Abstract:
An adapter connects to a valve to convert the valve to a uniform configuration for connection to a pump. In one application, a conventional Schrader or Presta valve has an adapter to convert the valve to a uniform configuration for connection to a pump. An attachment head of a pump engages and creates a seal with the adapter and has a release mechanism to disengage the attachment head from the adapter.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/810,517, filed Apr. 10, 2013, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of air sources, such as, but not limited to air pumps and compressors. More particularly, the present invention relates to the field of valve connectors for such air sources. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There are many objects that require or are better utilized when inflated. Some examples of such objects include, but are not limited to, vehicles, bicycles and inflatable toys. To inflate such objects, an air source is connected to a valve of the object to be inflated. There exist many different valve types often depending on the origin of the object or type of object to be inflated. One such example is in the bicycle industry. 
     The most common types of bicycle tire valves are the Schrader valve  10  (also known as the “American” and shown in U.S. Pat. No. 484,509 issued in 1892), shown in  FIG. 1 , and the Presta valve  12  (also known as the “Sclayerand” or “French”) shown in  FIG. 2 , which permit the introduction or elimination of air in a tire. Each of the Schrader valve  10  and Presta valve  12  have a pin  14  that must be depressed in order to permit air to flow into or out of the tire and a thread  16  for retaining a cap (not shown). The Presta valve  12  additionally requires that a nut  17  be at least partially unscrewed so that the pin can be depressed. Other valve types are known in the bicycle industry, for example Dunlop (also known as the “Woods” or “English”) and Regina, but are less commonly used. Keeping track of which valve type is used on each object, or even each bicycle, can be difficult and can result in the need to try a number of different valve connectors or repeated trips to a workbench or store to find a different valve connector. Therefore, a need exists for an air source to be able to connect to many different, or at least the most common valve types. 
     Many current valve connectors for air supplies rely on the user to correctly connect the valve connector to the valve of the object to be inflated and to create a proper seal. For example, when using an air compressor at a gas station, the user is required to move and wiggle the valve connector of the air compressor on the valve for a vehicle or bicycle tire until a seal is formed. Because the valve connector for the air compressor is larger than the tire valve, there is nothing to guide the user to make a seal. 
     By way of another example, some hand air pumps have a valve connector with a handle that is used to secure the valve connector to a valve. Although such connectors can help hold the valve connector on the valve, such connectors provide no guide for the user to ensure a proper seal is made. Therefore, the valve connector will still often need to be moved around and re-seated, requiring the handle to be unlatched and re-latched until a seal is formed. Those who less frequently use such a valve connector may forget to lock the handle all together until he or she realizes there is no air entering the valve. 
     Further, the handle can be difficult to fully latch. Many such handle valve connectors use camming action, which requires greater and greater force until the handle is latched. A similarly large amount of initial force is then required to unlatch the handle. This can be difficult for children or those with physical hand limitations such as arthritis. 
     Positioning a handle valve connector on a valve and latching the handle in a tight space such as in between narrow spokes on a bicycle tire or when the stem of the valve is out of proper alignment can also prove difficult and frustrating. Similarly frustrating can be when trying to use force to latch the handle of a valve connector on the valve of a deflated tire, such as a bicycle tire, without pushing the valve into the tire itself or under the rim of the wheel. Therefore, a need exists for a valve connector which latches onto a valve and forms a seal without reliance on a user and requires little force to attach and remove from a valve. Embodiments of the following invention solve certain problems in existing air source connection devices and provide some or all of the foregoing benefits. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, the invention provides an adapter and an attachment head. The adapter includes a first open end to engage a valve, a second end and an exterior edge. The attachment head includes a port configured such that at least the second end of the adapter fits within the port, a lock mechanism slideably held by the attachment head and biased to have an end extend into the port, and a release mechanism for withdrawing the lock mechanism from the port. When the second end of the adapter is inserted into the port, the lock mechanism engages the exterior edge of the adapter and holds the adapter within the port. When the release mechanism is activated, the lock mechanism is withdrawn from the port and disengaged from the exterior edge. 
     In another embodiment, the invention provides an air delivery assembly with a nozzle having a dock and a release switch and a hollow member. The hollow member has a first end shaped to receive a valve and a second end shaped to engage the dock. When the second end engages the dock, the hollow member is retained by the nozzle. When the release switch is employed, the hollow member is released from the nozzle. 
     In another embodiment, the invention provides a pump having an adapter and an attachment head. The adapter includes a first and second open end, an internal passage and an external shape. The first open end has an interior portion shaped to connect to a valve and an exterior. The second open end has an interior portion shaped to connect to a valve and an exterior. The internal passage connects the first open end to the second open end. The external shape has at least one engagement rim. The attachment head includes a port, a slide plate, a release button and an internal conduit. The port is shaped to receive the exterior of at least one of the first open end and second open end. The slide plate has an arm urged into the port by a spring and an angled portion. The release button has a projection for engaging the angled portion to withdraw the arm from the port. The internal conduit provides the attachment head with an air supply. When at least one of the first open end and second open end is received in the port, the arm engages the at least one engagement rim of the adapter to hold the adapter within the port. When the release button is depressed to withdraw the arm from engagement with the at least one engagement rim of the adapter, the adapter is released from the port. 
     It will be understood by those skilled in the art that one or more aspects of this invention can meet certain objectives, while one or more other aspects can lead to certain other objectives. Other objects, features, benefits and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in this summary and descriptions of the disclosed embodiment, and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such objects, features, benefits and advantages will be apparent from the above as taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures and all reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a side perspective view of a prior art Schrader valve; 
         FIG. 2  shows a side perspective view of a prior art Presta valve; 
         FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of an adapter in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an elevation view of the adapter of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side cross-section of the adapter of  FIG. 3  taken along the line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of another embodiment of an adapter in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a side cross-section of the adapter of  FIG. 6  taken along the line  7 - 7 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an end perspective view of the adapter of  FIG. 6  showing the Presta valve connection end of the adapter; 
         FIG. 9  is an end perspective view of the adapter of  FIG. 6  showing the Schrader valve connection end of the adapter; 
         FIG. 10A  is a cross-section view of the adapter of  FIG. 3  connected to a Schrader valve; 
         FIG. 10B  is a cross-section view of the adapter of  FIG. 3  connected to a Presta valve; 
         FIG. 11  is a front elevation view of one embodiment of an attachment head in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a side elevation view of the attachment head of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a rear elevation view of the attachment head of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a side perspective view of the attachment head of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-section view of the attachment head of  FIG. 11  taken along the line  15 - 15  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-section view of the attachment head of  FIG. 11  taken along the line  15 - 15  in  FIG. 11 , shown engaged with an adapter connected to a Schrader valve; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the release button of the attachment head of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the slide plate of the attachment head of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a side perspective view of another embodiment of an attachment head in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 20  is a bottom perspective view of the attachment head of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a side cross-section showing the attachment head of  FIG. 19  taken along the line  21 - 21  in  FIG. 19 , shown engaged with an adapter connected to a Schrader valve; 
         FIG. 22  is a side cross-section showing the attachment head of  FIG. 19  taken along the line  21 - 21  in  FIG. 19 , shown engaged with an adapter connected to a Presta valve; 
         FIG. 23  is a side perspective view of the release button of the attachment head of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a side perspective cross-section of the release button of  FIG. 23  taken along the line  24 - 24  in  FIG. 23 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a bottom perspective view of the slide plate of the attachment head of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 26  is a top perspective view of the slide plate of  FIG. 25 ; 
         FIG. 27  is a side cross-section of the attachment head of  FIG. 19  with the release button depressed taken along the line  21 - 21  in  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 28  is a bottom perspective view of the attachment head of  FIG. 19 , shown with select internal parts removed; 
         FIG. 29  is a side perspective cross-section of the attachment head of  FIG. 28  taken along the line  29 - 29  in  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 30A  is a perspective view of the adapter of  FIG. 6  attached to a valve; 
         FIG. 30B  is a perspective view of the attachment head of  FIG. 19  being attached to the adapter; 
         FIG. 30C  is a perspective view of the attachment head of  FIG. 19  attached to the adapter; 
         FIG. 30D  is a perspective view of the attachment head of  FIG. 19  being disengaged from the adapter; 
         FIG. 31  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an attachment head in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 32  is a cross-section of the attachment head from  FIG. 31  taken along the line  32 - 32  in  FIG. 31 , shown engaged with an adapter connected to a Schrader valve; 
         FIG. 33  is a cross-section of the attachment head from  FIG. 31  taken along the line  32 - 32  in  FIG. 31 , shown engaged with an adapter connected to a Presta valve; 
         FIG. 34A  is a perspective view of the adapter of  FIG. 6  being attached to a valve; 
         FIG. 34B  is a perspective view of the attachment head of  FIG. 31  being attached to the adapter; 
         FIG. 34C  is a perspective view of the attachment head of  FIG. 31  attached to the adapter; 
         FIG. 34D  is a perspective view of the attachment head of  FIG. 31  being disengaged from the adapter. 
         FIG. 35  is a cross section of another attachment head in accordance with the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An adapter for a valve in accordance with the present invention converts a variety of different valve types to a uniform valve type that can be correctly sealed with and easily engaged and disengaged from an attachment head. An attachment head in accordance with the present invention enters into an engaged position with a valve and can be easily released from a valve such as by use of a release trigger. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3-10B , an adapter  20  can be created or shaped such that each end fits onto or can receive a different valve type. For example, in the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 3-10B , the adapter  20  has a first open end  22  for a Presta valve and a second open end  24  for a Schrader valve. While the adapter  20  is shown having ends configured to connect to a Schrader valve  10  and a Presta valve  12 , the adapter  20  could have ends configured to connect to other types of valves. Each end  22 ,  24  of the adapter  20  could be marked to provide quick reference as to which end fits with a valve type. For example, as seen in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , each end of the adapter  20  could be marked with a letter representing the valve type, e.g. ‘P’ for Presta, ‘S’ for Schrader, etc. The ends  22 ,  24  of the adapter  20  could also be color coded, e.g. red for the Schrader end  24 , black for the Presta end  22 , etc. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , the adapter  20  is a hollow member with an internal air passage  26  between each end  22 ,  24  that allows air to move from one end of the adapter to the other. The air passage  26  of the adapter  20  can include O-rings to help create a seal between the adapter and the valve. For example, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the air passage  26  of the adapter  20  has a first O-ring  28  seated in a first O-ring groove  30  to create a seal with the Presta valve  12  and a second O-ring  32  seated in a second O-ring groove  34  to create a seal with the top edge of the Schrader valve  10 . In the adapter embodied in  FIG. 5 , the first O-ring  32  is seated between the base portion  36  and top portion  38  of the adapter to create a seal with the Presta valve  12 . There is also a gasket or other sealing member  33  inside the adapter  20  to create a seal with the Schrader valve  10 . 
     The adapter  20  may be manufactured from plastic, metal, or other material that is sufficiently strong so as to maintain a shape and engagement to the valves, and sufficiently durable so as to be able to be left in place for a substantial time period while the bicycle or other device is in active use. Further, the adapter  20  may be integrally formed as shown in  FIGS. 6-7  or be formed from parts. For example, as most easily seen in  FIG. 5 , the adapter  20  can be formed from a base portion  36  and a top portion  38  that are connected such as through the engagement of threads, gluing, bonding or welding, for example. 
     In the integrally formed adapter embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6-9 , the O-ring  28  must be inserted into the end  22  of the internal air passage  26  until it reaches the O-ring groove  30  in which it is seated. The second O-ring  32  must similarly be inserted into the end  24  of the internal air passage  26  until it reaches the O-ring groove  34  in which it is seated. The multi-part embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3-5  allows the first O-ring  28  to be more easily placed into position on top of base portion  36 , as seen in  FIG. 4 , before the top portion  38  is attached thereto, thereby capturing the O-ring. 
     The embodiment shown in  FIG. 10A  is illustrated connected to a Schrader valve  10 .  FIG. 10B  shows the adapter  20  connected to a Presta valve  12 . The adapter  20  can be attached to a valve in any number of known ways. For example, the adapter  20  can have an air passage  26  with smooth bore  40 , as seen most easily in  FIG. 7 , wherein the adapter is easily slid onto a valve and held by a friction fit. Alternatively, the air passage  26  can be threaded, as seen in  FIG. 5 , sized to match and receive the threaded portion  16  of a valve, in this embodiment a Presta valve  12  on one end  22  of the adapter and a Schrader valve  10  on another end  24 . The threaded engagement of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  allows the adapter  20  to be securely held to the valve, creates a better seal with the valve and eliminates the need to take off, put on and otherwise keep track of a valve cap. A threaded engagement permits the adapter  20  to remain on the valve during use of the object to which the valve is attached, for example a bicycle. Keeping the adapter  20  on the valve is more convenient and reduces down time, for example, if a bicycle tire needs to be inflated during a race. 
     Once the adapter  20  is connected to a valve, the adapter can then be connected or secured to an attachment head as described below. The exterior shape of the adapter  20  and/or the ends  22 ,  24  of the adapter can be made to promote a secure and sealing engagement by the attachment head. For example, as best seen in  FIGS. 3-10B , the adapter  20  can include exterior engagement edges or rims  42 ,  44  that are used in securing the adapter  20  to an attachment head. In one embodiment, the adapter  20  also has an external groove  46 ,  48  located at each end,  22 ,  24  for exterior O-rings  50  and  52  or sealing members respectively. As will be described, the external O-rings  50 ,  52  help form a seal with the attachment head to facilitate air transfer from the air source, through the conduit of the attachment head through the air passage  26  of the adapter  20  and into the valve. 
     The attachment head is capable of connecting to the adapter and an air source and for depressing the pin  14  of a valve such that air may be moved from the air source and into the valve. For example, the attachment head could be incorporated into the end of a pump, air compressor or a hose from a pump or air compressor, or a container of compressed gas, such as for emergency flats. The attachment head may also have a common means for connecting the attachment head to a variety of sources, e.g. threads, such as to retrofit an air source to use such an attachment head. The attachment head may also have the ability to release air from the valve and adapter  20 , such as if the object is over-inflated. Although, each of the ends  22 ,  24  of the adapter  20  could be shaped differently, having each of the ends shaped the same allows the attachment head to be shaped such that it needs to only fit one end shape. Further, a variety of adapters could be designed to fit any number of valve types and if each of the ends are shaped the same, a single attachment head could be used. 
       FIGS. 11-15  illustrate different views of one embodiment of an attachment head or nozzle  54 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 11-15 , the attachment head  54  has a body  56 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 11-15 , the body  56  is formed as a single piece of molded plastic, but could also be designed in multiple parts or from other materials for manufacturing convenience. One end of the body  56  can have an air port  58  for connecting the attachment head  54  to an air supply such as a hand pump, air compressor or the supply hose thereof. Another end of the body  56  can have an adapter port or dock  60  to connect the attachment head  54  to the adapter  20 . The attachment head  54  also includes a conduit  55  connecting the air port  58  to the adapter port  60 . The attachment head  54  may also include a way to release the attachment head from the adapter  20  such as by a release mechanism, which in  FIGS. 11-15  is a release button or switch  62 . 
     The attachment head  54  shown in  FIGS. 11-15  also includes an engagement or lock mechanism for securing the attachment head to the adapter  20 . As seen in  FIG. 15 , internally, the attachment head may have a slide plate  64 . Although the slide plate can take many forms, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 15 , the slide plate has a lock arm or end  66  that is biased to extend into the adapter port  60  by a spring  68 . When an adapter  20  is inserted into the adapter port  60 , the adapter urges the lock arm  66  away from the adapter port when the force used to insert the adapter or to push the attachment head on the adapter, overcomes the force exerted by the spring  68  on the slide plate. When the adapter is inserted far enough into the adapter port  60  that one of the engagement rims,  42 ,  44  passes the lock arm  66 , the force exerted by the spring  68  on the slide plate  64 , will bias the lock arm back into the adapter port and hold the adapter in the adapter port by the engagement rim. The spring  68  is held in position by a spring retainer  92 . 
     The shape and size of the adapter port  60  guides the adapter  20  and/or attachment head  54  into proper alignment such that the adapter and attachment head engage properly and form a seal. The lock arm  66  essentially clicks into place to retain the adapter  20  when the adapter is fully inserted into the adapter port  60  to maintain the seal. Therefore, the user is not required to create a proper seal through trial and error of different angles and positions of the attachment head  54  as is the case for many prior art devices. Furthermore, the user is not required to exert a large amount of force rotating a cam into a locked position. 
     As the adapter  20  is inserted into the adapter port  60 , a pin activator  70  will engage the pin  14  of the valve attached to the adapter. When the adapter  20  is fully inserted into the adapter port  60 , the pin activator  70  will depress the pin  14  to allow air to move into or out of the valve. Further, in one embodiment, one of the exterior O-rings  50 ,  52 , depending on which end  22 ,  24  is inserted into the adapter port  60  respectively, will form a seal with the adapter port when the adapter is fully inserted in the adapter port as seen in  FIG. 16 . The seal ensures that the air transmitted through the attachment head  54  enters the adapter  20  and is not otherwise leaked. 
     The release mechanism or release button  62  can cooperate with the slide plate  64  to release the adapter  20  such that the adapter can be removed from the adapter port  60 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 15 , the release button  62  fits around an extension  72  of the body  56 . The release button  62  is connected to the body  56  by a spindle  74  that extends through a first side of the release button then through a slot  76  in the extension  72  and then through the second side of the release button. The other end of the release button  62  fits snugly around the extension  76 . When the release button  62  is depressed, the release button causes the spindle  74  to ride up the slot and the other end of the release button to slide along and be guided by the extension  72 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 15 , the slide plate  64  has an opening  78  formed therein and a ramp or angled portion  80  at one end of the opening. The release button  62  has a projection  82  such that when the release button is depressed, the projection  82  will contact the ramp  80 . When the force applied to the slide plate  64  from the release button  62  through the contact between the ramp  80  and projection  82  is sufficient to overcome the force exerted on the slide plate by the spring  68 , the slide plate will move. Because the ramp  80  shown in the embodiment seen in  FIG. 15  is angled, the further the release button  62  is depressed, the further the slide plate will move away from the adapter port  60 . As the slide plate  64  moves, the lock arm  66  of the slide plate is withdrawn from the adapter port  60  and, if an adapter  20  is in the adapter port, out of engagement with the engagement rim  42  or  44 . When the lock arm  66  is completely withdrawn from the adapter port  60 , the adapter  20  is released from the adapter port and can be removed from the attachment head  54 . The opening  78  in the slide plate  64  allows the projection  82  to extend through the slide plate as the release button  62  is further depressed and allows the lock arm to be urged out of the adapter port  60  by the adapter  20  without being obstructed by the projection  82 . 
     An alternative attachment head embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 19-29 . In the alternative attachment head embodiment, the adapter port  60  of the attachment head  54 ′ has an O-ring groove  84  for retaining O-ring  86  as is most easily seen in  FIGS. 21-22 . When an adapter  20  without exterior O-rings, as seen in  FIGS. 6-9 , is inserted into the adapter port  60  of the attachment head shown in  FIGS. 21-22 , the O-ring  86  creates a seal with one of the adapter ends  22 ,  24 , depending on which end is inserted into the adapter port. The seal ensures that the air transmitted through the attachment head  54 ′ enters the adapter  20  and is not otherwise leaked. Having at least one O-ring  86  inside the adapter port  60  removes the need to have two external O-rings  50 ,  52  on the adapter  20 , which can be cheaper to manufacture, and reduce the possibility that the external O-rings get damaged or dirty from being used, such as when riding a bicycle through mud, which could make creating a seal difficult. 
     The attachment head  54 ′ shown in  FIGS. 19-29  also has a release button  62 ′ which fits inside a cavity  88  of the body  56 ′. A more detailed view of the cavity  88  can be seen in  FIGS. 28-29 , which illustrate the attachment head  54 ′ without the release button  62 ′ or slide plate  64 ′. As seen in  FIGS. 21-22 , the cavity  88  is slightly larger than the release button  62 ′ when the release button is in its un-depressed state, so that when the release button is depressed it can slide upward, further into the cavity. 
     A more detailed view of the release button  62 ′ can be seen in  FIGS. 23-24 . The release button  62 ′ has a box like body with a niche  90  extending there through. A more detailed view of the slide plate  64 ′ can be seen in  FIGS. 25-26 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 25-26 , the slide plate  64 ′ has a lock arm  66  with a curved end that generally matches the shape of the adapter  20 , an opening  78  and a ramp  80 . When the release button  62 ′ is not depressed, as seen in  FIGS. 21-22 , the slide plate  64 ′ fits between the top of the niche  90  and the top of the projection  82  and is held from moving vertically by the body  56 ′. As the release button  62 ′ is depressed, the angled surfaces of the projection  82  and ramp  80  slide in opposite directions when the force applied to the release button overcomes the force exerted on the slide plate  64 ′ by the spring  68  because the lock plate cannot move vertically. As the projection  82  and ramp  80  slide in opposite directions, as seen in  FIG. 27 , the slide plate  64 ′ is forced to slide away from the adapter port  60 , thereby withdrawing the lock arm  66  from the adapter port. As the projection  82  and ramp  80  slide in opposite directions, the release button  62 ′ extends further into the opening  78  and further into the cavity  88 . 
       FIGS. 30A-D  illustrate the process of attaching an adapter  20  to a valve, placing the attachment head  54 ′ onto the adapter, and releasing the attachment head from the adapter by depressing the release button  62 ′. In  FIG. 30A , the adapter  20  has been placed and/or secured onto a valve. In  FIG. 30B , a user is placing the attachment head  54 ′ onto the adapter  20  by lining the adapter up with the adapter port  60 . In  FIG. 30C , the attachment head is shown engaged with the adapter and ready for air to be delivered from the air source to the tire. In  FIG. 30D , the user is beginning to depress the release button  62 ′ in order to remove the attachment head  54 ′ from the adapter  20 . Because the pin activator  70  is depressing the pin  14  of a valve allowing air to move to or from the tire, when the lock arm  66  is withdrawn from the adapter port  60  and the engagement rim  42  or  44 , the pressure inside the tire or inflated object will cause a little air to escape the tire and help separate the attachment head from the adapter to further ease removal. 
     Another embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 31-33 , wherein the release button  62 ″ is positioned at the top of the attachment head  54 ″. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 31-33 , the release button  62 ″ and slide plate  64 ″ cooperate and have similar functioning to that described with respect the attachment head  54 ′ above with slightly different configurations, e.g. flipped such that the release button  62 ″ extends out of the top of the attachment head  54 ″ rather than the bottom. For example, the ramp  82  of the release button  62 ″ interacts with a slide plate  64 ″ to cause the lock arm  66  to be withdrawn from the adapter port  66  when the release button is depressed. 
       FIGS. 34A-D  illustrate the process of attaching an adapter  20  to a valve, placing the attachment head  54 ″ onto the adapter, and releasing the attachment head from the adapter by depressing the release button  62 ″. In  FIG. 34A , a user is putting the adapter  20  onto a valve. In  FIG. 34B , a user is placing the attachment head  54 ″ onto the adapter  20  by lining the adapter up with the adapter port  60 . In  FIG. 34C , the attachment head  54 ″ is shown engaged with the adapter and ready for air to be delivered from the air source to the tire. In  FIG. 34D , the user is beginning to depress the release button  62 ″ in order to remove the attachment head  54 ″ from the adapter  20 . 
     Additional alternative embodiments of the attachment head could be readily designed by one of skill in the art. For example, alternative configurations for the release button and its interaction with the slider plate could be designed. Or a sliding style release button that is even formed as a unitary piece with the slider plate could be designed. For example, in  FIG. 35 , an embodiment is shown wherein a trigger  100  is integrally formed with the slide plate  64 ′″ of the attachment head  54 ′″ and body  56 ′″. Thus when the trigger is pulled, the spring  68  is compressed, and the lock arm  66  is withdrawn from the adapter port  60  and disengaged from the adapter. 
     Although the invention has been herein described in what is perceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments set forth above. Rather, it is recognized that modifications may be made by one of skill in the art of the invention without departing from the spirit or intent of the invention and, therefore, the invention is to be taken as including all reasonable equivalents to the subject matter of the appended claims and the description of the invention herein.