Inflatable play ball

• US 20100285910A1
• Filed: 04/22/2010
• Published: 11/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donald Spector
• Original Assignee: Donald Spector
• Inventors: Spector, Donald
• Granted Patent: US 8,342,991 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/596
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/00 Hollow inflatable balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/02 Bladders
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/085 Closures
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/02 with a handle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0402 Cleaning, repairing, or assembling

Abstract

A play ball comprising an outer casing having two adjacent openings, a vent and a balloon is provided. The outer casing is substantially non-porous. An uninflated balloon is inserted into the outer casing through an opening. During inflation of the balloon, air from within the outer casing is vented. A handle is attached to the outer casing through the adjacent openings in the casing. The handle is stretchable and can be in the form of an elastomeric band.

Claims

1. An inflatable play ball comprising:

an outer casing formed of a flexible material that is substantially non-porous which assumes a desired play ball configuration when expanded, the outer casing having a first opening, a second opening and a third opening, the third opening being disposed adjacent one of the first and second openings;

a removable balloon formed of an elastomeric material, the balloon having a closeable opening and being inside the outer casing; and

an elastomeric handle secured to the outer casing through the third opening and the adjacent one of the first and second openings;

wherein when the balloon is inflated through the closeable opening in the balloon and through the first opening in the outer casing, air in the outer casing is evacuated through the second opening.

2. The play ball of claim 1, wherein the closeable opening in the balloon is knotted.

3. The play ball of claim 1, wherein the closeable opening in the balloon is closed by a valve.

4. The play ball of claim 1, wherein the flexible material includes a polymeric plastic film.

5. The play ball of claim 4, wherein the polymeric plastic film comprises polyvinyl chloride.

6. The play ball of claim 1, wherein the flexible material comprises a fabric material and a rubber coating adhered to the fabric material.

7. The play ball of claim 6, wherein the rubber coating is adhered to an outer surface of the outer casing.

8. The play ball of claim 6, wherein the rubber coating is adhered to an inner surface of the outer casing.

9. The play ball of claim 1, wherein the flexible material includes an impermeable membrane.

10. The play ball of claim 1, wherein the second opening in the outer casing includes a check-valve that permits evacuation of air from the outer casing as the balloon becomes inflated and prevents inflow of air into the outer casing during use of the ball.

11. The play ball of claim 1, wherein the second opening in the outer casing includes a port and a plug that fits tightly into the port.

12. The play ball of claim 1, wherein the second opening in the outer casing includes a swath of mesh.

13. The play ball of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first, second and third openings in the casing has a closure element for closing the opening.

14. The play ball of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric handle comprises an elastomer band that is threaded through the third opening and the adjacent one of the first and second openings, and through a loop in the band to secure the handle to the outer casing.

15. A method of inflating a play ball comprising:

supplying an outer casing formed of a flexible material that is substantially non-porous, the outer casing comprising a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening that is disposed adjacent one of the first and second openings;

supplying a balloon formed of an elastomeric material and comprising a closeable opening;

inserting the balloon in an uninflated state through the first opening and into the outer casing while leaving the closeable opening outside of the outer casing;

inflating the balloon by supplying air or a gas through the closeable opening;

evacuating air from the outer casing through the second opening as the balloon inflates;

closing the closeable opening upon inflation of the balloon;

inserting the closeable opening within the outer casing; and

securing an elastomeric handle to the outer casing through the third opening and through the adjacent one of the first and second openings in the outer casing;

thereby forming a desired play ball configuration.

17. The kit of claim 15, wherein the balloon is inside the outer casing.

18. The kit of claim 15, wherein the handle comprises an elastomer band.

16. A kit comprising:

an outer casing formed of a flexible material that is substantially non-porous which assumes a desired play ball configuration when expanded, the outer casing having a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening disposed adjacent one of the first and second openings;

a balloon in its uninflated state formed of an elastomeric material adapted to be placed inside the outer casing through the first opening; and

an elastomeric handle that is adapted to be connected to the outer casing through the third opening and the adjacent one of the first and second openings in the outer casing.