Illuminated sports ball

An illuminated sports ball, comprising:

• a compressible body having an exterior
• a bore formed in the interior of said ball and at least one exterior groove formed between points on said exterior surface;
• an elongated flexible hollow tubular element adapted to receive a light-emitting source and sized to fit within said groove and extend between said points around said sports ball;
• and
• an anchor cord positioned with said throughbore and attached to opposite ends of said element to help retain said element in said groove around said sports ball.

A method of manufacturing an illuminated foam sports ball without substantially affecting the aerodynamics, feel or balance of the ball, comprising the steps of:

• forming the body of said ball with an exterior surface in which a groove extends between points on said exterior surface;
• positioning two elongated flexible tubular substantially transparent housing elements in said grooves, said elements adapted to receive light-emitting sources;
• and
• retaining said elements within said grooves wherein said step of retaining comprises extending said flexible housing elements from said grooves into the interior of said ball and securing them to a separate anchoring member provided in said ball.

A method of manufacturing an illuminated foam sports ball, comprising the steps of:

• forming a body of said ball with an exterior surface;
• forming a pair of grooves on said exterior surface, each extending on opposite sides of said ball between points on said exterior surface;
• forming a bore in the interior of said ball;
• positioning two elongated flexible tubular elements in said grooves, said elements adapted to receive light-emitting sources;
• positioning an anchor cord within said bore;
• and
• joining said two elements to said anchor cord to help retain said elements within said grooves.

A method of manufacturing an illuminated foam sports ball without substantially affecting the aerodynamics, feel or balance of the ball, comprising the steps of:

• forming the body of said ball with an exterior surface in which a groove extends between points on said exterior surface;
• positioning two elongated flexible tubular substantially transparent housing elements in said grooves, said elements adapted to receive light-emitting sources;
• and
• retaining said elements within said grooves, wherein said step of retaining comprises extending said flexible housing elements from said grooves into the interior of said ball and securing them to each other.