Reversible inflation system

Abstract

A reversible inflation system allowing a single pump to be used both for inflation and deflation of the air bladder. This embodiment of the inflation system includes a pump with an inlet and an outlet ports and a pump housing having two filling and venting valves. The pump is movably mounted in the pump housing so that the pump can move axially between two locations in the pump housing. In one of the locations, the pump ports align with the housing valves to create an air path that inflates the bladder. In the other location, the pump ports align with the housing valves to create an air path that deflates the bladder.

1 . A system for filling and venting an inflatable bladder, the system comprising: 
 a pump housing configured to attach to the inflatable bladder, the pump housing having a filling valve;    a pump slidably mounted in the pump housing, the pump having an outlet port and an inlet port;    the pump having a first position in which the outlet port of the pump is engaged with the filling valve of the pump housing, and a second position in which the outlet port of the pump is disengaged from the filling valve of the pump housing.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pump may be slid from the first position to the second position, and from the second position to the first position.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein in the first position, the inlet port of the pump is in contact with a region outside the inflatable bladder.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the pump housing further comprises an exhaust valve.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein in the second position, the inlet port of the pump is engaged with the exhaust valve of the pump housing.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein in the second position, the outlet port of the pump is in contact with a region outside the inflatable bladder.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein in the second position, the inlet port of the pump is engaged with the exhaust valve of the pump housing, and the outlet port of the pump is in contact with a region outside the inflatable bladder.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pump is an air pump and the bladder is configured to be inflated with air.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pump is removably mounted in the pump housing.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring mounted between a surface of the pump housing and the pump.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring mounted between a surface of the pump housing and the pump, and configured to mechanically bias the pump into the first position.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring mounted between a surface of the pump housing and the pump, and configured to mechanically bias the pump into the second position.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking cover adapted to connect with the pump housing and adapted to secure the pump in the first and second positions.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a spring mounted between a surface of the pump housing and the pump.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a spring mounted between a surface of the pump housing and the pump, and configured to mechanically bias the pump into the first position.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a spring mounted between a surface of the pump housing and the pump, and configured to mechanically bias the pump into the second position.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , where the locking cover comprises an asymmetric mounting means for orienting the locking cover on the pump housing.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , where the asymmetric mounting means is a set of non-equally spaced screw holes.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 13 , where the pump has a slot defined on a side of the pump, and where the locking cover comprises a locking tab dimensioned to engage with the slot defined on the pump.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 13 , where the locking cover comprises a locking tab dimensioned to engage with a slot defined on the pump when the pump is in the first position.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 13 , where the locking cover comprises a locking tab dimensioned to engage with a slot defined on the pump when the pump is in the second position.  
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 13 , where the locking cover comprises a locking tab dimensioned to engage with a back surface of the pump when the pump is in the first position.  
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 13 , where the locking cover comprises a locking tab dimensioned to engage with a back surface of the pump when the pump is in the second position.  
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 13 , where the locking cover comprises a locking tab dimensioned to engage with a slot defined on the pump when the pump is in the first position, and with a back surface of the pump when the pump is in the second position.  
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 13 , where the locking cover comprises a locking tab dimensioned to engage with a slot defined on the pump when the pump is in the second position, and with a back surface of the pump when the pump is in the first position.  
     
     
         26 . A system for filling and venting an inflatable bladder, the system comprising: 
 an inflatable bladder;    a casing mounted to said bladder, said casing defining at least a first valve opening and a second valve opening;    a pump mounted for reciprocal movement within said casing from a first position to a second position, said pump having an inlet port for the intake of air and an outlet port for the expulsion of air;    wherein in the first position, the first valve opening is aligned with said outlet port to inflate said bladder; and    wherein in the second position, the second valve opening is aligned with said inlet port for venting the inflatable bladder.