Game ball

• US 5,924,942 A
• Filed: 10/06/1997
• Issued: 07/20/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sergeant's Pet Care Products Incorporated (PetIQ, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sun Hockey
• Inventors: Gentile, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, STEVEN B
• Application Number:
  US08/944,880
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 473/570, 473/571, 473/594, 473/595, 473/596, 473/609, 473/593, 473/603, 473/613, 446/267, 446/485
• US Class Current: 473/570
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/22 Field hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/14 Special surfaces A63B37/0004 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/06 with illuminating devices ; with reflective surfaces

Abstract

A game ball has a hollow spherical shell with at least a portion thereof that is translucent. A plurality of dimples are disposed on the outer surface of the hollow shell. At least some of the dimples comprise double concave negative lenses with a convex portion generally concentric with an outer concave surface of the double concave negative lenses. An impact triggering mechanism, a power source, and a light source are contained within a bulb that is contained within an open inner volume of the hollow shell. Upon impact of the game ball with an outside body, the impact triggering mechanism sends power from the power source to energize the light source. Light is emitted and refracted through the lenses whereby the game ball tends to glow and attention is attracted to the game ball. A volume of liquid is contained within the open inner volume of the hollow shell for dampening energy and protecting the bulb.

Claims

1. A game ball comprising:

a hollow shell with a spherical outer surface and an open inner volume wherein at least a part of the hollow shell is translucent;

a plurality of dimples disposed on the outer surface of the hollow shell;

a light source contained within the open inner volume of the hollow shell;

a power source operably associated with the light source;

an impact triggering mechanism for selectively activating the light source in response to an impact upon the hollow shell;

at least one lens with an outer surface interposed with the outer surface of the hollow shell and the at least one lens with an inner surface in lucent communication with the light source whereby light emitted from the light source is refracted by the at least one lens as the light passes beyond the outer surface of the hollow shell whereby the at least one lens comprises the part of the hollow shell that is translucent.

2. The game ball of claim 1 wherein the at least one lens comprises at least one of the plurality of dimples and wherein the at least one lens comprises a negative lens whereby light exhibits a divergent refraction upon passing through the at least one lens.

3. The game ball of claim 2 wherein the inner surface of the at least one lens is concave whereby the at least one lens is a double concave negative lens.

4. The game ball of claim 1 wherein the at least one lens comprises a concave outer surface with a convex portion generally concentric with the concave outer surface of the at least one lens whereby light passing through a middle portion of the at least one lens exhibits a convergent refraction while light passing through a peripheral portion of the at least one lens exhibits a divergent refraction.

5. The game ball of claim 1 further comprising a volume of liquid contained within the open inner volume of the hollow shell and wherein the light source is not fixedly coupled to the hollow shell whereby the light source can move freely about the open inner volume of the hollow shell within the volume of liquid.

6. A game ball comprising:

a hollow shell with a spherical outer surface and an open inner volume wherein at least a part of the shell is translucent;

a light source disposed within the open inner volume of the hollow shell;

a power source operably associated with the light source;

an impact triggering mechanism for selectively activating the light source in response to an impact upon the hollow shell; and

a volume of liquid contained within the open inner volume of the hollow shell.

7. The game ball of claim 6 wherein the light source is not fixedly coupled to the hollow shell whereby the light source can move freely about the open inner volume of the hollow shell within the volume of liquid.

8. The game ball of claim 6 further comprising at least one lens with an outer surface interposed with the outer surface of the hollow shell and the at least one lens with an inner surface in lucent communication with the light source whereby light emitted from the light source is refracted by the at least one lens as the light passes beyond the outer surface of the hollow shell and whereby the at least one lens comprises the part of the hollow shell that is translucent.

9. The game ball of claim 8 wherein the inner surface of the at least one lens is concave whereby the at least one lens is a double concave negative lens.

10. The game ball of claim 8 wherein the at least one lens comprises a concave outer surface with a convex portion generally concentric with the concave outer surface of the at least one lens whereby light passing through a middle portion of the at least one lens exhibits a convergent refraction while light passing through a peripheral portion of the at least one lens exhibits a divergent refraction.

11. The game ball of claim 6 further comprising a plurality of dimples disposed on the outer surface of the shell.

12. The game ball of claim 11 wherein each of the plurality of dimples comprises a lens.

13. The game ball of claim 7 wherein the volume of liquid comprises mineral oil.

14. The game ball of claim 7 wherein the volume of liquid comprises liquid silicone.

15. The game ball of claim 13 wherein the volume of liquid further comprises liquid silicone.

16. The game ball of claim 15 wherein the volume of liquid further comprises a saline solution.