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[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/173,759, filed Dec. 30, 1999, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0002] This invention relates to amusement and specialty advertising devices and, more particularly, to flashing balls.
[0003] Numerous illuminated balls of one type or another have been designed over the years, as exemplified by the balls disclosed in the following patents:
Patent No. Inventor Issue Date 2,020,484 Turner Nov. 12, 1935 3,351,347 Smith et al. Nov. 7, 1967 3,580,575 Speeth May 25, 1971 3,610,916 Meehan Oct. 5, 1971 3,804,411 Hendry Apr. 16, 1974 4,479,649 Newcomb et al. Oct. 30, 1984 5,066,011 Dykstra et al. Nov. 19, 1991 5,228,686 Maleyko Jul. 20, 1993 5,236,383 Connelly Aug. 17, 1993 5,388,825 Myers et al. Feb. 14, 1995 5,490,047 O'Rourke et al. Feb. 6, 1996 5,725,445 Kennedy et al. Mar. 10, 1998 5,779,575 Hsieh Jul. 14, 1998 5,924,942 Gentile Jul. 20, 1999 6,042,487 Schrimmer et al. Mar. 28, 2000
[0004] For promotional purposes among others, it is desirable to have printed indicia of one kind or another on a ball, such as a logo, company name, advertising slogan, inspirational message or other information. Illumination, especially with flashing action, attracts attention to the ball and thus to the advertising or other information on the ball. However, ball materials that are desirable for meeting design specifications such as desired bounce characteristics, durability, weight and feel are often incompatible with printing inks. Some synthetic rubber compositions, in particular, do not exhibit good ink retention. With some combinations of ink composition and ball material, it is impossible to obtain even short-term ink retention. With others, the ink is apparently indelible but wears off quickly. Thus, a need exists for more innovative ways to obtain good ink retention without compromising the performance characteristics of the ball.
[0005] In addition, while simple flashing naturally attracts attention to a degree, there remains a need for innovative ways to attract and hold attention. Alternate flashing of lights, such as shown in the above-referenced Kennedy et al. patent, is helpful in this regard. However, more attention-getting visual effects are still desired.
[0006] The present invention provides, as one aspect thereof, a flashing ball comprising a hollow inner ball, at least partially translucent, containing a flasher circuit including an inertial switch, a pulse generator having an input connected to the inertial switch, and a plurality of spaced light sources connected to the pulse generator. An outer ball, at least partially translucent, covers the inner ball. The pulse generator includes means for supplying pulses to said light sources in alternating pulse bursts.
[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, a flashing ball comprises a hollow inner ball as described above and an outer ball, at least partially translucent, covering the inner ball, one of the inner and outer balls having a roughened surface adapted to enhance ink retention and bearing printed indicia on the roughened surface.
[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is a flashing ball comprising a hollow inner ball containing a motion-activated flasher circuit and bearing printed indicia on the outer surface of the inner ball, and a transparent spherical outer ball molded over the inner ball.
[0009] The present invention also provides a method of enhancing the visual impact of an illuminated ball. The method comprises providing a plurality of spaced light sources in a hollow inner ball that is at least partially translucent, covering the inner ball with an outer ball that is at least partially translucent, and supplying pulses to the light sources in alternating pulse bursts.
[0010]
[0011]
[0012]
[0013]
[0014]
[0015]
[0016]
[0017]
[0018]
[0019] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
[0020] Referring to
[0021] The spaced arrangement of the LEDs combines with the above-described flash sequence to produce a startling visual effect. The effect is believed to be more attention-getting than that of a single flashing LED or even a pair of alternately flashing LEDs which provide alternating single flashes rather than alternating flash bursts as in the present invention. Center-to-center spacing of approximately 10-15 mm has been found suitable for producing the desired effect.
[0022] A suitable IC is a type Al615-A one-shot IC, commercially available from Allegro Electronics Ltd., Kwaichung, N.T. Hong Kong. A suitable LED is a Sunscreen type L53SRCU red LED. The LED anodes may be connected together as shown and connected to the positive terminal of the battery through a current-limiting resistor R
[0023] The button cells are held in position by support posts
[0024] Switch
[0025] The outer ball is composed of a thermosetting resin such as cis-butadiene rubber and dicumyl peroxide, with an outer diameter of approximately 50 mm, and the hollow inner ball is molded acrylic or polycarbonate with an outer diameter of approximately 30 mm as shown in the scale drawings. Other ball sizes are also contemplated, including, for example, a 60 mm ball with a 40 mm inner ball. One example of a suitable outer ball material is cis-1,4-polybutadiene rubber. The hardness of the outer ball is in the range of 30-70 durometer in one embodiment, and in the range of 35-55 durometer in another embodiment. The outer ball is initially formed as two uncured hemispheres of desired wall thickness, each having a center recess sized to receive the inner ball. The inner ball is enclosed within the two hemispheres and sealed therein by oven curing at approximately 400° F. for approximately 30 minutes with the two hemispheres held together.
[0026] The inner and outer balls may both be transparent, or both translucent, or one may be transparent and the other translucent. Both balls are transparent in one embodiment in which the outer surface of the outer ball is treated to facilitate application of printing ink. The treatment may include an ultrasonic wash for approximately 15 minutes, for example. The outer surface is preferably roughened by means of bead blasting. A desired logo, company name, advertising slogan or other information is then printed on the roughened surface, e.g., by pad printing and heat curing of the ink for approximately 1 hour at 120° F. It has been found suitable for such purposes to bead blast a circular area on the surface having a diameter approximately three-fourths that of the outer ball. Alternatively, a roughened outer surface may be provided by the mold itself. A suitable ink for such purposes includes type “WNT” ink and BH hardener available from Trans Tech America, Inc., Carol Stream, Ill., mixed with two adhesive components in the following percentages by weight:
INGREDIENT CONCENTRATION Type “WNT” ink 78% BH Hardener 8% Devcon rubber adhesive 7% Pliobond contact adhesive 7%
[0027] Alternatively, a desired logo, etc., may be printed on the outer surface of the hollow inner ball. The outer ball is transparent while the inner ball hemispheres are preferably molded of translucent polycarbonate rather than transparent polycarbonate or other suitable material to provide desired contrast for the printing on its surface. A light color is preferred for the inner ball to provide contrast for black or other dark color ink, and a white matte finish is particularly desirable. The desired surface finish is provided in the molding process itself or by subsequently roughening the outer surface of the ball, e.g., by bead blasting, tumbling or sanding with, e.g., 400-800 grade sandpaper. In one particular example, the outer surface of the inner ball is roughened with #240 quartz in a tumbler for approximately 25 minutes. This surface treatment has been found to enhance ink retention, increase the adhesion of molded synthetic rubber to the inner ball, and avoid discoloration believed to be caused by air trapped during the molding process. The ink is applied and heat cured as described above.
[0028]
[0029] Referring now to
[0030] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention.