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Integrated bicycle air pumpRelated Patent Categories: Pumps, Operated By Art Device, Vehicle Mounted Or AttachedIntegrated bicycle air pump description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070110589, Integrated bicycle air pump. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates generally to accessories for bicycles, and more particularly, to an air pump integrated as part of a bicycle. BACKGROUND [0002] Many bicyclists carry portable air pumps with them while riding to have them conveniently available to maintain proper air pressure in their tires, such as to refresh a slowly leaking tire. This also avoids the hassle of having to transport their bicycle to a repair shop or gas station to inflate their tires. Most modern portable air pumps are mountable on the bicycle frame to avoid the bicyclist having to carry the pump on their person while riding, which can be awkward and inconvenient. [0003] However, there are drawbacks associated with mounting air pumps on the bicycle frame. For instance, pumps mounted to the bicycle frame may become dislodged and fall off, if jarred when riding over rough terrain. Additionally, pumps mounted to the bicycle frame, may become tempting items for thieves. Accordingly, when leaving their bike unattended when out riding, it is common for a bicyclist to remove their air pump from the frame and carry it with them. [0004] Other drawbacks associated with portable air pumps are their inherent physical shortcomings. For example, a sufficient quantity of energy is required to inflate a tire, and for a conventional portable air pump the bicyclist usually compresses the air by pushing directly on a piston using a hand pumping motion. The compressive force required on the piston often becomes excessive at higher air pressures requiring substantial strength to move the pumping mechanism to push air into the tire. For example, it may take approximately 65 pounds of pressure to fully inflate a bicycle tire. Furthermore, it may require many strokes and substantial time to inflate a tire to its proper pressure due to the compact size of conventional portable air pumps, and their inability to produce sufficient quantities of air per stroke. [0005] Another drawback of many portable air pumps involve the bicyclist having to bend down to the tire's level in an uncomfortable kneeling or bent over position and remain in this position while pumping the tire. [0006] Still another drawback of many portable bicycle air pumps is that they tend to be expensive, as they are often constructed of lighter and inherently costlier materials to reduce weight and bulkiness. SUMMARY [0007] Briefly, this invention is directed to an air pump integrated, in at least in part, in a seat tube of a frame of a bicycle. A flange is interposed between a seat post and the seat tube. The flange is secured to the seat post in a sliding abutment relationship with the seat tube. A seal located in a lower portion of the seat tube provides an air closure (i.e. an air seal). Hollow space between the flange and the seal in the seat tube form an air chamber for the air pump. A vent hole passes through the seat tube proximal to the air chamber. When the seat post is slid in a downward direction into the seat tube air is pressurized within the air chamber for expulsion through the vent hole. [0008] In another embodiment, a kit may be sold to bicycle repair shops and bicyclists that enables a user to retrofit a bicycle to include an integrated bicycle pump. The kit may include: a flange, a connection member, and a hose. The flange is secured to the seat post. A vent hole is drilled into the seat tube, and the connection member is mounted therein. The hose may be removeably secured to the connection member. Instructions describing how to retrofit a bicycle may accompany the kit or may be available from a web site. [0009] This invention introduces the broad concept of creating an integrated bicycle air pump substantially out of standard bicycle parts in combination with only a few additional components. In particular, the combination of the seat post and the flange secured thereto form a piston of the integrated air pump. The bicycle seat serves as a handle for moving the piston up and down, and the seat tube form a housing for the piston. A vent hole in the seat tube proximal to the air chamber serves as an outlet for the integrated air pump, which enables a flexible hose to be connected for inflating tires, balls, rafts and other inflatable items. [0010] This invention eliminates the need to purchase separate portable hand pumps for bicycles. Accordingly, most bicycles may be manufactured or retrofitted to include an air pump, simply by adding minimal extra parts per bicycle, such as a flange and a connection member. The additional extra parts add less than a few ounces of weight to the bicycle, and weigh less than most conventional portable tire pumps. Additionally, the parts are inexpensive, and usually do not require modification to the overall structure or design of the bicycle other than a small vent hole in the seat tube. It is noted that the seal used to plug the lower portion of the seat tube may or may not be needed depending on the construction of the seat tube. The seal may be constructed of inexpensive and lightweight material, such as rubber, metal, foam, or other suitable materials able to make the bottom of the seat tube generally air tight when air is compressed within the seat tube. [0011] Another advantage of the integrated pump is the ability to pump bicycles tires while standing in a comfortable erect position. Once the hose is connected to a tire, the user of the pump moves the bicycle seat up and down, which admits air from the air chamber into the tire. The user of the innovative pump may simply push down on the bicycle seat using body weight rather than having to use shoulder and arm strength as is often the case with conventional portable pumps. Thus, yet another advantage of the innovative integrated pump is the ability to manually pump bicycle tires without having to use as much strength as a conventional portable bicycle air pump. [0012] Another advantage of the innovative air pump is its ability to fully pump a tire to its proper pressure in less time than most conventional portable hand pumps, due to the larger size of the seat tube's air chamber when compared to many air chambers associated with conventional portable hand pumps. That is, the innovative pump described herein is able to produce larger quantities of air per stroke to pump into a tire. It is also easier to handle of the innovative integrated pump as it uses a much larger piston, i.e., the combination of seat, seat post and flange, when compared to many conventional portable bicycle air pumps. [0013] Still a further advantage of the invention, is the convenience of always having a built-in air pump available as part of a bicycle, for inflating the tires of the bicycle or possibly other inflatable items. This invention eliminates many of the inconveniences associated with mounting a separately purchased air pump on a bicycle frame or other inconveniences such as searching for a repair station. [0014] Further features and advantages of the present invention may become apparent after reading the Detailed Description section in conjunction with the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] The detailed description is presented with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. It is emphasized that the various features in the figures are not drawn to scale, and dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion. Reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [0016] FIG. 1 is a partial view of a bicycle. [0017] FIG. 2 shows a grommet or o-ring (collectively a flange) fitting around the outer circumference of a seat post. [0018] FIG. 3 shows a cross section view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2. [0019] FIG. 4 shows a bicycle post sliding upward within a bicycle tube. [0020] FIG. 5 shows a bicycle post sliding downward within a bicycle tube. Continue reading about Integrated bicycle air pump... Full patent description for Integrated bicycle air pump Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Integrated bicycle air pump patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Integrated bicycle air pump or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Infiltration pump having insulated rollers and programmable foot pedal Next Patent Application: Multipiston pump Industry Class: Pumps ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Integrated bicycle air pump patent info. 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