Tire safety system

• US 6,837,104 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2003
• Issued: 01/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Itzhak Sapir
• Original Assignee: Itzhak Sapir
• Inventors: Sapir, Itzhak
• Primary Examiner(s): MCCALL, ERIC SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US10/680,880
• Publication Number:
  US 20040065398A1
• Time in Patent Office: 455 Days
• Field of Search: 731/46, 731/462, 731/463, 731/464, 731/465, 340/425.5, 340/438, 340/442, 340/445, 701/29
• US Class Current: 73/146.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 17/00 Tyres characterised by means enabling restricted operation in damaged or deflated condition; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 17/02 inflated or expanded in emergency only
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/004 the control being done on the wheel, e.g. using a wheel-mounted reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver

Abstract

A tire safety system mounts on a vehicle wheel rim inside a pneumatic tire. A tire air pressure sensor produces a tire air pressure reading mounted inside the tire. An inflatable member forms a toroidal expandable internal safety structure. The inflatable member is mounted against the vehicle wheel rim. The chemicals container inside the inflatable member receives an electrical signal at an activation input. The chemicals container creates pressurized gas inside the inflatable member for inflation when a signal is received at the activation input. A circumferential radially expandable protective belt mounted around the inflatable member expands with inflatable member inflation to accommodate operation the tire when expanded. A computer receiving tire air pressure readings from the tire air pressure sensor sends a signal to the activation input upon a sudden change in tire air pressure.

Claims

1. A tire safety system adapted for mounting on a vehicle wheel rim inside a pneumatic tire comprising:

a tire air pressure sensor producing a tire air pressure reading mounted inside the tire;

an inflatable member forming a toroidal expandable internal safety structure, wherein the inflatable member is mounted against the vehicle wheel rim;

a chemicals container inside the inflatable member, capable of receiving an electrical signal at an activation input, wherein the chemicals container contains chemicals capable of mixing and reacting to form pressurized gas inside the inflatable member for inflation when a signal is received at the activation input;

a circumferential radially expandable protective belt mounted around the inflatable member that expands with inflatable member inflation to accommodate operation the tire when expanded;

a computer receiving tire air pressure readings from the tire air pressure sensor sends a signal to the activation input upon a sudden change in tire air pressure.

2. The tire safety system of claim 1 wherein, the chemicals container is in the shape of an inside belt forming a thin torus mounted inside the inflatable member.

3. The tire safety system of claim 1 wherein, the inflatable member is folded in collapsed position against the vehicle wheel rim.

4. The tire safety system of claim 1 further comprising, a speaker mounted within the tire safety system receiving an output from the computer, wherein the speaker makes an audible sound to denote that the tire pressure is low.

5. The tire safety system of claim 1 further comprising, a speaker mounted within the tire safety system receiving an output from the computer, wherein the speaker makes an audible sound to denote a malfunction.

6. The tire safety system of claim 1 further comprising, a rotation sensor mounted within the tire safety system sending an output to a computer wherein the computer disarms the chemicals container at a user preset low RPM.

7. The tire safety system of claim 1 further comprising, a transmitter mounted within the tire safety system sending an output to a computer in the cabin.

8. A tire safety system adapted for mounting on a vehicle wheel rim inside a pneumatic tire comprising:

a tire air pressure sensor producing a tire air pressure reading mounted inside the tire;

a plurality of inflatable members forming a toroidal expandable internal safety structure, wherein the plurality of inflatable members are mounted against the vehicle wheel rim;

a chemicals container inside each inflatable member, each capable of receiving an electrical signal at an activation input, wherein each chemicals container contains chemicals capable of mixing and reacting to form pressurized gas inside each inflatable member when a signal is received at the activation input;

a circumferential radially expandable protective belt mounted around the plurality of inflatable members that expands with inflatable member inflation to accommodate operation the tire when expanded;

a computer receiving tire air pressure readings from the tire air pressure sensor sends a signal to the activation input upon a sudden change in tire air pressure.

9. The tire safety system of claim 8 further comprising, a speaker mounted within the tire safety system receiving an output from the computer, wherein the speaker makes an audible sound to denote that the tire pressure is low.

10. The tire safety system of claim 8 further comprising, a speaker mounted within the tire safety system receiving an output from the computer, wherein the speaker makes an audible sound to denote a malfunction.

11. The tire safety system of claim 8 further comprising, a rotation sensor mounted within the tire safety system sending an output to a computer wherein the computer disarms the chemicals container at a user preset low RPM.

12. The tire safety system of claim 8 further comprising, a transmitter mounted within the tire safety system sending an output to a computer in the cabin.