Patent Publication Number: US-8522665-B2

Title: Pump with pivoting needle

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This application relates generally to pumps for inflating objects. In particular, the application describes a handheld pump with a needle that can be pivoted from a storage position to a use position. 
     Pumps are used to inflate a variety of different inflatable objects. Many pumps are hand-operated or foot-operated pumps for inflating bicycle tires, toys, and sports balls. While some pumps are designed for use in a specific location, such as in a home garage, basement, or the like, other pumps are intended to be transported with the user for use anywhere. 
     Pumps, particularly personal use pumps, generally use some type of adapter to connect the pump nozzle to the inflatable. Many pumps use slender needle-type adapters that are inserted into a valve on the inflatable for a secure, air-tight fit with the inflatable for efficient pumping. Many of these pumps are provided with different needles of varying sizes so that the pump can be used with a number of different inflatables with different valve sizes. 
     While the use of needle-type connectors are widely used, the needles themselves may be damaged when stored. The slender needles typically extend straight away from the pump head, so the needles are not protected from damage by any part of the pump. Due to the slender shape of the needle, the needle may be prone to bending or otherwise deforming when stored or transported in certain situations. For example, an athlete may transport and store a hand pump for a sports ball in a gym bag. The pump may not be secured within the bag, so the pump may move or bounce around, potentially damaging the needle and/or the location on the pump where the needle is attached. Also, additional items may be transported within the bag which may damage the needle or the pump when these additional items strike against or otherwise come into contact with the pump and needle. 
     As discussed above, some pumps are provided with interchangeable needle. With such pumps, the needles may be removed from the pump prior to storage or transportation to prevent damage to the needle and/or pump. However, such storage can be very inconvenient, as the use will need to reattach the needle to the pump prior to use. When the pump is always used to inflate the same inflatable, this can be extremely inconvenient. Further, the needles are relatively small, so the needles may be lost or damaged unless significant care is taken to secure the needles within the bag or other storage location. 
     Therefore, there exists a need in the art for a pump that protects the needle of the pump without removing the needle. 
     SUMMARY 
     A hand pump includes a needle for associating the pump with an inflatable object, such as a sports ball, an air mattress, a tire, or the like. The needle is movable from a storage position to a use position. The storage position includes positioning the needle within a sleeve that extends from an outer surface of the pump head. The needle is attached to a cylinder. The cylinder is slidably and rotatably associated with the pump head. To move the needle from the storage position to the use position, the needle is lifted out of the sleeve by sliding the cylinder with respect to the pump head and then rotated to the desired use position by turning the cylinder with respect to the pump head. 
     In one aspect, the invention provides a pump comprising a barrel containing a piston and a piston chamber, a head having a connector portion associated with the barrel, a cylinder rotatably associated with the connector portion, wherein the cylinder is in fluid communication with the piston chamber, a needle associated with and in fluid communication with the cylinder, wherein the needle is configured to attach the pump to an inflatable object, and a sleeve disposed on the connector portion, wherein the sleeve receives the needle when the head is in a storage position, wherein the cylinder is rotated to move the needle from the storage position to a use position. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a head for a pump comprising a main body, a needle rotatably associated with the main body, and a sleeve associated with the main body, wherein the sleeve receives the needle when the head is in a storage position; and wherein the needle swivels to be removed from the sleeve. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a pump comprising a barrel having a barrel length, the barrel defining a piston chamber, a piston slidably positioned within a piston chamber, a tubular element disposed within the piston chamber and extending the barrel length, wherein the tubular element defines a bore, wherein the bore is in fluid communication with the piston chamber. The pump also includes a head having a connector portion associated with the barrel, a cylinder rotatably associated with the connector portion, a spring disposed between the cylinder and the connector portion, wherein the spring holds the cylinder in position against the connector portion when the spring is in a neutral state. The cylinder is in fluid communication with the bore, a needle associated with and in fluid communication with the cylinder, wherein the needle is configured to attach the pump to an inflatable object, and a sleeve disposed on the connector portion, wherein the sleeve receives the needle when the head is in a storage position, wherein the cylinder is rotated to move the needle from the storage position to a use position, and wherein the piston slides within the pump to move air from the piston chamber into the inflatable object. 
     Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be, or will become, apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description and this summary, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a user removing an embodiment of a pump from storage, with the needle of the pump in the storage position; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a user preparing to insert the needle of the pump in  FIG. 1  into a ball, with the needle of the pump in the use position; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of an embodiment of a pump with a pivoting needle, where the needle of the pump is in the storage position; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged top view of an embodiment of the head of a pump with the needle in the storage position; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged side view of an embodiment of the head of a pump with the needles in the storage position; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged side view of an embodiment of the head of a pump with the needle in the storage position and the head pump in an unlocked position; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged side view of an embodiment of the head of a pump with the needle being rotated from the storage position to the use position; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged top view of an embodiment of the head of a pump with the needle being rotated from the storage position to the use position; 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view of an embodiment of a pump with a pivoting needle with the needle in the use position; 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged side view of an embodiment of the head of a pump with a pivoting needle with the needle in the use position; 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the head of a pump with a pivoting needle with the needle in the storage position; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a pump with a pivoting needle, with the needle in a use position and the pump in a collapsed position; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a pump with a pivoting needle, with the needle in a use position and the pump in a fully extended position; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a pump with a pivoting needle, with the needle in a use position and the pump in a pumping position; 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment pump head where the needle carrier is spring-loaded, and the needle carrier is locked to hold the needle in a use position; 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a pump head where the needle carrier is spring-loaded, and the needle carrier is depressed to unlock the needle carrier so that the needle may be rotated; and 
         FIG. 17  is an exploded view of an embodiment of a pump head with a spring-loaded needle carrier. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of a pump having a storage configuration and a use configuration are described.  FIG. 1  shows a scenario in which a pump would be used in the storage configuration, such as when a user wishes to transport the pump, for example in an equipment bag, without damaging the mechanism for attaching the pump to an inflatable.  FIG. 2  shows a scenario in which the use configuration of the pump is desirable, such as when the user wishes to increase the air pressure within an inflatable, such as a sports ball. While generally used in this description to refer to a sports ball, “inflatable” may also refer to any type of inflatable object, including but not limited to toys such as beach balls, water crafts such as rafts, air crafts such as balloons, furniture such as mattresses and chairs, swimming pools, and the like. 
       FIG. 3  shows a pump  100  having both a storage configuration and a use configuration. In  FIG. 3 , pump  100  is in the storage configuration. Pump  100  generally includes a pump head  102  attached to and in fluid communication with a tubular element  106  (shown in  FIG. 12 ) that is disposed within a barrel  104  when pump  100  is in a collapsed position. Barrel  104  generally includes the mechanism for compressing ambient air and starting the flow of the ambient air. Pump head  102  places pump barrel  104  in fluid communication with an inflatable. Pump head  102  generally includes provisions to attach pump  100  to an inflatable. Among these provisions to attach pump  100  to an inflatable is a needle  110 . 
     Pump barrel  104  is generally configured to compress the ambient air to increase the pressure of the air within barrel  104  to begin the flow of the air from pump  100  into the inflatable. In some embodiments, such as those shown in the figures, pump  100  is generally configured to be a hand pump. As shown best in  FIGS. 11-13 , barrel  104  is relatively simple, including an exterior sleeve  131  that defines a piston chamber  103 . A piston  101  is fixedly attached to a tubular element  106 , which is concentric with and positioned within exterior sleeve  131 . Tubular element  106  defines a barrel bore  108 . Barrel bore  108  is in fluid communication with piston chamber  103  via an opening  105 . 
     Opening  105  may include a one-way valve, such as a poppet valve, to control the direction of air flow, as air is desired only to flow from piston chamber  103  into barrel bore  108 . When the one-way valve is open, air will flow between piston chamber  103  and barrel bore  108 . The one-way valve may be set to open only when the pressure within piston chamber  103  reaches or exceeds a predetermined pressure. 
     The pressurized air flows through barrel bore  108  into pump head  102 .  FIGS. 4 and 5  are an enlarged view of pump head  102  in the storage configuration. Pump head  102  generally includes a connector portion  112 , a stem or cylinder  114 , a stem or cylinder receiving portion  116 , a needle  110 , and a needle storage structure or sleeve  120 . Internally, as is best shown in  FIGS. 11-13 , connector portion  112  defines a connector bore  117  that provides for fluid communication between barrel bore  108  and needle  110  so that the pressurized air from barrel  104  can flow into needle  110  and into the inflatable. 
     Connector portion  112  is sized and dimensioned to attach pump head  102  to barrel  104 . Connector portion  112  may be any shape, but in the embodiment shown in the figures is substantially cylindrical. Connector portion  112  includes provisions to attach pump head  102  to barrel  104 . Pump head  102  may be attached to barrel  104  in any manner that permits at least a portion of pump head  102  to be placed in fluid communication with a portion of barrel  104 . In some embodiments, pump head  102  is attached by press fitting connector  112  to barrel  104 . In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 11-13 , pump head  102  is attached to barrel  104  by threading pump head  102  onto barrel  104  at threaded portion  107 . In some embodiments, pump head  102  may be loosely fitted to barrel  104  and sealed with an adhesive. In some embodiments, to ensure a fluid-tight seal, sealing elements may be included in the region where pump head  102  and barrel  104  overlap. For example, adhesives, gaskets, O-rings, elastomeric sleeves, and the like may be positioned between or attached to one or both of pump head  102  and barrel  104 . 
     Needle  110  may be any type of adapter configured to attach pump  100  to the inflatable to allow pressurized air to flow from pump  100  into the inflatable. In some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in the figures, needle  110  is an elongated member that may be inserted into an inflation valve on the inflatable. The inflation valve may include seals to allow an airtight fit of needle  110  within the inflatable. In other embodiments, needle  110  may be configured to receive a portion of the inflatable within needle  110  to create the airtight fit. In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 11 , needle  110  may be removably attached to cylinder  114  at a needle receiving portion  126 . Needle  110  may be attachable to needle receiving portion  126  using any method known in the art, but in some embodiments, needle  110  may include a needle threaded portion  115  that is configured to be threaded into a corresponding aperture in needle receiving portion  126 . To assist in the attachment and removal of needle  110 , a needle grip  113  may be provided proximate needle threaded portion  115 . These provisions allow needle  110  to be interchangeably exchanged for different needle configurations so that pump  100  may be used with multiple types of inflatables, as many inflatables have different inflation valve designs. 
     Pump head  102  includes provisions to stow needle  110  when pump  100  is not in use without requiring removal of needle  110  from pump head  102 . Needle  110  is associated with a cylinder  114 . Cylinder  114  is associated with pump head  102  so that cylinder  114  may move with respect to pump head  102 . In some embodiments, such as those shown in the figures, cylinder  114  is rotatably associated with pump head  102 . In one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , connector portion  112  includes a cylinder receiving portion  116 . Cylinder receiving portion  116  is sized and shaped to accommodate cylinder  114 . In some embodiments, cylinder receiving portion  116  is a hollow, substantially tubular element with a tubular inner bore having a diameter that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of cylinder  114  so that cylinder  114  may freely rotate within cylinder receiving portion  116 . 
     Cylinder receiving portion  116  is positioned at the distal end of connector portion  112 . In some embodiments, cylinder receiving portion  116  is integrally formed connector portion  112 . In other embodiments, cylinder receiving portion  116  may be attached to connector portion  112  using any method known in the art, such as with an adhesive, welding, press-fitting, a mechanical connector, or the like. 
     Because cylinder receiving portion  116  may be sized and shaped so that cylinder  114  may freely rotate within cylinder receiving portion  116 , pump head  102  includes provisions to fix cylinder  114  into a particular position. In some embodiments, for example, a securing element  128  may be provided. Securing element  128  may take any form known in the art, such as a latch, a pin, or the like. In some embodiments, such as those shown in the figures, securing element  128  may be a cap removably attachable to cylinder  114 . Securing element  128  has a loosened position, as shown in  FIG. 7 , where a gap  144  is present between the bottom of cylinder receiving portion  116  and needle receiving portion  126  of cylinder  114 . Securing element  128  also has a tightened position, as shown in  FIG. 5 , where gap  144  is not present and the bottom of cylinder receiving portion  116  presses against needle receiving portion of cylinder  114 . 
     To tighten and loosen securing element  128 , securing element  128  may be provided with a mechanical attachment to cylinder  114 . For example, as best shown in  FIG. 11 , cylinder  114  may include a threaded portion  132 . Securing element  128  may include a corresponding threaded portion. Tightening securing element  128  onto threaded portion  132  of cylinder  114  pushes securing element  128  against an internal shoulder of cylinder receiving portion  116  and needle receiving portion  126  of cylinder  114  against a lower end of cylinder receiving portion  116 . When sufficiently tightened, securing element  128  and cylinder  114  will press against cylinder receiving portion  116  with sufficient force so that turning cylinder  114  is inhibited. Loosening securing element  128  by turning securing element  128  to release corresponding threaded portion from threaded portion  132  positions securing element  128  and needle receiving portion  126  of cylinder  114  further away from cylinder receiving portion  116  so that gap  144  (as shown in  FIG. 7 ) is once again present between cylinder receiving portion  116  and cylinder  114  so that cylinder  114  may again rotate within cylinder receiving portion  116 . 
     Pump head  102  may also include other provisions to secure cylinder  114  into a specific position. Additionally, pump head  102  may include provisions that allow cylinder  114  to be positioned with specificity. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , cylinder  114  may include a notch  140 . Notch  140  is sized and dimensioned to receive a tab  142  associated with cylinder receiving portion  116 . In some embodiments, notch  140  may be mirrored on the opposite side of cylinder  114  and tab  142  may be mirrored on the opposite side of cylinder receiving portion  116  so that two notches  140  and two tabs  142  are provided. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , when tab  142  is aligned with notch  140 , tab  142  may be inserted into notch  140 . When used in conjunction with securing element  128 , cylinder  114  may be secured into position. When tab  142  is inserted into notch  140 , cylinder  114  will not be able to rotate within cylinder receiving portion  116  as tab  142  abuts against the sides of notch  140  when attempts are made to turn cylinder  114 . As will be recognized by those in the art, in some embodiments, tab  142  may be positioned on cylinder  114  and notch  140  may be positioned on cylinder receiving portion  116 . 
     Tab  142  and notch  140  may be positioned on cylinder receiving portion  116  and cylinder  114  so that a specific position of cylinder  114  within cylinder receiving portion  116  may be easily achieved. In other words, tab  142  and notch  140  may act as a guide for positioning cylinder  114 . Placing cylinder  114  into a specific position may be desirable, such as when the flow path through pump  100  is only fully developed when cylinder  114  is in a specific position. For example, as shown best in  FIGS. 11-13 , the flow path through pump  100  includes various segments in different pieces of pump  100 . The flow path begins within barrel  104 , with bore  108  in tubular element  106 . Bore  108  is in fluid communication with connector bore  117  in connector element  112 . Connector bore  117  terminates at a bore mouth  109  positioned proximate cylinder  114 . A flow aperture  136  is formed in cylinder  114  to provide fluid communication between connector bore  117  and a cylinder bore  118  when bore mouth  109  and flow aperture  136  are aligned. Cylinder bore  118  is in fluid communication with a needle bore  119  that leads to a needle aperture  111  (shown in  FIG. 10 ). Needle aperture  111  is configured to allow the air from pump  100  to exit the flow path of pump  100  and flow into the inflatable. 
     In some embodiments, flow aperture  136  may be relatively small so that the flow path of pump  100  is fully developed, i.e., all portions of the flow path are in fluid communication with each other, when cylinder  114  is positioned in a specific orientation with respect to cylinder receiving portion  116 . Tab  142  and notch  140  may be positioned so that the user may easily select the appropriate position to fully develop the flow path and also secure cylinder  114  into position when the flow path has been fully developed, i.e., flow aperture  136  has been aligned with bore mouth  109 . Notably, when flow aperture  136  is not aligned with bore mouth  109 , the flow path is blocked by the body of cylinder  114  and air will not flow through pump  100 . 
     Pump head  102  may also include provisions to allow needle  110  to be stored in a protected fashion when pump  100  is not in use.  FIGS. 3-5  show pump  100  and/or pump head  102  in the storage position, where needle  110  is positioned proximate connector portion  112 . Pump head  102  also includes provisions to swivel needle  110  from the storage position to a use position.  FIG. 9  shows pump  100  in the use position, and  FIGS. 7-8  show intermediate positions for pump  100 /pump head  102 . In  FIGS. 3-6 , needle  110  is positioned within a sleeve  120  that includes first wall  121  and second wall  123  that extend away from the surface of connector portion  112 . In other embodiments (not shown), sleeve  120  may be recessed into connector portion  112 , so that first wall  121  and second wall  123  extend into connector portion  112  from the outer surface of connector portion  112 . Sleeve  120  protects needle  110  from damage during storage. Sleeve  120  also assists in maintaining the storage position of needle  110 , as first wall  121  and second wall  123  impede the movement of needle  110 . 
     To change needle  110  from the storage position, which is shown in  FIGS. 3-6 , to the use position, which is shown in  FIGS. 9-10  and  12 - 14 , needle  110  may be rotated away from connector portion  112  to extend away from pump head  102 . Because first wall  121  and second wall  123  may have a height that extends away from the surface of connector portion  112  a certain distance, needle  110  may be lifted away from the surface of connector portion  112  a sufficient distance so as to clear first wall  121  and second wall  123 . Lifting needle  110  away from the surface of connector portion  112  may be achieved by providing cylinder  114  with a length sufficient to extend beyond the entire width of connector portion  112 , where the amount that cylinder  114  extends beyond the width of connector portion  112  is equal to or greater than the height of first wall  121  and second wall  123 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , securing element  128  may be loosened so that securing element  128  is lifted away from the shoulder of cylinder receiving portion  116 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , when securing element  128  is loosened, cylinder  114  extends away from cylinder receiving portion  116  to create gap  144 . In other words, securing element  128  may be loosened to increase the effective length of cylinder  114 . Because cylinder  114  and cylinder receiving portion  116  are sized so that cylinder  114  may fit loosely within cylinder receiving portion  116 , cylinder  114  may move within cylinder receiving portion  116 . The movement of cylinder  114  within and with respect to cylinder receiving portion  116  may be to move needle receiving portion  126 , the base of cylinder  114 , closer to or further away from cylinder receiving portion  116  by sliding or translating cylinder  114  within cylinder receiving portion  116 . Moving needle receiving portion  126  away from cylinder receiving portion  116  moves needle  110  away from the surface of connector portion  112 . Moving needle receiving portion  126  away from cylinder receiving portion  116  also lifts tab  142  out of notch  140  in embodiments provided with tab  142  and notch  140 . In these embodiments, tab  142  may have a length similar to the height of first wall  121  and second wall  123  so that cylinder  114  may be translated within cylinder receiving portion  116  a similar distance to allow needle  110  to clear first wall  121  and second wall  123  and to allow tab  142  to clear notch  140 . 
     The movement of cylinder  114  within and with respect to cylinder receiving portion  116  may be rotational to alter the orientation of needle  110  with respect to pump head  102 . Following the sequence shown in  FIGS. 5-8 , cylinder  114  may be positioned initially within cylinder receiving portion  116  at a first angle of orientation so that needle  110  is positioned within sleeve  120  and tab  142  is inserted into notch  140 . This initial position is shown in  FIG. 5 . 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  show the position of needle  110  once the angle of orientation of cylinder  114  with respect to cylinder receiving portion  116  has been shifted. Cylinder  114  has been translated within cylinder receiving portion  116  as described above so that needle  110  has been lifted out of sleeve  120  and tab  142  has been lifted out of notch  140 . Cylinder  114  has also been rotated within cylinder receiving portion  116  so that cylinder  114  has a second angle of orientation with respect to cylinder receiving portion  116 . 
     Cylinder  114  has been rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow in  FIG. 8 . In some embodiments, the rotational direction of cylinder  114  may be in only one direction to move needle  110  from the storage position to the use position, such as when stops or threading is used to control the direction of motion. When rotating cylinder  114  in the opposite direction, needle  110  may be moved from the use position to the storage position. For example, in some embodiments, rotating cylinder  114  is a clockwise direction may alter the position of needle  110  from the storage to the use position while turning cylinder  114  in the counterclockwise direction may alter the position of needle  110  from the use position to the storage position. In other embodiments, the rotational direction of cylinder  114  is not fixed, and cylinder  114  may be rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise to alter the position of needle  110  from the storage position to the use position or vice versa. 
     Once needle  110  has been extended fully away from pump head  102 , as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , securing element  128  may be tightened to cause needle receiving portion  126  to abut the bottom of cylinder receiving portion  116 . In other words, tightening securing element  128  so that securing element  128  rests on cylinder receiving portion  116  shortens the effective length of cylinder  114 . In some embodiments where two notches  140  and two tabs  142  are provided on opposite sides of cylinder  114  and cylinder receiving portion  116 , tab  142  may be aligned with notch  140  so that the angular position of cylinder  114  with respect to cylinder receiving portion  116  is carefully selected. 
     In another embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 15-17 , cylinder  114  is spring-loaded so that securing mechanism  128  need not be tightened or loosened to lock and unlock cylinder  114  for rotation within cylinder receiving portion  116 . In all other respects, this embodiment is structurally similar to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3-14 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , cylinder  114  is positioned within cylinder receiving portion  116  with a spring  133  positioned in a gap between an outside wall of cylinder  114  and an inside wall of cylinder receiving portion  116 . As shown best in  FIG. 17 , spring  133  may be a coil spring. In other embodiments, spring  133  may be any type of spring known in the art, such as a leaf spring. Spring  133  is positioned so that an upper end of spring abuts a lower end  129  of securing mechanism  128 , which is threaded onto cylinder  114 . A lower end of spring  133  is positioned against a floor of the cavity defining the gap between cylinder  114  and cylinder receiving portion  116 . 
     In a neutral state, spring  133  is fully extended so that securing mechanism  128  is biased away from cylinder receiving portion  116 . In this position, the lower end of cylinder  114 , needle receiving portion  126  ( FIG. 17 ), is pressed against the lower end of cylinder receiving portion  116 . The abutment of cylinder  114  against cylinder receiving portion  116  prevents cylinder  114  to turn within cylinder receiving portion  116 . Additionally, in this configuration, as shown in  FIG. 6 , tab  142  may be inserted into slot  140  to further lock cylinder  114  in position with respect to cylinder receiving portion  116 . 
     To allow cylinder  114  to rotate within cylinder receiving portion  116 , needle receiving portion  126  is moved away from the lower end of cylinder receiving portion  116 . Also, optional tab  142  is lifted out of slot  140 . This is achieved in some embodiments by pushing against securing element  128 , such as with the finger(s) or hand(s) of the user, in the direction indicated by the arrow in  FIG. 15 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , this motion translates cylinder  114  within cylinder receiving portion  116  so that needle receiving portion is moved away from the lower end of cylinder  114 . At this point, cylinder  114  is free to rotate within cylinder receiving portion  116  so that needle  110  may be positioned as desired by the user. 
     The pressing force that translates cylinder  114  within cylinder receiving portion  116  also compresses spring  133  and stores restorative energy within spring  133 . When the user ceases pushing against securing element  128 , the restorative energy in spring  133  is released. Spring  133  regains its original length, thereby pushing securing element  128  away from cylinder receiving portion  116 . This restores the pump head to the locked position where cylinder  114  is unable to be rotated with respect to cylinder receiving portion  116 . 
     This is particularly desirable in embodiments where flow aperture  136  (shown in  FIGS. 12-14 ) is relatively small so that the flow path is completed only when flow aperture  136  is fully aligned with bore mouth  109 . The alignment of flow aperture  136  and bore mouth  109  may, in some embodiments, only occur when cylinder  114  is in a particular angular orientation with respect to cylinder receiving portion  116 . The positions of tab  142  and notch  140  may be selected so that tab  142  and notch  140  only align when flow aperture  136  and bore mouth  109  are also in alignment. This may assist the user in readily selecting the use position. 
     In other embodiments, however, flow aperture  136  may be relatively large so that cylinder  114  may be positioned at several different angles of orientation with respect to cylinder receiving portion  116  and still have a fully developed flow path. These embodiments may not utilize tab  142  and notch  140 . In some embodiments, needle  110  may be in the use position in any position other than when positioned inside sleeve  120 . For example, it may be desirable to allow for needle  110  to be substantially perpendicular to pump head  102  in the use position or at any angle with respect to pump head  102 . This flexibility in the use position may be desirable when pump  100  may be used in situations with little clearance room around the inflatable, such as when inflating a bicycle tire or when inflating a sports ball in a vehicle. 
     To place needle  110  back into the storage position, securing element  128  is loosened to allow cylinder  114  to rotate within and with respect to cylinder receiving portion  116 . Cylinder  114  is then rotated so that needle  110  is aligned with sleeve  120  and, optionally, tab  142  is aligned with notch  140 . Cylinder  114  is then translated within and with respect to cylinder receiving portion  116  so that needle  110  is inserted into sleeve  120  and, optionally, tab  142  is inserted into notch  140 . Securing element  128  may then be tightened to eliminate gap  144  to maintain the storage position of needle  110  within sleeve. 
       FIGS. 11-13  show a sequence of how pump  100  may be used to inflate an inflatable. As shown, in order to allow air to flow entirely through pump  100  and into the inflatable (not shown), pump head  102  is set to the use position. In other words, needle  100  is fully extended away from connector portion  112 , and stem  114  has been rotated so that flow aperture  136  is aligned with bore mouth  109  to completely open the flow path from tubular element  106  to needle  110 . 
     Pump  100  may begin the pumping process in the position shown in  FIG. 12 . In this position, tubular element  106  is nearly completely inserted into barrel  104  so that a first end of barrel  104  is positioned proximate to pump head  102 . Piston  101  is positioned proximate the opposite end, or rear end, of barrel  104 , and valve  105  is closed because no pressure is being applied to valve  105  in order to open valve  105 . In this position, no air flows through tubular element into pump head  102 . 
       FIG. 13  shows an intermediate position in pumping, where barrel  104  has been drawn back so that tubular element  106  is at least partially exposed. In  FIG. 13 , tubular element  106  is almost fully exposed and piston  101  is positioned proximate the first end of barrel  104 . Barrel  104  now holds a volume of air within piston chamber  103 . No air is flowing, however, and valve  105  is still in the closed position. 
       FIG. 14  shows pump  100  during the pump stroke. Barrel  104  is being pushed toward pump head  102 . Due to this movement, piston  101  is pushed toward the rear end of barrel  104 , compressing the volume of air within piston chamber  103 . As the air is compressed, the pressure of the air within piston chamber  103  rises. Once the pressure of the air within piston chamber  103  exceeds the threshold pressure for opening valve  105 , valve  105  opens and the air begins to flow Air flows through bore  108  and into connector bore  117 . The air flows through connector bore  117  and into cylinder bore  118  as long as bore mouth  109  is aligned with flow aperture  136 . The air then flows through cylinder bore  118  and into needle bore  119 . Finally, the air flows through needle bore  119  and out of needle  110  through needle aperture  111  (as shown in  FIG. 10 ) and into the inflatable (not shown.) 
     While various embodiments of the invention have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the attached claims.