TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to valve stem apparatus and methods.

BACKGROUND

A valve stem is typically located on a wheel of a tire to admit air into the tire, and retain the air in the tire. For example, most valve stems include a tube extending outward from the wheel, and a valve that opens to admit air into the tire and closes to retain the air in the tire. The tube may deteriorate over time, allowing the air to slowly escape. For example, prolonged exposure to weather and sunlight may cause small cracks in the tube. The tube also may be broken off, allowing air to escape rapidly. For example, the tube may be broken off due to contact with another element in the working environment, such as rock. The cost of replacing valve stems can be significant, often requiring investments of time and money to restore normal operations. Improvements are required to reduce these costs.

SUMMARY

One aspect of this disclosure is a valve stem apparatus. For example, the apparatus may comprise a protective body shaped to surround at least a portion of a valve stem extending outwardly from a wheel; and a contact surface engageable with the wheel to maintain a position of the protective body relative to the valve stem.

Another aspect of this disclosure is another valve stem apparatus. For example, the apparatus may comprise: a protective means for surrounding at least a portion of a valve stem extending outwardly from a wheel; and an engagement means for maintaining a position of the protective means relative to the valve stem.

Yet another aspect of this disclosure is a method of protecting a valve stem extending outwardly from a wheel. For example, the method may comprise: surrounding at least a portion of the valve stem with a protective body; and maintaining a position of the protective body relative to the valve stem. Related kits and systems also are disclosed. Other aspects and features will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of illustrative embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings constitute part of the present disclosure. Each drawing illustrates exemplary aspects of this disclosure that, together with the written descriptions, serve to explain the principles described herein.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary valve stem apparatus engaged with a wheel;

FIG. 2 depicts a see-through view of the FIG. 1 apparatus;

FIG. 3 depicts a profile view of the FIG. 1 apparatus;

FIG. 4 depicts a section view of the FIG. 1 apparatus taken along the section line A-A depicted in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 depicts another exemplary valve step apparatus;

FIG. 6 depicts a section view of the FIG. 5 apparatus taken along the section line B-B depicted in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary method; and

FIG. 8 depicts another exemplary method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure are now described with reference to exemplary valve stem apparatus and methods. Some aspects are described with reference to an apparatus comprising a protective body engageable with a wheel. The protective body may include a compartment. Various types of protective means, engagement means, and compartments are described herein. Related kits and systems also are described. Unless claimed, these examples are provided for convenience and not intended to limit the present disclosure. Accordingly, the concepts described herein may be broadly applicable.

Directional terms may be used to describe relative components and features. For example, directional terms such as“upper” and“lower” may be used to describe relative directions and orientations. These terms may be used in relation to one or more axes, which may be arranged to define a Cartesian coordinate system. Unless claimed, these terms are provided for convenience, and not intended to limit aspects of the present disclosure to a particular direction or orientation. As used herein, the terms“comprises,”“comprising,” or any variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an aspect of a method or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such aspect. In addition, the term“exemplary” is used in the sense of“example,” rather than“ideal.”

An exemplary valve stem apparatus 10 is shown in FIG. 1 as being removably engaged with a wheel 1. Any type of wheel 1 may be used. For example, wheel 1 may be paired with a large diameter tire, and attached to an axle of a mining track such as the CAT 797. As shown in FIG. 1, wheel 1 may comprise: a ring 2, a valve stem 4, an outer lip 8, and an inner lip 9. Ring 2 may include a plurality of holes 3 spaced apart around a diameter of the ring 2. Holes 3 may be used to attach wheel 1 to the axle. Outer lip 8 is shown in the foreground of FIG. 1 and may include interior surfaces of wheel 1 located on an outer or environment-facing side of ring 2. Inner lip 9 is shown in the background of FIG. 1 and may include interior surfaces of wheel 1 located on an interior or axle-facing side of ring 2. The interior surfaces of outer lip 8 and inner lip 9 may be curved according to a curvature of wheel 1.

Valve stem 4 may extend outwardly from a portion of wheel 1, such as a portion of ring 2 and/or outer lip 8. As shown in FIG. 1, valve stem 4 may comprise a connecting end attached to wheel 1, a terminal end 6 disposed opposite of the connecting end, and a tube 7 extending between the connecting end and terminal end 6. The connecting end may be bolted, welded, or otherwise attached to wheel 1. Tube 7 may contain at least one valve, such as a one-way valve that admits air into the tire when terminal end 6 is attached to an air hose, and automatically closes when end 6 is detached from the air hose. Valve stem 4 may be damaged during normal operations. For example, wheel 1 may be attached to a tire, mounted to an axle of the mining track, and then driven through a terrain including rocks and/or jagged edges capable of breaking tube 7 off of wheel 1. As a further example, wheel 1 may be exposed to sunlight and/or inclement weather for extended periods of time, such as days or weeks, potentially causing portions of tube 7 to deteriorate. Aspects of valve stem apparatus 10 may guard against one or both of these harms and realize other advantages. As shown in FIG. 1, valve stem apparatus 10 may comprise a protective body 20 and a contact surface 40. Protective body 20 may protect valve stem 4 against impact forces applied by contact with external elements during use of wheel 1, such as the aforementioned rocks or jagged edges. For example, protective body 20 may resiliently deform to absorb portions of the impact forces, deflect portions of the forces away from valve stem 4, and/or redirect portions of the forces into wheel 1. Protective body 20 of FIG. 1 may be composed of an elastomeric material shaped to deflect the impact forces in one or more directions. The elastomeric material may include any composition of polymeric materials, natural or synthetic rubbers, and/or other materials that regain an original shape when the contact forces are removed. To guard against sunlight and/or inclement weather, all or portions of the elastomeric material may be opaque and/or weather resistant, further protecting stem 4.

As shown in FIG. 1, protective body 20 may include an outer surface 22 disposed opposite of contact surface 40. A portion of outer surface 22 may be angled relative to contact surface 40 to deflect impact loads away from valve stem 4. For example, outer surface 22 of FIG. 1 comprises a first portion 23 angled relative to contact surface 40 in a first direction, allowing an impact load applied in a first (or left-right) direction to be deflected up and over valve stem 4. Outer surface 22 of FIG. 1 has a truncated triangular shape including first portion 23 angled toward valve stem 4 in the first direction, a second portion 24 parallel to contact surface 40, and a third portion 25 angled away from stem 4 in a second direction transverse with first direction, allowing an impact load applied in a second (or right-left) direction to be deflected up and over valve stem 4. A front surface 29 of protective body 20 may be planar. As shown in FIG. 1, an identifier, such as logo, may be embossed into front surface 29 so that apparatus 10 may be identified at a distance even if the identifier is completely covered in an opaque substance, such as mud.

Protective body 20 may surround at least a portion of valve stem 4, such as all or portions of tube 7 and/or terminal end 6. As shown in FIG. 1, protective body 20 may include a valve stem conduit 30 that receives the portion of valve stem 4. Valve stem conduit 30 may extend through protective body 20 along an axis, such as a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of valve stem 4. Valve stem conduit 30 of FIG. 1 includes an open rectangular shape that extends completely through protective body 20 and opens towards wheel 1. Any open or closed shape may be used, including the open rectangular shape depicted in FIG. 1, the open curved shaped depicted in FIG. 5, and any closed variants of the same, such as a closed rectangle, circle, or other shape. Conduit 30 may extend completely or partially through protective body 20. For example, one end of valve stem conduit 30 may be sealed so that valve stem 4 is contained entirely within conduit 30.

As shown in FIG. 1, valve stem conduit 30 may extend through protective body 20 to define a first end portion 26 of body 20, a second end portion 28 of body 20, and a connecting portion 27 extending between the first and second end portions 26 and 28. Connecting portion 27 may be a flexible element that allows first end portion 26 to be rotated relative to second end portion 28 to accommodate the curvature of wheel 1. As shown in FIG. 1, connecting portion 27 may be a narrowed, central portion of body 20 with a cross-sectional shape that allows first end portion 26 to rotate relative to second end portion 28. Alternatively, connecting portion 27 may include a flexible beam or strap extending between end portions 26 and 28, allowing for similar movements. For example, connecting portion 27 may be composed of the same or a different material than protective body 20.

Contact surface 40 may be placed on wheel 1 to maintain the position of protective body 20 relative to valve stem 4. Valve stem apparatus 10 may include one or more attachment elements that are located on or adjacent contact surface 40, and engageable with wheel 1 to maintain the position. Each attachment element may be removably engageable with wheel 1, allowing apparatus 10 to be removed without damaging valve stem 4. Different types of attachment elements may be used, including any combination of adhesive materials, interlocking features, and/or magnetic elements. For example, contact surface 40 may include a low-tack pressure-sensitive adhesive that maintains the position of body 20 by adhering surface 40 to wheel 1, similar to a sticky note. As a further example, contact surface 40 may include a first interlocking feature (e.g., an opening extending into surface 40) that is removably engageable with a corresponding interlocking feature on wheel 1 (e.g., a protrusion extending upward from outer lip 8) to maintain the position of protective body 20 relative to valve stem 4. Further still, the attachment element may include a magnetic element that is located on or adjacent contact surface 40, and magnetically attracted to wheel 1. For example, the magnetic element may be embedded in and/or surrounded by protective body 20. Any combination of these features may be used to engage valve stem apparatus 10 with different portions of wheel 1, including metallic and non-metallic portions.

As shown in FIG. 2, contact surface 40 may comprise a plurality of contact surfaces, including a first contact surface 42 located on the first end portion 26 of protective body 20, and a second contact surface 48 located on the second end portion 28 of body 20. A first attachment element 43 may be located on or adjacent first contact surface 42, and a second attachment 49 may be located on or adjacent second contact surface 48. First and second attachment elements 43 and 49 may be the same (e.g., the same adhesive) or different (e.g., different adhesives). As shown in FIGs. 2 and 3, first attachment element 43 may comprise a first magnetic element 44 embedded in first end portion 26, and second attachment element 49 may comprise a second magnetic element 50 embedded in second end portion 28. Magnetic elements 44 and 50 may be attracted to a ferromagnetic portion of wheel 1 by a magnetic force sufficient to maintain the position of protective body 20 relative to valve stem 4. The ferromagnetic portion may include and/or be attached to outer lip 8. Magnetic elements 44 and 50 may be composed of any magnetic material, such as metals or metallic alloys, including any composition of rare earth metals to reduce the size or modify the shape of magnetic elements 44 and 50 without reducing magnetic strength.

First magnetic element 44 may be embedded in first end portion 26 of protective body 20, and second magnetic element 50 may embedded in second end portion 28 of body 20. As shown in FIGs. 2-4, first magnetic element 44 may have a U-shape that opens towards first contact surface 42; and second magnetic element 50 may have a U-shape that opens towards second contact surface 48. Outer surfaces of magnetic elements 44 and 50 may be bonded to the respective first and second end portions 26 and 28. For example, protective body 20 may be molded out of an elastomeric material that physically and/or chemically bonds with the outer surfaces of magnetic elements 44 and 50 during the molding process. Aspects of magnetic elements 44 and 50 may enhance the bond strength to prevent separation from protective body 20. For example, the outer surfaces of magnetic elements 44 and 50 may be roughened, chemically treated, and/or include other surface coatings or features (e.g., protrusions or dimples) that enhance the bond strength. First magnetic element 44 may include a first magnetic contact surface 45 and second magnetic element 50 may include a second magnetic contact surface 51. As shown in FIG. 3, first and second magnetic contact surfaces 45 and 51 may be defined by the respective legs of the U- shape of elements 44 and 50 to include a plurality of rectangular contact surfaces. The magnetic forces applied by elements 44 and 50 may be applied through the first and second magnetic contact surfaces 45 and 51 when placed on or adjacent a portion of wheel 1, such as outer lip 8. Aspects of contact surfaces 45 and 51 may be modified to alter their performance. For example, a coating or surface treatment may be applied to contact surfaces 45 and 51 to modify their interactions with wheel 1, such as: a mst-inhibiting coating (e.g., paint) that resists the corrosive effects of metal-to-metal contact; a friction-reducing coating (e.g., Teflon®) that prevents damage to wheel 1 caused by movements of surfaces 45 and 51 relative thereto; or a friction-enhancing surface treatment (e.g., a roughened surface) that aids in resisting the contact forces by increasing a coefficient of friction with wheel 1. Magnetic contact surfaces 45 and 51 are depicted in FIG. 1 as being flush with contact surface 40. This is not required. For example, contact surfaces 45 and 51 may be retracted from contact surface 40, providing a space that limits or avoids direct contact between wheel 1 and elements 44 and 50; or extended from surface 40, providing an interlocking feature engageable with a corresponding feature on wheel 1, such as a slot.

The U- shape of first and second magnetic elements 44 and 50 may aid in removing valve stem apparatus 10 from wheel 1. For example, a pry bar may be used to disrupt the magnetic force applied by elements 44 and 50, allowing apparatus 10 to be removed from wheel 1 without damaging stem 4. Protective body 20 may include a pry slot that accommodates the pry bar. As shown in FIGs. 1-4, first end portion 26 of body 20 may include a first pry slot 32, and second end portion 28 of body 20 may include a second pry slot 34. Each pry slot 32 and 34 may extend into protective body 20 between an opening that receives a working end of the pry bar, and an inner surface engageable with the working end. As shown in FIG. 4, first pry slot 32 may have an inner surface 33 located under one end of a central portion of the U-shape of first magnetic element 44. For example, the working end of the pry bar may be inserted into pry slot 32 until it contacts inner surface 33, and then rotated against wheel 1 to life the central portion of element 44, disrupting the magnetic forces applied therewith. Second pry slot 34 may be similarly configured.

Another exemplary valve stem apparatus 110 is shown in FIG. 5 as being removably engageable with a portion of wheel 1 of FIG. 1, such as outer lip 8. Aspects of valve stem apparatus 110 may be similar or identical to aspects of valve stem apparatus 10, but within the 100 series of numbers, whether or not they are depicted in FIG. 5. Some aspects of valve stem apparatus 110 differ from aspects of apparatus 10, as now described. Any aspects of apparatus 10 and 110 may be combined according to this disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 5, valve stem apparatus 110 may comprise a protective body 120 and a contact surface 140. Like body 20, protective body 120 may protect valve stem 4 by absorbing, deflecting, and/or redirecting impact forces. For example, body 120 also may be composed of an elastomeric material. An outer surface 122 of protective body 120 may be curved between end portions 126 and 128 in one or more directions. For example, body 120 of FIG. 5 may have a semi-circular shape (e.g., similar to body 20 of FIG. 2), in which surface 122 is curved in one direction and a front surface 129 of body 120 is planar; or semi- spherical shape, in which surface 122 is curved in a plurality of directions and front surface 129 is also curved at least along the length of valve stem conduit 130. Protective body 120 may include a valve stem conduit 130 shaped to surround at least a portion of valve stem 4. As shown in FIG. 5, conduit 130 may include an open curved shape extending through protective body 120 to define a first end portion 126 and a second end portion 128.

Protective body 120 may include a compartment 180. As shown in FIG. 5, compartment 180 may be located in an interior portion of body 120, and thus protected by body 120 in a manner similar to valve stem 4. Compartment 180 of FIG. 5 includes a circular shape that extends into protective body 120 so that impact forces may be distributed around compartment 180 without collapsing body 120. Interior surfaces of compartment 180 may be defined by protective body 120. For example, body 120 may be molded from an elastomeric material, and compartment 180 may be formed with an insert that is positioned in the interior portion of body 120 during the molding process and removed thereafter. As shown in FIG. 6, compartment 180 may extend into protective body 120 between front surface 129 and a terminal end 186. A plug 182 may be positioned in compartment 180 to prevent entry of contaminants, such as dirt and water. For example, plug 182 may be composed of a similar or different material as body 120 (e.g., a more rigid material), and sized to seal compartment 180 by achieving a friction fit therewith.

Anything may be stored in compartment 180, including electronic devices and other sensitive components. An exemplary electronic device 190 is shown in FIG. 6 as being stored in compartment 180. As shown, device 190 may comprise: a housing 192; electronic components 194; an attachment end 196; and a tool receiving end 198. Housing 192 may be composed of any material, such as plastic or metal. Electronic components 194 may be mounted in an interior portion 193 of housing 192 by any means. For example, electronic components 194 may include any combination of processors, batteries, memory, sensors, and transceivers mounted in portion 193 by an epoxy. Electronic components 194 may perform asset tracking functions, such as tracking the location and/or usage of wheel 1. For example, electronic components 194 may include processers and batteries for operating a motion sensor that counts rotations of wheel 1, a solid-state memory that stores the count, and a wireless transceiver that outputs the count to another device.

To accommodate rotation, electronic device 190 may be removably mounted in compartment 180, allowing device 190 to rotate with apparatus 110 and wheel 1. As shown in FIG. 6, terminal end 186 of compartment 180 may include threads engageable with corresponding threads on attachment end 196 of device 190 so that device 190 may be screwed into compartment 180. Tool receiving end 198 may aid with mounting. For example, tool receiving end 198 may be engageable with a tip of a screwdriver to engage or disengage the threads of terminal end 186 with the corresponding threads of attachment end 196 by rotating the screwdriver. Aspects of protective body 120, compartment 180, and/or plug 182 may be modified to alter the performance of electronic device 190. For example, body 120, compartment 180, and plug 182 may be composed of an elastomeric material that permits transmission of electronic signals, such as elastomeric polyurethane. As a further example, the elastomeric material also may be vibration-absorbing so that body 120 may be used to isolate electronic device 190 from vibrations introduced thereto by wheel 1.

As shown in FIG. 5, contact surface 140 may be similar to contact surface 40 of FIG. 1. For example, contact surface 140 may include any number of contact surfaces and attachment elements, including any combination of adhesive materials, interlocking features, and/or magnetic elements. If a magnetic attachment element is used (e.g., such as magnet elements 44 and 50), then protective body 120 may be composed of or include materials that mitigate electromagnetic interference with electronic device 190, such as a barrier of conductive metal embedded in body 120 and/or around compartment 180.

Additional aspects are now described with reference to a valve stem protection method 200 that may be performed with valve stem apparatus 10, valve stem apparatus 110, and any variations described herein. As shown in FIG. 7, for example, method 200 may comprise: surrounding at least a portion of valve stem 4 with a protective body 20 (a“surrounding step 220”); and maintaining a position of protective body 20 relative to valve stem 4 (a “maintaining step 240”). For ease of description, examples of surrounding step 220 and maintaining step 240 are now described with reference to valve stem apparatus 10. Unless claimed, these references are exemplary and non-limiting.

Protective body 20 may comprise a valve stem conduit 30. For example, surrounding step 220 may comprise: aligning a longitudinal axis of valve stem conduit 30 of protective body 20 with a longitudinal axis of valve stem 4, and/or locating the portion of valve stem 4 in valve stem conduit 30. Valve stem conduit 30 may include an open conduit. For example, surrounding step 220 may comprise: orienting protective body 20 so that the open conduit opens towards wheel 1, and/or locating the portion of valve stem 4 in the open conduit. Body 20 also may include first end portion 26, second end portion 28, and connecting portion 27 extending therebetween. For example, step 220 may comprise locating valve stem 4 between first end portion 26 and second end portion 28, placing first contact surface 42 of first end portion 26 on a first interior surface of wheel 1, and placing second contact surface 48 of second end portion 28 on a second interior surface of wheel 1. To accommodate curvature, step 220 may further comprise curving or flexing connecting portion 27 to maintain first and second surfaces 42 and 48 against the respective first and second interior surfaces of wheel 1.

Maintaining step 240 may comprise engaging an attachment element with wheel 1. For example, first end portion 26 may include a first attachment element 43, second end portion 28 may include a second attachment element 49, and step 240 may comprise engaging first and second attachment elements 43 and 49 with wheel 1. As a further example, first attachment element 43 may comprise first magnetic element 44, second attachment element 49 may comprise second magnetic element 50, and step 140 may comprise engaging the first and second magnetic elements 44 and 50 with wheel 1. Further still, first magnetic element 44 may include first magnetic contact surface 45, second magnetic element 50 may include second magnetic contact surface 51, and step 140 may comprise placing the first and second magnetic contact surfaces 45 and 51 on wheel 1. Aspects of maintaining step 240 may be performed with different attachment elements. For example, contact surface 40 may include an adhesive material and an interlocking feature, and step 240 may comprise placing the adhesive material against wheel 1 and engaging the interlocking feature with a corresponding interlocking feature of wheel 1. In this example, the interlocking feature may comprise an opening extending into one of contact surface 40 or wheel 1, the corresponding interlocking feature may include a protrusion extending outwardly from the other of contact surface 40 or wheel 1, and step 240 may comprise locating the protrusion in the opening.

Method 200 may include operating steps. For example, method 200 may further comprise attaching a source of air (e.g., a hose) to the terminal end 6 of valve stem 4 while maintaining the position of protective body 20 relative to stem 4. Method 200 also may comprise attaching wheel 1 to an axle while maintaining the position of protective body 20 relative to stem 4, and/or rotating wheel 1 on the axle while maintaining the position of protective body 20 relative to stem 4. Method 200 also may comprise removing steps. For example, first end portion 26 may include a first pry slot 32, second end portion 28 may include a second pry slot 34, and method 200 may further comprise: inserting a working end of a pry bar into first pry slot 32 or second pry slot 34, and rotating the working end on wheel 1 in order to move protective body 20 away from wheel 1.

Aspects of method 200 may be modified for use with apparatus 110. As shown in FIG. 8, for example, method 200 may further comprise: mounting electronic device 190 within compartment 180 (a“mounting step 260”); and sealing compartment 180 (a“sealing step 280”). Mounting step 260 may comprise placing device 190 inside of compartment 180, and operating a tool to mount device 190 in compartment 180. For example, step 260 may comprise engaging tool receiving end 198 with a tip of a screwdriver; moving the screwdriver to place housing 192 in compartment 180; and/or rotating the screwdriver to engage the threads of attachment end 196 with the corresponding threads of terminal end 186. Sealing step 280 may be performed after mounting step 260, and may include placing plug 182 inside of compartment 180. Aspects of sealing step 280 may be modified to accommodate different sealing means. Method 200 also may include operational steps for electronic device 190, such as activating electronic components 194, and/or inputting a unique identifier for wheel 1.

Valve stem apparatus 10 of FIGs. 1-4 and valve stem apparatus 110 of FIGs. 5-6 may be packaged together with one or more elements in a kit according to this disclosure. For example, an exemplary kit may comprise at least one wheel 1, any variation of apparatus 10 and/or 110 described herein, at least one pry bar and an instruction manual. Any type of pry bar may be included, such as a bent screw driver. Agents for cleaning and/or otherwise preparing wheel 1 also may be included in the kit, such as an amount of cleaning fluid and/or a scmbbing element compatible with outer lip 1. One or more electronic devices 190 and/or plugs 182 also may be included in the kit. Apparatus 10 and 110 also may be included in a system. For example, an exemplary system may comprise valve stem apparatus 110 and at least one electronic device 190, such as an asset tracking device.

While principles of the present disclosure are disclosed herein with reference to illustrative aspects of particular applications, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize the additional modifications, applications, aspects, and substitution of equivalents may all fall in the scope of the aspects described herein. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not to be considered as limited by the foregoing descriptions.