Single Direction Air Pump Assembly with Dual Flowpaths

Abstract

A pump assembly for an inflatable structure comprises a blower unit disposed in a housing configured to move air in a single direction from an inlet in the housing to an outlet in the housing. A connector is in communication with the housing outlet. The connector is adapted to connect the pump assembly to an inflatable structure to allow inflation and deflation of the inflatable structure. A base is provided with first and second valve bodies positionable in the base for selective movement between inflate and deflate positions. The first valve body aligns the housing outlet in communication with the connector and the second valve body aligns the housing inlet with atmosphere in the inflate position. The second valve body aligns the connector in communication with the housing inlet and the first valve body aligns the housing outlet in communication with atmosphere in the deflate position.

1 . A pump assembly for an inflatable structure comprising:
 a blower unit disposed in a housing and configured to move air in a single direction from an inlet in the housing to an outlet in the housing;   a connector in communication with the housing outlet, the connector being adapted to connect the pump assembly to an inflatable structure to allow inflation and deflation of an inflatable structure;   a base with first and second valve bodies positionable in the base for selected movement between inflate and deflate positions, where the first valve body aligns the housing outlet in communication with the connector and the second valve body aligns the housing inlet with atmosphere when in the inflate position, and where the second valve body aligns the connector in communication with the housing inlet and the first valve body aligns the housing outlet in communication with atmosphere when in the deflate position; and   a control for selectively positioning the first and second valve bodies between the inflate and deflate positions.   
   
   
       2 . The pump assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a chamber arranged in communication with the base in a manner such that the first valve body seals the chamber from the housing outlet and the second valve body aligns the connector in communication with the housing inlet via the chamber in the deflate position, and the first valve body aligns the connector in communication with the housing outlet via the chamber and the second valve body seals the chamber from the housing inlet in the inflate position. 
   
   
       3 . The pump assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the control positions the valve bodies in the deflate position without energizing the blower. 
   
   
       4 . The pump assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the connector is a releasably securable connector. 
   
   
       5 . The pump assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the control comprises a control pendant. 
   
   
       6 . The pump assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the control is arranged on an exterior of the pump assembly. 
   
   
       7 . The pump assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the control selectively energizes or de-energizes the blower unit with the first and second valve bodies in the deflate position. 
   
   
       8 . The pump assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises first and second solenoids operatively connected to the first and second valve bodies. 
   
   
       9 . The pump assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second solenoids seal the connector from the housing outlet when de-energized. 
   
   
       10 . The pump assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the blower unit comprises a single rotational direction impeller to move air from the housing inlet through the housing outlet. 
   
   
       11 . The pump assembly of  claim 1 , wherein cooling air is directed over a motor for the blower unit when the blower unit motor is energized with the first and second valve bodies in either the inflate position or the deflate position. 
   
   
       12 . An inflatable device comprising:
 an inflatable structure having an interior adapted to hold air at pressure, the structure having at least one port communicating with the interior, the at least one port being adapted to receive air into the interior and discharge air from the interior;   a blower unit disposed in a housing and being adapted to move air in a single direction from an inlet in the housing to an outlet in the housing;   a base with first and second valve bodies positionable in the base for selected movement between inflate and deflate positions, where the first valve body aligns the housing outlet in communication with the at least one port and the second valve body seals the at least one port from the housing inlet when in the inflate position, and where the second valve body aligns the at least one port in communication with the housing inlet and the first valve body seals the at least one port from the housing outlet when in the deflate position; and   a control for selectively positioning the first and second valve bodies between inflate and deflate positions.   
   
   
       13 . The inflatable device of  claim 12 , wherein the inflatable structure is a portable air mattress. 
   
   
       14 . The inflatable device of  claim 12 , further comprising a chamber arranged in communication with the base in a manner such that the first valve body seals the chamber from the housing outlet and the second valve body aligns the at least one port in communication with the housing inlet via the chamber in the deflate position, and the first valve body aligns the chamber in communication with the housing outlet via the chamber and the second valve body seals the chamber from the housing inlet in the inflate position. 
   
   
       15 . The inflatable device of  claim 14 , wherein the chamber further comprises a connector that releasably secures to the at least one port. 
   
   
       16 . The inflatable device of  claim 15 , wherein the connector connects directly to the at least one port. 
   
   
       17 . The inflatable device of  claim 15 , wherein the connector is a threaded connector. 
   
   
       18 . The inflatable device of  claim 12 , wherein the control comprises a control pendant. 
   
   
       19 . The inflatable device of  claim 12 , wherein the blower unit comprises a single rotational direction impeller to move air from the housing inlet through the housing outlet. 
   
   
       20 . The inflatable device of  claim 12 , wherein the base comprises first and second solenoids operatively connected to the first and valve second bodies.