Patent ID: 8850647

Claim:
An intra chamber valve assembly for use with an inflatable body defining a fluid impermeable, pressurizable chamber and an orifice for exposing the chamber to an ambient environment, the assembly comprising: a vent body having an external orifice for exposure to the ambient environment, an internal orifice for presenting to the chamber and in fluid communication with the external orifice, and an inflatable body interface adapted to sealingly occupy the inflatable body orifice; a collapsible, hollow elongate member having a proximal end extending from the internal orifice of the vent body and terminating at a distal end, wherein air directly travels a straight through path from the external orifice to the distal end; and a first compression member oriented about the elongate member at a first location in such a manner so as to sealingly collapse the elongate member upon presentation of a sufficient mechanical force thereat, wherein the elongate member is wholly disposed within the chamber defined by the inflatable body when the valve assembly is associated therewith.