Tire pressure gauge

• US 5,908,984 A
• Filed: 07/30/1998
• Issued: 06/01/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Louis Chuang
• Original Assignee: Louis Chuang
• Inventors: Chuang, Louis
• Primary Examiner(s): OEN, WILLIAM L
• Application Number:
  US09/124,777
• Time in Patent Office: 306 Days
• Field of Search: 73/146.3, 73/146.8
• US Class Current: 73/146.3
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 17/00 Devices or apparatus for measuring tyre pressure or the pressure in other inflated bodies

Abstract

A tire pressure gauge includes a first portion having a display mounted thereto for displaying pressure value of a tire to be inspected and a second portion having a compartment defined therein and communicated with the display. The second portion may receive a valve of a tire to be inspected. The second portion further includes a slot defined in a periphery thereof and communicated with the compartment. A switch member is pivotally mounted in the compartment of the second portion and includes an operative member extended beyond the slot for manual operation. The operative member is movable between a first position for inspecting a first type of tire valves and a second position for inspecting a second type of tire valves along the slot of the second portion.

Claims

1. A tire pressure gauge, comprising:

a first portion including a display means mounted thereto for displaying pressure value of a tire adapted to be inspected by the tire pressure gauge,

a second portion including a compartment defined therein and communicated with the display means, the second portion further including a slot defined in a periphery thereof and communicated with the compartment,

a switch member pivotally mounted in the compartment of the second portion and including an operative member extended beyond the slot for manual operation, the operative member being movable between a first position for inspecting a first type of tire valves and a second position for inspecting a second type of tire valves along the slot of the second portion,

a retainer including a first end engaged with the switch member to rotate therewith and a second end with a first chamber defined therein, the retainer further including a transverse hole communicated with the first chamber,

a sleeve securely mounted in the compartment, the sleeve including a second chamber defined in a first end thereof for rotatably receiving the second end of the retainer and a third chamber defined in a second end thereof, the sleeve further including a first passage communicated with the second chamber and the first chamber such that the first chamber of the retainer communicates the display means via the transverse hole of the retainer and the first passage of the sleeve, and

a needle member slidably received in the sleeve and including a first end and a second end, the needle member including a second passage communicated outside with the first chamber of the retainer,

whereby when the switch member is in the first position, the first end of the needle member bears against the second end of the retainer for inspecting said first type of tire valves, and when the switch member is in the second position, the first end of the needle is insertable into the first chamber of the second end of the retainer for inspecting the second type of tire valves.

2. The tire pressure gauge according to claim 1, further comprising a spring mounted in the sleeve for biasing the needle member away from the retainer.

3. The tire pressure gauge according to claim 2, wherein the spring includes a first end attached to an end wall that defines the first chamber of the retainer and a second end attached to the needle member.

4. The tire pressure gauge according to claim 3, wherein the first end of the needle member includes a receptacle defined therein, and the second end of the spring is attached to a second end wall that defines the receptacle.

5. The tire pressure gauge according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve further includes an annular groove defined in an outer periphery thereof, and the second portion further includes a flange defined in an inner periphery thereof and securely received in the annular groove.

6. The tire pressure gauge according to claim 1, wherein the retainer further includes an annular groove defined in an outer periphery thereof for receiving an O-ring.

7. The tire pressure gauge according to claim 1, further comprising a plastic valve holder securely mounted in the third chamber of the sleeve, the plastic valve holder being adapted to hold a valve of a tire to be inspected.

8. The tire pressure gauge according to claim 1, wherein the first chamber of the second end of the retainer is elongated.

9. The tire pressure gauge according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the retainer includes a flat key securely engaged with the switch member to rotate therewith.

10. The tire pressure gauge according to claim 1, further comprising a washer mounted around the first end of the retainer for rotatably holding the first end of the retainer.

11. The tire pressure gauge according to claim 1, further comprising a mediate portion provided between the first portion and the second portion for grasp.

12. The tire pressure gauge according to claim 11, wherein the mediate portion includes a plurality of recesses defined in an outer periphery thereof for grasp.