US20120168031A1

US20120168031A1 - Hand-held tire inflator

Info

Publication number: US20120168031A1
Application number: US13/342,867
Authority: US
Inventors: Patrick L. Ohm; Alan Okamura
Original assignee: Bell Automotive Products Inc
Current assignee: Bell Automotive Products Inc
Priority date: 2011-01-04
Filing date: 2012-01-03
Publication date: 2012-07-05
Also published as: WO2012094413A3; US8887769B1; WO2012094411A3; CN103402836A; WO2012094413A2; WO2012094411A2

Abstract

The present disclosure describes a structure for a hand-held tire inflator that includes a housing having a pump motor therein, a bottom surface, a top surface opposite the bottom surface, a cylindrical base between the top and bottom surface, and two arms extending laterally from the housing above the cylindrical base and below the top surface. A flexible light support may be coupled to a second arm of the two arms, the flexible light support having a light source on a distal end of the flexible light support. A pressure indicator may be positioned on the top surface, the pressure indicator responsive to air pressure within the air hose. A power switch may be disposed on the housing and electrically coupled to the light source and to the pump motor.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This document claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/429,700, entitled “PORTABLE TIRE INFLATOR” to Ohm which was filed on Jan. 4, 2011, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field
Aspects of this document relate generally to portable tire inflators.
2. Background Art
Flat tires are a problem to which no car owner is immune. Typically, car owners or drivers will, upon discovering a flat or a low tire, drive to the nearest service station to inflate or fix the tire, or replace the problematic tire with a spare tire. Such remedies are typically inconvenient and time consuming for the car owner or driver.

SUMMARY

Aspects of a hand-held tire inflator may comprise a housing comprising a pump motor therein, a bottom surface, a top surface opposite the bottom surface, a cylindrical base between the top and bottom surface, the cylindrical base having a diameter less than about 2.75 inches, and two arms extending laterally from the housing above the cylindrical base and below the top surface, an air hose extending from a first arm of the two arms, a flexible light support coupled to a second arm of the of the two arms, the flexible light support comprising a light source on a distal end of the flexible light support, a pressure indicator positioned on the top surface, the pressure indicator responsive to air pressure within the air hose, and a power switch disposed on the housing and electrically coupled to the light source and to the pump motor.
Particular embodiments and implementations may comprise one or more of the following features. The air pressure indicator may comprise a circular air pressure display disposed on the top surface of the housing. The hand-held tire inflator may comprise an air pressure regulator operably associated with the motor to prevent the tire inflator from inflating a tire through the air hose beyond a preset tire air pressure value. The pressure indicator may comprise a radial air pressure gauge and a needle that together are responsive to tire air pressure during tire inflator use. The hand-held tire inflator may comprise a regulator dial comprising a regulator marker, the regulator dial configured to rotate about the radial air pressure gauge such that the marker establishes the preset tire air pressure value. The air pressure display may comprise a digital air pressure gauge that is responsive to tire air pressure during tire inflator use to display the tire air pressure value. The power switch may be configured to turn on the light in a first position, turn on both the light and the motor in a second position, and turn off both the light and the motor in a third position. The hand-held tire inflator may further comprise a recess in the housing, the recess comprising a plurality of clips extending outward therefrom. The hand-held tire inflator may comprise an inflator needle and low pressure inflatable nozzle held within the recess by the plurality of clips. The hand-held tire inflator may comprise a plurality of bottom air vents positioned on a bottom end of the cylindrical base near the bottom surface, and a plurality of top air vents position on an end of the housing near the top surface. The bottom air vents may comprise air intake vents, and the top air vents may comprise air exhaustion vents. The bottom air vents may comprise air exhaustion vents, and the top air vents may comprise air intake vents.
Aspects of a tire inflator may comprise a housing comprising a pump motor therein and a cylindrical base having a diameter less than approximately 2.75 inches, an air hose extending from the housing, a flexible light support coupled to the housing, the flexible light support comprising a light source on a distal end of the flexible light support, and a valve stem connector on a valve stem end of the air hose distal the housing.
Particular embodiments and implementations may comprise one or more of the following features. The flexible light support may extend from a first arm on the housing and the air hose may extend from a second arm on the housing, each of the two arms extending laterally from the housing above the cylindrical base and below a top surface. The tire inflator may comprise a power switch disposed on the housing and electrically coupled to the light source and to the pump motor. The power switch may be configured to turn on and off only the light in a first position, and further configured to simultaneously turn on and off both the light and the motor in a second position. The tire inflator may comprise a tire pressure gauge responsive to air pressure within the air hose. The tire inflator may comprise an air pressure regulator operably associated with the pump motor to prevent the tire inflator from inflating a tire through the air hose beyond a preset tire air pressure value. The tire inflator may comprise a regulator instrument on the tire pressure gauge, the regulator instrument configured to establish the preset maximum air pressure value. The light source may comprise a light emitting diode light.
Aspects and applications of the disclosure presented here are described below in the drawings and detailed description. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and the claims be given their plain, ordinary, and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. The inventors are fully aware that they can be their own lexicographers if desired. The inventors expressly elect, as their own lexicographers, to use only the plain and ordinary meaning of terms in the specification and claims unless they clearly state otherwise and then further, expressly set forth the “special” definition of that term and explain how it differs from the plain and ordinary meaning. Absent such clear statements of intent to apply a “special” definition, it is the inventors' intent and desire that the simple, plain and ordinary meaning to the terms be applied to the interpretation of the specification and claims.
The inventors are also aware of the normal precepts of English grammar. Thus, if a noun, term, or phrase is intended to be further characterized, specified, or narrowed in some way, then such noun, term, or phrase will expressly include additional adjectives, descriptive terms, or other modifiers in accordance with the normal precepts of English grammar. Absent the use of such adjectives, descriptive terms, or modifiers, it is the intent that such nouns, terms, or phrases be given their plain, and ordinary English meaning to those skilled in the applicable arts as set forth above.
Further, the inventors are fully informed of the standards and application of the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6. Thus, the use of the words “function,” “means” or “step” in the Description, Drawings, or Claims is not intended to somehow indicate a desire to invoke the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6, to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6 are sought to be invoked to define the claimed disclosure, the claims will specifically and expressly state the exact phrases “means for” or “step for, and will also recite the word “function” (i.e., will state “means for performing the function of [insert function]”), without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material or act in support of the function. Thus, even when the claims recite a “means for performing the function of . . . ” or “step for performing the function of . . . ,” if the claims also recite any structure, material or acts in support of that means or step, or that perform the recited function, then it is the clear intention of the inventors not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6. Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6 are invoked to define the claimed disclosure, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function as described in alternative embodiments or forms of the invention, or that are well known present or later-developed, equivalent structures, material or acts for performing the claimed function.
The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent to those artisans of ordinary skill in the art from the DESCRIPTION and DRAWINGS, and from the CLAIMS.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, where like designations denote like elements, and:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hand-held tire inflator;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the hand-held tire inflator of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a rear view of a particular implantation of a hand-held tire inflator.

DESCRIPTION

This disclosure, its aspects and implementations, are not limited to the specific components or assembly procedures disclosed herein. Many additional components and assembly procedures known in the art consistent with the intended tire inflator and/or assembly procedures for a tire inflator will become apparent for use with implementations of tire inflators from this disclosure. Accordingly, for example, although particular tire inflators are disclosed, such tire inflators and implementing components may comprise any shape, size, style, type, model, version, measurement, concentration, material, quantity, and/or the like as is known in the art for such tire inflators and implementing components, consistent with the intended operation of tire inflators.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, an implementation of a tire inflator 100 may comprise a housing 150 with a pump motor housed therein. Any pump motor known to those having skill in the art is contemplated for use in the housing of this disclosure such as, but not limited to, single speed motors, variable speed motors, and the like. The housing 150 may further house a rechargeable battery in various implementations. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the housing 150 may further comprise a cylindrical end 150 having a diameter of less than approximately 2.75 inches, a bottom surface 171, and a top surface 170. In some implementations of the tire inflator 100, the housing 150 may further comprise a first arm 135 and a second arm 130 that extend laterally from the housing, typically above the cylindrical end 155. In other implementations, the cylindrical end 155 may comprise any shape sized to fit within the grasp of a hand. Likewise, in various implementations, the housing may comprise no arms, one arm, two arms, or any number of arms.
The housing may further comprise a plurality of air vents disposed anywhere on the housing. In the implementation illustrated in FIG. 1, the tire inflator 100 comprises bottom air vents 160 and top air vents 165. The bottom air vents 160 may be disposed anywhere on the lower portion of the housing, such as at an end of the cylindrical base 155 distal to the top surface 170. The top air vents 165 may disposed anywhere on the upper portion of the housing, such as at an end of the housing 150 distal to the bottom surface. In a particular implementation, the bottom air vents 160 may comprise air intake vents through which the pump motor may draw air 162 into the housing 150. In such an implementation, the top air vents 165 comprise air exhaust vents through which the pump motor exhausts air 167 out of the housing 150. Such a configuration assists to prevent overheating of the pump motor and excessive temperatures of the housing 150. Similarly, in another implementation, the bottom air vents 160 may comprise air exhaust vents through which the pump motor exhausts out of the housing 150, while the top air vents 165 comprise air intake vents through which the pump motor draws air into the housing 150. These and other implementations may utilize a forced air cooling technology, wherein an air-cooled motor assembly helps to prevent overheating.
A tire inflator 100 may further comprise an air hose 105 extending from the housing 150. In some implementations, the air hose 105 may extend from a first arm 135 of the housing 150, while in other implementations, the air hose 150 may extend from any portion of the housing 150. Extension from the first arm 135 helps the housing configuration to be more compact. The air hose 105 may be in fluid communication with the pump motor such that when the pump motor is activated, pressurized air from the pump motor is passed to the air hose 105. The air hose 105 may then transfer pressurized air into a tire to inflate the tire. The air hose 105 may comprise any flexible, coiled, or otherwise bendable hose suitable for transferring air. In some implementations, transfer of air from the air hose 105 to the tire is facilitated by a valve stem connector 110 on an end of the air hose 105 distal to the housing 150. The valve stem connector 110 may connect to a valve stem of a tire, inner tube, or any other inflatable object. The air hose 105 may further comprise a bleeder valve element 115 that allows a user to manually release small or controlled amounts of air from the tire or from the air pump by pressing on the bleeder valve element 115.
Various implementations of a tire inflator 100 may further comprise a light source 125 located anywhere on or extending from the housing 150. In the implementation illustrated in FIG. 1, the light source 125 is disposed on an end of a flexible light support 120 distal to the second arm 130 of the housing 150. The flexible light support 120 may comprise any bendable material or combinations of pieces that allow a user to bend the flexible light support 120 and have the flexible light support 120 remain in substantially the same position. The light source 125 may comprise any type of light, such as but not limited to a light emitting diode (LED) light, laser light, neon light, incandescent light, and the like. The light source 125 may further comprise any variety of light housing to protect the light or magnify the intensity of the light.
Various implementations of a tire inflator 100 may further comprise a power switch 140 disposed anywhere on the housing 150. The power switch may be electrically coupled to either the light source 125 or the pump motor, or both the light source 125 and the pump motor. The power switch 140 be configured to turn on or activate the light source 125 in a first position, turn on or activate both the light source 125 and the pump motor in a second position, and turn off or deactivate both the light source 125 and the pump motor in a third position. In other implementations, a tire inflator 100 may comprise a plurality of power switches disposed at various locations on the housing 150. Each of the plurality of power switches may be assigned or electrically coupled to different functions or elements, such as but not limited to a power switch for the light source 125, a power switch for the pump motor, a power switch for a tire pressure gauge, or a power switch to activate rechargeable battery or any other power source.
A tire inflator 100 may further comprise a pressure indicator 145 positioned anywhere on the housing 150 of the tire inflator 100. In the implementation illustrated in FIG. 1, the pressure indicator 145 is positioned on the top surface 170 of the housing 150. Placement of the various components in the particular implementation illustrated in FIG. 1 allow for a small, compact hand-held unit. The pressure indicator 145 is responsive to air pressure within the air hose 105, the pump motor, the valve stem connector 110, or the tire the air hose 105 to which the air hose is connected. In an implementation, the pressure indicator 145 displays the approximate air pressure of air within the tire during pumping by indicating the air pressure within the air hose 105 or the air pressure exerted on the pump motor. It is understood that any display of air pressure value or preset air pressure values throughout this disclosure may comprise an approximation of actual values or the display of values substantially similar to actual air pressure values.
In an implementation, the pressure indicator 145 may comprise a radial air pressure gauge and a needle that together are responsive to tire air pressure and/or air hose 105 air pressure during use of the tire inflator 100. For example, the radial air pressure gauge may comprise range of air pressure values spread annularly across the radial air pressure gauge, often in a plurality of measurement units, such as pounds per square inch (PSI), bars, atmospheres, and the like. When the pump motor is in use, the needle may move to a position along the annularly arrange pressure values to indicate air pressure within the air hose 105.
In another implementation, the pressure indicator 145 may comprise a digital air pressure gauge response to tire air pressure and/or air hose 105 air pressure during use of the tire inflator 100. The digital air pressure gauge may display either a numeric air pressure, or a digital image similar to the radial air pressure gauge and needle previously described.
Referring now to FIG. 2, wherein a top view of an implementation of a tire inflator 200 is shown, illustrating the compact nature of the tire inflator 200. In addition to aspects previously referenced and described, FIG. 2 also illustrates a regulator dial 190 and a regulator marker 195 present in various implementations of a tire inflator 200. Implementations of the tire inflator 200 may further comprise an air pressure regulator or limiter associated with the pump motor to prevent the tire inflator from inflating a tire through the air hose 105 beyond a preset tire air pressure value. The air pressure regulator may act to completely deactivate the pump motor, reduce power of the pump motor to a lower pump motor setting, or open an exhaustion element that reduces air pressure within the air hose 105.
A tire inflator 200 may further comprise various elements that allow a user to establish the preset tire air pressure value. In implementations comprising a radial air pressure gauge, a tire inflator 200 may comprise a regulator dial comprising a regulator marker. The regulator dial may be configured to rotate about the radial air pressure gauge such that the regulator marker establishes the preset tire air pressure value by pointing to an air pressure value on the radial air pressure gauge. In implementations comprising a digital air pressure gauge, a tire inflator 200 may comprise programming buttons or other elements that allow a user to establish the preset tire air pressure value.
Referring now to FIG. 3, the housing 150 of various implementations of a tire inflator 100 may comprise a recessed compartment 180. The recessed compartment 180 may be located anywhere on the housing 150. In the implementation of FIG. 3, the recessed compartment 180 is located substantially on a portion of the cylindrical base 155. The recessed compartment 180 further comprises a plurality of clamps 182 or pinning elements extending from a back surface of the recess adapted for holding pump attachment needles or adapters 175 within the recessed compartment 180.
It will be understood that implementations are not limited to the specific components disclosed herein, as virtually any components consistent with the intended operation of a method and/or system implementation for tire inflators may be utilized. Accordingly, for example, although particular tire inflators may be disclosed, such components may comprise any shape, size, style, type, model, version, class, grade, measurement, concentration, material, weight, quantity, and/or the like consistent with the intended operation of a method and/or system implementation for a tire inflators may be used.
In places where the description above refers to particular implementations of tire inflators, it should be readily apparent that a number of modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof and that these implementations may be applied to other tire inflators. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true spirit and scope of the disclosure set forth in this document. The presently disclosed implementations are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the disclosure being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning of and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A hand-held tire inflator, comprising:

a housing comprising a pump motor therein, a bottom surface, a top surface opposite the bottom surface, a cylindrical base between the top and bottom surface, the cylindrical base having a diameter less than about 2.75 inches, and two arms extending laterally from the housing above the cylindrical base and below the top surface;

an air hose extending from a first arm of the two arms;

a flexible light support coupled to a second arm of the two arms, the flexible light support comprising a light source on a distal end of the flexible light support;

a pressure indicator positioned on the top surface, the pressure indicator responsive to air pressure within the air hose; and

a power switch disposed on the housing and electrically coupled to the light source and to the pump motor.

2. The hand-held tire inflator of claim 1, wherein the air pressure indicator comprises a circular air pressure display disposed on the top surface of the housing.

3. The hand-held tire inflator of claim 2, further comprising an air pressure regulator operably associated with the motor to prevent the tire inflator from inflating a tire through the air hose beyond a preset tire air pressure value.

4. The hand-held tire inflator of claim 3, wherein the pressure indicator comprises a radial air pressure gauge and a needle that together are responsive to tire air pressure during tire inflator use.

5. The hand-held tire inflator of claim 4, further comprising a regulator dial comprising a regulator marker, wherein the regulator dial is configured to rotate about the radial air pressure gauge such that the marker establishes the preset tire air pressure value.

6. The hand-held tire inflator of claim 3, wherein the air pressure display comprises a digital air pressure gauge that is responsive to tire air pressure during tire inflator use to display the tire air pressure value.

7. The hand-held tire inflator of claim 1, wherein the power switch is configured to turn on the light in a first position, turn on both the light and the motor in a second position, and turn off both the light and the motor in a third position.

8. The hand-held tire inflator of claim 1, further comprising a recess in the housing, the recess comprising a plurality of clips extending outward therefrom.

9. The hand-held tire inflator of claim 8, further comprising an inflator needle and low pressure inflatable nozzle held within the recess by the plurality of clips.

10. The hand-held tire inflator of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of bottom air vents positioned on a bottom end of the cylindrical base near the bottom surface, and a plurality of top air vents position on an end of the housing near the top surface.

11. The hand-held tire inflator of claim 10, wherein the bottom air vents comprise air intake vents, and the top air vents comprise air exhaustion vents.

12. The hand-held tire inflator of claim 10, wherein the bottom air vents comprise air exhaustion vents, and the top air vents comprise air intake vents.

13. A tire inflator, comprising:

a housing comprising a pump motor therein and a cylindrical base having a diameter less than approximately 2.75 inches;

an air hose extending from the housing;

a flexible light support coupled to the housing, the flexible light support comprising a light source on a distal end of the flexible light support; and

a valve stem connector on a valve stem end of the air hose distal the housing.

14. The tire inflator of claim 13, wherein the flexible light support extends from a first arm on the housing and the air hose extends from a second arm on the housing, each of the two arms extending laterally from the housing above the cylindrical base and below a top surface.

15. The tire inflator of claim 8, further comprising a power switch disposed on the housing and electrically coupled to the light source and to the pump motor.

16. The hand-held tire inflator of claim 15, wherein the power switch is configured to turn on and off only the light in a first position, and further configured to simultaneously turn on and off both the light and the motor in a second position.

17. The tire inflator of claim 13, further comprising a tire pressure gauge responsive to air pressure within the air hose.

18. The tire inflator of claim 17, further comprising an air pressure regulator operably associated with the pump motor to prevent the tire inflator from inflating a tire through the air hose beyond a preset tire air pressure value.

19. The tire inflator of claim 18, further comprising a regulator instrument on the tire pressure gauge, the regulator instrument configured to establish the preset maximum air pressure value.

20. The tire inflator of claim 13, where the light source comprises a light emitting diode light.