Tire pressure release apparatus and method

Abstract

An apparatus includes a housing, a passageway, a pressure release mechanism, and at least one seal. The housing includes a longitudinal axis. The passageway extends through the housing and along the longitudinal axis. The passageway has a first end and a second end. The first end is configured to be threadably coupled and to be in fluid communication with a Presta-type valve of a tire. The second end is configured to be in fluid communication with a hose. The pressure release mechanism communicates with the passageway. The seal communicates with the pressure release mechanism and seals the pressure release mechanism and the passageway. The seal is effective to prevent pressure from escaping the passageway when the pressure release mechanism is not actuated. Actuation of the pressure release mechanism is effective to release pressure from the hose to the exterior of the apparatus and prevent detachment of any portion of the Presta-type valve as the apparatus is removed from the Presta-type valve.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus comprising;
 a housing with a longitudinal axis, the housing including a passageway extending through the housing in a direction along the longitudinal axis, the passageway having a first end and a second end, the first end configured to be threadably coupled to and to be in fluid communication with a Presta valve of a tire, the second end being configured to be threadably coupled to and in fluid communication with a pump hose; and   a pressure release mechanism communicating with the passageway;   wherein, while the first end is threadably coupled to the Presta valve, an internal valve of the Presta valve prevents air from escaping from the tire; and   wherein the pressure release mechanism is configured, upon actuation of the pressure release mechanism, to release pressure from the pump hose to an exterior of the apparatus while the internal valve of the Presta valve prevents air from escaping from the tire through the Presta valve.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the pressure release mechanism comprises a button. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the pressure release mechanism further comprises a button cap and a spring and wherein the button is biased away from the button cap via the spring. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the pressure release mechanism is disposed in an opening that extends completely through the housing. 
     
     
         19 . the apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising at least one seal configured to seal the pressure release mechanism and the passageway, the at least one seal adapted to prevent pressure from escaping the passageway when the pressure release mechanism is not actuated. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus comprising;
 a housing with a longitudinal axis;   a passageway extending through the housing and along the longitudinal axis, the passageway having a first end and a second end, the first end including an interior-facing thread configured to receive and threadably couple to a Presta valve of a tire and an exterior-facing thread configured to couple to a swivel cup of a pump hose, the second end including an exterior-facing thread configured to couple to a swivel cup of the pump hose and an interior thread configured to receive a threaded portion of a Schrader valve;   a pressure release mechanism communicating with the passageway;   at least one seal configured to seal the pressure release mechanism and the passageway and effective to prevent pressure from escaping from the passageway when the pressure release mechanism is not actuated;   wherein, while the first end is threadably coupled to the Presta valve, an internal valve of the Presta valve prevents air from escaping from the tire, and actuation of the pressure release mechanism releases pressure from the pump hose to an exterior of the apparatus while the internal valve of the Presta valve prevents air from escaping from the tire through the Presta valve.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the pressure release mechanism comprises a button. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the pressure release mechanism further comprises a button cap and a spring, and wherein the button is biased away from the button cap via the spring. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the pressure release mechanism is disposed in an opening that passes through the housing in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         24 . An apparatus comprising;
 a housing with a longitudinal axis;   a passageway extending through the housing and along the longitudinal axis, the passageway having a first end and a second end, the first end including an interior-facing thread configured to receive and threadably couple to a Presta valve of a tire and an exterior-facing thread configured to couple to a swivel cup of a pump hose;   a hose coupled to the second end of the passageway at one end of the hose and including a Schrader valve connector at an opposite end of the hose, the Schrader valve connector including an interior-facing thread configured to receive and threadably couple to a Schrader valve of a tire and an exterior-facing thread configured to couple to the swivel cup of the pump hose;   a pressure release mechanism communicating with the passageway;   at least one seal configured to seal the pressure release mechanism and the passageway and effective to prevent pressure from escaping from the passageway when the pressure release mechanism is not actuated;   wherein, while the first end is threadably coupled to the Presta valve, an internal valve of the Presta valve prevents air from escaping from the tire, and actuation of the pressure release mechanism releases pressure from the pump hose to an exterior of the apparatus while the internal valve of the Presta valve prevents air from escaping from the tire through the Presta valve.   
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the pressure release mechanism comprises a button. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the pressure release mechanism further comprises a button cap and a spring, and wherein the button is biased away from the button cap via the spring. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the pressure release mechanism is disposed in an opening that passes through the housing in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.