Lighted strap assembly for a ball

• US 6,656,066 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2002
• Issued: 12/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael Joseph Barker
• Original Assignee: Michael Joseph Barker
• Inventors: Barker, Michael Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, STEVEN B
• Application Number:
  US10/198,244
• Publication Number:
  US 20030017891A1
• Time in Patent Office: 502 Days
• Field of Search: 473/570, 473/571, 473/603, 273/DIG.24, 446/47
• US Class Current: 473/570
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/06 with illuminating devices ; with reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 273/24 Luminescent, phosphorescent

Abstract

A harness assembly for being removably positioned on a ball and used for retaining an elongate luminescent member on the ball is provided that includes a pair of collars positioned in spaced-apart, opposing relation to each other for receiving the ball therebetween. The harness further includes support segments adapted for receiving opposing ends of the luminescent member therein, thereby retaining the luminescent member by the ends thereof in a tensioned condition relative to the harness assembly when the harness assembly is in use.

Claims

1. A harness assembly for being removably positioned on a ball and used for retaining an elongate luminescent member on the ball, comprising:

(a) a pair of collars positioned in spaced-apart, opposing relation to each other for receiving the ball therebetween; and

(b) retention means carried by said harness and adapted for receiving opposing ends of the luminescent member therein, thereby retaining the luminescent member by the ends thereof in a tensioned condition relative to the harness assembly when the harness assembly is in use, wherein said retention means comprises a first pair of anchors, each of said anchors having a pocket for receiving a respective one of the opposing ends of the luminescent member therein.

2. A harness assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the pair of anchors is carried by a respective one of the collars for permitting the luminescent member to extend and be supported therebetween.

3. A harness assembly according to claim 1, and including an elongate strap interconnecting said collars and cooperating therewith for maintaining the harness assembly against the ball.

4. A harness assembly according to claim 3, wherein said pair of anchors are carried by said strap for permitting the luminescent member to extend parallel thereto.

5. A harness assembly according to claim 1, and including at least one elongate strap interconnecting said collars and cooperating therewith for maintaining the harness assembly against the ball.

6. A harness assembly according to claim 5, wherein each of the pair of anchors has a closed end for retaining an end of the luminescent member, thereby maintaining the luminescent member in a stationary position on the harness assembly.

7. A strap assembly according to claim 6, wherein said closed end of each anchor is disposed between an inner surface of a respective one of the collars and an outer surface of the strap for permitting said pocket on the anchor to extend outwardly away from the collar.

8. A harness assembly for being removably positioned on a ball and used for retaining an elongate luminescent member on the ball, comprising:

(a) a pair of collars positioned in spaced-apart, opposing relation to each other for receiving the ball therebetween;

(b) an elongate strap interconnecting said collars and cooperating therewith for maintaining said harness assembly in a closely-conforming configuration against the ball; and

(c) a pair of anchors carried by the harness assembly, each of said pair of anchors having a pocket for receiving a respective one of two opposing ends of the luminescent member therein, thereby retaining the luminescent member by the ends thereof in a tensioned condition relative to the harness assembly when the harness assembly is in use.

9. A harness assembly according to claim 8, wherein said pair of anchors are carried by said strap for permitting the luminescent member to extend parallel thereto.

10. A harness assembly according to claim 8, wherein each of said pockets has a depth sufficient for retaining no more than twelve percent of the total surface area of the luminescent member, thereby maximizing an exposed surface area of the luminescent member for illuminating the ball.

11. A harness assembly according to claim 8, wherein each of said pair of anchors is carried by a respective one of the pair of collars for permitting the luminescent member to extend and be supported therebetween.

12. A harness assembly for being removably positioned on a football and used for illuminating the football, comprising:

(a) an elongate chemiluminescent tube adapted for being positioned on said harness assembly;

(b) a pair of collars positioned in spaced-apart, opposing relation to each other for receiving tapered, opposing noses of the football therethrough; and

(c) a pair of anchors carried by said harness assembly, each of said pair of anchors having a pocket for receiving a respective one of two opposing ends of said chemiluminescent tube therein, thereby retaining the chemiluminescent tube by the ends thereof in a tensioned condition relative to the harness assembly when the harness assembly is in use.

13. A harness assembly according to claim 12, and including first and second elongate straps interconnecting said pair of collars and cooperating therewith for maintaining the harness assembly against a curved outer surface of the football.

14. A harness assembly according to claim 13, wherein said pair of anchors are positioned in spaced-apart relation on said first elongate strap for permitting the chemiluminescent tube to extend and be supported between the anchors and parallel to the first strap.

15. A harness assembly according to claim 13, wherein each of the pair of anchors is carried by a respective one of the pair of collars for permitting the chemiluminescent tube to extend and be supported therebetween.

16. A harness assembly according to claim 15, wherein each of said first and second straps is adapted for conforming to the curved outer surface of the football for maintaining the chemiluminescent tube between the pair of collars and in a curved condition corresponding to the curved outer surface of the football.

17. A harness assembly according to claim 13, wherein one of said pair of anchors is carried by the harness assembly adjacent a point of intersection of said first strap and one of the pair of collars, and the other of the pair of anchors is carried by the harness assembly adjacent a point of intersection of said second strap and the other of the pair of collars for permitting the chemiluminescent tube to extend and be supported between the pair of collars at an angle relative to each of the first and second straps.

18. A method of illuminating a ball, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a harness assembly for being removably positioned on a ball and used for retaining an elongate luminescent member in a preselected configuration on the ball, including;

(i) a pair of collars positioned in spaced-apart, opposing relation to each other for receiving the ball therebetween; and

(ii) a pair of anchors carried by said harness assembly, each of said pair of anchors having a pocket for receiving a respective one of two opposing ends of the luminescent member therein, thereby retaining the luminescent member in a tensioned condition relative to the harness assembly when the harness assembly is in use;

(b) providing a luminescent member having opposing ends, each of said ends for being removably positioned within said pocket on each of the respective anchors;

(c) positioning said harness assembly on the ball; and

(d) positioning the opposing ends of the luminescent member within respective pockets on the pair of anchors, thereby illuminating the ball.

19. A method of illuminating a ball according to claim 18, and further comprising the step of providing a ball for receiving the harness assembly thereon.