Year: 1897

page_text: We, RICHARD ROBINSON, of 81, South Street, Walworth, London, S.E., Ware-
houseman, GEORGE POCOCK & PERCY ROGERS Pocock, both of 235, Southwark
Bridge Road, London, S.E., Boot & Shoe Manufacturers, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
"
This invention has reference to foot-balls and has for one of its objects to pro-
vide the bladder" with an internal valve which is so constructed that the use
therewith of hard material such as metal is avoided; another object of our inven-
tion is to dispense with the necessity of cementing or otherwise attaching the
bladder to the interior surface of the outer cover of the ball.
According to our invention we provide the bladder with an internally projecting
tube of india-rubber or similar material having its inner end closed with the
exception of a small perforation which is normally kept closed by a non-return
valve preferably composed of two transverse strips of flexible material, such as
indiarubber, the ends of such strips being cemented to, or moulded in a piece
with, the said rubber tube.
The mouth of the tube is provided with a circular or other suitably shaped
flange which is composed of india rubber or similar material. The outer edge or
circumference of such flange is loose so that said flange forms a head to the said
tube. The tongue of the foot ball is formed with a slit through which the head
can be passed by bending it diametrically, between the fingers. The said head
when released by the fingers after being passed through the said slit, regains its
normal position by its natural elasticity and thus holds the bladder in place so that
it will not afterwards shift and bring the valve out of its position opposite the
opening in the cover of the ball. We prefer to make the said head stiff at the
part or diameter about which it bends, in order that it will not be likely to escape
from the slit in the tongue after having been passed through it.
The outer cover is formed with the usual opening for the bladder to be placed
into or removed from the cover and this opening is provided with the usual means
of drawing together and keeping closed the edges of the opening by lacing.
The deflation of the bladder can be readily effected by merely inserting a stick
or other instrument into the tube for a sufficient distance to cause the temporary
displacement of the strips that normally keep the perforation at the inner end
of the tube closed.
A foot-ball constructed in accordance with our invention, presents a practically
smooth and even exterior and owing to the absence of metallic or other heavy
parts in the valve, the centre of gravity of the ball is not unduly disturbed.
Dated thin 15th day of Anton 1907
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: We, RICHARD ROBINSON, of 81, South Street, Walworth, London, S.E., Ware-
houseman, GEORGE POCOCK & PERCY ROGERS Pococк, both of 235, Southwark
Bridge Road, London, S.E., Boot & Shoe Manufacturers, 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:-
-
Our invention has reference to foot-balls and has for one of its objects to provide
the "bladder" with an internal valve which is so constructed that the use there-
with of hard material such as metal is avoided.
Another object of our invention is to dispense with the necessity for cementing
or otherwise attaching the bladder to the interior surface of the outer cover of
the ball.
According to our said invention we provide the bladder with an internally
projecting tube of india-rubber or similar material having at its inner end a small
perforation or hole which is normally kept closed by a suitable non-return valve.
The mouth of the tube is provided with a circular or other suitably shaped disc
or flange of india-rubber or similar material. The said disc or flange being
adapted to pass through a slit formed in the tongue of the football and serve to
retain the bladder in position with the valve opposite the opening in the cover
of the ball.
The arrangement is such that when it is desired to inflate the bladder, the
necessary connection with the nozzle of the air-pump or inflator can be effected
by simply inserting the end of the said nozzle into the mouth of the tube, and
the ball can be readily deflated by inserting a rod or other blunt pointed imple-
ment a sufficient distance into the said tube causing the non-return valve to open.
In order that our invention may be more clearly understood and readily carried
into effect, we will proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which,
Figure 1 is a section, showing to an enlarged scale one construction of our
improved valve and the adjacent portions of the football.
Figure 2 is a plan of the same.
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the said valve and
Figures 4 and 5 are views of opposite ends of the said valve.
Figure 6 is a side elevation of a modification of this valve.
a is the cover of the foot-ball; b is the bladder thereof; c is the usual laced
opening through which the bladder is inserted; and d is the tongue of the
foot-ball.
e is the valve-tube above referred to, and f is the small valve-controlled perfora-
tion at its inner end.
In the valve shown in Figures 1 to 4 this perforation is controlled by two trans-
verse strips g, the ends of such strips being either cemented to or moulded in a
piece with the said valve tube. In the modification shown in Figure 6 however
an elastic flap g³ is applied to the end of the tube and serves as the non-return
valve.
h is the flange by which the valve and the bladder bare retained in position in
the cover, this flange forming also a head for the valve tube. The outer edge or
circumference of the flange his loose so as to permit of its being passed through
the slit in the tongue of the foot-ball as hereinafter explained.
i is a central aperture in the outer end of the valve-tube e for the insertion of
the nozzle of the air-pump or inflator.
k is a second flange with which the said tube is provided. This flange may be

page_text: secured to the bladder 6 by india-rubber solution or otherwise, after the valve-
tube e is inserted into the said bladder.
The flanges h and k are so formed that they naturally have a curvature as shown
in Figure 3.
Prior to inserting the bladder into the football the flange or head his bent
diametrically between the fingers and is passed through a slit formed in the
tongue d. After being passed through the said slit, and released by the fingers,
the flange or head regains its normal position by its natural elasticity, and thus
holds the bladder in place so that it will not afterwards shift inside the ball nor
move the valve out of its position opposite the opening c.
The flange or head h may advantageously be stiffened or thickened near the
centre as shown, or at or near the line or portion about which it bends, so that it
will not be likely to come out of or escape from the slit in the tongue after having
been passed through it.
When the bladder is to be inflated, the nozzle of the air pump or inflator is
pushed into the aperture i for a short distance only, the edges of the said aperture
pressing on the nozzle with sufficient force to form an air-tight connection.
The strips 9 temporarily move away from the perforation or hole f when the
air is forced into the bladder by the inflator, and immediately close again as soon
as the pressure of air has ceased and prevent the air returning into the tube from
the bladder.
When it is desired to deflate the valve, it is only necessary to push a rod or
other blunt instrument through the perforation or hole f, so as to move the afore-
said strips away from the end of the tube, thus providing a free passage for the
escape of air.
The said valve will be found applicable to air-cushions and similar
A football constructed in accordance with our invention presents a practically
smooth and even exterior and owing to the absence of metallic or other heavy
parts in the valve, the centre of gravity of the ball is not disturbed, and the risk
of injury to the players is diminished.
inflatable articles.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is: :-
1. A football having an internally projecting tube composed of india-rubber
or similar material, the inner end of which is kept normally closed by a non-return
valve substantially as described.
2. A football or similar valve of the kind claimed above, having its mouth
provided with a circular disc or flange composed of india-rubber or similar material
adapted to pass through a slit in the tongue of the foot-ball substantially as
described and for the purpose specified.
3. A valve constructed and arranged substantially as described with reference
to the accompanying drawings, and for the purpose specified.
DI 1110th Ja of Tanum 1808
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.