Tire deflation warning system

• US 5,032,822 A
• Filed: 01/09/1991
• Issued: 07/16/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bill J. Sweet
• Original Assignee: Bill J. Sweet
• Inventors: Sweet, Bill J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Orsino, Joseph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TUMM, BRIAN
• Application Number:
  US07/639,817
• Time in Patent Office: 188 Days
• Field of Search: 340/443, 340/442, 200/61.24, 200/61.44, 200/52 A
• US Class Current: 340/443
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/08 by touching the ground

Abstract

A tire deflation monitoring system utilizes a device which attaches to the undercarriage of a vehicle adjacent each pneumatically inflated tire which is to be monitored. The device employs a component such as a wheel for rotationally contacting the road surface upon which the vehicle is disposed. When the road surface is contacted, the wheel is forced upwardly, causing contact to be made with an electrical switch that activates an indicator located in the driver'"'"'s compartment of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A tire deflation detection system adapted for use in association with a vehicle having a battery, driver'"'"'s compartment, and at least one pair of pneumatically inflated tires, each tire having a central hub adapted to be maintained at a fixed distance from the underlying road surface when said tire is inflated to its standard pressure, and rotatably associated in stationary relationship with a fixed support member of said vehicle, said system comprised of:

(a) a mounting assembly adapted to engage said support member, and having a fixed horizontal arm and a spacer downwardly emergent from said horizontal arm and terminating in a lower extremity,

(b) an activation lever disposed below said horizontal arm and having a proximal extremity pivotably associated with the lower extremity of said spacer, and a free distal extremity, said lever being constrained to pivotable travel in a vertical arc,

(c) a vertically disposed post slidabbly associated with said distal extremity and having a bottom extremity equipped with means for rotationally contacting said road surface,

(d) a first coil spring acting compressively to urge said post downwardly,

(e) a second coil spring acting under tension to urge said lever downwardly,

(f) electrical switch means associated with said horizontal arm and having a contact extremity downwardly directed toward said lever,

(g) first stopping means for halting upward movement of said lever,

(h) second stopping means for halting downward movement of said post, and

(i) inidcator means positioned in said driver'"'"'s compartment and electrically activatable by said battery when said lever places upward force against the contact extremity of said switch means.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said post has a non-round cross-section which prevents axial rotation.

3. The system of claim 1 further provided with restraining means which enable said post to be raised to an upper position which inactivates the system.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said second spring exerts less force than said first spring.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the contact extremity of said switch means is spring-urged toward said lever.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising threadably adjustable means disposed upwardly from said lever in alignment with said contact extremity.