Low tire-pressure warning system

• US 4,814,744 A
• Filed: 12/01/1987
• Issued: 03/21/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Collins Design Company Incorporated Micanopy Florida
• Original Assignee: Collins Design Inc.
• Inventors: Collins, Jerry L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US07/126,801
• Time in Patent Office: 476 Days
• Field of Search: 340/58, 340/52 R, 73/146.2, 73/146.4, 73/146.5, 116/34 R, 116/34 A, 116/34 B, 116/137 R, 116/137 A, 310/311, 310/321, 310/322, 310/330, 310/334, 200/61.22-61.24
• US Class Current: 340/443
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/08 by touching the ground

Abstract

A method and apparatus for detecting low air pressure in pneumatic tires on a vehicle and conveying this information to the operator of the vehicle. The invention utilizes a resonating device which creates subsonic, sonic, or ultrasonic air waves when it comes in contact with the rotating sidewall of a tire having undesirably low air pressure. The apparatus provides immediate, dependable warning of potentially dangerous low pressure conditions in tires. Furthermore, the apparatus can be used to detect low air pressure in either of dual mounted tires.

Claims

1. An apparatus for alerting the driver of a vehicle that the air pressure in a pneumatic tire has become low;

said apparatus comprising,

(a) a resonating device capable of transforming a percussion of a rotating tire against it into subsonic, sonic, or ultrasonic air waves,

(b) a housing into which said resonating device is inserted and containing an echo chamber which transfers the air waves created by said resonating device to

(c) a microphone, also contained within said housing, which converts the air waves into an electric current,

(d) a system for transmitting the electrical current, and

(e) a consonant amplifier which converts the microphone current into an audible or visual alarm which can be heard or seen by the driver.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 where said resonating device is a cylindrical spiral coil of metal which produces resonating air waves when struck by the sidewall of a tire, said cylinder being from about 3 inches to about 2 feet in length.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 where said resonating device is made from metal comprised of copper, or beryllium, or nickel, or chromium, or steel, or stainless steel, or any combination of these metals.

4. A method of detecting low air pressure in either of two dual mounted pneumatic tires whereby the apparatus of claim 1 is installed in such a way that the resonating device is extended parallel to either of said dual mounted tires.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein said resonating device is extended parallel to either of said dual mounted tires in such proximity to the sidewall of either of said dual mounted tires so that said resonating device will come in contact with said sidewall if either of the two following circumstances arises:

(a) low air pressure in the interior of the tire next to which said resonating device is mounted causes the sidewall of sid tire to become more convex, or

(b) low air pressure in the interior of the tire which is not next to the resonating device causes added load to be applied to the tire which is next to said resonating device, said added load causing increased convexity in the sidewall of the tire next to said resonating device.

6. A method according to claim 4 to be used for detecting low pressure in tires on cars, trucks, recreational vehicles, horse trailers, utility trailers, conversion vans, motor homes, or any other vehicle using dual mounted pneumatic tires.

7. A method for detecting low air pressure in a rotating pneumatic tire which comprises extending a resonating device parallel to the sidewall of said tire in such proximity so that an increase convexity of said sidewall due to a decrease in air pressure in the interior of said tire will cause said sidewall to come in contact with said resonator;

the percussion of said sidewall with said resonating device causing air waves which travel to an echo chamber attached to one end of said resonating device;

said air waves are converted to electrical current by a microphone located adjacent to said echo chamber;

said electrical current is converted to an audio or visual alarm by means of a consonant amplifier.

8. A method according to claim 7 where said resonating device is a cylindrical spiral coil of metal said cylinder being from about 3 inches to about 2 feet in length.

9. A method according to claim 7 where said resonating device is made from metal comprised of copper, or beryllium, or nickel, or chromium, or steel, or stainless steel, or any combination of these metals.

10. A method according to claim 7 to be used for detecting low pressure in tires on cars, trucks, recreational vehicles, horse trailers, utility trailers, conversion vans, motor homes, or any other vehicle using pneumatic tires.