BALL HAVING INTERNAL LIGHTING SYSTEM

• US 3,804,411 A
• Filed: 02/05/1973
• Issued: 04/16/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert S. Hendry
• Original Assignee: Robert S. Hendry
• Inventors: Hendry, Robert S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pinkham, Richard C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Siskind, Marvin
• Application Number:
  US05/329,732
• Time in Patent Office: 435 Days
• Field of Search: 273/DIG.24,58G 46/228 213/DIG.5
• US Class Current: 473/570
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/06 with illuminating devices ; with reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 273/24 Luminescent, phosphorescent

Abstract

This invention pertains to an educational toy called a comet ball which may be utilized in many games involving both skill and chance. The comet ball comprises a plastic ball having a source of interior illumination and having designed on its surface small areas through which light shines brightly. These areas are designed in patterns representing constellations of celestial bodies. The remaining surface of the comet ball may be of different colors of plastic having some light permeability. Games utilizing the comet ball may be based upon the astronomical models incorporated in the ball or the illuminated colors of a set of comet balls. The ball is formed of two hemisphere secured together. A hollow cylindrical tube is attached internally to each of the sphere. The tubes are threaded and can be screwed together to tightly secure the hemispheres. Inside the tube is placed a battery which supplies power to light a bulb also located interiorly of the sphere.

Claims

1. A comet ball for use in games involving the pitching or rolling of said ball comprising in combination:

a. a substantially hollow sphere comprising two hemispheres one of said hemispheres having an edge having a tongue projecting therefrom, and the edge of the other having a groove therein to receive said tongue in order to provide for a waterproof frictional securement of saId hemishperes in the assembled, abutting relationship, said sphere formed of a substantially translucent material having a darkened thin wall with predetermined limited light permeability characteristics such that said wall when lighted from the interior appears to be a glowing ball of some color;

b. a pattern representing celestial bodies designed on said thin wall by eliminating some of the darkening substance such that, when lighted from the interior, a brighter light will project outward in the form of the design from the non-darkened translucent areas than from the darkened areas;

c. means supported centrally for a source of illumination within said sphere, said means comprising;

a hollow cylindrical tube integrally formed internally of one of said hemispheres and having external threads, said tube projecting inwards toward the center of said sphere and being lined with an electrically conductive material, a second hollow cylindrical tube integrally formed with the other of said hemispheres, having internal threads and projecting inwards toward the center of said sphere;

both of said tubes adapted to be screwed together near the center of said sphere and both adapted to receive a standard size of flashlight battery;

a negative terminal contact which extends along the bottom and one side of said unlined tube and outward through an aperature in said tube to form a supporting base for a bayonet base light bulb within said sphere;

a positive terminal contact which extends from the conductive liner of the first of said tubes through an aperature in one of said tubes to said bulb also forming a means for supporting said bulb in closed contact with said negative terminal contact;

a battery tightly held within said tubes whose positive terminal is touching said tube lined with an electrically conductive material and whose negative terminal contacts said negative terminal contact;

a light bulb held in position within said sphere by said positive and negative terminal contacts to complete an electrical circuit.

2. The comet ball as defined in claim 1 wherein said means supported centrally further comprises:

a switch on the thin wall of said sphere for controlling a source of illumination.

3. A comet vall as defined in claim 2 wherein the darkening of the thin wall of said sphere is accomplished by coating the interior of said thin walls with a substance having the property of illuminescence so that said comet ball will glow when its light is extinguished.