SEGMENTED BALL WITH LIGHTED SEGMENTS

• US 20150246266A1
• Filed: 05/13/2015
• Published: 09/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tangle Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Tangle Incorporated
• Inventors: Zawitz, Richard E.
• Application Number:
  US14/711,496
• Publication Number:
  US 20150246266A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2039/003 substantially hollow and pressureless
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/808 Microphones
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 39/00 Hollow non-inflatable balls , i.e. having no valves rigid balls A63B37/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 39/06 Special coverings
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 39/08 made of two halves
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/002 with special configuration, e.g. non-spherical discs for throwing A63B65/10
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/06 with illuminating devices ; with reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/18 Throwing or slinging toys, e.g. flying disc toys discs used in athletics A63B65/10as part of a game A63F9/02; sling weapons F41B3/00; spring toy guns F41B7/08
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/22 Optical, colour, or shadow toys puzzles with optical elements A63F9/0613; kaleidoscopes G02B27/08

Abstract

Embodiments of the instant invention include lighted bounceable toys for play and amusement. Such toys or structures can be made in an infinite number of graceful and useful configurations. Exemplary bounceable ball toys include a light assembly having a power source and a plurality of light emitting elements, and a spherical skeletal structure having a plurality of segments. The spherical skeletal structure defines an open interior cavity, and at least some segments of the skeletal structure include a channel opening that faces toward the interior cavity. Light emitting elements transmit light to the channel openings.

Claims

1. A football toy, comprising:

a first conically shaped end cap comprising a solid surface defining a first hollow chamber, the first conically shaped end cap having a first end cap edge;

a second conically shaped end cap comprising a solid surface defining a second hollow chamber, the second conically shaped end cap having a second end cap edge; and

a skeletal structure defining an open interior cavity, the skeletal structure having a plurality of ribs, wherein;

the skeletal structure is coupled with the first end cap edge and the second end cap edge,

the ball toy has a prolate spheroid shape defined by the first conically shaped end cap, the second conically shaped end cap, and the skeletal structure, and

at least a portion of the skeletal structure comprises a channel opening that faces toward the interior cavity.

2. The football toy of claim 1, wherein:

at least some of the plurality of ribs are coupled with both the first conically shaped end cap and the second conically shaped end cap.

3. The football toy of claim 2, wherein:

the plurality of ribs comprises a plurality of connector ribs extending between the at least some of the plurality of ribs.

4. The football toy of claim 1, wherein:

the skeletal structure comprises at least one plate.

5. The football toy of claim 1, further comprising:

a light assembly having a power source and a plurality of light emitting diodes, the light assembly being coupled with the skeletal structure.

6. The football toy of claim 5, wherein:

the light assembly comprises a member selected from the group consisting of a motion sensor and an accelerometer.

7. The football toy of claim 1, further comprising:

a light assembly having a power source and a plurality of light emitting diodes, wherein the skeletal structure comprises at least one plate, and wherein the light assembly directs light toward the at least one plate.

8. A ball toy, comprising:

a first conically shaped end cap comprising a solid surface defining a first hollow chamber;

a second conically shaped end cap comprising a solid surface defining a second hollow chamber; and

a skeletal structure having a plurality of ribs, wherein;

the ball toy has a prolate spheroid shape defined by the first conically shaped end cap, the second conically shaped end cap, and the skeletal structure,

at least a portion of the skeletal structure comprises a channel opening that faces toward the interior cavity, and

the plurality of ribs comprises a plurality of longitudinal ribs extending between the first conically end cap and the second conically shaped end cap.

9. The football toy of claim 8, wherein:

the skeletal structure comprises at least one plate.

10. The football toy of claim 8, further comprising:

a light assembly having a power source and a plurality of light emitting diodes, the light assembly being coupled with the skeletal structure.

11. The football toy of claim 10, wherein:

the skeletal structure comprises at least one plate; and

the light assembly directs light toward the at least one plate.

12. The football toy of claim 10, wherein:

the light assembly comprises a member selected from the group consisting of a motion sensor and an accelerometer.

13. The football toy of claim 8, wherein:

the plurality of ribs further comprises a plurality of circumferential ribs extending around at least a portion of an outer periphery of the skeletal structure.

14. A football toy, comprising:

a first conically shaped end cap comprising a solid surface defining a first hollow chamber;

a second conically shaped end cap comprising a solid surface defining a second hollow chamber; and

a skeletal structure defining an open interior cavity, the skeletal structure comprising;

a plurality of longitudinal ribs extending between the first conically end cap and the second conically shaped end cap;

a plurality of circumferential ribs extending around at least a portion of an outer periphery of the skeletal structure; and

at least one plate, wherein;

the ball toy has a prolate spheroid shape defined by the first conically shaped end cap, the second conically shaped end cap, and the skeletal structure, and

at least a portion of the skeletal structure comprises a channel opening that faces toward the interior cavity.

15. The football toy of claim 14, wherein:

the first conically shaped end cap and the second conically shaped end cap comprise a plurality of channels that are configured to receive at least a portion of the skeletal structure.

16. The football toy of claim 14, further comprising:

a light assembly having a power source and a plurality of light emitting diodes, the light assembly being coupled with the skeletal structure.

17. The football toy of claim 16, wherein:

the light assembly directs light toward the at least one plate.

18. The football toy of claim 16, wherein:

the light assembly comprises a member selected from the group consisting of a motion sensor and an accelerometer.

19. The football toy of claim 16, wherein:

the light assembly is coupled with the at least one plate.

20. The football toy of claim 14, wherein:

the plurality of ribs further comprises a plurality of circumferential ribs extending around at least a portion of an outer periphery of the skeletal structure.