Patent ID: 6048264
Filing Date: 2000-04-11
Classification: B60S,G01M

Abstract:
Apparatus for directing a flow of pressurized air from an external source of such air into a compartment through an opening in said compartment, said compartment having an inside and an outside, said opening having a closed perimeter, said apparatus comprising:(a) an air inlet fitting mountable in said compartment opening to form at least one smaller opening having a closed perimeter defined by a portion of an outer perimeter of said fitting and a portion of said perimeter of said compartment opening; said fitting including an air inlet port having an input opening for receiving said flow of air as an input from said source, and an output opening for delivering said flow of air as an output;(b) an air bag having an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening, said bag being inflatable in response to the continuing flow of pressurized air through said bag from said inlet opening to said outlet opening;(c) means for connecting said input opening of said port in air flow communication with said source; and,(d) means for connecting said air inlet opening of said air bag in air flow communication with said output opening of said port,said air bag being sized to permit a first portion of said bag to remain inside said compartment while a second portion of said bag merged with said first portion is withdrawn outside said compartment through said smaller opening, said first portion including said outlet opening, said first and second portions having respective sizes such that they are then responsive to said flow of air through said bag to inflate on opposite sides of said smaller opening sufficiently to cause said bag to expand against said compartment and said fitting with air sealing pressure along said perimeter of said smaller opening.