Trailer low tire pressure indicator apparatus

• US 5,177,465 A
• Filed: 09/09/1991
• Issued: 01/05/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donald E. Bunce
• Original Assignee: Donald E. Bunce
• Inventors: Bunce, Donald E.
• Primary Examiner(s): NG, JIN FAY
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tumm, Brian R.
• Application Number:
  US07/756,517
• Time in Patent Office: 484 Days
• Field of Search: 340/443, 340/442, 340/448, 340/445, 200/61.22, 200/61.23, 116/34 R
• US Class Current: 340/443
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/06 Signalling devices actuated by deformation of the tyre , e.g. tyre mounted deformation sensors or indirect determination of tyre deformation based on wheel speed, wheel-centre to ground distance or inclination of wheel axle

Abstract

An indicator assembly is mounted medially between the forward and rear wheels to each side of a trailer assembly of a typical multi-axle trailer. The assembly includes a switch assembly mounted between forward and rear springs of a respective forward and rear axle of the trailer, wherein the switch assembly is operatively associated with a switch actuator mount to include a forward and rear magnet, wherein the switch assembly is actuated upon deflection to one of the forward or rear magnets upon deflation of a forward or rear tire associated with the aforenoted forward or rear axle.

Claims

1. A trailer low tire pressure indicator apparatus for securement to a trailer assembly, wherein the trailer assembly includes a forward axle and rear axle, with the forward axle including a forward spring and the rear axle including a rear spring, and a trailer flange positioned between the forward spring and the rear spring,

a first forward spring hanger mounted to the forward spring positioned adjacent and forwardly of the trailer flange, and a first rear spring hanger mounted to the rear spring positioned adjacent the trailer flange, wherein the trailer flange is positioned between the first forward spring hanger and the first rear spring hanger,

a cross brace mounted fixedly to the first forward spring hanger and the first rear spring hanger,

a switch assembly mounted to the cross brace,

a switch actuator mount fixedly secured to the trailer flange,

the switch assembly including a magnetically actuated switch head,

the switch actuator mount including magnet means cooperative with the switch head for directing an electrical signal,

indicator means remotely spaced from the trailer assembly for receiving the electrical signal to effect actuation of the indicator means.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the switch assembly is of a generally "U" shaped configuration and includes a forward leg spaced from and parallel a rear leg, the forward leg and the rear leg joined together at a junction, with the junction mounting the switch head, and the forward leg including a forward leg lower externally threaded portion, and the rear leg including a rear leg lower externally threaded portion adjacent the forward leg externally threaded portion, and the cross brace including a first clamp fixedly receiving the forward leg externally threaded portion, and a second clamp fixedly receiving the rear leg lower externally threaded portion.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein the first clamp and the second clamp each include an externally threaded rod, the externally threaded rod including a mounting conduit fixedly mounted to the externally threaded rod at a distal end threof, wherein the mounting conduit of each said first clamp and said second clamp receives the respective forward leg lower externally threaded portion and the rear leg lower externally threaded portion respectively therethrough, and the externally threaded rod including a forward clamp leg and a rear clamp leg, and the forward clamp leg mounted to a forward clamp leg tube, and the rear clamp leg mounted to a rear clamp leg tube, the forward clamp leg tube and the rear clamp leg tube each slidably mounted about the externally threaded rod, and the forward clamp leg and the rear clamp leg of, each said clamp receiving the cross brace therebetween, wherein the first clamp and the second clamp are in a spaced parallel relationship secured to the cross brace.