Illuminated article of apparel

• US 5,934,784 A
• Filed: 04/29/1998
• Issued: 08/10/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Larry Dion
• Original Assignee: Larry Dion
• Inventors: Dion, Larry
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M.
• Application Number:
  US09/069,399
• Time in Patent Office: 468 Days
• Field of Search: 362/103, 362/184, 362/104, 362/800, 362/190, 362/191, 362/198, 362/276, 362/802, 362/196, 473/570, 473/576, 36/136, 36/137, 2/245
• US Class Current: 362/103
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0036 with fluorescent or phosphorescent parts
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0072 made at least partially of transparent or translucent materials
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/36 with light sources
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 15/0015 Illuminated or sound-producing jewellery
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 8/004 with decorative arrangements or form
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 8/34 Hair-braid holders; Hair-plait holders
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/802 Position or condition responsive switch

Abstract

An intermittently illuminated article of apparel which includes a light source and a flasher connected to the light source. The flasher may include a pulse generator, which, in turn, may further include a digital oscillator for generating sequential pulses of voltage, which are supplied to the light source. The article further includes a battery holder connected to the flasher for holding a battery, and a ball mountable on the hair of a wearer by an elastic member connected thereto. This ball may be made in two separable and reassemblable sections, to provide ready access to the interior thereof as needed. These sections may be configured so that they can be snapped together and pulled apart readily by the user.

Claims

1. An intermittently illuminated article of apparel, comprising:

a light source;

a flasher connected to said light source;

a battery holder connected to said flasher for holding a battery; and

support means mountable on the hair of a wearer by an elastic member connected thereto, said support means supporting said light source.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein said flasher further comprises a pulse generator.

3. The article of claim 2, wherein the pulse generator further comprises a digital oscillator for generating sequential pulses of voltage, and means for supplying said pulses of voltage to said light source.

4. The article of claim 1, wherein said support means comprises a ball in which said flasher is mounted, said ball having an interior cavity, said ball further having attachment means for securing said ball to an elastic band.

5. The article of claim 4, wherein said ball is made in two separable and reassemblable sections, to provide ready access to the interior cavity thereof as needed.

6. The article of claim 5, wherein said sections are configured so that they can be snapped together and pulled apart readily.

7. The article of claim 4, wherein said attachment means comprises a passage extending through the ball to receive the elastic band.

8. The article of claim 4, wherein said battery holder is integrated within said ball.

9. The article of claim 4, wherein said battery holder is mounted within said ball.

10. The article of claim 1, wherein said light source further comprises at least one light-emitting diode.

11. An illuminated item of apparel, comprising:

a transparent or translucent outer shell;

a closed elastic loop connected to said shell;

a light source within the shell;

a flasher connected to said light source, said flasher being mounted within said shell; and

a battery holder connected to said flasher for holding a battery.

12. The illuminated item of claim 11, wherein said light source is mounted within said shell.

13. The illuminated item of claim 11, wherein said battery holder is mounted within said shell.

14. The illuminated item of claim 11, wherein said battery holder is integrated within said shell.

15. The illuminated item of claim 11, wherein said flasher comprises a switch means for selectively activating said light source.

16. The illuminated item of claim 15, wherein said switch means is manually activated.

17. The illuminated item of claim 15, wherein said switch means comprises a motion sensor.

18. The illuminated item of claim 11, wherein said light source further comprises at least one light-emitting diode.

19. An illuminated item of apparel according to claim 11, wherein the outer shell has a passage therethrough, and the closed elastic loop passes through the passage of the outer shell.

20. An illuminated hair ornament comprising:

a pair of fasteners connected by a thin connecting member, at least one of said fasteners comprising a polymeric shell having a cavity therein, said cavity containing a first light source;

a flasher electrically connected to said light source, said flasher causing said first light source to produce repetitive pulses of light to be emitted from said shell;

and a batter holder connected to said flasher for holding a battery.

21. The hair ornament of claim 20, wherein said thin connecting member comprises an elastic component.

22. The hair ornament of claim 20, wherein said second fastener comprises a polymeric shell and a second light source contained therein.

23. The illuminated hair ornament of claim 20, wherein said first light source further comprises at least one light emitting diode.

24. The illuminated hair ornament of claim 20, wherein said flasher further comprises a timing chip.

25. An illuminated hair ornament comprising:

a pair of translucent polymeric shells connected by an elastic string-like member, said polymeric shells comprising first and second light sources contained therein;

a flasher, said flasher causing said light sources to produce repetitive pulses of light to be emitted from said translucent shells; and

a battery holder connected to said flasher for holding a battery.