Abstract:
In a filling system for sealing and inflating tires, comprising at least one pressure source, in particular a compressor, and at least one container for receiving tire sealant, the container for receiving tire sealant is to be of tire-like design.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is for entry into the U.S. National Phase under §371 for International Application No. PCT/EP2006/005898 having an international filing date of Jun. 20, 2006, and from which priority is claimed under all applicable sections of Title 35 of the United States Code including, but not limited to, Sections 120, 363 and 365(c), and which in turn claims priority under 35 USC 119 to German Patent Application No. 20 2005 017 071.2 filed on Oct. 28, 2005. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a filling system for sealing and inflating tires having at least one pressure source, in particular a compressor and at least one container for receiving tire sealants. 
     Such types of filling systems are known and available in the market in many shapes and embodiments. They serve to accommodate tire sealants in defective tires when there is a flat tire and to seal a defective tire. In the process, using a compressor, compressed air is pressed into a bottle with tire sealant, and through appropriate standpipes, the tire sealant is then pumped through the valve into the defective tires. 
     The disadvantage in such conventional tire systems is that these must be separately designed and aligned for each type of vehicle, are difficult to operate, [and] not easy to handle during a puncture, with tire sealants often coming out and dirtying the user. Conventional systems are not to be used on diagonally inclined surfaces and must be renewed or replaced after use at great cost by the repair shop or the specialized company. 
     The task of the present invention therefore is to create a filling system of the aforementioned type, which eliminates the disadvantages mentioned and with which an easy to use filling system is created in a simple and inexpensive manner, which is universally employable or usable, and moreover considerably facilitates the operability for the user as well as replacement after subsequent use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The features of claim  1  as well as those of the independent claims result in achieving this task. 
     In the present invention, it has in particular proven advantageous to design a casing in a cylindrical and disk-like manner, in which the essential components, such as the pressure source, in particular the source of compressed air and compressor are accommodated, which can be provided by an external source of energy or rechargeable with energy. In the casing itself, appropriate switches, valve change-over switches, manometers or the like, as well as appropriate accommodation spaces, annuli for accommodating the electrical connecting lines or the compressed air feeding pipe, are created. Here, a compressed air feeding pipe in the shell-side region may be inserted or fastened in a recess, preferably in between [sic] the container connected thereto to accommodate the tire sealant. 
     Following the cross-sectionally round and cylindrically designed casing for accommodating the compressor, a container, likewise correspondingly cylindrical and preferably round, is connected to accommodate the tire sealant. This is preferably designed tire-like. This container for accommodating the tire sealant is connectable, snap-in, screwable or the like, with a face of the casing to accommodate the compressor. Here, projecting parts or recesses that are correspondingly designed socket-like can be provided between the container and the face of the casing in order to screw down or connect the container in a detachable manner with the casing of the compressor. 
     What is important in the present invention is for the casing and container for accommodating the tire sealant to be cross-sectionally equal, preferably round, and to have approximately the same dimension or diameter. In this way, a compact, flat unit is built, which can be easily stowed away or kept in trunks, spare wheel cavities, inner spaces of spare tire wheel rims, etc. 
     Here, one and the same casing may be used with the compressor inserted, etc., for containers with varying heights or thicknesses to accommodate tire sealants. For use on motorbikes or bicycles, stocking up a small volume of tire sealant will suffice so that, although this exhibits approximately the same diameter as the casing of the compressor, it is not high and/or not as thick. Should correspondingly greater quantities of tire sealants be stocked up for, for example, motor vehicles, a greater height of the container may be selected accordingly to accommodate the tire sealant while the diameter remains the same. 
     For even bigger tires that require even greater quantities of tire sealants during a flat tire, such as truck tires or tractor tires, an even greater height or thickness of the container may be selected to accommodate the tire sealant while the diameter remains the same in order to stock up greater quantities of tire sealant there. In the process, irrespective of the different height of the tire sealant, the container may always be connected to the casing of the compressor in a detachable manner, while the construction of the compressor does not change. 
     A withdrawal device on the face is likewise allocated to the container to accommodate the tire sealant, with a compressed air feeding pipe being connected to the withdrawal device in order to introduce compressed air thereto, whereby the tire sealant can then be applied into the tires via the withdrawal feeding line that empties into the container via standpipes or the like. 
     After using the filling system, only the container with the withdrawal device is replaced. The user can do this himself without requiring any corresponding workshop or technical personnel. He can simply purchase the container with the withdrawal device with the desired quantity of tire sealant again from the accessories retailer and screw this onto the existing casing of the compressor. 
     Within the scope of the present invention, the casing and/or the container for accommodating the tire sealant should each be designed tire-like as well, in which either the casing of the compressor or the container for the tire sealant can be suitable for placing on a surface. The present invention is [sic] not limited thereto. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other advantages, features and particulars of the present invention arise from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments as well as using the drawing; this shows in: 
         FIG. 1 , a schematically illustrated perspective view of a filling system for sealing and pumping tires; 
         FIG. 2 , a schematically illustrated perspective view of the filling system in accordance with  FIG. 1  in a position of use; 
         FIG. 3 , a schematically illustrated longitudinal section through the filling system in accordance with  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4   a , a schematically illustrated top view of another filling system in accordance with  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4   b , a schematically illustrated top view of another filling system in accordance with  FIG. 1 , having a container small in design to accommodate the tire sealant; 
         FIG. 4   c  is a top view of another exemplary embodiment of the filling system in accordance with  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4   d  is a schematically illustrated top view of the cylindrically designed casing of the compressor with a lid element; 
         FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  are schematically illustrated top views of two different mounting options of the filling system on a surface. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with  FIG. 1 , a filling system R 1  for sealing and pumping tires  1 , see  FIG. 2 , exhibits pressure source  2 , in particular compressor  3 , which produces compressed air. Other pressure sources  2 , such as compressed gas or air containers, may also be suggested here. 
     Here, pressure source  2 , in particular compressor  3 , is arranged in a casing  4 , in which manometer  5 , on the casing side, and switch  6  as well as change-over switch  7  are also provided. 
     The casing  4  is preferably cylindrically designed and stands on surface  8  to accommodate pressure source  2 , in particular compressor  3 . 
     Aside from its outer casing surface, a ring region  9  is inserted, which serves to accommodate electrical supply line  10 . 
     The compressor is directly or indirectly connected with the manometer  5  or with a compressed air feeding pipe  11 . 
     It has in particular proven advantageous in the present invention to mount on the face a container  12  to accommodate tire sealant  13 , see  FIG. 2 , on the casing  4  with integrated compressor  3 . 
     Here, container  12  is cross-sectionally round and cylindrical, preferably designed tire-like to accommodate tire sealant  13 . 
     It is preferred for the diameters of casing  4  and container  12  to be of approximately equal size to accommodate tire sealant  13 . 
     In the process, container  12 , as indicated in the cross-sectional illustration in accordance with  FIG. 3 , may be firmly and detachably connected to casing  4 , in particular screwed on. 
     In addition, preferably in the center of container  12 , a withdrawal device  14  must be allocated, which can be connected at one end via a withdrawal feeding pipe  15  to tires  1 , and on the other end, catches into container  12  via a rigid or flexible standpipe  16  in order to take out tire sealant  13  from there. 
     Valves, etc., that are not illustrated, regulate a clean closing in the non-operative condition or an opening in the position of application. No further detail will be given in this regard. 
     The important thing in the present invention is for the container  12  to be designed somewhat tire-like on its exterior and to be exhibiting approximately the same diameter as casing  4  for accommodating compressor  3  with an integrated or inserted manometer  5 , if necessary, switch  6  and change-over  7 , as well as electronic supply pipes  12  with connector element  17  for connecting to any power source. Through the disk-like and cylindrical style of casing  4  with a compressor inserted and through the correspondingly tire-like designed shape of container  12  for accommodating the tire sealant, a compact unit is created as a filling system R 1 , which has a rigid state on surface  8 , and which does not fall even if surfaces  8  are inclined, and can be accommodated in a very space-saving manner, for example in correspondingly rounded cavities in the trunk of the vehicle or even within the rim of a spare tire. 
     Moreover, handling this filling system designed as a unit is considerably easier because not only the stability but the replacement as well of container  12  from casing  4  of compressor  3  is very easily done by, for example, twisting via the corresponding thread that intermesh, and replacing after use. 
     Moreover, it has proven advantageous in the present invention that only one and the same casing  4  can be used with the compressor  3  inserted in order to create containers  12  of different sizes to accommodate different quantities of tire sealant as illustrated in  FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b , and  4   c.    
     The casing  4  preferably exhibits a uniform height and a uniform diameter. 
     In order to stock up different volumes for different purposes of application for tire sealant  13 , it has proven advantageous in the present invention to select different containers  12  with different heights H in order to stock up different volumes of tire sealant  13 . 
     Container  12  for accommodating the tire sealant  13  in accordance with  FIG. 4   a  is of a defined height H to the casing  4 , while the diameter remains the same, in order to accommodate a defined quantity of tire sealant. 
     This filling system R 2  serves to accommodate tire sealant  13  for private vehicles, for example. 
     In the exemplary embodiment in accordance with  FIG. 4   b , a filling system R 3  of the above-mentioned type is described, which exhibits a smaller container  12 , which likewise approximately has the same diameter as the casing  4  for accommodating compressor  3 . There is correspondingly less tire sealant  13  stocked up in the present container  12 , which is likewise designed tire-like, and can find application for bicycles or motorcycles, for instance. 
     A container  12  of a great height H in accordance with  FIG. 4   c  of a filling system R 4  is shown for tractors and tractors, the filling system stocking up a considerably greater quantity of tire sealant  13 . 
     In this way, the entire diameter of the filling system R 1  to R 4  is not changed or constantly maintained and only through different heights H of the container  12  is there control over the quantity of tire sealant  13  to be stocked up. 
     In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention in accordance with  FIG. 4   d , casing  4  can be used with integrated compressor  3  also as a “stand-alone” embodiment in order to pump tires, air mattresses, inflatable boats or the like, etc. Here, a lid element  17  may be provided in order to ensure a clean floor space or covering of casing  4  of compressor  3 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment in accordance with  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , it should only be indicated that not only can the casing  4  be set on surface  8 , but as  FIG. 5   b  indicates, container  12  can be supported directly on surface  8  and above it, corresponding to the above-described manner, casing  4  connects to accommodate compressor  3 , etc. This should also lie within the scope of the present invention. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Designation list 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1 
                 Tires 
               
               
                 2 
                 Pressure source 
               
               
                 3 
                 Compressor 
               
               
                 4 
                 Casing 
               
               
                 5 
                 Manometer 
               
               
                 6 
                 Switch 
               
               
                 7 
                 Change-over switch 
               
               
                 8 
                 Surface 
               
               
                 9 
                 Annulus 
               
               
                 10 
                 Electr. connecting line 
               
               
                 11 
                 Compressed air feeding 
               
               
                   
                 pipe 
               
               
                 12 
                 Container 
               
               
                 13 
                 Tire sealant 
               
               
                 14 
                 Withdrawal device 
               
               
                 15 
                 Withdrawal feeding pipe 
               
               
                 16 
                 Standpipe 
               
               
                 17 
                 Lid 
               
               
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                 R 1   
                 Filling system 
               
               
                 R 2   
                 Filling system 
               
               
                 R 3   
                 Filling system 
               
               
                 R 4   
                 Filling system 
               
               
                 H 
                 Height