Tire valve assembly

Claim 1

A housing assembly for snap-in installation in an aperture provided in a wheel rim, said assembly comprising: A. a tubular grommet formed of elastomeric material having first portions thereof defining a circumferential shoulder about the outer periphery thereof and second portions formed on the outer periphery thereof defining a surface adapted to be received in closely fitting relationship with the inner periphery of said rim aperture, said shoulder being adapted for contacting the inner surface of said rim adjacent said aperture; B. an elongated generally cylindrical stem member having a first circumferential flange portion provided on the outer periphery thereof, said first flange being sized to prevent passage through said rim aperture, said stem having a second flange portion provided thereon and longitudinally spaced from said first flange portion by an amount less than the free length of said grommet with said second flange portion being sized to pass through said rim aperture, said stem having the outer periphery thereof defining a third portion in the region intermediate said first and second flange portions said third portion being sized to provide an interference fit when received in the inner periphery of said grommet; and C. said stem having a pilot portion adjacent said second flange portion, said pilot portion having the inner periphery of said grommet received thereover in a slip fitting arrangement such that, upon initial insertion of said grommet, with said stem pilot portion received therein into said rim aperture from the interior side thereof and registry of said second portion of said grommet against the inner surface of said rim adjacent said aperture with portions of said grommet extending through said aperture, further movement of said grommet in said aperture is prevented and upon further insertion of said stem through said aperture and passage of said second flange portion of said stem through the inner periphery of said grommet disposing said first flange portion on the opposite side of said rim aperture from said first stem flange portion and upon application of a longitudinal force to said stem causing compression of portions of said grommet intermediate said first stem flange and said rim, said second stem flange passes through said grommet and extends free thereof and upon release of said longitudinal force on said stem, said grommet is longitudinally compressed between said first and second stem flanges and the said portions of said grommet extending through said aperture are compressed longitudinally to provide a fluid pressure seal around said rim aperture between said grommet shoulder on one side of said rim aperture and said grommet portions extending through said aperture on the other side of the said rim aperture.