Light emitting toy

Abstract

To provide a new spherical light emitting toy which is strong against an impact and can emit light in various luminescent colors.SOLUTION: A light emitting toy 10 including a spherical portion 11 having translucency and a light emitting unit 12 incorporated in the spherical portion 11, wherein the spherical portion 11 is a hollow molded body of a soft material and has a fixing portion for the light emitting unit 12 inside, the light emitting unit 12 has an LED light emitting portion and a power source, and the light emitting unit 12 is fixed to the fixing portion of the spherical portion 11 by a fixing tool.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a light-emitting toy. [Background technology]

[0002] A ball is one of the toys used in various ball games and other recreational activities. Luminous balls are also known for use in dark places or for performances.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a luminous ball characterized by having multiple nuts embedded in the ball body, and bolts with light-transmitting, roughly dome-shaped heads that can be attached and detached to the nuts, with the bolt heads exposed on the surface of the ball, and a hollow with an opening at the bottom end of the bolt provided within the bolt, and a chemical luminescent material can be detachably inserted into the hollow, causing the bolt heads to glow.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a light-emitting ball that houses a light-emitting device inside a hollow sphere and causes the light-emitting device to emit light when subjected to impact or vibration. The light-emitting device comprises a light-emitting element, a battery for driving the light-emitting element, a switch that is activated by impact or vibration, a control circuit that causes the light-emitting element to emit light when the switch is activated, and a circuit board on which these components are mounted, and is enclosed in a spherical case, with each of these parts being supported and fixed by a pressing rib that protrudes from the inner wall of the spherical case. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-17993 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-224420 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Patent Document 1 uses a chemical luminescent material, and emits light only in the color of the inserted chemical luminescent material. Furthermore, once the light has stopped emitting light, the chemical luminescent material must be replaced before reuse. Patent Document 2 requires that the toy be activated by impact or vibration to emit light. Toys are often required to be innovative and new, or to expand the range of environments in which they can be used by providing new functions. In light of this situation, the object of the present invention is to provide a new spherical luminous toy that is shock-resistant and can emit light in a variety of colors. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present inventors have conducted extensive research to solve the above problems and have found that the following inventions meet the above objectives, thereby completing the present invention.

[0008] <1> A light-emitting toy having a translucent spherical portion and a light-emitting unit built into the spherical portion, the spherical portion is a hollow molded body made of a soft material and has a fixing portion for the light-emitting unit inside; the light-emitting unit has an LED light-emitting unit and a power source, A light-emitting toy in which the fixing portion of the spherical portion has two or more columnar portions with holes in the longitudinal direction for each light-emitting unit, and the light-emitting unit is fixed by inserting screws into the holes in the columnar portions. <2> the light-emitting unit has a switch for operating the light emission of the LED light-emitting part, The switch is disposed in a covering portion of the spherical portion that is covered with the soft material. <1> The luminous toy according to claim 1. <3> The light-emitting unit has a case that houses the LED light-emitting unit and the power supply. <1> or <2> The luminous toy according to claim 1. <4> The power source of the light-emitting unit is a rechargeable battery; The power supply connection port of the battery is disposed in the power supply recess of the spherical portion. <1> ~ <3> 10. The light-emitting toy according to any one of the preceding items. <5> The light emitting unit is two or more, and is fixed symmetrically to each other within the spherical portion, or the light emitting unit is one, and a thick portion is provided in the spherical portion at a portion facing the light emitting unit. <1> ~ <4> 10. The light-emitting toy according to any one of the preceding items. <6> The spherical portion has a filler therein. <1> ~ <5> 10. The light-emitting toy according to any one of the preceding items. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The light-emitting toy of the present invention is shock-resistant and can emit light in a variety of colors. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is an image of a manufacturing example of a luminous toy of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is an image of an example of use of the luminous toy of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of an embodiment of a luminous toy of the present invention. [Figure 4] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a hemispherical unit used in the light-emitting toy of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are plan and bottom views of a hemispherical unit used in the light-emitting toy of the present invention. [Figure 6] 10 is an image showing the internal structure of a manufacturing example of a hemispherical unit used in a light-emitting toy of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of another embodiment of the luminous toy of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10 is an image of another example of manufacturing a luminous toy of the present invention. [Figure 9] 10 is an image showing the internal structure of another example of manufacturing a hemispherical unit used in a light-emitting toy of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the luminous toy of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The following describes in detail an embodiment of the present invention, but the following description of the constituent elements is one example (typical example) of an embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following content unless the gist of the present invention is changed. Note that when the expression "to" is used in this specification, it is used as an expression that includes the numerical values ​​before and after it.

[0012] [Luminous toy of the present invention] The light-emitting toy of the present invention is a light-emitting toy having a translucent spherical portion and a light-emitting unit built into the spherical portion, wherein the spherical portion is a hollow molded body made of a soft material and has a fixing portion for the light-emitting unit on the inside, the light-emitting unit has an LED light-emitting portion and a power source, and the light-emitting unit is fixed to the fixing portion of the spherical portion with a fixing device.In this light-emitting toy, the fixing portion of the spherical portion has two or more columnar portions with holes formed in the longitudinal direction for each light-emitting unit, and the light-emitting unit is fixed by inserting screws as fixing devices into the holes in the columnar portions.

[0013] Fig. 1 is an image of a manufacturing example of a luminous toy 10 of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an image of an example of using the luminous toy of Fig. 1. Figs. 3 to 6 are diagrams and images for explaining in more detail the structure of such a luminous toy 10, and are intended to explain a representative internal structure, etc. Figs. 7 to 10 are images and diagrams showing other embodiments of the luminous toy, etc.

[0014] [Luminous Toys 10] FIG. 1(a) is an image of the light-emitting toy 10 as seen from the front. FIG. 1(b) is an image of the light-emitting toy 10 as seen from the bottom. The light-emitting toy 10 is a spherical light-emitting ball. The light-emitting toy 10 can be made to emit light by pressing a switch 411. The light-emitting toy 10 has a charging port 42 and can be made to be rechargeable. On the opposite side of the switch 411 of the light-emitting toy 10 is a switch 412 (see FIG. 2). The light-emitting toy 10 can also be made to emit light in a manner corresponding to the switch 412 by pressing the switch 412.

[0015] Fig. 2 shows the state of use, in which the switch 411 of the light-emitting toy 10 is arranged on the left side and the switch 412 is arranged on the right side. The light-emitting toy 10 has two light-emitting units (see Fig. 3, etc.) arranged symmetrically inside. The switch 411 and the switch 412 correspond to each light-emitting unit, and the light-emitting state of the light-emitting unit can be controlled by the switch.

[0016] In FIG. 2(a), the switch 411 is pressed to cause the light-emitting unit built into the left side of the light-emitting toy 10 in the state of FIG. 2 to emit light in yellow-green. In FIG. 2(b), the light emission in FIG. 2(a) is stopped, and switch 412 is pressed to cause the light-emitting unit built into the right side of the light-emitting toy in the state of FIG. 2 to emit red light. In Figure 2(c), switch 411 is operated to make the left light-emitting unit emit yellow-green light, and switch 412 is operated to make the right light-emitting unit emit red light. Because two different colors are emitted, a mottled pattern is created. 2(d) shows the luminous toy 10 in a luminous state, gripped tightly in the hand. The luminous toy 10 is shock-resistant and does not break even if it is significantly deformed, and can be used while still luminous.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of an embodiment of a light-emitting toy of the present invention. The light-emitting toy 10 has a light-emitting unit 12 built into a spherical portion 11. In the light-emitting toy 10, two light-emitting units 12 are fixed in line symmetry with respect to the equator of the spherical portion 11. When multiple light-emitting units 12 are included, each light-emitting unit may be operated independently or in conjunction with each other. In the light-emitting toy 10, each light-emitting unit 12 can be operated independently. The number of light-emitting units 12 may be three, four, or more.

[0018] In addition, when only one light-emitting unit 12 is used, the hemispherical soft member facing the light-emitting unit 12 can be processed to adjust the weight balance with the light-emitting unit 12. For example, a weight can be attached, or a thick portion can be provided on the hemispherical soft member. The thick portion can be such that the portion facing the light-emitting unit 12 is thickened to adjust the thickness gradually.

[0019] The light-emitting toy 10 is formed into a spherical shape by fitting hemispherical units 21 and 22, each having a light-emitting unit 12 fixed to a hemispherical soft member, and fusing the connecting parts. The hemispherical units 21 and 22 can have substantially the same configuration, and can be combined to form a light-emitting toy.

[0020] [Hemisphere Unit] Fig. 4(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the hemispherical unit 21 as viewed from the left side. Fig. 4(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the hemispherical unit as viewed from the front. Fig. 5(a) is a bottom view of the hemispherical unit 21. Fig. 5(b) is a plan view of the hemispherical unit 21. Fig. 6 is a photograph of a partially cut soft member used for the spherical portion to show the internal structure of a manufacturing example of the hemispherical unit.

[0021] [Semi-spherical soft member 30] The hemispherical soft member 30 is a member used for the portion corresponding to the outer wall of the spherical portion. By fitting the openings of the hemispherical soft member 30 together, the spherical portion 11 can be formed.

[0022] The hemispherical soft member 30 is translucent. Light generated by the light-emitting unit 12 inside the hemispherical soft member 30 passes through the hemispherical soft member 30, causing the light-emitting toy 10 to appear to glow. A semi-transparent material can be used for the hemispherical soft member 30. If the material is semi-transparent, the internal structure cannot be seen through it, and only the light emitted by the light can be seen, making it a more interesting light-emitting object.

[0023] The hemispherical soft member 30 is a molded body made of a soft material. The hemispherical soft member 30 has a bowl-like structure that forms a hollow shape when assembled into a sphere. The thickness of the wall of the hemispherical soft member 30 can be about 0.5 to 3 mm, or about 0.8 to 1.5 mm. For example, silicone resin or polyurethane can be used as the soft material.

[0024] A ball is subjected to a large impact when it is thrown, hit, or hits a wall or floor, etc. The light-emitting toy 10 uses a soft material for the spherical part, and the deformation of this flexible hollow material disperses or absorbs the impact on the circuit board of the built-in light-emitting unit, etc., making it usable as a light-emitting toy that is shock-resistant.

[0025] [Fixing parts 311, 312, 321, 322] The hemispherical soft member 30 has fixing portions 311, 312, 321, and 322 on the inside. The fixing portions 311, 312, 321, and 322 are portions for fixing the light-emitting unit 12. In this way, the hemispherical soft member 20 can have two or more columnar portions serving as fixing portions per light-emitting unit.

[0026] The fixing portions 311, 312 are columnar and are used to fix the inner substrate 51. By making the fixing portions 311, 312 columnar, the inner substrate 51 fixed thereto can be positioned sufficiently away from the surface of the spherical portion 11. As a result, even if the light-emitting toy 10 is significantly deformed due to an impact or the like during use, the impact transmitted to the inner substrate 51 is buffered, thereby preventing damage to the inner substrate 51, etc. The fixing portions 311, 312 can have a length of 10 mm or more, or 12 mm or more. The upper limit of the length depends on the size of the light-emitting toy 10, but can be approximately one-third the diameter of the light-emitting toy 10. In the case of a toy the size of a baseball, the upper limit can be approximately 20 mm or less, or 18 mm or less. The fixing portions 311, 312 have holes near the center along the length direction, into which screws 61, 62 can be inserted for fixation, etc.

[0027] The fixing parts 321, 322 are for fixing the outer substrate 52. The outer substrate 52 is provided with a structure corresponding to operations performed on the surface side of the light-emitting toy 10, and the fixing parts 321, 322 are provided to fix these in position. The fixing parts 321, 322 can be inwardly convex. The fixing parts 321, 322 can have a height of, for example, about 2 to 8 mm, or 3 to 6 mm.

[0028] [Lighting Unit 12] The light-emitting unit 12 is a part that has a mechanism for emitting light inside the light-emitting toy 10. The light-emitting unit 12 has LEDs 541, 542 and a battery 71 that serves as a power source for the LEDs 541, 542. The light-emitting unit 12 may also have an inner substrate 51, an outer substrate 52, a switch 411, and the like that serve as substrates for controlling the light emission of the LEDs 541, 542 and for charging the battery 71.

[0029] [substrate] The inner substrate 51 is a substrate for a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) for mounting the LEDs 541 and 542 and controlling them. The inner substrate 51 is disposed away from the surface of the spherical portion 11 and toward the center of the light-emitting toy 10.

[0030] The outer substrate 52 has a switch 411 and a power supply port 42, and is a substrate for a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) for controlling these. The outer substrate 52 is a substrate corresponding to a structure used for operating the light-emitting toy 10 from the outside, and is located in a position close to the inner surface of the spherical part 11. In the light-emitting toy 10, the light-emitting unit 12 performs calculations to make the LED light up in accordance with the input of the switch 411 and in accordance with the instructions of the control board related to the light-emitting conditions that have been set in advance and stored in the memory unit, and outputs an output to make the LED light up.

[0031] [LED541, 542] The LEDs 541 and 542 can be LEDs of a specific color, full-color LEDs, etc. The LEDs 541 and 542 are provided on the inner substrate 51, and emit light under set conditions through the control and calculation of the inner substrate 51.

[0032] The LEDs 541 and 542 can be configured to emit light in response to the operation of the switch 411. For example, the LEDs can be used to distinguish between long presses, short presses, and continuous presses of the switch 411 as different inputs. When the switch 411 is off, long presses can turn the power on and emit light. When the switch 411 is on, long presses can turn the power off and emit light. When the switch 411 is on, short presses can sequentially change the illumination conditions, such as the color, whether or not the illumination flashes, or the color changes over time. The illumination sequence can be, for example, a pattern such as red → white → light purple → pink → reddish purple → purple → blue → light blue → yellow-green → green → yellow → orange, with the color returning to red after orange.

[0033] [Power supply (battery)] The battery 71 is a power source for the inner substrate 51 and outer substrate 52 that emit light for the LEDs 541 and 542 and perform control and calculations for the light. The battery 71 is electrically connected to the inner substrate 51 via wiring 721 and 722. The inner substrate 51 is connected to the outer substrate 52 via wiring 53. The battery 71 may be rechargeable, and can be charged using a USB cable or the like via the power supply port 42 provided on the outer substrate 52.

[0034] [Switch 411] The light-emitting unit 12 has a switch 411. This switch 411 is disposed in the switch recess 331 of the spherical part 11. By setting the height so that the switch 411 can be accommodated in the recess 331, an input to the light-emitting unit 12 can be made when an intentional operation such as pressing the switch 411 with a finger is performed, and unintentional input when throwing the light-emitting toy 10 is unlikely to occur, and changes in the light emission color can be prevented. The switch 411 can be a pressure-sensitive type or an electrically conductive type.

[0035] The light-emitting toy 10 may perform input and output for controlling light emission by wireless signals using infrared rays, Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), etc. These wireless signal sources may replace the switch 411 or may be used in combination with the switch 411.

[0036] [Power supply port 42] The power supply port 42 is a connection portion for supplying power to the battery 71. The spherical portion 11 is provided with a power supply recess, and the power supply port 42 is arranged so as to be inserted into this power supply recess.

[0037] The light-emitting toy can be as small as a ping-pong ball or as large as a basketball, and can be any size suitable for baseball, tennis, rugby, American football, soccer, golf, volleyball, cricket, etc. A size similar to that of a baseball is particularly preferred, with a circumference of approximately 22 cm to 24 cm. The spherical shape includes spheres and ellipsoids such as prolate spheroids.

[0038] The light-emitting toy may be appropriately covered with leather or resin, or may have letters, figures, etc. printed on it. When covered, it is preferable that the cover has holes in it so that the light-emitting state can be seen.

[0039] [Filling material] The luminous toy may have a filler material inside the spherical portion. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a luminous toy 101 filled with a filler material 81. The luminous toy 10 is hollow and lightweight, so its weight can be adjusted depending on the application. For example, a baseball toy weighs approximately 140g to 150g, so the weight can be adjusted by adding a filler material to fit this standard. Transparent spherical bodies, such as acrylic beads, can be used as the filler material.

[0040] The luminous toy shown in Figures 1 and 2 was manufactured in the shape of a ball with a diameter of approximately 7 cm. This luminous toy could be used in a game of catch or by hitting it against a wall or floor without causing any unintended changes in the luminous color, and it could be used without causing any malfunctions such as the LED breaking and no longer emitting light.

[0041] FIG. 8 is an image of another manufacturing example of a luminous toy of the present invention. The luminous toy of the present invention can be waterproof. The luminous toy 102 of FIG. 8 has a switch 413. This switch 413 is covered with a covering made of a soft material. By pressing the switch 413, the light emitting state of the LED of the built-in light emitting unit can be controlled. Furthermore, since the switch 413 is covered with a soft material, it is waterproof.

[0042] Furthermore, the light-emitting toy 102 employs a waterproof power supply port 421. This allows the light-emitting toy 102 to be used without breaking down even if it gets wet. The power supply port can also be provided with a lid to provide better waterproofing.

[0043] FIG. 9 is an image showing the internal structure of another example of a hemispherical unit used in the light-emitting toy of the present invention. This example uses a light-emitting unit 121. The light-emitting unit 121 is an integrated unit that houses an LED, a battery that serves as a power source, and a circuit board in a case. By fixing this unit to the columnar portion of the hemispherical soft material with screws in two places, the light-emitting unit 121 can be easily handled, efficiently fixed, and made less likely to break down during use. The case can be a molded body made of transparent resin or the like. The case can have openings for screws, a switch, a power supply port, etc.

[0044] 10 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a luminous toy of the present invention. The luminous toy 103 is similar to the luminous toy 10, and has a coiled cable-like string-like member 82 attached. In the luminous toy 103, the push-button switch 414 is covered with a covering portion 34 made of a soft material. The power supply port 42 is covered with a lid portion 43 made of a soft material. Furthermore, a ring-shaped attachment portion 35 is provided on a part of the hemispherical soft member, and a string-like member 82 having a coiled cable-like portion and a ring that serves as a handle is attached to this attachment portion 35. This string-like member 82 can be used to swing or throw the toy, or to retrieve the toy by pulling the string, without directly holding the ball portion. [Industrial Applicability]

[0045] The present invention can be used in toys and is industrially useful. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 10, 101, 102, 103 Luminous toys 11 Spherical part 12, 121 Light-emitting unit 21, 22 Hemisphere Unit 30 Hemispherical soft member 311, 312, 321, 322 Fixing part 331 recess 34 Covering part 35 Mounting part 411, 412, 413, 414 switches 42, 421 Power supply port 43 Lid 51 Inner board 52 Outer board 53 Wiring 541, 542 LEDs 61, 62 Fixtures 71 Batteries 721, 722 wiring 81 Filling material 82 String-like member

Claims

1. A light-emitting toy having a translucent spherical part and a light-emitting unit built into the spherical part, The spherical portion is a hollow molded body made of a soft material and has a fixing portion for the light-emitting unit on its inside. The light-emitting unit comprises an LED light-emitting section and a power supply. The fixing portion of the spherical part has two or more columnar parts with holes in the longitudinal direction for each light-emitting unit, and the light-emitting unit is fixed by screws inserted from holes provided on the inside of the spherical part of the columnar part toward the wall side of the spherical part. Light-up toy.

2. The columnar portion is positioned between the wall of the spherical portion and the light-emitting unit, and the wall of the spherical portion and the LED light-emitting portion of the light-emitting unit are separated. The light-emitting toy according to claim 1, wherein the soft material is a soft material made of silicone resin or polyurethane, and the wall of the spherical part is 0.5 to 3 mm thick.

3. The light-emitting unit has a switch for controlling the light emission of the LED light-emitting section, The light-emitting toy according to claim 1, wherein the switch is arranged on the covering portion of the spherical part that is covered with the soft material.

4. The light-emitting toy according to claim 1, wherein the light-emitting unit has a case that houses the LED light-emitting part and the power supply.

5. The power source for the light-emitting unit is a rechargeable battery, The light-emitting toy according to claim 1, wherein the power supply connection port of the battery is located in the power supply recess of the spherical part.

6. The light-emitting units are fixed in two or more symmetrically within the spherical portion, or The light-emitting toy according to claim 1, wherein there is one light-emitting unit, and the portion of the spherical part facing the light-emitting unit has a thickened portion.

7. The light-emitting toy according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the spherical part has a filler material inside.

Images