Abstract:
A metal spike has a plurality of sharp blades which are functionally adapted for puncturing a rubber tire as the tire passes over the spike. As the rubber tire moves away from the spike assembly or array, the spike is withdrawn from the holder and remains embedded in the tread of the tire. The spike includes a plurality of grooves which extend along the body of the spike and between adjacent blades to allow pressurized air escaping from the tire to run along the spike grooves and to a central internal airflow vent until the tire is partially or completely deflated.

Description:
This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/134,630, filed May 18, 1999. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to devices used by law enforcement agencies and the like for puncturing the rubber tires of a motor vehicle, thereby slowing down and eventually stopping such motor vehicle. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved tire puncturing device which utilizes a tire deflating spike which is constructed and configured so as to facilitate the flow of air out of a rubber vehicle tire once the rubber tire is punctured by the deflating spike. It also relates to an array or an assembly having a plurality of such deflating spikes for use with the device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It has long been recognized that it is occasionally necessary for law enforcement agencies to impede and altogether stop the movement of a run-away motor vehicle. Direct pursuit of such vehicles is often necessary, but brings with it concerns for public safety when such pursuits lead through city streets and other populated areas. Because such pursuits can also result in high speed chases, the safety of the pursuers is also a concern. 
     As a safer alternative to the direct pursuit of such vehicles, it has been recognized that strategic placement of tire deflating mechanisms in the path, or the anticipated path, of such run-away motor vehicles can effectively impede and stop the movement of them. Such portable tire deflating mechanisms can be deployed with relative ease and have taken several forms in recent years. One such mechanism is a multiple blade system whereby a plurality of blades, which blades are biased in the direction of the oncoming motor vehicle, are deployed. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,774 issued to Behan. Other systems have been used which utilize what amount to large hollow needles or syringes. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. Re. 35,373 issued to Kilgrow et al. Still other systems utilize pyramidal spikes. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,536,109 issued to Lowndes. While each of these systems is, in the experience of this inventor, useful in its own right, each such array has functional limitations when the deflating mechanisms are confronted with the prospect of stopping a motor vehicle fitted with modem tires of the multiple layered, steel belted, self-sealing type. Such tires are specifically designed and configured to resist and possibly completely neutralize tire puncturing obstacles, including those intended as well as unintended. In the experience of this inventor, blade arrays have the drawback that, while they may cut through the rubber tread, a sharp blade will not be able to cut through several mesh steel wire belts thereby completely frustrating the tire deflating intention of the blade array device. Similarly, a needle-like or syringe-like puncturing device may even remain within the tire, but to no adverse result if a plug of rubber tire material becomes lodged within the inner void of the puncturing device, much the same as a cookie cutter can and does. Finally, other deflating device structures may remain in the tire, but to no avail and with no way to remove air from the tire until the deflating device becomes dislodged from the tire. Another safety concern arises with the use of such devices. And that is that such devices may eventually be dislodged and thrown from the motor vehicle tires they have impaled, thereby causing a safety concern for those in pursuit of such vehicles. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention to provide a new, useful and uncomplicated device for quickly and efficiently puncturing and deflating the rubber tires of a motor vehicle. It is a further object of this invention to provide such a tire deflating device which requires only a minimal number of elements and which effectively enhances air flow from the tire along the outside of the device and then transfers the air flow to the interior of the device. It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a device which can be readily used in a variety of tire deflating arrays and which effectively punctures most, if not all, modem inflatable rubber tire constructions. It is still another object of this invention to provide such a device which remains imbedded in the rubber tire until removal is desired or required. It is still another object of this invention to provide such a device which minimizes the fracturing of puncturing device tips and which avoids any rubber tire material plug from being created in the tire puncturing process. 
     The present invention has obtained these objects. It provides for a rubber tire puncturing and deflating device which is insertable within and removable from a holder of an array of such devices. The tire puncturing and deflating device of the present invention comprises a metal spike having a plurality of sharp, fluted edges which are functionally adapted for puncturing a rubber tire as the tire passes over the spike. As the rubber tire moves away from the spike assembly or array, the fluted spike is withdrawn from the holder and remains imbedded in the tread of the tire. The spike of the present invention includes a plurality of grooves which extend along the body of the spike to allow pressurized air escaping from the tire to run along the spike grooves and to a plurality of air flow vents. Each air flow vent is an access opening to the interior of the spike which allows the pressurized air to continue to flow through the spike and out of the tire until the tire is partially or even completely deflated. The foregoing and other features of the device of the present invention will be further apparent from the detailed description which follows. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device using an array of the tire puncturing and deflating spikes which are constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical section through one of the puncturing and deflating spikes shown in FIG.  1  and further showing, in particular, an exploded view of one embodiment of the spike seat assembly. 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical view of the puncturing and deflating spike shown in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the puncturing and deflating spike shown in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged top plan view of the puncturing and deflating spike shown in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical view of the puncturing and deflating spike shown in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the puncturing and deflating spike shown in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 8 is a greatly enlarged top plan view of the puncturing and deflating spike shown in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 9 is a vertical section of the spike shown in FIG.  6  and taken along Line  9 — 9  in FIG.  8 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of a puncturing and deflating spike, generally identified  10 , which is constructed in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, an array of such spikes  10  is included in a scissors-like assembly, generally identified  20 , which includes rotatably attached base members  21 ,  22 . In this fashion, the assembly  20  can be significantly reduced in size and can be transported between locations when such is desired or required. It also allows the assembly to be used over and over again. While disclosed as a preferred embodiment, it should be understood that any number of such expandible and portable arrays could be constructed without deviating from the scope of the present invention. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the assembly base member  3  is fitted with a number of spike holders  1 . The spike holder  1  of the present invention is made of a rigid plastic material. The spike holder  1  is attached to the base member  3  by virtue of a screw  5  and nut  4  used in combination. It should also be mentioned that this inventor has configured a base member  3  which is constructed with an integrally formed spike holder  1 , thereby eliminating the need for the extra screw  5  and nut  4  as shown. The critical function performed by either spike holder configuration is that the spike  10  be retained within the spike holder void  2  until the spike  10  is ready to be deployed by the assembly  20 . To that end, the puncturing and deflating spike  10  of the present invention includes a cylindrical spike base  11  which is functionally adapted to fit within the spike holder void  2 . The spike base  11  is fitted with a rubber ring  8  which helps retain the spike  10  in position. This inventor has also experienced success by utilizing a viscous silicon rubber sleeve or band which is functional throughout a wide range of temperatures in retaining the spike base  11  in place and allowing it some movement within the spike holder  1 . 
     As also shown in FIG. 2, the puncturing and deflating spike  10  of the present invention includes an upwardly extending plurality of spike blades  15 . Extending from the spike base  11 , the spike blades  15  come together and culminate in a spike point  17 . It is this spike point  17  which serves as the initial portion of the spike  10  to contact and pierce one or more of the rubber tires of a motor vehicle traveling over the assembly  20 . Each of the spike blades  15  of the spike  10  has a razor sharp blade edge  16  which helps slice through the rubber tire and through the steel bands contained within it as the weight of the vehicle bears upon the spike  10 . Situated between each of the spike blades  15  is a longitudinally extending spike groove  18 . Each spike groove  18  extends along the length of the spike  10 , beginning just below the point  17  of the spike  10  and ending just above the spike base  11 . To each side of each spike groove  18  is a spike fillet  14 . The purpose and function of this pair of spike fillets  14  will become more apparent further in this detailed description. 
     As previously disclosed, the tire puncturing and deflating spike  10  of the present invention includes a spike base void  12 . The spike base void  12 , in actuality, extends up and into the spike  10  and terminates at a point where the spike base void  12  meets, or intersects, the spike grooves  18  which run along the exterior of the spike  10 . In this fashion, the spike  10  of the present invention creates an air flow continuum which begins just below the point  17  of the spike  10 , runs along the number of spike grooves  18  and terminates in a like number of openings  13  to the spike base void  12 . It is this feature of the spike  10  of the present invention which aids in the tire deflating function of the spike  10 , even when used to pierce today&#39;s anti-leak tires. It should also be mentioned that the placement of the spike openings  13  in the spike  10  is such that strength of the uppermost portion of the spike  10  is maximized whereby the possibility of the air flow along the spike  10  being interrupted because of a collapsed spike  10 , or a portion of it, is minimized. 
     In application, a plurality of puncturing and deflating spikes  10  are loaded into the scissors assembly  20 , or other similar assembly. In this fashion, deployment of the assembly  20  across the anticipated path of the run-away motor vehicle by law enforcement officers makes the assembly  20  ready for action. When the rubber motor vehicle tire encounters the assembly  20 , the foremost portion of the vehicle tire encounters the spike point  17 . As the weight and forward progress of the tire forces it to roll over the spike  10 , the uppermost portion of the spike  10  is urged into and through the tire tread. The rubber tire is then pierced by the spike point  17  and the tread is split by the edges  16  of the spike blades  15 . As the spike  10  penetrates deeper into the rubber tire, the air chamber of the tire is pierced (not shown). In this fashion, air begins to be discharged from the tire along the spike grooves  18  of the spike  10 . Although the physical construction of many of today&#39;s rubber tires would have a tendency to close off the flow of air and seal the tire at its puncture site, the strategic presence of fillets  14  to each side of the spike grooves  18  serves to push the rubber tire material back from the innermost and deepest portions of the spike grooves  18 . In this fashion, air flow from the tire is initiated and maintained through and along the spike grooves  18 . The flow of air continues along the spike grooves  18  until it reaches the air flow vents  13  situated just above the spike base  11 . It should also be mentioned that, at some point during this process, the forward progress of the vehicle and its tires has resulted in the spike  10  being pulled away from the spike holder  1  with the assembly  20  being left behind and the spike  10  being firmly imbedded in the tire tread. In this fashion, air flow continues through the air flow vents  13 , and through the spike base void  12 , until the vehicle tire is substantially deflated or completely flat, at which point the forward progress of the vehicle is substantially impaired. 
     From the foregoing detailed description of the illustrative embodiment of the invention set forth herein, it will be apparent that there has been provided a new, useful and uncomplicated device for quickly and efficiently puncturing and deflating the rubber tires of a motor vehicle; which requires only a minimal number of elements and which effectively enhances air flow from the tire along the outside of the device and then transfers the air flow to the interior of the device; which can be readily used in a variety of tire deflating arrays and which effectively punctures most, if not all, modern rubber tire constructions; which remains imbedded in the rubber tire until removal is desired or required; and which minimizes the fracturing of puncturing device tips and which avoids any rubber tire material plug from being created in the tire puncturing process.