CN103038073B - cap for valve stem - Google Patents

Abstract

A cap for a valve stem, the cap comprising a housing extending along an axis from a first end to a second end. The bore extends along an axis from the first end toward the second end, and the cup-shaped wall extends circumferentially around the bore for receiving the valve stem. A threaded surface is disposed in the bore for threadably engaging the valve stem. A flange extends circumferentially around the bore from the first end transverse to the axis for abutting a rim of the wheel to stabilize the housing relative to the rim of the wheel. Ribs are spaced radially around the housing and extend outwardly from the wall of the housing to the flange for reinforcing the housing relative to the flange.

Description

cap for valve stem

Background of the invention

technical field

The invention includes a cap for protecting a valve stem extending through the rim of a wheel.

Background technique

Referring to FIG. 2 of the prior art, a wheel includes a rim and tires arranged around the rim. A valve stem extends from the tire, typically the inner tube in the tire, through the rim so that the tire can be inflated and deflated through the valve stem. When the valve stem is used on heavy equipment, such as when the valve stem is used on heavy vehicles used in construction, earth moving, mining, etc., the valve stem tends to collect dirt, dust, Water, oil, grease, stones, gravel, etc. stick. When the valve stem is stuck, it is difficult or impossible to properly inflate or deflate the tire through the valve stem.

Additionally, stones, dirt, etc. may collect between the valve stem and rim and exert significant force on the valve stem. As a result, stones, dirt, etc. may bend and/or damage the valve stem, which disadvantageously results in a loss of pressure that can negatively affect the operation of the equipment and possibly result in costly field repairs. To protect the valve stem from bending and/or damage by stones, dirt, etc. wedged between the valve stem and the rim, one or more metal screens are welded to the rim of the wheel to surround and protect the valve stem. Adding a metal screen is very expensive due to the material costs associated with the metal screen and the labor costs for cutting the metal screen and welding the metal screen to the rim. Additionally, due to the varying profile of different rims and the varying position of the valve stem on different rims, for each different type of rim, a different metal screen needs to be designed and manufactured to properly protect the rim on that particular type of rim. of the valve stem. All of these factors add to the cost and time to manufacture the wheel.

Additionally, certain heavy vehicle manufacturers identify their products with specific colors. Therefore, the valve stem and metal screen are painted in this specific color to match the rest of the heavy vehicle. Again, the material and labor costs associated with tinting add to the overall cost and time to manufacture the wheel. Therefore, there remains an opportunity to improve the durability and reliability of the valve stem and reduce the cost and time to manufacture the wheel.

Contents of the invention

The invention includes a cap for a valve stem that extends from the tire through the rim of the wheel. The cap includes a housing extending along an axis from a first end to a second end, and the housing has a bore extending along the axis from the first end toward the second end and a cup-shaped wall , the cup-shaped wall extends circumferentially around the bore for receiving the valve stem. A threaded surface is disposed in the bore for threaded engagement with the valve stem. A flange extends from the first end circumferentially around the aperture transverse to the axis for abutting the rim of the wheel to stabilize the housing relative to the rim of the wheel. Ribs are radially spaced around the housing and extend outwardly from the wall of the housing to the flange for strengthening the housing relative to the flange.

The invention also includes a wheel for a vehicle. Wheels include rims. Tires are arranged around the rim. A valve stem extends from the tire through the rim. The cap has a housing extending along the axis from a first end to a second end, and the housing has a bore extending along the axis from the first end towards the second end and a cup-shaped wall , the cup-shaped wall extends circumferentially around the bore for receiving the valve stem. The cap has a threaded surface disposed in the bore for threaded engagement with the valve stem. The cap has a flange extending from the first end circumferentially around the aperture transverse to the axis and abutting the rim of the wheel to stabilize the housing relative to the rim. The cap has ribs spaced radially around the housing and extending outwardly from the wall of the housing to the flange for stiffening the housing relative to the flange.

The cap not only protects the valve stem from materials such as dirt, dust, water, oil, grease, stones, gravel, etc. that stick to the valve stem, but also protects the valve stem from stones and dirt that could get wedged between the rim and the cap and become trapped in the cap. Apply lateral force. In particular, the flange widens the seat of the cap to reduce the likelihood of the cap rolling on the rim due to lateral forces exerted on the cap, for example by stones and dirt wedged between the rim and cap. The flange also increases the contact area between the cap and the rim. When the cap is threadedly engaged with the valve stem, the contact area between the cap and the rim of the wheel ensures that the cap is seated securely against the rim to prevent lateral forces on the cap from rolling the cap on the rim.

Description of drawings

Other advantages of the present invention will become better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a heavy vehicle;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a wheel with a prior art metal screen welded to the rim of the wheel;

Figure 3 is a partial exploded view of a portion of the wheel including the cap and valve stem;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the cap;

Figure 5 is another perspective view of a cap including a nut engaged in a bore of the cap;

Figure 6 is a top view of the cap;

Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the cap engaged with the valve stem taken along line 7-7 of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a cap including threads defined in a bore of the cap;

9 is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a cap engaged with a valve stem; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the cap shown in FIG. 8 .

Detailed ways

Referring to the drawings, a cap for the valve stem 12 is shown generally at 10, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views. As best shown in FIG. 3 , the cap 10 and valve stem 12 are disposed on a wheel 14 . The valve stem 12 extends from the tire 16 through the rim 18 of the wheel 14 . Referring to FIG. 1 , the wheels 14 may, for example, be disposed on heavy equipment 20 , such as heavy vehicles used in construction, earthmoving, mining, and the like. In such applications, the cap 10 protects the valve stem 12 from stones, dirt, etc. becoming wedged between the valve stem 12 and the rim 18 and otherwise damaging the valve stem 12 . Specifically, these materials would exert significant forces on the valve stem 12 without the cap 10 and the cap 10 supports the valve stem 12 to prevent these forces from bending and/or damaging the valve stem 12 . It should be understood, however, that cap 10 may be used on any type of machine with any type of wheel without departing from the essence of the invention.

Valve stem 12 includes a valve (not shown) that may be opened to inflate and deflate tire 16 and may be closed to maintain tire 16 inflated. Typically, for example, tire 16 includes an inner tube (not shown) connected to valve stem 12 and extending around rim 18 for inflation and deflation. The valve stem 12 may, for example, be a valve of the type commonly known as a Schrader valve, a Presta valve or a Dunlop valve. However, it should be understood that the valve stem 12 may be of any type without departing from the essence of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 1 , a cap 10 is arranged to fit over the valve stem 12 to protect the valve stem 12 from material such as dirt, dust, water, oil, grease, stones, gravel, etc. accumulating on the valve stem 12 and the valve. rod 12 and prevents normal inflation and deflation. In particular, the valve stem 12 typically includes a reed (not shown) disposed therein and movable to inflate or deflate the tire 16 . Cap 10 prevents material from becoming lodged in valve stem 12 and from interfering with the proper function of the reed.

Referring to FIG. 4 , cap 10 includes a housing 22 extending along axis A from a first end 24 to a second end 26 . Cap 10 has a bore 28 extending along axis A from first end 24 towards second end 26 into housing 22 . As shown in FIG. 3 , cap 10 receives valve stem 12 in bore 28 to enclose valve stem 12 between housing 22 and rim 18 of wheel 14 .

As best shown in FIG. 3 , the valve stem 12 has a threaded shaft 30 . Referring to FIGS. 5 and 7-9 , a threaded surface 32 is disposed in the bore 28 for threaded engagement with the threaded shaft 30 of the valve stem 12 . As one example shown in FIG. 5 , a nut 34 is secured to housing 22 in bore 28 and has a threaded surface 32 . Nut 34 may be retained in bore 28 by ridge 36 as best shown in FIG. 7 . For example, the ridge 36 may be formed by overmolding the housing 22 onto the nut 34 . Typically, overmolding is performed by plastic injection molding the housing 22 around the nut 34 . Alternatively, the nut 34 may be press fit into engagement with the inner surface 38 of the housing 22 . Alternatively, an inner surface 38 of the housing 22 may define a threaded surface 32 , for example, as shown in FIG. 8 . In this version, the threaded surface 32 may be formed, for example, by injection moulding.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 7 , the housing 22 includes a cup-shaped wall 40 extending circumferentially around the hole 28 for receiving the valve stem 12 , that is, the valve stem 12 is received by the hole 28 and is held by the cup-shaped wall. 40 surrounded. Wall 40 is cup-shaped in that wall 40 typically tapers inwardly toward axis A from first end 24 to second end 26 to accommodate valve stem 12 when cap 10 is threadedly engaged therewith. . The first end 24 and the second end 26 of the housing 22 are typically cylindrical. It should be understood that the housing 22 may be of any shape without departing from the essence of the invention.

A flange 42 extends from the first end 24 for abutting the rim 18 of the wheel 14 to stabilize the housing 22 relative to the rim 18 of the wheel 14 . In other words, as shown in FIG. 7 , the flange 42 abuts the rim 18 when the cap 10 is threadedly engaged with the valve stem 12 . The flange 42 extends circumferentially around the bore 28 transverse to the axis A, ie flares outwardly relative to the bore 28 . Flange 42 is typically cylindrical, but may be of any shape without departing from the essence of the invention.

The flange 42 widens the seat of the cap 10 to reduce the possibility of the cap 10 rolling on the rim 18 due to lateral forces exerted on the cap 10 by, for example, stones and dirt wedged between the rim 18 and the cap 10 . Specifically, housing 22 defines a height H from first end 24 to second end 26 , and flange 42 has an outer diameter D1 that is greater than height H. As shown in FIG. In other words, the width of the flange 42 is greater than the height of the housing 22 to lower the center of gravity of the cap 10 .

Flange 42 also increases the contact area between cap 10 and rim 18 . Specifically, the hole 28 has a diameter D2 and the outer diameter D1 of the flange 42 is at least twice the size of the hole diameter D2 in order to enable the flange 42 to seat securely against the rim 18 . When the cap 10 is screwed onto the valve stem 12 such that the flange 42 contacts the rim 18, the increased contact area between the cap 10 and the rim 18 of the wheel 14 ensures that the cap 10 seats firmly against the rim 18 to prevent The lateral force on the cap 10 causes the cap 10 to roll on the rim 18.

The ribs 44 are spaced radially about the housing 22 . Ribs 44 extend outwardly from the wall 40 of the housing 22 to the flange 42 to strengthen the housing 22 relative to the flange 42 . In other words, the ribs 44 enhance the relative stability of the flange 42 and the housing 22 to limit bending of the housing 22 relative to the flange 42 . As best shown in FIG. 6 , cap 10 typically includes five ribs 44 equally spaced around housing 22 . It should be understood, however, that the cap 10 may include any number of ribs 44 without departing from the essence of the invention.

Each rib 44 has three sides defining a generally triangular shape. Specifically, the first side 46 is typically integral with the flange 42 and extends outward relative to the axis A along the flange 42 . The second side 48 is typically integral with the wall 40 and extends generally along the axis A along the wall 40 . The third side 50 extends from the first side 46 to the second side 48 . As used herein, the term "integral" means formed from a single component, eg, by molding, forging, machining, etc., from a single piece of material. As an alternative to the first side 46 integral with the flange 42 and the second side 48 integral with the wall 40, the ribs 44 may be formed separately and subsequently for example by adhesion, hot melt bonding, melting, welding etc. are attached to the flange 42 and the housing 22.

The rib 44 extends almost completely from the first end 24 to the second end 26 almost the entire height H of the housing 22 . The rib 44 also extends almost completely from the wall 40 to the outer edge 52 of the flange 42 , almost the entire width of the flange 42 . Specifically, the first side 46 of the rib 44 extends a first length L1 along the flange 42 and the second side 48 of the rib 44 extends a second length L2 along the wall 40 . The first length L1 is at least one third of the second length L2. Thus, the rib 44 can be grasped by hand or with a tool to loosen or tighten the cap 10 on the valve stem 12 .

Housing 22, flange 42 and rib 44 are typically integrally formed, ie, as a single piece of glass-filled nylon. Nylon is typically impact modified to have good low and high temperature impact resistance. Nylon is typically an injection molding grade so that cap 10 can be formed by injection molding. Nylon is also easily colored, for example, to match the color of the rim 18 . An example of a suitable nylon is commercially available from BASF Corporation of Florham Park, NJ under the trade designation Products under A3Z. It should be understood, however, that cap 10 may be formed from any type of suitable material without departing from the essence of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 , the cap 10 may include a pressure gauge 54 extending into the bore 28 for engaging the valve stem 12 . A pressure gauge 54 typically extends through the second end 26 of the housing 22 and typically threadably engages the threaded shaft 30 . The pressure gauge 54 is typically in constant engagement with the valve stem 12 when the cap 10 is threaded onto the threaded shaft 30 so that the pressure gauge 54 typically constantly measures the pressure of the tire 16 . In other words, the pressure gauge 54 engages the valve stem 12 when the cap 10 is threaded onto the threaded shaft 30 and disengages the pressure gauge 54 from the valve stem 12 when the cap 10 is threaded off the threaded shaft 30 .

The pressure gauge 54 includes an indicator 56 that is typically adjacent to the second end 26 of the housing 22 . Indicator 56 faces outwardly from housing 22 for indicating the inflation pressure of tire 16 . For example, the indicators 56 may include light emitting diodes (LEDs) (not shown) that indicate the inflation pressure of the tires 16 . For example, the indicator 56 may include a green LED that illuminates when the inflation pressure is acceptable and a red LED that illuminates when the inflation pressure is not acceptable. Alternatively, indicator 56 may include a plurality of LEDs, each LED indicating a range of inflation pressures. As an alternative or in addition to LEDs, indicator 56 may include an analog dial or digital readout indicating inflation pressure. As an alternative or in addition to one or more LEDs, the pressure gauge 54 may communicate with the interior of the heavy equipment 20 to indicate the tire pressure of the wheels 14 . For example, the pressure gauge 54 may communicate with an instrument panel (not shown) inside the heavy equipment 20 .

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is words of description rather than limitation. In light of the above teachings, many modifications and variations of the present invention are capable of being made and practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims (17)

CLAIMS 1. A cap for a valve stem extending from a tire through the rim of a wheel, the cap comprising: a housing extending along an axis from a first end to a second end and having an aperture along the axis from the first end toward the second end and a cup-shaped wall extending at both ends, said cup-shaped wall extending circumferentially around said bore for receiving said valve stem; a nut secured to the housing in the bore and relative to the axis, the nut having a threaded surface for threadably engaging the valve stem; a flange extending from the first end circumferentially around the bore transversely to the axis for abutting the rim of the wheel such that the housing is positioned relative to the rim of the wheel stable; and Ribs spaced radially around the housing and extending outwardly from the wall of the housing to the flange for stiffening the housing relative to the flange. 2. The cap of claim 1, wherein the housing defines a height from the first end to the second end, and wherein the flange has an outer diameter greater than the height . 3. The cap of claim 2, wherein the hole has a diameter, and wherein the outer diameter of the flange is at least twice the size of the diameter of the hole so that the flange Able to sit securely against the rim. 4. The cap of any one of claims 1-3, wherein each of the ribs has three sides defining a generally triangular shape, wherein the A first of three sides is integral with the flange and extends outwardly relative to the axis along the flange, a second of the three sides is integral with the wall and extends generally along the The axis extends along the wall, and a third side of the three sides extends from the first side to the second side. 5. The cap of claim 4, wherein the first side of the rib extends a first length along the flange and the second side of the rib extends along the wall extending a second length, and wherein the first length is at least one third of the second length. 6. The cap of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the outer shell tapers inwardly towards the axis from the first end to the second end. 7. The cap of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the flange is cylindrical. 8. The cap of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the shell, the flange, and the rib are integrally formed from glass-filled nylon. 9. The cap of any one of claims 1-3, further comprising a pressure gauge extending into the bore for engaging the valve stem, and the pressure gauge There is an indicator facing outwardly from the housing for indicating the inflation pressure of the tire. 10. The cap of claim 9, wherein the pressure gauge extends through the second end of the housing and the indicator abuts the second end of the housing. 11. A cap for a valve stem extending from a tire through the rim of a wheel, the cap comprising: a housing extending along an axis from a first end to a second end and having an aperture along the axis from the first end toward the second end and a cup-shaped wall extending at both ends, said cup-shaped wall extending circumferentially around said bore for receiving said valve stem; a nut secured to the housing in the bore and relative to the axis, the nut having a threaded surface for threadably engaging the valve stem; a flange extending from the first end circumferentially around the bore transversely to the axis for abutting the rim of the wheel such that the housing is positioned relative to the rim of the wheel Stablize; the housing defines a height from the first end to the second end, and the flange has an outer diameter greater than the height; the hole has a diameter and the outer diameter of the flange is at least twice the size of the diameter of the hole to enable the flange to seat securely against the rim; ribs spaced radially around the housing and extending outwardly from the wall of the housing to the flange for strengthening the housing relative to the flange; Each of the ribs has three sides defining a generally triangular shape, wherein a first side of the three sides is integral with the flange and along the The flange extends outwardly relative to the axis, a second of the three sides is integral with the wall and extends along the wall generally along the axis, and a second of the three sides three sides extending from the first side to the second side; The first side of the rib extends a first length along the flange and the second side of the rib extends a second length along the wall, the first length being the at least one third of the second length; and The housing, the flange and the rib are integrally formed from glass filled nylon. 12. The cap of claim 11 , wherein the flange is cylindrical, and wherein the housing tapers inwardly toward the axis from the first end to the second end. shrink. 13. A wheel for a vehicle, said wheel comprising: rim; a tire arranged around said rim; a valve stem extending from the tire through the rim; and a cap having a housing extending along an axis from a first end to a second end and having a bore and a cup-shaped wall extending from the first end along the axis an end portion extending towards the second end portion, the cup-shaped wall extending circumferentially around the bore for receiving the valve stem; the cap has a nut secured to the housing in the bore and relative to the axis, the nut having a threaded surface for threadedly engaging the valve stem; The cap has a flange extending from the first end circumferentially around the bore transversely to the axis and abutting the rim of the wheel such that the housing is positioned relative to the the rim is stable; and The cap has ribs spaced radially around the housing and extending outwardly from the wall of the housing to the flange for strengthening the housing relative to the flange . 14. The wheel of claim 13, wherein the housing defines a height from the first end to the second end, and wherein the flange has an outer diameter that is greater than the height. 15. The wheel of claim 14, wherein the bore has a diameter, and wherein the outer diameter of the flange is at least twice the size of the diameter of the bore such that the flange Able to sit securely against the rim. 16. A wheel according to any one of claims 13-15, wherein each of said ribs has three sides defining a generally triangular shape, wherein said A first of three sides is integral with the flange and extends outwardly relative to the axis along the flange, a second of the three sides is integral with the wall and extends generally along the The axis extends along the wall, and a third side of the three sides extends from the first side to the second side. 17. The wheel of claim 16, wherein the first side of the rib extends a first length along the flange and the second side of the rib extends along the wall extending a second length, and wherein the first length is at least one third of the second length.