Wheel-mounted tire pressure gauge

• US 6,832,573 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2003
• Issued: 12/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Harold A. Evans
• Original Assignee: Harold A. Evans
• Inventors: Loginov, William A., Evans, Harold A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gutierrez, Diego
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, R. Alexander
• Application Number:
  US10/632,021
• Publication Number:
  US 20040020420A1
• Time in Patent Office: 509 Days
• Field of Search: 116/34.R, 731/468, 137/229, 248/200, 248/205.1, 340/442, 340/445, 340/447
• US Class Current: 116/34.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/02 Signalling devices actuated by tyre pressure hand-held tyre pressure gauges G01L17/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0405 Mechanically generated visible signals, e.g. by using a gauge needle
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0496 Valve stem attachments positioned outside of the tyre chamber

Abstract

A tire pressure gauge is provided. The tire pressure gauge is mounted on a rim of a wheel or on a hub of the wheel. An interconnection is made to the valve stem of the wheel. The interconnection includes a tap that directs pressure from the interconnection via a tube or conduit to the gauge. The interconnection can provide continuous pressure to the gauge or can be actuated by the movement of an operator at a predetermined inspection time. The gauge can be mechanical or electronic.

Claims

1. A tire pressure monitoring apparatus, comprising:

a gauge that displays a pressure reading; and

a saddle valve including;

(i) a base member adapted to sealingly and threadingly connect to a tire valve stem,

(ii) an upper member constructed and arranged to move relative to the base member at a predetermined time to provide fluid communication between a tire and the gauge, and

(iii) a locking mechanism that, when engaged, secures the upper member in a position that maintains the fluid communication between the tire and the gauge until the locking mechanism is disengaged.

2. The tire pressure monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is engaged by rotating the upper member with respect to the base member.

3. The tire pressure monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 2, further comprising:

a fastening means that connects the upper member to the base member,

wherein, in response to the upper member being rotated with respect to the base member, the fastening means is displaced along a curvilinear channel in the base member and acts to secure the upper member in the position providing constant fluid communication between the tire and the gauge.

4. The tire pressure monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a center nub that contacts and depresses a preexisting valve in the tire valve stem in response to the upper member being moved closer to the base member.

5. The tire pressure monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein the initial spacing of the center nub and the preexisting valve is adjusted by raising or lowering the upper member relative to the base member.

6. The tire pressure monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the saddle valve further includes a tap in fluid communication with the gauge.

7. The tire pressure monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein the gauge is coupled to the tap by a feed line.

8. The tire pressure monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the upper member includes a secondary fill inlet constructed and arranged to enable pressure to be transferred from a pressure source to the saddle valve.

9. The tire pressure monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein pressure is transferred from the pressure source to the saddle valve after the locking mechanism is engaged.

10. The tire pressure monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a housing for the gauge adapted to be mounted on and supported by the saddle valve.

11. The tire pressure monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the gauge comprises a pressure transducer and an interconnected electronic display and wherein the electronic display is mounted on a hub cap.

12. The tire pressure monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the gauge comprises a mechanical pressure gauge having graduations.

13. The tire pressure monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the gauge comprises an electronic pressure gauge in communication with a pressure transducer that converts a pressure into an electronic signal.

14. The tire pressure monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 13, further comprising:

a radio transmitter, interconnected with the transducer, for converting the electric signal to a radio signal; and

a receiver, interconnected to an electronic display, for converting the radio signal to a signal reported by the electronic display, the electronic display being located remote from the gauge.

15. The tire pressure monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a mounting bracket that supports the gauge, the mounting bracket comprising a pliable block that is form-fitting with respect to opposing spokes of the wheel.

16. The tire pressure monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the block includes a tunnel for providing clearance for the valve stem and a tap on the saddle valve.

17. A tire pressure monitoring apparatus, comprising:

a gauge that displays a pressure reading; and

a saddle valve including;

(i) a base member adapted to connect to a tire valve stem,

(ii) an upper member constructed and arranged to move relative to the base member at a predetermined time to provide fluid communication between a tire and the gauge,

(iii) means for securing the upper member in a position that maintains the fluid communication between the tire and the gauge after the upper member has been moved relative to the base member; and

(iv) means for unsecuring the upper member from the position that maintains the fluid communication between the tire and the gauge.