Tire safety valve and inflation device

An air inflation device is a pass-thru vehicle tire inflation device. It ensures exact air pressure without the use of an air gauge. It works by attaching to a tire valve, and then to an existing air supply, such as those found at gas stations, and utilizing an internal pressure relief valve that is pre-set to exact PSI recommendations. This means that the inflation device will put only the amount of air needed in every tire without having to use a pressure gauge. Air moves through an internal air chamber constructed of plastic or rubber tubes that runs through the nozzle to the head that attaches to the valve of the tire. A plastic valve located on the back of the apparatus connects to any existing air supply. A pressure relief valve is integrated into the bottom of the nozzle that ensures that the exact PSI recommendations are maintained.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a tire pressure safety valve and air inflation device, and more particularly to a device for allowing a tire to be inflated to a predetermine air pressure, or to correct an over inflated tire.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tire inflation devices are usually connected to a hose from an air source, and then is pressed against a tire valve allowing air to enter into the tire. The person inflating the tire may have to remove the inflation device and use an air gage to determine the amount of air in the tire based upon the air pressure in the tire. This may have to be done several times to inflate the tire to the desired pressure. If the tire is over inflated, then air has to be removed.

An air regulation device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,350. Disclosed is a tire inflation device for delivering a fluid, such as carbon dioxide, from a liquid gas cartridge to a pneumatic tire wherein the device has a capability of controlling inflation to enable the user to achieve a preset desired tire pressure. A cartridge activating mechanism is provided. A cartridge securing mechanism is provided which prevents removal of an activated, unspent cartridge from the inflating device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The air inflation device is a pass-thru vehicle tire inflation device. It is unique in that it ensures exact air pressure without the use of an air gauge. It works by attaching to a tire valve and an existing air supply, such as those found at gas stations, and utilizing an internal pressure relief valve that is pre-set to exact PSI recommendations. Ultimately this means that the inflation device will put only the amount of air needed in every tire without having to use a pressure gauge or even worse, guess.

The air inflation device may be made of injection molded plastic, or metal, and has rubber or plastic air tubes. The air is moved through an internal air chamber that is constructed of plastic or rubber tubes that runs through the nozzle to the head that attaches to the valve of the tire. A plastic inlet is located on the back of the apparatus that will connect to any existing air supply. A pressure relief valve is integrated into the bottom of the nozzle that ensures that the exact PSI recommendations are maintained.

The air flow device is connected first to a tire first and then to an existing air supply. It is then place against the tire valve and when the correct PSI in the tire is obtained, the airflow is automatically terminated, and a visual alert pops out preventing the over filing of the tire.

The technical advance represented by the invention as well as the objects thereof will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the novel features set forth in the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1is a side view of the inflation device10. Device10has a handle or grasping section11, with and end part30. Air is injected into inlet15on end13, and outlet14is placed over a valve stem for inflating, for example, a tire.

FIG. 2is an end view showing the right side of inflation device10as illustrated inFIG. 1. This side is used for connection to an air source, such as an air hose. The hose nozzle (not illustrated) is placed against inlet15and against actuator16which presses against the air release valve in the air hose. When air is released, air flow into channel17.

FIG. 3is an end view, viewed from the left side ofFIG. 1. Inflation device10, with handle11, has the air outlet side14which is placed over a valve stem (not illustrated) with the end of the valve stem inserted into opening18which tapers inward to valve stem actuator23. There are several raised ridges20-22which, when a valve stem is inserted into opening18, holds the valve stem and the inflation device in frictional contact. Air passage25allows air to flow though from the opposite side of end13, from air passage17.

FIG. 4is a cross-sectional view of the air inflation device10, taken through1-1ofFIG. 3. Mounted on the left side, as viewed, of end13is actuator16against which is pressed an air hose to release air into air passage17. Air flows from passage17into area26and through end13to air passage25, moving air in to a valve stem (FIG. 5) placed in opening18. The air in opening26presses downward against valve29. Pressure relief valve29is held in a closed position by spring28. Air is contained in area26by valve29and ring27until the air in area26exceeds the calibrated upward pressure asserted by spring28. When the air pressure in area26exceeds the calibrated upward pressure of spring28, then pressure relief valve29will move downward allowing air to flow through valve29into air passage31around spring housing32, and inside handle11.

FIG. 5is a cross-sectional view of air inflation device10showing it attached to a tire valve35and an air hose39. When a tire, or device to be inflated, requires air, air inflation device is attached to the air valve stem35. The end of the stem37is inserted into opening18and move forward until the valve stem is in contact with valve stem actuator23. The inner surface of opening18has one or more ridges20-22(FIG. 3) that engage part36of valve stem35. On automobile tires, part36of the valve stem is usually a rubber or plastic composition so that when valve stem35is place into opening18, the rubber portion will frictionally engage the ridges20-22, holding the air inflation device10and valve35together.

Valve38, which is attached to air hose39, is pressed against air inlet15, and against actuator16releasing air into air passage17. Air flows through passage17, into area26and through to air passage25allowing air to flow into stem36, inflating a tire attached to stem36.

Spring28is calibrated to be actuated when the air area26is at a predefined pressure. For example, tires are usually inflated to a pressure in the range of, for example, 20 to 125 psi. As long as the device being inflated has not been inflated to a predefined pressure, air will continue to flow from air hose39through air passage17, into area26and through air passage25into valve stem35and into tire51. When the air pressure in tire51reaches the predetermine value, the air pressure in area26will be the predetermined pressure and will force pressure relief valve29downward, allowing air to flow downward into air passage31. As long as the air pressure in tire51is at the predetermined value, valve29will remain open, preventing further air flow into valve35and tire51. The air flow is shown by the arrows marked “Air Flow”. The air path from the air source is directly across the end13into the air valve35and tire51. The second path, as illustrated, is downward though valve29when the predetermined pressure is reached. A visual alert indicator32is pushed downward indicating the predetermined air pressure has been reached.

The predetermined air pressure is determined by spring28which is calibrated to be compressed at the predetermined air pressure. In this manner, tire can be inflated only to the predetermined air pressure. A tire pressure gage does not have to be used. The person inflating the tire applies air to the inflation device which automatically prevents air from entering tire51after the predetermined pressure been reached.

FIG. 6shows the visual alert indicator32in the downward position. When the tire pressure reaches the predetermined value, valve29opens allowing air to enter the channel31. This allows the escaping air to push downward on indicator32forcing it downward and compressing spring33. When the pressure is removed by the closing of valve29, indicator32will return to its closed position as shown inFIG. 5. Indicator is closed by spring33which was compressed when indicator32was forced open (or downward) by the air release into channel31by valve29