Velo Research, Inc.

Star Micronics Company Limited

American International Devices, Inc.

Mauricio Mirand

Jeffrey C Brown

Buford H Hopper

Robert Brown

Robert E Gaskill

Harry G Worth

Ilan Israely

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 movement of the chain over the drive sprocket of the pump rotates the drive sprocket, which reciprocates the double-ended piston rod in the cylinders, and pumps air to an article to be inflated, such as the bicycle tire(s).

Piston assembly for use with a bicycle operated air pump

Bicycle operated air pump

Printer

A latching mechanism for computer modules or the like includes a pair of generally L-shaped slide members having defined therein internal grooves for receiving the edge portions of the printed circuit boards of the computer modules. Overlapping tabs secure the slide members upon the edge portions of the circuit board and a pair of opposed springs are compressively captivated between the slide members and the circuit board to urge the slide members outwardly. Each slide member defines a tapered lock tab which cooperates with corresponding recesses within the slide connectors receiving the computer module and providing a locking or latch mechanism.

Latch mechanism for computer module

Growing community of inventors

Lakewood, CA, United States of America

Mauricio Mirand