Abstract:
A temporary mobility kit directed to a release arrangement for selectively releasing a sealant bottle from the base of the kit is provided. The temporary mobility kit includes a removable sealant bottle and a kit base. A recessed release button is provided in the kit base. The release button is part of a slidable retaining member which is slidably fitted to a snap-in ring assembly. The snap-in ring assembly is fitted to the kit base. An oval-shaped opening is defined in the slidable retaining member. Resilient members are provided to resist movement of the slidable retaining member. The sealant bottle has a base on which a locking collar is formed. The locking collar can be passed through the oval-shaped opening of the slidable retaining member and is locked into position therewith. The slidable retaining member is ordinarily in a locked or retaining position to hold the sealant bottle in place. A release tool is provided for manipulation of the recessed release button. When the release tool is pressed against the recessed release button, the slidable retaining member is moved from its locking position to its unlocking position, and the sealant bottle is released therefrom.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to portable inflator units. More particularly, the present invention relates to a release arrangement for releasing a snap-in sealant bottle of a temporary mobility kit for a vehicle from the base of the kit. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Automotive manufacturers have traditionally offered spare tires with the fleet of vehicles they produce. In the early days of automobiles the spare tire was mounted externally on either the running board or on a rear-mounted tire carrier. To comply with advances in styling the spare tire was concealed, most typically being moved inside the vehicle&#39;s trunk. While this arrangement provided a suitable solution for placement of the spare tire for decades, changes in fuel economy requirements dictated the need for vehicle weight reduction. Manufacturers reviewed the vehicle anew in its entirety seeking ways to reduce vehicle weight. One answer to the effort to reduce overall vehicle weight was to replace the conventional, large and bulky road tire with a smaller temporary tire or “donut.” 
         [0003]    While the temporary tire represented a significant decrease in overall vehicle weight, the further improvement in tire design and durability as well as the concurrent general improvement in roadways gradually began to reduce the need for relying on a spare tire at all. 
         [0004]    In response to these advances in both tire technology and road quality, vehicle auto manufacturers have begun to substitute a “temporary mobility kit” (or “TMK”) for the spare tire. The TMK includes a dual-purpose air compressor and a sealing system. The sealing system includes a sealing compound that will effectively seal most punctures caused by nails or similar objects. The air compressor drives the sealing compound into the compromised tire and, subsequently, can be used to reinflate the tire. The growing trend today is for manufacturers to equip the vehicle with a temporary mobility kit within a space provided in the vehicle, such as (but not exclusively) in the spare tire well of the trunk. 
         [0005]    While providing clear advantages over the weight demands of the spare tire as well as providing the vehicle operator with a practical alternative over the demands of tire changing, as in most every area of vehicle technology the development of temporary mobility kits is in a continuing state of development. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    A preferred embodiment of the disclosed invention is a temporary mobility kit directed to a release arrangement for selectively releasing a sealant bottle from the base of the kit. The temporary mobility kit includes a removable sealant bottle and a kit base. A recessed release button is provided in the kit base. The release button is part of a slidable retaining member which is slidably fitted to a snap-in ring assembly. The snap-in ring assembly is fitted to the kit base. An oval-shaped opening is defined in the slidable retaining member. Resilient members are provided to resist movement of the slidable retaining member. The sealant bottle has a base on which a locking collar is formed. The locking collar can be passed through the oval-shaped opening of the slidable retaining member and is locked into position therewith. The slidable retaining member is ordinarily in a locked or retaining position to hold the sealant bottle in place. A release tool is provided for manipulation of the recessed release button. When the release tool is pressed against the recessed release button, the slidable retaining member is moved from its locking position to its unlocking position, and the sealant bottle is released therefrom. 
         [0007]    Other features of the invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should now be made to the embodiment illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below by way of examples of the invention wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates an side view of the temporary mobility kit of the disclosed invention showing the electrical cable, sealant bottle, sealant hose, and inflator hose in their stored conditions; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 1  but showing the electrical cable, sealant hose, and inflator hose in their un-stored conditions as may be the case for repairing and inflating a tire; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 2  but illustrates the sealant assembly removed and spaced-apart from the switch-inflator assembly; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is an underside view of the sealant assembly; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is perspective view of the combination dust cover and release tool shown in relation to the sealant valve connector; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the switch-inflator assembly of the disclosed invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the snap-in release assembly of the disclosed invention shown in its sealant bottle engaging position; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the snap-in release assembly of  FIG. 7  shown in its sealant bottle releasing position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0017]    In the following figures, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components. In the following description, various operating parameters and components are described for one constructed embodiment. These specific parameters and components are included as examples and are not meant to be limiting. 
         [0018]    Referring to the drawings and in particular to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a side view of a temporary mobility kit, generally illustrated as  10 , is shown. The temporary mobility kit  10  includes a switch-inflator assembly  12  and a sealant assembly  14 . While preferably being a one-piece part, the switch-inflator assembly  12  includes an upper area  16  and a lower area  18 . 
         [0019]    The upper area  16  includes a peripheral recessed area  20  about which a cord portion  22  of an electrical plug assembly  24  is wrapped when the electrical plug assembly  24  is not in use. A plug  26  adapted for use in the vehicle&#39;s power point (not shown) is provided. A plug-receiving aperture  28  is provided to receive and retain the plug  26  when not in use. The peripheral recessed area  20  and the plug-receiving aperture  28  are more clearly seen in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0020]    A pair of opposed channels are defined on the opposite sides of the upper area  16  of the switch-inflator assembly  12 , of which only one channel,  30 , is visible in  FIGS. 1 and 2  (the opposite channel is illustrated in  FIG. 6 , discussed below). The opposed channels are provided to allow for the user to readily grasp and lift the temporary mobility kit  10 . 
         [0021]    The lower area  18  of the switch-inflator assembly  12  includes a first channel  32  for receiving and retaining a sealant hose  34  when the sealant hose  34  is not in use. The lower area  18  of the switch-inflator assembly  12  further includes a second channel  36  for receiving and retaining an inflator hose  38  when the inflator hose  38  is not in use. The first channel  32  and the second channel  36  are more clearly seen in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0022]    The sealant hose  34  includes a sealant tire valve connector  40  for releasable attachment to a tire valve. A combination dust cover and release tool  41  is removably attached to the sealant valve connector  40 . The combination dust cover and release tool  41  includes a release tool  42  protruding from the outer surface of the cover portion. The release tool  42  is provided to engage a button  43  attached to a release tab which lockably engages the sealant assembly  14  to the switch-inflator assembly  12 . The release tool  42  is flexibly attached to the sealant valve connector  40  by a flexible strap  47 . The details of the arrangement of the combination dust cover and release tool  41  are more clearly visualized in  FIG. 5  which is discussed below. 
         [0023]    The inflator hose  38  also includes an inflator tire valve connector  44  for releasable attachment to a tire valve. A recessed area  45  is defined in the side of the lower area  18  for accommodating the sealant tire valve connector  40  and the inflator tire valve connector  44  when the sealant hose  34  and the inflator hose  38  are stored in the first channel  32  and the second channel  36 , respectively. 
         [0024]    The sealant assembly  14  is removably attached to the switch-inflator assembly  12 . The sealant assembly  14  includes the sealant hose  34  and a sealant bottle  46 . The sealant bottle  46  contains a tire sealant which, when introduced into a tire, coats the inner walls of the tire to prevent air pressure loss due to slow leaks and tread punctures. As is known in the art, the tire sealant typically comprises a solution or suspension of latex material and water. The composition may or may not include high molecular weight fiber component. The composition solidifies upon reaching the hole. Solidification results from a combination of exposure to air, vibration, and elevated temperature. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a view of the temporary mobility kit  10  similar to that of  FIGS. 1 and 2  but illustrates the sealant assembly  14  being removed and spaced apart from the switch-inflator assembly  12 . The sealant assembly  14  includes a base  48  which mates with a receptacle defined in the switch-inflator assembly  12 . The base  48  includes a sealing arrangement such as an upper O-ring  50  and a lower O-ring  52  which form a fluid-tight seal with an aperture defined in the base of the receptacle. The O-rings  50  and  51  are provided to assure that no air leaks from the temporary mobility kit  10  during operation in which compressed air is pumped from the switch-inflator assembly  12 , into the sealant assembly  14 , and out of the sealant hose  34 , carrying a quantity of the tire sealant. The O-rings  50  and  51  provide a re-sealable connection between the switch-inflator assembly  12  and the sealant assembly  14  when the sealant assembly  14  is removed for inspection or replacement. A locking snap-in collar  54  is formed on the base  48  for releasable attachment to the switch-inflator assembly  12  as will be described below. 
         [0026]      FIG. 4  illustrates a view of the underside of the sealant bottle  46  and the associated sealant hose  34 . The base  48  includes the upper O-ring  50 , the lower O-ring  52 , and the locking snap-in collar  54 . 
         [0027]    As set forth above,  FIG. 5  illustrates the combination dust cover and release tool  41 . The release tool  42  is attached to the sealant valve connector  40  by the flexible strap  47 . It is to be understood that the release tool  42  may be provided in another manner and in a different configuration than that illustrated. The configuration provided is thus only illustrative and is not intended to be limiting 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a receptacle  74  is defined in the switch-inflator assembly  12 . The receptacle  74  releasably receives the base  48  of the sealant assembly  14 . A connecting port  76  is centrally defined in the receptacle  74  for fluidly mating with the sealant bottle  46  of the sealant assembly. The O-rings  50  and  51  are engaged with the interior wall of the connecting port  76  when the sealant assembly  14  is attached to the switch-inflator assembly  12  to form a fluid-tight seal. The locking arrangement will be discussed further below with respect to  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
         [0029]    With reference still to  FIG. 6 , the switch-inflator assembly  12  also includes a diverter switch  84 , a power-on, power-off button  86 , and an air pressure gauge  88 . The power-on, power-off button  86  may be of a variety of types but is preferably a momentary switch. Placement of these components as set forth in  FIG. 6  is only suggestive and is not to be taken as being limiting. However, with each of these components being positioned on the top of the switch-inflator assembly  12  they are within easy reach of the user and also provide an easy view of the operating condition of the temporary mobility kit  10  in its relation to the tire. 
         [0030]    The diverter switch  84  includes a knob  90 . The diverter switch  84  may also be characterized as a function switch. The diverter switch  84  provides the temporary mobility kit  10  with a way of allowing the user to select between the sealant function and the air inflation function. The selection arrangement presented herein allows only one function to be enabled at a time. The knob  90  may be rotated between a position  92  which is the air inflation position and a position  94  which is the sealant function position. As illustrated, the position of the diverter switch  84  is in the sealant function as the knob  90  has been rotated to the position  94 . In this position—and only in this position—the diverter switch  84  is open, and the tire sealant composition can be introduced into the tire only if the tire valve connector  40  is connected to one of the vehicle&#39;s tire valves (not shown) because of completion of an electrical circuit. Alternatively, the knob  90  may be rotated to the position  92 . In this position—and only in this position—the diverter switch is closed and the tire can be inflated. 
         [0031]    The power-on, power-off button  86  operates to engage or disengage the temporary mobility kit  10 . The air pressure gauge  88  provides the user with information as to the amount of air pressure in the subject tire in real time. 
         [0032]      FIG. 6  also shows a user-grasping channel  30 ′ defined in the upper area  16  of the switch-inflator assembly  12  which is opposite the channel  30  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and discussed above in conjunction therewith. 
         [0033]    With reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the arrangement for releasably locking the sealant bottle  46  to the switch-inflator assembly  12  is illustrated in detail. Particularly, a snap-in assembly, generally illustrated as  100 , is provided. The snap-in assembly  100  is substantially fitted to within the switch-inflator assembly  12 . A portion of the snap-in assembly  100  is visible in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0034]    The snap-in assembly  100  includes a snap-in assembly base  102  having a sealant output line  104  formed thereon. The sealant output line  104  is in fluid communication with the fluid pump provided internally within the switch-inflator assembly  12 . 
         [0035]    Formed on the upper area of the snap-in assembly base  102  is a recessed area  106 . A slidable retaining member  108  is slidably provided in the recessed area  106 . The recessed release button  43  shown in  FIG. 3  is continuous with the slidable retaining member  108 . Defined through the slidable retaining member  108  is an oval-shaped aperture  110  having a beveled edge generally defined along its perimeter. A first resilient member  112  and a second resilient member  112 ′ are provided between the slidable retaining member  108  and an interior wall of the recessed area  106 . The first resilient member  112  and the second resilient member  112 ′ may be any of a variety of resilient structures, and the illustrated version of these members being coiled springs is not to be taken as limiting but rather as illustrative. Furthermore, while the overall configuration of the snap-in assembly  100  is illustrated herein in some detail, it is to be understood that this configuration is only suggestive and it is not to be taken as limiting. Other shapes for the snap-in assembly base  102 , the slidable retaining member  108 , and the aperture  110  may be utilized without restriction while achieving the same basic objectives of providing a practical and cost-effective structure for releasably retaining the sealant bottle  46  to the switch-inflator assembly  12 . 
         [0036]    It will likely become desirable to inspect or replace the sealant bottle  46  either because of use or because of expiration of the warranty period. Accordingly, in operation, to release the sealant bottle  46  from the switch-inflator assembly  12 , the operator presses the end of the release tool  42  against the button  43 . This causes the associated slidable retaining member  108  to be pushed inward, with the larger portion of the oval-shaped aperture  110  being generally moved into position over the connecting port  76 . Thus aligned, the locking snap-in collar  54 , which has a diameter which is lesser than that of the oval-shaped aperture  110 , is allowed to freely pass through the oval-shaped aperture  110 , thus releasing the sealant bottle  46  from the switch-inflator assembly  12 . 
         [0037]    Attachment of the sealant bottle  46  to the switch-inflator assembly  12  is accomplished by reversing the steps set forth above. Particularly, the operator would generally align the base  48  of the sealant bottle  46  over the connecting port  76  of the switch-inflator assembly  12 . The operator then pushes against the sealant bottle  46  such that the locking snap-in collar  54  of the base  48  pushes against the oval-shaped aperture  110  of the slidable retaining member  108 . As the area adjacent the oval-shaped aperture  110  is beveled, the positioning of the locking snap-in collar  54  on top of the oval-shaped aperture  110  and the pushing of the force of the sealant bottle  46  applied against the oval-shaped aperture  110  causes movement of the wider portion of the oval-shaped aperture  110  of the slidable retaining member  108  to be moved such that it is generally positioned over the connecting port  76 . The locking snap-in collar  54  of the base  48  is thus allowed to pass thereby. Once the base  48  is substantially fully fitted within the connecting port  76  the slidable retaining member  108  is moved back to its locking position by the resilient members  112  and  112 ′, thus positioning the narrower portion of the oval-shaped aperture  110  between the underside of the sealant bottle  46  and the upper side of the locking snap-in collar  54 , thus locking the sealant bottle  46  in place. 
         [0038]    While the invention has been described in connection with one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that the specific mechanisms and techniques which have been described are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention, numerous modifications may be made to the methods and apparatus described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.