Pump equipment

Abstract

To provide a pumping device which has simple structure and is easily used, has compact outer shape in no use and is therefore easily carried.SOLUTION: The pumping device includes a stretching cloth member 22 which is annularly formed as a soft cloth material and to both ends of which a closing portion 16 and a bottom member 18 are mounted, the bottom member 18 having an air nozzle, an annular skeleton member 24 fixed in the axial middle of the stretching cloth member 22 for holding the cross-section shape of the stretching cloth member 22 rectangular to the axial direction, a slit-shaped open / close port 26 provided in the stretching skeleton cloth member 22 at its boundary portion with the annular skeleton member 24, and a valve element cloth member 32 overlapping with the inner face side of the stretching cloth member 22 at its position covering the open / close port 26 and having both ends fixed to the stretching cloth member 22. When PUSH / PULL operation is performed, pressure in a cylindrical stretching member 12 becomes positive / negative to move the valve element cloth member 30 outward / inward, so that open / close port 26 is opened / closed by the valve element cloth member 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pump device for supplying air to objects such as cold weather clothing, air mattresses, and swim bladders that have an air chamber for heat insulation, and more particularly to a pump device of the type that pumps air using human power. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a foot-operated air compressor, as disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1. This air compressor is composed of two locking parts that are pivoted by a pivot part and repel each other with elastic bodies, and an air compressor that has an intake check valve, an exhaust check valve, and a bellows part, the bellows part being approximately triangular in side view, and both ends of the bellows part being locked to the two locking parts, respectively. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 50-144114 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The air compressor of Patent Document 1 has an elastic body, is complex in structure, is relatively heavy, and its external shape when not in use cannot be said to be compact, making it inconvenient for daily use or for carrying around all the time.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned background art, and has an object to provide a pump device that has a simple structure, is easy to use, has a compact outer shape when not in use, and is easy to carry. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides a device comprising: a cylindrical telescopic member formed in a bellows shape and capable of expanding and contracting in an axial direction; a closing portion that closes one end of the cylindrical telescopic member; a bottom member that closes the open end on the opposite side of the cylindrical telescopic member; and an air nozzle attached to the bottom member that sends air out of the cylindrical telescopic member; The cylindrical stretchable member is made up of a stretchable fabric member that is a flexible fabric material formed in a ring shape, and has the closing portion and the bottom member attached to both ends thereof, an annular frame member that is fixed to the stretchable fabric member midway in the axial direction in order to maintain the cross-sectional shape of the stretchable fabric member perpendicular to the axial direction, a slit-shaped opening and closing opening that is provided in the stretchable fabric member at the boundary with the annular frame member, and a valve fabric member that is a flexible fabric material that is larger in size than the opening and closing opening, that overlaps the inner surface of the stretchable fabric member in a position that covers the opening and closing opening, and that has both ends in the axial direction fixed to the stretchable fabric member, When the closing portion of the tubular expandable member is moved closer to the bottom member, the inside of the tubular expandable member becomes positive pressure, causing the valve body cloth member to move outward, and the opening and closing port is airtightly closed by the valve body cloth member, and when the closing portion is pulled away from the bottom member, the inside of the tubular expandable member becomes negative pressure, causing the valve body cloth member to move inward, allowing outside air to flow in through the opening and closing port.

[0007] A configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of sets of the opening and closing ports and the valve body cloth members are provided and are arranged at equal intervals or at any predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the stretch fabric member, or a plurality of the annular frame members are provided and are arranged at intervals in the axial direction of the stretch fabric member.

[0008] The closing section may be configured by a flexible circular belt attached along the open end of the tubular telescopic member and a pair of connecting members attached to two opposing positions of the circular belt. The closing section closes one open end of the tubular telescopic member in an openable and closable manner. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The pump device of the present invention has a simple structure, is very easy to operate, and can pump air efficiently. It can also be easily made small and lightweight, and has an extremely low profile and compact appearance when not in use, so it is not a nuisance when carried around at all times, and is extremely convenient for everyday use. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1A is a perspective view showing a state in which a tubular expandable member is extended in the axial direction, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing a state in which the tubular expandable member is contracted in the axial direction, illustrating an embodiment of the pump device of the present invention in use. [Figure 2] 1A is a perspective view showing the pump device of this embodiment in a state where the cylindrical expandable member is expanded in the axial direction and the first open end is opened; FIG. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing an example of the connection structure of an elastic cloth member, an annular bone member, a valve body cloth member, and an annular belt, in which (a) is a schematic diagram showing the connection structure of the AA cross section when connected by sewing, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing the connection structure of the B1-B1 and B2-B2 cross sections. [Figure 4] 1A is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line B1-B1 and B2-B2, showing the operation of the cylindrical telescopic member when the pump device of this embodiment is used. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] 1(a) and 1(b), the pump device 10 is a manually operated pump device that includes a bellows-shaped cylindrical expandable member 12 that expands and contracts in the axial direction, a closing section 16 that closes a first open end 14(1) that is one open end of the cylindrical expandable member 12, a substantially circular bottom member 18 that closes a second open end 14(2) that is the opposite open end of the cylindrical expandable member 12, and an air nozzle 20 attached to the center of the bottom member 18.

[0012] 2(a) and (b), the tubular stretchable member 12 has a stretchable fabric member 22 that is a flexible fabric material formed in a ring shape, and a closure portion 16 and a bottom member 18 are attached to the first opening end 14(1) and the second opening end 14(2), which are both ends of the stretchable fabric member 22. The stretchable fabric member 22 is made of a non-breathable or poorly breathable material.

[0013] Three annular frame members 24 are fixed at predetermined intervals in the axial direction of the stretch fabric member 22. The annular frame members 24 are members with a certain degree of shape stability, and maintain the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction of the stretch fabric member 22. Hereinafter, the three annular frame members 24 will be distinguished by assigning the symbols 24(1), 24(2), and 24(3) in order from the first opening end 14(1) side.

[0014] Four openings 26 are provided at the boundary between the stretch fabric member 22 and the annular frame member 24(2). The openings 26 are short slit-shaped holes and are arranged at approximately equal intervals around the circumference of the stretch fabric member 22. Similarly, four openings 28 are provided at the boundary between the stretch fabric member 22 and the annular frame member 24(3).

[0015] Furthermore, four valve body cloth members 30 and four valve body cloth members 32 are provided on the inner surface side of the stretch fabric member 22. The valve body cloth members 30 are made of a flexible, approximately rectangular fabric material that is larger than the opening 26, and overlap the inner surface side of the stretch fabric member 22 in a position that covers the opening 26, with both axial ends fixed to the stretch fabric member 22. Similarly, the valve body cloth members 32 are made of a flexible, approximately rectangular fabric material that is larger than the opening 28, and overlap the inner surface side of the stretch fabric member 22 in a position that covers the opening 28, with both axial ends fixed to the stretch fabric member 22. The valve body cloth members 30, 32 are made of a non-breathable or poorly breathable material.

[0016] The closure portion 16 includes a flexible circular belt 34 attached along the first opening end 14(1) of the tubular stretchable member 12 (stretchable cloth member 22), and male and female buckles 36a, 36b, which are connecting members attached as a pair to two diametrically opposed locations on the circular belt 34.

[0017] The bottom member 18 may be made of a hard plate material, but in order to make it lighter, it has a structure in which a circular bottom cloth material 18b is stretched inside a bottom frame member 18a having the same structure as the annular frame member 24. The air nozzle 20 is attached to the periphery of a through hole in the center of the fabric material 18b and is used to send air inside the tubular expandable member 12 to the outside.

[0018] The stretchable fabric member 22, annular rib members 24(1) to 24(3), valve body fabric members 30, 32, and annular belt 34 are connected by sewing, for example, as shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b). In this example, the stretchable fabric member 22 is formed from four fabric materials 22(1) to 22(4). Each fabric material has a roughly rectangular outer shape, and its short sides are sewn together to form a ring. The axial lengths of fabric material 22(1) are slightly longer, while those of fabric materials 22(2) to 22(4) are slightly shorter, and are roughly equal to each other.

[0019] First, the connection structure of the AA cross section shown in Figure 3(a), i.e., the connection structure of the portion where the openings 26, 28 and the valve body cloth members 30, 32 are not disposed, will be described. The upper opening end of the cloth material 22(1) is the first opening end 14(1), and the peripheral portion of the upper end is overlapped and sewn to the inner surface of the circular belt 34 (34a, 34b). The peripheral portion of the upper end of the cloth material 22(2) is wrapped around and integrally sewn to the annular bone member 24(1), and is further overlapped and sewn together with the annular bone member 24(1) to the outer surface of the peripheral portion of the lower end of the cloth material 22(1). The upper end of the cloth material 22(3) is wrapped around and integrally sewn to the annular bone member 24(2), and is further overlapped and sewn together with the annular bone member 24(2) to the outer surface of the peripheral portion of the lower end of the cloth material 22(2). The fabric material 22(4) has the annular frame member 24(3) wrapped around its upper peripheral edge and sewn together, and is then overlapped and sewn together with the annular frame member 24(3) onto the outer surface of the lower peripheral edge of the fabric material 22(3). The lower peripheral edge of the fabric material 22(4), which forms the second opening end 14(2), is wrapped around the bottom frame member 18a and sewn, and the peripheral edge of the bottom fabric material 18b is then overlapped and sewn onto this portion. The tip of the air nozzle 20 protrudes outward from the through hole in the bottom fabric material 18b, and the flange-shaped base is adhesively fixed to the inner surface of the bottom fabric material 18b.

[0020] The connection structure of the B1-B1 and B2-B2 cross sections shown in Figure 3(b), i.e., the connection structure at the locations where the opening / closing openings 26, 28 and the valve body fabric members 30, 32 are arranged, is a different connection structure from the AA cross section.

[0021] The differences from Figure 3(a) will be mainly explained below. The upper end of the fabric material 22(3) is wrapped around the annular frame member 24(2) and sewn together, but is not sewn to the lower end of the fabric material 22(2). In other words, this unsewn portion forms the slit-shaped opening 26. A valve body fabric material 30 is then superimposed on the inner side of the fabric material 22(3) in a position that covers the opening 26, and the upper end of the valve body fabric material 30 is superimposed on and sewn to the outer surface of the lower end of the fabric material 22(2). The lower end of the valve body fabric material 30 is wrapped around the bottom frame member 18a together with the lower end of the fabric material 24(4) and sewn together.

[0022] Similarly, the upper end of the fabric material 22(4) is wrapped around the annular frame member 24(3) and sewn together, but is not sewn to the lower end of the fabric material 22(3). In other words, this unsewn portion becomes the slit-shaped opening 28. Then, a valve body fabric material 32 is superimposed on the inner side of the fabric material 22(4) in a position that covers the opening 28, and the upper end of the valve body fabric material 32 is superimposed on and sewn to the outer surface of the lower end of the fabric material 22(3). The lower end of the valve body fabric material 32 is wrapped around the bottom frame member 18a together with the lower end of the fabric material 24(4) and sewn together.

[0023] Note that annular rib members 24(1)-24(3) and bottom rib member 18a may be made of materials that are not annular by themselves. For example, if a straight, elongated elastic plate or the like is used by itself, it will become annular when attached to stretch fabric member 22, and can support stretch fabric member 22 by its own resilience as it tries to return to its straight shape. Flexible plate or rod materials may also be used.

[0024] Next, we will explain how to use and operate the pump device 10. The object to which air is supplied is, for example, cold weather clothing BI equipped with an air chamber for heat insulation. An intake valve KB with a built-in check valve (not shown) is attached to the air chamber of this cold weather clothing BI, and air is sent into the air chamber through this intake valve KB.

[0025] When using the pump device 10, first close the first open end 14(1) of the tubular expandable member 12 with the closure portion 16. Specifically, the inner surfaces of the portions 34a and 34b of the circular belt 34 are closely overlapped, and then the center portion in the longitudinal direction is folded to engage the male and female buckles 36a and 36b with each other, as shown in Figure 1(a). Next, attach the tip of the air nozzle 20 protruding from the base member 18 so that it is inserted into the intake valve KB of the cold weather clothing BI, as shown in Figures 4(a) and (b).

[0026] In this state, first, an operation [PUSH operation] is performed to bring the closing portion 16 closer to the bottom member 18. When the PUSH operation is performed, a positive pressure is created inside the tubular expandable member 12, causing the valve body cloth members 30, 32 to move outward, causing the valve body cloth member 30 to airtightly close the opening 26, and the valve body cloth member 32 to airtightly close the opening 28. Then, the air inside the tubular expandable member 12 is pushed out through the air nozzle 20 and sent to the air chamber of the cold weather clothing BI through the intake valve KB. The PUSH operation is performed until the tubular expandable member 12 contracts and reaches the state shown in Figure 1(b).

[0027] Following the PUSH operation, an operation [PULL operation] is performed to separate the closure portion 16 from the bottom member 18. When performing the PULL operation, it is recommended to hold the circular belt 34. When performing the PULL operation, negative pressure is created inside the tubular telescopic member 12, but no air is drawn in from the air nozzle 20. As a result, the valve body fabric members 30, 32 move inward, and outside air flows in through the opened openings 26, 28. The PULL operation is performed until the tubular telescopic member 12 extends to the state shown in Figure 1(a).

[0028] After the PULL operation, the PUSH operation is performed again. By repeating the PUSH and PULL operations several times, the required amount of air is supplied to the air chamber of the thermal clothing BI, and the thermal clothing BI becomes ready for use.

[0029] After use, pump device 10 can be further retracted to an extremely low profile than that shown in Figure 1(b) because the stretchable portion is formed of flexible stretch fabric member 22. Therefore, pump device 10 can be retracted to an extremely low profile and stored compactly in a pocket of winter clothing BI.

[0030] As described above, the pump device 10 has a simple structure, is very easy to operate, and can pump air efficiently. It can also be easily made small and lightweight, and has an extremely low profile and compact profile when not in use, making it easy to use on a daily basis or carry with you at all times. It is also convenient for use outdoors, at disaster sites, and the like.

[0031] The pump device of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the case of the pump device 10, the cross-sectional shape of the tubular expandable member 12 and the outer shape of the bottom member 18 are generally circular, but they can be changed to other shapes such as generally oval or generally polygonal as long as the above-mentioned usage and operation are possible.

[0032] The tubular expandable member 12 has multiple sets of openings 26 and valve body cloth members 30, which are arranged at equal intervals around the circumference of the expansion cloth members. This is to make it easier for the tubular expandable member 12 to stretch straight in the axial direction when a pull operation is performed. On the other hand, in order to minimize air leakage when a push operation is performed, it is better to have as few openings 26 as possible, so the number of openings 26 and valve body cloth members 30 can be reduced to one set as long as it does not interfere with the operation when a pull operation is performed. The same applies to the openings 28 and valve body cloth members 32.

[0033] The cylindrical expandable member 12 has three annular rib members 24(1)-24(3) spaced apart in the axial direction, but the number of annular rib members can be increased or decreased as desired. It is not necessary to provide the opening / closing opening and valve fabric members near all of the annular rib members. The closure portion 16 (annular belt 34, male and female buckles 36a, 36b) only needs to close the end of the cylindrical expandable member with a certain degree of airtightness, and may have a non-closable closure structure. The structure for opening and closing the closure portion 16 may be a connecting member with a detachable structure such as a hook-and-loop fastener, a button, or a magnet, in addition to the male and female buckles 36a, 36b. Furthermore, while the connection structure of the pump device 10 (FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b)) connects most of the components by sewing, making it very easy to manufacture, the pump device of the present invention can also be connected by a connection structure other than sewing.

[0034] The air nozzle 20 is a simple one with a through hole that allows air to pass in both directions, but it is also possible to use one with a built-in check valve that prevents air from passing from the outside to the inside of the cylindrical expandable member 12. The type of air nozzle can be selected appropriately to match the shape of the other intake nozzle, etc. (such as the intake nozzle of the object to which air is to be sent). In addition, the shape, size, and material of each component can be freely changed within the range that allows the above-mentioned usage and operation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 10 Pumping equipment 12 Cylindrical expansion member 14(1) First open end 14(2) Second open end 16 Closing part 18 Bottom member 20 Air Nozzle 22 Stretchable fabric member 24, 24(1)~24(3) Annular bone member 26,28 Opening and closing 30, 32 Cloth member for valve body 34 Circular Belt 36a Male buckle (connecting member) 36b Female buckle (connecting member)

Claims

1. The device comprises a cylindrical telescopic member formed in a bellows shape and capable of expanding and contracting in an axial direction, a closing section that closes one end of the cylindrical telescopic member, a bottom member that closes the open end on the opposite side of the cylindrical telescopic member, and an air nozzle attached to the bottom member that sends air out of the cylindrical telescopic member, The cylindrical stretchable member is made up of a stretchable fabric member which is a flexible fabric material formed in a ring shape and has the closing portion and the bottom member attached to both ends thereof, an annular frame member which is fixed to the stretchable fabric member midway in the axial direction in order to maintain the cross-sectional shape of the stretchable fabric member perpendicular to the axial direction, a slit-shaped opening and closing opening provided in the stretchable fabric member at the boundary between the stretchable fabric member and the annular frame member, and a valve fabric member which is a flexible fabric material of a size larger than the opening and closing opening, which overlaps the inner surface of the stretchable fabric member in a position covering the opening and closing opening, and has both ends in the axial direction fixed to the stretchable fabric member, When the closing portion of the cylindrical expandable member is moved closer to the bottom member, the inside of the cylindrical expandable member becomes positive pressure, causing the valve body cloth member to move outward, and the opening / closing port is airtightly closed by the valve body cloth member, and when the closing portion is pulled away from the bottom member, the inside of the cylindrical expandable member becomes negative pressure, causing the valve body cloth member to move inward, and outside air flows in through the opening / closing port.

2. 2. The pump device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of sets of said openings and said valve body cloth members are provided, and these are arranged at equal intervals or at any predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of said stretchable cloth member.

3. 2. The pump device of claim 1, wherein a plurality of said annular rib members are provided, said annular rib members being spaced apart in the axial direction of said stretchable fabric member.

4. 4. The pump device according to claim 1, wherein the closure portion comprises a flexible circular belt attached along the open end of the tubular expandable member, and a pair of connecting members attached to two opposing locations on the circular belt.

5. 5. The pump device according to claim 4, wherein the closing portion closes one open end of the cylindrical expandable member in an openable and closable manner.

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