Valve

A valve comprising:

• (a) a housing including:
• (i) a flange configured to mount the valve to an inflatable article,
• (ii) an outer wall extending from the flange, and
• (iii) an annular wall extending radially inward from the outer wall and downward in a direction of flow associated with inflation of the inflatable article;
• (b) a stem connected to the housing and moveable to an open position and to a closed position relative to the housing, the stem including:
• (i) a shaft;
• (ii) a base extending radially outward from the shaft and downward in the direction of flow associated with inflation of the inflatable article;
• and
• (iii) one or more walls defining a first slot and one or more walls defining a second slot adjoining the first slot, the one or more walls defining the first slot permitting a first direction of motion of the stem and the one or more walls defining the second slot permitting a second different direction of motion of the stem, the one or more walls defining the first slot and the one or more walls of the second slot configured to receive a protrusion connected to the housing;
• (c) a spring biasing the stem toward the closed position relative to the housing;
• (d) a key snap fit with the stem and abutting the spring to retain the spring and the stem relative to the housing, the key configured to enable movement of the stem to the closed position and to the open position;
• and
• (e) a handle removably connected to the housing, the handle positionable opposite the flange to secure a wall of the inflatable article therebetween.

An inflatable article comprising:

• an inflatable/deflatable body including one or more walls;
• and
• an inflation/deflation valve mounted to the body, the valve including
• (a) a housing including:
• (i) a flange configured to mount the valve to the inflatable article,
• (ii) an outer wall extending from the flange, and
• (iii) an annular wall extending radially inward from the outer wall and downward in a direction of flow associated with inflation of the inflatable article;
• (b) a stem connected to the housing and moveable to an open position and to a closed position relative to the housing, the stem including a shaft and a base extending radially outward from the shaft and downward in the direction of flow associated with inflation of the inflatable article;
• (c) a spring biasing the stem toward the closed position relative to the housing;
• (d) a key connected to the stem and configured to retain the spring and the stem relative to the housing and to enable movement of the stem to the closed position and to the open position;
• and
• (e) a handle removably connected to the housing, the handle positionable opposite the flange to secure one of the one or more walls of the inflatable article therebetween.