BallBox

About the invention

BallBox™ is a solar and battery powered self-service kiosk that allows park visitors to rent sports equipment when they need it and return it when they are finished. The concept was inspired by a common problem: children and families often forget sports equipment at home or leave it behind at the park, where it may be lost, stolen, or removed by park staff. BallBox provides a secure, convenient, and affordable solution that makes sports equipment available on demand while helping parks keep recreational areas organized and accessible. FEATURES • Touchscreen interface, QR code access, cashless payments, mobile app • Electronic locking compartments with RFID tracking and return verification • Solar and battery powered with weather-resistant steel enclosure • Remote inventory, rental tracking, maintenance alerts, revenue reporting PROTOTYPE 5 ft tall, two-column storage, solar roof, touchscreen, capacity for 4–6 balls. REVENUE MODEL Per-rental fees, monthly/family memberships, future equipment sales. TARGET MARKETS Public parks, recreation departments, sports complexes, schools, apartment communities, campgrounds, beaches, HOAs. MISSION Remove barriers to play by making sports equipment available whenever and wherever people want to be active.

How to help

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Plan of action

1. Sketch the indicator cap

   First hand-drawn concept of the glowing cap and how it diffuses light.
2. Build a working sensor prototype

   Bench prototype with a capacitive moisture probe and an LED stand-in.
3. Source a bioluminescent dye that is safe for indoor use

   Find a non-toxic indicator material that fades visibly across the moisture range.
4. Run a 30-day test in 10 real homes

   Ship 10 testers and gather feedback on glow visibility at night and in bright rooms.

Bulletin board

Campaign needs