Airbed with built-in pump having powered inflation and deflation

Abstract

A built-in pump for an airbed that provides both power inflation and power deflation. The built-in pump utilizes mechanical advantage to open valves for the pump. Separate inflate and deflate valves are utilized. A single direction, centrifugal fan is used to both inflate and deflate the airbed. The fan is activated when either of the valves is actuated, allowing air to flow into or out of the airbed. Separate channels associated with the inflate and deflate valves direct airflow in the appropriate direction.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to inflatable products, and more specifically to airbeds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An airbed is a large rectangular rubber or plastic (e.g., vinyl) bag that is filled with air so that it may be used as a bed. Airbeds are well known in the art and have proven themselves to be very useful. On the one hand, an inflatable airbed may be deflated and folded to store the airbed in a closet or basement. On the other hand, when guests arrive or when the owner of the airbed takes a trip to a place where there is no bed, the airbed may be inflated and may be used as a bed.

One thing airbeds have in common is that they must be inflated for use. To this end, a valve or valves are supplied on an airbed for a user to provide air or another gas into the airbed. The user may utilize his or her breath, i.e., by blowing into a valve or valves, may utilize a manual or electric pump, or may use an air compressor, as examples.

More recently, some manufacturers have begun incorporating pumps into airbeds. Examples can be seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,224,706, 5,588,811, and 6,543,073. Incorporating the pump into the airbed or airbed frame provides a convenient location for storage of the pump, and may provide better fitting of the pump to the airbed.

Most contemporary built-in pumps are power inflation and vented deflation. These pumps utilize a weak spring valve design, where the valve is opened, against the pressure of the weak spring, by the pressure delivered by the pump. These pumps have inherent airtight issues caused by the valve design. They also require a secondary dump valve and manual force to fully deflate the bed.

One prior art built-in pump design utilizes mechanical advantage to allow for better sealing of the deflation valve. This design also utilizes a unique fan system to allow for power deflation. The inherent problems with this design are the complexity of the unit, the limited performance ability of the fan, and the potential failure of the mechanical mechanisms for opening the valve.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

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.

In accordance with an embodiment, a built-in pump is provided for an airbed that permits both power inflation and power deflation. In accordance with an embodiment, the built-in pump utilizes mechanical advantage to open valves for the pump.

In one embodiment, separate inflate and deflate valves are utilized for the built-in pump. A single direction, centrifugal fan is used to both inflate and deflate the airbed. The fan is activated when one of the valves is actuated, allowing air to flow into or out of the airbed. Channels in the pump guide airflow in the appropriate direction.

Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an airbed incorporating an air pump in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the air pump for use in the airbed of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded side perspective view of the air pump of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the air pump of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a top, sectional view of the air pump of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cutaway view of the pump of FIG. 2, with an inflate valve actuated;

FIG. 7 is a cut away view, similar to FIG. 6, of the air pump of FIG. 2, with the deflate valve assembly in an actuated position;

FIG. 8 is a partial cutaway view showing a portion of the deflate valve assembly 42 in a closed position;

FIG. 9 is a partial cutaway view, similar to FIG. 8, showing the deflate valve assembly in an intermediate position; and

FIG. 10 shows an alternate embodiment of the bottom of the air pump of FIG. 2, wherein a rocker arm engages the inflate and deflate valve assemblies.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described. In addition, to the extent orientations are given, such as “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “top,” “bottom,” and the like, such orientations are given for ease of reference only.

FIG. 1 shows an airbed 20 that may utilize aspects of the present invention. In the embodiment shown, the airbed 20 includes a receptacle 22 for a receiving a pump 24. In the embodiment shown, the pump 24 is attached to the receptacle 22. However, if desired, the pump 24 may be redesigned so as to be removable. To the extent that the pump 24 is attached to the airbed 20 and may remain attached thereto so as to be stored in that manner, the pump 24 is “built-in” to the airbed 20, and thus it is a built-in pump. To this end, aspects of the present invention may be implemented in an airbed, such as the airbed 20, having a built-in pump, such as the pump 24, or may be implemented in a pump that is not built-in to an airbed.

Details of the pump 24 can best be seen in FIG. 2 (assembled) and FIG. 3 (exploded). The pump 24 shown in the drawings is generally rectangular in shape, but may be configured in another manner. As can best be seen in FIG. 2, the pump 24 includes a housing 26 having an inflate knob 28 and a deflate knob 30 mounted at an upper portion. In the embodiment shown, a power cord 32 extends into the housing 26 through a top of the housing.

Turning now to the FIG. 3, the housing 26 includes a top housing 34, a middle housing 36, and a bottom housing 38. The inflate knob 28 is attached to an inflate valve assembly 40, further described below. Similarly, the deflate knob 30 is attached to a deflate valve assembly 42, also described below.

The top housing 34 includes a lower skirt 48 that surrounds and fits against the upper surface of the middle housing 36. The top housing 34 also includes two holes 50, 52 through which the inflate knob 28 and the deflate knob 30 protrude. The top housing 34 also includes an internal wall 54 extending through a central section of the right hand side (i.e., the deflate knob 30 side) of the top housing 34. As can best be seen in FIG. 5, the internal wall 54 extends parallel to side walls of the lower skirt 48 for a distance, and then extends diagonally toward one of the side walls. The function of the internal wall 54 is described below.

The middle housing 36 includes an inflation valve spring seat 56 that extends upward from the middle housing and is coaxial with the inflate valve assembly 40. Similarly, the middle housing 36 includes a deflation valve spring seat 58 that extends upward from the middle housing 36 and is coaxial with the deflate valve assembly 42. A deflation air inlet 60 is located adjacent to the deflation valve spring seat 58, and a deflation air outlet 62 is located on an opposite side of the deflation valve spring seat. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the deflation air inlet and the deflation air outlet 62 are located on opposite sides of the internal wall 54 of the top housing 34.

A fan air inlet 64 is centered on the middle housing 36. A fan skirt 66 extends downward from the middle housing 36 and is coaxial with the fan air inlet 64.

A fan, such as a centrifugal fan 68, is positioned in the fan skirt 66. The fan 68 is rotated by a motor 70 which, in one embodiment, is connected to the power cord 32. In alternate embodiments, the motor 30 may be operated by an external DC source, such as one or more rechargeable batteries or non-rechargeable batteries, or an internal DC source, such as one or more rechargeable batteries, such as the battery 72. If needed, the design of the fan 68 may be altered for a desired performance.

The middle housing 36 also includes valve assembly openings 74 that are coaxial with the inflation and deflation valve spring seats 56, 58 and extend through the middle housing 36. The inflate and deflate valve assemblies 40, 42 extend through the valve assembly openings 74.

The bottom housing 38 includes a tub 76. An internal wall 78, best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, closes off a portion of the bottom housing 38 relative to the rest of the bottom housing. A pair of openings 80, 82 is located in a bottom panel of the bottom housing 38. The first opening 80 is positioned in the larger part of the tub 76, and the second opening 82 is positioned in the portion of the tub 76 confined by the internal wall 78.

Each of the inflate valve assembly 40 and the deflate valve assembly 42 includes the same components. Thus, for the benefit of the reader, the details of only one of the valve assemblies, the inflate valve assembly 40, will be described.

At the upper portion of the inflate valve assembly 40 is the inflate knob 28. The inflate knob 28 tapers inward to a recess 86 and then flares outward to form an upper valve 88. When the inflate knob 28 is in the closed position, this upper valve 88 seats against the hole 50 in the top housing 34, as can be seen in FIG. 7.

A spring 90 is located below the upper valve 88. The spring 90 seats against the inflation valve spring seat 56 of the middle housing 36 and presses upward against the bottom of the upper valve 88. In an embodiment, the spring 90 is strong enough to seat the upper valve 88 against the inner surface of the hole 50.

An actuator arm 92 extends outward from a lower portion of a shaft 93 for the inflate valve assembly 40. The upper part of the shaft 93 connects to the upper valve 88. A valve guide 94 is attached to a bottom of the tub 76 of the bottom housing 38 and includes an opening through which the shaft 93 is received. The shaft 93 is free to slide in this opening relative to the valve guide 94, and as such the valve guide maintains alignment of a bottom portion of the shaft 93.

A lower valve 96 is attached to the end of the shaft 93 and is positioned so that it closes the opening 80 when the inflate valve assembly 40 is in the closed position (FIG. 7). The lower valve 96 moves with the shaft 93 and the rest of the inflate valve assembly 40.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the inflate valve assembly 40 includes an upper rubber seal 98 positioned on the shaft 93. A lower rubber seal 100 is located below the upper rubber seal 98. Each of these seals 98, 100 may be, for example, a rubber bushing, although other structures may be used. The rubber seals 98, 100 are positioned so that they close the valve assembly opening 74 in the middle housing 36 when the inflate valve assembly 40 is in the opened and closed positions, as can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7.

The lower rubber seal 100 is arranged to engage a ball bearing 102. The ball bearing is biased toward the shaft 93 by a spring 104. The spring 104 and the ball bearing 102 are maintained in position by a guide 106.

The bias of the spring 104 and the engagement of the ball bearing 102 with the lower rubber seal 100 resist movement of the inflate valve assembly 40 in and out of the housing 26. As can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lower rubber seal 100 is located below the ball bearing 102 when the inflate valve assembly 40 is in the open position (FIG. 6), and the ball bearing 102 is located below the lower rubber seal 100 when the inflate valve assembly 40 is in the closed position (FIG. 7). A user may grip the inflate knob 28 and pull or push the inflate valve assembly 40 against the bias of the spring 104 and the engagement of the ball bearing 102 with the lower rubber seal 100 so that the ball bearing rolls over the lower rubber seal 100, as shown in FIG. 9. During this movement, the ball bearing 102 moves inward as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 8.

As an alternative to these two rubber seals 98, 100, a diaphragm may be provided attaching the shaft 93 to the middle housing 36. In this alternative embodiment, a separate structure, such as a stop or flange, may be provided for resisting movement of the inflate valve assembly 40 in and out of the housing 26. The flange or stop may engage, for example, the ball bearing 102.

Two switches 110, 112 are positioned so they are engaged by the actuator arm 92 of the inflate valve assembly 40 and deflate valve assembly 42, respectively. Thus, for example, when the inflate valve assembly 40 is moved to the open position shown in FIG. 6, the actuator arm 92 engages the switch 110 and turns the motor 70 to an on position. Similarly, when the deflate valve assembly 42 is pressed to the inward, open position shown in FIG. 7, the actuator arm 92 for the deflate valve assembly 42 engages the switch 112, turning on the motor.

In operation, the pump 24 is positioned in the receptacle 22 of the airbed 20. As described above, the pump 24 may be permanently attached to the receptacle 22, as in the embodiment shown, or may alternatively be removable. Normally, the inflate knob 28 and the deflate knob 30 are both in an outward position, and the motor 70 is not operating. To inflate the airbed, the inflate knob 28 is pushed inward, driving the inflate valve assembly 40 into the housing 26. During this movement, the lower rubber seal 100 rolls against and moves inward the ball bearing 102 against the bias of the spring 104. Once the lower rubber seal 100 has passed the ball bearing 102, the spring 104 drives the ball bearing back toward the shaft 93, holding the inflate valve assembly 40 in position against the bias of the spring 90. When the inflate valve assembly 40 is pushed inward, the actuator arm 92 engages the switch 110, turning on the motor 70, which in turn rotates the fan 68.

When the inflate valve assembly is in this open position, the fan 68 draws air into the housing 26 past the upper valve 88 as indicated by the arrow 120 (FIG. 6). This air flow continues through the fan air inlet 64 and into the fan 68, as indicated by the arrow 122. The air flows out of the fan 68 and into the tub 76 and then out of the opening 80 past the lower valve 96. This exiting of the air is shown by the arrow 124. The air thus flowing goes into the airbed 20, inflating the airbed.

To stop inflation, a user grips the inflate knob 28 and pulls outward. The lower rubber seal 100 rolls over the ball bearing 102 and, once the rubber seal 100 reaches the midway point shown in FIG. 9, the bias of the spring 90 pops the deflate knob 30 and upper valve 88 into position against the hole 50 in the top housing 34. When the inflate valve assembly 40 moves upward, the actuator arm 92 releases the switch 110, shutting off the motor 70. Thus, the motor stops and the valves 88, 96 close at the same time, ensuring a minimal loss of air.

To deflate the airbed, a user grasps the deflate knob 30 and presses inward to drive the deflate knob and deflate valve assembly 42 inward. The lower rubber seal 100 rolls under the ball bearing 102 as described with reference to the inflate valve assembly 40. Similarly, the actuator arm 92 engages the switch 112, turning on the motor 70. This position is shown in FIG. 7.

When the deflate valve assembly 42 is pushed inward and the motor 70 is operating, air is drawn from the airbed 20 into the housing 26 by the fan 68 through the opening 82 and past the lower valve 96 for the deflate valve assembly 42. This air flow is indicated by the arrow 126. Air initially drawn into the housing 26 flows into the portion of the tub 76 confined by the internal wall 78. The air is drawn from the tub 76 in through the deflation air inlet 60 and then down through the fan air inlet 64 and into the fan 68, as indicated by the arrow 128 in FIGS. 5 and 7. The air blows down into the tub 76 on the opposite side of the internal wall 78, as indicated by the arrow 129 in FIG. 7. The air pressure generated by the fan 68 blows this air out of the deflation air outlet 62 as indicated by the arrow 130 in FIG. 5. This air then blows out through the hole 52 and around the upper valve 88 of the deflate valve assembly 42, as indicated by the arrow 132 in FIG. 7.

Thus, the fan 68, although in the embodiment shown rotates in only one direction, may be used to both power deflate and power inflate the airbed 20. This feature is provided by routing the air through different channels or pathways of the housing 26 when the inflate and deflate valve assemblies 40, 42 are actuated. This structure is less expensive than a pump utilizing a reversible motor but performs its function without the need for moving parts other than the valve assemblies 40, 42. Instead, air is routed through the housing 26 along different pathways for the inflate and deflate modes. In addition, the two valves are mechanical, in that they require mechanical force to operate, which provides a much less expensive valve structure than electronically actuated valves (e.g., solenoids).

As an added feature, a rocker arm 120 (FIG. 10), may be provided that is hinged to a center of the bottom of the housing 26 and engages the bottom of each of the lower valves 96. The rocker arm 120 may be utilized to ensure that only one of the inflate valve assembly 40 and deflate valve assembly 42 is actuated at a given time.

The embodiment shown utilizes direct force on the inflate and deflate valve assemblies 40, 42 to open the valve assemblies. This simplifies the mechanism for the pump. In addition, utilizing separate inflate and deflate valve assemblies 40, 42 permits a single direction, centrifugal fan to be used, and/or a single direction motor (i.e., a motor that is designed to rotate in only one direction). The design also provides more versatility on fan style and performance.

While the present invention is described with reference to an airbed, the pump 24 of the present invent may be utilized with any inflatable product, including but not limited to air mats, rafts, inflatable furniture, inflatable pools, inflatable boats, and other inflatable products.

Variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has 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.

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.

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.

Claims

1. An inflatable product, comprising:

an air bladder; and

a pump in fluid communication with the air bladder, the pump comprising: an inflate valve; a fan; a motor for driving the fan; and a deflate valve; the inflate valve, the fan, and the deflate valve being arranged so that actuation of the mechanical inflate valve while rotating the fan in a first direction causes the pump to inflate the bladder and actuation of the deflate valve while rotating the fan in the first direction causes the pump to deflate the bladder.

2. The inflatable product of claim 1, wherein the motor is a single direction motor.

3. The inflatable product of claim 1, wherein the inflate valve is a mechanical valve.

4. The inflatable product of claim 3, wherein the deflate valve is a mechanical valve.

5. The inflatable product of claim 1, wherein the deflate valve is a mechanical valve.

6. The inflatable product of claim 1, wherein the pump further comprises a housing in which the fan is mounted, and wherein the housing comprises:

a first pathway for directing air drawn by the fan when the deflate valve is open from the bladder, through the fan, and out of the housing and bladder, and

a second pathway for directing air drawn by the fan when the inflate valve is open from outside the housing and bladder through the fan and into the bladder.

7. The inflatable product of claim 6, wherein the inflate valve comprises two valves for opening and closing an inlet into the housing and an outlet into the bladder.

8. The inflatable product of claim 7, wherein the two valves are mechanical valves, and are connected together for substantially simultaneous operation.

9. The inflatable product of claim 8, further comprising a switch, the switch being arranged and configured to be engaged to turn on operation of the motor as the two valves are opened.

10. The inflatable product of claim 7, wherein the deflate valve comprises two valves for opening and closing an inlet from the bladder and an outlet of the housing.

11. The inflatable product of claim 6, wherein the deflate valve comprises two valves for opening and closing an inlet from the bladder and an outlet of the housing.

12. The inflatable product of claim 11, wherein the two valves are mechanical valves, and are connected together for substantially simultaneous operation.

13. The inflatable product of claim 8, further comprising a switch, the switch being arranged and configured to be engaged to turn on operation of the motor as the two valves are opened.

14. An inflatable product, comprising:

an air bladder; and

a pump in fluid communication with the air bladder, the pump comprising: a housing; a mechanical inflate valve; a fan; a motor for driving the fan; and a mechanical deflate valve; the inflate valve, the fan, and the deflate valve being arranged so that actuation of the mechanical inflate valve while rotating the fan causes the pump to inflate the bladder and actuation of the deflate valve while rotating the fan causes the pump to deflate the bladder.

15. The inflatable product of claim 14, wherein the inflate valve comprises two valves for opening and closing an inlet into the housing and an outlet into the bladder.

16. The inflatable product of claim 15, wherein the two valves of the inflate valve are connected together for substantially simultaneous operation.

17. The inflatable product of claim 16, further comprising a switch, the switch being arranged and configured to be engaged to turn on operation of the motor as the two valves are opened.

18. The inflatable product of claim 15, wherein the deflate valve comprises two valves for opening and closing an inlet from the bladder and an outlet of the housing.

19. The inflatable product of claim 15, wherein the deflate valve comprises two valves for opening and closing an inlet from the bladder and an outlet of the housing.

20. The inflatable product of claim 11, wherein the two valves of the deflate valve are connected together for substantially simultaneous operation.

21. The inflatable product of claim 8, further comprising a switch, the switch being arranged and configured to be engaged to turn on operation of the motor as the two valves are opened.