Universal, remote, continuous vehicle tire air pressure monitoring and reporting system

• US 6,011,463 A
• Filed: 10/31/1997
• Issued: 01/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Levite Cormier Sr
• Original Assignee: Levite Cormier Sr
• Inventors: Cormier, Levite Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US08/962,264
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 340/442, 340/445, 340/447, 340/448, 73/146.5
• US Class Current: 340/447
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0433 Radio signals
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 29/064 Hose connections for pneumatic tyres, e.g. to spare wheels

Abstract

This invention is a method and system for reporting the under or over pressure conditions on motor vehicle tires. The device is comprised of air hoses, pressure sensors, radio transmitters with antennas, a radio receiver, a display unit with lights, batteries, lights, and associated electrical components. An assembly mounted on the front of each wheel, over or in place of the hubcap, consists of an air pressure monitor utilizing air pressure inflation valves, a radio transmitter with battery cell, a radio transmitter antenna, and high/low indicator lights. Air hoses attached to each tire'"'"'s valve stem are connected to the air pressure inflation valves of the air pressure monitors. The wheel mounted transmitters are powered by a low voltage battery that is normally powered off until activated by the changes of the pre-set air pressure of the tire air pressure monitoring sensor.

Claims

1. A universal, remote continuous vehicle tire air pressure monitoring and reporting system, said system comprising:

at least one single rim wheel transmitter for affixment to a single hub tire, said single rim wheel transmitter being held in position on the single hub tire via a plurality of mechanical fastening means;

a conventional tire valve connected to the single rim wheel transmitter via a tee-fitting and a first connection hose;

a transmitting antenna for transmitting an alert signal signifying either an over or under pressure condition in said tire;

a multiple frequency receiver display unit having a front face possessing a plurality of tire indicator lights, such that each of said tire indicator lights indicates an abnormal status of each respective tire on a motor vehicle independently;

a first receiving antenna for intercepting said alert signal from the single rim wheel transmitter,

an internally mounted conventional scanning receiver for activation of the respective tire indicator lights on the front face of the multiple frequency receiver display unit.

2. The universal, remote continuous vehicle tire air pressure monitoring and reporting system of claim 1, wherein said indicia include a first over pressure indicator light, first under pressure indicator light, second over pressure indicator light, and second under pressure indicator light.

3. The universal, remote continuous vehicle tire air pressure monitoring and reporting system of claim 1, wherein said tee-fitting screws onto the conventional tire valve in a conventional manner and further includes a spring return valve actuator at the outer end of the tee-fitting housing and another actuator in the angled end of the tee-fitting such as to stop air when the connecting hose is removed.

4. The universal, remote continuous vehicle tire air pressure monitoring and reporting system of claim 3, wherein said connecting hose air intake end includes an actuating pin of the same type as the intake end of the tee-fitting.