US 5,630,687 A · Tamper resistant valve cap

Abstract

A theft resistant valve cap including a liner adapted for threaded engagement with a standard pneumatic tire stem valve, a sleeve rotatably mounted with the liner to shroud it an interlocking feature to selectively prevent axial displacement between the liner and the sleeve. The interlocking feature includes a screw threaded into an aperture in the sleeve, and an annular channel on the liner, positioned to receive the screw. The annular channel has an upper surface, a lower surface and an inner surface disposed between the upper and lower surfaces. The screw is moved so that it extends into the channel resting proximate to the upper surface, but clear of both said lower and inner surfaces. In this fashion, the liner and the sleeve are in a fixed axial position with respect to each other; however, the rotatability of the sleeve with respect to the liner is maintained, preventing removal of the liner from the stem. The rotational movement of the sleeve prevents removing the liner and/or the sleeve from the valve stem.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A cap for a threaded valve, said cap comprising:

an internally threaded cylindrical liner having a longitudinal axis and a top portion having a crown surface, the entire area of which is planar, with the threads of said liner being adapted to fit corresponding threads of said valve,
a sleeve positioned coaxial with said liner and in rotational relation therewith, about said axis, said sleeve including a closed end and a sidewall extending therefrom terminating in an opening, said closed end having an inside surface, the entire area of which is planar and adapted to seat proximate to said planar crown surface, and
means, positioned within said aperture, for selectively limiting both axial and rotational displacement between said liner and said sleeve.

A cap for a threaded valve comprising:

a hollow liner having a top surface which is completely planar and a side surface extending therefrom, said side surface defining outside and inside surfaces, with said inside surface including a plurality of threads adapted to fit corresponding threads of said valve,
a hollow sleeve, said sleeve having a crown surface which is completely planar, and a sidewall extending therefrom with said planar crown surface disposed to face said top surface of said liner and mate closely therewith upon said sleeve being coaxially positioned and in slidable engagement with said liner, and
means, coupled to extend through said sleeve and engage said liner at a point above said plurality of threads, for selectively fixing both axial and angular positions between said liner and said sleeve.

A cap for use with a standard threaded pneumatic tire stem valve, comprising:

an internally threaded liner for threaded engagement with said standard pneumatic tire stem valve, said liner having a top portion with a crown surface, the entire area of which is completely planar, and a side surface extending therefrom, said side surface defining outside and inside surfaces, with said inside surface including a plurality of threads,
a sleeve coaxially positioned and in rotational relation with said liner, said sleeve including a closed end and a sidewall extending therefrom, terminating in an opening, said closed end having an inside surface, the entire area or which is completely planar and disposed to face said planar crown surface of said liner and mate closely therewith, and
means, positioned in said sleeve to engage said top portion, for selectively preventing axial displacement of said liner with respect to said standard pneumatic tire stem valve.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tamper resistant valve cap

Life of this patent

Tamper resistant valve cap

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19