U.S. patent application number 11/138967 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-01 for tire deflating blade perimeter protection system.
This patent application is currently assigned to PMG, Inc.. Invention is credited to Blair, David R., Blair, William H..
Application Number | 20050265781 11/138967 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35463491 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050265781 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Blair, David R. ; et
al. |
December 1, 2005 |
Tire deflating blade perimeter protection system
Abstract
A tire deflating blade perimeter protection system having a
control box in communication with a plurality of interconnected
modules, each module being a base block with a plurality of blades
pivotally connected to a center shaft such that the blades rotate
between an armed, up, position and a retracted, down, position
wherein the height and angle of the blades in the armed position
are adjustable. Each blade is disposed in a blade aperture in the
base block wherein the blade aperture is open through the base
block to allow for the passage of dirt and debris through the
module. A control box ramp is adapted to be placed over the control
box as means of protecting the control box from an on-coming
vehicle. An extension assembly connecting the control box to the
modules extends and raises the control box in relation to the
modules.
Inventors: |
Blair, David R.;
(Triadelphia, WV) ; Blair, William H.; (Wheeling,
WV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THOMPSON HINE L.L.P.
2000 COURTHOUSE PLAZA , N.E.
10 WEST SECOND STREET
DAYTON
OH
45402
US
|
Assignee: |
PMG, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
35463491 |
Appl. No.: |
11/138967 |
Filed: |
May 26, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60574880 |
May 26, 2004 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
404/6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01F 13/123 20130101;
E01F 13/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
404/006 |
International
Class: |
E01F 013/12 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A tire deflating blade perimeter protection module, comprising:
a base block having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end, a
second end, a shaft channel extending longitudinally from said
first end to said second end, and a plurality of blade apertures,
each of said blade apertures being in communication with said shaft
channel; a shaft longitudinally disposed within said shaft channel
of said base block, said shaft having a length, a first end, and a
second end; two or more blades pivotally connected to said shaft
wherein said two or more blades are positioned along the length of
said shaft such that two adjacent said blades are separated by a
predefined distance wherein a first of said two or more blades is
disposed within a first of said plurality of blade apertures and a
second of said two or more blades is disposed within a second of
said plurality of blade apertures; a means for engaging said blades
into an armed position and into a retracted position; and a means
for adjusting a height and angle of said blades in said armed
position in relation to said shaft, said means for adjusting being
in communication with said shaft.
2. The tire deflating blade perimeter protection module according
to claim 1, wherein said means for adjusting comprises: an
adjusting nut movably positioned on the first end of said shaft,
said adjusting nut having a first end and a second end, the second
end of said adjusting nut adapted for receiving the first end of
the shaft such that when said adjusting nut moves in a first
direction on said shaft, said plurality of blades in said armed
position are raised higher in relation to said shaft and when said
adjusting nut moves in a second direction on said shaft, said
plurality of blades in said armed position are raised lower in
relation to said shaft; and a locking nut movably positioned on the
first end of said shaft and in communication with the second end of
said adjusting nut, said locking nut adapted for securing said
adjusting nut at a selected location on said shaft.
3. The tire deflating blade perimeter protection system according
to claim 2, wherein said first end of said adjusting nut is adapted
for receiving a second end of a second shaft of a second tire
deflating blade perimeter protection module.
4. The tire deflating blade perimeter protection module according
to claim 2, wherein the first end of said shaft is threaded and
said locking nut and the second end of said adjusting nut are
threaded onto the first end of said shaft.
5. The tire deflating blade perimeter protection module according
to claim 2, wherein an exterior surface of said second end of said
adjusting nut is a polygon shape.
6. The tire deflating blade perimeter protection module according
to claim 2, wherein the second end of said shaft has a ball
connector and said first end of said adjusting nut has a ball
receiver connector such that said ball connector of the second end
of said shaft fits within said ball receiver connector of the first
end of said adjusting nut.
7. The tire deflating blade perimeter protection module according
to claim 1, wherein each of said blade apertures is open through
said base block from said top surface to said bottom surface.
8. The tire deflating blade perimeter protection module according
to claim 1, wherein said means for engaging said blades is a
control box connected to said shaft such that upon activation of
said control box, said blades move between said armed position and
said retracted position.
9. The tire deflating blade perimeter protection module according
to claim 8, wherein said control box is an electric control box,
and further comprising a control box ramp having a top surface,
first edge, second edge, a bottom surface and a control box chamber
in said bottom surface, said control box chamber adapted to receive
said electric control box, and said top surface of said control box
ramp having a first sloping portion, a top portion, and a second
sloping portion.
10. The tire deflating blade perimeter protection module according
to claim 8, further comprising a means for extending and raising
said control box relative to said base block.
11. The tire deflating blade perimeter protection module according
to claim 10, wherein said means for extending and raising said
control box is an extension assembly having two or more extension
arms connecting a first side of said control box to the first end
of said base block.
12. The tire deflating blade perimeter protection module according
to claim 1, further comprising an anchor plate having a top surface
adapted to receive said base block and a bottom surface having a
means for gripping a ground surface,
13. The tire deflating blade perimeter protection module according
to claim 12, wherein said means for gripping a ground surface is
said bottom surface of said anchor plate having a plurality of
protrusions.
14. The tire deflating blade perimeter protection module according
to claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of said base block has a means
for gripping a ground surface.
15. The tire deflating blade perimeter protection module according
to claim 14, wherein said means for gripping a ground surface is
said bottom surface of said base block having a plurality of
protrusions.
16. A method for deflating a tire of a vehicle, comprising the
steps of: (a) deploying a tire deflating blade perimeter protection
module, comprising: a base block having a top surface, a bottom
surface, a first end, a second end, a shaft channel extending
longitudinally from said first end to said second end, and a
plurality of blade apertures, each of said blade apertures being in
communication with said shaft channel; a shaft longitudinally
disposed within said shaft channel of said base block, said shaft
having a length, a first end, and a second end; two or more blades
pivotally connected to said shaft wherein said two or more blades
are positioned along the length of said shaft such that two
adjacent said blades are separated by a predefined distance wherein
a first of said two or more blades is disposed within a first of
said plurality of blade apertures and a second of said two or more
blades is disposed within a second of said plurality of blade
apertures; a means for engaging said blades into an armed position
and into a retracted position; and a means for adjusting a height
and angle of said blades in said armed position in relation to said
shaft, said means for adjusting being in communication with said
shaft; (b) adjusting the height and angle of said blades in said
armed position to a selected position; (c) securing said blades in
said armed position at said selected position; and (d) engaging
said blades into said armed position such that when said blades are
in said armed position, said blades are at said selected
position.
17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step
of: (e) retracting said blades into said retracted position.
18. The method according to claim 16, wherein said means for
adjusting comprises: an adjusting nut movably positioned on the
first end of said shaft, said adjusting nut having a first end and
a second end, the second end of said adjusting nut adapted for
receiving the first end of the shaft such that when said adjusting
nut moves in a first direction on said shaft, said plurality of
blades in said armed position are raised higher in relation to said
shaft and when said adjusting nut moves in a second direction on
said shaft, said plurality of blades in said armed position are
raised lower in relation to said shaft; and a locking nut movably
positioned on the first end of said shaft and in communication with
the second end of said adjusting nut, said locking nut adapted for
securing said adjusting nut at a selected location on said shaft,
wherein said step (b) comprises moving said adjusting nut to said
selected position on said shaft, and said step (c) comprises
securing said locking nut against said second end of said adjusting
nut thereby securing said adjusting nut at said selected
position.
19. The method according to claim 16, wherein each of said blade
apertures is open through said base block from said top surface to
said bottom surface.
20. The method according to claim 16, wherein said means for
engaging said blades of said tire deflating blade perimeter
protection module further comprises an electric control box
connected to said shaft such that upon activation of said electric
control box said blades move between said armed position and said
retracted position, and further comprising the step of: (e) placing
a control box ramp over said electric control box, wherein said
control box ramp has a top surface, first edge, second edge, a
bottom surface and a control box aperture in said bottom surface,
said control box aperture adapted to receive said electric control
box, and said top surface of said control box ramp having a first
sloping portion, a top portion, and a second sloping portion.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No.
60/574,880, filed May 26, 2004.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates to apparatuses for deflating
the tires of a vehicle, and specifically, to an apparatus having a
plurality of blades rotatably disposed within a module base,
wherein the height and angle of the blades are adjustable.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] Tire deflation devices are well known in the prior art and
available in many different shapes and sizes. These devices
typically comprise some type of support base containing a plurality
of spikes or blades, and in certain circumstances, the spikes or
blades are rotatable between an armed position and a stored or
retractable position. The base is placed on a road surface so that
a passing vehicle runs over the device and the spikes or blades
puncture the tires, thereby rendering the vehicle disabled.
[0006] In one such system, U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,418, titled Tire
Deflating Blade System, the disclosed device comprises a plurality
of modules, each module having a plurality of blades adjacently and
pivotally connected, along a centrally located shaft, to form a
tire deflating blade system of variable length. Each system module
is generally rectangular in shape. The blades are permanently
disposed in the base. The blades move between a retracted position
for storage and an armed or up position for deflating tires upon a
movement of a centrally located shaft.
[0007] Although this device is excellent at rendering a vehicle
disabled, there are several disadvantages with this blade system.
The first disadvantage is that there is no means to adjust the
height or angle of the blades with respect to the shaft or module
base. Depending on the target terrain on which the device is going
to be placed, the blades may not be at an optimum position for
puncturing the tires of a vehicle. Thus, there is a need for a tire
deflating blade system in which the angle and height of the blades
may be adjusted for optimum performance.
[0008] The second disadvantage with the known system is that there
is no means for allowing dirt and debris to pass through the
modules of the system. When dirt is collected in the modules, the
blades, and mechanism for working the blades, become full of dirt
and debris, thereby interfering with the performance of the system.
Therefore, there is a need for a blade system in which the dirt and
debris may pass through the modules and/or be cleaned from the
blades and inner components of the modules to ensure a smoothly
operating system.
[0009] The third disadvantage with the existing system is that
there is no means by which to protect the control box or the
activating box which controls the movement of the blades between
the armed and retracted positions. Typically, such a control box is
located adjacent to the first module. However, unless it is behind
a barrier or other structure, it is susceptible to damage by an
oncoming vehicle. Thus, there is a need for a way to protect a
control box as it is positioned next to the system on the
roadway.
[0010] The fourth disadvantage with the existing system is that
there is no means for connecting a control box to the modules of
the system such that the control box is extended and raised away
from the modules as means for protecting the control box from the
terrain or environmental elements, such as during rainy weather
conditions. Therefore, there is a need for a way to connect a
control box to the module such that the control box is not
immediately adjacent to the first module, but rather, the control
box is extended and raise away from the modules.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention solves the problems associated with
conventional tire deflating blade devices by providing an improved
tire deflating blade system having a means for adjusting the height
or angle of the blades in relation to the shaft or module base. The
tire blade system of the present invention incorporates such a
means to the shaft extending and connecting the adjacent blades of
a module. When the adjusting means is adjusted in a longitudinal
direction along the length of the shaft, the height or angle of the
blades correspondingly move up or down. Once the desired position
of the blades is selected, the adjusting means is locked in place
on the shaft.
[0012] The tire deflating blade system of the present invention
also incorporates a means for allowing debris and dirt to pass
through a module. This is accomplished by a plurality of blade
apertures open through the module base. Thus, as dirt and debris
falls into the blade apertures, such dirt and debris passes through
the module and can be washed away. This structure ensures the
continued operation of the blades without being subjected to an
accumulation of dirt and debris to interfere with the working
mechanism.
[0013] The tire deflating blade system of the present invention
also provides a means for protecting the control box controlling
the activation of the blades in the modules of the system. In the
preferred embodiment, a ramp module with a chamber on its underside
is placed over the control box such that an oncoming vehicle will
go up and over the control box preventing any damage thereto. Also,
an extension assembly is used to connect the control box to the
first module of the system such that the extension assembly extends
and raises the control box in relation to the modules. The
extension assembly allows the modules to be placed on lower terrain
or embedded within a roadway with the control box being above and
away from the modules, or provides a drainage path for water and
debris to pass under the control box.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The present invention is described with reference to the
accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers
indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Additionally,
the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the
drawings in which the reference number first appears.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tire deflating blade
perimeter protection system of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective, exploded view of a tire deflating
blade module of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the underside of a tire
deflating blade module;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an anchor plate for a tire
deflating blade module;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a tire deflating blade
module secured to an anchor plate;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of joining two adjacent tire
deflating blade modules of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the connection of two
tire deflating blade modules and showing the means for adjusting a
height and angle of the blades;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a manual control system of
the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the manual control system
being assembled;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an assembled manual control
system;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a control box of the
present invention;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the control box with an
extension assembly to the first tire deflating blade module;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of the extension
assembly;
[0028] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a control box ramp of the
present invention;
[0029] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the control ramp housing a
control box;
[0030] FIG. 16 is a top view of an adjustment nut of the present
invention; and
[0031] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the adjustment nut.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] FIG. 1 shows a tire deflating blade perimeter protection
system 100 of the present invention. The system 100 is comprised of
a plurality of tire deflating blade modules 102a-g (module 102).
Each module 102 having a plurality of blades 110 housed within a
module base block 114. For convenience purpose, a set of blades 110
within a given module 102 shall be denoted as a blade set 112. The
engaging means is described in more detail below.
[0033] As also shown in FIG. 1, the means for engaging the blades
110 is a manual control box 104 having a handle 108 and gear
mechanism 106. The blades 110 of the blade set 112 are attached to
a centrally located shaft 212 disposed within the module base block
114 such that upon activation of the handle 108, the blades 110 of
the blade set 112 are moved from a retracted or stored position
within the base block 114 to an upright or armed position as shown
in FIG. 1.
[0034] FIG. 2 is a perspective, exploded view of a tire deflating
blade module 102 of the present invention. For convenience purpose
only, the present invention will be described in terms of a single
generic module 102, shown on FIG. 1 as 102a. All other modules
102b-g are identical in design, structure, and operation as module
102a (or 102). A perspective view of the underside of a module 102
is shown in FIG. 3.
[0035] The module 102 has a base block 114 which is preferably
rectangular in shape being about 20 inches by about 11.5 inches.
The base block 114 is made of a cast aluminum or steel in order to
give it strength and durability for extended use. The base block
114 has a plurality of blade apertures 236a-e such that one blade
110 is disposed in one blade aperture 236. In the preferred
embodiment, each blade aperture 236 extends through the base block
114 such that the blade aperture 236 is open from the top surface
of the base block 114 to the bottom surface of the module 102. The
base block 114 is shown with five blades 110a-e in a blade set 112
for convenience purpose only. It would be readily apparent to one
of ordinary skill in the relevant art to have a different number of
blades 110 in a blade set 112.
[0036] The base block 114 also has a shaft channel 306 extending
longitudinally from a first end 230 of the base block 114 to a
second end 232 of the base 114. The shaft channel 306 is centrally
positioned along an longitudinal axis of the base block 114. The
shaft channel 306 extends through the second end 232 of the base
block 114 forming a shaft channel opening 314. In contrast, the
shaft channel 306 extends through the first end 230 of the base
block 114 via a channel aperture 312 passing through a channel
bridge 310. Thus, the channel bridge 310 is one means by which the
shaft 212 is held in the shaft channel 306. In addition, the shaft
channel 306 has a pair of spring holding flanges 308a,b which
provides a narrowed section of the shaft channel 306 in proximity
to the channel bridge 310.
[0037] A shaft 212 is disposed in the shaft channel 306 and each of
the blades 110 in a blade set 112 is pivotally connected to the
shaft 212. Each blade 110 is connected via the same means. In the
preferred embodiment, a blade base 246, having a pair of attachment
flanges 240, of a blade 110 is positioned over a shaft aperture 242
such that the one or more blade base apertures 248 align with the
shaft aperture 242. Once aligned, a cross pin 206 is inserted
through the blade base apertures 248 and the shaft aperture 242.
The cross pin 206 is secured in place by a locking c-ring 208.
Optionally, each end 250a,b of the blade base 240 is further
secured in the blade aperture 236 by securing a cover plate 204 to
the base block 114. In the preferred embodiment, each cover plate
204 is secured by two screws 202. This means of pinning each blade
110 to the shaft 212 allows the blades 110 to pivot about the cross
pin 206 on the shaft 212 from a down, retracted position to an up,
armed position. In addition, the means for pinning each blade 110
to the shaft 212 is a second means by which the shaft 212 is held
in the shaft channel 306. The present invention employs this means
for pinning the blades 110 to the shaft 212 for convenience purpose
only. It would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the
relevant art to use a comparable design for pivotally connecting
the blades 110 to the shaft 212.
[0038] Also shown on FIGS. 2, 6 and 7, a preferred module 102
incorporates a means for interconnecting adjacent modules 102. Each
module 102 has two removably detachable ball connectors 210a,b
protruding from the second end 232 of the base block 114 and two
ball receiving connectors 244a,b on the first end 230 of the base
114. The ball connectors 210a,b are preferably made of steel and
extend from the base 114 by about 3/4 of an inch. Also, the ball
connectors 210a,b are spaced apart such that they align with the
ball receiving connectors 244a,b of a second module 102. Thus, when
joining two modules 102, such as module 102a and module 102b, the
ball connectors 210a,b of the first module 102a are inserted and
placed into the ball receiving connectors 244a,b of the second
module 102b. The connecting of the respective shafts 212 of the two
modules 102a,b is described in greater detail below. Lastly, as an
option, there is a security groove 238 having a screw 702 passing
though a hole in the base block 114. Upon tightening the screw 702,
the screw 702 contacts the ball connector 210b and pressure fits
the ball connector 210b in the ball receiving connector 244b to
prevent unwanted slippage of the ball connector 210b out of the
ball receiving connector 244b. Similarly, there is a security
groove and screw on the opposite side of the base block 114 for
pressure fitting the ball connector 210a in its respective ball
receiving connector 244a.
[0039] In the preferred embodiment, the shaft 212 has a threaded
first end 218 and a ball connector 216 on its a second end 214. The
means for adjusting a height and angle of the blades 110 also is
attached to the first end 218 of the shaft 212. In particular, the
preferred means for adjusting is an adjusting nut 226 and a locking
nut 228. A locking nut 218 is threaded onto the first end 218 of
the shaft 212, after which an adjusting nut 226 is threaded onto
the first end 218 of the shaft 212. Also in the preferred
embodiment, the shaft 212 is a steel rod about 3/8 of an inch in
diameter and about 20.5 inches long from the adjusting nut 226 to
the end of the ball connector 216.
[0040] The adjusting nut 226 is shown in greater detail on FIGS. 16
and 17. The adjusting nut 226 is preferably made of steel with a
first end 1602 and a second end 1604, and is about 2.5 inches long
and about 1/2 of an inch in diameter. The first end 1602 of the
adjusting nut 226 has a ball receiving connector 1606 the size and
shape of a ball connector 216 on the second end 214 of a shaft 212.
The surface of the second end 1604 of the adjusting nut 226 is
machined into a polygon, such as a hexagon, thereby creating a bolt
end 1608 on the adjusting nut 226. Also, a threaded aperture 1610
extends into the adjusting nut 226 from the second end 1604 along a
central, longitudinal axis. In operation, after the locking nut 228
is placed on the shaft 212 the threaded first end 218 of the shaft
212 is threaded into the threaded aperture 1610 of the adjusting
nut 226. The bolt end 1608 facilitates the use of a conventional
wrench on the adjusting nut 226 so that the adjusting nut 226 can
be moved longitudinally along the threaded first end 218 of the
shaft 212.
[0041] The shaft 212 of the present invention also comprises a
spring mechanism having a coiled spring 222 disposed on the shaft
212 between a washer 220 and a locking c-ring 224. The washer 220
is freely moving along the shaft 212 while the locking c-ring 224
is fixed at a specific location. The spring mechanism provides the
tension needed to return the blade set 112 of a module 102 to the
retracted or stored position. That is, when the means for engaging
the blades (a control box being a manual control box 104 or an
electronic control box) releases the blade set 112 from the armed
position, the spring mechanism uncoils and automatically returns
the blades 110 to the retracted position.
[0042] In assembling a module 102 of the present invention, the
spring mechanism is disposed on the shaft 212 followed by the means
for adjusting a height and angle of the blades 110 being attached
to the threaded first end 218 of the shaft 212. The shaft 212 is
then disposed in the shaft channel 306 such that the adjusting nut
226 on the first end 218 of the shaft extends through the shaft
channel opening 314 of the base block 114, and the ball connector
216 on the second end 214 of the shaft 212 passes through the shaft
aperture 312 of the channel bridge 310. Furthermore, the washer 220
of the spring mechanism is placed in contact with the spring
holding flanges 308a,b. Once the shaft 212 is properly positioned,
the blades 110 are attached to the shaft 212 as described
above.
[0043] After the blades 110 are attached to the shaft 212, the
height and angle of the blades 110 in relation to the shaft 212 are
adjusted via the means for adjusting. In the preferred embodiment,
the user uses a wrench to engage the bolt end 1608 of the adjusting
nut 226. By turning the bolt end 1608 of the adjusting nut 226, the
adjusting nut 226 traverses along the shaft 212. When the adjusting
nut 226 is moved toward the second end 214 of the shaft 212 (in a
clockwise direction), the overall length of the shaft 212 is
shortened, resulting in adjusting the height and angle of the
blades 110 in the armed position to be lowered. In contrast, when
the adjusting nut 226 is moved toward the first end 218 of the
shaft 212 (in a counter-clockwise direction), the overall length of
the shaft 212 is lengthened, resulting in adjusting the height and
angle of the blades 110 in the armed position to be raised higher.
Once the desired blade 110 height and angle is selected, the
locking nut 228 is tightened firmly against the bolt end 1608 of
the adjusting nut 226, thereby locking the adjusting nut 226 at the
selected position on the shaft 212.
[0044] It is important to note that an adjustment made for one
module 102, e.g., module 102a, of the system 100 affects all
subsequent modules 102, such as modules 102b-g, connected to it.
Therefore, it is preferred that adjustments to the blades 110 start
at the first module 102a adjacent to the control box 104 and
proceed toward the distal end of the system 100 (toward module
102g) as each subsequent module 102b-g is added. This order of
adjusting the height and angle of the blades 110 of a module 102
provides the means for customizing blade 110 position per each
module 102 of a system 100 according to the rough or uneven terrain
under the system 100.
[0045] Also shown on FIG. 3 is a means for gripping a ground
surface. That is, in a preferred embodiment of the bottom surface
316 of a base block 114, there are a plurality of protrusions 302.
These protrusions 302 are spikes that engage and grip the ground in
order to prevent unwanted movement of the system 100. These
protrusions may either be permanently affixed to the bottom surface
316 of the base block 114, or they may be removable such as they
are screwed into the bottom surface 316 of the base block 114, such
as spikes used on the bottom of conventional golf shoes.
[0046] Alternatively, an anchor plate 400 is shown in FIG. 4. An
anchor plate 400 is a plate 402 having a first side ridge 408a and
a second side ridge 408b such that the plate 402 is adapted for
receiving a base block 114 as shown in FIG. 5. The first and second
side ridges 408a,b assist in holding the base block 114 in the
anchor plate 400. The bottom surface of the anchor plate 400 also
has a plurality of protrusions 404 for gripping the ground surface.
In addition, the base block 114 may be secured to the anchor plate
400 by one or more fasteners (not shown), e.g., screws or bolts,
through corresponding anchor plate fastener apertures 406.
[0047] Returning to the means for engaging the blades 110, in one
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the engaging means is a manual
control box 104 having a handle 108 and a gear mechanism 106. The
handle 108 is removably attached to the gear box 106. The end of
the handle 108 having a connecting groove 808 is inserted into the
gear box 106 such that an aperture 810 in the handle 108 aligns
with an aperture 812 in the gear box 106. Once aligned, a locking
pin 806 is inserted through the aperture 810 of the handle 108 and
the aperture 812 of the gear box 106, thereby securing the handle
108 to the gear box 106. The locking pin 806 is attached to the
gear box 106 by a tether 804 to prevent losing the locking pin
806.
[0048] The manual control box 104 is connected to a tire deflating
blade module 102 of present invention by a shaft connector 804 and
two connecting ball receivers 802a,b. The shaft connector 804 has a
ball receiving connector similar to that of the ball receiving
connector 1606 on the adjusting nut 226 such that the ball
connector 216 on the end of the shaft 212 of a module 102 is placed
in the ball receiving connector of the shaft connector 804.
Likewise, the ball connectors 210a,b on the second end 232 of a
base block 114 of a module 102 are inserted into the connecting
ball receivers 802a,b to interconnect the module 102 with the
manual control box 104.
[0049] When the handle 108 is secured to the gear box 106 the
groove 808 at the end of the handle 108 is in communication with
the shaft connector 804 on the side of the gear box 106. When the
handle 108 is moved in one direction, such as forward, the shaft
connector 804 is pushed forward which in turn pushes the shafts 212
of each of the interconnected modules 102a-g forward, thereby
pushing the blades 110 of the modules 102a-g into the armed, up,
position. When the handle 108 is moved in a second, such as back,
direction the shaft connector 804 is pulled back which in turn
pulls the shafts 212 of each of the interconnected modules 102a-g
backward, thereby pulling the blades 110 of the modules 102a-g into
the retracted, down, position.
[0050] In an alternative embodiment, the means for engaging the
blades 110 of a system 100 is an electronic control box 1100. Thus,
a means for engaging the blades 110 is preferably a control box
which is either a manual control box 104 or an electric control box
1100. In this embodiment using an electric control box 1100, a user
may simply press a button to raise/lower the blades 110. The
electronic control box 1100 has an electronic box 1102 with a
pendant control plug 1104 for connecting via an electric cord the
button controls (not shown for convenience) for moving the blades
110 up/down, a conventional power plug 1106 for providing power to
the electronic control box 1100, and an optional light plug 1108
for connecting a stop/go traffic light (not shown for convenience
purpose). Regarding a power supply, the power plug 1106 may be
connected to an AC plug or a DC cord to a portable power pack. In
addition, the electronic control box 110 has one or more flanges
1110 on the sides to secure the electronic control box 1100 to a
road surface, ground or tether.
[0051] FIGS. 12 and 13 show a means for extending and raising an
electric control box 1100 away from the modules 102 of a system
100. In the preferred embodiment, the means for extending and
raising an electric control box 1100 is an extension assembly 1202
having a plurality of extension arms 1204, 1206, 1208 and 1222 for
connecting the electric control box 1100 to the first module 102.
For convenience purpose only, the extension assembly 1202 is shown
with an electric control box 1100. However, the extension assembly
can work equally as well with a manual control box 104. The
extension assembly employs a plurality of ball and ball receiver
connectors on the ends of multiple bars or extension arms to join
the electronic control box 1102 to a module 102. The extension arms
may be any length and height so that the electronic control box
1102 is positioned any distance and elevation from the modules 102
of the system 100.
[0052] The preferred extension assembly has a first extension arm
1204 with a first connecting ball receiver 1216 for receiving and
connecting to a first ball connector 210a on the second end 232 of
a base block 114 of a module 102 and has a connecting ball receiver
1210 for connecting the first extension arm 1204 to the electronic
control box 1102, a second extension arm 1208 with a second
connecting ball receiver 1220 for receiving and connecting to a
second ball connector 210b on the second end 232 of a base block
114 of a module 102 and has a connecting ball receiver 1214 for
connecting the second extension arm 1208 to the electronic control
box 1102, and a third extension arm 1206 with a shaft connector
1218 having a ball receiving connector similar to that of the ball
receiving connector 1606 for connecting the electronic control box
104 to the shaft 212 of the module 102 and having a connecting end
for joining with the shaft connector 1212 on the electronic control
box 1102. In addition to the above extension arms 1204, 1206, and
1208, the extension assembly has a cross extension arm 1222 for
stabilizing the first arm 1204, second arm 1206 and third arm 1208.
The first connecting ball receiver 1216, second connecting ball
receiver 1220, and the shaft connector 1218 all have vertical
lengths equal to the desired elevation of the electronic control
box 1102.
[0053] In FIGS. 14 and 15, a control box ramp 1402 with a chamber
1410 on its underside is placed over the electronic control box
1102 such that an oncoming vehicle will go up and over the
electronic control box 1102 preventing any damage thereto. The
control box ramp 1402 has a top surface with a first sloping
portion 1404, a top portion 1406, and a second sloping portion
1408. The control box chamber 1410 is a size and shape such that
the electric control box 1102 fits within it.
[0054] All dimensions and components described herein are for
convenience purposes only. It would be readily apparent to one of
ordinary skill in the relevant arts to design and manufacture a
tire deflating blade perimeter protection system 100 and module 102
of the present invention having comparable features and dimensions,
and manufactured using comparable materials.
CONCLUSION
[0055] While various embodiments of the present invention have been
described above, it should be understood that they have been
presented by the way of example only, and not limitation. It will
be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in
form and details may be made therein without departing from the
spirit
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