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:
Dec. 26, 2000
Filed:
Jan. 12, 2000
Richard A Saputo, Tarzana, CA (US);
Hua Hsiang Lin, Kowloon, HK;
Intex Recreation Corp., Long Beach, CA (US);
Abstract
An oversized air valve for use with inflatable devices typically in an above-the-ground swimming pool or an inflatable mattress is disclosed. In its most fundamental embodiment, the oversized air valve for use with inflatable devices includes a construction having an outer housing and a base flange connected to the outer housing for being secured to an inflatable device. A cylindrical passageway is formed through the outer housing for carrying pressurized air. A cap attached to the cylindrical passageway enables the air valve to be sealed against air leakage. Finally, a removable rigid member is insertable into the cylindrical passageway for preventing deformation to the air valve. The removable rigid member is force-fitted into the cylindrical passageway and is of a length sufficient to displace a back pressure flap hinged to the bottom of the cylindrical passageway. When partially inserted into the cylindrical passageway, the rigid member prevents deformation of the oversized air valve when the valves are tightly packed together. However, when fully inserted into the cylindrical passageway, the rigid member enables exhausting of the pressurized air through a displaced back pressure flap and the rigid member. In an alternative embodiment, an air sealing cap and a deflation insert are each attached to the cylindrical passageway by separate flexible leads.