Strapping, seal and counterweight device for mounting tire pressure warning system sensors on tire rims

• US 4,235,184 A
• Filed: 03/23/1979
• Issued: 11/25/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sharon Steel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Sharon Steel Corporation
• Inventors: Schiavone, Ben M.
• Primary Examiner(s): YASICH, DANIEL
• Application Number:
  US06/023,153
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 116/34 R, 116/34 B, 73/146.4, 73/146.5, 301/5 B, 152/330 R, 152/330 A, 152/330 D, 152/375, 152/379.1, 340/58
• US Class Current: 116/34.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/04985 using straps surrounding the rims
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/066 by monitoring wheel-centre to ground distance
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/324 the rotating body being a vehicle wheel F16F15/36 takes precedence; tyre parts or constructions not otherwise provided for B60C19/00

Abstract

A mounting device is provided for mounting a low tire pressure sensor of known type, which may include a deflectable finger and a self-contained and powered ratio transmitter, on the tire rim of a vehicle wheel. The mounting device consists of three simple coordinated metal strapping, strapping seal and counterweight components. The seal is mounted on the counterweight. To install the mounting device, the strapping is engaged with the sensor and ends of the strapping are overlapped and sealed by the seal. To complete the installation the strapping is tensioned around the wheel rim by strapping and sealing tools. When installed, the strapping holds the sensor and counterweight in predetermined fixed positions on the rim within a tire mounted on the rim at all reasonable wheel speeds.

Claims

1. A mounting device for mounting a low tire pressure sensor transmitting means on a selected portion of a tire rim of a vehicle wheel including, a length of steel strapping conforming to the shape of the rim and engageable with a sensor having first and second strap ends;

a strip-like metal counterweight having a lengthwise contour different from the curvature of a tire rim on which said sensor is to be mounted properly tensioned by said steel strapping;

an elongated strip-like metal strapping seal having a body portion terminating in ears extending from the ends of the body portion, the body portion also terminating at its edges in reversely bent U-shaped seal flanges extending longitudinally of the body portion and laterally toward each other spaced above the body portion to form a seal channel;

the seal ears being mounted on the counterweight with the elongated seal extending longitudinally of the strip-like counterweight;

the first and second ends of the steel strapping being overlapped in and extending through said seal channel; and

the strapping being engaged over and along the counterweight;

whereby when the strapping engaged with a sensor is tensioned around a rim and the seal crimped by a strapping and sealing tool, the counterweight is deformed to conform generally with the rim curvature, and the sensor and counterweight are held in predetermined fixed relative positions on the rim within a tire mounted on the rim at all times and at all reasonable wheel speeds.

2. The device set forth in claim 1 in which the counterweight normally is curved lengthwise with a radius of curvature less than that of a rim around which the sealed strapping and counterweight are to be tensioned;

and in which, when the strapping is tensioned around such rim, the counterweight contour conforms to that of the rim.

3. The device set forth in claim 1 in which the curvature of a rim around which the sealed strapping and counterweight are to be tensioned is greater than that of the lengthwise contour of the counterweight;

and in which, when the strapping is tensioned around such rim, the counterweight contour conforms to that of the rim.

4. The device set forth in claim 3 in which the counterweight is flat lengthwise before being mounted on a rim.

5. The device set forth in claim 1 in which the metal strapping is formed of 1/2"×

0.015" to 1/2"×

0.020" SAE 1015 carbon steel, and in which the seal and counterweight are formed of SAE 1050 carbon steel.

6. The device set forth in claim 5 in which the strapping is electro-galvanized steel strapping.

7. The device set forth in claim 1 in which the seal is removably mounted on the counterweight.

8. The device set forth in claim 1 in which the seal is spot-welded to the counterweight.

9. The device as set forth in claim 1 in which the seal ears are connected with the body portion by angular portions to provide a space between the body portion and counterweight when the seal is mounted on the counterweight.

10. The device set forth in claim 9 in which the ears extend outward from the angular portions and are spot-welded to the counterweight.

11. The device set forth in claim 9 in which one end of the counterweight is formed with spaced slots extending laterally from one edge thereof, and in which the seal ears are reversely bent and engaged in said slots to removably mount the seal on the counterweight.

12. The device set forth in claim 11 in which the counterweight and seal ears are provided with indentations which are engaged with each other to locate the seal at a predetermined position on the counterweight when removably mounting the seal on the counterweight.

13. The construction set forth in claim 1 in which one edge of the counterweight is formed with a notch for locating the counterweight at a predetermined location on a rim when the device is installed on such rim.

14. The device set forth in claim 1 in which one end of the counterweight is formed with a bent ear to locate strapping with respect to the counterweight and seal when strapping ends are overlapped within the seal channel prior to being sealed by a sealing tool.