Patent Publication Number: US-2002007676-A1

Title: Package for electronic sports device and method of attaching same to objects

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     [0001] This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/113,378, filed on Dec.  23 ,  1998 . This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/233,556, entitled “Miniature Sports Radar Speed Measuring Device”, filed on Jan. 20, 1999, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/796,665, entitled “Miniature Sports Radar Speed Measuring Device”, filed on Feb. 5, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,061. The disclosures of the above-mentioned patent applications and patent are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0003] The present invention relates generally to a package or packaging for an electronic sports device and, more particularly, to packaging for a miniature sports radar device attached to portions of the body, clothing or sporting equipment to measure the velocity of a sports object such as a ball.  
       [0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art  
       [0005] It is desirable in many sporting activities to determine a parameter of motion of an object to assist in training a participant. For example, Doppler radar systems have been utilized in sports applications to measure the velocities of sports objects such as baseballs to provide feedback to players on their performance. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,061 (Dilz), for example, a miniature sports radar device is disclosed having electronic circuitry for measuring and displaying the velocity of a baseball thrown into a glove. The electronic circuitry of the miniature sports radar device is mounted on a pair of circuit boards packaged within a housing.  
       [0006] In the case of a miniature sports radar device, it is desirable to mount the device in approximately a direct line with, or at only a slight angle to, the flight of the ball or other object whose speed is being measured. The device is also preferably located such that the object passes within one or a few feet of the device somewhat in the path of the object, such as the endpoint or point of catch. To this end, the Dilz patent suggests mounting the device on the forearm of the catcher or on the glove. However, when a sporting device with electronic circuitry is positioned in the path of movement of a sports object such as a ball, the device can be subjected to impact forces that can damage the electronic circuitry thereby rendering the device inoperative.  
       [0007] Accordingly, there is a need to package sporting devices with electronic circuitry such that the devices can be mounted near moving objects for optimal performance without the risk of damaging sensitive components of the device.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a package for an electronic sports device that allows the device to be attached to objects such as sporting equipment in an optimal position without the risk of sustaining damage due to impact loading.  
       [0009] The present invention is generally characterized in a package for a miniature sports radar device having a display and electrical components mounted on a pair of circuit boards and includes a housing defining a chamber receiving the boards and the display, front and back covers on opposite sides of the housing, and a stiffener disposed between the boards. The stiffener is preferably an open framework that couples the boards in a manner that increases the effective section of the boards in the direction of bending without significantly increasing the weight of the device. The packaging preferably includes eyelets that allow the sporting device to be attached to sports equipment such as ball catching gloves as well as parts of the body and clothing using a cord. For high impact loading, an optional shock-absorbing pad with spaced ribs can be mounted on a back face of the back cover.  
       [0010] Another aspect of the present invention is generally characterized in a method of attaching a radar velocity sensor to a ball catching glove with glove lacing including the steps of threading a cord through a plurality of eyelets extending from a package containing the radar velocity sensor, and attaching portions of the cord extending through the eyelets to the glove lacing.  
       [0011] Some of the advantages of the present invention are that the packaging allows the sporting device to be subject to impact loading without damage to sensitive components of the sporting device, that the packaging allows the sporting device to be attached to various types of sporting equipment and clothing to achieve optimum performance, that assembly of the sporting device can be accomplished quickly and easily, and that the size and weight of the sporting device can be minimized.  
       [0012] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments taken with the accompanying drawings, wherein like parts in each of the several figures are identified by the same reference numerals. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0013]FIG. 1 is a front view of a sporting device in the form of a radar velocity sensor packaged in accordance with the present invention.  
     [0014]FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the sporting device shown in FIG. 1.  
     [0015]FIG. 3 is a plan view of the front of a package housing for a sporting device according to the present invention.  
     [0016]FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the package housing taken through line  4 - 4  in FIG. 3.  
     [0017]FIG. 5 is a plan view of the rear of the package housing shown in FIG. 3.  
     [0018]FIG. 6 is a plan view of the front of a front cover for use with the packaging according to the present invention.  
     [0019]FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the front cover taken through line  7 - 7  in FIG. 6.  
     [0020]FIG. 8 is a plan view of the rear of the front cover shown in FIG. 6.  
     [0021]FIG. 9 is a plan view of the front of a display lens for use in sports device packaging according to the present invention.  
     [0022]FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the display lens taken through line  10 - 10  in FIG. 9.  
     [0023]FIG. 11 is a side view of the display lens shown in FIG. 9.  
     [0024]FIG. 12 is a plan view of the front of a button for use with the packaging according the present invention.  
     [0025]FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the button taken through line  13 - 13  in FIG. 12.  
     [0026]FIG. 14 is a plan view of the front of a stiffener for use with the packaging according to the present invention.  
     [0027]FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the stiffener taken through line  15 - 15  in FIG. 14.  
     [0028]FIG. 16 is a plan view of the rear of the stiffener shown in FIG. 13.  
     [0029]FIG. 17 is a plan view of the rear of a pad for attachment to the packaging according to the present invention.  
     [0030]FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the pad taken through line  18 - 18  in FIG. 17.  
     [0031]FIG. 19 is a plan view of the front of the pad shown in FIG. 17.  
     [0032] FIGS.  20 A- 20 J are perspective views illustrating attachment of a sports device packaged in accordance with the present invention behind the fingers of a ball-catching glove.  
     [0033]FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating a modified method of attaching a sports device packaged in accordance with the present invention to a ball catching glove that does not have fingers.  
     [0034]FIG. 22 is a perspective view illustrating another modified method of attaching a sports device packaged in accordance with the present invention to a ball catching glove without fingers.  
     [0035]FIG. 23 is a perspective view of yet another method of attaching a sports device packaged in accordance with the present invention to a ball catching glove.  
     [0036]FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a sports device packaged in accordance with the present invention mounted on the web of a ball catching glove. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0037] An electronic sports device  10  packaged in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 as a miniature radar device of the type which can be attached to a baseball glove to measure the speed of a ball approaching the glove. The principles of operation of such a radar device are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,061 and in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/233,556, filed on Jan. 20, 1999, and in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/113,434, filed on Dec. 23, 1998, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. While a miniature radar device is shown, it will be appreciated that other types of electrical devices can be packaged for sporting use in accordance with the present invention. It will also be appreciated that a sporting device packaged in accordance with the present invention can be attached to other types of sporting equipment as well as other objects such as parts of the body and clothing.  
     [0038] Referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen that sporting device  10  generally includes a display  12 , a pair of circuit boards  14  and  16  mounting electronic components, a button assembly  18 , and a battery  20 ; the display, boards, button and battery making up the operational components of the device. The sporting device packaging generally includes an inner shell or housing  22  defining compartments for the operational components of the device, front and rear covers  24  and  26  on opposite sides of the housing, a stiffener  28  disposed between the boards, and an optional shock-absorbing pad  30  on the back face of the rear cover.  
     [0039] Referring to FIGS.  3 - 5 , housing  22  includes a front face  32  of generally triangular configuration, a sidewall  34  extending rearwardly from the front face to define a rear compartment  36  for the operational components of the device, and three eyelets  38 A,  38 B and  38 C extending outwardly from the rear edge of the sidewall at corners of the housing. As best seen in FIG. 4, the front face  32  of housing  22  is made up of stepped surfaces, a first surface  32 A connecting with the sidewall, a second surface  32 B projecting outward from the first and defining a forward-facing cylindrical compartment  40  for the battery at a first corner and a generally trapezoidal opening  42  across the center of the housing for the button, and a third surface  32 C projecting outward from the second surface and defining a rectangular window  44  for the display between second and third corners of the housing. As best seen in FIG. 3, the periphery of the second surface is notched at a plurality of spaced locations to provide clearance for pilot holes  46  formed in the first surface on opposite sides of the battery compartment. So that only two screws are needed to attach the front cover to the housing, ribs  48  are formed along the periphery of the second surface at spaced locations to engage surfaces inside the front cover to prevent the cover from pivoting when screwed into the housing via the pilot holes.  
     [0040] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, it can be seen that the compartment  36  formed on the back side of housing  22  is made up of a first recess terminating at a first shoulder  36 A for receiving the rear cover, a second recess extending forwardly from the first shoulder to a second shoulder  36 B for receiving the second circuit board  16 , a third recess extending forwardly from the second shoulder to a third shoulder  36 C for receiving the first circuit board  14  and stiffener  28 , and a fourth recess extending from the third shoulder to a fourth shoulder  36 D for receiving the display  12 . Pilot holes  50  are formed at a plurality of spaced locations around the first shoulder to receive screws attaching the rear cover  26  to the housing  22 . A plurality of horizontal ribs  52  are disposed on opposite lateral sides of window  44  in the fourth recess and a pair of pins  54  extend rearwardly from the uppermost pair of ribs into the third recess to ensure alignment of the operational components by engaging features of the first circuit board as will be described in greater detail below. As best seen in FIG. 5, a key in the form of a vertical rib  56  also extends rearwardly from the third shoulder on one side of the battery compartment  40  to prevent the stiffener from being inserted backwards as will be described in greater detail below.  
     [0041] Referring again to FIG. 2, it can be seen that front cover  24  fits over the front surface of housing  22  to help seal the housing and to retain battery  20  in the battery compartment formed on the front of the housing. As best seen in FIGS.  6 - 8 , front cover  24  is generally triangular in shape with rounded corners that fit telescopically over corresponding corners of the housing to rest on the first front surface  32 A. A large trapezoidal cut-out  58  is formed through the front cover to allow the button assembly and display to protrude from the front cover. Recessed holes  60  are formed adjacent the cut-out  58  to receive screws attaching the front cover to the housing. A battery compartment cover  62  with terminal contact  64  is disposed on an interior of the front cover between holes  60  and is forced into electrical contact with a terminal of the battery when the cover is installed.  
     [0042] Referring again to FIG. 2, it can be seen that a rectangular lens  66  is disposed between the display  12  and the window  44  formed in housing  22  to protect the display while permitting the display to be viewed from outside the device. As best seen in FIGS.  9 - 11 , lens  66  includes a front portion  66 A that fits within the window framed by the fourth shoulder at the forward end of the fourth recess in the back compartment of the housing, and a rear portion  66 B in the form of a lip that extends laterally outward from the front portion to abut the fourth shoulder when the lens is inserted into the window. The front portion of the lens fits snugly within the window to prevent lateral movement of the lens relative to the housing, with the lip being sandwiched between the display and the fourth shoulder to prevent the lens from passing completely through the window. The lens can be formed of any transparent material, but is preferably formed of polycarbonate plastic for impact resistance.  
     [0043] Referring again to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the display  12  fits within the fourth recess against the lens  66 . The lens  66  and display  12  are laterally positioned between laterally spaced ribs  52  (FIG. 5) in the fourth recess such that the readout is aligned with the window  44  to facilitate easy viewing. The display is shown as a conventional liquid crystal display (LCD) of rectangular configuration; however, other types of displays can be used including back-lit and light-emitting diode (LED) displays and displays of other geometric configuration. In a preferred embodiment, an LCD with one millimeter segments and an overall size of about 19 millimeters by about 23 millimeters is used. One such display, illustrated in FIG. 2, includes a ledge  12 A along a top edge thereof for receiving an elongate connector  68  formed of an elastomeric material to cushion the display. The connector  68  includes contacts which establish electrical connections between the display and the first circuit board which will typically have electronic components for driving the display. Some examples of the types of contacts that can be used include pins, pads and sockets.  
     [0044] Button assembly  18  is mounted on the forward facing side of the first circuit board  14  and, referring to FIG. 2, the button assembly includes a hollow, convex portion or button  70  protruding forwardly through the opening in the housing to serve as a button, a rigid insert  72  disposed telescopically within the convex portion to engage a switch on the first circuit board, and a pad  74  disposed between the upper portion of the first circuit board and the display as a shock absorbing element. As best seen in FIGS. 12 and 13, button  70  and pad  74  are connected by a flange  75  extending laterally outward from the base of the button to mount the first circuit board. Pad  74  is an elongate rectangular structure with sidewalls defining an air cavity of generally rectangular configuration between the display and the board. The connector  68  is positioned against an upper sidewall of pad  74  between a pair of ears  76  projecting from opposite ends of the upper sidewall to facilitate alignment during the assembly process. The convex portion and the insert are both generally trapezoidal in shape. The insert can be solid or hollow; however, if hollow, the insert preferably includes ribs which extend across the hollow interior of the insert to forcefully engage a dome switch on the circuit board when the button is depressed thereby activating a circuit such as the radar velocity sensor circuit described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,061 or U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/113,434, filed on Dec. 23, 1998. The convex button and the pad can be made of any type of elastomeric material but are preferably made of Santoprene. The insert can be made of any relatively rigid material but is preferably formed of nylon. Preferably, the button and pad are formed as an integral one-piece unit as shown.  
     [0045] Referring again to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the first circuit board  14  is of generally hexagonal configuration with a pair of alignment holes  78  for receiving pins  54  extending rearwardly from ribs  52  in the back compartment of the housing  22  to ensure that the board is aligned to make electrical contact with the connector. Edges of the board are positioned between posts or bosses  80  extending rearwardly from the third recess on the back side of the housing to assist in aligning the holes in the board with the pins. As mentioned above, the first circuit board is preferably used to define an electrical circuit for driving the display.  
     [0046] The second circuit board  16  is disposed rearwardly of the first circuit board  14  and, in a preferred embodiment, the second board is used to define an RF circuit for measuring the velocity of a ball thrown into a glove. The principles of operation of such a circuit are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,061 and in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/113,434, filed on Dec. 23, 1998, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. The second circuit board is shown as being generally trapezoidal in shape with upper corners clipped to fit within the generally triangular rear cover  26 ; however, rounded corners could also be used. The lower end of the second circuit board extends beyond the lower end of the first circuit board and includes a metallic dome switch (not shown) located in juxtaposed relation to the button insert so that, when the button is depressed, the rigid button insert will compress the dome switch to activate the circuit or otherwise initiate a function of the device. The use of a rigid insert is particularly beneficial when a metallic dome switch is used; however, the button can be formed without an insert, for example by forming ribs within the hollow region of the button to stiffen the structure. While a dome switch is described, it will be appreciated that other types of switches can be used including, but not limited to, switches wherein the button or button insert carries a conductor for bridging a gap between contacts on the circuit board.  
     [0047] Referring still to FIG. 2, it can be seen that stiffener  28  is disposed between the first and second circuit boards  14  and  16 . Stiffener  28  is a generally hexagonal framework with exterior panels  82 A extending along the periphery or margin of the first circuit board and interior panels  82 B traversing the intramarginal portion of the first circuit board in intersecting relation to form a plurality of pockets or cells  84 . The stiffener couples movement of the boards in areas normally subjected to bending stresses thereby increasing the overall rigidity of the boards and decreasing the amount of deflection experienced by the boards in response to impact loads. The rigidity is further increased by orienting the panels perpendicular to the boards so that the bending section of the board assembly is effectively increased. Since the stiffener is made up of panels in an open framework, the increase in rigidity is not accompanied by a significant increase in the weight as compared to a package without a stiffener. As best seen in FIGS.  14 - 16 , notches  86  are formed in rearward edges of some of the panels to provide vistas for electrical components mounted on the second circuit board so that the stiffener will lay flat against both boards to ensure proper coupling. The location of the cells  84  can also be arranged to contain electrical components. Since the notches and cells may not be symmetrical, the stiffener is preferably keyed to fit in the package only when properly oriented, for example by forming a rib  88  along the lower edge of the stiffener at a position which is laterally offset from the central longitudinal axis of the stiffener on a side of the stiffener opposite the rib  56  formed in the third recess of the housing compartment. In the event the stiffener is placed into the housing compartment in a reversed orientation, the rib on the stiffener will be on the same side as the rib in the third recess of the compartment. The ribs will abut one another thereby preventing the stiffener from being fully inserted into the compartment and alerting the installer of the mistake. Damage to the circuit components on the second board is thereby avoided. To ensure that the ribs abut one another when the stiffener is improperly installed, a pair of spaced ribs  90  are centered along the top of the stiffener to receive the upper post  80  therebetween so that the stiffener is aligned with the housing. The stiffener can be made of any material that is suitably rigid to couple deflections of the first and second circuit boards but is preferably made of nylon. The open framework design of the stiffener reduces weight while ensuring that bending forces affecting central or intramarginal portions of the boards are coupled.  
     [0048] Referring again to FIG. 2, a battery contact  92  in the form of a conductive band or ring is shown disposed within the battery compartment of housing  22  between the terminal contact  64  on front cover  24  and the second circuit board  16  to complete the circuit. The band or ring extends around battery  20  and contacts terminal contact  64  when the front cover is installed over the housing.  
     [0049] As mentioned above and shown in FIG. 2, rear cover  26  is generally triangular in shape with rounded corners and through-holes  94  formed at spaced locations about the periphery of the cover to receive screws that attach the rear cover to the housing. If desired, an optional pad (not shown) formed of a shock absorbing material such as a closed-cell foam can be disposed between the rear cover and the second circuit board to help cushion the board against impact forces. FIGS.  17 - 19  also show an optional exterior pad  30  which can be mounted on the back face of the rear cover  26  for applications where the sporting device is subject to extremely high impact forces caused by mounting the device directly in the path of application of the forces. The exterior pad is shown as a generally triangular pad having an opening  96  corresponding to the location of the radiating elements of the RF circuit and plural grooves formed in the pad around the openings to define ribs  100  which are spaced to allow lateral deformation of the ribs in response to impact loading. Opening  98  is for accommodating various markings in the part mold (e.g., web site, telephone number, etc.). The peak impact loads transmitted to the device are reduced as a result of the ribs deforming in this manner. To promote deformation of the ribs, the exterior pad is preferably formed of an elastomeric material such as Santoprene. The pad can be mounted on the rear cover using co-formation, adhesives, screws, hook and loop fasteners or any other fastening method.  
     [0050] The packaging shown and described above allows a sports device such as a radar velocity sensor to be attached to sports equipment, clothing, or even parts of the body. As illustrated in FIGS.  20 A- 20 J, a sports device  10  packaged in accordance with the present invention can be attached to the back of a ball catching glove  102  to measure the velocity of a ball thrown into the glove. Referring to FIG. 20A, a cord  104  is inserted through the eyelet  38 A at the bottom of the device from front to rear and pulled about 3 to 4 inches from the eyelet. The other end of cord  104  is inserted through the upper right eyelet  38 B of device  10 , as shown in FIG. 20B, and is pulled while holding the lower end of the cord in place to take-up any slack so that the upper end of the cord is routed along the right side of the device as shown in FIG. 20C. With the upper end of cord  104  extending from the upper right eyelet, the back of the device is placed against the glove  102  behind the glove fingers about 1 to 3 inches below the finger tips as shown in FIG. 20C. The upper end of the cord is then pulled upwardly toward the glove finger tips and looped around the glove lacing  108 A between the first and second fingers. Referring to FIG. 20D, the upper end of cord  104  is inserted through the upper right eyelet  38 B again from back to front, routed across the top of device  10 , and inserted through the upper left eyelet  38 C from front to back. The upper end of the cord  104  is then pulled upwardly toward the glove finger tips, looped around the lacing  108 B between the third and fourth glove fingers  106 C and  106 D, and pulled downwardly for insertion through the upper left eyelet  38 C again from back to front as shown in FIG. 20E. The cord  104  is pulled through the upper left eyelet  38 C and is routed along the left side of the device  10  for insertion through the lower eyelet  38 A from front to back as shown in FIG. 20F. After taking-up the slack, a small elastic band or loop  110  is slipped over the ends of the cord and slid up toward the lower eyelet. The longer cord end is looped under and around a lower glove lace  108 C, as shown in FIG. 20G, or any other glove feature around which the cord  104  can securely be looped. Ends of the cord  104  are then tied together in a tight knot  112 , for example near the bottom of where the cord is attached to the glove as shown in FIGS. 20H and 20I, and free ends of the cord  104  placed within the elastic loop  110  as shown in FIG. 20J. Long, loose cord ends can be tucked between the device and the glove if desired.  
     [0051] If the glove does not have fingers, as in the case of a catcher&#39;s mitt or first baseman&#39;s glove  102 ′, the method of attaching the device  10  to the glove proceeds essentially as described above; however, the glove edge lacing  108 D is used for the top two cord attachments, as shown in FIG. 21, by slipping the free end of the cord  104  under the lacing and looping the cord around the lace for a secure attachment of the device  10  to the glove.  
     [0052] A sports device  10  packaged according to the present invention can also be attached behind the thumb of a catchers mitt  102 ′ using a cord  104  as shown in FIG. 22 by looping the cord around the thumb edge lacing  108 E for the first attachment, looping the cord around the web edge lacing  108 F for the second attachment, and looping the cord around a lower lace  108 C for the third attachment.  
     [0053] For small gloves  102 ″, attachment of a device  10  packaged according to the present invention proceeds essentially as described above; however, as illustrated in FIG. 23, the upper cord attachments are preferably made by looping the cord  104  around laces  108 A and  108 B on opposite sides of a glove finger (e.g., third finger  106 C), and the lower cord attachment is made by looping the end of the cord around the wrist strap  114 .  
     [0054] The use of a strong cord (e.g., parachute cord or other cords constructed of strong materials, such as nylon) and placement of the device on the back of the glove finger area ensures safe and reliable performance of the device even after encountering the severe impact forces created when catching a ball thrown at high velocities (i.e., greater than about 90 mph). For small gloves (i.e., less than 10 inch patterns), and for ball velocities less than 50 mph, the device may be attached behind the glove web. FIG. 24 illustrates a sports device  10  packaged according to the present invention and mounted behind the web  116  of a glove  102  using a continuous cord  104 ′ with ends doubled for insertion through the eyelets  38 A,  38 B and  38 C and hooks  118  attached to the ends to attach to features of the glove. It will be appreciated, however, that a cord with free ends can be used in the manner described above to attach the device to the back of the web if desired.  
     [0055] From the above, it will be appreciated that the present invention makes it possible to package an otherwise fragile electronic sports device for attachment to sports equipment and other objects subjected to impact loading during use. In the case of an electronic sports device having plural circuit boards, the package includes a stiffener in the form of an open framework which is disposed between the circuit boards to couple the boards such that the effective sectional area of the board assembly is increased in the direction of bending without increasing the weight thereof significantly. The increased sectional area renders the board assembly stiffer than the individual boards such that deflection of each board is reduced. The stiffener is shown as a frame made up of plural panels oriented perpendicular to the board surfaces. It will be appreciated that the number and location of the panels can be varied to accommodate various types of circuits and that notches can be formed along any panel edge to create a vista for an electrical component on either board. When the stiffener is keyed, the key can take the form of a rib on top, bottom or sides of the stiffener. Alternatively, the stiffener can be keyed by virtue of being configured asymmetrically to fit within the compartment in one orientation only. While it is preferred that the stiffener include panels that extend around the periphery of a circuit board to facilitate alignment, the operational benefit of the stiffener can be achieved using a framework made up solely of panels that traverse the intramarginal portions of the board.  
     [0056] The package according to the present invention preferably includes eyelets which can be used to attach the sports device to objects such as ball catching gloves, for example by threading a cord through the eyelets and attaching portions of the cord extending through the eyelets to the glove lacing. The eyelets can be formed on the housing as shown or on any other part of the package including the front and rear covers. While three eyelets are shown, it will be appreciated that any number of eyelets can be used.  
     [0057] In the case of a sports device in the form of a radar velocity sensor, the package can be used to attach the device to objects such as gloves, heavy bags, punching mitts, racquets, golf clubs, baseball tees, vehicles, paintball guns, etc. With respect to the miniature radar device described above, the package can be used to attach the device to various supports, while the speed measuring device measures the speed of various types of moving objects. For example, the device may be mounted on a baseball glove or supported in some other fashion to measure the speed of a baseball or softball. Similarly, the device may be mounted on a hockey goalie or glove or supported in some other fashion to measure the speed of a hockey puck. Further, the device may be disposed within a baseball tee to measure the velocity of a bat swing. The device may be utilized to similarly measure the swing velocity in other sports, such as golf or tennis. Moreover, the device may be mounted on various martial arts type impact pads or bags to measure the velocity of strikes (e.g., punches, kicks, elbows, knees, etc.). The device may further be mounted on or in the proximity of a paint ball gun to measure the velocity of the paintballs. The device package may be modified in any fashion to accommodate a particular application and/or withstand impact forces of the moving object itself or those imparted to a receiving or other structure. It is to be understood that the device is not limited to the disclosed applications, but may be utilized to measure the speed of any moving object for sporting (e.g., baseball, softball, golf, tennis, hockey, lacrosse, football, etc.) or other purposes (e.g., measure speed of vehicles, runners, etc.).  
     [0058] The package shape and size can be varied dependent upon the type of sports device and the desired attachment method and location. While a generally triangular shape is shown, it will be appreciated that other shapes such as rectangular, elliptical, polygonal and asymmetrical shapes can be used. The locations of the display and the button can also be varied as desired. The package according to the present invention can also be used for electronic sports devices having no display and/or no button. Some examples of other types of electrical devices that can be packaged according to the present invention include force or acceleration sensors, range finders, stop watches or counters.  
     [0059] As described above, the packaging includes a battery compartment defined on the front face of the housing to receive a single cell battery. In a preferred embodiment, the compartment is cylindrical to hold a 3 Volt Lithium 1/3N cell such as those commonly denoted as CR-1/3N, DL-1/3N or 2L76BP cells; however, any number or type of cells can be used. Installation or replacement of the battery involves removing the screws attaching the front cover to the housing so that the battery compartment is accessible. After a battery has been placed in the compartment, the front cover can be reattached using the screws. In an alternate embodiment, a battery compartment can be formed on the back side of the housing so that a front cover is optional.  
     [0060] The lens can be configured with any combination of planar, concave or convex surfaces to achieve any desired degree of magnification of the display. An antiglare coating can be applied to the lens if desired.  
     [0061] When a cord with free ends is used to attach the packaging to another object, the free ends can be bound together using a knot, elastic band and/or any type of mechanical clip.  
     [0062] Inasmuch as the present invention is subject to many variations, modifications and changes in detail, it is intended that all subject matter discussed above or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative only and not be taken in a limiting sense.