Valve for zoned cellular cushion
US6687936B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 26, 2002 |
| Grant date | Feb 10, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 26, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/86879
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A valve for use with an inflatable cushion having individual inflation zones including a slide housing positioned between two outer casing halves. Each casing half has a plurality of nipple connector seats. Each nipple connector seat has at least one external detent. The slide housing has a series of nipple connectors along its length that are inserted into air conduits in the peripheral edge of the cushion, which, in turn, are connected to the individual inflation zones. Each nipple connector has at least one retainer groove in the surface. The casing half detents engage the cushion edge and the retainer grooves to retain the nipple in the air conduits. There is a movable slide inside the slide seat bore. The slide has a longitudinal inner bore and a number of openings along its length that communicate with the inner bore. The valve is opened by aligning the slide openings with the connector nipples to allow the inflation zones to communicate through the valve slide bore and is closed by moving the slide openings out of alignment with the casing openings to seal off the inflation zones.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.