Method and apparatus for storage of portable utility devices

Abstract

An apparatus for conveniently storing small sports utility devices such as sports ball inflation needles is disclosed. A modified vehicle tire air valve stem cap functions as a housing configured to secure the small sports utility devices.

1 . A method, comprising:
 providing a portable housing configurable to secure a small sports utility device;   providing a small sports utility device; and   securing the small sports utility device to the housing.   
   
   
       2 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the providing of a portable housing comprises providing a standard vehicle tire air valve stem cap; and   the providing of a small sports utility device comprises providing a standard inflation needle.   
   
   
       3 . The method as set forth in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 providing an attachment device;   forming a hole in the valve stem cap, the hole being configured to receive the attachment device; and   connecting the attachment device to the valve stem cap through the hole.   
   
   
       4 . The method as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the providing of an attachment device comprises providing a standard key ring. 
   
   
       5 . The method as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein:
 the providing of a standard inflation needle comprises providing an inflation needle having a male thread;   the providing of a standard vehicle tire air valve stem cap comprises providing a valve stem cap having a female thread mated to the male thread; the providing of a standard rubber seal to the base of the thread of the needle nearest to the needle portion of the inflation needle; and   the securing comprises screwing the inflation needle into the valve stem cap.   
   
   
       6 . The method as set forth in  claim 5 , further comprising:
 receiving an inflatable object;   removing the inflation needle from the housing;   applying the needle to an air compressor nozzle;   inserting the needle into the inflatable object;   inflating the object; and   removing the needle from the object.   
   
   
       7 . The method as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the receiving of an inflatable object comprises receiving one or more of a sports ball and a protective boat bumper. 
   
   
       8 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the providing of a portable housing comprises providing a quick detach mechanism; and   the providing of a small sports utility device comprises providing a standard inflation needle, the quick detach mechanism being configured to receive the inflation needle.   
   
   
       9 . An apparatus comprising:
 a portable housing structured to accept a small sports utility device;   a small sports utility device mated to the housing; and   an attachment device configured to secure the housing, whereby the housing is arranged to facilitate storing and retrieving of the small sports utility device.   
   
   
       10 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein:
 the portable housing comprises a standard vehicle tire air valve stem cap, the valve stem cap being threaded with female threads; and   the small sports utility device comprises a standard inflation needle, the inflation needle being threaded with male threads mated to the female threads.   
   
   
       11 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the valve stem cap has a hole formed therein, the hole being configured to enable securing of the valve stem cap to the attachment device. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the attachment device comprises a standard key ring. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the small sports utility device comprises one of a screwdriver, a flashlight, and an empty container. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein:
 the small sports utility device comprises a standard inflation needle; and   the portable housing comprises a quick detach device configurable to receive the inflation needle.   
   
   
       15 . An apparatus assembled according to the method set forth in  claim 1 .