Inflator with drop-in batteries and universal adapters

(19)

(11)

EP 0 852 296 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	26.01.2000 Bulletin 2000/04

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	08.07.1998 Bulletin 1998/28

(21)	Application number: 98300052.2

(22)	Date of filing: 06.01.1998

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁷: F04D 25/08, F04D 25/06

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
	Designated Extension States:
	AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30)

Priority:

06.01.1997 US 778841
30.10.1997 US 960879

(71)	Applicant: Innovative Air Products, Inc.
	Wauconda, Illinois 60084 (US)

(72)	Inventor:
	Feldman, Robert M. West Newton, Massachusetts 02165 (US)

(74)	Representative: Greenwood, John David et al
	Graham Watt & Co. Riverhead Sevenoaks Kent TN13 2BN Sevenoaks Kent TN13 2BN (GB)

(54)	Inflator with drop-in batteries and universal adapters

(57) A portable, battery powered inflator with removable batteries (16,16') which are switch (18) activated. The inflator has an air intake (4) and output (6) for delivering air into a variety of air bladders with different sized valves. The batteries (16,16') are typical dry cells and not rechargeable to save cost. The inflator has a cover (15) that allows quick removable and replacement of the batteries. An adapter assembly including a transition structure and adapters (38,38') are provided to allow inflation of a variety of bladders having different sized valves. The attaching of the transition structure engages the switch (18) completing an electrical circuit that activates the motor (8) to deliver air automatically.

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