Inflatable device with recessed fluid controller and modified adjustment device

Abstract

An inflatable device comprising a substantially fluid impermeable bladder is disclosed. The fluid controller comprises an electrically powered pump positioned at least partially within a profile of the bladder. The fluid controller is coupled to the inflatable bladder and is adapted to permit air to exit the bladder through the fluid controller and to be provided to the bladder through the fluid controller.

1 . An inflatable device, comprising:
 a substantially fluid impermeable bladder; and   a fluid controller comprising an electrically powered pump, the pump being coupled at least partially to a wall of the substantially fluid impermeable bladder in a mounted position and orientation at least partially within a profile of the substantially fluid impermeable bladder so that the pump is accessible from an exterior of the substantially fluid impermeable bladder, and in the same mounted position and orientation of the pump, the fluid controller being adapted to permit air to exit the substantially fluid impermeable bladder through the fluid controller and to be provided to the substantially fluid impermeable bladder through the pump.   
   
   
       2 . The inflatable device of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid controller is constructed and arranged such that a majority of the pump is positioned within the profile of the substantially fluid impermeable bladder. 
   
   
       3 . The inflatable device of  claim 2 , wherein the fluid controller is constructed and arranged such that substantially all of the pump is positioned within the profile of the substantially fluid impermeable bladder. 
   
   
       4 . The inflatable device of  claim 1 , wherein the pump comprises a housing that is coupled to the wall of the substantially fluid impermeable bladder. 
   
   
       5 . The inflatable device of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid controller comprises a flange impermeably connected to the substantially fluid impermeable bladder. 
   
   
       6 . The inflatable device of  claim 5 , wherein the flange comprises a fluid impermeable wall that connects to a housing of the pump. 
   
   
       7 . The inflatable device of  claim 6 , wherein the flange is in contact with the housing at an outlet of the housing. 
   
   
       8 . The inflatable device of  claim 5 , wherein a portion of the pump is constructed and arranged to be removable from the flange. 
   
   
       9 . The inflatable device of  claim 1 , further comprising an adjustment device, including:
 a first switch electrically connected to the pump and a power source such that the first switch may selectively energize the pump by actuation of the first switch; and   a second switch electrically connected to the power source and electro-mechanically connected to a valve of the fluid controller by an electromechanical device, such that upon actuation of the second switch, the electromechanical device acts upon the valve to selectively open the valve.   
   
   
       10 . The inflatable device of  claim 9 , wherein the electromechanical device comprises a solenoid. 
   
   
       11 . The inflatable device of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid controller comprises a valve and a member connected to the valve that moves the valve between an open and a closed position. 
   
   
       12 . The inflatable device of  claim 11 , wherein the member is adapted to be actuated by a switch on an adjustment device. 
   
   
       13 . The inflatable device of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable device comprises a recess formed in a wall of the substantially fluid impermeable bladder. 
   
   
       14 . The inflatable device of  claim 13 , wherein the pump is at least partially positioned within the recess in the wall of the substantially fluid impermeable bladder. 
   
   
       15 . The inflatable device of  claim 1 , further comprising a flange impermeably connected to the substantially fluid impermeable bladder, the flange forming a recess, wherein the pump is at least partially positioned within the recess. 
   
   
       16 . The inflatable device of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially fluid impermeable bladder is shaped and sized so as to form a mattress. 
   
   
       17 . The inflatable device of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid controller comprises a valve through which the air exits the substantially fluid impermeable bladder. 
   
   
       18 . An inflatable system, comprising:
 a substantially fluid impermeable bladder; and   a fluid controller comprising:
 a self-sealing valve; 
 a pump in fluid communication with the substantially fluid impermeable bladder through the self-sealing valve, the pump being disposed in a mounted position and orientation to the substantially fluid impermeable bladder at least partially within a profile of the substantially fluid impermeable bladder and so that the pump is accessible from an exterior of the substantially fluid impermeable bladder, and in the same mounted position and orientation of the pump, the fluid controller being adapted to permit air to exit the substantially fluid impermeable bladder through the valve and to be provided to the substantially fluid impermeable bladder through the pump and valve; and 
 an adjustment device including a first switch electrically coupled to an electromechanical device and a power source, the electromechanical device being electro-mechanically coupled to the valve, the first switch and the electromechanical device being configured and arranged in combination so that upon actuation of the first switch, the electromechanical device is energized so as to electro-mechanically actuate the valve to selectively open the valve. 
   
   
   
       19 . The inflatable system of  claim 18 , wherein the adjustment device further comprises:
 a second switch having a first position and a second position, that is electrically coupled to the pump and the power source, and that is configured to selectively energize the pump by actuation of the second switch to one of the first and second positions.   
   
   
       20 . The inflatable system of  claim 18 , wherein the pump is an electrically powered pump. 
   
   
       21 . The inflatable system of  claim 20 , wherein a majority of the pump is positioned within the profile of the substantially fluid impermeable bladder. 
   
   
       22 . The inflatable system of  claim 21 , wherein substantially all of the pump is positioned within the profile of the substantially fluid impermeable bladder. 
   
   
       23 . The inflatable system of  claim 20 , wherein the substantially fluid impermeable bladder includes a recess sized and configured to accommodate at least a portion of the fluid controller. 
   
   
       24 . The inflatable system of  claim 20 , wherein the fluid controller includes a housing and the housing includes a flange that connects to the substantially fluid impermeable bladder. 
   
   
       25 . The inflatable system of  claim 18 , wherein the substantially fluid impermeable bladder is sized and shaped so as to form a mattress. 
   
   
       26 . An inflatable device, comprising:
 a substantially fluid impermeable bladder; and   a fluid controller comprising an electrically powered pump;   wherein the pump is coupled to the substantially fluid impermeable bladder in a mounted position and orientation such that the pump is located at least partially within a profile of the substantially fluid impermeable bladder and so that the pump is accessible from an exterior of the substantially fluid impermeable bladder, and when in the same mounted position and orientation of the pump, the fluid controller is adapted to permit air to exit the substantially fluid impermeable bladder through the fluid controller and be provided to the substantially fluid impermeable bladder through the pump.   
   
   
       27 . The inflatable device of  claim 26 , wherein a majority of the pump is positioned within the profile of the substantially fluid impermeable bladder. 
   
   
       28 . The inflatable device of  claim 26 , wherein the fluid controller comprises a housing having a flange that connects to the substantially fluid impermeable bladder. 
   
   
       29 . The inflatable device of  claim 26 , wherein the substantially fluid impermeable bladder is shaped and sized so as to form a mattress. 
   
   
       30 . The inflatable device of  claim 26 , wherein the fluid controller further comprises a valve through which the air is provided to and exits the substantially fluid impermeable bladder. 
   
   
       31 . An inflatable system, comprising:
 a substantially fluid impermeable bladder; and   a fluid controller comprising:
 a self-sealing valve; and 
 a pump in fluid communication with the substantially fluid impermeable bladder through the self-sealing valve, the pump being coupled at least partially to a wall of the substantially fluid impermeable bladder in a mounted position and orientation to the substantially fluid impermeable bladder at least partially within a profile of the substantially fluid impermeable bladder so that the pump is accessible from an exterior of the substantially fluid impermeable bladder, and in the same mounted position and orientation of the pump, the fluid controller being adapted to permit air to exit the substantially fluid impermeable bladder through the self-sealing valve and to be provided to the substantially fluid impermeable bladder through the pump and self-sealing valve. 
   
   
   
       32 . An inflatable system, comprising:
 a substantially fluid impermeable bladder; and   a fluid controller comprising:
 a self-sealing valve; and 
 a pump in fluid communication with the substantially fluid impermeable bladder through the self-sealing valve, the pump being coupled at least partially to a wall of the substantially fluid impermeable bladder in a mounted position and orientation to the substantially fluid impermeable bladder at least partially within a profile of the substantially fluid impermeable bladder, and in the same mounted position and orientation of the pump, the fluid controller being adapted to withdraw air from the substantially fluid impermeable bladder through the pump and the self-sealing valve by actuating open the self-sealing valve with an electromechanical device and by pumping air out of the substantially fluid impermeable bladder, and the fluid controller is adapted provide air to the substantially fluid impermeable bladder through the pump and self-sealing valve.