HOUSING FOR HOLDING AN AIR PUMP, AN AIR PUMP, AND AN INFLATABLE DEVICE

Abstract

A housing for an air pump is provided for being incorporated in an inflatable device. A housing body defines a holding space for the pump. A first opening in the body is provided for taking the pump in/out of the holding space. A second opening in the body is provided for forming a passage between the holding space and an inflatable volume of the inflatable device when the housing is incorporated in the inflatable device, and for being releasably connected to the pump in an airtight manner. The body includes a resilient securing member in the holding space for releasably securing the pump in the housing when the pump is arranged in a first position in the holding space. In the first position an air outlet of the pump is releasably connected to the second opening in an airtight manner.

Claims

1. A housing for holding an air pump, wherein the housing is configured to be incorporated in an inflatable device, the housing comprising: a body defining a holding space for the air pump; a first opening in a first side face of the body, the first opening being configured to allow the air pump to pass therethrough; and a second opening in a second side face of the body, wherein when the housing is incorporated in the inflatable device, the second opening forms a passage between the holding space and an inflatable volume of the inflatable device, wherein the second opening is releasably connectable to the air pump in an airtight manner; wherein the body comprises a resilient securing member in the holding space that is configured to releasably secure the air pump in the housing when the air pump is arranged in a first position in the holding space, in which first position an air outlet of the air pump is releasably connected to the second opening in an airtight manner.

2. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the resilient securing member comprises at least one resilient securing element extending from the body inside the holding space, wherein the at least one resilient securing element is configured to grip around the air pump when the air pump is arranged in the first position in the holding space.

3. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the resilient securing member comprises at least two resilient securing elements extending from the body inside the holding space, wherein the at least two resilient securing elements are configured to grip around the air pump when the air pump is arranged in the first position in the holding space.

4. The housing according to claim 3, wherein the at least two resilient securing elements are configured to grip around the air pump from two opposing sides when the air pump is arranged in the first position in the holding space.

5. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the body comprises a recess configured for at least partially positioning the air pump therein.

6. The housing according to claim 5, wherein a first section of the recess has a first shape which is complementary to a shape of the air pump when the air pump is arranged in the first position in the holding space, and wherein a second section of the recess has a second shape which is complementary to the shape of the air pump when the air pump is arranged in a second position in the holding space, in which second position an air inlet of the air pump is releasably connected to the second opening in an airtight manner.

7. (canceled)

8. The housing according to claim 5, wherein the resilient securing member is positioned at a location around the recess.

9. (canceled)

10. The housing according claim 1, wherein the resilient securing member is configured such that sides of the resilient securing member which are in contact with the air pump, when the air pump is arranged in the first position in the housing, have a shape complementary to a shape of the air pump.

11. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a cover element configured to seal off the first opening of the housing.

12-13. (canceled)

14. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a third opening, wherein the third opening is configured to form, when the housing is incorporated in the inflatable device, a second passage between the holding space and the inside of the inflatable device, and wherein the housing further comprises a plug configured to seal the third opening.

15-16. (canceled)

17. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a check valve arranged in the second opening, the check valve being configured to allow air to be pumped from the holding space through the second opening.

18. An air pump for use with the housing according to claim 1, wherein the air pump comprises an air inlet and an air outlet, wherein the air outlet of the air pump is configured to releasably connect to the second opening of the housing in an airtight manner.

19. The air pump according to claim 18, wherein the air inlet of the air pump is configured to releasably connect to the second opening of the housing in an airtight manner.

20. The air pump according to claim 19, wherein the air pump comprises a biasing element at the air inlet, wherein the biasing element is configured to move and hold a check valve in the second opening into an open position when the air inlet of the air pump is releasably connected to the second opening of the housing in an airtight manner, in which open position air is allowed to flow through the second opening into the holding space.

21-22. (canceled)

23. The air pump according to claim 18, wherein the air pump is a radial flow pump.

24. A method of using the air pump of claim 18, comprising: inflating or deflating an inflatable device comprising at least one air valve.

25. (canceled)

26. An air pump assembly for use with an inflatable device comprising an inlet valve, the air pump assembly comprising: the air pump according to claim 18; and at least one adapter element configured to releasably connect at least one of the air inlet or the air outlet of the air pump to the inlet valve of the inflatable device in an airtight manner.

27. An inflatable device comprising the housing according to claim 1.

28. An inflatable device according to claim 27, wherein the housing is incorporated in a side wall of the inflatable device which surrounds the inflatable volume of the inflatable device.

29. An inflatable device assembly comprising an inflatable device comprising at least one air valve and an air pump according to claim 18.

30. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] The invention will be further elucidated by means of the following description and the appended figures.

[0051] FIG. 1 shows an example of an inflatable device provided with a housing according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0052] FIG. 2 shows an example of a housing for holding an air pump according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0053] FIGS. 3a-3b show different aspects of the housing of FIG. 2.

[0054] FIGS. 4a-4d show different aspects of an exemplified housing according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0055] FIG. 5 shows different views of an exemplified cover for the housing shown in FIGS. 4a-4d.

[0056] FIG. 6 shows different views of an exemplified pump according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0057] FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the pump of FIG. 6.

[0058] FIG. 8 shows different views of a pump incorporated in a housing according to embodiments of the present invention.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0059] The invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn on scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not necessarily correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

[0060] Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. The terms are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and the embodiments of the invention can operate in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

[0061] Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. The terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and the embodiments of the invention described herein can operate in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

[0062] The term comprising, used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It needs to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression a device comprising means A and B should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B.

[0063] The present invention will be described with references with references to the examples shown in FIGS. 1 to 8.

[0064] FIG. 1 shows an example of an inflatable device 10 incorporating a housing 11, also referred to as shell, for holding an air pump 22 according to embodiments of the present invention. The exemplified inflatable device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is lounge seat that can be used either indoors or outdoors for a variety of purposes. The inflatable device 10 may be made from a light weight airtight material, which forms an inflatable volume. The inflatable volume may be filled with air or another preferred gas. The inflatable device 10 may be provided with a housing 11 for holding an air pump 22, which may be used for inflating and/or deflating the inflatable device 10. The housing 11 may be provided in any desired shape, such as circular, square, etc.

[0065] FIGS. 2 and 3 show different views of an exemplified housing 11 for holding an air pump 22 according to embodiments of the present invention. The housing is provided for being incorporated in an inflatable device 10, such as the one shown in FIG. 1. The housing 11 is provided with a housing body 17 defining a holding space 16 for holding an air pump 22. The housing 11 comprises a first opening 13, through which the pump can be taken in and out of the holding space 16. The first opening 13 may be located in a first side face of the body 17. The housing 11 may be provided with a second opening 14 in a second side face of the body 17. The second opening 14 may be provided for forming, when the housing 11 is incorporated in the inflatable device 10, a passage between the holding space 16 of the housing 11 and the inflatable volume of the inflatable device 10. The second opening 14 may be releasably connected to the air pump 22 in an airtight manner, so that air can be pumped in and or pumped out of the inflatable device 10. The second opening 14 may be provided with an air valve through which air or another gaseous substance may be pumped in and/or pumped out. For example, the a check valve may be provided in the second opening 14 to allow air being pumped in, by means of the air pump 22, from the holding space through the second opening. The housing body 17 may be provided with a resilient securing member in the holding space 16 for releasably securing the air pump 22 in the housing 11. The resilient securing member may be provided with at least one resilient securing element 12 configured for securing the air pump 22 in the holding space 16, when the air pump is in a first position in the holding space. In the first position, an air outlet 24 of the air pump 22 is releasably connected to the second opening 14 in an airtight manner. As shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, two resilient securing elements 12 may be provided, which extend from the housing body 17 inside the holding space 16. The securing elements 12 are configured for gripping around the body of the air pump 22, when the pump is the first position. As shown in FIG. 2, the securing elements 12 may be provided on two opposing sides, so as to better grip the air pump 22, when the air pump 22 is arranged in the first position in the holding space 16. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the holding space 16 may be provided with a recess 18 comprising a first section of receiving the air pump 22. The first section 18a may be provided with a shape complimentary to that of the air pump 22, so as to ensure that the air pump 22 is better secured into the first position during the pumping operation. The resilient securing elements 12 may be designed such that they extend from the area around the first section 18a of the recess 18. In this way, the recess 18 in cooperation with the resilient securing elements 12 may better secure the air pump 22 during the pumping operation. The housing body 17 may be provided with a third opening 15 that forms, when the housing is incorporated in the inflatable device, a passage between the holding space 16 of the housing 11 and the inflatable volume of the inflatable device 10. The passage allows air or another gaseous substance to flow between the inflatable volume and the holding space 16. The third opening may be sealed by means of a plug, thereby preventing air to escape from the inflatable volume. In case of a quick deflation is necessary, the plug may be pulled off so as to allow air to escape from the inflatable volume.

[0066] FIGS. 4a-4d show different views of housing 11 for holding an air pump 22 according to embodiments of the present invention. The housing 11 of FIGS. 4a-4d is substantial similar to the housing 11 presented in FIGS. 2 and 3a-3b, thus only the main differences will be explained. The housing 11, as shown in FIG. 4a, has a substantial circular shape. The first opening 13 is provided with screw threads 19 configured for cooperating with a cover 21 having complementary screw threads 20, as shown in FIGS. 4c and 4d. The housing 11 is provided with a recess 18 having a first section 18a and a second section 18b. The first section 18a has a complimentary shape to the shape of the pump when positioned in a first pumping position. For example, in the first pumping position the air pump 22 may be connected to the valve of the second opening 15 for pumping air in the inflatable volume. The second section 18b has a complimentary shape to the shape of the air pump 22, when positioned in a second pumping position. For example, in the second pumping position the air pump 22 may be positioned upright in the second recess section 18b for deflating the inflatable device 11. As previously, the resilient securing elements 12 may extend outwards from the housing body 17 at a location around the first recess section 18a.

[0067] According to embodiments of the present invention, the housing 11 may be made as a single part e.g. using a moulding process, thus greatly simplifying the manufacturing and assembly process. The housing 11 may be made from a plastic material or a composite plastic material so as to maintain the required strength and flexibility characteristics.

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 5a-5c a cover 21 may be provided for closing off the first opening 13 of the housing 11. The cover 21 may be provided, as shown in FIGS. 4b and 4c, with complimentary screw threads 20 to the screw thread 19 of the first opening 13 e.g. the first opening 13 shown in FIGS. 4a-4d. The complimentary screw threads 20 allow the cover 21 to be screwed to the first opening 13 so as to prevent water or dust from entering the holding space 16 of the housing. In this way, it is ensured that damage to the air pump 22 or any other part of the housing 11 is prevented, when the inflatable device 10 is used outdoors e.g. sandy beaches, water, snow, etc. The cover 21 may have a circular shape, as shown in FIGS. 5a-5c. However, it should be noted that any other first opening 13 and the cover 21 may take any other desirable shape. Also it should be noted, that the cover 21 may be attached to the first opening 13 in a number of ways. For example, the first opening 13 and the cover 21 may be provided with complementary grooves, which are not shown, that allow the cover to close off the first opening 13 so as to prevent water or dust from entering the holding space 16. Also a sealing member may be provided between the first opening 13 and the cover 21 so as to prevent water or dust from entering the holding space 16.

[0069] An air pump 22 according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b. The air pump 22 comprises an air inlet port 23, through which air is drawn in by means of an impellor 26, and an air outlet port 24, through which air is expeller out from the air pump 22. As shown in FIG. 7, which is a cross-sectional view of the air pump 22 of FIGS. 6a and 6b, the air pump 22 may be provided in the air inlet port 23 with a biasing element 25. The biasing element 25 may be a piece of hollow plastic that extends from the base of the air inlet 23. The air pump 22 may be a radial pump comprising an impellor 25 for drawing in air, which is subsequently expelled via the air outlet port 24. The air pump 22 may further comprise a power switch 26 for switching on and off the air pump 22. A USB charging connector 27 may be further provided for charging the battery of the air pump 22. The USB-connector 27 may be used for charging the battery of the air pump 22 by drawing current from a portable electronic device, e.g. laptop, thus allowing the air pump 22 to be charged when the inflatable device is used outdoors.

[0070] The air pump 22 may be used for inflating and or deflating an inflatable device 10 having a housing 11 according to embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 8a-8c, the air pump 22 may be positioned in the first pumping position, whereby the air outlet 24 of the air pump may be releasably connected to the air valve of the second opening 15. In the first pumping position, the air pump 22 is secured in the first section 18a of the recess 18 by the resilient securing members 12. The resilient securing members 12 may be configured for gripping at a location around the air pump 22 body, as shown in FIGS. 8a to 8c. As shown in FIGS. 4b and 4c, in the first position the air pump 22 may be arranged for inflating the inflatable device 10 by drawing air in through the air inlet 23, which is subsequently is pumped through the air outlet 24 to the inflatable volume via the air valve provided in the second opening 15. The air pump 22 may also be used for deflating the inflatable device 10. The deflation may be performed by positioning the air pump 22 in the second recess section 18b, such that the air inlet 23 is releasably connected to the second opening. In the second position, the biasing element 25 may be arranged for pushing the air valve, also may be referred to as check valve, in the open position so as to allow air to escape from the inflatable volume into the holding space 16, thereby deflating the inflatable device 10.

[0071] It should be noted that the air pump 22 of the present invention may be used for inflating and/or deflating inflatable device having an air valve but not necessarily provided with the housing 11. For example, the air pump 22 may be used for inflating an air mattress, a ball, an air chair, etc. For this purpose, the air pump 22 may be provided with at least one adaptor element, each configured for allowing the air pump 22 for being connected to predetermine air valve of an inflatable device 10.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0072] 10 Inflatable device [0073] 11 housing for holding an air pump [0074] 12 resilient securing elements [0075] 13 first opening [0076] 14 second opening [0077] 15 third opening [0078] 16 holding space [0079] 17 housing body [0080] 18 recess [0081] 18a first recess section [0082] 18b second recess section [0083] 19 first opening screw threads [0084] 20 cover screw threads [0085] 21 cover element [0086] 22 air pump [0087] 23 air inlet [0088] 24 air outlet [0089] 25 biasing element [0090] 26 impellor [0091] 27 power switch [0092] 28 USB-connector