# US 2017/0144494 A1 · A filling device for an inflatable unit > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0144494 A1 - Document ID: US20170144494A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/321,082 - Filed: 2015-06-23 - Published: 2017-05-25 - Earliest claimed: 2014-06-23 - Assignees: Easyfill ApS - Applicants: Easyfill ApS - Inventors: Hans Henrik Jochumsen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170144494A1 ## CPC - B60C 23/0403: {Mechanically generated audible signals, e.g. by buzzer or whistle signals} - B60C 29/005: {characterised by particular features of the valve stem} - B60C 29/068: {Pressure relief devices, i.e. safety devices for overpressure} - F16K 15/207: {and combined with other valves, e.g. safety valves} - B60C 2019/006: {Warning devices, e.g. devices generating noise due to flat or worn tyres} - Y10T 137/3646: Co-axial inflation and relief valves - B60C: VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES - F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)} - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract The invention provides a filling device for an inflatable unit, e.g., a pneumatic tire for a car. The device is connectable to a source of air pressure and to a valve for the inflatable unit. The valve has a whistle arranged to produce an audible signal based on a flow of air in the release outlet, and to enable improved handling and sound performance, the whistle comprises a flow-path forming a first leg extending radially from the passage, and a second leg extending about the passage. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A filling device (1) for an inflatable unit, the device comprising a body (4) having an inlet (5) connectable to a source of pressure and an outlet (6) connectable to a valve for the inflatable unit, a passage (7) extending axially between the inlet and outlet; an air-release path from the passage to a release outlet (13) for releasing air in the passage into an external space; a valve (14, 15) arranged between the passage and the air-release path and being configured to open at a predefined pressure; and a whistle (17) arranged to produce an audible signal based on a flow of air in the air-release path; wherein the whistle is configured not to provide the audible signal when the flow of air in the air-release path exceeds an upper flow limit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The filling device according to claim 1, wherein the whistle forms a tone-chamber (18), and wherein the filling device further comprises a flow diverting structure (29) arranged between the release outlet (13) and the tone-chamber (18), the flow diverting structure being configured to change the direction of the flow of air after it has been released at the release outlet (13), the flow diverting structure being configured to establish the change of the direction when reaching the upper flow limit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device according to claim 2, wherein the configuration of the whistle not to provide the audible signal when the flow of air in the air-release path exceeds an upper flow limit is provided by an asymmetric airflow at the release outlet, the asymmetric airflow being created by the flow diverting structure. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The device according to claim 3, wherein the asymmetric airflow is defined by use of the Coanda effect. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The device according to claim 2, wherein the flow diverting structure forms an asymmetric wall section (26, 29B, 29C) at the release outlet. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The device according to claim 2, wherein the flow diverting structure forms a symmetric wall section (29A, 29C′, 29D, 29E, 29F) at the release outlet. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The device according to claim 2, wherein the flow diverting structure forms a resilient wall section (29C, C′). ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The device according to claim 2, wherein the flow diverting structure forms a bleed opening in the passage (7) in the vicinity of the release outlet (13). ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the whistle is configured not to provide the audible signal when the flow of air in the air-release path is below a lower flow limit. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the air-release path has a cross-sectional area which reduces in the flow direction of air being released into the external space through the air-release path. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the air-release path comprises a circumferential section extending about the passage. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The filling device according to claim 1, wherein the air-release path forms an initial section (25) extending radially away from the passage, the initial section being between the passage and the circumferential section in the flow direction of air being released into the external space through the air-release path. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11, 12) The filling device according to claims 11 and 12, wherein the circumferential section is between the initial section and the release outlet in the flow direction of air being released into the external space through the air-release path. ### Claim 14 (depends on 2) The device according to claim 2, wherein the tone-chamber (18) extends about the passage (7). ### Claim 15 (depends on 2) The device according to claim 2, forming a lower chamber between the valve (14, 15) and the release outlet (13), and where the tone-chamber extends about the lower chamber. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14, 15) The device according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the tone chamber forms an extension of the air-release path. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The device according to claim 14, where the release outlet is between the air-release path and the tone chamber. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1 and forming part of or being configured for connection to a Schrader valve. ### Claim 19 A method of filling an inflatable unit by use of a filling device capable of releasing air to an external space at a predetermined air pressure and to produce an audible signal as a consequence of the release of air, the method comprising repeating the steps of: filing air into the inflatable unit via the filling device; and stopping the filling while listening for the audible signal; until the audible signal begins when the filling is stopped. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1, 19) A method according to claim 19, carried out by use of a filling device according to claim 1.