A needle type inflation valve structure comprising a housing having a radially extending, circumferential flange adapted to be secured to an inflatable article, said housing affording a through opening into the article; Resilient Seated Gate Valvesa resilient valve core comprising a stem seated within said through opening, said stem being axially perforated to receive an inflation needle and having radially extending forward and rearward flanges at forward and rearward ends thereof, respectively, Check Valvessaid flanges radially overlapping said housing adjacent to the ends of said through opening; said through opening having one end thereof substantially larger than the other end and having a frustoconical tapering wall extending inwardly of said through opening from said larger end to said other end; a substantial portion of the axial dimension of said stem being frustoconical and tapering forwardly from said rearward flange in the same direction as and engaging said tapering wall of said through opening; said stem having integrally formed, GATE VALVESradially projecting sealing rings disposed adjacent to the ends of said frustoconical portion of said stem and compressed tightly against said wall of said through opening; said one end of said stem and said forward flange having axially forwardly facing outer end surface portions which are rounded and curve backwardly toward said rearward flange whereby when the valve core is inserted forward end first into said larger end of said through opening, said rounded surface portions coact with said converging wall portions of said through opening to fold said forward flange backwardly and facilitate the seating of said valve core in said through opening. Needle type inflation valves are particularly adapted for inflating playing articles such as basketballs, volleyballs and footballs due to their simplicity and inherent ruggedness. Similarly, this type of inflation valve is well suited for introducing air into or pumping up inflatable protective athletic gear which may be used to protect various parts of the player's body. It is known to provide valves of this type in two parts, one comprising a housing secured over an opening in an inflatable bladder and the other comprising a core disposed within the housing. The housing normally has a fairly large through opening into the bladder or other inflatable member in which the resilient core is seated. The core is axially perforated by slitting the resilient material whereby the same will tightly close and retain air within the inflated article after the inflation needle has been withdrawn.

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