Tire alert system

• US 6,320,277 B1
• Filed: 03/16/2000
• Issued: 11/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Roger Croteau
• Original Assignee: Roger Croteau
• Inventors: Croteau, Roger
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming, Fritz
• Assistant Examiner(s): Deberadinis, Robert L
• Application Number:
  US09/526,913
• Time in Patent Office: 614 Days
• Field of Search: 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 340/447, 340/442, 340/438, 340/457, 340/459, 731/465, 701/29, 701/31, 180/271, 280/755
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 17/00 Devices or apparatus for measuring tyre pressure or the pressure in other inflated bodies

Abstract

A warning system to alert the driver of a vehicle that a tire or wheel on the vehicle has become loose or a tire tread is separating from a tire core is disclosed. The warning system comprises a first metallic member mounted to the vehicle, a second metallic member mounted adjacent the surface of the tire being monitored and in a spaced-apart relationship with respect to the first member and an insulating member interposed between the first and second members forming a normally open electrical contact between the first and second members. When a tire or wheel becomes loose on the vehicle or a tire tread starts separating from its tire core, the surface of the tire contacts the second member causing it to move laterally and contact the first member resulting in the closing of the normally open electrical contact between the first and second members causing an audible and visual alarm to be actuated alerting the driver of the vehicle of a dangerous condition.

Claims

1. A tire condition warning device for a vehicle comprising a first member mounted to the vehicle, a second member positioned in a spaced-apart relationship with respect to said first member and adjacent the surface of the tire being monitored, and an insulating member interposed between said first member and said second member forming a normally open electrical contact between said first and second members, lateral movement of the surface of the tire being monitored causing said tire surface to contact said second member causing said second member to move laterally with respect to said first member closing said normally open electrical contact between same.

2. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein the end of said second member is bent so as to form a tip, said tip being adjacent to and in a spaced-apart relationship with respect to first member.

3. The device as defined in claim 1 further including a first electrical conductor connected to said first member and a second electrical conductor connected to said second member.

4. The device as defined in claim 3 further including an alarm means, said alarm means being electrically connected to said first and second electrical conductors and being actuated by the closing of said normally open electrical contact formed between said first and second members.