# US 11,299,245 B2 · Apparatus for inflating floatation devices

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- Number: US 11,299,245 B2
- Document ID: US11299245B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/779,147
- Filed: 2020-01-31
- Published: 2020-08-06
- Granted: 2022-04-12
- Earliest claimed: 2019-01-31
- Applicants: Bruce Raymond Harris
- Inventors: Bruce Raymond Harris
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11299245B2

## CPC

- A45D 20/10: Hand-held drying devices, e.g. air douches
- B63C 9/00: Life-saving in water (life-saving in general A62B; arrangement or adaptation of signalling or lighting devices for ships, other waterborne vessels or for equipment for shipping B63B45/00; rescue equipment specially adapted for submarine personnel B63G8/40)
- A45D 20/12: Details thereof or accessories therefor, e.g. nozzles, stands
- A63H 2027/1033: {Inflation devices or methods for inflating balloons}
- B63C 2009/0023: {Particular features common to inflatable life-saving equipment}
- A45D: HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT (wigs, toupees or the like A41G3/00, A41G5/00; hairdressers' chairs A47C1/04; hair cutting appliances, razors B26B); EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
- B63C: LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS (floating nets, floating slipways, or the like for recovering aircraft from the water B63B35/52)
- A63H: TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS

## Abstract

An apparatus and method for inflating an inflatable object, such as a floatation device. The inflation apparatus includes a component with a primary opening, the primary opening sized and shaped to accept air from an air source, such as a hair dryer. A secondary opening on an inflation adapter is sized and shaped to be in communication with a valve opening on the inflatable object.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An inflation device for coupling an air source with an inflatable object, comprising:
a blower coupling formed of a resilient silicone material as a hollow cylindrical body having a length of 3 inches between a first end and a second end;
an inlet opening having an inner diameter of 2 inches at the first end is dimensioned to resiliently and elastically couple with an outlet of the air source;
a constriction at the second end narrows to a coupling; and
an inflation adapter formed as an elongate hollow tubular segment having a proximal end configured to be received in the coupling and a distal end dimensioned with an outer diameter of ½ inch to be received in an inflation valve of the inflatable object, the inflation adapter having a length of 4 inches to permit grasping of the inflation valve and the inflation adapter with a user's fingers for retention with the inflation valve during inflation of the inflatable object with the air source.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The inflation device of claim 1, wherein the inflation adapter is formed of a rigid material, such that the distal end of the inflation adapter is engageable with a check valve of the inflation valve to retain the check valve in an open position.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The inflation device of claim 1, wherein the inflation adapter is formed of a thermo plastic material.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The inflation device of claim 1, wherein the constriction is frusto-conical.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The inflation device of claim 1, wherein the air source is a hair dryer.

### Claim 6

A method of inflating an inflatable object to a desired fill level, comprising:
attaching an inflation device to an outlet of an air source, the inflation device having a resilient hollow tubular segment having an opening with a 2-inch inner diameter and a length of 3 inches to resiliently receive the outlet of the air source to couple the inflation device to the air source, and a constriction at an opposite end terminating in an inflation coupling; and
attaching a proximal end of an inflation adapter having a length of 4 inches and an outer diameter of ½ inch to the inflation coupling.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, further comprising:
attaching a distal end of the inflation adapter to a valve of the inflatable object, wherein the length of the inflation adapter permits grasping of the valve and the inflation adapter with a user's fingers for retention with the inflation valve during inflation of the inflatable object with the air source.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, further comprising:
operating the air source to communicate a volume of air through the inflation device to obtain the desired fill level of the inflatable object.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, further comprising:
disconnecting the inflation adapter from the valve when the desired fill level has been reached.

### Claim 10 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, further comprising:
removing the air source from the opening in the resilient hollow tubular segment; and
releasing a volume of air from within the inflatable device through the inflation adapter to obtain the desired fill level.