Snap in valve stem

• US 6,722,409 B1
• Filed: 11/04/2002
• Issued: 04/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DILL Air Controls Products LLC (Shanghai Baolong Automotive Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Martin, Rabian Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): Morano, S. Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bellinger, Jason R
• Application Number:
  US10/287,398
• Publication Number:
  US 20040084124A1
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• Field of Search: 152/415, 152/416, 152/427, 152/429, 73/17.2, 731/463, 731/468, 403/292, 403/347, 403/361
• US Class Current: 152/427
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0494 Valve stem attachments positioned inside the tyre chamber

Abstract

A snap in valve stem 10 with a two piece insert 24, 26 design is capable of supporting a radio frequency transmitter 12 within a rim hole 28. Elastomeric body 16 includes a cylindrical portion 32 with an annular bead 36 and an enlarged base portion 34 with an annular flange 38 to provide an airtight seal of the valve stem 10 within the rim hole 28. The two piece insert 24, 26 design in conjunction with an annular recess 40 and a lowermost extending portion 42 within the elastomeric body 16 allows the inserts 24, 26 to flex independently of each other which makes for a rapid, simple, easy installation process.

Claims

1. A snap in valve stem adapted for mounting in an opening and for supporting a structure, comprising:

a body formed of an elastomeric material and having a bore extending longitudinally therethrough, said body having an upper end portion with a diameter that increases as it merges into a lower end portion, said upper end portion having a diameter constructed to pass through an opening and said lower end portion having a diameter constructed to sealingly interfit within the opening;

a first insert constructed to be received within said bore of said body at said upper end portion of said body, said first insert having an outer end extending from said upper end portion of said body, said outer end of said first insert having an interior surface constructed to receive a valve core, said first insert having an inner end terminating within said lower end portion of said body, said inner end of said first insert having a beveled edge on an interior surface thereof; and

a second insert constructed to be received within said bore of said body at said lower end portion thereof, said second insert having an inner end and an outer end, said inner end of said second insert having a beveled exterior surface constructed to be received within said beveled edge on the interior surface of said first insert for providing a flexible joint said outer end of said second insert extending from said lower end portion of said body and providing means for supporting a structure.

2. A snap in valve stem as recited in claim 1, wherein said first insert comprises a stepped external diameter.

3. A snap in valve stem as recited in claim 1, wherein said outer end of said first insert comprises a threaded portion.

4. A snap in valve stem as recited in claim 1, wherein said inner end of said first insert tapers inwardly.

5. A snap in valve stem as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for supporting a structure comprises said outer end of said second insert having a first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion positioned axially outward from the lower end portion of said body, said first and second cylindrical portions having an external diameter larger than an external diameter of said second insert within said body, said second cylindrical portion being disposed in a spaced manner from said first cylindrical portion.

6. A snap in valve stem as recited in claim 4, wherein said inner end of said second insert comprises a beveled edge on an exterior surface thereof, said beveled edge of said inner end of said second insert being constructed to be received within said beveled edge of said inner end of said first insert.

7. A snap in valve stem as recited in claim 6, wherein said beveled edge of said second insert tapers inwardly.

8. A snap in valve stem as recited in claim 6, wherein said means for supporting a structure comprises said outer end of said second insert including a first cylindrical portion having an external diameter larger in size than a remaining portion of said second insert within said body, and a second cylindrical portion spaced away and apart from said first cylindrical portion, said second cylindrical portion having an external diameter larger in size than said remaining portion of said second insert within said body.

9. A snap in valve stem as recited in claim 1, wherein said lower end portion of said body comprises an enlarged base portion, said enlarged base portion including an annular flange disposed on an upper edge of said enlarged base portion.

10. A snap in valve stem as recited in claim 9, wherein said lower end portion of said body further comprises a cylindrical portion disposed adjacent said annular flange.

11. A snap in valve stem as recited in claim 10, wherein said lower end portion of said body further comprises an annular bead merging into said cylindrical portion, said annular bead being positioned on an upper edge of said cylindrical portion.

12. A snap in valve stem as recited in claim 11, wherein said lower end portion further comprises an annular recess disposed in a lower end of said enlarged base portion.

13. A snap in valve stem as recited in claim 11, wherein said inner end of said first insert extends within said bore of said body to said cylindrical portion of said body, and said inner end of said second insert extends within said bore of said body to said cylindrical portion of said body.

14. A snap in valve stem as recited in claim 12, wherein said lower end of said enlarged base portion further includes a lowermost extending portion, and said annular recess surrounds said lowermost extending portion.

15. A snap in valve stem as recited in claim 14, wherein said lowermost extending portion has an external diameter substantially corresponding to said second insert.

16. A snap in valve stem as recited in claim 15, wherein said inner end of said first insert extends within said bore of said body to said cylindrical portion of said body, and said inner end of said second insert extends within said bore of said body to said cylindrical portion of said body.