Foam projectile exhibiting an illuminating element

• US 7,108,576 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2004
• Issued: 09/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Poof-Slinky Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Poof Products, Inc.
• Inventors: LaPointe, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KIEN T
• Application Number:
  US10/778,972
• Publication Number:
  US 20050260918A1
• Time in Patent Office: 949 Days
• Field of Search: 446/47, 446/219, 446/175, 473/570, 473/578, 473/582
• US Class Current: 446/47
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/00 Toy aircraft; Other flying toys toys with parachutes A63H33/20
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/18 Throwing or slinging toys, e.g. flying disc toys discs used in athletics A63B65/10as part of a game A63F9/02; sling weapons F41B3/00; spring toy guns F41B7/08
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/26 Magnetic or electric toys electric drives A63H29/22 ; indoor games played with small balls using magnetic power A63F7/0088, A63F7/068
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/382 emitting an electromagnetic radiation, e.g. laser beam or infrared emission
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/745 the core being made of plastics; Compounds or blends of plastics and other materials, e.g. fillers

Abstract

A projectile adapted for being discharged from a suitable firing device such as a gun, slingshot, cannon and the like. The device includes a three-dimensional shaped body constructed of a foam material and which may include such as a disc shaped, conical arrow shape or spherical ball shape. A plurality of LED lighting elements are supported within the foam material body at specified locations and are visible from a surface of the body. A battery is supported within the body and electrically communicates the LED lighting elements. A switch accessibly is located upon the body and selectively engages or disengages the battery with the lighting elements and in order to provide an illuminating effect to the projectile as it is discharged from the device.

Claims

1. A disc shaped projectile adapted to being discharged from a suitable device in a combined linear traveling and rotating fashion, said projectile comprising:

a three-dimensional shaped body constructed of a foam material exhibiting a disc shape with first and second circular faces separated by an annular outer edge;

at least one LED lighting element supported within said body and visible from said annular outer edge;

a battery supported within said body and electrically communicating said LED lighting elements; and

a switch accessibly located upon said body and for selectively engaging or disengaging said battery with said LED lighting element;

said lighting element providing an illuminating effect to said projectile as it is discharged from the device.

2. The projectile as described in claim 1, said LED bulb being evident from at least one of said circular faces.

3. The projectile as described in claim 1, said LED bulb being evident from an annular inner edge location defined between said first and second circular faces.

4. The projectile as described in claim 1, said three-dimensional shaped body exhibiting a specified shape and size, said battery further comprising a disc shaped watch battery.

5. The projectile as described in claim 1, further comprising said plurality of LED elements arranged proximate to surface locations associated with said three-dimensional shaped body, each of said LED elements exhibiting a specified color.

6. A projectile adapted for being discharged from a suitable device, comprising:

a three-dimensional shaped body comprising at least one of a substantially conical or modified conical shape and constructed of a foam material;

a plurality of LED lighting elements supported within said body and visible from selected surface locations of said body, a first LED bulb being located at a forward terminating location of said conical shaped body, at least one second LED bulb being situated at a further conical extending location;

a portable battery supported within said body and electrically communicating said lighting elements; and

a switch accessibly located upon said body and for selectively engaging or disengaging said battery with said lighting element;

said lighting element providing an illuminating effect to said projectile as it is discharged from the device.

7. The projectile as described in claim 6, said conical shaped body exhibiting a specified shape and size and further comprising an arrow shaft secured to a base surface thereof.

8. A projectile adapted for being discharged from a suitable device, comprising:

a three-dimensional and substantially spherical shaped body constructed of a foam material and including first and second assembleable halves;

a plurality of LED lighting elements supported within said foam material body and visible from surface locations of said body;

a battery supported within said body and electrically communicating said LED lighting elements; and

a switch accessibly located upon said body and for selectively engaging or disengaging said battery with said lighting element;

said lighting element providing an illuminating effect to said projectile as it is discharged from the device.

9. The projectile as described in claim 8, further comprising interengaging portions associated with exposed inner faces of said assembleable halves.

10. The projectile as described in claim 9, further comprising said battery secured upon a selected one of said interengaging portions.

11. A projectile, comprising:

a three-dimensional shaped body constructed of a foam material;

a plurality of LED elements mounted in said body in proximately located and visible fashion from various surface locations thereof;

a lightweight battery being supported within said body and electrically communicating with each of said LED elements; and

a switch accessible from an exterior location of said body and for selectively activating and deactivating said battery;

said LED lighting elements providing an illuminating effect to said projectile as it is discharged for airborne travel.