Abstract text

The apparatus which protects from an explosive air blast when inflating a wheel comprises: a frame having a front side, a back side, a top side and an end portion for entry of the wheel into the cage; a transparent shield positioned on an interior front side of the frame to allow for convenient inspection of the wheel after the wheel is inflated, and to prevent the explosive air blast from passing through the front side of the cage to the technician; and, a central opening through the shield to allow the technician to access the valve on the wheel. The apparatus can be adapted to be anchored to a supporting structure so that in the event of an explosion the cage will remain stationary. A method of inflating a tire on a comprises the steps of: a) providing a tire safety cage as above; b) rolling the wheel to be inflated into the cage; c) accessing the valve on the wheel with an air hose through the central opening in the shield and inflating the tire to required air pressure; d) observing the pressurized wheel in the cage through the shield for a period of time to ensure that the tire will safely hold air; and finally, e) rolling the wheel out of the cage.