Abstract:
An improved cross over valve for use in conjunction with inflatable devices such as life rafts, escape slides, white water rafts, kayaks, etc. The invention is specifically a cross over valve for inflatable rafts and the like where the valve fluidly connects at least two separate compartments in the inflatable device thereby allowing inflation of the multiple compartments while also providing control of fluid flow therebetween.

Description:
This application claims benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/337,770 filed Nov. 13, 2001. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Technical Field 
   The invention relates to valves for inflatable device such life rafts, escape slides, white water rafts, kayaks, etc. and more particularly a cross over valve for inflatable rafts and the like where the valve fluidly connects at least two separate compartments in the inflatable device thereby allowing inflation of the multiple compartments while also providing control of fluid flow therebetween. 
   2. Background Information 
   For years, numerous different types of inflatable devices have been used for a variety of reasons. For instance, inflatable life rafts have been regularly provided on large aircrafts and water vessels for decades including those used by the military. These inflatable life rafts provide the necessary flotation vessels as would be needed by the passengers of the aircraft or water vessel should the aircraft crash or otherwise end up in water, or should the water vessel sink. 
   For safety reasons, and also in certain instances as required by law inflatable rafts for the military or civilian aircraft or watercraft use are formed of at least two distinct and separate inflatable chambers or compartments. These chambers remain completely separate so inflation thereof can be controlled, and so that deflation in the case of a rupture of one of tile compartments will not deflate the entire raft but only that one compartment. As a result, inflation valves and mechanisms, often called fill valves, are often provided for each and every compartment or chamber. This requires expensive, bulky equipment attached to each compartment. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is an improved valve assembly called a cross over valve assembly capable of controlled inflation of each compartment in an inflatable device coupled with a safety feature prohibiting deflation of all compartments when only one has a hole causing deflation thereof. 
   These objectives and advantages are obtained by the improved cross over valve of the present invention, the general nature of which may be stated as including a valve for interconnecting a first fluid compartment to a second fluid compartment in an inflatable device, the valve comprising a first plate in fluid communication with the environment and having a pair of valves therein capable of filling and pressure relieving whereby the first valve is in fluid communication with the first fluid compartment and the second valve is in fluid communication with the second fluid compartment, a second plate having a chamber designed to be in fluid communication with only the first valve; and an intercommunicating valve for providing a fluid passage that selectively fluidly connecting the second fluid valve with the chamber in the second plate. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles, is set forth in the following description and is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention, namely a cross over valve; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the cross over valve of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the body portion or top plate of the cross over valve of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the body as shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the body as shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the body taken along line  6 — 6  in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the body taken along line  7 — 7  in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 8  is top view of the intermediate plate of the cross over valve of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of the intermediate plate as shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a top view of the bottom plate of the cross over valve of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a side view of the bottom plate as shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a cross sectional view of the bottom plate as shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
       FIG. 13  is side view of the handle shaft of the cross over valve of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 14  is an end view of the handle shaft as shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
       FIG. 15  is across sectional view of the handle shaft as shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
       FIG. 16  is a first side view of the handle of the cross over valve of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 17  is a side view of the handle as shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
       FIG. 18  is a second side view of the handle as shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
       FIG. 19  is a top view of a first embodiment of a cross over poppet of the cross over valve of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 20  is a side view of the cross over poppet as shown in  FIG. 19 ; 
       FIG. 21  is top view of a retainer ring of the cross over valve of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 22  is a side view of the retainer ring as shown in  FIG. 21 ; 
       FIG. 23  is a cross sectional view of the retainer ring as shown in  FIG. 21 ; 
       FIG. 24  is a top view of a second embodiment of a body for the cross over valve of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 25  is a side view of the body as shown in  FIG. 24 ; 
       FIG. 26  is a cross sectional view of the body as shown in  FIG. 25 ; 
       FIG. 27  is a sectional of the body taken along line  27 — 27  in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 28  is a side view of an alternative embodiment threaded hose barb that threads into a hole in the bottom plate rather than is integral therewith as in the first embodiment; and 
       FIG. 29  is a top view of the hose barb of  FIG. 28 . 
   

   Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The cross over valve assembly  10  for use in inflation devices such as life rafts, escape slides, white water rafts, kayaks, and the like is shown in the Figures. This cross over valve assembly  10  is adhered to the inflatable device via adhesive, glue, ultrasonic welding, mechanical clamp, or other methods known by one of skill in the art, where the inflatable device includes a plurality of compartments or chambers, such as for example a first compartment and a second compartment, each separated by a wall or bulkhead. Each of the raft sections or compartments includes an access port. 
   This improved cross over valve assembly  10  includes a valve body or top plate  12 , an intermediate or center plate  14 , a bottom plate  16 , an intercommunicating valve  18 , and a pair of hybrid topping and pressure relief valves  20  and  22 . 
   Top plate  12  is best shown in  FIGS. 3–7  where its general construction is that of a cylindrical body  30  with a flange-like head  32  at one end thereof. The outer surface of the cylindrical body  30  includes a threaded portion  34  and a smooth walled portion  36  with a notch  38  therein. 
   The top plate  12  has a top surface  40  from which the flange extends to define the flange-like head  32 . A pair of large apertures or passageways  42  and  44  are positioned within the top surface  40  and the passages extend through the entire top plate  12  for receiving the hybrid topping and pressure relief valves. A small aperture  46  is also located in the top surface  40  and receives the shaft of the intercommunicating valve  18 . Additional holes  52  are present for receipt of fasteners which hold the valve  10  together. 
   Opposite the top surface  40  of the top plate  12  is a base or bottom surface  48 . The passageways  42  and  44  extend through the valve body  12  and exit in this bottom surface  48 . The bottom surface  48  also includes an additional aperture  50  in which intercommunicating valve  18  is positioned. 
   Intermediate plate  14  is best shown in  FIGS. 8–9  and includes a topping and relief valve fluid passage  54  and an intercommunicating valve aperture  56 , as well as various holes  58  for receipt of fasteners which hold the valve  10  together. The intercommunicating valve aperture  56  includes a ridge, ledge or lip  60  therein. The intermediate plate may either be a metal plate whereby silicone or other sealants are used to seal it to the surrounding top plate  12  and bottom plate  16 , or alternatively, the intermediate plate may be designed such that such that it is a metal insert with a rubber seal molded therearound. 
   Bottom plate  16  is best shown in  FIGS. 10–12  and includes a main body  64  with a hose barb  66  integrally connected and extending therefrom. Main body  64  includes a cut-out  68  open to a top surface  70  of the plate  16  and extending down to a recessed surface  72 . A passageway or hole  74  extends from the recessed surface  72  into the barb and out the distal end thereof. The cut-out  68  is uniquely shaped to provide fluid flow from hole  64  to the passage  54  and the aperture  56  in intermediate plate  14  when it is adjacent to and in contact with the bottom plate  16  during assembly. The unique cut-out is shaped such that the entirety of each of the hole  64 , passage  54  and aperture  56  have free flow into the cut-out. 
   Intercommunicating valve  18  is best shown in  FIGS. 13–20 , and includes a pin  78 , a shaft  80 , a handle  82 , a spring  84  and a head  86 . The shaft is shown in  FIGS. 13–15  to be an elongated shaft with a rounded head  90  stepped to a neck  92  via a lip  94 , and an elongated cylindrical base  96  where a tapered surface  98  transitions the neck to the base. The neck having a circumferential groove  100  therein for receiving a seal. A slot  102  in the head receives the pin  78  during assembly. An axial threaded hole  104  is used by a fastener to secure the head  86  to the shaft. This shaft design is such that rotation is not necessary to open and close the valve since it is an axial motion valve—this results in the elimination of many sealing problems. 
   The handle  82  may be of any design capable of pulling or otherwise moving the shaft to adjust the intercommunicating valve from an open to a closed position. In the preferred embodiment, the handle  82  includes a pair of ears  106  and  108  connected by a planar gripping surface  110  which indicates open on one side and closed on the other side thereof. This is feasible because within the ears  106  and  108  is a hole  112  through which the pin pivotally connects the handle to the shaft. The hole is offset such that pivoting of the rounded ears against the top surface  40  causes the shaft to rise and fall. This design using ears that include flat spots on each side of the ear with a semi-circular curved radius therebetween also for a two position valve that is either open or closed. 
   Poppet or head  86  is best shown in  FIGS. 19–20  and includes a main head  120  with a threaded shaft  122  extending from a bottom surface thereof. The main head  120  includes a cylindrical portion  124  followed by a grooved portion  126  followed by a tapered head  128 . The grooved portion is designed such that it will receive a seal  130 . 
   In an alternative embodiment, the intermediate plate  14  is a metal plate with a seal rubber seal molded around it, and this main head  120  is designed as a head without the need for a seal and thus the grooved portion. 
   A retainer ring is shown in  FIGS. 21–23 . 
   A different bottom plate embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 24–27  where the hose barb is not integral to the plate, and instead is threaded into the plate. Also, in a yet even further alternative embodiment, the hose barb is threaded into the side of the plate as is shown rather than from the base of the plate. An available hose barb for these alternative embodiments is shown in  FIGS. 28–29 . 
   Hybrid topping and pressure relief valves are provided as best shown in  FIG. 2 . These valves each include a poppet  150 , a poppet seating body  152 , a wave spring  154 , a spring retainer or collar  156 , a spring  158 , and a retainer  160  and operate as explained in the recently filed patent application by Mirada Research &amp; Manufacturing on a Hybrid Topping and Pressure Relief Valve, which is hereby incorporated by reference. In sum, poppet  150  has a flange with an underneath surface that seats within poppet seat  152  against a sealing face that is likely tapered. Spring  154  is sandwiched between collar  156  and the poppet seat  152  so as to bias these two apart from each other while poppet seat  152  is biased by the spring  154  against a lip in the passageway that prohibits the poppet seat from exiting the passageway along the top surface of the top plate  12 . Spring  158  is inside of the poppet seat  152 , wave spring  154  and collar  156  arrangement and sandwiched between the underneath surface of poppet  150  and retainer  160 . Poppet  150  threads into the retainer  160  and holds the entire system together while collar  156  locks into a groove within one of the passageways  42  or  44  thereby holding the valve in place. 
   In operation, poppet  150  may dislodge from poppet seat  152  if sufficient pressure is placed against the underneath surface of poppet  150  to overcome the bias of spring  158 . This is pressure relief mode. Alternatively, if sufficient pressure is placed against the top surface of the poppet  150 , it overcomes the bias of spring  154  thereby compressing the spring such that poppet seat  152  is moved toward the retainer thereby allowing topping or filling fluid flow. All of this possible because the poppet and poppet seat are restricted within the passageways  42  and  44  by stops, namely stops that prohibit the poppet from further entering the passageways and stops that prohibit the poppet seat from further exiting from the passageways. 
   In use, the valve  10  is inserted, via an access port in an inflatable device, into a first chamber whereby a flexible hose is sealably and fluidly connected to a second chamber and attached to the hose barb on this valve. When filling is desired, compressed fluid is provided to either one of the topping valves. The pressure opens that particular valve and allows fluid to flow into the chamber fluidly connected thereto. In the case of the valves as shown in the drawings, the rightmost hybrid topping and pressure relief valve in aperture  42  is connected to the notch  38  such that the first chamber is filled (the chamber the valve is positioned within) while in the leftmost hybrid topping and pressure relief valve in aperture  44  is connected to the topping and relief valve fluid passage  54 , the cut-out  68  and the hole  74  such that the second chamber is filled (the chamber the hose connects to). 
   Such topping or filling is performed by inserting pump end into the valve such that it pushes head  150  downward by overcoming the bias of spring  154 . This unseals the poppet seat from its seated position within apertures  42  and  44 . The compressed fluid may thus flow around the head and through passageways  42  and  44 . 
   Similarly, pressure will be relieved from the chambers if the pressure therein exceeds the spring defined limit of the corresponding hybrid topping and pressure relief valve. In this situation, the pressure within the chamber must exceed the bias of spring  158  thereby causing pressure relief. 
   The invention uniquely allows for simultaneous filling of the first and second chambers from just one hybrid topping and pressure relief valve by opening the interconnecting valve  14 . This also provides a unique feature in that the other valve then acts as a pressure relief valve should one try to overfill the inflation device. 
   Accordingly, the improved invention is simplified, provides an effective, safe, inexpensive, and efficient device which achieves all the enumerated objectives, provides for eliminating difficulties encountered with prior devices, and solves problems and obtains new results in the art. 
   In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. 
   Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described. 
   Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the manner in which the improved invention is constructed and used, the characteristics of the construction, and the advantageous, new and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts and combinations, are set forth in the appended claims.