Electronics Enclosure for a Needle-Inflated Object

Abstract

An electronics enclosure assembly includes: a housing having a convex side and a concave side opposite the convex side; at least one electronic device arranged within the housing; and a mounting stem having at least a shank portion extending from the concave side of the housing for connecting the housing to a valve of a needle-inflated ball. A support spans an interior of the housing for transferring an impact force around the at least one electronic device. Upon connecting the housing to a valve of a needle-inflated ball by insertion of the shank portion of the mounting stem into the valve, the housing resides outside of the ball.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to enclosures to house and protect electronic devices. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an enclosure for mounting a motion-tracking device on a needle-inflated ball.

BACKGROUND

There are many sports that use needle inflatable balls. These sports include but are not limited to basketball, football, volleyball, soccer, rugby, and handball. Over a hundred million people participate globally in these sports every year. A multitude of methods are used by coaches, trainers, and athletes to improve coordination and muscle control. One of those techniques involves using an electronic device for motion feedback from the ball.

Presently known solutions typically contain a sensor, battery, battery charger, and some sort of wireless connectivity. As an athlete practices a technique with a sensor embedded ball, data is collected, processed, and then transmitted to a feedback device. The athlete can then look at the feedback device and make changes to their technique.

Conventional electronic devices for basketballs, footballs, handballs, volley balls, rugby balls, and soccer balls are embedded in inside the bladder, underneath the stitched panels, or centralized inside the bladder by connecting strings. These methods, however, have several disadvantages. The sensors or sensor housings must be embedded in the inflatable ball during manufacturing period making it impossible to add to currently available inflatable balls. Additionally, charging the battery of a typical sensor system requires complicated electronics, expensive components, or involves difficult access. Moreover, when the inflatable ball expires due to wear and tear, a typical available sensor system is not easily transferred to a replacement ball.

Improvements are needed in a device that attaches conveniently to a ball.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce in a simplified form concepts that are further described in the following detailed descriptions. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it to be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

According to at least one embodiment, an electronics enclosure assembly includes: a housing having a convex side and a concave side opposite the convex side; at least one electronic device arranged within the housing; and a mounting stem having at least a shank portion extending from the concave side of the housing for connecting the housing to a valve of a needle-inflated ball.

According to at least one example, at least one support spans an interior of the housing for transferring an impact force around the at least one electronic device.

According to at least one example, upon connecting the housing to a valve of a needle-inflated ball by insertion of the shank portion of the mounting stem into the valve, the housing resides outside of the ball.

According to at least one example, the at least one electronic device includes at least one of a pressure sensor, a global positioning system, an accelerometer, a magnetometer, and a gyroscope.

According to at least one example, the at least one electronic device comprises a battery and a battery charging mechanism operatively connected to the battery.

According to at least one example, the battery charging mechanism is configured to be coupled by inductive coupling to an external charging device.

According to at least one embodiment, an electronics enclosure assembly includes: a housing having a base, a cap opposite the base, and an interior defined between the base and the cap; and a mounting stem having at least a shank portion extending from the base for connecting the housing to a valve of a needle-inflated ball.

According to at least one example, at least one support spans an interior of the housing for transferring an impact force from the cap to the base.

According to at least one example, the mounting stem includes: a cylindrical shank having the at least a shank portion extending from the base; and a head connected to the cylindrical shank, wider than the cylindrical shank, and trapped between the base and cap.

According to at least one example, the base includes an interior support collar extending into the interior of the housing around the cylindrical shank.

According to at least one example, the cap includes a cylindrical interior support shroud extending into the interior of the housing around the head of the mounting stem and around the interior support collar.

According to at least one example, the shank portion of the mounting stem extends from the base in a first direction; and the cap has a convex outer surface facing a second direction opposite the first direction.

According to at least one example, the base has a concave outer surface facing the first direction.

According to at least one example, the housing includes a circularly cylindrical perimeter wall extending from the base to the cap.

According to at least one example, a sleeve at least partially covers the cap and has a tapered outer perimeter edge.

According to at least one example, an electronic device is within the housing.

According to at least one example, a motion tracking device is within the housing.

According to at least one example, the motion tracking device includes a circuit board, a battery, and a battery charging mechanism.

According to at least one example, the circuit board includes a processor, a memory device, an acceleration sensor, and an input and output device.

According to at least one example, the battery charging mechanism is configured to be powered by inductive coupling.

According to at least one embodiment, an improved enclosure for electronics components on a needle-inflated object such as an inflatable sports ball includes a mounting stem. This mounting stem is dimensioned to be inserted in to any standard needle-inflated ball. The mounting stem allows a user to easily add the enclosure to a needle-inflated ball or to remove the enclosure for storage, charging, or data collection, or to transfer the enclosure to a second needle-inflated ball.

Various embodiments provide an improved enclosure for needle-inflated ball, to provide versatility of moving the electronics enclosure, to provide impact resistance to the electronics when struck, and to provide a more user-friendly and economical motion feedback system. Still further advantages will become apparent from a study of the following description and the accompanying drawings.

An enclosure is described for providing electronics protection and interchangeability between multiple needle-inflated balls. The enclosure may include a chamber defined between a base and a cap, supported by a mounting stem that is sized and shaped for insertion into the existing air valve of a needle-inflated ball. A user of the enclosure can easily attach the enclosure to a needle-inflated ball or remove it, for storage, charging, data collection, or to attach it to a second ball. The enclosure may hold one or more sensors, or other electronics, such as a motion feedback system for sensing and recording movements of the ball. Thus, a considerably more versatile design for a motion feedback system for use with inflatable balls is provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The previous summary and the following detailed descriptions are to be read in view of the drawings, which illustrate particular exemplary embodiments and features as briefly described below. The summary and detailed descriptions, however, are not limited to only those embodiments and features explicitly illustrated.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronics enclosure assembly, according to at least one embodiment, having a base and cap shown as disengaged.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electronics enclosure assembly of FIG. 1 shown with the cap mounted upon and engaged with the base.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the electronics enclosure assembly of FIG. 2 mounted upon a ball.

FIG. 4 is enlarged view of the electronics enclosure assembly of FIG. 2 and a portion of the ball of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the electronics enclosure assembly of FIG. 2, taken along a diameter thereof, covered or at least partly encapsulated by a sleeve according to at least one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an electronics enclosure assembly according to another embodiment, taken along a diameter thereof, covered or at least partly encapsulated by a sleeve.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of components of the motion tracking device of FIGS. 1-2, according to at least one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

These descriptions are presented with sufficient details to provide an understanding of one or more particular embodiments of broader inventive subject matters. These descriptions expound upon and exemplify particular features of those particular embodiments without limiting the inventive subject matters to the explicitly described embodiments and features. Considerations in view of these descriptions will likely give rise to additional and similar embodiments and features without departing from the scope of the inventive subject matters.

Any dimensions expressed or implied in the drawings and these descriptions are provided for exemplary purposes. Thus, not all embodiments within the scope of the drawings and these descriptions are made according to such exemplary dimensions. The drawings are not made necessarily to scale. Thus, not all embodiments within the scope of the drawings and these descriptions are made according to the apparent scale of the drawings with regard to relative dimensions in the drawings. However, for each drawing, at least one embodiment is made according to the apparent relative scale of the drawing.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronics enclosure assembly 50 for mounting on a needle inflated object such as a sports ball according to at least one embodiment. The electronics enclosure assembly 50 includes, in the illustrated embodiment, a base 100 and a cap 200. The cap 200 is shown as disengaged from the base 100 in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electronics enclosure assembly 50 shown with the cap 200 mounted upon and engaged with the base 100.

Terms such as upper, upward, top, lower, downward and bottom are relative terms used herein for descriptive purpose and refer to the orientation of the electronics enclosure assembly 100 as mounted on the tentative top side of a ball 10 (FIG. 3). In use the ball 10 and electronics enclosure assembly 50 will assume many arbitrary orientations in flight and in play as they travel and rotate together.

The base 100 (FIG. 1) includes a floor 102 and a perimeter wall 104 extending upward from the floor 102. A base interior 106 is defined above the floor 102 and surrounded by the perimeter wall 104. An upper end of the perimeter wall 104 includes a raised inner lip 112 and a raised outer lip 114 concentric with the inner lip 112. A channel 110 is defined between the inner lip 112 and outer lip 114. In the illustrated embodiment, the perimeter wall 110 is approximately circularly cylindrical and the concentric inner lip 112 and outer lip 114 are accordingly approximately circular, accordingly defining the channel 110 as approximately circular. At least the lower end of the channel 110 is tapered, having a relatively wider top annular opening and relatively more narrow annular bottom.

A top surface 116 of the floor 102 of the base 100 faces upward and into the base interior 106. A bottom surface 118 of the base 100 and floor 102 faces downward opposite the base interior 106. The electronics enclosure assembly 50 includes a mounting stem 120 having a shank 122 that extends downward from the bottom surface 118 of the floor 102 along a central axis 130 (FIGS. 3 and 4) of the electronics enclosure assembly 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting stem 120 is a one-piece implement, formed of contiguous material, having the cylindrical shank 122 passed through a central mounting hole formed through the floor 102 of the base 100 and a head 124 at the upper end of the shank 122. An interior support collar 132 (FIG. 4) extends upward from the top surface 116 (FIG. 1) of the floor 102 around the mounting hole through which the shank 122 is passed to surround the shank 122 and strengthen the base 100. The head 124 is wider than the shank 122, which fits snugly in the interior support collar 132, thus the head 124 is prevented from passing through the interior support collar 132. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting stem 120 is installed upon the base 100. In other embodiments, the mounting stem 120 may constructed as materially contiguous part of the base 100.

The cap 200 (FIG. 1) includes an upper shell 202 and a perimeter ring 204 extending downward from the shell 202. A cap interior 206 is defined below the upper shell 202 and surrounded by the perimeter ring 204. At least the lower end of the perimeter ring 204 is tapered, narrowing as it extends from the shell 202. A bottom surface 218 of the shell 202 of the cap 200 faces downward and into the cap interior 206. A top surface 216 of the shell 202 faces upward opposite the cap interior 206.

To achieve closure of the electronics enclosure assembly 50, the cap 200 is brought into engagement with the base 100, with the bottom surface 218 of the upper shell 202 of the cap 200 facing the top surface 116 of the floor 102 of the base 100. Upon engagement, the tapered lower end of the perimeter ring 204 of the cap 200 is disposed within the channel 110 and between the inner lip 112 and outer lip 114 of the perimeter wall 104 of the base 100. As shown in FIG. 4, the dimensions and tapers of the channel 110 and perimeter ring 204 approximately match such that the ring 204 and channel 110 form a sealed engagement. The electronics enclosure assembly 50 is thereby sealed and a tortuous path resistant to moisture passage is defined at the junction of the perimeter ring 204 and perimeter wall 104. Upon closure, an interior 56 (FIG. 4) of the electronics enclosure assembly 50 is surrounded by the perimeter wall 104 and is defined between the top surface 116 of the floor 102 and the bottom surface 218 of the shell 202. The cap 200 can be threaded, welded, adhered, or mechanically fastened by screws or other fasteners to the base 100. A housing 60 (FIG. 2) is defined by the base 100 and cap 200 when closure is achieved, with a distal portion of the cylindrical shank 122 of the mounting stem 120 extending from the housing 60.

A cylindrical interior support shroud 232 (FIG. 1) extends downward from the center of bottom surface 218 of the shell 202. The support shroud 232 is place to be aligned and concentric with the interior support collar 132 of the base 100. In the illustrated embodiment, when the base 100 and cap 200 are engaged: the interior support shroud 232 surrounds the head 124 of the mounting stem 120 and the interior support collar 132; the upper end of the shank 122 is surrounded by a double-walled cylindrical support structure defined by the upward extending interior support collar 132 and surrounding downward extending interior support shroud 232; and the head 124 is trapped between support collar 132 and support shroud 232. The mounting stem 120 is thus positionally fixed relative to other components of the electronics enclosure assembly 50.

In the illustrated embodiment, the top side of the head 124 of the mounting stem 120 has a slot 126, and a tooth 234 (FIG. 1) extends downward from the shell 202 within the interior support shroud 232. When the base 100 and cap 200 are engaged, the tooth 234 enters the slot 126 thus engaging the head 124 of the mounting stem 120, which is thus prevented from rotating, for example around the central axis 130 (FIGS. 3 and 4), relative to other components of the electronics enclosure assembly 50.

Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, several interior support posts 236 extend downward from the bottom surface 218 of the shell 202 (FIG. 1). When the base 100 and cap 200 are engaged, the interior support posts 236, extending parallel to the central axis 130, span the interior 56 of the electronics enclosure assembly 50 between the shell 202 and the floor 102. Similarly, the interior support shroud 232 spans the interior 56 of the electronics enclosure assembly 50 between the shell 202 and the floor 102. These support structures, including the interior support posts 236, the interior support shroud 232, and the interior support collar 132 in combination with the head 124 of the mounting stem 120, provide strength to the electronics enclosure assembly 50, especially approximately along the central axis 130, and prevent collapse of the interior 56 of the electronics enclosure assembly 50 between the shell 202 and the floor 102. Thus the structural integrity of the electronics enclosure assembly 50 is supported even as the assembly 50 travels with a ball 10 (FIGS. 3-4) or other object upon which the assembly is mounted. The electronics enclosure assembly 50 can, for example, sustain direct hits without crushing as a basketball is dribbled or as a football is kicked.

While in the illustrated embodiment exemplary support structures spanning the interior 56 of the electronics enclosure assembly 50 between the shell 202 and the floor 102 extend from the bottom surface 218 of the shell 202 as integral parts of the cap 200, such support structures in other embodiments extend from the base 102, and in yet other embodiments, such support structures are separate from the base 100 and cap 200 and are trapped therebetween for example when the base 100 and cap 200 are engaged upon closure of the electronics enclosure assembly 50.

The mounting stem 120 may be sized and shaped for mounting the electronics enclosure assembly 50 upon an object by insertion of the mounting stem 120 into an existing opening, such as the needle-valve opening of a basketball or other needle-inflated sports ball. The needle-valve opening on a ball is typically formed in or surrounded by a valve structure, typically made of soft rubber or other elastomer, that generally prevents unintended deflation. The valve structure typically includes a central opening that sized and shaped to receive a needle when inflating the ball. The mounting stem 120, according to various embodiments, is sized and shaped to be easily inserted into the central opening in the valve structure. The valve structure then grips the mounting stem 120 and helps hold the electronics enclosure assembly 50 firmly in place relative to the ball, even during rigorous use and play with the object or ball.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the electronics enclosure assembly 50 mounted upon a needle-inflated ball 10, with the mounting stem 120 inserted within and retained by the inflation valve of the ball 10. FIG. 4 is enlarged view of a portion 38 of FIG. 3, illustrating in cross-section the electronics enclosure assembly 50 and a portion of the ball 10.

As illustrated, the electronics enclosure assembly 50 attaches directly to the needle valve 12 of the ball 10 via the mounting stem 120. The electronics enclosure assembly 50 can be attached by aligning the mounting stem 120 with the needle-valve opening and inserting the stem 120 into the needle valve 12 toward the bladder 14, thus aligning the central axis 130 of the electronics enclosure assembly 50 with a radial axis 16 of the ball 10 for typical sports balls. The mounting of the electronics enclosure assembly 50 upon the ball 10 can be completed by pressing down on the enclosure cap 200 until the enclosure base 102 mates with the ball exterior 18. The mounting stem 120 can be any length or width needed to fully penetrate the needle valve 12. Additionally, the mounting stem 120 can have any texture as long as it is easy to install, remove, and prevents or limits damage done to the needle valve 12 and bladder 14. The electronics enclosure assembly 50 is easily removed from a ball and transferred to another, or put away for storage of the assembly. Thus users may mount the electronics enclosure assembly 50 upon needle-inflated objects without modification of the objects. The electronics enclosure assembly 50 mounts upon the ball 10 with the housing 60 residing outside of the ball, with only a portion of the shank 122 of the mounting stem 120 passing through the ball exterior 18 and entering the ball 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, the electronics enclosure assembly 50 is generally disc-shaped. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment the top surface 216 of the shell 202 and cap 200, which defines the top outer surface of the electronics enclosure assembly 50 facing away from the ball 10 when mounted, advantageously has a generally convex shape to resemble the ball exterior 18. This limits any noticeable effects of the presence of the assembly 50 on the normal performance, activity and uses of the ball 10. Similarly, the bottom surface 118 of the base 100 and floor 102, which defines the surface of the electronics enclosure assembly 50 that faces the ball 10 when mounted, advantageously has a generally concave shape to receive the ball exterior 18. This facilitates a close fit between the electronics enclosure assembly 50 and ball exterior 18. Particular embodiments of the electronics enclosure assembly 50 may have particularly selected curvatures, with reference to the convex top surface 216 and concave bottom surface 118, to match corresponding types of balls.

In other embodiments, the top of the cap 200 and the bottom of the base 100 can have generally flat shapes. Additionally, the bottom of enclosure base 13 may have a shocking absorbing system, in order to facilitate a close fit between the base 100 and the outside of the ball 10, and to limit the effect of the presence of the assembly 50 on the normal performance, activity and uses of the ball 10. The shock absorbing system can be comprised of springs, exterior struts, cushioning material, suction cups, or a sleeve.

In some embodiments, the diameter 52 (FIG. 2) of the assembly 50, as taken perpendicular to the central axis 130, can be smaller than a dime and the thickness 54 can be thinner than the thickness of three dimes, in order to limit the effect of the presence of the assembly 50 on the normal performance, activity and uses of the ball 10. The thickness in this context refers to the base 100 and cap 200 without regard to the length of the shank 122 of the mounting stem 120 extending from the housing 60 defined by the base 100 and cap 200 when closure is achieved.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the electronics enclosure assembly 50, taken along a diameter thereof, with the housing 60 covered or at least partly encapsulated by a sleeve 300 according to at least one embodiment. The sleeve 300 may have a convex-shaped top surface and a concave-shaped bottom surface, having a curvature that is similar to the curvature of the outside of a particular type of needle-inflated ball. The sleeve 300 may be permanently attached to the electronics enclosure assembly 50 or may be removable therefrom and interchangeable with other sleeves that are sized and shaped to closely fit different needle-inflated balls. For example, one sleeve can fit a size 5 soccer ball and can be removed and replaced with a sleeve that fits a regulation-size football. The sleeve 300 can be attached to the electronics enclosure assembly 50 by inserting the electronics enclosure assembly 50 into an opening 302. The sleeve 300 can include an elastic flange 304 surrounding the opening 302 to allow for the insertion of the electronics enclosure assembly 50 through the sleeve opening 302 and retention of the assembly 50 by elastic return of the flange 304. In some cases, the outer portion of sleeve 300 can be made out of a textured material that matches the outer surface of a needle-inflated ball. The sleeve 300, in the illustrated embodiment, entirely covers the cap 200 and thins from the electronics enclosure assembly 50 to a tapered outer perimeter edge 306 to minimize any ledge or abrupt surface curvature discontinuity with a ball exterior surface.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an electronics enclosure assembly 70 according to another embodiment, taken along a diameter thereof, covered or at least partly encapsulated by a sleeve 310. In the illustrated embodiment of the assembly 70, a connection ring 140 extends outward from and surrounds the upper end of the perimeter wall 104 of the base 100. The electronics enclosure assembly 70 otherwise has the above described features and components described in the preceding with reference to the electronics enclosure assembly 50. In FIG. 6, the sleeve 310 includes a corresponding inward extending flange 314 that cooperatively engages the connection ring 140 in a double tongue-in-groove engagement.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, the electronics enclosure assembly 50 houses electronic components illustrated and described here for purposes of example with limiting the scope of the drawings and these descriptions. FIG. 1 shows a motion tracking device 150 including a circuit board 152, a battery 154, and a battery charging mechanism 156 arranged within the base interior 106. Upon closure of the base 100 and cap 200, the interior 56 (FIG. 4) of the electronics enclosure assembly 50 encases, carries and protects the motion tracking device 150. The interior 56 may include additional space for housing additional wiring, electronic components, indicator lights, foam packing, mounting restraints, and electrical potting. For example, the interior 56 may house wires connecting the battery 154 to a circuit board 152 as well as foam packing for securing the battery 154 and circuit board 152 in place within the interior 56. In some embodiments, the interior dimensions of the electronics enclosure assembly 50 are customized to provide a snug fit for the circuit board 152, battery 154, and battery charging mechanism 156.

In the illustrated or other embodiments, the motion tracking device 150 includes at least one of a pressure sensor, a global positioning system, an accelerometer, a magnetometer, and a gyroscope. An advantage of having the motion tracker on the outside of the ball is that a pressure sensor can be used to determine the approximate height of the ball to allow for a tracking base point that simplifies the tracking mathematics by providing an accurate Z location versus having to twice integrate acceleration data from other tracking components. This also permits better filtering techniques that reduce sensor drift.

In the illustrated embodiment, the interior support posts 236 for example protect and divide the electronic components. In use, the electronics enclosure assembly 50 provides a cushion or protective casing to the devices housed within the interior 56. When an impact force is exerted, for example, when a needle-inflated soccer ball is kicked or when a basketball strikes the floor of a playing court, the electronics enclosure assembly 50 facilitates the transfer of impact forces around the interior 56, away from the enclosed electronics components, and toward the cushioning provided by the ball itself. The interior support posts 236 are shown to extend through spacings between the electronic components and to span the interior 56 of the electronics enclosure assembly 50 between the shell 202 and the floor 102 to further reduce the impact forces on the electronic components by transferring forces from the cap 200 to the base 100. The electronics enclosure assembly 50 also serves to protect the electronic components by directing forces through the support collar 132 and support shroud 232.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of components of the motion tracking device 150, according to at least one embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the circuit board 152 includes a processor 158, a memory device 160, an acceleration sensor 162, and an input/output device 164. The input output device 164 may include a wireless transceiver and may include a wired port, such as a USB type or other wire-based connection. The processor 158 in the illustrated embodiment implements application programs stored in the memory device 160. The processor 158 may be capable of implementing analog or digital signal processing algorithms for raw data reduction and filtering. The processor 158 may be configured to receive and process data from the acceleration sensor 162 and input/output device 164. The processor 158 is operatively connected to the battery 154, the memory device 160, the acceleration sensor 162, the battery charging mechanism 156, and the input/output device 164. The battery 154 may be recharged by the battery charging mechanism 156 being plugged into a cable attached to a charging source or may be recharged by inductive charging when the electronics enclosure assembly 50, and particularly the battery charging mechanism 156 therewith, are brought to within an effective proximity with an inductive charging device 166 for inducting coupling 168. In some embodiments, a docking station may be used to facilitate charging and data transfer into and out of the motion tracking device 150. In at least one embodiment, the motion tracking device 150 has a replaceable battery 154 and no battery charging mechanism.

In at least one embodiment, the motion tracking device 150, via instructions stored on the memory device 160 as executed by the processor 158, determines motion characteristics of the electronics enclosure assembly 50 and any ball on which the assembly is mounted. In another embodiment, the motion tracking device 150, via instructions stored on the memory device 160 as executed by the processor 158, collects data for use by an external computing device to determine motion characteristics. For example, in at least one embodiment, the motion tracking device 150 sends collected data or determined motion characteristics data via the input/output device 164 to a an external device such as a smart phone or other computing device.

While FIG. 1 shows a motion tracking device 150 as housed in the electronics enclosure assembly 50, and FIG. 7 shows an example block diagram of the motion tracking device 150, similar and other electronic devices housed in the electronics enclosure assembly 50, as represented by the components 152, 154 and 156, are within the scope of these descriptions and the drawings. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,095,312, 8,512,177, 8,517,870, 9,257,054 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0274587A1, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein, illustrate and describe electronics devices and components and motion measurement and tracking methodologies applicable for use in the electronics enclosure assembly 50 described herein.

Particular embodiments and features have been described with reference to the drawings. It is to be understood that these descriptions are not limited to any single embodiment or any particular set of features, and that similar embodiments and features may arise or modifications and additions may be made without departing from the scope of these descriptions and the spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An electronics enclosure assembly comprising: a housing having a convex side and a concave side opposite the convex side;at least one electronic device arranged within the housing; anda mounting stem having at least a shank portion extending from the concave side of the housing for connecting the housing to a valve of a needle-inflated ball.

2. The electronics enclosure assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one support that spans an interior of the housing for transferring an impact force around the at least one electronic device.

3. The electronics enclosure assembly of claim 1, wherein, upon connecting the housing to a valve of a needle-inflated ball by insertion of the shank portion of the mounting stem into the valve, the housing resides outside of the ball.

4. The electronics enclosure assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one electronic device includes at least one of a pressure sensor, a global positioning system, an accelerometer, a magnetometer, and a gyroscope.

5. The electronics enclosure assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one electronic device comprises a battery and a battery charging mechanism operatively connected to the battery.

6. The electronics enclosure assembly of claim 5, wherein the battery charging mechanism is configured to be coupled by inductive coupling to an external charging device.

7. An electronics enclosure assembly comprising: a housing comprising a base, a cap opposite the base, and an interior defined between the base and the cap; anda mounting stem having at least a shank portion extending from the base for connecting the housing to a valve of a needle-inflated ball.

8. The electronics enclosure assembly of claim 7, further comprising at least one support that spans an interior of the housing for transferring an impact force from the cap to the base.

9. The electronics enclosure assembly of claim 7, wherein the mounting stem comprises: a cylindrical shank having the at least a shank portion extending from the base; anda head connected to the cylindrical shank, wider than the cylindrical shank, and trapped between the base and cap.

10. The electronics enclosure assembly of claim 9, wherein the base includes an interior support collar extending into the interior of the housing around the cylindrical shank.

11. The electronics enclosure assembly of claim 10, wherein the cap includes a cylindrical interior support shroud extending into the interior of the housing around the head of the mounting stem and around the interior support collar.

12. The electronics enclosure assembly of claim 7, wherein: the shank portion of the mounting stem extends from the base in a first direction; andthe cap has a convex outer surface facing a second direction opposite the first direction.

13. The electronics enclosure assembly of claim 12, wherein the base has a concave outer surface facing the first direction.

14. The electronics enclosure assembly of claim 7, wherein the housing further comprises a circularly cylindrical perimeter wall extending from the base to the cap.

15. The electronics enclosure assembly of claim 7, further comprising a sleeve that at least partially covers the cap and has a tapered outer perimeter edge.

16. The electronics enclosure assembly of claim 7, further comprising an electronic device within the housing.

17. The electronics enclosure assembly of claim 16, further comprising a motion tracking device within the housing.

18. The electronics enclosure assembly of claim 17, wherein the motion tracking device comprises a circuit board, a battery, and a battery charging mechanism.

19. The electronics enclosure assembly of claim 18, wherein the circuit board comprises a processor, a memory device, an acceleration sensor, and an input and output device.

20. The electronics enclosure assembly of claim 18, wherein the battery charging mechanism is configured to be powered by inductive coupling.