GB2349443A

GB2349443A - Quick release dust cap for tyre inflation valve

Info

Publication number: GB2349443A
Application number: GB9909548A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Hein; Stuart Gerald English; Peter Farrar; John Walker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-04-27
Filing date: 1999-04-27
Publication date: 2000-11-01
Also published as: GB9909548D0

Abstract

A dust cap for a tyre inflation valve in a first embodiment comprises a valve surround 12 and a lid 11 pivotally connected together by means of a hinge 13. A seal 14 is incorporated into the lid 11 and valve surround 12 so that in its closed position a sealed chamber prevents dust ingress into the valve 20. In another embodiment a collar 22 and lid 21 are connected by a tie 23. In use the lid 21 is pushed onto the valve to provide a seal against dust ingress. Both embodiments allow connection of an air line to the valve without requiring removal of the cap from the valve.

Description

Quick Release Dust Cap for Tyre Inflation Valve This invention relates to a cap used to prevent dust ingress into tyre inflation valves.

Many vehicles have pneumatic tyres, which periodically require inflating to maintain the correct tyre pressure. A valve is incorporated into the tyre so that a pump may be engaged and the tyre may be inflated. In order to prevent dust ingress and accidental deflating of the tyre should debris become lodged within the mechanism of the valve, tyre inflation valves incorporate a screw top dust cap, which must be removed in order that a pump may be engaged with the tyre valve.

Whilst successfully preventing dust ingress into the workings of the valve, screw top valve caps have a number of disadvantages for the user: 1. The user gets dirty whilst removing and replacing the dust cap.

As the vehicle is in motion and the tyre rotates in general use, dust is produced by engagement of the brake shoes and dirt is thrown up from the road surface, this collects on the outer surfaces of the valve dust cap. The user must unscrew and remove the cap entirely from the valve before engaging a pump to inflate the tyre.

During this process much of this dust and dirt can be transferred to the fingers of the user.

2. Removal of the dust cap makes the process of inflating the tyre time consuming.

The dust cap must firstly be unscrewed and then completely removed from the tyre before a pump may be engaged with the valve. After inflating the tyre the dust cap must then be screwed back onto the valve to prevent dust ingress.

3. Valve caps are often lost.

In the process of inflating a vehicle's tyres, valve caps are often lost, as they must be entirely removed from the valves before the tyre is inflated. At this point they are separate and users often lose them on the ground or forget to screw them onto the valve again after inflating the tyre.

According to the present invention there is provided a dust cap for a tyre inflation valve incorporating means for a pump to be engaged with the valve without requiring the removal of the dust cap. The invention utilises a quick release mechanism (specific embodiments of which are shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings) and provides the following user advantages.

1. Clean operation.

The invention provides access to the tyre inflation valve without the need for the dust cap to be unscrewed. This helps to stop dust and dirt being transferred to the fingers of the user in the process of opening and resealing the cap.

2. Speed of operation.

The invention utilises a quick release mechanism, which reduces the time taken for a pump to be engaged with the tyre inflation valve. The valve can both be accessed and resealed more quickly than with the conventional screw top dust cap.

3. Dust cap cannot be mislaid.

The user cannot lose or mislay the dust cap because it remains securely fixed to the valve and is never entirely removed from it.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, merely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus with the dust cap in its open position.

Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the apparatus. Section A-A shows the dust cap in it's closed position. Section B-B shows the dust cap in it's open position.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing another variation of the invention.

The inflation valve dust cap shown in figure 1 comprises a valve surround 12 and a lid 11 pivotally connected together by means of a hinge 13. A seal 14 is incorporated into the lid 11 and valve surround 12 so that in its closed position the invention provides a sealed chamber as shown in figure 2 which prevents dust ingress into the valve 30.

Referring now to figure 3 which describes another variation of the invention. This variation comprises a valve collar 22 and a lid 21 flexibly connected together by means of a tie 23. The lid 21 incorporates a tight fitting push seal 24 so that when the lid is pushed over the end of the valve-30 it provides a seal against dust ingress.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A dust cap for a tyre inflation valve comprising a valve surround and lid which are flexibly and permanently connected together so that when the lid is open space is provided for a pump to be engaged with the valve and when closed the valve is sealed against dust ingress.
2. A dust cap for a tyre inflation valve as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the valve surround incorporates means to secure itself to the valve.
3. A dust cap for a tyre inflation valve as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein a seal is incorporated into the lid and the valve surround so that in its closed position the invention provides a sealed chamber which prevents dust ingress into the valve.
4. A dust cap for a tyre inflation valve as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, which by releasing the lid, allows for a pump to be engaged with the valve without requiring the removal of the dust cap.
5. A dust cap for a tyre inflation valve as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the lid may be opened by means of a quick release mechanism.
6. A dust cap for a tyre inflation valve as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein space is provided on the lid for a graphic to be printed.
7. A dust cap for a tyre inflation valve substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing.

7. A dust cap for a tyre inflation valve substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1-3 of the accompanying drawing.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A dust cap for a tyre inflation valve comprising a valve surround and lid which are flexibly and permanently connected together so that when the lid is open, sufficient space is provided around the valve for a pump to be engaged directly with the valve itself and when closed provides a sealed chamber around the valve with a volume in excess of 800 cubic millimetres.

2. A dust cap for a tyre inflation valve as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the valve surround provides part of an air chamber and incorporates means to secure itself to the valve.

3. A dust cap for a tyre inflation valve as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein a seal in excess of 50 millimetres in length is incorporated into the lid and the valve surround so that in its closed position the invention provides a sealed chamber with a volume in excess of 1000 cubic millimetres which prevents dust ingress into the valve.

4. A dust cap for a tyre inflation valve as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, which by releasing the lid and opening the sealed chamber, allows for a pump to be engaged directly with the valve itself without requiring the removal of the dust cap.

5. A dust cap for a tyre inflation valve as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the sealed chamber may be opened by means of a quick release mechanism.

6. A dust cap for a tyre inflation valve as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a flat space is provided on an opaque lid for a graphic to be printed.