Inflation method for and game ball with noise suppression disk

• US 8,172,708 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2011
• Issued: 05/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clearview Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: Tachikara U.S.A., Inc. (Tachikara Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Burke, Dann
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, STEVEN B
• Application Number:
  US13/239,020
• Publication Number:
  US 20120006447A1
• Time in Patent Office: 230 Days
• Field of Search: 473/594, 473/570, 473/571, 473/595, 473/610, 156/146, 156/147, 156/170, 156/172, 156/245
• US Class Current: 473/594
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/02 Bladders
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/12 Tools or devices for blowing up or closing balls for pricking-balls A63B39/04
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 45/00 Apparatus or methods for manufacturing balls working of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29

Abstract

An inflatable game ball containing a noise suppression device and a method for inflating the game ball are described. More particularly, a free standing, noise suppression disk is fit snuggly within a central area of the hollow internal cavity formed by the bladder of the game ball. The diameter of the noise suppression disk is slightly larger than the diameter of the hollow internal cavity of the ball, while the thickness of the disk is sufficient to provide necessary rigidity to the game ball noise suppressor without adding excess weight to the ball. An exact amount of SF₆ is pre-filled in the balls, when combined with subsequent air, is determined to create the ultimate SF₆ to air ratio range at various altitude levels. Subsequently, the balls are only partially inflated at the time of manufacture with the SF₆ gas, and no air.

Claims

1. A method for inflating a ball with a mixture of gas, comprising the steps of:

determining a gas mix ratio including an amount of a low permeability gas required to achieve a desired weight and a desired pressure for the ball when the ball is fully inflated at a range of different altitudes, wherein the ball includes an inflatable bladder forming a hollow internal cavity, the ball further including an outer layer surrounding the inflatable bladder and a freestanding, noise suppression disk fit within the inflatable bladder, wherein a diameter of a face of the disk is slightly larger than a diameter of the hollow internal cavity; and

partially inflating the ball with the amount of the low permeability gas at a time of manufacture of the ball so the ball can be subsequently fully inflated with air to maintain the desired weight, the gas mix ratio and the desired pressure.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the ball is a volleyball, wherein the low permeability gas is sulfur hexafluoride, and wherein the amount of the low permeability gas is approximately 6 grams to 6.24 grams.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of, at the point of retail or use, inflating the ball with an amount of air necessary to achieve the desired weight, the gas mix ratio and the desired pressure.

4. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the gas mix ratio of the low permeability gas to air is approximately 35/65.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the disk is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of rubber, leather, a fibrous material, a plasticized material, cardboard, and paper.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the disk is formed of an open-cell foam.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the diameter of the face of the disk is approximately 0.5 inch larger than the diameter of the hollow internal cavity.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein a thickness of the disk allows the disk to be flexible but prevents the disk from collapsing completely within the hollow internal cavity.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the thickness of the disk is approximately 3/16 inch.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the low permeability gas is sulfur hexafluoride.

11. A method for inflating a ball with a mixture of gas, comprising the steps of:

determining a gas mix ratio including an amount of a low permeability gas required to achieve a desired weight and a desired pressure for the ball when the ball is fully inflated at a range of different altitudes;

inserting a freestanding, noise suppression disk into a hollow internal cavity of the ball at a time of manufacture of the ball, wherein a diameter of a face of the disk is slightly larger than a diameter of the hollow internal cavity of the ball; and

partially inflating the ball with the amount of the low permeability gas at the time of manufacture of the ball so the ball can be subsequently fully inflated with air to maintain the desired weight, the gas mix ratio and the desired pressure.

12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the ball is a volleyball, wherein the low permeability gas is sulfur hexafluoride, and wherein the amount of the low permeability gas is approximately 6 grams to 6.24 grams.

13. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising the step of, at the point of retail or use, inflating the ball with an amount of air necessary to achieve the desired weight, the gas mix ratio and the desired pressure.

14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the gas mix ratio of the low permeability gas to air is approximately 35/65.

15. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the disk is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of rubber, leather, a fibrous material, a plasticized material, cardboard, and paper.

16. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the disk is formed of an open-cell foam.

17. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the diameter of the face of the disk is approximately 0.5 inch larger than the diameter of the hollow internal cavity.

18. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein a thickness of the disk allows the disk to be flexible but prevents the disk from collapsing completely within the hollow internal cavity.

19. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the thickness of the disk is approximately 3/16 inch.

20. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the low permeability gas is sulfur hexafluoride.