U.S. patent application number 09/750630 was filed with the patent office on 2001-12-06 for flashing ball.
Invention is credited to Chung, Shu Kweun, Lewis, Edward D..
Application Number | 20010049311 09/750630 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26869504 |
Filed Date | 2001-12-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010049311 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lewis, Edward D. ; et
al. |
December 6, 2001 |
Flashing ball
Abstract
A flashing ball comprising a motion-activated flasher circuit
within a hollow translucent or transparent inner ball bearing
printed indicia on its outer surface and covered by a translucent
or transparent spherical outer ball. The outer surface of the inner
ball is roughened in one embodiment to enhance ink retention. The
flasher circuit includes means for supplying pulses to a plurality
of spaced light sources in alternating pulse bursts, and the ball
is adapted to produce a flashing ring of light at its periphery in
response to light generated by the light sources.
Inventors: |
Lewis, Edward D.;
(Brownsburg, IN) ; Chung, Shu Kweun; (Hong Kong,
CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
William F. Bahret
Woodard, Emhardt, Naughton, Moriarty and McNett
Bank One Center/Tower
111 Monument Circle, Suite 3700
Indianapolis
IN
46204-5137
US
|
Family ID: |
26869504 |
Appl. No.: |
09/750630 |
Filed: |
December 28, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60173759 |
Dec 30, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/570 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 43/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/570 |
International
Class: |
A63B 043/06 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A flashing ball, comprising: a hollow inner ball, at least
partially translucent, containing a flasher circuit including an
inertial switch, a pulse generator having an input connected to
said inertial switch, and a plurality of spaced light sources
connected to said pulse generator; and an outer ball, at least
partially translucent, covering said inner ball, wherein said pulse
generator includes means for supplying pulses to said light sources
in alternating pulse bursts.
2. The flashing ball of claim 1, wherein said outer ball is
transparent, and wherein said flashing ball is adapted to produce a
flashing ring of light at its periphery in response to light
generated by said light sources in response to said alternating
pulse bursts.
3. The flashing ball of claim 2, wherein said flasher circuit
includes an opaque circuit board and a pair of LEDs spaced apart
from each in the plane of the board by approximately 10-15 mm.
4. A flashing ball, comprising: a hollow inner ball, at least
partially translucent, containing a flasher circuit including an
inertial switch, a pulse generator having an input connected to
said inertial switch, and a plurality of spaced light sources
connected to said pulse generator; and an outer ball, at least
partially translucent, covering said inner ball, one of said inner
and outer balls having a roughened surface adapted to enhance ink
retention and bearing printed indicia on said roughened
surface.
5. The flashing ball of claim 4, wherein said inner ball is made of
rigid plastic and said outer ball is thermosetting resin molded
over said inner ball, and wherein said roughened outer surface is
on said inner ball.
6. The flashing ball of claim 4, wherein said inner ball is made of
rigid plastic and said outer ball is thermosetting resin molded
over said inner ball, and wherein said roughened outer surface is
on said outer ball.
7. The flashing ball of claim 6, wherein said outer surface
includes a roughened portion and a smooth portion.
8. A flashing ball, comprising: a hollow inner ball containing a
motion-activated flasher circuit and bearing printed indicia on the
outer surface of said inner ball; and a transparent spherical outer
ball molded over said inner ball.
9. The flashing ball of claim 8, wherein said inner ball is made of
rigid plastic and said outer ball is made of thermosetting
resin.
10. The flashing ball of claim 9, wherein said outer ball is made
of cis-butadiene rubber.
11. A method of enhancing the visual impact of an illuminated ball,
comprising: providing a plurality of spaced light sources in a
hollow inner ball that is at least partially translucent; covering
said inner ball with an outer ball that is at least partially
translucent; and supplying pulses to said light sources in
alternating pulse bursts.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: providing at least
a partial barrier for blocking light transmission through the
center of said inner ball from at least one of said light sources;
and maintaining a path for light transmission from said at least
one light source around said light barrier through said outer ball,
whereby a flashing ring of light appears at the periphery of said
illuminated ball in response to light generated by said at least
one light source in response to pulse bursts supplied thereto.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/173,759, filed Dec. 30, 1999, which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to amusement and specialty
advertising devices and, more particularly, to flashing balls.
[0003] Numerous illuminated balls of one type or another have been
designed over the years, as exemplified by the balls disclosed in
the following patents:
1 Patent No. Inventor Issue Date 2,020,484 Turner Nov. 12, 1935
3,351,347 Smith et al. Nov. 7, 1967 3,580,575 Speeth May 25, 1971
3,610,916 Meehan Oct. 5, 1971 3,804,411 Hendry Apr. 16, 1974
4,479,649 Newcomb et al. Oct. 30, 1984 5,066,011 Dykstra et al.
Nov. 19, 1991 5,228,686 Maleyko Jul. 20, 1993 5,236,383 Connelly
Aug. 17, 1993 5,388,825 Myers et al. Feb. 14, 1995 5,490,047
O'Rourke et al. Feb. 6, 1996 5,725,445 Kennedy et al. Mar. 10, 1998
5,779,575 Hsieh Jul. 14, 1998 5,924,942 Gentile Jul. 20, 1999
6,042,487 Schrimmer et al. Mar. 28, 2000
[0004] For promotional purposes among others, it is desirable to
have printed indicia of one kind or another on a ball, such as a
logo, company name, advertising slogan, inspirational message or
other information. Illumination, especially with flashing action,
attracts attention to the ball and thus to the advertising or other
information on the ball. However, ball materials that are desirable
for meeting design specifications such as desired bounce
characteristics, durability, weight and feel are often incompatible
with printing inks. Some synthetic rubber compositions, in
particular, do not exhibit good ink retention. With some
combinations of ink composition and ball material, it is impossible
to obtain even short-term ink retention. With others, the ink is
apparently indelible but wears off quickly. Thus, a need exists for
more innovative ways to obtain good ink retention without
compromising the performance characteristics of the ball.
[0005] In addition, while simple flashing naturally attracts
attention to a degree, there remains a need for innovative ways to
attract and hold attention. Alternate flashing of lights, such as
shown in the above-referenced Kennedy et al. patent, is helpful in
this regard. However, more attention-getting visual effects are
still desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides, as one aspect thereof, a
flashing ball comprising a hollow inner ball, at least partially
translucent, containing a flasher circuit including an inertial
switch, a pulse generator having an input connected to the inertial
switch, and a plurality of spaced light sources connected to the
pulse generator. An outer ball, at least partially translucent,
covers the inner ball. The pulse generator includes means for
supplying pulses to said light sources in alternating pulse
bursts.
[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
flashing ball comprises a hollow inner ball as described above and
an outer ball, at least partially translucent, covering the inner
ball, one of the inner and outer balls having a roughened surface
adapted to enhance ink retention and bearing printed indicia on the
roughened surface.
[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is a flashing ball
comprising a hollow inner ball containing a motion-activated
flasher circuit and bearing printed indicia on the outer surface of
the inner ball, and a transparent spherical outer ball molded over
the inner ball.
[0009] The present invention also provides a method of enhancing
the visual impact of an illuminated ball. The method comprises
providing a plurality of spaced light sources in a hollow inner
ball that is at least partially translucent, covering the inner
ball with an outer ball that is at least partially translucent, and
supplying pulses to the light sources in alternating pulse
bursts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a top view of the circuit side of an assembled
printed circuit board shown inside a cross-section of outer and
inner balls according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an end view of the assembled printed circuit board
of FIG. 1 shown inside a cross-section of the outer and inner
balls.
[0012] FIG. 3A is a detailed drawing of the inside of the
battery-side hemisphere of the inner ball of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3B is
a cross-section of that hemisphere.
[0013] FIG. 4A is a detailed drawing of the inside of the
circuit-side hemisphere of the inner ball of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4B is
a cross-section of that hemisphere.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a partial cutaway drawing of the ball of FIGS. 1
and 2.
[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates a flashing keychain according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a pin
for use in the flashing keychain of FIG. 6.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a suitable flasher circuit
for a flashing ball according to the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 9 illustrates representative waveforms for the flasher
circuit of FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the
principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the
embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will
be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood
that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby
intended, such alterations and further modifications in the
illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles
of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would
normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention
relates.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, one embodiment of a flashing
ball 10 according to the present invention has an outer rubber ball
12 direct compression molded or otherwise formed over a hollow
inner ball 14 which contains an impact-responsive flasher circuit
having two alternately flashing LEDs 22 and 24 spaced apart from
each other and oppositely oriented with respect to a printed
circuit (pc) board 28. The circuit in FIG. 1 shows the lens portion
of the body of LED 22 and the base of LED 24, the lens portion of
which protrudes through the pc board, as shown in FIG. 2, through a
hole provided for this purpose. The flashes are preferably provided
in alternating bursts of, for example, three to five flashes from
each LED, with an individual flash frequency of 18 Hz and a 50%
duty cycle. Each flash cycle consists of one burst from each LED,
and the circuit is preferably designed to operate at a rate of
three flash cycles per second for a total of 32 cycles each time it
is triggered. An example of a suitable flasher circuit is shown in
FIG. 8, and representative waveforms of the voltage across each LED
are illustrated in FIG. 9, wherein the individual flash period T
equals 55 msec, corresponding to 18 Hz. The leads 18 and 20 of the
LEDs are electrically connected in a conventional manner via traces
on pc board 28 to an IC 16, which is similarly mounted on the pc
board in a conventional manner.
[0021] The spaced arrangement of the LEDs combines with the
above-described flash sequence to produce a startling visual
effect. The effect is believed to be more attention-getting than
that of a single flashing LED or even a pair of alternately
flashing LEDs which provide alternating single flashes rather than
alternating flash bursts as in the present invention.
Center-to-center spacing of approximately 10-15 mm has been found
suitable for producing the desired effect.
[0022] A suitable IC is a type Al615-A one-shot IC, commercially
available from Allegro Electronics Ltd., Kwaichung, N.T. Hong Kong.
A suitable LED is a Sunscreen type L53SRCU red LED. The LED anodes
may be connected together as shown and connected to the positive
terminal of the battery through a current-limiting resistor R1.
Switch 26 is connected between the negative battery terminal and
the one-shot (OSH) input of the IC and is preferably an inertial
switch of the coil spring type, mounted on the pc board with its
longitudinal axis perpendicular to the board as shown in the
drawings and as described in more detail below. The circuit is
preferably powered by two series-connected 1.5-volt button cells
30, e.g., AG10 cells, which are electrically connected to the IC by
a board-mounted button cell holder and a terminal on the board
surface. Greater battery capacity may be provided for some
applications; for example, other embodiments include three button
cells 30 and two or more blue or white LEDs. The sidewalls of the
button cells are preferably electrically insulated from the
laterally adjacent surfaces of the button cell holders by
high-temperature insulating tape, e.g., mylar, which may be applied
at discrete points or entirely around the button cell
circumference.
[0023] The button cells are held in position by support posts 32
and 34 in cooperation with the button cell holder and the pc board,
which is supported by posts 36, 38 and 40. The support posts are
integrally formed on respective hemispheres 42 and 44 as shown in
further detail in FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively, which along with
FIGS. 1 and 2 are scale drawings. The two hemispheres are designed
to snap together, and for this purpose the battery-side hemisphere
42 is provided with an annular projection 46, and the circuit-side
hemisphere 44 is provided with a corresponding annular groove 48
shaped and sized to mate with projection 46. Alternatively,
hemisphere 44 may be provided with an annular projection and
hemisphere 42 a corresponding annular groove.
[0024] Switch 26 may be an inertial switch of the type shown in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,445 to Kennedy et al., which patent is
incorporated herein by reference. As can be appreciated from FIGS.
1 and 2, the switch includes a coil spring and a rod extending
through the coil spring along the longitudinal axis thereof. The
coil spring may be formed from 0.2 mm wire. A diameter of
approximately 4 mm and an axial length of approximately 4.5 mm are
presently preferred dimensions for the coil proper, which is spaced
from the board surface as shown. A spacing of 2-2.5 mm from the
board is suitable, and may be maintained with a lead having two
90.degree. bends, one portion of the lead extending parallel to the
axis of the coil as shown, a second portion extending along the
board surface perpendicular to the first portion and away from the
coil axis, and a third portion extending from the outer end of the
second portion parallel to the coil axis and through the board. The
spacing from the board may be somewhat longer, e.g., approximately
3 mm or longer in some applications, and the axial length of the
coil may also be somewhat longer, e.g., 5-6 mm or longer. Shorter
coils with less spacing from the board are also contemplated as
useful in some applications. The number of wire turns per unit of
axial length may be greater at the free end of the coil than at the
fixed end as shown in FIG. 2. The switch sensitivity is preferably
set such that, with the coil axis in a horizontal plane, the
assembled ball must be dropped vertically a minimum of
approximately one inch onto a rigid surface to momentarily close
the switch and thereby trigger the flasher circuit.
[0025] The outer ball is composed of a thermosetting resin such as
cis-butadiene rubber and dicumyl peroxide, with an outer diameter
of approximately 50 mm, and the hollow inner ball is molded acrylic
or polycarbonate with an outer diameter of approximately 30 mm as
shown in the scale drawings. Other ball sizes are also
contemplated, including, for example, a 60 mm ball with a 40 mm
inner ball. One example of a suitable outer ball material is
cis-1,4-polybutadiene rubber. The hardness of the outer ball is in
the range of 30-70 durometer in one embodiment, and in the range of
35-55 durometer in another embodiment. The outer ball is initially
formed as two uncured hemispheres of desired wall thickness, each
having a center recess sized to receive the inner ball. The inner
ball is enclosed within the two hemispheres and sealed therein by
oven curing at approximately 400.degree. F. for approximately 30
minutes with the two hemispheres held together.
[0026] The inner and outer balls may both be transparent, or both
translucent, or one may be transparent and the other translucent.
Both balls are transparent in one embodiment in which the outer
surface of the outer ball is treated to facilitate application of
printing ink. The treatment may include an ultrasonic wash for
approximately 15 minutes, for example. The outer surface is
preferably roughened by means of bead blasting. A desired logo,
company name, advertising slogan or other information is then
printed on the roughened surface, e.g., by pad printing and heat
curing of the ink for approximately 1 hour at 120.degree. F. It has
been found suitable for such purposes to bead blast a circular area
on the surface having a diameter approximately three-fourths that
of the outer ball. Alternatively, a roughened outer surface may be
provided by the mold itself. A suitable ink for such purposes
includes type "WNT" ink and BH hardener available from Trans Tech
America, Inc., Carol Stream, Ill., mixed with two adhesive
components in the following percentages by weight:
2 INGREDIENT CONCENTRATION Type "WNT" ink 78% BH Hardener 8% Devcon
rubber adhesive 7% Pliobond contact adhesive 7%
[0027] Alternatively, a desired logo, etc., may be printed on the
outer surface of the hollow inner ball. The outer ball is
transparent while the inner ball hemispheres are preferably molded
of translucent polycarbonate rather than transparent polycarbonate
or other suitable material to provide desired contrast for the
printing on its surface. A light color is preferred for the inner
ball to provide contrast for black or other dark color ink, and a
white matte finish is particularly desirable. The desired surface
finish is provided in the molding process itself or by subsequently
roughening the outer surface of the ball, e.g., by bead blasting,
tumbling or sanding with, e.g., 400-800 grade sandpaper. In one
particular example, the outer surface of the inner ball is
roughened with #240 quartz in a tumbler for approximately 25
minutes. This surface treatment has been found to enhance ink
retention, increase the adhesion of molded synthetic rubber to the
inner ball, and avoid discoloration believed to be caused by air
trapped during the molding process. The ink is applied and heat
cured as described above.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway view of the complete ball from
the perspective of FIG. 1. Outer ball 12 is depicted as
transparent, and inner ball 14 appears larger than actual size due
to refraction, as indicated by circumferential line 52 representing
the apparent periphery of the inner ball, the actual size of which
is as shown in the cutaway portion of the drawing. The properties
of the inner and outer balls combine to create a zone of internal
reflection and/or refraction between the peripheries of the two
balls and thereby produce a halo effect, or a ring of light, around
the inner ball during each flash of the back-side LED (LED 24 in
this view), as indicated by curved arrows 50 in the drawing. The
ring of light appears to fill the space between the apparent
periphery 52 of the inner ball and the periphery of the outer ball.
The effect is more pronounced when the flashing ball is viewed from
the perspective of FIG. 1 or from the opposite perspective, i.e.,
from an angle substantially perpendicular to the plane of the
circuit board, and held with the finger or palm of one's hand, or
other object, against the back side of the ball, especially in low
light or in the dark. The halo effect is in addition to the light
visible directly through the inner ball from the near-side LED 22
and significantly enhances the visual impact of the flashing ball
and thereby attracts greater attention. In the case of a
translucent inner ball, light emitted from near-side LED 22 is
visible as a flashing spot in the inner ball. The visual impact is
especially enhanced as the halo flashes in bursts which alternate
with the flash bursts from the near-side LED.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 6, which relates to another aspect of
the present invention, a flashing keychain 60 comprises a keychain
62 combined with a smaller size flashing ball 64 of the type
described above. The inner ball and included circuit, and the outer
ball, are the same as those of FIGS. 1 and 2, except that the outer
ball is smaller, e.g., approximately 40 mm in one embodiment, and a
connecting pin 66 is provided in the ball as shown in FIG. 6.
Keychain 62 is connected on one end to an eyelet 68 on pin 66 and
includes a keyring 70 on its other end. The pin includes a flange
72 on its inner end for retention within the ball. The flange may
extend radially from the pin axis in multiple directions as shown
in FIG. 6, e.g., 360.degree., or may extend radially in only one
direction as shown in FIG. 7 at 74. A hole is provided in the inner
ball at the seam between the two hemispheres to receive the main
body of the pin, which may be placed between the two hemispheres
during the assembly process so as to be captured within the hole
when the two hemispheres are snapped together. The outer ball is
then molded over the assembled inner ball in a conventional manner.
A desired logo, company name, advertising slogan or other
information may be printed on the surface of either the inner ball
or the outer ball as described above. The flasher circuit is
preferably triggered by forces greater than a predetermined
magnitude, such as the magnitude of force generated upon impact of
the ball with a solid object, e.g., a table top, at the end of a 1"
vertical drop as described above. The flasher circuit is preferably
not triggered by the low level of forces encountered by a person
walking, for example.
[0030] While the invention has been illustrated and described in
detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be
considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it
being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown
and described and that all changes and modifications that come
within the spirit of the invention.
* * * * *