Circuit mounting apparatus
First Claim
1. Apparatus for mounting a tire condition monitoring element within a tire mounted on a wheel comprising a cylindrical housing formed into an arcuate shape having an inside radius substantially corresponding to the radius of the drop center portion of the wheel, and means for mounting said element to said housing, said housing including resilient means encircling said wheel and applying a sufficient tensile force to said housing to normally maintain it in contact with the surface of said drop center portion while permitting radial and lateral displacement of said housing within said drop center portion when engaged by an object inserted into the drop center portion.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electrical circuit element (16) is maintained in place within the drop center (24) of a vehicle wheel (10) by encasing the circuit within a cylindrical plastic housing (14) which is formed into an arcuate shape. The housing is held in place by wires (18, 19) which are connected to the ends of an extension spring (22) which applies sufficient tension to keep the housing from moving during heavy braking or due to centrifugal force. The mounting assembly is configured to move to an out of the way position when contacted by a tire iron or by elements of a tire mounting machine to prevent damage to the circuit when a tire is mounted or demounted. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the circuit (16) is encased within a unitary annular member (56).
23 Citations
9 Claims
- 1. Apparatus for mounting a tire condition monitoring element within a tire mounted on a wheel comprising a cylindrical housing formed into an arcuate shape having an inside radius substantially corresponding to the radius of the drop center portion of the wheel, and means for mounting said element to said housing, said housing including resilient means encircling said wheel and applying a sufficient tensile force to said housing to normally maintain it in contact with the surface of said drop center portion while permitting radial and lateral displacement of said housing within said drop center portion when engaged by an object inserted into the drop center portion.
- 3. Apparatus for retaining a tire condition monitoring element within a tire mounted on a wheel comprising a cylindrical housing formed into an arcuate shape having an inside radius substantially corresponding to the radius of the drop center portion of the wheel, means for mounting said element to said housing, and biasing means fixed to said housing and encircling said wheel operable to apply a sufficient tensile force to said housing to normally maintain said housing in contact with said wheel while permitting radial and lateral displacement of said housing within said drop center portion when engaged by an object inserted into the drop center portion.
Specification