The present invention relates to sport balls that contain mechanisms for inflating or adding pressure to the balls. The inflation mechanisms additionally have integral pressure relief capability and/or integral pressure indication capability.
Conventional inflatable sport balls, such as basketballs, footballs, soccer balls, volleyballs and playground balls, are inflated through a traditional inflation valve using a separate inflation needle that is inserted into and through a self-sealing inflation valve. A separate pump, such as a traditional bicycle pump, is connected to the inflation needle and the ball is inflated using the pump. The inflation needle is then withdrawn from the inflation valve that self-seals to maintain the pressure. This system works fine until the sport ball needs inflation or a pressure increase and a needle and/or pump are not readily available.
In conventional sport balls, there is no easy way to relieve the pressure of the ball. A separate pressure relief device or valve may be used to relieve the pressure, or the pressure may be relieved by inserting a conventional needle into the traditional needle valve to relieve the pressure. There is also no easy way to determine the pressure of the ball. Some separate or external inflation pumps, such as bicycle style pumps, have a pressure indicator on them. Alternatively, a separate pressure-indicating device may be used to determine the pressure. Surface pressure indicating devices are also well known. For sport balls comprising self-contained pump mechanisms, it would be beneficial if the pump mechanism also had the capability to relieve the pressure of the ball and/or indicate the pressure of the ball as desired.
The present invention provides a sport ball that has an integral, self-contained inflation mechanism or multiple self-contained inflation mechanisms for adding air to the ball, and the inflation mechanisms have integral pressure relief devices. The object of the invention is to be able to inflate or add pressure to a sport ball and to be able to reduce or relieve the pressure without the need for separate inflation or pressure relief equipment, such as a separate inflation needle and pump. Specifically, the invention relates to a sport ball that has at least one self-contained pump device which is operable from outside the ball and which pumps ambient air into the ball to achieve the desired pressure. The pump also comprises means on the pump for selectively reducing or relieving the pressure of the ball.
The present invention also provides a sport ball that has a self-contained inflation mechanism or multiple self-contained inflation mechanisms, and the inflation mechanisms have integral pressure indicating devices.
The present invention also provides a sport ball that has a self-contained inflation mechanism or multiple self-contained inflation mechanisms, and the inflation mechanisms have integral pressure indicating devices and means on the pump for selectively reducing or relieving the pressure of the ball.
Since the pressure in a sport ball can be too high through overinflation or a temperature increase, or too low through underinflation, air loss or a temperature decrease (as described by the Ideal Gas Law, PV=nRT, where P is pressure (absolute), V is volume, R is the universal gas constant (8.3145 J/mol K), T is temperature (absolute) and n is the number of moles), it is an advantage to have a pressure relief mechanism, and optionally, a pressure-indicating device that is integral to the pump. If the pressure is too low, additional air may be added using the self-contained pump of the invention. If the pressure is too high, the pressure may be relieved by bleeding pressure from the ball with the pressure relief mechanism built into the pump that will open the valve to release air from the ball. Once the pressure has been relieved, the pressure-indicating device, if present, may then be used to determine if the ball is correctly inflated. If too much air is removed, additional air may be added using the pump.
Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the specification, drawings and claims.
Referring to
Other sport ball constructions, such as sport balls produced by a molding process, such as blow molding, may also be used in the invention. For an example of a process for molding sport balls, see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,261,400, incorporated herein by reference.
Materials suitable for use as the bladder and/or carcass include, but are not limited to, butyl, SBR, latex, urethane, and other rubber materials generally known in the art. Examples of materials suitable for the winding layer include, but are not limited to, nylon, polyester and the like. Examples of materials suitable for use as the outer layer, or cover, include, but are not limited to, polyurethanes, including thermoplastic polyurethanes; polyvinylchloride (PVC); leather; synthetic leather; and composite leather. Materials suitable for use as the optional foam layer or foam backing include, but are not limited to, NEOPRENE™, SBR, TPE, EVA, or any foam capable of high or low energy absorption. Examples of commercially available high or low energy absorbing foams include the CONFOR™ open-celled polyurethane foams available from Aearo EAR Specialty Composites, Inc., and NEOPRENE™ (polychloroprene) foams available from Dupont Dow Elastomers.
In a preferred method of making a sport ball comprising a pump, incorporated into the carcass of the ball of the invention during the formation is the rubber pump boot or housing 20 with a central opening and with a flange 22 which is bonded to the bladder using a rubber adhesive. The boot 20 is located between the rubber bladder 12 and the layer of windings 14. The boot 20 may be constructed of any suitable material, such as butyl rubber, natural rubber, urethane rubber, or any suitable elastomer or rubber material known in the art, or combinations thereof. A molding plug (not shown) is inserted into the boot opening during the molding and winding process to maintain the proper shape of the central opening and to allow the bladder to be inflated during the manufacturing process. The molding plug is preferably aluminum, composite or rubber, most preferably aluminum. The central opening through the boot 20 is configured with a groove 24 to hold the flange 26 on the upper end of the pump cylinder 28. The cylinder can optionally be bonded to the boot using any suitable flexible adhesive (epoxy, urethane, cyanoacrylate, or any other flexible adhesive known in the art). The pump cylinder shown is a right cylinder, but other cylinders that are not right cylinders, such as a cylinder having a non-circular cross-section, may be used.
Located in the pump cylinder 28 is the pump piston 30 that is illustrated in
Attached to the upper end of the piston 30 is a button or cap 58 that is designed to essentially completely fill the hole in the carcass. In some embodiments, such as a basketball or football, the button or cap 58 is preferably flush or essentially flush with the surface of the ball. In other embodiments, such as a soccer ball, the button or cap 58 is preferably below the surface when the pump is locked. In some embodiments, the button 58 may have an O-ring 138 molded onto the bottom of it. This button 58 may be of any desired material. Examples of materials suitable for use as the button 58 include urethane rubber, butyl rubber, natural rubber or any other material known in the art. A preferred rubber for use as the button or cap is a thermoplastic vulcanizate such as SANTOPRENE™ rubber, available from Advanced Elastomer Systems, Akron Ohio. If desired, the button can be molded to match the feel of the rest of the ball. For example, its surface may be textured to increase grip if desired, such as for a basketball. For a soccer ball, the surface may be smooth. If the top of the pump (button) is below the surface of the ball when not in use, there is little or no need for the texture of the button to match the feel of the ball. Texture may be necessary to make it easier to utilize the pump.
At the bottom end of the piston 30 is an O-ring groove 36 containing the O-ring 38. As seen in
At the upper end of the piston 30 are the two flanges 48 that cooperate with the cylinder cap 50 to hold the piston down in the cylinder and to release the piston for pumping. The cylinder cap 50 is fixed into the top of the cylinder 28 and the piston 30 extends through the center of the cylinder cap 50. The cap 50 is cemented into the cylinder using a suitable adhesive, such as a UV cured adhesive.
In a preferred embodiment, fibers or other reinforcing materials may be incorporated into the rubber compound or thermoplastic material during mixing. Examples of fiber materials suitable for use include, but are not limited to, polyester, polyamide, polypropylene, KEVLAR®, cellulistic, glass and combinations thereof. Incorporation of fibers or other reinforcing materials into the button or cap 58 improves the durability of the button and improves the union of the button or cap 58 and the piston rod 30 or connecting piece 130, thus preventing the button or cap 58 from shearing off during use. Although the pump would still function without the button 58, it becomes very difficult to use.
Preferably, the button or cap 58 is co-injected with the piston 30 as one part. Alternatively, the button or cap 58 may be co-injected with a connecting piece 130, and the button or cap 58 and connecting piece 130 may then be attached to the upper end of the piston 30 using an adhesive suitable for bonding the two pieces together. The button 58 and connecting piece 130 are mounted in the piston in a hollow groove 230 that is dimensioned to fit the connecting piece 130. Co-injecting the button 58 and the piston 30 as one part, or alternatively, the button 58 and the connecting piece 130 as one part that is mounted to the piston, provides a more durable part that is less likely to break or come apart during routine use of the ball. The button or cap material and the piston material need to be selected such that the two materials will adhere when co-injected. Testing of various combinations has shown that co-injecting or extruding a soft rubber button, such as a button comprising SANTOPRENE™, and a harder piston, such as polycarbonate or polypropylene and the like, provides a durable bond without the need for adhesives.
The piston and the connecting piece may be formed of any suitable material, such as, but not limited to, polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), acrylic (PMMA), acrylonitrile-styrene acrylate (ASA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene (ABS) copolymer, ABS/PC blends, polypropylene (preferably high impact polypropylene), polyphenylene oxide, nylon, combinations thereof, or any suitable material known in the art. Materials with high impact strength are preferred. The material used for the piston is preferably clear or transparent if an optional pressure-indicating device is used. This will allow the pressure-indicating device to be viewed by the user.
In
The needle 90 is attached to or mounted on the piston in any suitable manner known in the art. In the embodiment shown, the piston 30 is hollowed out or has an opening 32 to receive the needle 90. Preferably, the piston is molded using a core pin in the end (not shown), and the core pin is then removed to allow the needle and spring to be inserted into the piston. The needle 90 is then mounted in or on the piston using a suitable method, such as with an adhesive. The spring, if included, is preferably mounted around the needle 90. To relieve the pressure, the pump can be in either the locked or unlocked position, as long as the flanges are lined up such that the piston can be pushed into the cylinder allowing the needle to open the one-way valve. The button 58 is then pushed into the cylinder, and this pushes the needle 90 into the valve 68 or 168, thereby opening it to allow air to escape. If the pump is in the locked position, the button 58 is pushed further into the cylinder than it already is in the locked position.
The needle 90 can be constructed of any suitable material, such as, but not limited to, polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), acrylic (PMMA), acrylonitrile-styrene acrylate (ASA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene (ABS) copolymer, ABS/PC blends, polypropylene (preferably high impact polypropylene), polyphenylene oxide, nylon, combinations thereof, or any suitable material known in the art. Materials with high impact strength are preferred so that the needle is not damaged during routine use. Alternatively, the piston and needle may be formed as one piece or in one operation of the same or different materials.
In another embodiment of the invention, the pump may comprise a pressure indicating device built into the pump, such as in the pump stem. In one preferred embodiment, the piston is hollowed out to allow a pressure indicating device to be positioned inside. As shown in
In another embodiment of the invention, the pump comprises a means for relieving the pressure of the ball and a pressure indicating device in the pump stem. As previously described,
The cylinder 28 also has at least one projection 148 on the inside of the cylinder near the bottom of the cylinder. The projection is a slight raised area on the wall of the cylinder. When the pump is being used to relieve air pressure, this projection on the cylinder acts to deflect the O-ring 38 and break the seal between the O-ring 38 and the wall of the cylinder 28. This allows air to pass out of the ball into the cylinder when the pressure is being intentionally relieved. As shown in
In some embodiments of the invention, such as the soccer ball, volleyball and football, there is an O-ring 138 molded on the bottom of the button 58. The cylinder cap 50 is also extended in length. This O-ring 138 creates a seal between the button and the extended cylinder cap 50 that acts to keep dust, dirt, and the like, out of the pump. This is important with sport balls that may be played in dirty conditions. On the inside of the cylinder cap 50 there is at least one projection (similar to projection 148) on the inside of the cylinder (not shown). This projection acts to deflect the O-ring 138 molded on the bottom of the button or cap 58. For this button and cylinder cap configuration, the projection in the cylinder cap 50 is necessary because of the O-ring 138 on the button 58.
The ball may have markings or graphics to illustrate the proper locked position of the pump. To prevent the piston from extending inadvertently, it is important that the pump is properly locked using the locking tabs, as previously described.
A pump assembly of the type described and illustrated in the Figures is preferably made primarily from plastics such as polystyrene, polyethylene, nylon, polycarbonate and combinations thereof, but it can be made of any appropriate material known in the art. Although the assembly is small and light weight, perhaps only about 5 to about 25 grams, a weight may optionally be added to the ball structure to counterbalance the weight of the pump mechanism. In lighter weight or smaller balls, such as a soccer ball, the pump assembly may weigh less and/or be smaller (shorter) than a corresponding pump assembly for a heavier ball, such as a basketball.
The description thus far and the drawing
The foregoing description is, at present, considered to be the preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, it is contemplated that various changes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art may be made without departing from the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing description is intended to cover all such changes and modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the present invention, including all equivalent aspects.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/183,337, filed Jun. 25, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6702,699, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/594,980, filed Jun. 15, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,618, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/478,225, filed Jan. 6, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,225, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/159,311, filed Oct. 14, 1999. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/435,225, filed Dec. 20, 2002, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/404,889, filed Aug. 21, 2002.
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20040048705 A1 | Mar 2004 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 09594980 | Jun 2000 | US |
Child | 10183337 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 10183337 | Jun 2002 | US |
Child | 10408052 | US | |
Parent | 09478225 | Jan 2000 | US |
Child | 09594980 | US |