GB2132282A

GB2132282A - Hand operated inflator

Info

Publication number: GB2132282A
Application number: GB08236073A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Leslie Easter
Original assignee: Ford Motor Co
Current assignee: Ford Motor Co
Priority date: 1982-12-18
Filing date: 1982-12-18
Publication date: 1984-07-04
Also published as: GB2132282B; EP0166828B1; EP0166828A1

Description

1 GB 2 132 282 A 1

SPECIFICATION Hand operated inflator

This invention relates to hand operated inflators for pumping air into an inflatable device and for controlled release of air from the device.

The inflator of the present invention was designed for use with an adjustable lumbar support air cushion in a motor vehicle seat. Its compact low cost construction and convenience in operation make it particularly suitable for this 75 application.

The invention is applicable to inflators with a resilient bulb and having a first one way valve through which air is pumped into the inflatable device by squeezing the bulb, a second one way valve through which air may enter the bulb as it recovers its shape and a manually operable pressure release valve for releasing air from the inflatable device.

Known inflators of this kind have the second one way valve mounted on the end of the bulb remote from its connection to the inflatable device and the pressure release valve mounted on a valve member at the other end. Where such an inflator is used in an application such as th e vehicle application described where the bulb is normally gripped with the thumb near the second one way valve the operator has to remove his hand from the bib to depress the pressure release valve. 30 The inflator of the present invention overcomes 95 this problem. According to the present invention, there is provided a hand operated inflator for pumping air into an inflatable device and for controlled release of air from the device comprising a resilient bulb, a 100 valve member connected to the bulb and having an outlet for connection to the inflatable device, and a first one-way valve in said valve member arranged to permit flow of air to the outlet when the bulb is squeezed; characterised by a second 105 one way valve in said valve member communicating with ambient air and arranged to admit air to the bulb so that it can recover its shape after being squeezed, and a passage in the valve member by-passing both the first and 110 second one way valves and connected to a pressure release valve on the bulb remote from the valve member, which can be manually operated to release air from the inflatable device.

Preferably, the valve member comprises concentric inner and outer tubes with a single moulded sleeve in the annular space between the tubes cooperating with the tubes to form both one way valves.

With this construction the pressure release valve can be located on the bulb where it can be depressed by the thumb of the operator without removal of the hand from the bulb. The valve member has a neat and unobtrusive appearance and can be manufactured at low cost.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 is an axial cross-section of an inflator embodying the invention showing diagrammatically its application to a vehicle adjustable lumbar support air cushion, Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the valve member illustrating the operation of the one way valves, and Figure 3 is a section along the line 111-111 in Figure 1.

An inflator comprises a rubber bulb 10 connected by a valve member 12 to a flexible tube 14 leading to an inflatable lumbar support cushion 16 mounted in a vehicle seat (not shown). The tube 14 extends forwardly along the left or right hand side of the base of the seat so that the bulb 10 can be readily gripped by an occupant of the seat.

A pressure released valve 18 has a spring loaded button 20 located at the forward end of the bulb 10. It is conveniently positioned so that the seat occupant can depress it with his hand and at the same time hold the bulb in his hand.

The pressure release valve comprises a housing 22 and a poppet valve 24 on which is mounted the button 20. A spring 26 normally holds poppet valve 24 seated on the housing 22 to close the valve. Depression of the button 20 opens the valve.

The pressure release valve housing 22 is fitted into one end of a flexible air release tube 28 within the bulb 10. The housing 22 and tube 28 seal an aperture in the bulb 10.

The valve member 12 comprises an outer tube 30, a concentric inner tube 32 and a moulded rubber sleeve 34 in the annular space between the inner and outer tubes.

The outlet end of the outer tube 30 is connected to the inflatable device (lumbar support cushion 18) and the bulb 10 fits over the -other end of the outer tube 30. The air release tube is fitted over the adjacent end of the inner tube 32.

The sleeve 34 comprises a central section 36 engaging both outer and inner tubes and formed with passages 38 connecting an inlet section 40 to an outlet section 42.

The outlet section 42 includes a tubular portion sealed at its outer end to the inner tube and having slits 44 forming a reed type first one-way valve which opens to allow air from the bulb to enter the inflatable device when the bulb is squeezed and the pressure therein exceeds the pressure in the inflatable device. A polyurethane foam filter 46 filters air before it passed through the first one way valve.

The inlet section 40 is of tubular form and fits closely within the outer tube 30 beneath apertures 48 with which the inlet section 40 cooperates to form the second one way valve. When pressure in the bulb exceeds ambient pressure the tubular inlet section 40 is urged into contact with the outer tube 30 and prevents air escaping through the apertures 48. When the pressure in the bulb is less than ambient, as when the bulb is recovering its shape after being squeezed to pump air into the inflatable device, the tubular inlet section 40 is displaced inwardly and allows ambient air to enter 2 GB 2 132 282 A 2 the bulb.

The inner tube 32 forms a passage by-passing the one way valves in the valve member so that the pressure release valve 18 is connected by inner tube 32 and pressure release tube 28 to the inflatable device.

In operation, air is pumped into the inflatable device through the first one way valve by squeezing the bulb until the pressure therein exceeds the pressure in the inflatable device. When the bulb recovers its shape ambient air enters through the second one way valve. If the required pressure is exceeded air can be released by depressing the button 20 of the pressure releasevalve.

Claims

1. A hand operated inflator for pumping air into 60 an inflatable device and for controlled release of air from the device comprising:

a) a resilient bulb; b) a valve member connected to the bulb and having an outlet for connection to the inflatable 65 device; and c) a first one-way valve in said valve member arranged to permit flow of air to the outlet when the bulb is squeezed., characterised by:

d) a second one way valve in said valve 70 member communicating with ambient air and arranged to admit air to the bulb so that it can recover its shape after being squeezed; and e) a passage in the valve member by-passing both the first and second one way valves and connected to a pressure release valve on the bulb remote from the valve member, which can be manually operated to release air from the inflatable device.

2. An inflator as claimed in Claim 1, in which the release valve is connected to the by-pass passage by a flexible tube within the bulb. 40

3. An inflator as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the release valve includes a springloaded plunger positioned at one end of the bulb so that it can be depressed by an operator's thumb when the operator's hand remains in a convenient "position for squeezing the bulb.

4. An inflator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the valve member comprises an outer tube and an inner tube located within the outer tube and providing the by-pass passage, the one way valves being located between the inner and outer tubes.

5. An inflator as claimed in Claim 4, in which the one way valves are formed in a resilient sleeve fitted between the inner and outer tubes of the valve member.

6. An inflator as claimed in Claim 5, in which the first one way valve comprises longitudinal slits in the resilient sleeve, adjacent the outlet, the outside of the sleeve adjacent the outlet communicating with the outlet and the inside communicating with the bulb through an annular passage between the resilient sleeve and the inner tube.

7. An inflator as claimed in Claim 6, in which the second one way valve is formed by cooperation of the outer surface of the resilient sleeve with apertures in the outer tube, adjacent the end of the outer tube connected to the bulb, the sleeve closing the apertures when the bulb is squeezed and pressure therein increases above ambient pressure but being displaced inwardly by air at ambient pressure to allow inflow of ambient air when the pressure in the bulb is below ambient pressure.

8. An inflator as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7, including a filter fitted between the inner tube and the sleeve intermediate the first and second one way valves.

9. An inflator substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

10. An adjustable lumbar support cushion for a seat comprising an air bag connected to an inflator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by the Courier Press, Leamington Spa, 1984. Published by the Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London. WC2A lAY, from which copies may be obtained.