CN108245849B

CN108245849B - Inflator for hollow ball

Info

Publication number: CN108245849B
Application number: CN201710877877.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 铃木文哉; 丹羽邦夫
Original assignee: Dunlop Sports Co Ltd
Current assignee: Dunlop Sports Co Ltd
Priority date: 2016-12-28
Filing date: 2017-09-25
Publication date: 2020-07-10
Anticipated expiration: 2037-09-25
Also published as: JP6834477B2; KR20180077002A; KR102396896B1; CN108245849A; TWI724245B; JP2018102763A; TW201822846A

Abstract

The invention provides an inflator (2) for a hollow ball, wherein a hole is difficult to block. The pump (2) comprises a pump (4) having an insertion needle (10) and a needle cover (6) for covering the insertion needle (10). The insert (10) has a hole (14) for the passage of air and an outlet (16) for the evacuation of the air. The needle cover (6) has a cap (18) and a holding body (20) housed in the cap (18). The holding body (20) is impregnated with a lubricant. When the needle shield (6) is mounted to the pump (4), the insertion needle (10) penetrates into the retainer (20). The outlet (16) is exposed from the retainer (20) when the needle shield (6) is mounted to the pump (4). Since the outlet (16) does not contact the holding body (20), the entry of lubricant into the interior of the pin (10) through the outlet (16) can be suppressed.

Description

Inflator for hollow ball

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an inflator for filling air into a hollow ball such as a soft tennis ball (ball).

Background

A soft tennis ball has a ball shell comprising cross-linked rubber and a rubber valve. The spherical shell is hollow. The spherical shell is filled with air. The air achieves a predetermined internal pressure of the spherical shell.

Upon repeated strokes with a racket (socket), air gradually leaks from the tennis ball and its internal pressure gradually decreases. Tennis ball rebound resilience at an internal pressure of a predetermined value or less is insufficient, and therefore, the tennis ball is not durable in use.

The tennis ball whose inner pressure was lowered was again filled with air. An inflator is used during filling. The inflator is provided with a contact pin. The pin has a hole for passing air and an outlet for exhausting the air. The insert pin was pricked into a rubber valve and air was filled into the tennis ball.

In japanese patent laid-open publication 2007-289763, there is disclosed an air pump having a plug needle and a cap (cap) for the plug needle. The lid contains a lubricant coating. The lubricant is transferred from the lubricant coated body to the pin. The lubricant prevents damage to the rubber valve caused by friction when the needle is inserted into the rubber valve.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2007-289763

Disclosure of Invention

[ problems to be solved by the invention ]

In the inflator disclosed in japanese patent laid-open publication 2007-289763, the insertion needle is stored in a state covered with the lubricant coating body. During storage, the lubricant may intrude into the hole from the outlet of the pin and be retained in the hole. The lubricant will plug the pores. To fill air with the pump in a state where the hole is blocked, the pump (pump) must be strongly pressed to the extent that the lubricant is squeezed out. The strong pressing is a burden on the operator.

The invention aims to provide an air pump for a hollow ball, which is difficult to intrude lubricant into a hole and block the hole.

[ means for solving problems ]

The pump for the hollow ball of the present invention includes a pump having a needle and a needle cover for covering the needle. The pin has a hole for passing air and an outlet for exhausting the air. The needle cover has a cover and a holding body, and the holding body is accommodated in the cover and impregnated with a lubricant. The retainer is located at a position where the needle is inserted into the retainer and the outlet is exposed from the retainer when the needle shield is mounted to the pump.

Preferably, the holding body is a foam.

The cover may also have a step on its inner face for preventing the retaining body from advancing. The cover may also have a projection on its inner face for preventing the retainer from advancing. The retainer may also be joined to the cover.

[ Effect of the invention ]

In the pump for a hollow ball according to the present invention, since the outlet is exposed from the retainer in a state where the needle cover is attached to the pump, intrusion of the lubricant into the hole from the outlet can be suppressed. In this pump, the hole is difficult to be blocked.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a pump for a hollow ball according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a front view showing a pump of the pump of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing a part of the pump of fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged front view showing a needle cover of the pump of fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a left side view showing the needle shield of fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII of fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a partial cut-away sectional view illustrating the pump of fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the pump of fig. 1 shown with a soft tennis ball.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view showing a portion of a pump for a hollow ball according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view showing a part of a pump for a hollow ball according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view showing a part of a pump for a hollow ball according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view showing a part of a pump for a hollow ball according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view showing a part of a pump for a hollow ball according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings as appropriate.

The pump 2 for a hollow ball shown in fig. 1 has a pump 4 and a needle cover 6. The needle shield 6 may be mounted to the pump 4. The pump 2 can be used to fill air into the soft tennis ball.

Fig. 2 shows a pump 4. The pump 4 has an air chamber (balloon)8 and a pin 10.

The air chamber 8 is formed of a crosslinked rubber or a soft synthetic resin. The air cavity 8 is flexible. The air chamber 8 is hollow. The air chamber 8 may accumulate air inside. Fig. 2 shows the air chamber 8 in an unpressed state. When pressed, the air chamber 8 is depressed. The air chamber 8 has an intake port 12.

Fig. 3 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the pin 10 of the pump 4 of fig. 2. The pin 10 is connected to the air cavity 8. The pin 10 is hollow. The needle has a bore 14 and an outlet 16. The outlet 16 is located on a later side (left side in fig. 3) than the front end (right end in fig. 3) of the pin 10.

The holes 14 allow air to pass through. The holes 14 communicate with the interior of the air chamber 8. Air inside the air chamber 8 can pass through the holes 14. The air is discharged from the outlet 16. Examples of the material of the pin 10 include steel (steel) and stainless steel (stainless steel).

Fig. 4 is an enlarged front view showing the needle cover 6 of the pump 2 of fig. 1, fig. 5 is a left side view showing the needle cover 6 of fig. 4, fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of fig. 4, and fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII of fig. 5. The needle shield 6 has a cap 18 and a holding body 20.

The cover 18 is hollow. The cover 18 is open at a first end 22 (left end in fig. 7) and closed at a second end 24 (right end in fig. 7). The cap 18 has an inner diameter that tapers from a first end 22 toward a second end 24. The typical material of the cover 18 is a resin composition. Preferably, the cover 18 is transparent. In the needle shield 6 with the transparent cover 18, the retaining body 20 is visible through the cover 18. The cover 18 may also be translucent.

As shown in fig. 7, the holding body 20 is housed in the cover 18. The retention body 20 is short of the second end 24. Thus, between the retaining body 20 and the second end 24 of the needle shield 6, a space 26 is present. The holding body 20 includes a foam having open cells. The base material of the foam is synthetic resin or rubber. A typical substrate is polyurethane (polyurethane). The holding body 20 may be formed of woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, knitted fabric, cotton, or the like.

The holder 20 is impregnated with a lubricant. The holding body 20 holds lubricant. Specific examples of the lubricant include oil (oil). A typical lubricant is silicone oil.

Fig. 8 is a partially cut-away sectional view showing the pump 2 of fig. 1. In fig. 8, the needle shield 6 is mounted to the pump 4. In this state, the needle shield 6 covers the insertion needle 10. When mounting, the pin 10 penetrates the retainer 20 and penetrates the retainer 20. By this penetration, the outlet 16 reaches the front side (the right side in fig. 8) of the holding body 20. The outlet 16 is located in the space 26. The outlet 16 is exposed from the holding body 20.

When the pump 2 is manufactured, the pump 2 is circulated in the state shown in fig. 8. The pump 2 is kept in the state shown in fig. 8 when the pump 2 is purchased. After the air pump 2 is used, it is also stored in the state shown in fig. 8.

In the state shown in fig. 8, the outlet 16 is not in contact with the holding body 20. Therefore, the lubricant impregnated in the retainer 20 does not reach the outlet 16. In the pump 2, the intrusion of the lubricant into the bore 14 through the outlet 16 is suppressed. In the pump 2, the hole 14 is difficult to block.

When the needle shield 6 is mounted to the pump 4, the insertion needle 10 extends through the retainer 20. In other words, the pin 10 and the holding body 20 rub against each other. By this mutual friction, the lubricant is transferred from the retainer body 20 to the outer surface of the insertion pin 10. When the needle shield 6 is removed from the pump 4, the insertion needle 10 also rubs against the retainer 20. By this mutual friction, the lubricant is transferred from the retainer body 20 to the outer surface of the insertion pin 10. The outer surface of the pin 10 is coated with a lubricant.

When the needle shield 6 is mounted to the pump 4, the retainer 20 is sometimes pushed forward by the insertion needle 10. Since the holding member 20 has appropriate rigidity, it becomes thin in addition to the inner diameter of the cap 18, and the holding member 20 is hard to move forward even if pushed by the pin 10. By preventing the holding body 20 from moving forward, a sufficient space 26 is maintained. Thus, the outlet 16 is not in contact with the retaining body 20. The material of the holding body 20 is preferably a foam from the viewpoint of appropriate rigidity and lubricant holding. Particularly, a high-density foam is preferable. The holding body 20 may be joined to the cover 18 by an adhesive or the like.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the pump 2 of fig. 1 together with a soft tennis ball 28. The soft tennis ball 28 has a ball shell 30 and a rubber valve 32. In fig. 9, the pin 10 extends through the rubber valve 32. When the suction port 12 of the air chamber 8 (see fig. 1) is closed with a finger in this state and the air chamber 8 is pressed, the air chamber 8 is depressed and the internal pressure of the air chamber 8 rises. The air in the air chamber 8 passes through the holes 14 (see fig. 3). The air moves from the outlet 16 into the spherical shell 30. By this movement, the internal pressure of the soft tennis ball 28 rises. When the finger is removed from the suction opening 12, the air chamber 8 is restored. When restored, air flows from the intake port 12 into the interior of the air chamber 8. The pump 4 may also be provided with a check valve for preventing backflow of air from the tennis ball 28 towards the air chamber 8.

To achieve the state shown in fig. 9, the insert pin 10 must be inserted into the rubber valve 32. The pin 10 and the rubber valve 32 rub against each other during insertion. As previously described, the pin 10 is coated with a lubricant. Therefore, the coefficient of friction at the time of the mutual friction is small. The lubricant suppresses the occurrence of damage such as burrs on the rubber valve 32.

When the air filling of the soft tennis ball 28 is completed in the state shown in fig. 9, the pins 10 are pulled out from the rubber valves 32. At this time, the insert pin 10 and the rubber valve 32 rub against each other. As previously described, the pin 10 is coated with a lubricant. Therefore, the coefficient of friction at the time of the mutual friction is small. The lubricant suppresses the occurrence of damage such as burrs on the rubber valve 32.

In the pump 2, the lubricant does not intrude into the hole 14, so that the lubricant with high viscosity can be used. The lubricant with a high viscosity can better prevent damage to the rubber valve 32. The lubricant having a high viscosity is easily held in the holding body, and thus is difficult to flow out to the space 26. Lubricant of high viscosity is difficult to intrude into the hole 14.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view showing a portion of a pump for a hollow ball according to another embodiment of the present invention. The needle shield 34 is shown in figure 10. This pump has the same pump as the pump 4 of the pump 2 shown in figures 1 to 9.

The needle shield 34 has a cap 36 and a retainer 38. The material and shape of the holding body 38 are the same as those of the holding body 20 shown in fig. 7. The cover 36 is thick walled near the second end 40. Thus, the cover 36 has a step 42 on its inside. The holding body 20 abuts on the step 42. When the needle shield 34 is mounted to the pump, the retainer 38 is sometimes pushed forward by the insertion needle. Even if the holding body 38 is pushed, the step 42 prevents the holding body 38 from moving forward. Thus, a sufficient space 44 can be maintained in the cover 36. In this pump, the outlet of the insertion needle is not in contact with the retainer 38. In the pump, the intrusion of lubricant into the bore through the outlet is suppressed. In the inflator, the hole is difficult to block.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view showing a part of a pump for a hollow ball according to still another embodiment of the present invention. The needle shield 46 is shown in figure 11. This pump has the same pump as the pump 4 of the pump 2 shown in figures 1 to 9.

The needle shield 46 has a cap 48 and a retainer 50. The material of the holding body 50 is the same as that of the holding body 20 shown in fig. 7. The cover 48 has a first step 52 and a second step 54 on its inside. The holding body 50 abuts against the first step 52 and also abuts against the second step 54. The holding body 50 is sandwiched by these

steps

52, 54. The first step 52 prevents the retention body 50 from moving forward when the needle shield 46 is mounted to the pump even if the retention body 50 is pushed forward by the insertion needle. Thus, a sufficient space 56 can be maintained in the cover 48. In the pump, the outlet of the insertion pin is not in contact with the retainer 50. In the pump, the intrusion of lubricant into the bore through the outlet is suppressed. In the inflator, the hole is difficult to block. In the cover 48, the second step 54 prevents the holding body 50 from moving backward.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view showing a part of a pump for a hollow ball according to still another embodiment of the present invention. The needle shield 58 is shown in figure 12. This pump has the same pump as the pump 4 of the pump 2 shown in figures 1 to 9.

The needle shield 58 has a cap 60 and a retainer 62. The material of the holding body 50 is the same as that of the holding body 20 shown in fig. 7. The cover 60 has ribs 64 on its inner face. The rib 64 forms a step 66. The holding body 62 abuts against the step 66. The step 66 prevents the retention body 62 from moving forward even if the retention body 62 is pushed forward by the insertion needle when the needle shield 58 is mounted to the pump. Thus, a sufficient space 68 can be maintained in the cover 60. In this pump, the outlet of the insertion needle is not in contact with the retainer 62. In the pump, the intrusion of lubricant into the bore through the outlet is suppressed. In the inflator, the hole is difficult to block.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view showing a part of a pump for a hollow ball according to still another embodiment of the present invention. Needle shield 70 is shown in fig. 13. This pump has the same pump as the pump 4 of the pump 2 shown in figures 1 to 9.

The needle shield 70 has a cap 72 and a retainer 74. The material of the holding body 74 is the same as that of the holding body 20 shown in fig. 7. The cover 72 has a plurality of protrusions 76 on an inner surface thereof. These projections 76 press the outer peripheral surface of the holding body 74. When needle shield 70 is mounted to the pump, the protrusion 76 prevents the retention body 74 from moving forward even if the retention body 74 is pushed forward by the insertion needle. Thus, a sufficient space 78 can be maintained in the cover 72. In this pump, the outlet of the insertion needle is not in contact with the retainer 74. In the pump, the intrusion of lubricant into the bore through the outlet is suppressed. In the inflator, the hole is difficult to block.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view showing a part of a pump for a hollow ball according to still another embodiment of the present invention. Needle shield 80 is shown in FIG. 14. This pump has the same pump as the pump 4 of the pump 2 shown in figures 1 to 9.

The needle shield 80 has a cap 82 and a retainer 84. The material of the holding body 84 is the same as that of the holding body 20 shown in fig. 7. The retention body 84 has a main portion 86 and a flange 88. The main portion 86 is inserted into the cover 82. The flange 88 abuts a first end 90 of the cover 82. When needle shield 80 is installed in a pump, first end 90 prevents retaining body 84 from moving forward even if retaining body 84 is pushed forward by the insertion needle. Thus, a sufficient space 92 can be maintained in the cover 82. In this pump, the outlet of the insertion needle is not in contact with the retainer 84. In the pump, the intrusion of lubricant into the bore through the outlet is suppressed. In the inflator, the hole is difficult to block.

[ industrial applicability ]

The inflator can be used for various hollow balls.

Claims

1. A pump for a hollow ball comprising:

a pump having a pin; and a needle shield for covering the insertion needle,

the pin has a hole for passing air and an outlet for exhausting the air,

the needle cover has a cover and a retainer, the retainer is housed in the cover and impregnated with a lubricant,

wherein the retainer is located at a position where the needle is inserted into the retainer and the outlet is exposed from the retainer when the needle cover is attached to the pump.

2. The pump according to claim 1, characterized in that,

the holding body is a foam.

3. The pump according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that,

the cover has a step on its inner face for preventing the retainer body from advancing.

4. The pump according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that,

the cover has a projection on an inner surface thereof for preventing the retainer from advancing.

5. The pump according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that,

the retention body is engaged with the cover.