Tire deflating blade perimeter protection system

Abstract

A tire deflating blade perimeter protection system having a control box in communication with a plurality of interconnected modules, each module being a base block with a plurality of blades pivotally connected to a center shaft such that the blades rotate between an armed, up, position and a retracted, down, position wherein the height and angle of the blades in the armed position are adjustable. Each blade is disposed in a blade aperture in the base block wherein the blade aperture is open through the base block to allow for the passage of dirt and debris through the module. A control box ramp is adapted to be placed over the control box as means of protecting the control box from an on-coming vehicle. An extension assembly connecting the control box to the modules extends and raises the control box in relation to the modules.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to apparatuses for deflating the tires of a vehicle, and specifically, to an apparatus having a plurality of blades rotatably disposed within a module base, wherein the height and angle of the blades are adjustable.

2. Related Art

Tire deflation devices are well known in the prior art and available in many different shapes and sizes. These devices typically comprise some type of support base containing a plurality of spikes or blades, and in certain circumstances, the spikes or blades are rotatable between an armed position and a stored or retractable position. The base is placed on a road surface so that a passing vehicle runs over the device and the spikes or blades puncture the tires, thereby rendering the vehicle disabled.

In one such system, U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,418, titled Tire Deflating Blade System, the disclosed device comprises a plurality of modules, each module having a plurality of blades adjacently and pivotally connected, along a centrally located shaft, to form a tire deflating blade system of variable length. Each system module is generally rectangular in shape. The blades are permanently disposed in the base. The blades move between a retracted position for storage and an armed or up position for deflating tires upon a movement of a centrally located shaft.

Although this device is excellent at rendering a vehicle disabled, there are several disadvantages with this blade system. The first disadvantage is that there is no means to adjust the height or angle of the blades with respect to the shaft or module base. Depending on the target terrain on which the device is going to be placed, the blades may not be at an optimum position for puncturing the tires of a vehicle. Thus, there is a need for a tire deflating blade system in which the angle and height of the blades may be adjusted for optimum performance.

The second disadvantage with the known system is that there is no means for allowing dirt and debris to pass through the modules of the system. When dirt is collected in the modules, the blades, and mechanism for working the blades, become full of dirt and debris, thereby interfering with the performance of the system. Therefore, there is a need for a blade system in which the dirt and debris may pass through the modules and/or be cleaned from the blades and inner components of the modules to ensure a smoothly operating system.

The third disadvantage with the existing system is that there is no means by which to protect the control box or the activating box which controls the movement of the blades between the armed and retracted positions. Typically, such a control box is located adjacent to the first module. However, unless it is behind a barrier or other structure, it is susceptible to damage by an oncoming vehicle. Thus, there is a need for a way to protect a control box as it is positioned next to the system on the roadway.

The fourth disadvantage with the existing system is that there is no means for connecting a control box to the modules of the system such that the control box is extended and raised away from the modules as means for protecting the control box from the terrain or environmental elements, such as during rainy weather conditions. Therefore, there is a need for a way to connect a control box to the module such that the control box is not immediately adjacent to the first module, but rather, the control box is extended and raise away from the modules.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the problems associated with conventional tire deflating blade devices by providing an improved tire deflating blade system having a means for adjusting the height or angle of the blades in relation to the shaft or module base. The tire blade system of the present invention incorporates such a means to the shaft extending and connecting the adjacent blades of a module. When the adjusting means is adjusted in a longitudinal direction along the length of the shaft, the height or angle of the blades correspondingly move up or down. Once the desired position of the blades is selected, the adjusting means is locked in place on the shaft.

The tire deflating blade system of the present invention also incorporates a means for allowing debris and dirt to pass through a module. This is accomplished by a plurality of blade apertures open through the module base. Thus, as dirt and debris falls into the blade apertures, such dirt and debris passes through the module and can be washed away. This structure ensures the continued operation of the blades without being subjected to an accumulation of dirt and debris to interfere with the working mechanism.

The tire deflating blade system of the present invention also provides a means for protecting the control box controlling the activation of the blades in the modules of the system. In the preferred embodiment, a ramp module with a chamber on its underside is placed over the control box such that an oncoming vehicle will go up and over the control box preventing any damage thereto. Also, an extension assembly is used to connect the control box to the first module of the system such that the extension assembly extends and raises the control box in relation to the modules. The extension assembly allows the modules to be placed on lower terrain or embedded within a roadway with the control box being above and away from the modules, or provides a drainage path for water and debris to pass under the control box.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Additionally, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawings in which the reference number first appears.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tire deflating blade perimeter protection system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective, exploded view of a tire deflating blade module of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the underside of a tire deflating blade module;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an anchor plate for a tire deflating blade module;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a tire deflating blade module secured to an anchor plate;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of joining two adjacent tire deflating blade modules of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the connection of two tire deflating blade modules and showing the means for adjusting a height and angle of the blades;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a manual control system of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the manual control system being assembled;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an assembled manual control system;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a control box of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the control box with an extension assembly to the first tire deflating blade module;

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of the extension assembly;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a control box ramp of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the control ramp housing a control box;

FIG. 16 is a top view of an adjustment nut of the present invention; and

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the adjustment nut.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a tire deflating blade perimeter protection system 100 of the present invention. The system 100 is comprised of a plurality of tire deflating blade modules 102a-g (module 102). Each module 102 having a plurality of blades 110 housed within a module base block 114. For convenience purpose, a set of blades 110 within a given module 102 shall be denoted as a blade set 112. The engaging means is described in more detail below.

As also shown in FIG. 1, the means for engaging the blades 110 is a manual control box 104 having a handle 108 and gear mechanism 106. The blades 110 of the blade set 112 are attached to a centrally located shaft 212 disposed within the module base block 114 such that upon activation of the handle 108, the blades 110 of the blade set 112 are moved from a retracted or stored position within the base block 114 to an upright or armed position as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a perspective, exploded view of a tire deflating blade module 102 of the present invention. For convenience purpose only, the present invention will be described in terms of a single generic module 102, shown on FIG. 1 as 102a. All other modules 102b-g are identical in design, structure, and operation as module 102a (or 102). A perspective view of the underside of a module 102 is shown in FIG. 3.

The module 102 has a base block 114 which is preferably rectangular in shape being about 20 inches by about 11.5 inches. The base block 114 is made of a cast aluminum or steel in order to give it strength and durability for extended use. The base block 114 has a plurality of blade apertures 236a-e such that one blade 110 is disposed in one blade aperture 236. In the preferred embodiment, each blade aperture 236 extends through the base block 114 such that the blade aperture 236 is open from the top surface of the base block 114 to the bottom surface of the module 102. The base block 114 is shown with five blades 110a-e in a blade set 112 for convenience purpose only. It would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art to have a different number of blades 110 in a blade set 112.

The base block 114 also has a shaft channel 306 extending longitudinally from a first end 230 of the base block 114 to a second end 232 of the base 114. The shaft channel 306 is centrally positioned along an longitudinal axis of the base block 114. The shaft channel 306 extends through the second end 232 of the base block 114 forming a shaft channel opening 314. In contrast, the shaft channel 306 extends through the first end 230 of the base block 114 via a channel aperture 312 passing through a channel bridge 310. Thus, the channel bridge 310 is one means by which the shaft 212 is held in the shaft channel 306. In addition, the shaft channel 306 has a pair of spring holding flanges 308a,b which provides a narrowed section of the shaft channel 306 in proximity to the channel bridge 310.

A shaft 212 is disposed in the shaft channel 306 and each of the blades 110 in a blade set 112 is pivotally connected to the shaft 212. Each blade 110 is connected via the same means. In the preferred embodiment, a blade base 246, having a pair of attachment flanges 240, of a blade 110 is positioned over a shaft aperture 242 such that the one or more blade base apertures 248 align with the shaft aperture 242. Once aligned, a cross pin 206 is inserted through the blade base apertures 248 and the shaft aperture 242. The cross pin 206 is secured in place by a locking c-ring 208. Optionally, each end 250a,b of the blade base 240 is further secured in the blade aperture 236 by securing a cover plate 204 to the base block 114. In the preferred embodiment, each cover plate 204 is secured by two screws 202. This means of pinning each blade 110 to the shaft 212 allows the blades 110 to pivot about the cross pin 206 on the shaft 212 from a down, retracted position to an up, armed position. In addition, the means for pinning each blade 110 to the shaft 212 is a second means by which the shaft 212 is held in the shaft channel 306. The present invention employs this means for pinning the blades 110 to the shaft 212 for convenience purpose only. It would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art to use a comparable design for pivotally connecting the blades 110 to the shaft 212.

Also shown on FIGS. 2, 6 and 7, a preferred module 102 incorporates a means for interconnecting adjacent modules 102. Each module 102 has two removably detachable ball connectors 210a,b protruding from the second end 232 of the base block 114 and two ball receiving connectors 244a,b on the first end 230 of the base 114. The ball connectors 210a,b are preferably made of steel and extend from the base 114 by about ¾ of an inch. Also, the ball connectors 210a,b are spaced apart such that they align with the ball receiving connectors 244a,b of a second module 102. Thus, when joining two modules 102, such as module 102a and module 102b, the ball connectors 210a,b of the first module 102a are inserted and placed into the ball receiving connectors 244a,b of the second module 102b. The connecting of the respective shafts 212 of the two modules 102a,b is described in greater detail below. Lastly, as an option, there is a security groove 238 having a screw 702 passing though a hole in the base block 114. Upon tightening the screw 702, the screw 702 contacts the ball connector 210b and pressure fits the ball connector 210b in the ball receiving connector 244b to prevent unwanted slippage of the ball connector 210b out of the ball receiving connector 244b. Similarly, there is a security groove and screw on the opposite side of the base block 114 for pressure fitting the ball connector 210a in its respective ball receiving connector 244a.

In the preferred embodiment, the shaft 212 has a threaded first end 218 and a ball connector 216 on its a second end 214. The means for adjusting a height and angle of the blades 110 also is attached to the first end 218 of the shaft 212. In particular, the preferred means for adjusting is an adjusting nut 226 and a locking nut 228. A locking nut 218 is threaded onto the first end 218 of the shaft 212, after which an adjusting nut 226 is threaded onto the first end 218 of the shaft 212. Also in the preferred embodiment, the shaft 212 is a steel rod about ⅜ of an inch in diameter and about 20.5 inches long from the adjusting nut 226 to the end of the ball connector 216.

The adjusting nut 226 is shown in greater detail on FIGS. 16 and 17. The adjusting nut 226 is preferably made of steel with a first end 1602 and a second end 1604, and is about 2.5 inches long and about ½ of an inch in diameter. The first end 1602 of the adjusting nut 226 has a ball receiving connector 1606 the size and shape of a ball connector 216 on the second end 214 of a shaft 212. The surface of the second end 1604 of the adjusting nut 226 is machined into a polygon, such as a hexagon, thereby creating a bolt end 1608 on the adjusting nut 226. Also, a threaded aperture 1610 extends into the adjusting nut 226 from the second end 1604 along a central, longitudinal axis. In operation, after the locking nut 228 is placed on the shaft 212 the threaded first end 218 of the shaft 212 is threaded into the threaded aperture 1610 of the adjusting nut 226. The bolt end 1608 facilitates the use of a conventional wrench on the adjusting nut 226 so that the adjusting nut 226 can be moved longitudinally along the threaded first end 218 of the shaft 212.

The shaft 212 of the present invention also comprises a spring mechanism having a coiled spring 222 disposed on the shaft 212 between a washer 220 and a locking c-ring 224. The washer 220 is freely moving along the shaft 212 while the locking c-ring 224 is fixed at a specific location. The spring mechanism provides the tension needed to return the blade set 112 of a module 102 to the retracted or stored position. That is, when the means for engaging the blades (a control box being a manual control box 104 or an electronic control box) releases the blade set 112 from the armed position, the spring mechanism uncoils and automatically returns the blades 110 to the retracted position.

In assembling a module 102 of the present invention, the spring mechanism is disposed on the shaft 212 followed by the means for adjusting a height and angle of the blades 110 being attached to the threaded first end 218 of the shaft 212. The shaft 212 is then disposed in the shaft channel 306 such that the adjusting nut 226 on the first end 218 of the shaft extends through the shaft channel opening 314 of the base block 114, and the ball connector 216 on the second end 214 of the shaft 212 passes through the shaft aperture 312 of the channel bridge 310. Furthermore, the washer 220 of the spring mechanism is placed in contact with the spring holding flanges 308a,b. Once the shaft 212 is properly positioned, the blades 110 are attached to the shaft 212 as described above.

After the blades 110 are attached to the shaft 212, the height and angle of the blades 110 in relation to the shaft 212 are adjusted via the means for adjusting. In the preferred embodiment, the user uses a wrench to engage the bolt end 1608 of the adjusting nut 226. By turning the bolt end 1608 of the adjusting nut 226, the adjusting nut 226 traverses along the shaft 212. When the adjusting nut 226 is moved toward the second end 214 of the shaft 212 (in a clockwise direction), the overall length of the shaft 212 is shortened, resulting in adjusting the height and angle of the blades 110 in the armed position to be lowered. In contrast, when the adjusting nut 226 is moved toward the first end 218 of the shaft 212 (in a counter-clockwise direction), the overall length of the shaft 212 is lengthened, resulting in adjusting the height and angle of the blades 110 in the armed position to be raised higher. Once the desired blade 110 height and angle is selected, the locking nut 228 is tightened firmly against the bolt end 1608 of the adjusting nut 226, thereby locking the adjusting nut 226 at the selected position on the shaft 212.

It is important to note that an adjustment made for one module 102, e.g., module 102a, of the system 100 affects all subsequent modules 102, such as modules 102b-g, connected to it. Therefore, it is preferred that adjustments to the blades 110 start at the first module 102a adjacent to the control box 104 and proceed toward the distal end of the system 100 (toward module 102g) as each subsequent module 102b-g is added. This order of adjusting the height and angle of the blades 110 of a module 102 provides the means for customizing blade 110 position per each module 102 of a system 100 according to the rough or uneven terrain under the system 100.

Also shown on FIG. 3 is a means for gripping a ground surface. That is, in a preferred embodiment of the bottom surface 316 of a base block 114, there are a plurality of protrusions 302. These protrusions 302 are spikes that engage and grip the ground in order to prevent unwanted movement of the system 100. These protrusions may either be permanently affixed to the bottom surface 316 of the base block 114, or they may be removable such as they are screwed into the bottom surface 316 of the base block 114, such as spikes used on the bottom of conventional golf shoes.

Alternatively, an anchor plate 400 is shown in FIG. 4. An anchor plate 400 is a plate 402 having a first side ridge 408a and a second side ridge 408b such that the plate 402 is adapted for receiving a base block 114 as shown in FIG. 5. The first and second side ridges 408a,b assist in holding the base block 114 in the anchor plate 400. The bottom surface of the anchor plate 400 also has a plurality of protrusions 404 for gripping the ground surface. In addition, the base block 114 may be secured to the anchor plate 400 by one or more fasteners (not shown), e.g., screws or bolts, through corresponding anchor plate fastener apertures 406.

Returning to the means for engaging the blades 110, in one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the engaging means is a manual control box 104 having a handle 108 and a gear mechanism 106. The handle 108 is removably attached to the gear box 106. The end of the handle 108 having a connecting groove 808 is inserted into the gear box 106 such that an aperture 810 in the handle 108 aligns with an aperture 812 in the gear box 106. Once aligned, a locking pin 806 is inserted through the aperture 810 of the handle 108 and the aperture 812 of the gear box 106, thereby securing the handle 108 to the gear box 106. The locking pin 806 is attached to the gear box 106 by a tether 804 to prevent losing the locking pin 806.

The manual control box 104 is connected to a tire deflating blade module 102 of present invention by a shaft connector 804 and two connecting ball receivers 802a,b. The shaft connector 804 has a ball receiving connector similar to that of the ball receiving connector 1606 on the adjusting nut 226 such that the ball connector 216 on the end of the shaft 212 of a module 102 is placed in the ball receiving connector of the shaft connector 804. Likewise, the ball connectors 210a,b on the second end 232 of a base block 114 of a module 102 are inserted into the connecting ball receivers 802a,b to interconnect the module 102 with the manual control box 104.

When the handle 108 is secured to the gear box 106 the groove 808 at the end of the handle 108 is in communication with the shaft connector 804 on the side of the gear box 106. When the handle 108 is moved in one direction, such as forward, the shaft connector 804 is pushed forward which in turn pushes the shafts 212 of each of the interconnected modules 102a-g forward, thereby pushing the blades 110 of the modules 102a-g into the armed, up, position. When the handle 108 is moved in a second, such as back, direction the shaft connector 804 is pulled back which in turn pulls the shafts 212 of each of the interconnected modules 102a-g backward, thereby pulling the blades 110 of the modules 102a-g into the retracted, down, position.

In an alternative embodiment, the means for engaging the blades 110 of a system 100 is an electronic control box 1100. Thus, a means for engaging the blades 110 is preferably a control box which is either a manual control box 104 or an electric control box 1100. In this embodiment using an electric control box 1100, a user may simply press a button to raise/lower the blades 110. The electronic control box 1100 has an electronic box 1102 with a pendant control plug 1104 for connecting via an electric cord the button controls (not shown for convenience) for moving the blades 110 up/down, a conventional power plug 1106 for providing power to the electronic control box 1100, and an optional light plug 1108 for connecting a stop/go traffic light (not shown for convenience purpose). Regarding a power supply, the power plug 1106 may be connected to an AC plug or a DC cord to a portable power pack. In addition, the electronic control box 110 has one or more flanges 1110 on the sides to secure the electronic control box 1100 to a road surface, ground or tether.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show a means for extending and raising an electric control box 1100 away from the modules 102 of a system 100. In the preferred embodiment, the means for extending and raising an electric control box 1100 is an extension assembly 1202 having a plurality of extension arms 1204, 1206, 1208 and 1222 for connecting the electric control box 1100 to the first module 102. For convenience purpose only, the extension assembly 1202 is shown with an electric control box 1100. However, the extension assembly can work equally as well with a manual control box 104. The extension assembly employs a plurality of ball and ball receiver connectors on the ends of multiple bars or extension arms to join the electronic control box 1102 to a module 102. The extension arms may be any length and height so that the electronic control box 1102 is positioned any distance and elevation from the modules 102 of the system 100.

The preferred extension assembly has a first extension arm 1204 with a first connecting ball receiver 1216 for receiving and connecting to a first ball connector 210a on the second end 232 of a base block 114 of a module 102 and has a connecting ball receiver 1210 for connecting the first extension arm 1204 to the electronic control box 1102, a second extension arm 1208 with a second connecting ball receiver 1220 for receiving and connecting to a second ball connector 210b on the second end 232 of a base block 114 of a module 102 and has a connecting ball receiver 1214 for connecting the second extension arm 1208 to the electronic control box 1102, and a third extension arm 1206 with a shaft connector 1218 having a ball receiving connector similar to that of the ball receiving connector 1606 for connecting the electronic control box 104 to the shaft 212 of the module 102 and having a connecting end for joining with the shaft connector 1212 on the electronic control box 1102. In addition to the above extension arms 1204, 1206, and 1208, the extension assembly has a cross extension arm 1222 for stabilizing the first arm 1204, second arm 1206 and third arm 1208. The first connecting ball receiver 1216, second connecting ball receiver 1220, and the shaft connector 1218 all have vertical lengths equal to the desired elevation of the electronic control box 1102.

In FIGS. 14 and 15, a control box ramp 1402 with a chamber 1410 on its underside is placed over the electronic control box 1102 such that an oncoming vehicle will go up and over the electronic control box 1102 preventing any damage thereto. The control box ramp 1402 has a top surface with a first sloping portion 1404, a top portion 1406, and a second sloping portion 1408. The control box chamber 1410 is a size and shape such that the electric control box 1102 fits within it.

All dimensions and components described herein are for convenience purposes only. It would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the relevant arts to design and manufacture a tire deflating blade perimeter protection system 100 and module 102 of the present invention having comparable features and dimensions, and manufactured using comparable materials.

CONCLUSION

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by the way of example only, and not limitation. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit

Claims

1. A tire deflating blade perimeter protection module, comprising: a base block having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end, a second end, a shaft channel extending longitudinally from said first end to said second end, and a plurality of blade apertures, each of said blade apertures being in communication with said shaft channel; a shaft longitudinally disposed within said shaft channel of said base block, said shaft having a length, a first end, and a second end; two or more blades pivotally connected to said shaft wherein said two or more blades are positioned along the length of said shaft such that two adjacent said blades are separated by a predefined distance wherein a first of said two or more blades is disposed within a first of said plurality of blade apertures and a second of said two or more blades is disposed within a second of said plurality of blade apertures; a means for engaging said blades into an armed position and into a retracted position; and a means for adjusting a height and angle of said blades in said armed position in relation to said shaft, said means for adjusting being in communication with said shaft.

2. The tire deflating blade perimeter protection module according to claim 1, wherein said means for adjusting comprises: an adjusting nut movably positioned on the first end of said shaft, said adjusting nut having a first end and a second end, the second end of said adjusting nut adapted for receiving the first end of the shaft such that when said adjusting nut moves in a first direction on said shaft, said plurality of blades in said armed position are raised higher in relation to said shaft and when said adjusting nut moves in a second direction on said shaft, said plurality of blades in said armed position are raised lower in relation to said shaft; and a locking nut movably positioned on the first end of said shaft and in communication with the second end of said adjusting nut, said locking nut adapted for securing said adjusting nut at a selected location on said shaft.

3. The tire deflating blade perimeter protection system according to claim 2, wherein said first end of said adjusting nut is adapted for receiving a second end of a second shaft of a second tire deflating blade perimeter protection module.

4. The tire deflating blade perimeter protection module according to claim 2, wherein the first end of said shaft is threaded and said locking nut and the second end of said adjusting nut are threaded onto the first end of said shaft.

5. The tire deflating blade perimeter protection module according to claim 2, wherein an exterior surface of said second end of said adjusting nut is a polygon shape.

6. The tire deflating blade perimeter protection module according to claim 2, wherein the second end of said shaft has a ball connector and said first end of said adjusting nut has a ball receiver connector such that said ball connector of the second end of said shaft fits within said ball receiver connector of the first end of said adjusting nut.

7. The tire deflating blade perimeter protection module according to claim 1, wherein each of said blade apertures is open through said base block from said top surface to said bottom surface.

8. The tire deflating blade perimeter protection module according to claim 1, wherein said means for engaging said blades is a control box connected to said shaft such that upon activation of said control box, said blades move between said armed position and said retracted position.

9. The tire deflating blade perimeter protection module according to claim 8, wherein said control box is an electric control box, and further comprising a control box ramp having a top surface, first edge, second edge, a bottom surface and a control box chamber in said bottom surface, said control box chamber adapted to receive said electric control box, and said top surface of said control box ramp having a first sloping portion, a top portion, and a second sloping portion.

10. The tire deflating blade perimeter protection module according to claim 8, further comprising a means for extending and raising said control box relative to said base block.

11. The tire deflating blade perimeter protection module according to claim 10, wherein said means for extending and raising said control box is an extension assembly having two or more extension arms connecting a first side of said control box to the first end of said base block.

12. The tire deflating blade perimeter protection module according to claim 1, further comprising an anchor plate having a top surface adapted to receive said base block and a bottom surface having a means for gripping a ground surface,

13. The tire deflating blade perimeter protection module according to claim 12, wherein said means for gripping a ground surface is said bottom surface of said anchor plate having a plurality of protrusions.

14. The tire deflating blade perimeter protection module according to claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of said base block has a means for gripping a ground surface.

15. The tire deflating blade perimeter protection module according to claim 14, wherein said means for gripping a ground surface is said bottom surface of said base block having a plurality of protrusions.

16. A method for deflating a tire of a vehicle, comprising the steps of: (a) deploying a tire deflating blade perimeter protection module, comprising: a base block having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end, a second end, a shaft channel extending longitudinally from said first end to said second end, and a plurality of blade apertures, each of said blade apertures being in communication with said shaft channel; a shaft longitudinally disposed within said shaft channel of said base block, said shaft having a length, a first end, and a second end; two or more blades pivotally connected to said shaft wherein said two or more blades are positioned along the length of said shaft such that two adjacent said blades are separated by a predefined distance wherein a first of said two or more blades is disposed within a first of said plurality of blade apertures and a second of said two or more blades is disposed within a second of said plurality of blade apertures; a means for engaging said blades into an armed position and into a retracted position; and a means for adjusting a height and angle of said blades in said armed position in relation to said shaft, said means for adjusting being in communication with said shaft; (b) adjusting the height and angle of said blades in said armed position to a selected position; (c) securing said blades in said armed position at said selected position; and (d) engaging said blades into said armed position such that when said blades are in said armed position, said blades are at said selected position.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of: (e) retracting said blades into said retracted position.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein said means for adjusting comprises: an adjusting nut movably positioned on the first end of said shaft, said adjusting nut having a first end and a second end, the second end of said adjusting nut adapted for receiving the first end of the shaft such that when said adjusting nut moves in a first direction on said shaft, said plurality of blades in said armed position are raised higher in relation to said shaft and when said adjusting nut moves in a second direction on said shaft, said plurality of blades in said armed position are raised lower in relation to said shaft; and a locking nut movably positioned on the first end of said shaft and in communication with the second end of said adjusting nut, said locking nut adapted for securing said adjusting nut at a selected location on said shaft, wherein said step (b) comprises moving said adjusting nut to said selected position on said shaft, and said step (c) comprises securing said locking nut against said second end of said adjusting nut thereby securing said adjusting nut at said selected position.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein each of said blade apertures is open through said base block from said top surface to said bottom surface.

20. The method according to claim 16, wherein said means for engaging said blades of said tire deflating blade perimeter protection module further comprises an electric control box connected to said shaft such that upon activation of said electric control box said blades move between said armed position and said retracted position, and further comprising the step of: (e) placing a control box ramp over said electric control box, wherein said control box ramp has a top surface, first edge, second edge, a bottom surface and a control box aperture in said bottom surface, said control box aperture adapted to receive said electric control box, and said top surface of said control box ramp having a first sloping portion, a top portion, and a second sloping portion.