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AssigneeAmerican Hospital Supply Corporation
InventorsRichard C. Tringali, William D. Christoffel, Paul R. Zeman
Estimating the term…
An inflatable pad combined with an air control system for producing periodic inflation and deflation of that pad. The pad is elongated and has at least two separate passages extending from one end portion of the pad to the other, such passages also having interlaced transverse portions extending in directions across the pad. Each passage has a pair of terminal openings, one at each end of the pad, for the flow of air under pressure, such flow being controlled by a valve which not only alternates in directing air to inflate one passage and then the other, but also alternates the direction of inflation so that each passage is inflated alternately from its opposite ends. In one embodiment, the valve operates to positively exhaust one passage while the other is undergoing inflation, the exhaust air being recirculated and utilized by the compressor which serves as the source of pressurized air. Conservation and protection against overinflation may also be achieved by modifying the valve assembly to recirculate excess air, that is, air at a pressure greater than can be effectively or safely utilized by the pad. In all forms, the pad is provided with perforations on one side thereof which form bleed ports for the leakage of pressurized air from the passages, such leakage not only contributing to controlled deflation of the passages but also resulting in cooling air being directed against the limb or body of a person in close proximity to the pad.
An inflatable pad and air control system comprising a pad having top and bottom walls defining a first inflatable passage extending substantially the full width and length of said pad and having its ends disposed adjacent opposite ends of said pad, said pad also having a second inflatable passage extending substantially the full width and length of said pad and having its ends disposed adjacent opposite ends of said pad, said first and second passages being interlaced and said pad being provided with perforations in said top wall communicating with each of said passages for the upward escape of air therefrom when said passages are inflated, a source of air under pressure, control valve means connected to said source of air, said control valve means including a valve body having four openings therein and a valve member movable in relation to said body for successively directing air under pressure through each of said four openings, conduit means connecting the ends of said inflatable passages to the respective openings of said valve body, and power means for advancing said valve member to direct air under pressure through each of said openings and through said conduit means to said pad, whereby, as said valve member is advanced, each passage is inflated alternately from its opposite ends to produce inflation waves traveling in opposite directions relative to said pad.
A control valve assembly for use in successively inflating the plural passages of a pad with air under pressure from a compressor and for recirculating to such compressor air in excess of the amount required for passage inflation, comprising a valve body and a movable valve member having opposing faces disposed in continguous relation for relative sliding movement of said faces about an axis of rotation, at least four openings provided in the face of said valve body, said openings being spaced along a line circumscribing said axis of rotation, said body having an annular inlet chamber open at the face of said body and adapted to communicate with the outlet of a compressor for receiving pressurized air therefrom, said body also having an annular outlet chamber formed in said face of said body and adapted to communicate with the inlet of a compressor for withdrawal of air from said chamber by said compressor, said valve member having a recess in the face thereof for successively interconnecting each of said openings with said inlet chamber as said member rotates relative to said body, said openings being adapted to communicate with the passages of an inflatable pad, and driving means for rotating said valve member relative to said valve body, said valve member and valve body being disposed relative to each other to permit excess air from said compressor to flow from said inlet chamber between said faces when a predetermined pressure level is attained in the inflated passages of a pad, said outlet channel collecting said excess air for returning the same to the compressor.
An inflatable pad and inflation fluid control system comprising a pad having top and bottom walls defining a first inflatable passage extending substantially the full width and length of said pad and having open ends disposed adjacent opposite ends of said pad, said pad also having a second inflatable passage extending substantially the full width and length of said pad and also having open ends disposed adjacent opposite ends of said pad, whereby, said passages have four open ends disposed in pairs adjacent opposite ends of said pad, separate conduit means connected to each of said open ends of said passages, control valve means operatively connected to said conduit means and including a valve body and a valve member movable relative to said body for directing fluid under pressure through said conduit means successively to each of said open ends of said passages, a source of fluid under pressure connected to said control valve means, and power means for moving said valve member to direct fluid under pressure through each of said open ends of said passages, whereby, as said valve member is moved, each passage is inflated alternately from its opposite ends to produce inflation waves traveling in opposite directions relative to said pad.
An inflatable pad and air control system comprising a pad having top and bottom walls defining a first inflatable passage extending substantially the full width and length of said pad and having its ends disposed adjacent opposite ends of said pad, said pad also having a second inflatable passage extending substantially the full width and length of said pad and having its ends disposed adjacent opposite ends of said pad, said first and second passages being interlaced and said pad being provided with perforations in said top wall communicating with each of said passages for the upward escape of air therefrom when said passages are inflated, a source of air under pressure, control valve means connected to said source of air and providing for air flow openings, conduit means connecting the ends of said inflatable passages to the respective openings of said valve means, and means for operating said valve means to direct air under pressure successively through each of said openings and through said conduit means to said pad, whereby, as said control valve means operates, each passage is inflated alternately from its opposite ends to produce inflation waves traveling in opposite directions relative to said pad.
An inflatable pad and inflation fluid control system comprising a pad having top and bottom walls defining a first inflatable passage extending substantially the full width and length of said pad and having open ends disposed adjacent opposite ends of said pad, said pad also having a second inflatable passage extending substantially the full width and length of said pad and also having open ends disposed adjacent opposite ends of said pad, whereby, said passages have four open ends disposed in pairs adjacent opposite ends of said pad, separate conduit means connected to each of said open ends of said passages, control valve means operatively connected to said conduit means for directing fluid under pressure through said conduit means successively to each of said open ends of said passages, a source of fluid under pressure connected to said control valve means and means for operating said control valve means to direct fluid under pressure through each of said open ends of said passages, whereby, as said control valve means is operated, each passage is inflated alternately from its opposite ends to produce inflation waves traveling in opposite directions relative to said pad.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.