ILLUMINATED TOSS BAGS

Abstract

An illuminated toss bag includes an outer shell configured to form a toss bag defining an internal portion for receiving and retaining filling material; one or more illuminating portions disposed within the internal portion; and a hidden enclosing feature disposed along a seam of outer shell of the toss bag selectively providing access to the internal portion of the toss bag, wherein the filling material comprises a semi-transparent pellet shaped material, the one or more illuminating portions comprise a housing enclosing a power source, one or more illumination sources, and at least one switch, and the at least one switch controls operation of the one or more illumination sources, when the at least one switch is depressed for at least one second.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/350,709 filed Jun. 9, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present specification relates to illumination devices, and more specifically to illumination devices for illuminating toss bags for bean bag toss games such as Cornhole.

BACKGROUND

Cornhole and other toss bag games are popular outdoor activities for picnics, tailgating, and even competition. Partaking in the games can be limited by daylight or external lighting available after the sun sets. There is a desire to improve the after-dusk enjoyment of games involving toss bags.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, an illuminated toss bag includes an outer shell configured to form a toss bag defining an internal portion for receiving and retaining filling material; one or more illuminating portions disposed within the internal portion; and a hidden enclosing feature disposed along a seam of outer shell of the toss bag selectively providing access to the internal portion of the toss bag, wherein the filling material comprises a semi-transparent pellet shaped material, the one or more illuminating portions comprise a housing enclosing a power source, one or more illumination sources, and at least one switch, and the at least one switch controls operation of the one or more illumination sources, when the at least one switch is depressed for at least one second.

In another embodiment, an illuminated toss bag includes an outer shell configured to form a toss bag defining an internal portion for receiving and retaining filling material; one or more illumination sources coupled to a perimeter of the outer shell of the toss bag; and an electronics module comprising a power source and a switch configured to control operation of the one or more illumination sources, the electronics module electrically coupled to the one or more illumination sources.

In another embodiment, an illuminated toss bag includes an outer shell configured to form a toss bag defining an internal portion for receiving and retaining filling material; one or more illuminating portions disposed within the internal portion; one or more illumination sources coupled to a perimeter of the outer shell of the toss bag; an electronics module comprising a power source and a switch configured to control operation of the one or more illumination sources, the electronics module electrically coupled to the one or more illumination sources, wherein the filling material comprises a semi-transparent pellet shaped material, the one or more illuminating portions comprise a housing enclosing a second power source, one or more light sources, and at least one switch, and the at least one switch controls operation of the one or more light sources, when the at least one switch is depressed for at least one second.

These and additional features provided by the embodiments described herein will be more fully understood in view of the following detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by the claims. The following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals.

FIG. 1A depicts an illustrative view of an illuminated toss bag, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 1B depicts another illustrative view of the illuminated toss bag, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative view of an illuminating portion of the illuminated toss bag, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 3 depicts an exploded component view of the illuminating portion of the illuminated toss bag, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 4A depicts bottom portion of a housing of the illuminating portion, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 4B depicts top portion of a housing of the illuminating portion, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 5A depicts an illustrative view of the illuminated toss bag having welt seam illumination, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 5B depicts another illustrative view of the illuminated toss bag having welt seam illumination, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative view of an electronics module for the illuminated toss bag having welt seam illumination, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative breakout view of the components of the welt seam illumination, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 8 depicts another illustrative breakout view of the components of the welt seam illumination, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 9A depicts an illustrative assembly of the welt seam illumination on the illuminated toss bag, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 9B depicts another illustrative assembly of the welt seam illumination on the illuminated toss bag, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 9C depicts another illustrative assembly of the welt seam illumination on the illuminated toss bag, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 10A depicts an illustrative assembly of the welt seam illumination connected to the electronics module for the illuminated toss bag, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 10B depicts another illustrative assembly of the welt seam illumination connected to the electronics module for the illuminated toss bag, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 11 depicts an illustrative view of the illuminated toss bag when illuminated, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 12A depicts an illustrative example of the illuminated toss bag in an illuminated state implementing a light-diffusing fiber illumination source, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 12B depicts an illustrative example of the illuminated toss bag in an illuminated state implementing a rope-light type illumination source, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 13A depicts an illustrative example of the illuminated toss bag in an illuminated state implementing one or more types of illumination sources, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 13B depicts an illustrative example of the illuminated toss bag in an illuminated state implementing a plurality of illuminating sources within the illuminated toss bag, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 14A depicts an illustrative example of the illuminated toss bag pouch, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 14B depicts an open view of the illuminated toss bag pouch, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 15 depicts an illustrative example of an illuminated toss bag having a first design on the toss bag; according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 16 depicts an illustrative example of an illuminated toss bag having a second design on the toss bag; according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; and

FIG. 17 depicts an illustrative example of an illuminated toss bag having a third design on the toss bag; according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

References will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, like reference numbers will be used to refer to like components or parts.

Embodiments described herein are directed to providing illuminated toss bags for toss bag games such as Cornhole. The figures depict various designs and components of the toss bags described herein. In one embodiment, the toss bag may include an illumination device enclosed within the toss bag. When the illumination device is turned on, the toss bag glows. The illumination device may cause the toss bag to glow one of several different colors, including but not limited to red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, or white. The illumination device may be an LED type light source that is powered by one or more coin cell type batteries. The illumination device may be turned on/off or selectively switched between modes through a push button switch that is activated by compressing a portion of the illumination device through the toss bag. In some embodiments, the illumination device may cause the toss bag to glow in a steady state or morph between a sequence of colors. Additionally, the illumination device may include a timer circuit that automatically deactivates the illumination source after a predefined amount of time.

In some embodiments, the toss bag may include an illumination device that is formed with the seams of the toss bag. For example, as depicted and described herein with at least reference to FIGS. 5A-11, a clear or semi-transparent tube may be stitched into the welt line of the toss bag. A string LED illumination source, a rope light, or the like may be disposed within the clear or semi-transparent tube such that the edges of the toss bag are illuminated when the illumination device is activated. A power module and control circuit may be attached to the illumination source and disposed within the toss bag. Similar to the above described embodiment, the string LED illumination source may illuminate in a variety of colors and in one or more different modes.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B a front and back view of an illuminated toss bag 10 is depicted. The toss bags described herein may be any type of toss bag comprising an outer shell 12, 14 for containing beans, beads, pellets, corn, or the like. For example, but without limitation a regulation Cornhole bag, which is a type of toss bag, is a 6 in×6 in. The outer shell 12, 14 comprises a 12 ounce duck cloth bag that is filled with 16 ounces of (1 pound) of corn. This is merely one example of a specification for the toss bag 10. The outer shell of the toss bag 10 can comprises one or more type of fabric including but not limited to polyester, nylon, canvas, cotton, duck cloth, or the like. The outer shell 12, 14 of the toss bag 10 is configured to transmit light from an illuminating portion disposed within the toss bag 10. For example, the outer shell 12, 14 may be a white, off-white, or semi-transparent material. In some embodiments, the outer shell 12, 14 includes a pigment causing light emitted from an illuminating portion within the toss bag to appear the color of the pigment. The outer shell 12, 14 may be formed from one or more pieces of material that are stitched or otherwise fastened together.

The toss bag 10 is filled with, for example, but not limited to beans, beads, pellets (e.g., plastic, resin, metal, fiber or the like), corn, or the like. The filling material of the toss bag 10 may be plastic material such as ABS, acetal, polypropylene, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high impact polystyrene (HIPS), or other like material. The filling material is formed in the shape of relatively small pellets having the size of about a kernel of corn, a lintel bean, a pinto bean, or the like. The filling material selected for the toss bag 10 may be clear, translucent, or semi-transparent. The filling material may be textured to have a diffused surface such that light refracts and/or reflects off the surface of the filling material. The filling material may be colored material. For example, the filling material may be colored, red, blue, green, yellow, orange, purple, or other color so that light, for example, white light from an illumination source disposed within the toss bag 10 appears to the color of the filling material.

FIG. 1A depicts the toss bag 10 from a first side and FIG. 1B depicts the toss bag from a second side. On a first side, one or more patterns 16 may be embroidered, adhered, or otherwise represented thereon. The one or more patterns may be graphical in nature and colored to indicate a team set of toss bags. For example, one set of toss bags 10, for example a count of four for Cornhole, may have a blue pattern and a second set of toss bags may have a red pattern to indicate which bags belong to each team. In some embodiments, allocation of toss bags 10 to the teams may independently or separately indicated by the color of the light illuminating from the toss bag 10. FIG. 1B depicts a second side of the toss bag 10 which may also have one or more patterns 18 that are the same or different from the one or more patterns 16 on the first side of the toss bag 10. The one or more patterns 18 on the second side of the toss bag may be a logo or other pattern.

Referring now to FIG. 2 an illuminating portion 20 is depicted. The illuminating portion 20 depicted in FIG. 2 is design to be disposed within the toss bag 10 with the filling material. One or more of illuminating portions 20 can be disposed within the toss bag 10. The inner side of the outer shell 12, 14 of the toss bag may include a pocket, pouch, or sleeve for holding the illuminating portion 20. However, this is not a requirement. The illuminating portion 20 may be formed using a silicone, rubber-like, or malleable plastic material for the housing so that the illuminating portion 20 can take impacts from the toss bag 10 being thrown and landing on a hard surface such as the ground or a game board. In some embodiments, the housing may comprise a combination of rigid and pliable materials. For example, rigid materials may provide structure and shape to the housing, while pliable materials can be arranged so that one or more switches (e.g., 29, FIG. 3) disposed within the housing can be actuated without opening the housing.

FIG. 3 depicts an exploded component view of the illuminating portion 20 of the toss bag 10. The housing may include two portions, a top portion 22 and a bottom portion 24, which when mated together define an enclosure therein for retaining an electronics module. The top portion 22 and the bottom portion 24 of the housing are coupled together using an interference fit or clip 25. An adhesive or ultrasonic weld may further be implemented to further secure the top portion 22 and the bottom portion 24 of the housing together.

The electronics module includes a circuit board assembly 26. The circuit board assembly 26 is a printed circuit board 27 electrically and mechanically coupling one or more illumination sources 29, one or more switches 28A, 28B, and one or more power sources 30 together. The circuit board assembly 26 includes a plurality of electrical components configured to provide power from the one or more power sources 30 to the one or more illumination sources 29 in response to activation of the one or more switches 28A, 28B.

The one or more switches 28A, 28B may be a push button whereby sequential operation of the push button causes the one or more illumination sources 29 to output light at a corresponding power level, cycle through one or more colors, flash or strobe, or deactivate. For example, a first press of the button causes the one or more illumination sources 29 to provide light and a second press of the button causes the one or more illumination sources 29 to turn off. In embodiments, to activate (e.g., turn ON) the one or more illumination sources 29 a press and hold of the one or more switches 28A, 28B is required. Similarly, to deactivate (e.g., turn OFF) the one or more illumination sources 29 a press and hold of the one or more switches 28A, 28B is required. The press and hold operation may require a user to press and hold for about 1 second, about 2 seconds, about 3 seconds, or more to initiate an operation in response to the press and hold of the one or more switches 28A, 28B. The press and hold activation and deactivation functionality prevents inadvertent activation or deactivation of the one or more illumination sources 29 from occurring, for example, in response to an impact of the toss bag 10 on a playing surface. Additionally, rapid successive clicks (e.g., two or more sequential clicks) of the one or more switches 28A, 28B, once activated, can change the mode in which the one or more illumination sources 29 provide light. The one or more illumination sources 29 may be configured to morph through a predefined sequence of colors or remain illuminated on one selected color. As used herein, the term morph refers to a gradual transition over time from one color and/or brightness to another color and/or brightness.

In some embodiments, the illumination portion 20 includes two or more switches 28A, 28B. In such embodiments, to cause an operation such as activating or deactivating the one or more illumination sources 29, at least two of the two or more switches 28A, 28B must be activated at the same instance in time or over the same duration of time. Accordingly, activation of only one switch, for example, in response to an impact of the toss bag 10 with a surface, will not cause an operation to occur.

It should be understood that the order of button presses described here are not limited to only these examples. Other combinations and functions may be implemented. Furthermore, in some embodiments, depressing and holding the button for a predefined period of time causes the one or more illumination sources 29 to change operating modes, such as flashing to steady, one to off, a first color to a second color, or the like.

The one or more illumination sources 29 include white light emitting diodes (LEDs) and/or RGBW LEDs.

The one or more power sources 30 may be a primary or secondary battery. For example, the one or more power sources 30 may be one or more coin cell batteries (e.g., CR2016, CR2032, or the like) electrically connected together and mechanically attached to the printed circuit board through a conductive battery holder.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, bottom and top portions of the housing are illustrated. The bottom potion 24, shown in FIG. 4A, includes interference features or clips 25 for receiving and retaining a connection to the top portion 22 of the housing, shown in FIG. 4B. The bottom potion 24 further include one or more internal structural features for positioning and securing the electronics module. The top portion 22 includes a lens 23 which is configured to redirect light from the one or more illumination sources 29 throughout the illuminating portion 20. The top portion 22 and the bottom portion 24 of the housing are made of translucent, transparent, or semi-transparent so that light provided by the one or more illumination sources 29 may be channeled through the housing. The transparent or semi-transparent nature of the housing material also operates as a light pipe that channels light from the one or more illumination sources 29 throughout the body of the housing and outwardly in many directions from the housing so that the toss bag 10 may be illuminated.

It should be understood that aspects described and depicted herein with reference to FIGS. 1-4B refer generally to illumination of an illuminated toss bag 10 from within the toss bag 10. However, illumination of the toss bag 10 is not limited to illumination sources provided within the toss bag 10. In some embodiments the illuminated toss bag may further include illumination sources disposed about the perimeter of the toss bag as will be depicted and described with reference to at least FIGS. 5-11. It is understood that aforementioned aspects of the toss bag are the same or similar to those which will now be discussed with reference to at least FIGS. 5-11. Furthermore, in some embodiments the illuminated toss bag may be provided with illumination sources within the toss bag, about the perimeter of the toss bag, and/or a combination of both.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, an illuminated toss bag 50 having welt seam illumination is depicted. Welt seam illumination, as used herein, refers to illumination sources that are constructed with the perimeter of the toss bag 50. Welt seam illumination, as discussed herein, includes one or more illumination sources stitched or otherwise connected to the perimeter of the toss bag. For example, a tube 54 can be stitched into the welt seam of the outer shell 52 of the toss bag 50. The tube 54 is configured to receive within the tube 54 one or more illumination sources 55. The one or more illumination sources 55 may include, but not limited to, microwire LEDs, LED strip lights, rope LEDs, optical fiber LEDs, light-diffusing fiber (e.g., Fibrance®), or a combination of other light sources. The one or more illumination sources 55, when activated, provide a glow of light that illuminates at least the perimeter of the toss bag 50.

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative view of an electronics module for the illuminated toss bag having welt seam illumination. The electronics module 60 includes a housing for retaining a circuit board assembly such as a printed circuit board that electrically and mechanically couples, one or more switches 62, one or more power sources 64 and the one or more illumination sources optionally via a wire 66 extending from the electronics module, together. The electronics module 60, although depicted external to the toss bag in FIG. 6, is disposed within the toss bag 50. The one or more switches control activation and deactivation of the one or more illumination sources 55. The one or more power sources 64 may be one or more coin cell batteries (e.g., CR2016, CR2032, or the like) or other form factor of primary or secondary battery. The electronics module 60 may include circuitry which causes the one or more illumination sources 55 to operate in a predefined manner. For example, the one or more illumination sources 55 may be configured to illuminate in a chasing pattern, blinking pattern, color morphing mode, brightness morphing mode, steady state, or other mode.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, illustrative examples of the tube 54 and the one or more illumination sources 55 disposed therein are depicted. The tube 54 may be a clear, translucent, or semi-transparent material that is flexible. For example, the tube 54 may be made of a material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or similar material. The tube 54 includes an opening 54A that defines a central portion of the tube 54. The one or more illumination sources 55 (e.g., connected together with one or more wires 55A) are disposed within the opening 54A of the tube 54. The tube 54 further includes a flange 54B which extends tangentially from an outer perimeter of the opening 54A of the tube 54. The flange 54B may include one or more slotted portions 54C which enable the tube 54 to remain flexible along the length of the flange 54B. The flange 54B operates as a structural feature that enables the tube 54 to be stitched or otherwise attached with the outer shell 52 of the toss bag 50.

Referring now to FIGS. 9A-9C, different variations of attaching the tube 54 to with the outer shell 52 of the toss bag 50 are depicted. For example, in FIG. 9A, the tube extends around all four sides and corners of the toss bag 50. However, in some embodiments, depending on how large of a tube 54 that is used, “rounding” the corners of the toss bag 50 with the tube 54 can create bunching or reliability issues. To address such potential issues, in some embodiments, for example, as depicted in FIGS. 9B and 9C, the tube 54 may be discontinued near the corner or be routed into the toss bag 50 to traverse the corner of the toss bag 50. In some embodiments, there may be four distinct sections of tube 54 connected to the toss bag 50; one along each side of the toss bag 50. The wire 55A of the one or more illumination sources 55 may traverse the corners of the toss bag 50 by entering and exiting the internal portion of the toss bag 50 as depicted by portion 57 in FIG. 9B and portion 58 in FIG. 9C.

Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, additional examples of the arrangement of coupling the one or more illumination sources 55 to the toss bag are depicted. In some embodiments, the one or more illumination sources 55 may comprises an optical fiber LED or light-diffusing fiber that may not require a tube 54 to be attached to the toss bag 50. For example, loops of stitching may be utilized to secure lengths of the one or more illumination sources 55 to the perimeter of the toss bag 50.

Additionally, the toss bag 50 includes a hidden enclosing feature 56, for example, a hidden zipper, Velcro, buttons, snaps, or the like. The hidden enclosing feature 56 may be formed with a seam of the toss bag 50. The hidden enclosing feature 56 provides a user access to the inside of the toss bag 50, which may be needed to turn ON or OFF the one or more illumination sources 55, change the one or more power sources 64, and/or insert or remove other illuminating portions 20 from the inside of the toss bag 50.

FIG. 11 depicts an example illustration of an illuminated toss bag 50 illuminated with string-type lights (e.g., the one or more illumination sources 55) disposed within a tube 54 connected to the outer shell 52 of the toss bag 50. FIG. 12A provides an illustrative example of a plurality of toss bags 50A illuminated using one or more illumination sources 55 comprising an optical fiber LED or light-diffusing fiber. With such implementations of the one or more illumination sources 55 it is possible to create an even or generally even appearance of light along the length of the one or more illumination sources 55. FIG. 12B provides an illustrative example of a plurality of toss bags 50B illuminated using one or more illumination sources 55 comprising string-type lights.

FIG. 13A provides an illustrative example of a plurality of toss bags 10 illuminated using one or more illumination sources 55 comprising an optical fiber LED or light-diffusing fiber and which includes one or more illuminating portions disposed within the toss bag 10. FIG. 13B provides an illustrative example of a plurality of toss bags 10 illuminated using a plurality of illuminating portions disposed within the toss bag 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 14A and 14B, an illustrative example of the illuminated toss bag pouch is depicted. Toss bags are filled with a filling material. However, in some embodiments, a user may already own a set of toss bags and desire to convert the toss bags to an illuminated version. Alternatively, a user may desire the ability to customize the type of filling material and/or weight of the filling material in their toss bags. As such, some embodiments of the illuminated toss bag may be configured as merely illuminated toss bag punches having a hidden enclosing feature 56 that provides access to the internal portion of the toss bag 50. The user may add, subtract, or exchange filling material 70 from the toss bag 50 through the hidden enclosing feature 56. The filling material 70 may be another enclosed toss bag that can be inserted into the toss bag 50 through the hidden enclosing feature 56 thereby converting a conventional toss bag into an illuminated toss bag 50.

FIGS. 15-17 provide additional illustrative examples of toss bags 50 having a variety of patterns disposed on the outer shell of the toss bag and illuminated by an illumination source around the perimeter of the toss bag 50 and/or illuminating portions disposed within the toss bag 50.

Implementation examples are described in the following numbered clauses:

Clause 1: An illuminated toss bag, comprising an outer shell configured to form a toss bag defining an internal portion for receiving and retaining filling material; one or more illuminating portions disposed within the internal portion; and a hidden enclosing feature disposed along a seam of outer shell of the toss bag selectively providing access to the internal portion of the toss bag, wherein the filling material comprises a semi-transparent pellet shaped material, the one or more illuminating portions comprise a housing enclosing a power source, one or more illumination sources, and at least one switch, and the at least one switch controls operation of the one or more illumination sources, when the at least one switch is depressed for at least one second.

Clause 2: The illuminated toss bag of Clause 1, wherein a plurality of illuminating portions are disposed within the internal portion of the toss bag.

Clause 3: The illuminated toss bag of any preceding Clauses 1-2, wherein the at least one switch is depressed for greater than two seconds.

Clause 4: The illuminated toss bag of any preceding Clauses 1-3, wherein the one or more illumination sources comprises a white light source.

Clause 5: The illuminated toss bag of any preceding Clauses 1-4, wherein the one or more illumination sources comprises a multi-colored light source.

Clause 6: The illuminated toss bag of any preceding Clauses 1-5, wherein the one or more illumination sources comprises a white light source and the filling material is a colored material comprising a non-white color.

Clause 7: The illuminated toss bag of any preceding Clauses 1-6, wherein the filling material comprises a diffused texture.

Clause 8: The illuminated toss bag of any preceding Clauses 1-7, wherein the one or more illumination sources comprises a multi-colored light source and the filling material comprises a diffused texture.

Clause 9: The illuminated toss bag of any preceding Clauses 1-8, wherein the outer shell comprises a translucent material.

Clause 10: The illuminated toss bag of any preceding Clauses 1-9, wherein the outer shell comprises one or more patterns disposed on a surface of the outer shell.

Clause 11: The illuminated toss bag of any preceding Clauses 1-10, wherein the at least one switch comprises two or more switches and control operation of the one or more illumination sources when at least two of the two or more switches are depressed during a same interval of time.

Clause 12: An illuminated toss bag, comprising: an outer shell configured to form a toss bag defining an internal portion for receiving and retaining filling material; one or more illumination sources coupled to a perimeter of the outer shell of the toss bag; and an electronics module comprising a power source and a switch configured to control operation of the one or more illumination sources, the electronics module electrically coupled to the one or more illumination sources.

Clause 13: The illuminated toss bag of Clause 12, further comprising a tube stitched to the outer shell of the toss bag, wherein the one or more illumination sources are disposed within the tube.

Clause 14: The illuminated toss bag of any preceding Clauses 12-13, wherein the one or more illumination sources comprises a plurality of light sources connected together along a length of wire.

Clause 15: The illuminated toss bag of any preceding Clauses 12-14, wherein the one or more illumination sources comprises a light-diffusing fiber.

Clause 16: The illuminated toss bag of any preceding Clauses 12-15, further comprising one or more illuminating portions disposed within the internal portion, wherein the one or more illuminating portions comprise a housing enclosing a second power source, one or more light sources, and at least one switch, and the at least one switch controls operation of the one or more light sources, when the at least one switch is depressed.

Clause 17: The illuminated toss bag of Clause 16, wherein the at least one switch is depressed for at least one second.

Clause 18: An illuminated toss bag, comprising: an outer shell configured to form a toss bag defining an internal portion for receiving and retaining filling material; one or more illuminating portions disposed within the internal portion; one or more illumination sources coupled to a perimeter of the outer shell of the toss bag; an electronics module comprising a power source and a switch configured to control operation of the one or more illumination sources, the electronics module electrically coupled to the one or more illumination sources, wherein the filling material comprises a semi-transparent pellet shaped material, the one or more illuminating portions comprise a housing enclosing a second power source, one or more light sources, and at least one switch, and the at least one switch controls operation of the one or more light sources, when the at least one switch is depressed for at least one second.

Clause 19: The illuminated toss bag of Clause 18, further comprising a tube stitched to the outer shell of the toss bag, wherein: the one or more illumination sources are disposed within the tube, and the one or more illumination sources comprises a plurality of light sources connected together along a length of wire.

Clause 20: The illuminated toss bag of any preceding Clauses 18-19, wherein the outer shell comprises a colored translucent material.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms, including “at least one,” unless the content clearly indicates otherwise. “Or” means “and/or.” As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” or “includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The term “or a combination thereof” means a combination including at least one of the foregoing elements.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Since modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and variations of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the disclosure may occur to persons skilled in the art, the disclosure should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An illuminated toss bag, comprising:

an outer shell configured to form a toss bag defining an internal portion for receiving and retaining filling material;

one or more illuminating portions disposed within the internal portion; and

a hidden enclosing feature disposed along a seam of outer shell of the toss bag selectively providing access to the internal portion of the toss bag, wherein

the filling material comprises a semi-transparent pellet shaped material,

the one or more illuminating portions comprise a housing enclosing a power source, one or more illumination sources, and at least one switch, and

the at least one switch controls operation of the one or more illumination sources, when the at least one switch is depressed for at least one second.

2. The illuminated toss bag of claim 1, wherein a plurality of illuminating portions are disposed within the internal portion of the toss bag.

3. The illuminated toss bag of claim 1, wherein the at least one switch is depressed for greater than two seconds.

4. The illuminated toss bag of claim 1, wherein the one or more illumination sources comprises a white light source.

5. The illuminated toss bag of claim 1, wherein the one or more illumination sources comprises a multi-colored light source.

6. The illuminated toss bag of claim 1, wherein the one or more illumination sources comprises a white light source and the filling material is a colored material comprising a non-white color.

7. The illuminated toss bag of claim 1, wherein the filling material comprises a diffused texture.

8. The illuminated toss bag of claim 1, wherein the one or more illumination sources comprises a multi-colored light source and the filling material comprises a diffused texture.

9. The illuminated toss bag of claim 1, wherein the outer shell comprises a translucent material.

10. The illuminated toss bag of claim 1, wherein the outer shell comprises one or more patterns disposed on a surface of the outer shell.

11. The illuminated toss bag of claim 1, wherein the at least one switch comprises two or more switches and control operation of the one or more illumination sources when at least two of the two or more switches are depressed during a same interval of time.

12. An illuminated toss bag, comprising:

an outer shell configured to form a toss bag defining an internal portion for receiving and retaining filling material;

one or more illumination sources coupled to a perimeter of the outer shell of the toss bag; and

an electronics module comprising a power source and a switch configured to control operation of the one or more illumination sources, the electronics module electrically coupled to the one or more illumination sources.

13. The illuminated toss bag of claim 12, further comprising a tube stitched to the outer shell of the toss bag, wherein the one or more illumination sources are disposed within the tube.

14. The illuminated toss bag of claim 12, wherein the one or more illumination sources comprises a plurality of light sources connected together along a length of wire.

15. The illuminated toss bag of claim 12, wherein the one or more illumination sources comprises a light-diffusing fiber.

16. The illuminated toss bag of claim 12, further comprising one or more illuminating portions disposed within the internal portion, wherein:

the one or more illuminating portions comprise a housing enclosing a second power source, one or more light sources, and at least one switch, and

the at least one switch controls operation of the one or more light sources, when the at least one switch is depressed.

17. The illuminated toss bag of claim 16, wherein the at least one switch is depressed for at least one second.

18. An illuminated toss bag, comprising:

an outer shell configured to form a toss bag defining an internal portion for receiving and retaining filling material;

one or more illuminating portions disposed within the internal portion;

one or more illumination sources coupled to a perimeter of the outer shell of the toss bag;

an electronics module comprising a power source and a switch configured to control operation of the one or more illumination sources, the electronics module electrically coupled to the one or more illumination sources, wherein

the filling material comprises a semi-transparent pellet shaped material,

the one or more illuminating portions comprise a housing enclosing a second power source, one or more light sources, and at least one switch, and

the at least one switch controls operation of the one or more light sources, when the at least one switch is depressed for at least one second.

19. The illuminated toss bag of claim 18, further comprising a tube stitched to the outer shell of the toss bag, wherein:

the one or more illumination sources are disposed within the tube, and

the one or more illumination sources comprises a plurality of light sources connected together along a length of wire.

20. The illuminated toss bag of claim 18, wherein the outer shell comprises a colored translucent material.