Impact sensitive sports rebound wall

• US 9,889,361 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2014
• Issued: 02/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering SA (Aerospace Hi-Tech Holding Group Company Limited), Walljam Limited
• Original Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering SA (Aerospace Hi-Tech Holding Group Company Limited), Walljam Limited
• Inventors: Noll, Alain, Treis, Alexander, Cox, Julian, Worboys, Tim
• Primary Examiner(s): Aryanpour, Mitra
• Application Number:
  US14/770,869
• Publication Number:
  US 20160001154A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,446 Days
• Field of Search: 473435, 473422, 473434, 473454-464, 473150, 473152, 473156, 73493, 73488, D21721, D21698, D21699, D21780, 356 28, 273371, 273374, 273377
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/004 Multiple detectors or sensors each defining a different zone
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0043 Systems for locating the point of impact on a specific surface
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/62 Time or time measurement used for time reference, time stamp, master time or clock signal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/801 Contact switches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0097 Ball rebound walls with holes or in combination with nets A63B63/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 5/04 Electric hit-indicating systems; Detecting hits by actuation of electric contacts or switches
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 5/20 indicating which part of the target has been hit, i.e. the score
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04112 Electrode mesh in capacitive digitiser: electrode for touch sensing is formed of a mesh of very fine, normally metallic, interconnected lines that are almost invisible to see. This provides a quite large but transparent electrode surface, without need for ITO or similar transparent conductive material
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/045 using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/047 using sets of wires, e.g. crossed wires
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 Sports

Abstract

A sports rebound wall is provided that includes: a rebound surface, at least one target area formed in the rebound surface, and a resistive matrix sensor formed on, or embedded in, the target area. The matrix sensor includes a first array of substantially parallel conductive tracks and a second array of substantially parallel conductive tracks. The first array and the second array are spaced apart from one another. The rebound wall has a matrix sensor that is capable of providing information about the force, location and timing at which the target area of the sports rebound wall is impacted. This is made possible by the specific construction of the matrix sensor.

Claims

1. A sports rebound wall comprising:

a wall having a rebound surface, the rebound surface being formed of glass reinforced plastic covered with a layer of rubber matting;

at least one target area formed in the rebound surface;

a resistive matrix sensor formed on, or embedded in, the target area;

wherein the matrix sensor consists of a first array of substantially parallel conductive tracks and a second array of substantially parallel conductive tracks and the first array and the second array are spaced apart from one another.

2. A sports rebound wall according to claim 1, wherein the tracks of the first and second arrays are substantially linear and the tracks of the first array are not parallel with the tracks of the second array.

3. A sports rebound wall according to claim 1, wherein the tracks of the first array and the second array are normal to one another.

4. A sports rebound wall according to claim 1, wherein the at least one target area is circular.

5. A sports rebound wall according to claim 4, wherein the at least one target area is at least 650 mm (25.59 inches) in diameter.

6. A sports rebound wall according to claim 1, having a plurality of target areas.

7. A sports rebound wall according to claim 1, wherein the resistive matrix sensor is substantially circular.

8. A sports rebound wall according to claim 1, further comprising removable panels formed in the glass reinforced plastic.

9. A sports rebound wall according to claim 8, wherein the resistive matrix sensor is mounted behind the rubber matting and in front of the removal panels.

10. A sports rebound wall according to claim 1, further comprising a layer of low density foam positioned in front of the resistive matrix sensor and behind the rubber matting.

11. A method of sports training comprising:

providing a sports rebound wall according to claim 1;

providing a suitable projectile for propelling against the at least one target area of the rebound surface of the sports rebound wall;

using the resistive matrix sensor to detect the location, force and timing of impacts of the projectile upon the at least one target area; and

providing appropriate feedback.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the feedback is logged on an appropriate computer for subsequent analysis.

13. A method according to claim 11, wherein the feedback is immediately provided on a visual display.