GB2393939A

GB2393939A - Inflation device

Info

Publication number: GB2393939A
Application number: GB0223392A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Robert Leckie; John Derek Worrall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-10-09
Filing date: 2002-10-09
Publication date: 2004-04-14
Also published as: GB0223392D0

Abstract

The device comprises at least one length of tubing 101 having at least a first end 102 and second end 104, a first and second valve 103,105 positioned at a first and second end of the tubing configured for releasably connecting to a vehicle wheel tyre valve and to allow air transfer into and out of the tubing. The device further comprises a third valve 106 positioned to connect between the first and second ends 102,104 wherein the device is configured according to a first mode of operation to allow air transfer from an inflated tyre e.g. a spare wheel tyre to a partially deflated tyre and according to a second mode to allow air transfer through the third valve from an external air source e.g. a compressor, pump or expandable vessel into a plurality of vehicle wheel tyres. A plurality of devices can be coupled to provide for four vehicle tyres to receive air simultaneously. The device can have a regulator 201 and/or a gauge 202.

Description

INFLATION DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an inflation device for inflating at least one 5 expandable vessel such as, in particular, but not exclusively to the inflating of at lease one vehicle tyre.

Backoround to the Invention A potentially serious problem arises if a motorist experiences a flat tyre 10 whilst on a journey and does not have a foot pump or similar air pump to re-

inflate the tyre in order to continue the journey to for example a repair garage.

A variety of inflating devices exist within the prior art directed to solving this

problem employing the use of a tube having valves positioned at either end for 15 connecting to the deflated tyre and, for example, a spare inflated tyre. Such air transfer devices are disclosed in WO 95/13929, EP 0357851, DE 19906952 and CA 2,072,346.

A first problem with prior art vehicle tyre inflation devices arises if there is

20 insufficient amount of air in the tyre used as the air source, for example, the spare tyre, so as to inflate the deflated tyre to a level sufficient to allow the motorist to continue the journey. Prior art vehicle tyre inflation devices are not

configured to allow additional air input into the deflated lyre-tubingair source (spare tyre) air system.

A second problem arises if a motorist experiences two or more punctures at any one time. The motorist would therefore be required to carefully distribute air from the air source (tyre) to each deflated tyre, involving many tube-to-lyre valve connections and reconnections in an attempt to obtain an approximate even 30 distribution of air between the re-inflated tyres. Obviously, each tube-to-lyre valve reconnection allows a finite amount of air to escape from the air system. A motorist requiring to re-inflate a plurality of tyres at once is therefore required to

-2 expend considerable time and effort closing and opening the air transfer system many times resulting in non-trivial air loss and resultant insufficient air transfer to the deflated lyre(s).

5 Due to the relative positioning of an engine within a car it is common to require slightly different air pressures in both the front set of tyres compared with that of the rear tyres. Moreover, it is very important to ensure that the air pressure within both front or rear tyres is equilibrated so as to avoid poor vehicle handling. According to conventional prior art vehicle tyre inflation devices, a

10 motorist is required to carefully monitor and check the air pressure within both front and rear tyres for air pressure equilibration. This in turn involves the user connecting and reconnecting an air supply source (pump or compressor) separately to each vehicle tyre thereby wasting time and effort through a repetition of actions.

What is required therefore is an improved vehicle tyre inflation device being configured for multiple simultaneous vehicle tyre inflation whilst allowing a user to input additional air into the lyre-tube system without excessive opening and closing of the established air system thereby avoiding substantial air loss.

20 Additionally, a vehicle tyre inflation device is required which allows a user to obtain equilibrated air pressure in a plurality of tyres without the separate inflating of each tyre and separate monitoring of each tyre pressure.

Summarv of the Invention 25 The inventors provide an inflation device being configured for a pluraity of modes of operation surrounding the inflation of at least one expandable vessel, being in particular but not exclusively a vehicle tyre. According to a first mode of operation the device, as describe herein, is configured to transfer air from an air source, being for example an at least one expandable vessel being, for example, 3 o an inflated vehicle tyre (a spare tyre), to at least one expandable vessel being, for example, a deflated or partially deflated vehicle tyre. According to known prior art

apparatus and methods this involves the use of tubing having a valve positioned

-3 at either end for connection to a valve of an expandable vessel. According to aspects of the present invention, the device is provided with a third valve positioned between the first and second end of the tubing, such a third valve being connectable directly or indirectly to an air source being, for example, a 5 pump or compressor. Alternatively or in addition, the third valve is configurable for connection to second inflation device so as to allow construction of a network of inflation devices providing, in turn, for simultaneous multiple vessel inflation involving a single closing and opening of the air source-tubing-vessel air system for any given inflation process.

According to specific implementations of the present invention, all tyres of a vehicle may be inflated simultaneously from a single air source yet further, a plurality of vehicle tyres on a plurality of vehicles may be inflated simultaneously, in each case, using a plurality of interconnected inflation devices according to a 15 specific implementations of the present invention.

According to further specific implementations of the present invention the device is configured to inflate any type of expandable vessel being, for example, inflatable beds, mats, models, figurines and toys.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an inflation device for inflating at least one expandable vessel comprising: at least one length of tubing having at least a first end and a second end; a first valve positioned at said first end, said first valve being configured for releasably connecting to a valve of a first said expandable vessel and to allow air transfer into and out of said tubing; 30 a second valve positioned at said second end, said second valve being configured for releasably connecting to a valve of a second said expandable vessel and to allow air transfer into and out of said tubing;

-4 said device comprising and being characterized by: a third valve positioned between said first and second end, said third 5 valve been configured to allow air transfer into said tubing.

In addition or alternatively according to a first mode of operation said device is configurable to allow air transfer from said first expandable vessel to said second expandable vessel.

In addition or alternatively according to a second mode of operation said device is configurable to allow air transfer through said third valve and into said first and second expandable vessel.

15 In addition or alternatively an air transfer regulator to regulate said air transfer within said device.

In addition or alternatively a pressure gauge to allow a monitoring of air pressure within at least one said expandable vessel.

In addition or alternatively expandable vessel is a vehicle tyre.

In addition or alternatively first and second valve are configured for releasably connecting to a vehicle tyre valve.

In addition or alternatively third valve is a vehicle tyre type valve.

In addition or alternatively third valve is connected to said at least one length of tubing by a further length of tubing.

3 0 In addition or alternatively third valve is configured to be releasably connected to an air source.

In addition or alternatively air source comprises any one of the following set of: a pump; an air compressor; a further said expandable vessel.

10 According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of inflating at least one expandable vessel using an inflation device, said method comprising: releasably connecting a first valve of said inflation device to a valve of a first 15 expandable vessel, said first valve of said inflation device being positioned at a first end of a length of tubing of said inflation device; releasably connecting a second valve of said inflation device to a valve of a second expandable vessel, said second valve of said inflation device being 2 0 positioned at a second end of said length of tubing; said method comprising and being characterized by: providing a third valve positioned between said first and second end to allow 2 5 air transfer into said length of tubing; allowing air transfer from said first expandable vessel to said second expandable vessel according to a first mode of operation; and 30 allowing air transfer through said third valve and into said first and second expandable vessel according to a second mode of operation.

-6 ln addition or alternatively regulating air transfer through said tubing using an air transfer regulator.

In addition or alternatively monitoring air pressure within at least one said 5 vehicle tyre using a pressure gauge.

In addition or alternatively controlling air transfer to at least one said expandable vessel from any one of the following set of: 10 a pump; an air compressor; a further said expandable vessel.

In addition or alternatively expandable vessel is a vehicle tyre.

In addition or alternatively third valve is a vehicle tyre type valve.

20 In addition or alternatively connecting said third valve to an air source and allowing air transfer from said air source through said third valve and into at least one said expandable vessel.

Brief Description of the Drawinas

2 5 For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 30 Figure 1 illustrates schematically the inflation device comprising a length of tubing, a first, and second and third valve according a specific implementation of the present invention;

-7 Figure 2 illustrates schematically the inflation device of Figure 1 additionally comprising an air transfer regulator and a pressure gauge according to a specific implementation of the present invention; Figure 3 illustrates schematically one mode of operation of the inflation device being operable for simultaneous inflation of two vehicle tyres using a single air source according to a specific implementation of the present invention; 10 Figure 4 illustrates schematically the inflation device being operable to inflate a partially deflated tyre using an inflated spare tyre according to a specific implementation of the present invention; Figure 5 illustrates schematically a plurality of vehicle tyre inflation devices 15 being interconnected to allow simultaneous multiple tyre inflation using a single air source according to a specific implementation of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Best Mode for Carrvinu Out the Invention

There will now be described by way of example the best mode 20 contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough

understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures have not 2 5 been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

Within this specification, the term 'vehicle tyre valve' includes a vehicle tyre

being provided with a valve whereby inflation of the vehicle tyre is achieved without the presence of an inner tube. In addition, this term includes a vehicle 3 o tyre comprising an inner tube where the vehicle tyre valve is a vehicle tyre inner tube valve.

-8 An inflation device is provided being configured to transfer air from an air source to an expandable vessel being for example a deflated or partially deflated vehicle tyre. Air transfer is achieved using at least one length of tubing having at least a first end and a second end, with a first valve positioned at the first end and 5 a second valve positioned at the second end, such valves being configured to attach to the valves of each expandable vessel (vehicle tyre).

Once the air system is closed, comprising for example the air source, length of tubing and deflated tyre, air transfer is achieved until equilibration between the 10 air source and the partially re-inflated tyre.

Through the provision of a third valve along the tubing, the device according to further specific implementations is configurable for the simultaneous inflation of a plurality of expandable vessels (vehicle wheel tyres) using a single air source 15 requiring in turn a single closing and opening of the air system thereby avoiding substantial air loss due to repeated opening and closing of the air system.

In addition, whilst and/or following an air transfer from the air source to the expandable vessel (partially deflated tyre) a user, via the third valve, may input 20 additional air into the system using a pump, a foot pump, an air compressor or further expandable vessel (vehicle tyre) for example.

Referring to Figure 1 herein there is illustrated a schematic view of the inflation device 100 comprising at least one length of tubing 101; a first valve 103; 25 a second valve 105 and a third valve 106. First valve 103 is positioned at a first end 102 of the at least one length of tubing 101 with second valve 105 being positioned at a second end 104 of tubing 101. Third valve 106 is positioned between first and second ends 102, 104.

30 In use, the first and second valves are configured for releasably connecting to a vehicle tyre valve to allow air transfer into and out of the tubing and may comprise either one way or two way valves common to the pneumatics industry.

-9- Third valve 106 is similarly configured to allow air transfer into and out of the tubing such that device 100, according to a first mode of operation is configured to allow air transfer from a first vehicle tyre to a second vehicle tyre and according 5 to a second mode of operation to allow air transfer from an air source through the third valve 106, via tubing 101 and valves 103, 105 into the second vehicle tyre.

Referring to Figure 2 herein there is illustrated a schematic view of the inflation device of Figure 1 herein additionally comprising an air transfer regulator 10 201 and a pressure gauge 202. Regulator 201 is configured to control the transfer of air within the tubing 101 and is illustrated being positioned between valve 103 and 106 by way of example only. According to further specific implementations, regulator 201 may be positioned at any point along tubing 101 or valves 103, 105 or 106. According to yet further specific implementations, 15 device 200 may comprise a plurality of regulators 201 so as to permit air flow through selected valves.

Pressure gauge 202 is used by a user to monitor an air pressure within a vehicle tyre, or plurality of vehicle tyres according to specific implementations of 20 the present invention described with reference to Figures 3 and 5 herein.

According to a specific implementations of the present invention valves 103, 105 comprise known valves configured for releasably connecting to Schraeder type tyre valves and may comprise suitable locking means to ensure a tight seal 25 is established and maintained. According to the specific implementation of the present invention valve 106 comprises a Schraeder type vehicle tyre valve being configured for a releasable engaging of valves 103, 105 of the same or a neighbouring vehicle tyre inflation device. Valve 106 may be connected directly to tubing 101 or may be adjoined indirectly via suitable attachment means, or a 30 length of tubing. According to specific implementations of the present invention valve 106 may be positioned perpendicular to the length of tubing 101 or may rest parallel.

-10 Referring to Figure 3 herein there is illustrated schematically the vehicle tyre inflation device of Figure 1 herein being connected to a first vehicle tyre 300 a second vehicle tyre 301 of a vehicle 302 and air source 303.

According to a specific implementation of the present invention, tubing 101 is connected to a first and second vehicle tyre 300, 301 via valves 103, 105.

When connected as illustrated in Figure 3 herein air may be transferred between the first and second vehicle tyres 300, 301 in addition to an external supply of air 10 via air source 303 connected either directly or indirectly to tubing 101 via valve 106. In the case of indirect connection, suitable tubing 304 may be used, tubing 304 possibly being a part of air source 303.

Utilisation of the vehicle tyre inflation device 100 as illustrated in Figure 3 15 herein allows for the simultaneous inflation of a plurality of vehicle tyres which may be inflated to the same air pressure due to the creation of a single air system involving a single air source without resort to separate tyre inflations. Additionally, where the vehicle tyre inflation device comprises an air transfer regulator 201 and/or a pressure gauge, a user may regulate air flow to tyres 300, 301 or 2 0 monitor separately or jointly the air pressure within tyres 300, 301.

Referring to Figure 4 herein there is illustrated a schematic view of the inflation device according to Figure 1 herein according to a specific implementation being operable to inflate a partially deflated tyre 400 using an air 2 5 source 401, being a spare tyre of vehicle 402.

According to the specific implementation of the present invention, air may be transferred from an inflated tyre 401 to a partially deflated tyre 400 by connection of tubing 101 to tyres 400, 401 using valves 105, 103 respectively.

30 Whilst and/or following air transfer, a user may monitor the air pressure within the system via connection of a suitable pressure gauge, directly or indirectly to valve 106.

-1 1 According to utilisation of the inflation device according to Figure 2 herein a monitoring of air pressure within the system is achieved via pressure gauge 202 alternatively or in addition to the facility of regulating air flow using air transfer 5 regulator 201.

In the eventuality of insufficient air being supplied to the partially deflated tyre 400, a secondary air source may be connected directly or indirectly via valve 106 to the system so as to allow additional air input and transfer. For example, 10 the utilisation of a neighbouring vehicle (having inflated tyres) and at least one further vehicle tyre inflation device, a user may transfer air to the partially deflated tyre 400 from a plurality of inflated tyres by interconnection of at least two or more inflation devices as detailed with reference to Figure 5 herein.

15 Referring to Figure 5 herein there is illustrated schematically a plurality of inflation devices according to Figure 1 herein being operable for inflation of a plurality of vehicle tyres 500, 501, 502, 503. Through a releasable connection between a first valve 103 or a second valve 105 of a first inflation device to a third valve 106 of a neighbouring inflation device a network of inflation devices 504, 20 505, 506 may be constructed so as to provide an air system configured for the simultaneous inflation of a plurality of vehicle tyres 500, 501, 502, 503. Air may simply be transferred between the plurality of vehicle tyres 500, 501, 502, 503 in addition to a transfer of additional air from a further air source 303 being connected to the system via valve 106 of an inflation device 506. As such, all the 25 tyres of a single vehicle or plurality of vehicles may be inflated simultaneously from a single air source 303 and/or air pressure equilibration within the plurality of vehicle tyres may be achieved by a simple interconnecting of a plurality of inflation devices.

Claims

-12 Claims:

1. An inflation device for inflating at least one expandable vessel comprising: 5 at least one length of tubing having at least a first end and a second end; a first valve positioned at said first end, said first valve being configured for releasably connecting to a valve of a first said expandable vessel and to allow air transfer into and out of said tubing; a second valve positioned at said second end, said second valve being configured for releasably connecting to a valve of a second said expandable vessel and to allow air transfer into and out of said tubing; 15 said device comprising and being characterized by: a third valve positioned between said first and second end, said third valve been configured to allow air transfer into said tubing.

2 0 2. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein according to a first mode of operation said device is configurable to allow air transfer from said first expandable vessel to said second expandable vessel.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein according to a second 25 mode of operation said device is configurable to allow air transfer through said third valve and into said first and second expandable vessel.

4. The device as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising an air transfer regulator to regulate said air transfer within said device.

-13 5. The device as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a pressure gauge to allow a monitoring of air pressure within at least one said expandable vessel.

5

6. The device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said expandable vessel is a vehicle tyre.

7. The device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said first and second valve are configured for releasably connecting to a vehicle tyre valve.

8. The device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said third valve is a vehicle tyre type valve.

9. The device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said third 15 valve is connected to said at least one length of tubing by a further length of tubing.

10. The device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said third valve is configured to be releasably connected to an air source.

11. The device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said air source comprises any one of the following set of: a pump; an air compressor; a further said expandable vessel.

30

12. A method of inflating at least one expandable vessel using an inflation device, said method comprising:

A) -14 releasably connecting a first valve of said inflation device to a valve of a first expandable vessel, said first valve of said inflation device being positioned at a first end of a length of tubing of said inflation device; 5 releasably connecting a second valve of said inflation device to a valve of a second expandable vessel, said second valve of said inflation device being positioned at a second end of said length of tubing; said method comprising and being characterized by: providing a third valve positioned between said first and second end to allow air transfer into said length of tubing; allowing air transfer from said first expandable vessel to said second 15 expandable vessel according to a first mode of operation; and allowing air transfer through said third valve and into said first and second expandable vessel according to a second mode of operation.

2 0

13. The method as claimed in claim 12 further comprising: regulating air transfer through said tubing using an air transfer regulator.

14. The method as claimed in claims 12 or 13 further comprising: monitoring air pressure within at least one said vehicle tyre using a pressure gauge.

15. The method as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14 further 3 0 comprising:

-15 controlling air transfer to at ieast one said expandable vessel from any one of the following set of: a pump; an air compressor; a further said expandable vessel.

10

16. The method as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 15 wherein said expandable vessel is a vehicle tyre.

17. The method as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 16 wherein said third valve is a vehicle tyre type valve.

18. The method as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 17 further comprising: connecting said third valve to an air source and allowing air transfer from 20 said air source through said third valve and into at least one said expandable vessel.

19. An inflation device for inflating at least one expandable vessel as described herein with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.