BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] This invention relates to an inflator for inflating articles such as personal floatation
devices, rafts, buoys, and emergency signalling equipment. More particularly, this
invention relates to inflators whose housings may be directly heat-sealed to the inflatable
article while assuring that the inflatable article remains inflated even when the
gas cartridge of the inflator is removed.
Description of the Background Art
[0002] Presently, there exists many types of inflators designed to inflate inflatable articles
such as personal floatation devices (life vests, rings and horseshoes), life rafts,
buoys and emergency signalling equipment. Inflators typically comprise a body for
receiving the neck of a cartridge of compressed gas such as carbon dioxide. A reciprocating
pierce pin is disposed within the body of the inflator for piercing frangible seal
of the cartridge to permit compressed gas therein to flow into a manifold assembly
of the inflator and then into the article to be inflated. Typically, a manually movable
firing lever is operatively connected to the piercing pin such that the piercing pin
pierces the frangible seal of the cartridge upon jerking of a ball lanyard. U.S. Patent
Number 3,809,288, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein,
illustrates one particular embodiment of a manual inflator.
[0003] Water-activated actuators have been incorporated into manual inflators so that in
an emergency situation such as downed aviator, injured person or a man overboard,
the inflator is automatically actuated to inflate the inflatable article to which
it is connected. Representative automatic actuators for inflators are disclosed in
U.S. Patent Numbers 3,059,814, 3,091,782, 3,426,942, 3,579,964, 3,702,014, 3,757,371,
3,910,457, 3,997,079, 4,223,805, 4,267,944, 4,260,075, 4,382,231, 4,436,159, 4,513,248,
4,627,823, and 5,076,468, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference
herein.
[0004] As disclosed in the above-referenced patents, inflators, whether manually or water-activated,
are typically connected to the inflatable article by means of the manifold assembly
that consists of a metal manifold having a lower flange which is molded in situ with
a rubber flange. A one-way valve, such as a schraeder valve, is installed in the manifold.
During installation, a hole is formed in the inflatable article and the manifold is
positioned therethrough. The flange of the manifold assembly is then heat-sealed to
the wall of the inflatable article. Notably, the one-way valve in the manifold permits
inflation of the inflatable article while precluding deflation once inflated. Representative
patents relating to manifold assemblies are U.S. Patents 5,080,402, 5,058,933, 5,058,932,
4,216,182, 3,809,288 and 3,754,731, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated
by reference herein.
[0005] Correspondingly, typical inflators comprise a manifold hole which is configured and
dimensioned to receive the manifold of the manifold assembly. A locking nut is threaded
onto the end of the manifold to secure the inflator. An O-ring seal is provided to
prevent leakage between the manifold and the inflator.
[0006] During use, upon firing of the inflator, either manually or automatically, gas from
the compressed gas cartridge flows into the manifold hole of the inflator and then
into the manifold. The gas then flows past the one-way valve in the manifold and into
the inflatable article. Since the one-way valve of the manifold assembly precludes
deflation of the inflatable article, the gas cartridge may be removed from the inflator
and the inflatable article will remain inflated.
[0007] While manifold assemblies have been in extensive use in the industry for many years,
they are relatively expensive to manufacture and require additional assembly operations.
Accordingly, there is a need in the inflator industry for an inflator which may be
heat-sealed directly to the inflatable article thereby obviating the need for manifold
assemblies and the like.
[0008] U.S. Patent 4,894,036, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference
herein, discloses an inflator which may be heat-sealed directly to an inflatable article
thereby obviating the need for manifold assemblies and the like. The heat-sealable
inflator as shown in such patent includes a mounting flange integrally formed about
the housing of the inflator. The housing together with the integral mounting flange
are composed of a plastic or similar material which may be heat-sealed to inflatable
articles composed of conventional plastic or other materials. The housing includes
a reciprocal pierce pin and a firing lever. A pair of compression springs are provided
at opposing ends of the pierce pin to exert forces thereon in opposite directions.
A pair of O-rings are also provided at opposing ends of the pierce pin. During firing
upon jerking of the manual firing lever, the cammed end thereof exerts a force on
the rearward (stronger) spring and causes the pierce pin to move forwardly and pierce
the gas cartridge. The cammed end of the manual firing lever is configured such that
upon further movement of the lever, the pierce pin may be blown-back fully rearwardly
by means of the forward (weaker) compression spring combined with the pressure exerted
by the gas from the gas cartridge. The bore of the housing in which the pierce pin
is reciprocatably positioned is configured in such a manner that when the pierce pin
is blown-back fully rearwardly, the gas may flow through a port into the inflatable
article. However, once the gas has escaped from the gas cartridge into the inflatable
article, the lost pressure allows the rearward (stronger) spring to return the pierce
pin assembly to its rest position. The bore of the housing is configured so that when
the pierce pin is in its rest position, the O-rings seal the port both forwardly and
rearwardly in the bore thereby precluding the gas from the inflatable article from
escaping.
[0009] Unfortunately, the specific design of the heat-sealable inflator as shown in U.S.
Patent 4,894,036 is expensive to manufacture due to the necessity of dual springs
and its other components. Moreover, it appears that the specific design could undesirably
prevent inflation if the firing lever was only moved partially through its path of
travel (see Fig. 5 thereof).
[0010] Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvement which overcomes
the aforementioned inadequacies of the prior art devices and provides an improvement
which is a significant contribution to the advancement of the inflation art.
[0011] Another object of this invention is to provide a heat-sealable inflator for inflatable
articles having a housing with a mounting flange integral thereto, the housing and
the flange being composed of a material that is capable of being easily sealed to
the type of materials that are typically utilized in the construction of inflatable
articles.
[0012] Another object of this invention is to provide a heat-sealable inflator which utilizes
a minimal number of components and is therefore economical to manufacture.
[0013] Another object of this invention is to provide a heat-sealable inflator having a
design which precludes deflation of the inflatable article once inflated even if the
gas cartridge threaded into the housing is removed.
[0014] Another object of this invention is to provide a heat-sealable inflator having a
design which eliminates a condition of non-inflation even if the firing lever thereof
does not move through its full path of travel.
[0015] Another object of this invention is to provide a heat-sealable inflator for inflating
an inflatable article with gas from a gas cartridge, comprising in combination: an
inflator housing including a bore; means at one end of the bore for receiving the
gas cartridge; a pierce pin assembly which is reciprocatably positioned within the
bore; means at another end of the bore for actuating the pierce pin assembly to allow
gas from the gas cartridge to flow into the bore; means for fluidly connecting the
bore to the inflatable article to allow the gas to inflate the inflatable article;
and the pierce pin assembly comprising rear seal means for sealing a rearward portion
of the bore and a slidable seal assembly means capable, during inflation of the inflatable
article, of being blown-back by the pressure of the gas from the gas cartridge and,
after inflation, forming a seal with a forward portion of the bore to prevent the
gas in the inflatable article from escaping therefrom forwardly through the bore.
[0016] Another object of this invention is to provide a method for inflating an inflatable
article with gas from a gas cartridge, comprising the steps of: providing an inflator
housing including a bore; receiving the gas cartridge at one end of the bore; reciprocatably
positioning a pierce pin assembly within the bore; actuating the pierce pin assembly
to allow gas from the gas cartridge to flow into the bore; fluidly connecting the
bore to the inflatable article to allow the gas to inflate the inflatable article;
and sealing a rearward portion of the bore and, after inflation, forming a seal with
a forward portion of the bore to prevent the gas in the inflatable article from escaping
therefrom forwardly through the bore.
[0017] The foregoing has outlined some of the pertinent objects of the invention. These
objects should be construed to merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features
and applications of the intended invention. Many other beneficial results can be attained
by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the invention
within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding
of the invention and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in addition
to the scope of the invention defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] For the purpose of summarizing this invention, this invention comprises an inflator
adapted to be heat-sealed directly to an inflatable article thereby obviating the
need for inflation manifolds and the like. More particularly, the inflator of the
invention comprises a housing having an integrally formed mounting flange. The housing
and the mounting flange are formed by injection molding or the like and are composed
of a plastic material such as polyurethane, polyester or polyether capable of being
easily sealed to the materials conventionally used in the manufacture of inflatable
articles such as personal floatation devices, rafts, buoys and emergency signalling
equipment.
[0019] A pierce pin assembly is reciprocatably mounted within a bore in the housing. A firing
lever is pivotably connected to the rear of the housing in alignment with the rearward
end of the bore. A threaded metal insert for receiving a conventional gas cartridge
is molded in situ within the forward end of the bore. The firing lever is operatively
configured such that upon pivotable movement by means of a lanyarded ball, the pierce
pin assembly is forced forwardly within the bore to pierce the frangible seal of the
gas cartridge threaded into the metal insert. Upon piercing, the gas in the gas cartridge
escapes into the bore and then into the inflatable article via a port formed within
the housing from the bore to the exterior of the housing at a position located interially
of the inflatable article, thereby inflating the inflatable article.
[0020] An important feature of the present invention is the pierce pin assembly which is
configured in such a manner that it precludes escaping of the gas from the gas cartridge
from the bore during inflation thereby causing all of the gas to flow into the inflatable
article via the port. The configuration of the pierce pin assembly additionally functions
to seal that portion of the bore forwardly of the port after the gas escapes from
the gas cartridge into the inflatable article. The gas contained within the inflatable
article is therefore precluded from escaping from the inflator even if the gas cartridge
is removed after inflation.
[0021] Therefore, it can be readily appreciated that the particular configuration of the
pierce pin assembly of the invention functions as a one-way valve permitting inflation
of the inflatable article and precluding deflation thereof once inflated. Importantly,
the pierce pin assembly of the invention utilizes a single compression spring in combination
with a conventional O-ring positioned about its rearward portion and novel sliding
seal assembly positioned about the pierce pin at its forward portion. The sliding
seal assembly functions as a check valve to permit inflation of the inflatable article
and to preclude deflation once inflated. The sliding seal assembly may comprise several
embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.
[0022] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features
of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that
follows may be better understood so that the present contribution to the art can be
more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter
which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by
those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed
may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for
carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized
by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from
the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference
should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a forward perspective view of the inflator of the invention illustrating
the metal insert molded in situ within the forward portion of the housing for receiving
a conventional gas cartridge and illustrating the firing lever of the invention having
a lanyarded ball secured thereto;
Fig. 2 is a rearward perspective view of the inflator of the invention illustrating
the pivot pin which pivotably secures the firing lever in the rearward portion of
the inflator housing in alignment with the pierce pin assembly reciprocatably mounted
therein;
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 2 generally along lines 3-3 partially illustrating
the longitudinal cross-sectional configuration of the housing with the firing lever
pivotably secured therein and illustrating the firing lever in its non-fired position;
Fig. 4 is another longitudinal cross-sectional view of the inflator similar to Fig.
3, but with the firing lever illustrated in its fired position;
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 3 along lines 5-5 illustrating the cross-sectional
configuration of a plurality of protrusions positioned about the hole in the firing
lever that receives the pivot pin; and
Figs. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D disclose alternative embodiments for the sliding seal assembly
of the pierce pin assembly that each function as a check valve for allowing gas from
the gas cartridge to flow into the inflatable article via the port of the inflator
housing while precluding deflation thereof once inflated even if the gas cartridge
is removed.
[0024] Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views
of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0025] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the inflator 10 of the invention comprises a generally
rectangular-shaped inflator housing 12 having a mounting flange 14 formed annularly
about one side thereof. Preferably, the housing 12 and its mounting flange 14 are
integrally formed together of a material that is capable of being readily sealed with
the material of an inflatable article. Most preferably, the material constituting
the housing 12 and the flange 14 comprises a material such as polyurethane, polyester
or polyether, each of which are known to be readily sealable, such as by radio frequency
sealing, to materials conventionally used in the manufacture of inflatable articles
such as personal floatation devices, life rafts, buoys and emergency signalling equipment.
[0026] Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, a pierce pin assembly, generally indicated by numeral
16, is reciprocably mounted within a longitudinal bore, generally indicated by numeral
18, of the inflator housing 12. A firing lever, generally indicated by numeral 20,
is pivotally mounted at the rearward portion of the inflator housing 12 in alignment
with the pierce pin assembly 16. A lanyarded handle 20L is connected to the lever
20. A conventional metal insert 22, having interior threads and gasket 22G, is molded
in situ within the forward portion of the inflator housing 12. As shown in phantom
in Fig. 3, a gas cartridge 24 containing compressed gas may be threaded into the metal
insert 22. Gasket 22G assures that the gas cartridge 24 is sealed within the insert
22. Finally, a bleed port 26 extends through the inflator housing 12 from the longitudinal
bore 18 to the exterior of the housing 12 at the flanged side thereof such that the
lead port 26 leads into the inside of the inflatable article when the inflator 12
is heat-sealed thereto.
[0027] The pierce pin assembly 16 of the invention comprises a generally cylindrical body
portion 28 having a rounded rearward end 30. The body portion 28 further includes
an annular slot 32 for receiving a conventional O-ring 34 that seals against the lumen
18L of the longitudinal bore 18 to preclude the escape of gas rearwardly from the
bore 18.
[0028] The pierce pin assembly 16 further includes a pierce pin 36, having a generally cylindrical
configuration with a diameter substantially less than the diameter of the cylindrically
configured body portion 28. The pierce pin 36 extends concentrically from the forward
end 38 of the body portion 28 into a reduced diameter portion 18R of the longitudinal
bore 18 that includes bleed channels 18C along the length thereof.
[0029] The forward end of the pierce pin 40 is formed at an angle to define a point 42 for
piercing the frangible seal of the gas cartridge 24. Further, the pierce pin 36 includes
a longitudinal slot 44 that extends longitudinally along the pierce pin 36 from the
point 42. Preferably, the longitudinal slot 44 extends rearwardly along the pierce
pin 36 by a distance that, one the one hand, is sufficiently long to remain in the
gas cartridge 24 after piercing and during movement of the pierce pin assembly 16,
thereby assuring that the gas cartridge 24 can be fully spent and, on the other hand,
sufficiently short not to be engaged by the sliding seal assembly 46 that otherwise
could cause damage thereto.
[0030] The pierce pin assembly 16 further includes a slidable seal assembly 46 positioned
about the rearward portion of the pierce pin 36. The slidable seal assembly 46 functions
to permit inflation of the inflatable article and preclude deflation thereof even
if the gas cartridge 24 is removed. Generally, these functions are performed by the
slidable seal assembly 46 that, in its non-fired position, forms a forward seal within
the longitudinal bore 18 forwardly of the bleed port 26. Upon firing, the slidable
seal assembly 46 blows-back in a rearward direction along the length of the pierce
pin 36 such that the forward seal is broken allowing the escaping gas from the gas
cartridge 24 to bleed into the inflatable article via the bleed port 26. Once inflated,
the slidable seal assembly 46 is urged forwardly by means of a compression spring
48 along the length of the pierce pin 36 to form the forward seal within the longitudinal
bore 18 forwardly of the bleed port 26, thereby precluding gas within the inflatable
article from escaping to the atmosphere via the bleed port 26 and longitudinal port
18.
[0031] Figs. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D illustrate four embodiments of the slidable seal assembly
46. In the embodiment of Fig. 6A, the slidable seal assembly 46 includes a gasket
50 adhered or bonded to a rigid gasket retainer 52, both being of substantially cylindrical
disk-shaped configuration and configured to be positioned within the longitudinal
bore 18 of the housing 12. The rigid gasket retainer 52 includes a center hole 54
having a diameter appreciably greater than the diameter of the pierce pin 36 to permit
free movement of the retainer 52 longitudinally along the length of the pierce pin
36. The gasket 50 also includes a center hole 56. However, the center hole 56 of gasket
50 includes a diameter appreciably less than the diameter of the pierce pin 36 such
that an air-tight seal is formed therewith while permitting the gasket 50 to move
sealingly along the length of the pierce pin 36. In addition to forming a seal about
the pierce pin 36, the gasket 50 additionally forms a seal, when urged forwardly,
with the step 18S formed in the longitudinal bore 18 at the juncture with the reduce
diameter portion 18R of the bore 18.
[0032] As shown in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6A of the inflator 10, the rigid gasket
retainer 52 comprises a generally disk-shaped configuration with a forwardly protruding
annular rim 58 that encircles the gasket 50. Further, as shown in Fig. 6A, the step
portion 18S of the bore 18 is formed with a rearwardly extending annular protrusion
60 which forms an air-tight seal with the forward surface of the gasket 50 when urged
forwardly by the compression spring 48. It is noted that the annular rim 58 of the
retainer 52 provides additional support for the gasket 50 to assure that the gasket
does not become deformed when sealed against the annular protrusion 60 by the compression
spring 48.
[0033] Fig. 6B illustrates another embodiment of the slidable seal assembly 46, which is
substantially similar to the embodiment shown in Fig. 6A, but with a rigid gasket
retainer 52 that does not include an annular rim 58. In this embodiment, it is noted
that the material constituting the gasket 50 may be composed of a harder material
to eliminate the need for the annular rim 58 providing the extra support.
[0034] In Fig. 6C, the third embodiment of the slidable seal assembly 46 includes a similarly
configured rigid gasket retainer 52 to which is adhered or bonded a gasket 50. However,
in this embodiment, gasket 50 includes a rearwardly extending annular rim 62 which
encircles the circumferential edge 50E of the retainer 52 and forms a seal with the
lumen 18L of the longitudinal bore 18. It is noted that the gasket 50 with its annular
rim 62 is adhered or bonded not only to the front surface of the retainer 52 but also,
preferably, adhered or bonded to the circumferential edge 50E of the retainer 52 such
that the gasket 50 and its annular rim 62 are fully supported by the retainer 52.
It is also noted that the gasket 50 with its annular rim 62 is appropriately dimensioned
to not only form a sliding seal with the pierce pin 36, but to also form a sliding
seal with the lumen 18L of the longitudinal bore 18. In this embodiment, it is noted
that the forward seal forward in the longitudinal bore 18 is not broken until the
gasket 50 is blown-back to or past the port 26.
[0035] It is noted that most industry standards in the inflation art require that all seals
be capable of maintaining their sealing properties from -30 degrees Fahrenheit to
+160 degrees Fahrenheit. Accordingly, gasket 50 is preferably composed of a relatively
low durometer material capable of maintaining its sealing properties across wide temperature
extremes. Therefore, as noted above, it has been found that the gasket 50 is preferably
adhered or bonded to the rigid gasket retainer 52 so that the gasket 50 retains its
shape and does not fold or otherwise become deformed within the longitudinal bore
18. Notwithstanding, it is also noted that when the inflator 10 of the invention is
utilized in less demanding temperature extremes, the gasket 50 may be composed of
a material of sufficient durometer that it need not be adhered or bonded to the retainer
52. Indeed, it is contemplated that the need for the retainer 52 may be eliminated
altogether when the gasket 50 is composed of a material (or a composite of materials)
with sufficient rigidity to withstand the force of the spring 48.
[0036] Fig. 6D illustrates the fourth embodiment of the slidable seal assembly 46. This
fourth embodiment differs in principle from the three embodiments shown in Figs. 6A,
6B and 6C in that a seal is not formed about the pierce pin 36. Rather, as shown in
Fig. 6D, the slideable seal assembly 46 comprises a retainer 52 having an integrally
and concentrically formed cylindrically-shaped increased diameter portion 52I and
a cylindrically-shaped reduced diameter portion 52R. The increased diameter portion
52I includes a rear O-ring slot 50S
R for receiving a conventional O-ring 50R
R. The reduced diameter portion 52R likewise includes a forward O-ring slot 50S
F for receiving a conventional O-ring 50R
F. The O-rings 50R
R and 50R
F function as gaskets 50 to seal against the lumen 18L and step 18S of the bore 18.
However, unlike step 18S illustrated in Fig. 6A, 6B and 6C, the step 18S in Fig. 6D
is configured to include rearward and forward angled portions 18S
R and 18S
F with a notch formed by longitudinal portion 18S
L and transverse portion 18S
T positioned therebetween. The notch formed by the longitudinal and transverse portions
18S
L and 18S
T is dimensioned to receive the forward portion of the reduced diameter portion 52R
of the retainer 52 in such a manner that the O-ring 50R
F thereof forms a seal against the longitudinal portion 18S
L when the retainer 52 is positioned fully forwardly.
[0037] Importantly, retainer 52 is dimensioned such that the seals formed by the O-rings
50R
R and 50R
F are positioned rearwardly and forwardly, respectively, of the bleed port 26 when
positioned fully forward such that gas from the inflatable article is not permitted
to escape therefrom in the event the gas cartridge 24 is removed.
[0038] The operation of the inflator 10 of the invention is described as follows. As shown
in Fig. 3, in its non-fired condition, the firing lever 20 is positioned within a
slot 20S formed along the side of the inflator housing 12. Preferably, as shown in
Figs. 1, 2 and 5, the exterior surfaces of the inflator housing 12 and the firing
lever 20 are formed with a smooth, aesthetically-pleasing rounded contours. As shown
in Figs. 2, 3 and 5, as is conventional in the industry, a pivot pin 66 extends into
a blind hole 12H in the inflator housing 12 through a hole 20H of the firing lever
20 such that the firing lever 20 is pivotally secured in operative position for engaging
the rearward end 30 of the body portion 28. However, another novel feature of the
invention is the inclusion of a plurality of protrusions 20P positioned about the
hole 20H, preferably equidistantly. Protrusions 20P function to provide bearing surfaces
with the mating surfaces 68 of the inflator housing 12, thereby facilitating easier
pivoting of the firing lever 20 with reduced friction.
[0039] As shown in Fig. 4, when the firing lever 20 is jerked to its fired position in a
lanyarded handle 20L, the cammed end thereof 20E cams against the rearward end 30
of the body portion 20 of the pierce pin assembly 16, causing it to move forwardly
such that its pierce pin 36 fractures the frangible seal of the gas cartridge 24.
Gas flowing from the gas cartridge causes the gasket 50 and retainer 52 to blow-back
against the force of the compression spring 28 at or beyond the bleed port 26, thereby
causing the gas to flow through the bleed port 26 into the inflatable article. As
the gas cartridge is expended, the gas pressure is reduced and the force of the compression
spring 48 causes the gasket 50 and retainer 52 to move forwardly. In the embodiments
shown in Fig. 6A and 6B, the gasket 50 then seals against the annular protrusion 60
of the step 18S. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6C, gasket 50 moves forwardly past
the bleed port 26 thereby sealing the bore 18 via the annular rim 62 of the gasket
50. Finally, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 6D, the forward and rearward O-rings
50R
F and 50R
R are positioned forwardly and rearwardly, respectively, of the bleed port 26 thereby
sealing off the port 26. It is noted that in each embodiment the length of the port
26 is such that the gas cartridge 24 is almost completely expended at the point the
gasket 50 moves forwardly beyond the port 26.
[0040] Notably, with regard to the embodiments in Figs. 6A, 6B and 6C, the greater the pressure
of the gas in the inflatable article, the greater force is exerted on the retainer
52 thereby increasing the sealing capabilities of the gasket 50. Also notably, in
the event that the firing lever 20 is returned to its non-fired position, the pierce
pin assembly 16 is returned to its non-fired position as shown in Fig. 3 with gasket
50 still maintaining its seal within the bore 18. Accordingly, the spent gas cartridge
24 may be removed without causing deflation of the inflatable article.
[0041] The above-described inflator 10 of the invention may be more economically manufactured
than all known prior aft inflators. With regard to manufacturing, it is noted that
core-cuts 70 should be provided in the inflator housing 12 to assure more accurate
injection molding while reducing the quantity of injection material consumed.
[0042] Finally, as shown in Fig. 1, a pop-out (or break-away) indicator clip 72 may be provided
to indicate a fired condition of the inflator 10. Additionally, as shown in phantom
in Fig. 3, an automatic actuator 74 may be operatively connected to the inflator 10
to provide for automatic inflation.
[0043] The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims, as well as
that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its
preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present
disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous
changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts
may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
1. An inflator for inflating an inflatable article with gas from a gas cartridge, comprising
in combination:
an inflator housing including a bore;
means at one end of said bore for receiving the gas cartridge;
a pierce pin assembly reciprocatably positioned within said bore;
means at another end of said bore for actuating said pierce pin assembly to allow
gas from the gas cartridge to flow into said bore;
means for fluidly connecting said bore to the inflatable article to allow the gas
to inflate the inflatable article, said fluid connection means comprising a flange
integrally formed about the periphery of said inflator housing, said flange being
heat sealable with the inflatable article such that said inflator housing may be positioned
about an aperture in the inflatable article and said flange heat sealed to the inflatable
article about the aperture; and
said pierce pin assembly comprising rear seal means for sealing a rearward portion
of said bore and a slidable seal assembly means capable, during inflation of the inflatable
article, of being blown-back by the pressure of the gas from the gas cartridge and,
after inflation, forming a seal with a forward portion of said bore to prevent the
gas in the inflatable article from escaping therefrom forwardly through said bore.
2. The inflator as set forth in Claim 1, wherein said slidable seal assembly comprises
a gasket and means for urging said gasket forwardly to form a seal with said forward
portion of said bore.
3. An inflator for inflating an inflatable article with gas from a gas cartridge, comprising
in combination:
an inflator housing including a bore;
means at one end of said bore for receiving the gas cartridge;
a pierce pin assembly which is reciprocatably positioned within said bore;
means at another end of said bore for actuating said pierce pin assembly to allow
gas from the gas cartridge to flow into said bore;
means for fluidly connecting said bore to the inflatable article to allow the gas
to inflate the inflatable article; and
said pierce pin assembly comprising rear seal means for sealing a rearward portion
of said bore and a slidable seal assembly means capable, during inflation of the inflatable
article, of being blown-back by the pressure of the gas from the gas cartridge and,
after inflation, forming a seal with a forward portion of said bore to prevent the
gas in the inflatable article from escaping therefrom forwardly through said bore,
said slidable seal assembly comprising a gasket and means for urging said gasket forwardly
to form a seal with said forward portion of said bore, said gasket being mounted onto
a gasket retainer and both said gasket and said gasket retainer being positioned about
a pierce pin of said pierce pin assembly such that said gasket forms a sliding seal
with said pierce pin.
4. The inflator as set forth in Claim 3, wherein said gasket retainer comprises a substantially
disk-shaped configuration.
5. The inflator as set forth in Claim 3, wherein said bore includes a protrusion for
forming a seal with said gasket when urged forwardly into engagement therewith.
6. The inflator as set forth in Claim 3, wherein said gasket retainer includes a rim
for providing additional support to said gasket.
7. The inflator as set forth in Claim 3, wherein said gasket includes an annular rim
encircling the circumference of said gasket retainer that seals against the lumen
of said bore.
8. The inflator as set forth in Claim 2, wherein said gasket comprises forward and rearward
O-rings positioned on a retainer for sealing forwardly and rearwardly, respectively,
of said fluidly connecting means.
9. An inflator for inflating an inflatable article with gas from a gas cartridge, comprising
in combination:
an inflator housing including a bore;
means at one end of said bore for receiving the gas cartridge;
a pierce pin assembly reciprocatably positioned within said bore;
means at another end of said bore for actuating said pierce pin assembly to allow
gas from the gas cartridge to flow into said bore, said actuator means comprising
a firing lever having a pivot hole with a plurality of protrusions protruding about
the circumference of said pivot hole;
said inflator including a pivot pin extending through said pivot hole and operatively
connected to said housing;
means for fluidly connecting said bore to the inflatable article to allow the gas
to inflate the inflatable article; and
said pierce pin assembly comprising rear seal means for sealing a rearward portion
of said bore and a slidable seal assembly means capable, during inflation of the inflatable
article, of being blown-back by the pressure of the gas from the gas cartridge and,
after inflation, forming a seal with a forward portion of said bore to prevent the
gas in the inflatable article from escaping therefrom forwardly through said bore.
10. The inflator as set forth in Claim 1, wherein said acutator means comprises an automatic
actuator for automatically actuating said pierce pin assembly.
11. A method for inflating an inflatable article with gas from a gas cartridge, comprising
the steps of:
providing an inflator housing including a flange formed integrally about the periphery
of the housing and composed of a material that is heat sealable with the inflatable
article, the inflator housing also including a bore;
receiving the gas cartridge at one end of the bore;
reciprocatably positioning a pierce pin assembly within the bore;
actuating the pierce pin assembly to allow gas from the gas cartridge to flow into
the bore;
heat sealing the flange about an aperture in the inflatable article to fluidly connect
the bore to the inflatable article to allow the gas to inflate the inflatable article;
and
sealing a rearward portion of the bore and, after inflation, forming a seal with a
forward portion of the bore to prevent the gas in the inflatable article from escaping
therefrom forwardly through the bore.
12. The method as set forth in Claim 11, wherein the step of forming a seal with a forward
portion of the bore comprises providing a gasket and urging the gasket forwardly to
form a seal with the forward portion of the bore.
13. The method as set forth in Claim 12, wherein the step of forming a seal with a forward
portion of the bore includes the step of providing gasket retainer and mounting the
gasket to the gasket retainer.
14. The method as set forth in Claim 13, further including the step of positioning the
gasket and the gasket retainer onto a pierce pin to form a sliding seal with the pierce
pin.
15. The method as set forth in Claim 13, further including the step of positioning a first
portion and a second portion of the gasket forwardly and rearwardly, respectively,
of the fluidly connecting means.
16. The method as set forth in Claim 11, wherein the step of providing the inflator housing
includes the step of providing a flange for sealing with the inflatable article.