Abstract: A high flow rate inflator intended to be threaded into or onto the threaded neck of a conventional gas cylinder. The inflator comprises a spring-loaded ballasted firing pin that is retained in a cocked position by a tethered trigger pin. Upon firing by pulling on the trigger pin, the firing pin forcibly moves into engagement with a power primer mounted with a power primer holder to ignite the same, whereupon the ignition gases forcibly drives a hollow larger diameter pierce pin mounted within an interior cylinder into the frangible seal of the gas cartridge to cut a large-bore hole therethrough and allow gas escaping from the gas cylinder to flow at a high rate through the inflator into an inflatable device.

Abstract: A high flow rate inflator intended to be threaded into or onto the threaded neck of a conventional gas cylinder. The inflator comprises a spring-loaded ballasted firing pin that is retained in a cocked position by a tethered trigger pin. Upon firing by pulling on the trigger pin, the firing pin forcibly moves into engagement with a power primer mounted with a power primer holder to ignite the same, whereupon the ignition gases forcibly drives a hollow larger diameter pierce pin mounted within an interior cylinder into the frangible seal of the gas cartridge to cut a large-bore hole therethrough and allow gas escaping from the gas cylinder to flow at a high rate through the inflator into an inflatable device.

Abstract: An inflator for inflating an inflatable device to which it is connected via fill tubes or in which it is positioned. The inflator comprises a power module assembly and an adaptor assembly intended to be threaded into or onto the threaded neck of a gas cylinder (not shown). The power module assembly employs one or more power primers that are fired when a tether is pulled to remove the actuator cup to release a spring-loaded actuator pin to fire the power primer(s). The escaping gases from the power primer(s) then drive a pierce pin to fracture a frangible seal allowing gas in the gas cylinder to then flow into the inflatable device and inflate the same.

Abstract: An inflator for inflating an inflatable device to which it is connected via fill tubes or in which it is positioned. The inflator comprises a power module assembly and an adaptor assembly intended to be threaded into or onto the threaded neck of a gas cylinder (not shown). The power module assembly employs one or more power primers that are fired when a tether is pulled to remove the actuator cup to release a spring-loaded actuator pin to fire the power primer(s). The escaping gases from the power primer(s) then drive a pierce pin to fracture a frangible seal allowing gas in the gas cylinder to then flow into the inflatable device and inflate the same.

Abstract: A leaf clamp for installation on tubing to control the flow of fluid therethrough, the leaf clamp comprising opposing rectilinear frameworks between which the tubing is threaded. A flexible leaf interconnects the opposing frameworks and extends generally parallel above the tubing positioned between the rectilinear frameworks. A snap-lever, generally L-shaped, is pivotally connected between the upper portions of the frameworks such that the shorter leg of the L-shaped lever is aligned with and engages the leaf member to urge it downwardly into engagement with the tubing as the longer leg of the L-shaped snap-lever is pivoted from a generally transverse “open” position to a generally parallel “closed” position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting an inflator, exhaust valve or relief valve interiorly of an inflatable article, comprising a receiver having an integral mounting flange formed about its upper periphery that is heat sealed interiorly about an opening in the fabric of an inflatable article to be substantially flush with the contour of the inflatable article once inflated. The receiver comprises a generally circular cylindrical bore for removably receiving a corresponding generally circular cylindrical portion of the inflator, exhaust valve or relief valve therein. A locking key removably engages into corresponding detents in the mounting flange to removably secure the inflator, exhaust valve or relief valve in the bore. An O-ring is provided about the generally circular cylindrical portion of the inflator, exhaust valve or relief valve to form a seal with the bore and prevent any leakage of gas from the interior of the inflatable article.

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: An automatic inflator comprising a body for receiving a dissolvable pill, said dissolvable pill including an upper surface and a lower surface, at least one of said surfaces including an undulating configuration.

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 leaf clamp for installation on tubing to control the flow of fluid therethrough, the leaf clamp comprising opposing rectilinear frameworks between which the tubing is threaded. A flexible leaf interconnects the opposing frameworks and extends generally parallel above the tubing positioned between the rectilinear frameworks. A snap-lever, generally L-shaped, is pivotally connected between the upper portions of the frameworks such that the shorter leg of the L-shaped lever is aligned with and engages the leaf member to urge it downwardly into engagement with the tubing as the longer leg of the L-shaped snap-lever is pivoted from a generally transverse “open” position to a generally parallel “closed” position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for simultaneously injection molding a first component and a second component, the second component having a protrusion that is positioned in a hole in the first component, including the steps of mating together molds having cavities that define the first component and the second component, positioning a gated core pin in one of the molds, the gated core pin having an outer configuration to define the hole in the first component and having a blind hole to define the protrusion in the second component, injecting a material into the cavities to form the first component and the second component and withdrawing the gated core pin from the mold, whereupon the protrusion on the second component is positioned in the hole in the first component allowing movement of the first component relative to the second component.

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: An automatic inflator comprising a body for receiving a dissolvable pill, said dissolvable pill including an upper surface and a lower surface, at least one of said surfaces including an undulating configuration.

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: 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 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: 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: An inflation system with pneumatic assist for a life raft or other inflatable article includes a puncture pin that is mounted to a slideably mounted piston. The puncture pin makes a small initial puncture in the membrane of a gas cartridge to start a trigger flow of compressed gas from the cartridge. That trigger flow travels through a gas passageway formed in the puncture pin and enters a cylinder within which the piston is mounted, driving the piston toward the membrane. A primary membrane cutter is carried by the piston, and the primary membrane cutter bursts through the membrane and unleashes a high volume flow of compressed gas into the article to be inflated. In a second embodiment, the primary membrane cutter is integrally formed with the puncture pin.

Abstract: A CO.sub.2 cartridge is permanently attached to a cartridge status indicator so that a user need not perform a detailed inspection to determine if the cartridge has been used or not. If the cartridge has been used, the status indicator will so indicate upon casual visual inspection, and if the cartridge has not been used, the causal inspection will also reveal that fact. The gas is released by two different methods. The first requires only that the user pull a cord. Pulling the cord shifts a support member laterally within the inflator, and previously misaligned legs and bores enter into alignment with one another. When aligned, the legs enter into the bores under the influence of a spring positioned in the inflator and the support member is driven into puncturing relation to a membrane. If moisture is encountered, the cord need not be pulled because the moisture collapses a dissolvable element, and the pierce pin is driven into puncturing relation with the membrane under the force of the spring.