[0001] The invention relates to a pump for inflatable device with storable air chamber. In particular the invention is directed towards a pump where the air chamber can also be used to store the inflatable device.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] The following discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction as at the priority date of the application.

[0003] Inflatable devices can be inflated either directly by the user (i.e. through their mouth) or through an intermediary device such as a pump. If the inflatable device is large, such as an air mattress, then directly inflating the device is not really practical. Inflating the inflatable device in this manner may also increase the possibility that mould may be introduced into the inflatable device.

[0004] Using a pump or similar device to inflate such large devices is much easier on the user. However, this requires the pump to be transported along with the inflatable device. If the inflatable device is intended to be used at remote locations, this then means that the user has to account not only for the additional weight of the pump but also the space that will be taken up by the pump.

[0005] One solution to this problem is the Schnozzel Pumpbag UL by

Exped AG of Zurich, Switzerland. The Schnozzel Pumpbag has an air chamber in which an inflatable device can be stored. One side of the air chamber incorporates a one-way valve to facilitate inflation of the inflatable device by way of air captured in the air chamber. Of key difference, however, is that the opposing side of the air chamber has an opening.

[0006] The user manipulates the Schnozzel Pumpbag such that the opening is in an open position and then "captures" air therein. The captured air is then retained within the air chamber by rolling the opening a couple of times to form a seal. The user then presses down or otherwise applies pressure on the seal as required to force air in the air chamber out through the one-way valve and into the inflatable device.

[0007] As can be anticipated, this arrangement causes problems in that the speed of inflation of the inflatable device is dependent on the size of the air chamber. If the air chamber is large, the inflatable device may be able to be inflated from the air captures in a single air chamber. However, if the air chamber is small, of the inflatable device is large, the air chamber may need to be refilled multiple times for inflation to be achieved. This then requires the user to unseal the air chamber to facilitate "capture" of more air. This is inefficient and requires a reasonable amount of operational space and (if the air chamber is large) additional storage space.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to develop a pump which ameliorates, at least in part, one or more of the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Throughout this document, unless otherwise indicated to the contrary, the terms "comprising", "consisting of", and the like, are to be construed as non-exhaustive, or in other words, as meaning "including, but not limited to".

[0010] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is a pump for an inflatable device incorporating: an air chamber in which the inflatable device can be stored, the air chamber having first and second opposing sides. the first opposing side incorporating a two-way valve; and the second opposing side operable in a first position to allow the inflatable device to be stored and retrieved from the air chamber, and in a second position operable to create an air tight seal for the air chamber where, when the second opposing side is in the second position, application of a contracting force to the air chamber expels air contained in the air chamber by way of the two-way valve and on application of an expansive force to the air chamber draws air into the air chamber by way of the two-way valve.

[0011] The two way valve preferably comprises a valve connector and a plurality of inlet apertures, air operable to be drawn into the air chamber by way of at least one of the plurality of inlet apertures and air operable to be expelled from the air chamber by way of the valve connector.

[0012] The pressure of air drawn into the air chamber may operate to releasably seal a diaphragm against the plurality of inlet apertures. Furthermore, a mesh may be included to protect the diaphragm from damage caused by storage of the inflatable device.

[0013] The valve connector may be configured to mate with a similar valve of the inflatable device.

[0014] The second opposing side preferably has at least one connecting means attached thereto, the at least one connecting means configured to provide a handle to facilitate application of the contracting and expansive forces. Ideally, the at least one connecting means comprises a pair of clip retainers, the pair of clip retainers operable to releasably mate with each other and thereby form the handle.

[0015] The air chamber may be cylindrical and the circumferential wall of the air chamber incorporate means for retaining its shape. The means for retaining the shape of the air chamber may be a helical spring.

[0016] A pair of flex bands may be included which can be repeatedly rotated about a portion of the air chamber extending between an end of the means for retaining the shape of the air chamber and the second opposing side and thus create the air tight seal.

[0017] A positioning means may be attached to the periphery of the first opposing side, a user operable to ensure secure connection between the pump and the inflatable device by way of the positioning means. The positioning means may take the form of two loops attached to the periphery of the first opening sides at positions opposite one another. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a pump according to the present invention in its pump state.

Figure 2 is an isometric view of the pump as shown in Figure 1 in its storage state. Figure 3 is an exploded isometric view of the pump as shown in Figure 1. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0019] In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention there is a pump 10 for an inflatable device (not shown). In this example, the inflatable device 12 is an inflatable pillow.

[0020] The pump 10 is cylindrical in shape with a body 14, a first end 16 and a second end 18. An air chamber 20 is defined by the interior surfaces of the body 14, first end 16 and second end 18 when the pump 10 is in a pump state 22.

[0021] The body 14 is made from fabric. Extending about an exterior side

24 of the body 14 is a helical sewn housing 26. The helical sewn housing 26 houses a helical spring (not shown).

[0022] Located centrally within the first end 16 is an air valve 28. The air valve 28 projects from the first end 16 and has both an external side 30 and an interior side 32. Located on the part of the air valve 28 that projects from the external side 30 is a valve connector 34. The valve connector 34 is adapted to mate with a similar connector (not shown) of an air inlet valve (not shown) forming part of the inflatable device 12.

[0023] Extending circumferentially about the air valve 28 are a plurality of inlet apertures 36. Attached to the part of the air valve 28 that projects from the interior side 32 is a diaphragm 38. The diaphragm 38 is sized and dimensioned so as to facilitate coverage of all of the inlet apertures 36 in the manner as will be described in more detail below. [0024] A seam 40 encircles the body 14 at a positioned spaced from the second end 18. The seam 40 is proximate end 42 of the helical sewn housing 26.

[0025] The second end 18 extending past the seam 40 is of identical size to the body 14. However, as the seam 40 does not have the helical spring to maintain the cylindrical shape of the body 14, the second end 18 visually presents a trapezoidal shape.

[0026] Surrounding opening 44 are two flex bands 46. The flex bands 46 are positioned such that, when operable to close opening 44, flex band 46a abuts flex band 46b.

[0027] Located at opposing ends of one flex band 46a are clip retainers

48. The clip retainers 48 are the two parts that form what is commonly known as a side release buckle.

[0028] The invention will now be described in the context of its intended use.

[0029] The pump 10 is received in its storage state 50. In its storage state

50, the flex bands 46 abut each other to close opening 44. Furthermore the flex bands 46 have been rotated about the body 14 towards the seam 40, thus creating an air tight seal.

[0030] The air tight seal also operates to keep the inflatable device within the air chamber 20. To ensure that the air tight seal does not unravel, the seal is kept in place by manipulating the clip retainers 46 so as to form the side release buckle.

[0031] To remove the inflatable device, the user manipulates the side release buckle as would be readily apparent to the person skilled in the art so as to separate it into its two clip retainers 46. Once so separated, the user than unravels the flex bands 46 in a direction away from the seam 40 so as to create opening 44.

[0032] With the creation of opening 44, the user can reach into air chamber 20 and remove the inflatable device 12 stored therein. [0033] Following removal of the inflatable device 12, the user once again manipulates the flex bands 46 so as to rotate about the body 14 towards the seam to once again create an air tight seal.

[0034] To again ensure that the air tight seal remains in place, the user once again manipulates the clip retainers 46 so as to form the side release buckle. Connection of the side release buckle in this manner effectively forms a handle.

[0035] The user then manipulates the pump 10 so that the valve connector

34 is received within the matching air inlet valve (not shown) of the inflatable device.

[0036] With the valve connector 34 appropriately received within the matching air inlet valve, the user then pulls on the handle formed by the clip retainers 48. This action causes the diaphragm 38 to pull away from the inlet apertures 36 and allow air to enter therethrough into the air chamber 20.

[0037] The air entering the air chamber 20 is prevented from escaping through opening 44 due to the presence of the air tight seal. At the same time, once the pull of air into the air chamber 20 ceases, the pressure of the air contained within the air chamber 20 forces the diaphragm 38 against the inlet apertures 36.

[0038] With the air chamber 20 now full with air the user applies a contracting force to the pump 10 by way of the handle formed by the clip retainers 48. This contracting force continues the sealing pressure of the diaphragm 38 against the inlet apertures 36. This leaves the only exit point for air in the air chamber 20 to be by way of the valve connector 34.

[0039] Hence, application of the contracting force causes the air to be forced through the valve connector 34 and into the inflatable device by way of its air inlet valve. Once all of the air has expelled, the process is then repeated until the inflatable device has been inflated.

[0040] During this process of pulling air into, and expelling air from, the air chamber 20 the helical spring seeks to maintain the cylindrical shape of the body 14. This is important as any distortion of the body 14 can result in the air chamber not appropriately inflating or the air contained therein not being properly discharged through the valve connector, each resulting in more effort being needed to inflate the inflatable device. [0041] When the inflatable device is finished with, it is deflated as per its operating instructions.

[0042] To facilitate storage of the deflated inflatable device, the user again manipulates the side release buckle as would be readily apparent to the person skilled in the art so as to separate it into its two clip retainers 46. Once so separated, the user than unravels the flex bands 46 in a direction away from the seam 40 so as to create opening 44.

[0043] With the creation of opening 44, the user is then free to store the deflated inflatable device into the air chamber 20.

[0044] Once stored, the user again recreates the air tight seal by rotating the flex bands 46 about the body in a direction towards the seam 40. Once formed, the clip retainers 46 are manipulated so as to form the side release buckle and lock the air tight seal in place.

[0045] As mentioned above, the formation of the side release buckle forms a handle. This handle can then be used by the user to fasten the pump 10 (with inflatable device stored therein) to an external loop of a backpack rather than storing it within the backpack.

[0046] It should be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the above invention is not limited to the embodiment described. In particular, the following modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention:

• The clip retainers 48 may be replaced by other connective means. For instance, a standard two-part loop fastener may be used.

• A mesh insert 52 may be used as a barrier between the diaphragm 28 and the air chamber 20. In this manner, the mesh insert 52 acts to protect the diaphragm 28 from possible damage caused by storage of the inflatable device 12.

• Two loops 100 may be positioned at opposing sides of the air valve 28. Each loop 100 extends back to a sewn connection to the body 14. In this manner, the user can apply pressure by way of the loops 100 to ensure that the pump remains appropriately connected to the air inlet valve (not shown) of the inflatable device 12 during inflation.

• Other means may be used to ensure that the shape of the air chamber is maintained during the pumping action. For instance, a set of rings attached by way of either telescopic or pneumatic strut(s).

[0047] It should be further appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Additions or modifications described, where not mutually exclusive, can be combined to form yet further embodiments that are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.