GB2308309A

GB2308309A - Illuminating device of ball game

Info

Publication number: GB2308309A
Application number: GB9613267A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hsien-Shih Liao
Original assignee: LIAO HSIEN SHIH
Current assignee: LIAO HSIEN SHIH
Priority date: 1996-01-09
Filing date: 1996-06-25
Publication date: 1997-06-25
Also published as: GB9613267D0; FR2743304A3

Abstract

An illuminating device assembly 20 of game ball comprises a game ball shell having one or more recesses 11, and one or more illuminating devices engageable with the recesses in a waterproof manner. The illuminating devices are respectively composed of a circuit board 21, a luminous body 22 fastened with the circuit board, an IC control circuit 23 mounted on the circuit board, an IC control circuit switch, and a power source 25. A transparent or translucent shield 33 is secured to the open end of the recess of the game ball shell in a waterproof manner.

Description

ILLUMINATING DEVICE OF GAME BALL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a game ball, and more particularly to an illuminating device for use in the game ball.

BACKGROUND OF mE INVENTION The game balls are generally devoid of an illuminating device enabling the game balls to be played in a poorly lit playground. It is technically infeasible to provide a game ball with an illuminating device.

SUMMARY OF IRE INVENTION It is therefore the primary objective of the present invention to provide an illuminating device for use in the game balls.

The foregoing objective of the present invention is attained by a game ball illuminating device assembly, which comprises one or more recesses located in the shell of a game ball, and one or more illuminating devices which are received in the recesses of the game ball and are composed of a circuit board, a luminous body fastened to the circuit board, an IC control circuit mounted on the circuit board, an IC control circuit switch, and a power source. A transparent or translucent shield is secured to the open end of the recess of the shell of the ball game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a game ball provided with an illuminating device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the illuminating device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the illuminating device of the present invention in combination.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As shown in FIGS. 1-3 a game ball 10 has a shell provided integrally with one or more recesses 11, which are insulated from the hollow interior of the. game ball 10 and are provided respectively in the inner wall thereof with a circular groove 12.

The recesses 11 are provided therein respectively with one illuminating device 20, which comprises a round circuit board 21, a luminous body 22 such as an LED or light bulb fastened to the circuit board 21, an IC control circuit 23 mounted on the circuit board 21 for controlling the illumination of the luminous body 22, an IC control switch 24 mounted on the circuit board 21 for controlling the activation of the IC control circuit 23, and a battery 25 fastened to the underside of the circuit board 21. A transparent or translucent shield 30 is secured to the open end of the recess 11. The shield 30 is made of a resilient material and is composed of a head 33 similar in texture to the shell of the ball game, a tubular body 32, and a circular projection 31 located between the body 32 and the head 33 and engageable with the circular groove 12 of the recess 11 for locating the shield 30 securely in place in the recess 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the shield 30 is further composed of an arcuate portion 35 having a light focusing effect.

In combination, the illuminating device 20 is first inserted into the recess 11 of the game ball 10 before the shield 30 is secured to the open end of the recess 11. Thereafter, the game ball 10 is inflated so as to cause the recess 11 to hold the shield 30 securely in a waterproof manner.

Before the battery 25 or the illuminating device 20 is replaced, the game ball 10 should be deflated to facilitate the removal of the shield 30 from the recess 11.

The illuminating device 20 of the present invention is well protected from moisture and is impact resistant. According to a test result, the illuminating device 20 of the present invention is capable of withstanding an impact exerting thereon continuously for a period lasting 30 hours.

The embodiment of the present invention described above is to be regarded in all respects as merely illustrative and not restrictive.

Accordingly, the present invention is to be limited only by the scopes of the following appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An illuminating device assembly of game ball, which comprises: a game ball having a shell provided integrally with one or more recesses which are insulated from a hollow interior of said game ball and are provided respectively in an inner wall thereof with a retaining groove; an illuminating device corresponding in number to and engageable with said recesses, said illuminating device comprising a circuit board, a luminous body fastened with said circuit board, an IC control circuit mounted on said circuit board for controlling illumination of said luminous body, an IC control switch mounted on said circuit board for controlling activation of said IC control circuit, and a battery for providing said illuminating device with power source; and a shield of a transparent or translucent material and corresponding in number to and engageable with said recess, said shield comprising a head, and a body provided with a retaining projection engageable securely with said retaining groove of said recesses in a waterproof manner.

2. The illuminating device assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said body of said shield is tubular in shape and is received in said recesses for urging and locating said circuit board of said illuminating device.

3. The illuminating device assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said shield is an elastomer; and wherein said head of said shield is similar in texture to an outer surface of said shell of said game ball.

4. The illuminating device assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said shield is provided with an arcuate portion having a light focusing effect.

5. The illuminating device assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said luminous body, said IC control circuit and said IC control switch are mounted on an upper side of said circuit board of said illuminating device; and wherein said battery is fastened with an underside of said circuit board of said illuminating device.