U.S. patent application number 13/020082 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-04 for device and method for applying a glowing trail onto a surface.
This patent application is currently assigned to HOME FOCUS DEVELOPMENT, LTD.. Invention is credited to Jacob Ranis Stokholm Andersen.
Application Number | 20110189921 13/020082 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44063492 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110189921 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Andersen; Jacob Ranis
Stokholm |
August 4, 2011 |
DEVICE AND METHOD FOR APPLYING A GLOWING TRAIL ONTO A SURFACE
Abstract
A device and method are provided for applying a glowing trail
onto a surface on a playmat of material that glows in the dark,
which lasts only for a limited time depending on the type and
strength of the light and playmat material. The trail can be
generated by a game piece that moves on the playmat, or a game
board.
Inventors: |
Andersen; Jacob Ranis Stokholm;
(Hong Kong, CN) |
Assignee: |
HOME FOCUS DEVELOPMENT,
LTD.
Tortola
VG
|
Family ID: |
44063492 |
Appl. No.: |
13/020082 |
Filed: |
February 3, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61300971 |
Feb 3, 2010 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/242 ;
446/438; 446/485 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/22 20130101;
A63F 3/00643 20130101; A63F 3/02 20130101; A63F 9/16 20130101; A63F
2250/1073 20130101; A63F 2003/00646 20130101; A63F 2009/2444
20130101; A63H 17/28 20130101; A63F 2009/0609 20130101; A63F
2003/00652 20130101; A63F 2003/007 20130101; A63F 3/00006 20130101;
A63F 2003/00457 20130101; A63F 2250/42 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/242 ;
446/485; 446/438 |
International
Class: |
A63H 1/24 20060101
A63H001/24; A63H 33/26 20060101 A63H033/26; A63H 19/20 20060101
A63H019/20 |
Claims
1) A system comprising a device (10, 10', 10'') with a built-in
light (40) that creates a temporary glow effect (30) on a playmat
(20, 20') when said device (10, 10', 10'') moves about the playmat
(20, 20').
2) The system of claim 1, wherein the playmat (20, 20') comprises a
luminescent material.
3) The system of claim 1, wherein the light (40) of the device (10,
10', 10'') is variable in intensity of light emitted thereby
creating a different duration of the glow effect (30).
4) The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a toy character
(10) moved manually on the playmat (20), and wherein the built-in
light is a UV-light housed in a bottom portion of the toy character
(10), which is activated manually or by a push button.
5) The device of claim 1, wherein the device (10') is a spin top
comprising a UV-light source (40) built into a balancing point of
an axis of the spin top (10').
6) The device of claim 5, wherein the UV-light (40) is activated by
a spinning motion of the spin top (10').
7) The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a vehicle,
comprising a light (40) arranged in a lower portion thereof, said
light is activated by motion of the vehicle.
8) The device of claim 7, wherein the vehicle is
self-propelled.
9) The device of claim 1, wherein the light (40) is activated by
contact with the playmat (20).
10) The device of claim 1, wherein the device is user-actuated by a
push button or a membrane switch.
11) The system of claim 1, wherein the device (10'') is a chess
piece and the play mat (20) is a chessboard (20).
12) The system of claim 11, wherein the trail (30) is indicative of
a player's move on the chessboard (20).
13) The playmat (20, 20') of claim 2, further comprising a clear
film arranged over the luminescent material (70).
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/300,971 filed Feb. 3, 2010, the
entire contents of which are incorporated by reference as if fully
set forth.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a device and method for
applying a glowing trail onto a surface on a playmat, for example
by dragging a toy (that projects a light underneath) on a playmat
and thereby leaving a magic trail, which lights up only for a
limited time due to the glowing effect that fades out in the
material of the playmat.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Children enjoy playing with toys that color as well as toys
with magical or special effects such as glowing material.
[0004] Glow-in-the-dark products generally contain phosphors
(phosphorescence). A phosphor being a substance that radiates
visible light after it is energized. Other types of
glow-in-the-dark production can result from bioluminescence where
light is emitted by a living organism as the result of a chemical
reaction during which chemical energy converts to light energy.
This is related to chemiluminescence where light is emitted without
heat as a result of a chemical reaction. Other types of
glow-in-the-dark material are those that glow when exposed to
ultraviolet (UV) a.k.a. blacklight.
[0005] Such materials that glow in the dark have been popularly
used for many years in toys, decorations and novelty products.
[0006] Coloring is a main component in many creative toys, and many
variations of coloring e.g. color pens with invisible ink where
color only appears by re-coloring with another pen or where the
colors disappear or reappear under certain conditions have also
been popular in past years. Other toys are also known where a
special pen is used to create a glow-in-the-dark effect on a
particularly adapted surface due to a reaction between the
materials drawn by the pen and the surface (chemiluminescence).
Such arrangements are limited in that they are single use and must
be discarded when consumed.
[0007] The objective of the present invention is to combine action
toys with a special light for use with a playmat or other suitable
surface comprising a material that interacts with the light, which
creates a glowing trail when such toy is in contact with the
playmat or other suitable surface.
SUMMARY
[0008] The present disclosure is directed to a system including a
device with a built-in light that creates a temporary glow effect
on a playmat when the device moves about the playmat.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Further features and advantages of the present invention
shall become clearer from the following detailed description of
some preferred embodiments thereof, made with reference to the
attached drawings. In the drawings:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of an embodiment of the
invention depicting use with a toy figurine;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic depiction of another embodiment of the
invention depicting use with a spinning top;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic depiction of a further embodiment of
the invention depicting use in a chess set;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic depiction of a cross section of a
device or game piece of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a schematic depiction of a playmat or game board
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Introduction to the Embodiments
[0015] The present invention provides a device and method for
applying a glowing trail onto a surface on a playmat of material
that glows in the dark, which lasts only for a limited time
depending on the type and strength of the light and playmat
material. The trail can be generated by a game piece that moves on
the playmat, or a game board.
[0016] The device that applies the glowing trail includes a
built-in light. The device can be configured to be a game piece or
a toy figurine. The built-in light creates a glow effect on certain
materials. The materials glow when exposed to the light generated
by the device. The length and glow time of the trail can also be
variable with regards to the type of game piece that is being
moved. For example, larger toys or game pieces having a higher
value are arranged with a larger or more powerful light for greater
interaction with the materials on the playmat or game board. The
materials are arranged on a playmat or game board, which is used in
conjunction with the device. The materials are not visible to the
naked eye and are only noticeable when exposed to the light
generated by the device. The device and playmat may have different
sizes, shapes and colors.
[0017] Such playmat material may have different colors or strength
of the glow, which thereby creates different effects, as well as
possibly leaving the glow effect for shorter or longer time.
[0018] The light in the device is UV-light, which can be produced
in different strength and shapes to thereby leave different types
of patterns on the playmat.
[0019] The material of the playmat can be made of different
materials as an example, it can be a plastic sheet printed with ink
that glows in the dark.
[0020] The device can be configured for many different purposes and
playing patterns, thus it can be for creating a magic trail behind
a toy figurine, which is slid on a surface or it can be activated
by a light built into an action minded toy such as a spinning
top.
[0021] In addition a toy car can be built to include such special
light, and when driving on a surface with such glow effect, it will
leave a temporary glowing pattern after the toy car.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the device 10, in this case a toy
horse, leaves a magic trail 30 when sliding on a playmat 20, which
may be in one color or decorated according to the character
universe of the toy 10. The toy 10 includes a switch that, when the
toy 10 makes contact with a surface, activates a (UV) light to
create the trail 30 by interacting with luminescent material
contained in or on the playmat 20. Alternatively, the contact
switch can be omitted and a user can manually activate the light.
Remote areas of the playmat 20 can be situated with indicia or
special markings that are infrequently revealed.
[0023] In FIG. 2, another area of use 20' is shown, where a (UV)
light is built into the axis balancing point of a spin top 10', and
can be activated by the spinning motion of the spin top 10' or
manually, where the playmat 20'will then show the movement pattern
for the spin top by leaving a glowing line 30 generated by the (UV)
light interacting with luminescent material of the surface of the
playing area 20'. The light of the top 10' can be activated by an
external manual switch or an internal switch that automatically
activates when the top 10' is spun. Such trails/lines 30 will only
remain for a limited time giving users the option to continuously
start new games using the same playmat 20, 20'. Alternatively, the
device can be configured as a self-propelled automobile comprising
the UV light in/on a bottom portion thereof.
[0024] The present invention can also be applied to chess (and/or
checkers), as shown in FIG. 3. A chessboard 20 is provided having a
luminescent material on its surface. The pieces 10'' contain a
light in their lower portion that either has a contact switch or a
user-actuated switch and thereby creates a trail 30, when the piece
20'' is moved along the board. The user-actuated switch can be
embodied as any type of electronic switch, e.g. a spring-loaded
push button-type switch, a membrane switch, etc. for easy user
actuation. As a result of the trail 30 being visible on the board
20, a player's last move will be evident. The duration of the glow
of the trail 30 can serve as a timing indicator for the next move
if a timed game is desired. Accordingly, the light emitted from the
pieces 10'' or the luminescent material of the board 20 can be
adjusted to vary the duration and intensity of the trail 30.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a cross section of a device or game piece 10 and
illustrates a battery 60 that is contained within the device 10.
The battery 60 can be a simple button type LiOH, NiCad, etc. and is
connected to the light source 40. A switch 50 is connected to the
light source 40 and the battery 60 and selectively turns on and off
the light source 40. The light source can comprise a UV LED lamp to
maximize battery life and to fit in relatively small areas.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 5, the play mat or game board 20, comprises
selected sections of luminescent material 70 such that game pieces
will only create trails 30 when a game piece 10 is passed over one
of the sections containing the luminescent material 70. The
luminescent material 70 can be arranged in such a fashion that it
is not discernable by the naked eye. The luminescent material 70
can be arranged to indicate indicia, which could provide
instructions or indications for playing a game in addition to the
trails 30. The board 20 can be arranged such that the luminescent
material 70 is situated beneath a layer of clear protection film
that protects the luminescent material 70 from abrading away.
Embodiments
[0027] 1. A system comprising a device (10, 10', 10'') with a
built-in light (40) that creates a temporary glow effect (30) on a
playmat (20, 20') when said device (10, 10', 10'') moves about the
playmat (20, 20').
[0028] 2. The system of embodiment 1, wherein the playmat (20, 20')
comprises a luminescent material.
[0029] 3. The system of embodiment 1, wherein the light (40) of the
device (10, 10', 10'') is variable in intensity of light emitted
thereby creating a different duration of the glow effect (30).
[0030] 4. The device of embodiment 1, wherein the device is a toy
character (10) moved manually on the playmat (20), and wherein the
built-in light is a UV-light housed in a bottom portion of the toy
character (10), which is activated manually or by a push
button.
[0031] 5. The device of embodiment 1, wherein the device (10') is a
spin top comprising a UV-light source (40) built into a balancing
point of an axis of the spin top (10').
[0032] 6. The device of embodiment 5, wherein the UV-light (40) is
activated by a spinning motion of the spin top (10').
[0033] 7. The device of embodiment 1, wherein the device is a
vehicle, comprising a light (40) arranged in a lower portion
thereof, said light is activated by motion of the vehicle.
[0034] 8. The device of embodiment 7, wherein the vehicle is
self-propelled.
[0035] 9. The device of embodiment 1, wherein the light (40) is
activated by contact with the playmat (20).
[0036] 10. The device of embodiment 1, wherein the device is
user-actuated by a push button or a membrane switch.
[0037] 11. The system of embodiment 1, wherein the device (10'') is
a chess piece and the play mat (20) is a chessboard (20).
[0038] 12. The system of embodiment 11, wherein the trail (30) is
indicative of a player's move on the chessboard (20).
[0039] 13. The playmat (20, 20') of embodiment 2, further
comprising a clear film arranged over the luminescent material
(70).
* * * * *