U.S. patent application number 11/588901 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-15 for tire filler with pressure indicator.
Invention is credited to Ronald D. Cook.
Application Number | 20080110252 11/588901 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39367898 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080110252 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cook; Ronald D. |
May 15, 2008 |
TIRE FILLER WITH PRESSURE INDICATOR
Abstract
A combination valve stem extension hose and pressure indicator
is disclosed. The extension is threaded onto a standard valve stem.
The extension tube is available in a variety of lengths to
accommodate filling inside dually tires. The extension tube also is
available with various bend angles. A pressure indicating piston is
provided to give visual status of the pressure within the tire in a
static filled condition and while air is being added to the tire.
The construction of the pressure indicator allows for threading or
welding of the sight glass. Improvements in the pressure indicator
include locating, aligning and positioning features to improve
operation and longevity of the gauge.
Inventors: |
Cook; Ronald D.; (Riverside,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BUHLER ASSOCIATES;BUHLER, KIRK A.
1101 CALIFORNIA AVE., SUITE 208
CORONA
CA
92881
US
|
Family ID: |
39367898 |
Appl. No.: |
11/588901 |
Filed: |
October 28, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
73/146.8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60C 23/0496
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
73/146.8 |
International
Class: |
B60C 23/02 20060101
B60C023/02 |
Claims
1. A combination tire filler hose and pressure indicator
comprising: an elongated housing having an internal filler tube for
the passage of air between each end of the elongated housing; a
first end configured with an internal thread configured for filling
on a valve stem, and further includes a nipple that depresses a
valve within the valve stem; a second end configured with an
external thread configured for a cap; a pressure indicator
extending perpendicular or laterally away from the housing wherein
the elongated housing is configurable in different lengths and
bends to allow for placement of the pressure indicator along the
length of the housing.
2. (canceled)
3. The combination tire filler hose and pressure indicator from
claim 1 wherein the pressure indicator is spin welded, or
ultrasonically welded into the elongated housing.
4. The combination tire filler hose and pressure indicator from
claim 1 wherein air can be added to the second end for altering the
pressure within a tire that is attached to the first end without
requiring removal of the pressure indicator gauge.
5. The combination tire filler hose and pressure indicator from
claim 1 wherein the housing is threadable directly onto the air
filling stem of a vehicle tire.
6. (canceled)
7. The combination tire filler hose and pressure indicator
according to claim 3 wherein the pressure indicator has an internal
diaphragm with a an integrated nipple that locates and aligns an
indicating piston.
8. The combination tire filler hose and pressure indicator
according to claim 3 that further includes an internal keeper ring
located at least partially around the diaphragm to prevent over
expansion of the diaphragm.
9. The combination tire filler hose and pressure indicator
according to claim 3 wherein the elongated filling line is
configurable in different lengths and bends to allow for placement
along the length of the filler line.
10. (canceled)
11. A combination tire filler hose and pressure indicator
comprising: an elongated housing having an internal filler tube for
the passage of air between each end of the elongated housing; a
first end configured with an internal thread configured for fitting
on a valve stem, and further includes a nipple that depresses a
valve within the valve stem; a second end configured with an
external thread configured for a cap; a pressure indicator mounted
on the elongated filling line, and the pressure indicator has an
expanding diaphragm with a nipple to locate & align the
indicating piston.
12. The combination tire filler hose and pressure indicator
according to claim 11 that further includes an internal keeper ring
located at least partially around the diaphragm to prevent over
expansion of the diaphragm.
13. The combination tire filler hose and pressure indicator
according to claim 11 wherein the elongated filling line is
configurable in different lengths and bends to allow for placement
along the length of the filler line.
14. The combination tire filler hose and pressure indicator
according to claim 11 wherein the housing is threadable directly
onto the air filling stem of a vehicle tire.
15. The combination tire filler hose and pressure indicator
according to claim 11 wherein the pressure indicator is spin welded
or ultrasonically welded into the elongated tire filling line.
16. A combination tire filler hose and pressure indicator
comprising: an elongated housing having an internal filler tube for
the passage of air between each end of the elongated housing; a
first end configured with an internal thread configured for fitting
on a valve stem, and further includes a nipple that depresses a
valve within the valve stem; a second end configured with an
external thread configured for a cap; a pressure indicator mounted
on the elongated filling line, and the pressure indicator has an
internal keeper ring that prevents over expansion of the diaphragm
from over expanding.
17. The combination tire filler hose and pressure indicator
according to claim 16 that further includes an internal diaphragm
with an integrated nipple that locates and aligns an indicating
piston.
18. The combination tire filler hose and pressure indicator
according to claim 16 wherein the elongated filling line is
configurable in different lengths and bends to allow for placement
along the length of the filler line.
19. The combination tire filler hose and pressure indicator
according to claim 16 wherein the housing is threadable directly
onto the air filling stem of a vehicle tire.
20. The combination tire filler hose and pressure indicator
according to claim 16 wherein the pressure indicator is spin welded
or ultrasonically welded into the elongated tire filling line.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to improvements in a combination tire
fill tube with a pressure indicator. More particularly, the present
device is a hose, tube or extension that connects to an existing
tire filling stem where the hose, tube or extension includes a
pressure indicating piston that provides the visual status of the
pressure within the tire.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The amount of air pressure in an automobile tire is
important for a number of reasons. If the air pressure is too low
the friction of the tire on the ground is increased, resulting in
lower gas mileage. This increased friction produces more heat from
the tire rolling on the ground and can cause the tire to
disassemble. If the pressure is too high it is possible for the
tire to explode and cause injury. In the case of pressure being
outside of an optimal range the tire will not wear evenly resulting
in a shortening of the expected life of the tire. Ideally tire
pressure should be checked when gas is being added to the vehicle
but this is not always the case. While this is an ideal situation,
the pressure in most tires are only checked when the oil is being
changed.
[0003] Part of the reason for people not checking the pressure in
their tires on a regular basis is the difficulty involved in
locating a tire pressure gauge, removing the cap on each tire,
checking the pressure and re-installing the cap. To eliminate the
problem associated with using a pressure gauge to check the
pressure on a tire several devices have been patented that provide
for a valve cap or cover with an integrated pressure indicator.
While this has made it easier to visually check the pressure in
each tire, the pressure indicator needs to be removed to add air to
the tire, and the filled pressure is then determined after
replacing the valve cover. A simpler solution is to provide a tire
stem or tire stem extension with an integrated pressure indicator.
Some patents have been issued on combination valve stem and valve
stem adapters with integrated pressure indicators. The bulk of
these devices have the pressure indicator existing concentric with
the fill line. While these provide the function, their construction
is complex and the indicator window is not always placed in an
ideal location for viewing.
[0004] Examples of patents that show or describe this type of
configuration are with U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,297 issued on Sep. 25,
2001 to Maldonado et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,747 issue on Feb.
20, 1990 to Enrique M. Yabor. In Maldonado the device threads into
an existing valve stem and in Yabor the device is a valve stem.
Both of these patents show and describe a device where the
indicator is concentric with the fill line. These devices are not
made with a branch from the filler line making alterations to the
construction possible. The branch allows the filler line to be
constructed at various angles and with various lengths to optimize
the device based upon the vehicle the device will be placed into.
Other patents have been issued where the fill line and the
indicator is not concentric. Some exemplary examples of these
patents are described herein.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,232 issued Nov. 9, 1999 to Halcomb
discloses a tire pressure filler with a gauge where the pressure
indicator is located in a parallel relationship to the fill valve.
In this patent the filler screws onto a standard tire valve stem,
but the filler is a different size from the valve stem. It is
further possible for the filler port to exist in a location that
blocks the view of the sighting hole. This device is further not
intended to be used as a valve stem, and the length of the device
is fixed thereby reducing installation options.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,012 issued Apr. 2, 1996 to Masoud
Rabizadah discloses a combination filler and pressure indicator
where the indicator gauge is located along side the filler port. In
this patent the indicator is a ball that moves within a sight
glass. The device is further configured as a valve stem. While this
patent discloses the basic components, it is not configurable to
different lengths, it is installable in a condition where the sight
glass is not visible, and is not usable where multiple or dually
tire are mounted.
[0007] Various other improvements have been made to improve the
overall operation of the tire filler and pressure indicator that
include internal features that are part of the pressure indicator.
These features further improve the manufacturability of the
apparatus and most if not all of these features are not claimed or
described in the prior art.
[0008] What is needed is a tire filler with an integrated pressure
indicator that is manufacturable to various lengths with improved
design and construction features that allow it to be made in a cost
effective and configurable manner. The proposed application
provides these features and is described in detail herein.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is an object of the tire filler with pressure indicator
to provide a tire fill line in the form of an extension or tire
stem that is always in a pressurized condition. This allows the
person filling the tire to immediately know when the correct amount
of air is in the tire. The versatility of the design allows for a
variety of options for the length and the angle of the fill line to
be altered to accommodate locating the device on a wide variety of
tires and vehicles.
[0010] It is another object of the tire filler with pressure
indicator to provide a tire fill line where the pressure indicator
is located along the length of the valve stem or extension pipe.
The sensor is located in an orientation that is perpendicular or
laterally away from the body of the air line. Because the indicator
is located distal from the filling connection there are more design
options for variability. The variability provides for optimizing
the location of the indicator in the tire to position it for the
best viewing from the exterior of the vehicle.
[0011] It is another object of the tire filler with pressure
indicator to provide a tire fill line to provide the device with a
simple good and bad pressure indicator. This type of indicator
allows a person to easily determine the status without the need to
remember or look-up the correct fill pressure for a tire. The safe
status of the tires is visual determined by a quick walk around a
vehicle and can easily be determine while one is adding fuel to a
vehicle. Appropriate adjustment is made by removing the cap and
adding or removing pressure from the stem.
[0012] It is another object of the tire filler with pressure
indicator to provide a tire fill line where integrated into the
pressure indicator a keeper is located around the expansion
diaphragm to limit expansion of the diaphragm while it is under
pressure. Without the keeper the diaphragm can over expand and
rupture.
[0013] It is another object of the tire filler with pressure
indicator to provide a tire fill line where integrated within the
pressure indicator a nipple protrudes from the diaphragm to locate
the indicator piston. The locating of the piston ensures that the
piston and the indicator ring is pushed linearly within the sight
glass to prevent tipping that can bind the piston and or indicator
ring resulting in an inaccurate status for the pressure.
[0014] It is another object of the tire filler with pressure
indicator to provide a tire fill line to integrate sonic welding,
spin welding, threaded or bayonet type assembly methods to provide
leak proof connections in a cost effective product. Depending upon
the assembly method the design of the various internal components
is made to accommodate the process.
[0015] It is still another object of the tire filler with pressure
indicator to provide a tire fill line where the tube has a valve
located in the filing end to maintain pressure within the device.
When the device is configured as an extension line, a stub is
located in the end that screws into the valve stem to depress the
valve in the tire allowing the extension to always remain under
pressure.
[0016] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent from the following
detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention,
along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals
represent like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1A shows an isometric view of the combination tire
filler and pressure indicator in one preferred embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 1B shows an isometric view of the combination tire
filler and pressure indicator in a second preferred embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of the combination tire
filler and pressure indicator from the FIG. 1A preferred
embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 3A shows a cross sectional view of the combination tire
filler and pressure indicator shown in FIG. 1
[0021] FIG. 3B shows a cross sectional view of the combination tire
filler and pressure indicator in a third preferred embodiment
[0022] FIG. 3C shows a cross sectional view of the combination tire
filler and pressure indicator from FIG. 2.
[0023] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the pressure indicator and
tire filler showing the individual components with contemplated
optional assembly methods.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] FIG. 1A shows an isometric view of the combination tire
filler and pressure indicator 10 in one preferred embodiment with a
straight filler extension. FIG. 1B shows an isometric view of the
combination tire filler and pressure indicator in a second
preferred embodiment configured as a tire stem with a bent end. The
embodiment shown in FIG. 1B is configured for placement in the rim
of a vehicle tire where the expanded shoulder 29 seats on the
outside of the rim of a vehicle and a nut or similar fastener are
threaded onto the input side 28 of tube 20. A gasket completes the
seal. A tire is then mounted onto the rim and an air line is
attached to the input side 27 of the device where the air fills the
tire. When sufficient air has filled the tire the pressure
indicator will move within the window 90 to indicate that the tire
is sufficiently full of air. It should be noted that the embodiment
shown and described in FIG. 1 is for use as a tire stem, but other
embodiments where the device is used as an extension tube are also
shown and described. The sight glass and body of the pressure
indicator is shown as an octagonal shape to allow for easier
gripping of the body during the assembly process of the pressure
gauge onto the filler pipe. The octagonal shape is preferred
because it can be gripped with common socket tools, but other
shapes are contemplate that will provide similar gripping
characteristics.
[0025] FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of the combination tire
filler and pressure indicator 10 in the preferred embodiment from
FIG. 1A. This figure shows the complete assembly and FIG. 4 shows
an exploded view of the pressure indicator and tire filler 10
showing the individual components with contemplated optional
assembly methods. FIG. 4 shows both a cross section of each part
and a top view each part. The top view is located adjacent to each
cross sectional view.
[0026] In FIG. 1A the embodiment is a shortened version configured
as an expansion tube where the body of the pressure sensor extends
perpendicularly or laterally from the filler tube 20. The housing
20 is shown in a slightly tapered configuration to allow for
standard filler input connections. In operation the cap on the
valve stem is removed and the device is threaded onto the valve
stem at 28 with internal threads 21. As the device is threaded onto
the valve stem a nipple 22 depresses the valve located within the
existing valve stem to allow the existing valve stem to remain
open. A valve is threaded 26 into the other end 27 of the device.
The valve allows the device and the pressure sensor to both be
pressurized at all times to continuously indicate the pressure in
the tire. Threads 23 are located on the outside of end 27 to allow
for placement of the cap that was removed from the original stem.
Various air passages are formed through the filler tube 24 to allow
for an open passage through the filler tube. Vertical air passage
tube(s) 25 allow air to pass into the pressure sensor onto an
expandable diaphragm 30.
[0027] As air fills into the filling tube, the air pressure on the
diaphragm increases and pushes the piston 50 to overcome the force
from spring 110. The material and winding of the spring 110 is
variable based upon the desired pressure indicating range of the
gauge. The diaphragm in this figure is shown in the compressed
configuration. The ends of the diaphragm 30 are seated on tube 20
and the folded sides 31 of the diaphragm are wrapped between
expansion keeper ring 40 and the piston 50. A nipple 32 exists to
locate the end of the piston 50 and help guide the piston so it
remains concentric with the sight glass 90.
[0028] The keeper ring 40 provides the function of preventing the
diaphragm from over expanding if the tire is filled with excessive
pressure. In operation, as the diaphragm expands it will push
harder on the side walls of the body of the gauge and can expand to
a point where it can rupture allowing air from within the tire to
bleed out of the gauge. The diaphragm pushes in the bottom of the
piston to overcome spring force 110. As the spring force is
overcome, the piston 50 will be lifted within the viewing glass 90
where the indicator becomes visible. In the ideal pressure setting
the indicator shows green. If the tire looses about 10% of its air
pressure the lower (red) portion of the piston will show in the
middle of the viewing glass region. Because the pressure indicator
and the viewing glass are both circular the status of the pressure
within the tire can be viewed from nearly any angle or tire
position. In the preferred embodiment the upper portion of the
piston is red and the lower portion of the piston is green, but it
is contemplated that multiple rings of different color could be
utilized or numerical values could be used to show the pressurized
status of the tire. The single indicator ring is preferred because
a user does not need to remember what each color means, and it is
easier to see and determine the status of one ring rather than a
plurality of rings. In the embodiment shown the piston 50 is one
color, the piston cap 80 is a different color.
[0029] A seal 60, as shown in FIG. 2, or seals 60 or 61, as shown
in FIG. 4, provide for a leak proof connection of the sight glass
to the body of the filler tube.
[0030] In one contemplated embodiment the sight glass is screwed
into the lower body or filler tube. In another contemplated
embodiment the sight glass is ultrasonically welded onto the lower
body or filler tube. In still another contemplated embodiment the
sight glass is spun welded onto the lower body or filler tube. The
configuration for each of the attachment methods and the associated
lower bodies are shown as items 120 or 121 in FIG. 4 and with cross
sectional views 3A-3C. The seals 60 or 61 from FIG. 4 also are
variable based upon the manufacturing process used.
[0031] Refer to FIG. 4 to see some design optional components, that
are namely the seals 60, 61 and the lower body 120, 121. Lower body
121 is a valve body that is screwed into the valve stem. Seal 130
is a seal to screw the lower plastic body into the flow through and
seal 131 is a seal between the valve stem and the valve body. Not
all these components will be used in all configurations. It is
contemplated that the filler tube can be constructed from metal or
molded from a plastic material. If the filler tube is made or
machined from metal the gauge is screwed into the metal filler
tube. If the filler tube is molded from plastic the gauge can be
threaded, ultrasonically welded, spin welded or bonded together.
The mechanical shape and material of the space element 61 is
variable based upon the method of joining the lens to the lower
body of the gauge portion. Two different shapes of lower bodies 120
and 121 are shown based upon the material and construction method
of the gauge and filler tube. Cross section FIGS. 3A and 3B use the
lower body 121 and cross section FIG. 3C uses the lower body 120.
The sealing gaskets 130 and 131 are varied based upon the lower
body. If the lower body is threaded into the filler tube a simple
elastomeric gasket 131 is used to seal the lower body into the
filler tube. If all plastic parts spacer 60 is used and spin welded
to bond the two components.
[0032] FIGS. 3A-3C show cross sectional views of the combination
tire filler and pressure indicator shown in FIG. 1. 3A is a bent
filler tire stem where end 28 is threaded. The shoulder 29 is
placed in the rim and elastomeric washers are placed on both sides
of the rim. A nut is threaded onto the end of the stem at 28 to
hold and seal the stem.
[0033] FIG. 3B shows a cross sectional view of the combination tire
filler and pressure indicator in another preferred embodiment where
the device is an elongated extension. FIG. 3C shows a cross
sectional view of the combination tire filler and pressure
indicator from FIG. 2 as a shortened extension. The body 20 is the
filler sections and is configurable in variable lengths, and with
variable bend angles to satisfy preferred or ideal placement of the
sight glass. When the device is configured as an extension tube, a
nipple 22 is located within the filler tube section 28 to depress
the valve that is located within the existing stem. A secondary
valve is threaded into the air input side 27 of the device. The
sight glass allows a user to quickly determine the status of the
air pressure within each tire. Two different shapes of lower bodies
120 and 121 are used based upon the material and construction
method of the gauge and filler tube. Cross section FIGS. 3A and 3B
use the lower body 121 and cross section FIG. 3C uses the flow
through body 20.
[0034] Thus, specific embodiments of a tire filler with a pressure
indicator have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to
those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those
described are possible without departing from the inventive
concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to
be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.
* * * * *