US2378924A - Inflation unit for inflatable flotation devices - Google Patents

Description

June 26, 1945. J. HQNEGGER ETA;` 2,378,924

INFLATION UNIT FOR INFLATABLE FLOTATION DEVICE Filed NOV. 26, 1942 AT EY `Patented June 26, 1945 UNITED [STATE INFLATION UNIT FOR INFLA'IVABLE i FLOTATION DEVICES John A. Honegger, Bloomeld,` and Alvin W.

i Keeslian, Belleville, N. J., assignors to Kdde Manufacturing Co., Inc., Bloomfield, N. ,.I., a

` corporation of *Delaware Application November 26, 1342, serial Ne. 467,038

, claims. (cl. 222-3) Y The present invention relates `to inilation units for inflatable flotationh devices, such as life vests, life belts, life rafts and similar life-saving devices adaptedto be inflated by a compressed` or liquefied gaseous medium; and more lparticularly to an improved connection for attaching `the innation units to the flotation devices.`

An object of the invention is to provide an improved connection forattaching an inflation unit to an `inflatable flotation device.

Another object `is to provide a connection of the foregoing character which comprises a miniopening II through whichthe wearer may insert his head, and has a strapIZ adaptedto be adjusted around the waist of the wearer and has a crotch strap I4 adapted tobe `positioned between thelegs of the wearer.

At a `,convenient location, an inflation unitl i is attached to the life-preserver It. The inflamum `number of yparts adapted to be readily asf sembled in a convenient manner.

Another object is to provide a connection which 1j facilitates removal of the inflation unit from the flotation device for the purpose of replacement of parts or repairs.

Another object is to provide a connection have f ing aminimum number of `points at which leak-` age may OCCHI.

A further object consistsin the features of conv struction, the combination of elements, and the w arrangement of parts, whereby the foregoing ob- Y `jects may be accomplished.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantagesnot referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the artuponemployment of the invention in practice.

A` preferred embodiment of the inventionhas been chosenior the 'purposes of illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying similar to Figure 2,

` drawing,` forming a part of the speciiication,` wherein: i i

illustrating a modied embodiment of the invention. Figure 5 is a 5-5 on Figure 4. Referring to the drawing, 1y to Figure 1, there is shown, by way of example, an inflatable life-preserver I0 constructed ofV rubberized brother suitable fabric. The life-preserver is of the type provided with an sectional View taken along `the line and more particulartion junit' comprisesa body member `I6 having a chamber I1 for housing or storing a cartridge I9 (Figure 2) containing an inflating medium such as liquefied carbon dioxide, compressed air or the like, a cap `2l) removably secured to one end of the body member "I6 adapted to seal the chamber, and suitable means for releasing the inflating medium from the cartridge I 9. k

" The releasing means may be similartothe 'arrangement shown in United States Patent No. Reissue 20,047, wherein a pin pierces a sealing disc or closure of the cartridge to thereby release the inating medium into the chamberl of the body member. The pin of such means is adapted to be actuated by a lever 2 I, as shown herein (Figure 1), which may be rocked about pivot` by a pull cable or cord 22 having a manually engageable handle or button 24 at its` `free end. Since the releasing means, which mayibe employed,` are Well known and do not constitute a part of the present invention a detaileddescription thereof is not necessary. The lever 2l is not shown in Figure 2, to simplify the View, but

it will be understood that the lever is adapted to be pivotally mounted in the slot 25 atl the lowerA to conduct the inflation medium fromthe chamber I'I to the inflation compartment ofthe life-` `preserver. Preferably, a check `valve 2B, of the `commercial pneumatic automobile tire type, is screw threaded into the passage of thejstem, Whchis adaptedto permit the inflation medium to pass towards the inflation compartment `of the life-preserver and prevents return flow of the medium towards the chamber I'I.

In order to facilitate connection between the body member ls and iheeiem 32; iiie bedyirremu bei is` provided with e. portion `i4, ecieeeni to.

. maybe subjected,

seated a-sealing gasketor ring 39, andmay have.y e

a threaded portion 4U adjacent the opening of the socket. Preferably, the socket is interlorlyithreaded and the shoulder is formedinwardly oi the threads.

The freeend of the stem or tube 32 is adapted to be inserted into the socketY and is` providedY with an outwardly projecting. annulanfla'nge 4l,

spaced from the free end, one.side cil wh-ichlis adapted to abut the gasket 39.

The other side` of the ange 4I is adapted-to be engaged-.by a. Y

connecting member for urging the ange toward the shoulder, such as a ferrule coupling nut, orY

sleeve dztelescoped aboutthe stem 32.A The ferrule may have an exteriorly threadedportiondd adapted to be screwedinto engagement withthe threaded portion 40. of .the socketand Amay. be pro.- vided with a nut-like portion 45 latits outer` end for-facilitating engagement of `.the ferrule by a suitable tool. When the ferrule` issecured into the socket, the stem is securely ConnectedI tothe body member I6, land theA gasket 39jformsia leaky proof seal.

Suitable means-(may be provided toprevent relative rotationbelweenthe stern andthe body member. For example, as shown in ,Figurefg the base ofthe s ocketmay be provided with a tongue or projection llli-adapted telit into` a'jlongitudinally extendingslot or groovell'l attheV inserted `end ofthe stem.

InFigures 4 and the socket isplprovided with an octagonal b ore portion 49 adaptedto receive a complementary.; portion 5D formed on the eX.-

terior on the stem adjacent the end thereof. If desired the bore portion 49 land `the stem portion 50 may be Square, hexagona1 or, may, have any other suitable shape. With this arrangement the body meinberl.maybemounted andsecured on thev Steminvarious positions of angular'adjust- "ment ,with respect to the` life-preserver.

Itwllbe noted also thatthe shoulder 37 and lthe'` ila-nge M, inaddliion to compressing'the gasket 3.9 to'formaseal,Y serve to space the free( endj of the'sternfrom the base off the so,cket,`

whereby the inflationmedium passingthrough the aperture 36 and enteringI the socket is adapted to -opw through thepassage 33- ofithe stemy.,`

Fromy the foregoing I description it AWill'fbe Vseen that ,theV present invention provides `an improved inflation -unit anda connection for attaohingfthe unit to an vinflatable device. The unit; and Mits connection comprisea minimumunumber ofjparts which are readily assembled or taken apart for repairs.` The connection is leakproofand'preventsthe loss ofthe' inflating medium; The parts of theA unit. are rugged in lconstruction 4andgcan readily withstand any rough usage to which they rAsyvarious.changes may be made` in the form, construction and arrangement of 1 theV parts herein, without departing from the spiritand-scope ofthe invention and Without sacrificing any' of advantages, it is to be understood thatallmatter herein is tobe interpretedas illustrative and not in any limitingsense.

1t. is ,e150 te be understood that the Afollowing claimsy are intendedfto cover all .the 'genericand 4`lliric,features of the. invention hereindesoribed,

and all statements-of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

We claim:

1. An ination unit for attachment to one side f of an iniiatable flotation device, comprising an elongated body memberhaving` a chamber for storing acontainer of fluid'pressure medium to inilate the flotation device and provided on one 'side with an oiset portion formed with a socket defined by an inner end face and extending tangentially lwith respect to said chamber and communicating with the latter 'adjacent said inner endzface, said socket having a shoulder, a stem having aV passage thereinA provided with avalve andadapted to conduct and control uid medium from said chamber to the flotation device, saidstem having aninner radial face disposed in spaced `relation with said inner end face and provided with a flange arranged a predetermined distancefrom said radial facejandzmeansvcarriedionvsaid stem and detachably secured lztosaid offset portion for; couplingsaid stemgjto said portion inxed relation, said shoulder:coactingfvvith said flange in amanner to position` andv maintain said ,radial face of` said stem insaidy'spaced'relaf tion'to said inner `end face of said lsocket forzpermitting ,communicationv between said chamber and said socketatall times. y i K j, Y Y

2. An inflation unit. for airilinflatablelotatlon device;` comprisinga. body member having` a.

chamber. for storing a container of fluid pressure lledillll7 adapted to inflateithe device,` -`said 4.body

member having a1 socket formed-With al shoulder and extending tangentially. with. respectt tof,said chamber and definedby aninnerendfaceisaid body` member formed. with an opening eifeeting communication between said' chamber andsaid socket. adjacent said, inner end 'fCayastelLhaving a ,passage therein provided with,` avalve4 and adapted to conduct and control iiuid medium from said chamber tothe. notation device,- said stem having oneend disposed.insaidsockeband provided with aliange arranged`4 4a predetermined distance from said en'dof said stem, `andagrnem` ber securing `said stem' to isaidbody membenand engaging saideflange tomaintainthe` latter in sealed relation withsaidshoulder, sadshoulder cooperating wthsaidanee to maintansaidiend of, said stern in spaced relationto. saidinnr end face .and thus: permitk communication between said chamber and said so'cketthroughsaid Lopen'- ing at all times, `said bodymemberan'dsad stem having cooperating portQnS for preventingfrota.-

.tion therebetween. i i

3; An inflation unit for an iniiatable ijotation device, comprising a body member having, a

chamber for storing a containerof uidlpieSwre medium adapted lto inflate thedevioe, saidgbody member having a socket formed,witlralshoulder and extending' tan'gentiallyv with` respect jto. said chamber and defined byj an inner end.fa.ce,' said body member formedwith an opening eecting communication between said chamber' andgsaid socket adjacent said inner endiface., a stern Having apassago therein providedwithla' valvefand adapted to `fconduct and controruidf medium from said chamber to the otation device, said stem having one end disposed in said socketland being provided with a flangearrangedia predetermined distance fromsaid end oi 'fsaifd j stemg a member =semiringsaid'stem' to saideouy; and/en.; easing., said aange to L main'1am;thev latterN in sealed., relation l with said shoulder, A and,."sealing Vmeal'xs.. between said shoulder and.. said; 'ange,

4. The structure of claim 1 wherein said faces are provided with a slot and tongue respectively t having interftting relation to preclude relative` rotation of said bodymember and stem and thus maintain said body member in fixed relation with said flotation device. l 5. An inflation unit for an inflatable notation device, `comprising an elongated bo'dy member ture communicating with said chamber, a stem having a passage therein provided with a valve and adapted to conduct and control uid medium fromlsaid chamber to the flotationdevice, said stern` having an opening and provided with a shoulder arranged a predetermined distance from said opening, and means detachably secured between said offset portion andsaid stem for cou` pling said stem to said portion in fixed relation,`

said socket shouldencooperating withsaid stem shoulder in a manner to .position and maintain having a chamber for storing a container of fluid 1 l pressure medium to inflate the flotation device and provided on one side with an offset element formed with a: socket portion extending tangentially with respectto said chamber, said socket said stem opening in predetermined relation to said aperture to provide communication between said chamber and said socket portion at all times,

said body member and. said stem having'oooper- .ating `portions for preventing rotation therebe- 1 tween;

p f JOHN A. HONEGGER. t ALVINW. KEESHAN.

portion including a shoulder and having an aperl

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