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US 2003/0210994 A1Published application
Inflation/deflation device having spring biased valve
AssigneeBoyd Flotation, Inc.
InventorDennis Boyd
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention is drawn to an apparatus for supplying fluid, such as air, under pressure to a fluid accommodating means such as an air mattress and automatically adjusting the fluid pressure. The apparatus has a coupling device which attaches the apparatus to the air mattress. A housing encloses a motor, an impeller, a two-way valve and a solenoid. The solenoid opens the two-way valve to allow inflation or deflation of the air mattress. The motor is reversible and the impeller is used to force fluid into or out of the mattress. A controller is used to inflate and deflate the mattress. The controller can be attached to the apparatus or it can be a remote control.
Claims28
An Inflation/Deflation device for an air mattress comprising:
- a coupling device to attach said inflation/deflation device to the air mattress;
- a housing extending away from said coupling device;
- a reversible motor contained within said housing opposite said coupling device;
- an impeller attached to said reversible motor;
- a vent located in said housing away from said coupling device;
- a valve contained within said housing and located between said vent and said coupling device;
- a seal formed by said valve dividing said housing into a vent side and a coupling side;
- a solenoid secured to said housing and having a first state and a second state;
- an actuator extending from said solenoid and attached to said valve such that said valve is closed when said solenoid is in said first state and said valve is open when said solenoid is in said second state;
- a controller having an off position, an inflate position, a valve open position, and a deflate position;
- wherein said solenoid is in said second state when said controller is in said inflate position and said deflate position and said valve open position, and said solenoid is in said second state when said controller is in said off position;
- and
- wherein said motor rotates said impeller such that fluid is impelled towards said coupling device when said controller is in said inflate position, and said motor counter-rotates said impeller such that fluid is impelled away from said coupling device when said controller is in said deflate position.
10 more elements
An inflation/deflation device for an inflatable bladder comprising:
- a coupling device to attach said inflation/deflation device to the bladder;
- a housing extending away from said coupling device;
- a reversible motor contained within said housing and capable of being rotated in a primary direction and a second opposite direction;
- an inbound impeller attached to said reversible motor, said inbound impeller engaged by said reversible motor when said drive shaft is rotated in said first direction;
- an outbound impeller attached to said reversible motor, said outbound impeller engaged by said reversible motor when said drive shaft is rotated in said second opposite direction;
- a valve contained within said housing and away from said coupling device;
- a seal formed by said valve dividing said housing into a vent side and a coupling side;
- a solenoid attached to said housing and having a first state and a second state;
- an actuator extending from said solenoid and attached to said valve such that said valve is closed when said solenoid is in said first state and said valve is open when said solenoid is in said second state;
- a controller having an off position, an inflate position, and valve open position, and a deflate position;
- wherein said solenoid is in said second state when said controller is in said inflate position and said deflate position and said valve open position, and said solenoid is in said first state when said controller is in said off position;
- and
- wherein said motor rotates said inbound impeller in said first direction such that fluid is impelled towards said coupling device when said controller is in said inflate position, and said motor rotates said outbound impeller in said second opposite direction such that fluid is impelled away from said coupling device when said controller is in said deflate position.
10 more elements
An inflation/deflation device for use with an air mattress having a valved orifice;
- the inflation/deflation device comprising:
- a coupling device to attach said inflation/deflation device to the air mattress;
- an opener extending from the periphery of the coupling device and sized to engage the valved orifice;
- a housing extending away from said coupling device;
- a reversible motor contained within said housing;
- an impeller attached to and rotated by said reversible motor;
- a vent located in the housing and located away from said coupling device;
- a valve contained within said housing and located between said vent and said coupling device;
- a seal formed by said valve dividing said housing into a vent side and a coupling side;
- a solenoid attached to said housing and having a first state and a second state;
- an actuator extending from said solenoid and attached to said valve such that said valve is closed when said solenoid is in said first state and said valve is open when said solenoid is in said second state;
- a controller having an off position, an inflate position, a valve open position, and a deflate position;
- wherein said solenoid is in said second state when said controller is in said inflate position and said deflate position and said valve open position, and said solenoid is in said first state when said controller is in said off position;
- and
- wherein said motor rotates said impeller such that fluid is impelled towards said coupling device when said controller is in said inflate position, and said motor rotates said impeller such that fluid is impelled away from said coupling device when said controller is in said deflate position.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.