Electric autoinflator

An autoinflator for automatically actuating a gas cartridge upon sensing of water, comprising in combination:

• a body including a battery compartment for containing a battery and including a longitudinal bore for receiving the gas cartridge;
• a fusible link actuator assembly positioned within said longitudinal bore of the body and including
• an actuator housing including a blind link hole defining an opened rearward end, an actuator cap positioned over said opened end, and a retaining ball protruding from a side of said actuator housing which engages into a corresponding slot in said longitudinal bore to retain said actuator housing in a cocked position,
• a slidable link positioned within said blind link hole, said slidable link including an annular groove positioned about its circumference at a rearward portion thereof and including a taper positioned at a forward position thereof such that said retaining ball urges said slidable link forwardly,
• a fusible link interconnecting said actuator cap and said slidable link for retaining said slidable link rearwardly in a cocked position within said blind link hole, and
• means for fusing said fusible link upon being supplied electrical current thereto;
• water-sensing circuit for sensing water and for supplying electrical current to said fusing means;
• means for electrically connecting the battery to said water-sensing circuit for supplying electrical power thereto;
• a firing pin operatively positioned within the longitudinal bore in alignment with the gas cartridge to pierce the same;
• and
• a high-compression spring for forcibly urging said fusible link actuator assembly toward said firing pin such that, upon fusing of said fusible link, said slidable link moves forwardly within said blind link hole, whereupon said annular groove moves into alignment with said retaining ball allowing said retaining ball to move inwardly and disengage from said slot in said longitudinal bore, whereupon said actuator housing is urged forwardly by said high-compression spring in operative engagement with said firing pin, whereupon said firing pin pierces the gas cartridge.