Two-way mounting air pump with an inflation mode and a deflation mode

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to air pumps and, more particularly, to a two-way mounting mode air pump, which can be selectively arranged in either of two positions to pump air into or out of an inflatable object.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] When inflating or deflating a big inflatable object, for example, an air mattress, air pump means may be used. There are inflatable mattresses with affixed air pump means. FIG. 1 illustrates a similar prior art design. As illustrated, a mount 7 is affixed to the wall panel of the air mattress (not shown). The mount 7 has a fixed battery case 72, a mounting hole 71, and power output contacts 73 disposed in the mounting hole 71 for output of power from the battery set in the battery case 72. A motor pump 8 is insertable in the mounting hole 71. The motor pump 8 has an air inlet 82 in one end, and air outlet 83 in the other end, and power input contacts 81 at the periphery. The motor pump 8 can be inserted into the mounting hole 71 in a first position to pump outside air into the air mattress, or in a second position to pump inside air out of the air mattress. To use it, the user needs to rotate the motor pump 8 in the mounting hole 71 to move the power input contacts 81 into contact with the power output contacts 73 respectively. After each use, the user needs to rotate the motor pump 8 again to disconnect the power input contacts 81 from the power output contacts 73. This operating procedure is complicated. When rotating the motor pump 8, it is difficult to control the accurate angle of rotation. If the motor pump 8 is not accurately rotated into position, battery power supply cannot be transmitted to the motor pump 8. Positioning means may be provided to ensure accurate positioning of the motor pump 8 in the mounting hole 71. However, the installation of such positioning means greatly increases the cost. Further, because the battery case 72 is fixedly installed in the mount 7, it cannot be detached from the mount 7 for use with the motor pump 8 in other places.

[0005] The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present invention to provide a two-way mounting mode air pump, which is detachable, easy to operate, and can be selectively mounted in either of two positions to pump air into or out of an inflatable object.

[0006] To achieve this and other objects of the present invention, the two-way mounting mode air pump comprises a housing affixed to an inflatable object; a battery case mounted in the housing, the battery case comprising a case body holding a battery set, a coupling device longitudinally extended in the periphery of the case body, a case cover hinged to the case body, a set of power output contacts disposed in the coupling device at the case body and electrically connected to the battery set, and switch means mounted in the case cover and electrically connected between the battery set and the power output contacts; and a motor pump mounted in the housing, the motor pump comprising an air inlet in one end thereof, an air outlet in an opposite end thereof, a coupling device in the periphery thereof for coupling to the coupling device of the battery case, and a plurality of power input contacts respectively disposed in the coupling device of the motor pump and adapted to contact the power output contacts of the battery case upon connection of the coupling device of the motor pump to the coupling device of the battery case. The motor pump can be mounted in the housing either in a first position, where the motor pump pumps air from the atmosphere into the inflatable object to which the two-way mounting mode air pump is installed, or in a second position where the motor pump pumps air out of the inflatable object to the atmosphere.

[0013] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a two-way mounting mode air pump in accordance with the present invention is designed for use for an inflatable object, for example, an air mattress, comprising a housing 1, a motor pump 2, and a battery case 3.

[0014] The housing 1 is injection-molded from plastics, and fixedly bonded or heat-sealed to the inflatable object at one side, having a first receiving chamber 11, a second receiving chamber 12, and a hinged cap 13 adapted to hold the motor pump 2 in the first receiving chamber 11. The first receiving chamber 11 and the second receiving chamber 12 are peripherally in communication with each other. The first receiving chamber 11 is a cylindrical, double open-end chamber fitting the motor pump 2. The second receiving chamber 12 is a rectangular chamber fitting the battery case 3.

[0015] The motor pump 2 is mounted in the first receiving chamber 11 of the housing 1, comprising an air inlet 21 and an air outlet 22 respectively disposed in the two distal ends, a longitudinal male coupling device 23 protruded from the periphery, and a set of power input contacts 24 formed in the male coupling device 23 and electrically connected to the inside motor (not shown). The male coupling device 23 is shaped like a T-bar.

[0016] The battery case 3 is mounted in the second receiving chamber 12 of the housing 1, comprising a case body 32, a case cover 31 adapted to close the case body 32, and a set of battery cells (not shown) mounted in the case body 32. The case body 32 comprises a female coupling device 33, for example, a coupling groove of T-shaped cross section, adapted to receive the male coupling device 23 of the motor pump 2, and a set of power output contacts 34 formed in the female coupling device 33 corresponding to the power input contacts 24 of the motor pump 2. The case cover 31 is hinged to the case body 32, having a switch 35 mounted thereon and electrically connected to the set of battery cells inside the case body 32.

[0017] When in use, the motor pump 2 and the battery case 3 are respectively inserted into the first receiving chamber 11 and second receiving chamber 12 of the housing 1 to force the male coupling device 23 into engagement with the female coupling device 33. When installed, the power input contacts 24 of the motor pump 2 are respectively maintained in contact with the power output contacts 34 of the battery case 3. Therefore, the user can control the switch 35 to turn on/off the motor pump 2.

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the motor pump 2 can be installed in the first receiving chamber 11 of the housing 1 in either of two reverse directions. When the motor pump 2 is installed in the first receiving chamber 11 of the housing 1 in the first direction (see FIG. 4), the air inlet 21 is disposed in the front side of the housing 1 and the air outlet 22 is disposed in the back side of the housing 1. In this case, the motor pump 2 pumps outside air from the atmosphere into the inside of the inflatable object (not shown) to which the two-way mounting mode air pump is installed. On the contrary, when the motor pump 2 is installed in the first receiving chamber 11 of the housing 1 in the second direction (see FIG. 5), the air inlet 21 is disposed in the back side of the housing 1 and the air outlet 22 is disposed in the front side of the housing 1. In this case, the motor pump 2 pumps inside air out of the inflatable object to the atmosphere. When the motor pump 2 is inserted into the first receiving chamber 11 of the housing 1 to force the male coupling device 23 into engagement with the female coupling device 33 of the battery case 3, the power input contacts 24 are automatically set into contact with the power output contacts 34 of the battery case 3. When the switch 35 is turned on, the motor pump 2 is started to pump air into or out of the inflatable object.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 6, the motor pump 2 can be used with the battery case 3 without the housing 1. When the motor pump 2 is attached to the battery case 3 in either of the aforesaid two directions, the assembly of the motor pump 2 and the battery case 3 can be carried by the user to any working place.

[0020] Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.