Tire inflator device

Claim 1

A device which may be placed between the valve stem of a pneumatic tire and a high pressure air hose to permit inflation of the tire and at the same time limit the pressure to which the tire is inflated comprising, in combination: a. a molded plastic member comprised of a molded top segment and a molded body segment, the top segment having a cylindrical protrusion forming a first cavity about the top surface thereof, the protrusion extending from the top surface for engaging the air release valve of an air hose chuck when said air release valve is positioned in alignment with said first cavity such that air may be released from said air hose chuck to within said formed first cavity, a first air passage canal extending through said top segment and said molded body segment, said first air passage having a restricted entrance at said first cavity and an exit at a second cavity formed in said body segments, the restricted entrance of the first passage canal being tapered to decrease the cross-sectional dimension thereof and restrict air into said first canal, said second cavity being formed in said body segment to receive the end of a valve stem of a pneumatic tire, a protrusion extending from said body segment to within said second cavity to unseat a valve core of a pneumatic tire valve when said tire valve is positioned within said second cavity in alignment with said protrusion; a second air passage canal extending through said top segment and said body segment, said second air passage being positioned laterally relative to said first passage with an entrance at said second cavity and an exhaust port opening to the exterior of said top segment, said second air passage canal forming a spring cavity intermediate the ends thereof and a seat within said body segment for receiving a valve, said spring cavity being formed in part by said top segment and in part by said body segment and being of increased crosssectional diameter relative to the entrance of the second air passage, said top segment and said molded body segment being sealed together with their respective segments of the first air passage canal and the spring cavity in coaxial alignment; b. a compression spring positioned within said spring cavity, said spring being biased to a preset pressure dependent upon the maximum desired air pressure of the pneumatic tire; c. a pressure relief valve positioned about said seat for controlling passage of air through said second air passage and engaged about one end of said compression spring with said spring biased to support said valve in said seat to oppose air passage through said second passage; and d. a resilient ring seal positioned within said second cavity about the periphery of the bottom interior wall of said second cavity to provide an air seal about said second cavity and a valve stem of a pneumatic tirE, said seal being further positioned to encompass the exit of the first air passage and the entrance of the second air passage such that with a valve stem positioned within said second cavity, the exit of the first passage and the entrance of the second passage communicate directly to within the valve stem.

Claim 2

A device which may be placed between the valve stem of a pneumatic tire and a high pressure air hose to permit inflation of the tire and at the same time limit the pressure to which the tire is inflated comprising, in combination: a. a molded plastic member comprised of a molded top segment and a molded body segment, the top segment having a cylindrical protrusion forming a first cavity about the top surface thereof, the protrusion extending from the top surface for engaging the air release valve of an air hose chuck when said air release valve is positioned in alignment with said first cavity such that air may be released from said air hose chuck to within said formed first cavity, a first air passage canal extending through said top segment and said molded body segment, said first air passage having a restricted entrance at said first cavity and an exit at a second cavity formed in said body segments, the restricted entrance of the first passage canal being tapered to decrease the cross-sectional dimension thereof and restrict air into said first canal, said second cavity being formed in said body segment to receive the end of a valve stem of a pneumatic tire, a protrusion extending from said body segment to within said second cavity to unseat a valve core of a pneumatic tire valve when said tire valve is positioned within said second cavity in alignment with said protrusion; a second air passage canal extending through said top segment and said body segment, said second air passage being positioned laterally relative to said first passage with an entrance at said second cavity and an exhaust port opening to the exterior of said top segment, said second air passage canal forming a spring cavity intermediate the ends thereof and a seat within said body segment for receiving a valve, said spring cavity being formed in part by said top segment and in part by said body segment and being of increased crosssectional diameter relative to the entrance of the second air passage, said top segment and said molded body segment being sealed together with their respective segments of the first air passage canal and the spring cavity in coaxial alignment; b. a compression spring positioned within said spring cavity, said spring being biased to a preset pressure dependent upon the maximum desired air pressure of the pneumatic tire; c. a pressure relief valve positioned about said seat for controlling passage of air through said second air passage and engaged about one end of said compression spring with said spring biased to support said valve in said seat to oppose air passage through said second passage; and d. a resilient ring seal positioned within said second cavity about the periphery of the bottom interior wall of said second cavity to provide an air seal about said second cavity and a valve stem of a pneumatic tirE, said seal being further positioned to encompass the exit of the first air passage and the entrance of the second air passage such that with a valve stem positioned within said second cavity, the exit of the first passage and the entrance of the second passage communicate directly to within the valve stem.