Illuminated footbag

• US 6,059,676 A
• Filed: 10/08/1998
• Issued: 05/09/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lael W. Bateman
• Original Assignee: Robert Lanctot, Seymour, David R.
• Inventors: Seymour, David R., Lanctot, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiu, Raleigh W.
• Application Number:
  US09/168,486
• Time in Patent Office: 579 Days
• Field of Search: 473/570, 473/594
• US Class Current: 473/570
• 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

Abstract

An illuminated footbag for increasing the visibility of the footbag in low light conditions such as at night. The illuminated footbag includes a generally translucent footbag having a cavity therein with a light source provided in the cavity for illuminating the footbag.

Claims

1. An illuminated article, comprising:

a generally translucent footbag;

said footbag having a cavity therein;

a light source being provided in said cavity of said footbag; and

wherein said footbag is generally spherical and having an integument and a core comprising a plurality of generally spherical pellets, and wherein said integument and said pellets each comprises a generally translucent material to permit passage of light therethrough, said integument extending into said cavity.

2. The illuminated article of claim 1, wherein said light source comprises a generally oblong elongate capsule having a pair of opposite ends and a generally middle portion, each of said ends of said capsule having a light emitting element therein, said capsule having a switch located on said middle portion for permitting selective activation of said light emitting elements.

3. The illuminated article of claim 2, wherein said ends of said capsule are rounded and said middle portion is generally cylindrical.

4. The illuminated article of claim 2, wherein said capsule has a battery therein electrically connected to said light emitting elements for powering said light emitting elements.

5. The illuminated article of claim 1, wherein said light source comprises a translucent elongate housing containing a luminescent material therein.

6. The illuminated article of claim 5, wherein said cavity of said footbag has a mouth, wherein said housing has a pair of opposite ends, said housing being inserted in said cavity such that a first of said ends of said housing is positioned adjacent said mouth of said cavity, said first end of having a slot adapted for receiving a head of a screwdriver therein.

7. The illuminated article of claim 6, wherein said cavity has a threaded region therein, wherein said housing has a threaded portion thereon, said threaded portion of said housing being located adjacent a second of said ends of said housing, said housing being inserted into said cavity such that said threaded portion threadably engages said threaded region of said cavity to hold said housing in said cavity.

8. The illuminated article of claim 1, wherein said cavity has a mouth, and wherein said footbag has a closure for substantially closing said mouth of said cavity.

9. The illuminated article of claim 8, wherein said closure comprises a flap extending from said integument and substantially covering said mouth of said cavity, said flap being detachably attached to a portion of said integument.

10. The illuminated article of claim 9, wherein a hook and loop fastener detachably attaches said flap to said portion of said integument.

11. The illuminated article of claim 9, wherein a snap fastener detachably attaches said flap to said portion of said integument.

12. The illuminated article of claim 8, wherein said closure comprises a hook and loop fastener provided on the portion of said integument in said cavity adjacent said mouth of cavity.

13. The illuminated article of claim 1, wherein said light source comprises a LED.

14. The illuminated article of claim 13, further comprising a battery being provided in said cavity, said battery being electrically connected to said light source.

15. The illuminated article of claim 14, wherein said cavity has a mouth, wherein said footbag has a closure substantially closing said mouth of said cavity, wherein said closure comprises a switch cap slidably mounted to said integument, wherein sliding said switch cap to a first position to substantially cover said mouth of said cavity activates said light source, wherein sliding said switch cap to a second position uncovers said mouth of said cavity and deactivates said light source.

16. The illuminated article of claim 14, wherein said cavity has a mouth, wherein said footbag has a closure substantially closing said mouth of said cavity, wherein said closure comprises a threaded cap threadably inserted into said mouth of said cavity, said threaded cap being generally disk shaped and having a push actuated switch electrically connected to said light source, said threaded cap having a slot adapted for receiving a head of a screwdriver therein.

17. An illuminated article, comprising:

a footbag being generally spherical and having an integument and a core comprising a plurality of generally spherical pellets;

said integument and said pellets each comprising a generally translucent material to permit passage of light therethrough;

said footbag having a cavity therein, said integument extending into said cavity, said cavity having a generally circular mouth;

a light source being provided in said cavity of said footbag;

said light source comprising a generally oblong elongate capsule having a pair of opposite rounded ends and a generally cylindrical middle portion, each of said ends of said capsule having a light emitting element therein, said capsule having a switch for permitting selective activation of said light emitting elements, said capsule having a battery therein electrically connected to said light emitting elements for powering said light emitting elements;

said footbag having a closure for substantially closing said mouth of said cavity; and

wherein said closure comprises a hook and loop fastener provided on the portion of said integument in said cavity adjacent said mouth of cavity.

18. An illuminated article, comprising:

a generally translucent footbag;

said footbag having a cavity therein;

a light source being provided in said cavity of said footbag; and

wherein said light source comprises a translucent elongate housing containing a luminescent material therein, said cavity of said footbag having a mouth, wherein said housing has a pair of opposite ends, said housing being inserted in said cavity such that a first of said ends of said housing is positioned adjacent said mouth of said cavity, said first end of having a slot adapted for receiving a head of a screwdriver therein.