Golf Score Counter

Abstract

A mechanical hand-held thumb-operated counter is disclosed. The counter is a scoring device intended for use by golfers to separately display the number of strokes and putts made during a round of golf. Each pair of two pairs of dissimilar discs is mounted on a common axle. Each pair includes a thumb-operated driver disc and a driven disc. The thumb-operated driver disc of one pair of discs, accessible through a recess in the counter casing, drives the driven disc of the other pair of discs through a geneva mechanism. The driver disc and driven disc define a set of discs. The driver disc has disposed thereon the units digits and the driven disc has disposed thereon the tens digits. The digits disposed on one set of discs are viewable through a display window and indicate the number of strokes and the numerals disposed on the other set of discs are viewable through another display window and indicate the number of putts.

Description

The present invention relates to devices useful for recording incremental events.

In the game of golf, there are many ways of keeping score. The traditional way is, of course, that of using a score card and a pencil. For many golfers, the individual score per hole is not important, but, rather, the golfer is interested in the number of putts that he takes and the total number of other strokes per round. The total of these two numbers provide him his total score for a round. To satisfy this demand, various devices have been invented to eliminate the need for a pencil and a score card. All of these devices operate upon one of three basic principles.

In the first type, the devices employed a plunger-actuated mechanism for serially recording the number of strokes and putts taken during a round. A severe disadvantage of these type of devices has been that of the plunger mechanism itself. Necessarily, the plunger extended beyond the case of the device and was subject to external forces tending to break or bend the plunger. Another disadvantage of these devices was the necessity for translating a linear movement into a rotary movement whereby the plunger could serially display each of a plurality of numbers disposed upon a circular drum or disc. The requisite translation of forces required a relatively complex mechanism, which in many cases jammed due to the presence of foreign matter within the device.

A second type of device which was developed included a finger or thumb-operated disc or wheel. The thumb-operated wheel was incrementally rotated and directly, or through a gear train, displayed a number. In such devices, two indicator discs were employed, one being thumb-actuated. The thumb-actuated wheel indicated the units digit while a second wheel, driven by the thumb-actuated wheel through a geneva mechanism, indicated the tens digit. Each of the wheels was separately mounted on its own axle. A spring-loading mechanism was included to insure that the thumb-operated wheel rotated incrementally. A distinct disadvantage of this device was that it could only record a single number having one or two digits. In an attempt at displaying two non-related numbers, a third type of device was developed. This device employed four thumb-operated wheels, each of which indicated one number of each of two pairs of numbers. Each wheel was mounted on a separate axle. Spring-loading means were incorporated to prevent the wheels from rotating freely. A distinct disadvantage of this device was the requisite size of the wheels in order that the device display numbers that were sufficiently large to be seen without undue eye strain. The large wheels required the total size of the device to be somewhat bulky. As this device did not have an automatic advance of the tens digit in response to rotation of the units digit wheel, there was a distinct possibility that the scorer could forget or overlook rotating the tens digit wheel. Such an error will, of course, create confusion and distinct disenchantment with the device. A yet further disadvantage of this device was that of the number and complex assembly of the components.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a compact scoring device which displays two independent numbers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a scoring device having two independent thumb-operated wheels for recording two independent numbers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a compact scoring device incorporating common elements for supporting each of two numerical recording systems.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the description thereof proceeds.

The present invention may be described by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the assembled device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the components comprising the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the mechanical arrangement of the rotating discs.

FIG. 4 illustrates a thumb-operated disc.

FIG. 5 illustrates a driven disc.

FIG. 6 illustrates the co-operation between the spring and the two detent discs.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a golf scoring device of the present invention. The mechanism of the present invention is housed within two casings 1 and 2. These casings 1 and 2 may be permanently attached to one another to form a permanent envelope. A window 5 is centrally disposed within casing 1 and provides visual access to the numeral being displayed. A similar window is disposed in casing 2. A recess 6 is disposed at the periphery of casing 1. The recess 6 includes an aperture through which a portion of the thumb-operated disc of composite disc 7 protrudes. A similar recess with protruding composite disc is disposed in casing 2. An ear 3, including aperture 4, may be used to provide a connection for the scoring device to attach it to a tether or a watch chain.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the mechanisms incorporated within casings 1 and 2. Casing 2 includes a pair of axles 31 and 32 extending inwardly therefrom. A pair of depressions (not shown) are included within casing 1 to receive the ends 40 and 41 of axles 31 and 32, respectively. Window 34 is disposed in casing 2 between axles 31 and 32. Casing 2 may be hollow, or may include a cavity 43 in the shape of a figure 8, as shown. A recess 43, previously discussed, is disposed within the outer surface of casing 2 and permits the thumb-operated disc of composite disc 10 to protrude therethrough.

Four composite discs 7, 8, 9, and 10 are mounted on axles 31 and 32. Interrelated composite discs 9 and 10 are mounted generally planar to one another and adjacent to window 34. Composite discs 7 and 8 are mounted generally planar to one another and adjacent to composite discs 9 and 10. When the device is assembled, the composite discs 7 and 8 will be adjacent to window 5 of casing 1. Composite discs 7 and 9, though functionally non-related, are both mounted on axle 32. Similarly, composite discs 8 and, 10, though functionally non-related, are mounted on axle 31. A recess 33 is disposed in casing 2. A similar recess (not shown) is included within casing 1. The combination of these two recesses defines a cavity to secure base 21 of a detent spring 11. Detent spring 11 includes arms 19 and 20 having detents 17 and 18, respectively, at the ends thereof.

The composite discs 7, 8, 9, and 10 may be structurally grouped as two pairs of composite discs. That is, discs 7 and 10 are mechanically similar, and composite discs 8 and 9 are mechanically similar.

Composite disc 7 includes a serrated disc 12. One surface of disc 12 includes a plurality of numerals from 1 through 9 and 0 equiangularly disposed about one surface of the disc 12. The serrations of disc 12 protrude through recess 6 of casing 1. A disc 13 is adjacent to and concentric with disc 12. Disc 13 includes a tooth 14 formed on the disc 13 between a pair of recesses 36. The tooth 14 extends beyond the periphery of disc 13. A detent wheel (not shown) is adjacent to wheel 13 and concentric therewith. This detent wheel will be described with more specificity with respect to composite disc 10. Each of the discs comprising composite wheel 7 includes a central aperture 30 co-operating with axle 32.

Composite disc 8 includes a display disc 44. A plurality of numerals, 1 through 9 and 0, are equiangularly disposed about the surface of one side of disc 44. A disc 38 is adjacent to and concentric with disc 44. The periphery of disc 38 includes a plurality of arcuate surfaces 15. Each of the arcuate surfaces 15 are separated from the adjacent arcuate surfaces 15 by a recess 16. The radius of the arcuate surfaces 15 is apoproximately equivalent to the radius of the perimeter of disc 13 of composite disc 17. The recesses 16 are designed to receive tooth 14 of composite disc 7. Each of the discs included in composite disc 8 include a central aperture 29 co-operating with axle 31.

Composite disc 9 is mechanically equivalent to composite disc 8, and as shown in FIG. 2, illustrates the reverse side of composite disc 8. Display disc 25 corresponds with disc 44; disc 39 corresponds with disc 38; arcuate surfaces 26 correspond with arcuate surfaces 15; and recesses 27 correspond with recesses 16. A journal 29 is disposed within each of the wheels 44 and 38 and receives axle 31 of casing 2. Each of the discs included in composite disc 9 includes a central aperture 28 co-operating with axle 32.

The composite disc 10 is mechanically equivalent to composite disc 7. A serrated disc 45 corresponds with serrated disc 12 of composite disc 7, and protudes through aperature 43 of casing 2. Disc 22 corresponds with disc 13. A detent disc 23 (previously discussed with respect to composite disc 7) is concentric with and adjacent to disc 22. The detent disc 23 includes a plurality of teeth 46. Disposed between each of teeth 46 are recesses 47. Each of the discs included in composite disc 10 includes a central aperture 24 co-operating with axle 31.

Each of the discs forming each of the composite discs may be manufactured separately and subsequently attached to one another as described above, or each of the composite discs may be manufactured as a unit. The choice as to which manner of forming the composite discs 7, 8, 9, and 10 is a matter of manufacturing criteria.

The interaction and co-operation between the composite discs 7, 8, 9, and 10 are shown in FIG. 3. Disc 12, thumb-operated through aperture 6, is rotated to serially display each of the numerals on the surface thereof through window 5. Disc 13, being connected to disc 12, necessarily rotates therewith. The relationship between composite disc 7 and composite disc 8 is such that the periphery of disc 13 will rotate adjacent one of the arcuate surfaces 15 of disc 38 until tooth 14 (see FIG. 2) comes into contact with disc 38. On contacting disc 38, tooth 14 will engage one of the recesses 16 and thereby incrementally rotate disc 38. The incremental rotation of disc 38 is equivalent to the arcuate distance between two adjacent numerals on the surface of disc 44. On completion of the incremental rotation, tooth 14 will disengage from the respective recess 16 and rotation of disc 38 will cease until tooth 14, on completing another revolution, again engages another recess 16. In this manner, the units digit are displayed by disc 12 while the tens digit are displayed by disc 44 through window 5. The detent disc 48, rotating with discs 12 and 13, engages an arm 20 (of two resilient arms 19 and 20) of detent spring 11, which engagement accurately incrementally positions disc 12. The interaction between detent spring 11 and detent disc 48 will be described with more specificity below.

The interaction and co-operation between each of the composite discs 9 and 10, shown in FIG. 3, are functionally identical to that of composite discs 7 and 8. Disc 45, thumb-operated through aperture 43, is rotated to serially display each of the numerals on the surface thereof through aperture 34. Disc 22, being connected to disc 43, necessarily rotates therewith. The relationship between composite disc 10 and composite disc 9 is such that the periphery of disc 22 will rotate within one of the arcuate surfaces 26 of disc 39 until tooth 35 (see FIG. 2) comes into contact with disc 39. On contacting disc 39, tooth 35 will engage one of the recesses 27 and thereby incrementally rotate disc 39. The incremental rotation of disc 39 is equivalent to the arcuate distance between two adjacent numerals on the surface of disc 25. On completion of the incremental rotation, tooth 35 will disengage from the respective recess 27 and rotation of disc 39 will cease until tooth 35, on completing another revolution, again engages another recess 27. In this manner, the units digit are displayed by disc 45 while the tens digit are displayed by disc 25, through window 34. The detent disc 23, rotating with discs 45 and 22, engages an arm 19 of detent spring 11, which engagement accurately incrementally positions disc 45. The interaction between detent spring 11 and detent disc 23 will be described with more specificity below.

As is evident from FIG. 3 in the above description, although composite discs 7 and 9 are mounted on a common axle and composite discs 8 and 9 are mounted on a common axle, there is no interaction between composite discs 7 and 9 or between composite discs 8 and 10. In this manner, it is possible to display two sets of numerals through the windows 5 and 34 of casings 1 and 2, respectively.

FIG. 4 illustrates a detent disc, such as disc 23, forming a part of each of composite discs 7 and 10. Furthermore, the diametrical relationship between each of the three functionally discrete discs of composite discs 7 and 10 are clearly indicated. A plurality of teeth 46 are disposed about the periphery of the detent disc 23. The extremity of each tooth 46 is a flat linear edge 62. Edge 62 is at an angle other than 90.degree. with respect to a radial line extending through the tooth 46, whereby an outer extremity 63 is at a greater distance from the center of disc 23 than the inner extremity 64. The extremity 63 terminates at a rounded intersection 65 with a radial edge 66. The inner extremity of radial edge 66 terminates in a recess 47. The extremity 64 terminates in a recess 47.

FIG. 5 illustrates the two discs in each of the composite wheels 8 and 9. For illustrative purposes, composite disc 8 is shown. The diametrical relationship between each of the two discs 38 and 44 is clearly shown.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown the interaction between each of the detent discs 23 and 48 with the detent spring 11. Detent spring 11 is mounted within recess 33, a portion of recess 33 being formed within each of casings 1 and 2. The detent disc 23 is mounted on axle 31 for rotation in the counterclockwise direction, as shown. The detent 17 extending from arm 19 of detent spring 11 co-operates with recesses 47. One side of recess 47 extends radially to the outer extremity 63 of tooth 46. The other side of recess 47 terminates at the inner extremity 64 of tooth 46. Radial edge 66 co-operates with a side of detent 17 and mechanically inhibits rotation of detent disc 23 in the clockwise direction. The inner extremity 64 of tooth 46 terminates at the flat linear edge 62 and co-operates with detent 17, whereby counterclockwise rotation of detent disc 23 will force detent 17 to ride out of recess 47 and onto edge 62. The spring force of arm 19 of spring 11 controls the amount of force necessary to dislodge detent 17 from within recess 47.

Detent disc 48 is mounted on axle 32 for rotation in a clockwise direction, as shown. The detent 18 extending from arm 20 of detent spring 11 co-operates with recess 50. One side of recess 50 extends radially to the outer extremity 55 of tooth 49. The other side of recess 50 terminates at the inner extremity 56 of tooth 49. Radial edge 59 co-operates with a side of detent 18 and mechanically inhibits rotation of detent disc 48 in the clockwise direction. The inner extremity 56 of tooth 49 terminates at the flat linear edge 52 and co-operates with detent 18, whereby counterclockwise rotation of detent disc 48 will force detent 18 to ride out of recess 50 and onto edge 52. The spring force of arm 20 of spring 11 controls the amount of force necessary to dislodge detent 18 from within recess 50.

By using the detent spring arrangement co-operating with the detent discs as described above, it is possible to employ a single detent spring 11 to serve both detent discs 23 and 48. This arrangement reduces the number of parts required and facilitates the mechanical arrangement of the working parts within the casings 1 and 2. As the arms 19 and 20 are not functionally related nor interacting, it is possible to operate the detent discs 23 and 48 either independently or simultaneously without in any manner affecting the spring rate of detent spring 11. The mechanical arrangement of securing spring 11 within the cavity 33 eliminates the heretofore known tedious and/or expensive techniques for including a spring bias in a golf scoring device.

Claims

I claim:

1. A manually operated golf scoring device for separately indicating the number of strokes and putts per round of golf, said device comprising in combination:

A. an envelope, said envelope including two casings, each casing having an aperture and a recessed opening disposed therein;

B. a first set of composite discs, said first set including:

1. a first thumb operated composite disc protruding through said recessed opening in one of the said casings;

2. a first driven composite disc;

3. a first geneva mechanism for rotating said first driven composite disc in response to rotation of said first thumb operated disc; and

4. first detent means for regulating rotational movement of said first thumb operated composite disc;

C. a second set of composite discs, said second set including:

1. a second thumb operated composite disc protruding through said recessed opening in the other of said casings;

2. a second driven composite disc;

3. a second geneva mechanism for rotating said second driven composite disc in response to rotation of said second thumb operated disc; and

4. second detent means for regulating rotational movement of said second thumb operated composite disc;

D. a single detent spring common to said first and second detent means for restricting rotational movement of said first and second thumb operated composite discs to one direction;

E. a first plurality of numerals disposed on each of said discs of said first set of composite discs and serially registering with one of said apertures; and

F. a second plurality of numerals disposed on each of said discs of said second set of composite discs and serially registering with another of said apertures;

whereby, rotation of either said first or said second thumb operated composite discs will cause selective numerals to be displayed through said corresponding apertures.

2. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein each said first and second detent means comprises a detent disc having a plurality of recesses disposed within the periphery of said respective detent disc, each of said recesses being separated from adjacent ones by a flat edge, said flat edge defining a ramp between adjacent recesses.

3. The device as set forth in claim 2 wherein one side of each of said recesses is on a radial of the respective one of said detent discs, each said one side intersecting said ramp at an acute angle.

4. The device as set forth in claim 2 wherein each of said first and second thumb operated composite discs includes:

A. a serrated disc; and

B. a disc having a tooth extending beyond the periphery of said disc, said disc being concentrically mounted with respect to said serrated disc.

5. The device as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said first and second driven composite discs include:

A. a smooth edged disc; and

B. a disc having a plurality of segmented arcuate surfaces about the periphery of said disc, adjacent ones of said arcuate surfaces being separated by a recess, said recess cooperating with said tooth of the corresponding one of said thumb operated composite discs and thereby defining a geneva mechanism, said disc being concentrically mounted with respect to said smooth edged disc.

6. The device as set forth in claim 5 wherein said detent disc of each of said first and second thumb operated composite discs are concentric with respective ones of said serrated discs.

7. The device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said envelope includes a cavity disposed therein and said detent spring comprises:

A. a base positioned within said cavity; and

B. a pair of resilient arms extending from said base, each of said arms cooperating with said recesses disposed in one of said detent discs, whereby rotation of said first and second thumb operated composite discs is restrained.

8. The device as set forth in claim 7 wherein each of said arms inclues a triangular shaped member for engaging said recesses.

9. The device as set forth in claim 8 wherein one side of each of said recess is parallel to an adjacent side of said triangular member, whereby each of said detent discs is restrained from rotational movement toward said adjacent parallel side of said triangular member.

10. The device as set forth in claim 9 wherein said arms of said detent spring are independently movable.

11. The device as set forth in claim 1 including a pair of shafts disposed within said envelope, one of said shafts supporting said first thumb operated composite disc and said second driven composite disc, another of said shafts supporting said second thumb operated composite disc and said first driven composite disc.