AU2003243994B2 - A fluid moving device - Google Patents

Description

29- 8-03;1 i:51 6 Regulnbo. 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

(ORIGINAL)

Name of Applicant(s): Robert B, Chaffee, of 78 Montgomery Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116, United States of America Actual Inventor(s): Robert B. CHAFFEE Address for Service: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, Patent Attorneys, of I Little Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia Invention Title: "A fluid moving device" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: COMS ID No: SMBI-00397117 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:02 Date 2003-08-29 29- 8-03;15:51 3 P9MKA1232nWmuiM."g*M I A- A FLUD MOVING DEVICE The invention relates to a fluid moving device for use primarily, but not exclusively, with low-pressure inflatable articles.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a fluid moving device that includes an intake port that provides for a fluid to be drawn into the fluid moving device, moving means for moving the fluid through the fluid moving device, and a fluid transfer orifice that provides the fluid. According to this embodiment, the fluid moving device is provided with a battery compartment having a size and arrangement to fit and provide electrical connection with a standard size set of batteries. In adidition, the fluid moving device is provided -with one of a removable battery container sized and arranged to adapt differently sized batteries to the size and arrangement of the battery compartmnent, so that the differently sized batteries can be electrically connected to the battery compartment, or a removable battery pack of differently sized batteries that is sized and arranged to be electrically connected to the battery compartment.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a battery-operated device.' comprising: a battery compartment having a size and arrangement to fit and provide electrical connection with a standard size set of batteries; and one of a removable battery container sized and arranged to adapt differently sized batteries to the size and arrangement of the battery compartment so that the differently sized batteries can be electrically connected to the battery compartment, or a removable battery pack of differently sized batteries, the removable battery pack being sized and arranged to be electrically connected with the battery compartment.

In a third aspect of the invention there is provided a combination of an inflatable device and fluid moving device, comprising: the inflatable device; and the fluid moving device, including: an intake port that provides for a fluid to be drawn into the fluid moving device; moving means for moving the fluid through the fluid moving device; and a fluid transfer orifice that provides the fluid; COMS ID No: SMBI-0039711 7 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:02 Date 2003-08-29 29- 8-03;16.51 2 9/ P:"BkMJA1n36.pii-2bM -2the combination characterized in that: the fluid moving device comprises a battery compartment having a size and arrangement to fit and provide electrical connection with a standard size set of batteries; and one of a removable battery container sized and arranged to adapt differently sized batteries to the size and arrangement of the battery compartmen-t, so thtte dfferently sized batteries can be electrically connected to the battery compartment, and a removable battery pack of differently sized batteries, the removable battery pack being sized and warged to be electrically connected with the battery compartment; and the inflatable device comprises a valve assembly that is constructed and arranged to mate with the fluid moving device.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings: FIG. I is a perspective front view of a hand held fluid moving device, shown being held in a power OFF mode; FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of the fluid moving device, illustrating a switch in a power OFF position and air vents in a closed position; FIG. 3 is a perspective front view of the hand held fluid moving device, shown being held in a power ON mode; FIG. 4 is a perspective side view of the fluid moving device, showing the switch in a power ON position and the air vents in an open position; FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the fluid moving device illustrating its components arrangement and connection to an inflatable receptacle via an inflation valve; FIG. 6 is a perspective front view of the fluid moving device, shown being held in a "ready" position for both powering ON the fluid moving device and for engaging or disengaging with a receptacle via an inflation valve; FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional top view of the fluid moving device including an embodiment of a battery compartznent; COMS ID No: SMBI-0397117 Received by IR Australia: Time 17:02 Date 2003-08-29 2 9- 8 -03 1 5:.51 9 7 FIG. Sa toa p view of fte fuid ZZIvkhl device showing the baucay compartment with cnycitionel bettees bsald, Fla. 9 is a top view of the fld niin device showing the bnay compartneor with 4battery pack for recbargeable-type batteis iunll FIG. i~is atop view of the fluid moving device illustting azvdhrcrnbodimemt of.i FIG.1I1 is a top view of the fitid movving device iltating the battery compartment ifFIG. 10, with conytncal butteries totalled: HIG. 12 is itlop iew of t fluid moving device ilhndng the battery compaunmt io cfFIG. 10, and Mlustxuling a battexy pack having xechargeabhs!typ batteries installed within a tCy contaer anid disposed Wiin the battery comparumnt sic0-. 13 is a perspectv viefw of the battery coaine, ad t battery pack inldig re chargeable batteries of FIG. 12, and a battery charging adaptor; PIG. 14 in a ptiptiv -view of the battery charging adaptor of FIG. 13; is FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the bay costuie, the batmy peck and the battery cl =lig adapt o OFIG- 13, tistating connecton of the battery charnging adapto to the b, tr pck =W battey cc*inor, and FIG. 16 is a flbway sid pcupuarvc view of te fluid moving devic having a power tch and! showing a amiigmaat of btm omponaw wit ccavcudiaa bauneies Detag D na!E Unless otherwise, InIcated, the foa Wing descdptcn is me&c wit rdefeene to FIG,.

The preferre embodimat of ft fLuid movigg devic 11D0 of ft lava as bcniu dsoed, is to be usmed as an infladio device that will completey inflat and pressurze irfaable articles up to epwoxmuely 'A ps (O.00kP4 It is to be Ap~wectadtha larger ci P ty vcuscms of this flui moving device cm be mue to provid mor preSur =uh as, exaple, up to psi (O.3kfa)- It is to be ypreciate that. in a.wcfcuvd embodimet of t iZICDZO, eii tho flid Thakt is moved and tha May be moified in pressur by the fluid ioigdvce. however, the devic of the invmuon is= no ~tltdto *lrmoving devices and tZ iudeftany fluid moving device as defined by the claims.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00397117 Received by IPAustralia: Time 17:02 Date (V-M-d)i 2003-08-29 29- 8-03:16:5110'3 10/ 36 -4- The fluid moving device of this invention is prefeably used wit inflarable receptacles that incorporate a valve which allows rqad btrnsfer of Sid into the infatable reeptace (at last 10 can [4.7 at low pressue. It is to be apreciated tat an inflatable receptacle as used herein is to include any recepacle that can receive a flu4 and in a prefenred cinbodimeZt inczludes inflatable articles having a valve assembly that. mates with thet fluid mnoving device suchi as, for examiple, mattreses toys floats, and the lik-. An example of sut~ a valve 26, shown in combination with =n Inflatable receptacle 21, is ilusrntd In FIG.

A pretenrd emboimient of ti inflation valve bus a fluid transfer orifice of approimrately 314 sq. in- (5cru), which does not unduly metrict fluid flow from the fluid moving daviole to to the inflatable receptacle, The combintion of t. inflton valve and the inflatable receptacle, when coupled with the fluid moving device 100, provides arn easy-to-uua, inexpenisive fagt and efficient way to miove fluid int and to prissuize most low-pressur inflatable receptacle&.

The prefed embodiment of the fluid moving device is battery operated. It includes; i s abhousig I withamotor 3. an ipelle 11 and apowernwitch 5. A batrypower murce affords rnzdmum portability. lefctrring now to Figs. 7-9. to addmcs cost/paromanc issue which may be importan to users of ths device, the fluid moving device 1.00 includes a battery chamber 301 which will accept eithe a moereadily available, lower-cost conventioal bate such as, for cxsinple, an alkaline battery 33 or a higher-cost, enhanced performance rechargablo-typ battery =ah as, for example, a. nick&l cadmium battey 36.

Referring to FIG. 5Sand FIG. 7. with the removal of peal 45, located at one end of t battey compartment 30, bateres may be inserted into the battery compartment of the fluid mcvinlg device. A spring latch 47 (see FIG,5) located on the panel scures the pawl1 to the housing. Manual depresson oft.w spring aows the pane to be rcwuved When th= panel is 2s installed in the housimg it maintlains the batteries in an cjperablc condition within the battery compartmnt Rcfeinn now to FIG. 9, tre is illustrated an embodfiment of a battery pack conflgwsionli 3 8, which fits into the battery chamber 30 of te fluid movingt device and ta is dimensionally itrchangabke with the conventional batteries 33 as illustrated in FIG. It. The embodiment of the bater pack llusmed in Fla. 9 incindes a slot 37 wichallows te battery pack to mate with a spring 39. The sprin 39 enter nto fth slot and the slot 37 is conftgurd such that the battery pack mates with housing contnt 41. The spring 39 and spring 40 of the battery compartment provide equal and opposite forces on the battery pack COMS ID No: SMBI-00397117 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:02 Date 2003-08-29 29- 8-03:16:51# 11/ such that the battery pack can make appropriate contact to the housing contact 41. The housing contact is cotupled to the various conmponets of the fluid moving device tha require power. Accordingly, the battery pack is provided with the slot to allow this electrical connMction to the housing contact As the physical requirements for interchangeability of the batteries such as, for example, size and shape of the conventional and rechargeable-type batteries vary, a mechanism is needed to insure that all battery options will fit and properly fiction within the fluid moving device's battery compatment 30. Referring now to FIG. 10, in the preferred embodiment of the fluid moving device, the battery compmrtent is sized to secommodate a io pluranlity of C-size alkaline batteries. Therefore, there is needed a mechanism to allow for a battery size that is either larger or smaller than the conventional C-size alkaline battery.

As will be discussed in further detail i#ar, one such mechanism that may be used to achieve size compatibility is a battery pack that holds difibrently sized batteries, and that is compatibly sized to fit within the battery compartment 30. An example of such a battery is pack 38 is ilMustrated in FIG. 9 and is discussed supra. An additional example of such a battery pack will be illusuated inra.

Another mechanism that may be used to provide the above-described compatibility of differently sized batteries with the battery compartment, is r eusable battery container that is compatible in size with the C-size alkaline battery such ass is lustraed in FIGS. 13A, 13B and 15A, 15B, and that may also house a variety of smaller or differently sized batteries or battery packs. The battery container is adaptable to accept various battery types and sizes of batteries including for example, multiple sizes ofnickel-cadmium and nickel-mtal hydride batteries. Referring to FIG. 13A, 13B, a surface of the battery container incorporates at least one spring 51 that may be disposed at a plurality of locations, which may securely 2s hold batteries oC for example, different diameter in the battery container. An interior of the battery container also includes at least one spring 57 that may maintain batteries of different length in a desired operating position within the battery container. The interior of the battery container can be further reconfigured to accommodate batteries ofsubstantially different length by. for example, moving or changing a position of the spring 57.

FIG. 10 illusates anso embodiment ofthe fluid moving devie which will accept such a battery container The fluid moving device includes spring contacts 52,53 at opposite ends of the battery compartment 30. This pair of spring contacts helps to assure electrical COMS ID No: SMBI-00397117 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:02 Date 2003-08-29 contact between any ofte baftrics, the battery pack anid te baty container and the housing contact (not illustrated) of the fluid moving device regardless of which batty option is used.

Refenring again to FIG. 5, any of the battery contae 50 ad the batteypack 33 may be provided with a tab 46 (see also the battery container as Wlustrate in FIG. 13) that assure proper oientation of the battey pack or the batey contalnwifthin the flud moving dev.

In particular. the fluid moving device includes a protusio 99 that pve the batter park or the battey cninerl fromn being insurtc into t fluid moving &evice in imt*per orientation. In partieuar, thie pmftrsion "9 prerfl the tab 46 on the bate pack or the i 0 batery container from slidin past toe pronision, thus assrig tha the battery pack or the battery container can be inseted [ito the batterry compartent 30 in only co orientjao The srnctmr is usefih, for cumple, to preent the battery -a or bteries within the batery CObbISmt? f-rm inadverten* being shorted out due to imrope orieattioa in &ae batery conpiutnnt and improper contact to t spring contact 52 oftthe batewy cornparment (see 1s FIG. Refingi now to PIGS. 13A anod 13B, therm is illustatd am cmbodiincnofthe bater container 50, which hotuss for example, diffrently iad z~ebcable battery tyrpes Iihroprofaned cthbodinmuL the bay contane can accept aller then C-iz rehageable batery dnac md may also be c6nfigured. wit a digi modificatio, to hous larer than C-size rechargeable batteries, In particular, in the prefere ombodlment, The .battery container acct any butty size below C-size without -my modification.

Aewrdingly,-it is to be appreiated that although the pxefemitd embodiment ofte batery container is illustrated with C-type batteries, any battery option or size can be used within the battery container.

The beftery contane may also be provide with summ &a allos rechargeable batteries contaied wihin the battery containe to be recharged while the ruebageable batteries are within the battey oontncr teby eliminati the nwd to trn the rechargeale batteies or the battery peck tin the containe with every chag. FIGS. 1 3A, 13B and l5A5B i hnft a rbrbebeu Pcqp4h~iasar&W disposed within the baty ontainr 5o. The batery contaier 50i' provided wih a pair of tabs 5O.459 extendino an end of the battery containe4, that have ari~b configuration Which rcatc slot sction 64, 65. The slot sectiown ae with ribs 68.69 on a batey COMS IDNa: SMBI-00397117 Received by IP Australia: Time (HWm) 17:02 Date (Y-M-d)2003-08-29 2 9- S 6: 13/3 chargin device 72. The battery chrging devc 72 may slid into a charging position as illtwedin FIG, 15B, wherbyftrnb asn adecfials7, 79temuzy charging device (see FIG. 14A) and contact witbatey terminas 80,31 otthe battaery thereby eniabling recharge of the batery peck.

S The batteiy contaner 50 also my be used to pvide itrosme for protecting the rechargeable battery pack 54 for nnispontioi or Swoage such as, S" CniWi, Wien Ole recbargcable battery peck is carie outsde oft th kad moving device.'s battey compartment or may be used to provide additional securit against inadveiitent activatw iona the fluid moving device such m frr cxmnplc, When the fhid moving dervice is transpcuscd s o with the battery pack disposed within the hud mving &-AMict cite of tw=esceauiors, it is adivantageous and usefu to protec the exposed bater tatimnias 80),891 and to eiminat inadverten activation of the flid moving device due to contac wit lbs barterminala This protection of thebaertennlmabeaiedb'nigh.psioote rcaeale battery peck within the batter contine so that an exosd end of t battey ts puck cannot make coatac wit to bousing contact 41 (se FIG. and so that te bunnyW termials 90, 81 wested at a proected, non-actVe and 55 of the bety couflner(see PIG. 13A).

An advantage ofte inacsgcbit ft cew nilm batteis diil=remy ilia rfchargeable bateie and te rehareablety peck A4.is tha the umr is provided with a cost/pert brnman option, whein t us= CM selec thUe Ionc-cost,; readiy available coversivatz bateies which may tot pvide as much outpu powe, but yicafly lave -a longer =a time than an option such as th rehagebl buttety pack Alternaftivl, t mase ow select, for exmple rechargeblebatry pack v'wi althouh mor apensiv% provides a higher otput ad therfore is the fIvid movinmg device at a highw tbrowghput of fluid at increased pxcwm, and als providies the qpaw to recarg the battery -w so tat it is reusble. It should also be apreiatdM htmy of tb&Nfy ak32 rec aable aty peck 54 wbich has been MIStra s mig with the battery con1tuin the battey contine inClUding Ony sized batteies t stndardLsized batteis md the battcxy conapurnct 3o tha acouoa=e any ofites iftcrhaugesblc option; aM Dot Unmited to a fluid moving devict-. In particular, it is to be apprciate that the baey container, the battery pack and the battery compartment can be used with any battery-operated device.

COMS IDNo: SMBI-00397117 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:02 Date 2003-08-29 29- 8-03.1 :51 14/ -8- As stated above, the objective of having multiple power sources available with the fluid moving device and which are containable within the fluid moving device housing, is to provide the user with the choice in selecting the user's preferred battery option as well as perfmnnance option which suits the user's needs. However, it is to be appreciated that the fluid moving device need not contain the interchangeable power source and can also be configured with, for example, a set ofrechargeable batteries permanently installed within the fluid moving device so that the rechargeable batteries can be recharged within the fluid moving device by attaching the battery charging connector to a suitable connector on the fluid moving device itself. Nevertheless, it is to be appreciated that an advantage of the to removable and rechargeable battery container or removable battery pack and the battery compartment of the fluid moving device configured to accommodate the removable battery container and the removable battery pack, is that the fluid moving device may be operated by an additional power source even when the battery container or battery pack has been removed from the battery compartment such as, for example, to charge the battery container or the rechargeable battery pack. Therefore, it is an advantage of this embodiment of the fluid moving device of the invention, that the operating time of the fluid moving device may be extended beyond that of an fluid moving device having the rechargeable battery pack completely and permanently enclosed within the fluid moving device.

In the preferred embodiment of the fluid moving device, any of the above-described battery sources may be used interchangeably to power the motor driven impeller 1.(see FIG.

which produces a fluid flow, and which may modify a pressure of the fluid to inflate an fluid moving device- Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, it is to be appreciated that another aspect of the fluid moving device of the preferred embodiment ofte invention is its hand-hokiable assembly. In oder to optimize perfoance ofthe battery soue, motor 3, and impeller 11, these componats have been incorporated into an ergonomically efficient, hand-holdable housing 1 having both a multipurpose user grip and a multi-purpose power switch 5. Referring to FIG. 6, the hand-holdable housing allows a user to hold the fluid moving device with the multi-purpose user grip within the user's hand so that the multi-purpose power switch 5 is proximate to and readily accessible by the user's thumb. Essentially, the hand-holdable housing, the multi-purpose user grip, and the multi-purpose power switch are for holding and switching ON or OFF the fluid moving device and also for moving the fluid moving device into and out of a coupled COMS ID No: SMBI-00397117 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:02 Date 2003-08-29 29- 8-03:16.51 15/ -9position with the aforementioned valve 26 of an. inflatable receptacle (connection with the valve is shown in FIG. Coupling the fluid moving device 100 with the inflation valve 26 via a mechanical interlock simplifies the inflation process by eliminating the need for manual support of the fluid moving device to maintain an airtight connection during inflation. FIGS. 3 and 5-6 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a mechanical interlock assembly of the invention, having projecting tabs 20 located on the housing proximate to a fluid transfer orifice 18, which engage with mating projections 22 of the inflation valve located near an outer rim 24 of the inflation valve. The hand-holdable housing provides for both right-hand and left-hand operation and allows the fluid moving device to be rotated both clockwise and counterclockwise to respectively engage and disengage with the inflation valve.

Operation of the fluid moving device will now be described with respect to FIGS. 1-6.

When the fluid moving device is active rotation of the impeller 11 draws fluid into the housing throughself-sealing intake-ports 10. This fluid then passes through the impeller chamber 14, where it may be pressurized and then ejected from the hand-holdable housing at the fluid transfer orifice 18. In order to maximize the efficiency and power output of the battery, motor, and impeller combination, an exit side 15 of the impeller chamber 14 includes a series of stationary vanes 16 which direct the path of fluid as it leaves the impeller chamber and flows from the fluid moving device. By better channelling the exit fluid path, the stationary vanes enhance performance, improving the device's capacity to fill and pressurize an inflatable:Teceptac In a preferred embodiment of the motor and impeller combination of the fluid moving device of the invention, it will be appreciated that the motor/impeller combination eliminates the need for additional mechanical attachment of the impeller to a motor shaft in order to prevent axial movement of the impeller on the motor shaft. In particular, in the preferred embodiment, impeller blades of the impeller face the motor such that any axial load on the impeller is in the direction of the motor. In addition, a hub 9 of the impeller abuts against a bushing S on the-motor shaft, -so that any axial movement-is prevented. It is further to be appreciated that although the preferred embodiment of the fluid moving device has a motor and impeller, other arrangements of fluid moving devices, for example a diaphragm and pump, that are known to those of skill in the art are also within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00397117 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:02 Date 2003-08-29 29- 8-03:16 51 16/ Because the preferred embodiment of the fluid moving device is portable, it may be used in a variety of situations both indoors and out In these varied operating environments, the. fluid path through the fluid moving device via the self-sealing intake ports 10 may also place the fluid moving device's internal components in close proximity to threatening environmental debris such as dirt, sand, miscellaneous particulate matter, and the like.

Accordingly, another aspect of the fluid moving device is its self-sealing structure that seals the internal components of the fluid moving device when the power switch of the fluid moving device is in the OFF or deactivated position.

Referring now to FIG. 16, to limit the exposure to foreign matter, the pref red io embodiment of the fluid moving device intentionally recesses the self-sealing intake port behind an exterior perimeter of the device. In particular, the power switch 5 has a pair of side members 6 with a series of counter-slots 7 which move with the power switch to open the self-sealing intake vent when the power switch is moved out of the deactivated position toward an ON position, and to seal the intake vent with movement of the power switch to the OFF position (See FIGS. This ensures that exposure of the self-sealing intake port..l 0 occurs only while the fluid moving device is operating, thereby reducing the potential for contamination of electromechanical components of the fluid moving device.

It is also to be appreciated that in the preferred embodiment of the invention, which is intended for portable applications, the housing I and all components used in the device have been integrated so as to minimize size and weight, thereby improving convenience and ease of operation. In particular, it is to be appreciated that hand-holdable as used herein, is intended to include any fluid moving device that is size and that is light enough to be held in a band of a user, and preferably is a palm-sized device that may fit in a palm of a user and be activited by a single finger of the user. This integration includes the options such as the nickel cadmium battery, which provides a power output to size and weight ratio appropriate to portable application of the device.

Having tius described at least one illustrative embodiment of the invention, various alterations, modifications and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications and improvements are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is by way of example only and is not intended as limiting.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00397117 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:02 Date 2003-08-29 29- 8-03:16:51 1 7/ 3 -11 Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00397117 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:02 Date 2003-08-29

Claims (2)

1. 29- 8-03;16:51 4 1 8/ 3 P.WWrWdMzlUiW 9if..nm. -12- The claims defining the invention are as follows: 1. A fluid moving device comprising: an intake port that provides for a fluid to be drawn into the fluid moving device; moving means for moving the fluid through the fluid moving device; a fluid transfer orifice t'hat provides the fluid; a battery compartment having a size and arrangement to fit and provide electrical connection with a standard size set of batteries, and one of a removable battery container sized and arranged to adapt differently sized batteries to the size and arrangement of the battery compartment so that the differntly sized batteries can be electrically connected to the battery compartment and a removable battery pack of differently sized batteries, the removable battery pack being sized and arranged to be electrically connected with the battery compartment., COMS ID No: SMBIO0397117 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:02 Date 2003-08-29 29- 6-O3:i6.51 t1/3 1 9 3 13 2. The fluid movin g device as claimed in claim 1, wheirein the moving means includes means for mnodifying a pressure of the fluid to provide a pressurized fluid to and through the fluid transfer orifice. 3. The fluid moving device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the standard size set of batteries are alkaline C-size batteries. 4. The fluid moving device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the differently sized batteries are rechargeable batteries. The fluid moving device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the removable battery container includes a. slot that allows the batteries to be electrically connected within the battery compartment.' The fluid moving device asoclaimed in claim 1, wherein the remnovable battery container includes structure for coupling the removable battery container and the differently sized batteries to a battery charging device. 7. The fluid moving device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the structure includes a pair of tabs extending from one end of the removable battery container each tab having a ribbed configuration that creates a slot section of each tab. COMS ID No: SMBI-00397117 Received by IP Australia: Time (I-tm) 17:02 Date 2003-08-29 29- 8-03;15:51 201 -14- 8. The fluid moving device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the slot sections of the pair of tabs are sized and arranged to cooperatively mate with the battery charging device and to bring terminals of the differently sized batteries into contact with the battery charging device. 9. The fluid moving device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the removable battery container is constructed and arranged so that it may be opened and closed to accommodate removal, replacement, or altering of a position of the differently sized batteries. 10. The fluid moving device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the removable battery container is constructed and arranged to be internally rearrangeable so that the removable battery container can accommodate a plurality of size and type batteries. 11. The fluid moving device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the removable battery is container, includes at least one spring, that forces the differently sized batteries into the electrical connection with the battery compartment., 12. The fluid moving device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one of the removable battery pack and the removable battery container includes means for assuring proper orientation of the removable battery pack or the removable battery container in the battery compartment. 13. The fluid moving device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a hand- holdable housing, that houses the intake port, the moving means and the fluid transfer orifice the hand-holdable housing. shaped so that it may be cradled in one hand of a user with a single-handed user grip, the hand-holdable housing and the single-handed user grip allowing the fluid transfer orifice to be rotated into and out of engagement with a valve assembly. 14. The fluid moving device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an interlock connector disposed adjacent the fluid transfer orifice, the interlock connector having COMS ID No: SMBI-00397117 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:02 Date 2003-08-29
2. 298- 9 -0 3 ;1 6: 51 21 3 2 1 3 6 15 projecting tabs that engage with mating projections of a valve assembly., The fluid moving device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the housing .may be rotated in a clockwise and a counter-clockwise direction about an axis of the fluid moving device, into and out of engagement with the valve assembly.; 16., The fluid moving device as further includes a power switch the fluid, wherein the power switch t0 user when the fluid moving device grip, and so that the fluid moving device movement of the finger of the user. claimed in claim 13, wherein the fluid moving device for activating and deactivating the means for moving is disposed so that it may contact a finger of the is held in the usets hand in the single-banded user may be activated and deactivated simply by 17. The fluid moving device as claimed ini claim 16, wherein the power switch 13 includesa self-sealing structure that sealsathe intake port when the switch is in a deactivated position, and that unseals the intake port when the switch is not in the deactivated position. 18. The fluid moving device as claimed in cLaiml17, wherein the intake port inchles a plurality of intake vents that are recessed from an outside wall of the hand-holdable housing., 19. The fluid moving device as claimed in claim 1S, wherein the power switch has a series of counter-slots that move with the power switch to seal the intake vents when the power switch is in the deactivated position, and that move with the power switch to unseal the intake vents when the power switch is not in the deactivated position. The fluid moving device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the moving means includes a motor combination with an impefler wherein a hub A the impeller abuts against a bushing that is on a shaft of the motor, wherein blades of the impeller face the mnotoi and wherein a beck surface of the impeller faces the fluid COMS ID No: SMBI-00397117 Received by IP Australia: Time (H:rn) 17:02 Date 2003-08-29 29- -O316;t *221 16- transfer orifice, so That the impeller is prevented from being drawn away from the motor when an axial load occurs and so that the blades of the impeller are not exposed to any object that may be introduced through the fluid transfer orifice.- s 21. The fluid moving device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid moving device fur-ther includes stationary vanes disposed adjacent the fluid transfer orifice, that direc the fluid path to and through the fluid transfer orifice, 22. A battery-operated device, comprising: 101 a battery compartment having a size and arrangement to fit and provide electrical connection with a standard size set of batteries; and one of a removable battery container sized and arranged to adapt differently sized batteries to the size and arrangement of the battery compartment so that the differently sized batteries can be electrically connected to the battery compartment, or a removable battery pack of differently sized batteries,, the removable battery pac being sized and arranged to be electrcally connected with the battery compartment COMS ID No: SMBI-003971 17 Received by IP Australia: Time (Itm) 17:02 Date 2003-08-29 29- 8-03;16:51 23/ FILuKAunm123Dquidw2wn -17- 23. The battery-operated device as of batteries are alkaline C-size batteries., 24. The battery-operated device as batteries are rechargeable batteries. claimed in claim 22 wherein the standard size set claimed in claim 22, wherein the differently sized The battery-operated device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the removable battery container includes a slot that allows the rechargeable batteries to be electrically connected within the battery compartment. 26. The battery-operated device battery container includes structure and the differently sized batteries as claimed in claim 22, wherein the removable for coupling the removable battery container to a battery charging device. 27. The battery operated device as claimed in claim 26, wherein the structure includes a pair of tabs extending from one end of the removable battery containes each tab having a ribbed configuration that creates a slot section of each tab. 28. The battery-operated device as claimed in claim 27, wherein the slot sections of the pair of tabs are sized and arranged to cooperatively mate with the battery charging device and to bring terminals of the differently sized batteries into contact with the battery charging device, 29. The battery-operated device as claimed in claim22, wherein the removable battery container is constructed and arranged so that it may be opened and closed to accommodate removal, replacement or altering of a position of the differently sized batteries. The battery-operated device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the removable battery container is constructed and arranged to be internally rearrangeable so that the removable battery container can accommodate a plurality of sized and type batteries. COMS ID No: SMBI-00397117 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:02 Date 2003-08-29 29- 9-01;16:51 2 4/ 3 -18- 31. The battery-operated device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the removable battery container includes at least one spring that forces the differently sized batteries into theelectrical connection with the battery compartment. 32. The battery-operated device as claimed in claim 23,.wherein one of the removable battery pack and the removable battery container includes means for assuring proper orientation ofthe removable battery pack or the removable battery container in the battery compartment. 33. A combination of an inflatable device and fluid moving device, comprising: the inflatable device; and thr fluid moving device, including: an intake port that provides for a fluid to be drawn into the fluid moving device; moving means for moving the fluid through the fluid moving device, and a fluid transfer orifice that provides the fluid; the combination characterized in that: the fluid moving device comprises a battery compartment having a size and arrangement to fit and provide electrical connection with a standard size set of batteries; and one of a removable battery container sized and arranged to adapt differently sized batteries to the size and arrangement of the battery compartment, so that the differently sized batteries can be electrically connected to the battery compartment, and a removable battery pack of differently sized batteries, the removable battery pack being sized and arranged to be electrically connected with the battery compartmenc. and the inflatable device comprises a valve assembly that is construted and arranged to mate with the fluid moving deice. COMS ID No: SMBI-00397117 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:02 Date 2003-08-29 29- 8-03;16:51 25/ PWPEULKAH21231M6lW.dA-2%Ht -19- 34. A fluid moving device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 29th day of August, 2003. Robert B. Chaffee by DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys for the Applicant COMS ID No: SMBI-00397117 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:02 Date 2003-08-29