Air Pump

Abstract

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.

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.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] 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:

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the novel air pump;

[0025] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the novel air pump;

[0026] FIG. 3A is a partial perspective view of the primary chamber and secondary chamber of the novel air pump;

[0027] FIG. 3B is a top view of the primary chamber and secondary chamber of the novel air pump;

[0028] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rotatable chamber;

[0029] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the switch engaged by a protrusion of an engagement knob;

[0030] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the engagement knob and the rotatable chamber;

[0031] FIG. 7 is a side cut-away view of the novel air pump having the ramp of the rotatable chamber oriented in a primary position to direct the air flow during inflation;

[0032] FIG. 8 is a side cut-away view of the novel air pump having the ramp of the rotatable chamber oriented in a secondary position to direct the air flow during deflation;

[0033] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the air pump having a rotatable chamber with integrally formed protrusions;

[0034] FIG. 10 is a side cut-away view of an alternate embodiment of the rotatable chamber with integrally formed protrusions having a ramp forming a primary compartment and a secondary compartment;

[0035] FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of the rotatable knob having a plurality of baffles and a plurality of openings;

[0036] FIG. 12 is side cut-away view of the rotatable chamber positioned within the primary chamber and configured for inflation, the rotatable knob has a latching structure engaging the shaft of the rotatable chamber;

[0037] FIG. 13 is a side cut-away view of an alternate embodiment of the rotatable chamber engaging both the valve and the switch, engaging a rotatable knob, and the secondary compartment receiving airflow for inflation of an inflatable device;

[0038] FIG. 14 is a side cut-away view of the alternate embodiment of the rotatable chamber engaging both the valve and the switch, engaging a rotatable knob, and the primary compartment receiving airflow for deflation of an inflatable device; and,

[0039] FIG. 15 is a side cut-away view of the alternate embodiment of the rotatable chamber having an end with a recess positioned over the valve as to not engage the valve, thereby, maintaining an air tight seal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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 Pump

[0044] It will now be seen, referring to FIG. 1, air pump 1 has housing 11 integrally formed with fan motor housing 51. Rotatable knob 12 protrudes from an opening 56 (FIGS. 3B and 12) of housing 11. Valve plate 30 and seal structure 31 are oriented to overlay valve opening 5 (FIGS. 1 and 3B).

[0045] FIGS. 2 and 9 illustrates air pump 1 having rotatable knob 12 protruding from opening 56 (FIGS. 3B and 12) of cover 40. FIGS. 2, 7-9, 11-14 illustrate rotatable knob 12 having at least one opening 16. FIGS. 2, 3B, and 9 illustrate cover 40 having sealing structure 41 connected to an outer perimeter edge of cover 40. Cover 40 is configured to connect to housing 11 (FIGS. 2 and 9). It is within the scope of this invention for cover 40 to have at least one opening, whereby, the at least one opening has a cover or a door 55 (FIGS. 2, 3B, 9, and 12). Door 55 can be hingedly pivotable from an open configuration to a closed configuration. Door 55 can slidably traverse cover 40 to be oriented from an open configuration to a closed configuration. When door 55 is opened, access to a compartment is revealed and may retain an electrical cord (not shown).

[0046] In a first embodiment, FIG. 2 shows rotatable knob 12 being connected to engagement knob 46. FIGS. 2, 5, and 6 depict engagement knob 46 having primary protrusion 47A and secondary protrusion 47B configured to engage switch 49B (FIG. 5). Engagement knob 46 is connected to rotatable chamber 18. Rotatable chamber 18 is retained by primary chamber 2. FIGS. 2 and 3A illustrate primary chamber 2 having port 6 located opposite recess 7. Primary chamber 2 is connected to secondary chamber 8.

[0047] FIGS. 4, 6, and 10 depict rotatable chamber 18 having ramp 17 bisecting rotatable chamber 18 into primary compartment 42 having primary port 19A and secondary compartment 43 having secondary port 19B. Rotatable chamber 18 has a primary end 23 located opposite secondary end 24. Secondary end 24 of rotatable chamber 18 has recess 22. In an embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6, rotatable chamber 18 has shaft 26 having central bore 27. FIG. 6 best illustrates shaft 26 of rotatable chamber 18 is connected to engagement knob 46. Engagement knob 46 has at least one opening 16.

[0048] In a second embodiment, FIGS. 9 and 10 show rotatable chamber 18 having protrusions 25A and 25B, thereby, eliminating the need for interconnection with engagement knob 46. Rotatable chamber 18 has ramp 17 having primary side 20A located opposite secondary side 20B. Rotatable chamber 18 has shaft 26 having central bore 27. Shaft 26 has recess 28 configured to connect with an end of rotatable knob 12.

[0049] FIGS. 7, 8, 12, and 13 show the latching mechanism is formed when latching structure 38 of rotatable knob 12 is connected with recess 28 of shaft 26 of rotatable chamber 18.

[0050] FIG. 12 shows switch 49A not being engaged by protrusion 25A of rotatable chamber 18. Primary chamber 2 of housing 11 is in communication with port 6. Rotatable chamber 18 is oriented in a configuration which diverts air into an inflatable device (not shown), whereby, port 19A of rotatable chamber 18 is aligned with port 6. As rotatable chamber 18 is received further into primary chamber 2, protrusion 25A of rotatable chamber 18 will engage switch 49B (FIGS. 13 and 14). Step portion 39 protrudes from inner wall surface 3 of primary chamber 2 and acts as a barrier to keep rotatable chamber 18 positioned at an orientation, whereby, protrusion 25A will engage switch 49B. When an end of rotatable chamber 18 is in contact with at least a portion of valve 21, valve 21 will depress resilient member 33 between cap 34 and valve retaining structure 29 and will uncover at least one valve opening 5. It is within the scope of this invention for valve 21 to be spring loaded to reveal and to cover valve opening 5. When valve 21 is engaged, valve opening 5 is revealed, thereby, allowing the flow of air to inflate or deflate an inflatable device.

[0051] As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 7-9, fan motor housing 51 has opening 52. Fan motor housing 51 retains motor 44 having at least one fan motor blade 45A and 45B. Valve 21 is connected to valve retaining structure 29 (FIG. 3B) of housing 11. Valve 21 has shaft 32 having an end with a cap 34 located opposite another end having a seal structure 31 and valve plate 30. FIGS. 3B, 7, 8, and 15 shows resilient member 33 being connected to valve 21. Resilient member 33 includes, but is not limited to, a spring. Resilient member can have an opening 35 (FIG. 12). Opening 35 receives valve shaft 32. FIG. 3B shows fastener 50 connecting cap 34 to valve 21.

[0052] FIG. 3A depicts fan motor housing 51 connected to primary chamber 2. Primary chamber 2 has a primary end 9 located opposite secondary end 10. Primary chamber opening 4 is configured to receive rotatable chamber 18 (FIG. 2). Primary chamber 2 has inner wall surface 3. Secondary chamber 8 has primary end 13 located opposite secondary end 14. FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 15 show primary end 13 of secondary chamber 8 having recess 15. This recess 15 allows for rotatable chamber 18 (FIG. 2) to be retained within primary chamber 2. Primary chamber 2 has a step portion 39 connected to at least a portion of inner wall surface 3 of primary chamber 2.

[0053] FIG. 3B shows air pump 1 having switch 49A not being engaged by a protrusion of the engagement knob 46 or by a protrusion of rotatable chamber 18.

[0054] FIG. 11 shows rotatable knob 12 having a plurality of grooves 37A-37K configured to be grasped by a user's hand during rotation of rotatable knob 12. It is within the scope of this invention for rotatable knob 12 to not have any grooves (not shown). Rotatable knob 12 has a plurality of openings 16A-16H. It is within the scope of this invention for rotatable knob 12 to have at least one opening 16. FIGS. 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, and 14 illustrate rotatable knob 12 having a plurality of baffles 48.

[0055] FIGS. 7 and 13 illustrate an airflow diagram for inflation. 53A shows the flow of air entering through at least one opening 16 of rotatable knob 12. 53B shows the flow of air entering primary compartment 42 of rotatable chamber 18. 53C shows the flow of air is being exhausted from primary port 19A of rotatable chamber 18 into housing 11. FIG. 7 best shows 53D illustrating the flow of air entering through opening 52 of fan motor housing 51. 53E shows the flow of air exhausted from port 6 of primary chamber 2, through port 19B of rotatable chamber 18 and into secondary compartment 43 of rotatable chamber 18. 53F shows the flow of air exiting secondary compartment 43 of rotatable chamber 18 into both primary chamber 2 and secondary chamber 8. 53G shows the flow of air entering through valve opening 5 into an inflatable device (not shown). FIG. 7 shows an end 24 of rotatable chamber 18 depressing valve 21, thereby, uncovering valve openings 5.

[0056] FIGS. 8 and 14 illustrate an airflow diagram for deflation. 54A shows the flow of air being exhausted from an inflatable device (not shown) through valve opening 5 into both primary chamber 2 and secondary chamber 8. 54B shows the flow of air being diverted into secondary compartment 43 of rotatable chamber 18. 54C shows the flow of air being expelled from secondary compartment 43 through port 19B into housing 11. 54D of FIG. 8 shows the flow of air entering through opening 52 of fan motor housing 51. 54E shows the flow of air exiting fan motor housing 51 through port 6 of primary chamber 2. 54F shows the flow of air entering in through port 19A to primary compartment 42 of rotatable chamber 18. 54G shows the flow of air being exhausted through at least one opening 16 of rotatable knob 12.

[0057] FIG. 15 depicts rotatable chamber 18 retained within primary compartment 2. Recess 22 of rotatable chamber 18 is oriented in alignment with valve 21, thereby, releasing the tension of resilient member 33 and closing valve opening 5. When valve opening 5 is closed, an air tight seal is formed that keeps the air retained within the inflatable device. When rotatable chamber 13 has an end in contact with step 39, switch 49B is engaged (FIG. 13).

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] Now that the invention has been described,