Abstract:
An air inflation accelerator for increasing the rate of inflation of an air pump inflating a product, the accelerator comprising an elongated tubular member connectable to an inflator appliance at a first end and connectable to a valve of the bladder of the product to be inflated at a second end, the tubular member having a plurality of air inlets to allow for use of the venturi principle and a closure mechanism for disengaging the air inlets once atmospheric pressure is reached within the bladder being inflated.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/882,155, filed on Sep. 25, 2013, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Inflatable mattresses or “airbeds” as they are often called, are commonly used to provide a temporary resting surface while camping or to provide additional sleeping accommodations for guests. One drawback to inflatable mattresses is the amount of time it takes to inflate the mattress. Similarly, inflatable pool toys, floats and the like also take time to inflate—the goal for the user again being a short inflation time. Most such inflatable mattresses and inflatable water recreation items are inflated using battery-operated or electric hand-held air pumps, although some use manual air pumps. The inflation nozzle of the air pump is inserted into the open valve on the product to be inflated and the pump is activated, resulting in inflation to the inflatable bladder of the product being inflated. It would be beneficial to have a device that is attachable to an existing air pump that would increase the rate of inflation of the air pump being utilized that is easy to use, easy to store and light-weight to carry. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
         [0004]    An embodiment for a device for accelerating the inflation rate of an air pump includes an elongated tube having a sidewall, opposed open first and second ends, and a plurality of air inlets spaced around the exterior of the tube between the open ends, the first open end having a nozzle connectable to the valve of a product to be inflated and the second open end having an adaptor connectable to an inflator outlet, the acceleration device using the venture principle to increase air flow into the product to be inflated. 
         [0005]    In embodiments described herein, the acceleration device has a closure mechanism that operates to disrupt the air flow into the air inlets when a certain pressure within the product to be inflated is attained. 
         [0006]    For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the ensuing detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  shows an exploded perspective view of an air inflation accelerator, in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the air inflation accelerator of  FIG. 1 , shown in the open configuration. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the air inflation accelerator of  FIG. 1 , shown connected to an inflatable bladder in the open configuration. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the air inflation accelerator of  FIG. 1 , shown connected to an inflatable bladder in the closed configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. It will also be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. 
         [0012]    Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described. 
         [0013]    Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  shows an air inflation accelerator device  10  of an embodiment of the present invention. The air inflation accelerator device  10  comprises base  12 , nozzle  14 , air intake inlets  18 , and adaptor  26 . 
         [0014]    Base  12  is a cylindrical tube having opposed open ends  13 ,  15 . Nozzle  14  and nozzle stop  16  are located at a first open end  13 . Nozzle  14  is shaped and sized to fit into the valve  32  of the product  34  to be inflated, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Nozzle  14  comprises nozzle stop  16  which forms a collar around the perimeter of nozzle  14  located most opposite to open end  13  to provide a physical barrier to prevent over-insertion of the nozzle  14  into the valve  32  and also to provide a stop for the inlet closure  20 . Although it is preferred for use with a double-lock type valve, nozzle  14  can be shaped and sized to fit any valve in the industry. It is also within the scope of the present invention to provide a separate nozzle adaptor (not shown) to accommodate different types and shapes of valves as such nozzle adaptor are known in the industry. 
         [0015]    Adaptor  26  is located at a second open end  15 . Adaptor  26  comprises locking notch  24  which is a slot located in the sidewall of the base  12  near the edge of open end  15 . Locking notch  24  is shaped and sized with a channel  25  for receipt of a locking pin  28  that is located on the inflator outlet  30 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , locking pin  28  is inserted into channel  25  and base  12  is rotated so that locking pin  28  locks into place in locking notch  24 . As shown in the figures, there are two locking notches  24  preferably located on opposite sides of base  12 . It is certainly within the scope of the present invention, however, for only one locking notch  24  to be present or for the shape of locking notch  24  to be other than a slot having an open channel. Other attachment and retaining means known in the industry can be used to ensure that the inflator outlet  30  is securely connected to adaptor  26 . Adaptor  26  is comprised of natural or man-made materials and is shaped and sized to interface with the existing inflator outlet  30 . 
         [0016]    The base portion located between open ends  13  and  15  comprises a plurality of air intake inlets  18  spaced around base  12  which each extend entirely through the side wall of the base  12 . Air intake inlets  18  are preferably round for ease of manufacture, but other shapes could also be utilized. Device  10  further includes inlet closure  20  which is shaped and sized to fit over base  12  from open end  15  in a sliding engagement. Collar  22  of inlet closure  20  provides an easy grip for a user to grasp inlet closure  20  and move it to the desired position and also assists in preventing inlet closure  20  from being moved too far onto inflator outlet  30 . 
         [0017]    Inlet closure  20  is movable from a first position (shown in  FIG. 3 ) allowing air intake inlets  18  to function by permitting air to flow from the atmosphere through intake inlets  18  and into base  12 , flowing into product  34  through valve  32  to a second position (shown in  FIG. 4 ) blocking exposure of intake inlets  18  from the atmosphere. Intake inlets  18  increase the air intake volume to accelerate the rate of inflation of the inflator (not shown), using the venturi principle. Intake inlets  18  will increase the rate of inflation to a point where the internal pressure of the product  34  being inflated reaches atmospheric pressure. Once atmospheric pressure has been reached, inlet closure  20  is moved from the open first position to the closed second position so that the inflator can complete inflation of the product to the desired pressure above room pressure. Although the figures depict a manual inlet closure  20 , it is also within the scope of the present invention for inlet closure  20  to be connected to a sensor and an actuator which moves inlet closure  20  into the closed second position once atmospheric pressure within the product  34  has been reached. 
         [0018]    It is also within the scope of the present invention to include audible and/or visual alerts to signal when the inflatable bladder pressure reaches atmospheric pressure. An audible alert such as a whistle or other easily identifiable sound will activate when atmospheric pressure within the inflatable bladder is reached such that air begins to exit through the intake inlets. This alert will signal the user to move the inlet closure  20  over the intake inlets  18  or to activate an automatic inlet closure. Similarly, a visual alert such as a flashing light or a specific color of light will activate when atmospheric pressure within the inflatable bladder is reached such that aire begins to exit through the intake inlets. This alert will signal the user to move the inlet closure  20  over the intake inlets  18  or to activate an automatic inlet closure. 
         [0019]    While the figures depict intake inlets  18  arranged in  2  rows around the circumference of base  12 , it is within the scope of the present invention to have more or fewer rows and to have any number and size of holes within each row. The accelerated inflation enhancement feature of the present invention can be used with any existing or newly designed electric, battery, manual, built-in, handheld or foot inflator pump used to inflate inflatable products including air mattresses, pool floats and other recreational items. 
         [0020]    While the present invention is shown and described as being connected to an inflator outlet  30 , which could be a pump interface or a pump hose, it is also within the scope of the present invention for the device  10  to form an integrated and manufactured part of the inflator itself. It is further contemplated that the device  10  can form an integrated and manufactured part of the inflator even for built-in pumps which are integrated into the product being inflated. 
         [0021]    Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and have been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. 
         [0022]    The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
         [0023]    Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 
         [0024]    All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.