Audience participation gloves

An audience interaction device is provided in the form factor of a glove. The glove can include a light emitting circuit including a series of lights disposed long finger receptacles of the glove. The light emitting circuit includes a series of lights, a portable power source, a switch, and wires providing electrical communication between the components. The circuit can include controls to provide a steady light output, a flashing output, a sequencing output, etc. The lights can be of a single color or multi colored. Chemiluminescence's can also be used for producing light. The device can include a noise generating device disposed upon a palm section of the glove. The noise generating device can be a mechanical device or an electrically drive noise generating apparatus. The electrically driven apparatus can be continuous, time based, or based upon proximity to an opposing glove.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to personal expression devices. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a glove comprising a series of lights and noisemakers allowing a wearer to express their emotions during an event or other outing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

People attend events for entertainment. The events have a tendency for audience interaction, particularly events which drive the audiences emotions. Examples of such events include sports, concerts, and the like. Audience members desire to express their support for the participants and do so in many ways. Clapping, vocal expressions, standing, and the like are common forms of expressing their support. Other means include lighting lighters, turning on view screens of cell phones, use of air horns, waving of towels or noodles, and the like can be used as well.

There continues to be a need for new audience interaction devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is generally directed to an audience interaction device. In one aspect, the audience interaction device may include:

a glove comprising a hand covering with individual and independently movable finger and thumb sections; and

a light circuit comprising a battery, a series of lights, an electrical connection between the series of lights and the battery, and a means for activating the circuit;wherein the series of lights are disposed upon at least one of the finger and thumb sections.

In another aspect, the light circuit further comprises a circuit enabling various lighting modes, including steady, flashing, and the like.

In still another aspect, the series of lights can utilize Light Emitting Diodes (LED's).

In yet another aspect, the LED's can be multicolored allowing illumination in various colors. The circuit can control a change in single colors, strobing different colors, sequencing different colors, and the like.

The present disclosure further directs to an alternate exemplary embodiment of an audience interaction device. In one aspect, the audience interaction device may include:

a glove comprising a hand covering with individual and independently movable finger and thumb sections; and

a noise generating apparatus disposed upon a palm section of the hand covering.

In a further aspect, the noise generating apparatus is mechanically driven by contacting a second noise generating apparatus disposed upon a palm section of a second glove.

In yet another aspect, the noise generating apparatus is electrically driven by a noise generating circuit, an electrically driven audio output device, and a portable power source.

In a still further aspect, the noise generating circuit is activated via a change in status of a proximity sensor and subsequently generates an audio output, wherein the proximity sensor is located within an opposing palm section of a second glove.

While another aspect allows the manufacturer/retailer to promote a character, a team, or any other branding item.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides the user with an apparatus to express their emotions at an event. A first exemplary embodiment is referred to as an audience participate glove100; illustrated inFIG. 1. The audience participate glove100is fabricated with the common elements of a glove101, including a hand portion102for receiving a wearer's hand, a wrist band104for securing the audience participate glove100onto a wearer's hand, and finger receptacles, including a plurality of finger receiving portions108and a thumb receiving portion110. A wristband securing fastener106can be of any form factor (shown as a snap) and is provided to tighten the wristband104about a wearer's wrist. The audience participate glove100further includes an illumination circuit. A series of lights126are disposed throughout the finger portions108,110of the audience participate glove100. The lights126are preferably of either incandescent bulbs or light emitting diodes (LED's). The LED's can be single color, dial color, or tri-color, where the tri-color can provide a multitude of colors by combining illuminated colors. It is preferable that the lights126are placed on the palm side of the finger portions108,110, as illustrated. The illumination circuit is powered via a portable power source120. The portable power source120can be of any reasonable form factor, such as a button cell battery provided within the wristband104. A power switch124can be incorporated, providing the wearer with the ability to control power to the circuit. The power switch124can additionally be utilized to change modes of the light circuit, which will be discussed in more detail inFIG. 6. A plurality of wires122provides electrical communication between each of the lights126and the portable power source120. The wires122can be sandwiched between a liner and an outer portion of glove101. It is understood that the audience participate glove100can be provided as a left and a right hand pair. The lights can be distributed within a hand portion102area as well as a backside of the glove101.

An enhanced version of the audience participate glove100is best shown inFIG. 2, being referred to as a audience participate glove100a, including all of the features described inFIG. 1, with the addition of a lighted medallion130. The lighted medallion130can be of any illuminating means, including incandescent bulbs, Light emitting diodes, or a chemiluminescence's material. The electrically driven options would be in electrical communication with the portable power source120(FIG. 1) via the wires122(FIG. 1). The chemiluminescence's version comprises a plurality of receptacles containing the various isolated chemicals. The isolated chemicals are combined in any of many known means causing the chemiluminescence's. The lighted medallion130can include an image, a series of lights, and the like providing further accents to the audience participate glove100a. The image can be representative of a branding, character, and the like. The lighting distributed about the glove101can also be formed into words or likenesses of branding, characters, and the like.

A second enhanced version of the audience participate glove100is best shown inFIG. 3, being referred to as a audience participate glove100b, including all of the features described inFIG. 1, with the addition of a mechanical noise generating member140. The mechanical noise generating member140would be disposed upon the hand portion102of the glove101of each of a pair of gloves101. The mechanical noise generating member140would generate a noise when the wearer claps their hands. The exemplary embodiment is of a cymbal style mechanical noise generator. Alternate form factors such as a bell, a horn, and the like can be utilized.

A third enhanced version of the audience participate glove100is best shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, being referred to as a audience participate glove100c, including all of the features described inFIG. 1, with the addition of a electrically operated noise generating assembly150. The electrically operated noise generating assembly150includes a speaker152, which generates the audio output. The electrically operated noise generating assembly150includes the respective components and circuitry160to operate the speaker152. The noise generating circuit160is supported via a circuit board162. The circuit board162can include a battery164, a plurality of electronic components166, and conductive traces168providing electrical communication therebetween. Wires170provide electrical communication between the noise generating circuit160and the speaker152. A connector172can be provided as a component of the noise generating circuit160as a means for interfacing with other components, including the power switch124and the series of lights126. The speaker152is mechanically secured to either of the circuit board162, the hand portion102, or any other reasonable portion of the audience participate glove100via a speaker housing154. The noise generating circuit160can include a proximity sensor as one of the electrical components166for sensing the proximity of the opposing glove101. Padding can be placed between the electrically operated noise generating assembly150and the wearer's hand to ensure comfort and avoid any injury.

The noise generating circuit160is representative of any circuit for activating any of the features, including lights126, noise, and the like. The proximity sensor can be utilized as a switch to activate the lights126, noise, and the like. The proximity sensor would be activated when the left glove101and right glove101come together. The power switch124can be used to activate the entire system, wherein the lights would illuminate either by the power switch124, be activated by the proximity sensor, or a combination thereof. One could power on the power switch124. The inclusion of a power switch124ensures the features are not active even if the gloves are positioned against each other. The lights would remain off until the proximity sensor is activated. The circuit160can then illuminate the lights126, generate a noise, or both over a predetermined period of time.

It is understood that an accelerometer can be utilize in place of the proximity switch, wherein the features are activated when the wearer moves the glove with a motion that is greater than a predetermined velocity or acceleration.

An illumination control flow diagram200is presented inFIG. 6. The illumination control flow diagram200initiates with the user applying power202to the light circuit. The user can actuate a button, such as cycling the power switch124, to set the light mode210. The user can cycle the power switch124through several modes, such as a steady state212, a flash mode214, a color stroll mode216, and power off218. The steady state212would provide a constant single color display. The flash mode214would provide a flashing single or multiple color display. The color stroll mode216would provide a sequencing display in either a single color or a sequence of multiple colors. It is understood that a similar process can be applied to the sound. A plurality of digital sound files can be stored within a memory device of the noise generating circuit160. The noise generating circuit160can include a mode controller which allows the user to select either a specific digital sound file, a series of digital sound files, a random selection of digital sound files, and the like.

An electric noise generation diagram300is presented inFIG. 7. The electric noise generation diagram300initiates with the user applying power302to the electric noise generation circuit. The user can actuate a control (not shown, but well understood) to set the output volume304. The user can cycle the noise generating circuit160through several modes, such as an automatic output mode312, a proximity driven mode314, and power off316. The automatic output mode312would be operated via a drive circuit within the electric noise generation circuit. The drive circuit can provide a continuous noise output, pulse the noise output, or provide a single short noise output. The proximity driven mode314would cause a noise output based upon a status change of a proximity switch. The proximity switch would have a sensing component in a glove comprising the noise generating drive circuit and a mating, passive component in the opposing glove101. As the two mating sensing components approach each other, the sensing component changes state, activating the noise generating drive circuit. The sensing component would change state when the two mating sensing components are separated. When the wearing party no longer desires to use the noise generating drive circuit, the wearer deactivates the circuit in accordance with the power off step316. This can be accomplished via any known means, including a switch, removal of the battery, and the like.

Applicant identified an additional application of the present invention being an aid for crossing guards. The lights126can aid in obtaining the attention of drivers.