Hand held inflating device

Abstract

There is provided a device for filling an inflatable protective cushion to a predetermined air pressure. The inflating device has a handle having an inlet port for receiving compressed air and a valve for opening and closing the inlet port and an air outlet port. A housing having an air chamber is connected to the handle and receives the air from the handle outlet port through an air channel terminating in an orfice which creates a vacuum in the chamber. The venturi effect draws additional air through a muffler connected to the housing chamber during filling. The muffler serves to restrict air flow from and to the atmosphere during and after filling of the cushion. The housing also includes a nozzle connected to the air outlet for insertion into a self-sealing valve in the cushion for filling with air. Also provided is a fill indicator comprising an indicator mount secured in the housing, an indicator button extending through an opening in the mount and moveable upward and downward therein. A magnet is attached to the inner end of the indicator button and a means for attracting the magnet when the cushion is being filled with air is provided. The indicator button rises when the force of redirected air overcomes the magnetic force after the cushion reaches the desired air pressure.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.