Monitoring device attachment to rubber valve stems
First Claim
1. A package for a tire sensor, the package comprising:
- a package body configured for packaging a tire sensor;
an attachment member connected to said package body and configured for attaching said package securely to a snap-in tire valve stem by disposing said attachment member in a flexible bore of said snap-in tire valve stem;
wherein said attachment member is configured to engage securely with an inner wall of said flexible bore of said snap-in tire valve stem;
wherein said snap-in tire valve stem comprises a flexible body through which said flexible bore passes and a valve assembly in communication with said flexible bore;
wherein said attachment member has a package passage capable of being in communication with said flexible bore and with an interior of a tire, whereby air can pass through said package passage and said flexible bore to inflate or deflate said tire.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Tire sensor packaging capable of being installed on a standard snap-in tire valve stem is provided. The sensor package includes an attachment member capable of being disposed in the flexible bore of a snap-in tire valve stem, and of securely engaging with the inner wall of the flexible bore. The attachment member can be an integral part of the sensor package, or it can be a separate part that acts as an expansion device (e.g., an expansion nut) when engaged with the sensor package. Preferably, the attachment member includes features, such as barbs, to provide more secure engagement with the tire valve stem. Packages according to embodiments of the invention include a package passage (e.g., a channel or a bore) to permit the flow of air past the sensor, so that the tire can be inflated or deflated. Sensors can be attached to the tire valve stem before or after the tire valve stem is installed in the wheel.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A package for a tire sensor, the package comprising:
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a package body configured for packaging a tire sensor; an attachment member connected to said package body and configured for attaching said package securely to a snap-in tire valve stem by disposing said attachment member in a flexible bore of said snap-in tire valve stem; wherein said attachment member is configured to engage securely with an inner wall of said flexible bore of said snap-in tire valve stem; wherein said snap-in tire valve stem comprises a flexible body through which said flexible bore passes and a valve assembly in communication with said flexible bore; wherein said attachment member has a package passage capable of being in communication with said flexible bore and with an interior of a tire, whereby air can pass through said package passage and said flexible bore to inflate or deflate said tire. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A sensor and valve assembly for a tire, the assembly comprising:
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a snap-in tire valve stem comprising a valve assembly disposed within a flexible body, wherein said flexible body has a flexible bore within it and in communication with said valve assembly; a tire sensor package comprising a package body configured for packaging a tire sensor and an attachment member connected to said package body and configured for attaching said package securely to said snap-in tire valve stem by disposing said attachment member in said flexible bore of said snap-in tire valve stem; wherein said attachment member is configured to securely engage with an inner wall of said flexible bore of said snap-in tire valve stem; wherein said attachment member has a package passage capable of being in communication with said flexible bore and with an interior of a tire, whereby air can pass through said package passage and said flexible bore to inflate or deflate said tire. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of affixing a tire sensor to a wheel, the method comprising:
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providing a snap-in tire valve stem comprising a valve assembly disposed within a flexible body, wherein said flexible body has a flexible bore within it and in communication with said valve assembly; disposing said snap-in tire valve stem in a valve stem aperture of a wheel on which a tire can be mounted; providing a tire sensor package comprising a package body configured for packaging a tire sensor and an attachment member connected to said package body and configured for attaching said package securely to said snap-in tire valve stem by disposing said attachment member in said flexible bore of said snap-in tire valve stem; disposing said attachment member of said tire sensor package in said flexible bore of said snap-in tire valve stem; wherein said attachment member has a package passage capable of being in communication with said flexible bore and with an interior of a tire, whereby air can pass through said package passage and said flexible bore to inflate or deflate said tire. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification