U.S. patent application number 10/429065 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-04 for lighted sports game.
Invention is credited to Boettcher, William C., Doherty, Thomas M., Oister, Michael J., Schmitt, David.
Application Number | 20040220001 10/429065 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33310535 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040220001 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Oister, Michael J. ; et
al. |
November 4, 2004 |
Lighted sports game
Abstract
The present invention provides sporting equipment having
lights.
Inventors: |
Oister, Michael J.;
(Superior, CO) ; Doherty, Thomas M.; (Denver,
CO) ; Boettcher, William C.; (Denver, CO) ;
Schmitt, David; (Denver, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOLLAND & HART, LLP
555 17TH STREET, SUITE 3200
DENVER
CO
80201
US
|
Family ID: |
33310535 |
Appl. No.: |
10/429065 |
Filed: |
May 1, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/570 ;
273/348; 273/371; 473/220; 473/476; 473/494; 473/524; 473/588 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2225/74 20200801;
A63B 67/18 20130101; A63B 67/14 20130101; A63B 67/197 20160101;
A63B 37/0003 20130101; A63B 37/0011 20130101; F42B 12/38 20130101;
A63B 57/40 20151001; F41J 3/00 20130101; A63B 37/0024 20130101;
A63B 63/00 20130101; A63B 63/083 20130101; A63B 53/00 20130101;
A63B 59/60 20151001; A63B 59/50 20151001; A63B 2102/24 20151001;
A63B 2102/36 20151001; A63B 43/06 20130101; A63H 33/18 20130101;
A63B 59/00 20130101; A63B 57/357 20151001; F42B 6/003 20130101;
A63B 63/004 20130101; A63B 2102/18 20151001; A63B 49/00 20130101;
A63B 61/00 20130101; A63B 59/70 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/570 ;
273/348; 273/371; 473/494; 473/476; 473/220; 473/524; 473/588 |
International
Class: |
A63B 043/06; A63B
063/00; A63B 069/36; F41J 001/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. An apparatus, comprising: a ball; the ball having an outer
surface; at least one lighting element; the at least one lighting
element comprising a light source and an elongated member; the
elongated member capable of radiating light from the light source;
and the at least one lighting element is couple to at least a
portion of the outer peripheral surface.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ball comprises
at least one of a baseball, a soccer ball, a football, a volley
ball, a basketball, a lacrosse ball, a shot-put, a discus, a hockey
puck, a horseshoe, a golf ball, a bowling ball, a tennis ball, a
racket ball, a softball, a squash ball, a handball, shuttlecock, a
bocce ball, a croquet ball, and a ping pong ball.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light source
comprises at least one of a florescent light, an incandescent
light, a halogen light, a light string, a lcd, a led, a laser, an
electroluminescent light source, a chemical light source, a light
tube, or a flexible light wire.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
lighting element forms a design on the outer surface of the
ball.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: at least
one channel residing on at least a portion of the outer surface of
the ball; and the at least one lighting element held in at least
part of the at least one channel.
6. An apparatus, comprising: a handle portion; a striking surface
portion; the handle portion is couple to the striking surface
portion; at least one lighting element; the at least one lighting
element comprising a light source and an elongated member; and the
at least one lighting element is coupled to at least one the handle
portion and the striking surface portion.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the handle portion
and striking surface portion form at least one of a baseball bat, a
softball bat, a cricket paddle, a tennis racket, a badminton
racket, a hockey stick, a golf club, croquet mallet, a racket ball
racket, a lacrosse stick, and a field hockey stick.
8. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the light source
comprises at least one of a florescent light, an incandescent
light, a halogen light, a light string, a lcd, a led, a laser, an
electroluminescent light source, a chemical light source, a light
tube, or a flexible light wire.
9. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the at least one
lighting element is coupled to at least one of a handle outer
surface and a striking surface outer surface.
10. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: at
least one translucent portion; the at least one translucent portion
forming at least a portion of at least one of the handle portion
and the striking surface portion; wherein the at least one lighting
element resides internal to at least one of the handle portion and
the striking surface portion and light is radiated out the at least
one translucent portion.
11. A sports game, comprising: a goal; the goal having at least a
frame; at least one lighting element; the at least one lighting
element comprising a light source and an elongated member; and the
at least one lighting element coupled to the goal to provide
lighting effects.
12. The sports game according to claim 11, wherein the goal
comprises at least one of a football goal, a soccer goal, a
lacrosse goal, a golf hole, a dart target, a hockey goal, a field
hockey goal, water polo goal, a polo goal, and a rugby goal.
13. The sports game according to claim 11, wherein the goal
comprises: a net; and the at least one lighting element is coupled
to at least one of the frame and the net.
14. The sports game according to claim 11, wherein the goal
comprises: a backboard; and the at least one lighting element is
coupled to at least the backboard.
15. The sports game according to claim 13, wherein the goal further
comprises a backboard and the at least one lighting element is
coupled to the backboard.
16. A sports game, comprising: at least one accessory; the at least
one accessory comprises at least one of a net, a flag, a pylon, a
boundary, a bow, a flag, a pole, and a target; at least one
lighting element; the at least one lighting element comprising a
light source and an elongated member; and the at least one lighting
element coupled to the at least one accessory to provide lighting
effects.
17. The sports game according to claim 16, wherein the at least one
accessory comprises a target, wherein the target is at least one of
a lawn dart target, a dart target, and an archery target.
18. The sports game according to claim 16, wherein the at least one
accessory comprises a flag, wherein the flag is at least one of a
golf hole flag, a soccer corner flag, and a flag football flag.
19. The sports game according to claim 16, wherein the at least one
accessory comprises a net, wherein the net is a volley ball net, a
badminton net, a tennis net, and a ping-pong ball net.
20. The sports game, comprising: at least one piece of sporting
equipment; means for providing light; and means for attaching,
wherein the means for attaching couples the means for providing
light to the at least one piece of sporting equipment.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to games and, more
particularly, to sports games having a lighted component.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many types of sports games exist. Some of the more popular
sports games include, but are not limited to, croquet, Frisbee,
baseball, football, soccer, basketball, hockey, golf, lacrosse, jai
alai, field hockey, rugby, ping pong, and various target games such
as horseshoes, bocce, darts, lawn darts, and the like. These games
are typically played during daylight hours or under lights after
dark. Often, when the available light drops below optimum levels,
however, these games become impractical or even dangerous.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] To attain the advantages and in accordance with the purpose
of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a
sports game is provided with at least one item having a light
source.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0004] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the present invention, and together with the description, serve to
explain the principles thereof. Like items in the drawings are
referred to using the same numerical reference:
[0005] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a sport ball illustrative of the
present invention;
[0006] FIGS. 2-4 are sectional plan views of a light illustrative
of the present invention;
[0007] FIGS. 5-15 are illustrations of some alternative lights
illustrative of the present invention;
[0008] FIGS. 16-19 shows a cross-sectional view of a light attached
to an item consistent with the present invention; and
[0009] FIGS. 20-46 show view of various sporting games with lights
consistent with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] The present invention will be described with reference to
FIGS. 1-46. Referring first to FIG. 1, a ball 10 including a
channel 12 that extends at least partially around a periphery 16 of
ball 10 is shown. A lighting element 14 is housed at least
partially within channel 12. Lighting element 14 can fill all or
part of channel 12 as a matter of design choice. Also, lighting
element 14 could be attached directly to periphery 16 of ball 10
without the use of channel 12, but it is believed channel 12 will
provide some protection to lighting element 14 to increase
durability. The ball 10 could be, for example, a baseball, a soccer
ball, a football, a volley ball, a basketball, a lacrosse ball, a
shot-put, a discus, a flying disc, a hockey puck, a golf ball, a
bowling ball, a tennis ball, a racket ball, a softball, a squash
ball, a handball, shuttlecock, a bocce ball, a croquet ball, a ping
pong ball, or the like. In other words, ball is used generically.
The specific examples given here and provided below, should be
construed in an exemplary and non-limiting manner.
[0011] Although the ball 10 is shown having a single channel 12
extending around the periphery 16, multiple channels, partial
channels, or other designs are possible. Further, channel 12 could
be formed to depict figures or whimsical designs, such as, for
example, a croquet ball could have the design of a mallet, a
baseball a design of a batter, or other more abstract designs.
Alternatively, lighting element 14 may extend around periphery 16
of ball 10 without residing in channel 12, in other words, channel
12 would not exist in periphery 16 of ball 10. Yet another
alternative would be to have lighting element 14 or multiple
lighting elements 14 reside, in part, in channel 12 and, in part,
outside channel 12 to provide different lighting effects. Still
further, reflective elements 14a could be placed on ball 10 to
provide additional lighting effects, such as, reflection,
refraction, dispersion, or prism effects.
[0012] Channel 12 and/or lighting element 14 may include a
transparent, translucent or semi-translucent protective covering
(not specifically shown in FIG. 1, but described in relation to
FIGS. 17 and 18) to protect lighting element 14, at least a portion
of which is light transmissive (i.e., transparent, translucent, or
semi-translucent). Varying degrees of translucence (from opaque to
transparent) could be used as a matter of design choice to provide
patterns of light and shading. The protective covering may include,
for example, a flexible sheeting material such as a fabric, polymer
or other material to protect lighting element 14. Various
protective covering materials and configurations, for example, are
described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,678 entitled "Interior Decorating
Item and Use of an Optical Wave Guide as Decorative Thread on Such
Interior Decorating Items" issued to Bernhard Bayersdorfer on Sep.
17, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety. The protective covering may alternatively include a rigid
or semi-rigid material, such as a clear plastic, glass, colored
plastic, colored glass, a frosted glass-like surface or the
like.
[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, lighting element 5, for example, may
include an elongated member 6 and a light source 7. Elongated
member 6 may emit light over its entire length, a portion of its
length, only at one or both of its ends, or combinations thereof.
Elongated member 6 may be rigid or flexible. Elongated member 6,
for example, may include one or more fiber optic strands, glass
fibers, plastic fibers, elongated thermoplastic strands, optical
wave guide materials, or the like. For example, U.S. Pat. No.
6,450,678 entitled "INTERIOR DECORATING ITEM AND USE OF AN OPTICAL
WAVE GUIDE AS DECORATIVE THREAD ON SUCH INTERIOR DECORATING ITEMS"
issued on Sep. 17, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference
in its entirety, discloses optical wave guides including materials
such as glass, plastic or poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA) fibers.
Further, U.S. Pat. No. 5,879,076 entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
LIGHT TRANSMISSION" issued on Mar. 9, 1999, which is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety, discloses elongated members
including substantially transparent or clear thermoplastic material
of a form commonly known as a hot-melt adhesive, which includes an
adhesive primarily comprised of ethylene-vinyl acetate, a
low-density polyethylene, a polypropylene thermoplastic or a
polyamide adhesive. Other light sources include light carrying
tubes, such as the light carrying tubes described in, U.S. Pat. No.
5,485,335, titled "ELECTROLUMINESCENT LIGHT SOURCES," issued on
Jan. 16, 1999, U.S. Pat. No. 5,860,930, titled "ELECTROLUMINESCENT
LIGHT SOURCE WITH A MIXTURE LAYER FILLED WITH A TRANSPARENT FILLER
SUBSTANCE," issued on Feb. 9, 1999, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,400,093,
titled "FLEXIBLE ELECTROLUMINESCENT LIGHT SOURCE WITH ACTIVE
PROTECTION FROM MOISTURE," issued Jun. 4, 2002, all of which are
incorporated by reference. Electro luminescent light sources are
sometimes known as flexible light wire. Other light sources include
chemical luminescent compositions, which are sometimes known as
light sticks, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,313,843, titled "SUPERIOR
OXALATE ESTER CHEMICAL LIGHTING SYSTEM," issued on Feb. 2, 1982,
and U.S. Pat. No. 4,678,608, titled "CHEMILUMINESCENT COMPOSITION,"
issued on Jul. 7, 1987. All of which are incorporated herein by
reference. Other similar materials are also known for use in
carrying and emitting light waves may suitably be used within the
scope of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 depicts another lighting element 5 including multiple
elongated members 6 and multiple light sources 7. As shown in FIG.
3, light sources 7 may be arranged on one or both ends of elongated
members 6. Further, although FIG. 3 shows two elongated members 6
and three light sources 7, any number of elongated members 6 and
light sources are possible. Further, a single light source may
illuminate multiple elongated members or a single elongated member
may receive light waves from multiple light sources arranged at one
or both ends of the elongated member.
[0015] Light source 7 may include a light-emitting diode (LED), a
light bulb, a laser diode or other light sources known in the art.
Alternative light sources may include, for example, a single
florescent light tube, multiple rows of florescent light tubes,
incandescent lights, halogen lights, light strings (such as
Christmas lights) or the like. Light source 7 may comprise one or
more different colors and may provide for any number of lighting
effects. In general, almost any arrangement of light can be
provided depending on the lighting effect desired. For example, the
individual elements of light source 7 may flash or blink at the
same or different rates frequencies. Further, light source 7 could
be a strobe light or other light that has an on and off feature,
similar to a timer or a string of blinking Christmas lights. Still
further, it would be possible to have a dimmer to manually or
automatically control the brightness of light source 7. Finally, a
timer could be used to control an on and off pattern of the lights
and the dimmer.
[0016] Light source 7 may further include any power supply known in
the art. For example, the power supply may include and an A.C. or a
D.C. source, but it is contemplated simple batteries would be most
useful such as an alkaline, nickel-cadmium, lithium or zinc air
battery, a thin-film battery, a fuel cell, a solar cell, an A.C.
voltage converted to a D.C. voltage or the like.
[0017] FIG. 4 shows still another arrangement of light element 5.
Light element 5 shows multiple light sources 7 arranged between
alternative elongated members 6. The light source arrangement of
FIG. 4 could have all the features identified above.
[0018] FIGS. 5 and 6 depict an alternative lighting element 11A.
Lighting element 11A includes a backing strip 12A and a front strip
13A. Lighting element 11A is shown in more detail in FIG. 6 and
further includes elongated member 16A, at least one light source 7
(see FIGS. 2-4), conductive strips 18A and 19A. Front strip 13A is
preferably an elongated strip of light-transmissive material, such
as a transparent, translucent or semi-translucent strip of
material. The backing strip 12A may be an opaque, light-reflective
material, or a transparent, translucent or semi-translucent
material through which light may be transmitted. If lighting
element 11A is to be attached to an opaque item through which light
will not transmit or if the light generated is preferred to be
focused in only a portion of the possible directions from lighting
element 11A, for example, an opaque, light reflective material may
be used as backing strip 12A in order to reflect the maximum
intensity of the light from the elongated member through front
strip 13A. If it is desired that the lighting element 11A transmit
light in all directions, however, backing strip 12A may include a
light transmissive material, such as a transparent, translucent or
semi-translucent strip of material.
[0019] FIGS. 7-9 show another embodiment of a lighting element 41.
Lighting element 41 includes a backing strip 42, a front strip 43
and a plurality of elongated members 44. Backing strip 42
preferably comprises a reflective elongated strip, and front strip
43 comprises an elongated lens, which may be glass or plastic (such
as vinyl) for magnifying the light emitted from elongate members
44. Elongate members 44 and at least one light source 7 (shown in
FIGS. 2-4) are positioned within the tube or casement formed by
strips 42 and 43. A circuit board 46 containing a power supply
circuit and a battery pack 47 may be included to provide power for
the circuit. The lens may diffuse light from elongated members 44
more evenly along the entire lengths of the elongated members. The
lighting element may thus project light a substantial distance in
either a constant glow or as a flashing or blinking light.
Alternatively, the lens may provide refract the light, provide a
prism effect, or the like
[0020] Yet another lighting element 51 is shown in FIG. 10 in which
the lighting element comprises a backing strip 52, a front strip 53
and one or more elongated members 54 positioned between light
sources 55 and 56. Light sources 55 and 56 are directed in opposite
directions to direct light into the elongated member 54 from either
end.
[0021] FIG. 11 shows another lighting element 61 including an
elongated member 60 having an irregular profile with a rounded top
surface 62 and a recessed lower surface 63. Elongated member 60,
for example, may be formed of a hot-melt adhesive plastic.
Longitudinally spaced light sources 64 are received within recessed
surface 63 of elongated member 60. Light sources 64, such as LEDs,
may be embedded in a material 65 such as a hot-melt adhesive
plastic formed around light sources 64. Material 65 may be the same
material as elongated member 60, but could also be a different
material. Light sources 64 are further positioned to direct light
along the length of elongated member 60. Suitable connections 66 to
provide power and control to light sources 64 are also embedded in
material 65.
[0022] FIG. 12 shows yet another lighting element 67 similar to
lighting element 61 shown in FIG. 11. Lighting element 67 includes
an elongated member 74 having an irregular profile with a rounded
top surface 68, a concave recess 69 on the lower surface receiving
longitudinally spaced light sources 71, such as LEDs, embedded
within a material such as a hot-melt adhesive plastic. Light
sources 71 are positioned to direct light along elongated member
74. One or more reflective devices, such as light reflective prisms
73, enhance the light transmission characteristics of elongated
member 74.
[0023] While shown as rounded members, elongated members 60 and 74
could have various alternative geometric shapes, such as concave,
convex, elliptical, oval, circular, triangular, rectangular, or the
like. Further, random or irregular shapes are also possible.
[0024] Elongated members 60 and 74 of FIGS. 11 and 12 may be
extruded from a suitable extruder and the light sources and
embedding materials may be applied to the elongated members as they
exit the extruder. Also, suitable rollers or other components may
be used to provide the prism surface of elongated member 74.
[0025] Another embodiment of a lighting element 81 is shown in
FIGS. 13 and 14 in which elongated strips of a transparent,
translucent or semi-translucent material such as nylon,
polypropylene or polyester of a hook and loop material (e.g.,
VELCRO, a registered trademark of the Velcro Company, or COSMOLON,
a registered trademark of YKK, or similar hook and loop material)
are used to form a protective housing for elongated members 87 and
light sources 88. The protective sheeting is formed of a backing
strip 82 including loop material 83 and a front strip 84 that
includes hooks 85. Elongated members 87 and light sources 88 are
sandwiched between the backing strip 82 and the front strip 84.
Alternatively, backing strip 82 may include hooks and front strip
84 may include loop material, or the backing strip and/or front
strip may include other known connecting materials such as pressure
sensitive adhesives, snaps, buttons, zippers and the like. Backing
strip 82 may further comprise a reflective layer to reflect the
light emitted from elongated members 87 towards front strip 84, and
front strip 84 is preferably transparent, translucent or
semi-translucent to allow the light emitted from elongated members
87 to pass through.
[0026] Another lighting element 91 is shown in FIG. 15 in which an
elongated member 92 is surrounded by a transparent, translucent or
semi-translucent longitudinal strip 92A. Projecting ends 94 and 95
are connected together, such as along a weld line 96, thereby
forming a hollow opening 93 through which elongated member 92
extends and a fastening strip 97 comprising ends 94 and 95.
Lighting element 91 of FIG. 15 is further shown attached to an item
100, such as a ball, a bat, a wicket, a mallet, a racket, a target,
or other sporting device, in FIG. 16. Item 100 is comprised of a
first portion 102 and a second portion 104, between which fastening
strip 97 extends. First portion 102, second portion 104 and
fastening strip 97 are connected together via a fastening means
106, such as using pins, screws, adhesives, rivets, clamp,
snap-locks, friction fitting, and the like.
[0027] FIG. 17 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative means
of attaching a lighting element to an item 110. Item 110 includes a
channel 112 for receiving at least a portion of lighting element
114. A transparent, translucent, or semi-translucent material 116,
such as, for example, plastics, glass, or the like, bonded or
otherwise attached to item 110 surrounds lighting element 114.
Material 116 could surround lighting element 114 as shown in FIG.
17 or simply a cover for channel 112 that encloses lighting element
114 (not specifically shown in FIG. 17). Also, instead of placement
in channel 112, material 116 could be used to form a rigid such
that item 110 comprises a ribbed feel. Material 116, for example,
may include an adhesive that holds lighting element 114 within
channel 112 of the item. Bonding material 116 to item 110 could
include the adhesive as mentioned, stitching, thermal or fusion
bonding, glues, rivets, embossing, welds, solders, pins, or the
like.
[0028] FIGS. 18 and 19 show a cross-sectional and plan view of
another means of attaching a lighting element 124 to an item 120.
Item 120 includes, optionally, a channel 122 for receiving lighting
element 124. Alternatively, channel 122 may comprise a seam or
other region in which the lighting element 124 may be placed.
Conversely, lighting element 124 could be placed on the surface of
item 120 without channel 122. A thread (which could be cloth,
plastic, or the like) 126 extends across lighting element 124 along
the length of lighting element 124, holding the lighting element in
place around a portion of a periphery (not specifically labeled in
FIG. 18) of the item 120. Lighting element 124, for example, may be
stitched in a channel or seam formed by panels of a ball, such as a
volleyball or a soccer ball. Item 120, however, need not include
such a channel or seam and the lighting element may be stitched to
the periphery of item 120.
[0029] Although FIGS. 16 to 19 depict a lighting element such as
shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 being attached to various items, any of the
lighting elements described above, or any variations of those
lighting elements may be similarly attached as would be readily
recognized by one of skill in the art. Similarly, the elongated
member of any lighting element may be attached to an item such as
described herein and extend to a light source that is remote to a
connection of the elongated element to the item. For example, the
power supply and/or light sources of the lighting element may be
connected to the item remote from the channel or seam (e.g., on the
periphery of or internal to the item).
[0030] FIG. 20 shows a volleyball 130 comprising a plurality of
panels 136 connected at a plurality of seams 134. Volleyball 130
further includes lighting elements 132, which may be attached to
the volleyball along a portion of seams 134 formed by the panels
136, as shown, or attached directly to one or more portions of
panels 136. Lighting elements 132 may be attached to volleyball 130
along all or any portion of seams 134 of volleyball 130, or may be
attached to the volleyball at any other portion. Also, while shown
as attached to provide light effects to a portion of volleyball
130, lighting elements 132 could be arranged to form designs, such
as a soccer (or football) player, random designs, whimsical
designs, or the like.
[0031] FIG. 21 shows a football 140 including lighting elements 142
and 146 attached to football 140. Lighting elements 142 may be
attached around the perimeter of football 140 and/or near ends 148
of football 140, which may enhance the visibility or replace the
stripes found on many conventional footballs. Further, lighting
element 146 may be attached to football 140 along a seam 144 and/or
underneath, around, or above laces 149 of football 140. Once again,
the various lighting elements may be used to form a design.
[0032] FIG. 22 shows a net 150, such as used for volleyball,
badminton, tennis, or the like. Net 150 includes a lighting element
152 attached to the net along the top edge of the net. Further
lighting elements are also possible to highlight other portions of
the net of interest, such as the poles, along a sideline, vertical
portions of the net, a bottom or full outline of the net, or the
like. FIGS. 23 and 24 further show a racquet 160 (e.g., a badminton
racquet, a racquet ball racquet, a tennis racquet, or the like) and
a shuttlecock 170. Racquet 160 includes a lighting element 162 that
may be attached along a periphery 164 of the head of the racquet,
as shown, or woven into a racket net 161 or along a handle 163
(lighting elements not specifically shown on net 161 or handle
163). Shuttlecock 170 includes a lighting element 172 extending
around the periphery adjacent a head 174 of shuttlecock 170. While
not specifically shown, lighting elements may be woven into a tail
175 of shuttlecock 170.
[0033] FIGS. 25 and 26 show a soccer ball 180 and a basketball 190
each including lighting elements 182 and 192, respectively,
attached along the seams of the soccer ball 180 and the basketball
190. Once again, other arrangements of lighting elements 182 and
192 are possible.
[0034] FIG. 27 further shows a basketball backboard 200 and rim 202
including lighting elements 204 and 206. Backboard 200 includes
lighting element 204 attached in a square target located above rim
202. Rim 202 may include lighting element 206 located around the
periphery of the rim 202. Rim 202, for example, may further include
one or more lighting elements woven into a net 208. While simple
lighting effects are shown, lighting elements 204 and 206 could be
arranged to form a design.
[0035] FIG. 28 shows a ball 210, such as a baseball, softball,
tennis ball, racket ball, or the like, including panels 212
attached at seam 214. A lighting element 216 is attached along seam
214 to provide lighting enhancements including greater visibility
of ball 210. FIG. 29 further shows a bat 220 including optional
channels 222 in which lighting elements 224 are attached. FIGS. 30
and 31 show bases 230 and 232 for use with a baseball or softball
style game, such as, for example, a sandlot package. Bases 230 and
232 each include a lighting element 234 extending around the
periphery of the bases. Other configurations of lights are also
possible.
[0036] FIG. 32 shows a perspective view of a Frisbee or flying disc
240. Frisbee 240 includes a disc 241 and a rim 242. Frisbee 240
further includes a lighting element 244 attached to rim 242 of
Frisbee 240. Lighting element 244, for example, may be attached to
the exterior of rim 242 of Frisbee 240 or along the bottom or top
edge of rim 242. Alternatively, lighting element 244 may be
attached along an internal edge of rim 242 or may be embedded
within the rim 242 if the rim 242 is transparent, translucent or
semi-translucent. Other configurations of lighting element 244
include lights in disc 241.
[0037] FIGS. 33 and 34 show a horseshoe set including target poles
250 and a horseshoe 260. Poles 250 each include lighting elements
252. Horseshoe 260 includes lighting elements 262 attached to the
horseshoe along one or both sides of the horseshoe. Alternatively,
horseshoe 260 may include a lighting element along a sidewall 264
of the horseshoe 260.
[0038] FIGS. 35 and 36 show a croquet mallet 270 and a
representative wicket 280 that may be used with a ball, such as
shown in FIG. 1, as part of a croquet set. Mallet 270 includes
lighting elements 272 extending around a barrel of mallet 270.
Lighting elements could also be included on a handle 273
(separately or in combination with other lights on mallet 270). The
colors of lighting elements 272 of different mallets may include
various colors that can be matched to colors of croquet balls to
form a complete croquet set. Further, wicket 280 includes a
lighting element 282 on one or both sides of the wicket 280.
Alternatively, wicket 280 may include lighting elements along an
internal periphery 284 or an external periphery 286 of the wickets
so that a lighting element may be viewed from either side. Lighting
elements on wickets 280 may be arranged to show an order of
wickets, for example, the first wicket could have 1 light, the
second wicket could have 2 lights, etc.
[0039] FIGS. 37 and 38 show a golf cup 290 and a golf flagstick
300. Cup 290 includes lighting element 292 that may extend around
the periphery of the top edge of cup 290. Flagstick 300 may include
lighting element 302 extending around the periphery of the flag 304
and/or extending along flagstick 300.
[0040] FIG. 39 shows a side view of a hockey puck 310. Hockey puck
310 may include one or more channels 312 that extend around a
perimeter of the puck 310. Channel 312 receives a lighting element
314, which is held within channel 312 by one or more attachment
means described above.
[0041] FIG. 40 shows a golf ball 320. The golf ball 320 includes
one or more channels 312 extending around a perimeter of golf ball
320. Channel 322 may receives a lighting element 324, which is held
within the channel 322 by one or more attachment means described
above.
[0042] FIG. 41 shows a hockey stick 330 having a handle portion
330h and a striking surface portion 330s including at least one
lighting element 332 extending along the side of stick 330. A golf
club, not specifically shown, would be similar to a hockey stick.
Preferably, lighting element 332 is attached to both sides of stick
330 or along an edge 334 of stick 330 so that lighting element 332
is visible from both sides of stick 330.
[0043] FIGS. 42 and 43 show a dartboard 340 and a dart 350,
respectively. Dartboard 340 includes a plurality of lighting
elements 342 located between, in, or a combination thereof the
scoring regions. Dartboard 340 may further include lighting
elements located on numbers 344 labeling the scoring regions to
more easily identify the regions in poor lighting. Dart 350 shown
in FIG. 43 includes lighting elements 354 affixed to flights 352 of
dart 350, although lights could be attached to the body of dart 350
as well.
[0044] FIGS. 44 and 45 show a pylon 360 and a line 370 that may be
used for marking the perimeter of a sporting field. Other sport
accessories known in the art include flags, poles, targets (such as
dart board targets or archery targets), bows, arrows, and the like
may also be used. Pylon 360 includes a cone 362 and a base 364.
Lighting elements 366 may be arranged vertically along the edge of
cone 362. Lighting elements 366, however, may be arranged in other
configurations, such as horizontally around the perimeter of the
cone or in other designs. Line 370 is shown in FIG. 45 and includes
a lighting element 372 that is attached along at least a portion of
the length of the line 370. Lighting element 372 may be attached to
the line by any means, such as described above, or may be woven
among the strands of a rope that may comprise line 370. Line 370,
which may be cloth or plastic, may be arranged along a playing
field to outline boundaries, or may be used in targets, such as a
target circular for lawn darts.
[0045] FIG. 46 shows a goal 380 that may be used in various
sporting games, such as soccer, lacrosse, hockey, football, and the
like. Goal 380 may include posts 384 and crossbar 386. A lighting
element 382 may be attached along the front edges of posts 384 and
crossbar 386, or may be attached along a side edge of posts 384 and
crossbar 386.
[0046] While the invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to particular embodiment(s) thereof, it
will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other
changes in the form and details may be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention.
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