Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02519416 2005-09-16
WO 2004/083697 PCT/AU2004/000329
A SPORTS BALL VALVE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates broadly to a valve and relates particularly,
though not
exclusively, to a sports ball valve.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Figures 1 and 2 show cross-sectional representations of a sports-ball valve 1.
The
valve 1 is encased in a casing 2 that is glued or otherwise fixed to an
inflatable bladder 3.
The valve 1 includes an axially disposed and throughgoing passageway 4 having
an
expandable but otherwise normally closed valve port 5.
In operation the inflatable bladder 3 is inflated by a manual pump (not shown)
to
which an injector 6 is threadably connected 4. The injector 6 is, as best
shown in figure 2,
pushed through the passageway 4 of the valve 1 so that it penetrates the
expandable port 5.
The valve 1 forms a seal about the injector 5 to limit the escape of air
during inflation of the
bladder 3.
This conventional sports ball valve 1 suffers from at least the following
drawbacks:
forcing the injector 6 into the valve passageway 4 and penetration through the
expandable port 5 damages the material of the valve 1 resulting in leakage;
2. f~rcing the injector 6 through the valve 1 when the bladder is deflated is
known to
puncture the opposing side of the bladder rendering it useless;
3. the injector 6 may during this relatively forceful insertion process or
during inflation
of the bladder 3 be snapped off within the valve 1; and
4. the sports ball cannot be inflated without an injector which may not always
be readily
available.
CA 02519416 2005-09-16
PGTIAUZUU~/~uu~~~
Rectived 7 duly 2005
SUMMARY OF THt' INVENTION
In a first aspect, the present invention provides a sports ball valve compri~:
a mounting meu~ber being adapted to provide for c~osmting of the valve; and
a valve element coauiected to the mounting member and being of a c~ic~al or
frs~sto-
conical shape having its reduced diameter portion directed in a forward flow
direckion, the
valve e>ement including a cotlapa~le aperture located at or adjaaertt the
reduced diameter
portiorv and which in an open coatditl~ a>lowa for flow of a fluid in the
forward direction
through the valve whilst in a closed condition the mllaps~ble aperture
prevents flow of the
fluid irt a reverse direct;on, the mltapsble aperture being opened by the
fluid pressure aloe:
wherein the valve is arranged for inflation without penetrating the valve
eleaurnt or
eollaps~le apertu:e with an injector. .
Advantageotrsrp, the asst avoids damage to the valve el~nt and adjoining
components.
Suitably, lice spans ball valve includes an isolation zoo disposed
intermediate the
mounting member and the valve element and being configured to reduce the
likelihood of
inadvertent opening of the collaps~ls aperture on application of operational
forces to the
mounting member. in a prr#erred form of the first aspect of the present
invention, the
isolation zone a~cludes a peripheral recess at which the cross-sectional area
of the valve is
reduced. Suitably, the isolation zone is apprv~amately 30 to 80% of the
maximum aoss-
~ sectional area of the cortical or fmsto-conical-shaped valve element.
In a second aspect, the present invention provides a valve comprising:
a mounting member being adapted to provide Eor mounting of the valve; and
a valve element connecfied to the mpunting and being of a conical or frnsto-
conical
shape having its reduced diameter portion directed in a forward flow
direction. the valve
element inchidixtg a ~apsible aperture located at or adjactnt the reduced
dianneter portion
arid which in an open condition allows for flow of a fluid in the forward
directioat through
the valve whilst ~ a closed condition the collapsz'bble aperture prevents flow
of the fluid in a
reverse direction, the valve element being connected to the mounding member
via an .
isolation zone defined by an annular recess of the valve whid~ is figured to
reduce
1125T!?59
AMENDED 8HEET
IrEAIAU
CA 02519416 2005-09-16
PC'1'IAU2004/000329
2a ' R«xived 30 June 2005
likelihood of the collaps~le aperture opening under application of external
operational
forces to the moiatting member.
Suitably, the collapsible aperture of the second aspect of the present
invention is
arranged to open under fluid pressure alone.
imp
Amended Sheet
CA 02519416 2005-09-16
p~~rlnt12oo4loao3x9
Itcccivcd 11 November 2004
. 3
The valve of the second aspect of the present invention may comprise another
mounting member, the other mounting member being connected to the mounting
member
via or<e or more of the isolation zones or additional isolation zones which
allow the
mounting member and the other mounting member to move substantially
independently of
each other.
The valve element is preferably at least in part formed from a resilient
material.
Suitably, the isolation.zone is more flexible than the valve element. The
annular recess may
be defined or farmed by a reduction in the cross-sectional area of the valve.
In a preferred
form the isolation zone comprises a narrowed neck portion of the valve which
joins the
rnaunting member and valve element. The cross-sectional area of the valve at
the isolation
zone is preferably approomately 30 to 8096 of the maximum cross-sectional area
of the valve
element The isolation zone may be one of two or more isolation zones.
~~ J
The mounting member and other mounting member may be connected m, or
arranged for connection to, a mounting surface. lane of the mounting surfaces
may be
~nnected to or form part of a first vessel. Arwther of the mounting surfaces
may be
connected to or form part of a second vessel.
The one or more additional isolation zones may comprise a flexible sleeve that
surrounds at least in part the isolation zone of the valve element. The
flexible sleeve may
comprise a sleeve which is extendable and contracfble in an axial direction.
Yn a third aspect, the present invention provides a valve comprising.
a mounting member being adapted to provide for mounting of the valve; and
a valve element connected td the mounting member and including a collapsible
aperture which in an open condition allows for Sow of a fluid in a forward
direction through
the valve whilst in a closed condition the collapsible aperture prevents flow
of the fluid in a
reverse direction, the valve element being configured to provide opening of
the collapsible
aperture on application of a predetermined axial form to the mounting member,
Suitably, the valve element of the second and third aspects of the present
invention is
of a conical or frusto-conical shape having its reduced diameter portion
directed in the
forward flow direction and the collapsible aperture is located at or adjacent
the reduced
diameter portion.
The coIIapsi'ble aperture of the second and third aspects of the present
invention may
be arranged to receive an injector.
nzsrnsg
~~m ~t~
CA 02519416 2005-09-16
PCTlAU2004lQ80329
Rtceived 1 S duly 2005
The a~wunting mzmber of the second and tlvrd aspects of the present Invention
may
be connected to. or arranged far connection to, an inflatable bladder.
Suitably. the mounting is either disc-shaped or is the form of a cylinder
connected to and coaxial with die dal or Ixu.Sto-a~ni~l shaped valve eleanent.
! 5 Suitably, application of said predetermined axial fos~ee promotes opening
of the
collapsible apedzue for inflation of the bait. Applkcation of said
predetermined axial force to
the r~tt~ting rn~atber may promote deflation of the ball.
The a~o~mting is prehrably formed integral with the valve element so that
the valve is of s one-piece corsstructiort.
IQ The valve an~aybe farmed predoarinantly of a poly~aneric or ratter material
BRIEF DESCRIFi'IOH GE THE FIGURES
In order to achie~re a better tnsderstanding of the nature of the~present
inventiar< a
preferred ambodfnv:nt of a valve wilt tyow be ilescr~ed, by way of example
azlly, with
reference to the accompanying drawings which:
15 Figures 1 and 2 8re ctnss-sec~al views of a CotlventionaI sports ball
valve;
Figure 3 is a side eIevational, sectional and bottom view of a valve according
to one
rmbodaa~ent of the invention;
Figure 4 is a ~sectianat view of another etnbodirnent of a valve according to
the
itiventiari;
20 Figure 5 is an elevationaI, sectional and inverted plan view a~f a furttcer
valve
according to the invention; .
Figure 6 is art elevational and sectional view of yet another embodiment of a
valve of
the invention:
1125r1759
Amended Chrrr
CA 02519416 2005-09-16
WO 2004/083697 PCT/AU2004/000329
Figure 7 are schematic cross-sectional and plan views of yet further
embodiments of
valves according to the invention; and
Figure 8 is a sectional, plan and photographic representation of yet another
embodiment of a valve according to the invention.
5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT
As shown in figure 3 there is a valve 10 of one embodiment of the invention
which
according to this particular aspect is designed to be installed in a sports
ball (not shown).
This sports ball valve 10 comprises a mounting member designated generally as
12 and a
valve element 14.
The mounting member 12 includes a relatively thin disc having an increased
wall
thickness toward its axis. The mounting member 12 is connected or in this
example formed
integral with the valve element 14 which is frusto-conical in shape. The valve
10 includes an
axially disposed passageway 16 which is throughgoing. The passageway 16 is
shaped
generally cylindrical at the mounting member 12 and tapers inwardly to form a
wedge-
shaped portion 18 within the valve element 14. The wedge-shaped portion 18 is
then formed
continuous with a collapsible and generally rectangular-shaped aperture 20
which extends
through the valve element 14 and exits the reduced diameter portion of the
cone.
The sports ball valve 10 of this embodiment includes an isolation zone located
intermediate the mounting meunber 12 a~.zd the valve element 14. In this
particular
embodiment the isolation zone comprises a peripheral recess 22 The peripheral
recess 22 is
generally circular in cross-section and has a cross-sectional area
approximately 50%~ of that of
the maximum cross-sectional area of the valve element 14. The sports ball
valve is as such of
a bulbous configuration.
In use, the isolation zone reduces the sensitivity of the collapsible aperture
20 to
external operational forces applied to the ball, for example from bouncing,
kicking or passing
of the sports ball. The collapsible aperture 20 is thus less likely to
inadvertently open as a
result of these operational forces which result in pressure loss from the
sports ball.
The sports ball valve 10 of this embodiment is constructed of a rubber-like
material.
The valve 10 is of a one-piece construction and the rubber-like material
serves to bias the
collapsible aperture 20 into a closed condition.
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WO 2004/083697 PCT/AU2004/000329
6
The sports ball valve 10 is fitted to a sports ball or sports ball bladder in
a traditional
manner where for example it is glued or otherwise adhered to an inner surface
of the ball or
bladder. The sports ball valve 10 is designed to be used without an injector
whereupon the
inflating pressure alone of the inflation fluid, most typically air, serves to
open the
collapsible aperture 20 into its open condition. Otherwise, the collapsible
aperture 20 is
biased in a normally closed condition. In one example a manual air pump
(without an
injector) is pressed against the inlet of the passageway 16 and on inflation
the inflating fluid
which is forced into the passageway 16 expands the collapsible 20 aperture and
inflates the
sports ball.
Figure 4 shows another embodiment of a sports ball valve 30 of the present
invention
which is identical to the valve 10 except that it has two isolation zones in
form of recesses 32
rather than the recess 22. The valve 30 is therefore less sensitive to
external operational
forces than the valve 10.
Figure 5 illustrates another embodiment of a valve 36 which is described by
reference
to the sports ball valve 10 of Figure 3. Likes features of valves 10 and 36
are referred to by
common reference numerals. The valve 36 comprises a valve element 14 which is
attached to
a mounting member 12 via an isolation zone having a peripheral recess 22. The
valve 36 also
includes another mounting member generally designated as 38 which is connected
to the
mounting member 12 via additional isolation zones designated generally as 40.
The
mounting members 12 and 38 form part of respective inner and outer vessels
(not shown).
The isolation zones 40 allow the mounting members 12 and 38 to move a small
amount
independently of each other to minimise transferral of operational forces
between the outer
and inner vessels.
Figure 6 shows another embodiment of a valve 46 which is also described by
reference to the sports ball valve 10 of Figure 3. Like features of the valve
10 and 46 are
referred to by common reference numerals. The valve 46 includes a valve
element 14 and
mounting member 12 connected via an isolation zone having a peripheral recess
22, as
described above in relation to valves 10 and 36. The valve 46 also includes
another mounting
member generally designated as 48 which is connected to the mounting member 12
via a
flexible sleeve in the form of a flexible tube 50. The mounting members 48 and
12 may form
part of respective inner and outer vessels as described above in relation to
the valve 36. The
inner vessel of the valve 46 may for example be a water or fuel tank and the
flexible tube 50
may provide access to the tank via an associated outer vessel which may for
example
comprise a housing of the inner vessel.
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WO 2004/083697 PCT/AU2004/000329
7
As shown in figure 7 there are further examples of a valve such as 70 which
are
preferably in the form of sports ball valves. These are essentially variants
of the sports ball
valve 10 of figure 3 but without the isolation zone or periphery recess 22.
The alternate
sports ball valves 70 each include a mounting member designated generally as
72 connected
to and in this example formed integral with a valve element 74. The mounting
member 72 is
a disc-shaped member and is connected coaxially with the valve element 74
which is conical
in shape. The valves 70 each include a throughgoing and axially located
passageway 76.
The passageway 76 includes a cylindrical portion located at the disc-shaped
mounting
member 72 and extending into the valve element 74 whilst being formed
continuous with a
collapsible aperture 78. The collapsible aperture 78 exits the conical-shaped
valve element 74
at its apex. The collapsible aperture 78 eomprises a single slit. However, the
collapsible
aperture 78 may comprise multiple slits that intersect at a line which is
coaxial with the valve
element 74 and exits the valve element 74 at its apex.
The valves ~0 of figure 7 are similarly designed to be inflated relying on the
inflating
fluid pressure alone without the need for an injector. In a similar manner to
the described
inflation of the sports ball valve of figure 3, these alternate sports ball
valves 20 are inflated
by applying the manual inflation pump (or other inflation means) to the sports
ball so as to
apply sufficient fluid pressure to the passageway ~6 to expand the collapsible
aperture 78.
These ball valves ~0 are also designed so that application of a predetermined
and axially
directed force to the mounting member 72 within a circular region 80 promotes
opening of
the collapsible aperture ~8. The predetermined force is relatively high and
exceeds that
which may under normal working conditions be applied to the sports ball when
it is
bounced, kicked or passed. This application of the predetermined force to the
mounting
member 72 promotes opening of the collapsible aperture 78 either
during°inflation of the
sports ball or so as to partly or fully deflate the sports ball.
Figure 8 illustrates another embodiment of a valve 90 which according to this
aspect
of the invention is designed to be fitted to an inflatable tyre (either tubed
or tubeless). The
tyre valve 90 is in this example designed to replace a conventional Schrader
valve design.
The tyre valve 90 is fitted to a screw-threaded adapter 92 which allows it to
be fitted to an
existing tyre installation.
The tyre valve 90 is of a one-piece construction and fabricated from a polymer
material. The valve 90 includes a mounting member 94 formed integral with a
valve element
96. The mounting member 94 is generally cylindrical in shape and includes an
inwardly
directed flange 98 which engages a complementary-shaped recess 100 within the
adapter 92.
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WO 2004/083697 PCT/AU2004/000329
8
The valve element 96 is a relatively thick walled and conically-shaped member
having a
collapsible and coaxially located aperture 102.
A bike tyre (not illustrated) containing a tube having a threaded valve stem
to which
the tyre valve 90 is fitted. The tyre is inflated by the introduction of
pressurised fluid into
the collapsible aperture 102 so as to expand it and inflate the tyre. The
adapter 92 includes
an inlet port 104 to which inflating fluid pressure is applied for opening of
the collapsible
aperture 102. The adapter 92 is designed for connection to a standard
inflation coupling (not
shown) to which a pneumatic air supply is connected. The tyre valve 90 is thus
actuated by
the inflating fluid pressure alone without the need for an injector.
Now that a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in
some detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the valve
has at least the
following advantages over the admitted prior art:
1. The valve can be actuated or opened relying on the inflating fluid pressure
alone and as such an injector is not required;
2. The valve is relatively simply in construction;
3. The valve is designed and configured to reduce leakage or flow in the
reverse
direction; and
4. The valve can in an alternate construction be deflated or opened by
application of a predetermined force to its mounting member.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein
is
susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically
described. For
example, the valve need not be of a one-piece construction as described and it
may be
fabricated from any suitable material depending on the application and working
parameters.
The specific shape and configuration of the valve need not be limited to that
described and
illustrated but rather extends to other configurations which are within the
scope of the
broadest aspects of the invention.
All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope of
the
present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing
description.
