Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to an air pump for balls, tires, toys, and/or the like and include a retractable base, which facilitates the storage of the needle(s) and/or other adapter(s) inside of the pump itself. This arrangement reduces the chances that it/they will break because it/they is/are protected inside of the pump and need not be repeatedly attached/detached. The pump in certain example embodiments includes a tube body into which the retractable base retracts, a plunger disk, a guide system including one or more guides for guiding the plunger disk and/or base within the tube body, a locking mechanism to help lock the base in extended and/or retracted positions, and a handle. The pump safely stores at least one needle/adapter in the tube body. In the event that a needle breaks, it may be replaced as if it were a conventional pump.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to an air pump for balls, tires, toys, and/or the like and include a retractable base, which facilitates the storage of the needle(s) and/or other adapter(s) inside of the pump itself. This arrangement reduces the chances that it/they will break because it/they is/are protected inside of the pump and need not be repeatedly attached/detached. The pump in certain example embodiments includes a tube body into which the retractable base retracts, a plunger disk, a guide system including one or more guides for guiding the plunger disk and/or base within the tube body, a locking mechanism to help lock the base in extended and/or retracted positions, and a handle. The pump safely stores at least one needle/adapter in the tube body. In the event that a needle breaks, it may be replaced as if it were a conventional pump.