Tire pressure indicator and method for detecting reduction of pressure
First Claim
1. An apparatus for detecting a reduction of the pressure in a pneumatic tire with a valve, including a sealable housing positionable over an opening of said tire valve, a release member therein adapted to open the head of the tire valve from the valve seat to release air into said housing, a pressure sensitive member being provided in said housing adapted to activate a warning apparatus, the arrangement being such that in use, the apparatus may be positioned on a tire valve to open same and permit pressurization of said housing which positions said pressure sensitive member such that said warning apparatus is not activated and wherein a predetermined reduction of said pressure will operate said pressure sensitive member to activate said warning apparatus, and a testing means for independently activating the pressure sensitive member to test the operation of said warning apparatus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for detecting reduction in the pressure of a pnenumatic vehicle tire, particularly for multi-wheeled vehicles comprises a sealed housing fitted over the pneumatic tire valve adapted to depress the valve stem of a conventional pneumatic tire valve to release air into the sealed housing and provide a pressurized chamber. The pressure in the housing operates a pressure sensitive member such that when the pressure is reduced, the pressure sensitive member operates contact points to activate a transmitter or other warning device provided in the housing. In one preferred embodiment a sonar transmitter activated by the pressure sensitive member operates a sonar receiver in the vehicle to provide a visual and/or audible warning signal to the operator of the vehicle as to the loss of pressure in any particular vehicle tire.
12 Citations
17 Claims
- 1. An apparatus for detecting a reduction of the pressure in a pneumatic tire with a valve, including a sealable housing positionable over an opening of said tire valve, a release member therein adapted to open the head of the tire valve from the valve seat to release air into said housing, a pressure sensitive member being provided in said housing adapted to activate a warning apparatus, the arrangement being such that in use, the apparatus may be positioned on a tire valve to open same and permit pressurization of said housing which positions said pressure sensitive member such that said warning apparatus is not activated and wherein a predetermined reduction of said pressure will operate said pressure sensitive member to activate said warning apparatus, and a testing means for independently activating the pressure sensitive member to test the operation of said warning apparatus.
- 10. A method for detecting a reduction in pressure in a pneumatic tire having an inflation valve comprising, sealingly attaching one end of a housing member for a reduced pressure detector to said valve and simultaneously opening said valve permitting the tire pressure to exert a force on the detector, adjusting the setting of the detector so that it will produce a signal when the pressure is reduced to a predetermined value, producing a signal when the pressure is reduced to said predetermined value, producing a warning in response to said signal, and testing the operation of said detector and warning by exerting a separate independent force on said detector opposite to that exerted on the detector by the tire pressure which is sufficient to activate the detector to produce said signal.
Specification