US20190387936A1

US20190387936A1 - Vacuum tire inflator

Info

Publication number: US20190387936A1
Application number: US16/449,038
Authority: US
Inventors: Stephen E. RICHEY; Carey C. Costle; Chad Ellman
Original assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
Current assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
Priority date: 2018-06-21
Filing date: 2019-06-21
Publication date: 2019-12-26

Abstract

An integrated vacuum and inflator device includes a housing, a first hose wrapped around the housing and a second hose wrapped around the housing. A first motor is included within the housing that provides a vacuum and is connectable with respect to the first hose. A second motor is also included within the housing and provides inflation and is connectable with respect to the second hose.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application, Ser. No. 62/687,997, filed on 21 Jun. 2018. This U.S. Provisional Application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and are made a part hereof, including but not limited to those portions which specifically appear hereinafter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a combination tire inflator and vacuum device.

Description of Prior Art

Typical vacuum/tire inflator combinations found in the market are formed in a handled self-contained style and are difficult to access tight places, such as found in automobiles. Even with short hose accessories, such devices are difficult and cumbersome to use and are limited in motor size resulting in poor performance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A combination vacuum/tire inflator preferably includes a housing having a handle extending from the top, a removable canister and one or more hoses wrapped around a portion of the housing. The configuration of the housing and the hoses permit the unit to access closed tight spaces as generally found in automobiles, trucks, RVs and boats.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a Vacuum Tire Inflator, according to one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a Vacuum Tire Inflator, according to one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the Vacuum Tire Inflator shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the Vacuum Tire Inflator shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of a Vacuum Tire Inflator, according to one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a bag attachment of a Vacuum Tire Inflator according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a bag attachment of a Vacuum Tire Inflator according to an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-7 show various embodiments of a combination vacuum/tire inflator device 10. The device 10 as described herein is preferably used in connection with a vehicle such as an automobile, an RV, a boat, or a camper. Alternatively, the device 10 may be used for light household use and/or in a garage, storage shed or other area where inflation and/or clean-up are required. The device 10 is intended to permit a user to use a vacuum feature of the device 10 to collect dirt, dust and other detritus and also to inflate tires and/or recreational equipment with the same unitary device. The device 10 is intended to be lightweight and portable thereby expanding potential uses, access and flexibility.
The vacuum/tire inflator device 10 preferably includes a housing 20. The housing 20 is preferably a molded plastic housing formed with a unitized base 30 and handle 25. The handle 25 is preferably formed over a top of the device 10, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, and the base 30 is formed at a bottom of the device 10 to provide a sturdy support for placement of the device 10 on the ground, on a shelf or in storage within a vehicle.
A first hose 50 is preferably wrapped around the housing 20. Likewise, a second hose 70 is also preferably wrapped around the housing 20. Specifically, the base 30 may be formed with one or more storage recesses 33, 35 to store the first hose 50 and/or the second hose 70 in close proximity with the device 10. As shown, the device may include separate recesses 33, 35 within the base 30. In addition, the device 10 may include separate recesses 33, 35 that are stacked on each other in generally parallel alignment within the base 30. 18. The first hose 50 preferably includes a larger diameter than the second hose 70.
The first and second hoses 50, 70 may be expandable and compressible for storage in the body of the unit. In particular, the first hose 50 is preferably expandable and includes a sufficient diameter and length to permit vacuuming in tight, hard to reach places. The second hose 70 preferably comprises a durable rubber construction and may include a protective braided coating.
A first motor 40 is preferably located within the housing 20. The first motor 40 preferably includes an impeller or similar mechanical arrangement so as to provide a vacuum. The first motor 40 is connectable with respect to the first hose 50 to enable vacuuming. The first hose 50 may be directly connected in fluid communication with respect to the first motor 40 in a fixed engagement or may connect through an external fitting 75, best shown in FIG. 4, positioned on the housing 20 and in fluid communication with the first motor 40. Specifically, the first motor may be located at least partially within the handle 25 such as shown in FIG. 4. Such an arrangement helps balance the device 10 for greater and more comfortable ergonomics. The housing design preferably accommodates a larger first motor 40 than conventional units to provide more power and performance than traditional hand-held units.
A second motor 60 is also preferably located within the housing 20. Preferably, the second motor 60 is located within the base 30 of the housing 20. The second motor 60 preferably includes a compressor arrangement that provides an elevated fluid pressure over ambient conditions and therefore enables inflation. The second motor 60 is likewise connectable with respect to the second hose 70 which may be permanently fixed in position or reconnectable through an external fitting on the housing 20.
A third motor 130, shown schematically in FIG. 4, may be provided for higher flow pressures and/or flow rates for inflating larger devices such as rafts or similar high volume air inflated product. As such, the subject combination device 10 may be a three in one unit permitting tire inflation, large volume inflation and vacuuming.
According to a preferred embodiment, a fluid path of the vacuum is entirely independent from a fluid path of the inflator. In this manner, the device 10 may operate both function simultaneously. In addition, this arrangement enables optimization of each motor 40, 60, 130 to its intended purpose.
A removable canister 80 is preferably included within the housing 20 to capture vacuumed particles. The removable canister 80 may be latched, such as shown in FIG. 6 and/or rotated, such as shown in FIG. 7, relative to the housing and may include a filter or mesh for maintaining vacuumed particles. The canister 80 and/or the filter may be cleanable and/or rinseable to clear debris and particles from the device 10.
According to one embodiment, the device 10 further includes a power cord 90 positioned within a recess of the housing 20, preferably opposite the canister 80. Power may be provided with a 12 V plug, a standard AC plug or an alternative plug-in power connection. According to one preferred embodiment, the device 10 may utilize a Li-Ion battery for an alternative power from the traditional 12 V cigarette lighter plug included in the device 10.
In one embodiment of the device 10, the housing 20 may further include a light 120 positioned within the housing 20. The light 20 may illuminate when power is switched on to the device 10 or alternatively may be separately switched.
In addition, the device 10 may further include a gauge 100 to provide a specific pressure to an inflated vessel or to shut off at a specific pressure or to provide a real time readout of a pressure in the inflated vessel. A power switch 110 is also included that may be multi-function to control, for instance, vacuum in one position, inflation in another position, and/or the light in a third position. The power switch 110 may include an auto shutoff feature when, for instance, the gauge arrives at a preferred reading.
The device 10 may further include one or more accessories 140 that are stored within the housing 20 and attachable to at least one of the first hose 50 and the second hose 70. The accessories 140 may include inflation adapters, vacuum attachments and/or other suitable accessories for use with the device 10.
While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been set forth for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the device and placard are susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.

Claims

1. An integrated vacuum and inflator comprising:

a housing;

a first hose wrapped around the housing;

a second hose wrapped around the housing;

a first motor within the housing providing a vacuum and connectable with respect to the first hose;

a second motor within the housing providing inflation and connectable with respect to the second hose; and

a removable canister for capturing vacuumed particles.

2. The integrated vacuum and inflator of claim 1 further comprising:

a third motor within the housing to provide higher volume air flow than the first motor or the second motor.

3. The integrated vacuum and inflator of claim 1 wherein the housing further comprises a base and the first hose and the second hose are each wrapped around the base.

4. The integrated vacuum and inflator of claim 3 wherein the first hose and the second hose are positioned within separate recesses within the base.

5. The integrated vacuum and inflator of claim 4 wherein the separate recesses are stacked on each other within the base.

6. The integrated vacuum and inflator of claim 1 further comprising a power cord positioned within a recess of the housing.

7. The integrated vacuum and inflator of claim 1 further comprising a light positioned within the housing.

8. The integrated vacuum and inflator of claim 1 further comprising an integrated handle extending from the housing.

9. The integrated vacuum and inflator of claim 8 wherein the first motor is positioned at least partially within the handle.

10. The integrated vacuum and inflator of claim 1 wherein the second motor is positioned within the base of the housing.

11. The integrated vacuum and inflator of claim 1 wherein a fluid path of the vacuum is entirely independent from a fluid path of the inflator.

12. The integrated vacuum and inflator of claim 1 further comprising a latch configured to release the removable canister from the housing.

13. An integrated vacuum and inflator comprising:

a housing having a base and an integrated handle;

a first hose wrapped around the base;

a second hose wrapped around the base;

a first motor positioned within the base of the housing and providing a vacuum and connectable with respect to the first hose;

a second motor positioned at least partially within the handle of the housing and providing inflation and connectable with respect to the second hose; and

a removable canister for capturing vacuumed particles.

14. The integrated vacuum and inflator of claim 13 further comprising a gauge to provide a pressure reading of an inflated vessel.

15. The integrated vacuum and inflator of claim 13 further comprising a filter positioned within the canister between the first motor and an interior of the canister.

16. The integrated vacuum and inflator of claim 13 wherein a fluid path of the vacuum is entirely independent from a fluid path of the inflator.

17. The integrated vacuum and inflator of claim 13 wherein the first hose is separable from the housing.

18. The integrated vacuum and inflator of claim 13 wherein the first hose includes a larger diameter than the second hose.

19. The integrated vacuum and inflator of claim 13 further comprising one or more accessories that are stored within the housing and attachable to at least one of the first hose and the second hose.