an inflator adapted to be heat - sealed directly to an inflatable article thereby obviating the need for inflation manifolds and the like . the inflator of the invention comprises a housing having an integrally formed mounting flange composed of a plastic material such as polyurethane , polyester or polyether capable of being easily sealed to the materials conventionally used in the manufacture of inflatable articles such as personal floatation devices , rafts , buoys and emergency signaling equipment . a pierce pin assembly is reciprocatably mounted within a bore in the housing . a firing lever is pivotably connected to the rear of the housing in alignment with the rearward end of the bore and is operatively configured such that upon pivotable movement by means of a lanyarded ball , the pierce pin assembly is forced forwardly within the bore to pierce the frangible seal of the gas cartridge . upon piercing , the gas in the gas cartridge escapes into the bore and then into the inflatable article via a port formed within the housing from the bore to the exterior of the housing at a position located interially of the inflatable article , thereby inflating the inflatable article .