Patent ID: 6561212
Filing Date: 2003-05-13
Classification: B60C,Y10T

Abstract:
An apparatus mounted on a valve on a tire for indicating pressure thereof, the apparatus comprising a pressure indicator formed of transparent plastic and including a base having a scale, with the base including an inner hollow cylinder having a top and a bottom and sleeved on the valve, with the top of the inner hollow cylinder including an inner threaded section for threadable securement to the valve, with the base including an outer hollow cylinder, with the base including a closed bottom extending between the outer hollow cylinder and the bottom of the inner hollow cylinder, with the base including an open top extending between the outer hollow cylinder and the top of the inner hollow cylinder, with a space being defined between the inner and outer hollow cylinders and the top and bottom of the base; a spring in the space and having a lower end rested on the bottom of the base; a hollow disk-shaped seal in the space and being urged by a top end of the spring; an outer ring sleeved between the seal and an inner wall of the outer hollow cylinder; an inner ring sleeved between the seal and an outer wall of the inner hollow cylinder, with the outer and inner rings eliminating potential air flow past the inner or outer hollow cylinders and the seal; and a cap having a downward peg engaged with the valve, with the cap being releasably secured to the top of the base, with pressure of the tire being indicated when air flows from within the tire to push down the seal toward the bottom of the base through the valve and the pressure indicator so that a top of the seal is aligned with one of a plurality of marks of the scale, and the pressure indicator is disengaged from the valve prior to inflating the tire.