US 7,018,257 B2Granted

Volume amplified compressed gas life jacket and life raft inflator

OwnerWilliam L. Courtneyinventor

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Abstract

A multifunction manually oriented inflator to amplify the volume of gas provided for low-pressure inflation of multiple bladders. A default operation can be as a high pressure fixed-volume inflator. A shut off valve preserves excess gas supply while regulated flow allows optimizing volume versus rate of inflation and risk of aspiration. A detachable low-resistance check valve-coupler allows the valve to also serve as an oral inflate and rapid deflate valve for improving volume amplification. Audible alarms distinguish functional inflation from gas wasting over-inflation. Conserved gas can be used to inflate or pressurize additional survival devices or operate signal horns. A locking mount can align and secure a cylinder adjacent the piercing mechanism. Spent cylinder threads can be degraded preventing reinstallation of a micro-pierced cylinder.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A compressed gas inflator, comprising:

a compressed gas cylinder receiver having an internal channel, said internal channel having a first end and a second end and comprising a first section containing a plurality of threads and a second section, said second section having an orifice disposed at the second end of said internal channel;
a cylinder piercing assembly disposed within the internal channel, said piercing assembly comprising a piercing member, a piercing member positioner and at least one sealing member, said positioner having a fenestration extending therethrough providing communication between the first section of the internal channel and the second section of the internal channel;
a Venturi body member defining an internal passageway in communication with said internal channel of said cylinder receiver through said orifice, said passageway having a first section and a second section, said second section of said passageway having a tapering inward diameter shape;
and
an air intake vent assembly in communication with the internal passageway of said Venturi, said air intake vent assembly including a movable cover to allow the air intake vent assembly to be in either an open position to allow ambient air intake or in a closed position for high-pressure low-volume use.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.