Patent ID: 6089403
Filing Date: 2000-07-18
Classification: B63C

Abstract:
An inflation system with pneumatic assist, comprising:a housing to which a gas cartridge is releasably connectable;a puncture pin slideably mounted in said housing for puncturing a membrane of said gas cartridge;said puncture pin having a uniform diameter and a sharp pointed end for making a small initial puncture in said membrane under a small application of pressure;an membrane cutting means disposed in trailing relation to said sharp pointed end of said puncture pin, said membrane cutting means having a breadth substantially greater than a breadth of said puncture pin and being adapted to enlarge said small initial puncture;a piston slideably mounted in said housing, said piston having a head at its leading end and said puncture pin being secured to said piston at a trailing end of said piston;low power means for displacing said piston and hence said puncture pin a short distance to form said small initial puncture in said membrane;channeling means for directing gases flowing through said small initial puncture into an enclosed space at the head of said piston;said channeling means being a longitudinally extending bore formed in said puncture pin;whereby gases flowing into said enclosed space cause said enclosed space to expand, thereby displacing said piston and driving said enlarged membrane cutting means through said membrane, thereby enlarging said small initial puncture;whereby said low power means makes said small initial puncture; andwhereby a large amount of force required to enlarge said small initial puncture by driving said enlarged membrane cutting means through said membrane is supplied by gases escaping through said small, initial puncture.