HK1114315A - Reversible inflation system - Google Patents

Description

Reversible inflation system

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to air pumps, and more particularly, to air pumps that can inflate and deflate inflatable objects.

Background

Conventional furniture requires a large space to be occupied. Often individuals do not have enough space to store furniture that is used only infrequently. Also, conventional furniture is not easily portable, which limits its ability to meet temporary furniture requirements. For example, it is often not feasible for a person with little storage space to store a conventional bed for overnight guests. Likewise, it is impractical to transport a conventional bed for overnight travel. Thus, there is a need for furniture that is space-saving and portable.

To meet this demand, various types of inflatable furniture have been designed. One example of inflatable furniture is an airbed. However, users of inflatable mattresses have found several disadvantages.

In typical inflatable furniture, a pump is typically used to inflate the furniture. To deflate the mattress, a deflation valve is typically provided. When the mattress is deflated, the deflation valve is opened, and air is exhausted from the mattress through the deflation valve. Typically, the only force that contributes to deflation is the force created by gravity on the top of the furniture. Deflation using only this force is very time consuming and often leaves a significant amount of air in the inflatable furniture. An impatient user often applies additional force to the furniture by walking on the deflated furniture or folding the furniture prior to complete deflation. Such actions can damage the furniture or compromise the air-tight properties of the furniture. In addition, air trapped in the furniture also increases its storage size. Accordingly, there is a need for a compact yet effective system for rapidly and fully inflating and deflating inflatable furniture.

Inflatable furniture must be easily inflatable and deflatable. To facilitate storage and transportation, the furniture must also be lightweight and durable. In addition, the furniture must be foldable to a size that can be stored and transported. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an efficient and compact reversible inflation system that can conveniently and quickly inflate and deflate inflatable furniture.

Disclosure of Invention

A reversible inflation system for filling air bladders of air mattresses, other furniture, swimming pools, sporting goods, or other items is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the inflation system is reversible, allowing a single pump to be used for both inflation and deflation of the air bladder. This embodiment of an air charging system includes a housing, a motor located within the housing, an impeller located within the housing in operable communication with the motor, a valve passing through a first wall of the housing, and a slider located adjacent an aperture in the housing; the slider has first and second positions, wherein in the first position the impeller moves air from the aperture to the valve and in the second position the impeller moves air from the valve to the aperture.

In another embodiment, a reversible pump mechanism includes a pump housing, a motor chamber within the pump housing, an impeller chamber within the pump housing, a wall separating the motor chamber and the impeller chamber, a motor within the housing, an impeller within the impeller chamber operatively connected to the motor, and a slide having first and second positions, wherein the slide introduces air into the impeller chamber in the first position and the slide directs air out of the impeller chamber opening in the second position.

In a third embodiment, an inflatable furniture includes an air bladder, a reversible inflation system embedded in the air bladder, an inflation system housing, a pump located in the inflation system housing, the pump housing having a pump inlet and a pump outlet, a slider adjacent the pump having a first position and a second position, wherein the slider is in fluid communication with the pump inlet in the first position and the slider is in fluid communication with the pump outlet in the second position.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is an example of an inflatable object using the reversible inflation system of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a side view of the reversible inflation system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is an end view of the reversible inflation system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2C is a top view of the reversible inflation system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a diaphragm valve;

FIG. 4 is an end cross-sectional view of the reversible inflation system;

FIG. 5A is a side cross-sectional view of the reversible inflation system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5B is another side cross-sectional view of the reversible inflation system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6A is a side partial cross-sectional view of a slider;

FIG. 6B is a top view of the slider;

FIG. 6C is a bottom perspective view of the slide;

FIG. 7A is a bottom view of the housing cover with the sides in an inflated position; and

FIG. 7B is a bottom view of the housing cover with the sides in the deflated position.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows an inflatable furniture 10. In this embodiment, the inflatable furniture 10 includes an inflatable object 12. Currently, the inflatable object 12 is a mattress. The current embodiment of the inflatable object 12 has an upper wall 14, a lower wall (not shown), two side walls 16 (one shown), and two end walls 18 (one shown). The device 10 has a reversible inflation system 20 that is preferably disposed within the end wall 18 of the inflatable object 12.

The power cord 22 is operatively connected to the reversible inflation system 20. At the free end of the power cord 22 is a plug 24. The plug 24 is designed to operatively connect with an electrical outlet, as is known in the art. When connected to the receptacle, the plug 24 and power cord 22 provide power to the reversible inflation system 20. In another embodiment, the reversible inflation system 20 is powered by a battery. For example, a battery pack located externally or embedded in the inflatable object 12 may be electrically connected to the reversible inflation system 20.

In the present invention, the control device 26 is located on the power cord 16. Currently, the control device 26 includes a power switch 27 that activates the reversible inflation system 20. The power switch 27 may be any of a number of known mechanisms for connecting two conductors to provide power to a point of use. Preferably, the power switch 27 allows power to be supplied to the reversible inflation system 20 to inflate or deflate the inflatable object 12. In another embodiment, the control device 26 may also include an adjustment device (not shown). The regulating device allows air to be expelled from the inflatable object 12. In another embodiment, the control device 26 may be operatively connected to the reversible inflation system 20 by a separate wire, or alternatively, the control device may be wirelessly connected to the reversible inflation system 20.

As will be described later, the reversible inflation system 20 may be used to inflate the inflatable object 12. Conversely, as described later, the inflation system 20 can also be reversed to draw air from the inflatable object 12 so that the inflatable object 12 can be quickly deflated for storage or transport.

Fig. 2A-C illustrate an embodiment of the housing 28 of the reversible inflation system 20. The housing 28 has an upper portion 30 and a lower portion 32. A flange 38 is located on the upper portion 30. A flange 38 encloses the periphery of the upper portion 30. The flange 38 is designed to be connected to a bladder 39 of the inflatable object 12. The flange 38 must be connected to the bladder 39 in such a way that an airtight seal can be created. The flange 38 is now connected to the balloon 39 by means of an adhesive. In other embodiments, however, the flange 39 may be attached to the bladder 39 by a clamp, press fit, or other airtight method.

In this embodiment, the lower portion 32 has a spherical semi-circular profile, as shown in FIG. 2B. In other embodiments, however, the lower portion 32 may be square or rectangular in profile. Currently, the upper portion 30 of the housing 28 extends horizontally beyond the lower portion 32 of the housing 28.

As shown in fig. 2C, the housing 28 includes a cover 34. The cover 34 is connected to the housing 28 by four screws 35 located at the corners of the cover 34. The cover 34 has an aperture 37 located near the center. The power cord 22 passes through the cover 34. The seal 36 physically connects the power cord 22 to the cover 34. The seal 36 minimizes air flow where the power cord 22 passes through the cover 34.

A diaphragm valve 46 is located at one end of the upper portion 30. The diaphragm valve 46 has four valve flanges 42. Four valve flanges 42 are provided equidistantly around the circumference of the diaphragm valve 46. A diaphragm valve 46 is mounted through a valve aperture 43 provided in the upper portion 30. The valve hole 43 is shaped to correspond to the diaphragm valve 46. The valve bore 43 is also shaped with an opening 44 corresponding to the valve flange 42. When the diaphragm valve 46 is inserted into the upper portion 30, the valve flange 42 is aligned such that the valve flange 42 passes through the opening 44. When the valve flange 42 has passed through the opening 44, the diaphragm valve 46 is rotated. In this embodiment, the valve flange 42 is wedge-shaped in cross-section. When the diaphragm valve 46 is rotated, the surface area of the valve flange 42 in contact with the upper portion 30 increases, locking the diaphragm valve 46 in place. Alternatively, the diaphragm valve 46 may be attached to the upper portion 30 by adhesive, screws, nuts, or other attachment means.

As shown in fig. 3, the diaphragm valve 46 includes a diaphragm 48. The diaphragm 48 is adjacent to the diaphragm stem 50. The diaphragm valve 46 also includes a spring 52, a retaining nut 54, and a valve housing 57.

The valve housing 57 is substantially cylindrical. The valve housing 57 includes a valve seat 56 at a first end and a flange 59 at a second end. An o-ring 55 is preferably located between the valve flange 44 and the flange 59.

One end of the diaphragm rod 50 has a rigid circular mesh 51. The webbing 51 prevents the diaphragm 48 from bending into the valve housing 46, allowing airflow therethrough. The stem 47 is perpendicularly connected to a rigid circular mesh 51.

Diaphragm 48 is preferably circular and has a diameter substantially the same as the diameter of valve housing 57. In a preferred embodiment, the diaphragm 48 is made of a flexible material, such as rubber or the like.

When assembled, the stem 47 is positioned in the bore 53 of the valve seat 56. A spring 52 is located on the stem 47 between a valve seat 56 and a lock nut 54 located at the free end of the stem 47. The spring 52 is positioned to bias the diaphragm rod 50 against the valve seat 56. With the diaphragm 48 and diaphragm stem 50 in position against the valve seat 56, the diaphragm 48 allows air to be vented from the housing 28 through the diaphragm valve 46. However, the diaphragm 48 and diaphragm stem 59 prevent air from entering the housing 28 through the diaphragm valve 46.

Fig. 4-5B illustrate the internal structure of the housing 28 of the reversible inflation system 20. Within the housing 28, a chamber cover 58 separates a motor chamber 60 and an impeller chamber 62 from the remainder of the housing 28. Above the chamber lid, the chamber lid 58 and the interior of the housing 28 form an air passage 63. Preferably, the chamber cover 58 includes two openings-a motor chamber opening 65 and an impeller chamber opening 66. The slide 67 is located adjacent to and above the chamber cover 58 and is held in place by the slide rails 69 and the housing cover 34. The vent 90 in the slide 67 fits into the hole in the lid. The slider 67 includes a flange 71 extending below the cover 34.

The motor chamber 60 houses a motor 70. The motor 70 is secured within the motor chamber 60 by two motor mounts 72. An impeller 74 is included within the impeller chamber 62. Between the motor chamber 60 and the impeller chamber 62 is a partition wall 75. The motor chamber 60 and the impeller chamber 62 are connected via a chamber hole 76 in the partition wall 75. A drive shaft 77 operatively connects the motor 70 to the impeller 74 through the chamber bore 76. When the motor 70 is energized, the motor 70 rotates the drive shaft 77, thereby rotating the impeller 74.

The slide 67 determines whether the pump is to inflate or deflate the inflatable object 12. The motor chamber 60, the motor 70, the impeller chamber 62 and the impeller 74 function as a one-way pump. In this pump, the motor chamber opening 65 serves as a pump intake port, and the impeller chamber opening 66 serves as a pump exhaust port. Fluid is drawn into the pump through the pump inlet port, through the motor chamber 60 and impeller chamber 62, and out through the pump outlet port.

Fig. 6A-C show an embodiment of the slider 67. The slide 67 includes an upper wall 80, two side walls 82, a front wall 84 and a rear wall 86. The bottom 88 of the slider 67 is open. In this embodiment, the vent 90 is located on the upper wall 80. The vent 90 is preferably a grill type vent consisting of holes 100 located between grilles 102.

The ribs 92 are located above the side walls 82 near the upper wall 80. The opening 93 is located between the rib 92 and the upper wall 80. Each rib 92 has a projection 94. The function of the ribs 92 and the projections 94 will be further explained below.

Preferably, the baffle 96 is located within the slide 67. The baffle 96 is an L-shaped rail located below the vent 90. In the presently preferred embodiment, the baffle 96 directs air between the vent 90 and the interior of the slide 67 near the rear wall 86.

The plunger 104 is preferably located outside of the front wall 84. In the preferred embodiment, the plunger 104 is centrally located at the bottom of the front wall 84.

Fig. 5A and 5B show two positions between which the slide 67 can be moved. As shown in FIG. 5A, the slide 67 is in the inflation position. In this position, a portion of the bottom 88 of the slide 67 is in fluid communication with the motor chamber 60 via the motor chamber opening 65. The remainder of the bottom 88 is connected to the chamber cover 58. Thus, the vent 90 is in fluid communication with the motor chamber 60. The plunger 104 is not in contact with the diaphragm rod 50.

In this position, the impeller chamber 62 is in fluid communication with the air passage 63 via the impeller chamber opening 66. In the inflated position, the diaphragm 48 and diaphragm stem 50 are against the valve seat 56. The diaphragm 48 and diaphragm stem 50 prevent air from entering the air passage 63 from the interior of the inflatable object 12. In this position, however, the flexible diaphragm 48 and diaphragm stem 50 allow air to enter the interior of the inflatable object 12 from the air passage 63.

In the second position, as shown in FIG. 5B, the slide 67 is in the deflation position. In this position, a portion of the bottom 88 of the slide 67 is in fluid communication with the impeller chamber opening 66. The remainder of the bottom 88 abuts the chamber cover 58. The impeller chamber 62 is thus in fluid communication with the vent 90. The motor chamber 60 is in fluid communication with the air passage 64 via a motor chamber opening 65.

In this position, the plunger 104 is pressed against the diaphragm stem 50 and moves it. As the diaphragm stem 50 moves, the spring 52 is compressed and the diaphragm 48 and rigid circular mesh 51 no longer abut the valve seat 56; thereby allowing the interior of the inflatable object 12 to communicate with the air passage 63.

Fig. 7A-B illustrate how the slide 67 is locked in the inflated and deflated positions. The underside of the lid has four tabs. The position of the first pair of tabs 106 may lock the slide 67 in the inflated position. The second pair of tabs 108 is positioned to lock the slide 67 in the deflation position.

In the inflated position, as shown in FIG. 7A, the projections 94 on the ribs 92 are positioned outside of the first pair of tabs 106. In this position, the ribs 92 are in an unconstrained position against the first set of tabs 106 and hold the projections 94 in abutment with the tabs 106.

Fig. 7B shows the deflation position. In this deflation position, the tabs 94 on the ribs 92 are preferably located outside of the second pair of tabs 108. The ribs 92 are in an unconstrained position against the second set of tabs 108 and hold the projections 94 in close proximity to the tabs 108. The rib 92 is flexible and compressible towards the upper wall 80 of the slider 67. In this position, the projection 94 is displaced and the slide 67 is movable between an inflated position and a deflated position.

In operation, the same motor 70 and impeller 74 are used to inflate and deflate the inflatable object 12. To this extent, the motor 70 and impeller 74 move air in only one direction. More specifically, the motor 70 and impeller 74 draw air in through the motor chamber opening 65, move the air through the motor chamber 60 and impeller chamber 62, and expel the air through the impeller chamber opening 66.

The position of the slide 67 determines whether the pump is inflating or deflating the inflatable object 12. As shown in FIG. 5A, when the slide 67 is in the inflation position, the motor 70 and impeller 74 draw air from the atmosphere through the vent 90. The baffle 96 then directs the air toward the back wall 86 of the slide 67. The air is then drawn into the motor chamber opening 65 and through the motor chamber 60 and the impeller chamber 62. The impeller 74 then expels the air through the impeller chamber opening 66. The air fills the air passage 63 and the pressure in the air passage 63 forces air through the diaphragm 48 into the interior of the inflatable object 12. In this manner, the inflatable object 12 is inflated.

When the slide 67 is moved to the deflation position, as shown in FIG. 5B, the plunger 104 forces the diaphragm rod 50 and diaphragm 50 away from the valve seat 56, thereby allowing the interior of the inflatable object 12 to be in fluid communication with the air channel 63. When the diaphragm stem 50 and diaphragm 50 are away from the valve seat, the force of gravity causes air to be expelled from the inflatable object 12 through the diaphragm valve 46. The motor 70 and impeller 74 assist in deflation by drawing air from the inflatable object 12 through the open diaphragm valve 46 into the air chamber 63. The motor 70 and impeller 74 draw air from the air passageway 63 through the motor chamber opening 65 and through the motor chamber 60 and impeller chamber 62. The motor 70 and impeller 74 then move through the opening in the impeller chamber 62, past the baffle 96 in the slide 67, and out through the vent 90.

It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to define the spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims (20)

1. A reversible inflation system for a balloon, comprising:

a housing;

an electric motor located within the housing;

an impeller located within the housing and connected to the motor;

a valve through a first wall of the housing; and

a slider adjacent to the aperture in the housing; the slider has first and second positions, wherein in the first position the impeller moves air from the aperture to the valve, and in the second position the impeller moves air from the valve to the aperture.

2. The reversible inflation system for a bladder of claim 1, further comprising a power source connected to the motor, wherein the power source provides power to the motor and the motor rotates the impeller.

3. The reversible inflation system for a balloon of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises:

a motor chamber accommodating the motor;

a first opening in the motor chamber;

an impeller chamber housing the impeller;

a second opening in the impeller chamber;

a third opening communicating the motor chamber with the impeller chamber;

at least one air passage located within said housing and communicating with said valve; and

a fourth opening communicating with the interior of the slider.

4. A reversible inflation system for an airbag as set forth in claim 3, wherein the slider connects the fourth opening with the first opening in the first position and the slider connects the second opening with the fourth opening in the second position.

5. The reversible inflation system for a bladder of claim 4, wherein when the slider is in the first position, the impeller moves air from the fourth opening through the first opening, the third opening, the second opening, and out through the valve; and when the slider is in the second position, the impeller moves air from the valve through the second opening, the third opening, the first opening, and out through the fourth opening.

6. The reversible inflation system for a balloon of claim 1, wherein the motor is unidirectional.

7. The reversible inflation system for a bladder of claim 2, further comprising a control switch coupled to the motor.

8. The reversible inflation system for a balloon of claim 1, further comprising a plunger coupled to the slider.

9. The reversible inflation system for a balloon of claim 8, wherein the plunger opens the valve.

10. A reversible pump mechanism, comprising:

a pump housing;

a motor chamber located within the pump housing;

an impeller chamber located within the pump housing;

a wall separating the motor chamber from the impeller chamber;

a motor located in the motor chamber;

an impeller located in the impeller chamber and connected to the motor; and

a slide having a first position and a second position, wherein the slide introduces air into the impeller chamber in the first position and the slide directs air out of the opening of the impeller chamber in the second position.

11. The pump mechanism of claim 10, further comprising a vent located on the slide, wherein the vent is in fluid communication with the atmosphere.

12. The pump mechanism of claim 11, further comprising a baffle positioned within the slide.

13. The pump mechanism of claim 10, wherein the pump housing is located within a reversible inflation system housing.

14. The pump mechanism of claim 13, further comprising a diaphragm valve passing through the reversible inflation system housing.

15. The pump mechanism of claim 14, further comprising a plunger on the slide, wherein the plunger opens the diaphragm valve when the slide is in the second position.

16. An inflatable furniture piece comprising:

an air bag; and

a reversible inflation system embedded in the balloon, the reversible inflation system comprising:

an inflation system housing;

a pump located in the inflation system housing, the pump housing having a pump inlet and a pump outlet; and

a slider adjacent the pump, the slider having a first position and a second position, wherein the slider is in fluid communication with the pump inlet at the first position and the slider is in fluid communication with the pump outlet at the second position.

17. The inflatable furniture of claim 16, further comprising a valve, wherein the valve passes through the inflation system housing.

18. The inflatable furniture of claim 17, wherein the valve allows one-way fluid flow when the slider is in the first position and allows two-way fluid flow when the slider is in the second position.

19. The inflatable furniture of claim 16, further comprising a power source connected to the pump.

20. The inflatable furniture of claim 19, further comprising a switch that controls current flow from the power source to the pump.