GB2303903A

GB2303903A - A valve cap for tyre valves

Info

Publication number: GB2303903A
Application number: GB9617539A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Derek John Preece
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-06-30
Filing date: 1993-06-30
Publication date: 1997-03-05
Anticipated expiration: 2013-06-30
Also published as: GB9617539D0; GB2279604A; GB2303903B; GB9313449D0

Description

1 2303903 IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO TYRE VALVES This invention

relates to improvements in or relating to tyre valves and is more particularly concerned with the cap or closure member utilised with the valve.

The form of plastics or metal valve cap associated with vehicle tyre valves is very well known and has been in operation for quite some time. However, it is believed that there tend to be inherent disadvantages in this cap design or at least that the design or manner of removing and/or applying the cap could be improved in at least some respect. Since the cap itself is exposed to the elements there is a tendency for soil deposits to build up on the cap so that when the time comes for removal, for example to access the valve for delivery of air into the tyre using a standard air delivery nozzle, a person removing the cap would invariably pick up the soil deposits on their f ingers. Whilst it may be true that a cloth or tissue could be used to handle the cap, thus avoiding soil deposits spreading onto the fingers, it is believed that this does not offer- a. coTplete solution to the problem. Additionally, removing and reapplying the cap can be time consuming and often the cap can become cross-threaded with the thread on the valve stem. This may cause stress on the cap leading to cracking and breaking and at the least is a nuisance requiring the cap to be unscrewed and reapplied correctly. Upon reapplication, in any event, the amount of torque required to unscrew the cap may sometimes be quite 2 high and, perhaps, offer some problem, more particularly for female or disabled drivers. Once again, there is also a tendency for the cap to become lost or broken whilst removed from the valve.

It is an object of the present invention to at least alleviate one or more of the aforementioned, or other, problems associated with tyre valves.

According to the present invention there is provided a valve cap f or a tyre valve, said cap having a closure member that can be moved to an open position, in order to access the valve, whilst remaining attached to the cap.

Preferably, the closure member is hinged to the cap conveniently by means of an integral hinge. In one embodiment the closure member is rotatable about the hinge through a maximum of 180 or less (e.g. 90) and can be snap-locked over an end of the cap through which the tyre valve can be accessed. The closure member may have a tab which is designed to allow the end of an air nozzle to actuate opening and clpsing movement of the closure member.

The cap may be provided with an actuating pin or member (preferably aligned axially of the cap) which is displaceable longitudinally, when an air nozzle or pressure gauge is applied thereto, once the end of the cap has been exposed by opening the closure member. The actuating pin or member is arranged, in use, to actuate or depress the tyre valve core in order to provide a f ree passage of air to enable inf lation or deflation of the tyre or a tyre 3 pressure reading to be taken. Additionally, the actuating pin or member may carry a seal (for example in the form of a rubber 0-ring) which may or may not be urged by spring means against a radial seat provided in the cap surrounding a bore in which the pin/member is located. In the event of air pressure leakage through the tyre valve core, the seal 'and actuating pin or member may be urged against the seat by escaping air pressure (and by spring means if incorporated) and thus any egress of air through the cap should be prevented. Once the air delivery nozzle is placed over the exposed end of the cap the arrangement may be such that the air delivery nozzle forces the seal from the seat and actuates the valve core to open the valve.

The valve cap may have a cup-shaped or frusto-conical base with a threaded interior that may be screwed onto the threaded end of tyre valve. Alternatively, a thread profile may be formed or cut into said base as it is engaged on a threaded valve stem of the valve i.e. the base may not incorporate a threaded interior but a prof ile of such a shape as to readily self-engage and grip about the tyre valve thread' iii 'a' se-l-f tapping manner. Preferably, said cap has a longitudinal axial extension housing said pin, the end of which extension engages with the closure member.

In an alternative embodiment, the cap and closure member are produced as part of the tyre valve itself so that there is no separate cap. Therefore, further 4 according to the present invention there is provided a tyre valve for a vehicle, said valve having a movable closure member that can be moved to an open position, in order to access the valve. whilst remaining attached to the valve.

Many other advantageous features of this aspect of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings.

The embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying simplified drawings in which:- FIGURE 1 shows a perspective view of the present invention comprising a cap with a valve closure member shown in an open raised position; 1 FIGURE 2 shows the cap shown in FIGURE 1 with the closure member located in the closed position; and FIGURE 3 shows (to a different scale) a longitudinal sectional view of the cap with the closure member in the open position, said cap being threadably engaged on the tyre valve, the closed position of the closure member being shown in chain dotted lines.

The embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGURES 1 -to 3, of the drawings.

1 A valve cap 101 is provided with a cup shaped base portion 102 having a threaded interior 103 that may be screwed directly onto the threaded end E of a tyre valve V (shown in chain dotted lines in FIGURE:). When it is desired to access the valve core M of the valve V the cap 101 remains suitably engaged on the valve V. However, the device 101 includes an integral, hinged closure member 104 which can be rotated (generally about 90) about hinge axis 105 in the direction of arrow Y to be snap locked over the cap end 106 by means of annular or part-annular locating rib 107 which preferably seals completely around end 106. Closure member 104 carries an outward or upturned tab 108 which is designed to allow the end of an air nozzle (not shown) to actuate movement of the closure member 104 about the hinge 105 to expose and cover the end 106 respectively, when required. Hinge 105 is an integral or "living" hinge and the design of the closure member 104 eliminates the need for a valve cap which has to be detached from the valve (prior to checking the tyre pressure or administering air through the valve into the tyre). Eliminating the need for a valve cap which requires detachment before administering air into the tyre, advantageously, also eliminates the possibility that the cap could be lost or misplaced during such an operation. Once again, the manner of opening and closing the closure member is advantageous since the fingers need not directlyz=ntact the closure member and it should be much easier to open and close than a threaded cap. The actual form of hinge 105 employed could be varied to suit and should be durable and is preferably integrally formed with the cap 101.

6 The cap 101 is provided with an axial longitudinally displaceable pin 109 or actuating member in axial bore B, said pin being utilised to directly actuate valve core M of the tyre valve in a manner which should be generally evident from FIGURE 3. Pin 109 has a head 109a at the free end 106 of cap 101 and a flange 109b at the other, inner, end, which flange supports an annular rubber seal 109c in a manner which should be evident from FIGURE 3 The ring detail shows the cap 101 being provided with a radial seat having a raised, annular lip 110 against which the seal 109c seats in normal conditions providing a seal against egress of air from the tyre valve, through the valve cap 101, in the event that there is some leakage around the valve core M. Once the closure member 104 has been moved to the raised position as in FIGURE 3 pin 109 can be accessed by an air delivery nozzle which pushes the pin 109 inwardly in the direction of arrow Z, thereby lifting the seal 109c from the seat 110 whilst simultaneously depressing the valve core M thereby allowing air to be delivered into the tyre. AS will be apparent from FIGURE 3 the head 109a retains the pin 109 within the cap 101 and only allows the -pin '109 -to be depressed until the head engages the angular rim 111. On release of the air delivery nozzle the pin 109 is moved axially towards the end of the cap by the spring means s of the valve core M inside valve V. The pin 109 is then free to 'float' longitudinally in bore B. Should air escape from around valve core M the resulting pressure would return pin 109 to 7 the position as shown in FIGURE 3 with the seal 109c against the raised lip 110. Alternatively, a spring means (not shown) may be provided about pin 109 to ensure seal 109c remains in contact with seat 110 unless an air delivery nozzle is applied.

In the embodiment described the threaded engagement of the valve and valve cap may be modified to be of any easier release type. For example, the "thread" may be only one turn or even a quarter turn lock and release design or similar.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the cap 101 may be produced as part of the tyre valve itself rather than being a separate cap. Thus the wall V' of valve V may be integrally moulded with the cap 101.

It is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not to be unduly limited by the particular choice of terminology and that a specific term may be replaced by any equivalent ordinary term. Further it is to be understood that--- 'the -original features, methods or functions relating to the cap design with,hinge closure member might be individually patentably invent ve. The singular may include the plural or vice. v.rsa. It is possible the invention may be utilised'.where the valve jF is not a tyre valve.

a CLAlMS is 1. A valve cap for a tyre valve, said cap having a closure member that can be moved to an open position, in order to access the valve, whilst remaining attached to the cap.

Claims

2. A cap as claimed in Claim 1 in which the closure member is hinged to

the cap by means of an integral hinge.

3.6 A cap as claimed in Claim I or 2 in which the closure member is rotatable about the hinge through a maximum of 2700 or less (e.g. 90) and can be snap-locked over an end of the cap through which the tyre valve can be accessed.

4. A cap an claimed in Claim 3 in which the Lwlosure member has a tab which in designed to allow the end of an air nozzle to actuate opening and closing movement of the closure member.

9 1 0 00 5. A cap as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5 provided with an actuating pin or member.

6. A cap as claimed in Claim 5 in which the actuating pin is aligned axially of the cap.

7. A cap as claimed in Claim 5 or 6 in which the actuating pin or member is arranged, in use, to actuate or depress the tyre valve core.

8. A cap as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 7 in which the actuating pin or member carries a seal.

9. A cap as claimed in Claim 8 in which the seal is a rubber 0-ring.

10. A cap as claimed in Claim 8 or Claim 9 in which the seal is urged by spring means against a radial seat provided in the cap surrounding a bore in which the pin/member is located.

11. A cap as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 10 in which once an air delivery nozzle is placed over an exposed end of the cap the arrangement is such that the air delivery nozzle forces the seal from the seat and Letuates the valve core to open the valve.

12. A cap as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to;1 having 0 00 a cup-shaped or frusto-conical base with a threaded interior that can be screwed onto the threaded end of the tyre valve.

13. A cap as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 11 in which a thread profile is formed or cut into said base as it is engaged on a threaded valve stem of the valve.

14. A cap as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 13 having 10 a longitudinal axial extension housing said pin, the end of which extension engages with the closure member.

156 A tyre valve for a vehicle, said valve having a movable closure member that can be moved to an open position, In order to access the valve, whilst remaining attached to the valve.

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