Abstract:
An illuminated maraca has a transparent shell and a handle. A light is arranged within the shell and operated by a circuit in the handle. In a preferred arrangement the circuit is operative in response to movement of the maraca to operate the light.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/355,505 filed Feb. 7, 2002. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates to novelty items and particularly to maracas, which may be used as amusement and promotional items for resorts, cruise ships, night clubs and parties, as well as for toys.  
           [0003]    It is an object of the invention to provide a new and improved maraca novelty item that is attractive and conducive to party spirit.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    In accordance with the invention there is provided an illuminated maraca, having a translucent shell, a handle connected to the shell and a light within the shell. A circuit, including a battery, is arranged in the handle for operating the light. Pellets are provided within the shell for sound making.  
           [0005]    The maraca preferrably includes a translucent shield surrounding the light. In a preferred embodiment the circuit includes a motion sensor for operating the light in response to motion of the illuminated maraca, such as shaking. The circuit may also include an oscillator circuit for causing the light to flash. A timing circuit is optionally provided for activating the oscillator circuit and light for a selected period of time in response to activation of the motion detector. A switch may be provided, and in one arrangement the handle includes a rotatable end cap which activates the switch.  
           [0006]    For a better understanding of the present invention together with other and further objects thereof, reference is made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 is an elevation plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 2 is a first central cross sectional view thereof.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 3 is a second perpendicular cross sectional view thereof. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]    The drawings illustrate plan elevation and cross-sectional views of an embodiment of the invention. The embodiment is a maraca which includes a hollow shell  10  and a handle  12 . As seen in the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 2 and 3, sounding pellets  13  are provided within shell  10  to make a rattle sound when the maraca is shaken. Shell  10  is fabricated of translucent or transparent plastic material, preferrably of a hard material for improved sound.  
         [0011]    A light  14  is provided within shell  10 . In the embodiment illustrated, light  14  is an LED, which is preferred because of its small size, light weight and low power consumption. It is possible however to use a small light bulb to provide stronger illumination. A circuit board  16  is provided within handle  12  for operating light  14 . In the embodiment shown handle  12  includes an end cap  18 , which can be removeable to provide access to a battery or switch on circuit board  16 . Alternately cap  18  may be permanently attached after assembly. Alternately handle  12  may be fabricated in one piece, including the end cap.  
         [0012]    In a preferred arrangement light  14  is enclosed in inner shield  15  to protect it from the action of pellets  13  when the maraca is shaken. Shield  15  is translucent and preferrably transparent. Light  14  may be attached to the shield, for example using adhesive, to provide impact protection and mechanical strength.  
         [0013]    In the embodiment illustrated a bore  20  is provided at the end of the handle cap  18  for attachment to a key chain or cord, for example to wear on the neck.  
         [0014]    Light  14  may be activated by an internal or external switch. In one arrangement handle cap  18  is rotatable to activate a switch. Light  14  is powered by a small battery connected to circuit board  16 . In one arrangement light  14  is activated by shaking of the maracca using a motion sensor on circuit boart  16 . The circuit may provide a single short flash when shaken, or may include a timing circuit to keep the light illuminated or flashing for a selected period, such as two to twenty seconds after activation. Alternately the circuit may cause the light to flash on and off for a selected period after activation, such as five to sixty seconds with a flashing period of about one to two seconds. Circuits for providing such operation are known, for example in children&#39;s sneakers, and are available from Bliss Electronics of Taiwan. In another arrangement, circuit board  16  may include a microphone and a low pass filter for providing activation pulses for flashing the light in response to the low frequency beat of music such as disco music.  
         [0015]    It should be understood that the shell  10  may be further decorated with a logo or design on the translucent or transparent plastic shell. The pattern on the exterior of the shell may be for advertising, may represent a sports team, a country, a resort or a state.  
         [0016]    It should be further understood that the maraca can be made in a variety of sizes, as a small key chain or backpack ornament, for example 1.5 to 5 inches in overall length, as a full size maraca of about 6 to 9 inches in length or as an oversize maraca of larger length for use at a show or sporting event.  
         [0017]    The lighted maraca of the present invention can provide combined sound and light to add to the excitement at a show, sporting event or on the dancefloor, particularly in conditions of low illumination.  
         [0018]    While there have been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the true scope of the invention.