Primer bulb

A pump comprising:

• a substantially tubular housing having an inlet end and an outlet end and defining a central axis and a chamber within the body portion;
• an inlet connector coupled to the housing and configured to be coupled to an inlet conduit and including a first outer rim projecting radially beyond an outer surface of the inlet end of the housing;
• an outlet connector coupled to the housing and configured to be coupled to an outlet conduit and including a second outer rim projecting radially beyond an outer surface of the outlet end of the housing;
• a movable valve assembly slidably received within the housing for movement in the direction of the central axis, the movable valve assembly dividing the chamber into a first chamber portion and a second chamber portion, the first chamber portion and the second chamber portion having first and second volumes that vary with the position of the movable valve assembly, the movable valve assembly including a valve member which selectively allows fluid to flow between the first chamber portion and the second chamber portion;
• and
• a handle assembly including a grip for manually actuating the handle assembly, the handle assembly being coupled to the movable valve assembly, manual movement of the handle assembly along the central axis causing corresponding movement on the movable valve assembly along the central axis, movement of the handle assembly being limited by the first outer rim and the second outer rim of the inlet connector and the outlet connector, respectively.

A method of assembling a pump, the method comprising:

• providing a substantially tubular housing having an open inlet end and an open outlet end and defining a central axis and a chamber within the body portion;
• providing an inlet connector having a first outer rim;
• providing an outlet connector having a second outer rim;
• providing a movable valve assembly including a valve member;
• positioning the movable valve assembly into the chamber for movement in the direction of the central axis, the movable valve assembly being operable to divide the chamber into a first chamber portion and a second chamber portion, the first chamber portion and the second chamber portion having first and second volumes that vary with the position of the movable valve assembly, the valve member selectively allowing fluid to flow between the first chamber portion and second chamber portions;
• providing an annular handle assembly including a grip for manually actuating the handle assembly;
• sliding the handle assembly around an outer circumference of the tubular housing to slidably support the handle assembly with respect to the housing;
• coupling the inlet connector to the inlet end of the housing and disposing the first outer rim around an outer surface of the inlet end of the housing;
• and
• coupling the outlet connector to the outlet end of the housing and disposing the second outer rim around an outer surface of the outlet end of the housing.