David J Carpenter

US Patent:

6626073, Sep 30, 2003

Filed:

Jul 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/611535

Inventors:

Charles L. Cunningham - Nashville TN
David M. Carpenter - Brentwood TN

Assignee:

Hennessy Industries, Inc. - LaVergne TN

International Classification:

B23B 504

US Classification:

82112, 82128, 82151

Abstract:

A brake lathe alignment system is provided for mounting a brake lathe upon an adapter attached to a wheel hub. A first structure is adapted to be attached to the wheel hub. A second structure is adapted to be attached to the brake lathe. A plurality of hydraulic pistons are carried by the second structure and engage the first structure, so that alignment of the second structure relative to the first structure is adjustable by extending and retracting the hydraulic pistons. The adjustment of position of the hydraulic pistons can be manually controlled on-the-fly by operation of manually actuated hydraulic pumps.

US Patent:

6629479, Oct 7, 2003

Filed:

Feb 12, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/781460

Inventors:

David M. Carpenter - Brentwood TN
Melvin R. Willis - Readyville TN

Assignee:

Hennessy Industries, Inc. - LaVergne TN

International Classification:

B23B 504

US Classification:

82112, 2481621

Abstract:

A trolley is provided for supporting and portably moving an on-car brake lathe. The trolley includes wheels for mobility and a pneumatic cylinder for height adjustment. The pneumatic cylinder includes a piston rod, piston, and air valve. The piston has an equalizing port for dampened movement throughout the cylinders stroke. The air valve allows static height adjustment of the lathe.

US Patent:

7543622, Jun 9, 2009

Filed:

Aug 18, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/506752

Inventors:

David M. Carpenter - Brentwood TN, US
Charles L. Cunningham - Nashville TN, US
Anton Varshavchik - McMinnville TN, US

Assignee:

Hennessy Industries, Inc. - LaVergne TN

International Classification:

B60C 25/00
B60C 25/135

US Classification:

157 117, 157 11, 157 124

Abstract:

A tire changer apparatus comprises a rotor operative to support a wheel rim. A toolhead is movable into engagement with the wheel rim during a tire changing operation. A gas distribution network is provided for routing compressed gas to pneumatic mechanisms in the tire changing apparatus. An oil injector has an outlet in fluid communication with the gas distribution network. The oil injector is operative to introduce lubricating oil into the gas distribution network. Preferably, the oil injector may include a plunger which reciprocates to inject the lubricating oil. For example, the oil injector may be operative to introduce the lubricating oil into the gas distribution network when the plunger reciprocates a selected number of times. The plunger may be moved by a foot pedal on the tire changer apparatus.

US Patent:

7882738, Feb 8, 2011

Filed:

Jan 11, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/652366

Inventors:

David M. Carpenter - Brentwood TN, US
Charles L. Cunningham - Nashville TN, US
Don A. Truex - Murfreesboro TN, US
Brian W. LaBorde - Brentwood TN, US

Assignee:

Hennessy Industries, Inc. - LaVergne TN

International Classification:

G01M 1/16

US Classification:

73460, 301 521

Abstract:

A wheel balancer for balancing a wheel having a rim and tire. The wheel balancer comprises a chassis and a driven shaft extending away from the chassis for rotating the wheel. An A&D arm, pivotal and axially extendible with respect to the chassis, is also provided. A first laser device is operable to produce a laser spot at a desired weight placement location on an inner surface of the rim. The first laser device is manipulable by an operator to move the laser spot to the desired weight placement location. A second laser device is attached to the A&D arm and movable therewith. The second laser device produces a visible marker on the inner surface of the rim for determining when the A&D arm is in a plane of the desired weight placement location.

US Patent:

20040060401, Apr 1, 2004

Filed:

Sep 24, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/669821

Inventors:

Charles Cunningham - Nashville TN, US
David Carpenter - Brentwood TN, US

International Classification:

B23B003/00

US Classification:

082/001110

Abstract:

A brake lathe alignment system is provided for mounting a brake lathe upon an adapter attached to a wheel hub. A first structure is adapted to be attached to the wheel hub. A second structure is adapted to be attached to the brake lathe. A plurality of hydraulic pistons are carried by the second structure and engage the first structure, so that alignment of the second structure relative to the first structure is adjustable by extending and retracing the hydraulic pistons. The adjustment of position of the hydraulic pistons can be manually controlled on-the-fly by operation of manually actuated hydraulic pumps.

US Patent:

57525552, May 19, 1998

Filed:

Nov 1, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/551720

Inventors:

Charles L. Cunningham - Nashville TN
David M. Carpenter - Brentwood TN

International Classification:

B60C 25135

US Classification:

157 124

Abstract:

A quick release mechanism for the mount/dismount head of a rim holding tire changer, including a wedge plate that overlies the top of the horizontal bar and has an opening in registry with the opening in the sleeve through which the vertical bar passes. The opening in the wedge plate is shaped to mate with the cross-sectional profile of the vertical bar and is only slightly larger than the size of the bar. Thus, when the wedge plate is horizontal so that the axis of the opening is aligned with the axis of the opening of the sleeve, the vertical bar will move freely up and down in response to pressure on the vertical bar. The wedge plate has protrusions on its under side on one side of the opening and the protrusions rest on the upper face of the sleeve. A actuation handle is attached to the underside of the wedge plate and depends perpendicularly from it. The actuation handle is arcuate so that it mates with the outer perimeter of the sleeve and when held against the sleeve, the axis of the opening of the wedge plate will be aligned with the axis of the opening of the sleeve and the bar will be free to move within the sleeve.

US Patent:

6062289, May 16, 2000

Filed:

Mar 24, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/046908

Inventors:

Charles L. Cunningham - Nashville TN
David M. Carpenter - Brentwood TN

Assignee:

Hennessy Industries, Inc. - La Vergne TN

International Classification:

B60B 3006

US Classification:

157 16

Abstract:

A laminated clamp for use in connection with rim holding tire changers. The clamp includes a plurality of pliable gripping plates alternately disposed between a plurality of rigid support plates. The plurality of gripping plates provide multiple surfaces for effectively gripping the rim of a wheel and the support plates provide a rigid support structure for the clamp. The gripping plates are constructed of a material that is capable of gripping the rim without causing damage thereto. The gripping plates and support plates are configured to form claws for gripping the wheel rim from either the outside or the inside the rim. To prevent damage to the wheel, the edges of the gripping plates extend peripherally beyond the edges of the support plates thereby preventing the support plates from contacting the rim when the rim is operably seated in the clamp. Two of the support plates include base portions configured for attachment to the clamp carrier of the tire changer.

US Patent:

61827363, Feb 6, 2001

Filed:

Jun 15, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/097432

Inventors:

Charles L. Cunningham - Nashville TN
David M. Carpenter - Brentwood TN

Assignee:

Hennessy Industries, Inc. - LaVergne TN

International Classification:

B60C 25135

US Classification:

157 124

Abstract:

A helper arm for use in conjunction with a rim-holding tire changer for assisting with the mounting/demounting of a tire. The helper arm comprises an arm having one end attached to a support device and an opposite end operably attached to an adjustable vertical member. The arm is preferably jointed and pivotally attached to the support device. Controls are provided to enable vertical adjustment of the vertical member. The vertical member may comprise a cylinder assembly having a cylinder shaft that may be moved up or down into operable engagement with the tire and wheel rim. A contact block is attached to the lower end of the cylinder. The contact block includes an attachment head configured to enable attachment of the block to the vertical member. Further, the contact block includes a shoulder having a rim-stop surface, a hook member opposite the shoulder, a heel extending downwardly from the body of the block and an instep along the underside of the block.