Balloon Inflation Device

Abstract

A device for inflating a balloon or other inflatable structure is disclosed. A neck of the inflatable structure fits through an annular mouthpiece of an oral inflator, and a check valve assembly is inserted therein, compressing the neck of the balloon between the check valve assembly and the mouthpiece and preventing air from exiting from the balloon. Air is orally introduced into the check valve to inflate the balloon. A housing may be included for containing the oral inflator and the balloon. In one embodiment, multiple balloons are fixed to multiple oral inflators, each of which is connected through an inflation manifold to an inflation tube. An flexible strap with a selectively releasable fastener on each end can be used to secure the device to a swimmer. In one embodiment, a pressurized inflation cartridge may be included that has a selectively openable valve for inflating each balloon.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60 / 923,291, filed on Apr. 13, 2007, and incorporated herein by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not Applicable.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0003]This invention relates to inflation devices, and more particularly to an oral inflation device for use by swimmers.DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART[0004]Swimmers of all age can find themselves in an emergency situation if caught in a riptide, or otherwise find themselves in deeper water and unable to continue swimming. In such situations, the need for an emergency floatation device is paramount. Yet such floatation devices, such as vests, floatation rings, and the like are relatively bulky, and as such are infrequently used. In the event a swimmer needs such a device but hadn't obtained one before swimming, the results can be tragic, particularly if bystanders are not alerted to the swimme...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The present device is an oral balloon inflator for inflating a balloon or other inflatable structure. A neck of the inflatable structure fits through an annular mouthpiece of an oral inflator, and a check valve assembly is inserted therein, compressing the neck of the balloon between the check valve assembly and the mouthpiece and preventing air from exiting from the balloon. Air is orally introduced into the check valve to inflate the balloon.

[0010]The present invention provides a light-weigh, disposable item that can be readily attached to a swimmer to provide an emergency floatation device. The present device allows swimmers of all ages an easy way to inflate a personal floatation device, and further provides means for alerting bystanders of an emergency. The present invention further does not require a person tie a knot in the neck of a balloon, or otherwise be concerned about air escaping the inflatable structures of the device. The present invention further is made of relatively inexpensive components, making it practical for a vast number of swimmers to obtain and use. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

Problems solved by technology

Swimmers of all age can find themselves in an emergency situation if caught in a riptide, or otherwise find themselves in deeper water and unable to continue swimming.

Yet such floatation devices, such as vests, floatation rings, and the like are relatively bulky, and as such are infrequently used.

In the event a swimmer needs such a device but hadn't obtained one before swimming, the results can be tragic, particularly if bystanders are not alerted to the swimmer's emergency.

Such a device, while less bulky than a Styrofoam ring, for example, is still rather inconvenient to wear and use while swimming in that a belt or strap must be worn around the person's torso.

Such a device does not provide for multiple uses once the balloons of such a device are inflated, which requires replacement of the entire device once used.

Still further, the balloons used in such a device necessarily need two ports, making such balloons expensive to manufacture.

Further, while such a device provides for brightly colored and therefore more easily noticed balloons, the device makes no provision for alerting bystanders audibly of an emergency.

Such a device has many of the same drawbacks of the Yanover device, in that it is bulky and interferes with normal swimming activities.

Further, such a device is not easily reset once used, resulting in a greater cost of operation.

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