Valve-actuated suction apparatus with integrated suction-enhancing stiffener

11:

• A valve-actuated suction apparatus, comprising:
• an elastomeric seal member;
• the seal member having a seal member outer side, a seal member inner side, and a continuous seal member peripheral edge defining an outer periphery of the seal member;
• the seal member further having a seal member vent port extending therethrough from the seal member outer side to the seal member inner side;
• the seal member being configured to form a substantially airtight seal between the seal member first side and a reference surface when the seal member vent port is closed, and to release the substantially airtight seal when the seal member vent port is open;
• a flexible stiffener member integrated with the seal member;
• the stiffener member having a stiffener member outer side, a stiffener member inner side engaging the seal member outer side, and a stiffener member peripheral edge defining an outer periphery of the flexible member;
• the stiffener member being a cambered structure that imparts a camber to the seal member when the stiffener member is in a unflexed state;
• the stiffener member being configured to elastically deform from its unflexed cambered state to a flattened flexed state in response to application of a stiffener member flexing force directed toward the reference surface;
• the stiffener member being configured to elastically rebound from its flexed state to its unflexed state in response to removal of the stiffener member flexing force;
• the stiffener member producing a flattening of the seal member that wholly or partially eliminates the seal member camber when the stiffener member deforms to its flexed state;
• the stiffener member producing an unflattening of the seal member that restores the seal member camber when the stiffener member rebounds to its unflexed state;
• a collar having a collar opening in fluid communication with the seal member vent port;
• a plunger valve comprising a plunger valve stem and a plunger valve head;
• the plunger valve stem being slidably disposed in the collar opening and slidable between an open position of the plunger valve wherein the seal member vent port is open and a closed position of the plunger valve wherein the seal member vent port is closed;
• the plunger valve head being configured for engagement by a user of the valve-actuated suction apparatus to receive and apply the stiffener member flexing force to the stiffener member;
• whereby, the valve-actuated suction apparatus may be adhered to the reference surface by:
• placing the seal member first side against the reference surface with the plunger valve in either its open or closed position;
• pressing the plunger valve head as necessary to advance the plunger valve into its closed position;
• applying the stiffener member flexing force to the plunger valve head to flatten the seal member by wholly or partially eliminating its seal member camber;
• removing the stiffener member flexing force to un-flatten the seal member by wholly or partially restoring its seal member camber, thereby developing a suction force between the seal member first side and the reference surface;
• and
• whereby, the valve-actuated suction apparatus may be removed from the reference surface by:
• pulling the plunger valve head away from the reference surface until the plunger valve moves from its closed position to its open position to release the suction force between the seal member first side and the reference surface.

21:

• A method of use for a valve-actuated suction apparatus of claim 1, comprising:
• adhering the valve-actuated suction apparatus to a reference surface by:
• placing the base seal assembly against the reference surface so that the seal member is in contact therewith;
• pressing the plunger valve to apply the stiffener member flexing force and thereby flatten the seal member by wholly or partially eliminating its seal member camber;
• removing the stiffener member flexing force to un-flatten the seal member by wholly or partially restoring its seal member camber, thereby developing a suction force between the seal member and the reference surface;
• and
• removing the valve-actuated suction apparatus from the reference surface by:
• pulling the plunger valve until the plunger valve unseals the seal member vent port to release the suction force between the seal member and the reference surface.

23:

• A valve-actuated suction apparatus, comprising:
• a seal member being arranged to seal against a reference surface, the seal member comprising a seal member vent port extending therethrough;
• a stiffener member integrated with the seal member, the stiffener member comprising a stiffener member opening extending therethrough in alignment with the seal member vent port;
• the stiffener member being configured to deform in response to application of a stiffener member flexing force from an initial unflexed state in which the stiffener member comprises a concavity to a flexed state in which the stiffener member concavity is wholly or partially eliminated;
• the stiffener member being configured to elastically rebound from its flexed state to its unflexed state in response to removal of the stiffener member flexing force;
• the seal member having a cambered configuration when the stiffener member is in its unflexed state and having a flattened configuration when the stiffener member is in its flexed state;
• a collar comprising a collar opening extending therethrough in alignment with the seal member vent port and the stiffener member opening;
• and
• a plunger valve slidably arranged in the collar opening and operable to selectively seal and unseal the seal member vent port.

29:

• The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the stiffener member comprises:
• a cambered structure comprising a stiffener member outer side, a stiffener member inner side engaging an outer side of the seal member, and a stiffener member peripheral edge defining an outer periphery of the stiffener member;
• and
• an integral hollow structure on the stiffener member outer side that defines the collar.

31:

• A valve-actuated suction apparatus, comprising:
• a seal member being arranged to seal against a reference surface, the seal member comprising a seal member vent port extending therethrough;
• a stiffener member integrated with the seal member;
• the stiffener member being formed with a collar comprising a collar opening in communication with the seal member vent port;
• and
• a plunger valve slidably arranged in the collar opening and operable to selectively seal and unseal the seal member vent port.

32:

• A valve-actuated suction apparatus, comprising:
• a seal member being arranged to seal against a reference surface, the seal member comprising a seal member vent port extending therethrough;
• a stiffener member integrated with the seal member;
• and
• a plunger valve operable to selectively seal and unseal the seal member vent port.