Segmented ball with lighted segments

Abstract

Embodiments of the instant invention include lighted bounceable toys for play and amusement. Such toys or structures can be made in an infinite number of graceful and useful configurations. Exemplary bounceable ball toys include a light assembly having a power source and a plurality of light emitting elements, and a spherical skeletal structure having a plurality of segments. The spherical skeletal structure defines an open interior cavity, and at least some segments of the skeletal structure include a channel opening that faces toward the interior cavity. Light emitting elements transmit light to the channel openings.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A football toy, comprising:
 a first conically shaped end cap comprising a solid surface defining a first hollow chamber, the first conically shaped end cap having a first end cap edge;   a second conically shaped end cap comprising a solid surface defining a second hollow chamber, the second conically shaped end cap having a second end cap edge; and   a skeletal structure defining an open interior cavity, the skeletal structure having a plurality of ribs, wherein:
 the skeletal structure is coupled with the first end cap edge and the second end cap edge, 
 the ball toy has a prolate spheroid shape defined by the first conically shaped end cap, the second conically shaped end cap, and the skeletal structure, and 
 at least a portion of the skeletal structure comprises a channel opening that faces toward the interior cavity. 
   
     
     
         2 . The football toy of  claim 1 , wherein:
 at least some of the plurality of ribs are coupled with both the first conically shaped end cap and the second conically shaped end cap.   
     
     
         3 . The football toy of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the plurality of ribs comprises a plurality of connector ribs extending between the at least some of the plurality of ribs.   
     
     
         4 . The football toy of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the skeletal structure comprises at least one plate.   
     
     
         5 . The football toy of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a light assembly having a power source and a plurality of light emitting diodes, the light assembly being coupled with the skeletal structure.   
     
     
         6 . The football toy of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the light assembly comprises a member selected from the group consisting of a motion sensor and an accelerometer.   
     
     
         7 . The football toy of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a light assembly having a power source and a plurality of light emitting diodes, wherein the skeletal structure comprises at least one plate, and wherein the light assembly directs light toward the at least one plate.   
     
     
         8 . A ball toy, comprising:
 a first conically shaped end cap comprising a solid surface defining a first hollow chamber;   a second conically shaped end cap comprising a solid surface defining a second hollow chamber; and   a skeletal structure having a plurality of ribs, wherein:
 the ball toy has a prolate spheroid shape defined by the first conically shaped end cap, the second conically shaped end cap, and the skeletal structure, 
 at least a portion of the skeletal structure comprises a channel opening that faces toward the interior cavity, and 
 the plurality of ribs comprises a plurality of longitudinal ribs extending between the first conically end cap and the second conically shaped end cap. 
   
     
     
         9 . The football toy of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the skeletal structure comprises at least one plate.   
     
     
         10 . The football toy of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a light assembly having a power source and a plurality of light emitting diodes, the light assembly being coupled with the skeletal structure.   
     
     
         11 . The football toy of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the skeletal structure comprises at least one plate; and   the light assembly directs light toward the at least one plate.   
     
     
         12 . The football toy of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the light assembly comprises a member selected from the group consisting of a motion sensor and an accelerometer.   
     
     
         13 . The football toy of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the plurality of ribs further comprises a plurality of circumferential ribs extending around at least a portion of an outer periphery of the skeletal structure.   
     
     
         14 . A football toy, comprising:
 a first conically shaped end cap comprising a solid surface defining a first hollow chamber;   a second conically shaped end cap comprising a solid surface defining a second hollow chamber; and   a skeletal structure defining an open interior cavity, the skeletal structure comprising:
 a plurality of longitudinal ribs extending between the first conically end cap and the second conically shaped end cap; 
 a plurality of circumferential ribs extending around at least a portion of an outer periphery of the skeletal structure; and 
 at least one plate, wherein:
 the ball toy has a prolate spheroid shape defined by the first conically shaped end cap, the second conically shaped end cap, and the skeletal structure, and 
 at least a portion of the skeletal structure comprises a channel opening that faces toward the interior cavity. 
 
   
     
     
         15 . The football toy of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the first conically shaped end cap and the second conically shaped end cap comprise a plurality of channels that are configured to receive at least a portion of the skeletal structure.   
     
     
         16 . The football toy of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a light assembly having a power source and a plurality of light emitting diodes, the light assembly being coupled with the skeletal structure.   
     
     
         17 . The football toy of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the light assembly directs light toward the at least one plate.   
     
     
         18 . The football toy of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the light assembly comprises a member selected from the group consisting of a motion sensor and an accelerometer.   
     
     
         19 . The football toy of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the light assembly is coupled with the at least one plate.   
     
     
         20 . The football toy of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the plurality of ribs further comprises a plurality of circumferential ribs extending around at least a portion of an outer periphery of the skeletal structure.