U.S. patent application number 12/074690 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-07 for harness for lighted sports article.
This patent application is currently assigned to Earl W. Sullivan. Invention is credited to Earl W. Sullivan.
Application Number | 20080185785 12/074690 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39675499 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080185785 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sullivan; Earl W. |
August 7, 2008 |
Harness for lighted sports article
Abstract
A harness (10) for illuminating a sports article (39) is
provided. The harness (10) includes elongated means (11) of elastic
material that can be releasably secured to an exterior surface of
the sports article (39). The harness (10) further comprise
transparent generally flat and planar members (22), transparent
sections (18), holes (16) and passageways (36) to releasably secure
a light source such as a chemi-luminescent light stick (23) and
light emitting diodes (33).
Inventors: |
Sullivan; Earl W.; (Wall,
NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Earl W. Sullivan III
1820 Hwy 35 #64
Wall
NJ
07719
US
|
Assignee: |
Sullivan; Earl W.
|
Family ID: |
39675499 |
Appl. No.: |
12/074690 |
Filed: |
March 6, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10498183 |
Jun 7, 2004 |
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12074690 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/317 ;
362/310; 473/570 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2225/74 20200801;
A63B 43/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/317 ;
473/570; 362/310 |
International
Class: |
A63B 43/06 20060101
A63B043/06 |
Claims
1: A method for illuminating a sports article consisting of
multiple specie types of attachment means comprising: an
elastically moldable harness adapted to conform with the contour of
a sports article, comprising elongated means to encompass said
sports article in multiple directions, said elongated means
comprising a generally flat and planar surface with opposed
interior and exterior surfaces defining a wall there between
comprising, in combination: a first attachment means comprising at
least two holes through the wall of said elongated means along one
of said directions, and light means adapted to be frictionally
engaged by weaving through said holes, said light means adapted to
be activated by bending, snapping and shaking; a second attachment
means comprising at least one transparent section of said elongated
means along one of said directions, and light means adapted to be
frictionally engaged between said transparent section and said
sports article, said light means adapted to be activated by
bending, snapping and shaking; a third attachment means comprising
at least one transparent generally flat and planar member within
said elongated means along one of said directions, and a housing
defining an interior closed to the ambient atmosphere within said
transparent generally flat and planar member comprising at least
one frangible divider and at least two compartments for separating
a chemi-luminescent mixture of chemicals and fluorescent dyes,
light means adapted to be activated by bending and snapping said
frangible divider and allowing chemi-luminescent chemicals and
fluorescent dyes to mix; a fourth attachment means comprising at
least one transparent generally flat and planar member within said
elongate means along one of said directions, and a housing of
electro-luminescent material supported inside of said transparent
generally flat and planar member, said electro-luminescent material
comprising at least one battery, at least one light means, a
switching means and a loop of conductive material connecting said
battery, said light means and said switching means, light means
adapted to be activated by said switching means; and a fifth
attachment means comprising a translucent portion of said elongated
means along one of said directions comprising a passageway within
the wall of said elongated means, and a housing of material
supported throughout said passageway comprising at least one
battery, at least one lamp, a switching means and a loop of
conductive material connecting said battery, said lamp and said
switching means, light means adapted to be activated by said
switching means.
2: A harness in accordance with claim 1, in which said harness
comprising of a single specie attachment means for illuminating an
article.
3: A harness in accordance with claim 1, wherein said switching
means comprising a motion activated means.
4: A harness in accordance with claim 1, wherein said switching
means is activated when the harness is in a stretched state.
5: A harness in accordance with claim 1, wherein said sports
article is a ball
6: A harness in accordance with claim 1, wherein the elongated
means comprises of an elastic material selected from the group
consisting of a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, elastic or an
elastic textile.
7: A harness in accordance with claim 6, in which said elongated
means vary in numerous sizes, shapes and colors.
8: A harness in accordance with claim 7, in which said elongated
means comprises a quick release section.
9: A harness in accordance with claim 7, in which said elongated
means further comprising at least two pockets spaced apart from one
another and formed through the interior surface wall for
stabilizing the ends of said light means.
10: A harness in accordance with claim 8, in which said quick
release section comprises a hook and loop material, Velcro
"trademark".
11: A harness in accordance with claim 1, in which said light means
varies in numerous sizes, shapes and colors.
12: A harness in accordance with claim 11, in which said light
means is a mixture of chemi-luminescent chemicals and fluorescent
dyes separately contained in a resilient housing and comprising of
at least one frangible divider.
13: A harness in accordance with claim 11, in which said light
means is a resilient housing comprising of at least one battery, at
least one light emitting diode, a switching means and a loop of
conductive material connecting said battery, said light emitting
diodes and switching means.
14: A harness in accordance with claim 1, in which said transparent
generally flat and planar members are resilient members comprising
of a variety of sizes and shapes.
15: A harness in accordance with claim 14, where in said members
further comprising an opening through the interior surface wall for
replacing a light means.
16: A harness in accordance with claim 14, wherein said transparent
generally flat and planar members comprise of at least two opposed
ends which are connected to the ends of said elongated means.
17: A harness for the attachment of lights to a sports article
comprising, in combination: an elastically moldable harness adapted
to conform with the contour of a sports article, comprising
elongated means to encompass said sports article in multiple
directions, said elongated means comprising a generally flat and
planar surface with opposed interior and exterior surfaces defining
a wall there between; at least two holes through the wall of said
elongated means along one of said directions; and a light stick
adapted to be frictionally engaged by weaving through said holes,
said light sticks adapted to be activated by bending, snapping and
shaking.
18: A harness in accordance with claim 17, in which said elongated
means further comprising at least two pockets, for receiving the
ends of a light stick, spaced a part from one another and formed
through the interior surface wall of said elongated means.
19: A harness in accordance with claim 17, wherein said sports
article is a ball.
20: An illuminable transparent harness for releasable attachment to
a sports article comprising, in combination: an elastically
moldable harness adapted to conform with the contour of a sports
article, comprising a translucent elongated means to encompass said
sports article in multiple directions, said translucent elongated
means comprising a generally flat and planar surface with opposed
interior and exterior surfaces defining a wall there between; a
passageway within said wall of said elongated means; and a housing
of material supported within said passageway comprising at least
one battery, at least one light emitting diode, a switching means
and a loop of conductive material connecting said battery, said
light emitting diodes and said switching means, light means adapted
to be activated by said switching means.
21: A harness in accordance with claim 20, in which said switching
means comprises an inertia switch shifting between first and second
states of conductivity in response to the movement of said harness,
and a time delay switching means being energized to close the
circuit between said battery and said light emitting diode for any
given period of time whenever said inertia switch shifts from the
first to the second state of conductivity.
22: A harness in accordance with claim 21, in which said light
emitting diode is connected to at least one light emitting optical
fiber.
23: A harness in accordance with claim 20, wherein said sports
article is a ball.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/498/183, filed Jun. 7, 2004.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a lighted sport article.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a harness for
securely maintaining a light to a sports article, for example, a
recreational ball.
BACKGROUND OF RELATED TECHNOLOGY
[0003] Sport articles, such as balls, rackets and the like, have
been illuminated for recreational play during dark hours of the
evening or nighttime. Illuminated sports articles, however, are
often specifically designed and manufactured to provide such
lighted articles. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,458 describes a
ball made of translucent material having a light source positioned
within the ball. When the light source is activated, the ball is
illuminated via its translucent material of construction. The ball,
however, is made of two releasable halves which connect to activate
the light source and to form the playing shape of the ball.
[0004] Other designs have included a light source within a ball
without having to assemble or disassemble the ball itself for
example; U.S. Pat. No. 4,479,649 describes an inflatable play ball
having a preformed interior passage for receiving a light source,
such as a light stick. The ball, however, must be deflated for
placing the light source therein and must be subsequently inflated
to hold the light source within the ball during use of the ball.
Alternatively, to inflating and deflating a ball, U.S. Pat. No.
4,002,893 describes the press-fitting of a light source within a
hollow passageway of the ball. Moreover, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,776,587
and 5,066,012 describe a ball having a hollow passageway for
holding a light source. The passageway for the ball is covered by a
cap or collar after the light source is placed with the
passageway.
[0005] These illuminated sports balls, however, require specially
designed articles or hollow passageways with such articles for
holding their light source. Such designs complicate the design and
increase the cost for manufacturing an illuminated sports ball.
[0006] To avoid making hollow passageways within sports articles,
exterior portions of sports articles have been altered to provide
securement light sources. Grooves on exterior surfaces of sports
balls and croquet mallets have been described respectively in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 5,683,316 and 5,370,390. Clips for holding lights have
been molded to exterior surfaces of toys, for example a flying
saucer toy in U.S. Pat. No. 4,086,723. Moreover, lights have been
screwed onto sports articles, for example roller skates in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,855,382. All of these techniques, however, require
modification of a sports article's surface or a surface adapted for
securely receiving screws or the like for holding a light
source.
[0007] To avoid specially designed sports articles, a harness for
holding a light stick around a sports ball has been described in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,751. The harness, however, requires hollow
tubular members for holding light sticks. Such hollow tubular
members make the harness bulky and also limit the type and size of
light stick useful to one that can be releasably secured within the
hollow tubular members.
[0008] Thus, there is a need in the art for a device for
illuminating a sports article without the disadvantages of the
prior art. More particularly, there is a need for a device for
illuminating a sports article that does not require modification of
the sports article itself and one that is not bulky.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention is a harness for releasably securing a
variety of light sources around a sports article. The harness
includes a variety of attachment means comprising of elastically
resilient material. The harness is capable of being securely fitted
over an exterior surface of a sports article by stretching the
harness and slipping onto the article.
[0010] The harness of the present invention includes an elongated
means comprising of at least one elastic elongate member. This
member is a generally flat planar strip which forms the harness. In
one embodiment, the elongate member is molded into a one piece
harness comprising of multiple holes through the wall of the
member. Portions of the member proximal to the hole are configured
to frictionally engage a light stick and secure the light stick to
the harness. The harness is capable of snugly fitting over a sports
article. Portions of the light stick are thereby engaged between
the interior of the harness and the exterior of the sports article
to securely hold the light stick in place during use of the sports
article. Upon activation of the light sticks, the article becomes
illuminated.
[0011] The harness of the present invention may have a plurality of
holes in the elongate member for securably holding a light source.
Desirably, the elongate members of the present invention have at
least four holes for securably holding the light source.
[0012] In one aspect of the present invention, a harness for
attachment of lights to a sports article is provided. The harness
includes, but is not limited to, an elastic elongate member that
does not have any holes through the wall, but instead the elastic
elongate member connects directly to at least one transparent
generally flat and planar member. A transparent generally flat and
planar member comprises opposed interior and exterior surfaces
defining a wall there between and opposed ends. Each of these
members has a housing defining an interior closed to the ambient
atmosphere, comprising at least one frangible divider and at least
two compartments for separating a chemi-luminescent mixture of
chemicals and fluorescent dyes, the light means adapted to be
activated by bending and snapping said frangible divider and
allowing chemi-luminescent chemicals and fluorescent dyes to mix.
These members can additionally include an opening through the
interior wall for replacing a light source. The opening preferably
would be a split through the wall and of a size big enough for
replacing the glow stick. Additionally, a battery powered glow
stick would also be usable. Desirably, the elongate member and the
transparent generally flat and planar members have elasticity to
releasably secure the harness over an external surface of the
article.
[0013] The harness of the present invention may further include two
pockets for stabilizing the ends of the light source. A pocket is
molded through the interior surface wall of the elongate
member.
[0014] Moreover, the harness of the present invention may include
elongate members that have an elastic portion. The elastic portion
or, alternatively, the elastic members themselves may be made from
elastic material selected from the group consisting of natural
rubbers, synthetic rubbers, elastic plastics or elastic textiles.
The use of elastic materials facilitates the securement of the
harness over the sports article and further facilitates the
securement of the light source to the elongate members.
[0015] The harness of the present invention may further include a
light source capable of releasable securement to the harness by
frictional engagement between a transparent section and sports
article, a transparent section can be of a material that is
transparent or translucent, additionally the transparent section is
the elongated member itself and can include two pockets for
stabilizing the ends of a light stick. Desirably, the light source
is a chemi-luminescent light stick, but other light sources may
suitably be used. For example, an electroluminescent,
battery-operated light stick or an incandescent, battery-operated
light stick is useful with the practice of the present invention.
The harness of the present invention may further include a battery
securing portion.
[0016] Sports articles that may be illuminated with the harness of
the present invention include, but are not limited to, a play toy
or a ball.
[0017] In another aspect of the present invention, an illuminated
play toy is provided. The play toy has an exterior surface for
securement of the inventive harness thereto. An elastic harness for
covering a portion of the exterior surface of the play toy and for
releasably attaching the harness to the play toy is also provided.
The elastic harness includes, but is not limited to, (1) at least
two elongate members molded to form a one piece harness member, the
member having opposed interior and exterior surfaces defining a
wall there between, the member having at least two holes through
the wall, a hole being of a size to securely hold a light source,
wherein one of the surfaces is a substantially planar surface; and
(2) a light stick securely attached by weaving through the holes.
The play toy may be, but is not limited to, a sport article or a
ball. The present invention is not limited to any particular type
of light stick, and a chemi-luminescent light stick, an
electro-luminescent light stick or an incandescent light stick may
suitably be used.
[0018] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for
illuminating a ball is provided. The method includes, but is not
limited to, the steps of (1) forming an elastically deformable
harness having resilient elongate members; (2) providing a
plurality holes through the elongate members of the harness; (3)
providing light stick for securement to the harness; (4) weaving
the light stick through the holes to secure the light stick to the
harness; (5) providing two pockets opposite each other on the
interior surface of the elongated member for stabilizing the ends
of the light stick; and (5) placing the harness over an exterior
surface of the ball to releasably secure the harness to the
ball.
[0019] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a harness
for illuminating a sports article includes, but is not limited to,
elastic, light-emitting elongate members securely attached to one
and the other to form a harness, wherein the harness is releasably
slideable over the article. The elastic, light emitting members may
further include light sources interconnected to elastic harness
portions. Moreover, the elastic, light-emitting members desirably
include elastic, light sources. The elastic, light-emitting members
may also include replaceable light sources, which may be refillable
with light emitting devices or chemicals.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0020] FIG. 1 is a top view of an elongated member of the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a side view of a harness of the present
invention.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the harness of FIG. 2.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the harness of
FIG. 2.
[0024] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a light stick secured to a
portion of the harness of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a portion of the harness having
a pocket for stabilizing the end of a light stick.
[0026] FIG. 7 is an illustration of another aspect of the present
invention showing a portion of a translucent generally flat and
planar member and a chemical light means within the housing of the
member.
[0027] FIG. 8 is bottom view showing an opening for replacing a
light source and a side view of a transparent generally flat and
planar member.
[0028] FIG. 9A is an illustration showing breakable beads as the
light means within the housing of the transparent generally flat
and planar member of FIG. 7
[0029] FIG. 9B is a closer view as depicted in FIG. 9A showing a
breakable bead, with a frangible divider, housing one part of a
chemical luminescent mix.
[0030] FIG. 10 is a cross-section view of a glow stick wedged
between a transparent section and a ball.
[0031] FIG. 11A is a perspective view of another aspect of the
harness of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 11B is an illustration of FIG. 11A showing a portion of
the elongated member comprising diodes.
[0033] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another aspect of the
harness of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a harness around a football
with electrical light sticks weaved through the holes.
[0035] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of FIG. 13
showing the elongate member with feathered edges adapting to the
contour of the football.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] The present invention is a harness 10 for releasably
securing several types of illuminating light sources to a sports
article 39, such as a ball. The harness 10 has a variety of ways to
attach different types of lights. The main structure of the harness
is the elongated means 11 which are generally flat and planar
rubber members. The elongated means 11 are molded to form a one
piece harness 10 but, additionally a harness holding multiple light
sources may require several elongated members 11 in order to secure
the light sources. The elongated means 11 can secure a light source
by up to four different attachment means. A first attachment means
is to connect the ends of a translucent generally flat and planar
member 22 to the ends of the elongated means 11 by injection
molding them together or by using a quick release means comprising
of a hook and loop locking material, snaps or buttons. A second
attachment means is to provide holes 16 through the wall of the
elongated means 11 for securing a light source by weaving the light
source through the holes 16. A third attachment means is to include
a housing or passageway 36 within the wall of the elongated means
11 for supporting a light source, and a fourth attachment means is
a light source wedged between a transparent section 18 of the
elongated means 11 and sports article 39. The elongate means 11
also have elasticity to allow the harness 10 to be stretched and
securely fitted over the sports article 39.
[0037] The harness of the present invention does not require all
the attachment methods, as stated in paragraph [0034], in order to
work. For example, one preferred embodiment of the present
invention is a rubber harness 10 as shown in FIG. 2 and in FIG. 3,
consisting of 24 holes spaced apart on four opposed sides which is
capable of holding up to four glow sticks around a basketball. The
one piece rubber harness is formed by a process of using an
injection mold. Each side consisting of six holes spaced apart and
a glow stick is used to weave through the holes. Additionally, the
harness 10 of the present invention is not limited to holding only
four lights.
[0038] Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is a
rubber harness that holds four transparent generally flat and
planar members around a translucent volleyball. The harness is
formed by injection molding the ends of a transparent generally
flat and planar member to the ends of the elongated means 11. When
the harness is stretched around a ball it would have four opposed
sides equally around the ball as to not throw the balance off. A
harness holding three lights, five light or six lights would work
just as well as long as they are equally spaced around the ball.
The light sources can be replaceable with an optional opening in
the transparent generally flat and planar member. Additionally, the
transparent generally flat and planar members can house a
chemi-luminescent light means 23 or an electro-luminescent light
means 34.
[0039] Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is a
translucent or transparent resilient harness that holds a light
source within its own walls. The harness is formed by injection
molding a passageway within the wall and the passageway can run
along the entire elongated means of the harness. The passageway
supports a housing of material comprising of at least one battery,
a bunch of diodes, a switching means and a loop of conductive
material connecting them all together. Additionally, optical fibers
can be connected to the diodes for additional light effects. The
switching means is activated by movement and, may include an
execceloro meter or an inertia switch, both are activated by the
shifting of first and second states of conductivity in response to
the movement of the harness. A time delay is also used to
automatically shut off the lights to extend the life of the
battery, additionally, the harness may include an opening for
replacing a battery. The harness may optionally house
chemi-luminescent light means 23 within the passageway in addition
to the electro-luminescent light means 34 or the harness can
comprise of only a chemi-luminescent light means 23 which can also
be replaceable.
[0040] Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is a
harness comprising a switching means that activates a power source
when stretched around a sports article. The switching means is
activated by stretching a portion of the elongated means causing
contact points to make contact (or vise versa), when the harness is
in a stretched state, the light source would turn on and when the
harness returns to its regular state, the light source would turn
off. Additionally, the switching means can be activated by a on and
off button.
[0041] Sports articles that can be illuminated with the harness of
the present invention, include, but are not limited to, any size or
shape ball, such as a basketball, football, volleyball, dodge ball,
kick ball, play ground ball, beach ball, soft ball, soccer ball,
wiffle ball, tennis ball, croquet balls, and the like, and sports
articles, such as a basketball rim, football goal posts, soccer
ball goals, Frisbee, a tennis racket, horse shoes, a baseball bat,
a wiffle ball bat, volleyball net, horse shoe poles and the like.
The illuminating harness may also be used on the players to
distinguish the different team members. In addition, the
illuminating harness can also be used as a safety device, such as
providing illumination to joggers, bicycles, sports shoes, helmets
and the like. The harness is useful with any sports article where
illumination for safety, play or appearance is desired.
[0042] FIG. 1 depicts a top view showing a portion of the harness
of the present invention. The ends 40 of the elongate member 11 are
used for connecting to transparent generally flat and planar
members 22, transparent sections 18 and/or quick release attachment
means 38.
[0043] FIG. 2 is a side view of the harness 10 of the present
invention. This preferred embodiment is manufactured into a one
piece rubber harness 10 by injection mold. The elongated means 11
has four opposed sides with each side comprising of 6 holes 16 for
frictionally engaging a light stick. The harness 10 is stretched
around a sports article 39 such as a ball and the glow sticks are
weaved through the holes.
[0044] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of FIG. 2 additionally showing
a round sports article 39 as a ball. In this view you can see the
interior 12 and exterior 15 surfaces of the elongated means 11.
[0045] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exterior 15 portion of
the elongated means 11 that forms a harness, the portion shows a
wall 14 and a hole 16 through the wall 14 used for weaving a light
stick through.
[0046] FIG. 5 is a side view of a portion of the elongated means 11
that depicts a light stick as a chemi-luminescent light means 23
releasably secured to the elongate means 11, the light stick is
slipped or weaved or otherwise placed through the holes 16 of the
elongated means 11, portions of the elongated means 11 frictionally
engage portions of the light stick to releasably secure the light
stick to the elongated means 11 furthermore, when the harness is
placed over an article, such as a ball, the light stick is further
secured between an exterior surface of a sports article and an
interior surface 12 of the elongated means 11. This view also shows
the exterior surface 15 of the elongated means 11 and the wall 14
that comprises the holes 16.
[0047] FIG. 6 is a side view of a portion of the elongated means 11
with an interior surface 12 and an exterior surface 15 showing a
glow stick woven through a hole 16 and inserted into a pocket 20.
The pocket is formed through the elongated means 11 interior
surface 12 wall and is used for stabilizing the end of the glow
stick.
[0048] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a
transparent generally flat and planar member 22 comprising of an
interior surface 12 and an exterior surface 15 defining a wall 14
in between, the wall 14 comprising of a housing 24 for supporting a
chemi-luminescent light means 23, a chemi-luminescent light means
23 comprising of a mixture of chemicals and dyes separated by a
frangible divider 25 additionally, the transparent generally flat
and planar member 22 can also house a electro-luminescent light
means 34.
[0049] FIG. 8 is a bottom and side view of a transparent generally
flat and planar member 22 connected to a portion of the elongated
means 11, the elongated means 11 is connected to the transparent
generally flat and planar member 22 by molding the ends 40 together
additionally, an opening 29 is provided for replacing a
chemi-luminescent light means 23 or a electro-luminescent light
means 34.
[0050] FIG. 9A is a cross-section view of a transparent generally
flat and planar member 22 comprising of a housing 24 filled with a
chemi-luminescent light means 23 in the form of breakable beads
and, FIG. 9B is a close up view of one of the beads comprising a
frangible divider 25 filled with one part of a chemi-luminescent
light means 23.
[0051] FIG. 10 is a cross-section view of a transparent section 18
of an elongated means 11 showing a feathered edge 41, a glow stick
is wedged between the sports article 39 and the transparent section
18.
[0052] FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a harness of the present
invention sporting a variety of attachment means, for multiple
combinations of light effects, when the harness is attached to a
sports article 39 such as a ball and used in the dark. The possible
combinations are not limited to including all the attachment means
together on one harness, for example, a harness comprising of any
one attachment means or a harness comprising of any two attachment
means or so on would have its own unique light effect. The harness
of FIG. 11A includes all the attachment means, including a round
transparent generally flat and planar member 22, comprising of a
electro-luminescent light means 34 consisting of light emitting
diodes 33, an elongated transparent generally flat and planar
member 22 comprising of a chemi-luminescent light means 23 is also
used in this harness. The transparent section 18 attachment means
is shown with a glow stick as the chemi-luminescent light means 23
inserted in the pockets 20, an attachment means comprising of holes
16 is used for weaving a light stick and, a portion of the harness
comprising of a passageway 36 is used for the attachment of an
electro-luminescent light means 34 attached to a light emitting
optical fiber 35.
[0053] FIG. 11B is a perspective view of a portion of a transparent
generally flat and planar member 22 containing an
electro-luminescent light means 34 with light emitting diodes
33.
[0054] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the harness 10 of the
present invention comprising of an elongated means 11 with
passageways 36 supporting an electro-luminescent light means 34,
light emitting diodes 33 are used in this configuration.
[0055] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the harness 10 around a
football comprising an electro-luminescent light means 34 with a
housing of light emitting diodes 33 that are weaved through the
holes 16 of the elongated means 11.
[0056] FIG. 14 is a cross-section view of XIV in FIG. 13
demonstrating a glow stick housing of light emitting diodes 33 and,
FIG. 14 also demonstrates the elongated means 11 having feathered
edges 41.
[0057] The present invention is not limited to any specific type of
light stick for example, in one aspect of the present invention the
light stick may be a chemi-luminescent light means 23. A
chemi-luminescent light means 23 typically contain liquid chemicals
separated by a frangible divider 25. A typical chemi-luminescent
light means 23 holds a hydrogen peroxide solution in one section
and a phenyl oxalate ester solution and a fluorescent dye in
another section. When the chemicals co-mingle, upon breaking of the
frangible divider 25, a chemical reaction between the chemicals
produce light. Examples of such light sticks are disclosed in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 3,597,362 and 3,539,794, whose contents are incorporated
herein by reference. These light sticks may be activated by
bending, snapping and shaking the light stick as disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,979,751, whose contents are incorporated herein by
reference. Chemi-luminescent light sticks are also commercially
available from, for example, from Omniglow Corporation, W.
Springfield, Mass.
[0058] Electro-luminescent light means 34 are also useful with the
practice of the present invention. Electro-luminescent light sticks
or lamps consist of a dielectric layer and a light-emitting
phosphor layer sandwiched between two conductive surfaces. An
electric field is generated across the phosphor and dielectric
layers thereby exciting electrons which emit light as they return
to their ground state. Electro-luminescent lights may be powered by
direct current through use of an AC-DC converter. Both the
converter and the power source can be miniaturized by use, for
example, solid state electronics and lithium batteries. Electro
chemical light sticks are commercially available from Kriana Corp.,
Alpine, Calif.
[0059] As depicted in FIG. 11B, the harness 10 of the present
invention may include a electro-luminescent light means 34
consisting of a battery, an AC-DC converter and an
electro-luminescent light stick. Alternatively, in another aspect
of the present invention as depicted in FIG. 11A, the harness 10
may include a light source, an optical fiber 35 for transmitting
light from the light source, and a transparent member 22. The
member 22 may be translucent plastic tubing or strips, or may be a
fiber optic cable for transmitting light from the light source. The
light source may be a chemi-luminescent, electro-luminescent or an
incandescent light source.
[0060] The harness 10, including elongate members 11 may suitably
be constructed of elastic materials. Such elastic materials
include, but are not limited to, natural rubber and synthetic
rubber or plastics, such as polyisoprene polymers, polybutadiene
polymers, copolymers of dienes and hydrocarbons or amorphous
(non-crystalline) polyolefins, and copolymers of acrylonitrile and
a diene, such as butadiene. These elastic materials may be molded
to form portions of the harness 10 of the present invention.
Alternatively, portions of the harness 10 may be a textile that is
woven, braided or knitted from an elastomeric fiber, such as
Spandex.RTM..
[0061] The harness 10 of the present invention may be a unitary
structure, i.e., a unitary molded structure. Alternatively, the
elongate members 11 and the transparent generally flat and planar
members 22 may be securely attached by other means, such as, but
not limited to, adhesively bonded, mechanically bonded, such as
riveted and the like, or heat bonded to form the harness 10 of the
present invention. Moreover, some or all of the transparent
generally flat and planar members 22 and the elongate members 11
may be releasably attached to one and the other. For example,
members may be mechanically attached in a releasable manner, such
as through the use of Velcro securement, snaps, ties and the like.
Furthermore, portions of the harness 10, such as portions of the
elongate members 11, may also have adhesive, for example, two-sided
adhesive tape, to further secure the harness 10 to an exterior
surface of a sports article.
[0062] A perspective view of the harness 10 is depicted in FIG. 3.
As depicted in FIG. 3, the harness 10 maybe capable of achieving a
generally spherical shape for securement over a ball. The harness
10 need not be self-supporting, but only needs to be capable of
securement over a ball and maintaining a generally spherical shape
thereover. If the ball is not spherical, for example a football,
the harness 10 need not be capable of achieving a spherical shape,
but rather is capable of achieving a shape that generally conforms
to the external profile of the ball. The elastic elongate members
11 are generally configured as elongate strips having at least one
substantially planar surface. Such elongate members exhibit a low
profile such that the harness 10 does not substantially interfere
with the intended use of the ball. Additionally, the elongate
members 11 exhibit feathered edges 41 to maintain a low profile
around a ball.
[0063] Desirably, the harness 10 is sized to be slightly smaller
than the exterior portion of the ball or article over which it is
to be placed. For example, the exterior portion of a standard
college basketball has a diameter of approximately 9.5 inches. The
harness 10 of FIG. 3 may have a spherical diameter of about 8.3
inches, which is about five percent smaller than the diameter of
the ball. In such a manner, the harness 10 may be securely placed
over the ball by stretching the elongated means 11 and sliding the
harness 10 over the ball. The degree of undersizing the harness for
securement over an article object, however, is not limited to such
a five percent undersizing. An undersizing of twenty-five percent
of less is useful with the practice of the present invention.
Desirably, an undersizing from one to twenty percent is useful with
the practice of the present invention. Other undersizings, such as
1 to 15%, 1 to 10%, 5 to 10%, 15 to 20% and 1 to 5% may suitably be
used. The degree of undersizing depends, in part, on the elastic
nature, i.e., stretchability, of the harness and shape of the
article over which the harness is to be placed.
[0064] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the harness
of the present invention may be capable of securely holding the
light stick against the sports article. As depicted in FIG. 10, the
elongated means 11 is elastically deformable to secure a light
stick to the exterior surface of a sports article 39. In this
aspect of the present invention, the elongated means 11 or a
portion thereof may be made from a translucent or transparent
material which allows light from the light source to be
visible.
[0065] Although the present invention has been described with the
use of tubular light sticks, the present invention is not so
limited. Other shaped light sources may suitable be used. For
example, a generally flat and planar light source would also be
useful with the practice of the present invention. Such a flat
light source may provide an overall lower profile to the lighted
harness 10 of the present invention and maybe secured to the
harness by any of the above-described techniques. Moreover, the
shape of the light source is not limited to an elongate shape, such
as a light stick, but could have greater breadth or width than an
elongate light stick.
[0066] Shapes having greater dimensional breadths or widths
include, but are not limited to, shapes such as circles, disks,
squares, rectangles, elliptical shape, irregular geometric shapes,
and the like. Such wider shapes also have the advantage of
illuminating a greater amount of light per unit length as compared
to thin elongate shapes. Such shape could also have an adhesive
containing side for securement purposes.
[0067] Furthermore, the light sources may also be used, in part, to
interconnect portions of the harness of the present invention. For
example, as depicted in FIG. 11A, a light source may connect to the
ends 40 of an elongate member 11. The light source may be connected
to the harness members by any of the above-described connecting
means. Desirably, such light sources are snap-fitted, such as
frictional engagements between the harness member 11 and the sports
article 39 via a connecting member such as through the use of
Velcro.
[0068] Still furthermore, the elongated means 11 of the present
invention or portions of the elongated means 11 of the present
invention may be made from transparent or translucent elastic
materials such as clear or partially clear elastic plastics or
polymers. Such transparent or translucent elastic materials
desirably contain a light source therein, In this aspect of the
present invention, the harness or portions of the harness also act
as the illuminating source. Such a harness or portions of the
harness may be a single-use light source. Alternatively, multi-use
elastic light sources may be suitable be used. In such a case, the
light source within the elastic harness or elastic harness portion
may be refilled with chemi-luminescent chemicals and fluorescent
dyes or refilled with devices containing the same. For example, the
chemi-luminescent chemicals and fluorescent dyes may be separately
contained in small breakable beads or the like which could be
placed within the housing or passageway of the elastic harness or
elastic harness portions.
[0069] Moreover, the low profile of the present invention may allow
a user to better grip a sports article over which the harness has
been placed. For example, the harness of the present invention may
allow one to better grip a basketball over which the inventive
harness has been placed. In such a case, the harness of the present
invention may be one as described in conjunction FIG. 10, where the
light stick is securely held between the harness and the ball.
Desirably, such a harness has transparent or translucent portions
for emitting light therethrough.
[0070] Furthermore, the harness of the present invention may be
used to attach or secure other items in addition to the
above-described light sources. For example, decorative streamers or
sound-emitting whistles could also be suitably attached to the
harness.
[0071] Furthermore, the harness of the present invention may
include a color of a glow in the dark material which is added to
the elongated means. The ingredients of the color comprise a
phosphor of zinc sulfide or strontium aluminate which is mixed
together with the material used for the elongated means. The
harness glows after placing it in front of a light to energize for
several minutes.
[0072] The invention being thus described, it will be clear to
those persons of skill in the art that the same may be varied in
many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure
from the spirit and scope of the invention and all such
modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the
claims.
* * * * *