Abstract:
A device for inflating a balloon or other inflatable structure is disclosed. A neck of the inflatable structure fits through an annular mouthpiece of an oral inflator, and a check valve assembly is inserted therein, compressing the neck of the balloon between the check valve assembly and the mouthpiece and preventing air from exiting from the balloon. Air is orally introduced into the check valve to inflate the balloon. A housing may be included for containing the oral inflator and the balloon. In one embodiment, multiple balloons are fixed to multiple oral inflators, each of which is connected through an inflation manifold to an inflation tube. An flexible strap with a selectively releasable fastener on each end can be used to secure the device to a swimmer. In one embodiment, a pressurized inflation cartridge may be included that has a selectively openable valve for inflating each balloon.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/923,291, filed on Apr. 13, 2007, and incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    This invention relates to inflation devices, and more particularly to an oral inflation device for use by swimmers. 
       DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART 
       [0004]    Swimmers of all age can find themselves in an emergency situation if caught in a riptide, or otherwise find themselves in deeper water and unable to continue swimming. In such situations, the need for an emergency floatation device is paramount. Yet such floatation devices, such as vests, floatation rings, and the like are relatively bulky, and as such are infrequently used. In the event a swimmer needs such a device but hadn&#39;t obtained one before swimming, the results can be tragic, particularly if bystanders are not alerted to the swimmer&#39;s emergency. 
         [0005]    Clearly, then, having a personal floatation device that is not bulky and does not interfere with one&#39;s swimming or playing would be advantageous. U.S. Pat. No. 7,104,858 to Yonover on Sep. 12, 2006, teaches a strap for encircling a person&#39;s torso and that includes a pair of inflatable balloons. Such a device, while less bulky than a Styrofoam ring, for example, is still rather inconvenient to wear and use while swimming in that a belt or strap must be worn around the person&#39;s torso. Such a device does not provide for multiple uses once the balloons of such a device are inflated, which requires replacement of the entire device once used. Still further, the balloons used in such a device necessarily need two ports, making such balloons expensive to manufacture. Further, while such a device provides for brightly colored and therefore more easily noticed balloons, the device makes no provision for alerting bystanders audibly of an emergency. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,118,165 to Christopher et al. on Jun. 15, 1936, teaches a belt having a pressurized cartridge for inflating a floatation balloon that is fixed to the belt. Such a device has many of the same drawbacks of the Yanover device, in that it is bulky and interferes with normal swimming activities. Further, such a device is not easily reset once used, resulting in a greater cost of operation. 
         [0007]    Therefore, there is a need for a device that a light-weigh, disposable item that can be readily attached to a swimmer&#39;s arm or leg to provide an unobtrusive emergency floatation device. The needed device would allow swimmers of all ages an easy way to inflate a personal floatation device, and further would provide means for audibly alerting bystanders of an emergency. The needed invention would further not require a person tie a knot in the neck of a balloon, or otherwise be concerned about air escaping the inflatable structures of the device. Such a needed device would be made of relatively inexpensive components and utilize readily available balloons, making its acquisition and use inexpensive and practical for a vast number of swimmers. The present invention accomplishes these objectives. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present device is an oral balloon inflator for inflating a balloon or other inflatable structure. A neck of the inflatable structure fits through an annular mouthpiece of an oral inflator, and a check valve assembly is inserted therein, compressing the neck of the balloon between the check valve assembly and the mouthpiece and preventing air from exiting from the balloon. Air is orally introduced into the check valve to inflate the balloon. 
         [0009]    A housing may be included for containing the oral inflator and the balloon. In one embodiment, multiple balloons are fixed to multiple oral inflators, each of which is connected through an inflation manifold to an inflation tube. An flexible strap with a selectively releasable fastener on each end can be used to secure the device to a swimmer, the device being connected to the strap via a tether. In one embodiment, a pressurized inflation cartridge may also be included that has a selectively openable valve for inflating each balloon. 
         [0010]    The present invention provides a light-weigh, disposable item that can be readily attached to a swimmer to provide an emergency floatation device. The present device allows swimmers of all ages an easy way to inflate a personal floatation device, and further provides means for alerting bystanders of an emergency. The present invention further does not require a person tie a knot in the neck of a balloon, or otherwise be concerned about air escaping the inflatable structures of the device. The present invention further is made of relatively inexpensive components, making it practical for a vast number of swimmers to obtain and use. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an embodiment of an oral balloon inflator; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an oral inflator; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an oral inflator; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an oral inflator; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an oral inflator; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a side cross sectional view of an embodiment of an oral inflator; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a side cross sectional view of an embodiment of an oral inflator; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a side cross sectional view of an embodiment of an oral inflator; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of a miniature personal floatation device of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the miniature personal floatation device of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a side cross-sectional view of an inflation cartridge and an output valve of one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a front elevational view of the inflation cartridge and the output valve of  FIG. 11 ; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0024]    The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently-preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the present invention is directed towards an oral balloon inflator  10  comprising an oral inflator  100  and an inflatable structure  12 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the oral inflator  100  comprises an annular mouthpiece  102 , and a check valve assembly  103  comprising an annular check valve liner  104 , a check valve  14 , and, optionally, an annular mouthpiece liner  108 , so that the inflatable structure  12  can be inflated without having to be held, such as while swimming. The mouthpiece  102  maintains an opening  115  in the inflatable structure  12 . The check valve liner  104  is fitted into the mouthpiece  102  and serves as an adapter for the check valve  14  to fit securely into the interior of the mouthpiece  102  ( FIGS. 2-8 ). The check valve  14  is fixedly inserted and attached into the interior of the check valve liner  104 , where it closes the opening  115  of the inflatable structure  12  created by the mouthpiece  102  to prevent air from escaping the inflatable structure  12 . 
         [0026]    The mouthpiece  102  may further comprise a flange  106  at one end ( FIG. 6 ). The neck  110  of the inflatable structure  12  is first inserted through the mouthpiece  102  beginning on the side with the flange  106  and pulled out through the opposite end as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the check valve assembly  103  is then inserted into the neck  110  of the inflatable structure  12  approximately 0.5 inch to approximately 2 inches past the opening  112  of the inflatable structure  12 . Preferably, the check valve assembly  103  is inserted approximately  1  inch past the opening  112  of the inflatable structure  12 . 
         [0028]    The clearance between the check valve liner  104  and the mouthpiece  102  is slightly smaller than the thickness of the inflatable structure  12  in its relaxed and deflated condition. Thus, stretching the inflatable structure  12 , for example by pulling on the neck  110 , decreases the thickness of the inflatable structure  12  and allows the mouthpiece  102  to slide up and over the check valve liner  104  as shown in  FIG. 7 . Releasing the neck of the inflatable structure  12  increases the thickness of the inflatable structure  12 , thereby increasing the resistance between the check valve liner  104  and the inflatable structure  12  and by increasing the resistance between the inflatable structure  12  and the mouthpiece  102 . This secures the check valve liner  104  inside the mouthpiece  102  through resistive forces. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , the remaining portion of the neck  110  of the inflatable structure  12  can then be folded over the mouthpiece  102 , thereby securing the mouthpiece  102  in place. The check valve  14 , which is fixedly attached inside the check valve liner  104  now serves as a one-way valve to allow air into the inflatable structure  12  but resists the flow of air out of the inflatable structure  12 . A user can hold the oral inflator  100  in his mouth with his lips or his teeth and inflate the balloon  12  without the assistance of his hands. 
         [0030]    The check valve  14  can be fixedly attached to the check valve liner  104  by any permanent means such as glue, epoxy, soldering, and the like. In a preferred embodiment, the check valve  14  is fixedly attached inside the check valve liner  104  with epoxy resin. The check valve  14  can be any suitable commercially sold check valve. Preferably, the check valve  14  is Coast Guard approved. 
         [0031]    In another embodiment the oral inflator  100  further comprises a mouth piece liner  108  that fits between the mouthpiece  102  and the check valve liner  104 , serving as an adapter for the check valve liner  104  and the mouthpiece  102 . The mouthpiece liner  108  can be fixedly attached to the mouthpiece  102 . The opening of the mouthpiece liner  108  can be slightly larger than the diameter of the check valve liner  104  such that the clearance between the check valve liner  104  and the mouthpiece liner  108  is less than the thickness of the inflatable structure  12  in its relaxed, deflated state. 
         [0032]    The mouthpiece  102 , the check valve liner  104  and the mouthpiece liner  108  can be made of any rigid material that is water resistant, such as plastic, metal, stainless steel, fluorocarbon polymer such as that sold under the trademark TEFLON®, and the like. 
         [0033]    The mouthpiece liner  108  can have a flange on one end that is slightly larger than the inside diameter of the mouthpiece  102  such that the mouthpiece liner cannot fall through the opening of the mouthpiece  102 . Similarly, the check valve liner  104  can also have a flange slightly larger than either the inside diameter of the mouth piece liner  108  or the mouthpiece  102 , depending on the embodiment, so as to prevent the check valve liner  104  from falling through the opening of the mouth piece liner  108  or the mouthpiece  102 . There are many other ways to prevent the check valve liner  104  from falling through the mouthpiece liner  108  or the mouthpiece  102  such as an inner lip on the mouthpiece  102  and/or mouthpiece liner  108  that the check valve liner  104  can rest on or providing a mouthpiece  102  or mouthpiece liner  108  with a particular shape, such as a partially conical shape, that would prevent the check valve liner  104  from falling through the opening  115 . 
         [0034]    The inflatable structure  12  can be made of any material that can be easily inflated. For example, the inflatable structure  12  can be made of plastic, rubber, latex, chloroprene, nylon fabric and the like. Preferably, the inflatable structure  12  is made of a durable latex balloon material such as that sold under the trademark TUFF-TEX®. Such an inflatable structure  12  is preferably brightly colored so as to be easily seen by rescue workers. 
         [0035]    In one embodiment, the inflatable structure  12  is made of a metallic or Mylar® material  90  ( FIG. 13 ), and the neck  110  of such a Mylar® inflatable structure  12  is wrapped around the annular mouthpiece liner  108  that takes the form of a thin annular cylindrical Mylar® liner  92 . As Mylar 90® does not expand when inflated, use of the Mylar liner  92  is necessary to hold the inflatable structure  12  into the oral inflator  100 . 
         [0036]    Although the oral inflator  100  has been described to be inflated orally with a person&#39;s mouth, various manual and automatic inflation devices, such as pumps, can be adapted to utilize the oral inflation device  10 . 
         [0037]    In another embodiment, the oral balloon inflator can be attached to a highly compact and light-weight miniature personal flotation device  11 , which further comprises an attachment strap  20 . The miniature personal flotation device  11  may also have an inflation cartridge  50 , a whistle  70 , and a housing  40 . The housing  40  may be a rigid plastic housing (not shown), or preferably a mesh pocket fixed to the attachment strap  20  as illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
         [0038]    The miniature personal flotation device  11  ( FIG. 9 ) of the invention utilizes an attachment strap  20 , which may be worn by a swimmer, particularly a child. The ends  25  of the attachment strap may be equipped with readily releasable fastener  30 , for example, a hook-and-loop type fabric fastener  26 , such as those sold under the registered trademark Velcro®. This allows the ends  25  of the attachment strap  20  to be easily wrapped and snugly secured about the arm, leg, or torso of swimmers of different sizes ( FIG. 10 ). 
         [0039]    Connected to the attachment strap  20  are one or more inflatable structures  12 , which may be deflated balloon-like structures  12  formed of rubber and connected to the attachment strap  20  by an inflatable structure tether  60 , which is preferably a relatively short cord of about eighteen to twenty-four inches. Each of the inflatable structures  12  may be inflated to a diameter of preferably approximately eight to twelve inches, about the size of a soccer ball. In one version of the invention, the inflatable structure  12  may be contained within a module configuration  13 , such as shown in  FIG. 3 , when not in use. The module configuration  13  permits compact storage of the inflatable structure  12  within the housing  40 , but also permits the inflatable structure  12  to be deployed when inflated. 
         [0040]    An inflation manifold (not shown) may also connected to the attachment strap  20  and the one or more inflatable structures  12 . The inflation manifold permits air to pass from the inflation cartridge  50  and/or a manual inflation tube (not shown) to each inflatable structure  12 . Such a manual inflation tube may be fixed to the check valve  14  at one end, the other end protruding from the housing  40  to facilitate manual inflation of the inflatable structures  12 . 
         [0041]    In one embodiment, each inflatable structure  12  has a mouth which may contain the one-way check valve  14 , which allows inflation and prevents deflation of the inflatable structure  12 . In another version of the invention, the check valve  14  may be integrated within the inflation manifold (not shown), or the manual inflation tube (not shown). 
         [0042]    In one version of the invention, an inflation cartridge  50  is connected to the check valve  14  and communicates with the opening  115  of the inflatable structure  12  ( FIGS. 11 and 12 ) through a selectively-actuable output valve  58 , as is known in the art, for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,809,288 to Mackal in May, 1973. The inflation cartridge  50  may be a conventional CO 2  inflation cartridge  50 , which may be manually discharged to inflate the inflatable structure  12 . 
         [0043]    A whistle  70  may also be connected to the attachment strap  20  and may be attached by a relatively short whistle tether  80  ( FIG. 9 ). As such, a swimmer in trouble may inflate the inflatable structure  12  and then have ready access to the whistle  70  to alert bystanders 
         [0044]    In normal use a swimmer wears the attachment strap  20  with the inflatable structures  12  collapsed in their modular configuration  13 . The collapsed inflatable structures  12  may further be held against the outside surface of the attachment strap  20  by a breakaway strap (not shown), or the housing  40 . The whistle  70  may likewise be held upon the outside surface of the attachment strap  20  by a breakaway strap (not shown) or with the mouthpiece of the whistle  30  inserted into the housing  40  in the attachment strap  20 . 
         [0045]    The miniature personal flotation device  11  is designed as a light-weight, inexpensive, disposable unit so that the entire miniaturized emergency personal flotation system  10  can be manufactured quite inexpensively, and so that all of the elements are quite light in weight and may be held in a compact condition on the outside of the attachment strap.  20  As such, neither the deflated inflatable structures  12 , nor the whistle  70 , nor the inflation cartridges  50  are burdensome to an individual swimming or playing in the water. 
         [0046]    In the event of an emergency, for example if the swimmer is swept away from a shallow bathing area by a riptide, the miniature personal flotation device  11  may be quickly and easily inflated. In such an emergency condition the swimmer removes the oral balloon inflator  10  from the pocket or housing  40  of the attachment strap  20 , places the mouthpiece  102  in his mouth and inflates the inflatable structure  12  by blowing at least two breaths into the mouthpiece  102 . If desired, the swimmer can let some air out of the inflatable structure  12  by pressing the check valve  14  into the mouthpiece  102 , which, in one embodiment (not shown), lets air leak around the sides of the check valve assembly  103 . As such, the swimmer in this fashion can optimize the buoyancy provided by the device  10 . 
         [0047]    To use the embodiment having the inflation cartridge  50  and the output valve  58 , the swimmer actuates the output valve  58 , such as by pulling a lanyard or pull cord (not shown), for example, to discharge the inflation cartridge  50  and inflate the inflatable structures  12 . The inflatable structures  12  each break free from the attachment strap  20  when inflated, but remain within easy reach of the swimmer due to the short inflatable structure tethers  60  with which they are attached to the attachment strap  20 . The user can then simply wrap his or her arms about one or more of the inflated inflatable structures  12  to stay afloat while awaiting rescue. To attract attention the user may retrieve the whistle  70  and blow into it while clinging to one or more of the inflatable structures  12 . 
         [0048]    The inflatable structure  12  may remain tethered to the attachment strap  20  so that, even if the swimmer loses a grip on the inflatable structure  12 , it can easily be retrieved. 
         [0049]    The miniature personal floatation device  11  may further comprise an oral balloon inflator  100 . The oral balloon inflator  100  of each flotation device  12  preferably includes a one-way check valve  14 , which the user can use to manually inflate any inflatable structure  12  that is totally or incompletely inflated by the inflation cartridge  50 . In one version of the invention, the inflatable structure  12  may be inflatable only by manual inflation and may not include an inflation cartridge  50 . If necessary, the user may place the mouthpiece  102  of the oral balloon inflator  10  between his or her lips and blow to inflate each inflatable structure  12 . The check valve  14  prohibits air from escaping the inflatable structure  12 . 
         [0050]    In one version of the invention, the miniature personal flotation device  11  may include a manual inflation tube (not shown) connected to the check valve  14 . The manual inflation tube permits the user to inflate the inflatable structure  12  by blowing air into the manual inflation tube. The manual inflation tube may also include the check valve  14  therein to permit inflation of the inflatable structure  12  while preventing flow of air out of the manual inflation tube (e.g., after the inflation cartridge  50  is discharged). 
         [0051]    In one version of the invention, the various structures of the miniature personal flotation device  11  may be enclosed in a water-proof housing  40 . It is recognized that, in such embodiments, during use the attachment strap  20 , manual inflation tube, and whistle  70  are accessible from the housing  40 , such as by means of holes, access panels, or the like (not shown). 
         [0052]    Unlike conventional personal flotation devices, the miniature personal flotation device  11  of the invention is designed as a light-weight, disposable item that does not interfere with movement of the swimmer during normal swimming and water play activities. Also, because it is manufactured of relatively inexpensive materials and components, it is within financial means of a large segment of the population. 
         [0053]    While the present invention has been described with regards to particular embodiments, it is recognized that additional variations of the present invention may be devised without departing from the inventive concept.