초록 ▼

A connector (1) connects an air-inflatable mattress (4) which alternately inflatable cells (11, 12) to a pump. Air-supply lines (13, 14) from the pump are attached to male parts (2) of connector (1). Air-supply lines (15, 16) from mattress (4) connect to passages (17, 18) of female parts (3) of the

A connector (1) connects an air-inflatable mattress (4) which alternately inflatable cells (11, 12) to a pump. Air-supply lines (13, 14) from the pump are attached to male parts (2) of connector (1). Air-supply lines (15, 16) from mattress (4) connect to passages (17, 18) of female parts (3) of the connector (1). When the male parts (2) and the female parts (3) are engaged, supply lines (13, 14) are in fluid communication with fluid lines (15, 16) via passages (17, 18) in the female part (3). When the male parts (2) are removed from the connector (1) to disconnect the air supply, one-way valves (7) seal the air-supply lines (13, 14) and expose a cross-connect port (8) in interconnecting the female part passages (17, 18). Thus cells (11, 12) are interconnected and the pressure is equalized throughout the mattress (4). The invention provides a self-sealing automatic transport mode connection system upon disengagement of the male parts (2) from the mattress (4), thus eliminating user error.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A connector for connecting inflatable cells to air supply lines, and for cross-connecting the inflatable cells when the inflatable cells are not connected to the air supply lines, the connector comprising: a. a pair of first connector parts, each first connector part in

The invention claimed is: 1. A connector for connecting inflatable cells to air supply lines, and for cross-connecting the inflatable cells when the inflatable cells are not connected to the air supply lines, the connector comprising: a. a pair of first connector parts, each first connector part including: (1) an air flow passage therein, the air flow passage being in fluid communication with at least one inflatable cell; (2) a female sleeve bounding at least a portion of the air flow passage, b. a pair of second connector parts, each second connector part being: (1) connected to a corresponding air supply line, and (2) defined by a male member configured to closely fit within the female sleeve of a corresponding first connector part, c. a cross-connection passage extending between the air flow passages of the first connector parts, wherein the female sleeve of each first connector part is biased: (1) to obstruct the cross-connection passage when one of the male members of the second connector parts is fit therein, whereby air cannot flow through the cross-connection passage and between the air flow passages of the first connector parts; (2) away from the cross-connection passage when one of the male members of the second connector parts is not fit therein, whereby air may flow between the air flow passages of the first connector parts through the cross-connection passage. 2. The connector of claim 1 wherein the male members of the second connector parts are identically sized and configured. 3. The connector of claim 1 further comprising valves, each valve being situated within a female sleeve. 4. The connector of claim 3 wherein each valve is biased within its female sleeve to yield when one of the male members of the second connector parts is fit within the female sleeve. 5. The connector of claim 3 wherein each valve: a. allows airflow through the female sleeve when one of the male members is fit within the female sleeve; and b. obstructs airflow through the female sleeve when no male member is fit within the female sleeve. 6. The connector of claim 1 wherein: a. the air flow passages of the first connector parts open onto the surfaces of the first connector parts; b. each female sleeve is biased within its air flow passage toward the surface of the first connector part of the female sleeve; and c. a valve is biased within each female sleeve toward the surface of the first connector part of the female sleeve and into a closed state. 7. The connector of claim 6 wherein, when one of the male members is inserted within one of the female sleeves, a. the female sleeve yields in a direction away from the surface of the first connector part of the female sleeve; b. the valve within the female sleeve yields in a direction away from the surface of the first connector part of the female sleeve, with the valve opening as it so yields. 8. The connector of claim 7, wherein: a. the female members of the first connector parts are identically sized and configured, and b. the male members of the second connector parts are identically sized and configured. 9. The connector of claim 1 wherein the cross-connection passage extends between the female sleeves of the first connector parts, with the female sleeves of the first connector parts obstructing the cross-connection passage when male members are fit within the female sleeves of the first connector parts.