Air Pump
An air pump having a rotatable chamber in simultaneous communication with a valve and a switch during inflation and deflation of an inflatable device. The air pump housing has a rotatable knob connected to a rotatable chamber. The rotatable chamber has a ramp bisecting the rotatable chamber into a primary compartment and a secondary compartment. During inflation, the rotatable chamber is in communication with a valve and the port of the secondary compartment diverts the airflow from an opening of the rotatable knob in a direction into the inflatable device when the rotatable chamber is rotated to a primary position. During deflation, the rotatable chamber is in communication with a valve and a port of the primary compartment diverts the airflow out of the inflatable device, whereby, the airflow is exhausted through an opening of the rotatable knob when the rotatable chamber is rotated to a secondary position.
This invention relates, generally, to an air pump. More particularly, it relates to an air pump having a multi-functional rotatable chamber having a cam that activates a micro switch to power on and off the motor of the air pump, a ramp bisects the rotatable chamber into a primary compartment that diverts the flow of air in a direction into the inflatable device and a secondary compartment that diverts the flow of air out of the inflatable device, and a mode that seals air within the inflatable device.
2. Background ArtCurrently, air pumps are used to inflate and deflate a variety of inflatable devices including, but not limited to, an air mattress, a bounce house, a chair, a cushion, a yard inflatable, or an inflatable prop. These air pumps are installed in the inflatable device and draw air in from one end and discharge air from another end into the inflatable device. Generally, when these inflatable devices need to be deflated, the motors are stopped, the pump is removed, and the air exits by the pressure generated by the collapsing inflatable device. This can be time consuming and does not completely deflate the inflatable device, requiring a user to manually compress the inflatable device to push the remaining air out of the inflatable device.
In some instances, the air pump discharge is removed from the inflatable device and the air pump intake is connected to the inflatable device to draw air out of the inflatable device. There is a need for an air pump that automatically engages when the control is diverted to either the intake or discharge mode so that a user can easily and quickly control the air flow either into or out of the inflatable device. More particularly, when the air pump is turned to an off position the pump motor is off and the air pump automatically seals the inflatable device so that air cannot discharge from the inflatable device.
Conventional air pumps on the market produce high levels of noise generated by the motor and by the airflow. Many inflatable devices such as bounce houses and yard inflatables are kept inflated by the air pump for hours at a time. It is more desirable for an air pump to operate more quietly as to not be a disturbance to surrounding areas. Thus, there is a need for an air pump having a labyrinth of air passages and a plurality of baffles to decrease the noise generated by the motor and by the air flow.
However, in view of the prior art considered as a whole at the time the present invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art how the identified needs could be fulfilled.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe long-standing but heretofore unfulfilled need for an air pump having a rotatable knob with an opening having a plurality of baffles configured to deflect the flow of air to muffle the sound created by the flow of air. The rotatable knob is connected to a rotatable chamber. The rotatable chamber has a ramp bisecting the rotatable chamber into a primary compartment having a primary port and a secondary compartment having a secondary port. During inflation, an end of the rotatable chamber is in communication with a valve and the port of the secondary compartment diverts the flow of air from an opening of the rotatable knob in a direction into the inflatable device when the rotatable chamber is rotated to a primary position. During deflation, an end of the rotatable chamber is in communication with a valve and a port of the primary compartment diverts the flow of air out of the inflatable device, whereby, the airflow is exhausted through an opening of the rotatable knob when the rotatable chamber is rotated to a secondary position. An end of the rotatable chamber has a recess. When the recess is positioned over the valve, the ports of the primary and secondary compartment are both closed and the valve covers the valve openings to form a seal to retain air within the inflatable device. The rotatable chamber has at least one protrusion located on an outer perimeter surface of the rotatable chamber. The at least one protrusion engages a switch that applies power to the motor. The motor rotates the fans that generate the airflow for inflation and deflation, which also includes improvements that overcome the limitations of prior art air pumps, is now met by a new, useful, and non-obvious invention.
The novel air pump has a housing. The housing has a compartment with a primary chamber. The housing has a motor housing retaining a motor connected to at least one fan blade. The motor housing has an opening. The air pump has a switch in electrical communication with the motor. The switch applies power to the motor which rotates the at least one fan blade. The at least one fan blade is configured to generate airflow when at least one fan blade is rotated by the motor.
The air pump has a primary chamber having a primary end located opposite a secondary end. The primary end of the primary chamber has an opening receiving a rotatable chamber. The secondary end of the primary chamber has a valve opening. The secondary end of the primary chamber has a valve retaining structure.
The valve retaining structure retains a valve. The valve has a cap located opposite a plate. A shaft is connected to a surface of the plate. A resilient member having a central opening is received by the shaft. The shaft receives the central opening of the resilient member. A seal structure overlays the plate. The plate is configured to uncover the valve opening when the valve is oriented in a primary position. The plate or seal structure is configured to cover the valve opening when the valve is oriented in a secondary position.
The primary chamber has a port located opposite a primary recess, whereby, the port is in communication with the motor housing.
The air pump has a secondary chamber having a primary end located opposite a secondary end. The secondary chamber is in communication with the primary chamber. At least a portion of a perimeter edge of the secondary end of the secondary chamber boarders the valve opening. The primary end of the secondary chamber has a secondary recess that is located perpendicular to the primary recess of the primary chamber. The secondary recess of the secondary chamber is in communication with said rotatable chamber.
The air pump has a rotatable knob. The rotatable knob is in communication with the housing. The rotatable knob can protrude through an opening of the lid portion of the housing. The housing can have a removable lid having a primary opening retaining the rotatable knob and a secondary opening to store the electrical cord. The secondary opening can have a hingedly pivoting door that can open and close to access the compartment retaining the electrical cord. The rotatable knob has at least one opening. The rotatable knob is in communication with a rotatable chamber. In a preferred embodiment, the rotatable knob can be integrally formed with the rotatable chamber.
The rotatable chamber has a primary end located opposite a secondary end. The primary end of the rotatable chamber has a primary protrusion located opposite a secondary protrusion. The secondary end of the rotatable chamber has a recess. The recess of the rotatable chamber is configured to be positioned to overlay the valve, thereby, orienting the valve in a secondary position to close the valve opening. The rotatable chamber has a ramp. The ramp bisects the rotatable chamber into a primary compartment having a primary port and a secondary compartment having a secondary port. The rotatable chamber is in simultaneous communication with the valve and the switch during inflation. When the rotatable chamber is rotated to the primary position, the valve is oriented in a primary position and the primary protrusion of the rotatable chamber engages the switch to activate the motor. At least one opening of the rotatable knob is configured to receive airflow when the secondary port of the rotatable chamber is aligned with the port of the primary chamber.
The rotatable chamber is in simultaneous communication with the valve and the switch during deflation. The rotatable chamber is rotated to the secondary position, whereby, the valve is oriented in the primary position and the secondary protrusion of the rotatable chamber engages the switch to activate the motor. At least one opening of the rotatable knob is configured to exhaust the airflow when the primary port of the rotatable chamber is aligned with the port of the primary chamber.
In an alternate embodiment, the novel air pump can have a valve having a sealing structure. It is within the scope of this invention for the sealing structure to be made of a pliable material capable of forming an air tight seal including, but not limited to, a plastic or rubber washer.
In another embodiment the opening of the rotatable knob has a plurality of baffles capable of muffling the sound of the airflow.
In another embodiment, an inner wall surface of the primary chamber has a chamber step. The chamber step is configured to limit the distance the rotatable chamber can traverse the inner wall surface of the primary chamber.
In yet another embodiment, the housing has a sealing structure connected to an outer perimeter surface of the housing. The sealing structure is configured to create an air tight seal between the air pump and an inflatable device. It is within the scope of this invention for an inflatable device to include, but not be limited to, an air mattress, a bounce house, a chair, a cushion, a yard inflatable, or an inflatable prop.
In an alternate embodiment, an engagement knob can have an end connected to the rotatable knob located opposite an end connected to the rotatable chamber. The engagement knob can have a plurality of openings configured to divert the airflow.
In an alternate embodiment, an engagement knob can have an end connected to the rotatable knob located opposite an end connected to the rotatable chamber. The engagement knob can have at least one opening configured to divert airflow. The engagement knob can have a plurality of openings configured to divert airflow. The engagement knob can have at least one protrusion configured to engage a switch to activate the motor. In a preferred embodiment, the engagement knob has a primary end having a primary protrusion located opposite a secondary end having a secondary protrusion. The engagement knob is connected to a rotatable chamber.
The rotatable chamber has a ramp bisecting the rotatable chamber into a primary compartment having a primary port and a secondary compartment having a secondary port. The engagement knob is in simultaneous communication with the valve and the switch during inflation. When the engagement knob is rotated to a primary position, the valve is oriented in a primary position and the primary protrusion of the engagement knob engages the switch to activate the motor. At least one opening of the rotatable knob is configured to receive the airflow when the secondary port of the rotatable chamber is aligned with the port of the primary chamber.
The engagement knob is in simultaneous communication with the valve and the switch during deflation when the engagement knob is rotated to the secondary position. The valve is oriented in the primary position and the secondary protrusion of the engagement knob engages the switch to activate the motor. At least one opening of the rotatable knob is configured to exhaust the airflow when the primary port of the rotatable chamber is aligned with the port of the primary chamber.
For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and within which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
In a general embodiment the novel air pump 1 has housing 11 and fan motor housing 51 retaining motor 44. Motor 44 is connected to at least one fan blade 45. In a preferred embodiment, motor 44 is connected to primary fan blade 45A and secondary fan blade 45B. Rotatable knob 12 protrudes through an opening 56 of cover 40. Rotatable knob 12 can be connected to a rotatable chamber 18 having protrusions 25A and 25B. Protrusions 25A and 25B engage switch 49B when rotatable chamber 18 is rotated. In an alternate embodiment, rotatable chamber 18 can be connected to engagement knob 46 having protrusions 47A and 47B. Protrusions 47A and 47B engage switch 49B when engagement knob 46 is rotated.
In a preferred embodiment, ramp 17 bisects rotatable chamber 18 into primary compartment 42 having primary port 19A and secondary compartment 43 having secondary port 19B. When inflating an inflatable device (not shown), rotatable chamber 18 is rotated to a primary position where protrusion 25A of rotatable chamber 18 engages switch 49B to activate motor 44, positioning secondary port 19B of secondary compartment 43 with port 6 of primary chamber 2, and secondary end 24 of rotatable chamber 18 orients valve 21 in a primary position to open valve opening 5.
When deflating an inflatable device, rotatable chamber 18 is rotated to a secondary position where protrusion 25B of rotatable chamber 18 engages switch 49B to activate motor 44, positioning primary port 19A of primary compartment 42 with port 6 of primary chamber 2, and secondary end 24 of rotatable chamber 18 orients valve 21 in a primary position to open valve opening 5. When sealing an inflatable device, recess 22 of the rotatable chamber 18 is configured to be positioned over valve 21, thereby, orienting valve 21 in a secondary position to close valve opening 5. It is within the scope of this invention for switch 49 to include, but not be limited by, a micro switch.
Construction of the Novel Air PumpIt will now be seen, referring to
In a first embodiment,
In a second embodiment,
As illustrated in
It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained. Since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention that, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.
Now that the invention has been described,
Claims
1. An air pump, comprising:
- a housing, said housing having a compartment with a first chamber;
- said housing having a motor housing, said motor housing retaining a motor connected to at least one fan blade, said motor housing has an opening;
- a switch, said switch is in electrical communication with said motor, whereby, said switch is configured to apply power to said motor, whereby, said at least one fan blade is configured to generate airflow when said at least one fan blade is rotated by said motor;
- said first chamber having a first end located opposite a second end, whereby, said first end of said first chamber having an opening receiving a rotatable chamber, said second end of said first chamber having a valve opening, said second end of said first chamber having a valve retaining structure, said valve retaining structure retaining a valve, said valve comprising, a cap located opposite a plate, a shaft connected to a surface of said plate, a resilient member, said resilient member having a central opening, said shaft receiving said central opening of said resilient member, said plate is configured to uncover said valve opening when said valve is oriented in a first position, said plate is configured to cover said valve opening when said valve is oriented in a second position;
- said first chamber having a port located opposite a first recess, whereby, said port is in communication with motor housing;
- a second chamber having a first end located opposite a second end, said second chamber is in communication with said first chamber, whereby, at least a portion of a perimeter edge of said second end of said second chamber boarders said valve opening, said first end of said second chamber has a second recess that is located perpendicular to said first recess of said first chamber, said second recess of said second chamber is in communication with said rotatable chamber;
- a rotatable knob, said rotatable knob is in communication with said housing, said rotatable knob having at least one opening, said rotatable knob is in communication with a rotatable chamber;
- said rotatable chamber having a first end located opposite a second end, said first end of said rotatable chamber having a first protrusion located opposite a second protrusion, said second end of said rotatable chamber having a recess, said recess of said rotatable chamber is configured to be positioned perpendicular to said valve, thereby, orienting said valve in said second position, said rotatable chamber having a ramp, said ramp bisecting said rotatable chamber into a first compartment having a first port and a second compartment having a second port, said rotatable chamber is in simultaneous communication with said valve and said switch during inflation when said rotatable chamber is rotated to said first position, whereby, said valve is oriented in said first position and said first protrusion of said rotatable chamber engages said switch to activate said motor, whereby, said at least one opening of said rotatable knob is configured to receive said airflow when said second port of said rotatable chamber is aligned with said port of said first chamber; and,
- said rotatable chamber is in simultaneous communication with said valve and said switch during deflation when said rotatable chamber is rotated to said second position, whereby, said valve is oriented in said first position and said second protrusion of said rotatable chamber engages said switch to activate said motor, thereby, said at least one opening of said rotatable knob is configured to exhaust said airflow when said first port of said rotatable chamber is aligned with said port of said first chamber.
2. The air pump of claim 1, wherein said valve having a sealing structure.
3. The air pump of claim 1, wherein said at least one opening of said rotatable knob having a plurality of baffles configured to muffle the flow of air.
4. The air pump of claim 1, wherein an inner wall surface of said first chamber having a chamber step, said chamber step is configured to limit the distance said rotatable chamber can traverse said inner wall surface of said first chamber.
5. The air pump of claim 1, wherein said housing having a sealing structure connected to an outer perimeter surface of said housing.
6. The air pump of claim 1, wherein an engagement knob can have an end connected to said rotatable knob located opposite an end connected to said rotatable chamber.
7. An air pump, comprising:
- a housing, said housing having a compartment with a first chamber;
- said housing having a motor housing, said motor housing retaining a motor connected to at least one fan blade, said motor housing has an opening;
- a switch, said switch is in electrical communication with said motor, whereby, said switch is configured to apply power to said motor, whereby, said at least one fan blade is configured to generate airflow when said at least one fan blade is rotated by said motor;
- said first chamber having a first end located opposite a second end, whereby, said first end of said first chamber having an opening receiving a rotatable chamber, said second end of said first chamber having a valve opening, said second end of said first chamber having a valve retaining structure, said valve retaining structure retaining a valve, said valve comprising, a cap located opposite a plate, a shaft connected to a surface of said plate, a resilient member, said resilient member having a central opening, said shaft receiving said central opening of said resilient member, said plate is configured to uncover said valve opening when said valve is oriented in a first position, said plate is configured to cover said valve opening when said valve is oriented in a second position;
- said first chamber having a port located opposite a first recess, whereby, said port is in communication with said motor housing;
- a second chamber having a first end located opposite a second end, said second chamber is in communication with said first chamber, whereby, at least a portion of a perimeter edge of said second end of said second chamber boarders said valve opening, said first end of said second chamber has a second recess that is located perpendicular to said first recess of said first chamber, said second recess of said second chamber is in communication with said rotatable chamber;
- a rotatable knob, said rotatable knob is in communication with said housing, said rotatable knob having at least one opening, said rotatable knob is connected to an engagement knob, said engagement knob having at least one opening, said engagement knob having a first end having a first protrusion located opposite a second end having a second protrusion, said engagement knob is connected to a rotatable chamber;
- said rotatable chamber having a first end located opposite a second end, said second end of said rotatable chamber having a recess, said recess of said rotatable chamber is configured to be positioned perpendicular to said valve, thereby, orienting said valve in said second position;
- said rotatable chamber having a ramp, said ramp bisecting said rotatable chamber into a first compartment having a first port and a second compartment having a second port, said engagement knob is in simultaneous communication with said valve and said switch during inflation when said engagement is rotated to said first position, whereby, said valve is oriented in said first position and said first protrusion of said engagement knob engages said switch to activate said motor, whereby, said at least one opening of said rotatable knob is configured to receive said airflow when said second port of said rotatable chamber is aligned with said port of said first chamber; and,
- said engagement knob is in simultaneous communication with said valve and said switch during deflation when said engagement knob is rotated to said second position, whereby, said valve is oriented in said first position and said second protrusion of said engagement knob engages said switch to activate said motor, thereby, said at least one opening of said rotatable knob is configured to exhaust said airflow when said first port of said rotatable chamber is aligned with said port of said first chamber.
8. The air pump of claim 7, wherein said valve having a sealing structure.
9. The air pump of claim 7, wherein said at least one opening of said rotatable knob having a plurality of baffles configured to muffle the flow of air.
10. The air pump of claim 7, wherein an inner wall surface of said first chamber having a chamber step, said chamber step is configured to limit the distance said rotatable chamber can traverse said inner wall surface of said first chamber.
11. The air pump of claim 7, wherein said housing having a sealing structure connected to an outer perimeter surface of said housing.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 4, 2017
Publication Date: Sep 6, 2018
Inventor: AnYun Shi (QiongQing)
Application Number: 15/449,922