GB2112556A - Indicator - Google Patents

Abstract

In order to provide a ready reference for a vehicle user as for the recommended tyre pressure, there is provided a patch, e.g. in the form of an arrow, which carries the recommended tyre pressure and is adapted to adhere to the tyre. It is preferred that the arrow head 2 should point to the valve and the pressure may be printed or embossed on a part 5 of the shaft 1 or on a part 6 of the flight 3 of the arrow. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Indicator This invention relates to indicators, particularly for indicating the recommended pressure of a tyre of a vehicle, particularly an automatic vehicle.

Many motorists, and also users of other vehicles such as bicycles, motor bicycles, tractors and commercial vehicles, have difficulty in remembering the recommended tyre pressures and need to consult a handbook or other information source when inflating theirtyres.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a patch suitable for attachment by adhesive to a tyre sidewall and having indicia thereon for indicating the recommended pressure.

The patch may be covered on one side with a contact adhesive and the adhesive side may be protected by a peelable layer.

The nature of the patch material (which is preferably elastomeric) and the adhesive must be chosen so that the patch stays on the tyre wall and is not damaged by the continued and prolonged flexing during use. Also, the adhesive should not damage the tyre wall material.

The weight of the patch should be such that it does not upset the balance of the tyre.

By positioning the patch adjacent the valve when the tyre is first fitted, it may be used as an indicator of whether there is any circumferential movement of the tyre relative to the inner tube or rim to which the tyre is fitted.

The patch may for instance take the form of an arrow so that the point of the arrow is directed to the valve and the tail or flight is left as a space on whcih a number is printed or embossed, to indicate the pressure in appropriate units, such as pounds per square inch, kilograms per square centimetre or bars. Alternatively, the flight area may be used for indicia such as a Trade Mark or logo, In view of differing vehicle weights and configura- tions, it is not practicable for a tyre manufacturer to specify the recommended pressure on a tyre as it leaves the factory and this is therefore best done when the tyre is fitted to a vehicle, either as original equipment or as a replacement. Alternatively, the user may obtain the patches and attach them himself.In any event, the patches will preferably be available with a selection of factory printed or formed numbers e.g. embossed, and the appropriate patch attached to each tyre. It may be possible to provide self adhesive numerals to attach to the patch. Numerals which are embossed or otherwise in relief have the advantage of standing up to wear better.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a tyre having a patch, according to the invention as set forth above, secured thereto.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle which is fitted with a type according to the invention as set forth above.

In the accompanying drawings, figures 1 to 3, are each elevations of a form of patch according to the invention. In figure 1,there is shown an arrow having a shaft 1 with a barbed head 2 and a larger tail 3 or flight, which may be used for a trade mark or logo. The recommended pressure is printed or embossed in an area alongside the shaft and both avoirdupois and metric figures are shown, one on each side of the shaft 1 as shown in a contrasting colour on a web 4 between the head 2 and tail 3.

In figure 2, the web 4 is omitted and the pressure is indicated in a bulb 5 on the shaft 1. The head 2 and tail 3 are also shown in different forms. The tail has a circle 6 of contrasting colour to be used as part of an insignia or logo. In Figure 3, the head 2 has been completed and utilized to include a pressure indicator. The tail 3 is also of a different shape.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

1. A patch suitable for attachment by adhesive to a tyre sidewall and having indicia thereon for indicating the recommended pi-essure.

2. A patch as claimed in claim 1, which is covered on one side with a peelable adhesive.

3. A patch as claimed in claim 2, in which the peelable adhesive is protected by a peelable layer.

4. A patch as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, which takes the form of an arrow having a point area and a tail or flight area.

5. A patch as claimed in claim 4, in which the flight area carries indicia.

6. A patch substantially as herein before de- scribed with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. A tyre having a patch, in accordance with any of claims 1 to 6, secured thereto.

8. A vehicle wheel having a tyre or according to claim 7.

The drawing(s) originally filed was/were informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a later filed formal copy.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Indicator This invention relates to indicators, particularly for indicating the recommended pressure of a tyre of a vehicle, particularly an automatic vehicle. Many motorists, and also users of other vehicles such as bicycles, motor bicycles, tractors and commercial vehicles, have difficulty in remembering the recommended tyre pressures and need to consult a handbook or other information source when inflating theirtyres. According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a patch suitable for attachment by adhesive to a tyre sidewall and having indicia thereon for indicating the recommended pressure. The patch may be covered on one side with a contact adhesive and the adhesive side may be protected by a peelable layer. The nature of the patch material (which is preferably elastomeric) and the adhesive must be chosen so that the patch stays on the tyre wall and is not damaged by the continued and prolonged flexing during use. Also, the adhesive should not damage the tyre wall material. The weight of the patch should be such that it does not upset the balance of the tyre. By positioning the patch adjacent the valve when the tyre is first fitted, it may be used as an indicator of whether there is any circumferential movement of the tyre relative to the inner tube or rim to which the tyre is fitted. The patch may for instance take the form of an arrow so that the point of the arrow is directed to the valve and the tail or flight is left as a space on whcih a number is printed or embossed, to indicate the pressure in appropriate units, such as pounds per square inch, kilograms per square centimetre or bars. Alternatively, the flight area may be used for indicia such as a Trade Mark or logo, In view of differing vehicle weights and configura- tions, it is not practicable for a tyre manufacturer to specify the recommended pressure on a tyre as it leaves the factory and this is therefore best done when the tyre is fitted to a vehicle, either as original equipment or as a replacement. Alternatively, the user may obtain the patches and attach them himself.In any event, the patches will preferably be available with a selection of factory printed or formed numbers e.g. embossed, and the appropriate patch attached to each tyre. It may be possible to provide self adhesive numerals to attach to the patch. Numerals which are embossed or otherwise in relief have the advantage of standing up to wear better. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a tyre having a patch, according to the invention as set forth above, secured thereto. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle which is fitted with a type according to the invention as set forth above. In the accompanying drawings, figures 1 to 3, are each elevations of a form of patch according to the invention. In figure 1,there is shown an arrow having a shaft 1 with a barbed head 2 and a larger tail 3 or flight, which may be used for a trade mark or logo. The recommended pressure is printed or embossed in an area alongside the shaft and both avoirdupois and metric figures are shown, one on each side of the shaft 1 as shown in a contrasting colour on a web 4 between the head 2 and tail 3. In figure 2, the web 4 is omitted and the pressure is indicated in a bulb 5 on the shaft 1. The head 2 and tail 3 are also shown in different forms. The tail has a circle 6 of contrasting colour to be used as part of an insignia or logo. In Figure 3, the head 2 has been completed and utilized to include a pressure indicator. The tail 3 is also of a different shape. Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. CLAIMS

1. A patch suitable for attachment by adhesive to a tyre sidewall and having indicia thereon for indicating the recommended pi-essure.

2. A patch as claimed in claim 1, which is covered on one side with a peelable adhesive.

3. A patch as claimed in claim 2, in which the peelable adhesive is protected by a peelable layer.

4. A patch as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, which takes the form of an arrow having a point area and a tail or flight area.

5. A patch as claimed in claim 4, in which the flight area carries indicia.

6. A patch substantially as herein before de- scribed with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. A tyre having a patch, in accordance with any of claims 1 to 6, secured thereto.

8. A vehicle wheel having a tyre or according to claim 7.

The drawing(s) originally filed was/were informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a later filed formal copy.