Training Sports Ball

Abstract

It is sometimes difficult for a sports coach to get his training drills and techniques across to the team. It is especially difficult to explain the right time to carry out a certain skill like passing a ball. To aid his description of what he would like his players to do and more specifically when he would like them to carry out certain actions like passing the ball, some help is needed.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is a training ball system comprising a training ball including a receiver for receiving a wireless signal from a remote location, the training ball further comprising a vibration module for providing a sensory indication to a user carrying the training ball, an input device physically separate from the training ball including a transmitter for enabling transmission of a wireless signal to the receiver; the system configured such that the vibration module vibrates in response to transmission of a wireless signal from the input device to the receiver.

Claims

1. A training ball system comprising: a training ball including a receiver for receiving a wireless signal from a remote location, the training ball further comprising a vibration module for providing a sensory indication to a user carrying the training ball; an input device physically separate from the training ball including a transmitter for enabling transmission of a wireless signal to the receiver; the system configured such that the vibration module vibrates in response to transmission of a wireless signal from the input device to the receiver.

2. A training ball system according to claim 1 wherein the input device comprises a handset.

3. A training ball system according to claim 1 wherein the training ball is a sports ball.

4. A training ball system according to claim 1 wherein the vibration module comprises a vibration motor.

5. A training ball system according to claim 1 further comprising an emitter for providing an audible indication.

6. A training ball system according to claim 1 further comprising an emitter for emitting a visual indication.

7. A training ball system according to claim 1 wherein the vibration module is provided within the ball.

8. A training ball system according to claim 1 further comprising a battery for supplying power to the vibration module and the receiver.

9. A training ball according to claim 8 further comprising a microcontroller powered by the battery and a motion sensor for detecting movement of the training ball, wherein the microcontroller is arranged to enter an active mode from a sleep mode upon receipt of a signal from the motion sensor representative of movement of the training ball, where in the active mode the receiver is operable to receive a signal from the input device.

10. A training ball system according to claim 1 wherein the receiver is synced to the input device such that the training ball and input device are paired.

11. A training ball system according to claim 1 wherein the input device is portable and handheld.

12. A training ball system according to claim 1 wherein the vibration module and receiver are at least partially embedded in the ball.

13. A training ball system according to claim 1 wherein training ball is inflatable and comprises a bladder and skin and the vibration module is provided between the bladder and the skin of the inflatable ball.

14. A training ball system according to claim 1 wherein the training ball comprises a bladder and a skin, and wherein the vibration module is provided inside the bladder.

15. A training ball system according to claim 1 wherein the vibration module and receiver are carried by a sleeve for receipt of the ball.

16. A training ball according to claim 1 wherein the training ball is a handheld training ball.

17. A training ball according to claim 16 wherein the handheld training ball is an American football.

18. A training ball according to claim 1 further comprising an inlet valve for enabling air flow into the training ball, and where the vibration module and receiver are positioned diametrically opposite the inlet valve.

19. A training ball carrying a vibration module for providing a sensory indication to a user carrying the training ball and a receiver for receiving a wireless signal from a remote location, whereupon in response to receipt of a wireless signal from a remote location the receiver transfers a signal to the vibration module to cause the vibration module to vibrate and provide the sensory indication to the user.

Description

ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT

[0031] Aspects of the present invention will now be described by way of illustration only with reference to the accompany figures, where:

[0032] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a further illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] According to an illustrative embodiment in FIG. 1 there is a sports ball 1 schematically represented as a rugby football. The remote handset 2 includes a power source 6 and a transmitter which when a user provides an input such as depresses a push button the transmitter is activated to transmit a signal to the receiver 3 provided on the circuit board. This signal triggers the on/off switching printed circuit board receiver 3 which in turn activates the vibration motor/multiple vibration motors 4 and optionally sound emitter 5. The ball components are powered by the battery 6. A carrier of the ball then knows that the coach is instructing the ball to be passed for example. Upon release of the push button the signal ceases to be transmitted and the vibration motor 4 stops.

[0035] The ball may comprise an on/off switch for causing the power source to be switched on such that the receiver is in a configuration capable of receipt of a signal from the input device. The on/off switch may be accessible from external of the ball.

[0036] Alternatively, as represented in FIG. 2, the switching between an on and off configuration of the power source to the receiver may be achieved automatically without physically switching an on/off switch for example through movement of the training ball causing associated movement in a motion sensor 10. The motion sensor 10, provided in the ball 1, when activated through movement of the ball, is identified by the microcontroller 12 which then causes the microcontroller 12 to enter an active mode from a sleep mode meaning full power is supplied to the receiver 3 from the battery 6. This means that a signal can be received by the receiver 3 from the remote input device 2 to cause vibration of the vibration motor 4. The microcontroller may comprise a timer such that the active mode is maintained until there is no detected movement of the motion sensor for a predetermined time. After this predetermined time the microcontroller then switches off power to the receiver thereby re-entering the sleep mode.

[0037] In addition, there may be a step of the microcontroller checking the battery status prior to entering the active condition to determine whether there is sufficient energy stored in the battery, and in the event of insufficient stored battery energy the active mode cannot be entered. Automatic switching between the active and sleep mode is beneficial to save battery power when not in use.

[0038] The power source can be rechargeable, either from an external port in the ball enabling a physical connection to a charger, or from wireless charging such as induction charging for example.

[0039] The above example shows all the components required to stimulate the ball and in this instance to vibrate the ball. It may be required that there are multiple vibration motors, one on every side of the ball, giving the ball carrier a complete vibration and encourage the ball carrier to always have two hands on the ball. All of the components except the remote handset 1 will be inside the training ball. The components are ideally positioned diametrically opposite to the air inlet valve which allows the ball to be inflated as this ensures that the mass of the ball is balanced. It is possible to place the components outside the rubber inflatable bladder and inside the skin of the ball effectively sandwiched between the two. This is best done at the manufacturing stage of the ball before it is sewn up. Once inflated these internal components are pressed tightly against the thick skin on the inside of the ball, this ensures a rapid response from the ball carrier after stimulation. A standard sports ball can therefore be modified to incorporate these components and create the invention and thus allowing for the invention to be easily manufactured. Alternatively, the components are positioned inside the bladder.

[0040] All the components in FIGS. 1 and 2 are readily available and easily accessible on the open market again enabling easy affordable manufacturing.

[0041] The workable distance between ball and handset will have the ability to work at large ranges typically between 1 and 100 m range from handset to ball. The handset to ball signal could be radio frequency (RF) or any other possible remotely operated option for example infrared.

[0042] In an alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 3 the components are fitted inside a sleeve or sock that is pulled tightly over the sports ball giving the sports ball an extra skin. This extra skin or sleeve as schematically shown in FIG. 3 contains the receiver 3 provided on the circuit board, the vibration motor/s 4, optional audio speaker 5 and battery 6. The remote handset 2 includes a power source and a transmitter which when a push button is depressed activates the transmitter to transmit a signal to the receiver 3 provided on the circuit board. This signal triggers the on/off switching printed circuit board receiver 3 which in turn activates the vibration motor/multiple motors 4 and/or audio sounds 5, all the ball components being powered by the battery 6. The carrier of the sleeved ball then knows that the coach is instructing the sleeved ball to be passed for example. Upon release of the push button the signal ceases to be transmitted and the vibration motor 4 stops.

[0043] Aspect of the invention have been described by way of example only and it will be appreciated to the skilled addressee that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as afforded by the appended claims.