Lighted inflatable device

• US 5,888,156 A
• Filed: 06/16/1997
• Issued: 03/30/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Counter Punch Group, DBAPK Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Counter Punch Group
• Inventors: Cmiel, Peter J., Axelson, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Application Number:
  US08/876,750
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 473/570, 473/603, 473/604, 473/605, 473/606, 473/607, 473/608, 473/609, 473/610, 473/611, 473/164, 446/219, 446/220, 446/485
• US Class Current: 473/570
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0025 Football American football A63B2243/007
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/06 with illuminating devices ; with reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2027/1058 associated with light or sound
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 3/0231 Astable circuits H03K3/0315 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/806 Ornamental or decorative

Abstract

A lighted, inflatable device comprises a substantially sealed outer shell, an inner inflatable bladder disposed within the outer shell, a valve for inflating the inner inflatable bladder, and an illumination element disposed within the inner inflatable bladder. The illumination element includes a resistor for conserving battery life. The bladder and shell have translucent portions through which light from the illumination element passes.

Claims

1. A lighted, inflatable device, comprising:

a substantially sealed outer shell,

an inner inflatable bladder disposed within the outer shell, the bladder and shell each having a translucent portion,

means for inflating the inner inflatable bladder,

an illumination element having a first portion disposed within the inner inflatable bladder and a second portion sealingly engaging the inner inflatable bladder and held in place thereby, and

an access opening in the outer shell for accessing the illumination element and a cover for the access opening,

whereby light from the illumination element passes through the translucent portions of the inner inflatable bladder and the outer shell.

2. The lighted, inflatable device of claim 1, wherein the illumination element is removable from the device through the access opening.

3. The lighted, inflatable device of claim 1 wherein the light further comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes.

4. The lighted, inflatable device of claim 1, further comprising a resistor to limit current flowing to the light.

5. The lighted, inflatable device of claim 4, wherein the resistor has a resistance in the range 3 to 5 ohms.

6. The lighted, inflatable device of claim 1, wherein the first portion is freestanding.

7. A lighted, inflatable ball, comprising:

a substantially sealed outer shell,

an inner inflatable bladder disposed within the outer shell, the bladder and shell each having a translucent portion,

a valve for inflating the inner inflatable bladder,

an illumination element having a first portion disposed within the inner inflatable bladder and a second portion sealingly engaging the inner inflatable bladder and held in place thereby, and

an access opening in the outer shell for accessing the illumination element and a cover for the access opening wherein the illumination element further comprises a light, a battery, a switch, and wiring, and further comprising a sealed enclosure encompassing the light and wiring and sealing the light and wiring from the interior of the inflatable bladder and from the access opening, thereby protecting the light and wiring from moisture or dirt entering through the access opening,

whereby light from the illumination element passes through the translucent portions of the inner inflatable bladder and the outer shell.

8. The lighted, inflatable ball of claim 7, wherein the illumination element is removable from the ball through the access opening.

9. The lighted, inflatable ball of claim 7, wherein the light further comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes.

10. The lighted, inflatable ball of claim 7, further comprising a resistor to limit current flowing to the light.

11. The lighted, inflatable ball of claim 10, wherein the resistor has a resistance in the range 3 to 5 ohms.

12. The lighted, inflatable ball of claim 7, wherein the first portion is freestanding.

13. A lighted, inflatable device, comprising:

a substantially sealed outer shell, the shell having a translucent portion, wherein the outer shell is substantially hollow, having no inner compartment,

means for inflating the outer shell, and

an illumination element having a first portion disposed within the outer shell and a second portion sealingly engaging the outer shell and held in place thereby

whereby light from the illumination element passes through the translucent portion of the outer shell.

14. The lighted, inflatable device of claim 13, further comprising an access opening in the outer shell for accessing the illumination element and a cover for the access opening.

15. The lighted, inflatable device of claim 14, wherein the illumination element is removable from the device through the access opening.

16. The lighted, inflatable device of claim 14, wherein the illumination element further comprises a light, a battery, a switch, and wiring, and further comprising a sealed enclosure encompassing the light and wiring and sealing the light and wiring from the interior of the outer shell and from the access opening, thereby protecting the light and wiring from moisture or dirt entering through the access opening.

17. The lighted, inflatable device of claim 13, wherein the illumination element further comprises a light, a battery, a switch, and wiring.

18. The lighted, inflatable device of claim 17, wherein the light further comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes.

19. The lighted, inflatable device of claim 17, further comprising a resistor to limit current flowing to the light.

20. The lighted, inflatable device of claim 19, wherein the resistor has a resistance in the range 3 to 5 ohms.

21. The lighted, inflatable device of claim 17, further comprising an access opening in the outer shell for replacing the battery and a cover for the access opening.

22. The lighted, inflatable device of claim 13, wherein the first portion is freestanding.

23. A lighted, inflatable ball, comprising:

a substantially sealed outer shell, the shell having a translucent portion, wherein the outer shell is substantially hollow, having no inner compartment,

a valve for inflating the outer shell, and

an illumination element having a first portion disposed within the outer shell and a second portion sealingly engaging the outer shell and held in place thereby, wherein the illumination element further comprises a light, a battery, a switch, and wiring, and further comprising a sealed enclosure encompassing the light and wiring and sealing the light and wiring from the interior of the inflatable bladder and from the access opening, thereby protecting the light and wiring from moisture or dirt entering through the access opening,

whereby light from the illumination element passes through the translucent portion of the outer shell.

24. The lighted, inflatable ball of claim 23, wherein the illumination element is removable from the ball through the access opening.

25. The lighted, inflatable ball of claim 23, wherein the light further comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes.

26. The lighted, inflatable ball of claim 23, further comprising a resistor to limit current flowing to the light.

27. The lighted, inflatable ball of claim 26, wherein the resistor has a resistance in the range 3 to 5 ohms.

28. The lighted, inflatable ball of claim 23, wherein the first portion is freestanding.