Improved pneumatic valve system and method of using the same

Abstract

A pneumatic valve system for easily attaching and sealing a valve coupler to a valve stem to fill an inflatable container, such as a tire, inner tube, mattress, etc. The valve system can include the following main components: a valve stem; a valve cap having a pin channel and an attachment structure for attaching to a valve coupler; a sealing member; a biasing member; the valve coupler, which includes a coupler housing, a pin seat, an inflation pin, and a collar having a ball bearing that is complementary to the attachment structure of the valve cap; and a resilient sleeve for providing an inward force to the ball bearing. The valve system can achieve easy, secure, and sealed engagement between the valve coupler and the valve stem by simply pushing the valve coupler downward, and can achieve disengagement between the valve coupler and the valve stem by pulling the valve coupler upward with as few as two fingers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention generally relates to pneumatic valve systems for use with fluid pumps, and methods of manufacturing and using said pneumatic valve systems. More specifically, this invention relates to improved valve systems as alternatives to Schrader valves, Presta valves, Dunlop valves, and other pneumatic valves. Background Technology

[0002] Pneumatic valve systems for connecting pressurized air sources (e.g., pressurized cans or air pumps) to inflatable tires, inner tubes, or other structures have been in use for quite some time. While conventional devices designed and used to date are widely available, they still suffer from design flaws. These devices are difficult to attach and maintain when inflating inner tubes or tires, and often fail to provide a reliable seal on the valve stem of the tire, inner tube, or other structure, leading to leaks. Furthermore, poor connection between a conventional pneumatic valve and a pressure gauge can result in inaccurate pressure readings and improper tire inflation, which can reduce fuel mileage (or slow down a bicycle) and cause uneven tire wear, reducing tire life and potentially voiding the manufacturer's warranty. While conventional devices fulfill their respective specific goals and requirements (i.e., increasing air pressure in an inner tube or tire), they also have frustrating functional limitations. For example, using a valve connection typically requires a person to be in an awkward and uncomfortable position for an extended period while inflating an inner tube or tire. In such cases, the reliability of the valve connection is highly desirable to minimize discomfort and wasted time.

[0003] Schrader valves suffer from significant connection problems due to the way the pump head and valve stem are attached. Because the seal between the pump head and valve is located outside the valve stem, the shared internal surface area between the distal end of the valve stem and the pump head valve chamber is relatively large. Therefore, the internal pressure of the tire or other container attached to the valve exerts a significant force on the internal surface of the pump head, which can cause the pump head to be blown off the valve without a mechanism to hold it in place. To properly secure the pump head to the valve, the Schrader pump head design incorporates a locking lever. The gripping nozzle of the Schrader pump head applies significant force to fully compress the rubber to prevent the pump head from "popping out" due to the high instantaneous output pressure from the pump and the gradual increase in internal pressure from the tire or other container. Therefore, almost all Schrader valve pump heads suffer from the same problem—they are difficult to lock, requiring two hands and considerable finger strength to engage and lock the pump head.

[0004] Presta valves have several drawbacks and are notoriously difficult to use. They share the same problem as Schrader valves: the force exerted on the pump head is sufficient to blow it off the stem without a locking mechanism. The locking lever and chuck are difficult to operate. Additional difficulties and drawbacks of Presta valves include the added inconvenience of having to unscrew the bolt nut that forms part of the stem structure; the need for dedicated pumps conforming to the specialized Presta design and the delicate, fragile design of the Presta stem; and the common problem of the threaded core of the Presta stem loosening from the stem housing when engaged with the pump head.

[0005] Therefore, the need for improved pneumatic valve connectors based on the concept and design of conventional devices remains. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention provides a novel valve and inflation system for pneumatic tires and related devices to improve ease of use. The invention described herein is designed as an easy-to-use tire valve and valve connector system and presents itself as an alternative to long-used tire valve systems. The new valve system allows the user to apply the valve connector to the valve stem in a single linear motion without the need for snap-fit ​​or latching to secure the valve connector to the valve stem. This invention allows for smooth axial attachment of the valve connector to the valve stem and prevents leakage between the valve connector and the valve stem. Therefore, this invention provides a significant improvement over conventional valve systems, offering users a mechanically more reliable, efficient, and ergonomic valve system.

[0007] This design uniquely combines a miniature ball check valve mechanism with an inflatable pin as an actuator and a ball and groove retaining or locking mechanism for attaching the novel pump head to the novel valve structure. This valve system provides equivalent flow rates, improved sealing stability, and a simpler actuation method, eliminating the need for external threaded connections or lever-locking chucks to engage the valve and secure the pump head. Compared to previous valve systems, such as those from Schrader, Presta, and Dunlop, which required significant downward force from the user using the female pump head and actuator and engaging the locking lever on the valve connector with the other hand, this valve design requires minimal force to engage and secure the pump head's female connector to the valve stem. It is likely that most users will only need one hand, and as few as two fingers, to engage the valve of this invention. This detail is particularly important when used as a circulation valve, considering the limited space between wheel spokes (a common source of frustration for both amateur and professional cyclists). Compared to conventional valves, the currently disclosed valves offer improved ease of use and make it easier for people with limited hand and body movement due to injury or illness or simply a lack of finger strength or coordination (e.g., for young children or the elderly) to connect the pump head and thus use tires or other inflatable devices.

[0008] In addition to improvements in ease of use, this valve system offers considerable versatility, as it can be scaled or reconfigured in size to accommodate a wider range of flow rates, tire pressures, and sizes. For example, a very small diameter version can be used on performance bicycle tires without altering the basic mechanics of the valve system. Furthermore, the invention includes an adapter system operable with tires or inner tubes equipped with Schrader, Presta, or Dunlop tire valves to enable easy push-in and pull-out functionality, allowing users to choose to continue using their existing valve systems by utilizing the valve stem adapter and the female connector of the invention, suitable for such applications.

[0009] Currently disclosed valves can be manufactured using a variety of materials, allowing for adaptation to different environments and applications. For applications requiring corrosion resistance, such as automotive tires, stainless steel or non-ferrous metals such as brass can be used. In other applications where low-cost, high-volume production of materials is economically necessary, such as in circulation valves, aluminum can be used. Besides metals, valves can also be partially or entirely manufactured using 3D printing materials, including ABS, PETG, nylon, carbon fiber, ASA, or polycarbonate. 3D-printed components can be produced to provide efficient, low-cost valves for numerous applications beyond vehicle tires and inner tubes. For example, low-cost plastic versions of valves can be effectively used in inflatable devices such as inner tubes and air mattresses, as well as other similar devices. This application of the invention includes functional designs tailored to two materials: metals and carbon / non-carbon plastics. Some applications may require combinations of several different materials, resulting in valves that can include metals, plastics, and other materials such as rubber or carbon fiber. Additionally, this design can be applied to higher pressure applications, such as valves for liquid systems, hazardous fluids, and other applications requiring reliable leak-proof seals. Various design embodiments are presented to support the novelty of the design across a wide range of applications.

[0010] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a pneumatic valve system for easily attaching and sealing a pump head to a valve stem via a novel mechanical connection. In some embodiments, the valve system may include (1) a valve stem having the following main components: a valve cover having an attachment mechanism having a pin passage and an attachment mechanism for attaching to the pump head; a sealing mechanism having a sealing member, a base on which the sealing member can be positioned, and a biasing member for biasing the sealing mechanism to a sealing position; and a chamber through which the inflatable pin passes when the pump head is engaged with the valve stem; and (2) a pump head including: a valve connector comprising a housing, a pin base, an inflatable pin, a collar having a ball bearing complementary to the attachment structure of the valve cover, and a bearing sleeve (e.g., an elastic sleeve) for providing an inward force to the ball bearing. The valve system achieves easy, secure, and sealed engagement between the valve connector and the valve stem by simply pushing the valve connector downwards along the axial path, and disengages the valve connector from the valve stem by pulling the valve connector upwards, without the need for levers, snap rings, or other cumbersome devices. When the valve connector is pushed downwards over the valve stem, the inflation pin displaces the first sealing mechanism from the pin channel and into the first chamber, thereby creating an air passage into the chamber through the inflation pin. Displacement of the sealing mechanism and insertion of the distal end of the inflation pin into the chamber allows air from the pump head to flow from the inflation pin into the chamber. The chamber may have open fluid communication with the interior of a pressurized container (e.g., inner tube, tire, rubber boat, air mattress, inflatable chair, inflatable toy, etc.) to which the valve stem is connected, thereby allowing inflation of the pressurized container.

[0011] In some embodiments, the valve system may include (1) a valve stem having the following main components: a valve cover having a pin passage and an attachment mechanism for attaching to a valve connector of the pump head; a first chamber having a first sealing mechanism therein; a biasing member for biasing the first sealing mechanism to a sealing position; a second chamber having a second sealing mechanism therein; and a passage located between the first and second chambers; and (2) a pump head including: a valve connector comprising a housing, a pin base, an inflatable pin, a collar having a ball bearing complementary to the attachment mechanism of the valve cover, and a bearing sleeve (e.g., an elastic sleeve) for providing inward force to the ball bearing. The valve system can achieve easy, secure, and sealed engagement between the valve connector and the valve stem by simply pushing the valve connector downward in an axial path, and disengagement between the valve connector and the valve stem by pulling the valve connector upward, without the need for levers, snap rings, or other cumbersome devices. When the valve connector is pushed downward over the valve stem, the inflation pin displaces the first sealing mechanism from the pin channel and into the first chamber, thereby creating an air passage through the inflation pin into the first chamber. This displacement of the first sealing mechanism actuates and displaces the second sealing mechanism, thereby opening the passage between the first and second chambers. Air from the pump head can enter the first chamber from the inflation pin and then enter the second chamber through the passage between the first and second chambers. The second chamber can be in open fluid communication with the interior of a pressurized container (e.g., inner tube, tire, inflatable boat, air mattress, inflatable chair, inflatable toy, etc.) to which the valve stem is connected, thereby allowing inflation of the pressurized container.

[0012] On the other hand, the present invention relates to a valve conversion system for converting a conventional pneumatic valve using a novel valve stem and pump head combination, the combination of which allows the pump head to be easily attached and sealed to the valve stem via a novel mechanical connection. In some embodiments, the conversion system may include (1) a valve stem adapter having the following main components: a valve stem connector operable to attach to a pre-existing conventional valve stem; a cover having a pin passage and an attachment mechanism for attaching to the pump head; a sealing mechanism; a biasing member for biasing the sealing mechanism to a sealed position; and a chamber through which the inflatable pin passes when the pump head engages with the valve stem; and (2) a pump head including: a valve connector comprising a housing, a pin base, an inflatable pin, a collar having a ball bearing complementary to the attachment structure of the valve cover, and a bearing sleeve (e.g., an elastic sleeve) for providing an inward force to the ball bearing. The valve conversion system enables a conventional valve to be converted into an easy, secure, and sealed engagement between the valve connector and the valve stem adapter by simply pushing the valve connector downwards along the axial path, and disengages the valve connector from the valve stem adapter by pulling the valve connector upwards, without the need for levers, snap rings, or other cumbersome devices. When the valve connector is pushed downwards over the valve stem, the inflation pin displaces the sealing mechanism from the pin channel and into the chamber, thereby creating an air passage into the chamber through the inflation pin. Displacement of the sealing mechanism and insertion of the distal end of the inflation pin into the chamber allows air from the pump head to flow from the inflation pin into the chamber. In some embodiments, the valve spool can be removed before attaching the valve stem adapter to improve the performance of a conventional valve (e.g., a Presta valve, Schrader valve, or Dunlap valve), leaving the valve stem adapter attached to the valve housing. In other embodiments, the valve spool of the conventional valve can remain intact, and the valve stem adapter can be attached to the valve housing. In such embodiments, when the pump head is coupled to the valve stem adapter, the inflation pin can displace a pre-existing valve actuator of the conventional valve. In some embodiments, the valve stem adapter may include a structure that displaces and holds the pre-existing valve actuator of the conventional valve in the open position, thereby allowing a valve mechanism within the valve stem adapter to control the fluid flow through the valve stem. Actuation of the valve actuator opens the chamber into fluid communication with the interior of a pressurized container (e.g., inner tube, tire, rubber boat, air mattress, inflatable chair, inflatable toy, etc.) to which the conventional valve stem is connected, thereby allowing inflation of the pressurized container.

[0013] In another aspect, the present invention relates to an adapter system for use with existing pneumatic valve systems (e.g., Schrader valves, Presta valves, and Dunlap valves), the adapter system comprising: a valve stem adapter operable to connect to a pre-existing valve stem (e.g., of a Schrader valve, Presta valve, or Dunlap valve); and a pump head operable to securely connect to the valve stem by simply pressing the pump head axially onto the valve stem without manipulating any moving parts. In some embodiments, the valve system may include (1) a valve stem having the following main components: a coupling mechanism (e.g., complementary thread) for attaching the valve stem adapter to the pre-existing valve stem (e.g., Schrader, Presta, or Dunlap valve stem), a pin channel for receiving an actuator pin from a pump head assembly, a sealing member, and a coupling mechanism for engaging the pump head; and (2) a pump head including: a valve connector comprising a housing, a collar having a ball bearing complementary to the second coupling mechanism of the valve stem adapter, and a bearing sleeve (e.g., a resilient sleeve) for providing inward force to the ball bearing, a pin base, and an actuator pin. The actuator pin may engage with the valve actuator of the pre-existing valve stem to inflate the pneumatic device in which the valve is mounted using an existing valve mechanism. The valve adapter system can achieve an easy, secure, and sealed engagement with the valve stem adapter by simply pressing the pump head connector axially onto the valve stem adapter, and can disengage from the valve stem adapter by pulling the pump head upwards, without the need for levers, buckles, or other cumbersome devices.

[0014] In some embodiments, the valve stem adapter can replace the pre-existing internal actuation structure of the valve (e.g., a Schrader, Presta, or Dunlap valve actuator) with a valve structure including a pin passage, a sealing member, and a biasing member. For example, the valve stem adapter may include an internal valve structure housed within a pre-existing valve stem housing after the internal valve mechanism of the pre-existing valve stem has been removed. The valve stem adapter may include: a central passage through which air can pass when the valve mechanism is engaged; a sealing member, such as a ball bearing; a sealing member base against which the sealing member can form an airtight seal; and a biasing member for biasing the sealing member against the sealing member base when the pin of the pump head is disengaged from the valve stem adapter.

[0015] The features of various embodiments and methods of the present invention are discussed in further detail below.

[0016] valve stem base

[0017] In some embodiments, the valve stem may be attached to and in fluid communication with a pressurizable container, such as an inner tube, tire, inflatable boat, air mattress, inflatable chair, inflatable toy, etc. The valve stem may act as both an inlet and outlet for such a container and allow for easy and secure connection to a valve connector that is in fluid communication with a source of pressurized air (e.g., an air compressor) to pressurize the container.

[0018] The valve stem may include a valve structure and mechanism operable to maintain an airtight seal until a pump head is attached to the valve via a complementary valve connector to inject air into a tire or other fillable container through the valve stem. In some embodiments, the valve stem may include a tubular shape having a central channel, a base attached to the container, and a valve cover structure surrounding the valve mechanism. The valve cover may be attached to the base via an attachment structure for a semi-permanent connection to the base of the valve stem. In some embodiments, the attachment structure may include threads on the outer surface of the distal end of the base having a shape complementary to the shape of the threads on the valve cover. In other embodiments, the attachment structure may include a lip, and the valve cover may include a circumferential concave surface in its inner surface, or vice versa, the lip having a shape complementary to the circumferential concave surface. The valve stem base may be made of a rigid material (e.g., a corrosion-resistant metal such as brass, stainless steel, aluminum, etc.), and the valve cover may include the same or similar rigid material (e.g., metal, carbon fiber, rigid plastic, etc.). In some embodiments, the valve stem base may comprise a single rigid material (e.g., metal, carbon fiber, rigid plastic, etc.) or a semi-rigid material (e.g., a polymer material with limited flexibility). In some embodiments, the valve cover may be integrated with the valve stem and comprise the same material.

[0019] Valve cover and actuation mechanism

[0020] The valve cover may include a housing having a proximal end and a distal end. In some embodiments, the proximal end may include a substantially cylindrical shape and an inner surface having an attachment structure complementary to the attachment structure of the base, thereby allowing the valve cover to be securely attached to the valve base in a hermetically tight manner. In some embodiments, the attachment structure of the valve cover may include threads of a shape complementary to the shape of threads on the outer surface of the valve stem base.

[0021] The second end of the valve cover may include an outer surface having a connecting neck for removable attachment to a valve connector (pump head) and a valve pin channel substantially coaxial with the central channel of the valve stem. In some embodiments, the connecting neck at the distal end of the valve cover may include one or more concave surfaces, such as circumferential concave surfaces having a shape complementary to the shape of the connecting collar of the valve connector. In some embodiments, the connecting collar of the valve connector may include at least one ball bearing nested within the connecting collar of the valve connector and biased inward by an elastic sleeve. In some embodiments, the pin channel may include a substantially cylindrical channel coaxial with the central channel of the valve stem and extending across the distal end of the valve cover. The pin channel may include a diameter to receive an inflation pin of the valve connector such that the inflation pin can enter the central channel of the valve stem through the pin channel.

[0022] The valve cover may include at least one valve mechanism, and the valve stem may include at least one sealing member and may be held in a sealed position by at least one biasing member until the pump head is coupled to the valve stem. The valve mechanism may be positioned between the valve base and the valve cover and fully fitted within the valve base and / or the valve cover. In some embodiments, the biasing member may include a spring having an overall substantially cylindrical shape (e.g., an open-circuit coil shape) whose outer diameter is complementary to the inner diameter of the valve cover (e.g., substantially similar to but smaller than the inner diameter of the valve cover). In some embodiments, the base of the valve stem may include a shoulder on an inner surface located at or near the bottom of the chamber, the shoulder being operable to provide a base for the biasing member, the biasing member providing a spring force to bias the sealing member toward a sealed position (e.g., against a sealing ring of the valve cover). The at least one sealing mechanism may include a sealing member positioned at the upper end of the biasing member and having a shape complementary to a pin passage in the valve stem, such as spherical, oval, conical pyramidal, or other shapes operable to engage with the biasing member, and forming a seal with a sealing ring in the pin passage of the valve cover. When inflating a tire or other pneumatic container, the air pressure behind the sealing member is sufficiently reliable to place and hold the sealing member in a sealed position within the pin channel. Therefore, the spring can be a lightweight spring, and its force can be easily counteracted by the downward force of the inflation pin when the pump head is attached to the valve stem.

[0023] In some embodiments, the sealing mechanism may include a substantially spherical sealing member (e.g., a ball bearing or other substantially spherical structure comprising a rigid or semi-rigid material such as a polymer, metal, or ceramic material, or a composite thereof), a sealing rod or related structure having an expanded tip, and the inner diameter of the spring may be smaller than the outer diameter of the sealing member, such that the sealing member is operable to sit on the upper end of the spring. The outer diameter of the sealing member may be smaller than the inner diameter of the valve cover, such that the sealing member can move freely within the valve cover, and air can pass around the sealing member when the sealing member is in the open position (e.g., the sealing ring not abutting the valve cover). In some instances, the sealing member may be fixed to the upper end of the spring. The sealing member may engage and press against the lower surface of the sealing ring to close the pin passage and prevent air from flowing through the valve. When using a spherical or ellipsoidal ball as the sealing member, the spring or other biasing member may be omitted, as the air pressure behind the ball bearing ensures that it is forced into the O-ring and covers the inner diameter. In such instances, breathable mesh material or short springs attached to the lower portion of the chamber can serve as supports for the sealing ball so that it does not obstruct airflow through the air passage at the bottom of the chamber during inflation.

[0024] The valve cover may include a shoulder concentric with the pin passage. The shoulder can provide a base for a sealing ring. The sealing ring can be positioned between the shoulder of the valve cover and the rounded upper tip of the valve base. The sealing ring can be compressed between the shoulder and the tip of the valve base, thereby preventing airflow through the threaded area of ​​the valve cover and restricting airflow outside the inflation pin. The outer diameter of the sealing ring can be complementary to the inner diameter of the valve cover, and the inner diameter of the sealing ring can be significantly smaller than the outer diameter of the sealing member. The sealing ring can provide a stop against which the sealing member is pressed by a biasing member when the valve stem is not engaged with the valve connector. When the valve connector is engaged with the valve cover, the inflation pin can pass through the central channel of the sealing ring. The inner diameter of the sealing ring can be substantially similar to (i.e., the same as or slightly smaller than) the outer diameter of the inflation pin, allowing it to deform or stretch slightly to allow the inflation pin to pass through and forming an airtight seal between the sealing ring and the inflation pin against air pressure within the container.

[0025] The sealing ring can be a compressible structure that seals against a shoulder in an internal channel within the valve cover and has a central opening through which a valve needle can pass when the valve stem is engaged with the valve connector. A sealing member is pressed against the sealing ring by a biasing member to form an airtight seal in the valve stem until the valve connector engages with the valve stem to pressurize the pressure vessel. The sealing member (e.g., a ball bearing, sealing rod, etc.) can comprise a spherical, ellipsoidal, or other tapering shape with a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the sealing ring, and the inner diameter of the sealing ring can be naturally found due to its tapering shape. The sealing ring can be an O-ring gasket with a circular or oval cross-section that complements the outer surface of the sealing member, thereby allowing a considerably large surface area interface between the sealing member and the sealing ring, and thus forming a reliable airtight seal. The sealing ring can be made of a semi-rigid but compressible material such as vulcanized rubber, silicone, fluorosilicone, ethylene-propylene (EPDM), polyurethane, or other suitable materials.

[0026] In embodiments of the invention, the sealing ring can be configured such that its inner diameter is just large enough to receive the inflation pin, thereby providing a tight seal around the inflation pin when it is inserted into the pin channel and the sealing ring and enters the chamber. The engagement of the inflation pin with the sealing ring provides a narrow path for pressurized air to travel from the pump head through the valve stem. Due to the sealing ring (or other sealing device), the pin channel is only large enough for the inflation pin to pass through. This is an improvement over conventional pump head-valve stem engagements, such as the Schrader valve. In the Schrader valve design, when the pump head engages with the valve, a relatively large annular channel is formed around the plunger in the valve. The pump head pushes the plunger into a recessed position in the Schrader valve, thereby allowing an annular column of air to pass through the valve. This generates considerable backflush pressure on the pump head of the Schrader valve. This is why the Schrader valve includes a cumbersome thumb lever, which needs to be locked in place before pumping with the Schrader system. The narrow, controlled air passage of the valve of the present invention reduces the pressure experienced by the pump head, thereby creating an easy-to-use, rigid, and less cumbersome engagement mechanism. The pump head of the present invention can be simply pushed downwards over the valve stem to locate the attachment mechanism (e.g., channel or collar) on the outer diameter of the valve stem via the ball bearing and positioned within the attachment mechanism, wherein the resilient bearing sleeve applies inward pressure to the bearing to position and hold it in the attachment mechanism. The pump head can be easily removed by pulling it axially away from the valve stem. Therefore, the present invention is operable to provide a pump head with a resilient quick-connect mechanism that is easy to attach and remove. However, it should be understood that the present invention includes embodiments in which the quick-connect collar can be a sliding ridge collar, which must be moved from its positioned position by sliding the collar to an open position to release pressure on the ball bearing and allow it to be positioned in or removed from the attachment mechanism of the valve collar.

[0027] In some embodiments, the valve system may include two independent sealing mechanisms that eliminate potentially substantial pressure losses (e.g., up to 10 PSI) that occur in conventional valve designs when the pump head is disengaged from the valve stem. In such embodiments, the valve stem may comprise two chambers in series, each sealed by a separate sealing mechanism. The upper chamber may contain a first sealing ring against which a first sealing member is pressed when in the closed position, and the lower chamber may contain a second sealing ring or sealing base. In some embodiments, the first sealing member may be a sealing rod having a tapered plug at its upper end that engages with the first sealing ring when in the closed position. A biasing member (e.g., a spring) may be positioned in the upper chamber and engage with the sealing rod, and may bias the sealing rod toward the first sealing member. In the case of a spring-biased member, the sealing rod may engage with the spring by partially nesting within it, or the sealing rod may be attached to the upper end of the spring. The bottom end of the spring may rest on the shoulder of the first chamber. In some embodiments, a filter structure may be included in an upper chamber, operable to capture particulate matter and prevent the introduction of particles into the valve stem or its attached inflatable container. Particulate matter can clog the valve mechanism and cause valve leakage, and even valve malfunction. The particulate filter may have an annular structure positioned around the axis of the sealing rod between the plug and the spring, such that it is held in position adjacent to the plug. The particulate filter may be a metal mesh material or a perforated metal disc (e.g., laser-perforated stainless steel, aluminum, or other rigid material). In other embodiments, the structure of the first chamber and the sealing mechanism therein may have a design similar to the chamber and sealing mechanism in the embodiments described above.

[0028] The second chamber may contain a second sealing mechanism comprising a sealing member that rests against a complementary base, providing a relatively large surface area interface between the sealing member and the complementary base. The sealing member may be a substantially spherical rigid sphere (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, or other corrosion-resistant material). The complementary base may have a spherical cap shape, made of flexible thermoplastic, nitrile rubber (Buna-N Nitrile), natural rubber, or Hypalon. TM Neoprene TM Polyurethane, SBR (red rubber), silicone, Viton TMIt is composed of fluorosilicone, ethylene propylene, butyl rubber, or other materials. The material may have a degree of flexibility, allowing it to bend when the sealing member is pushed against the base by the internal pressure of the pressurized container. In other embodiments, the base may be a three-point ball base, which can be effectively combined with the spherical sealing ball to provide an airtight seal even when the pressure in the container to which the valve stem is attached is relatively low. The three-point base consists of two spherical cap portions of different diameters, which can be joined together to form a similar... Figure 8 The structure of the spherical cap is as follows: the cross-sectional area of ​​one spherical cap can be 10%-15% larger than that of the sealing sphere, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the other spherical cap can be 10%-15% smaller than that of the sealing sphere. The two spherical cap sections can be integrally molded or joined together, fused together by welding, lap splicing, or other suitable methods. The base with this geometry forms a perfectly circular area between the two spherical cap structures, with no concentricity or perpendicularity errors, and achieves a very tight seal with near-zero leakage, even under low pressure. The base can be made of a high-tensile-strength, high-hardness metal.

[0029] In such embodiments, the second sealing member in the second chamber can be held in place in the base by pneumatic pressure in the container. When the pump head engages with the valve stem, an inflation needle passes through the first sealing ring and engages with the plug of the sealing rod in the first chamber, displacing the sealing rod from the first sealing ring. The lower end of the sealing rod, opposite the plug, then engages with the second sealing member in the second chamber, displacing the second sealing member from the base, thereby opening the second seal on the valve stem. The length of the sealing rod can provide a small gap between the distal end of the sealing rod and the second sealing member. When the pump head is removed from the valve stem, the small gap (e.g., in the range of about 1 mm to about 5 mm) allows the second sealing member to seal before the first sealing member, thus helping to prevent leakage during disengagement of the pump head.

[0030] Air or other gases can then flow through the inflation needle into the first chamber, and then through the channel between the first and second chambers, and through the second chamber to inflate the container. The second chamber may contain a gasket that prevents the sealing ball from passing through the lower channel of the second chamber during inflation. The "isolation" gasket may be a cage-like structure or may have leaf-like protrusions that allow air or other inflation gases to pass through the gasket when the sealing ball contacts it.

[0031] Pin base

[0032] The pin base retains the inflation pin attached to the valve connector. The pin base can be attached to a recess in the valve connector via a connection mechanism that attaches to the connector housing, pin receiver, and connection channel. In some embodiments, the distal end may include a head (e.g., a disc shape) with an outer diameter larger than that of the proximal end. In some embodiments, the head may include a recess, a protrusion, or other gripping structure (mounting structure). The mounting structure may have a shape complementary to the shape of a functional portion of a tool used to mount the pin base in the connector housing. In some embodiments, the mounting structure may have a shape complementary to at least one of a screwdriver, wrench (e.g., a fixed-head wrench, socket wrench, Allen wrench, or hex wrench), drill bit, etc. In some embodiments, the mounting structure may be a slot that traverses the upper surface of the distal end (e.g., the head) of the pin base, passing through its center point, and may be positioned such that the longitudinal axis of the slot is parallel to the central axis of the connection channel of the pin base (which is not visible when the pin base is screwed into the connector housing). Therefore, the user can determine the position of the connecting channel (e.g., rotational or radial position) by observing the position of the slot on the head of the pin base. The user can further determine the position of the air intake channel of the connector housing by observing the position of the air source attachment member, and align the connecting channel with the air intake channel by aligning the slot with the air source attachment member. Thus, fluid communication can be achieved from the air source, through the air passages of the air source attachment member and the connector housing, through the connecting channel of the pin base, and into the central channel of the inflatable pin (and subsequently into the valve stem when the valve connector engages with the valve stem).

[0033] In some embodiments, the proximal end of the pin base (i.e., the end closest to the valve stem when the valve connector engages with the valve stem) may include a pin receiver comprising a channel substantially coaxial with the central channel of the valve connector and the central channel of the valve stem. The pin receiver is operable to receive a first end of an inflatable pin. The inner diameter of the pin receiver may be complementary to the outer diameter of the inflatable pin, such that the inflatable pin can be held substantially statically when the first end of the inflatable pin engages with the pin receiver (e.g., inserted into the pin receiver). The pin receiver may be in fluid communication with the connection channel of the pin base.

[0034] In some embodiments, the connecting channel of the pin base may be positioned approximately at the midpoint between a first end and a second end of the pin base, and may be oriented to align with the air intake channel when the pin base is attached (e.g., fully screwed in) to the connector housing. In some embodiments, the connecting channel may include a plurality of channels, each in fluid communication with a center point, and each channel includes an opening on the periphery of the pin base that is operable to be in fluid communication with the air intake channel if aligned with it. In some embodiments, the plurality of channels may include two channels, each traversing the pin base and arranged orthogonally to each other, intersecting at the center point. Thus, the two channels may form an X shape, with the center of the X located at the center point (e.g., a point on the central axis of the pin base) in fluid communication with the central channel of the inflatable pin. The ends of each arm of the X shape may define openings in the outer surface of the pin base. Thus, when the pin base is in four different rotational positions (i.e., when any arm of the X shape is aligned with the air intake channel), the connecting channel is operable to allow the air intake channel of the connector housing to be in fluid communication with the central channel of the inflatable pin.

[0035] When the attachment structure of the pin base and the connector housing includes complementary threads, this arrangement of the plurality of connection channels allows the pin base to be fully screwed (e.g., fully tightened) into the connector housing within 90 degrees while still providing fluid communication between the inflation pin and the air intake channel. In some embodiments, the plurality of connection channels may provide more than four openings evenly circumferentially arranged around the outer surface of the pin base. In some embodiments, the plurality of connection channels may provide six or eight openings, such that the pin base can be fully tightened within 60 degrees or 45 degrees respectively while still providing fluid communication between the air intake channel and the inflation pin.

[0036] Inflatable pin

[0037] The inflation pin may include a conduit of any shape operable to provide airtight fluid communication between the pin base and the valve stem. In some embodiments, the inflation pin may include a substantially cylindrical shape defining a central channel having an inlet at a first end of the inflation pin and an outlet at or near a second end of the inflation pin. In some embodiments, the first end is operable to insert into a pin receiver of the pin base and is in fluid communication with a connection channel of the pin base. In some embodiments, when the valve connector is engaged with the valve stem, the second end of the inflation pin is operable to insert into and pass through a pin channel of the valve cover, and thus into the central channel of the valve stem. In some embodiments, the outlet may be disposed on a laterally outer surface of the second end of the inflation pin, rather than on the leading edge surface of the second end. Thus, as the inflation pin passes through the sealing ring, the leading edge surface can freely contact and push the sealing member of the valve stem away from the sealing ring of the valve stem without impeding airflow from the outlet of the inflation pin.

[0038] Valve connector

[0039] The connector housing of the valve connector may include an air source attachment member, an attachment structure for a pin base, and a collar for attachment to a valve stem. In some embodiments, the connector housing may include a rigid material (i.e., metal, metal alloy, plastic, carbon fiber, etc.) and a generally cylindrical shape with a central channel that is substantially coaxial with the central channel of the valve stem when the valve connector is engaged with the valve stem. The central channel of the connector housing may have an inner surface with an attachment structure for securing the pin base in place within the central channel. In some embodiments, the attachment structure of the connector housing may include threads having a shape complementary to the threads on the outer surface of the pin base, such that the pin base can be securely attached to the connector housing by screwing it into the central channel of the connector housing.

[0040] In some embodiments, the connector housing may include at least one sealing ring positioned to form an airtight seal between the pin base and the connector housing. In some embodiments, the connector housing may include a first sealing ring and a second sealing ring. The first sealing ring is positioned to form an airtight seal between the pin base, the connector housing, and the inflatable pin at the proximal end of the pin base (i.e., opposite the head of the pin base). The inner diameter of the first sealing ring of the connector housing may be substantially similar to (i.e., the same as or slightly smaller than) the outer diameter of the inflatable pin. Thus, when the inflatable pin engages with the pin base (i.e., is inserted into the pin receiver of the pin base), the inflatable pin can pass through a central channel of the first sealing ring (which may be slightly deformed or stretched to allow the inflatable pin to pass through), thereby forming an airtight seal between the first sealing ring and the inflatable pin. In some embodiments, the first sealing ring may include an outer diameter substantially similar to the inner diameter of the connector housing and can be secured in place between the proximal end of the pin base and a first shoulder of the connector housing when the pin base is screwed into the connector housing. The second sealing ring can be positioned to form an airtight seal between the pin base and the connector housing at the distal end of the pin base (i.e., at the head of the pin base), and can be secured in the appropriate position between the second shoulder of the connector housing and the head of the pin base when the pin base is screwed into the connector housing.

[0041] The central channel of the connector housing may communicate with the air intake channel of the connector housing. In some embodiments, a portion of the air intake channel may be defined by the inner surface of the air source attachment member. In some embodiments, the air intake channel may be orthogonal to the central axis of the central channel of the connector housing. In some embodiments, when the pin base is installed (e.g., screwed into) the connector housing, the air intake channel of the connector housing is in fluid communication with the central channel of the inflation pin through the connecting channel of the pin base, and a unique fluid communication is provided between the central channel of the connector housing and the air intake channel.

[0042] An air source attachment member can include any shape or mechanism (e.g., a pneumatic hose) operable to securely attach to an air source. The air source attachment member can include a central channel in fluid communication with an intake passage. In some embodiments, the air source attachment member can include a standard male connector for a pneumatic system, operable to securely attach to a standard female connector (e.g., a quick-connect connector with a rigid sleeve that can be pulled back from a set of ball bearings to attach to the male connector). In other embodiments, the air source attachment member can include an outer circumferential lip or circumferential barb and is operable to insert into the central channel of the pneumatic hose. In some embodiments, the pneumatic hose can include a central channel defined by an inner surface including a circumferential concave surface that is shaped to complement the lip or barb of the air source attachment member. In other embodiments, the central channel of the pneumatic hose can be substantially resilient and operable to form an airtight connection with the air source attachment member without having a complementary circumferential concave surface on its inner surface.

[0043] The valve connector may include an attachment member for securely attaching to a valve cover. In some embodiments, the attachment member may include at least one ball bearing nested in a bearing channel in the wall of a collar traversing the valve connector housing, the ball bearing being inwardly biased by a resilient bearing sleeve surrounding the collar. The bearing channel in the collar wall may include an outer end and an inner end, the outer end defining an opening in an outer surface of the collar of the valve connector, and the inner end defining an opening in an inner surface of the collar. The bearing channel may include a substantially cylindrical shape, except that the inner end is narrower than the rest of the bearing channel (i.e., the diameter of the inner end is smaller than the diameter of the rest of the bearing channel). The outer diameter of the ball bearing may be significantly larger than the diameter of the inner end of the bearing channel and significantly larger than the thickness of the collar wall, such that the ball bearing cannot completely pass through the narrowed inner end, but a portion of the ball bearing may protrude through the narrowed end. Because the ball bearing is wider than the collar wall, the resilient sleeve surrounding the collar will contact the portion of the ball bearing protruding from the outer end of the channel and resiliently bias the ball bearing inward. Therefore, when the valve connector is engaged with the valve stem, the ball bearing can extend into the circumferential concave surface at the second end of the valve cover, thereby securing the valve connector in the proper position on the valve stem.

[0044] Connector sleeve

[0045] A connector sleeve may be disposed around a collar of the connector housing. In some embodiments, the connector sleeve may comprise a substantially cylindrical shape, the inner diameter of which is complementary to (e.g., substantially similar to) the outer diameter of the collar. In some embodiments, the connector sleeve may be made of an elastomeric material operable to provide an elastic inward force to a ball bearing of the connector housing. In some embodiments, when the valve connector engages with the valve stem, the inward force applied to the ball bearing by the elastomeric connector sleeve is sufficient to withstand the outward pressure applied to the ball bearing from the attachment structure of the valve cover when air enters the container, and therefore the valve connector will not eject from the valve stem solely due to the outward pressure generated by filling the container with air. Simultaneously, the elastomeric connector sleeve may be designed to provide an inward force to the ball bearing that can be easily overcome by pulling the valve connector away from the valve stem with one hand. In some embodiments, the inward force of the elastomeric connector sleeve can be overcome by pulling the valve connector away from the valve stem with the thumb and forefinger or other fingers. The elastomeric connector sleeve may include any elastic material operable to provide an inward force to the attachment device of the connector housing collar. In some embodiments, the elastic sleeve may include at least one of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), natural rubber, synthetic rubber, nitrile rubber, silicone rubber, polyurethane rubber, neoprene rubber, and ethylene vinyl acetate.

[0046] Therefore, the valve connector can be engaged with the valve stem by simply aligning the collar of the valve connector with the valve cover of the valve stem and applying force to the valve connector by hand. This action causes the collar to slide downwards and engage with the valve cover. The force applied to the valve connector must be sufficient to: 1) move the ball bearings of the collar outwards against the inward force of the elastic sleeve, so as to slide on the upper lip of the valve cover before moving inwards back to the attachment member (e.g., the circumferential concave surface) of the valve cover, and 2) insert the inflation pin through the center of the sealing ring and disengage the sealing member from the sealing ring against the biasing member, so that the outlet of the inflation pin moves through the sealing ring and fluidly communicates with the central passage of the valve stem. As discussed above, the inner diameter of the sealing ring can be equal to or slightly narrower than the outer diameter of the inflation pin, such that an airtight seal is formed between the inflation pin and the sealing ring. The airtight engagement of the sealing ring and the inflation pin restricts the airflow between the pump head and the valve stem through the inflation pin. This reduces the force exerted on the pump head by the pressurized air in the pneumatic container to a negligible amount, thus allowing the pump head to be attached using an elastomer coupling sleeve connection mechanism without the cumbersome locking mechanism found in Schrader valve designs.

[0047] In some embodiments, the connector sleeve may have a rigid sliding sleeve that holds a ball bearing housed in a receiver within a valve stem cover. The sliding sleeve may have a first inner diameter sufficient to pass through a collar along the connector housing and hold the ball bearing housed in the receiver within the valve stem cover. The sliding sleeve may have a second inner diameter large enough to allow the ball bearing to be released from the receiver within the valve stem cover and to allow the pump head to be pulled off the valve stem. The sliding sleeve may be biased toward a closed position, in which the first inner diameter is positioned above the ball bearing to lock the ball bearing in place within the receiver within the valve stem cover. To release the pump head, the sliding sleeve may be pulled upward toward the pump head to align the second inner diameter with the ball bearing and remove it from the receiver within the valve stem cover. The pump head can then be removed by pulling it upward axially and pulling it off the valve stem. Embodiments including the sliding sleeve also provide an easily operable engagement mechanism that can be attached and removed using one hand. The user can pull the sliding sleeve back to the retracted position, place the connector sleeve on the valve stem, aligning the ball bearing with the receiver in the valve stem, and then release the sliding sleeve, causing the bias sleeve to move downward toward the valve stem to position the first inner diameter above the ball bearing, thus placing it in the receiver and locking the pump head onto the valve stem. To release the pump head, the user can simply grasp the sliding sleeve and pull it upward away from the valve stem, causing the second inner diameter to move above the ball bearing, thereby releasing the ball bearing and pulling the pump head out of the valve stem in one movement. The sliding sleeve can be used in higher pressure situations where the fluid pressure in the valve system is higher, or in valve systems used to convey liquids, hazardous gases, or other high-pressure or hazardous fluids.

[0048] How to use

[0049] The method of using the valve system of the present invention may include the following steps: 1) providing a valve connector having an inflation pin and a collar, the collar having at least one ball bearing biased inwardly by an elastic sleeve for attachment to a valve stem; 2) providing a container having a valve stem and a valve cover, the valve stem having a sealing member biased against a sealing ring, the valve cover having a pin channel for receiving the inflation pin and a concave surface for accommodating at least one ball bearing of the collar; 3) engaging the valve connector to the valve stem such that the inflation pin passes through the pin channel and the sealing ring; 4) allowing a sufficient volume of air to enter the valve base through the inflation pin to inflate the pressurizable container; and 5) disengaging the valve connector from the valve stem. In some embodiments, engaging the valve connector to the valve stem can be performed by aligning the collar to the valve cover and applying a linear axial force to the connector. In some embodiments, the force applied to the connector must be in the direction of the valve stem and must be sufficient to move at least one ball bearing past the lip of the valve cover and into a circular recess in the valve cover. In some embodiments, the force applied to the connector must be sufficient to insert the inflation pin through the sealing ring and to disengage the sealing member from the sealing ring due to the biasing of the biasing member. In some embodiments, the force applied to the connector can be applied with one hand. In some embodiments, the step of disengaging the connector from the valve stem can be accomplished with two fingers.

[0050] The method of using the valve system of the present invention may include the following steps: 1) providing a valve connector having an inflation pin and a collar, the collar having at least one ball bearing biased inwardly by an elastic sleeve for attachment to a valve stem; 2) providing a container having a valve stem and a valve cover, the valve stem having a first sealing member biased against a first base to form a first seal and a second sealing member and a second base to form a second seal, the valve cover having a pin channel for receiving the inflation pin and a concave surface for accommodating the collar at least one ball bearing; 3) engaging the valve connector to the valve stem such that the inflation pin passes through the pin channel and a central channel in the first base to displace the first sealing member, thereby opening the first seal, which in turn displaces the second sealing member from the second base, thereby opening the second seal; 4) allowing a sufficient volume of air to enter the valve base through the inflation pin to inflate the pressurizable container; and 5) disengaging the valve connector from the valve stem. In some embodiments, the step of engaging the valve connector to the valve stem may be performed by aligning the collar with the valve cover and applying a linear axial force to the connector. In some embodiments, the force applied to the connector must be in the direction of the valve stem and must be sufficient to move at least one ball bearing past the lip of the valve cover and into the circular recess of the valve cover.

[0051] The method of using the valve switching system of the present invention may include the following steps: 1) connecting a valve stem adapter to a pre-existing valve stem attached to an inflatable container, for example by screwing a valve stem connector into the external thread of a pre-existing valve stem; 2) providing a valve connector having an inflation pin and a collar, the collar having at least one ball bearing biased inward by an elastic sleeve for attachment to the valve stem adapter, the valve stem adapter including a pin channel for receiving the inflation pin and a circular recess for accommodating the collar; 3) engaging the valve connector to the valve stem adapter such that the inflation pin passes through the pin channel and the sealing ring, and depresses the valve actuator of the pre-existing valve stem; 4) allowing a sufficient volume of air to pass through the inflation pin through the pre-existing valve stem to inflate the pressurizable container; and 5) disengaging the valve connector from the valve stem.

[0052] In some embodiments, at least one of the resilient or semi-rigid elements of the present invention that may be subject to wear can be easily replaced by disengaging at least one pin base from the connector housing (e.g., loosening it) or by disengaging the valve cover from the valve stem. In some embodiments, a user can easily replace the sealing ring of the connector housing by loosening the pin base from the connector housing. In some embodiments, a user can easily replace at least one of the sealing member, biasing member, and sealing ring in the valve stem by loosening the valve cover from the valve stem. In some embodiments, a user can easily replace the resilient sleeve when the valve connector is not engaged with the valve stem. The pin base and the inflation pin can also be replaced by simple removal and replacement with replacement parts.

[0053] Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description and disclosure provided herein.

[0054] The purpose of this invention is to provide a valve system that is easy to engage and disengage from containers that require air filling.

[0055] Another object of the present invention is to provide a valve system that improves upon conventional valve systems, because the valve system can be fully engaged or disengaged from the container to be filled with air by simply pushing or pulling the valve connectors.

[0056] Another object of the present invention is to provide a valve adapter that can be connected to a pre-existing valve stem and improve the performance, reliability and ease of use of the pre-existing valve stem.

[0057] Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved valve system that produces a more reliable seal while filling a container with air, without requiring a locking lever or a threaded connection between the valve connector and the valve stem.

[0058] Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved valve system that allows for more accurate pressure readings in a container being filled with air, thereby preventing overfilling or underfilling of the container and the resulting uneven wear.

[0059] Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved valve system that allows a user to engage and disengage the valve system using one hand, and in some cases, as few as two fingers.

[0060] Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved valve system that reduces the time required to fill a container to the appropriate pressure.

[0061] Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved valve system in which all potentially worn components, such as the resilient and / or semi-rigid components of the valve system, can be easily replaced.

[0062] The objects, advantages, and features of the invention described above, as well as its organization and operation, will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein similar elements have similar numbers throughout the various figures described herein. Further benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of preferred embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0063] Figure 1A A cross-sectional side view of an improved pneumatic valve system according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided.

[0064] Figure 1B A cross-sectional side view of an improved pneumatic valve system according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided.

[0065] Figure 2 provides an exploded perspective view of the valve stem and valve cover of an improved pneumatic valve system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] Figure 3A A cross-sectional side view of the pin base of an improved pneumatic valve system according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided.

[0067] Figure 3B A perspective view of the pin base of an improved pneumatic valve system according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided.

[0068] Figure 4 A perspective view of the inflation pin of an improved pneumatic valve system according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided.

[0069] Figure 5A A cross-sectional side view of the valve connector housing of an improved pneumatic valve system according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided.

[0070] Figure 5BA perspective view of the valve connector housing of an improved pneumatic valve system according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided.

[0071] Figure 6 An exploded view of an improved pneumatic valve system according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided.

[0072] Figure 7A provides a cross-sectional view of an improved pneumatic valve system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0073] Figure 7B A cross-sectional view of the valve mechanism assembly of an improved pneumatic valve system according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided.

[0074] Figure 7C A cross-sectional view of the valve mechanism assembly of an improved pneumatic valve system according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided.

[0075] Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of an improved pneumatic valve system according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided.

[0076] Figure 9 An exploded view of a pneumatic valve adapter system according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided.

[0077] Figure 10 A cross-sectional view of a pneumatic valve adapter system according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided.

[0078] Figure 11 A perspective view of a pneumatic valve adapter system according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided.

[0079] Figure 12A A cross-sectional view of a pneumatic valve adapter system according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided.

[0080] Figure 12B A cross-sectional view of a pneumatic valve adapter system according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided.

[0081] Figure 13 A cross-sectional view of a pneumatic valve adapter system according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided.

[0082] Figure 14A A front view of a pneumatic valve adapter system according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided.

[0083] Figure 14B A cross-sectional view of a pneumatic valve adapter system according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided.

[0084] Figure 14C A cross-sectional view of a pneumatic valve adapter system according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided.

[0085] Figure 15 A cross-sectional view of a pneumatic valve adapter system according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided. Detailed Implementation

[0086] Referring now to certain embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Although the invention will be described with reference to these embodiments, it should be understood that these embodiments are not intended to limit the invention. Rather, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. Specific details are set forth in the following disclosure to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention can be practiced without all the specific details provided.

[0087] This invention relates to a pneumatic valve system for easily attaching and sealing a valve connector to a valve stem. For example, in Figure 1A-5B As seen in the image, the valve system 100 may include the following main components: valve stem 101, valve cover 110, sealing member 120 biased by biasing member 125, and valve connector 130, which includes connector housing 131, pin base 150, inflation pin 160, and resilient sleeve 170.

[0088] Valve stem 101 may be attached to and in fluid communication with a pressurized container 199 (e.g., a bicycle inner tube, see Figure 2). Valve stem 101 may act as both an inlet and outlet for the container and allows for easy and secure connection to a valve connector 130, which may be in fluid communication with a pressurized air source (e.g., an air compressor, not shown) to pressurize the container 199. Valve stem 101 may include an airtight passage between the pressurized container 199 and a valve cover 110. Valve stem 101 may include a tubular shape having a central passage 102, a first end 103, and a second end 104. The first end 103 includes a base attached to the container 199, and the second end 104 may include an open end with a thread 105 whose shape is complementary to the thread 115 of the valve cover 110.

[0089] The second end 104 of the valve stem 101 may include a shoulder 106 located on its inner surface, operable to provide a base for supporting a biasing member 125 (e.g., a spring), which provides a spring force for biasing a sealing member 120 toward a sealing position (e.g., against a sealing ring 116 of the valve cover 110). The biasing member 125 may include a substantially cylindrical shape (e.g., an open-circuit coil shape) whose outer diameter is complementary to the inner diameter of the second end 104 of the valve stem 101. The sealing member 120 may include a substantially spherical shape, and the inner diameter of the biasing member 125 may be smaller than the outer diameter of the sealing member 120, such that the sealing member 120 is operable to sit on or partially nest within the distal end 126 of the biasing member 125. The outer diameter of the sealing member 120 can be significantly smaller than the inner diameter of the central channel 102 of the valve stem 101, allowing the sealing member 120 to move freely within the central channel 102, and when the sealing member 120 is in the open position (e.g., not abutting the sealing ring 116 of the valve cover 110, see...), Figure 1B Air can pass around the sealing member 120.

[0090] The valve cover 110 may include a proximal end 111 and a distal end 112. The proximal end 111 may include a generally cylindrical shape and an inner surface with threads 115, which are complementary to the threads 105 of the second end 104 of the valve stem 101, thereby allowing the proximal end 111 of the valve cover 110 to be securely attached to the distal end 104 of the valve stem 101 in an airtight manner. The distal end 112 of the valve cover 110 may include an outer surface having a circular circumferential concave surface 113 for removable attachment to a valve connector 130, and a pin channel 114 substantially coaxial with the central channel 102 of the valve stem 101. The pin channel 114 may include a diameter complementary to the diameter of an inflation pin 160, such that the inflation pin 160 can pass through the pin channel 114 and enter the central channel 102 of the valve stem 101.

[0091] The sealing ring 116 of the valve cover 110 may have a circular shape and a substantially circular or oval cross-sectional shape, and may comprise an elastomeric material. The outer diameter of the sealing ring 116 may be complementary to the inner diameter of the valve cover 110, and the inner diameter of the sealing ring 116 may be significantly smaller than the outer diameter of the sealing member 120, such that the sealing ring 116 provides a stop against which the sealing member 120 is biased by the biasing member 125. When the valve stem 104 is not engaged with the valve connector 130, the contact between the sealing member 120 and the sealing ring 116 forms an airtight seal against air pressure in the container 119. The inner diameter of the sealing ring 116 may be less than or equal to the outer diameter of the inflation pin 160, such that the inflation pin 160 can pass through the sealing ring 116 (the sealing ring may be slightly deformed or stretched to allow the inflation pin 160 to pass through), thereby forming an airtight seal against air pressure within the container 199 between the inflation pin 160 and the sealing ring 116.

[0092] In other embodiments, the sealing member 120 may engage with a three-point ball base 116a to seal the valve cover 110. The three-point base 116a is formed by welded or integrally molded portions of two spherical caps, one of which has a cross-sectional area 10%-15% larger than that of the sealing member 120, and the other spherical cap may have a cross-section 10%-15% smaller than that of the sealing ball 221. The spherical caps may be axially aligned, with the smaller cap positioned above the larger cap, wherein the smaller spherical cap has a channel to allow fluid to pass through the valve cover. Figure 2B-2C As shown, the three-point base can be positioned in the valve cover 110, adjacent to and directly below the sealing ring 116, and can be supported at its lower end by an inner shoulder formed by the upper edge of the thread 105. The three-point base 116a can be made of a high tensile strength, high hardness metal.

[0093] As in Figure 3A and 3BAs best viewed from the center, the pin base 150 may include a proximal end 151 and a distal end 152, a thread 153 for attachment to the connector housing 130, a pin receiver 154, and a connection channel 155. The distal end 152 may include a generally disc-shaped head with an outer diameter greater than that of the proximal end 151 and a slot 156 having a generally square cross-section. The slot 156 may traverse the upper surface of the distal end 152 and may be positioned such that the longitudinal axis of the slot 152 is aligned parallel to a first branch 155a of the connection channel 155 and orthogonal to a second branch 155b of the connection channel 155. Thus, when the pin base 150 is screwed into the connector housing 131, the user can determine the position of each of the first branch 155a and the second branch 155b by observing the position of the slot 156. The user can further determine the position of the air intake passage 135 of the connector housing 131 by observing the position of the air source attachment member 132, and align at least one of the first branch 155a and the second branch 155b with the air intake passage 135 by aligning the slot 156 with the air source attachment member 132 (parallel or orthogonal). Thus, fluid communication can be achieved from an air source (not shown), through the air source attachment member 132 and the air passage 135, through the connecting passage 155, and into the central passage 161 of the inflation pin 160 (and subsequently into the valve stem when the valve connector 131 engages with the valve stem 101). In some embodiments, the connector housing 131 may have space around the connecting passage such that each branch of the connecting passage is in fluid communication with the air intake passage 135.

[0094] The proximal end 151 of the pin base 150 may include a pin receiver 157, which includes a channel substantially coaxial with the central axis of the connector housing 131 and the central channel 102 of the valve stem 101. The pin receiver 157 is operable to receive a first end 162 of the inflation pin 160, the inner diameter of the pin receiver 157 being complementary to the outer diameter of the inflation pin 160. Together with the sealing ring 133 of the connector housing 131, the pin receiver 157 is operable to receive the inflation pin in a substantially static manner when the first end 162 of the inflation pin 160 engages with the pin receiver 157 (e.g., is inserted into the pin receiver).

[0095] As in Figure 4As best viewed, the inflation pin 160 may comprise a substantially cylindrical shape defining a central channel 161 having an inlet 164 at a proximal end 162 of the inflation pin 160 and an outlet 165 at a distal end 163 of the inflation pin 160. The proximal end 162 is operable to insert into a pin receiver 157 of the pin base 150 and is in fluid communication with the connection channel 155. When the valve connector 130 is engaged with the valve stem 101, the second end 163 of the inflation pin 160 is operable to insert into and pass through a pin channel 114 of the valve cover 110, and thereby enter the central channel 102 of the valve stem 101. The outlet 165 may be disposed on the lateral outer surface of the distal end 163, rather than on the leading edge surface 166, which thus allows free contact with the sealing member 120 and pushes the sealing member away from the sealing ring 116 when the inflation pin 160 enters the valve stem 101 without preventing air from flowing out of the outlet 165.

[0096] The connector housing 131 of the valve connector 130 may include an air source attachment member 132, a thread 136 for attachment to a pin base 150, and a collar 140 for attachment to a valve cover 110. The connector housing 131 may include a rigid material (i.e., metal, metal alloy, plastic, carbon fiber, etc.) and a generally cylindrical shape with a central channel 137 (see [link to product description]). Figure 5B When the valve connector 130 is engaged with the valve stem 101, the central channel is substantially coaxial with the central channel 102 of the valve stem 101. The central channel 137 of the connector housing 131 may have an inner surface with threads 136 for securing the pin base 150 in a suitable position within the central channel 137. The connector housing 131 may include a first sealing ring 133 and a second sealing ring 134. When the pin base 150 is screwed into the connector housing 131, the first sealing ring 133 is positioned to form an airtight seal between the distal end 151 of the pin base 150 and a first shoulder 138 of the connector housing 131. The second sealing ring 134 may be positioned to form an airtight seal between the proximal end 152 of the pin base 150 and a second shoulder 139 of the connector housing 131.

[0097] The air source attachment member 132 may include a plurality of peripheral barbs and is operable to insert into a central channel of a pneumatic hose (not shown). The central channel of the pneumatic hose may be substantially resilient and operable to form an airtight connection with the plurality of barbs of the air source attachment member 132.

[0098] The valve connector 130 may include a plurality of ball bearings 141 nested in a plurality of channels 142 traversing the wall of the collar 140, each of the plurality of ball bearings 141 being inwardly biased by an elastic bearing sleeve 170 surrounding the collar 140. The plurality of channels 142 in the wall of the collar 140 may include an outer end defining an opening in the outer surface of the collar 140 and an inner end defining an opening in the inner surface of the collar 140 (see [link]). Figure 5A Each channel 142 may comprise a substantially cylindrical shape, except that its inner end narrows compared to the rest of the channel (i.e., the diameter of the inner end is smaller than the diameter of the rest of the channel). The outer diameter of each ball bearing 141 may be significantly larger than the diameter of the inner end of the channel 142 and significantly larger than the thickness of the wall of the collar 140 (see [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 1A This prevents the ball bearing 141 from completely passing through the channel 142, but a portion of the ball bearing 141 can protrude through the narrowed end of the channel 142. Because the ball bearing 141 is wider than the wall of the collar 140, the resilient sleeve 170 will contact the ball bearing 141 and resiliently bias the ball bearing toward the inner end of the channel 142. Therefore, when the valve connector 130 engages with the valve stem 101 (see...), Figure 1B The ball bearing 142 can extend into the circumferential concave surface 113 of the valve cover 110, thereby securing the valve connector 130 to the appropriate position on the valve stem 101.

[0099] The valve connector 130 can be engaged with the valve stem 101 by simply aligning the collar 140 with the valve cover 110 and applying a linear force to the valve connector (towards the valve stem) with one hand. (As in...) Figure 1B As seen in the image, this action allows the collar 140 to slide downwards over and engage with the valve cover 110. The force applied to the valve connector 130 must be sufficient to: 1) move the ball bearing 141 of the collar 140 outwards against the inward force of the elastic sleeve 170, so as to slide over the upper lip 117 of the valve cover 110 before moving inwards back to the circumferential concave surface 113, and 2) insert the second end 163 of the inflation pin 160 through the center of the sealing ring 116, and disengage the sealing member 120 from the sealing ring 116 against the force of the biasing member 125, so that the outlet 165 of the inflation pin 160 moves through the sealing ring 116 and into fluid communication with the central channel 102 of the valve stem 101.

[0100] Figure 6-8 Another embodiment of a pneumatic valve system is shown, which is used to easily attach and seal a valve connector to a valve stem comprising two independent seals. (See also...) Figure 6As seen in the diagram, valve system 200 may include the following main components: valve stem 201, valve cover 210, a first chamber 281 containing a first sealing member 220 biased by a biasing member 225, a second chamber 282 containing a second sealing member 221, a double-sealed valve core 285 defining a connection between the two chambers 281 and 282, and a valve connector 130 as described above, the valve connector having a connector housing 131, a pin base 150, an inflation pin 160, and a resilient sleeve 170. The two independent sealing mechanisms in the two separate chambers 281 and 282 eliminate the potentially considerable pressure loss (e.g., up to 10 PSI) that can occur in conventional valve designs when the pump head is disengaged from the valve stem. The upper chamber 281 may contain a sealing ring 216 against which the first sealing member 220 is pressed when in the closed position, and the lower chamber 282 may contain a sealing base 286.

[0101] The first sealing member 220 may be a sealing rod having a tapered plug 220a at its upper end, which engages with a sealing ring 216 when in the closed position. A biasing spring 225 may be positioned in the upper chamber 281 and engage with the sealing rod 220, and may bias the sealing rod 220 toward the sealing member 216. The sealing rod 220 may engage with the biasing spring 225 by partially nesting within the spring 225. The bottom end of the biasing spring 225 may rest on the shoulder 206 of a double-sealed valve core 285 at the lower end of the first chamber 281. A filter 228 may be included in the upper chamber 281 and is operable to capture particulate matter and prevent the introduction of particles into the valve stem 201 or its attached inflatable container. The particulate filter 228 may have an annular structure positioned around the axis of the sealing rod 220 between the plug 220a and the biasing spring 225, such that it is held in a position adjacent to the plug 220a. The particulate filter 228 can be a metal mesh material or a perforated metal disc (e.g., laser-perforated stainless steel, aluminum or other rigid materials).

[0102] The valve cover 210 may include a lower end 211 and an upper end 212. The lower end 211 may include a generally cylindrical shape and an inner surface with threads 215 that are complementary to the threads 205 of the upper end 204 of the double-seal valve core positioned between the two chambers 281 and 282 valve stem 201, thereby allowing the upper end 211 of the valve cover 210 to be securely attached in an airtight manner to the upper end 204a of the double-seal valve core 285. The upper end 212 of the valve cover 210 may include an outer surface having a circular circumferential concave surface 213 for removable attachment to the valve connector 130, and a pin passage 214 that is substantially coaxial with the double-seal valve core 285 and the valve stem 201. The pin passage 214 may include a diameter complementary to the diameter of the inflation pin 160, such that the inflation pin 160 can pass through the pin passage 214 into the valve stem 201.

[0103] The sealing ring 216 of the valve cover 210 may have a circular shape and a substantially circular or oval cross-sectional shape, and may comprise an elastomeric material. The outer diameter of the sealing ring 216 may be complementary to the inner diameter of the valve cover 210, and the inner diameter of the sealing ring 216 may be significantly smaller than the outer diameter of the sealing plug 220a, such that the sealing ring 216 can provide a stop against which the sealing member 220 is biased by the biasing member 225. The sealing ring 216 may be positioned between the upper periphery of the double-sealed valve core 285 and the shoulder 212 of the valve cover 210. When the valve connector 130 is not engaged with the valve cover 210, the contact between the sealing plug 220a and the sealing ring 216 forms an airtight seal against air pressure in the container. The inner diameter of the sealing ring 216 may be less than or equal to the outer diameter of the inflation pin 160, so that the inflation pin 160 can pass through the sealing ring 116 (the sealing ring may be slightly deformed or stretched to allow the inflation pin 160 to pass through), thereby forming an airtight seal between the inflation pin 160 and the sealing ring 216 that resists the air pressure inside the container.

[0104] The second chamber 282 may include a second sealing mechanism comprising a sealing member 221, which may be a substantially spherical rigid sphere (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, or other corrosion-resistant material) that engages with a complementary base 218, providing a relatively large surface area interface between the sealing member 221 and the complementary base 218. The complementary base 218 may have a spherical cap shape, which is made of flexible thermoplastic, nitrile rubber, natural rubber, or Hypalon. TM Neoprene TM Polyurethane, SBR (red rubber), silicone, Viton TM It is composed of fluorosilicone, ethylene propylene, butyl rubber, or other materials. The material may have a degree of flexibility such that it bends when the sealing member 221 is pressed against the base 218 by the internal pressure of the pressurized container. The second chamber 282 may or may not include a biasing member. The sealing member 221 in the second chamber 282 may be held in place in the base 218 by pneumatic pressure in the container connected to the valve stem 201.

[0105] In other embodiments, the base 218 may be a three-point spherical base 218a. The three-point base 218a comprises welded or integrally molded portions of two spherical caps, one spherical cap having a cross-sectional area 10%-15% larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the sealing ball 221, and the other spherical cap having a cross-sectional area 10%-15% smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the sealing ball 221. The spherical caps may be axially aligned, with the smaller spherical cap positioned above the larger spherical cap, wherein a channel is provided in the smaller spherical cap to allow air or other gases to pass through the valve. The three-point base 218a may be made of a high-tensile-strength, high-hardness metal.

[0106] A base 218 (or 218a) can be positioned below the shoulder 206 of a double-seal valve core 285 within a second chamber 282. The double-seal valve core 285 can be positioned between a lower portion of the valve cover 210 and an upper portion of the valve stem 201 via a threaded or other mechanical connection. The double-seal valve core 285 may include a lower threaded portion 285b that connects to a threaded receptacle 205 on the upper portion of the valve stem 201. The threaded receptacle 205 may have a shape complementary to that of the lower threaded portion 285b. The valve stem 201 can be attached to and in fluid communication with a pressurized container (e.g., a bicycle inner tube) and can act as both an inlet and outlet for the container.

[0107] Washer 283 can be positioned between the threaded portion 285b and the shoulder 203 at the lower part of the threaded receptacle of valve stem 201. Gasket 290 can be positioned above washer 283. Gasket 290 prevents sealing member 221 from being placed in the lower passage of the second chamber during inflation. This "isolating" gasket 290 can be a cage-like structure or can have leaf-like protrusions that allow air or other inflation gases to pass around gasket 290 when sealing member 221 contacts gasket 290. The outer diameter of gasket 290 can be substantially equal to the inner diameter of the threaded portion 285b of double-seal valve core 285, so that the gasket can be held above washer 283.

[0108] The valve connector 130 can be engaged with the valve cover 210 by simply aligning the collar 140 with the valve cover 210 and applying a linear force to the valve connector (towards the valve stem) with one hand. (As in...) Figure 8As seen in the image, this action allows the collar 140 to slide downwards over and engage with the valve cover 210. The force applied to the valve connector 130 must be sufficient to: 1) move the ball bearing 141 of the collar 140 outwards against the inward force of the elastic sleeve 170, so as to slide over the upper lip 217 of the valve cover 210 before moving inwards back to the circumferential concave surface 213; 2) insert the second end 163 of the inflation pin 160 through the center of the sealing ring 216 and disengage the sealing rod 220 from the sealing ring 216 against the force of the biasing member 225, so that the outlet 265 of the inflation pin 160 moves through the sealing ring 216 and into fluid communication with the interior of the first chamber 281; and 3) engage the lower end of the sealing rod 220 with the second sealing member 221 in the second chamber 282 and displace the second sealing member 221 from the base 218, thereby opening the second seal of the valve 200. Air or other gas can then flow through the inflation needle 160 into the first chamber 281, and then through the passage between the first and second chambers, and through the second chamber 282 to inflate the container.

[0109] Figure 9-11 Another embodiment of a pneumatic valve adapter system 300 is shown, which is used to easily attach and seal a valve connector 130 to a pre-existing valve stem 301, wherein an adapter device 310 is attached to the pre-existing valve stem. The valve adapter system 300 is operable for use with existing pneumatic valve systems (e.g., Schrader valves). As seen in Figure _, the valve adapter system 300 may include the following main components: a valve stem adapter 310, a pin channel 314 for receiving an actuation pin from a pump head assembly, a sealing gasket 316, and a valve connector 130 as described above, the valve connector having a connector housing 131, a pin base 150, an inflation pin 160, and a resilient sleeve 170.

[0110] A standard Schrader valve includes an actuating pin that is pressed when a standard pump head is attached to it. Movement of the actuating pin displaces a plug at its lower end to open the valve. Figure 10-11As shown, the adapter device 310 of the present invention has a female threaded receptacle 315, which is complementary to the external male thread 355 of a conventional Schrader valve 350 and operable to be securely screwed into the Schrader valve stem 350 in an airtight manner. A sealing gasket 316 can be positioned between the inner shoulder 320 of the adapter device 310 and the upper edge 356 of the Schrader valve stem. The sealing gasket 316 can have a circular shape and can comprise an elastomeric material. The outer diameter of the sealing gasket 316 can be complementary to the inner diameter of the adapter device 310, and the inner diameter of the sealing gasket is less than or equal to the outer diameter of the inflation pin 160, such that the inflation pin 160 can pass through the sealing gasket 316 (the sealing gasket can be slightly deformed or stretched to allow the inflation pin 160 to pass through), thereby forming an airtight seal between the inflation pin 160 and the sealing gasket 316 against the air pressure within the pneumatic container to which the Schrader valve 350 is attached.

[0111] The adapter assembly 310 may include an outer surface having a circular circumferential concave surface 313 for removable attachment to the valve connector 130, and a pin channel 314 substantially coaxial with the actuator pin 352 of the Schrader valve stem 350. The pin channel 314 may include a diameter complementary to the diameter of the inflation pin 160, such that the inflation pin 160 can pass through the pin channel 314 and contact the actuator pin 352 of the Schrader valve stem 350.

[0112] The valve connector 130 can be engaged with the adapter 310 by simply aligning the collar 140 with the adapter 310 and applying linear force to the valve connector (towards the adapter 310) with one hand. Figure 10 As shown, this action allows the collar 140 to slide downwards over and engage with the adapter 310. The force applied to the valve connector 130 must be sufficient to 1) move the ball bearing 141 of the collar 140 outwards against the inward force of the resilient sleeve 170, so as to slide over the upper lip 317 of the adapter 310 before moving inwards back to the circumferential concave surface 313, and 2) insert the inflation pin 160 through the center of the washer 316 and displace the actuator pin 352 and the sealing plug 352a at its lower end to open the Schrader valve 350. Air or other gas can then flow through the inflation pin 160 and then through the Schrader valve 350 to inflate the container.

[0113] Figure 12A-13Another embodiment of a pneumatic valve adapter system 400 is shown, which is used to easily attach and seal a valve connector 130 to a pre-existing valve stem 401, wherein an adapter device 410 is attached to the pre-existing valve stem. The valve adapter system 400 is operable for use with existing pneumatic valve systems (e.g., Presta, Dunlop, or Schrader valves). As seen in Figure _, the valve adapter system 400 may include the following main components: 1) a valve stem adapter 410 having a pin channel 414 receiving an inflation pin 160 from the pump head assembly 100, and a sealing gasket 416; and 2) a pump head 100 having the valve connector 130 as described above, the valve connector having a connector housing 131, a pin base 150, an inflation pin 160, and a resilient sleeve 170.

[0114] The valve spool of a conventional valve (e.g., a Presta valve) can be removed, thereby eliminating the valve actuation mechanism. The adapter device 401 can then be attached to the remaining valve stem of the conventional valve using the valve mechanism according to the invention. Figure 12A-12B As shown, the adapter device 401 of the present invention may have a valve stem connector 402 having a female threaded receptacle 403 that is complementary to the external male thread 455 of a conventional valve 450 and operable to be securely screwed into the valve stem 450a in an airtight manner. A sealing gasket 406 may be positioned between a recess 406a of the valve stem connector 402 and the outer diameter of the conventional valve stem 450a. The sealing gasket 406 prevents pressurized air from escaping from the valve adapter 401 during inflation or otherwise. The valve stem connector 402 also includes an upper male connector 404 that can be connected to an adapter cover 410.

[0115] The adapter cover 410 may include a proximal end 411 and a distal end 412. The lower end 411 may include a generally cylindrical shape and an inner surface with threads 415 that are complementary to the threads of the upper male connector 404 of the valve stem connector 402, thereby allowing the lower end 411 of the adapter cover 410 to be securely attached to the upper male connector 404 of the valve stem connector 401 in an airtight manner.

[0116] The distal end 412 of the adapter cover 410 may include an outer surface having a circular circumferential concave surface 413 for removable attachment to the valve connector 130, and a pin channel 414 substantially coaxial with a conventional valve stem 450. The pin channel 414 may include a diameter complementary to the diameter of the inflation pin 160, such that the inflation pin 160 can pass through the pin channel 414 into the interior of the adapter cover. A sealing mechanism may be positioned between the upper male connector 404 and the adapter cover 410. The valve stem connector 401 has a shoulder 405 located within the inner diameter of the upper male connector 404. A biasing member 425 (e.g., a spring) may be positioned within the male connector 404, wherein the lower end of the biasing member rests on the shoulder 405. A sealing member 420 may be positioned above the biasing member 425 such that the biasing member biases the sealing member toward the pin channel 414 in the adapter cover 410.

[0117] The sealing ring 416 of the valve cover 410 may have a circular shape and a substantially circular or oval cross-sectional shape, and may comprise an elastomeric material. The outer diameter of the sealing ring 416 may be complementary to the inner diameter of the adapter cover 410, and the inner diameter of the sealing ring 416 may be significantly smaller than the outer diameter of the sealing member 420, such that the sealing ring 416 provides a stop against which the sealing member 420 is biased by the biasing member 425. When the adapter cover 410 is not engaged with the valve connector 130, the contact between the sealing member 420 and the sealing ring 416 forms an airtight seal against air pressure in the pneumatic container to which the valve stem 450 is attached. The inner diameter of the sealing ring 416 may be less than or equal to the outer diameter of the inflation pin 160, such that the inflation pin 160 can pass through the sealing ring 416 (the sealing ring may be slightly deformed or stretched to allow the inflation pin 160 to pass through), thereby forming an airtight seal against air pressure within the pneumatic container between the inflation pin 160 and the sealing ring 416.

[0118] The valve connector 130 can be engaged with the adapter 410 by simply aligning the collar 140 with the adapter cover 410 and applying linear force to the valve connector (towards the adapter cover 410) with one hand. Figure 13 As shown, this action allows the collar 140 to slide downwards over and engage with the adapter cover 410. The force applied to the valve connector 130 must be sufficient to 1) move the ball bearing 141 of the collar 140 outwards against the inward force of the resilient sleeve 170, so as to slide over the upper lip 417 of the adapter cover 410 before moving inwards back to the circumferential concave surface 413, and 2) insert the inflation pin 160 through the center of the sealing ring 416 and displace the sealing member 420 to open the valve mechanism. Air or other gas can then flow through the inflation pin 160 and then through the adapter assembly 401.

[0119] Figure 14A-15Another embodiment of a pneumatic valve adapter system 500 is shown, which is used to easily attach and seal a valve connector 130 to a pre-existing valve stem 501, wherein an adapter device 510 is attached to the pre-existing valve stem. The valve adapter system 500 is operable for use with existing pneumatic valve systems (e.g., Schrader valves, Presta valves, and other valves). Figure 14B As seen in the diagram, the valve adapter system 500 may include the following main components: 1) a valve stem adapter 501 having a pin channel 514 for receiving an inflation pin 560 from the pump head assembly 100 and a sealing gasket 516; and 2) a pump head 100 having a valve connector 130 as described above, the valve connector having a connector housing 131, a pin base 150, an inflation pin 160, and a resilient sleeve 170.

[0120] The adapter device 501 may include an engagement member 519 for engaging an actuating pin 590 of a conventional valve stem 550. When the adapter device 501 is attached to the conventional valve stem 550, the engagement member is operable to hold the conventional valve stem in the open position. The valve mechanism of the adapter device 501 can then specifically control the flow of fluid from the adapter device 501 to the conventional valve stem 550. The engagement member may include an engagement plate 519a substantially perpendicular to the path of fluid through the adapter device 501, and the engagement plate 519a may have a perforation 519b to allow fluid to pass through. The engagement plate 519 may also include a lower protrusion extending downward to access the actuating pin 590 of the conventional valve stem 550. When the adapter device is attached to the pre-existing valve stem 550a, the actuating pin 590 is displaced downward, thereby displacing a plug 591 and allowing fluid to pass through the pre-existing valve stem 550.

[0121] The adapter device 501 can then be attached to the conventional valve stem of a conventional valve using the valve mechanism according to the invention. Figures 14A-14B As shown, the adapter device 501 of the present invention may have a valve stem connector 502 having a female threaded receptacle 503 that is complementary to the external male thread 555 of a conventional valve 550 and operable to be securely screwed into the valve stem 550a in an airtight manner. A sealing gasket 506 may be positioned between a recess 506a of the valve stem connector 502 and the outer diameter of the conventional valve stem 550a. The sealing gasket 506 prevents pressurized air from escaping from the valve adapter 501 during inflation or otherwise. The valve stem connector 502 also includes an upper male connector 504 that can be connected to an adapter cover 510.

[0122] The adapter cover 510 may include a proximal end 511 and a distal end 512. The lower end 511 may include a substantially cylindrical shape and an inner surface with threads 515 that are complementary to the threads of the upper male connector 504 of the valve stem connector 502, thereby allowing the lower end 511 of the adapter cover 510 to be securely attached to the upper male connector 504 of the valve stem connector 501 in an airtight manner.

[0123] The distal end 512 of the adapter cover 510 may include an outer surface having a circular circumferential concave surface 513 for removable attachment to the valve connector 130, and a pin channel 514 substantially coaxial with a conventional valve stem 550. The pin channel 514 may include a diameter complementary to the diameter of the inflation pin 160, such that the inflation pin 160 can pass through the pin channel 514 into the interior of the adapter cover 510. A sealing mechanism may be positioned between the upper male connector 504 and the adapter cover 510. The valve stem connector 501 has a shoulder 505 located within the inner diameter of the upper male connector 504. A biasing member 525 (e.g., a spring) may be positioned within the male connector 504, wherein the lower end of the biasing member rests on the shoulder 505. A sealing member 520 may be positioned above the biasing member 525 such that the biasing member biases the sealing member toward the pin channel 514 in the adapter cover 510.

[0124] The sealing ring 516 of the valve cover 510 may have a circular shape and a substantially circular or oval cross-sectional shape, and may comprise an elastomeric material. The outer diameter of the sealing ring 516 may be complementary to the inner diameter of the adapter cover 510, and the inner diameter of the sealing ring 516 may be significantly smaller than the outer diameter of the sealing member 520, such that the sealing ring 516 provides a stop against which the sealing member 520 is biased by the biasing member 525. When the adapter cover 510 is not engaged with the valve connector 130, the contact between the sealing member 520 and the sealing ring 516 forms an airtight seal against air pressure in the pneumatic container to which the valve stem 550 is attached. The inner diameter of the sealing ring 516 may be less than or equal to the outer diameter of the inflation pin 160, such that the inflation pin 160 can pass through the sealing ring 516 (the sealing ring may be slightly deformed or stretched to allow the inflation pin 160 to pass through), thereby forming an airtight seal against air pressure within the pneumatic container between the inflation pin 160 and the sealing ring 516.

[0125] The valve connector 130 can be engaged with the adapter device 510 by simply aligning the collar 140 with the adapter cover 510 and applying linear force to the valve connector (towards the adapter cover 510) with one hand. Figure 15As shown, this action allows the collar 140 to slide downwards over and engage with the adapter cover 510. The force applied to the valve connector 130 must be sufficient to 1) move the ball bearing 141 of the collar 140 outwards against the inward force of the elastic sleeve 170, so as to slide over the upper lip 517 of the adapter cover 510 before moving inwards back to the circumferential concave surface 513, and 2) insert the inflation pin 160 through the center of the sealing ring 516 and displace the sealing member 520 to open the valve mechanism. Air or other gas can then flow into the adapter assembly 501 through the inflation pin 160, flow through the perforation 519a of the engagement plate 519, and then flow through the pre-existing valve stem 550a.

[0126] The foregoing description of specific embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the foregoing teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and its various embodiments with a variety of modifications suited to the particular intended use.

Claims

1. A bicycle tire, comprising: Inner tube, the inner tube being configured to contain pressurized air; as well as A valve stem having a first end connected to the inner tube and an opposing second end having a fastener, the second end having a first opening of a first diameter; A cover member, the cover member being coupled to the fastener, the cover member having a pin channel passing through it, the pin channel having a second diameter, and the cover member having a circumferential concave surface on its outer diameter; A sealing element having a circular shape and a circular cross-section, the sealing element being disposed between the cover member and the second end, the sealing element having a second hole of a third diameter fluidly connecting the first opening and the pin channel, the third diameter being smaller than the pin channel; A biasing member is disposed within the first opening; as well as A sealing member is movably disposed within the first opening and biased against the seal by the biasing member. The sealing member is movable between a first position not against the seal and a second position engaging the seal and sealing the first opening from the pin channel.

2. The bicycle tire of claim 1, wherein the valve stem includes a central channel extending from the first opening to the first end to fluidly connect the first opening to the inner tube.

3. The bicycle tire of claim 2, wherein the valve stem further includes a shoulder disposed between the first opening and the central channel, and the biasing member is disposed between the sealing member and the shoulder.

4. The bicycle tire of claim 3, wherein the biasing member is a spring.

5. The bicycle tire according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is spherical.

6. The bicycle tire of claim 1, wherein the cover member is removably coupled to the fastener.

7. The bicycle tire of claim 1, further comprising a base member disposed between the seal and the sealing member.

8. The bicycle tire of claim 1, wherein the cover member includes a lip portion disposed between the circumferential concave surface and the end portion of the cover member.

9. A bicycle tire, comprising: Inner tube, the inner tube being configured to contain pressurized air; as well as A valve stem having a first end connected to the inner tube and an opposing second end having a fastener, the second end having a first opening of a first diameter, the valve stem having a central channel; A receiver removably coupled to the fastener, the receiver having a second opening at an end that is fluidly coupled to the central channel, the second opening having a second diameter; A cover member, the cover member being connected to the receiver, the cover member having a pin channel passing through it, the pin channel having a third diameter, and the cover member having a circumferential concave surface on its outer diameter; A sealing element having a circular shape and a circular cross-section, the sealing element being disposed between the cover member and the second end, the sealing element having a second hole of a fourth diameter fluidly connecting the second opening and the pin channel, the fourth diameter being smaller than the third diameter; A biasing member is disposed within the second opening; as well as A sealing member is movably disposed within the second opening and biased against the seal by the biasing member. The sealing member is movable between a first position not against the seal and a second position engaging the seal and sealing the second opening from the pin channel.

10. The bicycle tire of claim 9, further comprising: A joining plate, wherein the joining plate is disposed within the second opening; as well as An actuator pin, operably coupled to the engagement plate, is sized to extend into the valve stem.

11. The bicycle tire of claim 10, wherein the connecting plate is perforated to fluidly connect the second opening to the central channel.

12. The bicycle tire of claim 11, wherein the joining plate defines a shoulder, the biasing member is disposed between the shoulder and the sealing member, and wherein the biasing member is a spring.

13. The bicycle tire of claim 9, wherein the sealing member is spherical.

14. The bicycle tire of claim 9, wherein the cover member is removably coupled to the receiver.

15. The bicycle tire of claim 9, further comprising a base member disposed between the seal and the sealing member.

16. The bicycle tire of claim 9, wherein the cover member includes a lip portion disposed between the circumferential concave surface and the end portion of the cover member.

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