Patent ID: 8517870
Filing Date: 2013-08-27
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
1. A standard full-size or mid-size basketball comprising: (a) an inner compartment to be inflated with air, (b) an inflation valve for allowing inflation of said inner compartment with air, (c) a pocket compartment comprising an extending lip portion and a main body portion and defining an inner cavity configured to house a rechargeable battery and motion sensors selected from the group consisting of angular rate gyros and magnetometers, wherein said pocket compartment is positioned within said basketball off-set from the center of said basketball, wherein air inflated into said inner compartment is isolated from said inner cavity of said pocket compartment, wherein said pocket compartment comprises a groove located beneath said extending lip portion and extending around said main body portion, wherein said groove reduces transfer of vibrations from an outer surface of said basketball to said motion sensors when said inner compartment is inflated with air, (d) said rechargeable battery located within said inner cavity, (e) said motion sensors located within said inner cavity, wherein said motion sensors are configured to measure angular velocity of said basketball, and (f) a securing member located within said inner cavity, wherein said securing member is configured to secure said rechargeable battery or said motion sensors in place within said inner cavity, wherein at least a portion of said pocket compartment is flexible such that inflation of said inner compartment with air causes said portion of said pocket compartment to flex, and wherein the flexed portion of said pocket compartment increases a compression force against said battery and motion sensors, thereby reducing the possibility that said battery and motion sensors move within said inner cavity relative to said pocket compartment.