US4814744A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low tire-pressure warning system
Assignee: Collins Design Co Inc
•
Filing: 1987-12-01
•
Granted: 1989-03-21
•
Expires: 2007-12-01
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for detecting low air pressure in pneumatic tires on a vehicle and conveying this information to the operator of the vehicle. The invention utilizes a resonating device which creates subsonic, sonic, or ultrasonic air waves when it comes in contact with the rotating sidewall of a tire having undesirably low air pressure. The apparatus provides immediate, dependable warning of potentially dangerous low pressure conditions in tires. Furthermore, the apparatus can be used to detect low air pressure in either of dual mounted tires.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerry L. Collins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:56
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60C; B60C23/00; B60C23/06; B60C23/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
An apparatus for alerting the driver of a vehicle that the air pressure in a pneumatic tire has become low; said apparatus comprising, (a) a resonating device capable of transforming a percussion of a rotating tire against it into subsonic, sonic, or ultrasonic air waves, (b) a housing into which said resonating device is inserted and containing an echo chamber which transfers the air waves created by said resonating device to (c) a microphone, also contained within said housing, which converts the air waves into an electric current, (d) a system for transmitting the electrical current, and (e) a consonant amplifier which converts the microphone current into an audible or visual alarm which can be heard or seen by the driver.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
121 words
An apparatus for alerting the driver of a vehicle that the air pressure in a pneumatic tire has become low; said apparatus comprising, (a) a resonating device capable of transforming a percussion of a rotating tire against it into subsonic, sonic, or ultrasonic air waves, (b) a housing into which said resonating device is inserted and containing an echo chamber which transfers the air waves created by said resonating device to (c) a microphone, also contained within said housing, which converts the air waves into an electric current, (d) a system for transmitting the electrical current, and (e) a consonant amplifier which converts the microphone current into an audible or visual alarm which can be heard or seen by the driver.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 where said resonating device is a cylindrical spiral coil of metal which produces resonating air waves when struck by the sidewall of a tire, said cylinder being from about 3 inches to about 2 feet in length.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 where said resonating device is made from metal comprised of copper, or beryllium, or nickel, or chromium, or steel, or stainless steel, or any combination of these metals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method of detecting low air pressure in either of two dual mounted pneumatic tires whereby the apparatus of claim 1 is installed in such a way that the resonating device is extended parallel to either of said dual mounted tires.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
133 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein said resonating device is extended parallel to either of said dual mounted tires in such proximity to the sidewall of either of said dual mounted tires so that said resonating device will come in contact with said sidewall if either of the two following circumstances arises: (a) low air pressure in the interior of the tire next to which said resonating device is mounted causes the sidewall of sid tire to become more convex, or (b) low air pressure in the interior of the tire which is not next to the resonating device causes added load to be applied to the tire which is next to said resonating device, said added load causing increased convexity in the sidewall of the tire next to said resonating device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 4 to be used for detecting low pressure in tires on cars, trucks, recreational vehicles, horse trailers, utility trailers, conversion vans, motor homes, or any other vehicle using dual mounted pneumatic tires.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for detecting low air pressure in a rotating pneumatic tire which comprises extending a resonating device parallel to the sidewall of said tire in such proximity so that an increase convexity of said sidewall due to a decrease in air pressure in the interior of said tire will cause said sidewall to come in contact with said resonator; the percussion of said sidewall with said resonating device causing air waves which travel to an echo chamber attached to one end of said resonating device; said air waves are converted to electrical current by a microphone located adjacent to said echo chamber; said electrical current is converted to an audio or visual alarm by means of a consonant amplifier.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for detecting low air pressure in a rotating pneumatic tire which comprises extending a resonating device parallel to the sidewall of said tire in such proximity so that an increase convexity of said sidewall due to a decrease in air pressure in the interior of said tire will cause said sidewall to come in contact with said resonator; the percussion of said sidewall with said resonating device causing air waves which travel to an echo chamber attached to one end of said resonating device; said air waves are converted to electrical current by a microphone located adjacent to said echo chamber; said electrical current is converted to an audio or visual alarm by means of a consonant amplifier.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 7 where said resonating device is a cylindrical spiral coil of metal said cylinder being from about 3 inches to about 2 feet in length.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 7 where said resonating device is made from metal comprised of copper, or beryllium, or nickel, or chromium, or steel, or stainless steel, or any combination of these metals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 7 to be used for detecting low pressure in tires on cars, trucks, recreational vehicles, horse trailers, utility trailers, conversion vans, motor homes, or any other vehicle using pneumatic tires.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3055998A
Cited
US3413598A
Cited
US3533063A
Cited
US3610851A
Cited
US4067376A
Cited
US4186377A
Cited
US4160234A
Cited
US4031845A
Cited
US4131877A
Cited
US4135285A
Cited
US4173011A
Cited
US4265579A
Cited
US4476455A
Cited
US4531112A
Cited
US4510484A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-03-20 | 1992-09-19 | 1993-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-03-20 | 1996-09-19 | 1997-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-03-20 | 2000-09-19 | 2001-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |