US6472979B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tire inflation assistance monitoring system
Assignee: Magna Donnelly Corp
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Filing: 2001-06-07
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Granted: 2002-10-29
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Expires: 2021-06-07
Abstract
Abstract A vehicular tire inflation monitoring system is provided for a vehicle that includes at least one tire inflation indicator assembly, visible exterior of the vehicle, positioned at an exterior vehicle portion, such as at an exterior rearview mirror assembly. The at least one tire inflation indicator assembly provides an indication of the inflation condition of at least one of the vehicle tires. The tire inflation monitoring system includes a control receiving at least one input from at least one tire pressure sensor sensing pressure of at least one vehicle tire. The control produces an output to illuminate the at least one tire inflation indicator assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth Schofield
- 👤 Niall R. Lynam
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:11
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/2661; B60Q1/2665; B60C; B60C23/00; B60C23/02; B60C23/04; B60C23/0401; B60C23/0406; B60C23/0408; B60K; B60K35/00; B60K35/10; B60K35/20; B60K35/21; B60K35/28; B60K35/50; B60K35/53; B60K35/80; B60Q1/50; B60Q1/503; B60Q1/54; B60Q1/543; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/12; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/015; B60R21/01566; G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/01; G02B27/0101; B60R2001/1215; G02B2027/0118; G02B2027/012; G02B6/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A tire inflation monitoring system suitable for use on a vehicle comprising: at least one tire inflation indicator assembly positioned at an exterior vehicle portion at a side of the vehicle and visible exterior the vehicle, said at least one tire inflation indicator assembly providing an indication of the inflation condition of at least one vehicle tire positioned at said side of the vehicle, wherein said tire inflation monitoring system includes a control receiving at least one input from at least one tire pressure sensor sensing pressure of the at least one vehicle tire and said control producing an output to illuminate said at least one tire inflation indicator assembly in response to a tire pressure condition, said illumination of said indicator assembly providing an indication of tire pressure status to a person external of the vehicle in the act of adjusting tire pressure of the at least one vehicle tire positioned at the side of the vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
A tire inflation monitoring system suitable for use on a vehicle comprising: at least one tire inflation indicator assembly positioned at an exterior vehicle portion at a side of the vehicle and visible exterior the vehicle, said at least one tire inflation indicator assembly providing an indication of the inflation condition of at least one vehicle tire positioned at said side of the vehicle, wherein said tire inflation monitoring system includes a control receiving at least one input from at least one tire pressure sensor sensing pressure of the at least one vehicle tire and said control producing an output to illuminate said at least one tire inflation indicator assembly in response to a tire pressure condition, said illumination of said indicator assembly providing an indication of tire pressure status to a person external of the vehicle in the act of adjusting tire pressure of the at least one vehicle tire positioned at the side of the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 1 wherein said exterior vehicle portion comprises an exterior rearview mirror assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 1 wherein said exterior vehicle portion comprises an exterior body panel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 1 wherein said at least one tire inflation indicator assembly is visible forward and rearward of said exterior vehicle portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 1 wherein said at least one tire inflation indicator assembly is positioned at an under surface of said exterior vehicle portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 1 wherein said exterior vehicle portion comprises a door panel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 1 wherein said exterior vehicle portion comprises a side marker.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 1 wherein said at least one tire inflation indicator assembly produces a pattern of light that does not substantially extend to a driver of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle driver is substantially unaware of an indication by said at least one tire inflation indicator assembly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 1 wherein said control receives an input indicative of operation of the vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 1 wherein said control includes a lockout function which precludes producing said output during operation of the vehicle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 1 wherein said control produces said output during a particular period of time after operation of the vehicle is discontinued.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 11 wherein said period of time is less than or equal to about 2 hours.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 11 wherein said period of time is less than or equal to about 30 minutes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 11 wherein said period of time is less than or equal to about 15 minutes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 1 wherein said control receives an input from a vehicle door lock sensor and produces said output in response to the vehicle door being in an unlocked state.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 1 wherein said control produces said output in response to said at least one tire pressure sensor sensing a substantial change in tire pressure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 1 wherein said at least one tire pressure indicator assembly produces a first indication in response to pressure sensed by said at least one tire pressure sensor being substantially within a predetermined normal pressure range.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
71 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 17 wherein said at least one tire pressure indicator assembly produces at least one of a second indication in response to pressure sensed by said at least one tire pressure sensor being substantially less than said predetermined pressure range and a third indication in response to pressure sensed by said at least one tire pressure sensor being substantially greater than said predetermined pressure range.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 18 wherein said at least one tire pressure indicator assembly produces a fourth indication in response to pressure sensed by said at least one tire pressure sensor undergoing change indicative of the associated tire undergoing inflation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 19 wherein said first through third indications are produced with one indication color.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
58 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 18 wherein one of said indications is produced by continuously indicating said one indication color, another of said indications is produced by flashing said one indication color at a first predetermined rate and another of said indications is produced by flashing said one indication color at a second higher predetermined rate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
53 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 21 wherein said first indication is produced by continuously indicating said one indication color, said second indication produced by flashing said one indication color at said first predetermined rate, said third indication is produced by flashing said one indication color at said second higher predetermined rate.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-10-28 | 2006-04-29 | 2006-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-10-28 | 2010-04-29 | 2010-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-10-28 | 2014-04-29 | 2014-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |