US5090223A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Car theft deterrent to deflate tire
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1990-12-11
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Granted: 1992-02-25
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Expires: 2010-12-11
Abstract
Abstract A substantially "U" shaped break-away-bar assembly is constructed to a size and configuration to fit about a portion of an air-inflated vehicle tire. A key actuated lock latching assembly is carried by the break-away-bar assembly and includes an internally threaded connection member utilized to selectively connect the latching assembly to the external threads normally provided on a valve-stem of a tire rim for an air inflated vehicle tire. Operation of the key actuated lock to its locked condition prevents disconnection of the latching assembly from the valve stem. When the break-away-bar assembly is positioned about the vehicle tire and the latching assembly threadably connected to the valve stem rotation of the vehicle tire so that the bar assembly moves beneath the tire, rips the valve stem out of its seat and permits relatively rapid escape of the air from the tire. Slip joints provided for the break-away-bar assembly permit selective adjustment thereof to accommodate different size tires. Angular disposition of a cross-arm connecting spaced legs of the break-away-bar assembly together result in coaction of the tire and break-away-bar assembly to either pull the valve stem down and out or up and in and out.
Inventors
- 👤 John Ruffler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 19:36
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R25/00; B60R25/01; B60R25/09; B60R25/096; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/1624; Y10T137/1632; Y10T137/3584; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/50; Y10T70/5611; Y10T70/5615; Y10T70/5619; Y10T70/5624; Y10T70/5628; Y10T70/5836; Y10T70/5854; Y10T70/5867; Y10T70/5889
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
The method of deterring movement of a vehicle that moves on air-inflated tires and for which there is an air-valve to facilitate passage of air into and out from the tires; comprising: (a) providing an air-valve extraction device carried by a valve extraction device operating means; (b) constructing the valve extraction device operating means of a size and configuration to be selectively positioned about at least a portion of a vehicle tire and for coaction therewith; and (c) selectively connecting the air-valve extraction device to the vehicle tire air-valve when said valve extraction device operating means is positioned for coaction with the vehicle tire; (d) said valve extraction device operating means coacting with a vehicle tire when positioned for coaction therewith such that said valve extraction device operating means is moved to a position underneath the vehicle tire upon predetermined movement of the vehicle tire to extract the air-valve and permit escape of the air from the vehicle tire.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
159 words
The method of deterring movement of a vehicle that moves on air-inflated tires and for which there is an air-valve to facilitate passage of air into and out from the tires; comprising: (a) providing an air-valve extraction device carried by a valve extraction device operating means; (b) constructing the valve extraction device operating means of a size and configuration to be selectively positioned about at least a portion of a vehicle tire and for coaction therewith; and (c) selectively connecting the air-valve extraction device to the vehicle tire air-valve when said valve extraction device operating means is positioned for coaction with the vehicle tire; (d) said valve extraction device operating means coacting with a vehicle tire when positioned for coaction therewith such that said valve extraction device operating means is moved to a position underneath the vehicle tire upon predetermined movement of the vehicle tire to extract the air-valve and permit escape of the air from the vehicle tire.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, including letting the air escape rapidly from the tire.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the air-valve is disposed in a valve stem and the valve extraction device is selectively connectable to the valve stem and upon predetermined movement of the tire removes the valve stem.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the predetermined tire movement places the tire upon the valve extraction device operating means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 4, including forming said valve extraction device operating means as in a substantially "U" shaped configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5, including providing said air-valve extraction device as a key-lock activated device carried by said extraction device operating means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 6, including threadably connecting said air-valve extraction device to the air-valve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 7, including forming said "U" shaped configuration by providing a first leg and a second leg connected in spaced relationship by a cross-arm, including forming said second leg shorter than said first leg and directing said cross-arm at an angle between said first leg and said second leg.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
158 words
A vehicle theft deterrent device to be disposed for coaction with an air-inflated vehicle tire when the tire is inflated with air and is disposed to facilitate vehicle movement, and with the air-valve that facilitates controlled passage of air into and out from the vehicle tire; comprising: (a) air-valve removal means of a size and configuration to be disposed for coaction with an air-inflated vehicle tire; and (b) air-valve connection means carried by said air-valve removal means and selectively connectable to the air-valve of the vehicle tire; (c) said air-valve removal means being disposable for coaction with a vehicle tire and connectable to the air-valve thereof by way of said air-valve connection means such that said air-valve removal means is moved to a position underneath the vehicle tire upon a predetermined rotation of the vehicle tire to remove the air-valve and thereby to permit escape of the air from the vehicle tire to deter movement of the vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
158 words
A vehicle theft deterrent device to be disposed for coaction with an air-inflated vehicle tire when the tire is inflated with air and is disposed to facilitate vehicle movement, and with the air-valve that facilitates controlled passage of air into and out from the vehicle tire; comprising: (a) air-valve removal means of a size and configuration to be disposed for coaction with an air-inflated vehicle tire; and (b) air-valve connection means carried by said air-valve removal means and selectively connectable to the air-valve of the vehicle tire; (c) said air-valve removal means being disposable for coaction with a vehicle tire and connectable to the air-valve thereof by way of said air-valve connection means such that said air-valve removal means is moved to a position underneath the vehicle tire upon a predetermined rotation of the vehicle tire to remove the air-valve and thereby to permit escape of the air from the vehicle tire to deter movement of the vehicle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The vehicle theft deterrent device of claim 9, wherein the air-valve is connected to the vehicle tire through a valve-stem and the air-valve connection means is connectable to the valve stem.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The vehicle theft deterrent device of claim 10, wherein the vehicle tire is disposed on a wheel rim and the valve stem is carried by the wheel rim.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The vehicle theft deterrent device of claim 11, wherein the valve stem is externally threaded at an end thereof and said air-valve connection means is internally threaded and coacts with the external threads of the valve stem.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The vehicle theft deterrent device of claim 12, wherein said air-valve removal means coacts with the vehicle tire upon said predetermined movement thereof to remove the valve stem and air-valve from the vehicle rim.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The vehicle theft deterrent device of claim 9, wherein said air-valve removal means includes a break-away-bar assembly means of a substantially "U" shaped configuration of a size and configuration to fit at least partially about a vehicle tire.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
83 words
The vehicle theft deterrent device of claim 14, wherein said air-valve connection means includes a key-lock carried by said break-away-bar assembly means and which includes a key actuated tang which is a first position thereof permits connection of said air-valve connection means to the air-valve of a vehicle tire and disconnection of said air-valve connection means from the air-valve of a vehicle tire, and in a second position thereof prevents disconnection of said air-valve connection means from the air-valve of a vehicle tire.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
The vehicle theft deterrent device of claim 9, wherein said air-valve removal means is selectively adjustable in a first manner to accommodate vehicle tires of different size and is selectively adjustable in a second manner to facilitate connection of said air-valve connection means to the tire air-valve.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The vehicle theft deterrent device of claim 16, wherein said selective adjustability is accomplished by the use of selectively settable slip joints.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The vehicle theft deterrent device of claim 14, wherein said break-away-bar assembly means includes a first leg, a second leg and a cross-arm connecting said first leg and said second leg in spaced substantially "U" shaped configuration.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The vehicle theft deterrent device of claim 18, wherein said first leg is longer than said second leg and said air-valve connection means is carried by said first leg.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The vehicle theft deterrent device of claim 19, wherein said cross-arm extends at an angle from said first leg to said second leg.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-02-24 | 1995-08-26 | 1996-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-02-24 | 1999-08-26 | 2000-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-02-24 | 2003-08-26 | 2004-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |