BALL WITH POSITIONING SYSTEM

• US 20110215977A1
• Filed: 03/04/2011
• Published: 09/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Prazza BV
• Original Assignee: Satworld Holding BV (Securitas AB)
• Inventors: Van Driel, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,876,008 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/720
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0053 for locating an object, e.g. a lost ball
• 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 37/0003 Golf balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0055 with non-spherical insert(s)
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 15/00 Tags attached to, or associated with, an object, in order to enable detection of the object record carriers for use with machines having a detectable tag or marker G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/045 the record carrier being of the non-contact type, e.g. RFID, and being specially adapted for attachment to a disc, e.g. a CD or DVD
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07728 the record carrier comprising means for protection against impact or bending, e.g. protective shells or stress-absorbing layers around the integrated circuit
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card

Abstract

A ball (1) for use in a sporting activity can comprise a body having an electrical circuit (21) on a flexible substrate (20) received therein. The electrical circuit (21) comprises a dipole antenna (26) integrally formed with the electrical circuit (21) on the flexible substrate (20). The dipole antenna can comprise two arms (23, 24) each folded in a semi-circular shape.

Claims

1. A ball (1) for use in a sporting activity comprising a body having an electrical circuit (21) on a flexible substrate (20) received therein, the electrical circuit (21) comprises a dipole antenna (26) integrally formed with the electrical circuit (21) on the flexible substrate (20), the dipole antenna comprising two arms (23,24) each folded in a semi-circular shape.

2. The ball according to claim 1, wherein the flexible substrate is provided with a slot (40) to receive the ends (25) of the arms (23,24) of the dipole antenna.

3. The ball according to claim 1, wherein the flexible substrate (20) is a laminate, especially a polymer.

4. The ball according to claim 1, wherein the substrate (20) is punched.

5. The ball according to claim 1, wherein the substrate (20) is formed having connectors (38,39,40).

6. The ball according to claim 5, wherein the antenna (23) is folded out of a primary surface of the electrical circuit (21).

7. The ball according to claim 1, wherein surface mounted devices (30,31,32,34) are mounted on the substrate and connected to the electrical circuit.

10. The ball according to claim 1, wherein a battery (13) is connected to the electrical circuit.

11. The ball according to claim 1, wherein the electrical circuit (21) and substrate (20) is received in a body of polyurethane (4).

12. The ball according to claim 1, wherein the electrical circuit (21) is received in a hardened foam body (4) received in a body of PBD (3) surrounded by a hardened coating (2).

13. The ball according to claim 1, wherein the ball (1) comprises several layers of synthetic materials.

14. The ball according to claim 1 having a dimpled surface (2).

8. The ball according to claim 8, wherein the electrical circuit comprises a transmitter (34) as surface mounted device.

9. The ball according to claim 8, wherein the electrical circuit comprises a ID-tag (36) as surface mounted device.