System for controlling the inflation of tires

Abstract

An improved system is provided for use with a tire changer to regulate and control the inflation of pneumatic tires. This system regulates the flow of air in an air supply conduit through which pressurized air flows from a supply source to an outlet such as an air hose and chuck which an operator connects to a pneumatic tire. The system includes a first and second valve serially connected to the air supply conduit. A foot pedal activating member opens the first valve and closes a switch which activates a timer. The timer opens the second valve for a first predetermined time period and then maintains it in a closed position for a second predetermined time period. During the first period, the air flows through the conduit under relatively high pressure to inflate a pneumatic tire. During the second period, the second valve prevents the flow of air so that the system may stabilize and indicate the pressure in the pneumatic tire. Tire pressure is sensed by an air gauge connected to the air supply conduit and also by a high pressure switch. The foot switch is a reset switch which does not initiate an inflating/measuring cycle unless the operator releases the activating member and then again actuates the rest switch. If the high pressure switch indicates a tire pressure above a preset maximum, then further actuation by the foot pedal will be ineffective.