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Patent application title:

Net Ball Indicator "NBI"

Publication number:

US20250262508A1

Publication date:
Application number:

19/009,691

Filed date:

2025-01-03

Smart Summary: The Net Ball Indicator (NBI) helps improve sports like Table Tennis, Tennis, Pickle Ball, and Volleyball. It tells players when a ball hits the net, so referees don’t have to make that decision anymore. You can either change existing nets or create new ones that work with this system. When a ball hits the net, the NBI will make a sound and light up with an LED. This makes it easier for everyone to know what happened during the game. 🚀 TL;DR

Abstract:

The Net Ball Indicator “NBI” was invented to enhance the sports of Table Tennis, Tennis, Pickle Ball or Volley Ball. This invention will indicate whether a net ball has occurred. There will no longer be the need for judges to make that call. Existing nets can be altered or new nets can be manufactured to know when a ball has hit it. If it is hit, then it will emit a sound and flash an LED light.

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Classification:

  1. Human necessities
  2. Sports; games; amusements

A63B71/0605 »  CPC main

Games or sports accessories not covered in groups -; Indicating or scoring devices for games or players, or for other sports activities Decision makers and devices using detection means facilitating arbitration

A63B61/003 »  CPC further

Tennis nets or accessories for tennis or like games, e.g. volley-ball Nets for tennis or like games or accessories therefor

A63B71/0622 »  CPC further

Games or sports accessories not covered in groups -; Indicating or scoring devices for games or players, or for other sports activities; Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

A63B2071/0625 »  CPC further

Games or sports accessories not covered in groups -; Indicating or scoring devices for games or players, or for other sports activities; Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills; Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user Emitting sound, noise or music

A63B2102/02 »  CPC further

Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like Tennis

A63B2102/08 »  CPC further

Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like Paddle tennis, padel tennis or platform tennis

A63B2102/16 »  CPC further

Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like Table tennis

A63B2225/74 »  CPC further

Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights

A63B2243/0095 »  CPC further

Specific ball sports not provided for in - Volleyball

A63B71/06 IPC

Games or sports accessories not covered in groups - Indicating or scoring devices for games or players, or for other sports activities

A63B61/00 IPC

Tennis nets or accessories for tennis or like games, e.g. volley-ball

Description

This invention was made for the purpose of indicating whether a serve or volley of a ball has hit the net, resulting in a “net” ball.

This applies to everything from Table Tennis to actual Tennis or Pickleball. The mechanism can be installed as an after-market application. Or it can be manufactured as a new product (OEM) with the mechanism installed as an integral part of the net. The idea is that if a ball is served or volleyed and it hits the top of the net in any way, the indicator cord or net, will feel the vibration or impact. The line/cord will be connected to a power source, such as a rechargeable battery. The power source will be connected to the LED and audio device. When the net is impacted by a ball, an LED light source and audio sound will be triggered to show that there has been a net ball. This idea came to me while playing Table Tennis. There were at least two times when we were unsure whether there was a net ball. Most of the time it is apparent that a net ball has occured. But there are also many times when the players just aren't sure. I think this idea can be applied to the other sports where a net is involved. Even in professional or organized settings where a judge is involved, there are still possible instances of uncertainty of a ruling.

The attached drawings show the idea being installed as an after-market application and as a new (OEM) application, where the mechanism is built into the net apparatus.

FIG. 1 illustrates the Table Tennis-OEM application. Reference 1 indicates where the impact line/area is located. Reference 2 indicates where the LED light/audio source is located. Reference 3 indicates where the power/battery source is located.

FIG. 2 illustrates the Table Tennis-After Market application. Reference 1 indicates where the impact line/area is located. Reference 2 indicates where the LED light/audio source is located. Reference 3 indicates where the power/battery source is located.

FIG. 3 illustrates the Tennis/Pickle Ball OEM application. Reference 1 indicates where the impact line/area is located. Reference 2 indicates where the LED light/audio source is located. Reference 3 indicates where the power/battery source is located.

FIG. 4 illustrates the Tennis/Pickle Ball-After Market application. Reference 1 indicates where the impact line/area is located. Reference 2 indicates where the LED light/audio source is located. Reference 3 indicates where the power/battery source is located.

FIG. 5 illustrates the Volley Ball/Badminton OEM application. Reference 1 indicates where the impact line/area is located. Reference 2 indicates where the LED light/audio is located. Reference 3 indicates where the power/battery source is located.

FIG. 6 illustrates the Volley Ball/Badminton-After Market application. Reference 1 indicates where the impact/area is located. Reference 2 indicates where the LED light/audio source is located. Reference 3 indicates where the power/battery source is located.

Claims

1. This type of net system will indicate whether a ball has hit the net during a serve. It is called the Net Ball Indicator (NBI).

The system is comprised of a detection line that is installed in the net. Or the net itself will function as the detection device. There will be LED lights and an audible function that will emit light and sound when activated or hit. The power source (battery) will be built in and installed at the LED and audible device location.

What makes this a novel idea is that there won't be any more confusion or discrepancy of whether a ball hits a net. During professional play, there is a judge present, just for the purpose of calling a net ball. This idea will translate from Table Tennis, to Pickle Ball and Tennis, even Volley Ball

Resources

Images & Drawings included:

Fig. 01 - Net Ball Indicator
Fig. 01
Fig. 02 - Net Ball Indicator
Fig. 02
Fig. 03 - Net Ball Indicator
Fig. 03
Fig. 04 - Net Ball Indicator
Fig. 04
Fig. 05 - Net Ball Indicator
Fig. 05
Fig. 06 - Net Ball Indicator
Fig. 06
Fig. 07 - Net Ball Indicator
Fig. 07

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