VALVE FOR INFLATION/DEFLATION

• US 20170370487A1
• Filed: 06/26/2017
• Published: 12/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Argon Technologies, Inc. (Medalist Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Argon Technologies, Inc. (Medalist Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Maxfield, Matthew, Tholl, Cory
• Granted Patent: US 10,641,403 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/18 with actuating mechanism; Combined check valves and actuated valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/20 specially designed for inflatable bodies, e.g. tyres connecting valves to inflatable bodies B60C29/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/52425 with a ball-shaped valve member
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/52441 with a pivoted disc or flap
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/36 With pressure-responsive pressure-control means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5153 Reversible check

Abstract

Apparatus and method of a valve assembly that may be integrated into an inflatable device. The valve assembly may include a valve that is rotatable within a housing. The valve may allow for one-way passage of air either into or out of the inflatable device depending on the configuration of the valve. The valve system may provide an easy way to both inflate and deflate an inflation device with minimal effort from a user.

Claims

1. A valve assembly comprising:

an inflatable device;

a housing integrated with the inflatable device, the housing configured to engage a valve;

a cap; and

a valve configured to rotate about an axis within the housing.

2. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises:

a first cutout and a second cutout; and

at least one void positioned within an inner wall of the housing.

3. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve comprises:

a first pin and a second pin, wherein the first pin engages the first cutout and the second pin engages the second cutout wherein the first and second pin are positioned on a single rotatable axis and wherein the valve is rotatable about the first and second pins.

4. The valve assembly of claim 3, wherein the pins are reversible secured to the housing within the first and second cutouts.

5. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a first configuration wherein air may only pass through the valve in a one-way direction into the inflatable device.

6. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a second configuration wherein air may only pass through the valve in a one-way direction out of the inflatable device.

7. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve comprises an outer wall that seals against an inner wall of the housing.

8. The valve assembly of claim 2, wherein the valve comprises a first stop configured to securely engage the at least one void in the inner wall of the housing.

9. A system comprising:

an inflatable device;

a housing integrated with a portion of a perimeter of the inflatable device, the housing configured to engage a valve;

a valve configured to rotate about an axis within the housing.

10. The system of claim 9 comprising:

a cap secured to the housing wherein the cap flexibly connected to the housing.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the valve comprises:

at least one opening within the valve;

a support member traversing the at least one opening from opposite ends of an inner wall of the valve; and

an opening cover configured to cover the entire at least one opening.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the opening cover is secured to the support member.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the housing comprises:

a first cutout and a second cutout; and

at least one void positioned within an inner wall of the housing.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the valve comprises:

a first pin and a second pin, wherein the first pin engages the first cutout and the second pin engages the second cutout wherein the first and second pin are positioned on a single rotatable axis and wherein the valve is rotatable about the first and second pins.

15. The valve assembly of claim 14, wherein the pins are reversible secured to the housing within the first and second cutouts.

16. The valve assembly of claim 9, wherein the valve comprises a first configuration wherein air may only pass through the valve in a one-way direction into the inflatable device.

17. The valve assembly of claim 9, wherein the valve comprises a second configuration wherein air may only pass through the valve in a one-way direction out of the inflatable device.

18. The valve assembly of claim 9, wherein the valve comprises an outer wall that seals against an inner wall of the housing.

19. The valve assembly of claim 14, wherein the valve comprises a first stop configured to securely engage the at least one void in the inner wall of the housing.

20. A method of using a valve assembly comprising:

providing an inflatable device;

integrating a housing on a perimeter of the inflatable device;

positioning a valve within a housing;

rotating the valve within the housing to a first configuration, wherein a first stop engages a first void;

inflating the inflatable device by pushing air in a first one way direction from outside the inflatable device to inside the inflatable device; and

preventing air from escaping from the inside of the inflatable device.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising:

rotating the valve within the housing to a second configuration wherein a first stop engages a second void;

deflating the inflatable device by pushing air in a second one way direction from inside the inflatable device to outside the inflatable device; and

preventing air from entering the inflatable device.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

disengaging the first stop from either a first void or a second void; and

rotating the valve to a third configuration which is less than 180 degrees.