Patent Publication Number: US-2023160511-A1

Title: Inflation pump connector suitable for various valves

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an inflation pump connector and, more particularly, to an inflation pump connector suitable for various valves. 
     Taiwan Utility Model No. M603492 discloses an inflation pump connector suitable for various valves. The inflation pump connector includes a housing and a pressing device. The housing includes a sleeve having a sliding groove extending along a longitudinal axis. The sleeve includes a front end and a rear end opposite to and spaced from the front end along the longitudinal axis. The pressing device is received in the sliding groove and is slidable between a first position and a second position. The pressing device includes a push seat and an airtight ring. The push seat is adjacent to the rear end, and the airtight ring is adjacent to the front end. The pressing device is provided with a plurality of claws each extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The claws are disposed on an outer periphery of the airtight ring around the longitudinal axis. When the pressing device is in the second position, the claws squeeze and deform the airtight ring. 
     When the above inflation pump connector is coupled with an American valve or a French valve, tight clamping by the claws is required. However, the diameter of the American valve is different from that of the French valve. In a case that the claws can tightly clamp the American valve, suitable deformation may not be generated when the claws clamp the French valve, leading to an unsatisfactory airtight effect. 
     In view of the shortcoming of the above conventional structure, the present inventor has designed an inflation pump connector suitable for various valves to overcome the drawbacks of the conventional structure. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an inflation pump connector suitable for various valves. The inflation pump connector includes a housing and a pressing device. The housing includes a front end and a rear end spaced from the front end along a longitudinal axis. The housing includes a sliding groove extending along the longitudinal axis. The sliding groove extends from the rear end towards the rear end. The pressing device is slidably received in the sliding groove and is switchable between a first state and a second state. The pressing device includes an airtight ring and a clamping member. The clamping member includes a base and a first claw contacting with the airtight ring. The first claw includes a first clamping arm, a first pressing portion, a second clamping arm, and a first hollow portion. An end of the first clamping arm is connected to the base. The first pressing portion is connected to another end of the first clamping arm opposite to the base. An end of the second clamping arm is connected to the first pressing portion. Another end of the second clamping arm extends towards the base. The first hollow portion is disposed between the first clamping arm and the second clamping aim. The second clamping arm is off contact with the first clamping arm or the base. The clamping member includes at least one second claw contacting with the airtight ring. The at least one second claw includes a fourth clamping arm, a second pressing portion, a fifth clamping arm, and a third hollow portion. An end of the fourth clamping arm is connected to the base. The second pressing portion is connected to another end of the fourth clamping arm opposite to the base. An end the fifth clamping arm is connected to the second pressing portion. Another end of the fifth clamping arm extends towards the base. The third hollow portion is disposed between the fourth clamping arm and the fifth clamping arm. The fifth clamping arm is off contact with the fourth clamping arm or the base. The pressing device is movable away from the rear end of the housing to move the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion away from the longitudinal axis, switching the pressing device to the first state. The pressing device is movable towards the rear end of the housing to actuate the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion to move towards the longitudinal axis and to squeeze and deform the airtight ring, switching the pressing device to the second state. 
     In an example, the first claw includes a third clamping arm and a second hollow portion. An end of the third clamping arm is connected to the first pressing portion. Another end of the third clamping arm extends towards the base. The second and third clamping arms are located on two opposite sides of the first clamping arm. The second hollow portion is disposed between the first clamping arm and the third clamping arm. The third clamping arm is off contact with the first clamping arm or the base. 
     In an example, the at least one second claw includes a sixth clamping arm and a fourth hollow portion. An end of the sixth clamping arm is connected to the second pressing portion. Another end of the sixth clamping arm extends towards the base. The fifth clamping arm and the sixth clamping arm are located on two opposite sides of the fourth clamping arm. The fourth hollow portion is disposed between the fourth clamping arm and the sixth clamping arm. The sixth clamping arm is off contact with the fourth clamping arm or the base. 
     In an example, the at least one second claw includes a plurality of second claws. Each of the plurality of second claws contacts with the airtight ring. The first claw and the plurality of second claws surround the airtight ring. Two of the plurality of second claws are connected to and located on two sides of the first claw. The sixth clamping arm of one of the two of the plurality of second claws connected to the first claw is connected to the second clamping arm. The fifth clamping arm of another of the two of the plurality of second claws connected to the first claw is connected to the third clamping arm. 
     In an example, the sliding groove includes an inner periphery having an annular protrusive portion and an annular recessed portion. A width of the annular protrusive portion perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is smaller than a width of the annular recessed portion perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The annular recessed portion is contiguous to the annular protrusive portion and is located on a side of the annular protrusive portion adjacent to the rear end of the housing. Each of the first, second, and third clamping arms includes a first push portion disposed on an outer periphery thereof surrounding the longitudinal axis. A distance between the first push portion of each of the second clamping arm and the third clamping arm and the longitudinal axis is greater than a distance between the first push portion of the first clamping arm and the longitudinal axis. Each of the fourth, fifth, and sixth clamping arms includes a second push portion on an outer periphery thereof surrounding the longitudinal axis. A distance between the second push portion of each of the fifth clamping arm and the sixth clamping arm and the longitudinal axis is greater than a distance between the second push portion of the fourth clamping arm and the longitudinal axis. When the pressing device is in the first state, the first and second push portions are located between the annular protrusive portion and the front end of the housing. When the pressing device is in the second state, the annular protrusive portion presses against the first and second push portions, and the first and second push portions move into and are positioned in the annular recessed portion. 
     In an example, the inner periphery of the sliding groove has a shoulder. A width of a side of the shoulder adjacent to the rear end of the housing perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is smaller than a width of another side of the shoulder adjacent to the front end of the housing perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. An inner diameter of the shoulder perpendicular to the longitudinal axis gradually increases from the side adjacent to the front end of the housing towards the another side adjacent to the rear end of the housing to form a conic surface. The pressing device includes a pressing seat, a compressing spring, and a pressing member. The base is connected to an end of the pressing seat adjacent to the front end of the housing. The pressing seat includes a receptacle extending along the longitudinal axis from an end thereof adjacent to the front end of the housing towards another end thereof adjacent to the rear end of the housing. The pressing seat includes a receiving groove extending in a radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The receiving groove is disposed on a side of the receptacle and intercommunicates with the receptacle. A pressing arm is disposed in the receiving groove. An end of the pressing aim has a holding portion on an end thereof. The holding portion is flexible relative to the pressing seat. When the pressing device is in the first state, the holding portion is located between the shoulder and the front end of the housing and is remote from longitudinal axis. When the pressing device is in the second state, the holding portion is located between the shoulder and the rear end of the housing and is close to the longitudinal axis. The compression spring and the pressing member are received in the receptacle. An end of the compression spring presses against an inner periphery of the receptacle. The pressing member is movable relative to the pressing seat along the longitudinal axis and is disposed around an end of the compression spring adjacent to the front end of the housing. 
     In an example, the housing further includes an end cap and a sleeve. The end cap is connected to an end of the sleeve. The front end of the housing is disposed on the end cap. The rear end of the housing is disposed on an end of the sleeve opposite to the end cap. The sliding groove extends through the end cap and the sleeve. The annular recessed portion is disposed on the end cap. The annular protrusive portion is disposed on an interconnection between the end cap and the sleeve. The shoulder is disposed on the sleeve. 
     In an example, the pressing device includes a rear cap connected to an end of the pressing seat opposite to the clamping member. The rear cap includes a wider portion and a narrower portion on an outer periphery thereof surrounding the longitudinal axis. A width of the narrower portion perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is smaller than a width of the wider portion perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. When the pressing device is in the first state, the narrower portion abuts against the rear end of the housing. When the pressing device is in the second state, the narrower portion disengages from an end face of the rear end of the housing. The wider portion remains in a position off contact with the sleeve. 
     In an example, the base is in threading connection with the pressing seat. 
     In an example, the base is integrally formed with the pressing seat. 
     The present invention will become clearer in light of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of this invention described in connection with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an inflation pump connector suitable for various valves of a first embodiment according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded, perspective view of the inflation pump connector suitable for various valves of the first embodiment according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  3    is a plan view of a clamping member of the inflation pump connector suitable for various valves of the first embodiment according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  4    is a cross sectional view of the inflation pump connector suitable for various valves of the first embodiment according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  5    is a cross sectional view of the inflation pump connector suitable for various valves of the first embodiment according to the present invention from a different visual angle. 
         FIG.  6    is a cross sectional view illustrating coupling of the inflation pump connector suitable for various valves of the first embodiment according to the present invention with an American valve. 
         FIG.  7    is a cross sectional view illustrating coupling of the inflation pump connector suitable for various valves of the first embodiment according to the present invention with a French valve. 
         FIG.  8    is a cross sectional view of an inflation pump connector suitable for various valves of a second embodiment according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The techniques, measures, and effects of present invention will hereinafter set forth in detail by two preferred embodiments described in connection with the drawings. The description is provided for the purpose of explanation only, and the application for patent shall not be restricted by such structures. 
       FIGS.  1 - 7    illustrate a perspective view, an exploded-perspective view, and cross sectional views of an inflation pump connector  10  suitable for various valves of a first embodiment according to the present invention and a plan view of a clamping member of the inflation pump connector  10 . The inflation pump connector  10  comprises a housing  20  and a pressing device  30 . 
     The housing  20  includes a front end  21  and a rear end  22  spaced from the front end  21  along a longitudinal axis L. The housing  20  includes a sliding groove  23  extending along the longitudinal axis L. The sliding groove  23  extends from the front end  21  towards the rear end  22 . 
     The pressing device  30  is slidably received in the sliding groove  23  and is switchable between a first state (first position) and a second state (second position). The pressing device  30  includes an airtight ring  31  and a clamping member  32 . The clamping member  32  includes a base  33  and a first claw  34  contacting with the airtight ring  31 . The first claw  34  includes a first clamping arm  341 , a first pressing portion  342 , a second clamping arm  343 , and a first hollow portion  344 . An end of the first clamping arm  341  is connected to the base  33 . The first pressing portion  342  is connected to another end of the first clamping arm  341  opposite to the base  33 . An end of the second clamping arm  343  is connected to the first pressing portion  342 . Another end of the second clamping arm  343  extends towards the base  33 . The first hollow portion  344  is disposed between the first clamping arm  341  and the second clamping arm  343 . The second clamping arm  343  is off contact with the first clamping arm  341  or the base  33 . The pressing device  30  is movable away from the rear end  22  of the housing  20  to move the first pressing portion  342  away from the longitudinal axis L, switching the pressing device  30  to the first state (see  FIG.  4   ). The pressing device  30  is movable towards the rear end  22  of the housing  20  to actuate the first pressing portion  342  to move towards the longitudinal axis L and to squeeze and deform the airtight ring  31 , switching the pressing device  30  to the second state (see  FIG.  6   ). 
     The first claw  34  includes a third clamping arm  345  and a second hollow portion  346 . An end of the third clamping arm  345  is connected to the first pressing portion  342 . Another end of the third clamping arm  345  extends towards the base  33 . The second and third clamping arms  343  and  345  are located on two opposite sides of the first clamping arm  341 . The second hollow portion  346  is disposed between the first clamping arm  341  and the third clamping arm  345 . The third clamping arm  345  is off contact with the first clamping aim  341  or the base  33 . 
     The clamping member  32  includes at least one second claw  35  contacting with the airtight ring  31 . The at least one second claw  35  includes a fourth clamping arm  351 , a second pressing portion  352 , a fifth clamping arm  353 , and a third hollow portion  354 . An end of the fourth clamping arm  351  is connected to the base  33 . The second pressing portion  352  is connected to another end of the fourth clamping arm  351  opposite to the base  33 . An end the fifth clamping arm  353  is connected to the second pressing portion  352 . Another end of the fifth clamping arm  353  extends towards the base  33 . The third hollow portion  354  is disposed between the fourth clamping arm  351  and the fifth clamping arm  353 . The fifth clamping arm  353  is off contact with the fourth clamping arm  351  or the base  33 . When the pressing device  30  moves away from the rear end  22  of the housing  20  to the first state, the first pressing portion  342  and the second pressing portion  352  move away from the longitudinal axis L. When the pressing device  30  moves towards the rear end  22  of the housing  20  to the second state, the first pressing portion  342  and the second pressing portion  352  move towards the longitudinal axis L and to squeeze and deform the airtight ring  31 . The at least one second claw  35  includes a sixth clamping arm  355  and a fourth hollow portion  356 . An end of the sixth clamping arm  355  is connected to the second pressing portion  352 . Another end of the sixth clamping arm  355  extends towards the base  33 . The fifth clamping arm  353  and the sixth clamping arm  355  are located on two opposite sides of the fourth clamping arm  351 . The fourth hollow portion  356  is disposed between the fourth clamping arm  351  and the sixth clamping arm  355 . The sixth clamping arm  355  is off contact with the fourth clamping arm  351  or the base  33 . 
     In this embodiment, the clamping member  32  includes a plurality of second claws  35 . Each of the plurality of second claws  35  contacts with the airtight ring  31 . The first claw  34  and the plurality of second claws  35  surround the airtight ring  31 . Two of the plurality of second claws  35  are connected to and located on two sides of the first claw  34 . The sixth clamping arm  355  of one of the two of the plurality of second claws  35  connected to the first claw  34  is connected to the second clamping arm  343 . The fifth clamping arm  353  of another of the two of the plurality of second claws  35  connected to the first claw  34  is connected to the third clamping arm  345 . 
     The sliding groove  23  includes an inner periphery having an annular protrusive portion  231  and an annular recessed portion  232 . A width of the annular protrusive portion  231  perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L is smaller than a width of the annular recessed portion  232  perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. The annular recessed portion  232  is contiguous to the annular protrusive portion  231  and is located on a side of the annular protrusive portion  231  adjacent to the rear end  22  of the housing  20 . Each of the first, second, and third clamping arms  341 ,  343 , and  345  includes a first push portion  347  disposed on an outer periphery thereof surrounding the longitudinal axis L. A distance between the first push portion  347  of each of the second clamping arm  343  and the third clamping arm  345  and the longitudinal axis L is greater than a distance between the first push portion  347  of the first clamping arm  341  and the longitudinal axis L. Each of the fourth, fifth, and sixth clamping arms  351 ,  353 ,  355  includes a second push portion  357  on an outer periphery thereof surrounding the longitudinal axis L. A distance between the second push portion  357  of each of the fifth clamping arm  353  and the sixth clamping arm  355  and the longitudinal axis L is greater than a distance between the second push portion  357  of the fourth clamping arm  351  and the longitudinal axis L. When the pressing device  30  is in the first state, the first and second push portions  347 ,  357  are located between the annular protrusive portion  231  and the front end  21  of the housing  20 . When the pressing device  30  is in the second state, the annular protrusive portion  231  presses against the first and second push portions  347  and  357 , and the first and second push portions  347  and  357  move into and are positioned in the annular recessed portion  232 . 
     The inner periphery of the sliding groove  23  has a shoulder  233 . A width of a side of the shoulder  233  adjacent to the rear end  22  of the housing  20  perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L is smaller than a width of another side of the shoulder  233  adjacent to the front end  21  of the housing  20  perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. An inner diameter of the shoulder  233  perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L gradually increases from the side adjacent to the front end  21  towards the another side adjacent to the rear end  22  to form a conic surface. The pressing device  30  includes a pressing seat  36 , a compressing spring  37 , and a pressing member  38 . The base  33  is connected to an end of the pressing seat  36  adjacent to the front end  21  of the housing  20 . The pressing seat  36  includes a receptacle  361  extending along the longitudinal axis L from an end thereof adjacent to the front end  21  of the housing  20  towards another end thereof adjacent to the rear end  22  of the housing  20 . The pressing seat  36  includes a receiving groove  362  extending in a radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. The receiving groove  362  is disposed on a side of the receptacle  361  and intercommunicates with the receptacle  361 . A pressing arm  363  is disposed in the receiving groove  362 . An end of the pressing arm  363  has a holding portion  364  on an end thereof. The holding portion  364  is flexible relative to the pressing seat  36 . When the pressing device  30  is in the first state, the holding portion  364  is located between the shoulder  233  and the front end  21  of the housing  20  and is remote from longitudinal axis L (see  FIG.  4   ). When the pressing device  30  is in the second state, the holding portion  364  is located between the shoulder  233  and the rear end  22  of the housing  20  and is close to the longitudinal axis L (see  FIG.  6   ). The compression spring  37  and the pressing member  38  are received in the receptacle  361 . An end of the compression spring  37  presses against an inner periphery of the receptacle  361 . The pressing member  38  is movable relative to the pressing seat  36  along the longitudinal axis L and is disposed around an end of the compression spring  37  adjacent to the front end  21  of the housing  20 . 
     The housing  20  further includes an end cap  24  and a sleeve  25 . The end cap  24  is connected to an end of the sleeve  25 . The front end  21  of the housing  20  is disposed on the end cap  24 . The rear end  22  of the housing  20  is disposed on an end of the sleeve  25  opposite to the end cap  24 . The sliding groove  23  extends through the end cap  24  and the sleeve  25 . The annular recessed portion  232  is disposed on the end cap  24 . The annular protrusive portion  231  is disposed on an interconnection between the end cap  24  and the sleeve  25 . The shoulder  233  is disposed on the sleeve  25 . 
     The pressing device  30  includes a rear cap  39  connected to an end of the pressing seat  36  opposite to the clamping member  32 . The rear cap  39  includes a wider portion  391  and a narrower portion  392  on an outer periphery thereof surrounding the longitudinal axis L. A width of the narrower portion  392  perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L is smaller than a width of the wider portion  391  perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. When the pressing device  30  is in the first state, the narrower portion  392  abuts against the rear end  22  of the housing  20 . When the pressing device  30  is in the second state, the narrower portion  392  disengages from an end face of the rear end  22  of the housing  20 . The wider portion  391  remains in a position off contact with the sleeve  25 . 
     The base  33  is in threading connection with the pressing seat  36 . The pressing device  30  is initially in the first state (the first position), as shown in  FIGS.  4  and  5   . 
     When the inflation pump connector  10  is coupled with an American valve, the American valve is inserted into the pressing device  30  and comes in contact with the pressing member  38 . The American valve is further inserted into the housing  20 , pushing the pressing device  30  to move relative to the housing  20  along the longitudinal axis L to the second position (the second state), as shown in  FIG.  6   . The pressing arm  363  avoids backward movement of the pressing member  38 . The pressing member  38  pushes open a check valve of the American valve. The first claw  34  and the plurality of second claws  35  squeeze and deform the airtight ring  31  and tightly clamp the American valve, achieving an airtight effect. By the above structure, operation of the inflation pump connector  10  is rapid and very convenient to use. 
     Likewise, when the inflation pump connector  10  is coupled with a French valve, the French valve is inserted into the pressing device  30  to push the pressing member  38  and to compress the compression spring  37 . The French valve is further inserted into the housing  20 , pushing the pressing device  30  to move relative to the housing  20  along the longitudinal axis L to the second position (the second state), as shown in  FIG.  7   . The first claw  34  and the plurality of second claws  35  squeeze and deform the airtight ring  31  and tightly clamp the French valve, achieving an airtight effect. Since the diameter of the French valve is smaller than the diameter of the American valve and since the insertion depth of the French valve into the inflation pump connector  10  is greater than the insertion depth of the American valve into the inflation pump connector  10 , the deformation extents of the first claw  34  and the plurality of second claws  35  need to be greater to enable the airtight ring  31  to generate the desired airtight effect. By the arrangement of the second, third, fifth, and sixth clamping arms  343 ,  345 ,  353 , and  355  off contact with the base  33 , the second, third, fifth, and sixth clamping arms  343 ,  345 ,  353 , and  355  can have larger deformation extents to increase the airtight effect of the airtight ring  31 . 
       FIG.  8    shows a cross sectional view of an inflation pump connector suitable for various valves of a second embodiment according to the present invention. The second embodiment is substantially the same as the first embodiment. The main difference is that the base  33   a  is integrally formed with the pressing seat  36   a.    
     In view of the foregoing, the inflation pump connector  10  can be used for an American valve and a French valve while achieving a reliable airtight ring  31  via rapid, convenient operation. 
     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications and variations are still possible without departing from the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is limited by the accompanying claims.