Tire low pressure audio warning device

• US 6,300,867 B1
• Filed: 06/01/2000
• Issued: 10/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: REA Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: REA Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Blakely, Stephen W., Rea, James Lee, Rea, Ryan M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): TANG, SON M
• Application Number:
  US09/584,971
• Time in Patent Office: 495 Days
• Field of Search: 340/442, 340/446, 340/445, 340/58, 340/447
• US Class Current: 340/442
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/02 Signalling devices actuated by tyre pressure hand-held tyre pressure gauges G01L17/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0496 Valve stem attachments positioned outside of the tyre chamber

Abstract

A tire low pressure audio warning device for monitoring a tire for low air pressure and sounding an alarm when a low tire pressure condition exists. The tire low pressure audio warning device has a body that attaches to a valve stem of an inner tube or tubeless tire, or to an opening through a rim of the tire. Contained within the body is at least a low air pressure switch, a battery and an audio alarm. The low pressure switch is in air communications with the pressurized air within the tire or the inner tube. The audio alarm is electrically connected to and activated by the low air pressure switch when a low tire pressure exits. A centrifugal switch is provided within the body to prevent the audio alarm from sounding during tire rotation. The centrifugal switch opens when the tire is rotating, and closes when tire rotation is stopped. The battery within the body provides electrical power for the alarm. The alarm is easily heard by a driver, or any one else, when walking past the tire, when the vehicle is stopped or parked. The low pressure setting can be factory set or it can be of an adjustable type. The monitoring device can be used on all tires inflated with air or other gasses.

Claims

1. A tire low pressure audio warning device comprising:

a body attachable to a valve stem or an opening in a rim of a tire, or to a valve stem on an inner tube contained therein, said body being in air communications with pressurized air within said tire;

a low pressure monitoring device contained within said body to monitor air pressure within said tire, said low pressure monitoring device being in air communication with pressurized air coming from said tire, said low pressure monitoring device having electrical contacts that close when a predetermined low pressure condition exists within said tire and remains opens when air pressure remains above said predetermined low pressure;

an audio alarm contained within said body and electrically connected to one of said electrical contacts in said low pressure monitoring device, said audio alarm activated by said low pressure monitoring device when said electrical contacts close; and

a battery contained within said body to provide electric power for said audio alarm, with an electric circuit to electrically connect said battery to said audio alarm and said low pressure monitoring device as appropriate.

2. The tire low pressure audio warning device as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a centrifugal switch contained within said body which is electrically open when a tire is in motion or rotating, and electrically closed when tire rotation is stopped, said centrifugal switch preventing said audio alarm activation during tire rotation.

3. The tire low pressure audio warning device as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a battery test switch in said body, said battery test switch electrically connected to said battery and said audio alarm, said audio alarm being sounded when said battery test switch is closed and when said battery has the capacity.

4. The tire low pressure audio warning device as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a custom fitting, said custom fitting for attachment to an opening on a rim on a tubeless tire, said body being attachable to said custom fitting.

5. The tire low pressure audio warning device as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a longitudinal opening through said body, said longitudinal opening having a first end and a second end, said first end of said longitudinal opening attachable to a valve stem on said rim, an opening in said rim, or to a custom fitting attached to an opening in said rim, a valve within said longitudinal opening to prevent pressurized air from exiting said tire through said longitudinal opening, said second end having exterior threads for receiving a valve stem cap, and said low pressure monitoring device monitoring tire pressure in said longitudinal opening between said valve and said first end.

6. The tire low pressure audio warning device as set forth in claim 5 further comprising a valve depressor, said valve depressor being center positioned and projecting downward towards said first end of said longitudinal opening to depress a valve in a valve stem when said body is being attached to said valve stem to establish air communication with pressurized air within said tire.

7. The tire low pressure audio warning device as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a cap contained within said body, said cap being attachable to a valve stem or a custom fitting attached to an opening in a rim on said tire, said cap being in air communication with said pressurizes air within said tire, and said low pressure monitoring device being connected to said cap to establish air communication with said pressurized air within said cap and said tire.

8. The tire low pressure audio warning device as set forth in claim 7 further comprising a valve depressor, said valve depressor being center positioned in an opening on said cap, said valve depressor depressing a valve in a valve stem when said cap is attached to said valve stem via said opening to allow air communications with pressurized air within said tire.

9. The tire low pressure audio warning device as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a battery cap, said battery cap being removably attached to said body to allow access to said battery so said battery can be changed when battery power is low or expended.

10. The tire low pressure audio alarm as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a reinforcing band or sleeve around said body, said reinforcing band or sleeve providing extra strength and stability for said body.

11. The tire low pressure audio warning device as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a cap within said body, said cap being attachable to a valve stem or a custom fitting attached to an opening in a rim on said tire, said cap being in air communication with said pressurizes air within said tire, and said low pressure monitoring device being connected to said cap to establish air communication with said pressurized air within said cap and said tire.

12. A tire low pressure audio warning device comprising:

a body attachable to a tire, a valve stem, or a rim of a tire said body being in air communications with pressurized air within said tire or an inner tube within said tire;

a pressure monitoring device contained within said body to monitor air pressure within said tire;

electrical contacts contained within said body and operated by said low pressure monitoring device, said electrical contacts being closed when a low pressure condition exists within said tire and remaining open when normal air pressure is within said tire;

an audio alarm contained within said body and electrically connected to said electrical contacts, said audio alarm being a buzzer that is activated when said electrical contacts are closed;

a centrifugal switch contained within said body which is electrically open when a tire is in motion or rotating, and electrically closed when tire rotation is stopped, said centrifugal switch preventing said audio alarm activation when said tire is rotating;

a battery to provide electrical power for said audio alarm; and

an electrical circuit to electrically connect said electrical contacts, said audio alarm, said centrifugal switch, and said battery.

13. The tire low pressure audio warning device as set forth in claim 12 further comprising a battery test switch contained within said body, said battery test switch being electrically connected to said battery and said audio alarm, said audio alarm can be activated when said battery test switch is closed and when said battery has sufficient capacity.

14. The tire low pressure audio warning device as set forth in claim 12 further comprising a custom fitting, said custom fitting attached to an opening in said rim for said tire, said body being attachable to said custom fitting to establish air communications with said pressurized air within said tire.

15. The tire low pressure audio warning device as set forth in claim 12 further comprising a longitudinal opening through said body, said longitudinal opening having a first end and a second end, said first end of said longitudinal opening attachable to a valve stem on said rim, an opening in said rim, or to a custom fitting attached to an opening in said rim, a valve within said longitudinal opening to prevent pressurized air from exiting said tire through said longitudinal opening, said second end having exterior threads for receiving a valve stem cap, and said low pressure monitoring device monitoring tire pressure in said longitudinal opening between said valve and said first end.

16. The tire low pressure audio warning device as set forth in claim 12 further comprising a valve depressor, said valve depressor contained within said body where said body attaches to a valve stem, said valve depressor depressing a valve within said valve stem when said body is being attached to said valve stem to establish air communications with said pressurized air within said tire.

17. A tire low pressure audio warning device comprising:

a body attachable to a valve stem or an opening in a rim of a tire, or to a valve stem on an inner tube contained therein, said body being in air communication with pressurized air within said tire;

a battery contained within said body;

a pressure monitoring switch contained within said body and in air communications with said pressurized air in said tire via said body, said pressure monitoring switch closing when a low tire air pressure condition exists within said tire, said pressure monitoring switch being electrically connected to one side of said battery;

a buzzer contained within said body that is activated when said pressure monitoring device electrically closes, said buzzer creating an audio alarm when activated, said buzzer being electrically connected to said battery and said pressure monitoring switch in a series connection to complete an electrical circuit.