool of  claim 1 , wherein the weights holders include are parallel to each other. 
     
     
         5 . The weights application tool of  claim 1 , wherein the weights holders include non-ferromagnetic material. 
     
     
         6 . The weights application tool of  claim 1 , wherein each of the weights holders comprises a leading side and a trailing side to collect a plurality of weights thereon aligned in a predetermined direction. 
     
     
         7 . The weights application tool of  claim 1 , wherein each of the weights holders comprises a pair of holder portions. 
     
     
         8 . The weights application tool of  claim 7 , wherein the pair of holder portions comprises an axial gap therebetween. 
     
     
         9 . The weights application tool of  claim 7 , wherein the pair of holder portions comprises a series of distanced ridges for locating each weight thereon. 
     
     
         10 . The weights application tool of  claim 7 , wherein the holder portions comprise magnet-receiving portions therein. 
     
     
         11 . The weights application tool of  claim 10 , wherein the magnet-receiving portions comprise radial openings therein. 
     
     
         12 . The weights application tool of  claim 10 , wherein the magnet-receiving portions comprise magnets therein. 
     
     
         13 . The weights application tool of  claim 12 , wherein a last weight-holder portion comprises a magnet providing increased magnetic strength compared to the other magnets. 
     
     
         14 . The weights application tool of  claim 10 , wherein a last weight-holder portion comprises a lateral weight holder disposed on each axial side thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The weights application tool of  claim 1 , wherein the tool includes three proximity sensors angularly disposed at about 120-degree from each other. 
     
     
         16 . The weights application tool of  claim 15 , wherein the tool is adapted to collectively move the three proximity sensors inside a center portion of the wheel for acquiring measurements of the center portion of the wheel. 
     
     
         17 . A weights application tool kit for applying wheel-balancing weights, the weight application tool kit comprising:
 a tool hub generally orthogonal to a tool axis thereof;   a first non-ferromagnetic weights holder of a semi-circular shape for being secured to the tool hub on a first radial side thereof about the tool axis; and   a second non-ferromagnetic weights holder of a semi-circular shape for being secured to the tool hub on a second radial side thereof about the tool axis.   
     
     
         18 . The weights application tool kit of  claim 17 , further comprising a plurality of magnets for magnetically securing weights on the weight application tool. 
     
     
         19 . The weights application tool kit of  claim 17 , wherein each of the non-ferromagnetic weight holder comprises a pair of holder portions. 
     
     
         20 . A wheel-balancing weights application tool for applying wheel-balancing weights to a central portion of a wheel, the wheel-balancing weights application tool comprising a pair of opposed semi-circular weights holder capable of simultaneously carrying two sets of wheel-balancing weights to a wheel for sequentially securing the two sets of wheel-balancing weights to the central portion of the wheel.