Tire Pressure Monitor Installation Tool
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsJames R. Spaulding, Marcus P. Beckman, Bruce R. Koch, James Hytinen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tire pressure monitor (TPM) installation tool adapted for use by a operator, and for installing a push-in style TPM within a valve stem opening defined by a wheel, wherein the tool is configured to provide mechanical advantage while assembling the TPM and wheel, and includes an elongated member configured to receive an applied force from the operator, a nesting fixture configured to retain the TPM in a relatively fixed position, and a wheel engaging member for securing the tool during installation.
Claims19
A tire pressure monitor (TPM) installation tool adapted for use by an operator, and with a wheel and a TPM, wherein the TPM includes a valve stem and a circuitry housing connected to a distal end of the stem, and the tool is configured to install the TPM, so as to assemble the TPM and wheel and provide mechanical advantage, said tool comprising:
- an elongated member presenting first and second distal ends and having a manual grip section adjacent the first distal end and a nesting fixture connected to the second end;
- a wheel engaging member coupled to the elongated member and configured to secure at least a portion of the tool to the wheel;
- and
- a mechanical advantage element configured to receive an applied force from the operator, multiply the applied force by a factor to generate a resultant force, and transmit the resultant force to the TPM during installation,
- said elongated and wheel engaging members each defining a hole, wherein said holes are alignable so as to cooperatively define a lateral opening spaced from the longitudinal center of the elongated member,
- said element including a pin insertable within the opening, so as to pivotally couple the elongated and wheel engaging members and define a pivot point,
- said factor being the distance between the longitudinal center of the manual grip section to the point divided by the distance between the nesting fixture to the point.
(canceled)
16-17. (canceled)
A tire pressure monitor (TPM) installation tool adapted for use by an operator, with a TPM having a valve stem and a circuitry housing connected to a distal end of the stem, and with a wheel defining a valve stem hole configured to receive a portion of the stem, wherein the tool is configured to install the TPM, so as to assemble the TPM and wheel and provide mechanical advantage, said tool comprising:
- an elongated member presenting first and second distal ends and having a manual grip section adjacent the first distal end and a nesting fixture connected to the second end;
- a wheel engaging member coupled to the elongated member and configured to secure at least a portion of the tool to the wheel;
- and
- a mechanical advantage element configured to receive an applied force from the operator, multiply the applied force by a factor to generate a resultant force, and transmit the resultant force to the TPM during installation,
- said nesting fixture being adjustably connected to the elongated member, so as to present one of a plurality of tool configurations, and configured to engage the housing and retain the TPM in a fixed position relative to the fixture during installation,
- said nesting fixture, elongated member, and wheel engaging members being cooperatively configured such that during installation the stem is inserted in the hole by the resultant force,
- said valve stem and circuitry housing being connected by a fastener, said nesting fixture and TPM being cooperatively configured so as to transmit the resultant force solely through the fastener during assembly.
(canceled)
A tire pressure monitor (TPM) installation tool adapted for use by an operator, and with a wheel and a TPM, wherein the TPM includes a valve stem and a circuitry housing connected to a distal end of the stem, and the tool is configured to install the TPM, so as to assemble the TPM and wheel and provide mechanical advantage, said tool comprising:
- an elongated member presenting first and second distal ends and having a manual grip section adjacent the first distal end and a nesting fixture configured to securely retain the housing therein connected to the second end;
- a wheel engaging member coupled to the elongated member and configured to secure at least a portion of the tool to the wheel;
- and
- a mechanical advantage element configured to receive an applied force from the operator, multiply the applied force by a factor not less than 10 to generate a resultant force, and transmit the resultant force to the TPM during installation,
- said elongated and wheel engaging members cooperatively defining a lateral opening spaced from the longitudinal center of the elongated member,
- said element including a pin insertable within the opening, so as to pivotally couple the elongated and wheel engaging members and define a pivot point,
- said factor being equal to the quotient of the distance between the manual section to the point divided by the distance between the nesting fixture to the point.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.