Lighted whistle

DETAILED DESCRIPTION With the foregoing in mind, the present invention describes a whistle comprising a light source therein to provide illumination and increased visibility for the user.
The present lighted whistle preferably comprises a housing which forms the whistle and has a connector for connecting the whistle to a predetermined article; a power source positioned within the housing; a light source positioned within the housing and connected to the power source; and a switch positioned within the housing connected to the power source and to the light source so as to energize the light source.
The switch may be a manually operated switch, may include a photo sensor responsive to the level of ambient light, may be preferably responsive to motion, or may include a combination of such switches.
A preferred switch is motion activated, and is responsive to motion energy such as vibration, for example vibration generated by walking or other physical movements by a person wearing the lighted whistle.
The light source is energized when the switch or combination of switches is activated, thereby lighting not only the whistle itself but also the article to which the light is connected, and increasing the visibility of the person wearing the whistle.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing provides both the structural features of the whistle, an enclosure for protecting the electrical components of the lighted whistle and, preferably, also serves to connect the whistle to an article, or to a lanyard serving to allow wearing the lighted whistle as a pendant.
The housing comprises a material which allows light emitted by the light source to shine therethrough so that it may be seen by an observer.
In a most preferred embodiment, the housing material includes a fluorescent compound responsive to light emitted by the light source, so that the lighted whistle device glows with fluorescence.