Sound and light effects ball structure

• US 6,251,035 B1
• Filed: 07/23/1999
• Issued: 06/26/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hu-Liang Fa
• Original Assignee: Hu-Liang Fa
• Inventors: Fa, Hu-Liang
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, STEVEN B
• Application Number:
  US09/359,418
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 473/570, 473/571, 473/603, 473/604, 473/605, 473/607, 473/609, 446/219, 446/220
• US Class Current: 473/570
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0066 Rugby; American football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/00 Hollow inflatable balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 Balls with special arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/06 with illuminating devices ; with reflective surfaces

Abstract

A sound and light effects ball structure, in which a sound and light element is fitted. As the ball is thrown, the ball structure will emit a light and sound effect. Its principal features are its transparent inner bladder and its translucence. Also, the inner bladder is sewn into the outer ball skin. The invention'"'"'s features is a suspended strap that is connected inside and between the upper and lower sides of the inner bladder. Additionally, the suspended strap'"'"'s center is affixed with a balance-switching sound and light element. The sound and light element is controlled by a battery. When the ball is thrown, its movement causes the sound and light element to move and emit the sound and light effects, which will be passed through the translucent ball skin. Furthermore, since the said sound and light element is secured at the ball'"'"'s central interior, the centrifugal force keeps the ball from wavering. Therefore, as the ball is thrown, it can maintain a balance and regardless of whether it'"'"'s day or night, the ball structure will always produce its sound and light effects.

Claims

1. An inflatable toy ball having sound and light effects comprising:

a) a translucent outer ball skin in the shape of a prolate spheroid with pointed, opposite first ends;

b) a translucent, inflatable inner bladder located within the outer ball skin, the inflatable inner bladder having a prolate spheroid shape with pointed, opposite second ends, the inflatable inner bladder bounding an interior;

c) an elongated, flat suspending strap suspended in the interior, attached to and extending between the opposite second ends;

d) a sound and light emitting device mounted on the suspended strap and located in a central portion of the interior such that the sound and light emitting device is movable relative to the inner bladder; and

e) an air inflation hole through the outer ball skin and the inner bladder to enable the inner bladder to be inflated with air.

2. The inflatable toy ball of claim 1 wherein the inflatable inner bladder comprises upper and lower portions joined together.