WO2019046907A1

WO2019046907A1 - Pump adapter

Info

Publication number: WO2019046907A1
Application number: PCT/AU2018/050978
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jesse John McDonald
Original assignee: Mcdonald Jesse John
Priority date: 2017-09-11
Filing date: 2018-09-10
Publication date: 2019-03-14

Abstract

A pump adapter (1) comprises a supply line (5) which may be connected to an air pump (3). The supply line has a pump connection portion (9) for coupling the adapter to the air pump, and a plurality of ball connection sections (6), each ball connection section being arranged for connection to an inflatable ball (2) thereby coupling the inflatable ball to the supply line such that air can be supplied from the air pump via the supply line and the ball connection sections to the balls to inflate the inflatable ball. Inflation needles (7) allow the adapter to be connected to the balls so that they can be inflated. A manually operable valve (21) controls the flow of air along the supply line and into the balls via the inflation needle. The pump adapter enables a plurality of balls to be inflated simultaneously.

Description

PUMP ADAPTER

FI ELD OF THE I NVENTION

The present invention relates to a pump adapter for coupling an air pump to a plurality of sports balls to enable simultaneous inflation of the balls. In particular, the pump adapter is configured for use with sports balls such as those used in football, Australian Rules Football, rugby, netball and the like. The present invention also relates to a method for simultaneously inflating a plurality of inflatable balls.

BACKG ROU ND TO THE I NVENTION

Sports balls comprise an outer skin made of a synthetic or natural material which is lined with polyester, cotton or other suitable material. Inside the outer skin is bladder into which air is pumped to inflate the ball. The ball includes a ball valve to keep the air inside the ball although, over time, air can leak from the bladder and the ball requires regular top-ups of air to maintain the required pressure. To inflate the ball, the ball is coupled to a pump which can be a hand-operated pump, an air compressor or other suitable pump. The pump includes a flexible hose which terminates in a valve needle. The valve needle is configured for insertion into the ball valve.

While hand-operated pumps are adequate when a small number of balls are to be inflated, their use takes time and can be physically hard work. Where a large number of balls are required, for example in schools or sports clubs during training, an air compressor pump is used rather than a hand-operated pump to supply compressed air to the ball for inflation. This has the advantage of shortening the time it takes to inflate the ball and reducing the manual effort required. Sports codes often mandate the pressure to which balls should be inflated. In order to ensure that the ball is inflated to the correct pressure, an in-line pressure gauge is provided to ensure that the correct amount of air is supplied to the ball.

While the use of an air compressor has the advantages discussed above it is still limited to inflating one ball at a time. S UMMARY OF TH E I NVE NTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a pump adapter comprising a supply line adapted for connection to an air pump, the supply line comprising a main portion, a pump connection portion adapted for coupling the adapter to the air pump, and a plurality of ball connection sections, each ball connection section being configured for connection to an inflatable ball thereby coupling the inflatable ball to the supply line such that air can be supplied from the air pump via the supply line to the inflatable ball to inflate the inflatable ball. This provides the advantage of enabling a pump to be used to inflate more than one ball simultaneously.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an air pump including an air supply device and a pump adapter, the pump adapter comprising a supply line comprising a main portion, a pump portion adapted for coupling to an air pump, and a plurality of ball connection sections, each ball connection section being arranged for connection to an inflatable ball thereby coupling the inflatable ball to the supply line such that air can be supplied from the air pump via the supply line and the ball connection sections to the inflatable ball to inflate the inflatable ball. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an inflation needle for a pump adapter, the pump adapter comprising a supply line adapted for connection to an air pump, the supply line comprising a main portion, a pump connection portion adapted for coupling the adapter to the air pump, and a plurality of ball connection sections, each ball connection section being arranged for connection to an inflatable ball thereby coupling the inflatable ball to the supply line such that air can be supplied from the air pump via the supply line to the inflatable ball to inflate the inflatable ball, wherein the inflation needle comprises a threaded portion adapted to engage with a terminal portion of a ball connection section of the pump adapter. According to fourth aspect the present invention provides a method for inflating at least one inflatable ball, the method comprising the steps of:

(i) providing an air pump fitted with an air supply device and a pump adapter wherein the pump adapter comprises a supply line including a plurality of ball connection sections, each ball connection section being arranged for connection to an inflatable ball to couple the inflatable ball to the supply line;

(ii) attaching at least one inflatable ball to a respective ball connection section; and

(iii) actuating the air pump to supply air via the supply line and the ball connection sections to the at least one inflatable ball.

It is to be recognised that other aspects, preferred forms and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the specification including the detailed description, examples, drawings and claims provided below.

BRI EF DESCRI PTION OF DRAWI NGS

In order to facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, preferred embodiments are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an illustrative perspective view of an adapter according to the invention, with eight ball connection portions and with a ball and pump attached;

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a section of the adapter of Figure 2; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the adapter of the invention; and

Figures 4a and 4b are schematic diagrams illustrating alternative configurations of the adapter of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TH E I NVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a pump adapter comprising a supply line adapted for connection to an air pump, the supply line having a pump connection portion for coupling the adapter to the air pump, and a plurality of ball connection sections, each ball connection section being arranged for connection to an inflatable ball thereby coupling the inflatable ball to the supply line such that air can be supplied from the air pump via the supply line and the ball connection sections to the ball to inflate the inflatable ball. Preferably, the ball connection section comprises an air conduit connected to the supply line such that air can flow along the supply line into the air conduit.

Preferably, the air conduit includes a terminal portion configured to receive an end of an inflation needle, the inflation needle being configured for insertion into the ball such that air is able to flow from the supply line into the air conduit and into the inflatable ball to inflate the inflatable ball.

Preferably, the terminal portion comprise a collar having an internal threaded bore, the threaded bore being configured to cooperate with a thread provided at one end the inflation needle.

Preferably, the pump adapter includes the inflation needle and the inflation needle includes a valve mechanism biased to a closed position which opens when the inflation needle is inserted into an inflatable ball.

Preferably, the inflation needle comprises a controlled return valve configured to return a portion of air into the adapter during inflation.

Preferably, the ball connection sections extend laterally from the main portion of the supply line.

Preferably, the ball connection portions are located at equidistant positions along the main portion of the supply line.

Preferably, the air conduits are connected to the main portion supply line by means of T-shaped connectors. Alternatively, the air conduits and main portion are formed as an integrated unit.

Preferably, the supply line is arranged in a loop configuration such as a closed loop configuration. Alternatively, the supply line is an elongate pipe such as an elongate closed pipe. Surprisingly it has been found that the loop configuration provides a more consistent or even pressure amongst all the balls that are inflated. When the supply line is an elongate pipe, the pump connection portion may be arranged centrally of the elongate pipe in a T-shaped configuration. Alternatively, the pump connection portion can be arranged at the end of the elongate pipe.

Preferably, the supply line comprises a flexible hose or tube. Preferably, the pump connection portion comprises a tube and a terminal for connecting the pump connection portion to the air pump.

Preferably, the pump connection portion terminal is detachable from the tube. This allows for different terminals to be used depending upon the type of pump being used. Preferably, the pump adapter includes a pressure gauge provided in the supply line and more preferably in the pump connector portion.

Preferably, the pump connection portion includes a valve adapted to control the flow of air from the pump into the supply line. Preferably the valve is a manually operated valve. Preferably, the air conduit includes a control mechanism adapted to control air egress from the air conduit. Preferably, the control mechanism is a valve or tap which can be operated to cut off supply of air from the supply line when the air conduit is not connected to an inflatable ball.

Preferably, the pump adapter comprises between two and thirty ball connection sections, more preferably three to twenty-five, or ten to twenty, and even more preferably three or six ball connection sections.

Preferably, the pump adapter comprises two or more taps placed at appropriate locations along the main portion of the supply line to isolate selected ball connection sections. Preferably, the pump adapter may comprise three taps. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an air pump including an air supply device and a pump adapter, the pump adapter comprising a supply line comprising a main portion, a pump portion adapted for coupling to an air pump, and a plurality of ball connection sections, each ball connection section being arranged for connection to an inflatable ball thereby coupling the inflatable ball to the supply line such that air can be supplied from the air pump via the supply line and the ball connection sections to the inflatable ball to inflate the inflatable ball.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an inflation needle for a pump adapter, the pump adapter comprising a supply line adapted for connection to an air pump, the supply line comprising a main portion, a pump connection portion adapted for coupling the adapter to the air pump, and a plurality of ball connection sections, each ball connection section being arranged for connection to an inflatable ball thereby coupling the inflatable ball to the supply line such that air can be supplied from the air pump via the supply line to the inflatable ball to inflate the inflatable ball, wherein the inflation needle comprises a threaded portion adapted to engage with a terminal portion of a ball connection section of the pump adapter.

Preferably, the inflation needle includes a valve mechanism biased to a closed position which opens when the inflation needle is inserted into an inflatable ball.

Preferably, the inflation needle comprises a controlled return valve configured to return a portion of air into the adapter during inflation. This provides feedback to adapter so that all of the connected balls will inflate to the same pressure but will enable the inflated balls to stay inflated, or only slightly lose pressure once the required pressure is attained and before they can be removed from the adapter.

According to fourth aspect the present invention provides a method of inflating at least one inflatable ball, the method comprising the steps of:

(i) providing an air pump fitted with an air supply device and a pump adapter wherein the pump adapter comprises a supply line including a plurality of ball connection section, each ball connection section being arranged for connection to an inflatable ball to couple the inflatable ball to the supply line;

(ii) attaching at least two inflatable balls to a respective ball connection section; and (iii) actuating the air pump to supply air via the supply line and the ball connection sections to the at least one inflatable ball. Preferably, the method includes the step of attaching a plurality of inflatable balls to respective ball connection section and actuating the air pump to simultaneously supply air via the supply line and the ball connection sections to the plurality of inflatable balls. General

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. The invention includes all such variation and modifications. The invention also includes all of the steps and features referred to or indicated in the specification, individually or collectively and any and all combinations or any two or more of the steps or features.

Each document, reference, patent application or patent cited in this text is expressly incorporated herein in their entirety by reference, which means that it should be read and considered by the reader as part of this text. That the document, reference, patent application or patent cited in this text is not repeated in this text is merely for reasons of conciseness. None of the cited material or the information contained in that material should, however be understood to be common general knowledge.

The present invention is not to be limited in scope by any of the specific embodiments described herein. These embodiments are intended for the purpose of exemplification only. Functionally equivalent products and methods are clearly within the scope of the invention as described herein.

The invention described herein may include one or more range of values (e.g. size etc). A range of values will be understood to include all values within the range, including the values defining the range, and values adjacent to the range which lead to the same or substantially the same outcome as the values immediately adjacent to that value which defines the boundary to the range.

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Other definitions for selected terms used herein may be found within the detailed description of the invention and apply throughout. Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs.

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

DESCRI PTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A pump adapter 1 is used to connect a plurality of inflatable balls 2 to a pump 3. The pump 3 is used to supply air to the balls 2 to inflate them.

In the embodiment described herein the pump 3 is an air compressor which generates a supply of compressed air. Typically, the pump 3 is of the size used conventionally to inflate sports balls such as footballs, rugby balls, netballs and the like. Air compressors are well known to persons skilled in the art and need not be described in any further detail herein.

The pump 3 can also be a conventional hand-operated pump. Other types of pumps could be used. In general, sports balls require a pressure of between 4.5 to 13 pounds per square inch (psi), so any pump that is able to inflate a ball to those pressures would be suitable.

The pump 3 has an outlet 4 to which the pump adapter 1 is connected.

The pump adaptor 1 comprises a supply line 5 in the form of a flexible hose. The supply line 5 has a main portion 10 which is configured as a closed loop. This is illustrated in Figures 1 and 3. In this closed loop configuration, air flows into the main portion 10 of the supply line via a pump connection portion 9 and along the main portion 10 of the supply line 10 from in two directions.

The pump adapter 1 also includes a plurality of ball connection sections 6 extending laterally from the main portion 10 of the supply line 5. Each ball connection section 6 comprises an air conduit 8, in the form of a flexible tube. The air conduit 8 includes a terminal portion 17 at its free, distal end and is configured to receive the end of an inflation needle 7. The air conduit 8 is connected to the main body 10 of the supply line 5 so that air can flow through the main body 10 of the supply line 5 and through the air conduit 8 to the inflation needle 7.

The inflation needle 7 has a bore 14 through its length. The inflation needle 7 is configured for insertion through a ball valve 15 in the inflatable ball 2 - as shown in Figure 1 . The inflation needle operates in the same way as a conventional inflation needle to enable air to flow from the air conduit 8 into the bladder of the inflatable ball 2.

The terminal portion 17 comprises internally threaded collar 23 and is configured to receive, and engage with, a corresponding threaded portion 18 of the inflation needle 7 to detachably connect the inflation needle 7 to the air conduit 8. The threaded terminal portion 1 7 includes an internal bore 19 running through its length to connect the air conduit 8 to the bore 14 of the inflation needle 7 to allow the passage of air from the supply line 5 to the air conduit 8.

The inflation needle 7 incorporates a valve mechanism 13 preferably in the form of a controlled return valve. The controlled return valve is configured to return a portion of air into the adapter 1 during inflation. The amount of air returned by the controlled return valve is sufficient to provide feedback within the pump adapter 1 so that all of the connected balls will inflate to the same pressure, without over or under inflation, and whatever the starting pressure there is in any of the connected balls. The amount of air returned is also such that, once the balls are inflated to the required pressure, the inflated balls stay inflated, or only lose slight pressure, whilst the balls are removed from the pump adapter 1 . Alternatively, the valve mechanism 13 may be one that is biased to a closed position but which is opened when the needle is inserted into the inflatable ball 2, thus only allowing airflow into the ball 2 when the ball 2 is attached. Thus, if no inflatable ball 2 is connected to the ball connection section 6, then air will not leak externally from the pump adapter 1 .

The ball connection sections 6 are located at equidistant positions around the main body 10 of the supply line 5 as indicated by x in Figure 3. The ball connection sections 6 can be arranged to extend laterally in either, or both, directions from the main portion 10 i.e. inwardly or outwardly of the closed loop. In the embodiment described herein, the main portion 10 of the supply line 5 can be formed of separate lengths of hose 20, the separate lengths of hose 20 being connected by two ends of a T-shaped connector 1 1 and the air conduits 8 connected to the third free end of the T-shaped connector 1 1 .

The T-shaped connector 1 1 is fixedly connected to the lengths of hose 20 by welding, melting or crimping, or any other suitable fixing method.

In an alternative embodiment, the lengths of hose 20 can be detachable from the T-shaped connector 1 1 . This allows the number of ball connection portions 6 to be changed by disconnecting unneeded ball connection sections 6 (with their respective T-shaped connectors 1 1 ), discarding relevant portions of the main portion 10 of the supply line 5, and re-connecting the others.

In an alternative to having a valve mechanism 13 in the inflation needle 7, each ball connection section 6 can include a tap or clamp (not shown) located towards the distal end of the air conduit 8 which is adapted to shut off supply of compressed air to the inflation needle 7 when the ball connection section 6 is not coupled to a ball 2. The valve or clamp can be of any suitable configuration. For example, it could be a manually-operated clamp that can be configured to close off the end of the air conduit 8 at or near the terminal portion 17 i.e. at the inflation needle 7, when the ball connection section 6 is not coupled to the ball 2.

In a further alternative, the ball connection section 6 could be provided without any valves or taps with an unrequired ball connection section 6 being discarded as described above.

In yet another alternative, two inline valves or taps could be placed at appropriate locations along the main portion 10 of the supply line 5 to isolate the ball connection sections 6 that are not required and to therefore select the required number of ball connection sections 6. Preferably, three valves can be provided.

The supply line 5 also includes the pump connection portion 9 which couples the main portion 10 of the supply line 5 to the pump outlet 4 and provides a conduit for air from the pump 3 to the main portion 10 of the supply line 5. The pump connection portion 9 is in the form of a flexible tube or conduit which connects to the pump outlet 4 at its distal end so that air pumped under pressure from the pump 3 flows into the supply line 5 through the pump outlet 4.

The pump connection portion 9 is also connected to the main portion 10 of the supply line 5 by means of a T-shaped connector 1 1 .

The pump connection portion 9 is removably connectable to the pump outlet 4 using a terminal 16 configured and dimensioned to cooperate with the pump outlet 4. In the embodiment described herein, the terminal 16 comprises an internally threaded cap which engages with an external threaded portion provided at the outlet 15 of the pump 3, although any suitable termination/connection method can be used. The terminal 16 is detachable from the pump connection portion 9 so that it can be replaced with an alternative configuration if an alternative pump is to be used.

In the embodiment described herein, the pump connection portion 9 includes a valve 21 with a switch 22 that opens and closes the valve 21 . The switch 22 can be a manually operated switch. The valve 21 can incorporate the terminal 16. The valve 21 is biased to the closed position so that when the pump adapter 1 is connected to the pump 3 the valve 21 is closed and air will not flow into the supply line 5. To enable air flow into the supply line 5 when the pump 3 is operating, the switch 22 is manually operated to open the valve 21 . Manually operable valves are known in the art and need not be described in any further detail herein. Any suitable valve could be utilised. A pressure gauge 12 is provided in-line of the pump connection portion 9 to measure the air pressure through the supply line 5. Such pressure gauges are also known. Any such suitable pressure gauge can be used. The pressure gauge may be incorporated into the pump 3. For example, the pump 3 can be an airgun with the pressure gauge 1 2 being provide in the airgun.

In use, inflatable balls 2 are coupled to the ball connection sections 6 by inserting the inflation needle 7 into the valves in the respective ball 2. The valve mechanisms 13 are open when a ball is coupled thereto and closed where no ball is attached. It will be understood that the pump adapter 1 can be used to inflate a single ball, although the pump adapter 1 is particularly advantageous for the simultaneous inflation of more than one ball,

The pump 3 is switched on and the valve 21 in the pump connection portion 9 opened by manually operating the switch 22 to allow compressed air to flow into the supply line 5, into the air conduits 8 and into the balls 2 via the inflation needles 7. Thus, all the balls are inflated simultaneously.

The pressure gauge 12 monitors the air pressure and once the desired pressure is reached, then the pump connection portion valve 21 is closed, and the pump 3 switched off. The balls 2 are then disconnected from the pump adapter 1 . To control the flow of air during inflation, the valve 21 can be intermittently closed and then reopened.

Rather than a closed loop configuration, the supply line 5 could be an elongate tube. In this configuration, the pump connection portion 9 could be provided at one end or centrally located to provide a T-shaped configuration - see Figures 4a and 4b.

An elongate or T-shaped configuration, as illustrated in Figures 4a and 4b respectively, allow for the ball connection sections 6 to be staggered on either side of main portion 10 of the supply line 5.

The flexible hose can be formed from any suitable material such as rubber or plastics. The T-shaped connector 1 1 can be formed of metal such as brass or of a plastics material. In an alternative embodiment, the pump adapter 1 can be formed as a single piece as an integrated unit with the air conduits 8 and the main portion 10 formed as a single unit with the T— shaped connector 1 1 moulded integrally with the main portion 10. The pump adaptor 1 could be formed of a rigid material, for example a rigid plastics material and, in particular the main body 10 of the supply line 5 could be made from a rigid material.

Claims

CLAI MS

1 . A pump adapter comprising a supply line adapted for connection to an air pump, the supply line comprising a main portion, a pump connection portion adapted for coupling the adapter to the air pump, and a plurality of ball connection sections, each ball connection section being configured for connection to an inflatable ball thereby coupling the inflatable ball to the supply line such that air can be supplied from the air pump via the supply line to the inflatable ball to inflate the inflatable ball.

2. A pump adapter according to claim 1 , wherein the ball connection section comprises an air conduit connected to the main portion of the supply line such that air can flow along the supply line into the air conduit.

3. A pump adapter according to claim 2, wherein the air conduit includes a terminal portion configured to receive an end of an inflation needle, the inflation needle being configured for insertion into the ball such that air can flow along the supply line into the air conduit and into the inflatable ball to inflate the inflatable ball.

4. A pump adapter according to claim 3, wherein the terminal portion comprise a collar having an internal threaded bore, the threaded bore being configured to cooperate with a thread provided at one end the inflation needle.

5. A pump adapter according to claims 2, 3 or 4, wherein the pump adapter includes the inflation needle and the inflation needle includes a valve mechanism comprising a controlled return valve configured to return a portion of air into the adapter during inflation.

6. A pump adapter according to any preceding, wherein the ball connection sections extend laterally from the main portion of the supply line.

7. A pump adapter according to any preceding claim, wherein the ball connection sections are located at equidistant positions along the main portion of the supply line.

8. A pump adapter according to any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the air conduits are connected to the main portion of the supply line by means of T-shaped connectors.

9. A pump adapter according to any preceding claim, wherein the supply line is arranged in a closed loop configuration.

10. A pump adapter according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the supply line is arranged in an elongate configuration.

1 1 . A pump adapter according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the supply line is arranged in a T-shaped configuration

12. A pump adapter according to any preceding claim, wherein the supply line comprises a flexible hose.

13. A pump adapter according to any preceding claim, wherein the pump connection portion comprises a tube portion and a terminal for connecting the pump connection portion to the air pump.

14. A pump adapter according to any preceding claim, including a pressure gauge provided in the supply line.

15. A pump adapter according to any preceding claim, wherein the pump connection portion includes a valve adapted to control the flow of air from the pump into the supply line.

16. A pump adapter according to any preceding claim, comprising between five and ten ball connection sections.

17. A pump adapter according to any preceding claim, wherein the pump adapter comprises two or more taps placed at appropriate locations along the main portion of the supply line to isolate selected ball connection sections.

18. An air pump including an air supply device and a pump adapter, the pump adapter comprising a supply line comprising a main portion, a pump portion adapted for coupling to an air pump, and a plurality of ball connection sections, each ball connection section being arranged for connection to an inflatable ball thereby coupling the inflatable ball to the supply line such that air can be supplied from the air pump via the supply line and the ball connection sections to the inflatable ball to inflate the inflatable ball.

19. An inflation needle for a pump adapter, the pump adapter comprising a supply line adapted for connection to an air pump, the supply line comprising a main portion, a pump connection portion adapted for coupling the adapter to the air pump, and a plurality of ball connection sections, each ball connection section being arranged for connection to an inflatable ball thereby coupling the inflatable ball to the supply line such that air can be supplied from the air pump via the supply line to the inflatable ball to inflate the inflatable ball, wherein the inflation needle comprises a threaded portion adapted to engage with a terminal portion of a ball connection section of the pump adapter.

20. An inflation needle according to claim 19, wherein the inflation needle includes a valve mechanism comprising a controlled return valve configured to return a portion of air into the adapter during inflation.

21 . A method of inflating at least one inflatable ball, the method comprising the steps of:

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the method includes the step of attaching a plurality of inflatable balls to respective ball connection sections and actuating the air pump to simultaneously supply air via the supply line and the ball connection sections to the plurality of inflatable balls.