Digital air pressure gauge and inflation device

• US 4,998,438 A
• Filed: 05/22/1990
• Issued: 03/12/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jerry L. Martin
• Original Assignee: Jerry L. Martin
• Inventors: Martin, Jerry L.
• Primary Examiner(s): WOODIEL, DONALD
• Application Number:
  US07/526,993
• Time in Patent Office: 294 Days
• Field of Search: 73/146.8, 73/146.5, 73/146.3, 137/227, 137/228, 137/229
• US Class Current: 73/146.8
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0406 Alarms noticeable from outside the vehicle, e.g. indication in side mirror, front light or audible alarms B60C23/0403, B60C23/0405 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0496 Valve stem attachments positioned outside of the tyre chamber
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 5/04 Supplying air for tyre inflation arrangement of tyre inflating devices on vehicles B60C23/00; tyre pressure gauges G01L17/00 ; pumps actuated by muscle power F04B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 17/00 Devices or apparatus for measuring tyre pressure or the pressure in other inflated bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/083 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3677 With deflating means

Abstract

A tire pressure gauge having an electronic air pressure detector connected to a digital readout. The tire pressure gauge includes a pair of tubular members. One of the members having one end adapted to engage a tire valve stem while the other member includes an end having an inflation value therein. At the side of the casing is a pressure release valve for releasing pressure from the tire through the tire pressure gauge without removal of the gauge from the tire valve stem.

Claims

1. A hand held tire pressure gauge for attachment to a tire valve stem for measuring and displaying the air pressure in a tire, said tire pressure gauge comprising:

(a) casing means having a gripping surface and forming an enclosure for containing air pressure detection means and having means for visibly displaying air pressure in a tire,

(b) said casing having top, bottom, first end, second end, front and back walls, each of said walls being rectangular in shape and together forming said enclosure,

(c) an air chamber is located within said enclosure and extends between said top and bottom walls adjacent said first end wall,

(d) said air chamber having a first opening at said top wall of said casing means, a second opening at said bottom wall of said casing means, a third opening centrally located at said first end wall of said casing means and a fourth opening located within said enclosure formed by said casing means,

(e) air supply hose engagement means connected to and extending from said first opening of said air chamber,

(f) tire valve engagement means connected to and extending from said second opening of said air chamber so that direct air communication is obtained between the tire valve and the air supply hose when the tire pressure gauge is in use,

(g) air release means operably connected to said first end wall at said third opening of said air chamber,

(h) electronic air pressure measuring means located within said enclosure and operably connected at said fourth opening of said air chamber, said electronic air pressure measuring means being electrically operable to determine the air pressure within said air chamber and display the measurement, and,

(i) whereby, said casing means is sized for being held with one hand while an air pressure hose is applied at said air supply hose engagement means, and air may be released through said air release mans by a finger of the one hand gripping the casing.

2. The tire pressure gauge as defined in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said air release means is biased to form an airtight seal at said third opening, and air may be released by application of finger pressure to said air release means, and

(b) upon withdrawal of finger pressure from said air release means, the airtight seal is reformed.

3. The tire pressure gauge as defined in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said casing means includes a pair of threaded collars each of said collars being connectable to one of said tire valve engagement mans and said air supply hose engagement means.

4. The tire pressure gauge as defined in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said tire valve engagement means includes a cam operated quick release device for facilitating quick attachment to and release from a tire valve stem.

5. The tire pressure gauge as defined in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said valve means for preventing the escape of air from said air chamber through said air supply hose engagement means comprises a needle valve means which is normally closed, but is openable when an air supply hose is applied thereto.