GB2207188A

GB2207188A - Inflation device

Info

Publication number: GB2207188A
Application number: GB08717156A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Huan-Sung Cheng
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-07-21
Filing date: 1987-07-21
Publication date: 1989-01-25
Also published as: GB8717156D0

Abstract

An inflation device for inflating articles such as pneumatic tyres from an internal combustion engine comprises ducting means (12) connectable at one end to a threaded coupling member e.g. a sparking plug (2), the coupling member providing communication for gases from a cylinder of the engine to the ducting means which is connectible at its other end to the article to be inflated, the ducting means incorporating a non-return valve assembly (13) so as to permit monodirectional flow of gas from said engine to the article to be inflated. <IMAGE>

Description

INFLATION DEVICE The present invention relates to an inflation device.

More specifically, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to an inflation device of the type in which exhaust gases from an engine are used for inflating a vehicle tyre.

A perennial problem for motorcycle riders and for automobile drivers is the occurrence of a flat tyre. At present, if a flat tyre is detected during a journey, the rider or driver usually has to request breakdown assistance or push the vehicle to a garage or service station. In either event, the inconvenience caused is obvious.

A portable air pump is known which can be used by riders and drivers. Such a pump can be used for inflating a flat tyre. However, such a pump suffers from certain disadvantages. The pump is relatively heavy and has relatively large dimensions. Furthermore, a direct current electric motor is required to supply the air and such motor readily overheats.

Accordingly, such a pump does not provide a complete solution to the problem of re-inflating a flat tyre.

The present invention seeks to provide an inflation device which obviates, or at least minimizes the abovedescribed problems.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an inflation device for inflating articles such as pneumatic tyres from an internal combustion engine comprising ducting means connectable at one end to a threaded coupling member, the coupling member providing communication for gases between the ducting means and the interior of a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, the coupling member being locatable in the threaded seat in the engine normally receiving a sparking plug, the ducting means being connectable at its other end to the article to be inflated, the ducting means incorporating a non-return valve assembly so as to permit monodirectional flow of gas from said engine to the article to be inflated.

Preferably, the coupling member is a sparking plug, the plug being adapted to provide gaseous communication between the cylinder and the ducting means.

Desirably, the coupling member comprises a substantially cylindrical seating member, the seating member defining a circumferential groove in its inner surface for gases received from the cylinder of the engine via the sparking plug, the groove opening into the ducting means.

Advantageously, the sparking plug is adapted to provide gaseous communication by the provision of at least one aperture or keyway in its body portion.

Further preferably, pump means are interposed between said ducting means and the article to be inflated.

Further desirably, the non-return valve is a ball valve.

Some preferred embodiments of the present invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view through a first embodiment of a device in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 and showing the device of Fig. 1 mounted on a spark plug; Fig. 3 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 1 of a second embodiment of a device in accordance with the present invention; and Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 and showing the device of Fig. 3 mounted on a spark plug.

Referring firstly to Fig. 1, a device in accordance with the present invention comprises a substantially cylindrical seating member 11 communicating with an air duct 12 which is to be connected to a tyre or the like requiring inflation. The connection may be achieved by means of an adapter shown, but not referenced, in Fig. 2. The communication between the seating member 11 and the duct 12 is achieved by providing a groove 111 in the internal wall of the member 11. The duct 12 has a branch conduit in which a non-return valve is disposed.

The valve comprises a ball member 131 which is so dimensioned that it cahnot enter the principal portion of the duct 12. The ball is urged into its normal position at the junction of the branch conduit and the principal portion of the duct by a spring 134. The spring 134 is acted upon by an adjustment screw 132 which has a valve spring 133 disposed around a portion of the shank thereof.

The use of the device can be seen more clearly in Fig. 2. A sparking plug 2, which is so designed as to permit exhaust gas emanating from the cylinder of an internal combustion engine into which it projects to pass into the duct 12, is screw-threadly inserted into the seating member 11.

The electrodes of the sparking plug project, as is customary, into the cylinder of the engine. The engine is then started and the exhaust gases pass from the cylinder, through the sparking plug 2, into the groove 111 and thence into the duct 12. The gas pressure forces the ball 131 into the branch conduit, thus allowing the air to pass along the principal conduit of the duct to inflate the tyre.

The arrangement shown in Figs. 3 and 4 differs only from that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in that the non-return valve is provided in-line in the air duct instead of being disposed in a branch conduit. This permits the duct to be directed upwardly away from the block.

Claims

1. An inflation device for inflating articles such as pneumatic tyres from an internal combustion engine comprising ducting means connectable at one end to a threaded coupling member, the coupling member providing communication for gases between the ducting means and the interior of a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, the coupling member being locatable in the threaded seat in the engine normally receiving a sparking plug, the ducting means being connectable at its other end to the article to be inflated, the ducting means incorporating a non-return valve assembly so as to permit monodirectional flow of gas from said engine to the article to be inflated.

2. An inflation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling member is a sparking plug, the plug being adapted to provide gaseous communication between the cylinder and the ducting means.

3. An inflation device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the coupling member comprises a substantially cylindrical seating member, the seating member defining a circumferential groove in its inner surface for gases received from the cylinder of the engine via the sparking plug, the groove opening into the ducting means.

4. An inflation device as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the sparking plug is adapted to provide gaseous communication by the provision of at least one aperture or keyway in its body portion.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein pump means are interposed between said ducting means and the article to be inflated.

6. An inflation device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the non-return valve is a ball valve.

7. An inflation device as claimed in claim 1, constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.