Automatic low tire pressure detector

• US 6,571,481 B1
• Filed: 05/16/2000
• Issued: 06/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: JNW Partners Limited
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey N. Weiss
• Inventors: Weiss, Jeffrey N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gutierrez, Diego
• Assistant Examiner(s): Guadalupe, Yaritza
• Application Number:
  US09/514,457
• Time in Patent Office: 1,113 Days
• Field of Search: 333/33, 333/35, 333/36, 333/37, 333/40, 333/47, 333/54, 333/70, 333/71, 332/03, 332/031.8, 333/661.1, 333/661.2, 333/661.3, 333/661.5, 333/662.4, 116/34.R, 340/442, 340/686.1, 340/689, 340/309.15
• US Class Current: 33/203
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/06 Signalling devices actuated by deformation of the tyre , e.g. tyre mounted deformation sensors or indirect determination of tyre deformation based on wheel speed, wheel-centre to ground distance or inclination of wheel axle

Abstract

A device for automatically detecting a change in inclination beyond a threshold level is provided. Preferably the change in inclination results from a reduction of pressure for a tire associated with a vehicle. In the preferred embodiment mercury tilt switches are preferably placed at right angles to each other and are placed at least substantially parallel to the horizontal plane. The contacts of the tilt switch can be at least substantially vertically oriented to further reduce spurious activation. The tilt switches are preferably connected to a timing circuit such that only a preset time duration activation will result in a signal being sent to a notification device, such as a light, sound, or other indication member or device.

Claims

1. A device for automatically detecting a change in inclination beyond a threshold level, comprising:

means for detecting a change in inclination of a portion of a vehicle beyond a threshold level from a reduction of pressure in a tire of the vehicle, said means for detecting attached to the vehicle; and

means for notifying when the change in inclination has remained for a predetermined time period;

wherein said means for detecting comprises;

a first single component inclinometer in communication with said means for notifying;

a second single component inclinometer in communication with said means for notifying, said second single component inclinometer disposed substantially perpendicular to said first single component inclinometer; and

means for activating said means for notifying when a change in inclination remains for a predetermined time period;

wherein when a change in inclination remains for a predetermined time period said first single component inclinometer and said second single component inclinometer permit said means for notifying to be activated by said means for activating.

2. The device or automatically detecting a change in inclination of claim 1 wherein said first single component inclinometer and said second single component inclinometer are mercury tilt switches.

3. The device for automatically detecting a change in inclination of claim 1 wherein said means for notifying comprises:

an indication member; and

a timing circuit in communication with said first single component inclinometer and said second single component inclinometer, said timing circuit activating said indication member only when a change in inclination has lasted for at least a preset time interval defined by said timing circuit.

4. The device for automatically detecting a change in inclination of claim 3 wherein said indication member is a visual display.

5. The device for automatically detecting a change in inclination of claim 3 wherein said indication member is an audible sound producing member.

6. The device for automatically detecting a change in inclination of claim 3 wherein said first single component inclinometer and said second single component inclinometer are mercury tilt switches.

7. The device for automatically detecting a change in inclination of claim 1 wherein said vehicle is a motorized vehicle.

8. A device for automatically detecting a change in inclination for a vehicle beyond a threshold level, said vehicle having a plurality of tires, said device comprising:

a first indication member associated with a first at least one of said plurality of tires;

a second indication member associated with a second at least one of said plurality of tires, said second at least one of said plurality of tires different then said first at least one of said plurality of tires;

a first single component inclinometer having a contacts end and attached to a vehicle;

a second single component inclinometer having a contacts end and attached to the vehicle, said second single component inclinometer disposed substantially parallel with said first single component inclinometer and such that their contact ends are disposed opposite with respect to each other;

a third single component inclinometer having a contacts end and attached to the vehicle, said third single component inclinometer disposed substantially perpendicular with said first single component inclinometer and said second single component inclinometer and such that its contacts end is disposed closest to said first single component inclinometer and said second inclinometer, said first inclinometer and said third single component inclinometer in communication with said first indication member, said second single component inclinometer and said third single component inclinometer in communication with said second indication member;

means for automatically activating an associated indication member from the group of said first indication member and said second indication member when the contacts end of said third single component inclinometer and the contacts end of either said first single component inclinometer or said second single component inclinometer have been closed for at least a preset time interval from a reduction of pressure in a tire.

9. The device for automatically detecting a change in inclination of claim 8 wherein said means for activating comprises:

a timing circuit for defining the preset time interval; and

a power source for energizing either said first indication member or said second indication member when a change in inclination for the vehicle exceeds a threshold level and remains for at least the preset time interval.

10. The device for automatically detecting a change in inclination of claim 9 wherein said power source is a battery.

11. The device for automatically detecting a change in inclination of claim 8 wherein said first single component inclinometer, said second single component inclinometer and said third single component inclinometer are mercury tilt switches.

12. The device for automatically detecting a change inclination of claim 8 wherein said first indication member is a first light emitting diode and said second indication member is a second light emitting diode.

13. The device for automatically detecting a change in inclination of claim 12 wherein said first light emitting diode and said second light emitting diode are incorporated into a display.

14. The device for automatically detecting a change in inclination of claim 8 further including a substantially rigid housing;

wherein said first single component inclinometer, said second single component inclinometer and said third single component inclinometer are disposed within said housing.

15. The device for automatically detecting a change in inclination of claim 14 wherein said housing having a body member attached to a non wheel or tire portion of said vehicle.

16. The device for automatically detecting a change in inclination of claim 8 wherein said vehicle is a motorized vehicle.

17. A device for automatically detecting a change in inclination for a vehicle beyond a threshold level, said vehicle having a plurality of tires, said device comprising:

a first indication member associated with a first at least one tire of said plurality of tires;

a second indication member associated with a second at least one tire of said plurality of tires, said second at least one of said plurality of tires different then said first at least one of said plurality of tires;

a third indication member associated with a third at least one tire of said plurality of tires, said third at least one of said plurality of tires different then said first at least one of said plurality of tires and said second at least one of said plurality of tires;

a fourth indication member associated with a fourth at least one tire of said plurality of tires, said fourth at least one of said plurality of tires different then said first at least one of said plurality of tires, said second at least one of said plurality of tires and said third at least one of said plurality of tires;

a first single component inclinometer having a contacts end and attached to a vehicle;

a second single component inclinometer having a contacts end and attached to the vehicle, said second single component inclinometer disposed substantially parallel with said first single component inclinometer and such that their contact ends are disposed opposite with respect to each other;

a third single component inclinometer having a contacts end and attached to the vehicle, said third single component inclinometer disposed substantially perpendicular to said first single component inclinometer and said second single component inclinometer and such that its contacts end is disposed closest to said first single component inclinometer and said second single component inclinometer, said first single component inclinometer and said third single component inclinometer in communication with said first indication member, said second single component inclinometer and said third single component inclinometer in communication with said second indication member;

a fourth single component inclinometer having a contacts end and attached to the vehicle, said fourth single component inclinometer disposed substantially perpendicular to said first single component inclinometer and said second single component inclinometer and such that its contacts end is disposed furthest to said first single component inclinometer and said second single component inclinometer, said fourth single component inclinometer disposed substantially parallel with said third single component inclinometer, said first single component inclinometer and said fourth single component inclinometer in communication with said third indication member, said second single component inclinometer and said fourth single component inclinometer in communication with said fourth indication member;

means for automatically activating an associated indication member from the group of said first indication member, said second indication member, said third indication member and said fourth indication member when the contacts end of either said first single component inclinometer or said second single component inclinometer and the contacts end of either said third single component inclinometer or said fourth single component inclinometer have been closed for at least a preset time interval from a reduction of pressure in a tire of a vehicle.

18. The device for automatically detecting a change in inclination of claim 17 wherein said means for activating comprises:

a timing circuit for defining the preset time interval; and

a power source for energizing either said first indication member, said second indication member, said third indication member or said fourth indication member when a change in inclination for the vehicle exceeds a threshold level and remains for at least the preset time interval.

19. The device for automatically detecting a change in inclination of claim 18 wherein said power source is a battery.

20. The device for automatically detecting a change in inclination of claim 17 wherein said first single component inclinometer, said second single component inclinometer, said third single component inclinometer and said fourth single component inclinometer are mercury tilt switches.

21. The device for automatically detecting a change in inclination of claim 17 wherein said first indication member is a first light emitting diode, said second indication member is a second light emitting diode, said third indication member is a third light emitting diode and said fourth indication member is a fourth light emitting diode.

22. The device for automatically detecting a change in inclination of claim 21 wherein said first light emitting diode, said second light emitting diode, said third light emitting diode and said fourth light emitting diode are incorporated into a display.

23. The device for automatically detecting a change in inclination of claim 17 further including a substantially rigid housing;

wherein said first single component inclinometer, said second single component inclinometer, said third single component inclinometer and said fourth single component inclinometer are disposed within said housing.

24. The device for automatically detecting a change in inclination of claim 23 wherein said housing having a body member attached to a non wheel or tire portion of said vehicle.

25. The device for automatically detecting a change in inclination of claim 17 wherein said vehicle is a motorized vehicle.

26. A device for automatically detecting a reduction in tire pressure for a tire of a vehicle beyond a threshold level, comprising:

single component inclinometer means for detecting a reduction of pressure in a tire of a vehicle beyond a threshold level, said single component inclinometer means for detecting attached to a vehicle; and

means for automatically notifying when the change in reduction of pressure in a tire detected by said inclinometer means has remained for a predetermined time period.

27. The device for automatically detecting a change in inclination of claim 26 wherein said vehicle is a motorized vehicle.