Mini pump with integrated valve core tool

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10443588-B2
Application number	US-201715702465-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 12, 2017
Priority date	Sep 12, 2017
Publication date	Oct 15, 2019
Grant date	Oct 15, 2019

Abstract

A mini pump comprising a linear hand pump assembly and a valve core tool is disclosed. The linear hand pump assembly is configured to operate along a longitudinal pump axis and comprises a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The valve core tool is releasably coupled to the first end and has a central tool axis and a cavity centered on, and running parallel to, the central tool axis. The cavity passes through at least one of a top surface and a bottom surface of the tool and is shaped to mate with a valve core such that, with respect to rotation about the tool axis, the valve core is rotationally fixed to the tool. The pump axis and the tool axis are collinear when the tool is coupled to the assembly. The valve core tool and the pump assembly may be threadedly coupled.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A mini pump, comprising:
a linear hand pump assembly configured to operate along a longitudinal pump axis and comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first and second ends centered on the pump axis; and
a valve core tool releasably coupled to the first end, the valve core tool having a central tool axis and comprising a cavity centered on, and running parallel to, the tool axis, the cavity passing through a top surface and a bottom surface of the valve core tool and shaped to mate with a valve core inserted along the tool axis such that, with respect to rotation about the tool axis, the valve core is rotationally fixed to the valve core tool;
wherein the pump axis and the tool axis are collinear when the valve core tool is releasably coupled to the first end.

2. The mini pump of claim 1 , wherein the cavity is open at both the top surface and the bottom surface of the valve core tool, and passes entirely through the valve core tool, along the tool axis.

3. The mini pump of claim 2 , wherein the cavity is shaped to mate with the valve core when inserted through either the top surface or the bottom surface.

4. The mini pump of claim 1 , wherein the valve core tool is threadedly coupled to the first end.

5. The mini pump of claim 4 , wherein the valve core tool comprises an upper portion and a threaded male lower portion, the threaded male lower portion releasably coupled to a threaded female socket of the first end.

6. The mini pump of claim 5 , wherein a width of the upper portion of the valve core tool is substantially equal to a width of the first end.

7. The mini pump of claim 5 , wherein the upper portion of the valve core tool is knurled.

8. The mini pump of claim 4 , further comprising an O-ring positioned on the valve core tool such that while the valve core tool is releasably coupled with the first end, the O-ring is between a portion of the first end and a portion of the valve core tool.

9. The mini pump of claim 1 , wherein the pump assembly comprises a pump head coupled to the second end.

10. The mini pump of claim 9 , wherein the pump head is coupled to the second end through a flexible hose, the flexible hose slidably coupled to the pump assembly centered on and parallel to the pump axis, the flexible hose passing through the second end.

11. The mini pump of claim 1 , wherein the valve core tool is composed of aluminum.

12. The mini pump of claim 1 , wherein at least part of the valve core tool is cylindrical.

13. A mini pump, comprising:
a linear hand pump assembly configured to operate along a longitudinal pump axis and comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first and second ends centered on the pump axis; and
a valve core tool releasably coupled to the first end, the valve core tool having a central tool axis and comprising a cavity positioned on the tool axis, the cavity passing through at least one of a top surface and a bottom surface of the valve core tool and shaped to mate with a valve core such that when the valve core tool is placed on the valve core, rotation of the valve core is fixed to rotation of the valve core tool;
wherein the pump axis and the tool axis are collinear when the valve core tool is releasably coupled to the first end; and
wherein the pump assembly comprises a pump head coupled to the second end through a flexible hose, the flexible hose slidably coupled to the pump assembly centered on and parallel to the pump axis, the flexible hose passing through the second end.

14. The mini pump of claim 13 , wherein the cavity is shaped to mate with the valve core when inserted through either the top surface or the bottom surface.

15. The mini pump of claim 13 , wherein the valve core tool comprises an upper portion and a threaded male lower portion, the threaded male lower portion releasably coupled to a threaded female socket of the first end.

16. The mini pump of claim 15 , wherein a width of the upper portion of the valve core tool is substantially equal to a width of the first end.

17. The mini pump of claim 15 , wherein the upper portion of the valve core tool is knurled.

18. The mini pump of claim 13 , further comprising an O-ring positioned on the valve core tool such that while the valve core tool is releasably coupled with the first end, the O-ring is between a portion of the first end and a portion of the valve core tool.

Assignees

• Bell Sports Inc

Inventors

• Park Stephen C
• Matson Mark J

Classifications

• F04B9/14

  Pumps characterised by muscle-power operation {(hand-held spraying or dispensing apparatus using pumps or bulbs B05B11/00)} · CPC title

• F04B19/22

  of reciprocating-piston type · CPC title

• B25B27/14

  for assembling objects other than by press fit or detaching same · CPC title

• B25B27/0071

  for bicycles · CPC title

• F04B33/005 Primary

  specially adapted for inflating tyres of non-motorised vehicles, e.g. cycles, tricycles · CPC title