Elastomeric air pump
First Claim
1. Air pump for inflatable bladder comprising an open ended dome member of self-supporting, semi-spherical configuration and a generally planar base member, the dome member being hermetically sealed to the base member about a peripheral edge portion of the open end thereof to form a dome-shaped unitary pumping chamber, the dome member being formed of a resiliently flexible, elastomeric material such that the dome is inherently compressible and expansible, an inlet check valve of the flap type formed by a portion of the elastomeric material of the sperical dome member and an outlet check valve extending through the base member for providing communication between the unitary pumping chamber and the interior of the inflatable bladder.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An air pump formed of a resilient elastomeric material bondable about the perimeter of an opening provided in a plastic inflatable bladder, has a self-supporting spherical dome portion and a generally planar base portion. An inlet flapper type valve is integrally formed in a wall of the dome and an outlet check valve extends through an opening in the base for supplying air into the plastic bladder accomplished by alternately compressing and releasing the dome. The underside of the base includes projections disposed about the outlet valve to hold the bladder wall clear of the outlet valve. The base may also include a tail portion which extends laterally of the dome with an exhaust valve affixed thereto for deflating the bladder.
126 Citations
9 Claims
- 1. Air pump for inflatable bladder comprising an open ended dome member of self-supporting, semi-spherical configuration and a generally planar base member, the dome member being hermetically sealed to the base member about a peripheral edge portion of the open end thereof to form a dome-shaped unitary pumping chamber, the dome member being formed of a resiliently flexible, elastomeric material such that the dome is inherently compressible and expansible, an inlet check valve of the flap type formed by a portion of the elastomeric material of the sperical dome member and an outlet check valve extending through the base member for providing communication between the unitary pumping chamber and the interior of the inflatable bladder.
Specification