Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an adapter suitable to connect a device for allowing compressed gas to pass through the adapter into an inflatable member.

Background of the Invention

Typically, adapters are designed to connect to a valve on an inflatable member such that by providing a gas pressure the inflatable member will be inflated by the gas. In everyday use this is particularly interesting when for example inflating tyres where it is desirable to inflate the tyre with air to a desired pressure.

A device for achieving this is disclosed in US2002/0078754 wherein a pressure gauge device is disclosed. The pressure gauge device is connected to a source of pressurized air. By operating the handle connected to an internal valve the air under-pressure may be led into a connection house which connection house is provided with an adapter suitable to connect the pressure gauge device to the valve on a car tyre. The adapter will typically have an opening corresponding to the diameter of the valve and have some type of locking device such that the adapter and thereby the pressure gauge de vice is effectively connected to the valve device of the tyre.

In this prior art example the connection is achieved by having a biased locking plate operated by a small leaver.

Often, these types of devices operate by attaching the adapter to the valve of the tyre whereby a manometer indicates the tyre pressure. At this stage the user may operate the handle in order to allow compressed air into the tyre or operate a relief valve in order to allow air out from the tyre in order to adjust the pressure.

Once the user assumes that enough air has been introduced or relieved from the tyre the relief valve or handle is released and a new reading is taken on the manometer. During this process as a consequence of the simple construction of the adapter, often driven by a requirement of low production cost, air will have a tendency to seep out in the interface between the adapter and the tyre valve. Naturally, this provides uncer tainty for the user whether or not enough air has been introduced or relieved from the valve, and consequently either the tyre is left with a wrong air pressure or it takes an extraordinary long iterative process in order to achieve the correct tyre pressure.

Object of the Invention

Consequently there is a need for an adapter which creates a very tight-fitting and sub stantially air-tight connection between the device supplying compressed gas, for ex- ample air, and the inflatable member, for example a car tyre.

Description of the Invention

The invention addresses this by providing an adapter suitable to connect a device for allowing compressed gas to pass through the adapter into an inflatable member, where the adapter comprises:

- Means for attaching the adapter to a source of compressed gas, said means having a gas passage, and where the means for attaching the adapter is in gas commu nication with

A main housing, where the housing has an inner open-ended cavity, suitable to receive a valve body of the inflatable member, and where inside said open-ended cavity, a gas outlet is arranged, and further where means for releasably holding the valve body of the inflatable member is provided and further

A resilient gasket is provided in a cavity between the housing and the gas passage near the gas outlet, where in one end of the gasket towards the opening of the open-ended cavity is provided an engagement surface suitable for engagement of a valve body of the inflatable member, where when a valve body of the inflatable mem ber is inserted into the open ended cavity, the gasket is engaged, and the gasket is fur ther moved relative to the housing such that the gasket will surround the valve body of the inflatable member. In a particular embodiment of the invention as set out in a further advantageous em bodiment the resilient gasket is provided surrounding the gas outlet, where in one end of the gasket towards the opening of the open-ended cavity is provided an engagement surface and in a lower section of the gasket opposite the engagement surface is pro- vided a cavity, where the cavity is limited by an inner lip and an outer lip, where said inner lip is in sealing and sliding engagement with the gas outlet and the outer lip is in sealing and sliding engagement with the main housing, such that the cavity in the low er end of the gasket creates a substantially gas tight chamber and where the gasket is further provided with a shoulder, and where a ridge is provided inside said open-ended cavity, where the open-ended cavity in a first cross-section perpendicular to the gas passage through the ridge has a smaller cross-sectional area of the gas passage than in a second cross-section adjacent the shoulder, such that the ridge limits the movement of the gasket in the gas passage’s direction, and where the gas passage has a gas con nection to the substantially gas tight chamber provided between the lower section of the gasket, and the housing.

Once the valve has been inserted in the open-ended cavity it is held by the means for releasably holding the valve body inside the open-ended cavity. As compressed air is led through the gas passage the gas connection provided between the gas passage and the chamber delimited by the housing and the resilient gasket will cause the gasket to move upwards in the open-ended cavity thereby coming into contact with the valve of the inflatable member.

As the gasket is made from a resilient material it will create a substantially air-tight connection between the rim of the valve device inserted into the open-ended cavity and the adapter according to the present invention. In this position air is led into the inflatable member through the valve without air loss in the connection whereby it be comes possible to measure the correct air pressure both in the inflatable member and in the gas passage such that a correct and precise air pressure may be provided in the inflatable member.

At least within this application“gas-tight”,’’sealed” or any other such related term, shall be understood as sufficiently tight such that gas/air loss is negligible for the par ticular purpose. It is clear that with the tolerances of air pressure for most vehicles a few micro bars difference is allowable, and as such“gas tight” shall be seen and un derstood in the light of the use of the present invention. In a further alternative embodiment, directed to a different type of valve member and inflation principle the gasket is provided in the gas passage adjacent the gas outlet, where a groove is provided in an inner wall of the cavity, and the gasket has a first lip inserted and held in said groove, and a second lip spaced from said first lip, where said second lip can slide on the inner wall, such that as a valve member of an inflatable body is inserted into the open ended cavity, the second lip will slide towards the first lip, thereby deforming the gasket, such that the gasket comes into sealing contact with the valve member of an inflatable body. In this embodiment the gasket is deformed in such a manner that due to its ring shape, the gasket will surround and embrace the valve body. The more the valve body is in serted the stronger the embrace. At the same time the valve member will not activate the gas opening but there will be established a cavity including the gas outlet opening, such that the gas may freely pass into the inflatable member. At the same time the gasket will create a tight seal.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention the means for releasably hold ing the valve body of the inflatable member comprises two rollers arranged in parallel tangentially on opposite sides and adjacent the opening of the open-ended cavity, where said rollers are arranged in slits arranged at an oblique angle relative to the di rection of the gas passage, allowing the rollers to move from an engagement position where the rollers in use are in engagement with the valve of the inflatable member, to a retracted position wherein the rollers are substantially outside the circumference of the open-ended cavity, and where the rollers are biased towards the engagement posi- tion by resilient means.

The rollers are arranged in slits which allow the rollers to move away from the open- ended cavity and into the open-ended cavity. Consequently, when inserting a valve of a member to be inflated into the open-ended cavity the valve may push the rollers away, but by providing a bias, for example in the shape of resilient means or springs it is possible to urge the rollers into engagement with the valve of the inflatable member thereby retaining the valve inside the open-ended cavity. In order to create the substantially air-tight connection between the resilient gasket and the rim of the valve of the inflatable member it is important to retain the valve substantially fixed inside the open-ended cavity in order for the gasket to create the substantially air-tight connection. The rollers will retain the valve. Furthermore, as the rollers are urged by for example spring means and operate in slits arranged at an oblique angle relative to the gas passage, it is possible to adapt the holding according to tolerances on the inflatable device valve such that various valve diameters may be held in the adapter according to the invention due to the movability of the rollers rela tive to the open-ended cavity.

Naturally, the dimensions of the valve suitable for use with any given adapter must necessarily have a diameter of the rim which will fit against the engagement surface provided on the gasket. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention the means for releasably hold ing the valve body of the inflatable member comprises two rollers arranged in parallel tangentially on opposite sides and adjacent the opening of the open-ended cavity, where said rollers are arranged in slits arranged at an oblique angle relative to the di rection of the gas passage, and where the rollers are provided with ridges substantially evenly spaced parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rollers on the periphery, said ridges spanning at least a major portion of the longitudinal extent of the rollers.

In this embodiment the rollers are provided with longitudinal ridges where the ridges may advantageously be provided with a sharp edge such that the rollers are able to grip and hold the inserted valve of the inflatable device securely.

Particularly for valves on tyres these are often provided with an outside thread in order to be able to hold a cap. When removing the cap the thread is exposed which means that the ridges on the rollers are able to engage the thread and thereby create a very fixed and firm hold on the valve during operation of the adapter according to the pre sent invention. In a still further advantageous embodiment the rollers have a circular cross-section, and the slits have an opening facing the gas passageway which is smaller than the di ameter of the rollers. By providing an opening facing the gas passageway which is smaller than the diame ter of the rollers it is ensured that the rollers do not fall out of the adapter.

As will be illustrated below with reference to the detailed description of particular embodiments the rollers have an extent which is longer than the diameter of the open ing and the gas passage, and as such it is possible to retain the rollers in both ends of the rollers in these oblique slits having an opening smaller than the diameter of the rollers as such.

In this manner the rollers are securely held and the construction for holding the rollers does not interfere with the open-ended cavity and thereby with the proper operation of the adapter.

In a further advantageous embodiment the main housing is assembled from two or more metal parts, which parts are screwed, soldered or welded together. By using metal parts a very sturdy construction is achieved and at the same time by having mul tiple parts it becomes possible to work the parts before being assembled such that un dercuts and cavities may be provided in the finished adapter, for example a cavity suitable to house the gasket which will also be elaborated below with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Description of the Drawing

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which

Figure 1 illustrates a cross-section through an embodiment of the invention Figure 2 illustrates an adapter according to the present invention

Figure 3 illustrates a cross-section in a direction perpendicular to the cross- section in figure 1 Figure 4 illustrates an adapter as seen from the front

Figure 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention

Figure 6 illustrates a sliding movement initiated by inserting a valve member into the open-ended cavity

Detailed Description of the Invention

In figure 1 is illustrated a cross-section through an embodiment of the invention. The adapter 1 is suitable to allow compressed gas, in particular air, into a valve allowing an inflatable device to be inflated. The valve as well as the inflatable device is not illustrated.

The adapter 1 comprises a main housing 2 which in this embodiment is assembled from two separate parts 2’, 2”. In a lower part of the housing 2 is provided a spigot or pipe-like connection piece 3, such that the adapter may be connected to a hose for supplying pressurized gas. Through the housing is provided a gas passage 4 such that the compressed gas may be led to the valve.

In the opposite end of the adapter 1 is provided an open-ended cavity 5 which cavity is suitable to receive and accommodate a valve device from a member to be inflated. Inside the open-ended cavity 5 is provided a gas outlet 6 as well as means 10 for re- leasably holding the valve body of the inflatable member.

Inside the open-ended cavity and being part of the gas outlet 6 is a resilient gasket 11. In a first end of the resilient gasket 11 is provided and engagement surface 12 which is suitable to engage a rim of the valve device during use and thereby create a substan tially air-tight connection between the adapter 1 and the valve device.

In an opposite end of the gasket 11 is provided a cavity 13 which cavity 13 is limited by an inner lip 14 and an outer lip 15. The gasket 11 is provided in a cavity 7 provided between the housing 2 and the gas passage 4. The cavity has a size such that the gas ket 11 may move in the direction of the gas passage 4. The inner lip 14 and the outer lip 15 are designed such that the inner lip 14 will be in sealing engagement with a projecting part 2’” of the housing and the outer lip 15 will be in sealing engagement with an outer part of the housing 2””. In this manner the cavity 13 is a substantially closed cavity. From the air passage 4 is provided a gas connection 16 such that gas introduced into the gas passage 4 may/will travel into the cavity 13 thereby urging the gasket 11 upwards. In order to stop the movement of the gasket, the gasket is provided with a shoulder 17 which shoulder 17 will engage an other shoulder 18 on the housing, limiting the movement of the gasket. In this manner, when the adapter is to be used and a valve is inserted into the open-ended cavity 5 the rim of the open-ended valve will come into contact with the engagement surface 12 of the gasket. At the same time the means for retaining the valve 10 inside the open- ended cavity will be activated such that the valve cannot be retrieved from the open- ended cavity 5. When compressed gas/air is led into the gas passage 4 the gas connection 16 will cause the gas to flow into the cavity 13. Thereby the gasket 11 will be pushed forward and the engagement surface 12 due to the resilient characteristics of the gasket will engage the rim of the inserted valve in a substantially gas tight manner. In this manner no leakage will occur when gas is transferred from the gas passage to the inflatable member.

In this embodiment the means for releasably holding the valve body of the inflatable member comprises two parallel rollers 20, 21. The rollers 20, 21 are arranged in slits 22, 23 which are arranged at an oblique angle relative to the direction of the gas pas- sage 4. Furthermore, the rollers 20, 21 are urged into the position illustrated in figure 1 by a washer 24. The washer is urged upwards against the rollers 20, 21 by a spring member 25 which spring member is arranged concentrically around the housing 2’ and limited upwards by the washer 24 and downwards by a shoulder 26 provided on the housing. Consequently, when the rollers 20, 21 are being influenced by inserting a valve into the open-ended cavity 5 the rollers will be urged downwards into the oblique slits 22, 23 and thereby allowing a larger cross-section in the open-ended sec tion than the distance between the rollers 20, 21 in the position illustrated in figure 1, at the same time compressing the spring member 25. As the rollers are urged downwards the washer 24 is like-wise urged downwards thereby compressing the helical spring 25. Once the movement of the inserted valve stops, the spring member 25 urging the washer and thereby the rollers 20, 21 into en gagement with the valve will hinder the valve member in being moved out of the open-ended cavity 5.

However, once the inflatable member has been inflated to the desired air pressure it is desirable to remove the valve from the adapter and for this purpose a release ring 30 is provided externally on the housing and circumscribing substantially the entire hous- ing. The release spring 30 is movable in the direction of the gas passage 4 such that a release shoulder 31 under release ring 30 may be brought downwards and into contact with the washer 24. By urging the release spring 30 further downwards the washer 24 will compress the spring member 25 thereby allowing the rollers 20, 21 to fall back into the slits 22, 23 whereby the engagement with the inserted valve is released and the valve may be removed from the adapter 1. In order to retain the release spring 30 on the housing a locking ring 33 is provided such that the release ring will be retained in place.

In this embodiment the rollers 20, 21 are provided with ridges 27. Typically these types of adapters are used for inflating car tyres and a typical valve used for car tyres has a threaded end on which a cap member may be screwed onto the valve in order to protect the valve from dust, dirt and debris. Once the cap is removed, the inner part of the valve is exposed, but at the same time the thread provided on the outer side of the valve is also exposed. By inserting the valve and thereby the thread into the open- ended cavity 5 of the present invention the ridges 27 provided on the rollers 20, 21 will engage the thread and thereby improve the retaining of the valve inside the open- ended cavity.

In figure 2 is illustrated an adapter according to the present invention where the con- nection 3 for connecting to a hose of compressed air is part of the housing 2” and the release ring is visible. In figure 3 is illustrated a cross-section in a direction perpendicular to the cross- section in figure 1 where particularly the ridges 27 on the rollers 20 may be seen through the slit 19.

In fig. 4 is illustrated an adapter as seen from the front. Centrally the open-ended cavi ty 5 is visible and inside the gas outlet 6. Surrounding the opening of the open-ended cavity 5 is the release ring 30. Furthermore the ridges 27 of the rollers 20, 21 may be seen through the opening in the open ended cavity.

In figure 5 is illustrated an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein the adap tor 1 is provided with a different gasket construction as will be explained.

The adaptor 1 has a housing T surrounding an open-ended cavity 5’. The open-ended cavity 5’ is in communication with the gas passage 4 provided in the means for con necting the adaptor 1 to a source of pressurized gas. In this embodiment the means 3 is in the shape of a spigot or pipe-like connection piece.

The gasket 1 G is arranged surrounding a cavity 7’. The gasket 1 G has a first lip 36 which is inserted and held in a groove 32 provided in an inner wall 34 of the main body 2’. In the opposite end of the gasket 1 G is provided a second lip 38 which sec ond lip is in contact with the inner wall 34 of the cavity 7’ such that the second lip 38 may slide in the direction of intended gas passage through the adaptor. This sliding movement is as will be explained with reference to figure 6 initiated by inserting a valve member 50 into the open-ended cavity 5’ whereby the valve 50 engages the gasket 1 G and forces the gasket downwards. During this movement the first lip 36 is fixed in the groove 32 and will therefore not move whereas the second lip 38 will move downwards.

At the same time, due to the relative movement of the lips 36, 38 coming into closer relationship the gasket 1 G will bulge thereby creating an intimate embrace of the valve member 50 such that a substantially airtight connection is created between the gasket 1 G and the valve member 50. At the same time the gas outlet 6 allows gas to pass by part of the valve member 50 and into the inflatable body (not illustrated). The valve 50 is fixed by the means 10 in this embodiment comprising rollers 20, 21 as already explained above.