CA1267928A - Inflator/deflator with molded housing - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A hand-holdable inflating/deflating device is disclosed which can be used for conveniently effecting inflation or deflation of an associated article. The inflator includes an electric motor which drives a centrifugal impeller, with the motor and impeller carried by a mounting frame. The device further includes a generally cylindrical housing within which the motor and impeller are positioned, whereby operation of the motor rotates the impeller to create axial airflow within the housing.
Significantly, the housing of the device comprises a one-piece injection molding, with the housing specifically configured to promote highly efficient assembly with the other components of the device.

Description

~Z~;7~

INFLATOR/DEFLATOR WITH MOLDED HOUSING
Technical Field The present invention relates generally to an electrically-powered, hand-holdable device for inflating and deflating an associated inflatable article, and more particularly to an inflating and deflating device having a one-piece molded plastic housing which promotes economical fabrication and assembly of the device.
Background of the Invention Inflatable articles such as air mattresses, chairs, and like articles of furniture have become increasingly popular for use in the home since such articles can be conveniently inflated for use and compactly stored in a deflated condition. For example, air matresses have become increasingly sophisticated in design for enhanced comfort, and thus provide a convenient means for accommodating house guests. Not only are such inflatable articles ~0 quite versatile, they are also relatively economical, and thus have proven quite popular with consumers.
Naturally, convenient use of such inflatable articles calls for an arrangement for easily and eficiently effecting inflation and deflation of such devices. To this end, electrically-powered inflating and deflating devices are known, but have suffered from distinct drawbacks in design. For examplel one typical inflating device includes a cylinarical steel housing which houses an electric motor anâ associated impeller, with a pair of nozzles provided at respective opposite ends of the housing for connecting the device to an inflatable article. Not only does the fabrication of the housing from steel add to the manufacturing cost and weight of the device, the electrically conductive nature of the ~,,, ~Z6~9Z~

housing undesirably poses a potential for electrical shock to a user should the device malfunction~
Additionally, fabrication of the housing from steel significantly complicates assembly of the device since suitable mounting holes must be formed in the housing for receiving fasteners to secure the motor and impeller assembly therein. Since the interior of the housing is typically formed with a generally smooth surface, manufacture of the device is further complicated since the motor and impeller assembly must be very carefully positioned within the housing for effecting the desired securement therein. The provision of a pair of nozzles at opposite ends of the housing further adds to manufacturing costs, with assembly further complicated by the desired provision of a handle which must be joined to the housing with fasteners to facilitate holding the device.
In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that it is highly desirable to provide an inflating and deflating device which is configured for economical fabrication, thus promoting affordable use by consumers. The inflator/deflator of the present invention has been particularly configured for highly efficient and economical manufacture, as well as for convenient use.
Summar of the Invention Y
In accordance with the present invention, an inflating and deflating device is disclosed which has been particularly configured for efficient manufacture and convenient consumer use. To this end, the device includes a one-piece injection molded plastic housing which is constructed to facilitate efficient assembly with other components of the device. ~anufacture of the housing from injection ~IL267~2~3 molded plastic is no~ only desirably le~s expensive ~han use of a comparable ~teel housing, but fur~her permit~ integeal formation o v~riou~ ~lemen~s on the housing ~t~elf to pxomote efficien~ ~sembly with o~her components o the device. Further, manuf~cture of the housin~ ~rom electrically ~on-ç4nduc~ive pla~tio ma~erlal ~ub~antially eliminates ~he ri~k of electrl~al ~hock to a use~ in ~he event ~f malfunction.
The inflating ~nd def~t~ng devi~e o the pre~ent lnven~ion includes an electric motor~ an~ a centri~ugal impeller which is drlven by the el~rir motor. ~he device f~rther includes ~ p~ef~rAbly generally rec~an~ular mounting r~e whlch i~ sec~ed 15 to t~e electric: motor, with the mounting frame including ~ pair of oppo3ed side ~rame port~ons which are positicned ~ene~ally at respectlve oppo~it~ slde~
of the motor.
The present inflating and deflating dev~ce further include~ a generally c~lin~ri~al, uni~ary or on~-pleoe in~ection molded housin~ within whi~h the mo~o~, ~he ~mpeller, and the mountln~ frame are positions~le as a unit. Wh~n a~embled, opera~ion of the ele~trlc motor ro~ate~ ~he impeller to crea~e ~5 alrflow axially ~hrough the hou~ng for ~ff~cting inflation and deflation o~ an associa~ed~in~l~ta~le a~ticl~. The molded ho~ing include~ a perforate end wall deflning ~ plurality o cen~rally diæpo~ed a~r inlets for ~ecttng air~.low into the impeller, with t~e d~vice 30 lincluding a perfora~e ou'clet plate ~ef~ning A plur~lit~
o air ou~let~ seaured to ~he holJ~lng opp~ite the ~nd w~
The devlae includes nozæle mean~ adapted to be secured to the hous~ng ~o ~hat air ~lowlng through the 35 hou~ing flow~ through 'che nozzle mean~ ~he noz27e mean~
is ad~pted fo~ de~achable aonnec~ion to th~ asæoc~atea inElatable ar~lcle.

-` ~2~i792~

Significantly, assembly of the present devlce is facilitated by the formation of integral channels on the interior of the housing for receiving the moun~ing frame which carries the motor and impeller. Specifically, the molded housing is formed with two opposed pairs of channel projections, with each pair of projections defining a channel configured to receive a respective one of the side frame portions of ~.he mounting frame. By this arrangement, the pre-assembled motor, impeller, and mounting frame can be very easily slid into the molded housing, thus promoting highly efficient assembly of the device. Reduction of labor is desirably achieved, resulting insignificant assembly cost savings.
In the preferred embodiment, the molded housing is further provided with a pair of integrally formed stop projections on the interior thereof which are respectively engagable with the side frame portions of the mounting frame.
The stop projections are respectively positioned at an end of each of the mounting channels defined within the housing, with the side frame portions of the mounting frame respectively engaging the stop projections as the device is assembled to effect the desired relative axial positioning of the electric motor and its impeller relative to the housing. A pair of lock members can thereafter be secured to the housing for engagement with the mounting frame to lock the mountlng frame, and thus the motor and impeller, in position within the housing.
Economical manufacture of the present device is further facilitated by the provision of a nozzle member which can be selectively removably secured to either axial end of the molded housing. To this end, the molded housing preferably includes integrally molded external threads at each opposite end of the ~IL26~Z~

housing. By this construction, the nozzle can be removably secured to one end of the housing for effecting inflation of an associated inflatable article, and can be removably secured to the other end of the housing for effecting deflation of the article.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
Brief Description of the Drawings FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating an inflating and deflating device embodying the principles of the present invention in use with an associated inflatable article;
FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of the inflating and deflating device shown in FIGURE l;
FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the present device in its configuration for effecting deflation of an associated article;
FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional end axial view of the present inflating device; and FIGURE S is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the present inflating device.
Detailed Description While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.
With reference first to FIG~RE 1, therein is illustrated a combination inflating/deflating device ~Z6 ~'9;~8 10 embodying the principles of the present invention. Inflator 10 is shown being used to inflate an associated inflatable article, illustrated as air mattress M. As will be further described, inflator 10 is suited for use to both inflate and deflate a wide variety of different inflatable articles.
Referring particularly to FIGURES 2, 4, and S, inflator 10 includes an electric motor 12 which drives a centrifugal impeller 14. A switch 15 is preferably provided for selective operation of motor 12. For versatility of use, electric motor 12 can be wired for operation by standard household alternating current, or may be suitably wired for 12-volt direct current operation, such as from a car or boat battery.
In the preferred form, the motor 12 and impeller 14 comprise part of a "pre-assembly", which further includes a generally rectangular mounting frame 16. Mounting frame 16 includes opposite end frame portions 18 and 20 respectively secured to motor 12, and further includes a pair of opposed side frame portions 22 extending between the end frame portions. Notably, mounting frame 16 preferably defines a pair of stop openings 24 (see FIGURE 2) which are respectively positioned generally at the ends of side frame portions 22 at the junctions of the side frame portions and end frame portions 20.
As will be further described, these stop openings are preferably provided to facilitate efficient assembly of inflator 10.
In accordance with the present invention, inflator 10 includes a generally cylindrical, injection molded plastic housing 26 within which motor 12 and impeller 14 are positioned. Operation of motor 12 acts to rotate impeller 14 to create ~L~679~15 airflow axially through housing 26 in the direction indicated by the arrows in FIGURE 5. ~ousing 26 has been specifically configured for efficient and economical fabrication as a one~piece, unitary molding, and has further been configured to promote efficient assembly with the other components of inflator 10. The exterior of housing 26 is preferably provided with an integral handle 27 so that the inflator can be conveniently hand-held.
Handle 27 is preferably provided with molded extensions 27' to facilitate winding or wrapping of the device's electrical supply cord about the handle for storage Notably, formation of housing 26 from electrically non-conductive plastic material desirably enhances the safety of the present inflator since the risk of electrical shock to a user in event of malfunction is substantially eliminated.
In order to promote efficient final assembly of inflator 10, housing 26 includes integrally molded means for receiving the motor frame 16 such that motor 12 and impeller 14 are automatically positioned in the desired relative radial and axial positioning relative to the housing. To this end, the interior of housing 26 includes first and second pairs of channel projections 28, with the two pairs of projections defining respective, diametrically opposed channels which respectively receive the side frame portions 22 of the motor frames 16. Thus, during assembly of inflator 10, and as illustrated in FIGURE 2, the "pre-assembled" motor 12, impeller 14, and mounting frame 16 can be very easily slid axially into position within the housing 26.
In the preferred form, the housing 26 further includes stop means engagable with the motor frame 16 when the frame is received within the ~Z679~8 opposed channels within the housing for effecting the desired relative axial positioning of the motor and the impeller within the housing. In the illustrated embodiment, such stop means are provided in the form of a pair of integrally formed stop projections 30 on the interior of the housing. The stop projections 30 are respectively positioned at an end of each of the opposed channels (defined by projections 28) within the housing, and are configured to respectively engage the side frame portions 22 of mounting frame 16. To this end, the aforesaid stop openings 24 defined by mounting frame 16 are respectively alignable with the stop projections 30 such that the stop projections are respectively received within the stop openings 24 for engagement with side frame portions 22 tFIGURE 5).
In order to lock mounting frame 16 (and motor 12 and impeller 14) in position within housing 26 after the mounting frame has been slid into the opposed interior channels and has engaged stop projections 30, a pair of lock members 32 are provided (FIGURE 5) which are positionable in engagement with mounting frame 16 to lock the mounting frame in position within the interior channels of housing 26. Lock members 32 may be secured in position within the housing by suitable mechanical fasteners as shown, or by suitable adhesive or the like.
As will be appreciated, the above-described arrangement promotes highly efficient assembly of inflator 10, since installation of motor 12 and impeller 14 within housing 26 is effected by merely sliding mounting frame 16 into housing 26, and thereafter locking the mounting frame into the housing by securing lock members 32 in position.

~67~2~3 In the illustrated embodiment, housing 26 of inflator 10 includes an integrally formed perforate end wall 34 positioned adjacent to impeller 14. End wall 34 defines a plurality of centrally disposed air inlets 36 for effecting airflow into the central portion of impeller 14, with the impeller accelerating the air for creating the desired axial airflow within housing 26. Since air flows within the housing about motor 12, the motor is desirably cooled for long and dependable service.
In order to close housing 26 after the motor and impeller assembly has been positioned therein, inflator 10 includes a perforate, molded plastic outlet plate 38 which is secured to the end of housing 26 opposite end wall 34. Outlet plate 38 defines a plurality of air outlets 40 through which air flows from housing 26, with the outlet plate 38 preferably including a plurality of integrally formed mounting tabs 42 so that the outlet plate can be easily secured to the housing with suitable mechanical fasteners or the like.
After the motor and impeller assembly has been positioned within housing 26, and outlet plate 38 affixed thereto, inflator 10 appears as a generally closed-ended cylinder, with air inlets 36 at one end and air outlets 40 at the other. With this configuration of the inflator 10 in mind, it will be appreciated that suitable direction of the airflow from outlets 40 permits inflation of an associated article such as mattress M, while suitable direction of airflow into air inlets 36 permits deflation of an article.
Accordingly, inflator 10 includes a generally tapered nozzle 44 which is config~lred for detachable connection to the associated i~flatable ~67~Z~3 article. Significantly, inflator 10 is configured such that nozzle 44 can be removably secured to either end of housing 26, thus permitting the same nozzle 44 to be used for either inflation or deflation of articles. This feature of the present invention further helps to reduce its manufacturing costs, since unlike previous inflating/deflating devices, the present inflator need only include a single no2zle 44. The provision of perforate end wall 34 and perforate outlet plate 38 prevent accidental insertion of a finger into housing 26 regardless of the positioning of nozzle 44.
In keeping with the desired goals of economical manufacture and convenient use, housing 26 is provided with integrally formed means for removably securing the nozzle 44 to either end of the housing. More specifically, the exterior of housing 26 defines a first set of integrally formed male mount threads 46 at one end of the housing, and a second set of integrally formed male mount threads 48 at the opposite end of the housing. By providing the nozzle 44 with suitable mating female threads, nozzle 44 can be very easily removably secured to mount threads 46 when the inflator 10 is to be used for `inflation of an article, with the nozzle 44 being conveniently switched to the opposite end of the housing and mounted on mount threads 48 when the device is to be used for deflating an article. If desired, a tapered adapter 50 (FIGURE 1) can be provided which removably fits within nozzle 44 so that the nozzle can readily be connected to a wide variety of different inflatable articles.
Thus, an inflating/deflating device has been disclosed which has been particularly configured for economical and efficient fabrication, thus promoting i7~

affordable use by consumers. As will be recognized, formation of housing 26 of the inflating device from injection molded plastic not only facilitates economical fabrication of the housing, but further S permits the housing to be very easily formed with integral channel projections 28 and integral stop projections 30, both of which promote efficient assembly. Similarly, the housing can be readily provided with two sets of mount threads 46 and 48 for removably securing nozæle 44 to either selected end of the housing, with integral handle 27 provided to facilitate convenient holding and manipulation of the device during use. When compared with previous inflating devices having steel housings, these features of the present invention very significantly promote efficient manufacture of the inflating device, thus substantially reducing the relative assembly costs of the device.
From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concept of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodimen~s illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.

.

Claims (5)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A hand-holdable inflating device, comprising:
an electric motor;
impeller means driven by said electric motor;
mounting frame means secured to said motor; and a generally cylindrical, unitary molded housing within which said motor, said impeller means, and said mounting frame means are positionable, whereby operation of said motor rotates said impeller to create airflow axially through said housing for effecting inflation of an associated inflatable article.
said housing including integrally formed channel means on the interior thereof for receiving said mounting frame means to facilitate mounting of said electric motor and said impeller means within said housing, said housing further including a perforate end wall defining a plurality of centrally disposed air inlets for effecting airflow into said impeller means, said inflating device including perforate plate means secured to an end of said housing opposite said housing end wall, said plate means defining a plurality of air outlets, whereby operation of said electric motor rotates said impeller means to draw air through said air inlets, and create airflow through said housing and out of said air outlets, and nozzle means adapted to be secured to said housing so that air flowing through said housing flows through said nozzle means, said nozzle means being adapted for detachable connection to said associated inflatable article.

2. An inflating device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said molded housing further includes integrally formed stop means on the interior thereof, said stop means being engageable with said mounting frame means when said frame means is received by said channel means for effecting the desired relative axial positioning of said motor and said impeller means within said housing.

3. An inflating device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said housing includes integrally molded thread means for removable securing said nozzle means on either opposite end of said housing, whereby said nozzle means can be secured on one end of said housing for directing air into and effecting inflation of said associated inflatable article, and can be secured to the other end of said housing for effecting of said associated inflatable article.

4. An inflating deflation device in accordance with claim 2, including lock means positionable within said housing in engagement with said mounting frame means for locking said mounting frame means in position within said channel means.

5. An inflating device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said housing includes integrally formed handle means on the exterior thereof to facilitate holding of said inflating device.