Sound and light emitting inflatable ball

• US 7,014,581 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2004
• Issued: 03/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wai-Man Ng
• Original Assignee: Wai-Man Ng
• Inventors: Ng, Wai-Man
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, STEVEN B
• Application Number:
  US10/765,441
• Publication Number:
  US 20040162170A1
• Time in Patent Office: 784 Days
• Field of Search: 473/570, 473/571, 473/604, 473/605
• US Class Current: 473/570
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/00 Hollow inflatable balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 Balls with special arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/06 with illuminating devices ; with reflective surfaces

Abstract

A sound emitting inflatable ball includes an inflatable casing, a first polar receptacle, a second polar receptacle, a sound emitting circuit, a power source and a sound emitting device. The inflatable casing forms a spherical ball, when fully inflated. An air nozzle extends from a periphery of the inflatable casing. The first polar receptacle is inserted into a periphery of the inflatable casing and the second polar receptacle is inserted into the periphery of the inflatable casing opposite the first polar receptacle. Preferably, the power source is retained in the first polar receptacle, and the shock sensor and the sound emitting device are retained in the second polar receptacle. At least two wires connect the power source to the shock sensor and the sound emitting device. A light emitting circuit and light emitting device may be suspended from the at least two wires.

Claims

1. A method for fabricating a sound emitting inflatable ball, comprising the steps of:

providing an inflatable casing;

securing a first receptacle to a periphery of said inflatable casing, securing a second receptacle to said periphery of said inflatable casing substantially opposite said first receptacle;

retaining a power source in at least one of said first and second receptacles;

providing at least one of a sound emitting device and a light emitting device; and

suspending at least one of said sound emitting device and said light emitting device in substantially a middle of said inflatable casing with at least two wires extending from said first and second receptacles.

2. The method for fabricating a sound emitting inflatable ball of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

providing a sound emitting circuit that activates said sound emitting device, triggering said sound emitting circuit with a shock sensor.

3. The method for fabricating a sound emitting inflatable ball of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

providing a light flashing circuit, triggering said light flashing circuit with a shock sensor such that said light emitting device emits light.

4. The method for fabricating a sound emitting inflatable ball of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

terminating an open end of said first receptacle with a first removable cap; and

terminating an open end of said second receptacle with a second removable cap.

5. The method for fabricating a sound emitting inflatable ball of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

forming an air nozzle on a periphery of said inflatable casing, said air nozzle being insertable below the periphery of said inflatable casing.

6. The method for fabricating a sound emitting inflatable ball of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

providing at least one battery for said power source.

7. The method for fabricating a sound emitting inflatable ball of claim 6, further comprising the steps of:

replacing said at least one battery by removing said at least one battery from at least one of said first receptacle and said second receptacle.

8. The method for fabricating a sound emitting inflatable ball of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

securing said second receptacle to said periphery of said inflatable casing opposite said first receptacle.

9. A method for fabricating a sound emitting inflatable ball, comprising the steps of:

providing an inflatable casing;

securing a first receptacle to a periphery of said inflatable casing, securing a second receptacle to said periphery of said inflatable casing substantially opposite said first receptacle;

retaining a power source in one of said first and second receptacles;

retaining a sound emitting circuit in the other one of said first and second receptacles, said sound emitting circuit activating said sound emitting device when an impact occurs; and

connecting said power source to said sound emitting circuit with at least two wires through a middle of said inflatable casing.

10. The method for fabricating a sound emitting inflatable ball of claim 9, further comprising the step of:

triggering said sound emitting circuit with a shock sensor.

11. The method for fabricating a sound emitting inflatable ball of claim 9, further comprising the step of:

providing at least one light emitting device and a light flashing circuit, triggering said light flashing circuit with a shock sensor such that said at least one light emitting device emits light.

12. The method for fabricating a sound emitting inflatable ball of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

terminating an open end of said first receptacle with a first removable cap; and

terminating an open end of said second receptacle with a second removable cap.

13. The method for fabricating a sound emitting inflatable ball of claim 9, further comprising the step of:

forming an air nozzle on a periphery of said inflatable casing, said air nozzle being insertable below the periphery of said inflatable casing.

14. The method for fabricating a sound emitting inflatable ball of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

providing at least one battery for said power source.

15. The method for fabricating a sound emitting inflatable ball of claim 14, further comprising the steps of:

replacing said at least one battery by removing said at least one battery from at least one of said first receptacle and said second receptacle.

16. The method for fabricating a sound emitting inflatable ball of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

securing said second receptacle to said periphery of said inflatable casing opposite said first receptacle.

17. A method for fabricating a sound emitting inflatable ball, comprising the steps of:

providing an inflatable casing;

securing a first receptacle to a periphery of said inflatable casing, securing a second receptacle to said periphery of said inflatable casing substantially opposite said first receptacle;

retaining at least one battery in one of said first and second receptacles, replacing said at least one battery by removing said at least one battery from one of said first receptacle and said second receptacle;

providing at least one of a sound emitting device and a light emitting device, triggering said sound emitting device with a shock sensor through a sound emitting circuit, triggering said light emitting device with said shock sensor through a light flashing circuit; and

suspending at least one of said sound emitting device and said light emitting device in substantially a middle of said inflatable casing with at least two wires extending from said first and second receptacles.

18. The method for fabricating a sound emitting inflatable ball of claim 17, further comprising the steps of:

terminating an open end of said first receptacle with a first removable cap, extending one end of a first flexible hinge from a lip of said first receptacle, extending the other end of said first flexible hinge from said first removable cap, extending a first lift tab from said first removable cap; and

terminating an open end of said second receptacle with a second removable cap, extending one end of a second flexible hinge from a lip of said second receptacle, extending the other end of said second flexible hinge from said second removable cap, extending a second lift tab from said second removable cap.

19. The method for fabricating a sound emitting inflatable ball of claim 17, further comprising the step of:

forming an air nozzle on a periphery of said inflatable casing, said air nozzle being insertable below the periphery of said inflatable casing.

20. The method for fabricating a sound emitting inflatable ball of claim 17, further comprising the steps of:

securing said second receptacle to said periphery of said inflatable casing opposite said first receptacle.