Pressure relief system for a portable air pump and inflator system

A pressure relief system for a portable air pump and inflator system comprising:

• a piston cylinder,
• a piston having a piston head within the piston cylinder and a piston rod attached to an electric motor, the piston head including a piston valve that allows air to enter the piston cylinder through one or more piston holes, and
• a reed valve configured to allow air to pass from the piston cylinder to an air outlet while the portable air pump and inflator system is in operation,
• the piston head further including a relief channel comprising a groove formed in the piston head underneath the piston valve and extending from an outer edge of the piston valve to at least one of the one or more piston holes underneath the piston valve, the relief channel allowing air pressure to escape from within a portion of the piston cylinder when the piston valve is closed after the electric motor shuts off and when backpressure fills the piston cylinder between the reed valve and the piston valve.

A method of inflating an inflatable object comprising:

• applying a first force to a piston, the first force causing a down-stroke of the piston and allowing air to enter a piston cylinder via a piston valve that covers one or more piston holes;
• applying a second force to the piston, the second force causing an up-stroke of the piston and allowing air forced by a piston head of the piston to pass from the piston cylinder to an air outlet;
• and
• providing a relief channel comprising a groove formed in the piston head underneath the piston valve and extending from an outer edge of the piston valve to at least one of the one or more piston holes underneath the piston valve, the relief channel allowing air to flow out of a portion of the piston cylinder when the piston valve is closed after motor shutoff and when backpressure fills the piston cylinder between a reed valve and the piston valve.