Importance

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Abstract

A pressure gauge utilizing pressure sensitive liquid crystals. Several embodiments are disclosed of a liquid crystal tire pressure gauge associated with a valve stem of a tire. A pressure chamber in the gauge is provided with access to the tire pressure, and includes a transparent window for allowing viewing therethrough. A liquid crystalline material is mounted within the window, and is subjected to the pressure being measured such that it is responsive to different pressures to provide different visual appearances, thereby providing a reading of the pressure. In different embodiments, the pressure chamber is constructed as an integral part of the valve stem, or alternatively the pressure chamber is constructed as an integral part of an attachment cap which mounts on the valve stem. In the latter embodiment, the valve stem attachment includes a pressure release which is subject to manual actuation to release pressure from the tire into the pressure chamber to obtain a pressure reading from the liquid crystal material.

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First Claim