Patent · US Expired

Bicycle operated air pump

US5397144A · kind A · utility

8Cited by
25References
32Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 28, 1994
Grant dateMar 14, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 28, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T24/44624
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An air pump for use with a chain-driven bicycle having a free wheel. The pump assembly comprises a pair of opposed cylinders and a double-ended piston rod mounted in a housing. The piston rod has a bearing slot, which engages a crank pin on a crankshaft driven by a sprocket. Rotation of the sprocket reciprocates the double-ended piston rod in the cylinders. The cylinders are each integrally formed with a manifold that uses an elastomeric band covering a passage from the cylinder interior to inside the manifold as a one-way valve. An enlarged diameter skirt on each cylinder allows air to enter the cylinder on each intake stroke. A cap defining the piston head is locked onto each piston and holds a seal in place on the piston. An integral clamp assembly allows the pump to be removably mounted on a bicycle chain stay. The lower run of the bicycle drive chain engages the drive sprocket of the pump assembly, and a chain retainer is used to maintain the engagement of the drive chain with the drive sprocket. Reverse rotation of the bicycle's crank assembly causes the conventional free wheel to also rotate in a reverse direction without rotating the wheel of the bicycle. The resulting move…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.