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.

The present invention generally relates to a storage device. Specifically, an inflation needle holding device comprising a compliant base member, having one or more receiving holes for the storage of one or more inflation needles.

The present invention generally relates to a storage device. Specifically, an inflation needle holding device comprising a compliant base member, having one or more receiving holes for the storage of one or more inflation needles.

An inflation needle includes a first end for insertion into an inflatable object, a second end for connection to a pump and an elongated member having a conduit for air therethrough and connecting the first end and the second end, where at least a portion of the elongated member includes a flexible portion. The flexible portion may include a flexible bellows.

An inflation needle includes a first end for insertion into an inflatable object, a second end for connection to a pump and an elongated member having a conduit for air therethrough and connecting the first end and the second end, where at least a portion of the elongated member includes a flexible portion. The flexible portion may include a flexible bellows.

Methods and systems are provided for using a forced induction system of an engine on-board a vehicle as a source of compressed air to pressurize depressurized objects on-board and external to the vehicle. In one example, a method may include, in response to a pressure of the depressurized object being below a threshold pressure while the engine is off, fluidly coupling a discharge of a forced induction system to the depressurized object, wherein the engine includes the forced induction system, and pressurizing the depressurized object by supplying electrical power to the forced induction system.

Methods and systems are provided for using a forced induction system of an engine on-board a vehicle as a source of compressed air to pressurize depressurized objects on-board and external to the vehicle. In one example, a method may include, in response to a pressure of the depressurized object being below a threshold pressure while the engine is off, fluidly coupling a discharge of a forced induction system to the depressurized object, wherein the engine includes the forced induction system, and pressurizing the depressurized object by supplying electrical power to the forced induction system.

The present invention generally relates to a storage device. Specifically, an inflation needle holding device comprising a compliant base member, having one or more receiving holes for the storage of one or more inflation needles.

In a general aspect, a pressure regulating device helps achieve a correct inflation pressure of an inflatable object. In some aspects, an inflation device includes an inlet, and outlet, and a vent port. The inflation device also includes one or more interior surfaces that define a gas-delivery pathway fluidly-coupling the inlet and the outlet. A flow restriction is disposed along the gas-delivery pathway between the inlet and the outlet. Moreover, an opening is disposed along the gas-delivery pathway adjacent the flow restriction and downstream thereof. The inflation device also includes a gas-exhaust pathway fluidly-coupling the opening and the vent port. A first chamber of the gas-exhaust pathway is in fluid communication with the opening, and a second chamber of the gas-exhaust pathway is in fluid communication with the vent port. A pressure-relief valve is configured to control gas flow between the first chamber and the second chamber.

In a general aspect, a pressure regulating device helps achieve a correct inflation pressure of an inflatable object. In some aspects, an inflation device includes an inlet, and outlet, and a vent port. The inflation device also includes one or more interior surfaces that define a gas-delivery pathway fluidly-coupling the inlet and the outlet. A flow restriction is disposed along the gas-delivery pathway between the inlet and the outlet. Moreover, an opening is disposed along the gas-delivery pathway adjacent the flow restriction and downstream thereof. The inflation device also includes a gas-exhaust pathway fluidly-coupling the opening and the vent port. A first chamber of the gas-exhaust pathway is in fluid communication with the opening, and a second chamber of the gas-exhaust pathway is in fluid communication with the vent port. A pressure-relief valve is configured to control gas flow between the first chamber and the second chamber.