Patent ID: 6129491
Filing Date: 2000-10-10
Classification: F16K

Abstract:
An inflatable device comprising:a collapsible, essentially airtight bladder bounding a chamber;a filling passage communicating with said chamber for filling said chamber; anda shut-off structure for at least partially shutting off said passage;said shut-off structure having an operating member and a shut-off portion; andsaid shut-off portion having a surface area displaceable by said operating member between a forward position at least partially shutting off said passage and a retracted position clearing said passage, said displacement from said retracted position to said forward position being responsive to inflation pressure in said bladder;a cover covering at least a portion of said bladder, such that said cover is tensioned if said bladder is in an inflated condition;an interspace between said cover and said bladder; andsaid shut-off structure being positioned in said interspace,said operating member extending along a first surface area of said bladder, at least if said bladder is in said inflated condition,said surface area of said shut-off portion forming a second surface area and being displaceable by said operating member from said retracted position to said forward position in response to compression of said shut-off structure between said first surface area of said bladder and said cover.