Air valve housing with pressure indicator

• US 6,293,297 B1
• Filed: 07/26/1999
• Issued: 09/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MALDONADO, BRANDON
• Original Assignee: MALDONADO, BRANDON
• Inventors: Maldonado, Brandon, Scott, Gene
• Primary Examiner(s): Rivell, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): SCHOENFELD, MEREDITH HOPE
• Application Number:
  US09/360,889
• Time in Patent Office: 792 Days
• Field of Search: 137/227, 137/223, 137/224, 731/468, 116/34.R
• US Class Current: 137/227
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0496 Valve stem attachments positioned outside of the tyre chamber
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/36 With pressure-responsive pressure-control means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3662 With gauge or indicator

Abstract

A tire pressure indicator is mounted onto the fill stem of a tire and provides a window for indicating if the tire has adequate pressure or not. The indicator show adequate, marginal and underinflated conditions by color bands opposite the window. The pressure indicator may be permanently mounted onto the tire and used to fill the tire and maintain pressure in the tire. As the tire is filled the indicator moves from one color band to the next until the indicator shows that adequate pressure has been attained whereupon the hose may be disconnected.

Claims

1. An air valve apparatus comprising:

a cylindrical body providing an outer cylindrical sidewall having a sealed window for viewing therethrough, the cylindrical body further providing an inner cylindrical sidewall concentric with the outer cylindrical sidewall;

the inner cylindrical sidewall providing at one end thereof and integral therewith, an air hose bib adapted by a spring biased valve for receiving air thereinto, and a capping means adapted for removably positioning the inner and outer cylindrical sidewalls in concentric positions;

the outer cylindrical sidewall further providing, integral therewith, a valve depressing means enabled for opening a tire stem valve for conducting air thereinto;

a movable cylindrical pressure level indicator positioned adjacent to the sealed window between the outer and inner cylindrical sidewalls;

the pressure level indicator terminating at one end with a flange extending sealingly between the inner and outer cylindrical sidewalls;

a biasing spring positioned between the flange and the capping means, the biasing spring compressible in response to air pressure changes within the apparatus so as to move the pressure level indicating means, thereby providing an indication of said air pressure changes through the sealed window.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pressure level indicator includes an outer cylindrical surface having at least one indicator ring thereon, the at least on indicator ring being visible through the window when the pressure level indicator is in at least one slidably engaged position.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the helical biasing spring is adapted for moving the pressure level indicating means counter to the pressure within the cylindrical body.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further including an access means for enabling air pressure reduction between the inner and outer sidewalls, so as to further enable motion of the pressure level indicating means.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sealed window extends generally fully about the outer sidewall so as to enable viewing the indicating means from all angles.