Inflation needle

Abstract

Implementations of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for inflating objects. Particularly, at least one implementation includes a semi-flexible inflation needle that can bend without breaking Furthermore, at least one implementation includes a semi-flexible inflation needle that includes a cut out portion as a safety feature.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An inflation needle, comprising:
 a first end configured to be inserted into an inflatable object;   a second end configured to be selectively couplable to a pump;   a conduit that extends between the first and second ends to allow for air passage therethrough;   a shaft; and   wherein the inflation needle is semi-flexible such that the shaft can bend and spontaneously return to its original shape without breaking.   
     
     
         2 . The inflation needle as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the inflation needle further includes a collar connecting the shaft to the second end. 
     
     
         3 . The inflation needle as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the shaft is cylindrical. 
     
     
         4 . The inflation needle as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the shaft is tapered. 
     
     
         5 . The inflation needle as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the inflation needle is made of DuPont Delrin®. 
     
     
         6 . The inflation needle as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the collar includes a proximal perimeter and a distal perimeter and wherein the circumference of the proximal perimeter of the collar is larger than the circumference of the distal perimeter of the collar such that the collar has a substantially conical shape. 
     
     
         7 . The inflation needle as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the collar includes a proximal perimeter and a distal perimeter and wherein the circumference of the proximal perimeter of the collar is larger than the circumference of the distal perimeter of the collar such that the collar has a substantially pyramidal shape. 
     
     
         8 . The inflation needle as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first end includes a first side and a second side and wherein the first side of the first end includes a cut out portion. 
     
     
         9 . The inflation needle as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the inflation needle is cast-molded as a single piece of material. 
     
     
         10 . The inflation needle as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the single piece of material is rubber, silicone, or plastic. 
     
     
         11 . The inflation needle as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the collar is sized to at least partially fit inside the valve opening of a ball valve. 
     
     
         12 . An inflation needle, comprising:
 a first end configured to be inserted into a ball valve;   a second end configured to be selectively couplable to a pump;   a shaft that extends between the first end and the second end and includes a tip;   a conduit within the shaft that extends from the second end along a portion of the shaft but not extending through the tip; and   wherein the inflation needle is semi-flexible such that the shaft can bend and spontaneously return to its original shape.   
     
     
         13 . The inflation needle as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the tip includes a cut out portion. 
     
     
         14 . The inflation needle as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the conduit is exposed at a point located proximal from the tip, and wherein air may enter the conduit at the second end, flow through the conduit, and exit at the exposed point of the conduit proximal from the tip. 
     
     
         15 . An inflation needle, comprising:
 a first end configured to be inserted into a ball valve;   a second end configured to be selectively couplable to a pump;   a conduit that extends between the first and second ends to allow for air passage therethrough;   a shaft that substantially encloses the conduit;   a collar connecting the shaft to the second end; and   wherein the inflation needle is semi-flexible such that the shaft can bend and spontaneously return to its original shape.   
     
     
         16 . The inflation needle as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the collar includes a proximal perimeter and a distal perimeter and wherein the circumference of the proximal perimeter of the collar is larger than the circumference of the distal perimeter of the collar such that the collar has a substantially conical shape. 
     
     
         17 . The inflation needle as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the first end includes a first side and a second side and wherein the first side of the first end includes a cut out portion. 
     
     
         18 . The inflation needle as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the collar is sized to at least partially fit inside the valve opening of a ball valve. 
     
     
         19 . An inflation needle, comprising:
 a first end comprising:
 a first side that includes a cut out portion, the first end being configured to be inserted into an inflatable object; and 
 a second side; 
   a second end configured to be selectively couplable to a pump;   a conduit that extends between the first and second ends to allow for air passage therethrough;   a shaft that substantially encloses the conduit;   a collar connecting the shaft to the second end;   wherein the inflation needle is semi-flexible such that the shaft can bend without breaking; and   wherein the first end includes a first side and a second side and wherein the first side of the first end includes a cut out portion.   
     
     
         20 . The inflation needle as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the collar includes a proximal perimeter and a distal perimeter and wherein the circumference of the proximal perimeter of the collar is larger than the circumference of the distal perimeter of the collar such that the collar has a substantially conical shape.