Abstract:
An inflatable sport ball, such as a basketball, a football, a soccer ball, a volleyball or a playground ball, is provided with a self-contained inflation mechanism, or multiple self-contained inflation mechanisms, for inflating or more likely adding pressure to the ball. The mechanism is a pump which is inside of the ball and which is operable from outside of the ball to pump ambient air into the ball. The pump contains an integral pressure-indicating device to readily determine the relative pressure of the ball.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/404,889, filed on Aug. 21, 2002. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   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 indicators. 
   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 The inflation needle is then withdrawn from the inflation valve that self-seals to maintain the pressure.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 determine the pressure of the ball. Some 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. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention 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 object is to be able to inflate or add pressure to a sport ball without the need for separate inflation equipment such as a separate inflation needle and pump, and to be able to determine the pressure of the ball. 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. Additionally, the pump has an integral pressure indicator to determine the relative pressure of the ball. 
   Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the specification, drawings and claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A sport ball with a self-contained inflation mechanism having pressure indication embodying the features of the present invention is depicted in the accompanying drawings which form a portion of this disclosure and wherein: 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  show a cross section of a portion of a sport ball with a self-contained piston and cylinder arrangement with an integral pressure indicating device. In  FIG. 1A , the piston is pushed down (position  1 ). In  FIG. 1B , the piston is pulled up (position  2 ); 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the piston shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B ; 
       FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the cap for the pump of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  showing the configuration for locking and unlocking the pump piston; 
       FIG. 4  is a detailed cross-section view of a one-way valve assembly for use on the exit of the pump of  FIGS. 1 and 1B ; 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-section view of an entire sport ball illustrating a pump on one side and a traditional inflation valve on the opposite side including a counterweight; and 
       FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the pump assembly of the present invention having a pressure indicating device. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1A to 6  of the drawings, a portion of a sport ball  10  is illustrated incorporating an inflation pump of the invention. The ball  10  illustrated in these figures is a typical basketball construction comprising a carcass having a rubber bladder  12  for air retention, a middle layer  14  composed of layers of nylon or polyester yarn windings wrapped around the bladder and an outer rubber layer  16 . For a laminated ball, an additional outer layer  18  of leather or a synthetic material comprises panels that are applied by adhesive and set by cold molding. The windings of the middle layer  14  are randomly oriented and two or three layers thick, and they form a layer that cannot be extended to any significant degree and that also restricts the ball  10  from expanding to any significant extent above its regulation size when inflated above its normal playing pressure. This layer  14  for footballs, volleyballs and soccer balls is referred to as a lining layer and is usually composed of cotton or polyester cloth that is impregnated with a flexible binder resin such as vinyl or latex rubber. The outer layer  18  may be stitched for some sport balls  10 , such as a soccer ball or a volleyball. The outer layer  18  may optionally have a foam layer backing  16  or a separate foam layer. 
   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  12  include, but are not limited to, butyl, 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  18 , 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 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. 
   Incorporated into the carcass of the ball  10  of the invention during the formation is the rubber pump boot or housing  20  with a central opening  21  and with a flange  22  which is bonded to the bladder  12  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 illustrated) is inserted into the boot opening during the molding and winding process to maintain the proper shape 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  21  through the boot  20  is configured with a groove  24  to engage a pump cylinder  28 , and more specifically to hold a flange  26  on the upper end of the pump cylinder  28 . The pump cylinder  28  can optionally be bonded to the boot  20  using any suitable flexible adhesive (epoxy, urethane, cyanoacrylate, or any other flexible adhesive known in the art). The pump cylinder  28  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  FIGS. 1A and 1B . The pump piston  30  may include a circular groove  32  at the bottom of the piston  30  housing a spring  34 , with the spring  34  forcing the piston  30  in the cylinder  28  toward the outer layer  18  of the ball  10 . However, in one embodiment of the pump  11  described below, the spring  34  is not necessary to force the pump piston  30  up in the pump cylinder  28 . 
   Also at the bottom end of the piston  30  is an O-ring groove  36  containing the O-ring  38 . As seen in  FIG. 1A , this O-ring groove  36  is dimensioned such that the O-ring  38  can move up and down in the groove  36 . The O-ring  38  is forced into the position shown in  FIG. 1A  when the piston  30  is pushed down. In this position, the O-ring  38  seals between the cylinder wall and the upper flange  40  of the groove  36 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , there are recesses or slots  42  in the groove  36  extending from just below the upper flange  40  down through the lower flange  44 . Only one of these slots  42  is shown in  FIG. 2  but there are preferably two or more. When the piston  30  is forced up by the spring  34 , the O-ring  38  moves to the bottom of the groove  36  which opens up a by-pass around the O-ring  38  through the recesses  42  so that the air can enter the cylinder  28  below the pump piston  30 . Then, when the pump piston  30  is pushed down, the O-ring  38  moves back up to the top of the groove  36  and seals to force the air out through the cylinder exit nozzle  46 . 
   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  28  and to release the pump piston  30  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  28  using a suitable adhesive, such as a UV cured adhesive.  FIG. 3  shows an isometric view of the bottom of the cylinder cap  50  and illustrates the open areas  52  on opposite sides of the central opening through which the two flanges  48  on the piston  30  can pass in the unlocked position. In the locked position, the piston  30  is pushed down and rotated such that the two flanges  48  pass under the projections  54  and are rotated into the locking recesses  56 . 
   Attached to the upper end of the piston  30  is a button or cap  58  that is designed to essentially completely fill the hole  21  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  10 . In other embodiments, such as a soccer ball, the button or cap  58  is preferably below the surface. This button  58  may be of any desired material. Examples of materials suitable for use as the button or cap  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. The button or cap  58  should match the feel of the rest of the ball  10 . Its surface may be textured to increase grip if desired, such as for a basketball. For a soccer ball, the surface may be smooth. 
   In a preferred embodiment, fibers or other reinforcing materials may be incorporated into the rubber compound or thermoplastic material during mixing. Examples of fibers 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  58  and improves the union of the button or cap  58  and the piston rod  30 , 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, and the button or cap  58  and connecting piece may then be attached to the upper end of the piston  30  using an adhesive suitable for bonding the two pieces together. Co-injecting the button  58  and the piston  30  as one part, or alternatively, the button  58  and the connecting piece 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  30  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  30  is preferably substantially clear or transparent to allow the pressure indicating device  72  to be viewed by the user, although a translucent material may be incorporated as well. 
   Looking to  FIG. 1A , a pad  60  is mounted on the upper surface of the cylinder cap  50 . The pad  60  is engaged by the button  58  when the piston  30  is pushed down against the spring force to lock or unlock the piston  30 . The pad  60  provides cushioning to the pump and should also be flexible to match the feel of the rest of the ball. 
     FIGS. 1A and 1B  of the drawings shows a pump exit nozzle  46  but does not show the one way valve that is attached to this exit. Shown in  FIG. 4  is one preferred embodiment of a one-way valve assembly  62  of the duckbill-type to be mounted in the exit nozzle  46 . This assembly comprises an inlet end piece  64 , an outlet end piece  66  and an elastomeric duckbill valve  68  captured between the two end pieces  64 ,  66 . The end pieces  64 ,  66  are preferably plastic, such as a polycarbonate, polypropylene, nylon, polyethylene, or combinations thereof, but may be any material suitable for use. The end pieces  64 ,  66  may be ultrasonically welded together. Any type of one-way valve known in the art may be used, as long as it prevents air from flowing out of the interior of the ball  10  when not desired. 
   A pump assembly  11  of the type described and illustrated in  FIGS. 1A to 6  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  11 . In lighter weight or smaller balls, such as a soccer ball, the pump assembly  11  may weigh less and/or be smaller (shorter) than a corresponding pump assembly for a heavier ball, such as a basketball. 
     FIG. 5  illustrates such a counterbalance arrangement wherein a pump mechanism generally designated  82  is on one side of the ball and a standard needle valve  84  is on the opposite side of the ball. In this case, the material  86  forming the needle valve  84  is weighted. Additional material can be added to the needle valve housing or the region surrounding the valve. Alternatively, a dense metal powder such as tungsten could be added to the rubber compound. 
   Looking further to  FIG. 6 , the piston  30  may be fashioned to have a hollow shaft made of a substantially clear or translucent polycarbonate material, such that the piston  30  is able to house a pressure indicating device  72 . A series of pressure indication lines  70  are further marked on the piston  30  such that the position of the pressure indicating device  72  will allow the user to determine the air pressure within the game ball  10 . The pressure indicating device  72  of the present invention may take various forms, such as a ball or a slide. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the pressure indicating device  72  includes a gage puck  76  that is attached to a gage piston  74 . A gage spring  73  is further positioned within the piston  30  between the gage piston  74  and the button  58 . The gage spring  73  is calibrated such that it will apply a predetermined resistance against the gage piston  74 . The piston  30  further includes a shaft end piece  77  holds the O-ring  38  and further serves to hold a tube or needle  78  extending from the hollow piston  30  to the area enclosed by the cylinder  28 . At the end of the cylinder  28  opposite the piston  30  is a pierced rubber check valve  82 , which is identical to check-valves that are used in a conventional sport balls such as basketballs. 
   The piston  30  illustrated in  FIG. 6  operates as described above to pump air into the game ball  10 . Additionally, the piston  30  of the present invention allows the user to check the air pressure within the sport ball  10  by simply depressing the button  58  into the sport ball  10 . In particular, the force of the button  58  will drive the piston  30  through the cylinder  28  toward the rubber check valve  82 . As the shaft end piece  77  moves toward the rubber check valve  82 , the needle  78  will traverse a centering guide  80  and engage the rubber check valve  82 . The needle  78  will pass through the check valve  82  to engage the center area of the sports ball  10 , thereby providing a conduit for the air within the ball  10  to escape into the piston  30 . The force of the air exiting the ball  10  will drive the gage piston  74  against the calibrated spring  73 , and the gage puck  76  will concomitantly move toward the button  58 . Consequently, the gage puck  76  will move proximate the pressure indication lines  70 , which are calibrated to accurately indicate the pressure of the air within the ball  10 . The air pressure will additionally operate to push the piston  30  from the cylinder  28  and toward the outer layer  18  of the ball  10 , thereby assisting the user in sliding the piston  30  past the outer layer  18 . The user will then be able to monitor air pressure within the ball  10  by viewing the gage puck  76  through the substantially transparent or translucent piston  30 . It should also be noted that the best measurement is provided when the length of the piston  30  is in a substantially horizontal position. 
   Once the user has read the measurement, the piston  30  may be reinserted and locked in the cylinder  28  as described above. The gage spring  73  will further apply pressure to the gage piston  74  to return the gage piston  74  to a resting position. 
   It should further be noted that in the position shown in  FIG. 1A , air is allowed to escape the ball  10  and show the pressure by positioning the pressure indicating device  72  in a relative position that corresponds to pressure indication lines  70 . One way of achieving this is to allow the one-way valve  66  to be opened by the needle  78  of the pump  11 . This allows air to escape from the interior of the ball  10  and actuate or move the pressure indication device  72  in the pump piston  30  due to air flowing through it and exiting the ball  10 . In the position shown in  FIG. 1B , the user will be able to view the corresponding air pressure and then force air into the ball  10  as the piston  30  is driven back into the cylinder  28 . 
   The description thus far and the drawing  FIGS. 1A to 6  disclose a particular and one preferred pump arrangement. However, other pump arrangements can be used within the scope of the invention. Examples of other pump arrangements that may be used with the invention are shown in co-pending application Ser. No. 09/594,980, filed Jun. 15, 2000; Ser. No. 09/594,547, filed Jun. 14, 2000; Ser. No. 09/594,180, filed Jun. 14, 2000; and Ser. No. 09/560,768, filed Apr. 28, 2000, incorporated herein by reference. 
   Since the pressure in a sport ball  10  can be too high through over-inflation or a temperature increase, or too low through under-inflation or air loss, it is an advantage to have a pressure-indicating device that is integral to the pump  11 . If the pressure is too low, additional air may be added using the self-contained pump  11  of the invention. If the pressure is too high, the pressure may be relieved by bleeding pressure from the ball  10  with the conventional inflating needle (not illustrated) or other implement that will open the conventional inflation valve to release air. The pressure-indicating device  72  of the present invention may then be used to determine if the ball  10  is correctly inflated. If too much air is removed, additional air may be added using the pump  11 . 
   The foregoing description is, at present, considered to be the preferred embodiments of the SPORT BALL WITH A SELF-CONTAINED INFLATION MECHANISM HAVING PRESSURE INDICATION. 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.