Valve

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a reusable valve in which a seal portion is co-molded with and overmolded to the valve stem to provide a secure mechanical bond therebetween. In one embodiment, the valve includes a snap fit between the valve stem and a retaining cap to provide easy assembly of the valve as well as an efficient and compact retention mechanism for a biasing spring and the valve stem in relation to the valve housing. In one embodiment, the valve includes an easy-to-use opening and closing mechanism that provides tactile feedback to the user when moving the valve stem to an open position and to a closed position to inflate, deflate, or maintain air or gas pressure in the inflatable article. The present disclosure also provides a dunnage bag with such valve.

The invention is claimed as follows: 
     
         1 . A valve comprising:
 a housing comprising a protrusion and an annular wall, the annular wall at least partially defining a fluid flow passage; and   a stem comprising a shaft and a base, the shaft defining a first slot configured to receive the protrusion, wherein when the protrusion is positioned in the first slot, the stem is movable relative to the housing between an open position in which the fluid flow passage is open and a closed position in which the fluid flow passage is closed.   
     
     
         2 . The valve of  claim 1 , further comprising a biasing element that biases the stem to the closed position. 
     
     
         3 . The valve of  claim 2 , further comprising a key attached to the stem, the key retaining the biasing element in place. 
     
     
         4 . The valve of  claim 1 , wherein the stem is lockable in the open position via rotation of the stem relative to the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The valve of  claim 4 , wherein the shaft defines a second slot that extends transversely from the first slot. 
     
     
         6 . The valve of  claim 5 , wherein the second slot is perpendicular to the first slot. 
     
     
         7 . The valve of  claim 5 , wherein the stem is in a first rotational position when the protrusion is positioned in the first slot. 
     
     
         8 . The valve of  claim 7 , when the stem is in the open position, the stem is rotatable from the first rotational position to a second rotational position to cause the protrusion to move from the first slot to the second slot. 
     
     
         9 . The valve of  claim 8 , wherein the stem is retained in the open position when the protrusion is positioned within the second slot. 
     
     
         10 . The valve of  claim 9 , wherein a wall partially defining the first slot prevents the stem from rotating from the first rotational position to the second rotational position unless the stem is in the open position. 
     
     
         11 . The valve of  claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises a valve seat, and wherein the base of the stem sealingly engages the valve seat when the stem is in the closed position. 
     
     
         12 . The valve of  claim 11 , wherein the base of the stem is spaced apart from the valve seat when the stem is in the open position. 
     
     
         13 . The valve of  claim 12 , wherein the base of the stem comprises an elastomeric seal that sealingly engages the valve seat when the stem is in the closed position. 
     
     
         14 . The valve of  claim 11 , wherein the annular wall comprises the valve seat. 
     
     
         15 . An inflatable article comprising:
 an inflatable/deflatable body including one or more walls; and   an inflation/deflation valve mounted to the body, the valve including:
 a housing comprising a protrusion and an annular wall, the annular wall at least partially defining a fluid flow passage; and 
 a stem comprising a shaft and a base, the shaft defining a first slot configured to receive the protrusion, wherein when the protrusion is positioned in the first slot, the stem is movable relative to the housing between an open position in which the fluid flow passage is open and a closed position in which the fluid flow passage is closed. 
   
     
     
         16 . The inflatable article of  claim 15 , wherein the stem is lockable in the open position via rotation of the stem relative to the housing. 
     
     
         17 . The inflatable article of  claim 16 , wherein the shaft defines a second slot that extends transversely from the first slot. 
     
     
         18 . The inflatable article of  claim 17 , wherein the stem is in a first rotational position when the protrusion is positioned in the first slot. 
     
     
         19 . The inflatable article of  claim 18 , when the stem is in the open position, the stem is rotatable from the first rotational position to a second rotational position to cause the protrusion to move from the first slot to the second slot. 
     
     
         20 . The inflatable article of  claim 19 , wherein the stem is retained in the open position when the protrusion is positioned within the second slot.