Inflator device

• US 5,230,611 A
• Filed: 09/25/1992
• Issued: 07/27/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Billy R. Shelton
• Original Assignee: Billy R. Shelton
• Inventors: Shelton, Billy R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gluck, Richard E.
• Application Number:
  US07/951,740
• Time in Patent Office: 305 Days
• Field of Search: 417/437, 417/479, 5/454, 239/601
• US Class Current: 417/437
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 33/00 Pumps actuated by muscle power, e.g. for inflating
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 45/02 having bellows

Abstract

An inflator device which, when attached to a plastic bag, creates a highly efficient air pump for inflating air-inflatable objects, such as boats, air mattresses and inflatable toys. The inflator has a tubular body with a one-way air valve inside of it. One end of the tubular body has a bag attachment fitting with a threaded cap for attaching the device to a plastic bag. The other end has a tapered inflation fitting for inserting into the inflation valve of an inflatable object. To operate the inflator device, the bag attachment fitting is attached to the closed end of a plastic bag and the inflation fitting is inserted into the inflation valve of the object to be inflated. The user fills the plastic bag with air, then closes the end of the bag to trap the air inside. The user presses on the plastic bag with his hands or his body to force the trapped air into the inflatable object. This two-step operation is repeated until the object is fully inflated.

Claims

1. An inflator device comprising:

a tubular body having a first end and a second end,

a means for sealingly attaching said first end of said tubular body to an air-impermeable bag comprising, screw threads formed on said first end of said tubular body and a threaded cap having a hole there through, such that, when a wall of said bag is interposed between said first end and said threaded cap and said threaded cap is screwed onto said first end, an airtight seal is formed between said air-impermeable bag and said first end of said tubular body,

and a means for sealingly attaching said second end of said tubular body to an air-inflatable object.

2. The inflator device of claim 1 further comprising a one-way air valve disposed within said tubular body, said one-way air valve allowing air to flow through said tubular body from said first end to said second end and preventing air from flowing through said tubular body in the reverse direction.

3. The inflator device of claim 1, wherein said means for sealingly attaching said second end of said tubular body to an air-inflatable object comprises a tapered tubular end on said second end of said tubular body adapted to be inserted into an inflation valve of an air-inflatable object, thereby forming an airtight seal between said air-inflatable object and said second end of said tubular body.

5. The inflator device of claim 1 comprising a plurality of interchangeable tubular extensions, each of said tubular extensions having a first end which is removably attachable to said second end of said tubular body, and a second end having means for sealingly attaching said second end of said tubular extension to an air-inflatable object.

6. The inflator device of claim 5 wherein said plurality of interchangeable tubular extensions are adapted to be nested together and stored within said tubular body.

4. An inflator device comprising:

a tubular body having a first end and a second end,

a means for sealingly attaching said first end of said tubular body to an air-impermeable bag,

a means for sealingly attaching said second end of said tubular body to an air-inflatable object comprising, at least one tubular extension having a first end which is removably attachable to said second end of said tubular body, and a second end having means for sealingly attaching said second end of said tubular extension to an air-inflatable object.

7. The inflator device of claim 4 further comprising a one-way air valve disposed within said tubular body, said one-way air valve allowing air to flow through said tubular body from said first end to said second end and preventing air from flowing through said tubular body in the reverse direction.

8. An inflator device comprising:

a tubular body having a first end and a second end, said first end of said tubular body having screw threads formed thereon, and said second end of said tubular body has a tapered tubular end adapted to be inserted into an inflation valve of an air-inflatable object, thereby forming an airtight seal between said air-inflatable object and said second end of said tubular body,

a threaded cap having a hole there through, such that, when a wall of an air-impermeable bag is interposed between said first end and said threaded cap and said threaded cap is screwed onto said first end, an airtight seal is formed between said air-impermeable bag and said first end of said tubular body,

and a one-way air valve disposed within said tubular body, said one-way air valve allowing air to flow through said tubular body from said first end to said second end and preventing air from flowing through said tubular body in the reverse direction.