Illuminated ball

• US 9,533,197 B2
• Filed: 02/22/2016
• Issued: 01/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oyster Oasis Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey Scott Larson
• Inventors: Larson, Jeffrey Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, STEVEN B
• Application Number:
  US15/049,969
• Publication Number:
  US 20160243410A1
• Time in Patent Office: 316 Days
• Field of Search: 473/570, 446/153, 362/101
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/75 Humidity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/801 Contact switches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/605 Floating
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/00 Hollow inflatable balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/085 Closures
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/06 with illuminating devices ; with reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/023 Power supplies in a casing F21V23/003 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/00 Gas-tight or water-tight arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/008 Leisure, hobby or sport articles, e.g. toys, games or first-aid kits; Hand tools; Toolboxes
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2101/00 Point-like light sources

Abstract

An illuminated ball may be used to play games in the water. An illuminated ball may include a hollow, spherical shell. A translucent light housing may be coupled to the shell. A light emitting device may be within the translucent housing. A battery housing coupled to the light emitting device. At least one battery may be within the battery housing. A circuit board may be coupled to the battery housing. Four conductors may be coupled to the circuit board, wherein two of the four conductors are coupled to the light emitting device and another two of the four conductors are coupled to at least two water contacts. The at least two water contacts are located on an outside of the illuminated ball, wherein on exposure to water, the at least two water contacts are electrically connected causing the light emitting device to emit light.

Claims

1. An illuminated ball comprising:

a hollow, spherical shell;

a translucent light housing coupled to said shell;

a light emitting device within said translucent housing;

said light emitting device comprising a first circuit board, a light emitting element coupled to said first circuit board;

a battery housing coupled to said light emitting device;

at least one battery within said battery housing;

a second circuit board coupled to said battery housing;

at least four conductors coupled to said second circuit board;

wherein two of said at least four conductors are coupled to said light emitting device;

wherein another two of said at least four conductors are coupled to at least two water contacts;

wherein said at least two water contacts are located on an outside of said illuminated ball; and

wherein on exposure to water, said at least two water contacts are electrically connected causing said light emitting element to be illuminated.

2. The illuminated ball of claim 1, wherein said light emitting device further comprises at least one capacitor;

said at least one capacitor providing temporary power to said light emitting element.

3. The illuminated ball of claim 1, further comprising a manual switch, wherein said manual switch turns on prior to said at least two water contacts being electrically connected.

4. The illuminated ball of claim 1, wherein said first circuit board further comprises at least one resistor.

5. The illuminated ball of claim 1, further comprising a slot coupled to said battery housing for receiving a tool for removing said battery housing from said illuminated ball.

6. The illuminated ball of claim 1, wherein said hollow, spherical shell is filled with air and water for a desired buoyancy.

7. An illuminated ball for use in a water environment comprising:

an outer shell;

a translucent housing forming an air tight coupling with said outer shell;

a self closing valve coupled to said outer shell;

a battery housing forming a water tight coupling with said translucent housing;

at least one battery in said battery housing;

a light emitting device being electrically coupled to said battery housing;

a water triggered switch being electrically coupled to said battery housing; and

wherein on exposure to water, said water triggered switch, said light emitting device and said at least one battery form an electrical circuit.

8. The illuminated ball of claim 7, wherein on formation of said electrical circuit said light emitting device illuminates said ball.

9. The illuminated ball of claim 7, wherein said water triggered switch comprises at least two water contacts on the outside of said illuminated ball forming an electrical connection when immersed in water.

10. The illuminated ball of claim 7, wherein said shell comprises a neck and wherein said neck partially encompasses said translucent housing and forms said water tight coupling.

11. The illuminated ball of claim 7, wherein said outer shell is filled with air and water for neutral buoyancy.

12. The illuminated ball of claim 7, further comprising a manual switch.

13. The illuminated ball of claim 7, wherein said at least one battery is a button battery.

14. The illuminated ball of claim 7, wherein said outer shell is at least partially translucent.

15. An illuminated ball comprising:

a shell;

a neck, wherein said neck forms an opening into the interior of said shell;

a housing coupled to said neck, wherein an adhesion contour is coupled to said housing and abuts an indentation in said neck;

wherein said housing, said neck and said shell form an air tight chamber;

a light emitting device coupled inside said housing;

said light emitting device comprising a first circuit board and a light emitting diode;

a battery housing coupled to said light emitting device;

a power source coupled to said battery housing;

a water triggered switch coupled to said battery housing;

said water triggered switch comprising a second circuit board and at least two water contacts;

wherein said at least two water contacts are located on an outside of said illuminated ball; and

wherein said at least two water contacts, said power source and said light emitting diode comprise a circuit on exposure of said at least two water contacts to water.

16. The illuminated ball of claim 15, further comprising a self closing valve.

17. The illuminated ball of claim 15, wherein said circuit further comprises a capacitor.

18. The illuminated ball of claim 15, wherein on exposure of said at least two water contacts to water, said light emitting diode emits light.

19. The illuminated ball of claim 15, further comprising a slot coupled to said battery housing for receiving a tool for removing said battery housing from said illuminated ball.

20. The illuminated ball of claim 15, wherein said air tight chamber is filled with a combination of air and water for desired buoyancy.