EP1359325A2 - Dispositif de gonflage à commande manuelle - Google Patents

Dispositif de gonflage à commande manuelle Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1359325A2
EP1359325A2 EP03016857A EP03016857A EP1359325A2 EP 1359325 A2 EP1359325 A2 EP 1359325A2 EP 03016857 A EP03016857 A EP 03016857A EP 03016857 A EP03016857 A EP 03016857A EP 1359325 A2 EP1359325 A2 EP 1359325A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
moving device
fluid moving
fluid
batteries
battery
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP03016857A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1359325A3 (fr
EP1359325B1 (fr
Inventor
Robert B. Chaffee
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority claimed from EP99941119A external-priority patent/EP1105650B1/fr
Publication of EP1359325A2 publication Critical patent/EP1359325A2/fr
Publication of EP1359325A3 publication Critical patent/EP1359325A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1359325B1 publication Critical patent/EP1359325B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
    • F04D25/00—Pumping installations or systems
    • F04D25/02—Units comprising pumps and their driving means
    • F04D25/08—Units comprising pumps and their driving means the working fluid being air, e.g. for ventilation
    • F04D25/084—Units comprising pumps and their driving means the working fluid being air, e.g. for ventilation hand fans
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
    • F04D25/00—Pumping installations or systems
    • F04D25/02—Units comprising pumps and their driving means
    • F04D25/06—Units comprising pumps and their driving means the pump being electrically driven
    • F04D25/0673—Battery powered

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a fluid moving device for use primarily, but not exclusively, with low-pressure inflatable articles.
  • the invention in one embodiment is a device for filling a receptacle with a fluid.
  • the device includes an intake port that provides for a fluid to be drawn into the device, a moving means for moving the fluid through the device to provide the fluid for filling the receptacle, and a fluid transfer orifice that provides the fluid to the receptacle.
  • the device further includes a power switch for manually activating and deactivating the moving means.
  • the device is provided with a hand-holdable housing that houses the intake port, the moving means, the fluid transfer orifice, and the power switch.
  • the hand-holdable housing being shaped and arranged 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 the receptacle and also allowing the user to move the power switch with the same one hand to activate and deactivate the device.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 compartment, 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.
  • a fluid moving device that includes a self-sealing intake port that provides for a fluid to be drawn into the fluid moving device, a moving means for moving the fluid through the fluid moving device, and a fluid transfer orifice that provides the fluid.
  • the fluid moving device is also provided with a power switch for activating and deactivating the moving means.
  • the power switch includes a self-sealing structure that seals the self-sealing intake port when the power switch is in a deactivated position, and that unseals the self-sealing intake port when the power switch is not in the deactivated position.
  • a battery-operated device that includes a battery compartment having a size and arrangement to fit and provide electrical connection with a standard size set of batteries.
  • the battery-operated device is also provided with 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 being sized and arranged to be electrically connected to the battery compartment.
  • the preferred embodiment of the fluid moving device 100 of the invention as herein disclosed is to be used as an inflation device that will completely inflate and pressurize inflatable articles up to approximately 1 ⁇ 2 psi (0.003kPa). It is to be appreciated that larger capacity versions of this fluid moving device can be made to provide more pressure such as, for example, up to 4 psi (0.03kPa). It is to be appreciated that in a preferred embodiment of the invention, air is the fluid that is moved and that may be modified in pressure by the fluid moving device, however, the device of the invention is not limited to air moving devices and can include any fluid moving device as defined by the claims.
  • the fluid moving device of this invention is preferably used with inflatable receptacles that incorporate a valve which allows rapid transfer of fluid into the inflatable receptacle (at least 10 cfm [4.7 L/s].) at low pressure.
  • an inflatable receptacle as used herein is to include any receptacle that can receive a fluid, and in a preferred embodiment, includes inflatable articles having a valve assembly that mates with the fluid moving device such as, for example, mattresses, toys, floats, and the like.
  • An example of such a valve 26, shown in combination with an inflatable receptacle 28, is illustrated in FIG. 5.
  • a preferred embodiment of this inflation valve has a fluid transfer orifice of approximately 3/4 sq. in.
  • the combination of the inflation valve and the inflatable receptacle, when coupled with the fluid moving device 100, provides an casy-to-use, inexpensive, fast and efficient way to move fluid into and to pressurize most low-pressure inflatable receptacles.
  • the preferred embodiment of the fluid moving device is battery operated. It includes a housing I with a motor 3, an impeller 11 and a power switch 5. A battery power source affords maximum portability.
  • the fluid moving device 100 includes a battery chamber 30 which will accept either a more readily available, lower-cost conventional battery such as, for example, an alkaline battery 33 or a higher-cost, enhanced performance rechargeable-type battery such as, for example, a nickel cadmium battery 36.
  • a spring latch 47 located on the panel secures the panel to the housing. Manual depression of the spring allows the panel to be removed. When the panel is installed in the housing, it maintains the batteries in an operable condition within the battery compartment 30.
  • FIG. 9 there is illustrated an embodiment of a battery pack configuration 38, which fits into the battery chamber 30 of the fluid moving device and that is dimensionally interchangeable with the conventional batteries 33 as illustrated in FIG. 8.
  • the embodiment of the battery pack illustrated in FIG. 9 includes a slot 37 which allows the battery pack to mate with a spring 39.
  • the spring 39 enters into the slot and the slot 37 is configured such that the battery pack mates with housing contact 41.
  • the spring 39 and spring 40 of the battery compartment provide equal and opposite forces on the battery pack such that the battery pack can make appropriate contact to the housing contact 41.
  • the housing contact is coupled to the various components of the fluid moving device that require power. Accordingly, the battery pack is provided with the slot to allow this electrical connection to the housing contact
  • the battery compartment is sized to accommodate a plurality 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.
  • one such mechanism that may be used to achieve size compatibility is a battery pack that holds differently sized batteries, and that is compatibly sized to fit within the battery compartment 30.
  • An example of such a battery pack 38 is illustrated in FIG. 9 and is discussed supra.
  • An additional example of such a battery pack will be illustrated infra.
  • FIGS. 13A, 13B and 15A, 15B Another mechanism that may be used to provide the above-described compatibility of differently sized batteries with the battery compartment, is a reusable battery container 50 that is compatible in size with the C-size alkaline battery such as is illustrated 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 of nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride batteries.
  • a surface of the battery container incorporates at least one spring 51 that may be disposed at a plurality of locations, which may securely hold batteries of, 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 of substantially different length by, for example, moving or changing a position of the spring 57.
  • FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of the fluid moving device which will accept such a battery container 50.
  • 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 contact between any of the batteries, the battery pack and the battery container and the housing contact (not illustrated) of the fluid moving device, regardless of which battery option is used.
  • any of the battery container 50 and the battery pack 38 may be provided with a tab 46 (see also the battery container as illustrated in FIG. 13) that assures proper orientation of the battery pack or the battery container within the fluid moving device.
  • the fluid moving device includes a protrusion 99 that prevents the battery pack or the battery container from being inserted into the fluid moving device in an improper orientation.
  • the protrusion 99 prevents the tab 46 on the battery pack or the battery container from sliding past the protrusion, thus assuring that the battery pack or the battery container can be inserted into the battery compartment 30 in only one orientation.
  • the structure is useful, for example, to prevent the battery pack or batteries within the battery container from inadvertently being shorted out due to improper orientation in the battery compartment and improper contact to the spring contact 52 of the battery compartment (see FIG. 10).
  • the battery container 50 which houses, for example, differently sized rechargeable battery types
  • the battery container can accept smaller than C-size rechargeable battery sizes and may also be configured, with a slight modification, to house larger than C-size rechargeable batteries.
  • the battery container accepts any battery size below C-size without any modification. Accordingly, it is to be appreciated that although the preferred embodiment of the battery container of the invention is illustrated with C-type batteries, any battery option or size can be used within the battery container of the invention.
  • the battery container may also be provided with a structure that allows rechargeable batteries contained within the battery container to be recharged while the rechargeable batteries are within the battery container, thereby eliminating the need to remove the rechargeable batteries or the battery pack from the container with every charge.
  • FIGS.13A, 13B and 15A, 15B illustrate a rechargeable battery pack 54 having a terminal end 56 disposed within the battery container 50.
  • the battery container 50 is provided with a pair of tabs 58, 59 extending from an end of the battery container, that have a rib configuration which create slot sections 64,65.
  • the slot sections mate with ribs 68,69 on a battery charging device 72.
  • the battery charging device 72 may slide into a charging position as illustrated in FIG. 15B, whereby the ribs align and secure terminals 78, 79 on the battery charging device (see FIG. 14A) and contact with battery terminals 80, 81 of the battery pack, thereby enabling recharge of the battery pack.
  • the battery container 50 also may be used to provide structure for protecting the rechargeable battery pack 54 for transportation or storage such as, for example, when the rechargeable battery pack is carried outside of the fluid moving device's battery compartment, or may be used to provide additional security against inadvertent activation of the fluid moving device such as, for example, when the fluid moving device is transported with the battery pack disposed within the fluid moving device.
  • This protection of the battery terminals may be achieved by reversing the position of the rechargeable battery pack within the battery container so that an exposed end of the battery pack cannot make contact with the housing contact 41 (see FIG. 9), and so that the battery terminals 80, 81 are situated at a protected, non-active end 55 of the battery container (see FIG. 13A).
  • An advantage of the interchangeability of the conventional batteries, differently sized rechargeable batteries and the rechargeable battery pack 54, is that the user is provided with a cost/performance option, wherein the user can select the lower-cost, readily available conventional batteries which may not provide as much output power, but typically have a longer run time than an option such as the rechargeable battery pack.
  • the user can select, for example, the rechargeable battery pack which although more expensive, provides a higher output and therefore runs the fluid moving device at a higher throughput of fluid at increased pressure, and also provides the option to recharge the battery pack so that it is reusable.
  • any of the interchangeable battery pack 38, the rechargeable battery pack 54 which has been illustrated as mating with the battery container 50, the battery container including any sized batteries; the standard sized batteries, and the battery compartment 30 that accommodates any of these interchangeable options, are not limited to a fluid moving device.
  • the battery container, the battery pack and the battery compartment of this invention can be used with any battery-operated device.
  • 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 performance option which suits the user's needs.
  • the fluid moving device of the invention need not contain the interchangeable power source and can also be configured with, for example, a set of rechargeable 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.
  • an advantage of the 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 of the invention 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.
  • any of the above-described battery sources may be used interchangeably to power the motor driven impeller 11 (see FIG. 5) which produces a fluid flow, and which may modify a pressure of the fluid to inflate an fluid moving device.
  • FIGS. 1-6 it is to be appreciated that another aspect of the fluid moving device of the invention is its hand-holdable housing assembly.
  • motor 3, and impeller 11 these components have been incorporated into an ergonomically efficient, hand-holdable housing 1 having both a multi-purpose user grip and a multi-purpose power switch 5.
  • 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.
  • 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 position with the aforementioned valve 26 of an inflatable receptacle (connection with the valve is shown in FIG. 5).
  • 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 counter-clockwise to respectively engage and disengage with the inflation valve.
  • 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 receptacle.
  • 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.
  • impeller blades of the impeller face the motor such that any axial load on the impeller is in the direction of the motor.
  • a hub 9 of the impeller abuts against a bushing 8 on the motor shaft, so that any axial movement is prevented.
  • 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.
  • 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 of the present invention is 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.
  • the preferred embodiment of the fluid moving device intentionally recesses the self-sealing intake port 10 behind an exterior perimeter of the device.
  • 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. 1-4). This ensures that exposure of the self-sealing intake port 10 occurs only while the fluid moving device is operating, thereby reducing the potential for contamination of electromechanical components of the fluid moving device.
  • 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 hand of a user. and preferably is a palm-sized device that may fit in a palm of a user and be activated 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.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Battery Mounting, Suspending (AREA)
  • Jet Pumps And Other Pumps (AREA)
EP03016857A 1998-08-13 1999-08-13 Dispositif de gonflage à commande manuelle Expired - Lifetime EP1359325B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US9639398P 1998-08-13 1998-08-13
US96393P 1998-08-13
EP99941119A EP1105650B1 (fr) 1998-08-13 1999-08-13 Dispositif de gonflage a commande manuelle

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99941119A Division EP1105650B1 (fr) 1998-08-13 1999-08-13 Dispositif de gonflage a commande manuelle

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1359325A2 true EP1359325A2 (fr) 2003-11-05
EP1359325A3 EP1359325A3 (fr) 2003-12-17
EP1359325B1 EP1359325B1 (fr) 2005-11-09

Family

ID=26154107

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP03016857A Expired - Lifetime EP1359325B1 (fr) 1998-08-13 1999-08-13 Dispositif de gonflage à commande manuelle
EP03003709A Expired - Lifetime EP1318311B1 (fr) 1998-08-13 1999-08-13 Dispositif alimenté par batterie

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP03003709A Expired - Lifetime EP1318311B1 (fr) 1998-08-13 1999-08-13 Dispositif alimenté par batterie

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EP (2) EP1359325B1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2595406A (en) * 1948-09-09 1952-05-06 John E Popovich Flashlight fan
FR1024669A (fr) * 1950-09-18 1953-04-03 Ventilateur de poche
US3719429A (en) * 1971-10-07 1973-03-06 Rule Industries Pump apparatus and housing therefor
EP0852296A2 (fr) * 1997-01-06 1998-07-08 Innovative Air Products, Inc. Gonfleur entraínée par batterie avec adapteur universel

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4123598A (en) * 1978-04-24 1978-10-31 The Gates Rubber Company Battery pack and container
JPS6240155A (ja) * 1985-08-13 1987-02-21 Nippon Kogaku Kk <Nikon> 電池収納装置
US5418433A (en) * 1989-09-22 1995-05-23 Nilssen; Ole K. Flashlight with hybrid battery and electronic control circuit
GB2251035A (en) * 1990-12-20 1992-06-24 Dunphy Oil And Gas Burners Lim Centrifugal fan
GB2313949A (en) * 1996-06-07 1997-12-10 Wang Zing Ching Battery receptacle module
US5749704A (en) * 1997-01-06 1998-05-12 Wagner Spray Tech Corporation Heat gun fan assembly

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2595406A (en) * 1948-09-09 1952-05-06 John E Popovich Flashlight fan
FR1024669A (fr) * 1950-09-18 1953-04-03 Ventilateur de poche
US3719429A (en) * 1971-10-07 1973-03-06 Rule Industries Pump apparatus and housing therefor
EP0852296A2 (fr) * 1997-01-06 1998-07-08 Innovative Air Products, Inc. Gonfleur entraínée par batterie avec adapteur universel

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1359325A3 (fr) 2003-12-17
EP1318311B1 (fr) 2008-10-08
EP1318311A2 (fr) 2003-06-11
EP1318311A3 (fr) 2004-01-02
EP1359325B1 (fr) 2005-11-09

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