Internally illuminated elastomeric novelty device with external projections

• US 7,165,869 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2004
• Issued: 01/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Play Visions Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mark J. Chernick, Webb T. Nelson
• Inventors: Nelson, Webb T., Chernick, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea; Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Choi; Jacob Y.
• Application Number:
  US11/027,378
• Publication Number:
  US 20060146525A1
• Time in Patent Office: 753 Days
• Field of Search: 362/196, 362/198, 362/276, 362/802, 362/363, 362/555, 362/800, 362/808, 473/545, 473/800, 473/570, 473/871, 446/485, 446/397
• US Class Current: 362/363
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/06 with illuminating devices ; with reflective surfaces
• 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 33/22 Optical, colour, or shadow toys puzzles with optical elements A63F9/0613; kaleidoscopes G02B27/08
• CPC Class Codes: B44C 5/005 comprising inserts
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/02 the power supply being a battery or accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/04 Resilient mountings, e.g. shock absorbers shock absorbing devices of vehicle headlamp housings B60Q1/0491; in general F16F15/04
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/04 the elements being switches safety devices F21V25/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/008 Leisure, hobby or sport articles, e.g. toys, games or first-aid kits; Hand tools; Toolboxes
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/802 Position or condition responsive switch

Abstract

An internally illuminated novelty device having an electronics module contained within a translucent elastic casing. The elastic casing has a hollow central region that defines an internal pocket. A plurality of protrusions extend outwardly from the central region so as to cushion the central region from experiencing any direct impact forces. The electronics module is disposed within the internal pocket so that the elastic casing surrounds the electronics module. The electronics module includes a housing, at least one light source, at least one battery, and a switch for activating and deactivating the light source. The switch is controlled by selectively compressing the housing. Since the housing is within the elastic casing, the switch can be controlled by selectively squeezing the elastic casing. When activated, the light source illuminates the interior of the elastic casing, thereby internally illuminating the novelty device.

Claims

1. A novelty device, comprising:

an elastic casing having a hollow central region that defines an internal area;

a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly from said central region;

an electronics module disposed within said internal area, said electronics module including a housing having two halves, at least one light source, at least one battery, at least one spring for biasing said halves of said housing apart and a switch for activating said at least one light source, wherein said switch is activated when said two halves of said housing are biased together with a force sufficient to compress said at least one spring.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said housing is spherical in shape.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein said elastic casing is spherical in shape and said plurality of protrusions radially extend from said elastic casing.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said elastic casing defines an access hole that is smaller than said electronics module wherein said electronics module is inserted into said internal area of said elastic casing through said access hole.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said elastomeric casing and said plurality of protrusions are translucent to light.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein said elastic casing and said plurality of protrusions are molded from an elastomeric gel made from a triblock copolymer mixed with a plasticizing oil.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one light source is disposed within said housing and said housing is translucent so that light from said at least one light source passes through said housing.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said elastic casing has a predetermined diameter and said plurality of protrusions each have a length at least as long as said predetermined diameter.

9. An internally illuminated novelty device, comprising:

a housing having a first section and a second section;

at least one spring within said housing that biases said first section and said second section apart;

a switch disposed within said housing that is activated when said first section and said second section are biased toward one another with a force sufficient to compress said at least one spring;

a light source disposed within said housing that is selectively activated and deactivated by said switch;

a casing that surrounds said housing, wherein said casing is made from a translucent elastomeric gel.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein said housing is spherical in shape.

11. The device according to claim 9, wherein said casing defines an internal pocket that receives said housing therein.

12. The device according to claim 9, wherein said casing includes a plurality of protrusions that radially extend outwardly.