Tire inflation gauge technology

• US 7,040,153 B2
• Filed: 12/01/2003
• Issued: 05/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intercomp Company
• Original Assignee: Intercomp Company
• Inventors: Kroll, William P., Young, Matthew, Kroll, Karl J. F.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOORI, MAX H
• Application Number:
  US10/726,322
• Publication Number:
  US 20050115327A1
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• Field of Search: 737/30, 73146-1468, 340/442
• US Class Current: 73/146
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 17/00 Devices or apparatus for measuring tyre pressure or the pressure in other inflated bodies

Abstract

A memory tire pressure gauge apparatus for use with race cars, comprising a pressure transducer, a control system and a display. The pressure transducer is for communicative connection to a tire of a race car. The control system is communicatively connected to the pressure transducer, receives tire pressure reading signals from the pressure transducer, and converts them to tire pressure display signals The control system has memory for storing a plurality of tire pressure reading signals. The display is communicatively connected to the control system, It indicates at least eight tire pressure readings simultaneously, the eight tire pressure readings corresponding to a relatively cold tire pressure reading with respect to an initial time and a relatively hot tire pressure reading with respect to a later time, after use of the tires, for each of four tires. The display further shows, simultaneously, four tire pressure change readings corresponding to changes caused by the use of each of the tires. The display receives tire pressure display signals from the control system. A method of gauging inflation pressure of a tire or other article is also disclosed.

Claims

1. An inflation gauge apparatus comprising:

(a) a pressure transducer;

(b) a control system communicatively connected to the pressure transducer; and

(c) a display communicatively connected to the control system that indicates at least eight measured pressure readings at the same time, wherein the display shows at least eight pressures simultaneously corresponding to pressures of each of four articles at two different times.

2. The inflation gauge apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pressure transducer is adapted to be communicatively connected to a tire.

3. The inflation gauge apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a hose connected to the pressure transducer, the hose being for connection to the tire.

4. The inflation gauge apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control system includes a microprocessor.

5. The inflation gauge apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control system memory stores pressure data from successive articles comprising a four set sequence.

6. The inflation gauge apparatus of claim 5, wherein the memory stores data from a plurality of pressure measurement sequences.

7. The inflation gauge apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control system includes operator control switches.

8. The inflation gauge apparatus of claim 7, wherein the control system includes mode, read, and store switches.

9. The inflation gauge apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control system includes timing means.

10. The inflation gauge apparatus of claim 9, wherein the timing means measures lap time for a vehicle negotiating a course.

11. The inflation gauge apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control system includes output connection means.

12. The inflation gauge apparatus of claim 11, wherein the output connection means is connectable to a printer.

13. The inflation gauge apparatus of claim 11, wherein the output connection means is connectable to a computer.

14. The inflation gauge apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display is a pair of separate displays.

15. The inflation gauge apparatus of claim 1 wherein the display further shows, simultaneously, four pressure change readings corresponding to changes with respect to time of each of the articles.

16. The inflation gauge apparatus of claim 10, wherein the display further shows lap times.

17. An automobile tire pressure gauge apparatus comprising:

(a) a pressure transducer adapted for communicative connection to a tire;

(b) a control system communicatively connected to the pressure transducer, the control system receiving tire pressure reading signals from the pressure transducer and converting them to tire pressure display signals, the control system having memory for storing eight tire pressure reading signals, the readings corresponding to actual pressures of each of the four tires of the automobile a first time and at second, later time; and

(c) a display communicatively connected to the control system that indicates at least eight tire pressure readings simultaneously, the eight tire pressure readings corresponding to a first tire pressure reading with respect to the first time and a second tire pressure reading with respect to the second time for each of four tires, the display receiving tire pressure display signals from the control system.

18. A memory tire pressure gauge apparatus for use with race cars, comprising:

(a) a pressure transducer adapted for communicative connection to a tire of a race car;

(b) a control system communicatively connected to the pressure transducer, the control system receiving measured tire pressure reading signals from the pressure transducer and converting them to tire pressure display signals, the control system having memory for storing a plurality of tire pressure reading signals; and

(c) a display communicatively connected to the control system that indicates at least eight measured tire pressure readings simultaneously, the eight tire pressure readings corresponding to a relatively cold tire pressure reading with respect to an initial time and a relatively hot tire pressure reading with respect to a time after use of the tires, for each of four tires, the display further showing, simultaneously, four tire pressure change readings corresponding to changes caused by use of the tires of each of the tires, the display receiving tire pressure display signals from the controller.