Patent US5186458A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5186458A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Illuminated playing ball
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1991-10-21
•
Granted: 1993-02-16
•
Expires: 2011-10-21
Abstract
Abstract A throw ball made of light, translucent material contains an electric bulb or light emitting diode powered by a small battery. The ball is made of two separable, similar half-sections having symmetrical axial tubular cavities housing the electrical assembly. An illuminating switch is activated when the two half-sections are brought together and aligned to a discrete operating position, and de-activated when the two half-sections are rotated away from said operating position.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald E. Redondo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:47
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B43/00; A63B43/06; A63B2102/00; A63B2102/18; A63B2102/182; A63B2243/00; A63B2243/0066; A63B2243/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
An illuminated ball which comprises: a rounded body made of resilient material, said body having a transversal tubular cavity; at least one light-emitting element mounted into said cavity; an electrical battery; releasable means for electrically connecting said light-emitting element to said battery; a first strip of translucent material meridionally mounted around the periphery of said body; said strip comprising a projection engaged into said cavity, said projection having a end exposed to said light-emitting element a length of transparent tubular sleeve lining said cavity; a second strip of translucent material meridionally mounted around the periphery of said body, said second strip merging integrally with said first strip at two opposite poles of said body to form a rib cage; wherein said tubular sleeve has opposite openings at said poles; and one of said openings is engaged by said projection.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
An illuminated ball which comprises: a rounded body made of resilient material, said body having a transversal tubular cavity; at least one light-emitting element mounted into said cavity; an electrical battery; releasable means for electrically connecting said light-emitting element to said battery; a first strip of translucent material meridionally mounted around the periphery of said body; said strip comprising a projection engaged into said cavity, said projection having a end exposed to said light-emitting element a length of transparent tubular sleeve lining said cavity; a second strip of translucent material meridionally mounted around the periphery of said body, said second strip merging integrally with said first strip at two opposite poles of said body to form a rib cage; wherein said tubular sleeve has opposite openings at said poles; and one of said openings is engaged by said projection.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The ball of claim 1, wherein said resilient body comprises two symmetrical half-sections joined about an equatorial plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The ball of claim 2, wherein said tubular sleeve comprises two half-parts having mating interconnection at said equatorial plane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The ball of claim 3, wherein said means for electrically connecting comprises electrical terminals located on each of said half-parts, said electrical terminals being shaped and positioned to come into contact upon axial movement of each of said half-parts toward the other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The ball of claim 1, wherein each of said strips comprises a plurality of fiber optic conduits embedded into said strip, wherein each of said conduits has one extremity in said portion proximal to said light-emitting element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The ball of claim 1, wherein said resilient material is translucent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The ball of claim 6, wherein said resilient body comprises two symmetrical half-sections joined about an equatorial plane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The ball of claim 7, wherein said tubular sleeve comprises tow half-parts having mating interconnection at said equatorial plane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The ball of claim 8, wherein means for electrically connecting comprises electrical terminals located on each of said half-parts, said electrical terminals being shaped and positioned to come into contact upon axial movement of each of said half-parts toward the other.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2020484A
Cited
US2011760A
Cited
US2903820A
Cited
US3229976A
Cited
US3458205A
Cited
US3804411A
Cited
US4002893A
Cited
US4133528A
Cited
US4957297A
Cited
US4840383A
Cited
US4930776A
Cited
US4979751A
Cited
US5066012A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-02-16 | 1996-08-17 | 1997-02-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-02-16 | 2000-08-17 | 2001-02-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-02-16 | 2004-08-17 | 2005-02-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |