Abstract:
A nozzle adapter for use in converting a nozzle designed for use with Schrader type valves to a nozzle usable with Presta type valves is provided. The nozzle adapter includes an inner sleeve defining a central opening into which the Schrader nozzle can be inserted at one end. The adapter also includes an opening at the opposite end into which a Presta type valve can be inserted. The adapter includes a locking mechanism selectively operable by an outer sleeve that is slidably mounted to the inner sleeve to effectively retain the Schrader nozzle in alignment with the adapter to allow the Schrader nozzle to be utilized as a Presta nozzle.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to pumps for inflating tires, and more specifically to an adapter for a pump nozzle that allows the nozzle to be utilized with both Schrader and Presta type air valves. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are two common types of tire air valves in widespread use on inner tubes of vehicle tires. One type is a Schrader type valve which is a reasonably rugged valve in which the valve assembly is protected by an outer casing. Valves of this type are commonly used on automobiles and trucks. These valves have also been used widely on bicycle tires. 
     However, as designs for bicycles have become more technologically advanced, efforts have been made to alter the form of the valves on the bicycle tires in order to reduce the overall weight of the bicycle. The result of these efforts is the Presta type valve which is now widely used specifically for inner tubes used in bicycle tires. 
     However, due to the particular construction of a Presta valve, which has an exposed valve stem, it is often the case that the valve stem of a Presta valve is broken while attempting to inflate a bicycle tire having a Presta valve. When the valve stem of a Presta valve is broken, it is necessary to replace the entire inner tube of the bicycle tire, often a time consuming and very inconvenient process. 
     In order to prevent the valve stem of a Presta valve from breaking, a number of different pump nozzle designs have been developed which accommodate for the relative fragileness of the Presta valve and that also can be utilized with the more rugged Schrader type valves. 
     One type of nozzle design that has been developed for use with Presta and Schrader type valves are pump nozzles in which assemblies for use with each type of valve are positioned at opposite ends of a pump nozzle housing. The pump nozzle can then be physically reversed to accommodate a particular valve type in certain designs. In other designs a movable airflow controller located within the nozzle housing can be adjusted through the use of a lever or other manipulating device to position the controller against the selected receiver on the housing for the appropriate valve type to place the valve in fluid communication with the pump. Examples of patents disclosing pump nozzle designs of this type are: Chiago U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,488; Wu U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,865; and Chuang et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,100. 
     Still another type of prior art nozzle assembly is shown in Wang U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,815 and Glotin U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,392. In the nozzle designs illustrated in these patents, a pair of separate receivers are contained within a housing for the nozzle that are configured to receive one of the two types of tire valves. After a Schrader or Presta valve is inserting into the housing near the appropriate receiver, the appropriate receiver is then engaged with the valve by pivoting a lever to urge the receiver into engagement with the valve inserted into the housing. 
     A third type of pump nozzle adapted for use with both Schrader and Presta type valves is illustrated in Gapinski et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,920 and Wu U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,781. In these patents, the pump nozzle is designed with a single opening through which each type of valve can be inserted. The interior of the nozzle is configured to have different diameter sections that properly position either a Schrader valve or a Presta valve within the nozzle. A spring biased engagement member is also disposed within the nozzle housing and, depending upon the type of valve, can be depressed to a specified point within the nozzle in order to appropriately engage the specific valve inserted into the housing. 
     However, in each of the aforementioned prior art pump nozzle designs, the nozzles require a specialized construction that includes a number of moving parts which need to be effectively sealed with regard to one another and to the housing for the nozzle in order for the nozzle to work appropriately. Based on the presence of these moving parts, should the seals or the moving parts become damaged, the nozzles are effectively prevented from being utilized in conjunction with either type of valve. 
     Therefore, it is desirable to develop a simple and easy to use pump nozzle adapter which is capable of effectively allowing a pump nozzle to be utilized with Schrader or Presta valves and that does not affect the operation of the pump nozzle if the adapter becomes damaged. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a quick release adapter for a pump nozzle that allows the nozzle to be utilized with both Schrader and Presta type valves. The adapter is releasably securable to a nozzle configured for use with a Schrader type valve, and includes an inner sleeve defining a central opening through which a Presta type valve can be inserted. The opening has a sufficient length to rigidly hold the pump nozzle in alignment with the Presta valve in order ensure that the valve stem of the Presta valve is not damaged while the tire is inflated utilizing the pump nozzle and adapter. 
     Opposite the opening for the Presta valve, the inner sleeve also includes a wide opening adapted to receive a conventional Schrader valve pump nozzle. The wide opening allows the Schrader valve nozzle to be positioned within the inner sleeve such that the Presta valve can effectively engage the Schrader nozzle in order to allow air from the Schrader nozzle to flow through the Presta valve and into the inner tube. 
     The adapter is retained in engagement with the Schrader valve nozzle through the use of a releasable locking mechanism disposed on the adapter. The mechanism includes a number of bearings movably disposed within apertures disposed within the inner sleeve around the wide opening. The bearings can be held in a locked position within the apertures such that the bearings extend inwardly into the wide opening, or can be allowed to move outwardly away from the wide opening to an unlocked position through the movement of an outer sleeve slidably mounted around the inner sleeve. The outer sleeve includes an engagement surface which contacts the bearings and urges the bearings into the apertures depending upon the position of the outer sleeve on the inner sleeve. Inadvertent releasing of the locking mechanism is prevented by the presence of a biasing member disposed between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve which urges the outer sleeve to the locked position. Therefore, only by applying a sufficient force to move the outer sleeve against the bias of the biasing member with respect to the inner sleeve can the adapter be removed from the Schrader valve nozzle. 
     The adapter provides a simple and effective attachment for a Schrader valve nozzle to enable the nozzle to be effectively utilized with Presta type valves without the need for numerous valve openings or moving parts within the nozzle. Further, the construction of the adapter prevents the Presta valve from shifting with respect to the Schrader nozzle, such that the likelihood of damaging the Presta valve is greatly reduced. 
     Numerous other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following drawings represent the best mode currently contemplated of practicing the present invention. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the nozzle adapter of the present invention secured to a Schrader type nozzle; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the Schrader type nozzle with the nozzle adapter of  FIG. 1  removed; 
         FIG. 3  is a side plan view of the nozzle adapter of  FIG. 1  secured to the Schrader type nozzle; 
         FIG. 4  is a side plan view of the nozzle adapter of  FIG. 1  removed from the Schrader valve nozzle; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded side plan view of the nozzle adapter and Schrader valve nozzle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view along line  6 — 6  of  FIG. 3  showing the nozzle adapter secured to the Schrader valve nozzle; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 6  showing the nozzle adapter in a partially disengaged position; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view along line  8 — 8  of  FIG. 4  showing the nozzle adapter in a completely disengaged position; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the nozzle adapter and Schrader valve nozzle of  FIG. 1  engaged with a Presta type valve; and 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the Schrader valve nozzle engaged with a Schrader type valve. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With regard to the drawing figures in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the disclosure, a wheel for a bicycle is illustrated generally at  10  in  FIG. 1 . The wheel  10  includes a hub  12  and rim  14  which are interconnected by a number of spokes  16 . The rim  14  supports a tire  18  in which is disposed an inner tube (not shown) that is inflated to internally pressurize the tire  18 . The inner tube is inflated through a valve  20  that extends radially inwardly from the inner tube through the rim  14  and towards the hub  12 . 
     To inflate the inner tube, a pumping apparatus  22  is connected to the valve  20  and supplies air through the valve  20  to the tube. The pumping apparatus  22  includes a pumping means  24 , a flexible tube  26  extending from the pumping means  24  and a connector  28  secured to the tube  26  opposite the pumping means  24 . The pumping means  24  can be an automatic or mechanical pumping means, such as a compressor, or a manual pumping means, such as a hand operated bicycle pump, among others. Further, the flexible tube  26  can be formed of any suitable flexible and air-impermeable material, with a resilient rubber material or flexible plastic material being particularly preferred. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1–4 , the connector  28  includes two parts, namely, a Schrader valve nozzle  30 , which is attached directly to the tube  26 , and a nozzle adapter  32  that can be releasably secured to the Schrader nozzle  30  opposite the tube  26 . The Schrader nozzle  30  and nozzle adapter  32  are utilized when the pumping apparatus  22  is engaged with a Presta valve  34 , shown in  FIG. 1 , and the Schrader nozzle  30  is used by itself when the nozzle  28  is engaged with a Schrader valve  36  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Looking now at  FIGS. 5–8 , the Schrader nozzle  30  is formed of a first housing  38  that defines a throughbore  40 . The throughbore  40  is essentially constant in diameter along its entire length, with a small enlarged portion  42  disposed at one end. The enlarged portion  42  is threaded on its interior and is engageable with an end cap  44  having a central opening  46 . Opposite the enlarged portion  42 , the first housing  38  further includes an internal threaded section  48  disposed within the throughbore  40  and spaced inwardly from the end of the first housing  38  opposite the enlarged portion  42 . The threaded section  48  is able to engage a threaded casing  50  disposed at the outward end of a conventional Schrader valve  36  as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
     The throughbore  40  also retains a valve collar  52  within the housing  38  spaced between the enlarged portion  42  and the threaded section  48  and abutting the threaded section  48 . The collar  52  includes a passage  54  therethrough and defines an annular shoulder  55  between the collar  52  and the housing  38  opposite the threaded section  48 . 
     An airflow-regulating member  56  is inserted into the enlarged portion  42  and through the throughbore  40  of the first housing  38  and is retained therein by the end cap  44  that is threadedly engaged with the enlarged portion  42 . The regulating member  56  includes a longitudinal channel  57  that passes through a central body  58  having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the throughbore  40 . The central body  58  includes an exterior peripheral groove  60  in which is disposed an O-ring  61  or similar sealing member to sealingly engage the regulating member  56  with the first housing  38 . The regulating member  56  also includes an engagement portion  62  extending outwardly from the central body  58  through the opening  46  in the end cap  44 . The engagement portion  62  includes a number of concentric conically shaped sections  64  that surround the passage  57  and which, when the sections  64  are inserted into the tube  26 , retain the nozzle  30  in engagement with the tube  26 . 
     Opposite the engagement portion  62 , the regulating member  58  also includes a cylindrical valve portion  66  that surrounds the channel  57  opposite the engagement portion  62  and has a diameter of less than the diameter of the passage  54  in the valve collar  52 . When the regulating member  56  is inserted into the first housing  38 , the valve portion  66  passes through the passage  54  in the valve collar  52  such that the end of the valve portion  66  extends a small distance past the valve collar  52  opposite the end cap  44 . The valve portion  66  also includes a plug  67  located opposite the central body  58  that controls the flow of air through the regulating member  56  to a valve that engages the plug  67 . For example, when the threaded section  48  is engaged with the threaded casing  50  of a Schrader valve  36 , a valve stem  72  disposed in the center of the threaded casing  50  engages the plug  67  in the valve portion  66  to allow air to flow through the channel  57  from the tube  26  into the Schrader  36  valve past the plug  67 , as best shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     On the exterior of the nozzle  30  opposite the throughbore  40 , the first housing  38  also includes a peripheral groove  74  disposed between a stop portion  76  and a peripheral locking rib  78 . The stop portion  76  and locking rib  78  define the groove  74  therebetween which is utilized to releasably connect the nozzle adapter  32  to the first housing  38  in a manner to be described. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 5–8 , the nozzle adapter  32  includes an inner sleeve  80  that is formed of a first section  82  and a second section  84  that are releasably connected to one another. The first section  82  is generally cylindrical in shape, defining a passage  86  therethrough and having a radially outwardly extending peripheral flange  88  at one end. The first section  82  also includes an interior threaded section  90  within the passage  86  and spaced inwardly from the end of the first section  82  opposite the flange  88 . A number of inwardly tapering apertures  92  are also formed in the first section  82  between the interior threaded section  90  and the flange  88 . The apertures  92  extend completely through the first section  82 , with the diameter of each aperture  92  becoming smaller as the aperture  92  progresses toward the passage  86 . Each aperture  92  contains a ball bearing  94  therein which has a diameter greater than the overall length of the apertures  92 . Further, the diameter of each of the ball bearings  94  is greater than the diameter of each aperture  92  at the passage  86 , such that the bearings  94  can extend partially into the passage  86 , but may not completely pass into the passage  86 . As a result, when the bearings  94  are positioned within the apertures  92  such that the outermost surface of the bearings  94  is flush with the exterior of the first section  82 , the innermost surface of each bearing  94  is positioned within the passage  86 . 
     The first section  82  also includes an inwardly extending radial flange  96  disposed with the passage  86  between the apertures  92  and the interior threaded section  90 . The flange  96  includes an inwardly tapering wall  98  adjacent the apertures  92 , and forms a flat annular shoulder  100  opposite the tapering wall  98 . 
     The second section  84  is also generally cylindrical in shape but includes a narrow first end  102  and a wide second end  104  separated by an annular shoulder  105 . The second section  84  defines a channel  106  extending through the second section  84  from the first end  102  to the second end  104  which includes a wide portion  108  adjacent the first end  102 , a collar-receiving portion  110  opposite the wide portion  108  and a narrow portion  112  connecting the wide portion  108  and collar-receiving portion  110 . 
     On the exterior of the first end  102  is disposed an interior threaded section  114 , and the exterior of the second end  104  opposite the first end  102  includes an exterior threaded section  116 . The diameter of the first end  102  is slightly smaller than the diameter of the first section  82  such that the exterior threaded section  114  on the first end  102  can be engaged with the interior threaded section  90  disposed within the passage  86  of the first section  82 . The second section  84  is properly engaged with the first section  82  when the annular shoulder  105  separating the first end  102  and second end  104  of the second section  84  is positioned in abutting engagement with the first section  82 . 
     In this position, the second section  84  also operates to engage and hold a sealing collar  119  between the first section  82  and the second section  84 . The collar  119  is positioned within the passage  86  and has an outer ring  120  that rests on the annular shoulder  100  and an inner ring  121  extending from the inner circumference of the outer ring  120 . The outer ring  120  is compressed between the first portion  82  and second portion  84  to ensure that no air leaks through the first sleeve  80 . The inner ring  121  extends inwardly from the outer ring  120  and is positioned to sealingly engage the housing  38  of the nozzle  30  when the adapter  32  is engaged with the nozzle  30 . 
     The collar-receiving portion  110  of the channel  106  receives an aligning collar  122  that is retained therein by an end cap  124  having a central opening  125  that is threadedly engaged over and around the aligning collar  122  to the exterior threaded section  116 . The cap  124  is properly engaged with the second section  84  when the cap  124  contacts a stop  127  located on the second section  84  immediately adjacent the exterior threaded section  116 . 
     The aligning collar  122  includes a base  126  that is sealingly engaged with the periphery of the collar-receiving portion  110  to properly position the collar  122 , and an outwardly extending ring  128  disposed opposite the end cap  124 . The base  126  and ring  128  define a passage  130  extending therethrough that is aligned with the narrow portion  112  of the channel  106  and the central opening  125  in the end cap  124  to align a Presta valve  34  inserted into the adapter  32  with the nozzle  30 , as best shown in  FIG. 9 . To ensure that the Presta valve  34  is properly engaged with the nozzle  30 , the passage  130  extending through the collar  122  has a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the narrow portion  112  of the channel  106 . Also, the collar  122  can be formed of a rigid material, such as a metal or hard plastic, or from a semi-flexible material such that the ring  128  and base  126  can flex a small amount when contacted by the Presta valve  34  inserted through the passage  130  to further lessen the possibility of damaging the Presta valve  34 . 
     In order to secure the adapter  32  to the nozzle  30 , the adapter  32  further includes an outer sleeve  132  positioned around the exterior of the inner sleeve  80 . The outer sleeve  132  is generally cylindrical in shape and defines a throughbore  134  having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the inner sleeve  80 . The outer sleeve  132  also includes an inwardly extending peripheral flange  136  located in the throughbore  134  that defines an annular shoulder  138  at one end. 
     When the outer sleeve  132  is positioned around the inner sleeve  80 , a first end  140  of the outer sleeve  132  is positioned against the peripheral flange  88  of the first section  82 . The outer sleeve  132  is maintained in this position by a spring  142  positioned between the outer sleeve  132  and the inner sleeve  80  that engages the annular shoulder  105  on the second section  84  at one end, and the annular shoulder  138  on the peripheral flange  136  at the opposite end. The outer sleeve  132  can be slid along the inner sleeve against the bias of the spring  142  from the position where the first end  140  of the sleeve  132  contacts the flange  88  to a position where a second end  144  of the sleeve  132  contacts the stop  127  extending outwardly from the second portion  84  adjacent the exterior threaded section  116 . 
     The peripheral flange  136  disposed in the throughbore  134  of the outer sleeve  132  also includes a sloped surface  148  located opposite the annular shoulder  138  that allows the bearings  94  to move within the apertures  92 . When the first end  140  of the outer sleeve  132  is positioned against the flange  88 , the peripheral flange  136  is positioned over each of the apertures  92  such that the flange  136  pushes the bearings  94  as far as possible into the passage  86  of the first section  82 . When the outer sleeve  132  is slid away from the flange  88  against the bias of the spring  142 , the sloped surface  148  of the flange  136  provides a gradually increasing space  150  around the inner sleeve  80  adjacent the bearings  94  that enables the bearings  94  to move outwardly within the apertures  92  such that the bearings  94  can be moved completely out of the passage  86 . To assist the movement of the outer sleeve  132  with respect to the inner sleeve  80 , the exterior of the outer sleeve  132  includes a number of alternating grooves  151  and knurled surfaces  152  and the exterior of the end cap  124  also has a knurled surface  154  that aid in gripping the respective parts of the adapter  132 , as best shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 6–8 , to connect the nozzle adapter  32  to the Schrader nozzle  30 , initially the outer sleeve  132  is moved towards the stop  127  against the bias of the spring  142  to enable the bearings  94  to move out of the passage  86 . The housing  38  of the Schrader nozzle  30  is then inserted into the passage  86  of the inner sleeve  80  such that the locking rib  78  on the housing  38  contacts and pushes the bearings  94  out of the passage  86  through the apertures  92  and into engagement with the sloped surface  148  on the peripheral flange  136  which also serves to hold the bearings  94  at least partially in the apertures  92 . Simultaneously, the housing  38  contacts the inner ring  121  of the sealing collar  121  to provide an airtight engagement between the Schrader nozzle  30  and the nozzle adapter  32 . The nozzle  30  is then pushed further into the passage  86  until the rib  78  is pressed against the tapering wall  98  of the flange  96 , which also positions the groove  74  in alignment with the apertures  92 . The outer sleeve  132  can then be released such that the spring  142  biases the first end  140  of the sleeve  132  back towards the flange  88  of the first section  82 . In doing so, the spring  142  forces the peripheral flange  136  back into engagement with the bearings  94 , causing the bearings  94  to be pushed through the apertures  92  and into the passage  86  and groove  74  on the housing  38 . The presence of the bearings  94  within the groove  74  prevents the withdrawal of the housing  38  from within the nozzle adapter  32 , thereby locking the adapter  32  onto the nozzle  30 . A Presta nozzle  34  can then be inserted into the adapter  32  and engaged with the nozzle  30 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     To remove the adapter  32  from the nozzle  30  to enable the nozzle  30  to engage a Schrader valve  36 , the outer sleeve  132  is pushed away from the nozzle  30  against the bias of the spring  142  until the second end  144  of the outer sleeve  132  contacts the stop  127 . This moves the sloped surface  148  into alignment with the bearings  94  and apertures  92  so that, when pulling the housing  38  out of the adapter  32 , the locking rib  78  can push the bearings  94  out of the passage  86  and into the space  150 , allowing the nozzle  30  to be removed from within the adapter  32 . 
     While the above description illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, other embodiments of the invention and variations of the preferred embodiment are also contemplated. For example, each part of the invention, with the exception of the sealing member  61  and sealing collar  119 , is preferably formed of a substantially rigid material, such as a metal or hard plastic, with the metal brass being especially preferred. Further, while the various rigid parts of the adapter  32  are shown as being formed separately from one another, these parts can also be formed from the same material integrally with one another. Further, instead of utilizing the spring  142 , the outer sleeve  132  can be threadedly engaged to the inner sleeve  80  or engaged in another suitable manner allowing the outer sleeve  132  to move with respect to the inner sleeve  80  to move the adapter between a locked and unlocked position, as described previously. 
     Various alternative embodiments are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter regarded as the invention.