Fluid handling – Control by change of position or inertia of system
Patent
1997-07-10
1999-07-13
Hepperle, Stephen M.
Fluid handling
Control by change of position or inertia of system
137 43, 137 48, F16K 1736
Patent
active
059212659
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a device for operating a valve by means of movements, the valve having an external valve actuating pin and for example being a vehicle tire valve.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known that air can be admitted to the tire through a vehicle tire valve and that air can be let out from the tire by depressing the valve actuating pin (which can also be called a valve needle).
Numerous attempts to prevent thefts of cars have been made, and it would lead too far here to make even a short list of the different categories of these attempts. Unfortunately, the theft prevention measures taken have not been entirely successful; too many cars are still stolen.
The basic thought behind the present invention is that it is virtually impossible to drive a car any substantial distances with one or more flat tires and that a device automatically accomplishing a flat tire at an unauthorized attempt to drive the car would constitute a very effective anti-theft device.
THE INVENTION
In order for such a device to be commercially successful it has to be as simple and cheap as possible but yet fulfil its intended purpose in an extremely reliable way. At the design of such a device the extremely harsh environment at a vehicle wheel has to be taken into account.
A valve operating device according to the invention is characterized by an operating member, which direction of the pin, and the pin, by the height differences of the member at its movements in the housing.
If a car or any other vehicle provided with such a device on at least one of its tire valves is moved, so that the wheels roll, the operating member will move in the housing mainly under the action of the centrifugal force, whereby--through the interaction between the height differences in the operating member and the means to transfer to the pin the actuating movement--the valve pin will be actuated to its valve opening position, so that the air will be let out of the tire and the tire quickly will become flat.
In a practical embodiment, where the valve pin is biased to a valve-closing extended position and is to be depressed for opening the valve, the operating member is disc-shaped and is provided with a central recess with gradually sloping sides in its surface facing the pin.
Preferably, an operating rod is axially movably arranged in the housing substantially in line with the pin, the rod engaging the recess with one of its ends and the pin with the other.
When a device according to the invention is mounted on an air valve of a car wheel, the operating member can assume a more or less vertical position. In such a case spring means are arranged between the operating member and the housing in order to bias the operating member towards a central, neutral position in the housing. Only when the operating member is exposed to a centrifugal force, it will be transferred from this position against the action of the spring means to the valve operating or opening position.
When a device according to the invention has been mounted on a vehicle valve, it has to be locked thereto, so that no unauthorized person can remove it from the valve. The locking means do not per se form any part of the invention and can be of any conventional type. The type used for lockable fuel tank covers or lockable wheel bolts may for example be utilized also for this purpose. It is also possible to use an electronically operated locking means.
Normally, the device according to the invention is to be unlocked and removed from the valve, before the car is used by an authorized driver. As an alternative, however, it is possible to have the device permanently mounted on the valve and to use the lock to immobilize the operating member before authorized use of the car.
The device according to the invention is primarily designed for the purpose of preventing unauthorized use of a car by accomplishing a flat tire, if the car is driven away, but the device can be utilized in many other instances, where a valve is to be operated. The device can fo
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patent: 4657057 (1987-04-01), Ha
patent: 4779637 (1988-10-01), Ubaldi
Ashbourne Limited
Hepperle Stephen M.
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