Abstract: A check valve for an inflatable device comprising a poppet urged by a conical spring to annularly seal uniformly around its entire periphery to assure more uniform cracking pressure about its entire periphery. In one embodiment the check valve comprises a locking key to lock the valve closed irrespective of the cracking pressure that may otherwise may have cracked the valve open. In another embodiment, the check valve comprises a manual dump feature that allows rapid dumping of air from the inflatable irrespective of low cracking pressure that may exist in the inflatable.

Abstract: A valve comprising an inlet housing, an outlet housing, an elastomeric valve element having a generally dome-shaped configuration with a central integral stem positioned substantially concentrically therewith, the inlet housing and outlet housing being fastened together at a joint with the elastomeric valve element positioned therein and the valve element including a plurality of longitudinal ribs formed along an outer annular periphery of a lower end of the dome-shaped configuration that define flow channels that allow fluid flow from across an upper surface of the dome-shaped configuration through the flow channels.

Abstract: A pneumatically assisted inflator for gas cylinders comprises an inline configuration such that gas contained within the gas cylinder flows axially through the inflator to be exhausted therefrom and inflate an inflatable article. The inline configuration of the inflator reduces the stress otherwise imparted to the component parts thereof and thereby allows most of the component parts to be manufactured from an injection molded high-strength plastic or the like. The inflator comprises an inflator piston positioned within a piston cylinder that moves against a rotatable cam surface, such as a rotatable collar connected to a pull lanyard, to force a pierce pin to make at least a small pin hole in a frangible seal and allow high pressure gas from the gas cylinder to flow into the piston cylinder, whereupon the high pressure gas in the piston cylinder further moves the inflator piston to more fully force the pierce pin into the frangible seal to fully open the frangible seal.

Abstract: A check valve comprising a poppet urged by a conical spring to annularly seal uniformly around its entire periphery to assure more uniform cracking pressure about its entire periphery. The cracking pressure may be adjusted by means of an adjustable plate which reduces the length of the conical spring and thereby increase the amount of force exerted by the spring onto the poppet into sealing engagement, thereby increasing the cracking pressure.

Abstract: A combination inflation and relief valve having an inflation gasket mounted on a reciprocating stem head that separates from a valve seat of a valve body against the force of an inflation spring upon inflation and having a relief gasket mounted on a reciprocating push disk that separates from the stem head against the force of a relief spring to allow excess internal pressure to vent through relief holes.

Abstract: A free floating disc check valve is provided by the present application. The check valve includes a seal disc having an integral truncated torroidal shaped portion. The torroidal shaped portion provides structural rigidity to the seal disc to minimize deflection of the disc under higher differential fluid pressures. The torroidal shaped portion of the disc cooperates with finger-shaped projections inside the valve body to limit lateral displacement of the disc relative to the axial flow of the fluid. The torroidal shaped portion and the flat portion of the disc form a cup shape that creates a hydrodynamic force that assists in moving the disc to an opened or closed position. The seal disc is made of an elastomeric material that is coated with a dry film lubricant.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve having a modular design that allows the release pressure of the valve to be altered during assembly is provided by the present invention. The valve includes a serrated valve tube that fits inside of a valve body. A spring retainer ring fits on an outside diameter of the serrated valve tube such that it is held in position by interacting with the serrations. The release pressure of the valve is altered by changing the position of the spring retainer ring on the serrations. In addition, a variety of different spring types and configurations can be utilized in conjunction with the spring retainer ring position to select one of a large number of different release pressures for the valve during assembly.

Abstract: A pill for insertion into a bobbin of a bobbin assembly of an automatic inflator, the pill including a distal surface and a proximal surface, at least one of the surfaces including an undulating configuration.

Abstract: A valve which includes a stem having a slit at an end thereof. The valve stem is located in a valve body and is deformable. When a tip of an instrument is engaged with a slit in the stem, the stem shifts in the valve body, top portion folds inward, the slit seals against the instrument and allows liquid to flow through the stem, to or from the instrument. All components have circular cross sectional geometry.

Abstract: A valve that has at least one internal port on a valve core and at least one an internal slot in a valve body. The valve core is biased into a position wherein the port of the valve core is aligned with a sealing surface of the valve body thereby prohibiting fluid flow through the valve. The valve core is slidable such that the port of the valve core becomes aligned with the internal slot of the valve body thereby allowing fluid flow through the valve. Another valve includes a self-aligning valve seat carrier which is pivotably engaged with a valve core member. The self-aligning valve seat carrier engages a sealing surface in a valve body to prohibit fluid flow through the valve, but the valve core is slidable such that the self-aligning valve seat carrier disengages from the sealing surface in order to allow fluid flow through the valve.

Abstract: An automatic inflator having a status indicator that indicates whether a fully-charged, unspent gas cylinder has been installed to the automatic inflator, whether a fully-operable bobbin has been properly installed within the automatic inflator and whether the threaded cap of the automatic inflator has been fully installed, including an indicator window that displays the color “green” when the automatic inflator is fully operational automatically or the color “red” when the automatic inflator is at least partially inoperable automatically due to the removal of the gas cylinder, due to at least partial removal of the threaded cap, or due to the firing of the inflator resulting in a spent bobbin or gas cylinder.

Abstract: A valve that has at least one internal port on a valve core and at least one an internal slot in a valve body. The valve core is biased into a position wherein the port of the valve core is aligned with a sealing surface of the valve body thereby prohibiting fluid flow through the valve. The valve core is slidable such that the port of the valve core becomes aligned with the internal slot of the valve body thereby allowing fluid flow through the valve. Another valve includes a self-aligning valve seat carrier which is pivotably engaged with a valve core member. The self-aligning valve seat carrier engages a sealing surface in a valve body to prohibit fluid flow through the valve, but the valve core is slidable such that the self-aligning valve seat carrier disengages from the sealing surface in order to allow fluid flow through the valve.

Abstract: A valve that has at least one internal port on a valve core and at least one an internal slot in a valve body. The valve core is biased into a position wherein the port of the valve core is aligned with a sealing surface of the valve body thereby prohibiting fluid flow through the valve. The valve core is slidable such that the port of the valve core becomes aligned with the internal slot of the valve body thereby allowing fluid flow through the valve. Another valve includes a self-aligning valve seat carrier which is pivotably engaged with a valve core member. The self-aligning valve seat carrier engages a sealing surface in a valve body to prohibit fluid flow through the valve, but the valve core is slidable such that the self-aligning valve seat carrier disengages from the sealing surface in order to allow fluid flow through the valve.

Abstract: A low profile inflation valve intended to be installed with an article to inflated with air, water or other fluid. The valve of the invention comprises a valve body which is sealed, such as by an adhesive, heat-sealing or RF sealing, to a corresponding opening in the article to be inflated. The body comprises a generally circular cylindrical configuration with internal threads for receiving a cap. The cap correspondingly comprises a circular cylindrical configuration having exterior threads for threaded engagement into the valve body. A flapper is affixed to the underside of the cap and functions as a one-way valve to prevent fluid from within the article from escaping therefrom when the cap is partially threaded within the body and yet which allows inflation of the article. Moreover, full tightening of the cap within the body sealingly entraps the flapper between the cap in a lower portion of the body so as to create an airtight seal and prevent further inflation (or deflation) of the article.

Abstract: A reflux valve engageable with corresponding structure, such as with another corresponding valve or instrument. The reflux valve includes an actuator which is located in, and shiftable in, a valve body. When the corresponding structure is engaged with the actuator, the actuator shifts in the valve body, and pushes a valve stem out of engagement with a valve seat. As a result, liquid is allowed to flow, in one direction, through the actuator, past the valve seat, along an area adjacent a periphery of the valve stem, and out the valve body. Preferably, when the valve stem is unseated from the valve seat, liquid can also flow in an opposite direction, i.e. along an area adjacent a periphery of the valve stem, past the valve seat, through the actuator, and out the valve body. Preferably, a spring or an extended end portion of the valve stem biases the valve stem into the valve seat.

Abstract: Disclosed is a valve engageable with an instrument, where the valve includes a deformable stem located in a valve body and shiftable from a first position. When an instrument is engaged with an aperture in the stem, the stem is urged from the first position into the valve body and the aperture deforms to allow liquid to flow through the stem, to or from the instrument. The stem and the valve body are configured such that when the instrument is not engaged with the stem, the valve body engages the stem and urges the aperture closed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a female-type valve engageable with a male component or instrument, where the valve includes a deformable stem which is located in a valve body and is shiftable therein to receive said instrument in sealed engagement. When an instrument is engaged with an aperture in the stem, the stem shifts in the valve body and the aperture deforms to seal against said instrument and allow liquid to flow through the stem, to or from the instrument. A plug member is carried by the stem, and the plug member can shift to a position of generally sealed engagement with the stem, or it can be displaced by the instrument to permit fluid flow. The plug can reseat upon initial retroactive movement of the instrument, while the instrument is still engaged with the aperture in the stem.

Abstract: Disclosed is an indicator system for use with inflating devices that use a cylinder of compressed gas. The indicator system is comprised of a cylinder adapter which receives and supports a cylinder and, concurrently, is received by an inflating device. The cylinder adapter includes an indication means that signals whether the attached cylinder is full or has been discharged by way of the indication means being responsive to the high pressure release from the cylinder during a discharge. The indication means incorporates the use of the color green to signify that the cylinder is full and the color red to signify that the cylinder has been discharged. The indicator system is designed to have a one-time use after which it is disposed of.

Abstract: An an inflator for the inflation of inflatable articles such as life vests and the like, such inflator being operated automatically upon being subjected to water as upon the ditching or parachuting of an aviator wearing a life vest provided with such inflator. In the preferred embodiment of the inflator disclosed, the automatic operating portion of it is embodied as an attachment to a known manually operated inflator, the resulting inflator being capable of operation both manually and automatically. The automatic operating portion of the inflator incorporates a releasable blocking device which holds an actuator pin operated by a coil compression spring in cocked condition until the releasable blocking device releases the actuator pin, which thereafter thrusts a piercing pin against and through the sealing diaphragm of a gas-containing capsule.

Abstract: An inflator for the inflation of inflatable articles such as life vests and the like, such inflator being operated automatically upon being subjected to water as upon the ditching or parachuting of an aviator wearing a life vest provided with such inflator. In the preferred embodiment of the inflator disclosed, the automatically operating portion of it is embodied as an attachment to a known manually operated inflator, the resulting inflator being capable of operation both manually and automatically. The automatically operating portion of the inflator incorporates a releasable blocking device which holds an actuator pin operated by a coil compression spring in cocked condition until the releasable blocking device releases the actuator pin, which thereafter thrusts a piercing pin against and through the sealing diaphragm of a gas-containing capsule.