VALVE STEM ADAPTER

ADAPTATEUR POUR VALVE DE PNEU

English Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure
An adaptor is provided for valve stems on vehicle
tires which will accept quick connect and disconnect connec-
tors. The adaptor is equally functional with quick connect
connectors of different sizes and provides a protective cover-
ing for the entrance to the valve stem which is quickly re-
moved when the connector is to be affixed.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an
exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as
follows:
1. An adaptor for a valve stem on a vehicle tire
which comprises a tube, one end of which is internally
threaded to receive the threaded end of a valve stem, a
valve core within the tube extending longitudinally within
the tube, and at least two grooves in the outside surface of
the tube recessed into the body of the tube at the end of the
tube remote from the end which is internally threaded to re-
ceive the threaded end of a valve stem, said grooves being
of different sizes, unconnected to each other and each being
independently adapted in the alternative to accept a quick
connect and disconnect coupler.
2. An adaptor according to claim 1 in which the
grooves are positioned to removably lock a quick connect
coupler to the adaptor.
3. An adaptor according to claim 2 in which a
cap sized to fit over the end of the adaptor having the
grooves recessed therein is attached to said end.
4. An adaptor according to claim 3 in which the
cap has means in its crown which upon the application of
pressure thereto moves into cooperative relationship with the
valve core in the tube releasing air between the adaptor and
the cap assisting removal of the cap.

5. An adaptor according to claim 1 adapted to be
adhesively bonded to a valve stem when it is threaded on to
the end of a valve stem.

Description

lMR 3048.2.
This invention relates to adaptors for valve stems
on vehicle tires and particularly to such valve stems on truck
tires, especially for multi wheeled vehicles.
It is well known that proper inflation of tires on
vehicles i5 an important factor not only in the operation
thereof but in decreasing the cost of maintenance and repair.
This factor is particularly important with commercial vehicles
~uch as trucks, yet with multi wheeled units is frequently
neglected because of the time and trouble necessary for the
proper maintenance of air pressure.
The structure of my U. S. patent 3,gl3,632 is of
great assistance in overcoming the reluctance of truck opera-
tors to adequately maintain their vehicles by making such main-
tenance less troublesome and time consuming. On the other hand
the invention of the present application speeds up ~uch check-
ing of air pressure in vehicle tires, particularly truck tires
and also can provide warning of a leaky valve core.
Among the objects of the present invention are the
provi~ion of an adaptor suitable for use with the valve stem
on a vehicle tire without alteration in the structure of the
valve stem itself; the provision of such a unit which coopera-
tes with a standard quick connect and disconnect coupling to
connect an air source to the vehicle tire; the provision of
such an adaptor which functions effectively with different siz-
ed quick connect couplers; and the provision of such an adaptor
which is inexpensive to manufacture and effective in operation.
Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part
pointed out hereinafter.
. ,.

lMR 3048.2.1
108~3~'~
The invention accordingly comprises the construc-
tions hereinafter described, the scope of the invention be-
ing indicated in the followin~ claims.
In the accompanying drawings, in which several po~-
sible embodiments of the invention are illustrated,
Fig. 1 is an enlarged view of an adaptor of the pre-
sent invention;
Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but with parts
broken away;
Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but with the cap
in place;
Fig. 4 is a section showing the adaptor connected to
a quick connect coupling;
Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but with the adap-
tor connected to a smaller quick connect coupling;
Pig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but wlth the quick
connect coupling mounted to facilitate access to a valve stem
facing to the inside;
Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but depicting an
adaptor designed for a valve stem which doe~ not contain a
valve core;
Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but directed to
the embodiment of Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but directed to
the embodiment of Fig. 7; and
Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but directed to
the Fig. 7 embodiment.
-2-

lMR 3048.2.1
10Z3~3;~4;~
Corresponding reference characters indicate corres-
ponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
In Fig. 1 an adaptor 10 of the present invention is
shown threaded on to a valve stem 12 of a truck tire (not
shown). Adaptor 10 consists of a body 14 and a cap 16 con-
nected by a flexible strap 18. Body 14 contains a valve core
20 which extends from the valve core in valve stem 12 to the
end 22 of the adaptor. Valve core 20 is of the usual construc-
tion and function~ in the same manner as the valve core in
valve stem 12. Valve core 20 is located to contact and depress
the valve core in valve stem 12 when valve core 20 is moved to
the left in Figs. 1 and 2.
Body 14 is formed with a groove 24 and a groove 26
intermediate the body in order to accept and accommodate quick
connect and disconnect couplers. Such a connector i~ shown in
Figs. 4 and 5. In Fig. 4 a quick connect coupler 28 having a
stop 30 is shown in juxtaposition to adaptor 10 with stop 30
engaging groove 24. Stop 30 and groove 24 hold the connector
in place on adaptor 10 until it is removed.
In Fig. 4 a smaller quick connect and disconnect
coupler 34 is shown attached to adaptor 10 by means of stop 32.
Stop 32 and groove 26 hold the connector in place on adaptor 10
until it is removed.
As shown in Fig. 4, the quick connect connector
should include a valve depressant 36 consisting of a plate 38
on which is mounted a finger 40. A spring 42 presses plate 38
and finger 40 forward to depress valve core 20 to admit air to
--3--

lMR 3048.2.1
11'38tj3~:
to the tire through adaptor 10 and the valve stem of the tire
when the connector is in place. As stated previously, move- -
ment of valve core 20 to the left in Figs. 1 and 2 depresses
the valve core in valve stem 12. This opens a path for the
air into the tire. When connector 28 is removed from adaptor
10 spring 42 moves plate 38 toward the left as shown in Fig.
4 to ~eat it in circular area 44 against 0 ring 46 to shut off
the flow of air from connector 28.
To advantageously position the connector 28 or 34 to
engage a connector 10 on an outside truck tire it is at times
preferable to form the end of the air conduit ~see ~ig. 6) in
the form of a 180 angle bend 50 to po~ition the quick connect
coupling for attachment to the adaptor. On such outside tires
the valve stem and conse~uently the adaptor 10 affixed thereto
face to the inside. The 180 angle bend 50 enables ea3y at-
achm~nt of the connector in such instances.
Cap 16 i8 preferably con3tructed with a depressant
po~t 36 which pro~ects into the body of the cap to meet valve
core 20. When depressant 36 ~s pressed the consequent move-
ment of valve core 20 releases air into the cavity 38 of cap16 to blow the cap away from end 22. This not only permits
ready acce~s to adaptor 10 in order to affix a quick connect
coupler thereto but also provideq a warning of a leaky valve
core if it i5 found dislodged before depressant 36 is actuated.
For many uses it is preferable to attach the valve
stem adaptor of the present invention relatively permanently
to the valve stem to avoid among other things lea~age of air
from the tire, loss or misplacement of the adaptor or theft of

lMR 3048.2.1
lU893'1;~
the adaptor from the valve stem. In this instance the adaptor
60 is constructed as before except that the valve core 62 in
the adaptor need only be positioned so that it extends to a
location adjacent the end 64 of the adaptor which is remote
the valve stem. It need not, however, extend through the
length of the adaptor to cooperate with a valve core in valve
stem 12 because the valve core in valve stem 12 is omitted.
In this embodiment adaptor 60 is just prior to its threading
onto valve stem 12, coated internally on its threads 66 with
an adhesive which will form an air tight and pre~sure tight
seal when the adaptor 60 is threaded onto valve stem 12.
Suitable adhesives for this purpose are those sold commercial- -
16 as Eastman 910 and Loctite 272.
In addition to the foregoing changes when the adapt- -
or is to be attached relatively permanently to a valve stem
the grooves 68 and 70 for attachment of a quick connect and
disconnect coupler need not be as deeply indented into the
body of adaptor 60 as grooves 24 and 26 in the Fig. 1 embodi-
ment.
Where the structure of the adaptor shown in Figs. 7-
10 is employed improved reliability of the combination is se-
cured since the adaptor in effect becomes an integral portion
of the valve stem so that dislodgement is avoided and leakage -
of air obviated. In addition the adaptor is not likely to be
removed and lost, stolen or become otherwise disassociated
from the valve stem.
From the foregoinq it is clear that the adaptor of
the present invention accommodates both small and large chucks

lMR 3048.2.1
1~8.~:~34'~
which form part of quick connect couplers, protects the open-
ing of the adaptor from entry of dirt or other debris between
operations and also functions as a warning of faulty valve
cores. The cap is easily removed when the tire is to be in-
flated or its pressure is to be checked or adjusted. In addi-
tion the adaptor can be relatively permanently attached to a
valve stem so that it becomes an integral portion of the
valve stem.
The adaptor of the present invention can be used
with the valve stem of a vehicle tire without altering the
valve stem. If preferred, however, the construction of the
~alve stem may be altered to incorporate the adaptor structure.
The simplicity of operation of tire pres~ure check-
ing and adjustment resulting from use of the construction de-
scribed render~ the whole operation less burdensome and time
consuming so that the vehicle operator is le~s likely to dis-
regard the check and resulting wear and repairs are either
eliminated or greatly reduced.
Particularly when utilized with the structure of my
U. S. patent 3,913,632, air pressure maintenance for multi
wheeled vehicle~ is greatly facilitated and i~ accordingly
more likely to be performed as directed by owners rather than
shirked by operators.
In view of the above, it will be seen that the sev-
eral objects of the invention are achieved and other advanta-
geous results attained.
As various changes co~ld be made in the above con-
structions without departin~ from the scope of the invention t

lMR 3048.2 .1
34'~ -
it is intended that all matter contained in the above descrip-
tion or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpret-
ed as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.