VEHICLE TIRE DEFLATION DEVICE
A vehicle tire deflation device includes a housing structure, a core structure, a plurality of spikes, a first end cap and a second end cap. The housing structure includes a first end and a second end. The core structure resides within the housing structure. The plurality of spikes is maintained by the core structure and positioned in a predetermined orientation. The predetermined orientation positions the spikes to penetrate a tire when a vehicle travels over the vehicle tire deflation device. Each end cap selectively attaches to the respective ends of the housing structure. Each end cap defines an opening and comprises an outer wall. Each of the openings communicates with the interior of the device so as to permit air to pass from the interior to the exterior of the device. Methods of using a vehicle tire deflation device are also described.
This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/753,656, “Vehicle Tire Deflation Device,” filed Jan. 17, 2013, which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present disclosure generally relates to vehicle tire deflation devices, particularly to such devices employed by law enforcement to deflate the tires of a vehicle.
BACKGROUNDConventional tire deflation devices are used by law enforcement to prevent or end vehicle chases. Once deployed on road surfaces, a device which comes into contact with a vehicle's tires can deploy spikes, thereby deflating the tires. However, it has been observed that such conventional devices may fail to properly deploy such spikes due to insufficient collapse of the device or movement of device when contacted by the targeted vehicle. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide improved vehicle tire deflation devices.
SUMMARYIn accordance with one example, a vehicle tire deflation device includes a housing structure, a core structure, a plurality of spikes, a first end cap and a second end cap. The housing structure includes a first end and a second end. The core structure resides within the housing structure. The plurality of spikes is maintained by the core structure and positioned in a predetermined orientation. The predetermined orientation positions the spikes to penetrate a tire when a vehicle travels over the vehicle tire deflation device. Each end cap selectively attaches to the respective ends of the housing structure. Each end cap defines an opening and comprises an outer wall. Each of the openings communicates with the interior of the device so as to permit air to pass from the interior to the exterior of the device. The outer wall of each end cap comprises a plurality of grip members.
In accordance with one example, a vehicle tire deflation device includes a housing structure, a core structure, a plurality of spikes, a first end cap and a second end cap. The housing structure includes a first end and a second end. The core structure resides within the housing structure. The plurality of spikes is maintained by the core structure and positioned in a predetermined orientation. The predetermined orientation positions the spikes to penetrate a tire when a vehicle travels over the vehicle tire deflation device. Each end cap selectively attaches to the respective ends of the housing structure. Each end cap defines an opening and comprises an outer wall. Each of the openings communicates with the interior of the device so as to permit air to pass from the interior to the exterior of the device. Each of the housing structure, core structure, and end caps is formed from a collapsible material. The collapsible material is sufficiently malleable such that each of the housing structure, core structure and end caps are configured to collapse as a vehicle travels over the vehicle tire deflation device.
In accordance with one example, a method of using a vehicle tire deflation device is provided. The method includes deploying the vehicle tire deflation device onto a road, contacting a tire of a desired vehicle with the vehicle tire deflation device, puncturing the tire of the desired vehicle, and stopping the desired vehicle. The vehicle tire deflation device includes a housing structure, a core structure, a plurality of spikes, a first end cap and a second end cap. The housing structure includes a first end and a second end. The core structure resides within the housing structure. The plurality of spikes is maintained by the core structure and positioned in a predetermined orientation. The predetermined orientation positions the spikes to penetrate a tire when a vehicle travels over the vehicle tire deflation device. Each end cap selectively attaches to the respective ends of the housing structure. Each end cap defines an opening and comprises an outer wall. Each of the openings communicates with the interior of the device so as to permit air to pass from the interior to the exterior of the device. Each of the housing structure, core structure, and end caps is formed from a collapsible material. The collapsible material is sufficiently malleable such that each of the housing structure, core structure and end caps are configured to collapse as a vehicle travels over the vehicle tire deflation device.
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be more fully understood from the following description.
Tire deflation devices are being placed in greater use by the law enforcement community. Such conventional devices typically include a base and a plurality of tire deflating spikes or quills removably secured to the base. When a tire of a vehicle pursued by law enforcement rolls over such a device, spikes or quills can be embedded in the tire and pulled free from the base. Such spikes or quills cause the tire to deflate, thus immobilizing the vehicle and the fleeing suspect. The quills may be hollow to accelerate deflation of the tires. Such tire deflation devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,330,285, 5,452,962, 5,820,293, and 6,155,745, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth in their entirety.
One disadvantage of tire deflation devices of the type described above is construction of the end caps. Such end caps can prevent deployment of the deflation device during use. It would therefore be desirable to provide a more effective vehicle tire deflation device having improved end caps.
Referring now to the drawings,
In one example, the tire deflation device 100 can have a triangular shape which can be symmetrical, both in its outer dimensions, and its inner components, such that a three-piece spike subassembly 132, described herein and shown in
In certain examples once the housing is formed, a core structure 120 (as generally shown in
As illustrated in
It will be appreciated that various subassemblies can be utilized in forming a tire deflation device. Other suitable designs are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,962, and hereby incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth in its entirety.
The vehicle tire deflation device 100 can also include a pair of collapsible end caps 140. The end caps 140, as shown in
In one example, as shown in
The outer portion 380 can include a unitary structure that is configured to pass over and substantially cover the inner portion 370. End caps 340 can be attached to the housing 301 via an intermediary device 346. As illustrated in
Those skilled in the art will readily recognize numerous adaptations and modifications which can be made to the present disclosure which will result in an improved vehicle tire deflation device, yet all of which will fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the following claims. For example, a tire deflation device can be utilized to deflate the tires of a fleeing vehicle, as well as placed behind the tires of a stationary vehicle to prevent the stationary vehicle from being employed as an escape vehicle during, for example, the serving of a felony arrest warrant or drug raid. For use in deflating the tires of fleeing vehicles, in certain examples a vehicle tire deflation device can be configured to include cartridges which include only 1 quill each, and 7-10 cartridges per base. For use in placing behind the tires of a stationary vehicle, a tire deflation device can be configured with cartridges which include two quills each, and 1 cartridge per base.
The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”
Every document cited herein, including any cross-referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests, or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in the document shall govern.
The foregoing description of examples has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the forms described. Numerous modifications are possible in light of the above teachings. Some of those modifications have been discussed and others will be understood by those skilled in the art. The examples were chosen and described for illustration of various examples. The scope is, of course, not limited to the examples set forth herein, but can be employed in any number of applications and equivalent devices by those of ordinary skill in the art. Rather it is hereby intended the scope be defined by the claims appended hereto.
Claims
1. A vehicle tire deflation device comprising:
- a housing structure comprising a first end and a second end;
- a core structure residing within the housing structure;
- a plurality of spikes maintained by the core structure and positioned in a predetermined orientation, such that the predetermined orientation positions the spikes to penetrate a tire when a vehicle travels over the vehicle tire deflation device; and
- a first end cap and a second end cap, wherein each end cap selectively attaches to the respective ends of the housing structure and each end cap defines an opening and comprises an outer wall, wherein each of the openings communicates with the interior of the device so as to permit air to pass from the interior to the exterior of the device, wherein the outer wall of each end cap comprises a plurality of grip members.
2. The vehicle tire deflation device according to claim 1, wherein each of the housing structure, core structure, and end caps is formed from a collapsible material, such that the collapsible material is sufficiently malleable such that each of the housing structure, core structure and end caps are configured to collapse as a vehicle travels over the vehicle tire deflation device.
3. The vehicle tire deflation device according to claim 2, wherein the collapsible material used to form the housing structure and the end caps is the same.
4. The vehicle tire deflation device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of grip members are configured to contact a road surface.
5. The vehicle tire deflation device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of grip members are evenly distributed along the outer wall of each end cap.
6. The vehicle tire deflation device according to claim 1, wherein the housing structure comprises a first panel, a second panel and a third panel.
7. The vehicle tire deflation device according to claim 6, wherein one or more of the first panel, the second panel and the third panel comprises a warning indicia.
8. The vehicle tire deflation device according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined orientation comprises having the spikes arranged along the planes forming the first panel, the second panel and the third panel, such that a portion of the spikes have an angular positioning relative to another portion of the spikes.
9. The vehicle tire deflation device according to claim 1 having a triangular configuration.
10. A vehicle disabling system comprising two or more vehicle tire deflation devices of claim 1.
11. The vehicle disabling system of claim 10, wherein the two or more vehicle tire deflation devices being adjoined to one another along a common axis.
12. A vehicle tire deflation device comprising:
- a housing structure comprising a first end and a second end;
- a core structure residing within the housing structure;
- a plurality of spikes maintained by the core structure and positioned in a predetermined orientation, such that the predetermined orientation positions the spikes to penetrate a tire when a vehicle travels over the vehicle tire deflation device; and
- a first end cap and a second end cap, wherein each end cap selectively attaches to the respective ends of the housing structure and each end cap defines an opening and comprises an outer wall, wherein each of the openings communicates with the interior of the device so as to permit air to pass from the interior to the exterior of the device;
- wherein each of the housing structure, core structure, and end caps is formed from a collapsible material, such that the collapsible material is sufficiently malleable such that each of the housing structure, core structure and end caps are configured to collapse as a vehicle travels over the vehicle tire deflation device.
13. The vehicle tire deflation device according to claim 12, wherein the collapsible material used to form the housing structure and the end caps is the same.
14. The vehicle tire deflation device according to claim 12, where each of the openings is configured to facilitate the expulsion of air upon impact with a vehicle to assist in the collapsibility of the vehicle tire deflation device.
15. A method of using a vehicle tire deflation device, the method comprising:
- deploying a vehicle tire deflation device onto a road, the vehicle tire deflation device comprising: a housing structure comprising a first end and a second end; a core structure residing within the housing structure; a plurality of spikes maintained by the core structure and positioned in a predetermined orientation, such that the predetermined orientation positions the spikes to penetrate a tire when a vehicle travels over the vehicle tire deflation device; and a first end cap and a second end cap, wherein each end cap selectively attaches to the respective ends of the housing structure and each end cap defines an opening and comprises an outer wall, wherein each of the openings communicates with the interior of the device so as to permit air to pass from the interior to the exterior of the device; wherein each of the housing structure, core structure, and end caps is formed from a collapsible material, such that the collapsible material is sufficiently malleable such that each of the housing structure, core structure and end caps are configured to collapse as a vehicle travels over the vehicle tire deflation device;
- contacting a tire of a desired vehicle with the vehicle tire deflation device;
- puncturing the tire of the desired vehicle; and
- stopping the desired vehicle.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the collapsible material used to form the housing structure and the end caps is the same.
17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the outer wall of each end cap comprises a plurality of grip members configured to contact the surface of the road.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of grip members substantially prevent the vehicle tire deflation device from moving when contacted by the tire of the desired vehicle.
19. The method according to claim 15, wherein a plurality of vehicle tire deflation devices are deployed.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 17, 2014
Publication Date: Jul 17, 2014
Inventors: James P. Wersching (Cincinnati, OH), Gary L. Uthe (Fort Wright, KY), Richard W. Block (Cincinnati, OH), Douglas A. Doty (Madison, IN)
Application Number: 14/158,387
International Classification: E01F 13/12 (20060101);