US20080050255A1

US20080050255A1 - Pumping Device

Info

Publication number: US20080050255A1
Application number: US11/927,844
Authority: US
Inventors: Louis Chuang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-12-14
Filing date: 2007-10-30
Publication date: 2008-02-28
Also published as: DE102007052616A1; TWI336748B; TW200909679A; DE102007052616B4

Abstract

A pumping device comprises barrel including a first tube having a first end and a second end and a second tube which surrounds the first tube. A head for connecting to a valve attached to the first end of the first tube. A pumping means includes a rod having an end attached to a disc, and an opposite end attached to a connecting member. The connecting member is adapted to be latched to the first tube. A handle pivotally connected to the connecting member includes a first handle portion and a second handle portion which surrounds the first handle portion, whereby the handle can be pivoted to a position for receiving the connecting member, with the second handle portion including a portion wrapping the second end of the first tube, and whereby the handle can be pivoted to another position for ease and efficacy of pumping operation.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE

The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/306,012, filed on Dec. 14 2005, of which the entire disclosure is incorporated herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pumping device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Taiwan Application No. 86214553 discloses a pumping device comprising a head 32, a barrel 40, and a handle 50. To operate the pumping device, the handle 50 is pivoted to a position such that the handle 50 and the barrel 40 are in a perpendicular relationship. To store the pumping device, the handle 50 is pivoted to a position such that the handle 50 and the barrel 40 are in a parallel relationship. One problem that the pumping device suffers is that the pumping device has no means for securely retaining a rod 32 within the barrel 40 when not in use. Another problem is that the head 32, the barrel 40, and the handle 50 have different external diameters. Thus, the pumping device is not aesthetically pleasing. Yet another problem is that the handle 50 is generally made of plastic material and has a resilient open end 52. However, the resilient open end 52 can be deformed by the user during pumping operation, and leading to an insufficient pumping action.
Taiwan Application No. 86221565 discloses another pumping device comprising a body 10, and a handle 17, in which the handle 17 securely fixed to the body 10 when not in use. The pumping device further includes a pressing portion 161 by which the handle 17 can be disengaged from the body 10 when being pressed. One problem that the pumping device suffers is that it is likely that the pressing portion 161 is accidentally pressed. Another problem is that the handle of the pumping devices can be deformed during pumping operation, as the handle 17 is made of plastic material.
Taiwan Application No. 91219135 discloses another pumping device comprising a barrel 1 and a rod 13. One problem that the pumping device suffers is that the rod 13 can not be securely retained within the barrel 1 when not in use. Another problem is that the pumping device has a handle 2 configured too long to make the pumping operation sufficiently.
The present invention is, therefore, intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior arts by providing a pumping device having a consistent external diameter and good securement of parts when not in use.
It is also an objective of the present invention to provide a pumping device that is not easily deteriorated by sun and rain.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a pumping device that is light-weighted.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a pumping device that has a first tube and a second tube for accommodating the first tube, and with the second tube being made from alloy or carbon composite.
It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a pumping device that has a first handle portion and a second handle portion for accommodating the first handle portion, and with the second handle portion being made from alloy or carbon composite.
A pumping device comprises barrel including a first tube having a first end and a second end and a second tube which surrounds the first tube. A head for connecting to a valve attached to the first end of the first tube. A pumping means includes a rod having an end attached to a disc, and an opposite end attached to a connecting member. The disc is moveable in the first tube. The connecting member is adapted to be latched to the first tube. A handle pivotally connected to the connecting member includes a first handle portion and a second handle portion which surrounds the first handle portion, whereby the handle can be pivoted to a position for receiving the connecting member, with the second handle portion including a portion wrapping the second end of the first tube, and whereby the handle can be pivoted to another position for ease and efficacy of pumping operation.
Other objectives, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pumping device in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is exploded view of the pumping device shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5, but shows a connecting member of the pumping device in another position.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 shows the pumping device in different position than that of FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 8, but shows a handle of the pumping device in another position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, a pumping device comprises a barrel 10, a head 12, a pumping means 20, and a handle 30.
The barrel 10 comprises a first tube 11 and a second tube 14 for receiving the first tube 11. The first tube 11 has an end to which the head 12 connects. More specifically, the head 12 has a nozzle 121 having an engaging end 122 threadly received in the first tube 11. The engaging end 122 may has a ring 123 disposed thereon and located against the first tube 11 circumferentially. Furthermore, the first tube 11 has a body having a first section 112 and two second sections 113, with the first section 112 being formed intermediate the second sections 113. The first section 112 is configured to have such an external diameter slightly smaller than that of the second sections 113 as to minimize the weight. Likewise, the second tube 14 has a body having a first section 141 and two second sections 142, with the first section 141 being defined intermediate the second sections 142. The first section 141 is configured to have such an internal diameter slightly greater than that of the second sections 142 as to minimize the weight.
A collar 15 is engagable with one of the second sections 113 of the first tube 11. More specifically, the collar 15 is engagable with a thread portion 111 formed thereon. The second tube 14 is securely retained between the nozzle 121 and the collar 15. Additionally, the nozzle 12, the second tube 14 and the collar 15 have the same external diameter.
Preferably, the first and second tubes 13, 14 are made separately, but they may be made monolithically. Also, the second tube 14 is preferably made from metal, such as alloys, like aluminum alloy, or carbon fiber composite.
The pumping means 20 which slidably installed in the first tube 11 is used to operate the pumping device. The pumping means 20 comprises a disc 22 disposed within the first tube 11. The disc 22 has a ring 221 thereon and located against the first tube 11 circumferentially. A rod 21 connected to the disc 22 extends through the first tube 11, through a retaining member 13, and outward therefrom for threadly engaging with a connecting member 23, which is adapted to be connected by a pin 24 to the handle 30. The pumping device can be operated by moving the handle 30 back and forth, which in turn moves the pumping means 20 back and forth within the first tube 11 in order to force air out of the head 12.
As best seen in FIGS. 2 through 4, the retaining member 13 comprises an annular ridge 131 and an engaging body 132 disposed in the first tube 11. The annular ridge 131 has an external diameter and the engaging body 132 has a smaller external diameter than that of the annular ridge 131. A recess 133 is formed between the annular ridge 131 and the engaging body 132. A through hole 136 is formed in the engaging body 132 and in communication with the through hole 136. Accordingly, the rod 21 is inserted through the through hole 136 and the recess 133 respectively and outward therefrom for engaging with the connecting member 23. Furthermore, the recess 133 has an internal diameter and the through hole 13 6 has a smaller internal diameter than that of the recess 133.
As also best seen in FIG. 2, the recess 133 of the retaining member 13 includes a planar surface having two bosses 134 and a circular surface having two radially locking blocks 135 projecting therefrom. Preferably, the locking blocks 135 are substantially 180 degrees of rotation separated from one another.
The connecting member 23 comprises a first end 231 releasably engagable with the retaining member 13 and a second end 234 connected to the handle 30. The first end 231 is substantially circular in cross section and is adapted to be inserted into and locked within the recess 133 of the retaining member 13. Furthermore, the first end 231 includes two protrusions 232, and each of which has an indentation 233 formed thereon.
To engage the connecting member 23 with the retaining member 13, the first end 231 of the connecting member 23 is inserted into the recess 133 of the retaining member 13. Then the connecting member 23 is rotated until the protrusions 232 are located against the locking block 135, and the bosses 134 are received in the indentations 233 respectively.
The second end 234 is substantially circular and has a pin hole 235 transverse to the connecting member 23 therein for receiving the pin 24. The second end 234 further has an external perimeter having two cutouts 236 and two protuberances 237 formed thereon. The cutouts are substantially 90 degrees of rotation separated from one another and are in parallel relationship with the pin hole 235.
The handle 30 connected to the connecting member 23 comprises a first handle portion 31 having a cutout slot 311 for receiving the connecting member 23 when the handle 30 is in parallel with the connecting member 23, as shown in FIG. 3. The cutout slot 311 extends from an end thereof and terminates before another end such that the cutout slot 311 has an open end and a closed end defining a wall section 312. The handle 30 further comprises a second handle portion 32 for receiving the first handle portion 31. Additionally, the second handle portion 32 defines a longitudinal distance, and the first handle portion 31 defines a longitudinal distance smaller than that of the second handle portion 32. Also, the second handle portion 32 has a periphery wall having a cutout slot 322. The cutout slot 322 extends from a first end 323 and terminates before a second end 324 thereof. The cutout slot 323 has two parallel edges spaced at a distance greater than a transverse distance of the connecting member 23, in which the transverse distance is defined perpendicular to a direction extending from the first end 231 to the second end 234. Furthermore, the nozzle 12, the second tube 14, the collar 15 and the second handle portion 32 have the same external diameter
Preferably, the first and second handle portions 31, 32 are made separately, but they may be made monolithically. Also, the second handle portion 32 is preferably made from metal, such as alloys, like aluminum alloy, or carbon fiber composite.
The first handle portion 32 further has a flange 315 having an external diameter the same as that of the second handle portion 32. Also, the first handle portion 31 has a peripheral wall having two recessed slot 316 formed thereof for minimizing weight. The wall section 312 includes a ridge 313 adapted to be selectively received in one of the cutout 236 of the connecting member 23.
Pin 24 is used to pivotally connect the connecting member 23 to the first and second handle portions 31, 32. More specifically, the pin 24 is inserted into orifices 321, orifices 314, and the pin hole 235, whereby the connecting member 23 is attached to the handle 30.
Referring to FIG. 7, when the pumping device is in a stowed position, the connecting member 23 is locked to the retaining member 13, the ridge 313 on the wall section 312 is received in one of the cutouts 236, one of the protuberances 237 is located against the wall portion 312 and the periphery wall of the first handle 31. Furthermore, the first end 323 of the second handle portion 32 is located against the collar 15. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, when using the pumping device, the connecting member 23 is unlocked from the retaining member 13, the handle 30 is pivoted through 90 degrees of rotation, and the ridge 313 is received within the different cutout 236 to that when the pumping device is in a stowed position.
While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of invention and the scope of invention is only limited by the scope of accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A pumping device comprising:

a barrel including a first tube having a first end and a second end and a second tube which surrounds the first tube;

a head for connecting to a valve attached to the first end of the first tube;

a pumping means including a rod having an end attached to a disc, and an opposite end attached to a connecting member, with the disc moveable within the first tube, with the connecting member adapted to be latched to the first tube; and

a handle pivotally connected to the connecting member including a first handle portion and a second handle portion which surrounds the first handle portion, whereby the handle can be pivoted to a position for receiving the connecting member, with the second handle portion including a portion wrapping the second end of the first tube, and whereby the handle can be pivoted to another position for ease and efficacy of pumping operation.

2. The pumping device as claimed in claim 1 further comprises a retaining member attached to the second end of the first tube, with the retaining member having two locking blocks 180 degrees of rotation separated from one another, and wherein the connecting member comprises two protrusions 180 degrees of rotation separated from one another, and wherein the locking blocks are located against the protrusions respectively when the connecting member is latched to the retaining member.

3. The pumping device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connecting member comprises two cutouts disposed in a parallel relationship and 90 degrees of rotation separated from one another.

4. The pumping device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the retaining member comprises at least one boss, and wherein the protrusion comprises an indentation, and wherein the boss is received in the indentation when the protrusion is located against the locking block.

5. The pumping device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first tube includes a body having a first section and two second sections, with the first section having an external diameter, and with the second sections having a larger external diameter than that of the first section.

6. The pumping device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the first second tube has a body having a first section and two second sections, with the first section having an internal diameter, and with the second sections having a smaller internal diameter than that of the first section.

7. The pumping device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second tube is made from alloy.

8. The pumping device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second tube is made from carbon fiber.

9. The pumping device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second handle portion is made from alloy.

10. The pumping device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second handle portion is made from carbon fiber.

11. The pumping device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and second tubes are made monolithically.

12. The pumping device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and the second handle portions are made monolithically.

13. The pumping device as claimed in claim 1 further comprises a collar, and wherein the second tube is disposed between the collar and the head.

14. The pumping device as claimed in claim 13 wherein the first tube, the head, the collar and the second handle portion have external diameters being the same, whereby the pumping device has a flush outlook.