Method and system for inflating an inflatable object

• US 7,789,112 B1
• Filed: 11/09/2006
• Issued: 09/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert W. Wise
• Original Assignee: Robert W. Wise
• Inventors: Wise, Robert W.
• Primary Examiner(s): MAUST, TIMOTHY LEWIS
• Application Number:
  US11/595,688
• Time in Patent Office: 1,398 Days
• Field of Search: 141 38- 41, 141/83, 141/94, 141/95, 141/192, 141/197, 141/231, 141/346, 731/468, 735/02, 737/00, 417/234, 417/313, 417/411
• US Class Current: 141/95
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 5/046 using electrical or electronical means

Abstract

A method and system for inflating an object includes providing a portable, programmable inflation system having a logic processor, a memory, a visual display, manual inputs, a compressor with an attached inflation hose, a pressure sensor, and an actuator attached to a valve for releasing pressure from the object. The portable programmable inflation system is moved near the object and the inflation hose is attached. Then, a desired air pressure setting is received from a manual input and stored in memory. Then, the current air pressure in the object is sensed with the pressure sensor, and it is determined whether the air pressure in the object is above or below the desired air pressure setting. Under control of the logic processor, the object is inflated if the air pressure is below the desired air pressure setting or deflated if the air pressure is above the desired air pressure setting.

Claims

1. A method for inflating an inflatable object to a desired air pressure, comprising:

providing a portable programmable inflation system having a logic processor, a memory, a visual display, a plurality of manual inputs, a compressor, an inflation hose connected to the compressor, a pressure sensor in communication with the inflation hose, and an actuator attached to a valve for releasing pressure from the object;

moving the portable programmable inflation system near the inflatable object such that the inflation hose will reach the inflatable object;

attaching the inflation hose to the inflatable object;

receiving a first desired air pressure setting from one of the manual inputs;

storing the first desired air pressure setting in the memory;

sensing current air pressure in the inflatable object with the pressure sensor;

receiving a second desired air pressure setting from one of the manual inputs and storing the second desired air pressure setting in the memory in conjunction with the first desired air pressure setting; and

determining whether the air pressure in the inflatable object is above or below the first desired air pressure setting in the logic processor;

inflating the inflatable object under control of the logic processor using the compressor if the air pressure in the inflatable object is below the first desired air pressure setting until the air pressure in the inflatable object reaches the first desired air pressure setting; and

deflating the inflatable object under control of the logic processor using the actuator attached to the valve if the air pressure in the inflatable object is above the first desired air pressure setting until the air pressure in the inflatable object reaches the first desired air pressure setting.

2. The method of claim 1, further including the steps of:

displaying the first desired air pressure setting using the display as the first desired air pressure setting is being entered; and

displaying the current air pressure on the display.

3. A method for inflating an inflatable object to a desired air pressure comprising:

providing a portable programmable inflation system having a power cord, a logic processor, a memory, a visual display, a plurality of manual inputs, a compressor, an inflation hose connected to the compressor, a pressure sensor in communication with the inflation hose, and an actuator attached to a valve for releasing pressure from the inflatable object;

moving the portable programmable inflation system near the inflatable object such that the inflation hose will reach the inflatable object;

attaching the inflation hose to the inflatable object;

receiving a first desired air pressure setting through one of the manual inputs;

storing the first desired air pressure setting in the memory;

receiving a second desired air pressure setting through one of the manual inputs;

storing the second desired air pressure setting in the memory with the first desired air pressure setting;

receiving a current air pressure setting selected from the first desired air pressure setting and the second desired air pressure setting through one of the manual inputs;

sensing current air pressure in the inflatable object using the pressure sensor;

determining whether the air pressure in the inflatable object is above or below the current air pressure setting in the logic processor;

inflating the inflatable object under control of the logic processor using the compressor if the air pressure in the inflatable object is below the current air pressure setting until the air pressure in the inflatable object reaches the current air pressure setting; and

deflating the inflatable object under control of the logic processor using the actuator attached to the valve if the air pressure in the inflatable object is above the current air pressure setting until the air pressure in the inflatable object reaches the current air pressure setting.

4. The method of claim 3, further including the steps of:

receiving a third desired air pressure setting through one of the manual inputs;

storing the third desired air pressure setting in the memory with the first and second desired air pressure settings;

receiving a fourth desired air pressure setting through one of the manual inputs; and

storing the fourth desired air pressure setting in the memory with the first, second, and third desired air pressure settings, wherein

receiving a current air pressure setting is also selected from the third air pressure setting and the fourth air pressure setting through one of the manual inputs.

5. The method of claim 4, further including the steps of:

displaying the first desired air pressure setting on the display as the first desired air pressure setting is being entered;

displaying the desired second air pressure setting on the display as the second desired air pressure setting is being entered;

displaying the third desired air pressure setting on the display as the third desired air pressure setting is being entered;

displaying the fourth desired air pressure setting on the display as the fourth desired air pressure setting is being entered;

indicating under control of the logic processor and on the display which of the first desired air pressure setting, second desired air pressure setting, third desired air pressure setting, and fourth desired air pressure setting corresponds to the current air pressure setting; and

displaying the sensed air pressure using the display.

6. The method of claim 5, including the step of illuminating an area adjacent to an end of the inflation hose with a light emitting diode (LED) provided thereat.