Attachment for Inflating Air Mattresses, Balls, Etc.

[kevin]

When I was at the beach earlier I noticed several people blowing up air mattresses which took me back to a photo I saw of a vacuum cleaner being used to blow up balloons.

So, is there an attachment that I could purchase for an Electrolux that would allow me to use it to inflate air mattresses, balls, et cetera?

 

[ultralux88]

I don't know if anyone sells one aftermarket but Kirby and Rainbow both come with one. Look online and I'm sure you can find one.

 

[Gr8DaneDad]

the Kirby and Rainbow attachments are readily available on eBay and from many vacuum suppliers for just a couple of bucks.

 

[kevin]

Thanks--do you know what it's called? Also, would it fit on an Electrolux?

 

[Gr8DaneDad]

They are just called Inflators.. and yeah, they'll fit. I use a Kirby G5 Inflator with my Electrolux canisters all the time. It also makes a great air concentrator for blowing off the front porch.

 

[kevin]

Great, Tom; thanks.

 

[Gr8DaneDad]

Kirby inflator

here is one, with reasonable shipping



http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kirby-G7-Ul...181174115501?pt=US_Vacuum&hash=item2a2ed19cad

 

[kevin]

Just ordered, Tom; thanks.

Btw, does the Kirby inflator (and others) go way back, or is/were it/they a newer accessory? Did it/they ever come in metal, or has/have it/they always been plastic?

Also, out of curiosity, are most/all vacuum cleaner hoses the same size in diameter?

 

[marks_here]

All except for the European models like Bosch, Lindhaus, Miele..etc.

 

[Gr8DaneDad]

Most USA/Canadian domestic machines are 1 1/4" (~32mm), commercial machines are most often 1 1/2" (~35mm) and then it gets a bit crazy.... I've seen everything from 30mm to 50mm, roughly 1 1/8" to 2 1/8".


 


I'm no Kirby expert, but I know the inflator has been around since at least the Generation 3... maybe earlier. I have G3 and G5 examples, so I know they go back that far. I'm sure someone with more Kirby expertise will chime in.

 

[super-sweeper]

they go back FAR,

The earliest I know of is the Classic III. Just checked my Classic 1-CR attachment set and it has no inflaftor tool nor slot for one. It could've gone in the cardboard cubby-hole and fallen out, though! I've never seen a brown one, though. I'll check my Classic III attachment set if it has a slot for the inflator, I know it came with one, but I lost the thing ages ago!


 


-Alex.

 

[kevin]

Thanks, guys. I appreciate all the information.

I've also done some research on my own.

1. From Goodvac.com:

KIRBY VACUUM CLEANER INFLATOR/DEFLATOR TOOL

It is available only in 2 shades of light gray (Twilight) for Kirby Ultimate G and darker gray (Autumn Gray) for Kirby Sentria, since manufacturer has discontinued this part in other colors. Therefore, we are offering Inflator/Deflator only matching Kirby Sentria model color.

It WILL fit all Kirby sweeper "Generation" models (and even some older ones).
Generation 3 (G3)
Generation 4 (G4)
Generation 5 (G5)
Generation 6 (G6)
Ultimate G (G7 or UG)
Ultimate G Diamond Ed.(G7 or DE)
Sentria (G10)

Part #213806


2. From KirbyClassicIII (Ben)--"Kirby Attachment Box Arrangements Over the Years", Thread 20863, 5/22/2013:

(Looks like Alex is correct that the Inflator/Deflator began with the Kirby Classic III.)

http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?20863

3. Another from KirbyClassicIII (Ben)--"Using a Kirby to Clean Your Computer?" , Thread 16980, 5/18/2012:

http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?16980

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So, did other companies also make such a tool, or was Kirby the only one? Seems they've had the most exhaustive sets of attachments (at least that I've seen).