Inflation needle lubricating plug insert-type valve assembly

• US 4,568,081 A
• Filed: 10/12/1984
• Issued: 02/04/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Company (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Martin, Robin A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marlo, George J.
• Application Number:
  US06/660,442
• Time in Patent Office: 480 Days
• Field of Search: 273/65 C, 273/65 D, 273/58 J, 524/261, 251/368, 137/846
• US Class Current: 473/611
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 39/04 Pricking-balls; Tools for blowing them up
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/202 and with flexible valve member

Abstract

A self-lubricating plug insert-type valve assembly is provided for use with inflatable articles of manufacture, such as footballs, basketballs, etc. The sealing plug through which the inflation needle is inserted is characterized by containing 3-12 parts by weight of a silicone grease for each 100 parts of rubber contained therein. Although contained as part of the rubber mix of the cured plug, the grease migrates within the plug and forms a continually renewed lubricant coating along the passage through which the needle is inserted and withdrawn.

Claims

1. A valve assembly for an inflatable article of manufacturer, said valve assembly including a valve body proving a passage therethrough with a chamber portion, and a sealing plug inserted within said chamber portion and retained therein in sealing engagement with the adjacent wall portion of said passage, said plug having a passage pierceable by an inflation needle to permit gas to be forced into said inflatable article, wherein the improvement comprises forming said plug of a rubber-based mix providing a soft, deformable, resilient character to said plug when molded and cured, and having present in said plug as part of said mix from 3 to 12 parts by weight of a rubber-compatible silicone grease per each 100 parts of rubber, said silicone grease being exudable from said plug and the amount of grease in said plug providing the walls of said plug passage with an effective lubricating action which facilitates insertion and withdrawal of an inflation needle.

2. The improved valve assembly of claim 1 in which said silicone grease is a dimethyl polysiloxane grease.

3. The improved valve assembly of claim 1 in which the rubber in said mix is composed substantially entirely of natural rubber.

4. A valve assembly for an inflatable bladder, said valve assembly including a valve body providing a passage having a chamber portion, and a sealing plug inserted within said chamber portion and retained therein in sealing engagement with the adjacent wall portions of said passage, said plug having a passage pierceable by an inflation needle to permit gas to be forced into said bladder and including self-closing wall means for returning gas, wherein the improvement comprises forming said plug of a natural rubber-mix providing a soft, deformable, resilient character to said plug and having present in said plug as part of said mix from 3 to 12 parts by weight of a dimethyl polysiloxane grease per each 100 parts of the natural rubber, said grease being exudable from said plug and the amount of grease in said plug providing the walls of the plug passage with an effective lubricating action which facilitates insertion and withdrawal of an inflation needle.

5. A valve assembly for an inflatable bladder, said valve assembly including a valve body providing a passage having a chamber portion, and a sealing plug inserted within said chamber portion and retained therein in sealing engagement with the adjacent wall portions of said passage, said plug having a passage pierceable by an inflation needle to permit air to be forced into said bladder and including self-closing wall means for retaining said air wherein the improvement comprises forming said plug of a rubber-based mix providing a soft, deformable, resilient character to said plug, the rubber of said mix being substantially entirely natural rubber, and said mix including conventional rubber formulation ingredients selected from the class consisting of process oil, fillers, sulphur, accelerators, retarders, antioxidants, and pigments, and selected mixtures thereof, said rubber-based mix being characterized by containing from 3 to 12 parts of a dimethyl polysiloxane grease per 100 parts of natural rubber, said grease being exudable from said plug and the amount of grease in said plug providing the walls of the plug passage with an effective lubricating action which facilitates insertion and removal of an inflation needle.