Abstract
This disclosure relates to a game apparatus including a housing, a motion measurement arrangement and a flexible tether. The motion measurement arrangement is at least partially located within the housing and includes a multi-axis pivot member movable relative to the housing in at least two axes. The motion measurement arrangement also includes a sensor arrangement for measuring multi-axis movement of the pivot member. The flexible tether has a free end coupled to a strikable object and a proximal end coupled to the pivot member. The motion measurement arrangement is configured to measure an indication of one or more parameters of the strikable object's motion upon striking of the strikable object by a user.
Claims
1. A game apparatus including: a housing; a motion measurement arrangement at least partially located within the housing and comprising a multi-axis pivot member movable relative to the housing in at least two axes and a sensor arrangement for measuring multi-axis movement of the pivot member; and a flexible tether having a free end coupled to a strikable object and a proximal end coupled to the pivot member; the motion measurement arrangement being configured to measure an indication of one or more parameters of the strikable object's motion upon striking of the strikable object by a user.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the motion measurement arrangement further comprising a socket and the pivot member having a ball portion engaged with the socket in a ball and socket configuration.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the motion measurement arrangement is configured to measure an indication of the strikable object's motion when travelling in an overhead trajectory, relative to the housing.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pivot member located at an upper portion of the housing.
5. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the ball portion is generally spherical.
6. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sensor arrangement includes a sensor spaced apart from the pivot member and configured for contactless movement measurement of the pivot member.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the sensor is a multi-axis hall effect sensor, wherein the sensor arrangement further includes a magnet, and wherein the sensor is configured to measure movement of the magnet relative to the sensor.
8. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the sensor is secured relative to the housing and the magnet is arranged for movement with the pivot member, relative to the housing.
9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the magnet is secured to a surface of the pivot member.
10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the magnet is secured to a base of the pivot member, and wherein the sensor is secured to a PCB secured within the housing and located below the pivot member.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the housing includes a dish-shaped barrier positioned between the pivot member and the PCB.
12. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pivot member includes an arm extending from the ball portion and projecting outside of the housing, and wherein the proximal end of the tether is coupled to the arm.
13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the arm extends through an opening in the housing and the ball and socket configuration permitting free movement of the arm within the opening.
14. The apparatus according to claim 13, the opening is flared, and wherein the arm is permitted to move freely within a conical zone defined by the opening.
15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the conical zone defined by the flared opening has an angle of approximately 40° relative to a central axis of the housing.
16. The apparatus according to claims 2, wherein the socket comprises a two-part bearing, each bearing part including a concave bearing surface for contacting the ball portion of the pivot member.
17. (canceled)
18. (canceled)
19. (canceled)
20. (canceled)
21. (canceled)
22. (canceled)
23. (canceled)
24. (canceled)
25. (canceled)
26. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an electronic processing device configured to receive from the sensor arrangement signals indicative of movement of the pivot member and to process the signals to determine one or more object parameters of the strikable object's motion.
27. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the processing device is configured to determine one or more game parameters.
28. The apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising a display screen, and wherein the processing device is configured to display the one or more determined object parameters or game parameters on the display screen.
29. (canceled)
30. The apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the electronic processing device is configured for wireless connectivity with a user client device and for determined parameters to be displayed on the user client device.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0073] In order that the present disclosure may be more fully understood, an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the figures in which:
[0074] FIG. 1 is a side view of a tetherball apparatus according to the present disclosure;
[0075] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tetherball apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0076] FIG. 2a is a closer perspective of a tether length adjustment device in FIG. 2;
[0077] FIG. 2b is a closer perspective of a tether clamp nut in FIG. 2;
[0078] FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the tetherball apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0079] FIG. 4 is perspective of the housing and tether of the apparatus of the preceding figures;
[0080] FIG. 5 is a perspective of the pivot member and clamp nut suitable for use in the apparatus of the preceding figures;
[0081] FIG. 6 is a side perspective of the housing in the apparatus of the preceding figures;
[0082] FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the housing in FIG. 6 with the pivot member in a centred orientation;
[0083] FIG. 7a is another side sectional view of the housing with the pivot member in a tilted orientation;
[0084] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the housing from an upper angle;
[0085] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the housing of from a lower angle;
[0086] FIG. 10 illustrates a partially exploded view of the base of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0087] FIG. 11 is a lower perspective of the base of FIG. 10;
[0088] FIG. 11 is an underside view of the base of FIGS. 9 and 10;
[0089] FIG. 12 is an underside view of the base of FIGS. 9 to 10;
[0090] FIG. 13 is an alternative embodiment of a pivot member for use with the apparatus of the present disclosure;
[0091] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a housing and tether according to the present disclosure and shows an alternative embodiment of the tether clamp nut;
[0092] FIGS. 15 illustrates a soccer training apparatus according to the present disclosure when used with a flat-type base;
[0093] FIG. 16 illustrates a soccer training apparatus of the present disclosure when used with a ballast-type base;
[0094] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the tetherball apparatus of FIG. 1 with player quadrants annotated; and
[0095] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the base of the apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0096] FIG. 1 illustrates a tetherball apparatus 10 which includes a head assembly 11 comprising a top 24 and a bottom 26. The assembly 11 comprises a generally spherical housing 12. The assembly bottom 26 is mounted to an upper portion of a support post 14 extending from a base 16. A pivot member 18 is partially located within and extending from the assembly top 24 to the outside of housing 12.
[0097] A strikable object comprising a tennis ball 20 is connected via a tether 22 to the pivot member 18. In particular, a proximal end 28 of the tether 22 is coupled to the pivot member 18. A distal end 30 of the tether 22 is coupled to the ball 20. The distal end 30 may be coupled to the ball 20 via a rotatable coupling to avoid twisting of the tether 22. For example, the rotatable coupling may comprise a swivel. The tether comprises a flexible line formed of woven nylon cord. Depending on the particular application light cord material such as fishing line or similar lightweight tether may be suitable.
[0098] The support post 14 is a two-part telescope post comprising an outer member 14b engaged with the base 16 and an inner member 14a engaged with the bottom 26 of the assembly 11. The inner member 14a is telescopically received within the outer member 14b and the two parts 14a, 14b are secured relative to one another via a height adjustment knob 34. The height adjustment knob 34 facilitates length adjustment of the support post 14 to allow height adjustment of the assembly 11 relative to the base 16.
[0099] The base 16 includes a biasing means comprising a helical spring 42 in which the support post 14, in particular the outer member 14b, is received. The helical spring 42 absorbs impact during use of the apparatus 10 and reduces the possibility of the base 16 lifting or tipping.
[0100] The tether includes a tether length adjustment device comprising a clip 32 which will be subsequently discussed in further detail with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 2a. FIG. 2a provides a closer perspective of the tether length adjustment device 32 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2a, the clip 32 creates a loop 23 of tether which wraps around a portion of the clip 32 to thereby shorten the operational length of the tether 22. By adding or removing loops to the clip 32, a user may adjust the tether length to a desired length. The clip 32 includes a flexibly resilient portion 33 which can be deflected to allow the clip 32 to be opened and for tether loops 23 to be conveniently added or removed. Operation of the tether length adjustment device is also shown in FIG. 14 in which tether loops 22a are wrapped around the clip 32 in order to shorten operational the length of the tether 22.
[0101] According to a particular embodiment, the tether adjustment device may include a flexible slot slightly narrower than a diameter of the tether. The tether may be looped around the adjustment device and secured in the slot. This advantageously allows for the tether to be easily shortened or lengthened by adding or removing loops to the adjustment device.
[0102] FIG. 2b illustrates a closer perspective of a tether clamp nut 36 shown in FIG. 2. The tether clamp nut 36 is threaded onto a pivot arm 38 to couple the tether 22 to the pivot arm 38. Loosening of the clamp nut 36 allows the tether 22 to be uncoupled to facilitate replacement of the tether 22.
[0103] FIG. 2 also illustrates a user client device comprising a smart phone 40 in a wireless connection (in particular, a Bluetooth connection) with the assembly 11. Data such may be transmitted from the assembly 11 to the smart phone 40 enabling a user to view game or training metrics on smart phone 40. In an alternative form of the disclosure, the wireless connection may comprise a WiFi connection.
[0104] The base 16 comprises a container 17 fillable with ballast material via an opening 44 which includes a threaded cap 46. The ballast material, for example water, enables the base 16 to be weighted down in order to prevent or reduce the possibility of tipping during use.
[0105] Turning now to FIG. 3 there is provided a cross section of apparatus 10 which illustrates the lower end 48 of the support post 14 fitted within the helical spring 42. FIG. 3 also illustrates the upper portion 50 of the support post 14 received within a corresponding opening 52. The pivot member 18 is illustrated at an upper portion of and extending from the top 24 of the assembly 11.
[0106] As shown in FIG. 3, the pivot member 18 comprises a ball portion 54 and the pivot arm 38 which extends from the ball portion 54. Turning to FIG. 4, the ball portion 54 of the pivot member 18 is partially visible at the base of an opening 56 in the top 24 of the assembly 11. The pivot arm 38 extends through the housing opening 56 and projects outside of the housing 12. The housing opening 56 is flared outwardly and therefore increases in diameter from an inside (or lower end) of the housing opening 56 towards an outside (or upper end) of the housing opening 56. The housing opening 56 thereby defines a funnel-shaped or frustoconical passage which widens towards the top 24 of the assembly 11.
[0107] As shown in FIG. 4, the housing 12 also includes indicia 64 designating two sides of the housing 12 on which two opposing players are to stand. FIG. 4 illustrates indicia 64a corresponding to the side of the housing 12 on which Player 2 is to stand. The opposing side of the housing 12 is shown in FIG. 6 in which a second indicia 64b is illustrated which corresponds to the side of the housing on which player 1 is to stand.
[0108] FIG. 5 illustrates the pivot member 18 and clamp nut 36 in isolation from the rest of apparatus 12. Ball portion 54 has a spherical configuration. Pivot arm 38 is generally cylindrical and extends from an upper side of the ball portion 54 and a projection 58 extends from a lower side of ball portion 54. The pivot arm 38 includes an external thread 60 at a distal end of the pivot arm 38. The external thread 60 is configured for threaded engagement with an internal thread (not shown) in the clamp nut 36. The pivot arm 38 further includes an opening 62 for receiving the tether before the clamp nut 36 is tightened onto the pivot arm 38 in order to couple the tether to the pivot arm 38.
[0109] FIG. 6 illustrates a closer side perspective of the housing 12. The housing 12 includes a capacitive switch 68 for turning the apparatus 10 on or off. The capacitive switch 68 may include an LED to indicate the electronics are turned on and/or show battery capacity by flashing when battery capacity is low. FIG. 6 also illustrates the lid 70 of a battery compartment 72 in the housing 12 for powering the apparatus 10. The pivot arm 38 is cylindrical is visible protruding from the top 24 of the housing 12. FIG. 6 also illustrates a rotatable collar 74 at the base of the assembly 11 which will be discussed in further detail below.
[0110] FIG. 7 provides a cross sectional view of the assembly 11 which illustrates some of the components within housing 12. The assembly 11 has a central axis C extending longitudinally through the centre of the assembly 11 and also housing 12. The axis C extends centrally through the ball portion 54 of the pivot member 18. When the pivot member 18 is orientated in the upright position shown in FIG. 7, the central axis C also extends centrally through the pivot arm 38.
[0111] The ball portion 54 of the pivot arm 18 is seated within a socket comprising a two-part bearing 76 having an upper part 76a and a lower part 76b. Each bearing part 76a, 76b includes a concave surface 78 in contact with the outer surface of the ball portion 54. The bearing 76 is secured within the housing 12 beneath the housing opening 56 through which the pivot arm 38 extends. The pivot member 18 is therefore supported by and engaged with the bearing 76 to permit ball-and-socket or ball-joint movement of the pivot member 18, relative to the housing 12.
[0112] The housing opening 56 centrally located in the top 24 of the housing 12 such that central axis C extends through the centre of the housing opening 56. The housing opening 56 is flared outwardly towards the outside of the housing 12 and includes a surface 80 which is inclined relative to central axis C by an angle α. The inclination of surface 80 is indicated by reference lines M. In the illustrated form of the invention, the angle α between central axis C and surface 80 is approximately 40° The surface 80 surrounds the pivot arm 38 and defines the edge of the range of movement available for the pivot arm 38.
[0113] The inclined surface 80 therefore defines a conical or funnel-shaped movement zone in which the pivot arm 38 is permitted to move before the pivot arm will contact the surface 80. The pivot arm 38 is thus permitted to move freely within a conical zone defined by the opening 56 and generally indicated by the reference lines M. As evident from FIG. 7, the pivot arm 38 is therefore allowed a 2α or 80° range of movement from one side of the opening 56 to an opposing side of the opening 56.
[0114] It will be appreciated that angle α may vary depending on the sensitivity of the sensor and functional range of the magnet. In one form of the present disclosure, the angle α may be between 15-65°, more particularly between 20°-60°, more particularly between 25°-55°, more particularly between 30°-50° and more particularly angle α is approximately 40°.
[0115] FIG. 7a illustrates the pivot arm 38 tilted to one side of the flared opening 56 and into contact with the inclined surface 80. According, in FIG. 7a, a longitudinal axis P of the pivot arm is tilted approximately 40° from central axis C. As shown in FIG. 7a, the magnet 59 is shifted to one side within the concave portion 82 of the PCB support 84. FIG. 7a shows angle α in FIG. 7 as being equal to 40°. Accordingly, the conical zone defined by the flared opening 56 has an angle of approximately 40° relative to a central axis C of the housing 12.
[0116] FIG. 7a illustrates a circumferential rib 38a formed on pivot arm 38 which provides a contact point with the surface 80. The rib 38a is also shown in FIG. 14. The rib 38a is intended to minimise the contact surface and therefore minimise friction between the pivot arm 38 and the surface 80 of the opening 56.
[0117] The ball and socket configuration allows the pivot arm 38 to move 360° around the edge of the surface 80 and side to side within the opening 56 i.e., in X-Y degrees of freedom. The ball and socket configuration also allows the pivot arm 38 to perform 360° rotation around a longitudinal or central axis of the pivot member 18 i.e., in a third degree of freedom. For example, the pivot arm 38 could remain aligned with central axis C as shown in FIG. 7 i.e., stationary in the X-Y planes but whilst rotating axially around an axis of the pivot member 38. The three degrees of freedom are best illustrated in FIG. 4 wherein the X-Y movement is labelled XY and axial rotation around an axis P of the pivot member 38 is labelled A.
[0118] Returning to FIG. 7, a neodymium magnet 59 is secured to an outer surface of the pivot member 18. Magnet 59 is located at the underside of the ball portion 54 and, in particular, is secured to an end of projection 58. The projection 58 and magnet 59 are positioned within a recess comprising a dish-shaped or concave portion 82 of a PCB (printed circuit board) support 84. The concave portion 82 is shaped to correspond with the range of movement available to the magnet 59. The concave portion 82 is spaced out of range from possible contact with the magnet 59 such that pivot member 18 may move freely without the possibility of contact with the PCB support 84.
[0119] The PCB support 84 is secured within the housing 12 and provides a mounting point for a PCB (printed circuit board) 86 secured to an underside of the PCB support 84. The PCB 86 is generally planar and is orientated perpendicular to central axis C of the housing 12. A tri-axis Hall effect sensor 88 is mounted centrally on an upper side of the PCB and approximately aligned with central axis C as shown in FIG. 7. The sensor 88 is located below the concave portion 82 and below magnet 59. The PCB support 84 is formed of moulded plastic and is positioned between the pivot member 18 and the PCB 86. The concave portion 82 is positioned between the magnet 59 and the sensor 88. The PCB support may therefore act as a barrier to weather, debris, grime, dirt etc. if it were to pass through the interface between the bearing 76 and the pivot member 18.
[0120] A seal comprising an O-ring is located within an annular channel 92 on the upper side of PCB support 64. The O-ring seals a volume 94 beneath the bearing 76 from the rest of the interior of the housing 12 such that any water or debris which passed through the interface of the ball portion 54 and the bearing 76 cannot ingress further into the housing interior to the PCB or other electrical componentry such as the battery compartment 72 which is also shown in FIG. 7. The PCB support 84 and O-ring 90 therefore separate the electronics from the ball and socket. Rain water caught within opening 56 can be simply emptied by inverting the housing 12.
[0121] The hall effect sensor 88 allows for contactless movement measurement of magnet 59. The hall effect sensor 88 may therefore operate whilst isolated from the magnet 59 by concave portion 82. According to a particular form of the invention, the hall effect sensor comprises an MLX 90393 magnetic sensor IC chip. During use, movement of the pivot member 18 induced by striking of the strikable object is detected and measured by the hall effect sensor 88 by measuring movement of the magnet 59. The triaxis hall effect sensor 88 is configured to measure X-Y movement as well as axial rotation of the pivot member 18 about an axis A of the pivot member 18 which is illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0122] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrates a post socket 53 at the upper end of post opening 52. for receiving an upper portion 50 of the support post 14, as shown in FIG. 3. The assembly 11 includes a post clamp 98 positioned at the underside of the housing 12. The post clamp 98 includes a plurality of resilient fingers 96 which are positioned within rotatable collar 74 and surrounding a portion of post opening 52. The resilient fingers 96 are urged outward upon insertion of post 14 into post opening 52. The rotatable collar 74 is threadedly engaged with the post clamp 98 and as the rotatable collar 74 is tightened, the resilient fingers 96 are squeezed inward by the rotatable collar 74 so as to clamp against the support post 14 and thereby secure the housing 12 to the support post 14.
[0123] FIGS. 8 and 9 provide exploded views of a head assembly 11 which includes the housing 12 and the internal various components therein.
[0124] At the top of FIG. 8, the tether clamp nut 36 is shown above the flared opening 56 having inclined surface 80 formed in an upper housing part 12a. The pivot member 18 is positioned between upper bearing part 76a and lower bearing part 76b. The bearing 76 is locked within a downwardly extending hollow boss 77 formed in the upper housing part 12a. O-ring 90 is shown exploded from its seat within the channel 92 formed in an upper side of the PCB support 84. The hollow boss 77 is partially received within the channel 92 and seats upon O-ring 90. The boss 77 and concave portion 82 of the PCB Support 84 collectively form a water/dust barrier between the ball and socket configuration and the remainder of the interior of the housing 12.
[0125] At the bottom of FIG. 8, the rotatable collar 74 includes an internal thread 95 which engages with an external thread 93 on a post clamp 98. The resilient fingers 96 extend downwardly on a lower side of the post clamp 98 and into the collar 74. An upper side of the post clamp 98 includes three upwardly extending hollow protrusions 99. As best shown in FIG. 9, the hollow protrusions 99 extend through corresponding openings 83 in the base of a lower housing part 12b.
[0126] Still referring to FIG. 9, the PCB support 84 includes three downwardly extending long protrusions 85 and three downwardly extending short protrusions 91. The long protrusions extend through corresponding openings 87 in the PCB 86. The short protrusions 91 include an internal thread. The short protrusions 91 align with corresponding small openings 89 in the PCB 86 allowing the PCB 86 to be screwed to the underside of the PCB support 84 by three screws extending through the three small openings 89 and engaging with the internal threads in the three short protrusions 91. In this manner, the PCB 86 is spaced from the PCB support 84 by approximately the length of the short protrusions 91 which, as shown in FIG. 7, are slightly longer than the depth of the concave portion 82. The PCB 86 and the sensor 88 are thereby spaced below and slightly apart from the concave portion 82 of the PCB support 84.
[0127] The long protrusions 85 are hollow and align with the protrusions 99 extending upwardly from the post clamp 98 as is best shown in FIG. 7. The protrusions 85 each define a bolt passage having an upper opening 79 which is shown in FIG. 8. The openings 79 align with corresponding downwardly extending and internally threaded protrusions 81 in the upper housing part 12a, which are shown in FIGS. 9 and 7. The head assembly 11 is thereby secured via three bolts 97 inserted into post clamp 98 and which extend through the post clamp protrusions 99, the PCB long protrusions 85 and then engage with the internal threaded protrusions 81 in the upper housing part 12a.
[0128] As shown in FIG. 8, the lower housing part 12b includes two battery compartments 72 with corresponding battery compartment lids 70 secured via a corresponding battery lid screw 71. The battery lid screw 71 engages with an internally threaded boss on the lower housing part 12b. As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the bearing 76, PCB support 84 and PCB 86 are generally round.
[0129] The base 16 will now be described with reference FIGS. 10-12. The base 16 comprises a hollow container 17 of approximately 20L volume which is fillable with ballast material, in particular water, via opening 19 which is closable via cap 21. The helical spring 42 is receiving within a spring mount 25 which is secured to the container 17 via bolts 27. The helical spring 42 spring operates to dissipate multidirectional loads when the ball 20 is struck and helps to reduce the possibility of the base 16 tipping off the ground.
[0130] As shown in FIG. 11, the container 17 includes integrally formed storage recesses for containing parts of the apparatus 10. In particular, an underside of the container 17 of the base 16 includes a larger recess 29a for receiving the housing 12 and a smaller recess 29b for receiving the ball 20. The larger recess 29a and the smaller recess 29b are connected via a channel 29c for receiving part of the tether 22. During storage, the excess tether 22 can fit beneath the ball 20 in the smaller recess 29b and then feed along the channel 29c to the pivot member 18. The smaller recess 29c is sized to receive and secure the ball 20 via an interference fit within the recess 29c.
[0131] A shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, a pivotable recess lid 31 covers the larger recess 29a for securing the housing 12 within the larger recess 29a. One side of the lid 31 is pivotably secured to the container 17 via a screw 35 and hex nut 37. The hex nut 37 is embedded in the underside of the container 17. In particular, the hex nut is fitted within a corresponding recess (for example a blind hole) formed in the underside of the container 17. In this way, the lid 31 can be held in place by screw 35 without forming a hole in the container which would cause leakage of ballast material. The lid 31 includes an opening which engages with a resilient raised projection 39 in the underside of the container 17. The lid 31 is flexed over resilient projection 39 to engage the opening in the lid with the projection 39 and thereby secure the lid 31 in a closed position over recess 29a. The base 16 includes non-slip rubber feet 33 shown in FIGS. 10 and 12 which are received within openings 33a shown in FIG. 11 and positioned equidistantly around the underside of the base 16.
[0132] FIG. 13 illustrates a self-contained pivot member 118 according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the electrical componentry of the invention is self-contained within pivot member 118. In particular, the pivot member 118 includes a battery 141, a PCB 186 and an internal sensor 188. The PCB 186 may include a processing device and a wireless transmission device to communicate to a user's client device or to a display or speaker on the apparatus. The pivot member 118 is generally equivalent to pivot member 18 in its structure and similarly comprises a spherical ball portion 154 and a pivot arm 138 extending from the ball portion 154. By incorporating the electrical componentry of the apparatus into the pivot member 118, the overall size of the housing may be reduced. Furthermore, the apparatus may advantageous have increased weather resistance.
[0133] FIG. 14 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the invention comprising an alternative tether clamp nut 136. The tether clamp nut 136 includes a single opening at its top end through which the tether 22 extends. Inside the clamp nut 136, the proximal end of the tether 22 is clamped against the distal end of the pivot arm 38. This configuration may be preferable over the previously discussed and illustrated tether clamp nut 36 in which the tether 22 was fed through a side opening and involved a tether ‘tail’ which protruded through the nut. In contrast, tether clamp nut 136 does not require a tether tail. Furthermore, the tether 22 extends directly from the distal end of the clamp nut 136 and therefore the proximal end of the tether 22 aligns with the axis of the pivot arm 38 which potentially provides more natural movement of the pivot arm 18 in response to movement of the tether 22 during use.
[0134] As discussed in the foregoing, the present invention may be configured for a variety of games or as a training device for a variety of sports. FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate embodiments of the present invention when configured as a soccer game or soccer training device. FIG. 15 illustrates an apparatus 200 in use with a flat base 216 in which the spring mount 225 is secured to a flat disc 217. The apparatus 200 includes a soccer ball 220 instead of tennis ball 20 used with apparatus 10. The apparatus 200 includes a shortened support post 214 so that housing 212 is at a height a soccer game or soccer training device. The tether 222 of apparatus 200 is also longer than the tether 22 of apparatus 10 to enable the soccer ball 220 to be kicked along the ground. The mechanical components of the assembly including the housing and the internal components thereof such as the pivot member and sensor arrangement, is otherwise equivalent in apparatus 200 to that of apparatus 10.
[0135] The apparatus 200 may also be used with a ballast-type base 316 as shown in FIG. 16. The base 316 may be generally equivalent to the base 16 described above in relation to apparatus 10 although the underside base 316 may not necessarily include a recess for storing the ball.
[0136] As discussed in the foregoing, each side of the head assembly 11 includes indicia to designate the player number. FIG. 6 illustrated indicia 64b which is a Player 1 label to indicate that the player standing on that side of the head assembly 11 will be designated player 1 by the processing device. As shown in FIG. 4, the opposite side of the head assembly 11 includes a playber 2 indicia 64a which indicates that the player standing on that side of the head assembly 11 will be designated as player 2 by the processing device.
[0137] Turning to FIG. 17, the processing device notionally divides the playing area into four quadrants which are designated (in clockwise order) 0, 1, 2 and 3. The four quadrans are labelled in FIG. 17. A longitudinal axis (axis C shown in FIG. 7a) of the tetherball apparatus extends through the intersection of the four quadrants. Quadrants 0 and 2 correspond with the player 1 indicia 64b and the player 2 indicia 64a such that the player standing in front of the player 1 indicia is in quadrant 0 and the player standing in front of the playber 2 indicia is in quadrant 2.
[0138] The processing device is configured to detect the position of the pivot arm with respect to the four quadrants. In the perspective shown in FIG. 17, the strikable object comprises a ball 20 which has been struck by playber 2 (not shown) in quadrant 2 and is moving in the direction indicated by arrow H toward quadrant 3. Upon entering quadrant 3, the movement of the pivot arm into quadrant 3 triggers a timer in the processing device which is stopped when the pivot member crosses from quadrant 3 into quadrant 0. The time taken for the pivot member to traverse quadrant 3 is indictive of the time taken for the ball 20 to traverse quadrant 3 and this time recording is used to calculate an estimate of ball speed, based on an approximation of the distance travelled by the ball between entering and exiting quadrant 3.
[0139] According to a particular embodiment, the approximate distance travelled by the ball between entering and exiting quadrant 3 may be either predetermined or, alternatively, may be determined in use by the processing device based on the pivot member movement pathway. In the example of the distance being predetermined, the processing device may approximate the distance to π/2 or approximately 1.57 m, assuming a tether length of 1 m. This approximation assumes a relatively horizontal path of ball 20 and so may result in an underestimate of speed, for example, in the event that the ball path is diagonal. Accordingly, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the processing device may be configured to also infer the vertical position of the ball as well as horizontal in order to provide a more accurate estimate of the distance travelled, and therefore a more accurate calculation of speed.
[0140] In an alternative embodiment, the processing device is configured to record position data of the pivot member at a rate of many times per second and can therefore determine velocity based on the rate of positional change over time. According to this method, the object acceleration can be estimated by recording the change in velocity over time. When provided with the mass of the strikable object and the tether, an estimate of the force applied to the strikable object can be determined. This method of continual position recording may include recording vertical displacement as well as horizontal displacement and may therefore provide desirably accurate velocity calculations.
[0141] In a still further embodiment, the apparatus may be configured to infer a general indication of the strikable object's motion and to apply a ‘gamification’ factor to the inferred motion. For example, in order to improve gameplay excitement, the apparatus may apply a multiplication factor to the inferred motion. The apparatus may be configured to apply a 2× multiplication factor to the inferred speed of the strikable object so that presented speed is double the inferred speed. According to this particular configuration, the apparatus is not necessarily configured to display a precisely accurate motion measurement but is nonetheless configured to measure an indication of the object's motion. The multiplication factor may be used to enhance gameplay dynamics by increasing the speeds shown to the player(s). The multiplication factor may be used to display speeds closer to a ball in free-flight (i.e., not decelerated by the effects of the ball being tethered. The multiplication factor may be applied consistently to object strikes by both players 1 and 2 so that, the player with the higher recorded speed will still be presented with a higher indicated speed.
[0142] It will be appreciated that the software of apparatus 200 may be configured for the game of soccer whereas the software of apparatus 10 may be configured for the game of tetherball. Alternatively, common software may be present on either apparatus and the user is prompted to select which sport or game they intend to play.
[0143] FIG. 18 illustrates a particular embodiment of a base 160 of the tetherball apparatus of the present disclosure. The base 160 includes indicia for players 1 and 2 which comprise markers 160a and 160b on opposite sides of the base 160. The player position markers 160a, 160b can be aligned with other indicia on the apparatus such as player position indicia on the head assembly of the apparatus.
[0144] It will be appreciated from the above discussion that the present disclosure advantageously provides a multi-axis pivot member capable of measuring multi-axis motion. Embodiments of the disclosure which provide contactless measurement advantageously provide a significant improvement as compared to previous systems that relied upon a rotary encoder which introduced friction into the system.
[0145] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the disclosure described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
[0146] Where the terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprised” or “comprising” are used in this specification (including the claims) they are to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components, but not precluding the presence of one or more other feature, integer, step, component or group thereof.
