Alarm system for pneumatic tires

• US 3,890,595 A
• Filed: 06/06/1973
• Issued: 06/17/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Safety Research & Engineering Associates
• Original Assignee: William A. Barabino
• Inventors: Barabino, William A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldwell, John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nowicki, Joseph E.
• Application Number:
  US05/367,393
• Time in Patent Office: 741 Days
• Field of Search: 340/58,60,148 116/34R,70 73/146.3,146.5,146.8
• US Class Current: 340/446
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0403 Mechanically generated audible signals, e.g. by buzzer or whistle signals
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0469 Transmission by sound, e.g. ultra-sound
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/00 Special means in or on valves or other cut-off apparatus for indicating or recording operation thereof, or for enabling an alarm to be given

Abstract

A system is provided for use with various types of vehicles employing pneumatic tires to signal the operator that the tire pressure is beyond a preset range. A spring-loaded pressure responsive piston is adapted to reciprocate within a valve structure in response to changes in tire pressure. If the piston is displaced one way or other beyond the predetermined range, air is released to operate a whistle detected by a sensing system on the vehicle which, in turn, generates a signal for the operator.

Claims

1. A tire pressure warning system for vehicles, comprising in combination a. an air actuated sound emitting device mounted to said tire and adapted to emit a plurality of different predetermined sound signals according to a plurality of different predetermined tire pressures, b. a sound signal sensing device mounted to said vehicle for converting said sound signals into a plurality of different electrical signals, c. electrical signal processing means connected to said sound signal sensing device for selectively detecting said electrical signals, said processing means including a plurality of electrical filters each tuned to a different frequency and, d. multiple output alarm means connected to said processing means for generating a distinctive alarm signal in accordance with the particular signal detected.

2. A tire pressure warning system according to claim 1 wherein said sensing device is a microphone.

3. A tire pressure warning system according to claim 1 including a latching circuit connected between each of said filters and said alarm means.

4. A tire pressure warning system according to claim 3 wherein said alarm means includes a lamp connected to each latching circuit connected between each of said filters and said alarm means.

5. A tire pressure warning system according to claim 1 wherein said sound emitting device includes a housing mounted to said tire and formed with a cylinder therein, a spring loaded piston mounted for reciprocating movement in said cylinder in response to pressure changes in said tire, said piston being formed with a portion extending through said housing exterior of said tire, said piston and portion being formed with a passage communicating at one end with the interior of said tire, one of said piston portion and said housing being formed with a plurality of spaced first ports and the other of said piston portion and housing being formed with at least one second port, the port of said piston portion communicating with said passage and whistle means communicating with said ports.