U.S. patent application number 12/300626 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-17 for amusement device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Maui Toys, Inc. Invention is credited to Brian D. Kessler.
Application Number | 20090312127 12/300626 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38694764 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090312127 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kessler; Brian D. |
December 17, 2009 |
AMUSEMENT DEVICE
Abstract
An amusement device includes an outer shell of transparent or
semi-transparent plastic or elastomer having good bounce
characteristics, and a liquid, preferably water, and light-up
device therewithin, the liquid being outside said light-up device.
Glitter is also desirably within the liquid.
Inventors: |
Kessler; Brian D.; (Los
Angeles, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROWDY AND NEIMARK, P.L.L.C.;624 NINTH STREET, NW
SUITE 300
WASHINGTON
DC
20001-5303
US
|
Assignee: |
Maui Toys, Inc
Los Angeles
CA
|
Family ID: |
38694764 |
Appl. No.: |
12/300626 |
Filed: |
May 14, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
May 14, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US07/68875 |
371 Date: |
May 22, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60799680 |
May 12, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/570 ;
473/594 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 43/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/570 ;
473/594 |
International
Class: |
A63B 43/06 20060101
A63B043/06; A63B 43/00 20060101 A63B043/00 |
Claims
1-9. (canceled)
10. An amusement ball comprising (1) an outer shell of transparent
or semi-transparent plastic, elastomer or plastomer having good
bounce characteristics, (2) a liquid which fills the interior of
the outer shell, and (3) a light-up device within the outer shell,
the liquid being outside of the light-up device, and optionally (4)
a plurality of decorative particles.
11. The amusement ball of claim 10 having a spherical shape, and
wherein the light-up device within the outer shell is a light-up
ball.
12. The amusement ball of claim 10 wherein the liquid within the
outer shell exerts pressure against the inside of the outer
shell.
13. The amusement ball of claim 10 wherein the liquid is water
containing an anti-microbial agent.
14. The amusement ball of claim 10 which contains the decorative
particles within the liquid, and wherein the decorative particles
are optionally glitter.
15. The amusement ball of claim 14 wherein the decorative particles
comprise glitter.
16. The amusement device of claim 10 wherein the light-up device is
covered with a generally transparent and water impervious
coating.
17. The amusement ball of claim 10 wherein the shell of the ball
comprises an MDI-based polyurethane elastomer.
18. The amusement ball of claim 11 wherein the liquid within the
outer shell exerts pressure against the inside of the outer
shell.
19. The amusement ball of claim 18 wherein the liquid is water
containing an anti-microbial agent.
20. The amusement ball of claim 19 which contains the decorative
particles within the liquid, and wherein the decorative particles
are optionally glitter.
21. The amusement ball of claim 20 wherein the decorative particles
comprise glitter.
22. The amusement device of claim 21 wherein the light-up device is
covered with a generally transparent and water impervious
coating.
23. The amusement ball of claim 22 wherein the shell of the ball
comprises an MDI-based polyurethane elastomer.
24. The amusement ball of claim 12 which contains the decorative
particles within the liquid, and wherein the decorative particles
are optionally glitter.
25. The amusement ball of claim 24 wherein the shell of the ball
comprises an MDT-based polyurethane elastomer.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an amusement device, more
preferably a spherical ball having good bounce characteristics,
having a clear or near-transparent wall, and carrying therewithin
decorative elements which give off decorative effects when the ball
is in motion.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0002] While a device in accordance with the present invention may
take various forms, a preferred form is in the shape of a spherical
ball in which the wall or shell is made of a rubber or plastic or
plastomer material having good bounce characteristics, and which is
sufficiently transparent so that what is inside the ball can be
readily seen, the elements within the ball providing pleasing and
changing and aesthetic effects. Preferably within the ball is a
liquid, small decorative particles such as "glitter" and at least
one a "light-up ball".
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING
[0003] FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view of a presently preferred
embodiment according to the present invention.
[0004] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a typical "light-up ball"
for use in the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0005] FIG. 1 shows a spherical ball 10 in partial section having a
spherical wall or approximately spherical wall 12 formed of a
plastic or a rubber material which is both sufficiently transparent
so that what is within the ball can be seen, and which has good
bounce characteristics. Perfect transparency or clarity is not
needed, so long as the visual effects displayed within the ball can
be seen through the wall 12. A preferred material for forming the
wall 12 is an MDI-based polyurethane elastomer, but it will be
understood that other materials which are sufficiently transparent
and which have good bounce characteristics can also be used.
[0006] In the illustrated embodiment 10, a liquid 14 is provided
within the interior of the wall 12, and the liquid 14 preferably
fills the interior of the ball 10, and is preferably injected under
pressure. The liquid is preferably but not essentially water
containing a small (but anti-microbial) amount of a child-safe
anti-microbial agent easily selected by those skilled in the
art.
[0007] Also within the interior of the ball 10 there is preferably
provided a plurality of small decorative and preferably reflective
particles, e.g. so-called "glitter" also well known to those
skilled in the art. When the ball is shaken or thrown or bounced,
the glitter 16 freely floats in the liquid 14 and its decorative
effects can be seen through the wall 12 of the ball 10. The glitter
is not essential, but is preferred, and any decorative particles of
sufficiently small size, desirably made of non-toxic materials, can
be used.
[0008] Also within the interior of the ball 10 is at least one
so-called light-up device, preferably a "light-up ball" 18,
desirably protectively coated with a protective coating 20 to
prevent the liquid 14 from penetrating to the inside of the
light-up balls 18. Light-up ball are well known and are
commercially available; various light-up balls are described, for
example, in Kessler D419,247; Liou U.S. Pat. No. 6,712,487;
Connelly U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,383; O'Rourke et al U.S. Pat. No.
5,490,047; Lee U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,894; Rottger U.S. Pat. No.
6,464,602, all respectfully incorporated by reference. They can be
either battery powered or impact powered, and can contain either an
on/off switch or an impact/motion switch, preferably the latter.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the light-up ball disclosed in
Kessler D419,247, which is suitably used as the light-up ball 18 in
the embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0009] Any suitable sealant 20 can be used to protect the light-up
ball 18 from being damaged by the liquid 14, so long as such
sealant is waterproof and either transparent or near transparent.
One suitable sealant is an impact resistant polycarbonate
resin.
[0010] As indicated above, the liquid 14 is preferably water, which
preferably contains an anti-microbial agent, e.g. a few drops of
anti-microbial soap.
[0011] The ball 10 is molded in a conventional manner with the
light-up ball 18 therewithin. The liquid 14 and the decorative
particles 16 are then injected into the interior of the ball 10
under pressure, and the opening is then sealed with a plug.
Variations of the above noted manufacturing method may be used, or
other known manufacturing methods may be used, e.g. the ball 10 can
be formed in two parts, the light-up ball 18 and the decorative
particles (if any) can be placed in one pat, e.g. one-half, of the
ball 10, the two parts can then be sealed together, and the liquid
14 could then be injected through a needle passing through the wall
12.
[0012] The amusement device 10 is used simply by bouncing it or
throwing it against any hard object, such as a wall. When it hits a
wall or a floor or the ground, the light-up ball 18 will strike the
inside of the wall 12 of the ball 10 and will emit light thereby
providing an interesting visual display. If the small particles 16
are present, preferably reflective glitter, the light emitted by
the light-up ball 18 will reflect off the glitter 16 and enhance
the visual effect which will be seen through the transparent or
semi-transparent wall 12. The particles 16 may be of a single color
or of different colors, and may be reflective or non-reflective.
The light emitted by the light-up device 18 may be white light or
one or more colored lights. And the wall of the light-up device 18
may be clear or tinted, as may be the wall 12 of the ball 10.
[0013] Exemplary embodiment are now set forth as non-limitative
examples wherein, in each case, the material of the wall 12 is
MDI-based polyurethane elastomer, a the sealant 20 is an impact
resistant polycarbonate, the liquid 14 is distilled water, and the
particles 16 are CE approved glitter.
EXAMPLE 1
[0014] A ball 10 as shown in FIG. 1 is produced by the method
described above, and has a diameter of 4.5 cm and a weight of 55
g.
EXAMPLE 2
[0015] A ball 10 as shown in FIG. 1 is produced by the method
described above, and has a diameter of 5.5 cm and a weight of 100
g.
EXAMPLE 3
[0016] A ball 10 as shown in FIG. 1 is produced by the method
described above, and has a diameter of 6.5 cm and a weight of 170
g.
[0017] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will
so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others
can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for
various applications such specific embodiments without undue
experimentation and without departing from the generic concept,
and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are
intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of
equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood
that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the
purpose of description and not of limitation. The means, materials,
and steps for carrying out various disclosed functions may take a
variety of alternative forms without departing from the
invention.
[0018] Thus the expressions "means to . . . " and "means for . . .
", or any method step language, as may be found in the
specification above and/or in the claims below, followed by a
functional statement, are intended to define and cover whatever
structural, physical, chemical or electrical element or structure,
or whatever method step, which may now or in the future exist which
carries out the recited function, whether or not precisely
equivalent to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed in the
specification above, i.e., other means or steps for carrying out
the same functions can be used; and it is intended that such
expressions be given their broadest interpretation.
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