Abstract: An inflation device adapted to admit compressed gas to the interior of a balloon, and to seal that interior against the atmosphere after inflation, is comprised of a pair of circular disks in parallel alignment and spaced from each other. The disks are rigidly affixed to a central shank which extends beyond one of them. The shank extension is bored with a passage, sealed at the far end thereof, in communication with the annular space between the disks by means of a radial orifice. The tubular neck of the balloon is stretched over the sealing disks, with the shank extension protruding from the opening of the balloon sheath. Upon pressurizing the passage in the shank with air, or other inflating medium, that portion of the balloon stretched between the two disks distends and permits the inflating medium to enter the internal volume of the gasbag around the periphery of the inner disk.

Abstract: A bi-directional fluid flow control valve is provided with a spool-like valve body with a circumferential relief in its periphery bounded by a seal disk and by a reduced-diameter portion of the valve body, with a substantially tubular, elastic membrane stretched over the aforementioned portion and the seal disk, spanning the relieved portion. A flow channel penetrates the valve body centrally from the end closest to the reduced-diameter portion, and communicates with said relief via radial passages. Pressure differentials in either sense across the tubular membrane distort the membrane in such a manner that a flow passage is opened across the valve. When the pressure in the relieved groove is greater than on the outside of the membrane, the latter lifts from the seal disk. When the external pressure is greater, the membrane collapses into the relief groove, allowing flow through channels milled in the inner face of the seal disk.

Abstract: A inflation device adapted to admit compressed gas to the interior of a balloon, and to seal that interior against the atmosphere after inflation, is comprised of a pair of circular disks in parallel alignment and in spaced relationship with respect to one another. The disks are rigidly affixed to a central shank which extends beyond one of the disks. The shank extension is bored with a passage, sealed at the far end thereof, which communicates with the annular space between the disks, by means of a radial orifice. The tubular neck of the balloon is stretched over the sealing disks, with the shank extension protruding from the opening in the balloon sheath. Upon pressurizing the passage in the shank with air or other inflating medium, that portion of the balloon stretched between the two disks distends, and permits the medium to enter the internal volume of the gas bag around the periphery of the inner disk.