Vehicle tire deflation device

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         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.