Patent Publication Number: US-2016230980-A1

Title: Novelty device with illuminated channel

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The following description relates to a novelty device, for example, a novelty device with an illuminated channel. 
     Novelty items may be made in different shapes and sizes. For example, novelty devices may be shaped and/or sized to resemble other devices for use such as props, entertainment or training purposes. The novelty items are often formed from a lightweight, durable and/or resilient material, and may be suitable for use by persons of nearly any age. 
     Conventional novelty items, such as those described above, may also include a graphic or pattern printed o applied thereon. Further, some novelty items may include lights. The lights may be provided, for example, to simulate a state of operation, to indicate a state of operation, or for visual effects. The lights may be, for example light emitting diodes (LEDs). 
     However, in some novelty items, the lights are externally mounted and may be subjected to impacts against external objects. As such, the lights may be damaged or become unusable. In addition, in some novelty devices, the lights may be individually mounted, and thus, may need power individually supplied thereto. Thus, in the known configurations, multiple electrical connections must be provided between the individual lights and a power supply. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an illuminated novelty device with simplified circuitry and increased durability. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one embodiment, a novelty device includes a body having a base section formed from a foam material, the base section having a channel formed therein. The device further includes an illuminating unit disposed within the channel. The illuminating unit includes a light-transmissive housing having one or more illuminating elements disposed therein. 
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, elements, components, steps, and processes. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a novelty device according to an embodiment described herein; 
         FIG. 2  is a view of an inner section the novelty device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a portion a side and inner section of the novelty device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of a portion of the novelty device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a profile view of a novelty device providing an example of a visual effect according to another embodiment described herein; 
         FIG. 6  is a profile view of the novelty device of  FIG. 6  providing a different example of a visual effect; 
         FIG. 7  is a profile view of the novelty device of  FIG. 5  providing a different example of a visual effect; and 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a novelty device according to an embodiment described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While the present disclosure is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described one or more embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered illustrative only and is not intended to limit the disclosure to any specific embodiment described or illustrated. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  are plan views of a novelty device  10  having a channel  12  for receiving an illuminating unit  14  therein. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the novelty device  10  includes a body  16 . In one embodiment, the body  16  includes a base section  18  that may be formed from a relatively lightweight and flexible material, such as a foam material. A suitable foam material may include, for example, a polymer foam and the like. However, it is understood the base section  18  described herein is not limited to polymer foams, and other suitable materials may be used in the construction of the base section  18 , such as lightweight plastics or rubber. 
       FIG. 2  shows an internal section of the novelty device  10 . Referring still to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the channel  12  is formed in the base section  18 . In one embodiment, the channel  12  extends in a longitudinal or length direction of the base section  18 . In addition, the channel  12  may extend through an entire thickness of the base section  18 . Alternatively, the channel  12  may extend only partially through a thickness of the base section  18 . In some embodiments, more than one channel  12  may be formed in the base section  18 , with one or more illuminating units  14  disposed in each channel  12 . 
     The illuminating unit  14  is disposed in the channel  12  and may be received therein via an opening or open side  20  of the channel  12 . The illuminating unit  14  may be generally tube-shaped. For example, the illuminating unit  14  may be formed generally as an elongated cylinder. However, the illuminating unit is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the illuminating unit  14  may be curved, angled or formed in a closed or substantially closed loop or geometric shape. In addition, the illuminating unit  14  may include a housing  22  formed of a light-transmissive material, such as a transparent or translucent material. The housing  22  may include a light refracting or other light-distorting treatment, material or pattern thereon. 
     The illuminating unit  14  further includes one or more illuminating elements  24  disposed therein. In one embodiment, the illuminating elements  24  may be one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), incandescent bulbs, or other similar, suitable elements. Alternatively, or in addition, the illuminating elements  24  may include a chemiluminecsent material. The illuminating elements  24  are configured to provide a visual effect. In one embodiment, the illuminating elements  24  may, for example, provide different colors, vary in brightness and/or blink. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a portion of the novelty device  10  of  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the base section  18  may be formed of one or more layers of material. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the base section  18  may be formed by three layers of material  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c  adhered to one another. The channel  12  may extend completely through each layer  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c.    
     In addition, referring to  FIG. 1 , the body  16  may also include an outer layer  26  disposed over at least a portion of the base section  18 . For example, the outer layer  26  may extend over oppositely facing sides of the base section  18 . That is, the outer layer  26  may be formed of separate pieces to cover different surfaces or portions of different surfaces of the base section  18 . Alternatively, the outer layer  26  may extend substantially or entirely around an entirety of the base section  18 . The outer layer  26  may be sized and shaped generally correspond to a size and shape of the base section  18 . 
     In one embodiment, the outer layer  26  may extend over and cover the open sides  20  of the channel  12 . The outer layer  26  may be a relatively thin, flexible material such as plastic, plastic film, or the like, and may be adhered to the base section  18 . In addition, the outer layer  26  may be light-transmissive such that a visual effect produced by the illuminating unit  14  is visible through the outer layer  26 . For example, the outer layer  26  may be transparent or translucent. Moreover, the outer layer  26  may include a graphic or graphics printed or formed thereon. The outer layer  26  may also include holographics printed thereon. For example, in one embodiment, the outer layer  26  may be substantially transparent or translucent and include a holographic print. 
       FIG. 4  shows a portion of the novelty device  10  of  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , the novelty device  10  may also include a switch  28  to actuate the illuminating unit  14 . The switch  28  may actuate the illuminating unit  14  between different conditions where different visual effects may be provided by the illuminating elements  24 . For example, the switch  28  may be used actuate the illuminating unit  14  between a first condition where the illuminating elements  24  blink at a first frequency, a second condition where the illuminating elements  24  blink at a second frequency different from the first frequency, a third condition where the illuminating elements  24  are illuminated and not blinking, and an OFF condition. It is understood, however, the present description is not limited to these conditions. For instance, the illuminating unit  14  may be actuated between other conditions. Such other conditions may include, but are not limited to, the illuminating unit  14  and/illuminating elements  24  displaying different colors, blinking at different frequencies and/or blinking in different patterns. 
     The novelty device  10  may also include a controller  30  electrically and communicatively connected to the switch  28  and the illuminating unit  14 . The controller  30  is configured to control the illuminating unit  14  to provide different visual effects. For example, the controller  30  may control a frequency of blinking and/or color of the illuminating elements  24  in the illuminating unit  14  in response to actuation of the switch  28 . The controller  30  may be programmed with operating conditions for the illuminating unit  14 , and may also store the programmed operating conditions. Different operating conditions correspond to different visual effects provided by illuminating unit  14 . Accordingly, the controller is configured to control operation of the illuminating unit  14  to provide different visual effects corresponding to the desired operating condition. The switch  28  may be actuated to change between different conditions stored at the controller  30 . 
     In one embodiment, the body  16  of the novelty device  10  includes a handle  32  and a housing section  34 . The channel  12  may be disposed in the housing section  34 , but is not limited thereto. For example, the channel  12  may extend in both the housing section  34  and the handle  32 . Alternatively, multiple channels  12  may be formed in the body  16  and may be disposed in the housing section  34 , the handle  32  or both. Referring to the embodiments in  FIGS. 1-4 , for example, the handle  32  and the housing section  34  may be substantially axially aligned. In such a configuration, the handle  32  and housing section  34  may be shaped to resemble, for example, a sword or the like, so as to form a novelty sword that provides a visual effect via the illuminating unit  14 . 
     However, the present disclosure is not limited to the configuration described in the embodiments above. For example,  FIGS. 5-8  show alternative configurations of a novelty device  110 . It is understood that features described in the embodiments above may be included in or used together with the embodiments described below. In addition, it is understood that where features similar or identical to those described above are included in the embodiments below, further description may be omitted, and/or similar reference characters may be used. 
       FIGS. 5-7  show the novelty device  110  having an illuminating unit providing examples of different visual effects.  FIG. 8  shows a variation of the novelty device  110  of  FIGS. 5-7 . Referring to  FIGS. 5-7 , the handle  132  and the housing section  134  are formed similarly to the handle  32  and housing section  34  described above, and further description is omitted below. However, in  FIGS. 5-7 , the handle  132  the housing section  134  may be angled relative to one another. That is, the handle  132  and the housing section  134  may extend along respective axes that are angled relative to one another. Accordingly, in such a configuration, the body  16 , i.e., the handle  132  and the housing section  134  may be shaped to resemble, for example, a novelty firearm or the like, that provides a visual effect via the illuminating unit  14 . As described in the embodiments above, the illuminating unit  14  may be controlled by the controller  30  and actuated by the switch  28  to provide different visual effects. 
     Further, referring to  FIG. 8 , it is understood that the handle  132  and housing section  134  are not limited to the configurations above. For example, the housing section  134  may include a channel  12  having one or more open sides  20 , and one or more of the open sides  20  may extend at least partially around a perimeter of the illuminating unit  14 . In addition, the illuminating unit  14  may be formed in shapes different than those described above. For example, the illuminating unit  14  may be substantially square or rectangular in cross-section. 
     The novelty devices  10 ,  110  described above may also include a receptacle configured to receive a power supply, such as a battery or battery pack. The receptacle may include an electrical connection configured to connect the power supply to the controller  30  and illuminating element  24  so that a current may flow therebetween. 
     It is understood that the body  16  is not limited to the shapes and configurations described above and shown in  FIGS. 1-8 . In addition, it is understood that the body  16  is not limited handle and housing section configurations described above, and that in some embodiments, one of the handle or housing section may be omitted. Alternatively, the handle and housing section may be formed as one and the same. For example, in some embodiments, the body  16  may formed substantially in the shape of a wand or a necklace, to form a novelty wand or necklace having an illuminating unit  14  disposed in a channel  12 . Other shapes and configurations for the body  16  are envisioned as well, including but not limited to, shields and pendants for use on a necklaces. 
     Accordingly, in the embodiments above, one or more illuminating elements  24  may be housed in a housing  22  of an illuminating unit  14 . The illuminating unit  14  may be positioned in a channel  12  so that it is recessed in a body  16  of the novelty device, and thus, may be protected from impact with external objects. Further still, a single electrical connection may be made between each of the illuminating unit  14 , controller  30 , switch  28  and/or power supply, which may allow for easier and quicker manufacturing and assembly and reduced material costs. For example, a single electrical connection may be made to the illuminating unit  14 , rather than individual connections for each illuminating element  24  to the controller  30 , switch  28  and/or power supply. 
     It should also be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.