Inflation pressure regulator

An improved tire inflation regulator comprising:

• a generally tubular, cavity-defining housing disposed about a generally central axis for placing a source of pressurized air in fluid communication with the interior of a vehicular tire, the housing having first terminus for connecting to the air source and defining a first fluid path, a second terminus for connecting to the tire and defining a second fluid path, and an exhaust aperture;
• a tube within the housing that provides fluid communication between the two fluid paths;
• a flexure member extending generally transversely from an open portion of the tube and including a radially outer flexing and sealing section cooperative with the adjacent cavity wall to divide the cavity into first and second chambers, the first chamber communicating with the first and second fluid paths, the second chamber communicating with the exhaust aperture;
• and
• biasing means for urging said flexing and sealing section into cooperative engagement with the cavity wall to separate first and second chambers, the flexure member being position within the fluid path to be opposingly acted upon by the biasing means and fluid pressure within the first chamber.

An improved sealing member for use in a tire inflation regulator, the regulator comprising a generally tubular housing for placing a source of pressurized air in fluid communication with the interior of a vehicular tire, the housing a first terminus for connecting to a source of air and defining a first fluid path, a second terminus for connecting to the vehicular tire and defining a second fluid path, an exhaust aperture, an annular internal seat for cooperating with a sealing member to divide the housing interior into first and second chambers, the first chamber being in fluid communication with the first and second fluid paths, the second chamber being in fluid communication with the exhaust aperture, said regulator also comprising biasing means for prohibiting pressure-responsive movement of the sealing member when the pressure in said first chamber and said tire interior is less than a pre-selected value, but allowing such movement to place the first and second chambers in fluid communication with one another when said pressure reaches said preselected value;

• said sealing means comprising a flexure member for being supported within the housing in a stationary position for flexing movement in response to higher fluid pressure within the first chamber, said sealing member being generally annular with a central first portion and a radially outer second flexing and sealing portion, said sealing member being supported at its central portion and flexing at its outer portion, said outer portion comprises a peripheral sealing section and an intermediate flexing section located between said central portion and said sealing section, said sealing section being enlarged relative to the adjacent flexing section and approximating the configuration of an O-ring.