American-style football including electronics
First Claim
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1. An inflatable game ball assembly configured for use with an inflation needle, the ball assembly comprising:
- an inflatable bladder including a valve assembly, the valve assembly defining a valve opening for receiving the inflation needle;
a charging device including a charging projection;
a cover surrounding the bladder, the cover including a valve aperture positioned adjacent the valve assembly, the valve assembly configured to allow for inflation of the bladder and adapted to receive the charging projection of the charging device;
an electronic circuit coupled to the bladder, the electronic circuit including a rechargeable battery, the electronic circuit configured to produce a signal to enable a characteristic of the game ball to be monitored during use; and
electrical leads for facilitating the charging of the battery, the electrical leads having first and second ends, the first end being coupled to the rechargeable battery and the second end being connected to the valve assembly such that the charging device operably engages the second end of the lead through the valve opening.
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Abstract
An American style football including an inflatable bladder, at least two cover panels surrounding the bladder, a lacing coupled to the at least one cover panel, and an electronic circuit. Each of the cover panels includes an outermost layer and a lining. The electronic circuit is coupled to at least one of the cover panels. The electronic circuit includes at least one sensor. The electronic circuit is configured to produce a signal to enable the position and movement of the football to be monitored during use.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An inflatable game ball assembly configured for use with an inflation needle, the ball assembly comprising:
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an inflatable bladder including a valve assembly, the valve assembly defining a valve opening for receiving the inflation needle; a charging device including a charging projection; a cover surrounding the bladder, the cover including a valve aperture positioned adjacent the valve assembly, the valve assembly configured to allow for inflation of the bladder and adapted to receive the charging projection of the charging device; an electronic circuit coupled to the bladder, the electronic circuit including a rechargeable battery, the electronic circuit configured to produce a signal to enable a characteristic of the game ball to be monitored during use; and electrical leads for facilitating the charging of the battery, the electrical leads having first and second ends, the first end being coupled to the rechargeable battery and the second end being connected to the valve assembly such that the charging device operably engages the second end of the lead through the valve opening. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 16, 17)
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9. An inflatable game ball assembly comprising:
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an inflatable bladder; a charging device including a charging projection; a cover having first and second opposite sides, the cover surrounding the bladder including a structure, the structure including an opening for receiving the charging projection of the charging device, the structure positioned at a first side; an electronic circuit coupled to the bladder adjacent the first side of the cover, the electronic circuit including a rechargeable battery, the electronic circuit including a micro-processor with sample rate capability and configured to produce a signal to enable a characteristic of the game ball to be monitored during use; and electrical leads for facilitating the charging of the battery, the electrical leads having first and second ends, the first end being coupled to the rechargeable battery and the second end being coupled to the structure, the second side of the cover not extending over the structure, the circuit or the leads. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 18, 19)
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12. An inflatable game ball system configured to communicate with a remote computer, the ball system comprising:
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a game ball including an inflatable bladder, a cover surrounding the bladder including a valve assembly, the valve assembly configured to allow for inflation of the bladder, the valve assembly positioned on a first side of the cover, and an electronic circuit coupled to the bladder adjacent the first side of the cover, the electronic circuit including a rechargeable battery, a microprocessor including sample rate capability and configured for processing algorithms, a receiver and a transmitter, the electronic circuit configured to produce a signal representing data for communication with the remote computer to enable a characteristic of the game ball to be monitored during use, the circuit including a sleep mode that deactivates the circuit if the ball is at rest beyond a predetermined amount of time; and a charging device including a charging projection, the charging device positionable between a non-charging position wherein the charging device is spaced apart from the ball, and a charging position wherein the charging projection of the charging device is configured to be selectively operably engaged with the rechargeable battery, the inflatable game ball configured for organized competitive play. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 20, 21)
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Specification