Illuminated slackline

• US 9,732,956 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2015
• Issued: 08/15/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neil William Benedict
• Original Assignee: Neil William Benedict
• Inventors: Benedict, Neil William
• Primary Examiner(s): Guharay, Karabi
• Application Number:
  US14/631,444
• Publication Number:
  US 20160245503A1
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 7/085 Balancing on a band tensioned between two anchor points, e.g. Slackline type
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/003 the elements being electronics drivers or controllers for operating the light source, e.g. for a LED array
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/008 the casing being outside the housing of the lighting device
• 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: F21W 2131/40 Lighting for industrial, commercial, recreational or military use
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

An illuminated slackline is made of an elongate tube which is formed by a translucent wall. The tube is longitudinally elastic and defines an elongate enclosed space. An elongate light emitting device within the enclosed space emits light which travels through the tube wall and illuminates the slackline. A power cord extends from the device through a slackline terminal securement loop to a power source/lighting power control device which powers and controls the intensity, color and frequency of the emitted light. A friction reducing translucent tube around the device allows the device to slide within the tube elongate enclosed space. A power cord tension relief device in the enclosed space expands to prevent tension on the power cord. Tension in the device and the power cord is thereby prevented as the elongate tube longitudinally expands relative to the device and power cord.

Claims

1. A slackline for securing to and tensioning between two anchors for a person to balance thereon, said slackline comprising:

an elongate tube formed by a translucent wall defining an elongate enclosed space; and

,

a light emitting device within said elongate enclosed space whereby light emitted by said device travels through said tube wall; and

,

wherein said tube wall is flattened defining a pair of adjacent parallel elongate walls between and joined along elongate fold lines.

2. The slackline of claim 1 wherein said light emitting device comprises an elongate strip of a plurality of LEDs.

3. The slackline of claim 1 wherein said light emitting device is elongate and is received within a friction reducing translucent tube.

4. The slackline of claim 1 further comprising an electric power source connected to said light emitting device with an electric power cord extending through said elongate tube.

5. The slackline of claim 1 further comprising a lighting power control device connected to said light emitting device and selectively providing power to said light emitting device, wherein one or more of an intensity, color and frequency of the light being emitted is selectively altered.

6. A slackline for securing to and tensioning between two anchors for a person to balance thereon, said slackline comprising:

an elongate tube formed by a translucent wall defining an elongate enclosed space; and

,

a light emitting device within said elongate enclosed space whereby light emitted by said device travels through said tube wall;

an electric power source connected to said light emitting device with an electric power cord extending through said elongate tube;

an extension spring secured at its ends to respective first and second attachment points along said power cord; and

,

wherein the length of the power cord between said attachment points is longer than the length of the spring between said attachment points when said spring is not extended.

7. A slackline for securing to and tensioning between two anchors for a person to balance thereon, said slackline comprising:

an elongate tube formed by a translucent wall defining an elongate enclosed space; and

,

a light emitting device within said elongate enclosed space whereby light emitted by said device travels through said tube wall; and

,

an electric power source connected to said light emitting device with an electric power cord extending through an open end of said elongate tube and through said elongate tube, said elongate tube and power cord extending therethrough adjacent said open end being tied into a loop.

8. A slackline for securing to and tensioning between two anchors for a person to balance thereon, said slackline comprising:

an elongate tube formed by a translucent wall defining an elongate enclosed space; and

,

a light emitting device within said elongate enclosed space whereby light emitted by said device travels through said tube wall; and

,

wherein said elongate tube is longitudinally elastic.

9. A slackline for securing to and tensioning between two anchors for a person to balance thereon, said slackline comprising:

an elongate tube formed by a translucent wall defining an elongate enclosed space; and

,

a light emitting device within said elongate enclosed space whereby light emitted by said device travels through said tube wall; and

,

a tensioning device between one end of said elongate tube and one of said anchors.

10. A slackline for securing to and tensioning between two anchors for a person to balance thereon, said slackline comprising:

an elongate tube formed by a translucent wall defining an elongate enclosed space; and

,

a light emitting device within said elongate enclosed space whereby light emitted by said device travels through said tube wall; and

,

wherein said elongate tube wall;

is flattened defining a pair of adjacent parallel elongate walls between and joined along elongate fold lines; and

,

is made of one or more of woven nylon and polyester.

11. The slackline of claim 10 wherein said light emitting device comprises an elongate strip of a plurality of LEDs.

12. The slackline of claim 11 wherein said elongate strip of a plurality of LEDs is received within a friction reducing translucent tube.

13. The slackline of claim 11 further comprising:

an electric power source connected to said elongate strip of a plurality of LEDs with an electric power cord extending through said elongate tube;

an extension spring secured at its ends to respective first and second attachment points along said power cord; and

,

wherein the length of the power cord between said attachment points is longer than the length of the spring between said attachment points when said spring is not extended.

14. The slackline of claim 11 further comprising an electric power source connected to said elongate strip of a plurality of LEDs with an electric power cord extending through an open end of said elongate tube and through said elongate tube, said elongate tube and power cord extending therethrough adjacent said open end being tied into a loop for attachment to said anchor.

15. The slackline of claim 11 further comprising a lighting power control device connected to said elongate strip of a plurality of LEDs and selectively providing power thereto wherein one or more of an intensity, color and frequency of the light being emitted is selectively altered.

16. The slackline of claim 11 further comprising a tensioning device between one end of said elongate tube and one of said anchors.

17. The slackline of claim 11 further comprising:

an electric power source connected to said elongate strip of a plurality of LEDs with an electric power cord extending through an open end of said elongate tube and through said elongate tube, said elongate tube and power cord extending therethrough adjacent said open end being tied into a loop for attachment to said anchor;

an extension spring secured at its ends to respective first and second attachment points along said power cord located between said loop and said elongate strip of a plurality of LEDs; and

,

wherein the length of the power cord between said attachment points is longer than the length of the spring between said attachment points when said spring is not extended.

18. The slackline of claim 17 wherein said electric power source includes a lighting control device wherein one or more of an intensity, color and frequency of the light being emitted is selectively altered.

19. The slackline of claim 17 further comprising a tensioning device between one end of said elongate tube and one of said anchors.

20. The slackline of claim 17 wherein said light emitting device is received within a friction reducing translucent tube.

21. A slackline for securing to and tensioning between two anchors for a person to balance thereon, said slackline comprising:

an elongate tube formed by a translucent wall defining an elongate enclosed space; and

,

a light emitting device within said elongate enclosed space whereby light emitted by said device travels through said tube wall; and

,

wherein;

one end of said elongate tube is secured to a first anchor and the other end of said elongate tube is secured to a second anchor;

said elongate tube is tensioned between said anchors; and

,

a person balances on said elongate tube while light is emitted by said device and travels through said elongate tube wall.

22. The slackline of claim 21 wherein said elongate tube wall:

is flattened defining a pair of adjacent parallel elongate walls between and joined along elongate fold lines; and

,

is made of one or more of woven nylon and polyester.

23. The slackline of claim 22 wherein said light emitting device comprises an elongate strip of a plurality of LEDs.

24. The slackline of claim 23 further comprising:

an electric power source connected to said elongate strip of a plurality of LEDs with an electric power cord extending through an open end of said elongate tube and through said elongate tube, said elongate tube and power cord extending therethrough adjacent said open end being tied into a loop for attachment to said anchor;

an extension spring secured at its ends to respective first and second attachment points along said power cord located between said loop and said elongate strip of a plurality of LEDs; and

,

wherein the length of the power cord between said attachment points is longer than the length of the spring between said attachment points when said spring is not extended.

25. The slackline of claim 24 wherein said electric power source includes a lighting control device wherein one or more of an intensity, color and frequency of the light being emitted is selectively altered.

26. The slackline of claim 24 further comprising a tensioning device between one end of said elongate tube and one of said anchors.

27. The slackline of claim 24 wherein said light emitting device is received within a friction reducing translucent tube.