Basketball electronics support

• US 10,449,421 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2014
• Issued: 10/22/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Company (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Company (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Thurman, Robert T., Krysiak, Kevin L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Leichliter, Chase E
• Application Number:
  US14/212,932
• Publication Number:
  US 20140200103A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,048 Days
• Field of Search: 473415
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0028 Tracking the path of an object, e.g. a ball inside a soccer pitch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2041/005 with counterweight for adjusting the centre of gravity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/35 Spin
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/72 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0037 Basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/02 Bladders
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/08 Ball covers; Closures therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 Balls with special arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/004 electrically conductive, e.g. for automatic arbitration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/06 with illuminating devices ; with reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/002 : Games using balls, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 : Sports

Abstract

A game ball supports electronics. In one implementation, the electronics sense motion of the game ball and are encapsulated by potting compound which forms an encapsulating body sized and shaped to fit within a cavity of the game ball. In one implementation, a game ball comprises an inflatable body which supports the electronics, wherein an electrical conductive line is electrically connected to electronics extends along a surface of the inflatable body at least 60 degrees about the inflatable body.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a game ball;

electronics to sense motion of the game ball;

a potting compound encapsulating the electronics, the potting compound forming an encapsulating body sized and shaped to fit within a cavity of the game ball;

an electrical conductor extending from the electronics to an exterior of the encapsulating body, wherein at least a portion of the encapsulating body seals about and against the electrical conductor;

an electrically conductive line to extend along a surface of the game ball, the electrically conductive line electrically connected to the electrical conductor; and

a plug at least partially received within the cavity between the encapsulating body and an exterior of the game ball, wherein the electrically conductive line is embedded within the plug.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cavity of the game ball is cylindrical and wherein the encapsulating body is cylindrical.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the potting compound is selected from a group of potting compounds consisting of polyurethane and silicone.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the encapsulating body completely encloses the electronics.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising the game ball, wherein the electrically conductive line extends along the surface of the game ball.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the game ball comprises an inflatable bladder and a cover about the bladder, wherein the electrically conductive line extends along and between an outer surface of the bladder and an inner surface of the cover.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a battery connected to the electronics, wherein the electrically conductive line is electrically connected to the battery to facilitate charging of the battery.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive line extends at least 180°

about the game ball.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive line extends at least 360°

about the game ball.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronics comprises a transmitter and wherein

the electrical conductive line serves as an antenna for the transmitter.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a rechargeable battery electrically connected to the electronics; and

a secondary inductive coil electrically connected to the rechargeable battery.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a charging platform comprising a primary inductive coil.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrical conductor comprises a first electrical contact terminal and wherein the plug comprises a second electrical contact terminal connected to the electrically conductive line and in abutting contact with the first electrical contact terminal.

14. A game ball comprising:

an inflatable body;

electronics supported by the inflatable body; and

an electrical conductive line electrically connected to the electronics and extending along a surface of the inflatable body at least 60 degrees about the inflatable body.

15. The game ball of claim 14, wherein the inflatable body forms a cavity and wherein in the game ball further comprises an encapsulating body of potting compound encapsulating the electronics, the encapsulating body sized and shaped to be received within the cavity.

16. The game ball of claim 14 further comprising a seam and wherein the electrically conductive line extends along the seam at least 60°

about the inflatable body.

17. The game ball of claim 14 further comprising a layer of windings about the inflatable body, wherein the electrically conductive line is embedded within informed at least a part of the layer of windings.

18. The game ball of claim 14 further comprising consecutive cover panels about the inflatable body and strips between the consecutive cover panels, wherein the electrically conductive line is embedded within the strips.

19. The game ball of claim 14, wherein the electrically conductive line comprises a single continuous uninterrupted strand of electrically conductive material that extends at least 60°

about the inflatable body.

20. The game ball of claim 19, wherein the electrically conductive line extends at least 180°

about the inflatable body.

21. The game ball of claim 19, wherein the electrically conductive line continuously extends at least 360°

about the inflatable body.

22. An apparatus comprising:

a game ball;

electronics to sense motion of the game ball;

a potting compound encapsulating the electronics, the potting compound forming an encapsulating body sized and shaped to fit within a cavity of the game ball;

an electrical conductor extending from the electronics to an exterior of the encapsulating body, at least a portion of the encapsulating body seals about and against the electrical conductor;

an electrically conductive line electrically connected to the electrical conductor; and

a plug at least partially received within the cavity between the encapsulating body and an exterior of the game ball, the electrically conductive line being embedded within the plug to form a coil within the plug.