Practice ball with sound and acceleration sensor

A practice ball responsive to acceleration during use in practicing sports, said practice ball comprising:

• a simulated sports ball having a cavity therein;
• an acceleration sensor mounted in said cavity and responsive to acceleration of the practice ball, said acceleration sensor including at least two switching elements, each of which is responsive to a different magnitude of acceleration;
• and
• a sound generator also mounted in said cavity and responsive to said at least two switching elements so as to emit different programmed sounds depending on which of said at least two switching elements is/are actuated.

A soccer practice device for practicing the art of heading, said soccer practice device comprising:

• a deformable simulated soccer ball having a cavity therein and suspended by a tether line;
• a rigid electronics housing positioned in said cavity;
• an impact sensor mounted to said electronics housing and responsive to impact imparted to said ball, said sensor including at least two switching elements, each of which is responsive to a different magnitude of impact;
• and
• a battery-powered sound generator mounted to said electronics housing and responsive to said at least two switching elements so as to emit different programmed sounds depending on which of said at least two switching elements is/are actuated.

An acceleration sensor for detecting at least two different magnitudes of acceleration, said acceleration sensor comprising:

• a conductive frame member having holes therein, said conductive frame member defining a first electrical node of the acceleration sensor;
• and
• at least two switching elements, each of which is responsive to a different magnitude of acceleration, said at least two switching elements including springs, each of said springs having a distal end disposed through a respective one of said holes in said conductive frame member and a fixed proximal end, each of said springs defining an additional node of the acceleration sensor;
• said holes in the conductive frame member and said springs being arranged with respect to one another so that said springs make electrical contact with said conductive frame member only in response to different magnitudes of acceleration.

A practice ball responsive to acceleration which comprises:

• a shell having a shape which simulates a sports ball;
• an electronics housing positioned in said shell;
• at least one impact sensor mounted to said electronics housing and responsive to different magnitudes of impact imparted to the practice ball;
• and
• a sound generator mounted to said electronics housing and responsive to said at least one impact sensor for emitting a first programmed sound in response to an impact that is greater than a first predetermined magnitude and a second programmed sound in response to an impact that is greater than a second predetermined magnitude.