Pneumatic valve system and tubeless tire having pneumatic valve system

Abstract

A tubeless tire and a valve for a tubeless bicycle tire having a rim are provided. The valve includes a stem body having a first end and a second end, the second end having a first opening. A rim washer is coupled to the first end. A cap is coupled to the second end, the cap having a pin passage therethrough, the cap having a circumferential recess on the outer diameter. A valve seat is disposed between the cap and the second end, the valve seat having a second bore fluidly coupling the first opening and the pin passage. The spring is arranged in the first hole. A seal is movably disposed within the first opening and biased against the valve seat by a spring, the seal being movable between a first position and a second position.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. nonprovisional application serial number No. 18 / 121947, filed March 15, 2023, entitled “A Tubeless Bicycle Tire with Pneumatic Valve,” the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure generally relates to a pneumatic valve system for a fluid pump and methods of manufacturing and using the same. More specifically, this disclosure relates to improved valve systems as alternatives to Schrader, Presta, and Dunlop valves, as well as other pneumatic valves. Background Technology

[0004] Pneumatic valve systems used to connect pressurized air sources (such as pressurized canisters or air pumps) to pneumatic tires, inner tubes, or other structures have been in use for a considerable period. While these 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 connections between conventional pneumatic valves and pressure gauges 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 achieve their 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 connector when inflating an inner tube or tire typically requires a person to be in an awkward and uncomfortable position for a period of time. In such cases, the reliability of the valve connection is crucial to minimize discomfort and wasted time.

[0005] Schrader valves present significant connection problems due to the way the pump head is attached to the valve stem. Because the seal between the pump head and the valve is formed on the outside of 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. As a result, the internal pressure of the tire or other container to which the valve is attached exerts a very large force on the internal pump head surface, 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 includes a locking lever. The gripping nozzle of the Schrader pump head applies considerable force to fully compress the rubber to prevent the pump head from "popping" off due to the high instantaneous output pressure from the pump combined with the buildup of internal pressure in the tire or other container. Therefore, virtually all Schrader valve pump heads suffer from the same problem: they are difficult to lock and require two hands and considerable finger strength to engage and lock the pump head.

[0006] Presta valves have several drawbacks and are notoriously difficult to use. They share the same problem as Schrader valves: without a locking mechanism, the pump head can withstand forces strong enough to blow it off the stem. Operating the locking lever and chuck is both difficult and cumbersome. Presta valves have additional difficulties and disadvantages, including the added inconvenience of having to unscrew the press-fit nut, which is part of the stem structure; the need for a dedicated pump suitable for Presta's specific design; the delicate and fragile design of the Presta stem; and the common problem of the threaded core of the Presta stem detaching from the stem housing when engaged with the pump head.

[0007] Therefore, there is still a need for pneumatic valve connectors that improve upon the concepts and designs of traditional devices. Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a valve is provided for a tubeless bicycle tire having a rim. The valve includes a rod body having a first end and an opposing second end having a fastener, the second end having a first opening having a first diameter; a rim washer is configured to be coupled to the first end. A cap member is coupled to the fastener, the cap member having a pin channel passing through it having a second diameter, and the cap member having a circumferential recess on its outer diameter; a valve seat is disposed between the cap member and the second end, the valve seat having a second hole having 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 hole. A sealing member is movably disposed within the first opening and biased against the valve seat by the biasing member, the sealing member being movable between a first position and a second position, in which it engages a seal and seals the first opening away from the pin channel.

[0009] In addition to one or more features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the valve may include a valve seat having a circular shape and a circular cross-section.

[0010] In addition to one or more features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the valve may include a rod body having a central channel extending from a first opening to a first end.

[0011] In addition to one or more features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the valve may include a sealing member, which is a sealing plug having a tapered portion that engages a valve seat.

[0012] In addition to one or more features described herein, or alternatively, further embodiments of the valve may include a biasing member, which is a compression spring, and a sealing plug including a first portion whose diameter is sized to fit within the compression spring.

[0013] In addition to one or more features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the valve may include a sealing plug having a pin portion extending axially from the tapered portion.

[0014] In addition to one or more features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the valve may include a rod body having a shoulder disposed between a first opening and a central channel, with a biasing member disposed between a sealing member and the shoulder.

[0015] In addition to one or more features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the valve may include a cap member that is removably coupled to a fastener.

[0016] In addition to one or more features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the valve may include a pin passage having fastener features.

[0017] In addition to one or more features described herein, or alternatively, further embodiments of the valve may include a first opening that defines a lip between the end surface and the cavity.

[0018] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a tubeless bicycle tire is provided. The tubeless bicycle tire includes a rim and a tire sealingly connected to the rim, the rim and tire jointly defining a space. A rod body is provided having a first end connected to the rim and an opposing second end having a fastener, the second end including a first opening having a first diameter, and a valve stem having a central channel. A rim washer is disposed between the first end and the rim. A cap member is connected to the rod body, the cap member having a pin channel passing through it, the pin channel having a second diameter, and the cap member having a circumferential recess on its outer diameter. A valve seat having a circular shape and a circular cross-section is provided between the cap member and the second end, the valve seat including a second hole having a third diameter fluidly connecting the second opening and the pin channel. A biasing member is disposed within the second opening. A sealing member is movably disposed within the second opening and biased against the valve seat by the biasing member, the sealing member being movable between a first position and a second position, in which it engages a seal and seals the second opening away from the pin channel.

[0019] In addition to one or more features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the valve may include a sealing member, which is a sealing plug having a tapered portion that engages a valve seat.

[0020] In addition to one or more features described herein, or alternatively, further embodiments of the valve may include a biasing member, which is a compression spring, and a sealing plug including a first portion whose diameter is sized to fit within the compression spring.

[0021] In addition to one or more features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the valve may include a sealing plug having a pin portion extending axially from the tapered portion.

[0022] In addition to one or more features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the valve may include a rod body having a shoulder disposed between a first opening and a central channel, with a biasing member disposed between a sealing member and the shoulder.

[0023] In addition to one or more features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the valve may include a cap member that is removably coupled to a fastener.

[0024] In addition to one or more features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the valve may include a pin passage having fastener features.

[0025] In addition to one or more features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the valve may include fastener features that are sized and shaped to receive a hexagonal tool.

[0026] In addition to one or more features described herein, or alternatively, further embodiments of the valve may include a first opening in the cap member that defines a lip between the end surface and the cavity.

[0027] In addition to one or more features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the valve may include a rim nut that is coupled to the rod body and engages the surface of the rim opposite the rim washer.

[0028] The above-described objects, advantages, and features of the invention, as well as the organization and manner of its operation, will become clear from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements have like numbers in the various drawings described herein. Other benefits and advantages of the invention will become clear from the detailed description of preferred embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1A A cross-sectional side view of an improved pneumatic valve system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided;

[0030] Figure 1B A cross-sectional side view of an improved pneumatic valve system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided;

[0031] Figure 2A An exploded perspective view of the valve stem of an improved pneumatic valve system according to embodiments of the present disclosure is provided;

[0032] Figure 2B A cross-sectional view of the valve cap of an improved pneumatic valve system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided;

[0033] Figure 3A A cross-sectional side view of a pin seat of an improved pneumatic valve system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided;

[0034] Figure 3B A perspective view of a pin seat of an improved pneumatic valve system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided;

[0035] Figure 4 A perspective view of the inflation pin of an improved pneumatic valve system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided;

[0036] 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 disclosure is provided;

[0037] Figure 5BA perspective view of a valve connector housing of an improved pneumatic valve system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided;

[0038] Figure 6 An exploded view of an improved pneumatic valve system according to embodiments of the present disclosure is provided;

[0039] Figure 7A A cross-sectional view of an improved pneumatic valve system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided;

[0040] Figure 7B A cross-sectional view of a valve mechanism component of an improved pneumatic valve system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided;

[0041] Figure 7C A cross-sectional view of a valve mechanism component of an improved pneumatic valve system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided;

[0042] Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of an improved pneumatic valve system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided;

[0043] Figure 9 An exploded view of a pneumatic valve adapter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided;

[0044] Figure 10 A cross-sectional view of a pneumatic valve adapter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided;

[0045] Figure 11 A perspective view of a pneumatic valve adapter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided;

[0046] Figure 12A A cross-sectional view of a pneumatic valve adapter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided;

[0047] Figure 12B A cross-sectional view of a pneumatic valve adapter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided;

[0048] Figure 13 A cross-sectional view of a pneumatic valve adapter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided;

[0049] Figure 14A A front view of a pneumatic valve adapter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided;

[0050] Figure 14B A cross-sectional view of a pneumatic valve adapter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided;

[0051] Figure 14C A cross-sectional view of a pneumatic valve adapter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided;

[0052] Figure 15 A cross-sectional view of a pneumatic valve adapter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided;

[0053] Figure 16A This is a side view of a pneumatic valve for a tubeless container according to another embodiment;

[0054] Figure 16B yes Figure 16A A side sectional view of the pneumatic valve;

[0055] Figure 16C yes Figure 16B An enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of a pneumatic valve;

[0056] Figure 16D yes Figure 16A Disassembly view of the pneumatic valve;

[0057] Figure 16E yes Figure 16A An enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the stem body of a pneumatic valve;

[0058] Figure 16F Is with Figure 16A A cross-sectional view of the cap component used with the pneumatic valve;

[0059] Figure 17A It is a combination Figure 16A Side view of a tubeless bicycle wheel with a pneumatic valve;

[0060] Figure 17B According to one embodiment Figure 17A A partial cross-sectional perspective view of a tubeless wheel; and

[0061] Figure 17C According to another embodiment Figure 17A A partial cross-sectional perspective view of a tubeless wheel. Detailed Implementation

[0062] This disclosure provides a novel valve and inflation system for pneumatic tires and related devices to improve ease of use. The embodiments described herein are designed as easy-to-use tire valve and valve connector systems and as replacements for long-standing tire valve systems. The new valve system allows the user to apply the valve connector to the valve stem in a linear motion without the need for snap-fit ​​or latching to secure the valve connector to the valve stem. This disclosure allows the valve connector to be smoothly axially attached to the valve stem and prevents leakage between the valve connector and the valve stem. Therefore, these embodiments provide significant improvements over conventional valve systems, offering users a mechanically more reliable, efficient, and ergonomic valve system.

[0063] This design uniquely combines a miniature ball check valve mechanism with an inflatable pin serving as the actuator, and a ball and groove retaining or locking mechanism for attaching the novel pump head to the novel valve structure. This valve system offers equivalent flow rates, improved sealing stability, and a simpler actuation method that eliminates the need for threaded connections or lever-type locking chucks to engage and secure the pump head to the valve. Existing valve systems (such as the Schrader, Presta, and Dunlop valves) require the user to apply considerable downward force with the female pump head and actuator, and use another hand to engage the locking lever on the valve connector. In contrast, the valve design of this disclosure requires minimal force to engage and secure the female connector of the pump head to the valve stem. Most users will likely only need one hand, or even as few as two fingers, to engage the valve of this disclosure. This detail is particularly important for its application as a bicycle valve, considering the small space between spokes is often a source of frustration for both recreational and professional cyclists. Compared to conventional valves, the valve disclosed herein is easier to use and enables those with physical limitations in their hands due to injury or illness or simply due to insufficient finger strength or coordination (e.g., young children or the elderly) to connect the pump head more easily and thus use tires or other inflatable equipment more easily.

[0064] In addition to its ease of use, this valve system offers considerable versatility because it can be resized or reconfigured to accommodate a wider range of flow rates, tire pressures, and sizes. For example, very small-diameter variants for high-performance bicycle tires can be manufactured without altering the basic mechanics of the valve system. Furthermore, this disclosure includes an adapter system operably implemented with tires or inner tubes having Schrader, Presta, or Dunlop tire valves to allow for easy push-pull functionality, providing users with the option to continue using their existing valve systems through the valve stem adapters and female connectors of this disclosure suitable for such applications.

[0065] The valve disclosed herein 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, such as circulation valves, where low-cost, mass-producible materials are economically necessary, aluminum can be used. Besides metals, the valve can also be partially or entirely manufactured using 3D printing materials, including ABS, PETG, nylon, carbon fiber, ASA, or polycarbonate. 3D-printed parts can be produced to provide efficient, low-cost valves for many applications beyond vehicle tires and inner tubes. For example, low-cost plastic-modified valves can be effectively used in inflatable equipment, such as inner tubes and air cushions, and other similar devices. This includes customized functional designs for both materials (metal and carbon / non-carbon plastic). Some applications may require a combination of several different materials, providing a valve that may include metals, plastics, and other materials such as rubber or carbon fiber. Furthermore, 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 implementations have proven to support broad protection of design novelty in numerous applications.

[0066] In one aspect, embodiments relate 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 cap with a pin passage and an attachment mechanism for attaching to a valve connector for the pump head; a sealing mechanism with a sealing member; a seat for positioning the sealing member against it; and a biasing member for biasing the sealing mechanism to a sealed position; and a chamber through which an inflation 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 seat, an inflation pin, a collar with a ball support complementary to the attachment structure of the valve cap, and a support sleeve (e.g., an elastic sleeve) for providing inward force against the ball support. This valve system allows for easy, secure, and sealed engagement between the valve connector and the valve stem by simply pushing the valve connector downwards in the axial path, and allows for disengagement by pulling the valve connector upwards, without the need for levers, snap rings, or other cumbersome devices. When the valve connector is pushed downward on the valve stem, the inflation pin displaces the first sealing mechanism from the pin channel and into the first chamber, creating a passage for air to enter the first chamber through the inflation pin. The displacement of the sealing mechanism and the insertion of the distal end of the inflation pin into the chamber allow air from the pump head to flow into the chamber through the inflation pin. This chamber can be in open fluid communication with the interior of the pressurized container (e.g., inner tube, tire, raft, air cushion, inflatable chair, inflatable toy, etc.) to which the valve stem is connected, thereby allowing inflation of the pressurized container.

[0067] In some embodiments, the valve system may include (1) a valve stem having the following main components: a valve cap having a pin passage and an attachment mechanism for attaching to a valve connector for a pump head; a first chamber having a first sealing mechanism therein; a biasing member biasing the first sealing mechanism to a sealed position; a second chamber having a second sealing mechanism therein; and a passage between the first and second chambers; and (2) a pump head including the following components: a valve connector including a housing, a pin seat, an inflation pin, a collar with a ball support complementary to the attachment mechanism of the valve cap, and a support sleeve (e.g., an elastic sleeve) for providing an inward force against the ball support. The valve system allows for easy, secure, and sealed engagement between the valve connector and the valve stem by simply pushing the valve connector downward in the axial path, and allows for disengagement by pulling the valve connector upward, without the need for levers, snap rings, or other bulky devices. When the valve connector is pushed downward on the valve stem, the inflation pin displaces the first sealing mechanism from the pin passage and into the first chamber, creating a passage for air to enter the first chamber through the inflation pin. Displacement of the first sealing mechanism can actuate and displace the second sealing mechanism, thereby opening the passage between the first and second chambers. Air from the pump head can enter the first chamber through 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, raft, air cushion, inflatable chair, inflatable toy, etc.) connected to the valve stem, thereby allowing inflation of the pressurized container.

[0068] In another aspect, embodiments relate to a valve conversion system for converting a conventional pneumatic valve with a novel valve stem and pump head assembly, which readily attaches and seals the pump head 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 an existing conventional valve stem, an attachment mechanism having a cap with a pin passage and a valve connector for attaching to the pump head, a sealing mechanism, a biasing member biasing the sealing mechanism to a sealed position, and a chamber through which an inflation pin passes when the pump head engages with the valve stem; and (2) a pump head including the following components: a valve connector including a housing, a pin seat, an inflation pin, a collar with a ball support complementary to the attachment structure of the valve cap, and a support sleeve (e.g., an elastic sleeve) for providing inward force against the ball support. This valve conversion system allows conventional valves to be converted to allow 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 disengagement by pulling the valve connector upwards, without the need for levers, snap rings, or other bulky devices. When the valve connector is pushed downwards on the valve stem, the inflation pin displaces the sealing mechanism from the pin channel and into the chamber, creating a passage for air to enter the chamber through the inflation pin. The displacement of the sealing mechanism and the insertion of the distal end of the inflation pin into the chamber allow air from the pump head to flow into the chamber through the inflation pin. In some embodiments, the spool of the conventional valve (e.g., a Presta valve, Schrader valve, or Dunlap valve) can be removed before attaching the valve stem adapter to improve valve performance, leaving the valve body to which the valve stem adapter is attached. In other embodiments, the spool of the conventional valve can remain intact, and the valve stem adapter can be attached to the valve body. In such embodiments, the inflation pin can displace the existing valve actuator of the conventional valve when the pump head is coupled to the valve stem adapter. In some embodiments, the valve stem adapter may include a structure that displaces and holds an existing valve actuator of a conventional valve in the open position, allowing a valve mechanism within the valve stem adapter to control fluid flow through the valve stem. Actuation of the valve actuator creates open fluid communication between the chamber and the interior of a pressurized container (e.g., inner tube, tire, raft, air mattress, inflatable chair, inflatable toy, etc.) connected to the conventional valve stem, thereby allowing inflation of the pressurized container.

[0069] In another aspect, embodiments relate to an adapter system for use with existing pneumatic valve systems (e.g., Schrader, Presta, and Dunlap valves), the adapter system including a valve stem adapter and a pump head, the valve stem adapter being operable to connect to an existing valve stem (e.g., for a Schrader, Presta, or Dunlap valve), and the pump head being operable to securely connect to the valve stem by simply pressing the pump head onto the valve stem in an axial manner 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 a valve stem adapter to an existing valve stem (e.g., a Schrader valve stem, a Presta valve stem, or a Dunlap valve stem), a pin channel for receiving an actuating pin from a pump head assembly, a sealing member, and a coupling mechanism for engaging the pump head; and (2) a pump head including the following components: a valve connector including a housing, a collar with a ball support complementary to the second coupling mechanism of the valve stem adapter, and a support sleeve (e.g., a resilient sleeve) for providing inward force against the ball support, a pin seat, and an actuator pin. The actuator pin can engage with an existing valve actuator of the valve stem, thereby utilizing the existing valve mechanism to inflate a pneumatic device with a valve mounted thereon. The valve adapter system can be easily, securely, and sealingly engaged with the valve stem adapter by simply pressing the pump head connector axially onto the valve stem adapter, and disengaged by pulling the pump head upward, without the need for levers, snap rings, or other bulky devices.

[0070] In some embodiments, a valve stem adapter can replace the internal actuation structure of an existing 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 an existing valve seat housing after the internal valve mechanism of the existing valve stem has been removed. The valve stem adapter may include a central channel through which air can pass when the valve mechanism is engaged, a sealing member such as a ball support, a sealing member seat against which the sealing member forms an airtight seal, and a biasing member for biasing the sealing member against the sealing member seat when the pin of the pump head disengages from the valve stem adapter.

[0071] The features of various embodiments and methods of this disclosure will be discussed in more detail below.

[0072] valve stem base

[0073] In some embodiments, the valve stem may be attached to and in fluid communication with a pressurizable container (such as an inner tube, tire, raft, air cushion, inflatable chair, inflatable toy, etc.). The valve stem may serve as both an inlet and an outlet for such a container and allows 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.

[0074] 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 via 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 cap structure surrounding the valve mechanism. The valve cap may be attached to the base via an attachment structure for a semi-permanent connection to the base of the 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 cap. In other embodiments, the attachment structure may include a lip, and the valve cap may include a circumferential recess in its inner surface, or vice versa, with the lip having a shape complementary to the circumferential recess. 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 cap 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 cap may be integral with the valve stem and comprise the same material.

[0075] Valve cap and actuation mechanism

[0076] The valve cap 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, allowing the valve cap to be securely attached to the valve base in an airtight manner. In some embodiments, the attachment structure of the valve cap may include threads having a shape complementary to the shape of threads on the outer surface of the base of the valve stem.

[0077] The second end of the valve cap may include an outer surface having a coupling 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 coupling neck at the distal end of the valve cap may include one or more recesses, such as circumferential recesses having a shape complementary to the shape of the coupling collar of the valve connector. In some embodiments, the coupling collar of the valve connector may include at least one ball support nested within the coupling collar of the valve connector and biased inward by a resilient sleeve. In some embodiments, the pin channel may include a substantially cylindrical channel coaxial with the central channel of the valve stem and extending through the distal end of the valve cap. The pin channel may include a diameter that receives an inflation pin from the valve connector, such that the inflation pin can pass through the pin channel and enter the central channel of the valve stem.

[0078] The valve cap 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 engaged with the valve stem. The valve mechanism may be positioned between the valve base and the valve cap and is fully fitted within the valve base and / or the valve cap. In some embodiments, the biasing member may include a spring having an overall substantially cylindrical shape (e.g., an open coil shape) having an outer diameter complementary to (e.g., substantially similar but smaller than) the inner diameter of the valve cap. In some embodiments, the base of the valve stem may include a shoulder located at or near the bottom of the chamber on an inner surface that is operable to provide a seat for the biasing member, which provides an elastic force for biasing the sealing member toward a sealed position (e.g., against a sealing ring of the valve cap). 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 the pin passage in the valve stem, such as spherical, oval, conical pyramid shape, or other shape operable to engage with the biasing member and form a seal with the sealing ring in the pin passage of the valve cap. When a tire or other pneumatic container is inflated, the air pressure behind the sealing member may be sufficient to reliably position and hold the sealing member in a sealed position within the pin channel. Therefore, the spring can be a lightweight spring, and the force of the spring can be easily counteracted by the downward force of the inflation pin when the pump head is attached to the valve stem.

[0079] In some embodiments, the sealing mechanism may include a substantially spherical sealing member (e.g., a ball support 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 with a flared end, or related structures, and a spring may have an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the sealing member, such that the sealing member is operable to be positioned on the upper end of the spring. The outer diameter of the sealing member may be smaller than the inner diameter of the valve cap, such that the sealing member can move freely within the valve cap, and air can bypass the sealing member when the sealing member is in the open position (e.g., without a sealing ring abutting against the valve cap). In some examples, the sealing member may be fixed to the upper end of the spring. The sealing member may engage and press against the lower end surface of the sealing ring to close the pin passage and prevent air flow through the valve. In cases where a spherical or similarly spherical ball is used as the sealing member, the spring or other biasing member may be omitted because the air pressure behind the ball support ensures that it is pressed into the O-ring and covers the inner diameter. In such examples, an air-permeable mesh material or short spring attached to the lower part of the chamber can serve as a support for the sealing ball, so that the sealing ball does not block the airflow through the air passage at the bottom of the chamber during inflation.

[0080] The valve cap may include a shoulder concentric with the pin passage. The shoulder can provide a seat for a sealing ring. The sealing ring can be properly positioned between the shoulder of the valve cap and the rounded upper end of the valve base. The sealing ring can be compressed between the ends of the shoulder and the valve base, thereby preventing airflow through the threaded area of ​​the valve cap and restricting airflow outside the inflation pin. The sealing ring may have an outer diameter complementary to the inner diameter of the valve cap, and the sealing ring may have an inner diameter substantially 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 cap, the inflation pin can pass through the central passage of the sealing ring. The inner diameter of the sealing ring may be substantially similar to (i.e., the same as or slightly smaller than) the outer diameter of the inflation pin, such that the sealing ring can be slightly deformed or stretched to allow the inflation pin to pass through and form an airtight seal between the sealing ring and the inflation pin against air pressure inside the container.

[0081] The sealing ring can be a compressible structure that abuts against a shoulder seal in an internal passage within the valve cap and has a central opening through which the 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 vessel. The sealing member (e.g., a ball support, sealing stem, etc.) can include a spherical, spherical, or other conical shape with a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the sealing ring and naturally finding its outer diameter due to its conical 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, allowing the sealing member to have a considerably large surface area in contact with 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.

[0082] In embodiments of this disclosure, the sealing ring can be configured such that it has an inner diameter just large enough to receive the inflation pin, providing a tight seal around the inflation pin as it is inserted through the pin channel and sealing ring into the chamber. The engagement of the inflation pin with the sealing ring provides a narrow path for the travel of pressurized air from the pump head and 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 those in Schrader valves). In the design of Schrader valves, a relatively large annular channel is formed around the plunger in the valve when the pump head engages with the valve. The pump head pushes the plunger into a recessed position in the Schrader valve, allowing an annular column of air to pass through the valve. This generates a considerable amount of backflush pressure on the pump head of the Schrader valve. This is why Schrader valves include a bulky thumb lever, which needs to be locked in place before pumping with the Schrader system. The narrow, controlled air passage of the valve disclosed herein reduces the pressure experienced by the pump head, allowing for an easy-to-use, less rigid, and less cumbersome coupling mechanism. The pump head of this disclosure can be simply pushed down on the valve stem until a ball support is found and positioned in an attachment mechanism (e.g., a channel or collar) on the outer diameter of the valve stem, with a resilient support sleeve applying inward pressure on the support to position and retain it in the attachment mechanism. The pump head can be easily removed by pulling it axially away from the valve stem. Therefore, this disclosure 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 this disclosure includes embodiments in which the quick-connect collar can be a sliding ridge collar, which must be moved from the positioned position by sliding the collar to an open position to release pressure on the ball support and allow it to be attached or disengaged from the valve collar's attachment mechanism.

[0083] In some embodiments, the valve system may include two separate sealing mechanisms that eliminate the pressure loss that occurs in conventional valve designs when the pump head is separated from the valve stem, which can be significant (e.g., up to 10 PSI). In such embodiments, the valve stem may include two chambers in series, each sealed by a separate sealing mechanism. The upper chamber may include a first sealing ring against which a first sealing member presses when in the closed position, and the lower chamber may include a second sealing ring or sealing seat. In some embodiments, the first sealing member may be a sealing rod with a tapered plug at its upper end, which 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, biasing 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 it may be attached to the upper end of the spring. The lower end of the spring may be positioned on the shoulder of the first chamber. In some embodiments, a filter structure may be included in the 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 or even valve failure. The particulate filter may have a ring structure positioned axially around the sealing stem 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.

[0084] The second chamber may include a second sealing mechanism comprising a sealing member abutting against a complementary seat, the complementary seat providing a relatively large surface area interface between the sealing member and the complementary seat. The sealing member may be a substantially spherical rigid sphere (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, or other corrosion-resistant material). The complementary seat may be made of flexible thermoplastic, nitrile rubber, gum rubber, or hydralon. TM Neoprene TM Polyurethane, SBR (red rubber), silicone resin, Viton TMThe spherical cap shape is composed of materials such as fluorosilicone resin, ethylene propylene rubber, butyl rubber, or others. This material can possess a degree of flexibility, allowing it to flex when the sealing member is pushed against the seat due to the internal pressure of the pressurized container. In other embodiments, the seat can be a three-point ball seat, which works very effectively in combination with a spherical sealing ball, providing an airtight seal even at relatively low pressures in the container to which the valve stem is attached. The three-point seat consists of portions of two spherical caps of different diameters that can be joined together to form a figure-eight structure. One of the spherical caps can have a cross-sectional area 10-15% larger than that of the sealing ball, and the other spherical cap can have a cross-sectional area 10-15% smaller than that of the sealing ball. The two spherical cap portions can be formed by integral molding or joined together, fused together by welding or grinding techniques, or other suitable methods. This geometry of the seat creates a perfectly circular platform between the two spherical cap structures, with no concentricity or perpendicularity errors, allowing for a very tight seal with almost zero leakage, even under low pressure. The seat can be made of a metal with high tensile strength and high hardness.

[0085] In such embodiments, the second sealing member in the second chamber can be held in place in the seat by pneumatic pressure within 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. Subsequently, the lower end of the sealing rod, opposite the plug, engages with the second sealing member in the second chamber, displacing the second sealing member from the seat, 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. This 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 when the pump head is removed from the valve stem, thus helping to prevent leakage during pump head disengagement.

[0086] Air or other gas can then flow through the inflation needle into the first chamber, then through the channel between the first and second chambers, and through the second chamber to inflate the container. The second chamber may include a gasket that prevents the sealing ball from passing through the lower channel of the second chamber during inflation. This "freestanding" 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.

[0087] Pin seat

[0088] A pin seat can retain the inflation pin attached to the valve connector. The pin seat can be attached to a recess in the valve connector via a connecting mechanism that attaches to the connector housing, the pin receiving portion, and the connecting channel. In some embodiments, the distal end may include a head (e.g., disc-shaped) with an outer diameter larger than that of the proximal end. In some embodiments, the head may include a groove, 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 seat in the connector housing. In some embodiments, the mounting structure may have a shape complementary to at least one of a screwdriver, a wrench (e.g., a fixed-head wrench, a socket wrench, an Allen wrench, or a drill bit), etc. In some embodiments, the mounting structure may be a slot that can traverse the upper surface of the distal end (e.g., the head) of the pin seat, pass through its center point, and be positioned such that the longitudinal axis of the slot is parallel to the central axis of the connecting channel of the pin seat (which is not visible when the pin seat is threaded 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 seat. The user can further determine the position of the air intake channel in 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 seat, and into the central channel of the inflation pin (and subsequently into the valve stem when the valve connector engages with the valve stem).

[0089] In some embodiments, the proximal end of the pin seat (i.e., the end closest to the valve stem when the valve connector engages with the valve stem) may include a pin receiving portion comprising a channel substantially coaxial with the central channel of the valve connector and the central channel of the valve stem. The pin receiving portion may be operable to receive a first end of an inflatable pin. The pin receiving portion may have an inner diameter 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 receiving portion (e.g., is inserted into the pin receiving portion). The pin receiving portion may be in fluid communication with the connection channel of the pin seat.

[0090] In some embodiments, the connecting channel of the pin seat may be located at approximately the midpoint between a first end and a second end of the pin seat and may be oriented to align with the intake channel when the pin seat is attached to the connector housing (e.g., fully screwed into the connector housing via threads). 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 circumferential surface of the pin seat that is operable to be in fluid communication with the intake channel if aligned with it. In some embodiments, the plurality of channels may include two channels, each traversing the pin seat 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 seat) in fluid communication with the central channel of the inflatable pin. The end of each arm of the X shape may define an opening in the outer surface of the pin seat. Thus, when the pin seat is in four different rotational positions (i.e., when any one of the arms of the X shape is aligned with the intake channel), the connecting channel is operable to allow the intake channel of the connector housing to be in fluid communication with the central channel of the inflatable pin.

[0091] When the attachment structures of the connector housing and the pin seat include complementary threads, this arrangement of multiple connection channels allows the pin seat to be fully screwed into (e.g., fully tightened into) the connector housing within a 90-degree range while still providing fluid communication between the inflation pin and the intake channel. In some embodiments, the multiple connection channels may provide more than four openings that are uniformly circumferentially arranged around the outer surface of the pin seat. In some embodiments, the multiple connection channels may provide six or eight openings, such that the pin seat can be fully tightened within a 60-degree or 45-degree range, respectively, while still providing fluid communication between the intake channel and the inflation pin.

[0092] Inflatable pin

[0093] The inflation pin may include a conduit of any shape operable to provide airtight fluid communication between the pin seat 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 may be operable to be inserted into a pin receiving portion of the pin seat and may be in fluid communication with a connection channel of the pin seat. In some embodiments, when the valve connector is engaged with the valve stem, the second end of the inflation pin may be operable to be inserted into and through a pin channel of the valve cap, and thus may access 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 a front surface of the second end. This allows the front surface to freely contact and push the sealing member of the valve stem away from the sealing ring of the valve stem as the inflation pin passes through it, without obstructing airflow from the outlet of the inflation pin.

[0094] Valve connector

[0095] The connector housing of the valve connector may include an air source attachment member, an attachment structure for a pin seat, 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 having 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 seat in place within the central channel. In some embodiments, the attachment structure of the connector housing may include threads having a shape complementary to threads on the outer surface of the pin seat, such that the pin seat can be securely attached to the connector housing by being screwed into the central channel of the connector housing.

[0096] In some embodiments, the connector housing may include at least one sealing ring positioned to form an airtight seal between the pin seat 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 at the proximal end of the pin seat (i.e., opposite the head of the pin seat) to form an airtight seal between the pin seat, the connector housing, and the inflatable pin. The first sealing ring of the connector housing may have an inner diameter 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 seat (i.e., is inserted into the pin receiving portion of the pin seat), the inflatable pin can pass through the central channel of the first sealing ring (which may be slightly deformed or stretched to allow the inflatable pin to pass through), 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 may be secured at a suitable position between the proximal end of the pin seat and a first shoulder of the connector housing when the pin seat is screwed into the connector housing. The second sealing ring can be positioned at the distal end of the pin seat (i.e., at the head of the pin seat) to form an airtight seal between the pin seat and the connector housing, and can be secured in place between the second shoulder of the connector housing and the head of the pin seat when the pin seat is screwed into the connector housing by threads.

[0097] 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 seat is mounted (e.g., screwed into) the connector housing, the air intake channel of the connector housing may be in fluid communication with the central channel of the inflation pin through the connecting channel of the pin seat, providing unique fluid communication between the inlet channel and the central channel of the connector housing.

[0098] Air source attachment members can include any shape or mechanism operable to securely attach to an air source (e.g., a pneumatic hose). The air source attachment member can include a central channel in fluid communication with an air 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 supports for attachment to the male connector). In other embodiments, the air source attachment member can include an outer circumferential lip or circumferential barb and can be operable to be inserted 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 recess whose shape is complementary to 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 recess on its inner surface.

[0099] The valve connector may include an attachment member for securely attaching to a valve cap. In some embodiments, the attachment member may include at least one ball support nested in a support channel in the wall of a collar traversing the valve connector housing, the ball support being biased inward by a resilient support sleeve surrounding the collar. The support channel in the collar wall may include an outer end and an inner end, the outer end defining an opening in the outer surface of the collar of the valve connector, and the inner end defining an opening in the inner surface of the collar. The support channel may include a substantially cylindrical shape, except that the inner end narrows compared to the rest of the support channel (i.e., the inner end has a smaller diameter than the rest of the support channel). The outer diameter of the ball support may be substantially larger than the diameter of the inner end of the support channel and substantially larger than the thickness of the collar wall, such that the ball support cannot completely pass through the narrow inner end, but a portion of the ball support may protrude through the narrow end. Because the ball support is wider than the collar wall, the resilient sleeve surrounding the collar will contact the portion of the ball support protruding from the outer end of the channel and resiliently bias the ball support toward the inner end. Therefore, when the valve connector is engaged with the valve stem, the ball support can extend into the circumferential recess at the second end of the valve cap, thereby securing the valve connector to the appropriate position on the valve stem.

[0100] Connector sleeve

[0101] The connector sleeve may be arranged around a collar of the connector housing. In some embodiments, the connector sleeve may include a substantially cylindrical shape having an inner diameter complementary to (e.g., substantially similar to) the outer diameter of the collar. In some embodiments, the connector sleeve may be composed of an elastomeric material operable to provide an elastic inward force against a ball support of the connector housing. In some embodiments, when the valve connector engages with the valve stem, the inward force exerted on the ball support by the elastomeric connector sleeve is sufficient to withstand the outward pressure exerted on the ball support by the attachment structure of the valve cap 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 on the ball support 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 comprise any elastic material operable to provide an inward force against the attachment device of the connector housing collar. In some embodiments, the elastic sleeve may comprise at least one of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), natural rubber, synthetic rubber, nitrile rubber, silicone rubber, polyurethane rubber, neoprene rubber, and ethylene vinyl acetate.

[0102] Therefore, the valve connector can be engaged with the valve stem by simply aligning the collar of the valve connector with the valve cap of the valve stem and applying force against the valve connector with one hand. This action allows the collar to slide downwards on the valve cap and engage with it. The force applied against the valve connector must be sufficient to: 1) move the ball support of the collar outwards against the inward force of the elastic sleeve so as to slide on the upper lip of the valve cap before moving inwards to the attachment member (e.g., the circumferential recess) of the valve cap; 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 mentioned above, the sealing ring may have an inner diameter 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 airflow between the pump head and the valve stem, preventing airflow 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 need for a cumbersome locking mechanism like that in the Schrader valve design.

[0103] In some embodiments, the connector sleeve may have a rigid sliding sleeve that holds the ball support in a receiving portion within the valve stem cap. The sliding sleeve may have a first inner diameter sufficient to pass through a collar along the connector housing and hold the ball support in the receiving portion within the valve stem cap. The sliding sleeve may have a second inner diameter large enough to allow the ball support to be released from the receiving portion within the valve stem cap and to allow the pump head to be pulled away from the valve stem. The sliding sleeve may be biased toward a closed position, in which the first inner diameter is positioned above the ball support to lock the ball support in place within the receiving portion of the valve stem cap. 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 support and allow them to disengage from the receiving portion within the valve stem cap. The pump head can then be removed by pulling it axially upward and away from the valve stem. Embodiments including the sliding sleeve also provide an easily operable engagement mechanism that can be attached and removed with one hand. The user can pull the sliding sleeve back to the retracted position, place the connector sleeve on the valve stem so that the ball support is aligned with the receiver in the valve stem, and then release the sliding sleeve to allow the biased sleeve to move downward toward the valve stem so that the first inner diameter is above the ball support, 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, which moves the second inner diameter above the ball support, thus releasing the ball support and pulling the pump head away from the valve stem in one go. The sliding sleeve can be used in high-pressure situations where the fluid pressure acting on the valve system is high, or in valve systems used to transfer liquids, hazardous gases, or other high-pressure or hazardous fluids.

[0104] How to use

[0105] A method of using the valve system of this disclosure may include the following steps: 1) providing a valve connector having an inflation pin and a collar, the collar having at least one ball support biased inward by an elastic sleeve for attachment to a valve stem; 2) providing a container having a valve stem and a valve cap, the valve stem having a sealing member biased against a sealing ring, the valve cap having a pin channel for receiving the inflation pin and a recess for housing at least one ball support 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 may be performed by aligning the collar with the valve cap and applying a linear axial force to the connector. In some embodiments, the force applied to the connector must be along the direction of the valve stem and must be sufficient to move at least one ball support past the lip of the valve cap and into the circular recess of the valve cap. In some embodiments, the force applied to the connector must be sufficient to insert the inflation pin through the sealing ring and overcome the bias of the biasing member to disengage the sealing member from the sealing ring. 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.

[0106] A method of using the valve system of this disclosure may include the following steps: 1) providing a valve connector having an inflation pin and a collar, the collar having at least one ball support biased inward by an elastic sleeve for attachment to a valve stem; 2) providing a container having a valve stem and a valve cap, the valve stem having a first sealing member biased against a first seat to form a first seal, a second sealing member forming a second seal, and a second seat, the valve cap having a pin channel for receiving the inflation pin and a recess for accommodating at least one ball support of the collar; 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 seat to displace the first sealing member, thereby opening the first seal, which in turn displaces the second sealing member from the second seat, 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 cap and applying a linear axial force to the connector. In some embodiments, the force applied to the connector must be along the direction of the valve stem and must be sufficient to move at least one ball support past the lip of the valve cap and into the circular recess of the valve cap.

[0107] A method of using the valve switching system of this disclosure may include the following steps: 1) connecting a valve stem adapter to an existing valve stem attached to an inflatable container, for example, by threading a valve stem adapter onto the external thread of an existing valve stem; 2) providing a valve adapter having an inflation pin and a collar, the collar having at least one ball support biased inward by an elastic sleeve for attachment to the valve stem adapter, the collar including a pin channel for receiving the inflation pin and a circular recess for accommodating at least one ball support of the collar; 3) engaging the valve adapter 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 existing valve stem; 4) allowing a sufficient volume of air to pass through the inflation pin and through the existing valve stem to inflate the pressurizable container; and 5) disengaging the valve adapter from the valve stem.

[0108] In some embodiments, at least one of the resilient or semi-rigid elements (which may wear) disclosed herein can be readily replaced by at least one of disengaging the pin seat from the connector housing (e.g., unscrewing) or disengaging the valve cap from the valve stem. In some embodiments, the user can readily replace the sealing ring of the connector housing by unscrewing the pin seat from the connector housing. In some embodiments, the user can readily replace at least one of the sealing member, biasing member, and sealing ring in the valve stem by unscrewing the valve cap from the valve stem. In some embodiments, the user can readily replace the resilient sleeve when the valve connector is not engaged with the valve stem. The pin seat and the inflation pin can also be replaced by simple removal and replacement with replacement parts.

[0109] Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description and disclosure provided herein.

[0110] Some aspects of this disclosure provide a valve system that is easy to engage and disengage from a container that needs to be filled with air.

[0111] Some further aspects of this disclosure provide a valve system that improves upon conventional valve systems, namely, that the valve system can be fully engaged or disengaged from a container to be filled with air by simply pushing or pulling the valve connectors separately.

[0112] Further aspects of this disclosure provide a valve adapter that can be connected to an existing valve stem and improve the performance, reliability, and ease of use of the existing valve stem.

[0113] Some further aspects of this disclosure provide an improved valve system that produces a more reliable seal while filling a container with air, without the need for a locking lever or threaded connection between the valve connector and the valve stem.

[0114] Some further aspects of this disclosure provide an improved valve system that allows for more accurate pressure readings in a container being filled with air, preventing overfilling or underfilling of the container and the resulting uneven wear.

[0115] Some further aspects of this disclosure provide an improved valve system that allows a user to engage and disengage the valve system using one hand, and in some cases even as few as two fingers.

[0116] Some further aspects of this disclosure provide an improved valve system that reduces the time required to fill a container to the appropriate pressure.

[0117] Some further aspects of this disclosure provide an improved valve system in which all potentially worn parts (e.g., resilient and / or semi-rigid parts of the valve system) are easily replaceable.

[0118] This disclosure relates to a pneumatic valve system for easily attaching and sealing a valve connector to and from a valve stem. For example... Figures 1A-5B As shown, the valve system 100 may include the following main components: valve stem 101, valve cap 110, sealing member 120 biased by biasing member 125, and valve connector 130, which includes connector housing 131, pin seat 150, inflation pin 160, and resilient sleeve 170.

[0119] Valve stem 101 can be attached to and fluidly communicated with a pressurized container (e.g., a bicycle inner tube). Valve stem 101 can serve as both an inlet and outlet for the container and allows for easy and secure connection to a valve connector 130, which can be fluidly communicated with a pressurized air source (e.g., an air compressor, not shown) to pressurize container 199. Valve stem 101 may include an airtight passage between pressurized container 199 and valve cap 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 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 valve cap 110.

[0120] The second end 104 of the valve stem 101 may include a shoulder 106 on its inner surface, operable to provide a seat for supporting a biasing member 125 (e.g., a spring), the biasing member 125 providing an elastic force (e.g., abutting against a sealing ring 116 of the valve cap 110) for biasing the sealing member 120 toward a sealing position. The biasing member 125 may include a generally cylindrical shape (e.g., an open coil shape) with an outer diameter complementary to the inner diameter of the second end 104 of the valve stem 101. The sealing member 120 may include a generally spherical shape, and the biasing member 125 may have an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the sealing member 120, such that the sealing member 120 is operable on or partially nested within a distal end 126 of the biasing member 125. The outer diameter of the sealing member 120 can be substantially smaller than the inner diameter of the central passage 102 of the valve stem 101, allowing the sealing member 120 to move freely within the central passage 102, and when the sealing member 120 is in the open position (e.g., not against the sealing ring 116 of the valve cap 110, see...), Figure 1B Air can bypass the sealing component 120.

[0121] Valve cap 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 complementary to the threads 105 of the second end 104 of valve stem 101, allowing the proximal end 111 of valve cap 110 to be securely attached to the distal end 104 of valve stem 101 in a gas-tight manner. The distal end 112 of valve cap 110 may include an outer surface having an annular circumferential recess 113 for removable attachment to valve connector 130, and a pin channel 114 substantially coaxial with the central channel 102 of 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 valve stem 101.

[0122] The sealing ring 116 of the valve cap 110 may have a circular shape and a substantially circular or oval cross-sectional shape, and may comprise an elastomeric material. The sealing ring 116 may have an outer diameter complementary to the inner diameter of the valve cap 110, and the sealing ring 116 may have an inner diameter substantially 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, biased by the biasing member 125, abuts. 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 within 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 (which 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.

[0123] In other embodiments, the sealing member 120 may engage with a three-point ball seat portion 116a to seal the valve cap 110. The three-point seat portion 116a comprises fused or integrally molded portions of two spherical caps, one spherical cap having a cross-sectional area 10-15% larger than the sealing member 120, and the other spherical cap having a cross-sectional area 10-15% smaller than the sealing ball 221. The spherical caps may be axially aligned, with the smaller cap positioned above the larger one, and channels in the smaller spherical cap allowing fluid to pass through the valve cap. Figure 2A-2B As shown, the three-point seat can be located in the valve cap 110, adjacent to and exactly 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 seat 116a can be made of a metal with high tensile strength and high hardness.

[0124] like Figure 3A and Figure 3BAs best shown, the pin seat 150 may include a proximal end 151 and a distal end 152, a thread 153 for attachment to the connector housing 130, a pin receiving portion 154, and a connecting channel 155. The distal end 152 may include a generally disc-shaped head with an outer diameter larger 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 parallel to and aligned with the first branch 155a of the connecting channel 155, and orthogonal to the second branch 155b of the connecting channel 155. Therefore, when the pin seat 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 also 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 a space surrounding the connecting passage such that each branch of the connecting passage is in fluid communication with the air intake passage 135.

[0125] The proximal end 151 of the pin seat 150 may include a pin receiving portion 157, which includes a channel substantially coaxial with the central axis of the connector housing 131 and with the central channel 102 of the valve stem 101. The pin receiving portion 157 may be operable to receive a first end 162 of an inflation pin 160, having an inner diameter complementary to the outer diameter of the inflation pin 160. When the first end 162 of the inflation pin 160 engages (e.g., is inserted) with the pin receiving portion 157, the pin receiving portion 157 may be operable to hold the inflation pin in a substantially stationary manner together with the sealing ring 133 of the connector housing 131.

[0126] like Figure 4As shown, the inflation pin 160 may include a generally cylindrical shape defining a central channel 161, which has an inlet 164 at a proximal end 162 and an outlet 165 at a distal end 163. The proximal end 162 may be operable to insert into a pin receiving portion 157 of a pin seat 150 and may be in fluid communication with a connecting channel 155. When the valve connector 130 is engaged with the valve stem 101, the second end 163 of the inflation pin 160 may be operable to insert into and pass through a pin channel 114 of a valve cap 110, thereby entering the central channel 102 of the valve stem 101. The outlet 165 can be arranged on the lateral outer surface of the distal end 163, rather than on the front surface 166, so that when the inflation pin 160 enters the valve stem 101, the front surface 166 can freely contact the sealing member 120 and push the sealing member away from the sealing ring 116 without obstructing the airflow out of the outlet 165.

[0127] 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 seat 150, and a collar 140 for attachment to a valve cap 110. The connector housing 131 may include a rigid material (i.e., metal, metal alloy, plastic, carbon fiber, etc.) and a generally cylindrical shape (see [link to product description]). Figure 5B The connector housing 131 has a central channel 137, which is substantially coaxial with the central channel 102 of the valve stem 101 when the valve connector 130 is engaged with 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 seat 150 in place 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 seat 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 seat 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 seat 150 and a second shoulder 139 of the connector housing 131.

[0128] The air source attachment member 132 may include a plurality of peripheral barbs and may be 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.

[0129] The valve connector 130 may include a plurality of ball supports 141 nested in a plurality of channels 142 passing through the wall of the collar 140, each of the plurality of ball supports 141 being biased inward by a resilient support sleeve 170 surrounding the collar 140. The plurality of channels 142 in the wall of the collar 140 may include outer ends defining openings in the outer surface of the collar 140 and inner ends defining openings in the inner surface of the collar 140 (see...). Figure 5A Each channel 142 may include a generally cylindrical shape, except that the inner end is narrower 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 support 141 may be substantially larger than the diameter of the inner end of the channel 142, and substantially larger than the wall thickness of the collar 140 (see...). Figure 1A This prevents the ball support 141 from fully passing through the channel 142, but a portion of the ball support 141 can protrude through the narrow end of the channel 142. Because the ball support 141 is wider than the wall of the collar 140, the resilient sleeve 170 will contact the ball support 141 and resiliently bias it 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 support 142 can extend into the circumferential recess 113 of the valve cap 110, thereby securing the valve connector 130 to the valve stem 101.

[0130] By simply aligning the collar 140 with the valve cap 110 and applying a linear force (towards the valve stem) against the valve connector with one hand, the valve connector 130 can engage with the valve stem 101. Figure 1B As shown, this action allows the collar 140 to slide downwards on the valve cap 110 and engage with it. The force applied against the valve connector 130 must be sufficient to: 1) move the ball support 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 cap 110 before moving inwards back to the circumferential recess 113, and 2) insert the second end 163 of the inflation pin 160 into the center of the sealing ring 116 and disengage the sealing member 120 from the sealing ring 116 against the force of the bias member 125, thereby allowing the outlet 165 of the inflation pin 160 to move through the sealing ring 116 and fluidly communicate with the central channel 102 of the valve stem 101.

[0131] Figures 6-8 Another embodiment of a pneumatic valve system is shown for easily attaching and sealing a valve connector to a valve stem comprising two separate seals. (See figure) Figure 6As shown, the valve system 200 may include the following main components: a valve stem 201, a valve cap 210, a first chamber 281 including a first sealing member 220 biased by a biasing member 225, a second chamber 282 including 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, having a connector housing 131, a pin seat 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 pressure loss that occurs in conventional valve designs when the pump head separates from the valve stem, which can be significant (e.g., up to 10 PSI). The upper chamber 281 may include a sealing ring 216 against which the first sealing member 220 presses when in the closed position, and the lower chamber 282 may include a sealing seat portion 286.

[0132] 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, biasing 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 lower end of the biasing spring 225 may be located on the shoulder 206 of the 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, operable to capture particulate matter and prevent particles from entering the valve stem 201 or an inflatable container to which the valve stem is attached. The particulate filter 228 may have an annular structure positioned about 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 material).

[0133] Valve cap 210 may include a lower end portion 211 and an upper end portion 212. The lower end portion 211 may include a generally cylindrical shape and an inner surface with threads 215, which are complementary to the threads 205 of the upper end portion 204 of the double-seal valve core located between the two chambers 281 and 282. A valve stem 201 allows the upper end portion 211 of valve cap 210 to be securely attached in an airtight manner to the upper end portion 204a of the double-seal valve core 285. The upper end portion 212 of valve cap 210 may include an outer surface having an annular circumferential recess 213 for removable attachment to valve connector 130, and a pin passage 214 substantially coaxial with the double-seal valve core 285 and valve stem 201. The pin passage 214 may include a diameter complementary to the diameter of an inflation pin 160, such that the inflation pin 160 can pass through the pin passage 214 and enter the valve stem 201.

[0134] The sealing ring 216 of the valve cap 210 may have a circular shape and a substantially circular or oval cross-sectional shape, and may comprise an elastomeric material. The sealing ring 216 may have an outer diameter complementary to the inner diameter of the valve cap 210, and the sealing ring 216 may have an inner diameter substantially smaller than the outer diameter of the sealing plug 220a, such that the sealing ring 216 provides 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 circumference of the double-seal valve core 285 and the shoulder 212 of the valve cap 210. When the valve connector 130 is not engaged with the valve cap 210, the contact between the sealing plug 220a and the sealing ring 216 forms an airtight seal against air pressure within 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 (which 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.

[0135] The second chamber 282 may include a second sealing mechanism comprising a sealing member 221, which may be a substantially spherical rigid ball (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, or other corrosion-resistant material) engaging with a complementary seat 218, the complementary seat providing a relatively large surface area interface between the sealing member 221 and the complementary seat 218. The complementary seat 218 may have a spherical cap shape and may include flexible thermoplastics, nitrile rubber, pure rubber, Hypalon™, Neoprene™, polyurethane, SBR (red rubber), silicone, Viton™, fluorosilicone, ethylene propylene rubber, butyl rubber, or other materials. The material may be slightly flexible such that it flexes when the sealing member 221 abuts against the seat 218 due to 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 seat 218 due to pneumatic pressure in the container to which the valve stem 201 is connected.

[0136] In other embodiments, the seat 218 may be a three-point ball seat 218a. The three-point seat 218a comprises two fused or integrally molded spherical caps, one spherical cap having a cross-sectional area 10-15% larger than the sealing ball 221, and the other spherical cap having a cross-sectional area 10-15% smaller than the sealing ball 221. The spherical caps may be axially aligned, with the smaller cap positioned above the larger cap, and a channel present in the smaller spherical cap to allow air or other gases to pass through the valve. The three-point seat 218a may be made of a metal with high tensile strength and high hardness.

[0137] A seat 218 (or 218a) may be located below the shoulder 206 of a double-seal valve core 285 within a second chamber 282. The double-seal valve core 285 may be positioned between the lower portion of the valve cap 210 and the 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 connected to a threaded receiver 205 in the upper portion of the valve stem 201. The threaded receiver 205 may have a shape complementary to that of the lower threaded portion 285b. The valve stem 201 may be attached to and in fluid communication with a pressurized container (e.g., a bicycle inner tube) and may serve as both an inlet and outlet for the container.

[0138] Washer 283 can be positioned between the threaded portion 285b and the shoulder 203 at the lower orientation of the threaded receiving portion of valve stem 201. Gasket 290 can be positioned above washer 283. Gasket 290 prevents sealing member 221 from resting in the lower passage of the second chamber during inflation. This "freestanding" gasket 290 can be a cage-like structure or can have leaf-shaped 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, allowing the gasket to be held above washer 283.

[0139] By simply aligning the collar 140 with the valve cap 210 and applying a linear force (towards the valve stem) against the valve connector with one hand, the valve connector 130 can be engaged with the valve stem 210. Figure 8 As shown, this action causes the collar 140 to slide downward on the valve cap 210 and engage with it. The force applied against the valve connector 130 must be sufficient to: 1) move the ball support 141 of the collar 140 outward against the inward force of the elastic sleeve 170 so as to slide over the upper lip 217 of the valve cap 210 before moving inward back to the circumferential recess 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 bias member 225, so that the outlet 265 of the inflation pin 160 moves through the sealing ring 216 and fluidly communicates 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 seat 218, thereby opening the second seal of the valve 200. Then, air or other gas can flow into the first chamber 281 through the inflation needle 160, then through the channel between the first and second chambers, and through the second chamber 282 to inflate the container.

[0140] Figures 9-11Another embodiment of a pneumatic valve adapter system 300 is shown, which is attached to an existing valve stem via an adapter device 310 for easy attachment and sealing of a valve connector 130 to an existing valve stem 301. The valve adapter system 300 is operable with existing pneumatic valve systems (e.g., Schrader valves). As shown, 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 the valve connector 130 as described above, the valve connector having a connector housing 131, a pin seat 150, an inflation pin 160, and a resilient sleeve 170.

[0141] Traditional Schrader valves include an actuating pin that is pressed when a conventional pump head is attached to the Schrader valve. Movement of the actuating pin displaces a plug located at its lower end, thereby opening the valve. Figures 10-11 As shown, the adapter device 310 of this disclosure has a threaded female receiver 315 that complements the external male thread 355 of a conventional Schrader valve 350 and is operable to be securely threaded onto 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 sealing gasket 316 can have an outer diameter complementary to the inner diameter of the adapter device 310 and an inner diameter 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 (which 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.

[0142] The adapter assembly 310 may include an outer surface and a pin channel 314, the outer surface having an annular circumferential recess 313 for removable attachment to the valve connector 130, the pin channel being 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.

[0143] By simply aligning the collar 140 with the adapter 310 and applying a linear force (towards the adapter 310) against the valve connector with one hand, the valve connector 130 can be engaged with the adapter 310. Figure 10As shown, this action allows the collar 140 to slide downwards on and engage with the adapter 310. The force applied against the valve connector 130 must be sufficient to 1) move the ball support 141 of the collar 140 outwards against the inward force of the resilient sleeve 170, so as to slide on the upper lip 317 of the adapter 310 before moving inwards back to the circumferential recess 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 subsequently through the Schrader valve 350 to inflate the container.

[0144] Figures 12A-13 Another embodiment of a pneumatic valve adapter system 400 is shown, which is attached to an existing valve stem via an adapter device 410 for easy attachment and sealing of the valve connector 130 to the existing valve stem 401. The valve adapter system 400 is operable for use with existing pneumatic valve systems (e.g., Presta valves, Dunlop valves, or Schrader valves). As shown, the valve adapter system 400 may include the following main components: 1) a valve stem adapter 410 having a pin channel 414 for receiving an inflation pin 160 from a pump head assembly 100, a sealing gasket 416, and 2) a pump head 100 having the valve connector 130 as described above, which has a connector housing 131, a pin seat 150, an inflation pin 160, and a resilient sleeve 170.

[0145] The valve spool of a conventional valve (e.g., a Presta valve) can be removed, thereby eliminating the valve actuation mechanism. It can then be attached to the remaining valve stem of the conventional valve via the valve mechanism adapter device 401 according to this disclosure. Figure 12A-12B As shown, the adapter device 401 of this disclosure may have a rod connector 402 having a threaded female receiver 403 that complements the external male thread 455 of the conventional valve 450 and is operable to be securely threaded onto the valve stem 450a in an airtight manner. A sealing gasket 406 may be positioned between the recess 406a of the rod 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 other processes. The rod connector 402 also includes an upper male connector 404 that can be connected to an adapter cap 410.

[0146] The adapter cap 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 a thread 415 that is complementary to the thread of the upper male connector 404 of the rod connector 402, thereby allowing the lower end 411 of the adapter cap 410 to be securely attached to the upper male connector 404 of the rod connector 401 in an airtight manner.

[0147] The distal end 412 of the adapter cap 410 may include an outer surface and a pin channel 414, the outer surface having an annular circumferential recess 413 for removable attachment to the valve connector 130, the pin channel being 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 and enter the interior of the adapter cap. A sealing mechanism may be positioned between the upper male connector 404 and the adapter cap 410. The rod connector 401 has a shoulder 405 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, the lower end of the biasing member resting 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 cap 410.

[0148] The sealing ring 416 of the valve cap 410 may have a circular shape and a substantially circular or oval cross-sectional shape, and may comprise an elastomeric material. The sealing ring 416 may have an outer diameter complementary to the inner diameter of the adapter cap 410, and the sealing ring 416 may have an inner diameter substantially 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 cap 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 (which 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.

[0149] By simply aligning the collar 140 with the adapter cap 410 and applying a linear force (towards the adapter cap 410) against the valve connector with one hand, the valve connector 130 can be engaged with the adapter device 410. Figure 13As shown, this action allows the collar 140 to slide downwards on and engage with the adapter cap 410. The force applied against the valve connector 130 must be sufficient to 1) move the ball support 141 of the collar 140 outwards against the inward force of the resilient sleeve 170, so as to slide on the upper lip 417 of the adapter cap 410 before moving inwards back to the circumferential recess 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 subsequently through the adapter assembly 401.

[0150] Figures 14A-15 An additional embodiment of the pneumatic valve adapter system 500 is shown, which is attached to an existing valve stem via an adapter device 510 for easy attachment and sealing of the valve connector 130 to the existing valve stem 501. The valve adapter system 500 is operable for use with existing pneumatic valve systems (e.g., Schrader valves, Presta valves, etc.). Figure 14B As shown, 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, 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 seat 150, an inflation pin 160, and a resilient sleeve 170.

[0151] The adapter device 501 may include an engaging member 519 for engaging the actuating pin 590 of the conventional valve stem 550. When the adapter device 501 is attached to the conventional valve stem 550, it is operable to hold the conventional valve stem in the open position. The valve mechanism of the adapter device 501 can then specifically control fluid flow from the adapter device 501 to the conventional valve stem 550. The engaging member may include an engaging plate 519a substantially perpendicular to the path of fluid through the adapter device 501, and the engaging plate 519a may have a through-hole 519b therein to allow fluid passage. The engaging plate 519 may also include a lower projection extending downward to meet the actuating pin 590 of the conventional valve stem 550. When the adapter device is attached to the existing valve stem 550a, the actuating pin 590 is displaced downward, thereby displacing the plug 591 and allowing fluid to pass through the existing valve stem 550.

[0152] Using the valve mechanism according to this disclosure, the adapter device 501 can be attached to the conventional valve stem of a conventional valve. For example... Figures 14A-14BAs shown, the adapter device 501 of this disclosure may have a rod connector 502 having a threaded female receiver 503 that complements the external male thread 555 of the conventional valve 550 and is operable to be securely threaded onto the valve stem 550a in an airtight manner. A sealing gasket 506 may be positioned between a recess 506a of the rod 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 other processes. The rod connector 502 also includes an upper male connector 504 that can be connected to an adapter cap 510.

[0153] The adapter cap 510 may include a proximal end 511 and a distal end 512. The lower end 511 may include a generally cylindrical shape and an inner surface with a thread 515 that is complementary to the thread of the upper male connector 504 of the rod connector 502, allowing the lower end 511 of the adapter cap 510 to be securely attached to the upper male connector 504 of the rod connector 501 in an airtight manner.

[0154] The distal end 512 of the adapter cap 510 may include an outer surface and a pin channel 514, the outer surface having an annular circumferential recess 513 for removable attachment to the valve connector 130, the pin channel being 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 and enter the interior of the adapter cap 510. A sealing mechanism may be positioned between the upper male connector 504 and the adapter cap 510. The rod connector 501 has a shoulder 505 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, the lower end of the biasing member resting 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 cap 510.

[0155] The sealing ring 516 of the valve cap 510 may have a circular shape and a substantially circular or oval cross-sectional shape, and may comprise an elastomeric material. The sealing ring 516 may have an outer diameter complementary to the inner diameter of the adapter cap 510, and the sealing ring 516 may have an inner diameter substantially 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 cap 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 (which 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.

[0156] By simply aligning the collar 140 with the adapter cap 510 and applying a linear force (towards the adapter cap 510) against the valve connector with one hand, the valve connector 130 can be engaged with the adapter device 510. Figure 15 As shown, this action allows the collar 140 to slide downwards on and engage with the adapter cap 510. The force applied against the valve connector 130 must be sufficient to 1) move the ball support 141 of the collar 140 outwards against the inward force of the elastic sleeve 170, so as to slide on the upper lip 517 of the adapter cap 510 before moving inwards back to the circumferential recess 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, through the perforation 519a of the engagement plate 519, and subsequently through the existing valve stem 550a.

[0157] Now for reference Figure 16A-16F Embodiments of the pneumatic valve 600 are intended for use on pressure vessels excluding inner tubes, for example... Figure 17A and Figure 17B The tubeless bicycle wheel shown. Valve 600 includes an elongated, generally cylindrical rod body 602 having a first end 604 and a second end 606. A threaded portion 608 is centrally located between the first end 604 and the second end 606. The threaded portion is configured to receive a rim nut 610. (See reference...) Figure 17A and Figure 17B In more detail, the rim nut 610 mates with the rim washer 612 to seal the valve 600 to the rim of the tubeless container.

[0158] A rim washer 612 is disposed on or attached to a first end. In the illustrated embodiment, the rim washer is made of a rubber or elastomeric material that is deformable to allow the rim washer 612 to abut against the rim of the wheel for a seal. In the illustrated embodiment, the rim washer 612 includes a tapered outer surface. In one embodiment, the rim washer 612 is molded onto a rod body 602. The rod body 602 may optionally include one or more circumferential ribs 614, which help hold the rim washer in place at the first end 604.

[0159] The rod body 602 has a central channel 616 extending from a first end 604 to a second end 606. In the illustrated embodiment, the central channel 616 is coaxial with the rod body 602. In one embodiment, the central channel includes a first countersunk hole or a first cavity 618 extending inwardly from an end portion 620 of the second end 606. The end portion 620 may include fastener features, such as threads 622. The threads 622 engage and mate with corresponding threads on the cap member 624 to attach the cap member to the second end 606.

[0160] An intermediate channel 626 extends between the cavity 618 and the upper portion 628 of the central channel 616. In one embodiment, the diameter of the intermediate channel 626 is smaller than that of the cavity 618 and the upper portion 628 to define a shoulder 630. The shoulder 630 is sized to support a biasing member, such as a compression spring 632 at least partially disposed in the cavity 618. Figure 16E As best shown, in one embodiment, the second end 606 includes a second cavity 634 extending inwardly from surface 636. In one embodiment, the second cavity 634 includes a first diameter portion 638 at the end surface 636 and a second diameter portion 640 offset from the end surface 636 by a predetermined distance. In one embodiment, the first diameter portion 638 is smaller than the second diameter portion 640. As a result, the engagement of the two portions 638, 640 defines a lip 642. In one embodiment, the advantage of the lip 642 is that it can provide additional surface area on the end surface 636 to engage the valve seat 644, while maintaining the desired thin wall thickness between the second diameter portion 640 and the thread 622.

[0161] A sealing plug 644 is disposed within the second cavity 634. A compression spring biases the sealing plug 644 against the valve seat 644. The sealing plug 646 can be in a first or closed position in contact with the valve seat 644. Figure 16C At least a portion of the valve seat 644 and the sealing plug 646 move between a second or open position. When in the open position, the center passage 628 is fluidly connected to the pump head (e.g., when the pressure vessel is being pressurized) or fluidly connected to the environment (e.g., when a user removes air from the pressure vessel).

[0162] In one embodiment, the sealing plug 644 includes a lower portion 648 sized to be received within the inner diameter of the compression spring 632. An intermediate portion 650 extends from the lower portion 648. The outer diameter of the intermediate portion 650 is larger than the inner diameter of the valve seat 644. The intermediate portion 650 also includes a tapered portion 652 that transitions the outer diameter of the intermediate portion 650 to an upper portion, or pin portion 654. The diameter of the pin portion 654 is smaller than the diameter of the valve seat 644. It should be understood that the tapered portion 652 engages the valve seat 644. It should also be understood that during air-filling operation, the pin portion 654 is engaged by an inflation pin 160, which causes the sealing plug 644 to translate and the spring 632 to compress.

[0163] The cap member 624 includes an inner bore 656 with threads 658. Threads 658 mate with threads 622 to engage the cap member 624 to the rod body 602. In one embodiment, the threads do not extend to the full depth of the bore 656, such that a cavity 660 is located at the end of the bore 656. The cavity 660 is sized to receive a valve seat 644 such that when the cap member 624 is engaged to the rod body 602, the valve seat 644 is sealingly disposed between the end of the bore 656 and the end surface 636. As a result, the valve seat 644 also seals any gaps between threads 622 and 658 to prevent air leakage. The cap member 624 also includes a pin passage 662 located between the end surface 664 and the cavity 660. In one embodiment, the pin passage 662 may include a tool feature 666, such as a slot sized and positioned to receive a hexagonal tool (e.g., a universal wrench), which allows a user to fasten the cap member 624 to the rod body 602. Finally, the cap member 624 includes a curved slot 668 (i.e., a circumferential recess) extending circumferentially around the outer surface 670.

[0164] Now for reference Figure 17A and Figure 17B This illustrates an embodiment of the pneumatic valve described herein, wherein the pressure vessel is located inside a bicycle wheel, particularly inside a tubeless bicycle wheel. It should be understood that, although... Figure 17A and Figure 17BThe embodiments described herein are based on pneumatic valve 600, but this is for clarity and brevity; however, other valves described herein, such as valves 101, 201, 350, and 450, may also be used with bicycle wheels without departing from the teachings of this document. Bicycle wheel 700 includes a tire 702 that is hermetically coupled to a rim 704. Valve 600 extends through and is coupled to the rim 704. In one embodiment, to assemble wheel 700, the user first inserts valve 600 into a hole in rim 704 and engages rim washer 612 to the edge of the hole and the inner surface of rim 704. Rim nut 610 is then engaged to rod body 602 and rotated to engage the outer surface of rim 704, thereby compressing rim washer 612 and sealing the opening in rim 704 with the space 708 within tire 702 when the tire is mounted on rim 704.

[0165] With valve 600 and tire 702 mounted on rim 704, when the sealing plug 644 is moved to the open position, the central channel fluidly connects space 708 to the environment or pump head via channel 626, cavity 618, cavity 634, and pin channel 662. When the sealing plug 644 is in the closed position, there is no fluid communication between space 708 and the environment, thus the air pressure within space 708 is maintained at the desired level.

[0166] In some embodiments, the wheel 700 may include additional components, such as... Figure 17C The damping member 710 shown, for example when a bicycle wheel is used in a mountain bike-type application, is positioned within space 708 to help the wheel absorb impact. It should be understood that the central channel 6262 of valve 600 is axially located away from the lower end of the rod body 602. As a result, damping member 710 may interfere with airflow into (or out of) space 708. In these embodiments, rod body 603 may be used with a lower body portion 605. This lower body portion 605 includes a laterally extending channel 607 that allows airflow to exit from the sides of the lower body portion 605 to avoid airflow interruption by damping member 710.

[0167] For purposes of illustration and description, the foregoing description of specific embodiments of this disclosure has been presented. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in accordance with the foregoing teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of this disclosure and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize this disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications to suit their intended particular use.

Claims

1. A valve for a tubeless bicycle tire, the tubeless bicycle tire having a rim, the valve comprising: A rod body having a first end and an opposing second end having a fastener, the second end having a first opening, the first opening having a first diameter; A rim washer, configured to be attached to the first end; A cap member connected to the fastener, the cap member having a pin channel passing through it, the pin channel having a second diameter, and the cap member having a circumferential recess on its outer diameter; A valve seat disposed between the cap member and the second end, the valve seat having a second hole having a third diameter, the second hole 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 hole; as well as A sealing member is movably disposed within the first opening and biased against the valve seat by the biasing member. The sealing member is movable between a first position and a second position, in which it engages a seal and seals and isolates the first opening from the pin passage.

2. The valve according to claim 1, wherein, The valve seat has a circular shape and a circular cross-section.

3. The valve according to claim 1, wherein, The rod body includes a central channel extending from the first opening to the first end.

4. The valve according to claim 1, wherein, The sealing member is a sealing plug having a tapered portion that engages with the valve seat.

5. The valve according to claim 4, wherein, The biasing member is a compression spring, and the sealing plug includes a first portion whose diameter is set to fit within the compression spring.

6. The valve according to claim 5, wherein, The sealing plug also includes a pin portion extending axially from the tapered portion.

7. The valve according to claim 1, wherein, The rod body also 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.

8. The valve according to claim 1, wherein, The cap component is removably attached to the fastener.

9. The valve according to claim 8, wherein, The pin channel includes fastener features.

10. The valve according to claim 1, wherein, The first opening is defined at the lip between the end surface and the cavity.

11. A tubeless bicycle tire, comprising: rim A tire that is sealed to the rim, the rim and the tire cooperating to define a space; The stem body has a first end connected to the rim and an opposing second end with a fastener, the second end having a first opening having a first diameter, and the valve stem having a central channel; A rim washer, disposed between the first end and the rim; A cap member connected to the rod body, the cap member having a pin channel passing through it, the pin channel having a second diameter, and the cap member having a circumferential recess on its outer diameter; A valve seat having a circular shape and a circular cross-section is disposed between the cap member and the second end, the valve seat having a second hole having a third diameter, the second hole fluidly connecting a second opening and the pin channel; A biasing member is disposed within the second opening; as well as A sealing member, movably disposed within the second opening and biased against the valve seat by the biasing member, is movable between a first position and a second position, in which it engages the seal and seals the second opening away from the pin passage.

12. The tubeless bicycle tire according to claim 11, wherein, The sealing member is a sealing plug having a tapered portion that engages with the valve seat.

13. The tubeless bicycle tire according to claim 12, wherein, The biasing member is a compression spring, and the sealing plug includes a first portion whose diameter is set to fit within the compression spring.

14. The tubeless bicycle tire according to claim 13, wherein, The sealing plug also includes a pin portion extending axially from the tapered portion.

15. The tubeless bicycle tire according to claim 11, wherein, The rod body also 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.

16. The tubeless bicycle tire according to claim 11, wherein, The cap component is removably attached to the fastener.

17. The tubeless bicycle tire according to claim 16, wherein, The pin channel includes fastener features.

18. The tubeless bicycle tire according to claim 17, wherein, The fastener is characterized by a slot sized and shaped to receive a hexagonal tool.

19. The tubeless bicycle tire according to claim 11, wherein, The first opening of the cap component is defined at the lip between the end surface and the cavity.

20. The tubeless bicycle tire according to claim 11, wherein, It also includes a rim nut, which is connected to the rod body and engages with the surface of the rim opposite the rim washer.

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