WO1993002310A1

WO1993002310A1 - Valve unit for use in pressurising inflatable articles

Info

Publication number: WO1993002310A1
Application number: PCT/GB1992/001342
Authority: WO
Inventors: Keith Tromans; Sanjiv Sharma
Original assignee: Matrow Limited
Priority date: 1991-07-25
Filing date: 1992-07-22
Publication date: 1993-02-04
Also published as: GB9116031D0

Abstract

The invention provides a valve unit for use in pressurising an inflatable article, the unit having fluid conducting means through which a fluid used to inflate the article may flow between a pressure source and the article (both connected to the valve unit via connecting means provided in the unit); and pressure control means in the fluid conducting means directly or indirectly responsive to the pressure of the fluid inside the article, for ensuring that the pressure inside the article does not exceed a predetermined limit when the pressure source has been disconnected from the article following pressurising of the article. The pressure control means may comprise a flow inhibitor and/or pressure release means. The invention also provides an inflatable article, and a pressure source, incorporating such a valve unit. The unit allows accurate inflation of an article, without risk of over-inflation. It is of particular use in inflating footballs.

Description

VALVE UNIT FOR USE IN PRESSURISING INFLATABLE ARTICLES

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a valve unit for use in pressurising inflatable articles, such as footballs or tyres; to an inflatable article incorporating the valve unit and to a pressure source, such as a pump, incorporating the valve unit.

Background to the Invention

Many articles, for example footballs or vehicle tyres, need to be inflated to a desired pressure. At present a football, for instance, is inflated until it feels right to the user. It is a common sight to see a referee of a football match squeezing the ball with his finger tips to judge its pressure.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a valve unit for use in pressurising inflatable articles, in particular footballs, which enables the articles relatively easily and accurately to be inflated to exactly the desired pressure, without the need to check the pressure of the inflated article manually.

Statement of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a valve unit for use in pressurising an inflatable article, the unit having source connecting means for connection to a pressure source; article connecting means for connection to the inflatable article; fluid conducting means through which a fluid used to inflate the article may flow between the pressure source and the article; and pressure control means in the fluid conducting means, directly or indirectly responsive to the pressure of fluid inside the article, for ensuring that the pressure inside the article does not exceed a predetermined limit when the pressure source has been disconnected from the article following pressurising of the article via the valve unit. The pressure control means preferably comprises a flo inhibitor, which acts to inhibit the flow of fluid from th pressure source to the article when the pressure inside th article reaches the predetermined limit. In this way, over inflation of the article to a pressure above the predetermine limit may be prevented.

The flow inhibitor is preferably moveable between an open position, in which it allows fluid to flow through the fluid conducting means from the source to the article, and a closed position, in which it entirely prevents such flow. It preferably acts against a biassing means, such as a spring, which urges the inhibitor into its open position, the force exerted by the biassing means being such as can be overcome by the inhibitor, thus allowing the inhibitor to move into its closed position, when the fluid pressure acting against the inhibitor and the biassing means has a value corresponding to the situation when the pressure in the inflatable article is at the predetermined limit.

The region of the fluid conducting means where fluid pressure is exerted against the inhibitor and the biassing means preferably communicates directly with the inside of the inflatable article, such that the pressure inside the article and that exerted against the inhibitor are equal. The biassing means is thus able to exert a force sufficient to hold the inhibitor out of its closed position until the pressure acting against the inhibitor reaches the predetermined limit. The biassing means must therefore be carefully chosen, according to the exact use to which the valve unit is to be put.

The flow inhibitor may comprise, for instance, a suitably shaped spool moveable within the fluid conducting means. This may block off the conducting means from the source and/or article connecting means of the unit when in its closed position. Instead of or in addition to the flow inhibitor, the pressur control means of the valve unit may comprise pressure releas means for enabling excess pressure above the predetermine limit to escape from the inflatable article or from th pressure source. This pressure release means is preferabl moveable between a closed position, in which no fluid is abl to flow through it from the article, and an open position, i which it allows the release of fluid from the article, thi movement preferably being against the action of a biassin means, such as a spring, which urges the pressure releas means into its closed position. Again, the biassing means needs to be carefully chosen such that the force it exerts may be overcome by pressure exerted against the pressure release means and the biassing means when the pressure in the inflatable article is greater than the predetermined limit.

A valve unit incorporating pressure release means may be used to pressurise an inflatable article until it is slightly over- inflated, since excess pressure in the article may be released, via the pressure release means, until the pressure reaches the correct predetermined limit.

The pressure release means may comprise a ball _>or other obstruction positioned in a suitably sized and shaped outlet through which fluid may pass from the article when the pressure release means is in its open position. The outlet is then fully obstructed when the pressure release means is in its closed position. Alternatively, the pressure release means may comprise a suitably shaped spool moveable to block off or to open such an outlet.

A valve unit in accordance with the invention preferably comprises a check valve, to prevent backflow of fluid from the inflatable article at least during inflation of the article up to the predetermined limit. Where the unit also comprises pressure release means, this preferably by-passes the check valve. The pressure control means of the unit may be biassed in two opposing directions by two opposing biassing means (eg, springs) , each of which may exert a different force on the pressure control means so that the ultimate position of the pressure control means depends upon the balance between the forces exerted by the two biassing means and any force exerted on the pressure control means due to the pressure inside the inflatable article.

The article which the valve unit of the invention may be used to inflate may be, for instance, a football or a vehicle tyre. The fluid with which the article is inflated is typically air, and the pressure source typically takes the form of a pump (manual or automatic) .

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an inflatable article incorporating a valve unit as described above as being in accordance with the invention. This article is typically a ball (eg, a football) . The valve unit is preferably provided in a peripheral wall of the article and/or formed integrally with a portion of the article. The valve unit may be removable from, or permanently incorporated in, the article.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a pressure source for use in pressurising an inflatable article, the pressure source incorporating a valve unit as described above as being in accordance with the invention. The pressure source may, for instance, take the form of a manual or automatic air or other fluid pump. The valve unit may be removable from, or permanently incorporated in, the pressure source. It may be incorporated in an adaptor used to connect the pressure source to an inflatable article.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings, of which:-

Figure 1 shows in cross-section a first valve unit in accordance with the invention; Figures 2 and 3 show second and third valve units in accordance with the invention, also in cross-section;

Figure 4 shows, in cross-section and in end elevation, a fourth valve unit in accordance with the invention; Figures 5 and 6 show a fifth valve unit in accordance with the invention, also in cross-section and at two different stages of its operation;

Figures 7 and 8 show schematically a football and a vehicle tyre respectively incorporating a valve unit in accordance with the invention;

Figure 9 shows schematically a pump incorporating a valve unit in accordance with the invention; and

Figure 10 shows schematically a pump fitted with an adaptor which incorporates a valve unit in accordance with the invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a pressurising valve unit 1 in accordance with the invention, adapted to be provided in, for instance, a football. The valve unit 1 comprises a first component 2 provided with an inlet bore 3, a second component 4 provided with an outlet bore 5, a check valve 6 and a bypass valve (pressure release means) 7.

The first component 2 comprises a generally cylindrical body 8 moulded in plastics material which defines a check valve seating 9 and an inlet passageway 10 communicating the inlet bore 3 with the check valve seating 9. The body 8 also defines a first portion 11 of a bypass valve seating 12, and a bypass passageway 13 communicating the bypass valve seating 12 with the bore 3. The body 8 also defines a chamber 14 provided in the passageway 13, the chamber 14 having abutment shoulders 15.

The second component 4 is moulded from plastics material and has an outlet spout 16 in which the outlet bore 5 is defined, and a generally conical chamber 17 communicating the bore 5 with the seatings 9 and 12. The component 4 also defines a second portion 18 of the bypass valve seating 12. The first and second components are welded together at junction 19. Balls 20 and 21, or other moveable valv elements, are provided at the valve seatings 9 and 12. Th ball 20 is retained in the vicinity of the seating 9 by portion 22 of the conical wall of the chamber 17, the gap 2 between the portion 22 and a portion 24 of the first componen being too small for the ball 20 to pass through. A projectin portion 25 of the second component 4 co-operates with projecting portion 26 of the first component 2 to prevent the ball 21 from entering the chamber 17, the projecting portions 25 and 26 defining respective seatings 18 and 11. A spring 27 abuts the shoulder 15 and urges the ball 21 towards the bypass valve seating 12.

The check valve 6 comprises the ball 20 and the seating 9, and the bypass valve 7 comprises the ball 21, seating 12, and spring 27.

When a football incorporating the valve unit 1 is to be inflated, the user connects an air pump to the inlet bore 3

(internal and/or external screw threads may be provided at the bore 3, or the part of the body adjacent the bore 3 could be of resilient flexible material) and deliberately slightly over-inflates the football. The football will then deflate until the correct predetermined pressure is reached, at which point the bypass valve 7 will close, the resistance of spring 27 being specially designed so as to be sufficient to close ball 21 against seating 12 at air pressures (in chamber 17) below that predetermined pressure.

When the football is being inflated, the bypass valve 7 is urged shut by the spring 27 and by the pressure of air from the pump entering the chamber 14. The ball 20 is moved away from the seating 9 and air flows into the football. When the pump is removed from the football, the pressure of air in the football pushes the ball 21 away from the seating 12 against the action of the spring 27 and air is bled from the football via the bypass valve 7 and bypass passageway 13 until the spring pressure is sufficient to close the bypass valve 7. Thus, the valve unit 1 of Figure 1 has a pressure control means which comprises bypass valve 7. This acts to release excess pressure, above a predetermined level (according to which the rate and length of spring 27 must be carefully chosen) from an article being inflated through the unit. This prevents over-inflation of the article, since as soon as the pressure source is disconnected from the valve unit, the pressure inside the article will automatically return to the correct level by the release of pressure through valve 7.

Figure 2 shows an alternative valve unit 30 for incorporation into a football or other inflatable article. The valve unit is fixed in the wall of the inflatable article (referenced 31) and comprises a check valve 32 and a bypass valve 33. Figure 2 shows the unit during inflation of the article. Air enters an inlet bore 34, for instance from a pump, passes through a hole 35 in a sliding spool shuttle 36, through a filling passageway 37, into a chamber 38 and then through an outlet bore 39 and into the article. A bleed bypass pathway 40 (pressure release means) is isolated from the chamber 38 and from the inlet bore 34 by the spool 36.

When the external air pressure from the pump is removed, a spring 41 moves the spool 36 rearwardly (to the right as shown) , overcoming the force of another spring 42 which urges the spool forwards (to the left) . Air pressure in the article also urges the spool rearwardly. When the air in the article is at the desired pressure, spool 36 is at a position (due to the combined effects of springs 41 and 42, and the relative air pressures to either side of the spool) when the hole 35 is closed by the body of the valve unit and the bypass passageway 40 is also still closed by the spool. The combined force exerted on the spool by the air pressure in the chamber 38 and the spring 41 balances the force exerted by the spring

42 to hold the spool in this desired position, and no further air can enter the article from the pump. Should the article become over-inflated, the excess air pressure urges the spool to the right, uncovering the bypass passage 40, and excess pressure is bled off. The bypass valve 33 closes when the pressure in the article reaches the desired predetermined level.

If the article is significantly under-inflated, the spring 42 moves the spool to the left, overcoming spring 41, and hole 35 is exposed to the passageway 37. The article then deflates completely. This prevents the article being inadvertently used in an under-inflated condition.

The valve unit 30 of Figure 2 thus has a pressure control means (spool 36 with hole 35, springs 41 and 42 and bypass passageway 40) which is responsive to the air pressure inside an article being inflated through the unit. When that pressure reaches a predetermined level (again the rates and lengths of springs 41 and 42 must be carefully chosen on the basis of this level) , the control means operates to prevent flow of further air from the source into the article. Over- inflation of the article is thus prevented. Excess pressure in the article can be released via bypass passageway 40, also forming part of the pressure control means. The control means in this case comprises both pressure release means and a flow inhibitor.

It will be appreciated that the inflatable article incorporating valve unit 30 need not be a football. It could be any ball, or indeed another article, such as a tyre. Valve unit 30 can be used, for instance, to prevent vehicle tyres being used in an under-inflated condition.

A valve unit such as 30, when incorporated in an inflatable article, could project through a wall of the article into a pressurised space (as shown in Figures 2 and 7) , could project externally of the article, or could be incorporated substantially completely within the thickness of the wall of the article. Figure 3 shows another valve unit, 50, similar to that of Figure 1. This unit is made from two plastics mouldings 51 and 52 which are identical (and may even come from the same moulding tool), and two cartridge insert members 53 and 54. The mouldings 51 and 52 each define part of recesses 55 and 56 in which the cartridge insert members 53 and 54 respectively are received when the unit 50 is assembled. Cartridge insert member 53 comprises a one-way check valve, and cartridge insert member 54 a resiliently biassed one-way pressure release valve. The provision of removable and interchangeable cartridge members increases the flexibility of the manufacturing process for this unit.

Figure 4 shows a fourth valve unit, 70, in accordance with the invention. Both cross-sectional (left hand side) and end (right hand side) views are shown.

The unit 70 may be used in the inflation of an article such as a football, as follows. The unit is connected to a pressure source (for instance, a compressed air source) via its connecting element 71. Air enters the unit via inlet port 72 and chamber 73. As there is no other outlet the air exits the unit, and enters the article, via outlet port_v 74. The pressure generated in chamber 73 is allowed to enter space 75 via a drilling 79 in spool 76. The pressure in space 75 generates a force which acts, through the spool, against a spring 77. When this force overcomes the preload on the spring 77, the spool 76 starts to compress the spring, the movement of the spool being in a direction so as to restrict the inlet and outlet ports, 72 and 74.

When the pressure in chamber 73 and space 75 reaches a preset value, the compression of spring 77 allows spool 76 to completely obstruct ports 72 and 74. At this stage, no more air can be forced into the article, and over-inflation is thus prevented. When the unit 70 is removed from the pressure source, the pressure within the unit returns to atmospheric pressure, allowing the spring 77 to reset the spool 76. A hole 78 in the end cap 80 allows the spool to exhaust excess air as it moves. This ensures that the only force resisting the movement of the spool is that generated by the spring 77, plus any frictional forces.

The desired pressure, at which ports 72 and 74 are obstructed to prevent further inflation, is obtained by the correct choice of rate and free length of spring 77.

Unit 70 has a pressure control means (spool 76, with its internal drilling 79, space 75 and spring 77) which acts to inhibit the flow of fluid from a source into an article being inflated, when the pressure of fluid entering the article has reached a certain predetermined value. The control means is responsive to this pressure via the drilling 79 and space 75.

As can all other valve units shown in Figures 1-6, unit 70 may be used with, inter alia, either a manual air pump or an automatic compressed air supply as the pressure source. Outlet port 74 of the unit may communicate directly with the inside of the article being inflated (for instance, where unit 70 is incorporated into the article) or may be suitably connected thereto, via connecting element 81.

A fifth valve unit 90 in accordance with the invention is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 , which show the unit at two different stages of its operation. Again, the unit is used for inflating an article, such as a football (with which the unit communicates via its outlet port 91) , from a pressure source (in this case, preferably a manual air pump) connected to its inlet port 92.

Air from the pump enters the unit via inlet port 92, leading into chamber 93. As there are no other outlets, the air forces the shuttle spool 94 on to its seat (formed by shoulders 95 in outlet port 91) , thus exiting the unit via port 91. (See Figure 5.) When the pump is retracted, ready for its next stroke, th pressure in the article being inflated causes the shuttl spool 94 to move up, to abut upper shoulders 100, as shown i Figure 6. The shuttle spool thus acts as a gate, allowing ai to enter the space 97 behind main spool 98, but not allowin it to escape into the atmosphere. Therefore, the pressure i the space 97 is the same as the pressure within the articl being inflated.

The pressure in space 97 generates a force which acts, throug the main spool 98, against a spring 101. As the pressur within the article rises, the force generated by this pressur overcomes the preload on the spring. The spool 98, in turn starts to compress the spring, the movement of the spool bein in a direction so as to restrict the inlet and outlet ports 91 and 92. When the pressure reaches the preset value, th compression of the spring allows the spool land to completel obstruct the ports. As this stage, no more air can be force into the article. It is thus at the predetermined desire pressure, dictated by the parameters of spring 101.

When the value unit 90 is removed from the article bein inflated, the pressure within the unit returns to. atmospheri pressure, allowing the spring 101 to reset spool 98. The uni is then ready for re-use.

The predetermined pressure rating is obtained by the correc selection of rate and free length for the spring 101.

The unit 90 may be used, for example , with pumps that produc a low frequency, pulsed air supply.

The valve units may be incorporated into any inflatabl article, such as a football or a vehicle tyre; into a pressur source, such as the pump shown schematically in Figure 9, o as an intermediate element, such as an adaptor, interpose between a pressure source and an article to be inflated (se Figure 10) . The football 120 shown in cross-section in Figure 7, for instance, incorporates a valve unit 121 in accordance with the invention. The unit is built into the side walls of the ball and is adapted for connection to a pressure source. The vehicle tyre 122, shown in end elevation in Figure 8, also incorporates such a valve unit in its side wall. Air pump 123, shown schematically in Figure 9, includes valve unit 124 in accordance with the invention, for connection via outlet conduit 125 with an article to be inflated.

Figure 10 shows a pump 126 releasably attached to an adaptor 127 which incorporates a valve unit 128 in accordance with the invention. Unit 128 is in turn releasably attached to an inflation needle 129 for insertion into, say, a football.

Claims

1. A valve unit for use in pressurising a inflatabl article, the unit having source connecting means fo connection to a pressure source; article connectin means for connection to the inflatable article; flui conducting means through which a fluid used to inflate the article may flow between the pressure source and the article; and pressure control means in the fluid conducting means, directly or indirectly responsive to the pressure of fluid inside the article, for ensuring that the pressure inside the article does not exceed a predetermined limit when the pressure source has been disconnected from the article following pressurising of the article via the valve unit.

2. A valve unit according to claim l, wherein the pressure control means comprises a flow inhibitor which acts to inhibit the flow of fluid from the pressure source to the inflatable article when the pressure inside the article reaches the predetermined limit.

3. A valve unit according to claim 2, wherein the flow inhibitor is moveable between an open position, in which it allows fluid to flow through the fluid conducting means from the source to the article, and a closed position, in which it entirely prevents such flow.

4. A valve unit according to claim 3, wherein the flow inhibitor acts against a biassing means which urges the inhibitor into its open position, the force exerted by the biassing means being such as can be overcome by the inhibitor, thus allowing the inhibitor to move into its closed position, when the fluid pressure acting against the inhibitor and biassing means has a value corresponding to the situation when the pressure in the inflatable article is at the predetermined limit.

5. A valve unit according to claim 4, wherein the biassing means comprises a spring.

6. A valve unit according to any one of claims 2-5, wherein the region of the fluid conducting means where fluid pressure is exerted against the inhibitor and the biassing means communicates directly with the inside of the inflatable article, such that the pressure inside the article and that exerted against the inhibitor are equal.

7. A valve unit according to any one claims 2-6, wherein the flow inhibitor comprises a suitably shaped spool moveable within the fluid conducting means.

8. A valve unit according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the pressure control means comprises pressure release means for enabling excess pressure above the predetermined limit to escape from the inflatable article or from the pressure source.

9. A valve unit according to claim 8, wherein the pressure release means is moveable between a closed position, in which no fluid is able to flow through it from the article, and an open position, in which it allows the release of fluid from the article.

10. A valve unit according to claim 9, wherein the movement of the pressure release means between its closed and its open positions is against the action of a biassing means which urges the pressure release means into its closed position.

11. A valve unit according to claim 10, wherein the biassing means comprises a spring.

12. A valve unit according to any one of claims 8-11, wherein the pressure release means comprises a ball or other obstruction positioned in a suitably sized and shaped outlet through which fluid may pass from the article when the pressure release means is in its open position.

13. A valve unit according to any one of claims 8-11, wherein the pressure release means comprises a suitably shaped spool moveable to block off or to open an outlet through which fluid may pass from the article when the pressure release means is in its open position.

14. A valve unit according to any one of the preceding claims, additionally comprising a check valve to prevent backflow of fluid from the inflatable article at least during its inflation up to the predetermined limit.

15. A valve unit according to claim 14 and any one of claims 8-13, wherein the pressure release means bypasses the check valve.

16. A valve unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure control means is biassed in two opposing directions by two opposing biassing means, each of which may exert a different force on the pressure control means so that the ultimate position of the pressure control means depends upon the balance between the forces exerted by the two biassing means and any force exerted on the pressure control means due to the pressure inside the inflatable article.

17. An inflatable article incorporating a valve unit according to any one of the preceding claims.

18. An inflatable article according to claim 17, wherein the valve unit is provided in a peripheral wall of the article.

19. An inflatable article according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the valve unit is formed integrally with a portion of the article.

20. An inflatable article according to any one of claims 17- 19, wherein the valve unit is removable from the article.

21. An inflatable article according to any one of claims 17- 19, wherein the valve unit is permanently incorporated in the article.

22. An inflatable article according to any one of claims 17- 21, wherein the article is a ball.

23. A pressure source for use in pressurising an inflatable article, the source incorporating a valve unit according to any one of claims 1-16.

24. A pressure source according to claim 23, wherein the valve unit is removable from the source.

25. A pressure source according to claim 23, wherein the valve unit is permanently incorporated in the source.

26. A pressure source according to any one of claims 23-25, wherein the valve unit is incorporated in an adaptor used to connect the pressure source to an inflatable article.

27. A pressure source according to any one of claims 23-26, being a manual or automatic air pump.

28. A valve unit substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying illustrative figures 1-6.

29. A inflatable article substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying illustrative figures 7 and 8.

30. A pressure source substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying illustrative figures 9 and 10. AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 22 December 1992 (22.12.92); original claims 1-30 replaced by amended claims 1-23 (4 pages)]

1. A valve unit for use in pressurising an inflatable article, the unit having source connecting means for connection to a pressure source; article connecting means for connection to the inflatable article; fluid conducting means through which a fluid used to inflate the article may flow between the pressure source and the article; and flow inhibiting means in the fluid conducting means, directly or indirectly responsive to the pressure of fluid inside the article, which flow inhibiting means is moveable between an open position, in which it allows fluid to flow through the fluid conducting means from the source to the article, and a closed position, in which it entirely prevents such flow, wherein the flow inhibiting means occupies its closed position when the pressure inside the article reaches a predetermined limit.

2. A valve unit according to Claim 1, wherein fluid which has entered the inflatable article via the fluid conducting means is prevented from escaping from the article or the valve unit, and acts instead on the flow inhibiting means, causing the flow inhibiting means to move from its open position towards its closed position.

3. A valve unit according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the flow inhibiting means acts against a biassing means which urges the inhibiting means into its open position, the force exerted by the biassing means being such as can be overcome by the inhibiting means, thus allowing the inhibiting means to move into its closed position, when the fluid pressure acting against the inhibiting means and biassing means has a value corresponding to the situation when the pressure in the inflatable article is at the predetermined limit. 4. A valve unit according to claim 3, wherein the biassing means comprises a spring.

5. A valve unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the region of the fluid conducting means where fluid pressure is exerted against the inhibiting means and the biassing means communicates directly with the inside of the inflatable article in use, such that the pressure inside the article and that exerted against the inhibiting means are equal.

6. A valve unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow inhibiting means comprises a suitably shaped spool moveable within the fluid conducting means.

7. A valve unit according to any one of the preceding claims, additionally comprising a check valve to prevent backflow of fluid from the inflatable article towards the pressure source at least during inflation of the article up to the predetermined limit.

8. A valve unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow inhibiting means is biassed in two opposing directions by two opposing biassing means, each of which may exert a different force on the flow inhibiting means so that the ultimate position of the flow inhibiting means depends upon the balance between the forces exerted by the two biassing means and any force exerted on the flow inhibiting means due to the pressure inside the inflatable article.

9. A valve unit according to any one of the preceding claims, for use in pressurising a ball such as a football.

10. An inflatable article incorporating a valve unit according to any one of the preceding claims. 11. An inflatable article according to claim 10, wherein the valve unit is provided in a peripheral wall of the article.

12. An inflatable article according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the valve unit is formed integrally with a portion of the article.

13. An inflatable article according to any one of claims 10- 12, wherein the valve unit is removable from the article.

14. An inflatable article according to any one of claims 10- 12, wherein the valve unit is permanently incorporated in the article.

15. An inflatable article according to any one of claims 10- 14, wherein the article is a ball.

16. A pressure source for use in pressurising an inflatable article, the source incorporating a valve unit according to any one of claims 1-9.

17. A pressure source according to claim 16, wherein the valve unit is removable from the source.

18. A pressure source accprding to claim 16, wherein the valve unit is permanently incorporated in the source.

19. A pressure source according to any one of claims 16-18, wherein the valve unit is incorporated in an adaptor used to connect the pressure source to an inflatable article.

20. A pressure source according to any one of claims 16-19, being a manual or automatic air pump.

21. A valve unit substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying illustrative figures 1-6. 22. An inflatable article substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying illustrative figures 7 and 8.

23. A pressure source substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying illustrative figures 9 and 10.