U.S. patent application number 10/841150 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-10 for multiple application tire sealer and inflator.
Invention is credited to Dudley, Newton Howard.
Application Number | 20050247369 10/841150 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35238352 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050247369 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dudley, Newton Howard |
November 10, 2005 |
Multiple application tire sealer and inflator
Abstract
A multiple application tire sealer and inflator. In a described
embodiment, a system for dispensing a substance into a tire having
a tire valve is provided. The system includes a container for the
substance, a flexible conduit and an adaptor. The adaptor has an
end configured for attachment both to the flexible conduit and to
the tire valve.
Inventors: |
Dudley, Newton Howard;
(Blum, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KONNEKER & SMITH P. C.
660 NORTH CENTRAL EXPRESSWAY
SUITE 230
PLANO
TX
75074
US
|
Family ID: |
35238352 |
Appl. No.: |
10/841150 |
Filed: |
May 7, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/38 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29L 2030/00 20130101;
B29C 73/166 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/038 |
International
Class: |
B65B 031/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of dispensing a substance into a tire, the method
comprising the steps of: connecting a flexible conduit to a tire
valve for the tire; and then attaching a container of the substance
to the flexible conduit.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the flexible conduit
connecting step further comprises opening the tire valve.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the flexible conduit
connecting step further comprises providing fluid communication
between the flexible conduit and the tire.
4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of
providing a check valve, and wherein in the flexible conduit
connecting step, the check valve prevents pressure within the tire
from escaping through the flexible conduit.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the providing step
further comprises positioning the check valve at an end of the
flexible conduit, and positioning a tire valve connector at an
opposite end of the flexible conduit.
6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the container attaching
step further comprises attaching the check valve between the
container and the flexible conduit.
7. The method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of
attaching an adaptor to the container, and wherein the container
attaching step further comprises attaching the check valve to the
adaptor.
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of attaching
the check valve to the adaptor further comprises opening a valve of
the container.
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the container valve
opening step further comprises permitting the substance to flow
from the container through the container valve, through the
adaptor, through the check valve, through the flexible conduit, and
through the tire valve into the tire.
10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the container
attaching step further comprises opening a valve of the container,
thereby permitting the substance to flow from the container through
the container valve, through the flexible conduit, and through the
tire valve into the tire.
11. A system for dispensing a substance into a tire having a tire
valve, the system comprising: a container for the substance; a
flexible conduit; and an adaptor on the container having an end
configured for attachment directly to the flexible conduit and
configured for attachment directly to the tire valve.
12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the flexible conduit
has a tire valve connector at an end of the conduit, and a coupler
at an opposite end of the conduit.
13. The system according to claim 12, wherein a valve of the
container is opened when the coupler is attached to the adaptor
end.
14. The system according to claim 12, wherein the flexible conduit
further has a check valve which prevents escape of pressure from
the tire through the flexible conduit when the tire valve connector
is connected to the tire valve.
15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the check valve is
positioned at an end of the flexible conduit and the tire valve
connector is positioned at an opposite end of the flexible
conduit.
16. The system according to claim 15, wherein a valve of the
container is opened when the check valve is attached to the
adaptor.
17. The system according to claim 14, wherein fluid communication
is provided between the flexible conduit and the tire when the tire
valve connector is connected to the tire valve.
18. The system according to claim 11, wherein the adaptor includes
a reciprocably disposed member which displaces to open a valve of
the container when the flexible conduit is attached to the
adaptor.
19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the reciprocably
disposed member displaces to open the valve of the container when
the adaptor is attached to the tire valve.
20. The system according to claim 11, wherein the adaptor includes
a reciprocably disposed member which displaces to open a valve of
the container when the adaptor is attached to the tire valve. 21.
The system according to claim 11, wherein the adaptor and the
container are provided in an integral assembly.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates generally to vehicle tire
sealers and inflators and, in an embodiment described herein, more
particularly provides a tire sealer and inflator system which is
configured for use in multiple applications.
[0002] A tire sealer and inflator is used to seal a puncture or
other leak in a vehicle tire, and to inflate the tire, so that it
can continue to be used, at least temporarily. Tire sealers and
inflators are generally available in two configurations. In one
configuration, an aerosol can has a tire valve connector provided
on the can, and the connector is threaded directly onto a tire
valve to dispense the contents of the can into a tire through the
tire valve. In another configuration, an aerosol can has one end of
a hose connected to the can, and the other end of the hose is
provided with a tire valve connector. The connector is threaded
onto a tire valve to open the tire valve, and a user then depresses
a valve on the can to thereby dispense the contents of the can into
the tire through the hose.
[0003] The first configuration is convenient for use in
applications where the tire valve is readily accessible, the valve
is properly positioned, and enough clearance is available for
threading the can with its connector onto the tire valve. The
second configuration is convenient for use in applications where
the tire valve is not conveniently accessible, the tire valve is
not properly positioned, or there is not enough clearance for the
can directly opposite the tire valve. Thus, these two different
configurations are available for different applications.
[0004] However, it would be beneficial to be able to provide a tire
sealer and inflator which is configured for convenient use in
multiple different applications. For example, this would enable a
consumer to purchase a single product which is suitable for
multiple applications, without the necessity of knowing beforehand
which of the applications the product will be used for. As another
example, this would reduce the need for a retail store to inventory
multiple different products for the different applications.
[0005] Therefore, it would be desirable to be able to configure a
tire sealer and inflator for use in multiple different
applications. This concept would also be desirable for dispensing
other substances into tires, such as tire balancers, etc.
SUMMARY
[0006] In carrying out the principles of the present invention, in
accordance with an embodiment thereof, a system and method are
provided which enable a substance to be dispensed into a tire from
a container in multiple applications. An adaptor on the container
permits use of a flexible conduit between the container and the
tire valve, and also permits the adaptor to be connected directly
to the tire valve.
[0007] In one aspect of the invention, a system for dispensing a
substance into a tire having a tire valve is provided. The system
includes a container for the substance, a flexible conduit and an
adaptor on the container. The adaptor has an end configured for
attachment to the flexible conduit. The adapter end is also
configured for direct attachment to the tire valve.
[0008] In another aspect of the invention, a method of dispensing a
substance into a tire is provided. The method includes the steps of
connecting a flexible conduit to a tire valve for the tire, and
then attaching a container of the substance to the flexible
conduit.
[0009] These and other features, advantages, benefits and objects
of the present invention will become apparent to one of ordinary
skill in the art upon careful consideration of the detailed
description of a representative embodiment of the invention
hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is an exploded side view of a system for dispensing
substances into a tire, the system embodying principles of the
present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an enlarged scale partially cross-sectional view
of a coupler in the system of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is an enlarged scale partially cross-sectional view
of an adaptor and a container valve in the system of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a side view of a first configuration of the
system; and
[0014] FIG. 5 is a side view of a second configuration of the
system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Representatively illustrated in FIG. 1 is a system 10 which
embodies principles of the present invention. In the following
description of the system lo and other apparatus and methods
described herein, directional terms, such as "above", "below",
"upper", "lower", etc., are used for convenience in referring to
the accompanying drawings. Additionally, it is to be understood
that the various embodiments of the present invention described
herein may be utilized in various orientations, such as inclined,
inverted, horizontal, vertical, etc., and in various
configurations, without departing from the principles of the
present invention.
[0016] The system 10 includes a container 12 of a substance which
is to be dispensed into a tire. The container 12 has a valve 40
which, when opened, permits the substance to flow out of the
container. The substance may be provided under elevated pressure in
the container 12, so that when the valve 40 is opened, the
substance is expelled out of the container.
[0017] The system 10 also includes an adaptor 16 and a hose or
flexible conduit 18. The adaptor 16 has an end 20 which is
configured for attachment to the container 12. Preferably, the end
20 of the adaptor 16 is already attached to the container 12 when
the end user purchases the system 10. An opposite end 22 of the
adaptor 16 is configured so that it may be attached either to the
hose 18 or to a tire valve 44 (not shown in FIG. 1, see FIGS. 4
& 5).
[0018] The hose 18 has a coupler 24 attached at one end 26 of the
hose, and a tire valve connector 28 attached at an opposite end 30
of the hose. When properly connected to the tire valve 44, the
connector 28 secures the hose 18 to the tire valve and opens the
tire valve. The connector 28 is depicted as being of the type which
is threaded onto a tire valve, but other types of connectors may be
used if desired.
[0019] It may now be appreciated that the system 10 permits the
container 12 to be connected to a tire valve either using the
adaptor 16 alone, or with the hose 18 interconnected between the
adaptor and the tire valve. One application may permit convenient
use of the container 12 attached to the tire valve without use of
the hose 18, while another application may permit convenient use of
the hose interconnected between the container and the tire valve.
Thus, the system 10 is configurable for use in multiple different
applications.
[0020] Referring additionally now to FIG. 2, the coupler 24 is
representatively illustrated apart from the remainder of the system
10. In this view it may be seen that an end 32 of the coupler 24 is
internally threaded for attachment to the externally threaded end
22 of the adaptor 16. An opposite end 34 of the coupler 24 is
configured for attachment to the end 26 of the hose 18.
[0021] A check valve 36 is positioned between the ends 32, 34 of
the coupler 24. The check valve 36 permits flow from the end 32 to
the end 34 of the coupler 24, but prevents flow from the end 34 to
the end 32, for purposes which will be described more fully below.
Note, also, that a generally tubular member 38 extends downwardly
from the check valve 36.
[0022] Referring additionally now to FIG. 3, the adaptor 16 and an
upper end of the container valve 40 are depicted apart from the
remainder of the system 10. In this view it may be seen that the
end 22 of the adaptor 16 is also internally threaded. The internal
threads are configured for threading the adaptor 16 onto a tire
valve.
[0023] With the end 20 of the adaptor 16 attached to the container
12, a reciprocably disposed elongated member 39 within the adaptor
is positioned in close proximity to the valve 40. If the member 39
is displaced a sufficient distance downwardly as viewed in FIG. 3,
the member will depress the valve 40, thereby opening the valve and
permitting the substance to be expelled from the container 12.
[0024] The adaptor 16 is preferably attached to the container 12 by
snapping an outwardly projecting circumference 42 of the end 20
into a recess in the top of the container 12. Other means of
attaching the adaptor 16 to the container 12 may be used if
desired. Alternatively, the adaptor 16 could be provided as an
integral assembly with the container 12.
[0025] The coupler 24 may be threaded onto the adaptor 16, and/or
other connecting means may be used to attach the coupler to the
adaptor, such as snapping the coupler to the adaptor, etc. The
internal threads of the end 32 and the external threads of the end
22 may be configured so that they may be threaded or snapped
together.
[0026] When the coupler 24 is attached to the adaptor 16, the
member 38 contacts and displaces the member 39 downward, thereby
opening the container valve 40. This permits the substance to flow
through the valve 40 from the container 12, through the adaptor 16,
through the check valve 36 in the coupler 24 and into the hose
18.
[0027] Referring additionally now to FIG. 4, the system 10 is
depicted in a configuration in which the hose 18 is interconnected
between the container 12 and a tire valve 44. Preferably, the tire
valve connector 28 is first threaded onto the tire valve 44. This
opens the tire valve 44, secures the hose 18 to the tire valve, and
thereby provides fluid communication between the hose 18 and the
tire (not shown) to which the tire valve is attached.
[0028] Note that, at this point, the check valve 36 in the coupler
24 prevents any pressure in the tire from escaping through the hose
18. The check valve 36 could perform this function if it were
located elsewhere, for example, in the tire valve connector 28, or
interconnected between the hose ends 26, 30, etc.
[0029] With the adaptor 16 attached to the container 12, the member
39 is in close proximity to the valve 40 (as depicted in FIG. 3).
When the coupler 24 is attached to the adaptor 16, the container
valve 40 is opened as described above, and the substance can now
flow from the container 12, through the hose 18 and into the tire
through the tire valve 44.
[0030] When the substance has been dispensed into the tire, the
coupler 24 is disconnected from the adaptor 16. Again, the check
valve 36 prevents pressure in the tire from escaping through the
hose 18. The tire valve connector 28 is then detached from the tire
valve 44.
[0031] Referring additionally now to FIG. 5, the system 10 is
depicted in a configuration in which the hose 18 is not
interconnected between the container 12 and the tire valve 44.
Instead, with the adaptor 16 attached to the container 12, the
adaptor is then connected to the tire valve 44, for example, by
threading or snapping the adaptor onto the tire valve. When the
adaptor 16 is connected to the tire valve 44, the member 39 enters
the tire valve and opens it, and the member is displaced by the
tire valve so that it also opens the container valve 40. Thus, the
substance may now flow through the valve 40 from the container 12,
through the adaptor 16 and into the tire through the tire valve
44.
[0032] Of course, a person skilled in the art would, upon a careful
consideration of the above description of representative
embodiments of the invention, readily appreciate that many
modifications, additions, substitutions, deletions, and other
changes may be made to these specific embodiments, and such changes
are contemplated by the principles of the present invention.
Accordingly, the foregoing detailed description is to be clearly
understood as being given by way of illustration and example only,
the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited solely
by the appended claims and their equivalents.
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