Patent ID: 7162917

Claim:
A device for removing excess air pressure from a valve stem of a tire of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: (a) a body having a cavity, a first side, a second side, a first edge, a second edge, an input end, an exhaust end, and a centerline extending from the input end to the exhaust end; (b) an intake port located near the input end of the body, the intake port being structured and configured to be in fluid communication with the cavity, to form a fluid-tight seal with the valve stem of the tire, to extract compressed air from the valve stem, and to convey the extracted compressed air from the valve stem to the cavity; (c) a control mechanism structured and configured to enable a user to select a desired magnitude of air pressure above atmospheric pressure; (d) a pressure-measuring mechanism connected in communication with the control mechanism, the pressure-measuring mechanism being structured and configured to determine the magnitude above atmospheric pressure of compressed air in the cavity; (e) a display mechanism connected in communication with the control mechanism, the display mechanism being structured and configured to display the magnitude of air pressure above atmospheric pressure selected by use of the control mechanism; (f) a release mechanism having a release valve controlled by the control mechanism and having an exhaust port, wherein the exhaust port is connected through the release valve in fluid communication with the cavity, the release mechanism having an opened configuration wherein the release valve allows compressed air from the cavity to freely escape through the exhaust port, and a closed configuration wherein the release valve prevents compressed air from the cavity from escaping through the exhaust port; and (g) wherein the control mechanism causes the release mechanism to remain in the closed configuration when the magnitude of air pressure above atmospheric pressure in the cavity is less than the selected magnitude of air pressure above atmospheric pressure, and wherein the control mechanism causes the release mechanism to assume the opened configuration when the magnitude of air pressure above atmospheric pressure in the cavity is greater than the selected magnitude of air pressure above atmospheric pressure.