System and method for determining air pressure

• US 20050103108A1
• Filed: 11/13/2003
• Published: 05/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brookstone Purchasing Incorporated (Bebe Stores, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Brookstone Purchasing Incorporated (Bebe Stores, Inc.)
• Inventors: Schwartz, Steven, Burout, Charles J. III, Geringer, Joseph, Little, Baird M., Harris, Kenneth David Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,013,722 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/705
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 17/00 Devices or apparatus for measuring tyre pressure or the pressure in other inflated bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/083 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/12 Alarms or signals

Abstract

A pressure gauge for determining air pressure of an inflatable item and a method of doing the same are provided. Embodiments of the present invention provide a source of light capable of providing more than one color of light, where each color of light within the more than one color of light corresponds to a numerical relationship between a determined pressure of an inflatable item, determined by the pressure gauge, and a target air pressure. The pressure gauge also has a display panel for displaying the determined air pressure and at least one of the provided colors of light. In addition, the pressure gauge has a pressure sensor for determining the determined air pressure and a computer defining functions performed by the pressure gauge, wherein the computer causes the source of light to display the different colors of light in accordance with the numerical relationship between the determined air pressure and the target air pressure.

Claims

1. A pressure gauge, comprising:

a source of light capable of providing more than one color of light, where each color of light within said more than one color of light corresponds to a numerical relationship between a determined air pressure of an inflatable item, determined by said pressure gauge, and a target air pressure; and

a display panel for displaying said determined pressure and at least one of said provided colors of light.

2. The pressure gauge of claim 1, further comprising:

a pressure sensor for determining said determined air pressure; and

a computer defining functions performed by said pressure gauge, wherein said computer causes said source of light to display said different colors of light in accordance with said numerical relationship between said determined air pressure and said target air pressure.

3. The pressure gauge of claim 2, wherein said computer further comprises a memory that stores said defined functions, and a processor for causing said defined functions to be performed by said pressure gauge.

4. The pressure gauge of claim 2, wherein:

said source of light displays a first color of light if said determined air pressure is higher than a first predefined amount above said target air pressure;

said source of light displays a second color of light if said determined pressure is within a predefined range of said target pressure; and

said source of light displays a third color of light if said determined pressure is below said target pressure by a second predefined amount.

5. The pressure gauge of claim 4, wherein said predefined range is zero.

6. The pressure gauge of claim 4, wherein said source of light is a series of light emitting diodes.

7. The pressure gauge of claim 3, further comprising:

a valve for attaching the pressure gauge to an inflatable item; and

a user interface mechanism for programming said target pressure into said computer.

8. The pressure gauge of claim 7, wherein said user interface mechanism is at least one button.

9. The pressure gauge of claim 7, wherein more than one pressure is stored within said pressure gauge as a target air pressure.

10. The pressure gauge of claim 7, wherein said user interface further comprises a first button and a second button, and wherein said programming of said target air pressure comprises the steps of:

pressing said first button or said second button for a predefined period of time resulting in said pressure gauge entering a “

set pressure”

mode;

pressing said first button or said second button to increase or decrease said target air pressure as displayed on said display panel; and

releasing said first button or said second button for a predefined period of time, resulting in said displayed air pressure being stored as said target air pressure.

11. The pressure gauge of claim 2, further comprising a mechanism for bleeding air from said inflatable item.

12. The pressure gauge of claim 2, wherein said display panel displays both said determined air pressure and said target air pressure.

13. A method for sensing and displaying air pressure via a pressure gauge, comprising the steps of:

programming a target air pressure into a memory of said pressure gauge;

determining an actual air pressure of an inflatable item;

comparing said target air pressure with said actual air pressure; and

changing a color of a display via a display panel based upon a result of said comparing step.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of displaying said actual air pressure on said display.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said step of programming a target air pressure into said memory further comprises the steps of:

pressing a first button or a second button of said pressure gauge for a predefined period of time resulting in said pressure gauge entering a “

set pressure”

mode;

pressing said first button or said second button to increase or decrease said target air pressure as displayed on said display panel; and

releasing said first button or said second button for a predefined period of time, resulting is a displayed air pressure being stored as said target air pressure.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said step of changing a color of said display panel further comprises the steps of:

displaying a first color of light if said actual air pressure is higher than a first predefined amount above said target air pressure;

displaying a second color of light if said actual air pressure is within a predefined range of said target air pressure; and

displaying a third color of light if said actual air pressure is below said target air pressure by a second predefined amount.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said predefined range is zero.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein more than one target air pressure is programmed into said memory.

19. A pressure gauge, comprising:

means for providing more than one color of light, where each color of light corresponds to a numerical relationship between a determined air pressure of an inflatable item, determined by said pressure gauge, and a target air pressure;

means for displaying said determined air pressure and at least one of said provided colors of light;

means for determining said determined air pressure; and

means for defining functions performed by said pressure gauge, wherein said means for defining functions causes said means for providing more than one color of light to display said different colors of light in accordance with said numerical relationship between said determined air pressure and said target air pressure.

20. The pressure gauge of claim 19, wherein said means for defining functions further comprises means for storing said defined functions, and means for causing said defined functions to be performed by said pressure gauge.

21. The pressure gauge of claim 20, wherein:

said means for providing more than one color of light displays a first color of light if said determined air pressure is higher than a first predefined amount above said target air pressure;

said means for providing more than one color of light displays a second color of light if said determined air pressure is within a predefined range of said target air pressure; and

said means for providing more than one color of light displays a third color of light if said determined air pressure is below said target air pressure by a second predefined amount.

22. The pressure gauge of claim 21, wherein said predefined range is zero.

23. The pressure gauge of claim 19, further comprising:

means for attaching the pressure gauge to an inflatable item; and

means for programming said target air pressure into said means for defining functions performed by said pressure gauge.

24. The pressure gauge of claim 19, wherein more than one target air pressure is stored within said pressure gauge.

25. The pressure gauge of claim 19, further comprising means for removing air from said inflatable item.

26. The pressure gauge of claim 19, wherein said means for displaying said, determined air pressure displays both said determined air pressure and said target air pressure.