Abstract:
An adjustable length bicycle mountable hand pump. The pump includes a barrel having an internal cylinder within which a piston is reciprocatingly moveable. A piston rod connects to a piston at a proximal end and to a handle at a distal end. The handle is selectively, longitudinally, adjustably lockable relative to the barrel. The end of the handle is contoured to mate with a bicycle frame member. A head having a contoured portion mates with an opposing spaced bicycle frame member.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Hand pumps adapted to mount to the frame of a bicycle are well known in the art. Most such hand pumps mount below the top tube of the bicycle frame and extend between the head tube and seat tube. One end of the pump usually includes a spring bias to exert a longitudinal outward force to keep the ends of the pump in firm contact with the head tube and seat tube. To remove the pump from the bicycle frame, one end of the pump is pulled or compressed inwardly toward the other end thereby shortening the pump so that it can be removed from between the bicycle frame members. Heretofore, such pumps permitted only a limited range of length adjustment, thereby requiring manufacturers and bicycle shops to produce and stock a number of different length pumps to accommodate the different sizes of bicycle frames. 
         [0002]    Additionally, with some prior art hand pumps, the biasing spring is disposed such that the user has to overcome the force of the biasing spring during the downstroke of the pumping action. Such positioning of the spring unnecessarily requires the user to exert extra effort when using the pump. 
         [0003]    Accordingly, there is a need in the industry for a bicycle mountable hand pump that is essentially a “one-size-fits-all” pump to accommodate most if not all adult bicycle frame sizes thereby eliminating the need to produce and stock a number of different sizes of pumps. Furthermore, there is a need for such a one-size-fits-all hand pump that does not require the user to overcome any spring biasing force when using the pump to inflate a tire. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  illustrates a preferred embodiment of an adjustable length bicycle mountable hand pump in accordance with the present invention and showing the hand pump mounted on a bicycle frame; 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the hand pump of  FIG. 1  in the folded mounting position. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the hand pump of  FIG. 1  wherein the handle is in the unfolded working position. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the hand pump of  FIG. 1  in the folded mounting position but in its most fully extended position. 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the hand pump of  FIG. 4  as viewed along lines  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the hand pump of  FIG. 1  in the folded mounting position but in its most fully shortened position. 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the hand pump of  FIG. 6  as viewed along lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged cross sectional view of the head of the hand pump of  FIG. 7  but showing the head in the fully extended position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged cross sectional view of the head of the hand pump of  FIG. 7  showing the head in the most compressed or shortened position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a preferred handle illustrating an embodiment of a preferred handle locking mechanism for the hand pump of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the barrel end cap for use with the handle locking mechanism of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a preferred handle illustrating another embodiment of a handle locking mechanism for the hand pump of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 13  is a detailed perspective view of an embodiment of the barrel end cap for the handle locking mechanism of  FIG. 12   
           [0017]      FIGS. 14 and 15  are exaggerated cross-sectional views of a handle and barrel illustrating a twist-lock handle locking mechanism as yet another embodiment of a handle locking mechanism for the hand pump of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify corresponding or like parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  illustrates a preferred embodiment of an adjustable length bicycle mountable hand pump in accordance with the present invention, designated generally by reference numeral  10 . The hand pump  10  is shown mounted to a conventional bicycle frame  12  below the top tube  14  and extending between opposing sides of the head tube  16  and the seat tube  18 . It should be appreciated, however, that the pump  10  may be mounted to any opposing spaced members of the bicycle frame  12 , including, by way of example and without limitation, mounting the pump  10  adjacent the down tube  20  and extending between the head tube  16  and the seat tube  18 , or adjacent the seat tube  18  and extending between the top tube  14  and the down tube  20 . 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIGS. 2-7 , the pump  10  includes a barrel  22  having an internal cylinder  24  with a first end  26  and a second end  28 . A piston  30  is disposed within the cylinder  24 . A deformable seal  31  is disposed around the outer periphery of the piston. The seal  31  deforms on the upstroke permitting air to enter the cylinder  24  around the deformed seal  31  between the cylinder wall and the piston  30 . On the downstroke, the seal  31  is seals the piston  30  within the cylinder  24  defining a compression chamber between the piston and the cylinder head cap  64 . A piston rod  32  is connected at one end  34  to the piston  30 . A distal end  35  of the piston rod  32  extends through an aperture  37  in the barrel end cap  36  and is connected to a handle  40 . In the preferred embodiment, the handle  40  is pivotally movable about a pin  38  connecting the handle  40  and piston rod  32  so as to permit the handle to move between a folded frame mounting position ( FIG. 2 ) and an unfolded working position ( FIG. 3 ). However, it should be appreciated that the handle need not pivot to be operable, in which event the handle may be rigidly fixed to the piston rod. Because it is always desirable to minimize weight when bicycling, the barrel  22 , piston  30  and piston rod  32  are all preferably fabricated from lightweight aluminum, plastic, composites or other suitably rigid, lightweight material. Likewise, the handle  40  is preferably made of a lightweight, substantially rigid, but yet somewhat resilient material (for reasons discussed later), such as nylon or other suitable lightweight plastic. 
         [0020]    The pump  10  also includes a head  50 . As best illustrated in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4  and  7  the handle  40  and head  50  preferably include contoured portions  42 ,  52  adapted to mate with the spaced opposing first and second bicycle frame members as previously discussed. Because most bicycle frames are made of round tubular members, the preferred embodiment of the pump  10  shows the contoured portions  42 ,  52  with arcuate concave profiles. However, it should be appreciated that any other contour shape may be equally suitable depending on the shape or profile of the frame members comprising the bicycle frame  12 . 
         [0021]    In the preferred embodiment, wherein the handle  40  is pivotally movable between a folded mounting position ( FIG. 2 ) and a working position ( FIG. 3 ), the handle preferably includes a cylindrical portion  44  with an elongated cutout  46  extending substantially along its length to permit the handle  40  to fold down upon the barrel  22  to maintain the cylindrical profile of the pump and so as not to cause any obstruction to the biker when the pump  10  is mounted to the bicycle frame  12 . The width of the cutout  46  is preferably less than the diameter of the barrel  22  such that the cutout  46  and/or cylindrical handle portion  44  are required to deform slightly to receive the barrel  22 , thereby ensuring that the handle  40  does not unintentionally disengage from the barrel  22  when not in use. 
         [0022]    To prevent the handle  40  from moving longitudinally relative to the barrel  22 , the pump  10  preferably includes a longitudinal lock mechanism to longitudinally lock the handle  40  with respect to the barrel  22 . Additionally, to provide a one-size-fits-all pump, it is preferably that the longitudinal locking mechanism permits the overall length of the pump to be adjustably fixed to approximate the distance between the bicycle frame members between which the pump is to mount. Thus, if the pump  10  is to be mounted to a smaller bicycle frame, the handle  40  is pushed toward the first end  26  causing the piston  30  and piston rod  32  to move downwardly within the cylinder  24  (i.e., to the right in  FIG. 7 ) thereby shortening the overall length of the pump  10  before the handle is locked in place to the barrel. If, on the other hand, the pump  10  is to be mounted to a larger bicycle frame, the handle  40  is pulled toward the second end  28  causing the piston  30  and piston rod  32  to move upwardly within the cylinder  24  (i.e., to the left in  FIG. 5 ) thereby lengthening the overall length of the pump  10  before the handle is locked in place to the barrel. This pump length adjustment by positioning of the handle  40  with respect to the barrel  22  is hereinafter referred to as the “handle adjustment distance” as designated by reference numeral  41  in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the handle  40  is preferably longitudinally locked to the barrel  22  by selective engagement of a detent  39  projecting from the barrel end cap  36  with one of a series of slots  43  disposed on either side of the cutout  46  of the handle  40 . In the preferred embodiment, to prevent the detent  39  from inadvertently disengaging from the slots  43 , such as when riding the bicycle over rough terrain, the interior surface of the cylindrical handle portion  44  and the rim of the barrel end cap  36  preferably include a series of complimentary teeth  45 ,  47  which when rotated relative to one another will removably lock the detent  39  within the selected slot  43 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 12  illustrates an alternative embodiment for longitudinally locking the handle and barrel. Rather than incorporating interlocking teeth to retain the detent  39  of the barrel end cap  36  within the selected slot  43  as in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , instead, the detent  39  may incorporate tabs  48  which are received within a notch  49  at the base of the slot  43 .  FIG. 13  is an enlarged perspective view of the barrel end cap  36  better illustrating the tabs  48  on the detent  39 . In yet another alternative embodiment, Velcro® straps or elastic bands (not shown) may be placed around the handle  40  to prevent the detent  39  from becoming disengaged from the slots  43 . In yet another alternative embodiment, rather then mechanical engagement of interlocking elements, the handle and barrel may be frictionally locked. For example, the interior of the cylindrical handle portion  44  and/or the exterior of the barrel  22  may be coated with rubber or other material having a high coefficient of friction such that the cylindrical portion  44  of the handle  40  will not slide relative to the barrel  22  when the handle  40  is in the folded mounting position. In yet another alternative embodiment, a twist-lock may be incorporated as best illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15  wherein the second end of the barrel  22  and handle portion  44  have complimentary obround shapes (exaggerated in  FIGS. 14 and 15  for illustration purposes) such that when handle  40  and barrel  22  are rotated relative to one another the obround sides lockably engage as illustrated in  FIG. 15  until being disengaged by rotation in the opposite direction. It should be appreciated that each of the above embodiments for longitudinally locking the handle  40  relative to the barrel  22  is applicable regardless of whether the handle is pivotally foldable about the distal end  35  of the piston rod  32  (as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) or whether the handle  40  is fixed to the distal end  35  of the piston rod  32 . 
         [0025]    In addition to the handle adjustment distance  41 , the overall length of the pump  10  is also preferably adjustable by the longitudinal movement of the head  50  with respect to the barrel  22 . This longitudinal movement of the head  50  with respect to the barrel  22  is hereinafter referred to as the “head adjustment distance” as designated by reference numeral  51  in  FIG. 9 . In the preferred embodiment, the combined handle adjustment distance  41  and the head adjustment distance  51  enables a total length adjustment of approximately 13 cm thereby accommodating bicycles frames with a lengths ranging from 43 cm to 56 cm between the head tube  16  and the seat tube  18  resulting in a substantially one-size-fits-all bicycle mountable hand pump. 
         [0026]    In the preferred embodiment, the head  50  is preferably spring biased longitudinally outwardly relative to the barrel  22  so as to exert an outward force on the bicycle frame members between which the pump  10  is mounted to ensure that the pump  10  remains securely fixed in place on the bicycle frame  12 . Accordingly, it should be appreciated that with the preferred embodiment, to mount the pump  10  to the bicycle frame  12 , the handle  40  is pushed or pulled relative to the barrel  22  to adjusting the length of the pump  10  so that its overall length is slightly longer than the distance between the bicycle frame members between which the pump is to be mounted. Once the desired length is achieved, the handle  40  is longitudinally locked relative to the barrel  22  as previously described. The head  50  and barrel  22  are then grasped and an inward force is exerted to overcome the spring bias to collapse the length of the pump so that it will fit between the opposing bicycle frame members. The compression force is slowly released and the contours  42 ,  52  on the ends of the pump are aligned with the opposing spaced bicycle frame members. The contours  42 ,  52  in cooperation with the spring bias ensures that the pump  10  remains fixed in place on the bicycle frame  12 . To remove the pump from the frame, the head  50  and barrel  22  are grasped and an inward or compression force is exerted to reduce the overall length of the pump to where it is less than the distance between the frame members so that the contoured ends  42 ,  52  can be disengaged from the bicycle frame. 
         [0027]    In the preferred embodiment, to permit the reciprocal movement of the head  50  relative to the barrel  22 , the head  50  preferably includes a sleeve  56  into which the first end  26  of the barrel  22  is received. As best illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a spring  60  is disposed within a bore  62  at one end of the sleeve  56  and abuts the cylinder head cap  64  at its other end. Stops  66  on the exterior periphery of the cylinder head cap  64  preferably prevent the barrel  22  and head  50  from separating due to the bias of the spring  60 . Similarly an abutment  68  disposed within the interior periphery of the sleeve  56  prevents the barrel  22  from compressing too far within the sleeve  56 . It should be noted that because the spring  60  is not incorporated into or disposed around the handle  40  or within the cylinder  24 , the user is not required to overcome the bias of the spring on any downstroke or upstroke when the pump is being used. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the head  50  preferably includes a nozzle portion  70  adapted to receive a tire stem valve  100  ( FIG. 8 ). A thumb lever  72  is preferably provided to removably lock the nozzle  70  onto the stem. In the preferred embodiment, the thumb lever  72  is pivotally connected to the head  50  by a pin  74 . Disposed within the nozzle  70  is a peg  76  which is movable within an opening  78 . One end of the thumb lever  72  includes a cam  80 . When the thumb lever  72  is moved from the down position to the up position as shown in  FIG. 8 , the cam  80  forces the peg  76  downwardly within the opening  78 . The downward movement of the peg  78  compresses a rubber o-ring gasket  82  against the bottom of the nozzle cap  84 , thereby causing the gasket  82  to seal around the tire valve stem  100  by narrowing the central opening of the o-ring gasket  82 . A tube  90  defines an air passage  92  extending between the nozzle aperture  94  and through the cylinder head cap  64  to communicate air from the compression chamber  24  of the barrel into the tire stem  100 . A check valve  96  is preferably disposed along the air passage  92 . 
         [0029]    The foregoing description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modification to the preferred embodiment of the apparatus and its method of use and the general principles and features described herein will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Thus, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments of the apparatus described above and illustrated in the drawing figures, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the spirit and scope of the appended claims.