Abstract:
An inflatable product includes a pack having a first vent with a first valve, a second vent with a second valve, a third vent in communication with the ambient, a first chamber in communication with the first vent, a second chamber in communication with the second vent, and an air pump pumping air into and out of the pack through the third vent when activated in a first and second direction. A first switch structure is movable between first and second orientations. The first orientation opens the first valve and activates the air pump in the first direction to inflate the first chamber. The second orientation closes the first valve. A second switch structure is movable between third and fourth orientations. The third orientation opens the second valve and activates the air pump in the second direction to deflate the second chamber. The fourth orientation closes the second valve.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/886,030, filed Jun. 22, 2001. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates in general to an inflatable product provided with an electric air pump. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Referring to  FIG. 11 , prior art provides a conventional air mattress for two people with a top fabric cover  100 , a layer of foam  200 , two inflatable chambers  300 ,  400 , a frame  500  and a bottom fabric cover  600 . The inflatable chambers  300 ,  400  are inflated by an electric air pump (not shown), which is separately provided, requiring users to carry two items, the air mattress itself, and an electric air pump. Inconvenience results, especially for outdoor use. 
   The present invention provides a modified air mattress, which has a built-in electric air pump eliminating the need for an external pump. Furthermore, operation of the air mattress of the present invention is easy. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   An object of the present invention is to provide an inflatable product including two chambers and an air pump for inflating and deflating the chambers. 
   In an embodiment of the invention, an inflatable product is provided including a first chamber, an air pump, a first valve through which the air pump inflates and deflates the first chamber, and a first switch structure, connected to the first valve, wherein the first valve is mechanically opened by the first switch structure. The inflatable product further includes a second chamber, a second valve through which the air pump inflates and deflates the second chamber, and a second switch structure, connected to the second valve, wherein the second valve is mechanically opened by the second switch structure. The air pump has a first pair of electrodes and a second pair of electrodes, the air pump operating in a first direction for inflating air through the first or second valve when the first pair of electrodes contact each other, and operating in a second reverse direction opposite to the first direction for deflating air through the first or second valve when the second pair of electrodes contacts each other. The first switch structure and the second switch structure operate the pump by controlling the first pair of electrodes and the second pair of electrodes. 
   In another embodiment of the invention, an inflatable product is provided comprising a pack having a first vent opened and closed by a first valve, a second vent opened and closed by a second valve, and a third vent in communication with the ambient. A first chamber is provided in communication with the first vent, and a second chamber is provided in communication with the second vent. An air pump is provided for pumping air into the pack through the third vent when activated in a first direction, and out of the pack through the third vent when activated in a second direction. The inflatable product further includes a first switch structure movable between a first orientation and a second orientation, the first orientation opening the first valve and activating the air pump in the first direction to inflate the first chamber, and the second orientation closing the first valve. The inflatable product further includes a second switch structure movable between a third orientation and a fourth orientation, the third orientation opening the second valve and activating the air pump in the second direction to deflate the second chamber, and the fourth orientation closing the second valve. A driving element is provided for impelling the second switch structure out of the third orientation when the first switch structure is moved to the first orientation while the second switch structure is in the third orientation, such that the first and second switch structures cannot be respectively in the first and third orientations simultaneously. Preferably, the driving element also impels the first switch structure out of the first orientation when the second switch structure is moved to the third orientation while the first switch structure is in the first orientation, such that the first and second switch structures cannot be respectively in the first and third orientations simultaneously. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the first switch structure is further movable to a fifth orientation, the fifth orientation opening the first valve and activating the air pump in the second direction to deflate the first chamber, and the second switch structure is further movable to a sixth orientation, the sixth orientation opening the second valve and activating the air pump in the first direction to inflate the second chamber. In this embodiment, the driving element preferably impels the second switch structure out of the sixth orientation when the first switch structure is moved to the fifth orientation while the second switch structure is in the sixth orientation, such that the first and second switch structures cannot be respectively in the fifth and sixth orientations simultaneously. The driving element may also impel the first switch structure out of the fifth orientation when the second switch structure is moved to the sixth orientation while the first switch structure is in the fifth orientation, such that the first and second switch structures cannot be respectively in the fifth and sixth orientations simultaneously. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective diagram of an inflatable product in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 1B  is an expanded view of the inflatable product of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 1C  is an exploded diagram of the air pump and pump seat of  FIG. 1B ; 
       FIG. 1D  is a schematic diagram of the air pump of the first embodiment during inflation; 
       FIG. 1E  is a schematic diagram of the air pump of the first embodiment during deflation; 
       FIG. 2A  depicts an air pump of a second embodiment of the present invention during inflation; 
       FIG. 2B  is a sectional view of  FIG. 2A  along line II—II; 
       FIG. 2C  depicts the air pump of the second embodiment of the present invention during deflation; 
       FIG. 3A  depicts an air pump of a third embodiment of the present invention during inflation; 
       FIG. 3B  depicts the air pump of  FIG. 3A , with a part of the housing removed; 
       FIG. 3C  depicts the air pump of the third embodiment of the present invention during deflation; 
       FIG. 3D  depicts the air pump of  FIG. 3C , with a part of the housing removed; 
       FIG. 4A  is a perspective diagram of an inflatable product in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4B  is an expanded view of  FIG. 4A ; 
       FIG. 4C  is a sectional view of  FIG. 4B  along line IV—IV; 
       FIG. 4D  is a schematic diagram of the cam element and bar of the valve switch of the fourth embodiment, where the valve switch is closed; 
       FIG. 4E  is a schematic diagram of the cam element and bar of the valve switch of the fourth embodiment, where the valve switch is opened; 
       FIG. 4F  depicts the air pump assembly of the fourth embodiment during inflation; 
       FIG. 4G  depicts the back support of the air mattress of the fourth embodiment, wherein the back support is filled with air; 
       FIG. 4H  depicts the deflated back support of the air mattress of  FIG. 4G ; 
       FIG. 4I  depicts a modified example of the back support of the air mattress of the fourth embodiment, wherein the back support is filled with air; 
       FIG. 4J  depicts the deflated back support of the air mattress of  FIG. 4I ; 
       FIG. 4K  depicts another modified example of the back support of the air mattress of the fourth embodiment, wherein the back support is filled with air; 
       FIG. 4L  depicts the deflated back support of the air mattress of  FIG. 4K ; 
       FIG. 4M  depicts another modified example of the back support of the air mattress of the fourth embodiment, wherein the back support is filled with air; 
       FIG. 4N  depicts the deflated back support of the air mattress of  FIG. 4M ; 
       FIG. 5A  is a perspective diagram of an inflatable product in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5B  is an expanded view of  FIG. 5A ; 
       FIG. 5C  is a back view of  FIG. 5B ; 
       FIG. 6  depicts an inflatable product in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7A  depicts an inflatable product in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7B  depicts the first control pack of the inflatable product of  FIG. 7A ; 
       FIG. 7C  depicts the second control pack of the inflatable product of  FIG. 7A ; 
       FIGS. 7D and 7E  depict the operation of the switch of the first control pack of  FIG. 7B ; 
       FIG. 7F  depicts a control circuit for activating the air pump of  FIG. 7A ; 
       FIG. 7G  depicts a modified control circuit of  FIG. 7F ; 
       FIG. 8A  is a front view of the operating panel of the air pump assembly in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8B  is the front view of the air pump assembly of  FIG. 8A , with the operating panel removed; 
       FIG. 8C  is a bottom view of  FIG. 8C ; 
       FIG. 9A  depicts an inflatable product of a ninth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9B  is an expanded view of the inflatable product of  FIG. 9A , during inflation; 
       FIG. 9C  is an expanded view of the inflatable product of  FIG. 9A , in stop mode; 
       FIG. 9D  is an expanded view of the inflatable product of  FIG. 9A , during deflation; 
       FIG. 10A  shows a modified inflatable umbrella of the ninth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 10B  is a perspective diagram of a fan assembly of  FIG. 10A ; 
       FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective diagram of a conventional air mattress. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , an inflatable product of a first embodiment of the present invention has an inflatable chamber  10 , a pump seat  11  mounted on the chamber  10 , an air pump  12  carried by the pump seat  11 , two holding elements  13 ,  13 ′ to hold the air pump  12 , and two covers  14 ,  14 ′ for covering the vents  131 ,  131 ′ provided on the holding elements  13 . Referring to  FIG. 1C , the seat  11  has two holes  111 ,  112  on its bottom, through which air enters the chamber  10 . The air pump  12  has a substantially rolling-pin-shaped housing with a fan and motor (not shown) inside. An air intake  121  and an air outlet  122  are provided at opposite ends of the housing. The housing of the air pump  12  has a rib  123  on its outer surface, wherein the rib  123  extends in the axial direction of the housing. Referring to  FIG. 1D , the air pump  12  is carried by the seat  11  with the rib  123  resting on the seat  11 . Then, the holding elements  13  are screwed to the seat  11  for holding the air pump  12 . 
   During inflation, the air pump  12  pumps air into the inflatable product. Air flows through the vent  131  of the holding element  13 , the air intake  121  and air outlet  122  of the air pump  12 , and the hole  112  on the bottom of the seat  11 . Air then flows into the inflatable product via the hole  112  on the bottom of the seat  112 . 
   During deflation, the air pump  12  is rotated in direction X until the rib  123  rests on the seat  11  at another side. As shown in  FIG. 1E , the air intake  121  faces down and the air outlet  122  faces up so that the air pump  12  can pump air out of the inflatable product. Air flows through the hole  111  of the seat  11 , the air intake  121  and air outlet  122  of the air pump  12 , and then out from the vent  131 ′ of the holding element  13 ′. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2A , an inflatable product of a second embodiment of the present invention is provided with a rotatable switch  21 , an air pump  22 , a piping system  23  and a cover  24 . On the top surface of the switch  21 , “INFLATE”, “STOP” and “DEFLATE” settings appear. The air pump  22  is firmly connected to the switch  21 . The air pump  22  thus follows the switch  21 &#39;s rotation when twisted. Referring to  FIG. 2B , the air pump  22  has a substantially rolling-pin-shaped housing  225  with a fan and motor  223  inside. An air intake  221  and an air outlet  222  are provided at opposite ends of the housing. The piping system  23  includes a main pipe  238 , two side pipes  236 ,  237  and a vent  239 . The main pipe  238  is connected to the outside via the vent  239  and connected to the air pump  22  in the housing  225  via the side pipes  236 ,  237 . The cover  24  is used to close the vent  239 . 
   During inflation, the switch  21  is rotated to “INFLATE”. The air intake  221  is switched to connect the side pipe  236 , while the side pipe  237  is closed by the housing  225  of the air pump  22 . The air pump  22  pumps air into the inflatable product in accordance with a path as indicated by the arrows. In detail, air flows through the vent  239 , main pipe  238 , side pipe  236  and air intake  221 , and out from the air outlet  222 . 
   When inflation is finished, the user rotates the switch  21  to “STOP”. The air pump  22  stops. Also, the air intake  221  and air outlet  222  are closed by the housing  225  of the air pump  22 . 
   During deflation, the switch  21  is rotated to “DEFLATE”. As shown in  FIG. 2C , the air outlet  222  is switched to connect the side pipe  237 , while the side pipe  236  is closed by the housing  225  of the air pump  22 . The air pump  22  evacuates air from the inflatable product in accordance with a path as indicated by arrows. In detail, air flows through the air intake  221 , air outlet  222 , side pipe  237  and main pipe  238 , and out from the vent  239 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , an inflatable product of a third embodiment of the present invention is provided with a housing  31 , a fan and motor  33 , a switching pipe  32 , a flap  36  and a cover  35 . The fan and motor  33  is received in the housing  31 . The flap  36  is firmly connected to the switching pipe  32 . Therefore, when the switching pipe  32  is rotated, the flap  36  follows. An air intake  311  and an air outlet  312  are provided on the top surface of the housing  31 , while another air intake  314  and air outlet  313  are provided on the bottom surface of the housing  31 . During inflation, the switching pipe  32  is connected to the air outlet  312  on the top surface of the housing  31 . The cover  35  is removed from the air intake  311 . The inflatable product (not shown) is inflated by the fan and motor  33 . Air flows through the air intake  311  and the air outlet  313 , and into the inflatable product. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 3C and 3D , During deflation, the switching pipe  32  is switched from the air outlet  312  to the air intake  311  on the top surface of the housing  31 . Also, the flap  36  follows the switching pipe  32  to rotate to close the air outlet  313  on the bottom surface of the housing  31 . The air in the inflatable product is evacuated by the fan and motor  33 . The path of the airflow is indicated by arrows. Air flows through the air intake  314 , the switching pipe  32  and the air intake  311 , and into the housing  31 . Then, air flows out from the air outlet  312 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 4A , an inflatable product of a fourth embodiment of the present invention is an air mattress which includes a mattress pad  41 , a back support  42  and an air pump assembly  43  built into the mattress pad  41  to inflate the mattress pad  41  and the back support  42 . The back support  42  is inflated to raise the backrest of the mattress pad  41 . Referring to  FIGS. 4B and 4C , the air pump assembly  43  has a pack  430 , a fan and motor  435  received in the pack  430 , a motor switch  433  mounted on the pack  430  to activate the fan and motor  435 , two valves  436 ,  436 ′ disposed in the pack  430 , and two valve switches  431 ,  431 ′ for opening/closing the valves  436 ,  436 ′. The pack  430  has an air intake  4301 , a first air outlet  4302  connected to the back support  42 , and a second air outlet  4302 ′ connected to the mattress pad  41 . The valve switches  431 ,  431 ′ have the same structure. Therefore, only the valve switch  431  is introduced and the description of the valve switch  431 ′ is omitted. The valve switch  431  has a cap  4311 , a cam element  4312 , a bar  4313  and a spring  4314 . The cam element  4312  is firmly connected to the cap  4311 . When the cap  4311  is twisted, the cam element  4312  follows the cap  4311 &#39;s rotation. Referring to  FIG. 4D , the cam element  4312  has a recess  4314  on its bottom, via which the cam element  4312  sits on the bar  4313 . 
   To inflate the back support  42 , the user turns on the motor switch  433  to activate the fan and motor  435 . In addition, the user turns on the valve switch  431  by twisting the cap  4311 . The cam element  4312  follows the cap  4311 &#39;s rotation as shown in  FIG. 4D . Then, the bar  4313  is depressed by the cam element  4312  as shown in  FIG. 4E . Referring to  FIG. 4F , the spring  4314  is compressed by the bar  4313  and the valve  461  is opened. Then, outside air is pumped into the back support  42  through the air intake  4301  and air outlet  4302  of the air pump assembly  43 . Arrows indicate the path of airflow. 
   If the user further turns on the valve switch  431 ′, then the mattress pad  41  is inflated. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4G , the back support  42  is inflated to raise the backrest of the mattress pad  41 . Referring to  FIG. 4H , the backrest of the mattress pad  41  is lowered when the back support  42  is deflated. It is noted that the cross section of the back support  42  is V-shaped. By such an arrangement, the mattress pad  41  is flat enough that a user cannot detect the presence of the deflated back support  42 . 
     FIGS. 4I and 4J  depict a modified example of the back support of the air mattress, wherein the back support  44  has a flexible chamber  442  of a triangular cross section and an elastic string  441  binding the chamber  442 . When the chamber  442  is filled with the air, the elastic string  44  is stretched. When the chamber  442  is deflated, the elastic string  44  automatically contracts to collapse the chamber  442 . 
     FIGS. 4K and 4L  depict another modified example of the back support of the air mattress, wherein the back support  46  has a flexible chamber  464 , a frame  463  pivoted to the mattress pad  47  and connected to the chamber  464 , an elastic string  461  fixed to the frame  463  for binding the chamber  464 , and round slider  462  mounted on the bottom of the frame  463 . When the chamber  464  is filled with air, the elastic string  461  is stretched. When the chamber  464  is deflated, the elastic string  461  automatically contracts to collapse the chamber  464 . Then, the chamber  464  pulls the frame  463 . The frame  463  slides on the ground via the round sliders  462  and rotates toward the mattress pad  47  to collapse the chamber  464 . 
     FIGS. 4M and 4N  depict another modified example of the back support of the air mattress, wherein the back support  48  has a flexible chamber  481 , a first frame  483 , a second frame  484  hinged to the first frame  483 , and an elastic string  482  fixed to the frames  483 ,  484  to bind the chamber  481 . The flexible chamber  481  is sandwiched between the frames  483 ,  484 . When the chamber  464  is filled with air, the elastic string  461  is stretched and the frames  483 ,  484  are spread. When the chamber  464  is deflated, the elastic string  461  automatically contracts to collapse the chamber  464 . Also, the frames  483 ,  484  are closed to collapse the chamber  481 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5A , an inflatable product of a fifth embodiment of the present invention includes two inflatable chambers  51 ,  52 , an air pump assembly  53  and a two-way valve device  54 . The air pump assembly  43  is used to inflate the chambers  51  and  52  via the two-way valve device  54 , wherein the two-way valve device  54  is connected to the chamber  52  via a pipe  55 . Also referring to  FIGS. 5B and 5C , the air pump assembly  53  has a motor switch  533  and an air intake  531  on its front surface, and an air outlet  532  on its rear surface. The two-way valve device  54  has a valve switch  543  on its front surface, an air intake  541  and an air outlet  542  on its rear surface. During inflation, the user turns on the motor switch  533  to pump air into the chamber  51  through the air intake  531  and air outlet  532 . To further inflate the chamber  52 , the valve switch  54  is turned on so that air in the chamber  51  flows into the chamber  52  through the two-way valve device  54 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , an inflatable product of a sixth embodiment of the present invention includes two inflatable chambers  61 ,  62  and an air pump assembly  63 . The air pump assembly  63  inflates the chambers  61 ,  62  via two check valves  64 ,  65 , respectively. The air pump assembly  63  has a fan and motor  633 , a valve switch  631  and a cantilever arm  632  connected to the valve switch  631 . To inflate the chamber  61 , the user twists the valve switch  631  so that the cantilever arm  632  depresses the valve  64 . The valve  64  is thus opened. Arrows indicate the path of airflow. Similarly, the user twists the valve switch  631  to open the valve  65  by the cantilever arm  632 , when the chamber  62  is inflated. 
   Referring to  FIG. 7A , an inflatable product of a seventh embodiment of the present invention includes four inflatable chambers  711 ,  712 ,  713 ,  714 , an air pump  72 , a first control pack  73  for controlling the air pump  72  to inflate the chambers  711 ,  712 , and a second control pack  74  for controlling the air pump  72  to inflate the chambers  713 ,  714 . Referring to  FIG. 7B , the first control pack  73  has a pack body  730 , two switches  731 ,  732 , an air intake  733  connected to the air pump  72  and two air outlets  734 ,  735  respectively connected to the chambers  712 ,  711 . Referring to  FIG. 7C , the second control pack  74  has the same structure as the first control pack  73 . The second control pack  74  has a pack body  740 , two switches  741 ,  742 , an air intake  743  connected to the air pump  72  and two air outlets  744 ,  745  respectively connected to the chambers  713 ,  714 . Referring to  FIG. 7D , the switch  731  is connected to a valve  7311  while a micro switch  7312  is provided beside the switch  731 . When the switch  731  is rotated to the “INFLATE” position, the valve  7311  is opened and the micro switch  7312  is turned on as shown in  FIG. 7E . Other switches  732 ,  741 ,  742  have the same structure as the switch  731 , thereby having micro switches beside. Further referring to  FIG. 7F , when any of the micro switches  7312 ,  7322 ,  7412 ,  7422  is turned on, a relay  75  is activated and turned on. Then, the air pump  72  is supplied with power to inflate the corresponding chambers  711 ,  712 ,  713 ,  714 . 
     FIG. 7G  depicts a modified control circuit of  FIG. 7F , wherein reference numerals  7312 ′,  7322 ′,  7412 ′,  7422 ′ represent air bulbs instead of micro switches. When any of the air bulbs  7312 ′,  7322 ′,  7412 ′,  7422 ′ is pressed, a pressure switch  75 ′ is turned on. Then, the air pump  72  is supplied with power to inflate the corresponding chambers  711 ,  712 ,  713 ,  714 . 
     FIGS. 8A ,  8 B and  8 C show an air pump assembly in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the present invention, wherein  FIG. 8A  is the front view of the operating panel of the air pump assembly,  FIG. 8B  is the front view of the air pump with the operating panel removed, and  FIG. 8D  is a bottom view of  FIG. 8C . The air pump assembly includes a pack  81  with a vent  811  on its top and two vents  812 ,  813  on its bottom, a fan and motor  82  received in the pack  81 , two valves  83 ,  84  for opening/closing the vents  812  and  813 , two switches  85 ,  86  and an elongated slider  87  provided beside the switches  85 ,  86 . The elongated slider  87  has two slots  876 ,  877  with pins  872 ,  873  received inside, while the pins  872 ,  873  are firmly fixed in the pack  81 . By the arrangement, the slider  87  is slideable with respect to the pins  872 ,  873 . Furthermore, the fan and motor  82  have two pairs of electrodes  824 ,  824 ′ and  825 ,  825 ′. The electrodes  824 ′,  825  are fixed to the pack  81 , while the electrodes  824 ,  825 ′ are firmly connected to the slider  87 . When the slider  87  is moved to the right, the pair of electrodes  824 ,  824 ′ physically contact each other. Then, the fan and motor  82  is activated to rotate in a normal direction. When the slider  87  is moved to the left, the pair of electrodes  825 ,  825 ′ physically contact each other. Then, the fan and motor  82  is activated to rotate in a reverse direction. Furthermore, the switches  85 ,  86  have ears  851 ,  852 ,  861 ,  862  to push the slider  87  in different directions. 
   During inflation, the switch  85 , for example, is rotated to “INFLATE”. The valve  83  connected to the switch  85  is opened. Meanwhile, the ear  851  of the switch  85  pushes against the slider  87  so that the pair of electrodes  824 ,  824 ′ physically contact each other. Thus, the fan and motor  82  is activated to pump air from the top vent  811  to the bottom vent  812 . When the switch  85  is rotated to “DEFLATE”, the valve  83  is opened. The ear  852  of the switch  85  pushes against the slider  87  so that the pair of electrodes  825 ,  825 ′ contact each other and the pair of electrodes  824 ,  824 ′ separate. Then, the fan and motor  82  operates in reverse to pump air from the bottom vent  812  to the top vent  811 . Similarly, air is pumped from the top vent  811  to the bottom vent  813  when the switch  86  is rotated to “INFLATE”. On the other hand, air is pumped from the bottom vent  813  to the top vent  811  when the switch  86  is rotated to “DEFLATE”. 
   Specifically, the ears  851  and  862  can prevent the switches  85  and  86  from being simultaneously situated in opposite states “DEFLATE” and “INFLATE” respectively. When the switch  86  is counterclockwise rotated to “DEFLATE” with the switch  85  situated in “INFLATE” state (the ear  851  is clockwise rotated to push against the slider  87 ), the ear  862  pushes against the slider  87  to the left so that the pair of electrodes  824  and  824 ′ physically contact each other, wherein the ear  851  of the switch  85  is impelled and rotated reversely (counterclockwise) by the slider  87 . Similarly, the ear  852  can push against the slider  87  to the left to impel ear  861 , and reversely, the ear  861  can also push against the slider  87  to the right to impel ear  852 , thus preventing the switches  85  and  88  from being simultaneously situated in opposite states “DEFLATE” and “INFLATE” respectively. 
   Referring to  FIG. 9A , an inflatable product of a ninth embodiment of the present invention is an umbrella. The umbrella has a stiff handle  91  and an inflatable (flexible) shank  92 . An air pump is arranged in the handle  91  to pump the inflatable shank  92 . The air pump has a nozzle  95 , bellows  94  for supplying the shank  92  with air via the nozzle  95 , and a motor  93  for operating the bellows  94  via gears  901  and a link  902 . Furthermore, a ring switch  99  is provided around the handle  91  to activate the motor  93 . In addition, three check valves  96 ,  97 ,  98  are provided to control the airflow. The first check valve  97  for controlling the entrance of air into the bellows  94  is provided under the ring switch  99 . The second check valve  96  for controlling the exit of air from the inflatable shank  92  is provided over the ring switch  99 . The third check valve  98  is provided between the bellows  94  and the nozzle  95  for controlling the airflow from the bellows  94  to the shank  92 . 
   On the top and bottom of the ring switch  99  are provided a plurality of recesses. Referring to  FIG. 9B , During inflation, the ring switch  99  is rotated to such a position that a top recess  991  of the ring switch  99  is positioned under the check valve  96 , allowing the check valve  96  to be closed. Meanwhile, the check valve  97  is opened by the bottom of the ring switch  99 . Also, a bottom recess  992  of the ring switch  99  is positioned over the button  931  of the motor  93  to release the button  931 . Then, the motor  93  operates the bellows  94  via the gears  901  and link  902 . Outside air is pumped into the shank  92  through the check valves  97 ,  98 . The path of airflow is indicated by arrows. 
   To stop the inflating operation, the user rotates the ring switch  99  to the position shown in  FIG. 9C , wherein the top recess  991  of the ring switch  99  is still positioned under the check valve  96  so that the check valve  96  is closed. Another bottom recess  994  of the ring switch  99  is positioned over the check valve  97  so that the check valve  97  is closed. Also, the bottom of the ring switch  99  pushes the button  931  to stop the motor  93 . 
   To deflate the umbrella, the user rotates the ring switch  99  to the position shown in  FIG. 9D , wherein the bottom recess  994  of the ring switch  99  is still positioned over the check valve  97  so that the check valve  97  is closed. The bottom of the ring switch  99  continues pushing the button  931  so that the motor  93  is still at rest. The top of the ring switch  99  pushes the check valve  96  so that the check valve  96  is opened. Then, air in the shank  92  of the umbrella automatically flows out through the check valve  96 . 
     FIGS. 10A and 10B  show a modified inflatable umbrella, wherein the air pump of the ninth embodiment including the bellows  94 , link  902 , gears  901  and motor  93  are replaced with another kind of air pump  150 . The air pump  150  includes a cylindrical reservoir  151 , a fan (air pressure rotator)  155  eccentrically received in the reservoir  151 , and a motor  154  provided outside the reservoir  151  to rotate the fan  155 . The reservoir  151  has an air intake  152  connected to the first check valve  97  and an air outlet  153  connected to the third check valve  98 . During operation, air is pumped into the reservoir  151  through the air intake  152  and then pumped out through the air outlet  153 . Furthermore, it is noted that the fan  155  is eccentrically arranged in the reservoir  151 . This fan assembly generates sufficient air pressure to inflate the umbrella. 
   While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.