Air Inflation Accelerator

Abstract

An air inflation accelerator for increasing the rate of inflation of an air pump inflating a product, the accelerator comprising an elongated tubular member connectable to an inflator appliance at a first end and connectable to a valve of the bladder of the product to be inflated at a second end, the tubular member having a plurality of air inlets to allow for use of the venturi principle and a closure mechanism for disengaging the air inlets once atmospheric pressure is reached within the bladder being inflated.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An inflation acceleration device comprising:
 An elongated tubular member having a sidewall and having opposed open first and second ends;   A plurality of air inlets spaced around the exterior of said tubular member, said plurality of air inlets located between said opposed open first and second ends, said air inlets extending through said tubular member sidewall, said air inlets being in fluid communication with both the tubular member external and internal atmospheres;   A nozzle adjacent said first open end, said nozzle connectable to a valve in fluid communication with the interior of an inflatable bladder that is to be inflated;   Said tubular member connected to an outlet of an inflator appliance at said second open end;   An engageable closure mechanism operable to substantially block the fluid communication between said tubular member external and internal atmospheres;   Wherein said plurality of air inlets provide increased air flow into said inflatable bladder when said closure mechanism is disengaged.   
     
     
         2 . The inflation acceleration device of  claim 1 , wherein said closure mechanism comprises a collar member slidingly engaged around the exterior of said tubular member, said collar member movable between at least a first open position where said air inlets are exposed to the external atmosphere and a second closed position where said air inlets are substantially blocked from the external atmosphere. 
     
     
         3 . The inflation acceleration device of  claim 1 , further comprising an adaptor member connecting said tubular member to an independent inflator appliance. 
     
     
         4 . The inflation acceleration device of  claim 1 , further comprising an interface member connecting said nozzle to said valve. 
     
     
         5 . The inflation acceleration device of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor member and an actuator member electrically connected to said closure member, said actuator member engaging said closure mechanism when a pressure inside said inflatable bladder to be inflated reaches atmospheric pressure. 
     
     
         6 . The inflation acceleration device of  claim 1 , further comprising an alert mechanism indicating that atmospheric pressure within said inflatable bladder has been achieved. 
     
     
         7 . An inflation acceleration device connectable to an inflator appliance, comprising:
 An elongated tubular member having a sidewall and having opposed open first and second ends;   A plurality of air inlets spaced around the exterior of said tubular member, said plurality of air inlets located between said opposed open first and second ends, said air inlets extending through said tubular member sidewall, said air inlets being in fluid communication with both the tubular member external and internal atmospheres;   A nozzle adjacent said first open end, said nozzle connectable to a valve in fluid communication with the interior of an inflatable bladder that is to be inflated;   Said tubular member connected to an outlet of an inflator appliance at said second open end;   Wherein said plurality of air inlets operate using the venturi principle to provide increased air flow into said inflatable bladder.