1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The invention relates to a fluid moving device for use primarily, but not exclusively,
with low-pressure inflatable articles.
Summary of the Invention
[0002] The invention in one embodiment is a device for filling a receptacle with a fluid.
The device includes an intake port that provides for a fluid to be drawn into the
device, a moving means for moving the fluid through the device to provide the fluid
for filling the receptacle, and a fluid transfer orifice that provides the fluid to
the receptacle. The device further includes a power switch for manually activating
and deactivating the moving means. According to this embodiment, the device is provided
with a hand-holdable housing that houses the intake port, the moving means, the fluid
transfer orifice, and the power switch. The hand-holdable housing being shaped and
arranged so that it may be cradled in one hand of a user with a single-handed user
grip, the hand-holdable housing and the single-handed user grip allowing the fluid
transfer orifice to be rotated into and out of engagement with the receptacle and
also allowing the user to move the power switch with the same one hand to activate
and deactivate the device.
[0003] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a fluid
moving device that includes an intake port that provides for a fluid to be drawn into
the fluid moving device, moving means for moving the fluid through the fluid moving
device, and a fluid transfer orifice that provides the fluid. According to this embodiment,
the fluid moving device is provided with a battery compartment having a size and arrangement
to fit and provide electrical connection with a standard size set of batteries. In
addition, the fluid moving device is provided with one of a removable battery container
sized and arranged to adapt differently sized batteries to the size and arrangement
of the battery compartment, so that the differently sized batteries can be electrically
connected to the battery compartment, or a removable battery pack of differently sized
batteries that is sized and arranged to be electrically connected to the battery compartment.
[0004] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a fluid
moving device that includes a self-sealing intake port that provides for a fluid to
be drawn into the fluid moving device, a moving means for moving the fluid through
the fluid moving device, and a fluid transfer orifice that provides the fluid. According
to this embodiment, the fluid moving device is also provided with a power switch for
activating and deactivating the moving means. The power switch includes a self-sealing
structure that seals the self-sealing intake port when the power switch is in a deactivated
position, and that unseals the self-sealing intake port when the power switch is not
in the deactivated position.
[0005] In accordance with still another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a
battery-operated device that includes a battery compartment having a size and arrangement
to fit and provide electrical connection with a standard size set of batteries. According
to this embodiment, the battery-operated device is also provided with one of a removable
battery container sized and arranged to adapt differently sized batteries to the size
and arrangement of the battery compartment so that the differently sized batteries
can be electrically connected to the battery compartment, or a removable battery pack
of differently sized batteries being sized and arranged to be electrically connected
to the battery compartment.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0006]
FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a hand held fluid moving device, shown being
held in a power OFF mode;
FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of the fluid moving device, illustrating a switch
in a power OFF position and air vents in a closed position;
FIG. 3 is a perspective front view of the hand held fluid moving device, shown being
held in a power ON mode;
FIG. 4 is a perspective side view of the fluid moving device, showing the switch in
a power ON position and the air vents in an open position;
FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the fluid moving device illustrating its components
arrangement and connection to an inflatable receptacle via an inflation valve;
FIG. 6 is a perspective front view of the fluid moving device, shown being held in
a "ready" position for both powering ON the fluid moving device and for engaging or
disengaging with a receptacle via an inflation valve;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional top view of the fluid moving device including an embodiment
of a battery compartment;
FIG. 8 is a top view of the fluid moving device showing the battery compartment with
conventional batteries installed;
FIG. 9 is a top view of the fluid moving device showing the battery compartment with
a battery pack for rechargeable-type batteries installed;
FIG. 10 is a top view of the fluid moving device illustrating another embodiment of
a battery compartment;
FIG. 11 is a top view of the fluid moving device illustrating the battery compartment
of FIG. 10, with conventional batteries installed;
FIG. 12 is a top view of the fluid moving device illustrating the battery compartment
of FIG. 10, and illustrating a battery pack having rechargeable-type batteries installed
within a battery container and disposed within the battery compartment;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the battery container, and the battery pack including
rechargeable batteries of FIG. 12, and a battery charging adaptor of the invention;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the battery charging adaptor of FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the battery container, the battery pack and the battery
charging adaptor of FIG. 13, Illustrating connection of the battery charging adaptor
to the battery pack and battery container, and
FIG. 16 is a cutaway side perspective view of the fluid moving device having a power
switch, and showing an arrangement of interior components with conventional batteries
installed.
Detailed Description
[0007] Unless otherwise indicated, the following description is made with reference to FIG.
5. The preferred embodiment of the fluid moving device 100 of the invention as herein
disclosed, is to be used as an inflation device that will completely inflate and pressurize
inflatable articles up to approximately ½ psi (0.003kPa). It is to be appreciated
that larger capacity versions of this fluid moving device can be made to provide more
pressure such as, for example, up to 4 psi (0.03kPa). It is to be appreciated that
in a preferred embodiment of the invention, air is the fluid that is moved and that
may be modified in pressure by the fluid moving device, however, the device of the
invention is not limited to air moving devices and can include any fluid moving device
as defined by the claims.
[0008] The fluid moving device of this invention is preferably used with inflatable receptacles
that incorporate a valve which allows rapid transfer of fluid into the inflatable
receptacle (at least 10 cfm [4.7 L/s].) at low pressure. It is to be appreciated that
an inflatable receptacle as used herein is to include any receptacle that can receive
a fluid, and in a preferred embodiment, includes inflatable articles having a valve
assembly that mates with the fluid moving device such as, for example, mattresses,
toys, floats, and the like. An example of such a valve 26, shown in combination with
an inflatable receptacle 28, is illustrated in FIG. 5. A preferred embodiment of this
inflation valve has a fluid transfer orifice of approximately 3/4 sq. in. (5cm
2), which does not unduly restrict fluid flow from the fluid moving device to the inflatable
receptacle. The combination of the inflation valve and the inflatable receptacle,
when coupled with the fluid moving device 100, provides an casy-to-use, inexpensive,
fast and efficient way to move fluid into and to pressurize most low-pressure inflatable
receptacles.
[0009] The preferred embodiment of the fluid moving device is battery operated. It includes
a housing I with a motor 3, an impeller 11 and a power switch 5. A battery power source
affords maximum portability. Referring now to Figs. 7-9, to address cost/performance
issues which may be important to users of this device, the fluid moving device 100
includes a battery chamber 30 which will accept either a more readily available, lower-cost
conventional battery such as, for example, an alkaline battery 33 or a higher-cost,
enhanced performance rechargeable-type battery such as, for example, a nickel cadmium
battery 36.
[0010] Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, with the removal of panel 45, located at one end
of the battery compartment 30, batteries may be inserted into the battery compartment
of the fluid moving device. A spring latch 47 (see PIG. 5) located on the panel secures
the panel to the housing. Manual depression of the spring allows the panel to be removed.
When the panel is installed in the housing, it maintains the batteries in an operable
condition within the battery compartment 30.
[0011] Referring now to FIG. 9, there is illustrated an embodiment of a battery pack configuration
38, which fits into the battery chamber 30 of the fluid moving device and that is
dimensionally interchangeable with the conventional batteries 33 as illustrated in
FIG. 8. The embodiment of the battery pack illustrated in FIG. 9 includes a slot 37
which allows the battery pack to mate with a spring 39. The spring 39 enters into
the slot and the slot 37 is configured such that the battery pack mates with housing
contact 41. The spring 39 and spring 40 of the battery compartment provide equal and
opposite forces on the battery pack such that the battery pack can make appropriate
contact to the housing contact 41. The housing contact is coupled to the various components
of the fluid moving device that require power. Accordingly, the battery pack is provided
with the slot to allow this electrical connection to the housing contact
[0012] As the physical requirements for interchangeability of the batteries such as, for
example, size and shape of the conventional and rechargeable-type batteries vary,
a mechanism is needed to insure that all battery options will fit and properly function
within the fluid moving device's battery compartment 30. Referring now to FIG. 10,
in the preferred embodiment of the fluid moving device, the battery compartment is
sized to accommodate a plurality of C-size alkaline batteries. Therefore, there is
needed a mechanism to allow for a battery size that is either larger or smaller than
the conventional C-size alkaline battery.
[0013] As will be discussed in further detail
infra, one such mechanism that may be used to achieve size compatibility is a battery pack
that holds differently sized batteries, and that is compatibly sized to fit within
the battery compartment 30. An example of such a battery pack 38 is illustrated in
FIG. 9 and is discussed
supra. An additional example of such a battery pack will be illustrated
infra.
[0014] Another mechanism that may be used to provide the above-described compatibility of
differently sized batteries with the battery compartment, is a reusable battery container
50 that is compatible in size with the C-size alkaline battery such as is illustrated
in FIGS. 13A, 13B and 15A, 15B, and that may also house a variety of smaller or differently
sized batteries or battery packs. The battery container is adaptable to accept various
battery types and sizes of batteries including, for example, multiple sizes of nickel-cadmium
and nickel-metal hydride batteries. Referring to FIG. 13A, 13B, a surface of the battery
container incorporates at least one spring 51 that may be disposed at a plurality
of locations, which may securely hold batteries of, for example, different diameter
in the battery container. An interior of the battery container also includes at least
one spring 57 that may maintain batteries of different length in a desired operating
position within the battery container. The interior of the battery container can be
further reconfigured to accommodate batteries of substantially different length by,
for example, moving or changing a position of the spring 57.
[0015] FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of the fluid moving device which will accept such
a battery container 50. The fluid moving device includes spring contacts 52, 53 at
opposite ends of the battery compartment 30. This pair of spring contacts helps to
assure electrical contact between any of the batteries, the battery pack and the battery
container and the housing contact (not illustrated) of the fluid moving device, regardless
of which battery option is used.
[0016] Referring again to FIG. 5, any of the battery container 50 and the battery pack 38
may be provided with a tab 46 (see also the battery container as illustrated in FIG.
13) that assures proper orientation of the battery pack or the battery container within
the fluid moving device. In particular, the fluid moving device includes a protrusion
99 that prevents the battery pack or the battery container from being inserted into
the fluid moving device in an improper orientation. In particular, the protrusion
99 prevents the tab 46 on the battery pack or the battery container from sliding past
the protrusion, thus assuring that the battery pack or the battery container can be
inserted into the battery compartment 30 in only one orientation. The structure is
useful, for example, to prevent the battery pack or batteries within the battery container
from inadvertently being shorted out due to improper orientation in the battery compartment
and improper contact to the spring contact 52 of the battery compartment (see FIG.
10).
[0017] Referring now to FIGS. 13 A and 13B, there is illustrated an embodiment of the battery
container 50. which houses, for example, differently sized rechargeable battery types,
In the preferred embodiment, the battery container can accept smaller than C-size
rechargeable battery sizes and may also be configured, with a slight modification,
to house larger than C-size rechargeable batteries. In particular, in the preferred
embodiment, the battery container accepts any battery size below C-size without any
modification. Accordingly, it is to be appreciated that although the preferred embodiment
of the battery container of the invention is illustrated with C-type batteries, any
battery option or size can be used within the battery container of the invention.
[0018] The battery container may also be provided with a structure that allows rechargeable
batteries contained within the battery container to be recharged while the rechargeable
batteries are within the battery container, thereby eliminating the need to remove
the rechargeable batteries or the battery pack from the container with every charge.
FIGS.13A, 13B and 15A, 15B illustrate a rechargeable battery pack 54 having a terminal
end 56 disposed within the battery container 50. The battery container 50 is provided
with a pair of tabs 58, 59 extending from an end of the battery container, that have
a rib configuration which create slot sections 64,65. The slot sections mate with
ribs 68,69 on a battery charging device 72. The battery charging device 72 may slide
into a charging position as illustrated in FIG. 15B, whereby the ribs align and secure
terminals 78, 79 on the battery charging device (see FIG. 14A) and contact with battery
terminals 80, 81 of the battery pack, thereby enabling recharge of the battery pack.
[0019] The battery container 50 also may be used to provide structure for protecting the
rechargeable battery pack 54 for transportation or storage such as, for example, when
the rechargeable battery pack is carried outside of the fluid moving device's battery
compartment, or may be used to provide additional security against inadvertent activation
of the fluid moving device such as, for example, when the fluid moving device is transported
with the battery pack disposed within the fluid moving device. For either of these
scenarios, it is advantageous and useful to protect the exposed battery terminals
80,81 and to eliminate inadvertent activation of the fluid moving device due to contact
with the battery terminals. This protection of the battery terminals may be achieved
by reversing the position of the rechargeable battery pack within the battery container
so that an exposed end of the battery pack cannot make contact with the housing contact
41 (see FIG. 9), and so that the battery terminals 80, 81 are situated at a protected,
non-active end 55 of the battery container (see FIG. 13A).
[0020] An advantage of the interchangeability of the conventional batteries, differently
sized rechargeable batteries and the rechargeable battery pack 54, is that the user
is provided with a cost/performance option, wherein the user can select the lower-cost,
readily available conventional batteries which may not provide as much output power,
but typically have a longer run time than an option such as the rechargeable battery
pack. Alternatively, the user can select, for example, the rechargeable battery pack
which although more expensive, provides a higher output and therefore runs the fluid
moving device at a higher throughput of fluid at increased pressure, and also provides
the option to recharge the battery pack so that it is reusable. It should also be
appreciated that any of the interchangeable battery pack 38, the rechargeable battery
pack 54 which has been illustrated as mating with the battery container 50, the battery
container including any sized batteries; the standard sized batteries, and the battery
compartment 30 that accommodates any of these interchangeable options, are not limited
to a fluid moving device. In particular, it is to be appreciated that the battery
container, the battery pack and the battery compartment of this invention can be used
with any battery-operated device.
[0021] As stated above, the objective of having multiple power sources available with the
fluid moving device and which are containable within the fluid moving device housing,
is to provide the user with the choice in selecting the user's preferred battery option
as well as performance option which suits the user's needs. However, it is to be appreciated
that the fluid moving device of the invention need not contain the interchangeable
power source and can also be configured with, for example, a set of rechargeable batteries
permanently installed within the fluid moving device so that the rechargeable batteries
can be recharged within the fluid moving device by attaching the battery charging
connector to a suitable connector on the fluid moving device itself. Nevertheless,
it is to be appreciated that an advantage of the removable and rechargeable battery
container or removable battery pack and the battery compartment of the fluid moving
device configured to accommodate the removable battery container and the removable
battery pack of the invention, is that the fluid moving device may be operated by
an additional power source even when the battery container or battery pack has been
removed from the battery compartment such as, for example, to charge the battery container
or the rechargeable battery pack. Therefore, it is an advantage of this embodiment
of the fluid moving device of the invention, that the operating time of the fluid
moving device may be extended beyond that of an fluid moving device having the rechargeable
battery pack completely and permanently enclosed within the fluid moving device.
[0022] In the preferred embodiment of the fluid moving device, any of the above-described
battery sources may be used interchangeably to power the motor driven impeller 11
(see FIG. 5) which produces a fluid flow, and which may modify a pressure of the fluid
to inflate an fluid moving device.
[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, it is to be appreciated that another aspect of the fluid
moving device of the invention is its hand-holdable housing assembly. In order to
optimize performance of the battery source, motor 3, and impeller 11, these components
have been incorporated into an ergonomically efficient, hand-holdable housing 1 having
both a multi-purpose user grip and a multi-purpose power switch 5. Referring to FIG.
6, the hand-holdable housing allows a user to hold the fluid moving device with the
multi-purpose user grip within the user's hand so that the multi-purpose power switch
5 is proximate to and readily accessible by the user's thumb. Essentially, the hand-holdable
housing, the multi-purpose user grip, and the multi-purpose power switch are for holding
and switching ON or OFF the fluid moving device and also for moving the fluid moving
device into and out of a coupled position with the aforementioned valve 26 of an inflatable
receptacle (connection with the valve is shown in FIG. 5).
[0024] Coupling the fluid moving device 100 with the inflation valve 26 via a mechanical
interlock simplifies the inflation process by eliminating the need for manual support
of the fluid moving device to maintain an airtight connection during inflation. FIGS.
3 and 5-6 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a mechanical interlock assembly of
the invention, having projecting tabs 20 located on the housing proximate to a fluid
transfer orifice 18, which engage with mating projections 22 of the inflation valve
located near an outer rim 24 of the inflation valve. The hand-holdable housing provides
for both right-hand and left-hand operation and allows the fluid moving device to
be rotated both clockwise and counter-clockwise to respectively engage and disengage
with the inflation valve.
[0025] Operation of the fluid moving device will now be described with respect to FIGS.
1-6. When the fluid moving device is active (ON), rotation of the impeller 11 draws
fluid into the housing through self-sealing intake ports 10. This fluid then passes
through the impeller chamber 14, where it may be pressurized and then ejected from
the hand-holdable housing at the fluid transfer orifice 18. In order to maximize the
efficiency and power output of the battery, motor, and impeller combination, an exit
side 15 of the impeller chamber 14 includes a series of stationary vanes 16 which
direct the path of fluid as it leaves the impeller chamber and flows from the fluid
moving device. By better channelling the exit fluid path, the stationary vanes enhance
performance, improving the device's capacity to fill and pressurize an inflatable
receptacle.
[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the motor and impeller combination of the fluid moving
device of the invention, it will be appreciated that the motor/impeller combination
eliminates the need for additional mechanical attachment of the impeller to a motor
shaft in order to prevent axial movement of the impeller on the motor shaft. In particular,
in the preferred embodiment, impeller blades of the impeller face the motor such that
any axial load on the impeller is in the direction of the motor. In addition, a hub
9 of the impeller abuts against a bushing 8 on the motor shaft, so that any axial
movement is prevented. It is further to be appreciated that although the preferred
embodiment of the fluid moving device has a motor and impeller, other arrangements
of fluid moving devices, for example a diaphragm and pump, that are known to those
of skill in the art are also within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.
[0027] Because the preferred embodiment of the fluid moving device is portable, it may be
used in a variety of situations both indoors and out In these varied operating environments,
the fluid path through the fluid moving device via the self-sealing intake ports 10
may also place the fluid moving device's internal components in close proximity to
threatening environmental debris such as dirt, sand, miscellaneous particulate matter,
and the like. Accordingly, another aspect of the fluid moving device of the present
invention is self-sealing structure that seals the internal components of the fluid
moving device when the power switch of the fluid moving device is in the OFF or deactivated
position.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 16, to limit the exposure to foreign matter, the preferred
embodiment of the fluid moving device intentionally recesses the self-sealing intake
port 10 behind an exterior perimeter of the device. In particular, the power switch
5 has a pair of side members 6 with a series of counter-slots 7 which move with the
power switch to open the self-sealing intake vent when the power switch is moved out
of the deactivated position toward an ON position, and to seal the intake vent with
movement of the power switch to the OFF position (See FIGS. 1-4). This ensures that
exposure of the self-sealing intake port 10 occurs only while the fluid moving device
is operating, thereby reducing the potential for contamination of electromechanical
components of the fluid moving device.
[0029] It is also to be appreciated that in the preferred embodiment of the invention, which
is intended for portable applications, the housing 1 and all components used in the
device have been integrated so as to minimize size and weight, thereby improving convenience
and ease of operation. In particular, it is to be appreciated that hand-holdable as
used herein, is intended to include any fluid moving device that is size and that
is light enough to be held in a hand of a user. and preferably is a palm-sized device
that may fit in a palm of a user and be activated by a single finger of the user.
This integration includes the options such as the nickel cadmium battery, which provides
a power output to size and weight ratio appropriate to portable application of the
device.
[0030] Having thus described at least one illustrative embodiment of the invention, various
alterations, modifications and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in
the art Such alterations, modifications and improvements are intended to be within
the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is by way of example
only and is not intended as limiting. The invention is limited only as defined in
the following claims.
1. A fluid moving device comprising an intake port (10) that provides for fluid to be
drawn into the fluid moving device (100), moving means (11) for moving fluid through
the fluid moving device (100), and a fluid transfer orifice (18) through which fluid
leaves the device characterised by a power switch (5) for activating and deactivating the moving means (11), including
a self-sealing structure that seals the intake port (10) when the power switch (5)
is in a deactivated position, and that unseals the intake port (10) when the power
switch (5) is not in the deactivated position.
2. A fluid moving device according to claim 1 wherein the moving means (11) includes
means for modifying a pressure of fluid moving through the device (100) to supply
pressurised fluid to the fluid transfer orifice (18).
3. A fluid moving device according to claim 1 or claim 2 comprising a hand-holdable housing
(1) shaped so that it may be cradled in one hand of a user and enable the fluid transfer
orifice (18) to be rotated into and out of engagement with a valve assembly (26).
4. A fluid moving device according to claim 3 comprising an interlock connector disposed
adjacent the fluid transfer orifice (18), the interlock connector having projecting
tabs (20) thereon for engagement with mating projections (22) on the valve assembly
(26).
5. A fluid moving device according to claim 4 wherein the housing (1) is rotatable in
a clockwise and a counter-clockwise dixection about an axis of the fluid moving device
(100), to engage and disengage the device from the valve assembly (26).
6. A fluid moving device according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the power switch (5)
is disposed so that it may contact a finger of the user when the fluid moving device
(100) is held in the user's hand so that the fluid moving device (100) may be activated
and deactivated by movement of the finger of the user.
7. A fluid moving device according to any of claims 3 to 6 wherein the intake port (10)
includes a plurality of intake vents that are recessed from an outside wall of the
hand-holdable housing (1).
8. A fluid moving device according to claim 7 wherein the power switch (5) has a series
of counter-slots (7) that move with the power switch (5) to seal the intake vents
(10) when the power switch (5) is in the deactivated position, and that move with
the power switch (5) to unseal the intake vents (10) when the power switch (5) is
not in the deactivated position.
9. A fluid moving device according to any preceding claim wherein the moving means (11)
includes a motor (3) having a shaft and an impeller (11) having blades, a back surface
and a hub (9) that abuts against a bushing (8) on the shaft, the impeller (11) being
arranged such that the blades face the motor (3), and the back surface faces the fluid
transfer orifice (18) to prevent the impeller (11) from being drawn away from the
motor (3) when an axial load occurs and to prevent exposure of the blades to any object
introduced through the fluid transfer orifice (18).
10. A fluid moving device according to any preceding claim wherein the fluid moving device
(100) further includes stationary vanes (16) disposed adjacent the fluid transfer
orifice (18), that direct fluid to and through the fluid transfer orifice (18).
11. A fluid moving device according to any preceding claim comprising a battery compartment
(30) having a size and arrangement to accommodate and provide electrical connection
with a standard size set of batteries (33,36).
12. A fluid moving device according to claim 11 comprising a removable battery container
or pack (50,38) locatable within the battery compartment in place of a set of batteries,
the removable battery container or pack (38) being configured to receive a differently
sized set of batteries and, when the container or pack (50) is located in the battery
compartment (30), electrically connect them to the device.
13. A fluid moving device according to claim 11 or claim 12 further comprising rechargeable
batteries (36) permanently installed in the battery compartment (30).
14. A fluid moving device according to claim 13 wherein the removable battery container
(50) is sized and arranged to adapt differently sized batteries (33,36) to the size
and arrangement of the battery compartment (30), so that the differently sized batteries
(33,36) can be electrically connected to the fluid moving device (100).
15. A fluid moving device according to any of claims 12 to 14 wherein one of the removable
battery pack (38) and the removable battery container (50) includes means for assuring
proper orientation of the removable battery pack (38) or the removable battery container
(50) in the battery compartment (30).
16. A fluid moving device according to any of claims 11 to 15 wherein the standard size
set of batteries (33,36) are alkaline C-size batteries (33).
17. A fluid moving device according to any of claims 12 to 16 wherein the differently
sized batteries (33,36) are rechargeable batteries (36).
18. A fluid moving device according to claim 17 wherein the removable battery container
(50) includes a slot that allows the rechargeable batteries (36) to make electrical
contact with the battery compartment (30) of the fluid moving device (100).
19. A fluid moving device according to any of claims 12 to 18 wherein the removable battery
container (50) includes structure for coupling the removable battery container (50)
and the differently sized batteries (33,36) to a battery charging device (72).
20. A fluid moving device according to claim 19 wherein the structure includes a pair
of tabs (58,59) extending from one end of the removable battery container (50), each
tab (58,59) having a ribbed configuration that creates a slot section (64,65) of each
tab.
21. A fluid moving device according to claim 20 wherein the slot sections (64,65) of the
pair of tabs (58,59) are sized and arranged to cooperatively mate with the battery
charging device (72) and to bring terminals (80,81) of the differently sized batteries
(33,36) into contact with the battery charging device (72).
22. A fluid moving device according to any of claims 12 to 21 wherein the removable battery
container (50) is constructed and arranged so that it may be opened and closed to
accommodate removal, replacement, or altering of a position of the differently sized
batteries (33,36).
23. A fluid moving device according to any of claims 12 to 22 wherein the removable battery
container (50) is constructed and arranged to be internally rearrangeable so that
the removable battery container (50) can accommodate a plurality of size and type
batteries (33,36).
24. A fluid moving device according to claim 11 wherein the battery compartment (30) includes
at least one spring (39,40) that forces the rechargeable batteries (36) into electrical
connection with the battery compartment (30).
25. A fluid moving device according to any preceding claim for use with an inflatable
device wherein the inflatable device includes a valve assembly that is constructed
and arranged to mate with the fluid moving device.