Raft inflation valve

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG.
1 is an exploded perspective view of a valve assembly 10.
FIG.
2 is a cross-sectional view of valve assembly 10 installed in a conventional mounting boot 12 which is, in turn, installed in a conventional raft bladder 14.
The valve assembly 10 comprises a valve body 20 having a central longitudinal axis AA and having an axially extending bore 22 with a central bore axis extending coaxially of axis AA.
The bore has a first end opening 24 positioned exteriorly of the raft bladder 14 and a second end opening 26 positioned interiorly of the raft bladder.
Bore 22 may be defined, in part, by a first annular sidewall portion 30 having a cylindrical shape, and a second annular sidewall portion 32 having a cylindrical shape and having a larger, e.
g.
10% larger, diameter than portion 30.
The first annular sidewall portions 30, 32 are connected by a generally radially extending upper lip portion 31.
The bore is further defined by a third downwardly and inwardly tapering annular sidewall portion 33.
A fourth generally cylindrical annular sidewall portion 34 is connected to the third annular sidewall portion 33.
The bore is further defined by a fifth generally cylindrical annular sidewall portion 35 which terminates at a generally radially extending intermediate lip surface 36 and lower lip surface 37.
Surface 37 is connected to a sixth generally cylindrical annular sidewall portion 38.
Annular sidewall 38 terminates at a bottom lip surface 39.
The valve body may comprise an upper exterior threaded portion 42, an intermediate radially extending flange portion 44 having a plurality of axially extending screw holes 46 therein, and first and second generally cylindrical lower body portions 48, 49 which are adapted to conform with the interior configuration of an associated mounting boot 12.
Portion 49 may have a plurality of openings 50 extending radially therethrough which facilitates insertion of a biasing spring 90 described below.
The valve body 20 is adapted to be secured to an associated mounting boot 12 as by screws 54 received through screw holes 46 therein and corresponding screw holes provided in the mounting boot 12