A tire valve cap having an ABS thread shield that will not interact with the different metal valve stems used on today's vehicles. The ABS insert uses a unique snap in ring design with anti-twist taps that hold the insert into an outer metal cap and at the same time will not twist around inside the cavity of the metal outer cap. Further, the cap includes a unique manner of holding the stem seal in place by using an over-molded in seal (e.g., square O-ring) that will not dislodge with use.

The invention relates to equipment, devices and methods for testing a calibrated leak or passage of pressurized gas from a tire. In one example, a test plug including a calibrated cross section orifice and a predetermined gas flow rate is connected to a tire. The test plug applies a pressure opening the tire valve member to release gas from the tire through the test plug. In one example, a TPMS sensor and a TPMS measurement tool are used to measure the decrease of air pressure in the tire through the test plug and determine if the TPMS sensor is operating properly. In one example, a plurality of test plugs with different gas flow rates are provided. A method for testing the calibrated leak using the test plug is further disclosed.

A dome cap and tail plug assembly for a flow control device include a dome that attaches to an upper end of a body of the flow control device and a tail plug that screws into a top of the dome cap. A seal is provided between the dome cap and the tail plug. The seal can be formed by one or more sealing elements, such as O-rings, positioned between the dome cap and the tail plug. The seal can also be provided by engagement between a shoulder on the tail plug bearing against an end face of the dome cap. Also, threads used to couple the tail plug to the dome cap could be conical threads, which also help to provide a seal between the dome cap and the tail plug.

A tire pressure gauge for a bicycle is provided. The tire pressure gauge is fastened to an air valve and includes a connector assembly and a gauge assembly. The connector assembly includes a main body and an air-tight member. The main body includes a front member and a connecting member. The main body includes an opening portion, a first thread hole, and an accommodating channel, in which the opening portion and the first thread hole extend inwards, and the accommodating channel is disposed between the opening portion and the first thread hole. The gas-tight member is disposed in the accommodating channel by passing through the opening portion. When disposed in the accommodating channel, the air-tight member can be squeezed by the inner surface of the accommodating channel, and a gap exists between the air-tight member and the accommodating channel in the axial direction.

A coupling for valve assemblies, for tubeless tires, includes an enclosure arranged to cover a rigid rim of a vehicle, to delimit a substantially tubular compartment, filled with gas under pressure. The coupling has a first element and a second element crossed respectively by a first through channel, threaded internally, and by a second through channel. The second element cooperates with a valve for the selective closure of the second channel. The first element rests on an internal surface of the rim, which can be activated following its hermetic insertion, from the inside of the compartment. The second element rests on an external surface of the rim, which can be activated following the hermetic screwing, from the outside of the compartment, of a threaded stem of the second element in the first channel, with consequent alignment between the channels to connect the compartment to the outside.

A pressure equalization valve assembly may include a valve body forming fluid chamber configured to receive pressurized fluid from a fluid pressure source, a first port configured for sealed communication with a first vehicle tire, and a second port configured for sealed communication with a second vehicle tire; a first one-way valve disposed in the valve body between the fluid chamber and the first port so as to allow one-way fluid communication from the fluid chamber to the first port when the first one-way valve opens; a second one-way valve disposed in the valve body between the fluid chamber and the second port so as to allow one-way fluid communication from the fluid chamber to the second port when the second one-way valve opens; and a two-way valve disposed in the valve body between the first port and the second port so as to allow two-way fluid communication between the first port and the second port when the two-way valve opens.

Vehicular control method to avoid collisions in which a smartphone is coupled to the vehicle while in a vehicular compartment. Data is generated from vehicle-resident sensors about operation of the vehicle and transferred from the vehicle to the smartphone while the smartphone is coupled to the vehicle. A communications network with another vehicle is established using the smartphone and the data transferred from the vehicle to the smartphone and data from sensors on the smartphone is transmitted via the smartphone and established communications network to other vehicle, the data including data about location and movement of the vehicle. Then, while the smartphone is coupled to the vehicle, a vehicular operational function is controlled based in part on data transmitted using the smartphone and established communications network to cause movement of the vehicle to change in order to avoid a collision with the other vehicle.

A pneumatic control device is provided designed to work with self-inflating inner tubes and tires, specifically for bicycles or wheelchairs. The device distinguishes a stem assembly and an air control assembly. The device allows users to set a desired pressure and maintains that constant pressure over time, thereby eliminating the need to manually re-fill the tires. The device is compatible with current rims and tires and requires no modification to be installed to existing rims. The device works by regulating the intake of air from the atmosphere into the self-inflating pumping mechanism. Once the desired pressure is reached, the system stops new air from entering the self-inflating mechanism.

An anti-theft tire valve includes: (a) a sleeve defining an outer wall and an pass-through channel to receive a threaded valve stem and allow a portion of the threaded valve stem to extend through an upper portion of the sleeve; (b) an internal threaded portion positioned within the upper portion of the sleeve configured to securely engage the threaded valve stem; (c) a torque locking surface defined on an external surface of the upper portion of the sleeve; and (d) a valve cap forming a cover and defining an internal thread configured to receive the threaded valve stem and abut an upper rim of the sleeve. The torque locking surface is configured to receive a locking wrench to rotate in a counter direction and press against the valve cap forming a tension lock configured to restrict the removal of the valve cap without the use of an external tool.

A tire pressure gauge for a bicycle is provided. The tire pressure gauge is fastened to an air valve and includes a connector assembly and a gauge assembly. The connector assembly includes a main body and an air-tight member. The main body includes a front member and a connecting member. The main body includes an opening portion, a first thread hole, and an accommodating channel, in which the opening portion and the first thread hole extend inwards, and the accommodating channel is disposed between the opening portion and the first thread hole. The gas-tight member is disposed in the accommodating channel by passing through the opening portion. When disposed in the accommodating channel, the air-tight member can be squeezed by the inner surface of the accommodating channel, and a gap exists between the air-tight member and the accommodating channel in the axial direction.