US1708260A - Playball - Google Patents

Description

April 9, 1929. R. H. COOVERT PLAY BALL Filed June 25, 1927 Patented Apr. 9, 1929.

UNETED STATES ASSEGNOR TO THE PIONEER RUBBER COM- !1 GGREORATIGN OF OHIO.

ELAYBALL.

Application filed June 25,

My invention has for its object to provide a novel pneumatic play-ball that is exceedingly durable and will withstand the rough usage of ball playing and is so constructed as to prevent rupture and puncture.v My invention particularly nas for its object to provide a means whereby tl e ball, after being inflated, may be sealed in a manner that eliminates all protruding parts a d pre- Ai LA.

vents the entrance of any object or material into the interior of the casingand thus prevents puncture or abrasion of the bladder,- and keeps the ball in an inflated con- 7 dition for a long period of time. The invention provides a casing formed of a pinrality of spherical sector strips or a decorated rubberized cloth, which are sewed to gether in the form of a sphere, and wherein is located a gum or rubber bladder that is expanded by'insertion of air therein. The invention also provides a closure 'means that seals the opening in the casing through which the bladder is filled with air and hence the ball may be used for water sports. The invention also provides a means for preventing fraying of the cloth about the opening and for maintaining the shape of the opening, notwithstanding frequent refilling and rough usage of the play-ball.

The invention may be contained. in pneumatic devices of diiferent forms and used for difierent purposes, and, to illustrate a practical application of my invention, I have selected a play-ball embodying the invention as an example oi such constructions and shall describe it hereinafter. The particular play-ball selected is shown in the accompanying drawing.

Fig. l of thedrawing is a side view of the play-ball selected. Fig. 2 shows an eyelet or opening in the casing of the play-ball through which the neck of the bladder extends when the ball is deflated. Fig. 3 is a view of a cross section through the eyelet. Fig. l is a view of a cross section of the partot the ball illustrated in Fig. 1 and shows the twisted neck inserted within the casing for maintaining the bladder in its sealed condition. y

The play-ball 1 is formed of a plurality of sectors that may be formed of sheet fabrics, coated with a rubber compound, and cut to substantially the form of spherical sectors 2. The sectors 2 are sewed together at their edges so that when they are assembled by sewing and then distended by the inflation of the bladder, they will produce a substantially spherical form.

A round opening 3 is formed in one oi the sectors through which the bladder 5) may be inserted in the casing, leaving the neck a: so as to protrude through the opening L "ing or washer 5 made of thin leather, )19 "1 ably, or of any flexible sheetmaterial, zvin an opening of substantially the saris in size as the opening 3 of the casing,

securely fastened by any suitable adheve in such a position thatthe opening 6 in the washer registers with the opening in the casing. Preferably the disc 5 oi. flexible material is cemented to the sector and the two are punched to form the opening 3. The washer 5 operates tore-intor ce the sector of the casing around the opening 3 and prevent undue distention of the opening upon inflation of the bladder 9, and also irev'ent fraying of the cloth from which the casing is formed. Thus a relatively large opening may be provided for insertion of the bladder 9 within the casing and for manipulation of the neck l in filling and closing the bladder 9.

In order to seal the interior of the casing and secure the closure of the bladder, a second washer 7, composed of sheet rubber having approximately the same thickness as the washer 5 and having an opening considerably smaller than that of the leather washer 5, is located between the casing and the bladder so that the neck at may protrude through the opening 8 of the rubber washer 7 and the opening 3 of the washer 5 and the casing. The diameter of the rubber washer 7 is preferably such that the width of the annulus or rim is substantially as la go or larger than the diameter of the opening 3 in the casing so that the rubber washer 7 may be so placedv as to cover the opening 3 in the casing. After the ball has been inflated, the neck may be sezned by twisting it and then inserting through the opening 3 and between the rubber washer 7 and the leather washer 5. These two materials adhere to the rubber of the neck and prevent untwisting oi"- the neck. The rub ber washer 7 is movable relative to the easing and consequently may be moved to a position whereby. it will close the opening 3 thus securing the neck t in its bladder sealing position and'causing the ball to remain in an inflated condition for .a long ofwater or sand between the bladder 9,

which is somewhat fragile, particularly when under tension, and the casing. It also permits the use of a relatively large yet prevents distortion of the bladder through the opening. It also prevents puncture of. the bladderby an object entering'the opening. Furthermore, the rubber of the Washer 7 prevei vts untWist-ing of the neck by reason of its contact with the rub her of the neck and the pressure produced by the inflation of the bladder.

I claim: I

1. In a play-ball, having a casing and a bladder, a flexible non-elastic sheet material secured to .the inside surface of the easing, the flexible sheet material and the easing having an opening therethrough, a second flexible sheet material located andbodily'movable Within the casing and having an opening smaller than the opening through the casing for receiving the neck of the bladder,the said flexible sheet materials adapt ,ed to clamp theneek of thebladder and pie vent a movement and opening thereof when the bladder is filled, the second named flexible sheet material having awidth suitieiently great to cover the opening in the casing when the neck of the bladder and the portion ofthe second named sheet material having the opening is shifted to one side of the edge of the opening through the first named flexible sheet material and the casing. opening for insertion of the bladder and 2. In a play-ball having a casing and a bladder, a disc of leather secured to the insidesurface of the casing, the leather disc and the casing having an opening therethro'ugh, a disc of rubber located and bodily movable Within the casing and having an opening smaller than the opening through the leather and the casingfor receivingtheneck of the bladder, the said discs adapted to clamp the neck of the bladder and prevent movement and opening thereof when the bladder is filled, the rubber disc having a diameter sufficiently great to cover the opening through the leather disc and the casing Whenthe portion of the rubber disc in Whichits opening is located is moved to .oneside of the edge of the opening through the leather disc. I 7

In Witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name to this specification.

Brennan H. eoovnnr

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