An inflating module adapted to an inflatable object includes a pressure controlling assembly configured to monitor air pressure in the inflatable object after the inflatable body has been inflated and a supplemental air pressure providing device. The pressure controlling assembly is configured to automatically activate the supplemental air pressure providing device when the air pressure inside the inflatable object decreases below a predetermined threshold after inflation, and to control the supplemental air pressure providing device to provide supplemental air pressure to the inflatable object so as to maintain the air pressure of the inflatable object within a predetermined range.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
a pressure controlling assembly configured to monitor air pressure in the inflatable object after the inflatable body has been inflated by the pump; and a supplemental air pressure providing device, wherein the pressure controlling assembly is configured to automatically activate the supplemental air pressure providing device when the pressure controlling assembly detects that the air pressure inside the inflatable object decreases below a predetermined threshold after inflation by the pump, and to control the supplemental air pressure providing device to provide supplemental air pressure to the inflatable object so as to maintain the air pressure of the inflatable object within a predetermined range. . An inflating module adapted to an inflatable object comprising an inflatable body, the inflating module used in conjunction with a pump that provides primary air pressure and comprising:
claim 1 . The inflating module as claimed in, wherein the supplemental air pressure providing device comprises a housing with an air blower received inside the housing to provide supplemental air pressure, an air chamber defined inside the housing, and absorbent disposed in the air chamber such that noise caused by operation of the air blower is minimized by the absorbent.
claim 1 . The inflating module as claimed in, wherein the supplemental air pressure providing device further comprises an outer housing with an inner housing integrally formed inside.
claim 3 . The inflating module as claimed in, wherein the supplemental air pressure providing device further comprises at least one noise silencer positioned between the outer housing and the inner housing.
claim 1 . The inflating module as claimed in, wherein the supplemental air pressure providing device further comprises a nozzle through which air is pumped and absorbent connected to the nozzle for reducing noise inside the nozzle.
a pressure controlling assembly configured to monitor air pressure in the inflatable object after the inflatable body has been inflated; and an inner housing comprising a first inlet in communication with ambient air; a first chamber located in the inner housing, the first chamber comprising a second inlet and a first outlet, the second inlet being in communication with the first inlet; an oscillator; an air blower operably connected to the oscillator, the air blower comprising a metal casing and a rubber cap arranged such that activation of the oscillator drives the metal casing to expand and contract, thereby causing the rubber cap to draw air into the second inlet and drive air out of the first outlet; a second chamber having a third inlet and a second outlet, the third inlet being in communication with the first outlet; and a one-way valve arranged to prevent a back flow of air from the inflatable body through the supplemental air pressure providing device; a supplemental air pressure providing device comprising: wherein the pressure controlling assembly is configured to automatically activate the supplemental air pressure providing device when the pressure controlling assembly detects that the air pressure inside the inflatable object decreases below a predetermined threshold after inflation, and to control the supplemental air pressure providing device to provide supplemental air pressure to the inflatable object so as to maintain the air pressure of the inflatable object within a predetermined range. . An inflating module adapted to an inflatable object comprising an inflatable body, the inflating module comprising:
claim 6 . The inflating module as claimed in, wherein the supplemental air pressure providing device comprises a housing with the air blower received inside the housing, an air chamber defined inside the housing, and absorbent disposed in the air chamber such that noise caused by operation of the air blower is minimized by the absorbent.
claim 6 . The inflating module as claimed in, wherein the supplemental air pressure providing device further comprises an outer housing, wherein the inner housing is integrally formed inside the outer housing.
claim 8 . The inflating module as claimed in, wherein the supplemental air pressure providing device further comprises at least one noise silencer positioned between the outer housing and the inner housing.
claim 6 . The inflating module as claimed in, wherein the supplemental air pressure providing device further comprises a nozzle through which air is pumped and absorbent connected to the nozzle for reducing noise inside the nozzle.
a pressure controlling assembly configured to monitor air pressure in the inflatable object after the inflatable body has been inflated by the pump; and an inner housing comprising a first inlet in communication with ambient air; a first chamber located in the inner housing, the first chamber comprising a second inlet and a first outlet, the second inlet being in communication with the first inlet; an oscillator, a metal casing and a rubber cap arranged such that activation of the oscillator drives the metal casing to expand and contract, thereby causing the rubber cap to draw air into the second inlet and drive air out of the first outlet; and a second chamber having a third inlet and a second outlet, the third inlet being in communication with the first outlet and the second outlet being in communication with the inflatable body; a supplemental air pressure providing device comprising: wherein the pressure controlling assembly is configured to automatically activate the supplemental air pressure providing device to provide supplemental air pressure to the inflatable object when the pressure controlling assembly detects that the air pressure inside the inflatable object decreases below a predetermined threshold after inflation by the pump. . An inflating module adapted to an inflatable object comprising an inflatable body, the inflating module used in conjunction with a pump that provides primary air pressure and comprising:
claim 11 . The inflating module as claimed in, wherein the pressure controlling assembly is configured to control the supplemental air pressure providing device to maintain the air pressure of the inflatable object within a predetermined range.
claim 11 . The inflating module as claimed in, further comprising an outer housing comprising a fourth inlet, the inner housing being received in the outer housing and the first inlet being in communication with ambient air via the fourth inlet.
claim 13 . The inflating module as claimed in, wherein the supplemental air pressure providing device further comprises at least one noise silencer positioned between the outer housing and the inner housing.
claim 14 . The inflating module as claimed in, wherein the at least one noise silencer comprises rubber.
claim 11 . The inflating module as claimed in, wherein a noise absorbent is applied to the first inlet.
claim 11 . The inflating module as claimed in, further comprising a third chamber between the second chamber and the inflatable body, the third chamber having a fourth inlet and a third outlet, the fourth inlet being in communication with the second outlet and the third outlet being in communication with the inflatable body, wherein the third chamber comprises a noise absorbent.
claim 17 . The inflating module as claimed in, further comprising an air duct, wherein the third outlet comprises a nozzle and is in communication with the inflatable body via the nozzle and air duct.
using electricity for operating a first electrical pump that is integral to and substantially disposed within the inflatable object so as to inflate the inflatable object, the inflatable object inflated to a first pressure; and after the inflatable object is inflated to the first pressure, maintaining air pressure within the inflatable object within a predetermined range by electrically operating a second electrical pump that is integral to and substantially disposed within the inflatable object, the second electrical pump configured to make low operating noise. 19. A method of controlling inflation of an inflatable object used by a user, the method comprising:
claim 19 20. The method of, further comprising opening a first valve to allow air to flow between the first electrical pump and the inflatable object.
claim 19 21. The method of, wherein the second electrical pump is designed to produce low vibration.
claim 19 22. The method of, wherein the second electrical pump uses an absorbent to reduce noise and vibration.
claim 19 23. The method of, wherein the second electrical pump uses noise silencers.
claim 19 24. The method of, further comprising pumping air by electrically activating an oscillator of the second electrical pump.
claim 19 25. The method of, further comprising using at least one check valve associated with the second electrical pump to prevent the flow of air out of the inflatable object through the second electrical pump.
claim 19 26. The method of, further comprising using absorbent applied to one or both of an inlet or a nozzle of the second electrical pump to reduce noise from the second electrical pump.
using electricity for operating a first electrical pump that is integral to and substantially disposed within the inflatable object so as to inflate the inflatable object, the inflatable object inflated to a first pressure; and after the inflatable object is inflated to the first pressure, pumping air into the inflatable object when the air in the inflatable object is decreasing to maintain pressure within a predetermined range by operating a second electrical pump that is integral to and substantially disposed within the inflatable object, the second electrical pump configured to make low operating noise. 27. A method of controlling inflation of an inflatable object used by a user, the method comprising:
claim 27 28. The method of, further comprising opening a first valve to allow air to flow between the first electrical pump and the inflatable object.
claim 27 29. The method of, wherein the second electrical pump is designed to produce low vibration.
claim 27 30. The method of, wherein the second electrical pump uses an absorbent to reduce noise and vibration.
claim 27 31. The method of, wherein the second electrical pump uses noise silencers.
claim 27 32. The method of, further comprising pumping air by electrically activating an oscillator of the second electrical pump.
claim 27 33. The method of, further comprising using at least one check valve associated with the second electrical pump to prevent the flow of air out of the inflatable object through the second electrical pump.
claim 27 34. The method of, further comprising using absorbent applied to one or both of an inlet or a nozzle of the second electrical pump to reduce noise from the second electrical pump.
using electricity for operating a first electrical pump that is integral to the inflatable object so as to inflate the inflatable object to a first air pressure through a first valve between the first electrical pump and the inflatable object; and after the inflatable object is inflated to the first air pressure, maintaining air pressure within the inflatable object within a predetermined range by electrically operating a second electrical pump that is integral to the inflatable object, the second electrical pump configured to make low operating noise and vibration. 35. A method of controlling inflation of an inflatable object used by a user, the method comprising:
claim 35 36. The method of, further comprising using at least one check valve associated with the second electrical pump to prevent the flow of air out of the inflatable object through the second electrical pump.
claim 36 37. The method of, further comprising using absorbent applied to one or both of an inlet or a nozzle of the second electrical pump to reduce noise from the second electrical pump.
Complete technical specification and implementation details from the patent document.
This application is aDivisionalReissue of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/474,073, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,989,979, filed Aug. 29, 2014, which claims priority as a continuationof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/112,847,now U.S. Pat. No. 8,863,771,filed on May 20, 2011, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference, and claims the benefit of China Patent Application No. CN201010186302.4, filed on May 21, 2010.
The present invention relates to an inflating module, and more particularly, to an inflating module used in an inflatable object so as to inflate the inflatable object and provide supplemental air pressure to the inflatable object when the air pressure of the inflatable object is under a predetermined level.
Inflatable objects have been extensively used in all kinds of applications, e.g. in hospitals for patients, outdoors for recreations and indoors for comfort. No matter what application and in what site the inflatable object is used, one thing in common for all users is that all the inflatable objects leak eventually, which causes discomfort for the users. To avoid such a situation, the user will have to constantly check the air pressure of the inflatable objects to make sure the inflatable objects provide the required comfort.
While there is a leak in the inflatable object, the user turns on the air pump to increase the air pressure inside the inflatable object and when the air pressure reaches the required level, the user turns off the air pump. This routine may be readily done during the daytime for the illumination is enough to do whatever is necessary. However, during the nighttime, especially when the user is asleep, not only the illumination is seriously insufficient, the user's willingness to undergo a troubleshooting process is also extremely low.
To avoid the inconvenience caused by the leak of the inflatable object, the best policy is that the air pressure of the inflatable object is maintained the entire time when the inflatable object is in use. And to maintain the air pressure of the inflatable object, the best option is to use another air pump to provide additional air pressure to the inflatable object in time when the air pressure of the inflatable object is decreasing. However, manual operation of the air pump to provide additional air pressure to the inflatable object is impractical and not necessary. Besides the noise from the operation of another air pump may sometimes causes sleeping disorders to the people around the air pump.
As a result of the above, it is an objective of the present invention to provide an inflating module to not only inflate the inflatable object, but also automatically provide additional air pressure when the air pressure of the inflatable object is decreasing.
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a controlling mechanism for operation of an air pump that is used in an inflatable object. The controlling mechanism includes a valve controlling assembly responsible for open/close operation of a valve, a pressure controlling assembly responsible for sensing pressure difference to selectively activate the operation of the valve and a linkage assembly interactively sandwiched between the valve controlling assembly and the pressure controlling assembly to sense the operation of the pressure controlling assembly and consequently operate the movement of the valve controlling assembly.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, another objective of the present invention is that the actuation/deactivation of the air pump is controllable by the valve controlling assembly, the pressure controlling assembly or the linkage.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, another objective of the present invention is that the pressure controlling assembly is actuated by resilience force, atmospheric/inflatable object pressure or the combination thereof.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, another objective of the present invention is to have an automatic supplemental air pressure providing device in association with the operation of the air pump such that whenever there is a pressure decrease in the inflatable object, without the actuation of the air pump, the supplemental air pressure providing device is able to automatically provide air pressure to the inflatable object to maintain the inflatable object pressure at a predetermined level.
Another objective of the present invention is that the valve controlling assembly is able to select one of air paths for air to flow in/out of the inflatable object.
These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and drawings.
1 2 2 3 3 FIGS.,A-B,A-B 4 4 FIGS.A-D 2 FIG.B 1 2 3 FIGS.,A andA 20 7 20 6 16 1 14 1 140 14 15 140 15 16 17 17 16 15 17 17 16 20 1 14 140 15 With reference toand, an inflating module constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and has a housingassociated with an inflatable object. Within the housing, a valve controlling assembly for controlling operation of an air pump, movement of a valveas well as a path selection mechanism. The valve controlling assembly in accordance with the present invention includes a knobwith a shaftintegrally extended from the knoband having a camformed on an outer periphery of the shaftto be responsible for movement of an engagement shaftsince one of the mostly protruding ends of the camis selectively engaged with the engagement shaftand a valvesecurely formed with a spring abutted shaft. From the drawing of, it is learned that one end of the spring abutted shafthas the valveintegrally formed and the other end thereof is securely engaged with a distal end of the engagement shaft. As a result of the arrangement of the spring abutted shaft, it is noted that when the distal end of the spring abutted shaftis pushed and the spring (shown but not numbered) is contracted, the valveis thus away from the housing. Yet, from the illustration of, it is noted that when the knobis rotated so as to simultaneously rotate the shaft, the camis consequently rotated, which leads the movement of the engagement shaft.
16 20 3 4 4 5 14 5 1 5 2 6 1 16 6 1 2 3 FIGS.,A,A Eventually the valveis pushed away from the sidewall of the housing. A further illustration fromB andB,C shows that a contact diskis formed on the outer periphery of the shaftso that the contact diskis selectively rotated in relation to the movement of the knob. The contact diskis provided with electrical contacts (not shown) formed thereon to selectively contact a switchwith which the air pumpis electrically connected. Therefore, it is noted that rotation of the knobis able to control the movement of the valveas well as the operation of the air pump.
14 141 14 142 20 143 141 142 3 6 31 3 1 141 143 31 6 1 Aside from the description of the structure as well as the movement of the valve controlling assembly, near the bottom end of the shaft, a plurality of threaded-like arcuate wedgesare formed on the outer periphery of the shaft. A pivotis pivotally formed on a sidewall of the housingand has a ledgeintegrally formed on a distal end thereof to mate with the arcuate wedges. The pivotis further provided with an integrally formed path assemblywhich has at least one air path formed to selectively communicate the internal space of the inflatable object with the internal space of the air pump. In this embodiment of the present invention, it is noted that there is at least one air pathformed on the path assembly. Therefore, the rotation of the knobleads the rotation of the arcuate wedges, which forces the ledgeto move either upward or downward to allow the air pathto communicate with the internal space of the air pump. Therefore, it is also learned that the rotation of the knobcan also determine the path of air flow, i.e. into or out of the inflatable object.
3 3 4 4 FIGS.A,B,A-D 1 6 16 141 143 141 141 142 142 3 142 3 1 From the illustration of, as an example of the operation of the path selection mechanism, it is learned that when the knobis rotated to activate the operation of the air pumpas well as the movement of the valve, the arcuate wedgesare also rotated. As the ledgeis mated with the arcuate wedges, the ledgeis moved, which ultimately leads the pivotto move. Because the pivotis integrally formed with the path assembly, movement of the pivotmoves the path assembly, up and down in this embodiment such that a predetermined air path is decided when turning the knobclockwise or counterclockwise.
1 5 14 6 3 3 FIGS.A andB As described, the rotation of the knobcan be clockwise or counterclockwise and because of the provision of the contact diskon the shaft, the air pumpcan be activated to provide air flow into or out of the inflatable object, as can best be seen from.
5 11 FIGS.- 43 21 43 23 22 39 46 23 46 25 24 29 42 50 42 50 47 48 47 26 27 48 26 27 46 28 50 6 121 122 With reference to, it is noted that the automatic supplemental air pressure providing device of one preferred embodiment of the present invention has an outer housingwith a first inlet. Inside the outer housing, an inner housingis integrally formed and has a second inlet, a nozzleand a first air chamberdefined inside the inner housing. The first air chamberis composed of a casinghaving an inletand an outlet, an oscillatorand an air bloweroperatably connected to the oscillatorto provide supplemental air pressure to the inflatable object when needed. The air blowerincludes a metal housingand a rubber capsecurely fixed inside the metal housing. A first check valveand a second check valveare provided inside the rubber capto allow air to sequentially flow through the first check valveand the second check valve. The air chamberalso has a absorbent (such as a cotton silencer)provided therein to keep the noise caused by the operation of the air bloweras low as possible. It is reasonable to assume that the activation of the air pumpin the preferred embodiment can also activate the operation of the automatic supplemental air pressure providing device in a standby mode. After the supplemental air pressure providing device is in a standby mode, a pressure controlling assembly/as described starts monitoring air pressure in the inflatable object. Once the air pressure inside the inflatable object is below a predetermined range, the supplemental air pressure providing device will then automatically provide air pressure to the inflatable object to always maintain the air pressure of the inflatable object within a predetermined range.
42 47 42 47 47 48 26 27 28 29 29 31 12 13 FIGS.and The operational sequence of the automatic supplemental air pressure providing device of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is that after the oscillatoris activated electrically, magnets provided on top of the metal casingwill be moved by the activated oscillator. As the magnets (not numbered) are securely provided on an outer periphery of the metal casing, movement of the magnets drives the metal casingto move simultaneously. Movement of the metal casing leads the rubber capto move like a bellow, which drives air sucked in from ambient to flow through the first check valve, the second check valve, the absorbentand the outlet. Once the air flow is out of the outlet, it is flowing into the second chamber, as shown in.
6 10 FIGS.and 23 31 30 39 40 39 41 31 32 37 38 32 33 34 35 34 22 41 43 23 44 With reference to, the inner casingfurther has a second air chamberwith an inletand the nozzle. An air ductis provided between the nozzles,. To enhance the air flow inside the second air chamber, a check valveand further absorbent,are provided. The check valvehas an outletand a unidirectional capwith an outletdefined in the unidirectional cap. In order to strengthen the ability to lower down the noise, additional absorbent or silencer may also be applied to the inletand/or the nozzle. Between the outer housingand the inner housing, noise silencer, such as rubber, may be added to harmonize the vibrations.
21 43 22 23 24 25 26 27 51 47 48 29 28 31 32 33 34 36 35 37 38 39 40 When the automatic supplemental air pressure providing device of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is in operation, it is learned that air flows from the inletand enters the outer casing. Then the air continues to flow through the second inletand enters the inner housing. Through the inlet, the air flows into the casingand passes the first check valveand the second check valvebefore passing through the spacewhere the air is compressed due to the movement of the metal casingas well as the rubber cap. Eventually the air exits from the outletafter passing through the absorbent. Then the air flows into the second air chamberand passes through the check valve, the outletand enters the unidirectional cap. Finally, the air flows to the chamberfrom the outletand reaches absorbent,and eventually reaches the inflatable object from the nozzlebefore passing through the air duct. From the structure as described hereinbefore, it is learned that all the vibrations, noise caused by the operation of either or both the air blower and the air pump shall be minimized to reach a goal of providing a quiet and comforting structure to the user.
It is to be noted that although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described, other modifications, alterations or minor change to the structure should still be within the scope defined in the claims. As those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention.
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