Illuminated elastomeric flying disc and its method of manufacture

• US 7,223,150 B2
• Filed: 06/14/2004
• Issued: 05/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Play Visions Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Adam J. Chernick, Dustin S. Chernick, Mark J. Chernick, Martin L. Nelson, Webb T. Nelson
• Inventors: Nelson, Webb T., Chernick, Mark, Chernick, Adam J., Chernick, Dustin S., Nelson, Martin L.
• Primary Examiner(s): MILLER, BENA B
• Application Number:
  US10/865,770
• Publication Number:
  US 20050277356A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,079 Days
• Field of Search: 446/46, 446/47, 446/34, 446/175, 446/219, 446220-226, 244/12.2, 244/23.C, 473/588, 473/570, 473/571, 473/589
• US Class Current: 446/47
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/18 Throwing or slinging toys, e.g. flying disc toys discs used in athletics A63B65/10as part of a game A63F9/02; sling weapons F41B3/00; spring toy guns F41B7/08
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/22 Optical, colour, or shadow toys puzzles with optical elements A63F9/0613; kaleidoscopes G02B27/08

Abstract

An internally illuminated toy having a flexible body that is made from an elastomeric gel. The flexible body defines an internal chamber that is accessible through a small access opening. An electronics module is provided that contains a light source. The electronics module is inserted into the internal chamber of the flexible body by hyper-extending the access opening. Once inside the internal chamber, the access opening elastically contracts and the electronics module is trapped within the flexible body. When activated, the electronics module illuminates, thereby internally illuminating the flexible body of the toy.

Claims

1. A thrown toy projectile device, comprising:

a flexible body made from an elastomeric gel, wherein said flexible body defines an internal chamber that is accessible through an access opening of a first size;

an electronics module disposed within said internal chamber, said electronics module having a rigid housing that contains light source, wherein said electronics module is larger than said access opening;

wherein said electronic module is received and retained within said internal chamber of said flexible body by elastically deforming said access opening and passing said electronics module into said internal chamber through said access opening.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said flexible body is formed as a flying disc.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said elastomeric gel is translucent and is internally illuminated by said electronics module.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said electronics module contains at least one battery for powering said light source and an activation switch.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein said housing is translucent and is internally illuminated by said light source.

6. The device according to claim 4, wherein said electronics module further includes a circuit for selectively flashing said light source in a predetermined flash pattern.

7. The device according to claim 4, wherein said electronics module further includes a sound generator for producing sound.

8. A method of forming an internally illuminated toy, comprising the steps of:

forming a flexible body from a elastomeric gel, said flexible body defining an internal chamber, wherein an access hole leads into said internal chamber through said flexible body;

providing an electronics module that is larger than said access hole in said flexible body, said electronics module containing a light and a power source for said light; and

advancing said electronics module into said internal chamber by elastically hyper-extending said access hole to a size through which said electronics module can pass.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said step of forming a flexible body includes molding said flexible body around an insert and removing said insert from said flexible body.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein said step of providing an electronics module includes providing a housing containing a light, a power source for said light and an activation switch for said light.

11. The method according to claim 10 wherein said step housing is translucent and is internally illuminated by said light.

12. The method according to claim 8 wherein said step of providing an electronics module includes providing a sound generator that produces sound when activated.

13. A flying disc device, comprising:

a flexible disc body made from an elastomeric gel, wherein said disc body defines at least one internal chamber; and

a separate electronics module enveloped within said internal chamber, wherein said electronics module has a rigid translucent housing that is not connected to said flexible disc body, and wherein said electronics module internally illuminates said flexible disc body from within said internal chamber.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein said elastomeric gel is translucent.

15. The device according to claim 13, wherein a light with a power source that is contained within said rigid translucent housing.