Filling nipple and stopper therefor

July 9, 1935.

P. KELLY

2,007,803

FILLING NIPPLE AND STOPPER THEREFOR .Filed May 10, 1934

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Patented July 9, 1935

2,007,803

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,007,803 FILLING NIPPLE AND STOPPER THEREFOR Patrick Kelly, New York, N. Y.

Application May 10, 1934, Serial No. 724,872 3 Claims. (Cl. 152—12)

This Invention relates to filling nipples and plugs therefor for use in connection with inflatable articles.

One of the objects of the invention resides in S a filling nipple and plug for use in connection with inflatable arch supports, foot balls, toy balloons, and other like inflatable articles which facilitates the inflation and deflation of the same. The device is so constructed that when an into flatable article is inflated, the fluid pressure acts upon the plug to prevent accidental displacement of the same relative to the filling nipple.

Another feature of the invention is to provide a combined filling nipple and plug which is wholly 16 constructed of rubber to eliminate the use of metallic and other hard materials which are objectionable for certain uses to which the invention may be applicable.

A further object of the invention is the proviso sion of a filling nipple and plug which is simple and inexpensive of construction, and positive in its action to prevent leakage when in use upon an inflatable article.

With these and other objects in view, the in65 vention resides in the certain novel constructions, combination and arrangement of parts, the essential features of which are hereinafter fully described, are set forth in the appended claims, and are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, ³⁰ in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a shoe with parts broken away and illustrating the invention in use upon an inflatable arch sup__ port shown in position therein.

⁶ Figure 2 is a fragmentary horizontal section through the shoe illustrating the arch support in top plan with a portion broken away.

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view ₄₀ of the arch support per se taken on the line 3—3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail fragmentary sectional view on the line 4—4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, but show45 ing the filling nipple in elevation and withdrawn from its guard.

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail vertical sectional view through the filling nipple.

Figure 7 is a horizontal sectional view on the 50 line Ί—7, of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 6 but showing the ball plug member separated from the filling nipple.

Figure 9 is a detail vertical transverse sectional ¢5 view of the line 9—9 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawing by reference characters, the numeral 10 designates an elongated substantially flat inflatable air bag or cushion which includes a front body portion A and an integral offset heel extension portion B extend- 6 ing outwardly at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body portion A. The air bags will be constructed for right and left shoes, although in the drawing I have shown the same for use within a right shoe S. For use within io a left shoe, the heel extension B will extend in a direction opposite to that shown in Figure 2.

The air bag 10 is preferably constructed of tubular rubber and the heel end is sealed by folding the upper wall beneath the lower wall 15 and vulcanizing or cementing the walls together as at I i. The front end of the air bag is also sealed in the same manner as the heel end as at 12, but the front end is folded beneath the bottom of the air bag as at 13 and the lapping 20 surfaces are vulcanized or cemented together as at 14 to provide a partition wall 15 which terminates short of the extreme front wall to provide a restricted passage 16 between the forward superposed compartments 17 and 18. By 25 providing the double compartment at the front of the air bag, I increase the capacity of the bag without materially increasing the thickness and provide a compartment or chamber 17 in which air may be trapped in a manner and for a ³⁰purpose to be presently explained.

The air bag 10 is divided transversely by two spaced partitions 19 and 20 which divide the bag into the forward compartment 18, heel compartment 21 and an intermediate compartment ³⁵22. The partitions are formed by cementing or vulcanizing the top and bottom walls of the bag together, a portion adjacent opposite sides of the bag being left unsecured to provide restricted communicating passages or choke openings 23 and 24. The passage 23 is located adjacent the outer side of the air bag and connects the compartments 21 and 22, while the passage 24 establishes communication between the compart- ₄₅ments 18 and 22 and is located adjacent the inner side of the air bag. The walls of the passage 24 are reinforced by a short rubber tube 25, but not the walls of the passage 23 which underlies the heel of the foot when in use. The partition ₅₀20 extends diagonally into the heel extension portion B to produce a compartment 21 of substantially triangular shape in plan so .that pressure thereon by the heel of the foot during walking will cause a proportionate amount of air to 55

2,007,803 be trapped in comer portion where the partition 20 and inner side wall of the air bag meet. Although I have described in detail an inflatable arch support with which the inflatable nipple β and plug now to be described can be used, I wish it to be understood that the novel nipple and plug may be used in connection with other inflatable articles such as foot balls, toy balloons and the like.

Cemented or vulcanized to the exterior of the inner side of the air bag intermediate its ends or between the plane of the partitions 19 and 20 is a reinforcing piece of rubber 25. The reinforcing piece and the under wall which it overlaps are 15 provided with alined openings 20, while secured to the reinforcing piece and surrounding the opening 26 therein, is one end of a rubber inflating nipple 27. The opposite end of the nipple 27 is closed and provided with a slit or air open20 ing 20. The closed end of the nipple is folded within and beyond the open end as best seen in Figure 6 so that the slit or opening 20 communicates with the interior of the air bag through the opening 26. The inner wall of the nipple is provided with a longitudinal V-shaped rib 20 which serves to maintain a portion of the double walls 30 in spaced relation to maintain the air pockets 31 between the walls open to the pressure of air within the air bag. However, to pre³⁰ vent the reversing or accidental outward unfolding of the folded nipple, a portion of the double walls are cemented together as at 32. Seated wholly within the outer open folded end of the nipple is a rubber ball plug member 33, ³⁵ which is held in sealing engagement with the inner walls 30 by the air pressure within the pockets 31. The ball valve member may be squeezed from the nipple for Inflation or deflation purposes, as seen by reference to Figure 8, ⁴⁰ but when the air bag is inflated the air pressure acting upon the inner walls 31 maintains an airtight joint between said walls and the ball plug member.

The air bag 10 is vulcanized or cemented on a ⁴³ base of stiff rubber or rubberized cotton fabric 34 of a size and shape to fit into the inside of a shoe, the ends of the base terminating Short of the end seams 11 and 12.

₆₀ The base 34 is provided with an opening 30 to facilitate the downward passage of the nipple 27 and secured to the underside of the base about the opening 30 is a block of rubber 37 of a thickness’to enable the outwardly projecting end of the ₆₆ nipple to be sunk within an opening 30 therein as best seen in Figure 4. The rubber block guards the nipple against the pressure of the foot and prevents irritation to the foot.

By reference to Figure 3 of the drawing, it 00 will be seen that when the air bag is inflated, three separate pillows or cushions are provided, graduating in height from the rear heel cushion or compartment 21 to the front cushion or compartment 13, the air in the compartments adapt65 ed to be partially displaced from one compartment to another during the natural walking movements of the user.

In the drawing, I have illustrated the invention in use upon a shoe S for receiving the right 70 foot of a wearer, and it will be noted that when the device is positioned therein, the air bag extends from the outer portion of the heel, thence beneath the inner longitudinal arch and the forward end of the air bag extends at an angle 75 toward the outer side of the shoe. By this arrangement, the heel of the foot is supported and cushioned by the compartment 21, while the intermediate compartment 22 supports and cushions the inner longitudinal arch of the foot, the forward compartments 17 and II terminating 5 short of the ball of the foot and acting to support and cushion the metatarsal arch. During a walking operation, pressure is first exerted upon the heel pocket or cushion 21, and a part of the air therein is gradually displaced and pushed 10 forward into the pockets or compartments 22, 18 and 17. A portion of the air remains trapped in the corner of the compartment 21. As the arch and sole of the foot move downward and the pressure of the foot acts upon the compart- ¹⁵ments 22 and 18 successively, the air therein will be likewise displaced but not to the extent to fully exhaust the entire air from these compartments. A portion of the air is trapped in the under compartment 17 to assure an air cush- ²⁰ion support for the metatarsal arch. By reason of the restricted passages between the compartments or pockets, it will be seen that a gradual displacement of the air from one compartment to the other takes place. ²⁵

I have found from actual practice that it is not necessary to extend an arch support to the ball of the foot in order to obtain the desired support of the inner longitudinal arch and meta- __ tarsal arch of the human foot, and by terminaling the air bags short of the ball of the foot, a more comfortable and efficient supporter is produced.

While I have shown and described what I _S5deem to be the most desirable embodiments of my invention, I wish it to be understood that such changes as come within the scope of the appended claims may be resorted to if desired.