Improvement in India-rubber Balls.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Feb., 1891-Accepted, 28th Mar., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvement in India-rubber Balls.
1, JACQUES STEINBERG, of 39, Rue Sainte Croix de la Bretonnerie, Paris, France,
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement :-
My invention relates to india-rubber balls.
A ball made according to the said invention is provided in its interior with an
adjutage or nipple enabling the introduction of air or other gas and preventing the
escape of the same from the ball except when desired.
In this manner I provide for the suitable inflation of the ball with air or other
gas and for the escape of the latter from the ball as may be desired.
The air or other gas may thus be caused to escape and the ball compressed for
facilitating the transport of this ball, which may be re-inflated at the moment when
it is to be used, and a little supplementary air or other gas may be introduced into
it from time to time to compensate for any escape which may take place through
the pores of the india-rubber, for keeping the ball always well inflated.
At
The accompanying drawing represents a section of the improved ball taken
through the axis of the adjutage or nipple serving for the inflation of the ball and
also for the escape of the air or other gas from the same. The ball designated by a,
is constructed in the well known manner, and provided as usual with a disc b.
the centre of this disc I form a hole in which an adjutage or nipple c is secured
before vulcanizing the ball. The outer extremity of the aforesaid adjutage or nipple
is flush with the exterior surface of the ball and is left open as shown at c', whilst
the other extremity c² is provided with a longitudinal slit carefully cut in
such a manner that its two lips shall bear exactly against each other owing to the
elasticity of the adjutage or nipple.
For inflating the ball, into the orifice c' of the adjutage or nipple c is inserted
either a quill or other tube consisting of any suitable material, into which is blown
with the mouth, or the nozzle of an india-rubber compression bulb the pipe of a
force pump; or the like.
The air or other gas blown into the adjutage or nipple separates the two lips of
the slit by the pressure it exerts upon them and enters the ball. As soon as the
blowing action ceases the two lips of the slit will again bear against each other by
reason of the elasticity of the india rubber, eventually further aided by the pressure
of the air or other gas in the ball, so as to preclude the escape of the air or other
gas introduced.
To enable the escape of the air or other gas from the ball it is sufficient to cause
the opening of the slit by any suitable means. The air or other gas will at once
escape, and when the ball is then compressed with the hand the air or other gas
may be readily removed from it to any desired extent.
For opening the slit the disc may simply be pressed between the fingers by
acting at so as to bend it and pinch the adjutage or nipple c, or the quill,
or other tube, which serves for filling may be introduced into the said adjutage or
nipple.
When this tube comes against the inwardly bent part of the adjutage or nipple
it opens the lips of the slit and produces the desired effect.
It will be understood that my invention is applicable to india-rubber balls of any
size and construction, and that the thickness and length of the adjutage or nipple c
and the length and position of the slit can be varied.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
An india-rubber ball, the disc b of which carries an adjutage or nipple c extending
into the interior of the ball, the said adjutage or nipple being open at the outer
extremity which is flush with the exterior surface of the ball, whilst its other
extremity is provided with a slit, the two lips of which bear exactly against each
other, substantially as, and for the purpose, hereinbefore described.
Dated this 2nd day of February 1891.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.