Vehicle tire tread depth determining system

• US 7,557,694 B1
• Filed: 07/31/2006
• Issued: 07/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeannell Graham
• Original Assignee: Jeannell Graham
• Inventors: Graham, Jeannell
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham; Toan N
• Assistant Examiner(s): McNally; Kerri L
• Application Number:
  US11/496,077
• Time in Patent Office: 1,072 Days
• Field of Search: 340/438, 340/442, 362/500, 152/151, 152/154.2, 152/209.1, 152/450, 152/523
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 11/24 Wear-indicating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 11/246 Tread wear monitoring systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/22 for measuring depth

Abstract

A vehicle tire tread depth determining system includes an annular member embedded beneath an outer surface, and disposed beneath a tread layer, of a vehicle tire. The member has photo-chromatic properties that change color when exposed to ultraviolet light. The member also has a body extending inside an outer perimeter of a tire, and is spaced from the tread layer and formed therewith. A color determining mechanism is in visual communication with the member. A time period mechanism determines when the member has transgressed from a first color to a second color. A display screen is mounted on the dashboard, and includes a graphical user interface and a pictorial illustration of the member color. A controller is housed within a compartment of the vehicle and positioned on a dashboard. A tread depth determining mechanism is spaced from the tire and electrically coupled to a battery and an ignition controller.

Claims

1. A vehicle tire wear notification system for warning a driver of low tread depth on the vehicle tires, said tire wear notification system comprising:

an annular member embedded beneath an outer surface of the vehicle tire, said annular member being disposed beneath a tread layer of the vehicle tire such that said annular member is prohibited from being exposed to ambient light when the tread layer has a predetermined minimum thickness, said annular member having photo-chromatic properties such that said annular member changes color when exposed to ambient light;

means for determining a color of said annular member, said color determining means being in visual communication with said annular member;

means for determining a time period after which said annular member has transgressed from a first color to a second color; and

a controller housed within a compartment of the vehicle and positioned on a dashboard of the vehicle so that the driver can visually monitor said controller, said controller comprising means for determining a remaining tread depth on the vehicle tire based upon said first color of said annular member and said time period, said tread depth determining means being spaced from the vehicle tire and electrically coupled to a battery of the vehicle and an ignition controller of the vehicle;

wherein said tread depth determining means interrupts power between the vehicle battery and the ignition controller respectively when the annular member has color properties exceeding at least one of a threshold color level and a threshold time period respectively.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said color determining means comprises:

an optical sensor visually cooperating with said annular member, said optical sensor being coupled directly to the vehicle tire and maintaining a direct line of sight with said annular member, said optical sensor generating and transmitting an analog notification signal based upon a color change of said annular member, said analog notification signal having a first data stream identifying a location of the vehicle tire and further having a second data stream identifying the color of said annular member.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said time period determining means comprises:

a timer circuit electrically coupled to said optical sensor, said timer circuit triggering an internal counter when said first color changes to said second color, said timer circuit generating and transmitting a timing data stream to said optical sensor.

4. A vehicle tire wear notification system for warning a driver of low tread depth on the vehicle tires, said tire wear notification system comprising:

an annular member embedded beneath an outer surface of the vehicle tire, said annular member being disposed beneath a tread layer of the vehicle tire such that said annular member is prohibited from being exposed to ambient light when the tread layer has a predetermined minimum thickness, said annular member having photo-chromatic properties such that said annular member changes color when exposed to ambient light;

wherein said annular member has a single and continuous body extending inside an outer perimeter of the vehicle tire, said annular member being equidistantly spaced from the tread layer and monolithically formed with the vehicle tire;

means for determining a color of said annular member, said color determining means being in visual communication with said annular member;

means for determining a time period after which said annular member has transgressed from a first color to a second color; and

a controller housed within a compartment of the vehicle and positioned on a dashboard of the vehicle so that the driver can visually monitor said controller, said controller comprising means for determining a remaining tread depth on the vehicle tire based upon said first color of said annular member and said time period, said tread depth determining means being spaced from the vehicle tire and electrically coupled to a battery of the vehicle and an ignition controller of the vehicle;

wherein said tread depth determining means interrupts power between the vehicle battery and the ignition controller respectively when the annular member has color properties exceeding at least one of a threshold color level and a threshold time period respectively.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said color determining means comprises:

an optical sensor visually cooperating with said annular member, said optical sensor being coupled directly to the vehicle tire and maintaining a direct line of sight with said annular member, said optical sensor generating and transmitting an analog notification signal based upon a color change of said annular member, said analog notification signal having a first data stream identifying a location of the vehicle tire and further having a second data stream identifying the color of said annular member.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said time period determining means comprises:

a timer circuit electrically coupled to said optical sensor, said timer circuit triggering an internal counter when said first color changes to said second color, said timer circuit generating and transmitting a timing data stream to said optical sensor.

7. A vehicle tire wear notification system for warning a driver of low tread depth on the vehicle tires, said tire wear notification system comprising:

an annular member embedded beneath an outer surface of the vehicle tire, said annular member being disposed beneath a tread layer of the vehicle tire such that said annular member is prohibited from being exposed to ambient light when the tread layer has a predetermined minimum thickness, said annular member having photo-chromatic properties such that said annular member changes color when exposed to ambient light;

wherein said annular member has a single and continuous body extending inside an outer perimeter of the vehicle tire, said annular member being equidistantly spaced from the tread layer and monolithically formed with the vehicle tire;

means for determining a color of said annular member, said color determining means being in visual communication with said annular member;

means for determining a time period after which said annular member has transgressed from a first color to a second color;

a display screen mounted on the dashboard, said display screen including a graphical user interface that graphically illustrates a location of the vehicle tire as well as a pictorial illustration of said annular member color; and

a controller housed within a compartment of the vehicle and positioned on a dashboard of the vehicle so that the driver can visually monitor said controller, said controller comprising means for determining a remaining tread depth on the vehicle tire based upon said first color of said annular member and said time period, said tread depth determining means being spaced from the vehicle tire and electrically coupled to a battery of the vehicle and an ignition controller of the vehicle;

wherein said tread depth determining means interrupts power between the vehicle battery and the ignition controller respectively when the annular member has color properties exceeding at least one of a threshold color level and a threshold time period respectively.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said color determining means comprises:

an optical sensor visually cooperating with said annular member, said optical sensor being coupled directly to the vehicle tire and maintaining a direct line of sight with said annular member, said optical sensor generating and transmitting an analog notification signal based upon a color change of said annular member, said analog notification signal having a first data stream identifying a location of the vehicle tire and further having a second data stream identifying the color of said annular member.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said time period determining means comprises:

a timer circuit electrically coupled to said optical sensor, said timer circuit triggering an internal counter when said first color changes to said second color, said timer circuit generating and transmitting a timing data stream to said optical sensor.