Tire equalizer and indicator
AssigneeScovill Inc.
InventorsGordon R. Todhunter, James W. Grim
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tire equalizer comprises a housing having upper and lower chambers divided by a flexible diaphragm opposing a seat in the upper chamber connected to one of the tires. The diaphragm is urged toward the seat by a spring-pressed inverted cup larger in diameter than the diaphragm and having an arm extended longitudinally from the cup away from the spring. The arm is curved in horizontal cross-section and its upper end is formed with a slot receiving an off-center pin on the back of an indicator disc. Also connected to the upper chamber is a fill conduit, and a conduit to the other tire.
Claims3
A tire pressure equalizer and pressure indicator for dual tires comprising:
- (a) a housing having an upper chamber and a lower chamber separated by a sealed diaphragm, the upper chamber having:
- (1) a seat opposite the diaphragm, with a central opening, the diaphragm being adapted to seat and close off the seat,
- (2) first passage means for connecting the seat opening and one tire,
- (3) second passage means for connecting the upper chamber to the other tire, and
- (4) fill means;
- (b) an inverted cup underlying the diaphragm and radially extending well out beyond the margin of the diaphragm;
- (c) spring means in the lower chamber engaging the cup and urging the cup and diaphragm toward seating disposition;
- (d) an arm extending from the periphery of the cup longitudinally of the axis of the cup away from the spring means;
- (e) rotary indicator means comprising a disc mounted for rotation in a side of the housing;
- (f) the arm being formed with a transverse slot near its end and the disc having a pin affixed perpendicular thereto at a point spaced from the rotational axis of the disc, the pin passing through the slot whereby as pressure drops from a selected pressure, the diaphragm and cup driven by the spring, moves toward the seat and the indicator indicates a less-than-selected pressure, and when the diaphragm seats, isolating the two tires, the indicator indicates low pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.