Air pump for an inflatable product

Abstract

A dry cell air pump that provides in excess of ten inches water column in pressure. A motor is used that draws fewer amps than prior art motors, yet operates at higher revolutions per minute. The small motor is capable of providing a high speed of rotation with relatively low torque, especially in comparison to prior art motors. To offset the low torque, a high efficiency fan is provided that rotates at high speeds, yet produces high air volume and pressure with reduced turbulence. The fan includes upper and lower walls enclosing the blades for the fan. The upper and lower walls minimize turbulence and maximize efficiency of the fan, providing a maximal tip velocity of the fan and thus increased pressure for the dry cell air pump. The fan includes a series of dimples along its upper surface that reduce back flow in the fan housing.

1 . An air pump, comprising: 
 at least one battery, said at least one battery producing approximately six or less volts;    a motor connected to the battery;    a fan connected to the motor for rotation thereby; and    an air outlet in fluid communication with the fan;    the motor and the fan being configured to produce at least approximately ten inches water column in pressure at the air outlet.    
   
   
       2 . The air pump of  claim 1 , wherein the motor and the fan are configured to produce at least approximately twelve inches water column in pressure.  
   
   
       3 . The air pump of  claim 1 , wherein the fan comprises: 
 a first wall;    a second wall; and    blades extending between the first wall and the second wall.    
   
   
       4 . The air pump of  claim 3 , wherein the fan further comprises an air inlet on the first wall and protrusions on the first wall.  
   
   
       5 . The air pump of  claim 4 , further comprising a fan housing in which the fan rotates, and wherein the fan housing includes groves for receiving the protrusions when the fan is rotating in the fan housing.  
   
   
       6 . The air pump of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one battery comprises four 1.5 volt dry cell batteries.  
   
   
       7 . The air pump of  claim 6 , wherein the four 1.5 volt dry cell batteries each comprise a D-cell battery.  
   
   
       8 . The air pump of  claim 6 , wherein the motor is rated for less than 6 volts.  
   
   
       9 . The air pump of  claim 8 , wherein the motor is rated for approximately 4 volts.  
   
   
       10 . The air pump of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is rated for less than 6 volts.  
   
   
       11 . The air pump of  claim 10 , wherein the motor is rated for approximately 4 volts.  
   
   
       12 . An air pump, comprising: 
 at least one battery, said at least one battery producing approximately six volts;    a motor connected to the battery and having a rated voltage of less than six volts;    a fan connected to the motor for rotation thereby and comprising: 
 a first wall;  
 a second wall; and  
 blades extending between the first wall and the second wall.  
   
   
   
       13 . The air pump of  claim 12 , wherein the motor and the fan are configured to produce at least approximately ten inches water column in pressure.  
   
   
       14 . The air pump of  claim 13 , wherein the motor and the fan are configured to produce at least approximately twelve inches water column in pressure.  
   
   
       15 . The air pump of  claim 12 , wherein the fan further comprises an air inlet on the first wall and protrusions on the first wall.  
   
   
       16 . The air pump of  claim 15 , further comprising a fan housing in which the fan rotates, and wherein the fan housing includes groves for receiving the protrusions when the fan is rotating in the fan housing.  
   
   
       17 . The air pump of  claim 12 , wherein said at least one battery comprises four 1.5 volt dry cell batteries.  
   
   
       18 . The air pump of  claim 17 , wherein the four 1.5 volt dry cell batteries each comprise a D-cell battery.  
   
   
       19 . The air pump of  claim 12 , wherein the motor is rated for approximately 4 volts.  
   
   
       20 . An air pump, comprising: 
 a motor;    a fan connected to the motor for rotation thereby and comprising: 
 a first wall;  
 blades extending from the top wall; and  
 an air inlet on the first wall and protrusions on the first wall.  
   
   
   
       21 . The air pump of  claim 20 , further comprising a fan housing in which the fan rotates, and wherein the fan housing includes groves for receiving the protrusions when the fan is rotating in the fan housing.  
   
   
       22 . The air pump of  claim 20 , wherein the fan further comprises a second wall, and the blades extend between the first and second walls.  
   
   
       23 . An air pump comprising: 
 a finger guard at one of an outlet and an inlet for the air pump, the finger guard including a structure for blocking a finger or a foreign object from entering said one of the outlet and the inlet, and the structure being shaped in an air foil design.    
   
   
       24 . The air pump of  claim 23 , wherein the structure comprises an “X” shape.