Quick disconnect coupling for a low air loss patient support

Claim 1

A hand-detachable airtight connection for an air sack of a low air loss patient support, the patient support having an air sack supply opening defined therein and through which air is to be supplied to the air sack, the air sack having an air entrance opening defined through a wall thereof, the apparatus comprising: (a) an elongated connection fitting having: (i) an exterior configured to engage air-tightly with said air sack supply opening, (ii) an interior configured with an axially disposed coupling cylinder to receive a coupling in air tight engagement therewith, said coupling cylinder having a coupling entrance at one end of said cylinder, (iii) a first groove defined completely around said fitting interior, (iv) a resiliently deformable flexible O-ring held in said first groove, and (v) a channel opening defined radially through said fitting to receive air therethrough; and (b) an elongated coupling secured at one end to said air entrance opening of said sack and extending outwardly therefrom and having (i) an axial opening defined through said coupling, and (ii) a second groove defined around said coupling to receive said deformable O-ring therein when said coupling is inserted into said fitting in airtight engagement with said fitting; (c) an attachment grommet configured with an opening to receive said coupling therethrough and disposed within said interior of said sack and extending radially outwardly around said air entrance opening of said sack; and (d) a pull tab disposed against the exterior of said sack and extending radially outwardly from said air entrance opening of said sack.