Abstract:
The present invention includes an illuminated sports board having a deck equipped with a plurality of light emitting devices, such as LEDs, which are mounted to the deck in a distinct ornamental pattern. The LEDs are in electrical connection with an energy source, such as a rechargeable battery in a removable battery pack. In a preferred embodiment, the rechargeable battery is mounted into the deck in a removable pack which can be charged without removing it from the deck. A microcontroller may be incorporated which provides for the selective illumination of the light emitting devices, and which may pulse, flicker, or create other aesthetically pleasing illumination patterns.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This Application is a Continuation in Part and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 12/287,060 filed Oct. 2, 2008 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,038,313 and currently, which in turn claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/997,391 entitled “Illuminated Sports Board” filed Oct. 2, 2007. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to devices used in outdoor athletic activities. The present invention is more particularly, though not exclusively, useful as a skateboard having unique illumination characteristics. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Skateboards have been around for years. In the 1970s, the skateboard became a staple in nearly all children&#39;s outdoor activities. While the popularity of the skateboard has ebbed and flowed over the decades, the technology for the skateboard and its components has continued to improve. It is not uncommon today to have a skateboard made from sophisticated composite materials and equipped with state-of-the-art wheels, bearings, and trucks. 
     In efforts to provide product brand identity and uniqueness within the skateboard industry, various skateboard manufacturers have incorporated colorful and artistic images on the upper surface and lower surface of the deck. While these images are indeed aesthetically pleasing, they are rather ordinary when comparing boards manufactured by various manufacturers. In fact, in some cases, the only distinction between various skateboard manufacturers is the proprietary artwork or logo. 
     In light of the above, it would be advantageous to provide a skateboard with a unique, customizable appearance. It would also be advantageous to provide individual skateboarders with the ability to visibly stand out in the crowd of skaters. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention includes a skate board having a deck, a pair of trucks mounted beneath the deck and equipped with wheels. The deck is equipped with a plurality of light emitting devices, such as LEDs, which are mounted to the deck in a distinct pattern. The LEDs are in electrical connection with an energy source, such as a rechargeable battery. In a preferred embodiment, the rechargeable battery is mounted into the deck in a removable pack. The removable pack has a charging connection which allows it to be charged without removing it from the deck. A microcontroller may be incorporated which provides for the selective illumination of the light emitting devices, and which may pulse, flicker, or create other aesthetically pleasing illumination patterns. 
     Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the illuminated sports board of the present invention showing an exemplary light emitting device pattern, and shows (using dashed lines) the general illumination pattern extending from the board; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the illuminated sports board of the present invention showing the board of  FIG. 1  and the relative placement of the light emitting devices; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the illuminated sports board of the present invention showing the placement of the trucks (in dashed lines) and the battery pack having a charging port, and an ON/OFF switch; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the illuminated sports board of the present invention showing a removable battery pack having an electrical connection which can be disconnected from the light emitting device circuitry in the deck; 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the illuminated sports board of the present invention showing a distinct board shape and a different light emitting device pattern with light emitting devices pointing forward, backwards, and forward at an angle; 
         FIG. 6  is a close-up view of detail  6  of the illuminated sports board of the present invention shown in  FIG. 5 , and shows the placement of a light emitting device within a bore formed in the deck and having an electrical connection; 
         FIGS. 7 through 13  are alternative embodiments of the illuminated sports board of the present invention showing various light emitting device patterns in combination with various board shapes; 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic representation of the circuitry of the illuminated sports board of the present invention showing a battery, a switch, several light emitting device circuits, and incorporating current limiting resistors and/or capacitors; 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of the circuitry for the illuminated sports board of the present invention showing a battery, a switch, and several light emitting device circuits with each circuit having a varying number of light emitting devices thereby providing varying levels of illumination, and/or incorporating light emitting devices having different electrical or optical characteristics; 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of the circuitry for the illuminated sports board of the present invention showing a rechargeable battery, a switch, a microcontroller, and a motion sensor, which in combination provide electrical signals to multiple light emitting device circuits; 
         FIG. 17  is an exemplary illuminated sports board of the present invention showing three separate representative circuits extending from a connector to the different light emitting devices, and with a portion covered with a high-friction tape, such as is known as “grip-tape” to cover the wiring; 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of the illuminated sports board of the present invention showing the deck formed with a trench sized to receive a two-conductor wire, and secured in place with potting material, such as epoxy, and sealed with a grip tape; 
         FIG. 19  is a cross-section of the illuminated sports board of the present invention as taken along line  18 - 18  showing an alternative embodiment of the board formed with a trench sized to receive a two conductor wire or a custom circuit board designed to match the trench layout of the board and secured in place with potting material, such as epoxy, and sealed with grip tape. The light emitting devices are attached to the wire or circuit board by way of solder or other acceptable industry standard. It is to be appreciated that the light emitting device circuitry can be implemented using wire, one of more circuit boards, or a combination of wire and circuit boards. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the illuminated sports board of the present invention is shown and generally designated  100 . Board  100  includes a deck  102  having a variety of light emitting devices (shown generally using dashed lines)  104   106  and  108 . It is to be appreciated that the specific pattern of light emitting devices is merely exemplary of a preferred embodiment, and the specific number, placement, orientation and color of the light emitting devices can vary without departing from the present invention. Dashed lines  109  are shown to represent the light pattern leaving the light emitting device from the sides  101  of the board; however, it is also to be appreciated that the light emitting devices shown in the deck and not adjacent to side  101 , such as light emitting device  108 , can be seen from the upper and lower surfaces of the deck  102 . 
     Trucks (not shown) are mounted to the underside of the illuminated sports board  100 , and the relative location is shown with dashed lines  112  and  114 . It is to be appreciated, however, that the precise location and size relative to the deck  102  may differ. 
     The energy source (not shown) is mounted into the illuminated sports board  100 , and the relative location is shown with dashed lines  120 . It is to be appreciated, however, that the precise location and size relative to the deck  102  may differ. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a top plan view of the illuminated sports board  100  of the present invention is shown. From this view, the location of the battery pack  120  is generally shown by dashed lines. The location of the battery pack is intentionally distinct from the location of the trucks  112  and  114  as the battery pack is fully accessible without having to remove or disturb the truck assemblies in any way. 
       FIG. 3  shows a bottom plan view of the illuminated sports board  100  of the present invention. Removable battery pack  122  is shown to have a charging port  121  and an ON/OFF switch  124 . From this figure, the location of battery pack  122  is clearly distanced from truck mounting locations  112  and  114 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the illuminated sports board  100  of the present invention showing a removable battery pack  122  having an ON/OFF switch  124  and a recharge port  121 . An electrical connection  146  is provided which can be connected and disconnected from a wiring connector  150  which provides further electrical connection to the various light emitting devices  106 ,  108  and  110 . In a preferred embodiment, the battery pack  122  will include a nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH), lithium hydride (LiH), or other battery of state-of-the-art chemical composition having a high charge density and capable of many charge/recharge cycles, as is known in the industry. 
     By utilizing a modular battery pack  122 , it is possible to provide multiple battery packs for a single board  100 . In fact, if a skating enthusiast will be using his or her board for an extended period of time, he or she could charge several battery packs  122  and replace them as they become discharged. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the illuminated sports board of the present invention is shown and generally designated  150 . Board  150  includes a battery pack  122  and a number of recessed lights (not shown this Figure) which produce a light pattern  152  (shown in dashed lines). Board  150  has a distinct shape and a different light emitting device pattern than other embodiments shown herein, with light emitting devices pointing forward, backwards, and forward at an angle. 
     A close up of detail  6  of the illuminated sports board of the present invention  150  shown in  FIG. 5 , is shown in  FIG. 6 , and shows the placement of a light emitting device  154  within a bore  156  formed in the deck  160 . Dashed lines  152  represent the light pattern leaving light emitting device  154 . As shown, light emitting device  154  is in electrical connection with wiring  162  which leads off to other light emitting devices and battery pack (not shown this Figure). Light emitting device  154  may be secured within bore  156  using a substantially translucent epoxy or adhesive in order to securely mount the device  154 , while not obscuring the transmission of light therefrom. 
       FIGS. 7 through 13  are alternative embodiments of the illuminated sports board of the present invention showing various light emitting device patterns in combination with various board shapes. While a few different shapes have been shown herein to represent exemplary deck shapes, such shapes are merely exemplary of preferred embodiments. It is to be understood that no limitation whatsoever is intended by these figures, and that they are merely indicative of the variety and versatility of the present invention. 
       FIG. 14  is a schematic representation of the circuitry of the illuminated sports board of the present invention and is generally identified as circuit  200 . Circuit  200  includes a battery  202  having an ON/OFF switch  204  which leads to one or more parallel circuits  206 ,  208 ,  210 , and  212 . A current limiting resistor  214  may be provided which allows for a higher voltage battery  202  to be used with a lower voltage rated light emitting device  216  or to control the amount of light produced by the light emitting device  216 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of the circuitry for the illuminated sports board of the present invention is generally designated  220 . Circuit  220  includes a battery  222  with an ON/OFF switch  224 , and several light emitting device circuits  226 ,  228 ,  230 , and  232 , with each circuit having a varying number of light emitting devices  236  thereby providing varying levels of illumination, and/or incorporating light emitting devices having different electrical or optical characteristics. A current limiting device, such as a resistor  238 , may be incorporated into circuits in order to limit the current through a particular light emitting device  236 . For example, in some applications, it may be desirable to have brighter light emitting devices in some areas of the deck, and dimmer light emitting devices in other areas of the deck. By selectively incorporating various current or voltage limiting components  238 , differing brightness levels may be achieved. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 16 , a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of the circuitry for the illuminated sports board of the present invention is generally designated  280 . Circuit  280  includes a control module  282  consisting of a battery  284 , a charging port  286 , an ON/OFF switch  290 , a microcontroller  294 , and a motion sensor  292 . The ON/OFF switch  290  controls the flow of power to a motion sensor  292  and the microcontroller  294 . 
     Microcontroller  294  is preloaded with a series of control schemes in memory  295  for selectively illuminating one or more light emitting devices. Additionally, control module  282  may be equipped with an input data port  296  which may provide for the programming or re-programming of microcontroller  294 . An electrical connector  298  is provided on module  282  which corresponds to connector  300 . Connector  300  connects to one or more light emitting device circuits. The combination of motion sensor  292 , microcontroller  294  and memory  295  provides for varying electrical signals through connectors  298  and  300  to one or more light emitting device circuits. 
     Circuit  280  includes a number of light emitting device circuits  302 ,  304 ,  306 ,  308  and  310 . As shown, the light emitting devices  312  may be in series such as in circuit  302 , or may be in parallel such as in circuit  304 . These circuit types may be combined to provide for varying illumination techniques and effects. It is to be understood that no limitation whatsoever is intended by this figure, and that it is merely indicative of the variety of methods available to connect light emitting devices and current or voltage limiting devices to achieve varying levels of brightness. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 17 , an exemplary illuminated sports board of the present invention is generally designated  400 . In this embodiment, board  400  includes a deck  402  containing a wiring harness  404  which leads, through different circuit branches, to multiple light emitting devices  406 . As shown from this Figure, wiring harness  404  extends from light emitting source to light emitting source to establish an electrical connection therewith. 
     Deck  402  may be covered with a high friction surface, such as grip tape  408 , which provides a non-skid surface on the upper side of the deck  402 . In a preferred embodiment, grip tape  408  covers wiring harness  404  to avoid damage to the wiring and to cover and seal the channels formed in the deck to receive the wiring harness (shown in  FIG. 18 ). From this view with grip tape  408  partially removed, wiring  410  is visible on deck  402 , while wiring  404  is shown in phantom representing that it is beneath the grip tape. 
     From this view, it is apparent that there are three separate representative circuits extending from the connector and between the different light emitting devices. 
     A cross section of board  400  is shown in  FIG. 18 , as taken along cross-section  18 - 18  of  FIG. 17 . From this view, the deck  402  of the illuminated sports board  400  of the present invention is shown to be formed with a trench  412  sized to receive a multi-conductor wire  410 , and secured in place with potting material  416 , such as epoxy. 
     Wire  410  may be a multi conductor cable having two or more conductors  414 . It is to be appreciated that wire  410  may have multiple conductors establishing multiple electrical connections with various light emitting devices in order to provide for selective illumination effects, such as blinking, strobing around the perimeter of the board, sequentially through multiple light emitting devices, etc. 
     Once wire  410  is placed in trench  412  and sealed with potting  416 , a grip tape  408  is placed on deck  402 . This tape  408  provides isolation from environmental conditions (e.g. moisture, puddles, rain, etc.), as well as provides for a skid-free surface for safely riding the board  400 . 
     An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 19 , with trenchs  412  and  470  formed in the underside of deck  402 , and includes LED elements  406  and  472 . LED element  406  is connected to wire  410  by way of solder or other acceptable industry standard. LED element  472  has solder terminals  474  and is soldered to printed circuit board  476 . In this configuration, the LED  472  may be a surface mount LED, a standard LED, or any other light source known in the industry. LED  472  is in electrical connection with terminals  474  on circuit board  476  which is in turn in electrical connection with the battery pack or the microcontroller. The printed circuit board  476  is designed to match the trench layout of the board. It is to be appreciated that any embodiments of the present invention may be implemented using wire  410 , one or more circuit boards  476 , or a combination or wire and circuit boards to connect the light emitting devices  406  and  472  to the battery pack or microcontroller. 
     Trenches  412  and  470  may be filled with a water-proof material, such as conformal coating or sealant  416  and  470  to secure in place and seal LEDs  406  and  472 , wire harness  410 , and circuit board  476  from the outside elements. In addition, or alternatively, a sealing layer  482  may be used to cover the underside of the deck  402  thereby sealing LEDs  406  and  472  from the elements. 
     While the illuminated sports board of the present invention described herein has been described as a skate board, it is to be appreciated that other sports boards are fully contemplated herein. For instance, by way of explanation and not exclusion, the present invention includes snow boards, surf boards, skate boards, skates, skis, water skis, wake boards, and the like. 
     The light emitting devices described herein are inclusive of light emitting diodes (LED), light bulbs, incandescent light bulbs, fluorescent light bulbs, and any. other light emitting device known in the industry.