Sound and light emitting inflatable ball

A sound emitting inflatable ball includes an inflatable casing, a first polar receptacle, a second polar receptacle, a sound emitting circuit, a power source and a sound emitting device. The inflatable casing forms a spherical ball, when fully inflated. An air nozzle extends from a periphery of the inflatable casing. The first polar receptacle is inserted into a periphery of the inflatable casing and the second polar receptacle is inserted into the periphery of the inflatable casing opposite the first polar receptacle. Preferably, the power source is retained in the first polar receptacle, and the shock sensor and the sound emitting device are retained in the second polar receptacle. At least two wires connect the power source to the shock sensor and the sound emitting device. A light emitting circuit and light emitting device may be suspended from the at least two wires.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application takes priority from Chinese patent application, serial number 03223626.3, filed on Feb. 13, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to inflatable balls and more specifically to a sound and light emitting inflatable ball, which includes a replaceable power source.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

The prior art provides numerous inflatable balls. U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,445 to Kennedy et al. discloses a flashing light pneumatic playball. The Kennedy et al. patent includes electronic circuitry that is suspended between two poles of the pneumatic playball. However, the Kennedy et al. patent does not provide a power source for the electronic circuitry that may be replaced. The Kennedy et al. patent also does not teach or suggest a sound emitting inflatable playball.

Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for a sound and light emitting inflatable ball, which includes a replaceable power source and emits sound when a shock sensor is activated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a sound and light emitting inflatable ball, which includes a replaceable power source. The sound and light emitting inflatable ball (inflatable ball) includes an inflatable casing, a first polar receptacle, a second polar receptacle, a sound emitting circuit, a power source and a sound emitting device. The inflatable casing forms a spherical ball, when fully inflated. An air nozzle extends from a periphery of the inflatable casing, which allows the inflatable ball to be filled with air. Preferably, the air nozzle may be inserted below the periphery of the inflatable casing.

The first polar receptacle is inserted into a perimeter of the inflatable casing and the second polar receptacle is inserted into the perimeter of the inflatable casing opposite the first polar receptacle. However, the second polar receptacle may also be inserted into the inflatable casing in a position, which is not opposite the first polar receptacle. Preferably, a removable cap is attachable to an open end of each polar receptacle. Preferably, the power source is retained in the first polar receptacle, and the sound emitting circuit and the sound emitting device are retained in the second polar receptacle. However, only the power source needs to be stored in at least one of the first and second polar receptacles. At least two wires connect the power source to the sound emitting circuit and the sound emitting device. When a shock sensor of the sound emitting circuit is excited by an impact, the sound emitting device will emit some type of sound for a predefined period of time. A light flashing circuit and at least one light emitting device may be suspended from the at least two wires in substantially a middle of the inflatable ball. When the shock sensor is excited by an impact, the light will flash for a predefined period of time. Alternatively, the light may flash by activation of a switch.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sound emitting inflatable ball, which includes a replaceable power source.

Finally, it is another object of the present invention to provide a sound emitting inflatable ball, which emits sound when a sound emitting device is activated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference now to the drawings, and particularly toFIG. 1, there is shown a front view of an inflatable ball1. With reference toFIG. 2,6and7, the inflatable ball1includes an inflatable casing10, a first polar receptacle12, a second polar receptacle14, a sound emitting circuit16, a power source18and a sound emitting device20. The inflatable casing10forms a spherical ball, when fully inflated. The inflatable casing10is preferably fabricated by seaming at least two peripheral sections22together. The at least two peripheral sections22are preferably fabricated from a translucent material. An air nozzle24extends from a periphery of the inflatable casing10, which allows the inflatable casing10to be filled with air. Preferably, the air nozzle24may be pushed below the outside periphery of the inflatable casing10as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3. Air nozzles that may be inserted below the outside periphery of the inflatable casing10are well know in the art.

The first polar receptacle12is inserted into a first opening in the periphery of the inflatable casing10and the second polar receptacle14is inserted into a second opening in the periphery of the inflatable casing10, preferably opposite the first polar receptacle12. With reference toFIGS. 4–5, each polar receptacle preferably includes a peripheral end lip26disposed on an open end thereof. The peripheral end lip26is fastened to the inflatable casing10with any suitable attachment process, such as sonic welding. Each polar receptacle is shown as having a substantially round tubular cross section, but other shapes may also be used, such as square. A wire boss28is preferably formed on a bottom of each polar receptacle for at least two wires30. A sealant is applied to the entrance of the wire boss28and the at least two wires30to prevent air from leaking out of the inflatable casing10, through the wire boss28.

A removable cap32preferably extends from the peripheral end lip26. The removable cap32preferably includes a cap portion34, a flexible hinge36and a lift tab38. One end of the flexible hinge36extends from the peripheral end lip26and the cap portion34extends from the other end of the flexible hinge36. The lift tab38extends from cap portion, preferably opposite the flexible hinge36. The lift tab38allows the cap portion34to be removed from the, polar receptacle12,14. A perimeter of the cap portion34is sized to be received by an open end of a cavity40of each polar receptacle. Preferably, the sound emitting circuit16is retained in the first polar receptacle12, and the power source18and the sound emitting device20are retained in the second polar receptacle14. However, only the power source18needs to be stored in at least one of the first and second polar receptacles.

The power source18preferably includes at least one battery42. The at least one battery42is retained in a battery case44. The battery case44preferably includes a retention case46, a case lid48and a pull tab50. The retention case46includes a battery cavity52that is sized to receive the at least one battery42and an electrical connection to the at least two wires30. The retention case46is structured to receive the case lid48. The pull tab50extends from the retention case46. The pull tab50may be used to withdraw the battery case44from the first polar receptacle12to replace the at least one battery42therein.

With reference toFIG. 6a, an insulation tab45is inserted through a insulator opening47in the case lid48to break the power connection between the at least one battery and a shock sensor54or a light flashing circuit (not shown). The insulation tab45is fabricated from a nonconductive material and acts as an on-off switch.

The sound emitting circuit16includes a shock sensor54. The sound emitting circuit16is retained in a circuit case56. The shock sensor54preferably includes a coiled spring58contained in a conductive tube60, but other types of shock sensors may also be used. When impact occurs, the coiled spring58contacts the inner wall of the conductive tube60, which triggers the sound emitting circuit16. An impact typically occurs when the ball strikes the ground or is caught. The sound emitting circuit16activates the sound emitting device20for some predefined period of time. The sound emitting device20will emit some type of sound. The at least two wires30electrical connect the power source18to the sound emitting circuit16and the sound emitting device20. Sound emitting circuits and sound emitting devices are well known in the art and need not be explained in detail.

With reference toFIG. 3, an inflatable ball1′ includes at least one light emitting device64and a light flashing circuit (not shown) retained in a light case66. The light case66is suspended in substantially a middle of the inflatable ball1′ by the at least two wires30. The sound emitting device20may also be retained by the light case66. The light flashing circuit is preferably triggered by the shock sensor54. The light flashing circuit will send power to the at least one light emitting device64for a predetermined period of time. Further, the light flashing circuit may also be located in the circuit case56on the same board as the shock sensor54. The at least one light emitting device64may be located in at least one polar receptacle. The at least one light emitting device64may flash light when the insulation tab45is removed or flash light when an impact occurs. The choice between “continuous flashing” and “impact flashing” may be controlled with any suitable method, such as a switch located on the circuit board of the light flashing circuit.

With reference toFIG. 3a, the light case66suspended in the inflatable ball1″ by the at least two wires30. However, the second polar receptacle14is not opposite or along the same axis as the first polar receptacle12. The sound emitting device20is retained in the second polar receptacle14, instead by the light case66. The operation of the inflatable ball1″ is the same as the inflatable ball1″.