US5365967A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety tire valve
Assignee: Capital Data
•
Filing: 1993-11-03
•
Granted: 1994-11-22
•
Expires: 2013-11-03
Abstract
Abstract A tire pressure indicator which includes a valve stem over-pressure indicator and a valve stem cap under-pressure indicator. The valve stem includes an air porting scheme that releases over-inflation air for escape through a whistling reed configuration. The valve stem cap includes a top translucent panel for coaction with a diaphragm spring contained therebelow. Normal tire pressure distends the diaphragm spring to an upward convex attitude in contact with the underside of the translucent panel to project a visual indicator.
Inventors
- 👤 John C. Moore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:52
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60C; B60C23/00; B60C23/02; B60C23/04; B60C23/0491; B60C23/0496; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/3584; Y10T137/36; Y10T137/3646; Y10T137/3662; Y10T137/374; Y10T137/3755; Y10T137/8158; Y10T137/8326; Y10T137/8359
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A pressure indicator device for air-inflated vehicle tires, comprising: a valve stem for receiving air under pressure; a check actuator for closing the valve stem and preventing reverse flow of said air; a valve cap housing having an open axial portion and being sealingly secured on said valve stem; a translucent panel secured across the top of said valve cap housing open axial portion; a diaphragm spring normally downwardly convex secured across said valve cap housing axial portion, said spring being round and uniformly thick with a colored upper surface having a line etched thereon to provide visual indication when in engagement with said translucent panel; and air distributor means secured across said open axial portion below said diaphragm spring and including a foot member for urging the check actuator open to permit normal inflation air pressure communication into the valve cap housing open axial portion; whereby the normal inflation air pressure distends the diaphragm to an upwardly convex position in contact with the translucent panel to provide visual indication.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
A pressure indicator device for air-inflated vehicle tires, comprising: a valve stem for receiving air under pressure; a check actuator for closing the valve stem and preventing reverse flow of said air; a valve cap housing having an open axial portion and being sealingly secured on said valve stem; a translucent panel secured across the top of said valve cap housing open axial portion; a diaphragm spring normally downwardly convex secured across said valve cap housing axial portion, said spring being round and uniformly thick with a colored upper surface having a line etched thereon to provide visual indication when in engagement with said translucent panel; and air distributor means secured across said open axial portion below said diaphragm spring and including a foot member for urging the check actuator open to permit normal inflation air pressure communication into the valve cap housing open axial portion; whereby the normal inflation air pressure distends the diaphragm to an upwardly convex position in contact with the translucent panel to provide visual indication.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A pressure indicator device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the check actuator comprises: a stop ball; and a compression spring seated within the valve stem to urge the stop ball toward closure position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
A pressure indicator device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said translucent panel comprises: a plastic disc; a vent hole therethrough; and a line etched on the lower surface of said disc that is transverse to the etched line on the diaphragm spring so that normal inflation pressure causes a plus sign indication when viewing said translucent panel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A pressure indicator device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said air distributor means comprises: a cylindrical plate having at least one air flow port formed therethrough; and an axial extension disposed to extend downward as said foot member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A pressure indicator as set forth in claim 4 wherein said diaphragm spring comprises: a round, uniformly thick spring having a colored upper surface portion for engagement with the translucent panel to provide visual indication; and a line etched on said colored upper surface portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
A pressure indicator device as set forth in claim 5 wherein said translucent panel comprises: a plastic disc; a vent hole therethrough; and a line etched on the lower surface of said disc that is transverse to the etched line on the diaphragm spring so that normal inflation pressure causes a plus sign indication when viewing said translucent panel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
A pressure indicator device as set forth in claim 1 which is further characterized to include: a first O-ring disposed to seal between the valve cap housing and said valve stem; and a second O-ring disposed to seal between the seated diaphragm spring and said valve top housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
91 words
A pressure indicator device as set forth in claim 1 which is further characterized to include: plural exhaust ports through the valve stem at a point below said check actuator; pressure sensitive closure means closing said exhaust ports at below normal tire inflation pressures; an air jacket disposed around said valve stem to receive any air from said exhaust ports; plural air vents formed in said air jacket; and plural reeds secured adjacent to each of said plural air vents to cause a whistle alarm when tire inflation exceeds normal pressure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
A pressure indicator device as set forth in claim 8 wherein said pressure sensitive closure means comprises: a groove formed around said valve stem and intersecting each of said plural exhaust ports; and an O-ring of preselected distension resistance seated in said groove and being distendable to release pressurized air when the tire inflation air pressure exceeds the normal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
74 words
A pressure indicator device as set forth in claim 1 which further includes: exhaust porting means through the valve stem at a point below said check actuator; pressure sensitive closure means closing said exhaust porting means at below normal tire inflation pressures; and an air jacket including vented reeds secured around said valve stem to receive air from said exhaust porting means and to cause a whistle alarm when tire inflation exceeds normal pressure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
A pressure indicator device as set forth in claim 10 wherein said pressure sensitive closure means comprises: a groove formed around said valve stem and intersecting said exhaust porting means; and an O-ring of preselected distension resistance seated in said groove and being distendable to release pressurized air when the tire inflation air pressure exceeds the normal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-11-21 | 1998-05-23 | 1998-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-11-21 | 2002-05-23 | 2002-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-11-21 | 2006-05-23 | 2006-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |