U.S. patent application number 09/784696 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-15 for tire air transfer device.
Invention is credited to Campbell, Howard Edward, Quesinberry, Charles D..
Application Number | 20020108671 09/784696 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25133255 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020108671 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Campbell, Howard Edward ; et
al. |
August 15, 2002 |
Tire air transfer device
Abstract
An air transfer device for transferring compressed air from a
source volume to a recipient volume. The air transfer device is an
assembly that includes a hose with couplings at each end to
releasably connect to the source and recipient volumes, and has a
variable volume flow control valve between the couplings. An air
transfer device is also provided with an ergonomic flow control
valve having a variety of interchangeable attachments for
connecting to inflatable objects. The air transfer device has many
applications, including transferring air between vehicle tires by
use of air chucks as the couplings on the ends of the hose.
Inventors: |
Campbell, Howard Edward;
(High Point, NC) ; Quesinberry, Charles D.; (High
Point, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MOORE & VAN ALLEN, PLLC
2200 W MAIN STREET
SUITE 800
DURHAM
NC
27705
US
|
Family ID: |
25133255 |
Appl. No.: |
09/784696 |
Filed: |
February 15, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/38 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60C 29/064
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/38 |
International
Class: |
B65B 031/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An air transfer device for transferring compressed air from a
source volume, defined by a source enclosure, to a recipient
volume, defined by a recipient enclosure, the air transfer device
comprising: a hose having a first end and a second end; a coupling
at the first end adapted to pneumatically and releasably connect to
the source volume; means for pneumatically and releasably
connecting to the recipient volume at the second end; and a valve
for restricting airflow in the hose to provide variable flow from
the source volume to the recipient volume, the valve interposed
between the coupling and the connecting means.
2. The air transfer device of claim 1, wherein the valve is a
quarter turn valve.
3. The air transfer device of claim 2, wherein the coupling and the
connecting means are air chucks.
4. The air transfer device of claim 1, further comprising a
pressure gauge pneumatically connected to the hose.
5. The air transfer device of claim 4, wherein the pneumatic
connection of the pressure gauge to the hose is made between the
valve and the coupling.
6. The air transfer device of claim 4, wherein the pneumatic
connection of the pressure gauge to the hose is made between the
valve and the connecting means.
7. The air transfer device of claim 1, further comprising: a first
pressure gauge with a pneumatic connection to the hose made between
the valve and the coupling; and a second pressure gauge with a
pneumatic connection to the hose made between the valve and the
connecting means.
8. An air transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the hose is
self-coiling.
9. An air transfer device for transferring air compressed air from
a source tire to a recipient tire initially having a lower pressure
than the source tire, the air transfer device comprising: a hose
having a first end and a second end; a clip-on air chuck at the
first end adapted to pneumatically connect to the source tire; an
air chuck at the second end adapted to pneumatically connect to the
recipient tire; and a valve for restricting airflow in the hose to
provide variable flow from the source tire to the recipient tire,
the valve interposed between the clip-on air chuck and the air
chuck.
10. An air transfer device for transferring compressed air from a
source volume, defined by a source enclosure, to a recipient
volume, defined by a recipient enclosure, the air transfer device
comprising: a hose having a first end and a second end; a coupling
at the first end adapted to pneumatically and releasably connect to
the source volume; a valve at the second end, the valve having a
handle with two ends and a substantially axial opening
therebetween, an actuator pivotally connected to the handle, an
inlet at one end of the handle adapted to pneumatically connect to
the second end of the hose, and an outlet at the other end of the
handle, wherein the valve is open when the actuator is engaged and
the valve is closed when the actuator is released; and means for
pneumatically and releasably connecting to the recipient volume,
the connecting means having a first end and a second end, the first
end of the connecting means being adapted to pneumatically and
releasably connect to the outlet of the valve and the second end of
the connecting means being adapted to pneumatically and releasably
connect to the recipient volume.
11. The air transfer device of claim 10, further comprising a
pressure gauge pneumatically connected to the hose.
12. The air transfer device of claim 11, wherein the pneumatic
connection of the pressure gauge to the hose is made between the
valve and the coupling.
13. The air transfer device of claim 11, wherein the pneumatic
connection of the pressure gauge to the hose is made along the
handle of the valve.
14. The air transfer device of claim 10, wherein the connecting
means comprises a nozzle with the second end adapted to inflate
balloons and beach balls.
15. The air transfer device of claim 10, wherein the connecting
means comprises a connection hose having a clip-on air chuck at the
second end.
16. The air transfer device of claim 10, wherein the connecting
means comprises an adapter fitting having a ball inflation needle
at the second end.
17. The air transfer device of claim 10, wherein the outlet of the
valve comprises a fitting that is one half of a releasable
coupling, adapted to mate with the other half of the coupling that
is attached to the connecting means.
18. The air transfer device of claim 10, wherein the outlet of the
valve is selected from the group consisting of a threaded nipple, a
threaded socket, a male quick-connect fitting, and a female
quick-connect fitting.
19. An air transfer device according to claim 10, wherein the hose
is self-coiling.
20. An air valve for controlling flow of compressed air from a hose
to an inflatable object having a connection point for flow of air
into the object, the air valve comprising: a handle with two ends
and a substantially axial opening therebetween; an actuator
pivotally connected to the handle; an inlet at one end of the
handle adapted to pneumatically connect to the second end of the
hose; an outlet at the other end of the handle, the outlet adapted
to pneumatically and releasably connect to interchangeable end
portions for connecting to a variety of connection point types,
wherein the valve is open when the actuator is engaged and the
valve is closed when the actuator is released.
21. The air valve of claim 20, further comprising a pressure gauge
pneumatically connected to the valve, with the pneumatic connection
between the pressure gauge and the valve made along the handle of
the valve.
22. The air valve of claim 20, wherein the outlet of the valve
comprises one half of a releasable coupling.
23. The air valve of claim 20, wherein the outlet of the valve is
selected from the group consisting of a threaded nipple, a threaded
socket, a male quick-connect fitting, and a female quick-connect
fitting.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] This invention relates to a device for pressurizing
inflatable objects, and, more particularly, relates to a hose
assembly and appurtenances for transferring compressed air from a
source volume to a recipient volume.
[0002] The concept of providing relatively unrestricted pressurized
airflow through a hose assembly from a properly inflated tire to an
under-inflated tire is known in the art. Under-inflated tires are
both inconvenient and potentially hazardous. For a driver who has a
flat tire on a highway, transferring air from an inflated tire to a
deflated tire may be preferable to changing the tire. This
preference may be the result of inclement weather conditions, an
unsafe roadside, the lack of the driver's physical ability or
mechanical inclination to change a tire, the driver's desire to not
get dirty, or merely a desire to achieve a temporary remedy in a
minimum amount of time. For this technique to be effective, the
under-inflated tire must be able to hold an amount of air pressure
that will allow the vehicle to be driven for a short time, such as
the time it takes to get to a service station or at least to an
improved roadside stopping location.
[0003] A hose assembly for transferring air between tires has a
fitting at each end that attaches to the respective tire. For
example, a self-latching, clip-on ball foot air chuck may be
attached at one end of the assembly, and a standard press-on ball
foot air chuck may be attached at the other end. These air chucks
have built-in shutoff valves that remain closed except when the
chuck is fitted over a Schrader valve, the standard valve that is
provided for inflation on the valve stems of most tires. In use,
the self-latching ball foot chuck is connected to the Schrader
valve of the properly inflated tire, and a person presses and holds
the standard ball foot chuck on the Schrader valve of the
under-inflated tire.
[0004] Hose assemblies may also include a valve in the hose that
provides for a complete shutoff of the hose. Conventional valves
used inline do not provide for variable flow control of air through
the hose, and would need to be actuated intermittently to restrict
flow to intermittent spurts to slow the release of air, as might be
desired to avoid excessive discharge of air from the compressed air
source, or if the hose were used to fill objects with a lower
pressure requirement than the source.
[0005] Conventional hose assemblies are provided with end couplings
that are suited only for connecting to Schrader valves, severely
limiting the use of the assemblies. The air chucks provided are
also relatively lacking in ergonomic design. Features for
identifying the pressure in the source and the recipient volumes
are not provided. Without pressure gauging, the hose assembly must
be disconnected to check the pressure, for example, in the properly
inflated tire to verify the pressure remains adequate and is not
reduced too much, as well as in the under-inflated tire to verify
the pressure is adequate for driving at least a short distance.
[0006] For the reasons mentioned above, there is a need for an air
transfer device that can provide control and variation of airflow.
There is also a need for a device that gauges pressure in the
compressed air source without disconnecting the hose assembly,
alternatively or in combination with provisions for gauging
pressure in the object to be inflated. The device should also be
comfortable to use and allow attachment to a variety of objects to
be pressurized, with these objects possibly having lower pressure
ratings than the source volume pressure.
SUMMARY
[0007] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide an air transfer device allowing variable degrees of flow
from a compressed air source volume, such as a properly inflated
tire, to a recipient volume, such as an under-inflated tire or
other inflatable object.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide an air
transfer device that includes improved ergonomic features for
comfort of use, as well as additional features that facilitate the
activity performed.
[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
air transfer device that readily allows attachment to a variety of
connection types at the recipient volume, and allows customization
by the user to include preferred features inline with a hose of the
air transfer device.
[0010] According to the present invention, an air transfer device
is provided for transferring compressed air from a source volume to
a recipient volume. The air transfer device is an assembly that
includes a hose with couplings at each end to releasably connect to
the source and recipient volumes, and has a variable volume flow
control valve between the couplings. The air transfer device has a
variety of applications, including transferring air between vehicle
tires by use of air chucks as the couplings on the ends of the
hose.
[0011] Also according to the present invention, an air transfer
device is provided with an ergonomic flow control valve. This valve
has a handle with a substantially axial opening through which air
may flow, an actuator pivotally connected to the handle, an inlet
at one end that connects to one end of the hose, and an outlet at
the other end of the handle that releasably connects to
interchangeable end portions for connecting to a variety of
inflatable objects.
[0012] The present invention features pressure gauges for measuring
the pressure in the source volume, recipient volume, or both.
Interchangeable attachments are provided to allow connection of the
ergonomic flow control valve to a variety of inflatable objects.
Examples of some attachments include nozzles for inflating balloons
or beach balls, flexible hose assemblies with clip-on air chucks,
and adapters with ball inflation needles.
[0013] The present invention is simple to construct and yet is an
effective air transfer device with features previously not used in
such an assembly, facilitating transfer of air from a compressed
air source volume. The present invention also provides for ease of
use by its ergonomic design.
[0014] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent in light of the
following detailed description of the embodiments thereof, as
illustrated in the accompanying figures. As will be realized, the
invention is capable of modifications in various respects, all
without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and
the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and
not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] For a more complete understanding of this invention
reference should now be had to the embodiments illustrated in
greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described
below.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a vehicle, schematically
showing the present invention in use on the vehicle;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevation view of a valve of the
embodiment of FIG. 2;
[0019] FIG. 4 is an elevation view of an alternative valve to the
valve of the embodiment of FIG. 2;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a partially exploded elevation view of an
alternative interchangeable end for the embodiment of FIG. 5;
[0022] FIGS. 7-8 are elevation views of further alternative
interchangeable ends for the embodiment of FIG. 5;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a partially exploded perspective view of another
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0026] FIG. 12 is a partially schematic perspective view of another
embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION
[0027] A tire air transfer device 30 having features of the present
invention is schematically shown in FIG. 1. The air transfer device
30 comprises a hose 32, fittings 34, 36 at ends of the hose, and a
valve 38 between the fittings 34, 36. The air transfer device 30 is
shown in use, transferring air between tires 40, 42 on a vehicle
44, depicted as a car. An inlet fitting 34 is connected to a valve
stem on the compressed air source volume 40, here a properly
inflated and mounted tire, and is the inlet of the device 30. An
outlet fitting 36 is connected to a valve stem on the recipient
volume 42, here an under-inflated tire, and is the outlet of the
device 30. The valve 38 provides control of airflow through the
device 30.
[0028] In the Figures herein, unique features receive unique
numbers, while features that are the same in more than one drawing
receive the same numbers throughout. Where a feature is modified
between figures, a letter is added or changed after the feature
number to distinguish that feature from a similar feature in a
previous figure. In addition, although reference is made to an
inlet fitting 34 to be connected to a source compressed air volume,
and to an outlet fitting 36, to be connected to a recipient volume,
these designations as inlet and outlet are merely for the purposes
of illustration, and the respective fittings could be connected to
either source or recipient volumes. Likewise, references to tires
and air are for illustrative purposes, and the source and recipient
volumes are not intended to be limited to tires, nor is the
compressed gas required to be limited to air.
[0029] One embodiment of the tire air transfer device 30a of the
present invention is shown in FIG. 2. A self-latching, clip-on ball
foot air chuck 34a is provided to attach to the compressed air
source volume. A standard angle-faced, press-on ball foot air chuck
36a is provided as an outlet at the other end of the hose 32a to
connect to the recipient volume. A variable volume flow control
valve 38a is shown to be proximate to the outlet air chuck 36a, but
could be located anywhere inline between the air chucks 34a, 36a.
An axial flow air chuck is an alternative to the ball foot air
chuck 36a, and can allow access to valve stems that are
inaccessible to the ball foot air chuck 36a.
[0030] The variable volume flow control valve 38a of FIG. 2 is
shown in FIG. 3. This valve 38a allows graduated degrees of flow
over the range between fully open, where there is full flow, and
fully closed, where there is no flow. The valve 38a is shown as a
quarter turn valve, such as a ball valve, that restricts airflow
depending on the position of the actuator 46. As shown, this valve
38a has an actuator that is a turnable knob 46, preferably with an
indicator arrow 48 to show the valve position and writing indices
50 to indicate the fully-open ("MAX") and fully-closed ("OFF")
positions.
[0031] An alternative variable volume flow control valve 38b is
shown in FIG. 4. This valve 38b has an actuator that is a turnable
lever 46b, and incorporates a pressure gauge 52. The valve 38b may
be oriented with the pressure gauge 52 on either side of the valve
portion 54, so that when it is closed it measures the static
pressure in either the source or recipient volumes 40, 42,
depending on the gauge 52 location relative to the valve portion
54. Other valves that provide variable levels of flow may be
selected by one of ordinary skill in the art.
[0032] Connections of all of the components noted herein to each
other and to the hose 32 may be made in accordance with methods and
materials known to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example,
such connection methods may include, but are not limited to,
threaded connections, crimped rings and clips that compress the
hose around stems that extend from other parts, and quick-connect
type couplings. Connections should be pneumatically made, in that
air may flow through the connections and in general they should be
substantially leak-free and tight seals. Where reference is made to
pneumatic connections, such connections do not require that the
pneumatically connected parts be physically adjacent to each other,
though the pneumatically connected parts may be adjacent.
[0033] Another embodiment of a tire air transfer device 30b is
shown in FIG. 5. A dusting gun is modified to provide a flow
control valve 38c with an ergonomic handle 56 and trigger-style
actuator 58. This valve 38c opens when force is applied to the
actuator 58 to cause it to pivot towards the handle 56. The valve
38c automatically closes when the actuator 58 is released. Although
the valve 38c is shown as a pistol-grip style, other styles of
dusting or blow guns known to those of ordinary skill in the art
may be similarly modified for use in the present invention.
[0034] The valve 38c has an inlet 60 connected to the hose 32a and
an outlet 62 that is modified from the outlet of a standard dusting
gun to connect to an adapter 64, allowing connection to a variety
of components that mate with the recipient volume 42. The valve 38c
and adapter 64 form a valve assembly. The valve assembly can have a
variety of ends, including but not limited to a threaded nipple, a
threaded socket, a male quick-connect fitting, and a female
quick-connect fitting. As shown, the valve 38c is threadedly
connected to a quick-connect fitting female end 68, which receives
a quick-connect male fitting 82, shown with examples of end
components in FIGS. 6-8.
[0035] FIG. 6 shows a removable dusting nozzle assembly 36b,
including a dusting nozzle 80 with a fitting 82 at the inlet for
releaseably connecting to the adapter 64 outlet 68. Commonly,
dusting guns do not have detachable nozzles. A separate attachment
84 is provided that fits over the outlet 86 of the nozzle 80 to
allow insertion and appropriate restriction of airflow into
balloons, beach balls, and other inflatable items.
[0036] FIG. 7 shows a flexible hose and air chuck assembly 36c. A
European-style clip-on air chuck 90 is attached to one end of a
flexible hose 92, allowing use of the air transfer device on
recipient volumes 42 with Schrader valves. The flexible hose 92
provides flexibility that may be required to access Schrader valves
in hard to reach places, and may be any length, but an example
length is approximately 6-inches.
[0037] FIG. 8 shows a ball inflation adapter 36d, having a hollow
body 94 and a ball inflation needle 96 at one end of the body
94.
[0038] FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the air transfer device
30c of the present invention. A pressure gauge 100 is provided
between the valve 38c and inlet air chuck 34a, and is shown to be
connected to the hose 32a using a tee fitting 102, although other
connection types are known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
The pressure gauge 100. measures the pressure in the hose 32a, and
when the valve 38c is closed, the pressure gauge 100 measures the
static pressure in the source volume 40. In the air transfer device
30d of FIG. 10, the pressure gauge 100 is instead connected
directly into the flow control valve 38d. This connection is shown
to be made with an angled threaded fitting 104 through a tapped
hole in the valve 38d, but the connection may be cast into the
valve 38d or made by other methods known to those of skill in the
art.
[0039] FIG. 11 shows yet another embodiment of an air transfer
device 30e according to the present invention. The air transfer
device 30e has a hose 32a with a fitting 112 that is one half of a
releaseable coupling on one end. This fitting 112 is shown as a
female quick-connect fitting for connecting to a mating releaseable
fitting 114, shown as male, on a dusting gun 38e with an affixed
nozzle 80a. The coupling 110, 112 may be quick-connect or any other
type of coupling known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
Couplings may be used with this embodiment 30e and pressure gauges,
fittings such as tees, variable flow control valves, and dusting or
blow gun type valves to allow a user to build any custom
arrangement of components desired.
[0040] Another embodiment 30fof the present invention is shown in
FIG. 12. Therein each of the previously disclosed embodiments
30a-30e is modified by use of a self-coiling hose 32b.
[0041] A range of sizes and rated pressures may be used for the
components described herein, and the present invention should not
be limited to any particular size or pressure range. Such criteria
may be selected by one of ordinary skill in the art. An example of
one readily available size that is appropriate is 1/4-inch inside
diameter hose and appurtenant parts. Pressure ratings selected
should equal or exceed the pressure of the compressed air source
volume for the particular application.
[0042] Examples of some suitable components for use in the present
invention is noted below, but again, different parts may be
specified and modified in accordance with the present invention by
a person of ordinary skill in the art. For applications used with
conventional automotive vehicle tires as the compressed air source,
usually having a manufacturer's recommended maximum inflation
pressure of between 35 and 45 pounds per square inch, the following
parts are suitable, and parts with greater or lesser pressure
ratings may also be appropriate. One suitable hose 32a is general
service air and water hose item 7092-25200 from Dayco Products,
Inc. of Dayton, Ohio. For use on automobiles, a length should be
provided that allows connection between any two tires;
approximately 20 feet is generally adequate. A suitable
self-latching, clip-on ball foot air chuck 34a is item A809-Y75
from Acme Automotive of East Brunswick, N.J. A dusting gun suitable
for modification to provide the flow control valve 38c, 38d, 38e is
item A1454 from AmPro Tool Corp. of Los Angeles, Calif. A
European-style clip-on air chuck 90 suitable for use on the
flexible hose and air chuck assembly 36c is item 14-3100 from
Alligator Ventilfabrik GmbH of Geingen/Brenz, Germany.
[0043] The tire air transfer device 30 design can be modified by
those skilled in the art to provide many different features in a
variety of applications. Additional features may be permanently or
releaseably incorporated into the embodiments shown in the Figures.
For example, pressure gauges may be added on either or both sides
of the variable volume flow control valve 38a, or any valve 38
used. Such gauges allow static pressure readings of the source and
recipient volumes 40, 42 by merely closing the flow control valve
38, without disconnecting the air transfer device 30.
[0044] The present invention has many advantages, including
providing variable volume flow control that is particularly helpful
in restricting airflow when it is uncertain that the recipient
volume is able to maintain increased air pressure, when the
recipient volume has lower pressure requirements than the source
volume, and when the recipient volume is relatively small. The
dusting gun-style flow control valve provides comfort and ease of
use in many applications with its interchangeable end connections.
The use of pressure gauges further facilitates use. Available
customization provides a user with many new opportunities to
exploit the present invention.
* * * * *