Flashing ball

Abstract

A flashing ball comprising a motion-activated flasher circuit within a hollow translucent or transparent inner ball bearing printed indicia on its outer surface and covered by a translucent or transparent spherical outer ball. The outer surface of the inner ball is roughened in one embodiment to enhance ink retention. The flasher circuit includes means for supplying pulses to a plurality of spaced light sources in alternating pulse bursts, and the ball is adapted to produce a flashing ring of light at its periphery in response to light generated by the light sources.

We claim:  
     
         1 . 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 said inertial switch, and a plurality of spaced light sources connected to said pulse generator; and    an outer ball, at least partially translucent, covering said inner ball,    wherein said pulse generator includes means for supplying pulses to said light sources in alternating pulse bursts.    
     
     
         2 . The flashing ball of    claim 1   , wherein said outer ball is transparent, and wherein said flashing ball is adapted to produce a flashing ring of light at its periphery in response to light generated by said light sources in response to said alternating pulse bursts.  
     
     
         3 . The flashing ball of    claim 2   , wherein said flasher circuit includes an opaque circuit board and a pair of LEDs spaced apart from each in the plane of the board by approximately 10-15 mm.  
     
     
         4 . 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 said inertial switch, and a plurality of spaced light sources connected to said pulse generator; and    an outer ball, at least partially translucent, covering said inner ball,    one of said inner and outer balls having a roughened surface adapted to enhance ink retention and bearing printed indicia on said roughened surface.    
     
     
         5 . The flashing ball of    claim 4   , wherein said inner ball is made of rigid plastic and said outer ball is thermosetting resin molded over said inner ball, and wherein said roughened outer surface is on said inner ball.  
     
     
         6 . The flashing ball of    claim 4   , wherein said inner ball is made of rigid plastic and said outer ball is thermosetting resin molded over said inner ball, and wherein said roughened outer surface is on said outer ball.  
     
     
         7 . The flashing ball of    claim 6   , wherein said outer surface includes a roughened portion and a smooth portion.  
     
     
         8 . A flashing ball, comprising: 
 a hollow inner ball containing a motion-activated flasher circuit and bearing printed indicia on the outer surface of said inner ball; and    a transparent spherical outer ball molded over said inner ball.    
     
     
         9 . The flashing ball of    claim 8   , wherein said inner ball is made of rigid plastic and said outer ball is made of thermosetting resin.  
     
     
         10 . The flashing ball of    claim 9   , wherein said outer ball is made of cis-butadiene rubber.  
     
     
         11 . A method of enhancing the visual impact of an illuminated ball, comprising: 
 providing a plurality of spaced light sources in a hollow inner ball that is at least partially translucent;    covering said inner ball with an outer ball that is at least partially translucent; and    supplying pulses to said light sources in alternating pulse bursts.    
     
     
         12 . The method of    claim 11   , further comprising: 
 providing at least a partial barrier for blocking light transmission through the center of said inner ball from at least one of said light sources; and    maintaining a path for light transmission from said at least one light source around said light barrier through said outer ball,    whereby a flashing ring of light appears at the periphery of said illuminated ball in response to light generated by said at least one light source in response to pulse bursts supplied thereto.