Ball with positioning system
A ball ( 1 ) for use in a sporting activity can comprise a body having an electrical circuit ( 21 ) on a flexible substrate ( 20 ) received therein. The electrical circuit ( 21 ) comprises a dipole antenna ( 26 ) integrally formed with the electrical circuit ( 21 ) on the flexible substrate ( 20 ). The dipole antenna can comprise two arms ( 23, 24 ) each folded in a semi-circular shape.
1. A ball ( 1 ) for use in a sporting activity comprising a body having an electrical circuit ( 21 ) on a flexible substrate ( 20 ) received therein, the electrical circuit ( 21 ) comprises a dipole antenna ( 26 ) completely integrally formed with the electrical circuit ( 21 ) on the flexible substrate ( 20 ), the dipole antenna comprising two arms ( 23 , 24 ) each folded in a semi-circular shape, wherein the flexible substrate is provided with a slot ( 40 ) to receive the ends ( 25 ) of the arms ( 23 , 24 ) of the dipole antenna.
2. The ball according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible substrate ( 20 ) is a laminate.
3. The ball according to according to claim 1 , wherein the substrate ( 20 ) is punched.
4. The ball according to according to claim 1 , wherein the substrate ( 20 ) is formed having connectors ( 38 , 39 , 40 ).
5. The ball according to claim 4 , wherein the antenna ( 23 ) is folded out of a primary surface of the electrical circuit ( 21 ).
6. The ball according to according to claim 1 , wherein surface mounted devices ( 30 , 31 , 32 , 34 ) are mounted on the substrate and connected to the electrical circuit.
7. The ball according to claim 6 , wherein the electrical circuit comprises a transmitter ( 34 ) as surface mounted device.
8. The ball according to claim 6 , wherein the electrical circuit comprises an identification (ID) tag ( 36 ) as surface mounted device.
9. The ball according to according to claim 1 , wherein a battery ( 13 ) is connected to the electrical circuit.
10. The ball according to according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical circuit ( 21 ) and substrate ( 20 ) is received in a body of polyurethane ( 4 ).
11. The ball according to according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical circuit ( 21 ) is received in a hardened foam body ( 4 ) received in a body of power distribution board (PBD) ( 3 ) surrounded by a hardened coating ( 2 ).
12. The ball according to according to claim 1 , wherein the ball ( 1 ) comprises several layers of synthetic materials.
13. The ball according to according to claim 1 having a dimpled surface ( 2 ).