Tire pressure measurement system

Claim 2

A tire inflation pressure measurement system comprising: support means for supporting and guiding a tire under test to pass over a predetermined location, said tire having an annular center rib resting on said support means; pressure sensor means slidably coupled to said support means and positioned at said location below said tire to be contacted by said center rib of said tire for vertical movement through a distance related to the air pressure in said tire; first switching means responsive to said vertical movement of said sensor means for actuation by a predetermined level of said air pressure in said tire, and means actuated by said first switching means for indicating the condition of said tire pressure with respect to said level.

Claim 3

The tire inflation measurement system, according to claim 1, wherein said support means is formed with an aperture therein and said pressure sensor means is located in said aperture, said sensor means including a rigid member; and a compression spring positioned between said member and said support means for resiliently urging said member in a first vertical direction.

Claim 4

The tire inflation pressure measurement system, according to claim 2, wherein said switching means comprises: a switch; and a lever pivotably mounted on said support means to actuate said switch in response to a predetermined vertical movement of said member in a second direction opposite said first direction.

Claim 5

The tire inflation pressure measurement system, according to claim 3, further comprising: first adjusting means supported by said member to vary the compression of said compression spring so as to vary the force with which said spring urges said member in said first direction; and second adjusting means coupled to said support means to vary the distance said lever must move to actuated said switch.

Claim 6

The tire inflation pressure measurement system, according to claim 3, wherein said means actuated by said switching means includes circuit means for providing a first information signal when the air pressure in said tire exceeds said predetermined level and a second information signal when said air pressure is below said predetermined level, and display means for indicating said signals.

Claim 7

The tire inflation pressure measurement system, according to claim 5, wherein said circuit means includes a logic network responsive to said first and second signals for storing said signals and actuating said display means; first control means connected to said logic network and positioned in the path of said tire at one side of said sensor to provide a signal responsive to the presence of said tire for preparing said network to respond to said first and second signals; and second control means connected to said logic network and positioned in said path at a side of said sensor opposite said one side to provide a signal responsive to the departure of said tire for resetting said network.

Claim 8

The tire inflation measurement system according to claim 6 including second support means for supporting and guiding a second tire of a pair of tires under test to pass over a second like predetermined location, each of said tires having an annular center rib resting on said support means; second pressure means slidably coupled to said second support means and positioned at said second location below said tire to be contacted by said center rib of said second tire for vertical movement through a distance related to the air pressure in said second tire; second switching means responsive to said vertical movement of said second sensor means for actuation by a predetermined level of said air pressure in said second tire, said means actuated by said first switching means also being actuated by said second switching means, said circuit means providing third and fourth signals respectively when said air pressure in said second tire exceeds and is below said level, said logic network also being responsive to said third and fourth signals, third and fourth control means connected to said logic network and being positioned in the path of said second tire to prepare said network to respond to said third and fourth signals and to respond to the presence and departure of said second tire for resetting said network, and said display means indicates the condition of said tire pressure in one of said first and second tires with respect to said level.

Claim 9

The tire inflation system for an automobile according to claim 7, including third and fourth tires to be tested and sequencing means coupled to receive said signals responsive to said presence and departure of said first and second tires to prepare said system to respond to the presence of said third and fourth tires.