GB2287402A

GB2287402A - Inflatable device,eg. an air-bed,incoroporating a pump

Info

Publication number: GB2287402A
Application number: GB9421060A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Josef Graf
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-03-18
Filing date: 1994-10-19
Publication date: 1995-09-20
Also published as: WO1995025455A1; EP0750465A1; AU8058894A; GB9421060D0; DE9404627U1

Abstract

A device to be pumped up, in particular an air bed is proposed, with a part (2) functioning as a pump and a part to be pumped up by the pump, the pump part having an input opening (3) and being connected through a one-way-output valve (6) to the part to be pumped up. The input opening can be closed by a stopper (4). Between the pump part and the part to be pumped up there is provided a one-way-output valve in the form of a foil valve which lets through the air of the pump part. Via a special means, a small return flow of the air is allowed in the opposite direction from the part to be pumped up into the pump part. A closeable exit opening is provided in the part to be pumped up. A block (8) consisting of superimposed layers (8a) of open-cell foam is provided within the pump. <IMAGE>

Description

TITLE: Device to be pumped up, in particular an air bed DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a device to be pumped up, in particular an air bed.

Such a device is disclosed in German Utility Model, DE-GM 9308870. In this known device a pumping material consisting of small parts is arranged in the pump part. This enables the pumping material to be introduced into the inner space of the pump part after the device, which has to be pumped up, has been manufactured. The use of material consisting of small parts, however, makes it possible for the separate parts to coalesce, so that, within certain limits, a change of the restoring force can occur, which becomes effective after the compression of the pumping material. This also results in the user feeling a non-constant opposing force on the sole of his foot. A pumping material is understood to be a material which is compressible, but which increases its volume during decompression and during air supply.

The object of the present invention is to further develop a device of the above known prior art, such that the restoring force remains constant while maintaining the possibility of introducing the pumping material after the manufacture of the device.

According to the invention there is provided a device to be pumped up, in particular an air bed, with a part functioning as a pump and a part to be pumped up by the pump, the pump part having an input opening and being connected through a one-way-output valve to the part to be pumped up, said device having the following features: (a) the pump part receives a means for pushing the walls of the pump part apart; (b) the input opening can be closed by a stopper; (c) between the pump part and the part to be pumped up there is provided a one-way-output valve in the form of a foil valve which lets through the air of the pump part; (d) via a special means, a small return flow of the air is allowed in the opposite direction from the part to be pumped up into the pump part; (e) a closeable exit opening is provided in the part to be pumped up; wherein a block consisting of superimposed layers serves as a pumping material.

The division of the block consisting of pumping material into separate layers results in that a block is provided, which operates with a constant restoring force, while the separate layers can be introduced into the pump part through the air input opening after the manufacture of the device which has to be pumped up.

The compact arrangement of the block prevents that small parts can obstruct the input opening or the foil valve.

Moreover the block form presents the advantage that the user's foot experiences a constant impression of the surface.

Suitable pumping materials for use in the invention include open-cell plastics foam material, artificial wool or the like.

The block consisting of layers is preferably spaced apart from the walls of the pump part surrounding it and the layers of the block are preferably arranged horizontally. The uppermost layer preferably has an opening therein and more preferably has a generally central opening which corresponds with the input opening. Each layer of the block may be provided uniformly with a generally central opening.

The layers of the block are preferably rectangular and have a border, directed towards the foil valve, which has a concave recess.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a top view of an air bed according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a cross-section along the intersection line A-A of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a perspective, exploded view of the layers forming the block; and Figure 4 shows a rolled-up layer before the introduction thereof.

The air bed shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings consists of a pump part 2 and a device 1 which has to be pumped up. The pump part 2 is arranged in a corner of the air bed and is separated from the inner space of the device 1 which has to be pumped up by web walls 5.

An input opening 3, which can be closed by means of a stopper 4, is located in one of the walls 10 which define the pump part 2 at the top and at the bottom thereof.

A one-way-output valve having the form of a foil valve 6 is formed in one of the web walls 5. In this web wall 5 there is also a small opening 7 enabling the low reverse flow of the air from the device 1, which has to be pumped up, into the pump part 2. Instead of using the small opening 7 the reverse flow of the air can also be achieved through the leakiness of the foil valve 6, although it probably takes more time until the desired pressure compensation between the pump part 2 and the device 1, which has to be pumped up, is achieved.

A block 8 of open-cell plastic foam material and consisting of superimposed layers 8a is provided as a pumping material. This block 8 is arranged inside the pump part 2 and is spaced from the top as well as from all the sides of the walls forming the pump part 2.

The layers 8a forming the block 8 comprise a central opening 9. This ensures, that the input opening 3 cannot be obstructed by the upper layer, and in particular also not during operation when the layers 8a are moved slightly with respect to each other. For preventing the obstruction of the input opening it would be sufficient if only the upper layer 8a is provided with an opening 9. In the embodiment all the layers 8a are uniformly provided with an opening 9, presenting the advantage, that the particular order in which the layers 8a are introduced, does not have to be taken into consideration.

Not shown is the fact that the borders of the layers 8a, which are directed towards the foil valve 6 and which have a basic rectangular form, have a concave recess. Consequently, this ensures a sufficient air supply to the foil valve 6 even when the layers 8a touch the web wall 5 carrying the foil valve 6.

Introducing the layers 8a in the pump part 2 occurs as follows: Every layer 8a is rolled up in the way shown in Figure 4. The diameter of this roll can be a little bigger than the diameter of the input opening 3, since the material is compressible and can be introduced in the compressed state through the input opening 3.

This can be done manually. As soon as the roll has reached the inner space of the pump part 2, it unrolls and returns to a flat configuration. The introduced layer 8a can then be brought into the desired position by means of the finger of the user or of a tool.

It is, however, preferable to introduce the rolled-up layer 8a by means of a tube engaging with one end into the inner space of the pump part 2 and by means of which the rolled-up layer 8a is pushed into the pump part 2 by use of a pressing rod. In order to reduce the friction occurring therewith it is advisable to use talcum-powder or a nylon material as a lubricating layer.

The use of a tube in the form of an unfoldable sleeve is particularly advantageous. The roll is put into the open sleeve and the closing of the sleeve causes a compression of the roll. The expelling of the roll into the inner space of the pump part 2 is also performed by means of a pressing rod.

The use of an unfoldable sleeve permits introducing the roll sidewards into the tube. Friction forces will then only occur when expelling the roll.

The pumping up and the emptying of the air bed is done in the following way: It is assumed that the air bed is compressed for folding, for example for purposes of transportation, and the input opening 3 as well as the (not shown) output opening are closed.

First of all the air bed is unrolled. Upon removing the stopper 4, air can enter the inner space of the pump part 2 through the input opening 3. Supply of air causes the volume of the pumping material arranged in the pump part 2 to increase until the pump part is filled up more or less with air. Now the pump part 2 is compressed, for example by the foot of the user, said foot closing off the input opening 3. Now air is forced through the foil valve 6 into the device 1, which has to be pumped up. This pump operation is repeated until the device 1, which has to be pumped up, is blown up a little more than is finally desired. If then the pumping is stopped and the input opening 3 is closed by the stopper 4, then part of the air flows through the small opening 7 back into the pump part 2, until there is the same pressure in the closed system formed by the pump part 2 and the device 1, which has to be pumped up.

The air bed is now ready for use.

The exit opening is opened for emptying the air bed. Rolling up the air bed starting from the pump part 2 will cause the air to be removed from the pump part 2 as well as from the device 1, which has to be pumped up, the air exiting through the exit opening. In this state the air bed is - folded up and can be transported like that. The described cycle can start all over when using the air bed again.

Claims

1. A device to be pumped up, in particular an air bed, with a part functioning as a pump and a part to be pumped up by the pump, the pump part having an input opening and being connected through a one-way-output valve to the part to be pumped up, said device having the following features: (a) the pump part receives a means for pushing the walls of the pump part apart; (b) the input opening can be closed by a stopper; (c) between then pump part and the part to be pumped up there is provided a one-way-output valve in the form of a foil valve which lets through the air of the pump part; (d) via a special means, a small return flow of the air is allowed in the opposite direction from the part to be pumped up into the pump part; (e) a closeable exit opening is provided in the part to be pumped up; wherein a block consisting of superimposed layers serves as a pumping material.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein an open cell plastics foam material, artificial wool or similar is used as pumping material.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the block consisting of the layers is spaced apart from the walls of the pump part surrounding it.

4. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the layers of the block are arranged horizontally.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein at least an uppermost layer has an opening therein.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the uppermost layer has a generally central opening which corresponds with the input opening.

7. A device according to claim 5, wherein each layer is provided uniformly with a generally central opening.

8. A device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the layers are rectangular and have a border, directed towards the foil valve (6), which has a concave recess.

9. A device to be pumped up substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.