Footbag And A System Relating Thereto

• US 20080039247A1
• Filed: 08/02/2006
• Published: 02/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Justin C. Lanier, Sandra L. Uhler
• Original Assignee: Justin C. Lanier, Sandra L. Uhler
• Inventors: Lanier, Justin C.
• Application Number:
  US11/461,903
• Publication Number:
  US 20080039247A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/571
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2037/082 Granular, e.g. comprising beads
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• 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 37/00 Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles heavy throwing balls A63B65/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 Balls with special arrangements

Abstract

One embodiment of an exemplary footbag can include a cover enclosing a space, a filler disposed within the space retained by the cover, and an electronic circuit disposed within the space. Generally, the electronic circuit includes an energy source, a processor including a storage unit, which in turn, can include at least one audio file, a sound enunciator, and one or more input/output devices. Desirably, the sound enunciator plays the audio file when initiated by an input/output device.

Claims

1. A footbag, comprising:

a cover enclosing a space;

a filler disposed within the space retained by the cover; and

an electronic circuit disposed within the space, wherein the electronic circuit comprises an energy source, a processor comprising a storage unit, which in turn comprises at least one audio file, a sound enunciator, and one or more input/output devices;

wherein the sound enunciator plays the audio file when initiated by an input/output device.

2. A footbag according to claim 1, further comprising a support for housing the electronic circuit.

3. A footbag according to claim 2, wherein the support comprises:

a first member coupled to a second member wherein the first member is orientated substantially perpendicular to the second member and the first and second members lie generally in a same plane; and

a third member coupled to the first and second members and oriented substantially perpendicular with the plane of the first and second members.

4. A footbag according to claim 3, wherein each member forms a hollow passage along the length of the respective member, and at an intersection of the three members forms a chamber;

wherein the processor is received within the chamber.

5. A footbag according to claim 4, wherein the one or more input/output devices comprises a pressure sensor at an end of the first member.

6. A footbag according to claim 4, wherein the sound enunciator is at an end of the first member.

7. A footbag according to claim 1, wherein the filler comprises beads or pellets.

8. A footbag according to claim 7, wherein each bead or pellet forms an annulus.

9. A footbag according to claim 1, wherein the filler comprises polyethylene.

10. A footbag according to claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit further comprises a communication port.

11. A footbag according to claim 10, wherein the communication port comprises a universal serial bus port positioned at the end of the first member that is coupled to the cover, and the cover forms an opening at the universal serial bus port, or a wireless data transfer interface.

12. A system, comprising:

the footbag according to claim 1; and

a computer comprising a central processing unit and a network connectivity device wherein the computer has access to the Internet and communicates with the footbag.

13. A system according to claim 12, further comprising a wireless connection between the footbag and the computer.

14. A system according to claim 12, further comprising a universal serial bus connection between the footbag and the computer.

15. A system according to claim 12, further comprising an Internet website with at least one audio file transferable to or from the footbag via a computer.

16. A system according to claim 12, wherein the storage unit stores one or more audio files.

17. A footbag according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores one or more audio files.

18. A footbag according to claim 1, further comprising a zipper to permit opening of the cover.

19. A footbag according to claim 1, wherein the audio file comprises a digital audio file.

20. A footbag according to claim 1, further comprising a generally spherical support for housing the electronic circuit.