Patent Application
20180319231
The present invention relates to a pressure equalizing device; to a non-motor driven device for pressuring/depressurizing inflatable objects; to a non-motor driven device for redistributing air from an inflatable object with a high pressure to an inflatable object having a lower pressure; and more particularly, to a non-compression tire pressure equalizing device for simultaneously inflating or deflating multiple tires without the use of an air compressor, wherein an equal pressure results within each of the multiple tires.
Transportation using motorized vehicles, such as automobiles, is a modern-day necessity. Use of automobiles is vital to the commercial industry, transporting commercial goods to retail stories for purchase and for providing a mechanism to get individuals into the stores. Use of automobiles is a vital aspect of the non-commercial industry, providing a mechanism for individuals to travel to work, travel to commercial establishments, like restaurants or retail stores, or to transport their children to various places, such as school or social/athletic activities. While technology is improving the safety and reliability of automobiles, inflation of tires remains a potential problem. Underinflated tires can be problematic and dangerous to a driver. One of the main problems with underinflated tires is that they can occur at the wrong times. Proper maintenance and monitoring of tire pressure can prevent such conditions. However, many automobile owners fail to properly maintain their tires. Moreover, even with proper maintenance, underinflated tires can result.
In many instances, an underinflated tire occurs at inconvenient times. In a typical scenario, the automobile owner gets stuck on the road with an underinflated tire at a location away from home or away from a place that may provide assistance. This situation results in the driver being required to fix the car on the road. In addition to being inconvenient, this situation may be dangerous, as a fix may require being exposed to possible interaction with other moving vehicles. Often times, fixing the underinflated tire requires use of a compressor. Not only is this a piece of equipment that must be left in the vehicle, most compressors require some type of maintenance, i.e. charging a battery, to maintain use of the device. For those drivers that do not maintain the power source, the compressor might not be available when required.
The present invention provides a non-motor driven device for redistributing air from an inflatable object with a high pressure to an inflatable object having a lower pressure. The pressure equalizer device is configured for redistributing fluid, preferably pressurized air, between independent inflatable objects. The pressure equalizer contains a main body configured to engage and connect separate, independent inflatable objects together and a plurality of intermediate inflatable object engaging members. The main body is further configured to allow fluid to travel therethrough. The main body may comprise a first air redistribution component, a second air redistribution component, a third air redistribution component, and a plurality of inflatable object air valve stem locking members.
In an illustrative embodiment, the pressure equalizer configured for redistributing fluid between independent inflatable objects comprise: a main body sized and shaped to move fluid therethrough, said main body configured to engage and fluidly connect separate, independent inflatable objects together, wherein said fluid is redistributed from one or more independent inflatable objects with a high pressure to one or more independent inflatable objects having a lower pressure; and a plurality of intermediate inflatable object engaging members. The main body may comprise a first fluid redistribution component, said first fluid redistribution component comprising a first end configured to engage with a fluid valve of at least one of said independent inflatable objects, a second end configured to engage or connect with at least a portion of a second fluid distribution component or at least one of said plurality of intermediate inflatable engaging members, and a first fluid passageway therebetween; the second fluid redistribution component comprising a first end configured to engage with at least a portion of the first fluid distribution component or at least one of the plurality of intermediate inflatable engaging members, a second end configured to engage with at least a portion of a third fluid distribution component, and a second fluid passageway therebetween; the third fluid distribution component having a first end configured to engage with a fluid valve of at least one of the independent inflatable objects, a second end configured to engage with at least a portion of the second fluid distribution component or at least one of the plurality of intermediate inflatable engaging members, and a third fluid passageway therebetween.
Accordingly, it is an objective of the invention to provide a pressure equalizing device.
It is a further objective of the invention to teach a non-motor driven device for pressuring/depressurizing inflatable objects.
It is yet another objective of the invention to teach a non-motor driven device for redistributing air from an inflatable object with a high pressure to an inflatable object having a lower pressure.
It is a still further objective of the invention to teach a non-compression tire pressure equalizing device for simultaneously inflating or deflating multiple tires without the use of an air compressor, wherein an equal pressure results within each of the multiple tires.
Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.
While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred, albeit not limiting, embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.
Referring to
The first air redistribution component 18 comprises a fluid distribution body 24 having a first end 26 configured to engage and secure to an inflatable object and a second end 28 configured to engage with a portion of another air redistribution component, such as the second air redistribution component 20, and also one of the plurality of intermediate inflatable object engaging members 14 or 16. The first air redistribution body 18 is made of a material that allows fluid to travel therein, such as polyurethane plastic tubing. In a preferred embodiment, the first air redistribution component 18 is made of a flexible material that can be maintained in a first compact configuration and traversed to a second extended, generally linear orientation, by applying a stretching or pulling force. While the first air redistribution component 18 has been described as being made of polyurethane plastic tubing, such material is illustrative only. Other materials, such as nylon tubing, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) tubing, stainless steel pneumatic air hose, or other metals known to one of skill in the art may be used.
As illustrated in
The first air redistribution component 18, the second air redistribution component 20, and the third air redistribution component 22 are interconnected to allow the pressure equalizer 10 to be engaged and secured to multiple, independent inflatable objects at one time.
The first air redistribution component 18 can be connected to the second air redistribution component 20 through the use of a branch or t-shaped connector 50, see
The first air redistribution component first end 26 contains an inflatable object air valve stem locking member, illustrated herein as a lockable clip-on ball chuck 56. Other pneumatic locking chucks, such as a ball foot air chuck, a locking Schrader chuck, or a closed clip-on air chuck may be used as well. The third air redistribution component first end 38 also contains a clip-on ball chuck 56.
The intermediate inflatable object engaging members 14 or 16 are designed to provide additional members for attachment to independent inflatable objects. The intermediate inflatable object engaging member 14 comprises an elongated body 58 with two opposing ends, first end 60 and second end 62. The first end 60 is connected to the branch or t-shaped connector 50 using a quick connect pneumatic fitting 66, see
Referring to
To aid in properly attaching to the tires, one or more components may be designed to rotate. As an illustrative example, one or more of the inflatable object air valve stem locking member, i.e. the lockable clip-on ball chuck 56, or the quick connectors, may be designed to be orbital. In this manner, a user may be able to secure one or more components to the inflatable objects, i.e. the tires 42, 44, 46, and 48, without the requirement of such objects being in the right orientation. If one or more portions are not aligned correctly, the user may simply rotate them to the correct orientation.
All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein.
One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.
In accordance with 37 C.F.R. 1.76, a claim of priority is included in an Application Data Sheet filed concurrently herewith. Accordingly, the present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/502,361, entitled, “INFLATABLE OBJECT PRESSURE EQUALIZER”, filed May 5, 2017. The contents of the above referenced application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62502361 | May 2017 | US |
