Patent ID: 8870690

Claim:
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.