Tire pressure release apparatus and method

An apparatus for attaching a hose of an air pump to a Presta-type valve on a tire, the apparatus comprising:

• a housing that includes a first passageway, the first passageway extending along a longitudinal axis of the apparatus and there-through, the first passageway having a first end and a second end, the first end being threaded and configured to receive a threaded core portion of a Presta-type valve, the second end of the passageway configured to be in fluid communication with the hose of the pump;
• a pressure release mechanism;
• such that the housing forms a second passageway that extends generally in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and through the housing, the second passageway being in fluid communication with the first passageway, the second passageway configured to receive the pressure release mechanism which is operable to traverse at least some portions of the second passageway;
• such that selective movement of the pressure release mechanism through the second passageway is effective to allow pressure in the hose to flow from the hose to the exterior of the apparatus via the second passageway and allow detachment of the apparatus from the Presta-type valve without detaching the core portion of the Presta-type valve from the Presta-type valve.

A method of removing an inflation device from a tire valve, the method comprising,

• threading the core portion of a Presta-type valve connection into a connection apparatus, the connection apparatus coupled to the hose of an air pump;
• pumping pressure through the hose and the connection apparatus into the tire via the core portion of the Presta-type valve;
• when the tire is inflated, releasing pressure from the hose to the exterior of the hose while maintaining air pressure in the tire;
• unthreading the connection apparatus from the Presta-type valve without detaching the core portion of the Presta-type valve from the Presta-type valve.