Snap-in grommet for a valve stem assembly
First Claim
1. For use with a valve stem assembly, a snap-in grommet, the grommet comprising:
- a grommet body comprising;
a nose section at a first end of the grommet body, the nose section having a substantially conical shape to provide for insertion of the grommet body into an inflation hole of a vehicle wheel rim;
an annular section at a base of the nose section, the annular section projecting radially outward from the base of the nose section;
a cylindrical section sized to match the inflation hole and having a first end adjoined to the annular section;
a flange section projecting radially outward from a second end of the cylindrical section; and
an axial bore passing centrally through the grommet body; and
an integral sleeve located within the grommet body bore, the sleeve having an outer surface configured to match the grommet body bore, and having a bore configured to receive a valve stem.
21 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention includes a snap-in grommet provided for use in a valve stem assembly. The grommet includes a body consisting of a nose section at the body first end, the nose section having a substantially conical shape to provide for insertion of the body into an inflation hole of a wheel rim. The body further contains an annular section at a base of the nose section, the annular section projecting radially from the base of the nose section and a cylindrical section sized to match the inflation hole and having a first end adjoined to the annular section. A flange section projects radially from a cylindrical section second end, and an axial bore passes centrally through the body. A sleeve is located within the grommet body bore, the sleeve having an outer surface configured to match the body bore and having a bore configured to receive a valve stem.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. For use with a valve stem assembly, a snap-in grommet, the grommet comprising:
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a grommet body comprising;
a nose section at a first end of the grommet body, the nose section having a substantially conical shape to provide for insertion of the grommet body into an inflation hole of a vehicle wheel rim;
an annular section at a base of the nose section, the annular section projecting radially outward from the base of the nose section;
a cylindrical section sized to match the inflation hole and having a first end adjoined to the annular section;
a flange section projecting radially outward from a second end of the cylindrical section; and
an axial bore passing centrally through the grommet body; and
an integral sleeve located within the grommet body bore, the sleeve having an outer surface configured to match the grommet body bore, and having a bore configured to receive a valve stem. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of reducing air leakage at a vehicle tire valve stem and grommet assembly, the method comprising:
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inserting a snap-in grommet into an inflation hole in a vehicle wheel rim, wherein the grommet comprises a grommet body having;
a nose section at a first end of the grommet body, the nose section having a substantially conical shape to provide for insertion of the grommet body into an inflation hole of a vehicle wheel rim;
an annular section at a base of the nose section, the annular section projecting radially outward from the base of the nose section;
a cylindrical section sized to match the inflation hole and having a first end adjoined to the annular section;
a flange section projecting radially outward from a second end of the cylindrical section; and
an axial bore passing centrally through the grommet body; and
an integral sleeve located within the grommet body bore, the sleeve having an outer surface configured to match the grommet body bore and having a bore configured to receive a valve stem; and
inserting the valve stem through the sleeve bore of the snap-in grommet from an inside of the vehicle wheel rim to an outside of the vehicle wheel rim; and
tightening a retaining nut assembly onto a threaded portion of the valve stem from the outside of the vehicle wheel rim, wherein the tightening compresses a substantially flat surface of the flange section opposite the first end against a substantially flat surface of a flange of the valve stem. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. For use with a valve stem assembly, a grommet, the grommet comprising:
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a grommet body comprising;
a nose section at a first end of the grommet body, the nose section having a substantially conical shape to provide for insertion of the grommet body into an inflation hole of a vehicle wheel rim;
a cylindrical section having a first end adjoined to the nose section;
a flange section that projects radially outward from the surface of the second end of the grommet body;
an axial bore passing centrally through the grommet body; and
an integral sleeve located within the grommet body bore, the sleeve having an outer surface configured to match the grommet body bore and a bore configured to receive a valve stem. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification