Pump with in-line valve and methods of use thereof

Abstract

A pump comprises a body portion defining a hollow interior cavity, an inlet port, and an outlet port, and a plunger portion. A distal end of a first outlet hose is coupled to the outlet port, and a proximal end of the first outlet hose is coupled to an inlet port of a diverter valve. A first output assembly is coupled a first outlet port of the diverter valve, and a proximal end of the second outlet hose is coupled to a second outlet port of the diverter valve. A distal end of the second outlet hose is coupled to a second output assembly. A cover assembly is coupled to the diverter valve and configurable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the cover assembly prevents access to the first output assembly. In the second position, the cover assembly allows access to the first output assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for pumping air, the apparatus comprising:
 a body portion defining a hollow interior cavity, an inlet port, and an outlet port;   a plunger portion being at least partially disposed within the hollow interior cavity of the body portion;   a first outlet hose having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the first outlet hose being coupled to the outlet port such that the outlet hose is in fluid communication with the hollow interior cavity of the body portion;   a diverter valve having an inlet port, a first outlet port, and a second outlet port, the inlet port of the diverter valve being coupled to the distal end of the outlet hose;   a first output assembly coupled to the first outlet port of the diverter valve;   a second outlet hose having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the second outlet hose being coupled to the second outlet port of the diverter valve;   a second output assembly coupled to the distal end of the second outlet hose, wherein the hollow interior cavity of the body portion is in fluid communication with either the first output assembly or the second output assembly; and   a cover assembly coupled to the diverter valve and being configurable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the cover assembly is configured to at least partially cover the first output assembly and thereby prevent access to the first output assembly, and wherein in the second position the cover assembly is configured to expose the first output assembly and thereby allow access to the first output assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first output assembly is different from the second output assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first output assembly is a needle configured to be coupled to a sporting implement, and wherein the second output assembly is an adaptor configured to be coupled to a tire. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the sporting implement is a bladder-based sports ball. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the tire is a bicycle tire. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cover assembly is rotatable between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cover assembly includes a body portion that projects outwardly from the diverter valve in a first direction when the cover assembly is in the first position. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the first output assembly is a needle projecting outwardly from the diverter valve in the first direction. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the body portion of the cover assembly includes a channel defined therein, and wherein the first output assembly is configured to be disposed within the channel defined in the body portion of the cover assembly responsive to the cover assembly being in the first position. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein a length of the channel defined in the body portion of the cover assembly is equal to or greater than a length of the first output assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cover assembly includes a first leg, a second leg, and a cap, the first leg and the second leg coupled to the diverter valve, the cap coupled to both the first leg and the second leg and extending therebetween. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein when the cover assembly is in the first position, the first leg and the second leg project outwardly from the diverter valve in a first direction and the cap extends in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first output assembly is a needle projecting outwardly from the diverter valve in the first direction. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein when the cover assembly is in the first position, an axis coincident with the needle intersects the diverter valve and the cap of the cover assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a base portion coupled to the body portion, the base portion including one or more feet. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein responsive to the plunger portion being depressed, air is forced out of the hollow interior cavity of the body portion and exits either the first output assembly or the second output assembly. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus for pumping air, the apparatus comprising:
 a body portion defining a hollow interior cavity, an inlet port, and an outlet port;   a plunger portion being at least partially disposed within the hollow interior cavity of the body portion;   a diverter valve coupled to the body portion, the diverter valve including a first output assembly and a second output assembly coupled thereto such that the hollow interior cavity is in fluid communication with either the first output assembly or the second output assembly; and   a cover assembly coupled to the diverter valve and being configurable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the cover assembly is configured to at least partially cover the first output assembly, and wherein in the second position the cover assembly is configured to expose the first output assembly.   
     
     
         18 . A diverter valve, the diverter valve comprising:
 a housing having a hollow interior defined therein;   an inlet port defined in the housing;   an first outlet port and a second outlet port defined in the housing, the first inlet port being in selective fluid communication with the first outlet port and the second outlet port through the hollow interior of the housing;   a first output assembly coupled to the first outlet port;   a second output assembly coupled to the second outlet port; and   a cover assembly coupled to the housing and being configurable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the cover assembly is configured to at least partially cover the first output assembly, and wherein in the second position the cover assembly is configured to expose the first output assembly.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the first output assembly is different from the second output assembly. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the first output assembly is a needle configured to be coupled to a sporting implement, and wherein the second output assembly is an adaptor configured to be coupled to a tire.