Patent Publication Number: US-2010108185-A1

Title: Air compressor and tire repairing combination

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an air compressor and tire repairing combination, and more particularly to an air compressor and tire repairing combination including a control device for selectively switching or actuating an air compressing device or compressor to generate and supply an air flow or a pressurized to inflate various air facilities, and for selectively switching or actuating and injecting a repair liquid into the faulty tire and to repair and to inflate the faulty tire simultaneously. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Typical air compressing devices comprise a fan device rotatably received in a compressor housing, and a motor coupled to the fan device for driving or rotating the fan device to generate and supply a pressurized air and to inflate various air facilities, such as tires, air beds, air cushions, hovercrafts, etc. The other typical air compressing devices comprise a piston slidably received in a cylinder housing, and a motor coupled to the piston for moving the piston relative to the cylinder housing in a reciprocating action, in order to generate a pressurized air of a greater air pressure and a decreased flowing quantity. 
     The applicant has developed various kinds of typical air compressing devices each also comprising a motor coupled to a piston that is slidably received in a cylinder housing for moving the piston relative to the cylinder housing in a reciprocating action, in order to generate a pressurized air of a greater air pressure and a decreased flowing quantity. One example of the typical air compressing devices is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,240,642 to Chou. 
     However, the typical air compressing devices may only be used to generate and supply the pressurized air to inflate the air facilities, but may not be used to repair the faulty vehicle tires. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,172 to Thurner discloses one of the typical devices for repairing a tire fault and comprising a pressurized gas source coupled to a replaceable and compressible liquid storage volume for supplying the pressurized gas to force and to inject the liquid out of the storage volume and to repair the faulty tires. 
     However, the pressurized gas may only be used to repair the faulty tires, but may not be used to inflate the air facilities, such as the tires, the air beds, the air cushions, the hovercrafts or the like, such that the users have to purchase and prepare another air compressing device to inflate various air facilities. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,345,650 to Paasch et al. discloses another typical tire repairing device for acting as a readily available bridge to connect a deflated tire with an inflated tire. 
     However, after the deflated tire is inflated by the inflated tire, the inflated tire or both the tires will be deflated, and the users have to purchase and prepare another air compressing device to inflate the deflated tire, such that the typical tire repairing device is inconvenient to repair the deflated tire. 
     The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional air compressor and tire repairing combinations. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an air compressor and tire repairing combination including a control device for selectively switching or actuating an air compressing device or compressor to generate and supply an air flow or a pressurized air to inflate various air facilities, and for selectively switching or actuating and injecting a repair liquid into the faulty tire, and in order to repair and to inflate the faulty tire simultaneously. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an air compressor and tire repairing combination comprising an air compressing device for generating and supplying a pressurized air, and including an outlet tube for supplying out the pressurized gas, a tire repairing device including a container having a chamber formed therein for receiving a repair liquid and for selectively supplying the repair liquid to a faulty tire, and a controlling device including a tubular member having a bore formed therein, and having an inlet port coupled to the outlet tube of the air compressing device for receiving the pressurized air from the outlet tube of the air compressing device, and having an outlet port coupled to a nozzle for selectively supplying the pressurized air out through the nozzle, and having an exit coupled to the container for selectively supplying the pressurized air to the container and to selectively force the repair liquid to flow out of the container and to repair and to inflate the faulty tire simultaneously. 
     The tubular member includes a valve seat provided in the tubular member and disposed between the inlet port and the outlet port of the tubular member for selectively closing or blocking the outlet port and for selectively controlling and supplying the pressurized air to flow out or not to flow out through the outlet port and the nozzle. 
     The controlling device includes a valve stem slidably received and engaged in the bore of the tubular member and having a valve member for selectively engaging with the valve seat of the tubular member and for selectively blocking the outlet port of the tubular member. 
     The tubular member includes a valve seat provided in the tubular member and disposed between the inlet port and the exit of the tubular member for selectively controlling and supplying the pressurized air out through the exit and the container of the tire repairing device. 
     The controlling device includes a valve stem slidably received and engaged in the bore of the tubular member and having a valve member provided on the valve stem for selectively engaging with the valve seat of the tubular member and for selectively blocking the exit of the tubular member. 
     The controlling device includes a spring member engaged with the valve stem for biasing and forcing the valve member of the valve stem to engage with the valve seat of the tubular member and to selectively block the exit of the tubular member and to prevent the pressurized air from flowing out through the exit of the tubular member and from flowing to the container of the tire repairing device. 
     The tubular member includes a stop provided therein, and the valve stem includes a protrusion extended from the valve stem and engageable with the stop when the valve stem is depressed against or onto the spring member and when the valve stem is rotated relative to the tubular member, in order to maintain the valve member of the valve stem in engagement with the valve seat of the tubular member. 
     The valve stem includes a latch extended outwardly and upwardly extended from the upper portion of the valve stem and engageable with the stop for limiting the valve stem to slide relative to the tubular member. 
     The tubular member includes a compartment formed in an upper casing, and a knob is provided on top of the valve stem and slidably engaged in the compartment of the casing of the tubular member for depressing and moving the valve stem onto the spring member. 
     The casing includes a space formed therein for selectively receiving the protrusion of the valve stem, and the stop is extended into the casing and located between the space and the compartment of the casing. 
     The air compressing device includes a cylinder housing, a piston slidably engaged in the cylinder housing, a piston rod extended from the piston, and a motor attached to the cylinder housing and coupled to the piston rod with an eccentric or gear coupling device for moving the piston relative to the cylinder housing in a reciprocating action, in order to generate the pressurized air. 
     The tubular member includes a mouth communicating with the bore of the tubular member and coupled to a pressure gauge for detecting and displaying or showing an air pressure in the bore of the tubular member. 
     The container includes a mouth, a cap is detachably attached to the mouth of the container with a threading engagement, and includes a block engaged into the mouth of the container, and includes an inlet port coupled to the exit of the tubular member for selectively receiving the pressurized air from the tubular member, and includes an inlet passage formed therein and communicating with the inlet port for allowing the pressurized air to selectively flow into the chamber of the container and to force the repair liquid to flow out of the container. 
     The cap includes an outlet passage formed therein and offset from the inlet passage of the cap and communicating with an outlet port which is coupled to a nozzle for allowing the pressurized air to force the repair liquid in the container to flow out through the outlet passage and the outlet port and to flow to the nozzle. 
     A lid is further provided and detachably engaged onto the block of the cap for selectively blocking or closing or sealing the outlet passage and the inlet passage of the cap and for preventing the repair liquid from flowing out through the outlet passage and the outlet port of the cap. 
     The lid includes a catch extended therefrom for removably engaging with the outlet passage of the cap and for detachably attaching the lid to the block of the cap, and the lid is disengageable from the block and movable into the chamber of the container when the pressurized air is supplied into the inlet port and the inlet passage of the cap. 
     The cap includes a compartment formed in the lower portion thereof and communicating with the outlet passage of the cap for allowing the repair liquid to be completely flown out of the container. A receptacle is further provided and includes a chamber formed therein for receiving the air compressing device and the tire repairing device and the controlling device. 
     Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an air compressor and tire repairing combination in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom plan schematic view of the air compressor and tire repairing combination; 
         FIG. 3  is another bottom plan schematic view of the air compressor and tire repairing combination, in which a lower housing member or a back cover has been removed for showing the inner structure of the air compressor and tire repairing combination; 
         FIG. 4  is a further bottom plan schematic view similar to  FIG. 3 , in which a portion of the air compressor and tire repairing combination has been cutoff for showing the inner structure of the air compressor and tire repairing combination; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view of the air compressor and tire repairing combination, in which a portion of the air compressor and tire repairing combination has been cutoff or removed for illustrating the inner structure of the air compressor and tire repairing combination; 
         FIG. 6  is a further partial perspective view similar to  FIG. 5 , illustrating the operation of the air compressor and tire repairing combination; 
         FIG. 7  is a still further partial perspective view illustrating a control device of the air compressor and tire repairing combination; and 
         FIG. 8  is a still further partial perspective view similar to  FIG. 7 , illustrating the operation of the air compressor and tire repairing combination. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the drawings, and initially to  FIGS. 1-5 , an air compressor and tire repairing combination  1  in accordance with the present invention comprises an outer receptacle  10  including a chamber  11  formed therein and formed or defined by a lower receptacle member  12  and an upper receptacle member  13 , the receptacle  10  includes a side opening  14  formed in one side portion thereof, an upper opening  15  formed in the upper portion thereof, two front openings  16 ,  17  formed in the front portion thereof, and a peripheral recess  18  formed in the outer peripheral portion of the bottom portion thereof, and a cover  19  openably attached and secured to the lower receptacle member  12  of the receptacle  10  for covering or shielding or protecting the parts and elements received in the chamber  11  of the receptacle  10 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3-6 , an air compressing device  2  includes a cylinder housing  20  received and attached and secured in the chamber  11  of the receptacle  10 , a piston  21  ( FIGS. 3 ,  4 ) slidably engaged in the cylinder housing  20 , a piston rod  22  attached or secured to or extended from the piston  22 , and a motor  23  attached and secured to the cylinder housing  20  and coupled to the piston rod  22  with an eccentric or gear coupling device  24  for moving the piston  22  relative to the cylinder housing  20  in a reciprocating action, in order to generate a pressurized air of a relatively greater air pressure and a decreased flowing quantity. One example of the typical air compressing devices is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,240,642 to Chou which may be taken as a reference for the present invention. A switch  88  is engaged in the opening  17  of the receptacle  10  and electrically coupled to the motor  23  for switching or controlling the motor  23 . An electric plug or connector  90  may be extended out through the side opening  14  of the receptacle  10  ( FIG. 3 ) and may be used to electrically couple the motor  23  to the cigarette lighter sockets of various vehicles (not shown) for energizing the motor  23 . 
     A switching or controlling device  3  is also received and attached and secured in the chamber  11  of the receptacle  10  and coupled to the cylinder housing  20  for receiving the pressurized air from the cylinder housing  20 , for example, the cylinder housing  20  includes an outlet tube  25  having an outlet port or mouth  26  for coupling to the controlling device  3  and for supplying the pressurized air to the controlling device  3 . As shown in  FIGS. 3-8 , the controlling device  3  includes a tubular member  30  having a bore  31  formed therein, and having an inlet port  32  formed or provided on the lower portion  33  thereof and coupled to the outlet mouth  26  of the outlet tube  25  for receiving the pressurized air from the outlet tube  25  of the cylinder housing  20 . 
     The tubular member  30  includes an outlet port  34  formed or provided on the lower portion  33  thereof and coupled to a hose  40  and/or a nozzle  41  for selectively supplying the pressurized air out through the nozzle  41  to inflate various air facilities (not shown), such as tires, air beds, air cushions, hovercrafts, etc., and includes a valve seat  35  formed or provided in the lower portion  33  of the tubular member  30  and disposed and located between the inlet port  32  and the outlet port  34  for selectively controlling and supplying the pressurized air out through the outlet port  34  and the nozzle  41  ( FIG. 7 ), and for selectively blocking the outlet port  34  ( FIG. 8 ) to prevent the pressurized air from flowing out through the outlet port  34  and the nozzle  41 . The hose  40  and the nozzle  41  may be extended out through the side opening  14  of the receptacle  10  ( FIGS. 3 ,  4 ). 
     The tubular member  30  further includes an exit  36  formed or provided on the middle portion  37  thereof and coupled to another hose  42  for coupling to a tire repairing device  6  which will be discussed hereinafter. Another valve seat  38  is formed or provided in the middle portion  37  of the tubular member  30  and disposed and located between the inlet port  32  and the exit  36  for selectively controlling and supplying the pressurized air out through the exit  36  and to the tire repairing device  6  ( FIG. 8 ), and for selectively blocking the exit  36  ( FIG. 7 ) to prevent the pressurized air from flowing out through the exit  36  and then to the tire repairing device  6 , such that the controlling device  3  may be used to control and to selectively supply the pressurized air out through either the nozzle  41  or tire repairing device  6 . 
     The tubular member  30  further includes a mouth  39  formed or provided in the middle portion  37  of the tubular member  30  and communicating with the bore  31  of the tubular member  30  and coupled to another hose  43  and/or a pressure gauge  44  for detecting and displaying or indicating the air pressure in the bore  31  of the tubular member  30 , in which the pressure gauge  44  may be engaged in the opening  16  of the receptacle  10  ( FIG. 1 ) for being viewed by the users. A valve device  5  includes a valve stem  50  slidably received and engaged in the bore  31  of the tubular member  30 , and having a first or lower sealing ring or valve member  51  for selectively engaging with the valve seat  35  of the tubular member  30  and for selectively blocking the outlet port  34  of the tubular member  30  ( FIG. 8 ) and to prevent the pressurized air from flowing out through the outlet port  34  and the nozzle  41 . 
     The valve stem  50  further includes a second or upper or middle sealing ring or valve member  52  for selectively engaging with the other valve seat  38  of the tubular member  30  and for selectively blocking the exit  36  ( FIG. 7 ) and to prevent the pressurized air from flowing out through the exit  36  and then to the tire repairing device  6 . A sealing ring  53  is attached and secured to the upper portion  54  of the valve stem  50  and disposed and located above or upper than the exit  36  for making an air tight seal between the upper portion  54  of the valve stem  50  and the upper portion of the tubular member  30  and for preventing the pressurized air from flowing out through the upper portion of the tubular member  30 . 
     A spring member  55  is disposed and engaged in the lower portion  33  of the tubular member  30  and engaged with the lower portion of the valve stem  50  for biasing or forcing the valve member  52  of the valve stem  50  to engage with the other valve seat  38  of the tubular member  30  and to block the exit  36  ( FIG. 7 ) and to prevent the pressurized air from flowing out through the exit  36  and then to the tire repairing device  6 . A knob  56  is provided on the upper portion  54  of the valve stem  50  and slidably engaged in an upper compartment  45  of an upper casing  46  of the tubular member  30  for depressing or moving the valve stem  50  downwardly against or onto the spring member  55  and for forcing or moving the valve member  51  of the valve stem  50  to engage with the valve seat  35  of the tubular member  30  and to block the outlet port  34  of the tubular member  30  ( FIG. 8 ). The casing  46  is engageable in the opening  15  of the receptacle  10 . 
     The tubular member  30  further includes a narrowed space  47  formed or provided in the lower portion of the casing  46  and located below the compartment  45  of the casing  46  and having an inner diameter or width or dimension smaller than that of the compartment  45  of the casing  46 , and one or more (such as two) stops  48  oppositely extended into the casing  46 , and located between the space  47  and the compartment  45  of the casing  46  ( FIGS. 3 ,  4 ). The tubular member  30  includes one or more (such as two) latches  57  oppositely and outwardly and upwardly extended from the upper portion  54  thereof and engaged in the space  47  of the casing  46  for being biased to engage with the stops  48  by the spring member  55  and for limiting the valve stem  50  to slide relative to the tubular member  30 . 
     The tubular member  30  further includes one or more (such as two) protrusions  58  oppositely extended from the upper portion  54  thereof and located above the latches  57  and arranged beside the latches  57  for allowing the latches  57  and the protrusions  58  to be arranged or formed as a cross-shaped structure, and the protrusions  58  are engaged between the stops  48  and movable downwardly beyond the stops  48  when the valve stem  50  is depressed or moved against or onto the spring member  55  with the knob  56  and engageable with the stops  48  when the valve stem  50  is rotated relative to the tubular member  30  for about ninety (90) degrees, in order to maintain the valve member  51  of the valve stem  50  in engagement with the valve seat  35  of the tubular member  30  and so as to close or to block the outlet port  34  of the tubular member  30  ( FIG. 8 ). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3-6 , the tire repairing device  6  includes a container  60  received and attached and secured in the chamber  11  of the receptacle  10 , and having a chamber  61  formed therein for receiving a sealing mixture or repair liquid  62 . A cap  70  is attached and secured or threaded or engaged with the mouth  63  of the container  60 , and includes an insert or block  71  extended or engaged into the mouth  63  of the container  60 , and includes an inlet port  72  coupled to the hose  42  and the exit  36  of the tubular member  30  for selectively receiving the pressurized air from the tubular member  30 , and includes an inlet passage  73  formed therein and communicating with the inlet port  72  for allowing the pressurized air to selectively flow into the chamber  61  of the container  60  ( FIG. 6 ). 
     The cap  70  further includes an outlet passage  74  formed therein and offset from the inlet passage  73  of the cap  70 , and communicating with an outlet port  75  which is then coupled to another hose  76  and/or a nozzle  77  for allowing the pressurized air to blow or to force the repair liquid  62  in the container  60  to flow out through the outlet passage  74  and the outlet port  75  and the hose  76  and the nozzle  77  which may be coupled to various air facilities (not shown) for selectively supplying the repair liquid  62  into the air facilities. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the hose  76  and the nozzle  77  may be wound and received and engaged or stored in the peripheral recess  18  of the receptacle  10 . It is preferable that the cap  70  further includes a compartment  78  formed therein, particularly formed in the lower portion thereof and communicating with the outlet passage  74  for allowing the repair liquid  62  to be completely flown out of the container  60 . 
     A lid  80  is further provided and engaged onto the block  71  for selectively closing or sealing or shielding the outlet passage  74  and the inlet passage  73  and the compartment  78  of the cap  70  ( FIGS. 4 ,  5 ), and for suitably retaining the repair liquid  62  in the container  60  and for preventing the repair liquid  62  contained in the container  60  from flowing out through the outlet passage  74  and the outlet port  75  of the cap  70 . It is preferable that the lid  80  includes a catch  81  extended therefrom for engaging into or with the outlet passage  74  of the cap  70  and for detachably attaching or securing the lid  80  to the block  71  of the cap  70 , and arranged for allowing the lid  80  to be disengaged from the block  71  and to be blown into the chamber  61  of the container  60  ( FIG. 6 ) when the pressurized air is selectively supplied into the inlet port  72  and the inlet passage  73  of the cap  70 . 
     In operation, as shown in  FIGS. 4-5  and  7 , when the knob  56  has not been depressed or moved against or onto the spring member  55  by the user, the spring member  55  may bias and force the valve member  52  of the valve stem  50  to engage with the valve seat  38  of the tubular member  30  and to block the exit  36  and to prevent the pressurized air from flowing out through the exit  36  and then to the tire repairing device  6 , and simultaneously, the valve member  51  of the valve stem  50  may be disengaged from the valve seat  35  of the tubular member  30  for allowing the pressurized air from the outlet tube  25  of the cylinder housing  20  to selectively flow into the inlet port  32  of the tubular member  30  and then to selectively flow out through the outlet port  34  and the nozzle  41  to inflate various air facilities. 
     When it is required to repair various air facilities, particularly the faulty tire, as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , the valve stem  50  may be depressed or moved against or onto the spring member  55  with the knob  56  in order to engage the valve member  51  of the valve stem  50  with the valve seat  35  of the tubular member  30  and to block the outlet port  34  of the tubular member  30 , and simultaneously, the other valve member  52  of the valve stem  50  may be disengaged from the valve seat  38  of the tubular member  30  for allowing the pressurized air to selectively flow out through the exit  36  and then to the tire repairing device  6 . 
     When the pressurized air is selectively supplied into the inlet port  72  and the inlet passage  73  of the cap  70 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , the pressurized air may disengage the lid  80  from the block  71  and may blow the lid  80  into the chamber  61  of the container  60 , and then may blow and force the repair liquid  62  in the container  60  to flow out through the outlet passage  74  and the outlet port  75  and the hose  76  and the nozzle  77  and to repair and to inflate the faulty tire simultaneously. The controlling device  3  may thus be coupled between the air compressing device  2  and the container  60  of the tire repairing device  6  for switching or actuating the pressurized air to selectively flow out through the outlet port  34  and the nozzle  41 , or to selectively flow into the container  60  of the tire repairing device  6  and to selectively blow and force the repair liquid  62  out of the container  60 . 
     Accordingly, the air compressor and tire repairing combination includes a control device switching or actuating an air compressing device or compressor to generate and supply an air flow or a pressurized to inflate various tires or air facilities, and for selectively switching or actuating and injecting a repair liquid into the faulty tire and to repair and to inflate the faulty tire simultaneously. 
     Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the detailed construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.