Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Dec., 1886.
Complete Left, 25th Aug., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 27th Sept., 1887.
I, FRANK BRYAN of No. 38 Charterhouse Street in the City of London Manu-
facturer of Athletic Goods do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in football bladders.
These bladders, so called but made of vulcanized india rubber are usually provided
with a tubular neck which after the bladder has been inflated is turned over
and tied down so as to make an air tight closing. This however is an operation
which requires some skill occupies time and the arrangement is otherwise
objectionable.
According to my invention I dispense with the tubular neck and insert into the
bladder in its place a fixing in which is a valve opening inwards and in this fixing also
is a socket to receive the nozzle of an inflating pump or appliance. To inflate the
bladder it is necessary only to insert the nozzle of the pump or inflating apparatus into
the socket and then to inject air until the bladder is sufficiently distended. The nozzle
of the pump or inflating apparatus is then withdrawn and the valve serves to retain
the air in the bladder.
The arrangement above described admits of a very simple inflating apparatus being
employed, a syringe will serve the purpose as the valve provided in the bladder serves
to retain the air between the strokes.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Football Bladders.
I, FRANK BRYAN of No. 38 Charterhouse Street in the City of London Manufacturer
of Athletic Goods 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 :-
This invention has for its object improvements in football bladders.
These bladders so called but made of vulcanized india rubber are usually
provided with a tubular neck which after the bladder has been inflated is turned
over and tied down so as to make an air tight closing. This however is an
operation which requires some skill occupies time and the arrangement is otherwise
objectionable.
According to my invention I dispense with the tubular neck and insert into the
bladder in its place a fixing in which is a valve opening inwards and in this fixing also
is a socket to receive the nozzle of an inflating pump or appliance. To inflate the
bladder it is necessary only to insert the nozzle of the pump or inflating apparatus
into the socket and then to inject air until the bladder is sufficiently distended. The
nozzle of the pump or inflating apparatus is then withdrawn and the valve serves to
retain the air in the bladder.
The arrangement above described admits of a very simple inflating apparatus being
employed, a syringe will serve the purpose as the valve provided in the bladder serves
to retain the air between the strokes.
In order that my invention may be fully understood and readily carried into effect I
will proceed to describe the drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a section taken through the mouth of the bladder and the fixing inserted
into the mouth and through the valve which the fixing contains.
Figure 2 is a transverse section on the line 1-1 in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a side view of the fixing and Figure 4 is a plan.
Figures 5 to 10 shew a modification Figure 5 is a side view of the fixing.
Figure 6 is a plan, Figure 7 a longitudinal section and Figure 8 a transverse section
on the line 7-7 in Figure 7.
Figure 9 is a side view and Figure 10 is an end view of the valve.
In Figures 1 and 2 a a are parts of the india rubber bladder; it is not made as
heretofore with an externally projecting neck capable of being tied but there is a neck
within the bladder. b is a fixing inserted into the mouth or internal neck and secured
in it by cement. The fixing b has a valve seating at 6' and it carries a cone valve c.
At a screw thread is cut within the fixing and this is adapted to screw on to the

page_text: nozzle of the syringe with which the bladder is inflated. The syringe may be used as
often as necessary to inflate the bladder; the valve c will allow air to enter but will
prevent its escape.
In the modification shown by Figures 5 to 10 the fixing b has a valve seating at ba
preferably of leather or other yielding material and there is a thread cut within the
fixing and the valve d is screwed into it. In the valve d there is a square recess d¹.
made accurately to fit a corresponding nozzle on the inflating syringe. The air from
the syringe passes into the bladder by the lateral passages dd in the valve and the
passage 6 in the fixing. By turning the valve by means of the square nozzle of the
syringe the valve can be screwed down and closed. The syringe can then be removed
without allowing the air to escape. The syringe can thus be used as often as may be
necessary in inflating the bladder.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
1. An india rubber football bladder with an internal neck and air valve and fixing
substantially as described.
2. An india rubber football bladder with fixing adapted to receive the nozzle of an
inflating syringe and valve preventing the escape of air when the syringe is removed
substantially as described.