U.S. patent application number 14/917532 was filed with the patent office on 2016-08-04 for air inflation accelerator.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Coleman Company, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is The Coleman Company, Inc.. Invention is credited to Rick J. Glazier, Rick L. Looslie, Michael Maletta, Stuart L. Meether, Justin V. Radford.
Application Number | 20160220034 14/917532 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52744456 |
Filed Date | 2016-08-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160220034 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Looslie; Rick L. ; et
al. |
August 4, 2016 |
Air Inflation Accelerator
Abstract
An air inflation accelerator for increasing the rate of
inflation of an air pump inflating a product, the accelerator
comprising an elongated tubular member connectable to an inflator
appliance at a first end and connectable to a valve of the bladder
of the product to be inflated at a second end, the tubular member
having a plurality of air inlets to allow for use of the venturi
principle and a closure mechanism for disengaging the air inlets
once atmospheric pressure is reached within the bladder being
inflated.
Inventors: |
Looslie; Rick L.; (Cheney,
KS) ; Meether; Stuart L.; (Wichita, KS) ;
Radford; Justin V.; (Wichita, KS) ; Glazier; Rick
J.; (Cheney, KS) ; Maletta; Michael;
(Lafayette, CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
The Coleman Company, Inc. |
Wichita |
KS |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
The Coleman Company, Inc.
Wichita
KS
|
Family ID: |
52744456 |
Appl. No.: |
14/917532 |
Filed: |
September 25, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
September 25, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2014/057458 |
371 Date: |
March 8, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61882155 |
Sep 25, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 27/081
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47C 27/08 20060101
A47C027/08 |
Claims
1. An inflation acceleration device comprising: An elongated
tubular member having a sidewall and having opposed open first and
second ends; A plurality of air inlets spaced around the exterior
of said tubular member, said plurality of air inlets located
between said opposed open first and second ends, said air inlets
extending through said tubular member sidewall, said air inlets
being in fluid communication with both the tubular member external
and internal atmospheres; A nozzle adjacent said first open end,
said nozzle connectable to a valve in fluid communication with the
interior of an inflatable bladder that is to be inflated; Said
tubular member connected to an outlet of an inflator appliance at
said second open end; An engageable closure mechanism operable to
substantially block the fluid communication between said tubular
member external and internal atmospheres; Wherein said plurality of
air inlets provide increased air flow into said inflatable bladder
when said closure mechanism is disengaged.
2. The inflation acceleration device of claim 1, wherein said
closure mechanism comprises a collar member slidingly engaged
around the exterior of said tubular member, said collar member
movable between at least a first open position where said air
inlets are exposed to the external atmosphere and a second closed
position where said air inlets are substantially blocked from the
external atmosphere.
3. The inflation acceleration device of claim 1, further comprising
an adaptor member connecting said tubular member to an independent
inflator appliance.
4. The inflation acceleration device of claim 1, further comprising
an interface member connecting said nozzle to said valve.
5. The inflation acceleration device of claim 1, further comprising
a sensor member and an actuator member electrically connected to
said closure member, said actuator member engaging said closure
mechanism when a pressure inside said inflatable bladder to be
inflated reaches atmospheric pressure.
6. The inflation acceleration device of claim 1, further comprising
an alert mechanism indicating that atmospheric pressure within said
inflatable bladder has been achieved.
7. An inflation acceleration device connectable to an inflator
appliance, comprising: An elongated tubular member having a
sidewall and having opposed open first and second ends; A plurality
of air inlets spaced around the exterior of said tubular member,
said plurality of air inlets located between said opposed open
first and second ends, said air inlets extending through said
tubular member sidewall, said air inlets being in fluid
communication with both the tubular member external and internal
atmospheres; A nozzle adjacent said first open end, said nozzle
connectable to a valve in fluid communication with the interior of
an inflatable bladder that is to be inflated; Said tubular member
connected to an outlet of an inflator appliance at said second open
end; Wherein said plurality of air inlets operate using the venturi
principle to provide increased air flow into said inflatable
bladder.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/882,155, filed on Sep. 25, 2013, the
full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Inflatable mattresses or "airbeds" as they are often called,
are commonly used to provide a temporary resting surface while
camping or to provide additional sleeping accommodations for
guests. One drawback to inflatable mattresses is the amount of time
it takes to inflate the mattress. Similarly, inflatable pool toys,
floats and the like also take time to inflate--the goal for the
user again being a short inflation time. Most such inflatable
mattresses and inflatable water recreation items are inflated using
battery-operated or electric hand-held air pumps, although some use
manual air pumps. The inflation nozzle of the air pump is inserted
into the open valve on the product to be inflated and the pump is
activated, resulting in inflation to the inflatable bladder of the
product being inflated. It would be beneficial to have a device
that is attachable to an existing air pump that would increase the
rate of inflation of the air pump being utilized that is easy to
use, easy to store and light-weight to carry.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0003] The following presents a simplified summary of some
embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic
understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive
overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify
key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of
the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of
the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more
detailed description that is presented later.
[0004] An embodiment for a device for accelerating the inflation
rate of an air pump includes an elongated tube having a sidewall,
opposed open first and second ends, and a plurality of air inlets
spaced around the exterior of the tube between the open ends, the
first open end having a nozzle connectable to the valve of a
product to be inflated and the second open end having an adaptor
connectable to an inflator outlet, the acceleration device using
the venture principle to increase air flow into the product to be
inflated.
[0005] In embodiments described herein, the acceleration device has
a closure mechanism that operates to disrupt the air flow into the
air inlets when a certain pressure within the product to be
inflated is attained.
[0006] For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of
the present invention, reference should be made to the ensuing
detailed description and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of an air
inflation accelerator, in accordance with an embodiment.
[0008] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the air inflation accelerator of
FIG. 1, shown in the open configuration.
[0009] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the air inflation
accelerator of FIG. 1, shown connected to an inflatable bladder in
the open configuration.
[0010] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the air inflation
accelerator of FIG. 1, shown connected to an inflatable bladder in
the closed configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] In the following description, various embodiments of the
present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation,
specific configurations and details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. It will also
be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that the present
invention may be practiced without the specific details.
[0012] Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or
simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being
described.
[0013] Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference
numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1
shows an air inflation accelerator device 10 of an embodiment of
the present invention. The air inflation accelerator device 10
comprises base 12, nozzle 14, air intake inlets 18, and adaptor
26.
[0014] Base 12 is a cylindrical tube having opposed open ends 13,
15. Nozzle 14 and nozzle stop 16 are located at a first open end
13. Nozzle 14 is shaped and sized to fit into the valve 32 of the
product 34 to be inflated, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Nozzle 14
comprises nozzle stop 16 which forms a collar around the perimeter
of nozzle 14 located most opposite to open end 13 to provide a
physical barrier to prevent over-insertion of the nozzle 14 into
the valve 32 and also to provide a stop for the inlet closure 20.
Although it is preferred for use with a double-lock type valve,
nozzle 14 can be shaped and sized to fit any valve in the industry.
It is also within the scope of the present invention to provide a
separate nozzle adaptor (not shown) to accommodate different types
and shapes of valves as such nozzle adaptor are known in the
industry.
[0015] Adaptor 26 is located at a second open end 15. Adaptor 26
comprises locking notch 24 which is a slot located in the sidewall
of the base 12 near the edge of open end 15. Locking notch 24 is
shaped and sized with a channel 25 for receipt of a locking pin 28
that is located on the inflator outlet 30. As shown in FIGS. 3 and
4, locking pin 28 is inserted into channel 25 and base 12 is
rotated so that locking pin 28 locks into place in locking notch
24. As shown in the figures, there are two locking notches 24
preferably located on opposite sides of base 12. It is certainly
within the scope of the present invention, however, for only one
locking notch 24 to be present or for the shape of locking notch 24
to be other than a slot having an open channel. Other attachment
and retaining means known in the industry can be used to ensure
that the inflator outlet 30 is securely connected to adaptor 26.
Adaptor 26 is comprised of natural or man-made materials and is
shaped and sized to interface with the existing inflator outlet
30.
[0016] The base portion located between open ends 13 and 15
comprises a plurality of air intake inlets 18 spaced around base 12
which each extend entirely through the side wall of the base 12.
Air intake inlets 18 are preferably round for ease of manufacture,
but other shapes could also be utilized. Device 10 further includes
inlet closure 20 which is shaped and sized to fit over base 12 from
open end 15 in a sliding engagement. Collar 22 of inlet closure 20
provides an easy grip for a user to grasp inlet closure 20 and move
it to the desired position and also assists in preventing inlet
closure 20 from being moved too far onto inflator outlet 30.
[0017] Inlet closure 20 is movable from a first position (shown in
FIG. 3) allowing air intake inlets 18 to function by permitting air
to flow from the atmosphere through intake inlets 18 and into base
12, flowing into product 34 through valve 32 to a second position
(shown in FIG. 4) blocking exposure of intake inlets 18 from the
atmosphere. Intake inlets 18 increase the air intake volume to
accelerate the rate of inflation of the inflator (not shown), using
the venturi principle. Intake inlets 18 will increase the rate of
inflation to a point where the internal pressure of the product 34
being inflated reaches atmospheric pressure. Once atmospheric
pressure has been reached, inlet closure 20 is moved from the open
first position to the closed second position so that the inflator
can complete inflation of the product to the desired pressure above
room pressure. Although the figures depict a manual inlet closure
20, it is also within the scope of the present invention for inlet
closure 20 to be connected to a sensor and an actuator which moves
inlet closure 20 into the closed second position once atmospheric
pressure within the product 34 has been reached.
[0018] It is also within the scope of the present invention to
include audible and/or visual alerts to signal when the inflatable
bladder pressure reaches atmospheric pressure. An audible alert
such as a whistle or other easily identifiable sound will activate
when atmospheric pressure within the inflatable bladder is reached
such that air begins to exit through the intake inlets. This alert
will signal the user to move the inlet closure 20 over the intake
inlets 18 or to activate an automatic inlet closure. Similarly, a
visual alert such as a flashing light or a specific color of light
will activate when atmospheric pressure within the inflatable
bladder is reached such that aire begins to exit through the intake
inlets. This alert will signal the user to move the inlet closure
20 over the intake inlets 18 or to activate an automatic inlet
closure.
[0019] While the figures depict intake inlets 18 arranged in 2 rows
around the circumference of base 12, it is within the scope of the
present invention to have more or fewer rows and to have any number
and size of holes within each row. The accelerated inflation
enhancement feature of the present invention can be used with any
existing or newly designed electric, battery, manual, built-in,
handheld or foot inflator pump used to inflate inflatable products
including air mattresses, pool floats and other recreational
items.
[0020] While the present invention is shown and described as being
connected to an inflator outlet 30, which could be a pump interface
or a pump hose, it is also within the scope of the present
invention for the device 10 to form an integrated and manufactured
part of the inflator itself. It is further contemplated that the
device 10 can form an integrated and manufactured part of the
inflator even for built-in pumps which are integrated into the
product being inflated.
[0021] Other variations are within the spirit of the present
invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various
modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated
embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and have been
described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that
there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form
or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover
all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents
falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in
the appended claims.
[0022] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar
referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in
the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover
both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein
or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising,"
"having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as
open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,")
unless otherwise noted. The term "connected" is to be construed as
partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together,
even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of
values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of
referring individually to each separate value falling within the
range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value
is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually
recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in
any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise
clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples,
or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is
intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention
and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless
otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be
construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the
practice of the invention.
[0023] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described
herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying
out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may
become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading
the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to
employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for
the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically
described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all
modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the
claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover,
any combination of the above-described elements in all possible
variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise
indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
[0024] All references, including publications, patent applications,
and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to
the same extent as if each reference were individually and
specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set
forth in its entirety herein.
* * * * *