Inflatable, chemi-luminescent assembly

• US RE30,103 E
• Filed: 06/05/1978
• Issued: 09/25/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Applied Research Commodities IND Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Donald Spector
• Inventors: Spector, Donald
• Primary Examiner(s): Padgett, Benjamin R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gron, T. S.
• Application Number:
  US05/912,074
• Time in Patent Office: 477 Days
• Field of Search: 362/34, 362/84, 362/189, 362/363, 362/450, 362/809, 362/351, 362/352, 362/362, 362/806, 362/184, 362/186, 362/311, 46/226, 46/228, 46/87, 46/88, 46/90, 273/58 R, 273/58 B, 273/58 G, 273/DIG. 24, 9/8.3 R, 9/8.3 E
• US Class Current: 362/34
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/06 with illuminating devices ; with reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 2/06 using chemiluminescence
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 13/10 with a standard, e.g. street lamp

Abstract

A globular chemical-lighting assembly suitable as an illuminated playing ball or as an omnidirectional light-emitting source. The assembly is constituted by a compact chemi-luminescent device which is insertable within an inflatable globe formed of translucent material to occupy a central position therein, the globe acting to uniformly diffuse the light emitted by the device. The chemi-luminescent device is formed by two separate chambers in side-by-side relation, each containing one component of a two-component chemi-luminescent system and a manually-operated activator interconnecting these chambers to intermingle the components and thereby cause a light-producing reaction, the device normally being in a non-reactive state.

Claims

1. A globular chemical lighting assembly comprising:

A. a chemi-luminescent device .Iadd.having predetermined dimensions .Iaddend.constituted by two separate chambers each containing one component of a two-component chemi-luminescent system and activating means to interconnect said chambers to intermingle said components and thereby cause a light-producing reaction, whereby said device is normally in a non-reactive state; and

B. an inflatable globe .Iadd.whose diameter is substantially greater than the longest dimensions of said device .Iaddend.formed of translucent material and including conduit means communicating with the exterior of the globe adapted to receive said device and to hold it at a central position within the globe when the globe is inflated, whereby by first activating the device and then inserting it in the conduit means, the globe then functions as a globular light emitter, said conduit means being constituted by an open-ended tubular duct extending diametrically through said globe and formed of collapsible flexible material which when the globe is inflated to a level above atmospheric pressure is caused to collapse except the region therein enveloping said device which is now trapped within the duct, the collapsed portion of the duct on either side of the trapped device acting as flattened straps to hold the device in place.Iadd., the device internally trapped in said globe being in non-projecting relationship thereto whereby the assembly is operable as a ball. .Iaddend.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said globe is formed of flexible plastic film.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the inner surface of said globe has light dispersing properties.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the unit surface of said globe has a fluorescent layer thereon.

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the chambers of said device have a hemispheric form to define a spherical device.

6. An assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said chambers have a common membrane which is ruptured by said activating means.

7. An assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said activating means is formed by a stem pushably mounted on said membrane at right angles thereto and provided with a knife edge to rupture said membrane.

8. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said globe includes a valve having a mouthpiece to facilitate inflation therein.

9. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said globe is spherical in form.

10. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said globe has a circular cross-section and the diameter of said globe renders said assembly suitable as a playing ball. .Iadd. 11. A globular assembly comprising:

A. a battery operated illuminating device having predetermined dimensions; and

B. an inflatable globe whose diameter is substantially greater than the longest dimensions of said device formed of translucent material and including conduit means communicating with the exterior of the globe and adapted to receive said device and to hold it at a central position within the globe when the globe is inflated, said conduit means being constituted by an open-ended tubular duct extending diametrically through said globe and formed of collapsible flexible material which, when the globe is inflated to a level above atmospheric pressure, is caused to collapse, except the region therein enveloping said device which is now trapped within the duct, the collapsed portion of the duct on either side of the trapped device acting as flattened straps to hold the device in place, the device internally entrapped in said globe being in non-projecting relationship thereto whereby the assembly is operable as a ball. .Iaddend..Iadd. 12. A globe as set forth in claim 11, wherein said device which is battery-operated includes at least one light bulb energized by the battery. .Iaddend.