Valve For A Ball And Method For Manufacturing Same

• US 20130012345A1
• Filed: 09/14/2012
• Published: 01/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adidas International Marketing BV (Adidas AG)
• Original Assignee: Adidas International Marketing BV (Adidas AG)
• Inventors: Steidle, Volker Peter
• Granted Patent: US 8,771,110 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/611
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/72 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/085 Closures
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/06 with illuminating devices ; with reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 47/008 Devices for measuring or verifying ball characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/1676 using a soft material and a rigid material, e.g. making articles with a sealing part
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2022/022 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/541 Marbles, pearls
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/20 specially designed for inflatable bodies, e.g. tyres connecting valves to inflatable bodies B60C29/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3584 Inflatable article [e.g., tire filling chuck and/or stem]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49405 Valve or choke making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49412 with assembly, disassembly or composite article making

Abstract

A valve for a ball includes a casing and a core. The core is arranged at least partially inside the casing. The core comprises a first sealing area with a plurality of sections which have alternating concave and convex curvatures.

Claims

1. A method of manufacture of a valve for a ball comprising the steps:

(a) producing a core from a first elastic material; and

(b) forming a casing from a second material around the core.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the core is arranged in a mold after its production, and wherein the casing is formed in the mold by injection molding.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the core is held in place in the mold by at least one fixture during forming of the casing around the core.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second material comprises thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first elastic material comprises thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

6. A valve for a ball comprising:

(a) a casing; and

(b) a core which is at least partially arranged inside the casing,

wherein the core comprises a first sealing area with a plurality of sections, wherein the sections have alternating concave and convex curvatures.

7. The valve according to claim 6, wherein the casing comprises a second sealing area, wherein the second sealing area engages the first sealing area.

8. The valve according to claim 7, wherein the second sealing area comprises curvature radii which substantially correspond to curvature radii of the first sealing area.

9. The valve according to claim 6, wherein the first sealing area is continuously curved.

10. The valve according to claim 7, wherein the core comprises at least one third sealing area with a first edge which engages a corresponding second edge of the casing.

11. The valve according to claim 10, wherein the at least one third sealing area has a larger diameter than the first sealing area.

12. The valve according to claim 6, wherein the casing comprises an outer end with a cover area, wherein the cover area has a larger diameter than an inner end of the casing.

13. The valve according to claim 12, wherein at least one receptacle for receiving at least one lighting means is arranged at the outer end of the casing.

14. The valve according to claim 13, wherein the casing comprises a substantially transparent material.

15. The valve according claim 14, wherein at least one projection for collecting and emitting light from the at least one lighting means is arranged on the cover area.

16. The valve according to claim 6, wherein the casing comprises a recess for an electromagnetic coil at an inner end of the casing.

17. A ball comprising the valve of claim 6.

18. The ball according to claim 17, further comprising:

an electromagnetic coil;

an energy storage which can be inductively charged by the electromagnetic coil; and

an electronic device.

19. The ball according to claim 18, wherein the electromagnetic coil is arranged at a bladder of the ball.

20. The ball according to claim 18, wherein at one receptacle for receiving at least one lighting means is arranged at an outer end of the casing of the valve and wherein at least one lighting means is arranged in the at least one receptacle as a display device for the electronic device.