Harness for lighted sports article

• US 20080185785A1
• Filed: 03/06/2008
• Published: 08/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Earl W. Sullivan
• Original Assignee: Earl W. Sullivan
• Inventors: Sullivan, Earl W.
• Application Number:
  US12/074,690
• Publication Number:
  US 20080185785A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 273/317
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/06 with illuminating devices ; with reflective surfaces

Abstract

A harness (10) for illuminating a sports article (39) is provided. The harness (10) includes elongated means (11) of elastic material that can be releasably secured to an exterior surface of the sports article (39). The harness (10) further comprise transparent generally flat and planar members (22), transparent sections (18), holes (16) and passageways (36) to releasably secure a light source such as a chemi-luminescent light stick (23) and light emitting diodes (33).

Claims

1. :

A method for illuminating a sports article consisting of multiple specie types of attachment means comprising;

an elastically moldable harness adapted to conform with the contour of a sports article, comprising elongated means to encompass said sports article in multiple directions, said elongated means comprising a generally flat and planar surface with opposed interior and exterior surfaces defining a wall there between comprising, in combination;

a first attachment means comprising at least two holes through the wall of said elongated means along one of said directions, and

light means adapted to be frictionally engaged by weaving through said holes, said light means adapted to be activated by bending, snapping and shaking;

a second attachment means comprising at least one transparent section of said elongated means along one of said directions, and

light means adapted to be frictionally engaged between said transparent section and said sports article, said light means adapted to be activated by bending, snapping and shaking;

a third attachment means comprising at least one transparent generally flat and planar member within said elongated means along one of said directions, and

a housing defining an interior closed to the ambient atmosphere within said transparent generally flat and planar member comprising at least one frangible divider and at least two compartments for separating a chemi-luminescent mixture of chemicals and fluorescent dyes, light means adapted to be activated by bending and snapping said frangible divider and allowing chemi-luminescent chemicals and fluorescent dyes to mix;

a fourth attachment means comprising at least one transparent generally flat and planar member within said elongate means along one of said directions, and

a housing of electro-luminescent material supported inside of said transparent generally flat and planar member, said electro-luminescent material comprising at least one battery, at least one light means, a switching means and a loop of conductive material connecting said battery, said light means and said switching means, light means adapted to be activated by said switching means; and

a fifth attachment means comprising a translucent portion of said elongated means along one of said directions comprising a passageway within the wall of said elongated means, and

a housing of material supported throughout said passageway comprising at least one battery, at least one lamp, a switching means and a loop of conductive material connecting said battery, said lamp and said switching means, light means adapted to be activated by said switching means.

2. :

A harness in accordance with claim 1, in which said harness comprising of a single specie attachment means for illuminating an article.

3. :

A harness in accordance with claim 1, wherein said switching means comprising a motion activated means.

4. :

A harness in accordance with claim 1, wherein said switching means is activated when the harness is in a stretched state.

5. :

A harness in accordance with claim 1, wherein said sports article is a ball

6. :

A harness in accordance with claim 1, wherein the elongated means comprises of an elastic material selected from the group consisting of a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, elastic or an elastic textile.

7. :

A harness in accordance with claim 6, in which said elongated means vary in numerous sizes, shapes and colors.

8. :

A harness in accordance with claim 7, in which said elongated means comprises a quick release section.

9. :

A harness in accordance with claim 7, in which said elongated means further comprising at least two pockets spaced apart from one another and formed through the interior surface wall for stabilizing the ends of said light means.

10. :

A harness in accordance with claim 8, in which said quick release section comprises a hook and loop material, Velcro “

trademark”

.

11. :

A harness in accordance with claim 1, in which said light means varies in numerous sizes, shapes and colors.

12. :

A harness in accordance with claim 11, in which said light means is a mixture of chemi-luminescent chemicals and fluorescent dyes separately contained in a resilient housing and comprising of at least one frangible divider.

13. :

A harness in accordance with claim 11, in which said light means is a resilient housing comprising of at least one battery, at least one light emitting diode, a switching means and a loop of conductive material connecting said battery, said light emitting diodes and switching means.

14. :

A harness in accordance with claim 1, in which said transparent generally flat and planar members are resilient members comprising of a variety of sizes and shapes.

15. :

A harness in accordance with claim 14, where in said members further comprising an opening through the interior surface wall for replacing a light means.

16. :

A harness in accordance with claim 14, wherein said transparent generally flat and planar members comprise of at least two opposed ends which are connected to the ends of said elongated means.

17. :

A harness for the attachment of lights to a sports article comprising, in combination;

an elastically moldable harness adapted to conform with the contour of a sports article, comprising elongated means to encompass said sports article in multiple directions, said elongated means comprising a generally flat and planar surface with opposed interior and exterior surfaces defining a wall there between;

at least two holes through the wall of said elongated means along one of said directions; and

a light stick adapted to be frictionally engaged by weaving through said holes, said light sticks adapted to be activated by bending, snapping and shaking.

18. :

A harness in accordance with claim 17, in which said elongated means further comprising at least two pockets, for receiving the ends of a light stick, spaced a part from one another and formed through the interior surface wall of said elongated means.

19. :

A harness in accordance with claim 17, wherein said sports article is a ball.

20. :

An illuminable transparent harness for releasable attachment to a sports article comprising, in combination;

an elastically moldable harness adapted to conform with the contour of a sports article, comprising a translucent elongated means to encompass said sports article in multiple directions, said translucent elongated means comprising a generally flat and planar surface with opposed interior and exterior surfaces defining a wall there between;

a passageway within said wall of said elongated means; and

a housing of material supported within said passageway comprising at least one battery, at least one light emitting diode, a switching means and a loop of conductive material connecting said battery, said light emitting diodes and said switching means, light means adapted to be activated by said switching means.

21. :

A harness in accordance with claim 20, in which said switching means comprises an inertia switch shifting between first and second states of conductivity in response to the movement of said harness, and a time delay switching means being energized to close the circuit between said battery and said light emitting diode for any given period of time whenever said inertia switch shifts from the first to the second state of conductivity.

22. :

A harness in accordance with claim 21, in which said light emitting diode is connected to at least one light emitting optical fiber.

23. :

A harness in accordance with claim 20, wherein said sports article is a ball.