Patent ID: 7673647
Filing Date: 2010-03-09
Classification: B63C,F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An inflator, comprising in combination: a body portion for connection to a gas cylinder, said body portion including a frangible seal; and an inflation piston having a pierce pin for piercing said frangible seal allowing compressed gas from said gas cylinder to flow axially through said inflator, said inflation piston reciprocatably mounted within a piston cylinder, said inflation piston comprising two diametrically-opposed upstanding arms that reciprocate within respective two diametrically-opposed ports in said piston cylinder and an axial upstanding neck positioned between said two diametrically-opposed upstanding arms that reciprocates within an axial longitudinal bore formed in said inflator between said two diametrically-opposed ports, said upstanding neck including a fluid passageway in fluid communication with said pierce pin; and a cam surface that engages said upstanding arms to force said inflation piston toward said frangible seal, whereupon upon initial piercing of frangible seal, gas from the gas cylinder flows through said fluid passageway to further urge said inflation piston toward said frangible seal to thereby assist said pierce pin to more fully pierce said frangible seal.