The present invention relates to inflatable bodies or systems with bounding walls or bladder structures and at least one valve assembly thermally bonded thereto. More particularly, the present invention provides a valve assembly for inflatable bodies typically made from a thermoplastic rubber material or the like, which will exhibit significantly increased strength and durability during inflation and while inflated, especially at and around the interface between the air valve assembly and the bounding wall of the inflatable body because of the enhanced strength of the interface through thermal sealing.

A valve unit for a valve of an inflatable body, in particular a bladder for a sports ball, is provided. The valve unit comprises a cavity containing a viscous, non-solid material, the cavity being adapted to be repeatedly penetrated by a gas injector, wherein the viscous, non-solid material is adapted to seal the valve unit against gas leakage when the gas injector is not penetrating the cavity.

The present invention relates to inflatable bodies or systems with bounding walls or bladder structures and at least one valve assembly thermally bonded thereto. More particularly, the present invention provides a valve assembly for inflatable bodies typically made from a thermoplastic rubber material or the like, which will exhibit significantly increased strength and durability during inflation and while inflated, especially at and around the interface between the air valve assembly and the bounding wall of the inflatable body because of the enhanced strength of the interface through thermal sealing.

A device has a lightweight inner bladder and an outer layer that covers the inner bladder. The inner bladder bunches up, crunches, becomes pleated, folded or the like against the inner surface of the outer layer. The bunched up surface of the inner bladder may be flattened and/or reconfigured upon impact, thereby absorbing energy. The bunched up inner bladder may create an uneven surface on the outer layer thereby altering the manner through which the device travels through the air. The device may be configured for any of a variety of sports or games such as, for example, a simulated soccer ball, football, rugby ball, baseball and/or softball, a tennis ball, a beachball or other oversized ball, a golf ball, a flying disc, a weighted punching bag, or any of a wide variety of devices for play and/or training.

A sports ball including a plurality of specifically-configured panels bonded together along their abutting edges, and bonded with a carcass on the inner surface of the panels by an adhesive. The carcass surrounds the entire surface of a hanging or suspended elastic bladder that is not fixedly attached to the carcass. The panels include a casing that forms an exterior surface of the ball, and at least one lining layer to give structure, strength and softness to the ball.

An apparatus for installing a valve in a hollow body. The apparatus includes a first member and a second member, wherein a part of lengths of the first and second members are complementary to each other to accommodate the first member circumferentially over the second member at the complementary part. The second member is configured to be inserted in a hole on an outer surface of the hollow body; advanced inside the hollow body while retaining the first member against the hole; and withdrawn from the hollow body while retaining the first member against the hole. The apparatus is configured to install the valve into the hollow body while the first member is retained against the hole, and wherein the first member is withdrawn upon the installation of the valve into the hollow body.

An apparatus for permitting electrical connection between the exterior of an inflatable sports ball and electronics located inside the inflatable sports ball is provided. The apparatus comprises a support member, the support member having separate first and second through-holes provided therein for respectively connecting the exterior of the inflatable sports ball with the interior of the inflatable sports ball. An electrical connection port is located in the first through-hole of the support member for permitting an electrical connection to be made through the first through-hole. An air valve is located in the second through-hole of the support member, the air valve comprising an aperture for selective communication of air.

An apparatus for permitting electrical connection between the exterior of an inflatable sports ball and electronics located inside the inflatable sports ball is provided. The apparatus comprises a support member, the support member having separate first and second through-holes provided therein for respectively connecting the exterior of the inflatable sports ball with the interior of the inflatable sports ball. An electrical connection port is located in the first through-hole of the support member for permitting an electrical connection to be made through the first through-hole. An air valve is located in the second through-hole of the support member, the air valve comprising an aperture for selective communication of air.

The invention relates to the field of sports and sport rehabilitation, in particular to a device for training and rehabilitation, removable manner way with at least one rod shaft, the rod shaft being provided at one of its ends with anchoring member.

The invention relates to the field of sports and sport rehabilitation, in particular to a device for training and rehabilitation, removable manner way with at least one rod shaft, the rod shaft being provided at one of its ends with anchoring member.