The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 25, 1985
Filed:
Jan. 11, 1983
Harry L Zimmerly, Largo, FL (US);
Other;
Abstract
This invention relates to a manually operated inflator for inflatable articles such as life vests and the like. Such inflator, which is typically employed with an inflatable life vest, is operated by pulling on a lanyard attached to a lever which has integrally attached thereto a cam which forces a piercing pin against the seal of the CO.sub.2 capsule. In accordance with the invention the hole in the cam which was formerly employed to receive a pivot pin in the prior construction of the inflator has been replaced by a notch which is so disposed angularly with respect to the active surface of the cam that the root of the notch provides for a positive thrusting engagement between it and the pivot pin throughout the angle of rotation of the cam which is necessary to effect the piercing of the seal of the capsule, but provides for the ready escape of the lever end cam from the body of the inflator once the capsule seal has been pierced. The invention makes it impossible for a downed aviator, for example, to pull on the lanyard and thus on the body of the inflator with such undue force as to produce a leak in the life vest, as by rupturing the seal between the manifold and the wall of the vest, or to cause a malfunction of the inflator itself.