Abstract: A low tire warning system comprising a warning box (11) to attach to or set on the dashboard (12) of any operator controlled vehicle. The warning box (11) has within, a lighted on/off switch (13), a red warning light (14), and buzzer (15) to warn said operator of a low or flat tire on that vehicle or any vehicle/s in tow. The system is powered by plugging it into the cigarette lighter socket (16) found on the dashboard (12) of most vehicles or it may be hard-wired to a power source and grounded. The warning box (11) is connected to sensor switches (25) mounted perpendicular to the roadway (28) on the axle (23) or axles of said vehicles close to the pneumatic tires (24). The sensor switch (25) is comprised of an electrical spring actuator rod (27) running through a rubber insulator (26) inside a metallic cylinder (32). This electrical spring actuator rod (27) hangs freely in the bottom portion of the metallic cylinder (32) and extends beyond the bottom end thereof to just above the roadway (28).

Abstract: According to the tire air-pressure reduction detecting apparatus and method of the present invention, when a vehicle travels, the detected rotational angular speeds F.sub.i of the tires W.sub.i are multiplied by correction coefficients C.sub.i to correct initial differences. Vehicle speed V.sub.0 is calculated based on angular speeds F.sub.i0, and is put in a relationship formula f(V) to obtain a front/rear wheel ration f(V.sub.0) corresponding to the speed V.sub.0. Based on the front/rear wheel ratio f(V.sub.1) corresponding to a speed V.sub.1 at which the correction coefficients C.sub.i have been obtained, and the ration f(V.sub.0), there is obtained a variation of the front/rear wheel ratio f(V.sub.0)/f(V.sub.1), by which rotational angular speeds F.sub.3, F.sub.4 are then multiplied. The products are used for detecting a reduction in the air pressure of a tire W.sub.i, thereby to calculate a judgement value D. When D satisfies the conditions:D<-D.sub.TH1 or D>D.sub.

Abstract: In a device for monitoring tire air pressure in motor vehicles with a sensor that delivers a signal corresponding to the deformation of the tire, and with an evaluating unit that detects the signal from the sensor, the sensor is so designed such that it delivers an electrical pulse corresponding to the degree of deformation of a tire, especially deformation during a footprint pass. The evaluating unit determines the degree of deformation as a function of the height of the amplitude of the pulse or the evaluating unit determines the degree of deformation as a function of the ratio of the duration of the pulse to the duration of one wheel revolution.

Abstract: A truck tire/wheel assembly detection system in which the moving thermal dynamics of a truck are measured before cooling off, by passing over and around contact or non-contact thermometers directed toward the tire/wheel assembly and transmits the approximate temperature of each tire/wheel assembly to a computer which will compares the output data and identifies each abnormally overheated tire/wheel assembly and print out location on rig and other information that may be required. A modem controlled by the computer is used to advise other interested parties of rig condition at this check out point.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the steady state condition of a motor vehicle shock absorber is used to identify conditions in which a tire may be under- or over-inflated, or in which a shock absorber needs adjustment or replacing. A device for measuring distance, such as a measuring tape, is affixed along the length of a movable portion of a shock absorber, and is monitored by a shock absorber sensor, which is mounted in a fixed position relative to the measuring device. The vertical distance through which the movable portion of the shock absorber moves and the velocity of the oscillations of said movable portion is thereby monitored, and data is transmitted from the sensor to a circuit for transforming said data into a visual display for visual monitoring by the vehicle driver. Said data is further sent through a comparator circuit for comparing to other data received simultaneously from at least one other sensor similarly mounted in relation to another shock absorber of the vehicle.

Abstract: Apparatus for the detection of vehicular tire deflation is disclosed. The apparatus generally comprises a post member adapted to be mounted at its proximal and to a vehicle's undercarriage so that its distal end can engage a road surface when the distance between the vehicle and the road surface decreases due to deflation of the tire.

Abstract: A tire air pressure system is disclosed for continuously monitoring the pressure of air in an inflatable tire of a vehicle or aircraft, and activating an audio and/or visual alarm when the air pressure drops below a predetermined level. An electrically conducting sensor is attached to a tire valve stem, and a decrease in air pressure causes a normally electrically insulated, spring biased piston to contact the sensor, thereby grounding the piston. The piston is electrically connected to an insulated disk having a conducting ring, mounted between a wheel and a hub. A contact brush disposed at the ring is connected to an alarm maintained at positive potential.

Abstract: A tire pressure warning system for use under a frame of a tandem axle vehicle comprising a plurality of springs, each spring having one end adapted to be coupled to an equalizer mechanism and the other end adapted to be coupled to the frame, an equalizing mechanism for equalizing the position of each spring relative to each axle when the pressure in the tires on each axle has been set, and an indicator mechanism coupled to the equalizing mechanism for determining and showing when the equalizing mechanism has been displaced, whereby providing confirmation of lost tire pressure.

Abstract: A new and improved audible vehicle monitoring apparatus includes a sound monitoring assembly adapted for connecting to an undercarriage portion of a wheeled vehicle. A monitor housing assembly connects to the undercarriage portion of the wheeled vehicle. A microphone assembly and a first power source are retained by the monitor housing assembly. A wave transmitter assembly is powered by the first power source and is retained by the monitor housing assembly. The wave transmitter assembly is connected to the microphone assembly and transmits waves representing sounds picked up by the microphone assembly. An audible signalling assembly is retained in a cab portion of a motor vehicle in proximity of a driver within easy hearing and easy reach of the driver. The audible signalling assembly includes a signaling housing assembly, and a second power source is housed within the signaling housing assembly. A wave receiver assembly is retained by the signaling housing assembly and is powered by the second power source.

Abstract: A tire air pressure sensor is mounted on a vehicle wheel and includes an inertial mass which is urged radially outwardly by centrifugal force resulting from rotation of the wheel. The tire air pressure is applied to the inertial mass in opposition to the centrifugal force. When the rotational speed of the wheel is sufficient that the centrifugal force overcomes the applied air pressure, the inertial mass moves radially outwardly and opens a switch. The speed at which the switch opens is a predetermined function of the tire pressure. In another embodiment, a second sensor is provided to sense when the tire pressure is below a minimum value. A spring urges an inertial mass inwardly in opposition to the centrifugal force, and the tire pressure is applied to a bellows having an end which moves radially outwardly in proportion to the applied pressure.

Abstract: A low tire pressure sensor for use in detecting deflation of a tire while it is supporting a tow trailer from a surface as it moves in a given direction therealong. The sensor comprises a sealed housing holding a pivot shaft and enclosing an electrical contact switch which is activatable upon rotation of the pivot shaft from a first biased position to a second position. The pivot shaft has an outside portion which extends sealingly and rotatably through a portion of the housing. A resilient sensor rod is mounted on the outside portion of the pivot shaft and extends therefrom at an angle forward in the direction of movement of the tire when the pivot shaft is in a first biased position. The resilient sensor rod has an end spaced a predetermined distance from the surface, such that upon at least partial deflation of the tire, the resilient sensor rod contacts the surface and is moved over center to rotate the pivot shaft to a second switch position, at which the electrical contact switch is activated.

Abstract: An indicator assembly is mounted medially between the forward and rear wheels to each side of a trailer assembly of a typical multi-axle trailer. The assembly includes a switch assembly mounted between forward and rear springs of a respective forward and rear axle of the trailer, wherein the switch assembly is operatively associated with a switch actuator mount to include a forward and rear magnet, wherein the switch assembly is actuated upon deflection to one of the forward or rear magnets upon deflation of a forward or rear tire associated with the aforenoted forward or rear axle.

Abstract: An automobile for racing comprises a body, an engine, wheels, a fuel system, an exhaust system and wings having an adjustable angle of attack arranged so as to provide an upwardly directed force in the rear part of the automobile for racing and to create a turning moment relative to the front wheel axle in order to increase the maximum speed during racing by reducing friction of the automobile. Wings are arranged so as to create a turning moment relative to the front wheel axle and to lift the automobile or to provide aerodynamic braking by a remote control system. The wings are adapted to provide maneuvering of the automobile by aerodynamic braking separately of each wing. A fuel system of the automobile comprises a device for energizing the air-fuel mixture adapted to reduce the consumption of fuel. The automobile for racing comprises a tire inflation detection system adapted to inform an occupant of the automobile when the inflation pressure of any tire is reduced.

Abstract: A tire deflation monitoring system utilizes a device which attaches to the undercarriage of a vehicle adjacent each pneumatically inflated tire which is to be monitored. The device employs a component such as a wheel for rotationally contacting the road surface upon which the vehicle is disposed. When the road surface is contacted, the wheel is forced upwardly, causing contact to be made with an electrical switch that activates an indicator located in the driver's compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: An indicating device adapted to indicate a flat or severely underinflated tire. The device is activated by the enlargement in the diameter of the underinflated tire caused by centrifugal force acting on the tread, and may be especially useful on dual wheels although it will work on others as well. The device includes a contact device which will be contacted by an expanding tire. That contact tilts a switch to cause a circuit to be completed to light a signal lamp in the cab of the truck.

Abstract: A safety system for large and long over-the-road vehicles, such as a tractor semitrailer rig, having wheels mounted remotely from the vehicle's cab. A conventional airborne sound receiving microphone is mounted within a mechanical vibration damping housing at the bottom of the vehicle body near and aimed at the remote wheels to receive sounds from that area of the vehicle. The mounting and housing are constructed to prevent or greatly lessen mechanical vibration and sounds from reaching the microphone through the vehicle body. A communication cable runs from the microphone and housing to the cab and is connected through an amplifier to a speaker provided inside the cab. While the vehicle is being driven, the speaker reproduces a significant portion of the airborne sound received by the microphone within the cab.

Abstract: In the field of off-highway trucks, tires represent a significant portion of operating expenses. Underinflated tires wear more quickly than properly inflated tires. This invention pertains to an apparatus for detecting an underinflated tire of a work vehicle (12) and displaying the information to the operator or service personnel. The apparatus senses internal pressures of preselected struts (16,18), and converts these signals into an indication of relative inflation pressures of the associated tires (32). When a tire is underinflated relative to another tire by a preselected amount, an underinflation signal is transmitted to a display. The display indicates to the operator that a tire is underinflated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting low air pressure in pneumatic tires on a vehicle and conveying this information to the operator of the vehicle. The invention utilizes a resonating device which creates subsonic, sonic, or ultrasonic air waves when it comes in contact with the rotating sidewall of a tire having undesirably low air pressure. The apparatus provides immediate, dependable warning of potentially dangerous low pressure conditions in tires. Furthermore, the apparatus can be used to detect low air pressure in either of dual mounted tires.