With Gauge Or Indicator Patents (Class 137/227)
  • Patent number: 11917934
    Abstract: An agricultural machine includes one or more tires, a detector to detect a low pressure state in which a pressure of one of the tires is lower than a reference range or a high pressure state in which the tire pressure is higher than the reference range, and a controller to control an operation of at least one of the agricultural machine and an additional agricultural machine to be linked to the agricultural machine. One of the agricultural machine and the additional agricultural machine is a work vehicle that is capable of self-driving, and the other one is an implement to be linked to the work vehicle. The controller causes, in response to detection of the low or high pressure state, at least one of the agricultural machines to perform a specific operation that is different from an operation to be performed when the pressure is in the reference range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryo Kurata, Junichi Yuasa
  • Patent number: 11835408
    Abstract: A pressure gauge includes a housing, a helical tube, and a compensation member. The housing has an inlet. The helical tube is arranged within the housing and has a closed end and an open end, the open end of the helical tube in fluid communication with the inlet. The compensation member is arranged between the between the open end and the closed end of the helical tube, the compensation member fixed to the helical tube. The compensation member and the helical tube are formed from materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion to limit movement of the closed end of the helical tube due to temperature change of a compressed fluid in fluid communication with the helical tube. Pressure vessel assemblies and methods of displaying pressure in pressure vessels are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Thomas Carl Kjellman
  • Patent number: 11724671
    Abstract: An air pressure maintenance apparatus and method uses one or more high-pressure gas storage tanks coupled to an inflation hose via a calibrated rigid measurement chamber and automated system of valves to permit rapid inflation of a tire or other inflatable device to an accurate target pressure accounting for temperature effects, and recording accurate pre- and post-inflation pressure for analysis of deflation over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Leonhard LLC
    Inventor: Michael Anthony Lo Presti
  • Patent number: 11654732
    Abstract: An inflation viewing device has a main body which is externally provided with a transparent viewing portion and internally provided with an inner passage where an air path assembly is arranged. An air entrance connector is operatively connected to an external air source and to a first end of the main body. An air exit connector is connected to a second, opposed end of the main body and to an inflation valve. A guide spacer is provided between the air entrance connector and the main body. The guide spacer has an inner passage having a wider section in communication with the inner passage of the main body and a reduced section defining a communication opening with the air entrance connector. A filter is arranged in the communication opening. A plunger, biased by a spring, is slidably arranged within the inner passage of the guide spacer and guide section of the main body inner passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: COL-VEN S.A.
    Inventors: Primo Antonio Colussi, Natalio Domingo Venica
  • Patent number: 11592038
    Abstract: Provided is a regulator unit that when a pressure is set with respect to a workpiece having a certain weight, can be used for raising/lowering, suspension, or the like of a workpiece having a weight exceeding the weight with the set pressure maintained. The regulator unit is disposed between a drive cylinder and a fluid pressure source and includes a regulator body and a pressure control mechanism connected to the regulator body. The pressure control mechanism includes a cylindrical housing, an end surface cover, and an operation handle fixed to an end of a screw rod protruding from the end surface cover. The end surface cover is fixed to a resin ring fitted to an end of the cylindrical housing and is slidingly rotatable with respect to the end surface of the cylindrical housing integrally with the resin ring in accordance with the amount of turn of the operation handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: TAIKOH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasuharu Asai
  • Patent number: 11480487
    Abstract: Provided is an air sensor, coupled to an air inlet of an air-filled product that is filled with air to maintain a shape thereof, the air sensor including: a connector coupled to the air inlet and communicated with an interior of the air-filled product, thereby allowing air in the air-filled product to be introduced into an interior of the connector; a silicon sensor provided inside the connector, thereby being operated by air pressure of the air-filled product; an impact sensor configured to detect an impact caused by an operation of the silicon sensor; and a PCB connected to the impact sensor, thereby displaying the number of times according to a detection signal of the impact sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: AIR BOX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Byung Joo Kim
  • Patent number: 11052712
    Abstract: A tire inflation viewing device that enables to view the proper operation of the inflation arrangements and that, in turn, enables to determine which of all of the tires is being inflated and has an air leak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: COL-VEN S.A.
    Inventors: Primo Antonio Colussi, Natalio Domingo Venica
  • Patent number: 10974800
    Abstract: A self inflating float assembly includes a tube that is comprised of a resiliently expandable material. The tube has an air port extending into an interior of the tube thereby facilitating the tube to self inflate. Additionally, the tube is comprised of a fluid impermeable thereby facilitating the tube to float when the tube is inflated for performing as a personal floatation device. A valve is rotatably coupled to the air port. The valve is positionable in an open condition thereby facilitating air to pass through the air port for inflating or deflating the tube. The valve is positionable in a closed condition thereby inhibiting air from passing through the air port for retaining the tube at a selected degree of inflation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventor: Glenn Duthie
  • Patent number: 10421662
    Abstract: A groove is provided at an outer side of an outer wall of a pressure sensor in a radial direction, and opens at one end side in an axial direction of the pressure sensor. A horizontally extending stopper is provided at an inner wall of a sensor accommodation recessed portion. A fixing portion is provided on the outer side of the outer wall of the pressure sensor in the radial direction, and enters the stopper. The fixing portion protrudes outward in the radial direction from the outer wall of the pressure sensor accommodated in the accommodation recessed portion, and contacts the stopper in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: NIDEC TOSOK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoka Osawa, Hironobu Wakabayashi, Toshiaki Nakamura, Hiroshi Tatsuta
  • Patent number: 10316978
    Abstract: A tire valve unit includes a tire valve and a sensor unit. The tire valve includes a valve stem and a rubber body located on the periphery of the valve stem. The sensor unit includes a sensor mounted on a wheel and a housing that accommodates the sensor and is secured to the tire valve. The tire valve unit is mounted on the wheel by press-fitting the tire valve into a mounting hole in the wheel. The body includes an attaching portion. The tire valve includes an attaching projection that projects in the axial direction of the tire valve from the inside of the attaching portion toward the outside. The tire valve unit further includes a fixture that secures the attaching projection to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: PACIFIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hirotake Mori
  • Patent number: 10160268
    Abstract: A central tire pressure monitoring system interfaces with a tire inflation system to check the pressure in all of the tires of a trailer of a heavy-duty vehicle at a single interface location on the trailer, without the need to provide power to the trailer. The tire inflation system includes a source of pressurized air, at least one tire, a pneumatic conduit extending between and fluidly connecting the source of pressurized air to the tire, and a controller fluidly connected to the conduit. The monitoring system includes a monitoring valve fluidly connected to the conduit between the controller and the tire. The monitoring valve includes a port, and a test tool selectively fluidly connects to the monitoring valve port to enable air flow from the tire to the test tool. An indicator fluidly connects to the test tool and provides a reading of a pneumatic pressure in the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Phillippi R. Pierce, Matt J. Wilson
  • Patent number: 9310228
    Abstract: A compressed air indicator includes a housing having a pair of fittings and at least one (1) external pressure status window. The housing allows an “in-line” connection to an air line allowing compressed air to pass through. Once connected, movable indicator sleeves within the housing are visible through any window. The indicator sleeves are acted upon and correspondingly positioned relative to each window based upon “pressure” or “no-pressure” conditions within the air line and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Inventor: James E. Rapp
  • Patent number: 9104994
    Abstract: An organization attribute estimation device includes a software information acquisition unit that acquires software information indicating, for each information processing apparatus used in a certain department of an organization, software used in the information processing apparatus, and a department estimation unit that specifies an estimated class of the certain department on the basis of the software information acquired by the software information acquisition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takao Matsuoka
  • Publication number: 20150136244
    Abstract: A wheel module for a tire pressure monitoring system includes an inflation valve of the “snap-in” type and an electronic casing fixed thereto in a reversible manner. This valve is produced from a resiliently deformable material and includes a valve body and a metal conduit extending therethrough for introducing inflation air. The valve body has a first end provided with a thread for receiving a closure cap and a second end with a hollow metal fixing rod provided with notches fixed thereto. The electronic casing is slidingly mounted on the fixing rod and includes an element for blocking the position of the casing relative to the valve in a reversible manner. The blocking element includes a substantially U-shaped metal wire, a first end and a second end of which are inserted below retention lugs produced on the same face of the casing. This metal wire is insertable into the notches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Christian Kempf
  • Publication number: 20150034169
    Abstract: A system and method for inflating an inflatable device is disclosed. The system includes an inflation cylinder configured to hold a gas mixture under pressure, a heating element configured to selectively heat the gas mixture and a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the gas mixture. A control module is coupled to the heating element and the temperature sensor. The the control module controls heating of the gas mixture based on the measured temperature, a mass of the gas mixture and a volume of the inflation cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Jayant V. Deshpande, Wilfred Ray McBurnett, III
  • Patent number: 8844347
    Abstract: An insert apparatus for installing a transducer assembly in a sensor port of a flow cell is disclosed. The transducer assembly is installed in the cavity of the insert body without the use of glues or adhesives to bond the transducer assembly to the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lei Sui, Nicholas Joseph Mollo, Benjamin Edward McDonald, Toan Huu Nguyen, Solomon Feldman, Nicholas Anderson Hobbs, Ganesh Devkar, John Austin True, Mykhaylo Barsukov
  • Publication number: 20140283923
    Abstract: The electronic unit includes an inflation valve adapted to be secured to a wheel rim and including an abutment head against the rim, extending in the continuation of which are a rigid tube, an electronic module mounted in a slidable manner along the tube, and elements for the relative locking in translation of the module along the tube, defining at least two positions of relative locking, each adapted to correspond to a preselected thickness of the rim intended to be equipped with the unit. The module and abutment head include two complementary front faces adapted in order to come into correspondence at a predetermined minimum distance from each other that is identical for all the preselected widths of rims intended to be equipped with the unit. Optical tracking devices are provided to permit verification of whether the distance separating the two complementary front faces corresponds to the predetermined minimum distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicants: Continental Automotive GmbH, Continental Automotive France
    Inventor: Christian Kempf
  • Patent number: 8701697
    Abstract: A pneumatic system includes a first line, a second line, and a valve. The first line is configured to be connected to a container, and to convey a flow of gas from a source to the container. The second line is arranged co-axially with the first line and is in communication with gas in the container. The valve is connected in series with the first line, between the source and the container. Furthermore, the valve is in communication with the second line and is configured to control the flow of gas through the first line as a function of a characteristic of the gas in the container, as communicated by the second line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Techmaster Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Radosevic
  • Patent number: 8651144
    Abstract: A valve cap includes an internally threaded cap; a sleeve including external threads and an internal passage; a flexible, spring biased insert including a conic top in the passage of the sleeve for blocking, and a transverse bottom groove; a hollow first cylinder including external threads threadedly secured to the cap, internal threads secured to the external threads of the sleeve, and an internal passage; a hollow second cylinder including external threads, lower internal threads, and an internal passage; a moveable, flexible insert member including a conic top, a stem, and a transverse bottom groove; and a hollow, cylindrical positioning member including an axial channel and external threads threadedly secured to the internal threads of the insert member. Groove of the insert member communicates with both the channel of the positioning member and inside of the second cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Yao-Sha Tsai
  • Publication number: 20130299007
    Abstract: Described is a device (51) for monitoring the state of inflation of vehicle wheel tyres, the wheels comprising a rim (100) and a respective tyre (101) delimiting a hollow space (103) inside the wheel from the outside environment (104).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Barbalab S.r.I.
    Inventor: Marco Faretra
  • Patent number: 8511332
    Abstract: A valve of the “Snap-In” type is intended to be mounted directly on the rim of a vehicle wheel fitted with a “tubeless” tire. The valve is secured to the rim through which it passes via a groove produced at the base of a bulb extended by a rubbery coating of an internal nozzle of the valve. The groove collaborates elastically with a hole in the rim, on the periphery of which hole it becomes lodged, the mass or the volume of the bulb being smaller in its region (A) toward the interior of the rim by comparison with its region (B) directed toward the exterior, this reduction taking place near the groove intended to collaborate with the hole in the rim, both in the part thereof that surrounds the nozzle and in the part thereof that is in contact with the bottom of the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Schrader SAS
    Inventor: Aurelien Robert
  • Patent number: 8474475
    Abstract: A valve arrangement (1) comprising a valve body (2) for inflating and deflating a vehicle tire and comprising a measuring device (8) for measuring the tire pressure, in which the measuring device (8) is secured on the valve body (2) against axial movement in a pulling direction (Z) away from the valve body (2) by a securing element. The securing element has a profiled element (15) with a fixing element (20) acting on the valve body (2). Furthermore, a construction kit for such a valve arrangement is provided. The profiled element can connect the valve body (2) in a signal-conducting manner to an electronic transmitting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Alligator Ventilfabrik GmbH
    Inventors: Renato Palaoro, Andreas Gerstenlauer
  • Patent number: 8418713
    Abstract: A mobile tire inflator includes a control panel, multiple air passages, an inflation valve, a discharge valve and a pressure sensor. The user can control the operation of the inflation valve and the discharge valve automatically or manually by through a control panel, and switch between the automatic mode and the manual mode during operation. Matching with the operation of the pressure sensor, the mobile tire inflator achieves accurate tire pressure inflation and discharge and has the advantages of operation flexibility and high mobility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventor: Raymond Huang
  • Patent number: 8402988
    Abstract: The specification discloses a tire inflation pressure regulator facilitating precise tire inflation. The regulator includes a body, a two-position valve within the body, and a rotational lock. The body includes an air inlet, an air outlet, and an air vent. In one position, the valve directs air from the air inlet to the air outlet when the tire pressure is below a preset level; and, in a second position, the valve directs air from the air inlet to the air vent when the tire pressure exceeds the preset level to prevent overfilling. The valve moves rapidly between the two positions, and is unstable between the two positions. The valve includes a regulator enabling the preset level to be adjusted. The rotational lock enables the regulator to be screwed onto a tire stem, but prevents removal of the regulator from the tire stem without a key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Flow-Rite Controls, Ltd.
    Inventor: Daniel N. Campau
  • Patent number: 8393221
    Abstract: A ball pressure gauge for measuring magnitude of an air pressure in an inflatable ball includes: a probe being configured to pierce into the ball; an air-pressure indicator being configured to move according to the magnitude of the air pressure; a gauge body being provided with a set of air-pressure scale for the air-pressure indicator to point and indicate the magnitude of the air pressure as a numeral value; and at least one ball-specific recommended pressure dial being set alongside the air-pressure scale and including segments representing ranges of applicable air pressures for different types of balls. Thereby, the ball pressure gauge informs a user rapidly and directly of ball-specific appropriateness of the measured air pressure, so that the user can instantly adjust the air pressure to optimization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Chemical Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei-Chao Yang, Chin-Chu Huang, Sy-Tyng Hwang
  • Patent number: 8393349
    Abstract: A tire air valve having the function of indicating tire pressure includes an air valve casing having an inner center post orderly installed thereon with a lower locking block, a first spring, an upper locking block and a second spring. A fixed member is secured on the upper locking block, and a cap is covered on the air valve casing and provided with an upper indicating member, a third spring, a lower indicating member and a locking ring. The upper indicating member has an outer wall formed into a low pressure region and a warning region, while the lower indicating member has an outer wall formed into a safety region. The upper and the lower locking block can completely seal up the air valve to prevent air from leaking, and a driver can judge whether tire pressure is normal by visual observation through the cap on the air valve casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: Kuo Shiung Chen
  • Patent number: 8373551
    Abstract: A tire pressure sensor is provided having a housing, a pressure transducer within the housing electronically coupled to a transmitter, a battery within the housing connected to deliver electrical power to the pressure transducer and to the transmitter, and a pressurized compartment within the housing bounded at least partially by a flexible membrane. A first conduit extends from the pressure transducer to the compartment. An inlet port extends through the housing to allow pressurized air within the tire to contact the membrane. In particular embodiments, the pressure transducer, transmitter and battery are rubber coated and encapsulated with epoxy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Rimex Supply Ltd.
    Inventors: David Norman Laird, Pawel Miskiewicz, Darryl Dean Wasilenkoff, Christopher George Demetrioff
  • Patent number: 8360276
    Abstract: A manual inflator having a status indicator that indicates whether a fully-charged, unspent gas cylinder has been installed on the inflator. The status indicator comprises a “single point” indicator having an indicator window that displays the color “green” when the automatic inflator is fully operational or the color “red” when the inflator is at least partially inoperable automatically due to the removal of the gas cylinder or due to the firing of the inflator resulting in a spent gas cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Halkey-Roberts Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen J. Rogier, Lyman W. Fawcett, Jr., Alan D. King
  • Publication number: 20120312389
    Abstract: An electronic unit includes an inflation valve (2) designed to be attached to a wheel rim (J) and an electronic module (1) assembled with the inflation valve. The inflation valve includes a rigid tube (12) extending in the extension of the valve, on the periphery of which is formed at least one transversal detent (20, 21), and the electronic module is attached to a ring (15) slideably mounted around the rigid tube. A latch plate (22) having a locking tooth (24) for insertion into a transversal detent, is mounted on the electronic module with a capacity to travel between a locking position and an unlocking position, the latch plate being associated with elastic elements designed, in the absence of stresses, to exert a force maintaining the latch plate in its locking position, and, upon an action exerted on these elastic elements, to displace this latch plate to its unlocking position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicants: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE
    Inventor: Christian Kempf
  • Publication number: 20120279582
    Abstract: A tire air valve having the function of indicating tire pressure includes an air valve casing having an inner center post orderly installed thereon with a lower locking block, a first spring, an upper locking block and a second spring. A fixed member is secured on the upper locking block, and a cap is covered on the air valve casing and provided with an upper indicating member, a third spring, a lower indicating member and a locking ring. The upper indicating member has an outer wall formed into a low pressure region and a warning region, while the lower indicating member has an outer wall formed into a safety region. The upper and the lower locking block can completely seal up the air valve to prevent air from leaking, and a driver can judge whether tire pressure is normal by visual observation through the cap on the air valve casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventor: Kuo-Shiung Chen
  • Patent number: 8267666
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a valve housing having an inlet port, a first chamber with a first outlet port, and a second chamber with a second outlet port. A first valve opens between the inlet port and the first chamber under a first level of pneumatic pressure at the inlet port. A second valve opens between the first chamber and the second chamber under a second, greater level of pneumatic pressure in the first chamber. A third valve opens between the second chamber and the first chamber under a third level of pneumatic pressure in the second chamber, with the third level being less than the first level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Campbell Hausfeld/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Christopher Gruber, David O. Shumate, James W. Happe, Jr., Steven R. Salmons, Jeffrey P. VanHorn
  • Patent number: 8196615
    Abstract: A device and method of using a liquid/air pressure testing tool to assist in testing and repairing liquid-filled agricultural tires is herein disclosed. The device provides a valving arrangement to allow alternating fluid transfer and air backfilling of a fluid-filled agricultural tire. The device utilizes quick-disconnect fittings providing quick in-line installation therebetween a fluid pump and a fluid filled tire. The device provides an inline ball valve and an isolation valve, thereby providing isolation of a pumping source and an air back-filling means, respectively. During fluid filling of a tire, the isolation valve allows monitoring of internal tire pressure using a common pressure gauge without removing the device or disconnecting any attached hoses. The device thus eliminates repeated steps when testing or repairing large fluid-filled tires as used on farm tractors and other agricultural machinery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Inventor: Jim Browarny
  • Patent number: 8113234
    Abstract: The specification discloses a tire inflation pressure regulator facilitating precise tire inflation. The regulator includes a body, a two-position valve within the body, and a rotational lock. The body includes an air inlet, an air outlet, and an air vent. In one position, the valve directs air from the air inlet to the air outlet when the tire pressure is below a preset level; and, in a second position, the valve directs air from the air inlet to the air vent when the tire pressure exceeds the preset level to prevent overfilling. The valve moves rapidly between the two positions, and is unstable between the two positions. The valve includes a regulator enabling the preset level to be adjusted. The rotational lock enables the regulator to be screwed onto a tire stem, but prevents removal of the regulator from the tire stem without a key. The regulator preferably includes a cap removably sealed over the air inlet and the air vent to prevent the undesired loss of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Flow-Rite Controls, Ltd.
    Inventor: Daniel N. Campau
  • Publication number: 20110100480
    Abstract: A mobile tire inflator includes a control panel, multiple air passages, an inflation valve, a discharge valve and a pressure sensor. The user can control the operation of the inflation valve and the discharge valve automatically or manually by means of the control panel, switch between the automatic mode and the manual mode during operation. Matching with the operation of the pressure sensor, the mobile tire inflator achieves accurate tire pressure inflation and discharge and has the advantages of operation flexibility and high mobility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Raymond Huang
  • Patent number: 7870866
    Abstract: A valve stem assembly for clamping tire pressure detector has a valve stem and a fastener. The valve stem has an outer section and an inner section. The inner section has a distal end, an outlet hole, a sidewall and a side fixing hole. The distal end has a domical surface. The outlet hole is centrally formed through the domical surface. The side fixing hole is formed in the inner section, is oblique to the outlet hole and communicates with the outlet hole inside the inner section. The fastener corresponds to the outlet hole and the side fixing hole and is selectively and detachably and selectively screwed into the outlet hole or the side fixing hole to hold a tire pressure detector on the valve stem assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Orange Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hung-Chih Yu
  • Publication number: 20110000550
    Abstract: A manual inflator having a status indicator that indicates whether a fully-charged, unspent gas cylinder has been installed on the inflator. The status indicator comprises a “single point” indicator having an indicator window that displays the color “green” when the automatic inflator is fully operational or the color “red” when the inflator is at least partially inoperable automatically due to the removal of the gas cylinder or due to the firing of the inflator resulting in a spent gas cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Stephen J. Rogier, Lyman W. Fawcett, JR., Alan D. King
  • Publication number: 20090229676
    Abstract: A valve arrangement (1) comprising a valve body (2) for inflating and deflating a vehicle tire and comprising a measuring device (8) for measuring the tire pressure, in which the measuring device (8) is secured on the valve body (2) against axial movement in a pulling direction (Z) away from the valve body (2) by a securing element. The securing element has a profiled element (15) with a fixing element (20) acting on the valve body (2). Furthermore, a construction kit for such a valve arrangement is provided. The profiled element can connect the valve body (2) in a signal-conducting manner to an electronic transmitting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: ALLIGATOR VENTILFABRIK GMBH
    Inventors: Renato Palaoro, Andreas Gerstenlauer
  • Publication number: 20090145518
    Abstract: A tire inflation apparatus for inflating a tire mounted on a rim comprises an inflation head mounted to a moveable inflation shaft of a head position cylinder and an assist cylinder mounted to a frame member, with the frame member and assist cylinder positioned above the inflation location. The assist cylinder includes a moveable assist shaft operatively connected to the inflation shaft by a moveable cross member whereby the head position cylinder and assist cylinder cooperatively operate to selectively position the inflation head. The inflation head is positioned in a retracted position by vertical upward extension of the assist shaft and positioned in a tire engaging position by vertical downward retraction of the assist shaft. A fluid passage in the inflation shaft may deliver pressurized gas into a tire inflation cavity of the inflation head for inflating a tire when the inflation head is sealed against the tire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: Burke E. Porter Machinery Company
    Inventor: Mark S. Hoenke
  • Publication number: 20080302425
    Abstract: A valve stem for mounting and supporting a tire pressure monitoring assembly includes a flange formed after insertion into the wheel rim for preventing movement caused by forces generated during wheel rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Hettle, Jean-Christophe Deniau, Franz Hillenmayer, Christain Kempf, Francois Gory
  • Publication number: 20080276995
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Curtis A. Ray, Michael Malaga
  • Patent number: 7353702
    Abstract: A valve for a tire with a simple structure and a low cost is easily made for monitoring the pressure of the tire through an indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Inventors: Yen-Ching Lin, Yuan-Chun Lin
  • Patent number: 7320345
    Abstract: An air inflation device is a pass-thru vehicle tire inflation device. It ensures exact air pressure without the use of an air gauge. It works by attaching to a tire valve, and then to an existing air supply, such as those found at gas stations, and utilizing an internal pressure relief valve that is pre-set to exact PSI recommendations. This means that the inflation device will put only the amount of air needed in every tire without having to use a pressure gauge. Air moves through an internal air chamber constructed of plastic or rubber tubes that runs through the nozzle to the head that attaches to the valve of the tire. A plastic valve located on the back of the apparatus connects to any existing air supply. A pressure relief valve is integrated into the bottom of the nozzle that ensures that the exact PSI recommendations are maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Inventors: Tim Matthews, Joshua A. Matthews, Howard Ashcraft
  • Patent number: 7104274
    Abstract: There is an apparatus for regulating air flow into a rim mounted pneumatic vehicle tire. The apparatus has an elongated valve housing 1? with an inlet end 1A?, an outlet end 2? and a central portion between the outlet and inlet. The outlet end includes a rim insertion portion 3? configured to fit into an aperture in the tire rim. There is a piston 8? disposed within the housing. The piston includes a valve member 19?. A coil spring 22? acts between the housing and piston so that in use of the apparatus the piston is biased to a open position for passage of air into the tire and is movable against the spring bias under air pressure build-up in the tire to a closed position at which the valve member seals against a valve seat. The piston and spring are located in the central portion of the housing clear of the rim insertion portion. The rim insertion portion is of a reduced size not obstructive to the mounting of the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Inventor: William Darcy Sampson
  • Patent number: 6901944
    Abstract: There is an apparatus for regulating air flow into a rim mounted pneumatic vehicle tire. The apparatus has an elongated valve housing 1 with an inlet end 1A, an outlet end 2 and a central portion between the outlet and inlet. The outlet end includes a rim insertion portion 3 configured to fit into an aperture in the tire rim. There is a pistion 8 disposed within the housing. The piston includes a valve member 19. A coil spring 22 acts between the housing and piston so that in use of the apparatus the piston is biased to a open position for passage of air into the tire and is movable against the spring bias under air pressure build-up in the tire to a closed position at which the valve member seals against a valve seat. The spring acts in tension and the piston and spring are located in the central portion of the housing clear of the rim insertion portion. The rim insertion portion is of a reduced size not obstructive to the mounting of the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Inventor: William Darcy Samson
  • Publication number: 20040123901
    Abstract: There is an apparatus for regulating air flow into a rim mounted pneumatic vehicle tyre. The apparatus has an elongated valve housing 1′ with an inlet end 1A′, an outlet end 2′ and a central portion between the outlet and inlet. The outlet end includes a rim insertion portion 3′ configured to fit into an aperture in the tyre rim. There is a pistion 8′ disposed within the housing. The piston includes a Valve member 19′. A coil spring 22′ acts between the housing and piston so that in use of the apparatus the piston is biased to a open position for passage of air into the tyre and is movable against the spring bias under air pressure build-up in the tyre to a closed position at which the valve member-seals against a valve seat. The piston and spring are located in the central portion of the housing clear of the rim insertion portion. The rim insertion portion is of a reduced size not obstructive to the mounting of the tyre.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: William Darcy Sampson
  • Publication number: 20040065365
    Abstract: There is an apparatus for regulating air flow into a rim mounted pneumatic vehicle tyre. The apparatus has an elongated valve housing 1 with an inlet end 1A, an outlet end 2 and a central portion between the outlet and inlet. The outlet end includes a rim insertion portion 3 configured to fit into an aperture in the tyre rim. There is a pistion 8 disposed within the housing. The piston includes a valve member 19. A coil spring 22 acts between the housing and piston so that in use of the apparatus the piston is biased to a open position for passage of air into the tyre and is movable against the spring bias under air pressure build-up in the tyre to a closed position at which the valve member seals against a valve seat. The spring acts in tension and the piston and spring are located in the central portion of the housing clear of the rim insertion portion. The rim insertion portion is of a reduced size not obstructive to the mounting of the tyre.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventor: William Darcy Samson
  • Patent number: 6672150
    Abstract: The tire pressure sensor housing for a motor vehicle, provided to be mounted on a wheel rim comprises elastically deformable support wings of variable height and a device for positional fixing and locking having snap-on tongues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Automotive Electronics
    Inventors: Francis Delaporte, Didier Pozzi
  • Patent number: 6668879
    Abstract: An inflatable bladder is provided with an inflation valve device that includes a sleeve member, a tubular indicator mounted movably in the sleeve member and marked with indicia for indicating internal pressure of the bladder, an inflation needle mounted in the indicator for inflation of the bladder, and an urging member disposed between the sleeve member and the indicator in such a manner that outward movement of the indicator resulting from the pressure difference between the pressure in the bladder and the atmospheric pressure results in displacement of the urging member, which is indicated by the indicia exposed from the bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Inventor: Ming-Hsin Lee
  • Patent number: 6662642
    Abstract: Wireless sensing and communication system including sensors located on the vehicle or in the vicinity of the vehicle and which provide information which is transmitted to one or more interrogators in the vehicle using wireless radio frequency transmission technology. Power to operate the sensor may be supplied by the interrogator. The sensors include tire pressure, temperature and acceleration monitoring sensors, weight or load measuring sensors, switches, temperature, acceleration, angular position, angular rate, angular acceleration, proximity, rollover, occupant presence, humidity, presence of fluids or gases, strain, road condition and friction, chemical sensors and other similar sensors providing information to a vehicle system, vehicle operator or external site. The sensors provide information about the vehicle and its interior or exterior environment, about individual components, systems, vehicle occupants, subsystems, or about the roadway, ambient atmosphere, travel conditions and external objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Automotive Technologies International, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Breed, Wendell C. Johnson, Vittorio Castelli, William E. Seitz, Wilbur E. DuVall
  • Patent number: 6561212
    Abstract: An apparatus mounted on a valve for indicating a pressure of tire comprising a pressure indicator formed of transparent plastic and including a base having a scale, base consisting of an inner hollow cylinder sleeved on valve and an outer hollow cylinder with tops of cylinders open, a spring put on inner hollow cylinder, a seal put on inner hollow cylinder being urged by spring for eliminating a potential air flow through an inner or outer periphery of seal, and a cap having a downward peg engaged with valve, cap being releasably secured to a top of base. In indicating pressure of tire, air is flowed from within tire to push down seal through valve and pressure indicator so that a top of seal is aligned with one of marks of scale. Further, pressure indicator is disengaged from valve prior to inflating tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: L&F Plastics Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Mu-Chuan Hsu