Abstract:
A leverage device includes elongated body connected to a pivoting base, and a means for attaching the elongated body to the “T” handle of a pump used in filling air tanks. In use one securely connects the pivoting base to a stationary vertical surface, connects the attachment assembly to a pump, and repeatedly moves the elongated body in an up-and-down motion. This action moves the attached pump&#39;s “T” handle, thereby causing the pump&#39;s piston to move with decreased effort and increased speed over the conventional motion of pumping. In this manner a compressed air tank can be filled to approximately 3,000 psi using human power only.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/791,412, which was filed on Mar. 15, 2013. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to pumping assistance devices, and more specifically, to a mounted and pivoting pump leverage device used in connection with variety of commercially available hand pumps for compressing air. 
         [0003]    There are a variety of shooting devices that use compressed air as their power source. These shooting devices include pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) devices such as air rifles and pistols; airsoft guns; and paintball guns. These shooting devices require an air tank, which is typically either built into the shooting device itself, or is external but screws onto the shooting device. It is necessary to refill these air tanks regularly when the shooting device is being used, as a given tank of air provides a limited number of shots. By way of example, one PCP air tank typically provides only about 30 shots, depending on the specific shooting device. 
         [0004]    Pre-charged pneumatic shooting devices are desirable insofar as they are multi-shot, accurate, and have little recoil, while airsoft guns and paintball guns are desirable because they are entertaining yet safer than standard firearms. However, the compressed air requirements of these shooting devices can be problematic. One can charge their shooting device air tank with compressed air, for example from a SCUBA tank, but this can be expensive, and SCUBA tanks are cumbersome to transport. Alternatively, one can manually pump their shooting device air tank with a hand pump. An example of a commercially available hand pump is the Benjamin High Pressure PCP Pump which fits Crosman and Benjamin PCP shooting devices. 
         [0005]    Hand pumps for use with pre-charged pneumatic and other shooting devices are typically structurally similar to bicycle floor pumps. These devices typically function via a hand-operated piston, and require an up and down pumping motion that is carried out via a T-shaped handle, with the user&#39;s hands positioned on the horizontal top section of the T. During the up-stroke, this piston draws air through a one-way valve into the pump from the outside. During the down-stroke, the piston then displaces the air from the pump into the desired device, for example bicycle tire or air tank. 
         [0006]    While hand pumps are more portable and economical than SCUBA tanks, they pose other challenges. Their biggest drawback is that most people don&#39;t have the physical strength and endurance necessary to achieve the desired air tank compression using a hand pump. More specifically, most grown men can pump to about 2,000 psi, but find it very difficult or impossible to reach 3,000 psi, the standard desired compression for a PCP tank. As a result, those using hand pumps can&#39;t fill their air tank to capacity, and must refill more frequently. 
         [0007]    As can be seen, there is a need for a device that can be used with commercially available hand pumps. It is desirable that this device is particularly well suited for hand pumps which are used to fill air tanks for pre-charged pneumatic shooting devices such as rifles and pistols, and for airsoft and paintball guns. It is desirable that this device reduces the time and labor required to use a hand pump to achieve a desired compression. It is also desirable that this device allows a user to achieve a higher compression in their air tank than they could have achieved without the device when using human power alone. It is desirable that this device is easy to use, store, and transport. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a leverage device mounted to a vertical stationary surface and attached to a pump, in use in the downward pump position; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a leverage device mounted to a vertical stationary surface and attached to a pump, in use in the upward pump position; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a close-up view of an attachment assembly attached to the body of a leverage device; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an attachment assembly in use, showing a pump handle attached; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a body attached to a housing; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is another view of a body attached to a housing; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a close up view of a mounting assembly, showing the housing attached to the mounting plate, and the corresponding cross-sectional view taken along A-A; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a leverage device mounted on a wall, depicting an exploded view of the retaining assembly. 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    The leverage device of the present invention is essentially an elongated body connected to a pivoting mounting assembly. The elongated body preferably terminates in a comfortable grip, and the pivoting mounting assembly preferably securely connects to a stationary vertical surface such as a wall, fence or tree. Between the grip and the pivoting base is a means for attaching the elongated body to a pump, preferably a T-shaped handle of a pump used in filling air tanks. In use one securely connects the pivoting mounting assembly to a stationary surface, connects the attachment assembly to a pump, and repeatedly moves the grip in an up-and-down motion. This action moves the attached pump&#39;s T-shaped handle, thereby causing the pump&#39;s piston to move with decreased effort and increased speed over the conventional motion of pumping. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0018]    The following structure numbers shall apply to the following structures among the various FIGS.:
         10 —Leverage device;     15 —Body;     20 —Grip;     30 —Attachment assembly;     32 —U-bolt;     34 —Bolt sheath;     36 —Bolt threads;     38 —Jig knobs;     39 —Jig aperture;     40 —Body sheath;     42 —Mid-body apertures;     44 —Proximal body apertures;     50 —Mounting assembly;     52 —Mounting plate;     53 —Plate aperture;     55 —Plate indentation;     57 —Housing;     58 —Wall;     59 —Wall aperture;     60 —Base;     61 —Base aperture;     62 —Attachment means;     63 —Pivot axis;     65 —Busching;     67 —Wall gap;     70 —Retaining assembly;     72 —Clip;     73 —Clip aperture;     74 —Retaining plate;     75 —Plate aperture;     80 —Support structure;     100 —Pump handle; and     105 —Pump.       
 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , leverage device  10  generally includes elongated body  15  terminating at a proximal end in mounting assembly  50 , and at a distal end with grip  20 . Grip  20  is desirably fairly resilient foam rubber, or the like, which allows a user to comfortably squeeze and exert pressure on the device. 
         [0053]    Located on body  15  between mounting assembly  50  and grip  20  is attachment assembly  30 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , attachment assembly  30  generally includes U-bolt  32  partially covered with bolt sheath  34  and including unsheathed bolt threads  36 . As envisioned by looking at  FIG. 3 , U-bolt  32  engages with body  15  at mid-body apertures  42 , with bolt threads  36  traversing jig apertures  39  (see  FIG. 4 ) of jig knobs  38 . 
         [0054]    As shown best in  FIG. 4 , attachment assembly  30  is configured to releasably engage with pump handle  100  of a commercially available pump. To accommodate various sizes of pump handles  100 , the handle receiving region (unnumbered) formed within the arch of U-bolt  32  can be enlarged and minimized, and subsequently “locked in” by using jig knobs  38  in different positions on bolt threads  36 . It is desirable that body sheath  40  is positioned on body  15  between prongs of U-bolt  32 , to serve as a T handle cushion and friction pad in use. 
         [0055]    Leverage device  10  is secured to a surface by mounting assembly  50 . As would be understood by those in the art, mounting on a wall could be beneficial for filling air tank, for example, at home, but it is also possible to use leverage device  10  “in the field” by temporarily attaching to a surface such as a tree or fence. Referring to  FIG. 7 , mounting assembly  50  generally includes mounting plate  52  which defines plate aperture  53 , and attached housing  57  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ). Housing  57  is attached to mounting plate  52  by attachment means  62  which traverse base apertures  61 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , respectively.  FIG. 7  depicts various structures of mounting assembly  50 , but it should be understood that body  15  is removed to show underlying structures. 
         [0056]    Housing  57  generally includes base  60  which is substantially parallel to, and adjoining planar surface of mounting plate  52 . Housing  57  also includes wall  58 , which is connected to and substantially perpendicular to base  60 . It is preferred that wall  58  forms a semi-circle, and defines wall gap  67  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , housing  57  engages pivot axis  63 , at wall apertures  59 . In use, proximal body apertures  44  of body  15  engage with pivot axis  63 , thereby securing body  15  to housing  57 . In this manner, body  15  can pivot relative to mounting assembly  50 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , mounting plate  52  preferably includes plate indentation  55  to permit free pivoting of body  15 . It is also preferred that pivot axis  63  includes a plurality of bushings  65  to facilitate free movement ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ). It is also preferable that body  15  terminates in ¾″ plug for aesthetic and safety reasons. 
         [0058]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , leverage device  10  is preferably attached to a surface, here wall  80 , with mounting assembly  50  nearest the ground. Although not visible, pivot axis  63  is preferably longitudinally oriented parallel to ground, thereby permitting body  15  to pivot upwardly and downwardly. Likewise, wall gap  67  should be oriented upwardly, allowing free upward movement of body  15 . 
         [0059]    In use, one could attach air tank to standard air pump having pump handle  100 . Next, attachment assembly  30  of surface-mounted leverage device could be engaged and secured with pump handle  100  using U-bolt  32  and jig knobs  38  as discussed herein. A user could then grasp grip  20  and exert upward and downward motion, thereby moving body  15  up and down, attachment assembly  30  up and down, and causing attached pump handle  100  to effectuate pumping of air into tank. This action could continue until desired air tank capacity is reached. 
         [0060]    While approximately 3,000 psi is considered the general limit for air tanks, the present invention is capable of compression to approximately 3,600 psi without exerting unreasonable force. In other words an adult could pump to at least 3,600 with relative ease. The actual physical limit of the present invention is believed to considerably higher than 3,600 psi, but was not determined by the inventor due to damage which would likely occur to seals and other structures of the air tank. 
         [0061]    When not in use, it is desirable to pivot body  15  upwardly until it is substantially perpendicular with mounting surface, and engage at retaining assembly  70 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . As best shown in exploded view in  FIG. 8 , retaining assembly preferably includes retaining plate  74  that is engaged with mounting surface such as wall  80 , and clip  72  that releasably grasps body  15  for storage. Clip aperture  73  facilitates connection between clip  72  and retaining plate  74 , and plate aperture  75  facilitates connection between retaining plate  74  and mounting surface. In this manner body  15  can be pivoted up and down relative the mounting assembly, similar to how a wall-mounted ironing board is lowered for use and raised for storage. 
         [0062]    Specifications of certain structures and components of the present invention have been established in the process of developing and perfecting prototypes and working models. These specifications are set forth for purposes of describing an embodiment, and setting forth the best mode, but should not be construed as teaching the only possible embodiment. Rather, it should be understood that all specifications, unless otherwise stated or contrary to common sense, are +/−10%. It is preferred that body  15  measures approximately 4′ long, measured from grip  20  to mounting assembly  50 . Body  15  is preferably constructed of 1″ wide iron tubing having walls of approximately ⅛″, therefore having an inner diameter of ¾″. It is desirable that U-bolt  32  is 4″ long, and has a 2″ wide clearance, except this clearance would be less when 5/16″ rubber tubing is employed as bolt sheath  34 . It is desirable that U-bolt  32  prongs are 5/16″. It is preferred that body sheath  40  is constructed of tubing having a  1 ″ inner diameter and 1⅛″ outer diameter. It is desirable that jig knobs  38  are two female jig knobs having 5/16″ jig apertures  39 . It is possible to employ a commercially available shower curtain rod holder, preferably constructed of a very resilient material, for housing  57 , although it would be necessary to create wall apertures  59  in order to accommodate pivot axis  63 . It is desirable that pivot axis  63  is constructed of a male to female barrel bolt with internal bushings that are positioned between wall  58  and body  15 . It is desirable to use wood as mounting plate  52  and retaining plate  74 . 
         [0063]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. It should also be understood that ranges of values set forth inherently include those values, as well as all increments between.