Lighted ball

• US 5,228,686 A
• Filed: 10/04/1991
• Issued: 07/20/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: J. R. K. Maleyko
• Original Assignee: J. R. K. Maleyko
• Inventors: Maleyko, J. R. K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marlo, George J.
• Application Number:
  US07/771,751
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• Field of Search: 273/58 G, 273/213, 273/58 R, 273/58 A, 273/58 B, 273/58 BA, 273/58 F, 273/58 J, 273/DIG. 20, 273/DIG. 8, 446/484, 446/485, 446/438, 446/439, 362/190
• US Class Current: 473/570
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/06 with illuminating devices ; with reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/00 Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/18 using temperature feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/40 Details of LED load circuits
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 273/08 Urethane

Abstract

A lighted ball is disclosed which comprises a spherical body of soft, pliable, transparent rubber having a plurality of LEDs embedded in the body. An electrical switch with push button action is embedded in the body and connected in circuit with a battery set for energizing the LEDs. In one embodiment, a removable closure is provided in a battery passage for battery replacement. In other embodiments, a rechargeable battery set is permanently disposed within the body and an access passage is provided for battery charging. A recharging connector inside the ball is connected with the battery terminal and receives a pin type recharging plug through the access passage in the ball.

Claims

1. An amusement device for throwing, catching and bouncing comprising:

a solid spherical body of soft pliable transparent rubber having a high degree of elasticity for providing said body with high velocity bounce capability,

a plurality of LEDs embedded in said body in spaced relation with each other,

an electrical switch embedded in said body and having a push responsive switch actuator for operating said switch between open and closed positions,

a rechargeable battery set in said body, said set being provided with first and second battery connection terminals,

electrical conductor means in said body connecting said batter connection terminals and said switch in series with each other and connecting said LEDs with said battery set through said switch,

a recharging connector having first and second connector terminals connected respectively to said first and second battery connection terminals,

a recharging access passage extending from said recharging connector to the exterior surface of said body and being adapted to receive a slender rod-like electrical connector in engagement with said recharging connector for recharging said battery set,

said LEDs, switch, actuator, conductor means and said battery set being disposed entirely inside the exterior surface of said body,

and a switch access passage extending from said switch actuator to the exterior surface of said body and being adapted to receive a slender rod-like tool for pushing said switch actuator.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said recharging connector comprises a coaxial jack adapted to receive a pin type plug.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said switch access passage and said connector access passage includes a throat portion of reduced diameter which is elastically enlarged by insertion of a rod-like member,

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said rubber is polyurethane rubber.

5. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said spherical body comprises two identical hemispherical parts joined together and having opposed recesses in the flat face of each hemispherical part to accommodate said LEDs, said battery set, said recharging connectors, said switch and said electrical conductor means.

6. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said body includes a battery compartment containing said battery set and wherein said battery connection terminals comprise first and second battery compartment terminals in electrical contact with first and second battery terminals, respectively, of said battery set.

7. An amusement device for throwing, catching and bouncing comprising:

a solid spherical body of soft pliable transparent rubber having a high degree of elasticity for providing said body with high velocity bounce capability,

a plurality of LEDs embedded in said body in spaced relation with each other,

an electrical switch embedded in said body having a push responsive switch actuator for operating said switch between open and closed positions,

a rechargeable battery set in said body, said set being provided with first and second battery connection terminals,

electrical conductor means in said body connecting said battery connection terminals and said switch in series with each other and connecting said LEDs with said battery set through said switch,

a recharging connector having first and second connector terminals connected respectively to said first and second battery connection terminals,

said LEDs, switch, actuator, conductor means and said battery set being disposed entirely inside the exterior surface of said body,

said recharging connector being radially aligned with said electrical switch in a radially outward position,

an access passage extending from said switch actuator through said recharging connector to the exterior surface of said body whereby said switch actuator can be actuated by a slender rod-like tool and a recharging plug may be inserted into said recharging connector through said access passage.