Abstract: A portable, battery operated air pump comprising a battery power supply, an electric motor having a drive shaft, a drive wheel affixed to the motor shaft, a driven wheel mounted on a pivot pin and driven by the drive wheel, a cylinder-piston air pump having a forward end pivotally affixed to a pivot pin and a piston rod actuable by the driven wheel, and a nozzle connected to the cylinder and configured for engagement with an air valve of an inflatable object. The above-noted elements are arranged end-to-end in the order given. The pump has a longitudinal axis. The motor shaft has an axis parallel to the pump axis. The driven wheel pivot pin and the cylinder pivot pin having axes perpendicular to the pump longitudinal axis. The overall structure is extremely compact and can be operated by a single hand of the user.