Patent ID: 6952955
Filing Date: 2005-10-11
Classification: B60C

Abstract:
1. A tire monitoring assembly for use with wheel and tire assembly having a wheel rim, with the wheel rim including a mounting hole having a diameter, the tire monitoring assembly comprising: a sealing grommet made of an elastomeric material and having an inner sealing ring, an outer sealing ring, spaced from the inner sealing ring, and a main body extending between the inner sealing ring and the outer sealing ring, with the inner sealing ring and the outer sealing ring each having a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the mounting hole and the inner sealing ring being flexible enough to be elastically deformed and pressed through the mounting hole, and with the sealing grommet having a fastener hole extending through the inner sealing ring, the outer sealing ring and the main body; a fastener having a head and a shank extending from the head and including a threaded end spaced from the head, with the shank extending through the fastener hole in the sealing grommet; a mounting member having fastener through hole, including a first end and a second end, that receives the shank therethrough, a generally semi-spherical surface extending about the first end of the fastener through hole, and a grommet recess extending about the second end of the fastener through hole that receives a portion of the inner sealing ring therein; a monitor housing having a semi-spherical recess in surface contact with and slidable relative to the semi-spherical surface of the mounting member, a slotted fastener hole located within and extending through the semi-spherical recess and having the shank extending therethrough, and a mount adapted for maintaining contact with the wheel rim; and a retainer for engaging the threads of the shank and the monitor housing to thereby secure the monitor housing and mounting member to the fastener.