Re-usable tire monitor assembly

• US 8,931,334 B1
• Filed: 10/23/2013
• Issued: 01/13/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jimmie E. Dudley Jr
• Original Assignee: Jimmie E. Dudley Jr
• Inventors: Dudley, Jimmie E. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): ALLEN, ANDRE J
• Application Number:
  US14/060,836
• Time in Patent Office: 447 Days
• Field of Search: 73146-1468
• US Class Current: 73/146.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 11/243 Tread wear sensors, e.g. electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 11/246 Tread wear monitoring systems

Abstract

A re-usable tire monitor assembly for detecting wear of the tire includes a band that is selectively coupled to the tire on a vehicle. A processor is coupled to the band. A first sensor is coupled to the band. The first processor is operationally coupled to the processor so the first sensor monitors wear of the tire. A second sensor is coupled to the band. The second sensor is operationally coupled to the processor so the second sensor monitors wear of the tire. A first transceiver is operationally coupled to the band. The first transceiver is operationally coupled to the processor. A remote unit may be carried by a user. A second transceiver is coupled to the remote unit. The second transceiver is operationally coupled to the first transceiver so the first transceiver communicates information about the tire to the second transceiver.

Claims

1. A re-usable tire monitor assembly for detecting wear of the tire, said assembly comprising:

a band selectively coupled to the tire on a vehicle;

a processor coupled to said band;

a first sensor coupled to said band, said first processor being operationally coupled to said processor wherein said first sensor monitors wear of the tire;

a second sensor coupled to said band, said second sensor being operationally coupled to said processor wherein said second sensor monitors wear of the tire;

a first transceiver operationally coupled to said band, said first transceiver being operationally coupled to said processor;

a remote unit configured to be carried by a user; and

a second transceiver coupled to said remote unit, said second transceiver being operationally coupled to said first transceiver wherein said first transceiver communicates information about the tire to said second transceiver.

2. The assembly according to claim 1 further comprising said band being elongated along a longitudinal axis extending between a first end and a second end of said band.

3. The assembly according to claim 1 further comprising said first sensor being coupled to a top side of said band.

4. The assembly according to claim 1 further comprising said first sensor being electrically coupled to said processor.

5. The assembly according to claim 1 further comprising said first sensor being one of a plurality of said first sensors being evenly distributed between a first end and a second end of said band.

6. The assembly according to claim 1 further comprising said second sensor being coupled to a top side of said band wherein said second sensor is positioned on said first sensor.

7. The assembly according to claim 1 further comprising said second sensor being electrically coupled to said processor.

8. The assembly according to claim 1 further comprising said second sensor being one of a plurality of said second sensors being evenly distributed between a first end and a second end of said band.

9. The assembly according to claim 1 further comprising said first transceiver being electrically coupled to said processor.

10. The assembly according to claim 1 further comprising said band being positionable on an inside surface of the tire wherein said first and second sensors abut the inside surface of the tire.

11. The assembly according to claim 1 further comprising said band being one of a plurality of said bands.

12. The assembly according to claim 11 further comprising said plurality of said bands comprising a plurality of sets of said bands.

13. The assembly according to claim 12 further comprising said plurality of sets of said bands comprising a pair of said bands.

14. The assembly according to claim 13 further comprising each of said plurality of sets of said bands being positionable on an associated one of a plurality of tires on the vehicle.

15. The assembly according to claim 14 further comprising each of said pair of bands in said plurality of sets of bands being positionable proximate an associated one of a first lateral side and a second lateral side of an associated one of the plurality of tires.

16. The assembly according to claim 1 further comprising said second transceiver being in electromagnetic communication with said first transceiver.

17. The assembly according to claim 1 further comprising:

a power supply coupled to said band;

said power supply being electrically coupled to said processor; and

said power supply comprising at least one battery.

18. A re-usable tire monitor assembly for detecting wear of the tire, said assembly comprising:

a band selectively coupled to the tire on a vehicle, said band being elongated along a longitudinal axis extending between a first end and a second end of said band;

a processor coupled to said band;

a first sensor coupled to a top side of said band, said first sensor being electrically coupled to said processor wherein said first sensor monitors wear of the tire, said first sensor being one of a plurality of said first sensors being evenly distributed between said first end and said second end of said band;

a second sensor coupled to said top side of said band wherein said second sensor is positioned on said first sensor, said second sensor being electrically coupled to said processor wherein said second sensor monitors wear of the tire, said second sensor being one of a plurality of said second sensors being evenly distributed between said first end and said second end of said band;

a first transceiver operationally coupled to said band, said first transceiver being electrically coupled to said processor;

said band being positionable on an inside surface of the tire wherein said first and second sensors abut the inside surface of the tire;

said band being one of a plurality of said bands, said plurality of said bands comprising a plurality of sets of said bands, said plurality of sets of said bands comprising a pair of said bands;

each of said plurality of sets of said bands being positionable on an associated one of a plurality of tires on the vehicle;

each of said pair of bands in said plurality of sets of bands being positionable proximate an associated one of a first lateral side and a second lateral side of an associated one of the plurality of tires;

a power supply coupled to said band, said power supply being electrically coupled to said processor, said power supply comprising at least one battery;

a remote unit configured to be carried by a user; and

a second transceiver coupled to said remote unit, said second transceiver being in electromagnetic communication with said first transceiver wherein said first transceiver communicates information about the tire to said second transceiver.