# US 9,752,693 B2 · Self-sealing valve > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,752,693 B2 - Document ID: US9752693B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/419,102 - Filed: 2013-08-02 - Published: 2015-08-06 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-08-03 - Applicants: Robert B. Chaffee - Inventors: Robert B. Chaffee - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9752693B2 ## CPC - F16K 15/20: specially designed for inflatable bodies, e.g. tyres (connecting valves to inflatable bodies B60C29/00) - A47C 27/083: {with pressure control, e.g. with pressure sensors} - F16K 15/031: {the hinge being flexible} - F16K 15/202: {and with flexible valve member} - Y10T 137/0396: Involving pressure control - Y10T 137/3584: Inflatable article [e.g., tire filling chuck and/or stem] - Y10T 137/7898: Pivoted valves - F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)} - A47C: CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A fluid controller comprising a self sealing valve is disclosed. The fluid controller includes a rim that defines a fluid passage for a flow of fluid inflation and deflation of an inflatable bladder. A diaphragm is configured to seal the fluid passage, and the self sealing valve also includes at least one extension configured to extend over the diaphragm to limit a deflection of the diaphragm in a direction away from the interior of the inflatable bladder to maintain a substantially fluid-tight seal between the diaphragm and the rim under increased pressure within the inflatable bladder. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A self sealing valve, comprising: a frame including a rim that defines a fluid passage for a flow of fluid for at least one of inflation and deflation of an inflatable bladder; a diaphragm configured to seal the fluid passage, the diaphragm including a first side exposed to an interior of the inflatable bladder and a second side opposite the first side; and at least one extension integrally formed with the rim and configured to extend radially inward from the frame over the second side of the diaphragm, the at least one extension configured to limit a deflection of the diaphragm in a direction away from the interior to maintain a substantially fluid-tight seal between the diaphragm and the rim when the diaphragm is exposed to an increase in pressure within the interior; the frame including an integrally formed base configured to receive the diaphragm; the diaphragm and the base being configured for a hinged operation of the diaphragm about a direct point of attachment of the diaphragm at the base so as to hingedly open and close the diaphragm while received by the base; and the diaphragm being movable independently of the at least one extension; wherein the valve is configured such that the diaphragm is an only moving component of the valve when the valve is opened and closed. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The self sealing valve of claim 1, the at least one extension comprising a plurality of extensions configured to extend over the second side of the diaphragm and configured to limit the deflection of the diaphragm. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The self sealing valve of claim 1, wherein the self sealing valve is included in a housing of a fluid controller. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The self sealing valve of claim 3, wherein a region of the housing of the fluid controller includes at least one wall of the housing of the fluid controller, and wherein the at least one extension and the frame are formed as an integral molded feature of the region. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The self-sealing valve of claim 4, wherein the region of the housing includes a plurality of walls that define a profile of the fluid controller. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The self sealing valve of claim 4, wherein the region is formed of ABS plastic. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The self-sealing valve of claim 1, wherein the second side of the diaphragm includes at least one region configured to make contact with the at least one extension when the diaphragm is deflected in the direction away from the interior. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The self sealing valve of claim 7, wherein the at least one region includes a protrusion configured to make contact with the at least one extension. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The self-sealing valve of claim 1, wherein the at least one extension includes a plurality of arms. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The self sealing valve of claim 9, wherein the second side of the diaphragm includes at least one region configured to make contact with the plurality of arms when the diaphragm is deflected in the direction away from the interior. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The self-sealing valve of claim 10, wherein the valve is configured to maintain the substantially fluid-tight seal under a nominal pressure within the interior while providing a gap between the at least one region and the plurality of arms when the diaphragm is not exposed to the increase in pressure within the interior. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A fluid controller comprising the self-sealing valve of claim 1. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The fluid controller of claim 12, further comprising a pump. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The fluid controller of claim 13, wherein the fluid controller and the inflatable bladder are included in an air mattress. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The self sealing valve of claim 1, wherein the diaphragm consists essentially of a flexible material. ### Claim 16 A self sealing valve, comprising: a frame including a rim that defines a fluid passage for a flow of fluid for at least one of inflation and deflation of an inflatable bladder; a diaphragm configured to seal the fluid passage, the diaphragm including a first side exposed to an interior of the inflatable bladder and a second side opposite the first side; and at least one extension integrally formed with the rim and configured to extend radially inward from the frame over the second side of the diaphragm, the at least one extension configured to limit a deflection of the diaphragm in a direction away from the interior to maintain a substantially fluid-tight seal between the diaphragm and the rim when the diaphragm is exposed to an increase in pressure within the interior; the frame including an integrally formed base configured to receive the diaphragm; the diaphragm and the base being configured for a hinged operation of the diaphragm about a direct point of attachment of the diaphragm at the base so as to hingedly open and close the diaphragm while received by the base; and the diaphragm being movable independently of the at least one extension; wherein the second side of the diaphragm includes a tab that extends substantially perpendicular from the second side, the tab configured to attach the diaphragm to the base of the frame by a friction fit; and wherein the tab includes a radial extension extending radially inward toward a center of the diaphragm, and the tab includes a lateral section perpendicular to the radial extension. ### Claim 17 A method of maintaining a seal provided by a self-sealing valve through sudden increases in a pressure within an inflatable bladder to which the valve is fluidly coupled, the inflatable bladder included in a comfort support device configured to support a user, the method comprising acts of: providing a valve consisting essentially of a frame and a diaphragm, the frame having a rim and at least one extension, and the diaphragm coupled to the frame, the diaphragm configured to form a seal with the rim under the pressure within the inflatable bladder and to open under fluid pressure provided by an inflation device fluidly coupled to the valve, the at least one extension being integrally formed with the rim and extending radially inward from the frame, the frame including an integrally formed base configured to receive the diaphragm, the diaphragm and the base being configured for a hinged operation of the diaphragm about a direct point of attachment of the diaphragm at the base so as to hingedly open and close the diaphragm while received by the base, and the diaphragm being movable independently of the at least one extension; and configuring the valve such that a deflection of the diaphragm is stopped by an interference with the at least one extension to prevent the seal from being broken when the diaphragm deflects in response to the sudden increase in pressure within the bladder when supporting the user. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising an act of configuring the at least one extension such that at least a portion of the extension is suspended above a surface of the diaphragm with the pressure at a nominal level. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the sudden increase in pressure is created when the user first applies at least a portion of their body weight to a surface of the comfort support device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the sudden increase in pressure is created when the user being supported by the comfort support device makes a sudden shift in position. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the valve is configured such that the diaphragm is an only moving component of the valve when the valve is opened and closed. ### Claim 22 A method of integrating a valve in a fluid controller, the fluid controller configured for use in an inflatable mattress, the method comprising: forming at least one wall of an exterior of a housing of the fluid controller from a single molded piece of plastic; forming a frame for a valve in the at least one wall of the single molded piece of plastic; including a base integrally formed with the frame, the base configured to receive a diaphragm attached to the frame at the base by a friction fit, the diaphragm and the base being configured for a hinged operation of the diaphragm about a direct point of attachment at the base to open and close the diaphragm while received by the base, the diaphragm being an only moving component of the valve when the valve is opened and closed; and forming at least one extension integrally with the frame, the at least one extension extending radially inward from the frame, the diaphragm being movable independently of the at least one extension. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22, further comprising forming, in the single piece of molded plastic, the exterior of the housing including a plurality of walls including the at least one wall. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22, further comprising attaching the diaphragm to the frame solely by the friction fit. ### Claim 25 A method of maintaining a seal provided by a self-sealing valve through increases in pressure within an inflatable bladder to which the valve is fluidly coupled, the inflatable bladder included in a comfort support device, the increases in pressure occurring in response to a force provided to a surface of the comfort support device by a user, the method comprising acts of: providing a valve consisting essentially of a frame and a diaphragm, the frame having a rim and at least one extension, and the diaphragm coupled to the frame, the diaphragm configured to form a seal with the rim under the pressure within the inflatable bladder, the at least one extension being integrally formed with the rim and extending radially inward from the frame; and providing a base integrally formed with the frame, the base configured to receive the diaphragm attached to the frame at the base by a friction fit, the diaphragm and the base being configured for a hinged operation of the diaphragm about a direct point of attachment of the diaphragm at the base to open and close the diaphragm while received by the base; and configuring the valve such that a deflection of the diaphragm is stopped by an interference with the at least one extension to prevent the seal from being broken when the diaphragm deflects in response to the increases in pressure; wherein the diaphragm is an only moving component of the valve when the valve is opened and closed. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The method of claim 25, wherein the force results in a displacement of fluid within the inflatable bladder. ### Claim 27 A self sealing valve, consisting essentially of: a frame; and a diaphragm frictionally secured to the frame; the frame including a rim that defines a fluid passage for a flow of fluid for at least one of inflation and deflation of an inflatable bladder; the diaphragm being configured to seal the fluid passage, the diaphragm including a first side exposed to an interior of the inflatable bladder and a second side opposite the first side; and at least one extension integrally formed with the rim and configured to extend over the second side of the diaphragm, the at least one extension configured to limit a deflection of the diaphragm in a direction away from the interior to maintain a substantially fluid-tight seal between the diaphragm and the rim when the diaphragm is exposed to an increase in pressure within the interior; the diaphragm being an only moving component of the valve when the valve is opened and closed.