Patent ID: 6125694
Filing Date: 2000-10-03
Classification: B60C

Abstract:
An automatic tire pressure gauge for use in interaction with a valve core of a vehicle tire, for providing an audible warning of, and self-initiating and contemporaneous release of, air pressure rising to or above a preselected operation and safety limit, said automatic tire pressure gauge comprising:a valve body having first and second ends, and first, middle and second cross-sectional subportions,said valve body defining an internal valve pin channel having diametered dimensions, extending, substantially, internally and axially therein between the first and second ends, and having first, middle and second channel portions, the first and second channel portions having respective dimensioned diameters greater than that of the middle channel portion,the middle cross-sectional subportion having first and second ends, in lengthwise positional orientation thereto, the first end defining and having a first flange member and the second end defining and having a second flange member,said middle cross-sectional subportion further defining and having a side periphery, in widthwise positional orientation thereto,the the first and second flange members each extending outboard, widthwise, in relation to the side periphery,said side periphery defining and having outward and internal surfaces, the internal surface adjoining and communicating with the internal valve pin channel, and the outward surface defining a check-reed position groove,the side periphery of said middle cross-sectional subportion further defining and having a sound board emission port, extending therein between said check-reed position groove and the internal valve pin channel;a valve pin member having first and second end portions and the middle portion oriented lengthwise therebetween, the first and second end portions, each, having a widthwise dimension which is greater than that of the middle portion, said valve pin member being slideably installed in the middle channel portion of the internal valve pin channel, such that the valve pin member moves along the middle portion of the valve pin member between the first and second portions of the valve pin member;a spherical check-reed member having a rounded periphery surface, being pivotally and vibrationally mounted in said check-reed position groove, such that part of the rounded periphery surface is exposed outboard of the check-reed position groove;a pressure sensitive arc means for positionally supporting and circumferentially biasing the spherical check-reed member at a selected force equivalent equal to a desired air pressure limit, such that the spherical check-reed member is held in position in accordance with the selected force and will not move or vibrate until the selected force is exceeded, said pressure-sensitive arc means being attached to and supported by the side periphery of said middle cross-sectional subportion; anda collar retention member having first and second ends and a rounded periphery side therebetween, and defining a hollow installation channel extending between the first and second ends thereof, said rounded periphery side defining a orificial sound board emission port therethrough,said collar retention member being releasably attached to the valve body such that its hollow installation channel abuts each of the first and second flange members of the middle cross-sectional subportion thereof.