MOLDED HOCKEY PUCK WITH ELECTRONIC SIGNAL TRANSMITTER CORE
First Claim
1. A hockey puck, comprising:
- first and second subcomponents including complementary keyed features operable to mate with each other, the first and second subcomponents together defining a central void interior to the first and second subcomponents together;
wherein the first and second subcomponents are affixed together with multiple rectangular protrusions and mating slots;
a capsule sized and shaped to completely fill and fit within the central void of the first and second subcomponents, the capsule including a central space interior to the capsule;
a signal transmitter sized and shaped to completely fill and fit within the central space of the capsule;
the signal transmitter operable to emit electromagnetic radiation to enable detection of an instantaneous position of the hockey puck; and
at least one light pipe for communicating the electromagnetic radiation to exterior surfaces of the first and second subcomponents.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A hockey puck is disclosed including an internal signal transmitter enabling instantaneous identification of its position as it moves around. The puck includes two molded subcomponents, which encapsulate the signal transmitter. The signal transmitter may include driver electronics and a number of signal transmitters which together generate and emit an electromagnetic signal. The electromagnetic signal may be emitted by a plurality of diodes mounted in cavities in the subcomponents, for example around an outer circumference of the hockey puck and through a top and bottom surfaces of the hockey puck. The puck may alternatively be formed of a material that allows electromagnetic radiation to be emitted through the subcomponents, and the diode cavities may be omitted.
11 Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A hockey puck, comprising:
-
first and second subcomponents including complementary keyed features operable to mate with each other, the first and second subcomponents together defining a central void interior to the first and second subcomponents together; wherein the first and second subcomponents are affixed together with multiple rectangular protrusions and mating slots; a capsule sized and shaped to completely fill and fit within the central void of the first and second subcomponents, the capsule including a central space interior to the capsule; a signal transmitter sized and shaped to completely fill and fit within the central space of the capsule; the signal transmitter operable to emit electromagnetic radiation to enable detection of an instantaneous position of the hockey puck; and at least one light pipe for communicating the electromagnetic radiation to exterior surfaces of the first and second subcomponents. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 22, 23)
-
-
2. (canceled)
-
13. A hockey puck, comprising:
-
first and second subcomponents including complementary keyed features operable to mate with each other, the first and second subcomponents together defining a central void interior to the first and second subcomponents together; wherein the first and second subcomponents are affixed together with finger joints; a signal transmitter sized and shaped to completely fill and fit within the central void of the first and second subcomponents, the signal transmitter operable to emit electromagnetic radiation to enable detection of an instantaneous position of the hockey puck; at least one light pipe for communicating the electromagnetic radiation from the signal transmitter to exterior surfaces of the first and second subcomponents; and wherein the first and second subcomponents comprise a first set of materials, the first set of materials absorbing a greater amount of energy than a second set of materials used in a second hockey puck having a solid core without the signal transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 24)
-
-
17. A hockey puck, comprising:
-
first and second subcomponents including finger joints operable to mate with each other, the first and second subcomponents together defining a central void interior to the first and second subcomponents together; a signal transmitter sized and shaped to completely fill and fit within the central void of the first and second subcomponents, the signal transmitter operable to emit electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength band to enable detection of an instantaneous position of the hockey puck; and wherein the first and second subcomponents comprise materials that are transparent to the wavelength band at which the electromagnetic radiation is emitted. - View Dependent Claims (18)
-
-
19. (canceled)
-
20. (canceled)
-
21. (canceled)
Specification