GB2258519A

GB2258519A - Integral leaf spring valve stem

Info

Publication number: GB2258519A
Application number: GB9216449A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel John George Yardle Mills
Original assignee: BEMA SPORTS Co Ltd
Current assignee: BEMA SPORTS Co Ltd
Priority date: 1991-08-03
Filing date: 1992-08-03
Publication date: 1993-02-10
Anticipated expiration: 2012-08-03
Also published as: GB2258519B; GB9216449D0; GB9116863D0

Abstract

A valve member 3 for controlling fluid flow through an aperture 13 in a resiliently deformable valve body, comprising a stem portion 6 adapted to be received in the aperture, a valve seat portion 5 on the stern and adapted to close the aperture, a head portion 4 on the stem and sized to pass through the aperture on resilient deformation thereof, and resilient means 7 on the valve member and urging the valve seat portion to close the aperture. Preferably resilient means 7 are leaf springs integral with stem 6 and valve member 3 and valve body 2 are moulded from resilient plastics. The valve may close a beach ball or swimming aid. Stopper 12 excludes sand etc. <IMAGE>

Description

TITLE: A VALVE DESCRIPTION: The invention relates to a valve and to a valve member for use in such a valve. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a valve for use in an inflatable device of the nature of a child's swimming aid or a beach ball or the like.

At present, valves for inflatable devices such as swimming aids and beach balls are often in the form of a simple flap valve which is made by partially severing the closed end of a tubular plastics valve body. Such valves are prone to failure due to manufacturing problems. Thus, for example, if the flap valve severing blade is allowed to become blunt, the flap valve can be prevented from closing due to the creation of jagged edges of plastics on the valve seat and flap during the severing process.

It is an object of the invention to provide a valve of simple construction which is inexpensive to make and which is reliable in use both in the sense that the valve is easy to operate and in the sense that the valve is not prone to failure.

According to the invention there is provided a valve member for controlling fluid flow through an aperture in a resiliently deformable valve body comprising a stem portion adapted to be received in the aperture, a valve seat portion on one end of the stem and adapted to close the aperture, a head portion on the other end of the stem and sized to pass through the aperture on resilient deformation thereof, and resilient means on the valve member and urging the valve seat portion to close the aperture. In operation the valve head preferably lies on one side of the aperture in the valve body, while the valve seat is disposed on the other side of the aperture. Preferably the stem is a loose fit in the aperture.

Preferably the resilient means comprises a plurality of leaf springs on the valve member and disposed whereby the free ends of the springs bear against the resiliently deformable valve body. Preferably the leaf springs are curved. Thus the leaf springs may be arcuate in shape. The curvature of the springs is preferably such that the free ends of the springs are axially displaced around the valve member compared with the attached end of the springs.

The resilient means may act as compression springs and may be integral with the valve member. Preferably the valve member is moulded from a plastics material e.g. an acetal resin or polypropylene.

The head portion may be pointed, e.g conical in shape, to assist in the insertion of the valve member through the aperture during initial assembly. The resilient means is preferably attached to the head portion. To aid the initial installation of the valve member in the valve body, a screwdriver or the like recess may be provided in the end of the valve member opposite to the head portion.

The resiliently deformable valve body defining the aperture may be moulded from a suitable plastics material and may be tubular. It may be formed with an internal ledge against which the resilient means can abut. Where the valve is intended for an application such as in an inflatable device of the nature of a swimming aid e.g. a child's armband or a beach ball or the like, the valve body may be of double wall construction, which is known as such, so that the entire valve assembly can be pushed into the inflatable whereby it is flush therewith. A valve cap may be formed integrally with the tubular member, to prevent grit or the like from entering the valve.

The invention is diagrammatically illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a cross sectional side view through a valve for an inflatable device and Figure 2 is a perspective view of a valve member for use in the valve of Figure 1.

In the drawings a valve 1 comprises a body 2 which is generally tubular and which is moulded from a resilient plastics material, the body being formed with an aperture 13 extending through the body from top to bottom as shown in the drawings. The upper end of the aperture 13 can be closed by means of an integral cap 12 to prevent debris from entering the valve in use.

The valve body is formed with a double tubular wall 10 the outer wall being formed with an annular flange 11 by which the valve can be attached to a device to be inflated e.g. a swimming aid or beach ball or the like. The double wall construction enables the valve to be pushed into the inflatable device so that the valve is flush with the surface of the inflatable device in a manner known Der se.

The inner end of the aperture 13 is chamfered to form a frusto-conical face 14 and the interior of the tubular aperture 13 is formed with an annular recess 9, both for the purposes appearing hereinafter.

A valve member 3 is positioned in the aperture 13 in the body 2 to close the aperture. The valve member consists of a central stem 6 which is a loose fit in the aperture 13 and on one end of which is formed a conical or otherwise pointed valve head 4 and on the other end of which is formed a generally frusto-conical valve seat 5 which is adapted to mate against the face 14 of the valve body to close the aperture 13. The valve member 3, which may be moulded from a tough plastics such as an acetal resin or polypropylene, is formed integrally with a series of spring arms 7 extending from the head 4, the arms being curved to form arcuate leaf springs. The end surface of the seat 5 of the valve member 3 is formed with a screwdriver recess (not shown) to facilitate insertion of the valve member into the valve body.This is accomplished by forcing the head 4 of the valve member through the lower end of the aperture in the body, which resiliently deforms to allow the head to enter the tubular aperture before resuming its original size and shape. In this position, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, the free ends of the spring arms 7 engage the annular ledge 9 on the body to force the seat 5 on the member 3 into contact with the face 14 on the body 2 to close the valve aperture. Where the valve is used in conjunction with an inflatable device the air pressure within the inflatable device will also tend to hold the valve shut. The valve can be manually manipulated to open the valve by squeezing the valve body in a position indicated by ribbing 15 on the body so that the valve member moves out of contact with the aperture face 14.

Location of the free ends of the spring arms on the ledge 9 may be assisted by rotating the valve member in the body using a screwdriver engaging the recess 8 in the valve seat 5.

The invention thus provides a simple but effective valve particularly intended for use on with inflatable device.

Claims

1. A valve member for controlling fluid flow through an aperture in a resiliently deformable valve body, comprising a stem portion adapted to be received in the aperture, a valve seat portion on the stem and adapted to close the aperture, a head portion on the stem and sized to pass through the aperture on resilient deformation thereof, and resilient means on the valve member and urging the valve seat portion to close the aperture.

2. A valve member according to claim 1, wherein the valve head is adapted for disposition on one side of the aperture in the valve body, and wherein the valve seat is adapted for disposition on the other side of the aperture.

3. A valve member according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the stem is adapted to be a loose fit in the aperture.

4. A valve member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the resilient means comprises a plurality of leaf springs each attached at one end to the head portion and provided with free ends adapted to bear against the resiliently deformable valve body.

5. A valve member according to claim 4, wherein the leaf springs are curved.

6. A valve member according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the curvature and disposition of the springs is such that the free ends of the springs are axially displaced around the stem compared with the attached ends of the springs.

7. A valve member according to any preceding claim, wherein the resilient means acts in compression and is integral with the valve member.

8. A valve member according to any preceding claim, wherein the valve member is moulded from a plastics material.

9. A valve member according to any preceding claim, wherein the head portion is pointed to assist in the insertion of the valve member through the aperture.

10. A valve member according to any preceding claim, wherein a screwdriver or the like recess is provided in an end of the valve member opposite to the head portion.

11. A valve member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

12. A valve comprising a valve member according to any one of claims 1 to 11, and wherein the resiliently deformable valve body is tubular and is moulded from a plastics material.

13. A valve member according to claim 12, wherein the valve body is formed with an internal ledge against which the resilient means can abut.

14. A valve according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the valve body is of double wall construction so that the valve can be pushed-into an inflatable structure to be flush with the surface thereof.

15. A valve according to any one of claims 12 to 14, comprising a valve cap formed integrally with the tubular member.

16. A valve substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.