US2495254A - Inflation device - Google Patents

Description

Jam. 24, 1950 H. E. HEIGIS INFLATION DEVICE Filed Oct. 27, 1944 INVENTOR HE/G/f un-4W A TTORNE Y Patented Jan. 24, 1950 INFLATION DEVICE Henry E. Heigis, Nutley, N. J., assignor to Specialties Development Corporation, Belleville, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application October 27, 1944, Serial No. 560,695

'7 Claims.

This invention relates generally to inflatable devices, and particularly to protective means for such devices.

In an inflatable device, such as a life raft or belt, it has been usual to provide for the introduction of the inflating fluid through an inlet means known as a patch. This patch comprises a flexible disc-like body for bonding to the raft or belt, and a metal conduit extending through the patch. The conduit has an outer end nipple for attachment to a supply conduit or container, and an inner end discharge head which divides the flow into one axial stream and several radial streams.

The inflatable device for which the present invention is adapted is of a type which, in connection with a patch as formerly constructed, is affected by the radial streams to cause a suction effect on a flexible wall of the device to draw a portion of such wall toward the patch. When the inflating fluid is carbon dioxide, during the early stages of inflation, a small area of the wall portion drawn toward the discharge head becomes extremely cold from carbon dioxide snow formed or from the expansion of gas thus rendering such area subject to injury because of brittleness, Also, when the inflatable device or raft is deflated and packed in a compact manner, a'portion of the wall of the device opposite the patch engages the discharge head which, when hard, or of bare metal as in the former constructions, subjects the device to possible inury.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device adapted to overcome the above mentioned objectionable features, which is simple and durable in construction, economical to manufacture and effective in its operation.

Other objects are to provide means for preventing suction flexure effects on and avoiding injury to a wall portion of an inflatable device.

A further object is to avoid injury to the fabric or wall of an inflatable device by the injector when the device is in deflated condition.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying 2 drawing, forming a part of the specification, wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a portion of a life raft equipped with a patch embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the inner side of the patch illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 3--3 of Figure 2.

Referring to Figure 1, the device therein shown comprises a portion of a life raft l8 having'an inflatable hull l2 and a bottom 14. The hull I2 is of substantially tubular formation when inflated and has opposite flexible inner and outer wall portions l6 and 18, respectively, of rubberized fabric or other waterproof material.

A storage container or source 26 of inflating pressure fluid medium, which in this instance is carbon dioxide, has a discharge valve 22 which is connected by a supply line or conduit 24 to a patch 26 on the exterior of the inner wall portion It adjacent the bottom l4. 3

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the patch 26 is shown as comprising a substantially central portion, constituting a conduit 28 of hard material which in this case is metal, but which may be of Bakelite or the like, or treated or constructed 'as a combination of materials or parts. The conduit 28 comprises an inlet portion or nipple 30 at its outer end for the supply line 24, an annular shoulder or flange 32 extending laterally from the conduit 28 adjacent to the inner end of the nipple 39, a flange-like mold anchor 34 having circumferentially spaced apertures 35 and spaced axially inwardly from the shoulder 32, and an inner discharge head 36 spaced axially from the anchor 34. The conduit 28 has an axial aperture 38 of small diameter through the discharge head 36 extending from an annular substantially conical surface 40 opposite sides of which diverge axially outwardly to a bore portion 42 of larger diameter.

The head 35 has a plurality of apertures 44 disposed axially outwardly of the surface 40 closely adjacent thereto and spaced from each other peripherally about the conduit 28.

These apertures extend radially at right angles to the axis of the conduit 28, as shown, but may be inclined along axially inwardly diverging lines or may be otherwise directed.

The patch 26 further comprises a portion 46 constituting the patch body portion proper, which, as shown is constructed of flexible molded material, such as soft rubber or the like. The portion 46 is molded in position about the conduit 28 to cover and lie between all of the conduit portions disposed axially inwardly from the axially outer transverse surface of the shoulder 32. That is, the material of the patch body portion 46 is disposed between the shoulder 32 and the anchor 34, in the apertures 35 and in the form of a layer or cover 49 over and around the discharge head 36 everywhere, except over and in the bore portion 38 and the apertures 44. At the bore portion 38, the patch body material is formed to provide an inlet port surface 41 ofinverted substantially frusto-conical shape diverging inwardly of the raft from the aperture 38 at an included angle of about thirty degrees.

The patch which, as shown in Figure 2, is of generally oval plan, is, as seen in Figure 3, of generally outwardly converging radial section having initially a, substantially'flat inner'si'de 48' which may fit, or be flexed to fit, the wall H or" other part according to the inflated contour of theWallnr part for bonding to the latter, as by vulcanizing. The patch portion 46 is further moldedtoform a deflection or diffusion cup-like element 50- around the discharge head 36, and is provided with a substantiall conical inner surface 5 2- opposite the apertures 44 and diverging axially inwardly of the conduit 28 at an included angle of abouteighty degrees.

In a former device, in which apertures similar to' the apertures 44 were disposed radially, but without any deflecting or diffusing means such as the cup 50, the carbon dioxide gas and snow were directed in more concentrated flow substantially parallel; and close to a wall, such as the wall is. This former structure causes a suction flexing effect on the raft fabric, as on a portion of the wall l'8 opposite the patch so that, in the early stages of inflation, such portion is sucked or toward: the patch causing a small area of the fabric to become extremely cold and subject to'dam'age from brittleness.

By the present invention, the above mentioned effect is prevented by the cup 50 against which the 'st'reams of inflating fluid are directed by the radial-apertures 44 for deflection and diffusion by the inner surfaces of the cup. The angle of deflecti'orr of the streams from the apertures 44' between the stream from the aperture 38 and the wan i6, is such as to destroy the vacuum or suction causing the flexure effect or drawing on the i wall l8, so that the area formerly becoming cold and brittle is no longer so affected.

The layer or cover 49 and other parts of the patch body operate, particularly when the raft is deflated,- as a cushion or protective means between the injector and the fabric avoiding possi'ble'in'ju'ry from friction due to rubbing, tearing of other eifects.

It is contemplated further that the patch 26 fnay be variously constituted for the above purposes, as by a selection of materials according to effects with different fluids or service, or by treatii'ig to have one body or part, which may form the entire unit, of different characteristics, such as hardness or flexibility at places where such qualities are of advantage, as in the example given.

From the foregoing description it is apparent that an inflation device has been provided which is: extremely simple, durable and economical construction, is readily manufactured and assembled, is dependable and effective in operation, and avoids dangers and injur to those depending upon its use in a field of the utmost importance.

As variouschanges' may be made in the form, construction-and arrangement of the parts here- 4 in, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in any limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of th invention which, as a matter of language, might be said tofall therebetween.

I claim:

1. A patch for an inflatable device having a wall with an inlet formed therein, comprising a patch portion adapted for securement to the wall of the device about the inlet, and a conduit discharge head partially embedded in said patch portion and provided with a plurality of substantial-1y radial apertures spaced from each other peripherally about said head, said patch portion including a substantially rigid cup-like element around said head having inner surface portions spaced radially opposite said apertures and diverging axially inwardly of said head.

2. A patch for an inflatable device having a wall with an inlet formed therein, comprising a molded flexible patch portion for bonding to the wall about the inlet, and a conduit discharge head molded partially in said" portion and provided with a plurality of side apertures spaced from each other peripherally about said head, said patch portion including a cup-like element around said head having inner surface portions spaced radially opposite said apertures and diverging axially inwardly of said head.

3. A patch for an inflatable device having a wall with an inlet formed therein, comprising a molded flexible patch portion for bonding to the wall about the inlet, and a conduit discharge head molded partially in said portion and provided with a plurality of side apertures spaced from each other peripherally about said head, said patch portion covering the inner end of said head and including a cup-like element around said end having inner surface portions spaced radially opposite said apertures and diverging axially inwardly of said head.

4. A patch for an inflatable device and comprising a hard material conduit including a discharge head at its inner end, a receiving portion for a supply line at its outer end, said head having a plurality of peripherally spaced radial apertures, and a patch portion of flexible material molded in position about said conduit covering all of the conduit portions disposed axially inwardly from the axially inner end of said receiving portion and having flow conducting recesses at said apertures, said patch portion forming a cup-like element around said head having an annular surface spaced radially opposite said radial apertures and diverging axially inwardly.

5. A patch for an inflatable device having an inlet, comprising a patch portion having a face for attachment to the device about the inlet, a discharge head having a portion projecting beyond the face of said patch portion, and a covering of soft elastic material bonded to the outer surface of said discharge head portion whereby injury of the walls of said inflatable device from contact of said discharge head portion is prevented, said discharge head portion having a central passage provided with a plurality of circumferentiall y spaced discharge apertures extending laterally from said passage, said covering having flow conducting recesses at'said apertures.

6. A patch for an inflatable device having an inlet, comprising a patch portion having a face for attachment to the device about the inlet, a discharge head having a portion projecting beyond the face of said patch portion, and a covering of soft elastic material bonded to the outer surface of said discharge head portion whereby injury of the walls of said inflatable device from contact of said discharge head portion is prevented, said discharge head portion having a central passage provided with a discharge aperture at its inner end and a plurality of circumferentially spaced discharge apertures extending laterally from said passage, said covering having flow conducting recesses at said apertures.

7. A patch for an inflatable device having an inlet, comprising a patch portion having a face for attachment to the device about the inlet, a discharge head having a portion projecting beyond the face of said patch portion, and a cover- 7 ing of soft elastic material bonded to the outer surface of said discharge head portion whereby injury of the walls of said inflatable device from contact of said discharge head portion is prevented, said discharge head portion having a cen- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,226,857 Brokaw May 22, 1917 1,518,901 Collins et a1 Dec. 9, 1924 1,805,370 Meyer May 12, 1931 1,981,720 Crane Nov. 20, 1934 2,085,369 Kilborn June 29, 1937 2,124,909 Crowley July 26, 1938 2,341,618 Humphreys Feb. 15, 1944 2,353,161 Heigis et a1. July 11, 1944

Images