U.S. patent number 3,868,671 [Application Number 05/367,798] was granted by the patent office on 1975-02-25 for basketball foul indicia display apparatus.
Invention is credited to Hugh F. Maguire, William J. Miller.
United States Patent |
3,868,671 |
Maguire , et al. |
February 25, 1975 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
BASKETBALL FOUL INDICIA DISPLAY APPARATUS
Abstract
An improved indicia display apparatus particularly useful for
displaying indicia indicating the number of fouls and a team bonus
free-throw situation during a basketball game, for example, the
apparatus comprising: a housing constructed of a transculent
material having a plurality of color-coded sections, illumination
devices supported within the housing selectively illuminating the
color-coded sections, and an opaque indicia formed on each
color-coded section. The indicia display apparatus is mounted on a
post such that the housing must be removed prior to the removal of
the base connecting the housing to the post, thereby reducing the
possibility of unauthorized removal of the indicia display
apparatus while providing an indicia display apparatus which is
easily mounted in an assembled position and disassembled for
storage or repair.
Inventors: |
Maguire; Hugh F. (Oklahoma
City, OK), Miller; William J. (Oklahoma City, OK) |
Family
ID: |
23448652 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/367,798 |
Filed: |
June 7, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/323R;
362/249.12; 362/23.18; 40/573; 273/DIG.26; 362/242 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
71/06 (20130101); F21W 2111/00 (20130101); Y10S
273/26 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
71/06 (20060101); G08b 023/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;340/323,107,118,119
;235/92GA ;273/1E ;240/1R,34,49,84,98 ;40/131R,132D,145R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Caldwell; John W.
Assistant Examiner: Lange; Richard P.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Dunlap & Codding
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An indicia display apparatus, comprising:
a base;
support means connected to the base having portions forming a
plurality of spaced compartments;
illumination means disposed in each of the spaced compartments,
each illumination means providing light in an illuminated on
position thereof;
control means connected to each of the illumination means having a
portion selectively positioning each of the illumination means in
the illuminated on position in one position thereof; and
a housing constructed of a translucent material, having an upper
end, a lower end and a plurality of spaced, opaque indicia formed
thereon, the housing having an opening formed through a portion
intersecting the lower end thereof forming a receiving opening, the
lower end of the housing engaging the base, the housing being
movable in a direction generally toward the base disposing the
support means within a portion of the housing opening and in a
direction generally away from the base removing the support from
within the housing opening; and the predetermined indicia disposed
adjacent predetermined compartments in an assembled position of the
support means and the housing on the base, the illumination means
illuminating the translucent portions of the housing disposed
adjacent thereto accenting the opaque indicia in an illuminated on
position of the illumination means.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support means is defined
further to include:
rod means, having opposite ends, one end of the rod means connected
to the base, the base supporting the rod means extending a
predetermined distance therefrom; and
a plurality of plates connected to the rod means and supported
thereby, the plates being spaced apart predetermined distances, the
spacing between one plate and the base forming one compartment and
the spacing between the plates forming some of the remaining
compartments; and
wherein one of the illumination means is disposed within the
compartment formed between the base and one of the plates, one
illumination means being disposed within each of the remaining
compartments.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base includes a housing
slot; and wherein the housing opening extends through and
intersects the lower end of the housing forming a receiving
opening, the lower end of the housing disposed within the housing
slot in an assembled position of the housing and the support means
on the base; and wherein the apparatus includes means connected to
the base and to the housing securing the housing to the base in one
position thereof.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing is defined further
as comprising a plurality of color-coded sections, each color-coded
section disposed generally adjacent and aligned with one of the
compartments formed via the support means, the illumination of the
color-coded section providing a perceivable indication indicative
of the opaque indicia associated with each compartment of the
support means.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 defined further to include: a plurality
of spaced opaque strips, each opaque strip being secured to the
housing and cooperating to confine the illumination of any one
color-coded section substantially to that illuminated color-coded
section.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the housing is defined further
as being cylindrically shaped, the illumination of the color-coded
section providing an output indication equally perceivable from
positions located 360.degree. about the housing.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 defined further to include: a post
connectable to the base supporting the base and the housing in an
elevated position, having an upper end, a lower end and an upper
flange formed on the upper end thereof providing a supporting
surface engaging the base; and connecting means extending through
the upper flange and through the base removably connecting the base
to the post.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the connecting means includes:
bolt means extending through the upper flange and through the base,
a portion of the bolt means extending a distance above the base and
disposed within the housing opening in an assembled position of the
housing connected to the base; and fastener means secured to the
portion of the bolt means extending above the base and engaging a
portion of the base, the fastener means and the bolt means securing
the base to the post.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control means is
connectable to a power source and includes: switch means
connectable to a power source and the illumination means, the
switch means selectively connecting the illumination means to the
power source in a closed position thereof positioning the
illumination means in the illuminated on position in one position
of the switch means connecting the illumination means to the power
source.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 defined further to include: flasher
means interposed between the power source and one of the
illumination means periodically interrupting the electrical
communication therebetween in a closed position of the switch
means.
11. An indicia display apparatus, comprising:
a post, having an upper end, a lower end and an upper flange formed
on the upper end thereof providing a supporting surface;
a base, having a housing slot formed in a portion thereof, disposed
on the upper flange supporting surface of the post;
connecting means extending through the flange and through the base,
a portion of the connecting means extending a distance above the
base;
fastner means removably connectable to the portion of the
connecting means extending above the base and engaging a portion of
the base, the fastener means and the connecting means cooperatingly
securing the base to the post; and
indicia indicating means removably connected to the base, having a
portion enclosing the fastener means and the portion of the
connecting means extending above the base requiring the removal of
the indicia indicating means prior to the disconnecting of the base
and the post.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to indicia display apparatus and,
more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a basketball
foul indicia indicating apparatus.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
In the past various devices have been proposed to display score
indicia or the like related to particular athletic events such as
basketball, football, baseball and the like, for example. Referring
more particularly to the game of basketball, various indicator
devices have been proposed and utilized in the past to display the
number of fouls attributed to a particular basketball team and some
of the prior devices have also included provisions for indicating
the particular team charged with a "time-out," for example.
The U.S. Pat. No. 3,444,548, issued to Davis, disclosed a
basketball foul indicator having an elongated enclosure supporting
and housing vertically spaced lamps located in compartments, and
including a plurality of image-forming apertures formed through
portions of the enclosure, the number of fouls being indicated via
the light shining through the image-forming apertures. This
particular display device included a remote control assembly
connected to the lamps and to a pair of directional indicators
controlling the illuminated position of each of the lamps utilized
in this particular display assembly.
The U.S. Pat. No. 3,302,192, issued to Laughlin, disclosed a
basketball foul indicator comprising an elongated housing divided
into spaced compartments, each compartment supporting a lamp for
illuminating cutout indicia portions formed in the housing, a pair
of indicators illuminating the cut-out indicia indicating a bonus
or "one-plus-one" free-throw situation. The cut-out portions in the
housing were constructed of a translucent material of a particular
color and the lamps were controlled via switches mounted on a
remote control panel. The U.S. Pat. No. 3,399,400, issued to Lucka,
also disclosed a basketball foul indicator having a remote control
panel connected to lamps located in vertically spaced housing
compartments, the score indicating indicia being formed via cut-out
portions in the housing covered via a translucent material.
The U.S. Pat. No. 2,549,627, issued to Musch, disclosed a football
down marker having lamps located in vertically spaced compartments
formed in a housing. The U.S. Pat. No. 3,550,076, issued to Kent,
disclosed a color zone system of traffic speed verification
utilizing lamps located in spaced compartments of a housing
structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide an indicia display
apparatus wherein the displayed or indicated indicia are more
readily perceivable from a greater number of positions remote from
the indicia display apparatus.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved indicia
display apparatus wherein the displayed indicia are perceivable
from remote positions located within a 360.degree. radius about the
indicia display apparatus.
A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved
indicia display apparatus wherein the spectator perceivability of
the displayed indicia is substantially enhanced.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved indicia
display apparatus reducing the possibilities of unauthorized
removal thereof while maintaining a construction providing access
to major components and assemblies in a fast, convenient and
efficient manner for replacement and repair.
A still further object of the invention is to provide an indicia
display apparatus which can be assembled and disassembled in a
faster, more convenient and more efficient manner.
One other object of the invention is to provide an improved
mounting assembly for an indicia display apparatus.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved indicia
display apparatus displaying predetermined indicia via lighted,
spaced, color-coded sections and opaque indicia markings.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved indicia
display apparatus which is economical in the construction and the
operation thereof.
Other objects and advantages will be evident from the following
detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings which illustrate one preferred embodiment of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a partial perspective, partial diagrammatic view of the
indicia display apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partial perspective, partial diagrammatic view of the
indicia indicating assembly of the indicia display apparatus of
FIG. 1; but, showing the indicia indicating assembly having the
housing removed therefrom and showing the indicia indicating
assembly disconnected from the post and the control assembly.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged, sectional view showing the connection of the
support assembly and the housing to the base of the indicia
indicating assembly and showing the connection of the indicia
indicating assembly to the post, the post being shown in FIG. 1
connected to a support structure (fragmentarily shown in FIG.
3).
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the indicia display apparatus of FIG.
3, taken substantially along the lines 4--4 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the indicia display apparatus of FIG.
3, taken substantially along the lines 5--5 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the control assembly and the
connection of the control assembly to the illumination devices of
the indicia display apparatus of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings in general and to FIGS. 1 and 2 in
particular, shown therein and designated via the general reference
numeral 10 is an indicia display apparatus constructed in
accordance with the present invention and basically comprising: an
indicia indicating assembly 12; a base 14 connected to and
supporting the indicia indicating assembly 12; a post 16 supporting
the base 14 and the indicia indicating assembly 12 in an elevated
position; a control assembly 18 connected to a portion of the
indicia indicating assembly 12 via a cable 20 and controlling the
illuminated position of the indicia indicating assembly 12 for
selectively displaying predetermined indicia during the operation
of the indicia display apparatus 10, in a manner to be described in
greater detail below.
In general, the indicia display apparatus 10 is constructed to
selectively display predetermined indicia via the indicia
indicating assembly 12, the indicia display apparatus 10 being
shown in the drawings and particularly constructed, in one
preferred embodiment, for displaying predetermined indicia
indicating the number of fouls committed during a predetermined
period of playing time in a basketball game and for displaying
indicia indicating a bonus or "one-plus-one" free-throw situation
existing with respect to a particular basketball team due to the
total number of fouls committed by that particular team during the
predetermined period of playing time. During the basketball game or
the like when a player commits a foul, the scorekeeper activates a
portion of the control assembly 18 illuminating a predetermined
portion of the indicia indicating assembly 12 to provide a
spectator or audience-perceivable indication of the illuminated
indicia the total number of fouls attributable to that particular
basketball player during a predetermined period of playing time,
the scorekeeper also activating a portion of the control assembly
18 to illuminate a predetermined portion of the indicia indicating
assembly 12 to indicate that a particular team has accumulated in
excess of a predetermined number of fouls within a specified period
of time entitling the other team to a bonus or "one-plus-one"
free-throw with each subsequent foul during one aspect of the
operation. It should be noted that the indicia display apparatus 10
of the present invention can also be utilized to provide an output
indication indicating the number of team fouls, in one preferred
operational embodiment of the invention.
It should be particularly noted that, although the indicia display
apparatus 10 has been shown in the drawings and described herein
with respect to a basketball foul indicating type of indicia
display apparatus, the indicia display apparatus 10 of the present
invention can be utilized in other applications for displaying
predetermined indicia and the indicia display apparatus of the
present invention is not limited to the display of the particular
indicia shown in the drawings and described herein for the purpose
of clarity of description.
The indicia indicating assembly 12 includes a housing 22 (shown in
FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5), a support assembly 24 (shown more clearly in
FIG. 2) and a plurality of illumination devices or lamps 26, one of
the illumination devices 26 being supported via the base 14 and the
remaining illumination devices 26 being supported via portions of
the support assembly 24. The housing 22 is constructed to be
removably connected to the base 14 and to encompass the support
assembly 24 in an assembled position of the indicia indicating
assembly 12, as shown more clearly in FIGS. 1 and 3.
As shown more clearly in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5, the housing 22 is
cylindrically shaped and, in a preferred form, is constructed of a
translucent material, the term "translucent" being utilized to
indicate that light can shine through the material even though the
light may be diffused or partially diffused when utilizing
particular materials. The housing 22 has an upper end 28, a lower
end 30 and a housing opening 32 extending axially therethrough
intersecting the upper end 28 and the lower end 30 thereof forming
a receiving opening 34 at the lower end 30 of the housing 22, the
receiving opening 34 having an inside diameter 36 and the housing
22 having a length sized to slidingly encompass a substantial
portion of the support assembly 24 in an assembled position of the
housing 22 connected to the base 14.
The housing 22 is divided into a plurality of color-coded sections
38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50, as shown in FIG. 1. A plurality of
opaque strips 52, preferably constructed of chrome foil type of
adhesive tape, are secured to the housing 22, the opaque strips 52
being spaced apart a predetermined distance generally between the
upper end 28 and the lower end 30 of the housing 22, the areas of
the housing 22 between the opaque strips 52 defining the
color-coded sections 40, 42, 44, 46 and 48, the area of the housing
between one of the opaque strips 52 and the lower end 30 of the
housing 22 defining the color-coded section 38 and the area of the
housing 22 between one of the opaque strips 52 and the upper end 28
of the housing 22 defining the color-coded section 50. In a
preferred form, each of the opaque strips 52 is located on the
housing 22 such that each of the opaque strips 52 is aligned with
one of the portions of the support assembly 24 separating the
support assembly 24 into spaced compartments and each opaque strip
52 has a width 54 sufficient to substantially prevent light from
any one of the illumination devices 26 from illuminating any of the
adjacent color-coded section 38 through 50 other than the one
predetermined color-coded section aligned with the particular
illuminated device 26 which has been positioned in the illuminated
on position thereof during the operation of the indicia display
apparatus 10.
In one preferred form, each of the color-coded sections 38, 40, 42,
44, 46, 48 and 50 are coated or covered with a translucent material
having a color identifiably distinguishing each of the color-coded
sections 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50 such that each color-coded
section 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50 is easily identifiable and
recognizable via the particular color illuminated. A plurality of
opaque indicia 56 are also formed on the housing 22, the opaque
indicia 56 being spaced on the housing 22 such that at least one of
the opaque indicia 56 is located on the housing 22 and disposed
within each of the color-coded sections 38 through 50.
More particularly, as shown in FIG. 1, the opaque indicia 56
include numeral indicia as follows: the opaque numeral indicia "1"
being formed on the housing and located within the color-coded
section 38; the opaque numeral indicia "2" being formed on the
housing 22 and located within the color-coded section 40; the
opaque numeral indicia "3" being located on the housing 22 and
disposed within the color-coded section 42; the opaque numeral
indicia "4" being located on the housing 22 and disposed within the
color-coded section 44; and the opaque numeral indicia "5" being
disposed on the housing 22 and located within the color-coded
section 46. In one preferred form, as shown in FIG. 1, the opaque
indicia 56 also include the opaque indicia "V" in combination with
the numeral indicia "1 + 1" formed on the housing 22 and disposed
within the color-coded section 48, and the opaque indicia "H" in
combination with the numeral indicia "1 + 1" formed on the housing
22 and located within the color-coded section 50 of the housing 22.
The indicia "V" with the indicia "1 + 1" located beneath the
indicia "V" in the color-coded section 48 indicates that the home
team has accumulated the required number of fouls entitling the
visitor or visiting team to a bonus free-throw for fouls committed
by the home team, and the indicia "H" with the indicia "1 + 1"
located within the color-coded section 50 indicates that the
visiting team has committed a predetermined, sufficient number of
fouls entitling the home team to a bonus free-throw for fouls
committed via the visiting team. It should also be noted that, in
one preferred form, the housing 22 is constructed such that the
color-coded sections 48 and 50 are covered via a translucent
material having a color representing the home team such as one of
the school colors or the like, for example, thereby providing an
easily perceivable output indication indicating the bonus
free-throw situation attributable to a particular team.
The lighting of the entire color-coded section (38 through 50)
provides a readily perceivable output indication indicative of the
opaque indicia formed within the particular lighted color-coded
section even from remote spectator positions where the particular
opaque indicia per se is not perceivable by the eye of the ordinary
spectator-observer. In one preferred form, it has been found
desirable to construct the housing 22 of a "milk" colored or
"off-white" colored plastic material and to subsequently cover or
coat the color-coded sections 38 through 50, inclusive, with a
translucent material of a predetermined color, the "milk" colored
or "off-white" colored plastic material having a tendency to reduce
the detrimental effect of scratches being marked on the color-coded
sections 38 through 50, inclusive, during the operation or storage
of the indicia display apparatus 10 as compared with a housing 22
constructed of a clear plastic material, for example.
It should also be noted that, in an assembled position, the upper
end 28 of the housing 22 is encompassed and covered via a
translucent upper end section 58 coated or covered with a
translucent material of a color corresponding to the color of the
color-coded section 50 of the housing 22, the color-coded section
50 and the upper end section 58 each being illuminated in one
illuminated position of the indicia display apparatus 10 during the
operation thereof, as will be described in greater detail
below.
The base 14 has an upper surface 60, a lower surface 62, and an
outer periphery 64. A circularly shaped housing slot 66 is formed
in the upper surface 60 of the base 14, as shown more clearly in
FIG. 3. The housing slot 66 is sized to slidingly receive the lower
end 30 of the housing 22, a portion of the housing 22 generally
near the lower end 30 thereof being more particularly disposed
within the housing slot 66 in an assembled position of the housing
22 connected to the base 14.
As shown more clearly in FIG. 3, an opening 70 is formed through
the housing 22, generally near the lower end 30 thereof, the
opening 70 being positioned beneath the upper surface 60 of the
base 14 in an assembled position of the housing 22 disposed within
the housing slot 66 of the base 14. A transverse opening 72 is
formed through a portion of the housing 14 intersecting the outer
periphery 64 and extending a distance radially inwardly through the
housing 22, an enlarged recess 74 being formed in a portion of the
transverse opening 72 generally adjacent the intersection thereof
with the outer periphery 64 of the housing 14.
A fastener 76 extends through the transverse opening 72 and through
the opening 70 of the housing 22 connecting the base 14 and the
housing 22 and securing the housing 22 in an assembled position
connected to the base 14. Thus, in an assembled position of the
indicia indicating assembly 12, the housing 22 is positioned on the
base 14 and a portion of the housing 22, generally near the lower
end 30 thereof, is disposed within the housing slot 66, the housing
22 being oriented such that the opening 70 in the housing 22 is
aligned with the transverse opening 72 in the base 14. In this
position of the housing 22 and the base 14, the fastener 76 is
inserted through the transverse opening 72 and through the opening
70, the fastener 76 threadedly engaging the base 14 and being
disposed through the opening 70 of the housing 22 to secure the
housing 22 in an assembled position connected to the base 14.
As shown more clearly in FIGS. 3 and 5, a plurality of rod recesses
78 are formed in the upper surface 60 of the base 14 and, referring
more particularly to the embodiment of the invention shown in the
drawings, three rod recesses 78 are formed in the upper surface 60
of the base 14, the rod recesses 78 being spaced apart a
predetermined distance and equally spaced about the inner periphery
of the housing 22 in an assembled position, as shown more clearly
in FIG. 4. Each of the rod recesses 78 is disposed within the area
of the upper surface 60 of the base 14 encompassed via the housing
slot 66. The rod recesses 78 are positioned on the upper surface 60
of the base 14 and oriented with respect to the housing slot 66 to
positively locate the support assembly 24 in a predetermined
position on the base 14 such that the housing 22 can be inserted
over the support assembly 24 and moved to an assembled position
wherein the lower end 30 of the housing 22 is disposed and located
within the housing slot 66, in a manner to be made more apparent
below.
The support assembly 24, as shown more clearly in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5,
comprises a rod assembly 80 supporting a plurality of opaque plates
82. In one preferred form, the rod assembly 80 includes three rods
84, each rod 84 having an upper end 86 and a lower end 88. Each
plate 82 has three rod openings 90 formed therethrough, as
indicated in FIG. 2 and as shown in FIG. 4 with respect to one of
the plates 82, and each of the rods 84 extends through one of the
rod openings 90 in each of the plates 82, each of the plates 82
being secured to each of the rods 84 generally at the point where
the rods 84 extend through the rod openings 90.
One of the plates 82 is spaced a distance 92 from the lowermost end
88 of the rods 84, one other of the plates 82 is spaced a distance
94 from the translucent upper end section 58 which is secured to
the upper ends 86 of the rods 84, and the remaining plates 82 are
each secured to the rods 84 and spaced apart a predetermined
distance 96, as shown more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3. The distance
or spacing 94 between the translucent upper end section 58 and one
of the plates 82, in a preferred form, is substantially equal to
the spacing 96 between the plates 82, and the distance or spacing
between the upper surface 60 of the base 14 and one of the plates
82, in an assembled position of the rod assembly 90, substantially
corresponds to the spacing 96 between the plates 82 securedly
supported via the rod assembly 90.
In an assembled position of the support assembly 24 connected to
the base 14 via the rods 84, a portion of the upper surface 60 of
the base 14 and a translucent upper end section 58 each cooperate
with the plates 82 supported via the rod assembly 80 to form a
plurality of vertically spaced compartments 98, 100, 102, 104, 106,
108 and 110. One of the illumination devices 26, more particularly,
is secured in a support connected to the upper surface 60 of the
base 14 and the remaining illumination devices 26 are each secured
in a support connected to one of the plates 82, one of the
illumination devices 26 being supported and disposed within each of
the compartments 98 through 110, inclusive.
The vertically spaced compartments 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108 and
110 are disposed and spaced such that, in an assembled position of
the housing 22 connected to the base 14, each of the compartments
98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108 and 110 is aligned and disposed
generally adjacent one of the color-coded sections 38, 40, 42, 44,
46, 48 and 50. In this position, each opaque strip 52 is disposed
adjacent and aligned with the outer peripheral surface of one of
the plates 82, the opaque strips 52 each encompassing and
encircling the outer periphery of one of the plates 82 and
cooperating therewith to substantially reduce light emitted via one
of the illumination devices 26 from filtering into one of the
adjacent compartments 98 through 110 or, in other words,
substantially confining the light emitted via each of the
illumination devices 26 to the one particular compartment 96
through 110 illuminating the one predetermined color-coded section
38 through 50 aligned therewith and disposed generally adjacent
thereto.
In an assembled position of the support assembly 24 connected to
the base 14, the lower end 88 of each of the rods 84 is disposed
within one of the rod recesses 78 in the base 14 securedly
positioning the support assembly 24 within the area of the base 14
encompassed via the housing slot 66. The plates 82 and the
translucent upper end section 58 are each secured to the rod
assembly 80 and supported in an assembled position wherein the
plates 82 and the translucent upper end section 58 are each
vertically aligned, the outer peripheral surfaces of the plates 82
and the outer peripheral surface of the translucent upper end
section 58 forming the outermost peripheral surfaces of the support
assembly 24. The diameter of the plates 82 substantially
corresponds to the diameter of the translucent upper end section
58, each of the diameters being slightly less than the inside
diameter 36 of the housing opening 32.
Thus, the housing 22 can be positioned generally above the
translucent upper end section 58 or, in other words, generally
above the support assembly 24 in a position wherein the receiving
opening 34 in the lower end 30 of the housing 22 is generally
aligned with the outer peripheral surface of the support assembly
24 formed via the peripheral surfaces of the plates 82 and the
translucent upper end section 58 and, in this position, the housing
22 is moved in a downwardly direction 114, as shown in FIG. 1, to a
position wherein a portion of the housing 22 generally adjacent the
lower end 30 thereof is supportingly disposed within the housing
slot 66 formed in the base 14. In this assembled position of the
housing 22 and the support assembly 24, the translucent upper end
section 58 secured to the upper ends 86 of the rods 84 is disposed
generally adjacent and aligned with the upper end 28 of the housing
22, the translucent upper end section 58 forming the uppermost end
section of the housing 22.
It should be noted that, although the translucent end section 58
has been shown in the drawings and described above as being
connected to the uppermost ends 86 of the rods 84, that, in one
form, the translucent upper end section 58 is secured to the
housing 22 adjacent the upper end 28 thereof. Also, in one other
preferred embodiment, the translucent upper end section 58 is a
separate component and includes a lip formed about the outer
periphery thereof such that the upper end section 58 is insertable
within the housing opening 32 adjacent the upper end 28 to a
position wherein the lip engages the upper end 28 positioning the
upper end section 58 in an assembled position.
After the housing 22 has been moved in a downwardly direction 114
to an assembled position on the base 14, the housing 22 is then
positioned rotationally about the axial axis of the housing opening
32 to a position aligning the opening 70 in the lower end 30
portion of the housing 22 with the transverse opening 72 formed
through the base 14. The fastener 76 is then threadedly inserted
through the transverse opening 72 to an assembled position wherein
a portion of the fasterner 76 extends through the opening 70 of the
housing 22 thereby securing the housing 22 in an assembled position
to the base 14.
In the assembled position of the housing 22 connected to the base
14 and encompassing the support assembly 24, each of the opaque
strips 52 is aligned with and encircles the outer peripheral
surface of one of the plates 82. The width 54 of each of the opaque
strips 52 more particularly, is sized such that portions of the
opaque strips 52 extend a distance generally above and a distance
generally below the plate 82 aligned therewith, thereby
substantially preventing light from one compartment 98 through 110,
inclusive, from filtering through to one of the adjacent
compartments 98 through 110, inclusive, to substantially assure
that only one color-coded section 38 through 50, inclusive, is
illuminated in the illuminated on position of one of the
illumination devices 26 disposed in the compartment aligned with
the color-coded section to be illuminated.
To disassemble the housing 22 from the base 14 to gain access to
the illumination devices 26, portions of the cable 20 or portions
of the support assembly 24 for repair or replacement or for removal
of the housing 22 and the support assembly 24 for storage of the
indicia display apparatus 10 or the indicia indicating assembly 12,
the fastener 76 must first be removed thereby disconnecting the
housing 22 from the base 14. After the fastener 76 has been
removed, the housing 22 is then slid in a generally upwardly
direction 116, as shown in FIG. 1, to an elevated position wherein
the support assembly 24 is removed from its assembled disposition
within the housing opening 32. Further, the base 14 is connected to
the post 16 such that the housing 22 must be removed before the
base 14 can be disassembled from the post 16, thereby substantially
reducing the possibility of unauthorized removal of the indicia
indicating assembly 12 as will be described in greater detail
below.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a plurality of bolt holes 120 (two bolt
holes 120 being shown in FIG. 3 and the remaining two bolt holes
120 and the orientation of the four bolt holes 120 being indicated
in FIG. 5), the bolt holes 120 each extending through the base 14
intersecting the upper surface 60 and the lower surface 62 thereof.
A plurality of recesses 122 are formed in the base 14, each of the
recesses 122 being formed through the lower surface 62 of the base
14 generally adjacent and intersecting one of the bolt holes 120,
as shown more clearly in FIG. 3 with respect to two of the bolt
holes 120 and two of the recesses 122. The four bolt holes 120 are
each disposed and located within a portion of the base 14
encompassed via the housing slot 66, each of the bolt holes 120
being spaced a predetermined radial distance inwardly from the
housing slot 66, for reasons to be made more apparent below.
In one preferred embodiment, as shown in the drawings, the indicia
display apparatus 10 also includes the post 16 constructed to
support the indicia indicating assembly 12 in an elevated position
so that the displayed indicia are more readily perceivable by the
audience or spectators, this particular construction being
preferred in some applications particularly where the indicia
display apparatus 10 is to be utilized in an environment wherein
the displayed indicia are to be viewed by a relatively large number
of spectators or in those applications wherein the indicia
indicating assembly 12 is to be remotely located with respect to
the viewing spectators. The post 16 is cylindrically shaped and has
a post opening 124 formed axially therethrough intersecting an
upper end 126 and a lower end 128 of the post 16. An upper flange
130 is formed on the upper end 126 of the post 16, the upper flange
130 having a portion 132 extending a distance radially outwardly
from the post 16 and providing an upwardly facing supporting
surface 134 generally aligned with the upper end 126 of the post
16. A lower flange 136 is also formed on the post 16 generally
adjacent the lower end 128 thereof, a portion 138 of the lower
flange 136 extends a distance radially outwardly from the post 16
forming the downwardly facing supporting surface 140 generally
aligned with the lower end 128 of the post 16.
The supporting surfaces 134 and 140 of the upper and the lower
flanges 130 and 136, respectively, each extend circumferentially
about the post 16 and a plurality of bolt holes 142 are formed
through the radially extending portion 132 of the upper flange 130,
a plurality of bolt holes 144 being formed through the radially
extending portion 138 of the lower flange 136. More particularly,
four bolt holes 142 are formed through the upper flange 130, each
of the bolt holes 142 being spaced and oriented on the upper flange
130 such that the bolt holes 142 are aligned with the bolt holes
120 formed through the base 14 in an assembled position of the base
14 on the post 16. A plurality of recesses 146 are formed through a
portion of the lower surface 148 of the upper flange 130, the
recesses 146 each being oriented and disposed such that one of the
recesses 146 is disposed generally adjacent and intersecting each
of the bolt holes 142 formed through the upper flange 130. In a
similar manner, a plurality of recesses 150 are formed through a
portion of the upper surface 152 of the radially extending portion
138, the recesses 150 being disposed and oriented such that one of
the recesses 150 is disposed adjacent and intersects each of the
bolt holes 144 in the lower flange 136, as shown more clearly in
FIG. 3.
One bolt type of fastener 154 is disposed through each of the bolt
holes 142 formed in the radially extending portion 138 of the upper
flange 130 to a position wherein each of the bolt heads 156 formed
on one end of the fasteners 154 is disposed within one of the
recesses 146 formed in the lower surface 148 of the upper flange
130, each of the fasteners 154 being, in a preferred form, sized
such that an extended portion 158 thereof extends a distance from
the supporting surface 134 of the upper flange 130. In this
position, a nut 160 is threadedly secured to each of the extended
bolt portions 158, a portion of each of the nuts 160 engaging a
portion of the upper supporting surface 140 of the upper flange 130
securing each of the bolts 154 in an assembled position through the
bolt holes 142 of the upper flange 130.
After the bolts 154 have each been secured to the upper flange 130,
the base 14 is then positioned generally over or above the
supporting surface 140 of the flange 130 and oriented such that
each of the bolt holes 120 through the base 14 is aligned with one
of the extended bolt portions 158 extending vertically upwardly
from the supporting surface 140 of the upper flange 130. The base
14 is then moved downwardly extending the extended bolt portions
158 through the bolt holes 120 of the base 14 to a position wherein
the lower surface 62 of the base 14 supportingly engages the
supporting surface 134 of the upper flange 130 and a portion of the
upper end 126 of the post 16, each of the nuts 160 being disposed
within one of the recesses 122 formed in the lower surface 62 of
the base 14 allowing the lower surface 62 of the base 14 to
supportingly engage the supporting surface 134 of the upper flange
130.
In this position of the base 14 and the post 16, a portion of the
extended bolt portions 158 extends above the upper surface 60 of
the base 14 and a nut 162 is threadedly secured to each of the
portions of the bolts 154 extending above the upper surface 62 of
the base 14, the nuts 162 each engaging a portion of the upper
surface 60 of the base 14 and threadedly engaging one of the bolts
154 to secure the base 14 in an assembled position connected to the
post 16 via the upper flange 130. Since the bolt holes 120 formed
through the base 14 are disposed within and encompassed via the
housing slot 66, in an assembled position of the housing 22, the
base 14 and the post 16, the nuts 162 secured to the bolts 154 are
each disposed within the housing opening 32, and thus the housing
22 must first be removed from the base 14 before the nuts 162 can
be disengaged from the bolts 154 permitting the removal of the base
14 from the post 16. In this manner, any unauthorized disassembly
of the indicia display apparatus 10 is substantially deterred since
the housing 22 and the base 14 are constructed in a manner
requiring the sequential disassembly of these items and in a manner
eliminating the removal of the indicia indicating assembly 12 from
the post 16 unless the housing 22 is first removed to provide
access to the nuts 162 for disengaging the base 14 from the post
16.
In one preferred form, the post 16 is constructed to support the
indicia indicating assembly 12 in an elevated position with respect
to a supporting surface such as a table or the like, the table
being, in one operational embodiment contemplated via the
invention, the scorekeeper's table generally utilized during a
particular athletic event such as a basketball game, for example.
To illustrate this aspect of the invention, a fragmentary portion
of a supporting structure such as the scorekeeper's table has been
shown in FIG. 3 and designated therein via the general reference
numeral 170. In this embodiment, the supporting structure 170 has
an upper surface 172 formed via the top of the scorekeeper's table,
for example, a lower surface 174, and an opening 176 formed through
the support structure 170 intersecting the upper surface 172 and
the lower surface 174. A plurality of bolt holes 178 are also
formed through the support structure 170, the bolt holes 178 being
spaced a distance radially outwardly from the opening 176 and
spaced circumferentially about the opening 176. More particularly,
the bolt holes 178 are oriented and positioned with respect to the
opening 176 such that, in an assembled position of the indicia
display apparatus 10 connected to the support structure 170, the
bolt holes 178 are aligned with the bolt holes 144 through the
lower flange 136 of the post 16 and the opening 176 of the support
structure 170 is generally aligned with the post opening 124
through the post 16, the supporting surface 140 formed via the
lower flange 136 being disposed generally adjacent the upper
surface 172 of the support structure 170 and spaced a distance
therefrom via washer-like elements 180, as shown in FIG. 3.
After the post 16 has been positioned in an assembled position on
the support structure 170, bolts 182 are disposed through each of
the bolt holes 144 formed through the lower flange 136 and through
the bolt holes 178 through the support structure 170, a portion of
each of the bolts 182 extending a distance beyond the lower surface
174 of the support structure 170. A wing nut 184 is threadedly
secured to the end of each of the bolts 182 extending below the
lower surface 174 of the support structure 170, a portion of the
wing nuts 184 engaging the lower surface 174 and cooperating with
the bolts 182 to secure the post 16 to the upper surface 172 of the
support structure 170 via the lower flange 136 on the post 16. The
post 16 is thus constructed to be removably secured to the support
structure 170 via the bolts 182 and the wing nuts 184 in a manner
such that the indicia display apparatus 10 can be quickly and
easily positioned in one assembled position connected to the
support structure 170 and disassembled therefrom for storage or
repair in the operational embodiment of the indicia display
apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 3.
As briefly mentioned before, the control assembly 18 is connected
to each of the illumination devices 26 supported within the indicia
indicating assembly 12 via a cable 20, and is particularly
constructed to selectively position each of the illumination
devices 26 in the illuminated on position in one position of the
control assembly 18 during the operation of the indicia display
apparatus 10. The cable 20, more particularly, encompasses and
houses a plurality of electrical conductors and includes provisions
for connecting each of the illumination devices 26 to the control
assembly 18 via a pair of electrical conductors generally shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3 and designated therein via the general reference
numeral 186, the electrical interconnection between the
illumination devices 26 and the control assembly 18 being shown
schematically in greater detail in FIG. 6.
As shown in FIG. 6, the control assembly 18, more particularly, is
interposed between an electrical power source 190 and the
illumination devices 26, the illumination devices 26 being also
desginated in FIG. 6 via the particular opaque indicia "1," "2,"
"3," "4," "5," "V" and "H," corresponding to the particular opaque
indicia 56 formed on the housing 22, as shown in FIG. 1 and as
described in detail before. The illumination devices 26 are each
connected in electrical parallel and the illumination devices 26
are connected to the power source 190 via conductors 192 and 194.
As schematically shown in FIG. 6, the conductor 194 is, more
particularly, connected to the illumination devices 26 via
individual, separate conductors 196, 198, 200, 202, 204, 206 and
208 and each of the illumination devices 26 is connected to the
conductor 192 via separate, individual conductors 210, 212, 214,
216, 218, 220 and 222, the conductors 196 through 208 each being
connected to one of the illumination devices 26 and the conductors
210 through 222 each being connected to one of the illumination
devices 26.
The control assembly 18 includes a plurality of switches 224, 226,
228, 230, 232, 234 and 236, each of the switches 224 through 236
being interposed in one of the conductors 210 through 222. Each of
the switches 224 through 236 has an off position, as schematically
shown in FIG. 6, interrupting electrical continuity in the
conductors 210 through 222 and disconnecting the illumination
devices 26 from the power source 190, and each of the switches 224
through 236 has an on position establishing electrical continuity
between the illumination devices 26 and the power source 190
positioning the illumination device 26 connected thereto in the
illuminated on position. Since the illumination devices 26 and the
switches 224 through 236 are connected in parallel, the illuminated
on position of each of the illumination devices 26 is individually
and selectively controlled via one of the switches 224 through
236.
A flasher type of switch 238 is interposed in the conductor 214
generally between the switch 228 and the illumination device 26
disposed in the compartment 106 of the support assembly 24 and
associated with the opaque indicia "5." The flasher type of switch
238 is constructed to interrupt and establish electrical continuity
at regular, predetermined intervals to provide a "blinking light"
type of effect accenting the illuminated on position of the
illumination device 26 disposed in the compartment 106 of the
support assembly 24.
As shown in FIG. 1, the control assembly 18, in one preferred
embodiment, is enclosed in a generally rectangularly shaped control
box 242 providing the basic support for the various control
devices, schematically shown in FIG. 6. The control box 252 has a
top 244 with an outer periphery 246 secured thereon enclosing the
control devices and providing a basic supporting structure for
portions of the switches 224 through 236, inclusive. The outer
periphery 246 of the top 244 extends beyond and overhangs the walls
of the control box 242 providing a downwardly facing ledge 248
extending peripherally about the top of the control box 242. In one
preferred embodiment, the control box 242 is constructed to be
mounted on top of the scorekeeper's table and, in this form, the
control box 242 includes a plurality of feet secured to the bottom
and constructed of a resilient material to reduce slipping of the
control box 242 during the operation thereof.
in one preferred operational embodiment of the indicia display
apparatus 10, the indicia display apparatus 10 is constructed to be
mounted upon and secured in an assembled position to a support
structure such as a scorekeeper's table or the like, as generally
mentioned before. In this operational embodiment of the invention,
the control box 242 is shaped to be disposed through an opening in
the top or the table supporting structure (not shown in the
drawings) to a position wherein the downwardly facing ledge 248
engages the upper surface of the table supporting structure thereby
removably disposing the control box 242 in an assembled position
connected to the table-like support structure.
As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of push button actuators are
slidably disposed through spaced openings formed through the top
244 of the control box 242, each of the push button actuators being
connected to one of the switches 224 through 236, inclusive,
positioning the switch connected thereto in a closed position
establishing electrical communication between one of the
illumination devices 26 and the power source 190 in a depressed
position of a particular push button actuator. Since the push
button actuators are connected to and form an integral part of the
switches 224 through 236, inclusive, the push button actuators have
been designated in FIG. 1 via the general reference numerals 224a,
226a, 228a, 230a, 232a, 234a and 236a corresponding to the numeral
reference designation of the switch element connected thereto,
shown schematically in FIG. 6. It should also be noted that, in one
other preferred embodiment, the push button actuators are more
particularly toggle switches, each having an "on" and an "off"
position.
Thus, during the operation of the indicia display apparatus 10, the
vertically spaced compartment 102 associated with the color-coded
section 42 in the opaque indicia "3," for example, is positioned in
the illuminated on position by depressing the push button actuator
232a closing the switch 232 and establishing electrical
communication between the illumination device 26 disposed in the
compartment 102 and the power source 190 via the conductors 204,
218, 192 and 194. The illumination devices 26 disposed in the
compartments 98, 100, 104, 106, 108 and 110 are positioned in the
illuminated on position via depressing the push button actuators
236a, 234a, 230a, 228a, 226a and 224a, respectively, in a manner
similar to that described before with respect to the compartment
102, the push button actuator 232a and the switch 232.
When the indicia display apparatus 10 is utilized to display
predetermined indicia during an athletic event such as a basketball
game, for example, the displayed indicia, more particularly,
provides the output indications indicating the total number of
personal fouls, in one operational aspect, the output indications
indicating team fouls in one other preferred embodiment, as
mentioned before. When utilized to indicate personal fouls, the
scorekeeper displays an output indication indicating the total
number of fouls committed by that player by depressing one of the
push button actuators 228a through 236a, inclusive, when a
particular team member commits a foul, thereby positioning the
illumination device 26 supported in that particular compartment 98
through 106, inclusive, in an illuminated on position illuminating
the color-coded section 38 through 46, inclusive, associated
therewith, the illuminated color-coded section 38 through 46,
inclusive, providing the spectator-perceivable output indication
indicating the total number of fouls committed by that particular
player during a predetermined specified playing period of time, for
example.
Since the entire color-coded section associated with the
illumination device 26 positioned in the illuminated on position
via the depressing of one of the push button actuators 228a through
236a, inclusive, is illuminated, the entire illuminated color-coded
section provides the spectator-perceivable output indication
indicating the particular opaque indicia 56 formed on that
particular illuminated color-coded section which is perceivable
from a position 360.degree. about the indicia indicating assembly
12 and from positions remote from the indicia indicating assembly
12 where the opaque indicia 56 is not per se perceivable. It has
been found that the illumination of the entire color-coded section
accents and augments the particular indicia formed via the opaque
indicia 56 emphasizing the opaque indicia 56 and rendering the
opaque indicia 56 more readily perceivable via the
spectator-audience.
After a particular foul has been committed by one of the team
members bringing the total number of fouls committed by that
particular player during a predetermined period of playing time to
a total of five, the scorekeeper will depress push button actuator
228a closing the switch 228 and establishing electrical continuity
between the illumination device 26 supported within the compartment
106 and the power source 190 via the conductors 220, 214, 192 and
194 placing the illumination device 26 in the illuminated on
position. In the illuminated on position of the illumination device
26 disposed in the compartment 106, the color-coded section 46 is
illuminated providing an output indicating indicating that the
total number of fouls committed via that player is equal to five.
However, since the flasher type of switch 238 is interposed in the
conductor 214 between the illumination device 26 and the switch
228, the illumination device 26 supported in the compartment 106
will be automatically, periodically switched to the illuminated on
position and to the off position via the flasher type of switch 238
providing a flashing or blinking type of output indication
illuminating the color-coded section 46 to emphasize and to bring
to the attention of the spectator-audience that the total number of
fouls committed by the player is equal to a value of five.
After a team has committed a total number of five team fouls during
a predetermined period of playing time, subsequent fouls committed
by members or players of that team are penalized by giving the
opposing, fouled team a bonus free-throw. The bonus or one-plus-one
situation is indicated via the scorekeeper depressing either the
push button 234a closing the switch 234 or the push button 236a
closing the switch 236 illuminating one of the illumination devices
26 disposed in one of the compartments 108 or 110 illuminating one
of the color-coded sections 48 or 50 depending upon whether the
team committing the foul is designated as the "visitor team" or the
"home team".
As mentioned before, the indicia display apparatus 10 is also
utilized, in one operational embodiment, to indicate team fouls. In
this operational embodiment, the scorekeeper illuminates one of the
color-coded sections 38 through 46, inclusive, after each foul
providing an output indication of the total number of team fouls
committed by the particular fouling team. When the total number of
team fouls committed during a predetermined period of playing time
is equal to five, the scorekeeper illuminates the color-coded
section 46 providing a flashing or blinking type of output
indication, in a manner described before, thereby indicating that
any additional fouls committed by that team within the specified
period of playing time will allow the opposing, fouled team a bonus
free-throw, the appropriate color-coded section 48 or 50 being also
illuminated in this operational embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the cable 20, more particularly, comprises a
first cable component 252 and a second cable component 254. The
first cable component 252 encompassingly houses the electrical
conductors connected to the switches 224 through 236, inclusive,
disposed in the control box 242, the conductors terminating on one
end of the first cable component 252 with a female connector plug
256. The second cable component 254 houses the electrical
conductors connected on one end thereof to the illumination devices
26 supported within the indicia indicating assembly 12, the
electrical conductors within the second cable component 254
terminating with a male connector plug 258 on one end thereof.
The female connector plug 256 and the male connector plug 258 are
each constructed to be interconnected connecting the various
electrical conductors disposed in the first cable component 252 and
the electrical conductors disposed within the second cable
component 254 in a predetermined electrical connection,
schematically shown in FIG. 6 and in a manner well-known in the
art. The connector plugs 256 and 258 provide a connection which is
easily placed in a connected, assembled position forming the calbe
20 connecting the control assembly 18 and the indicia indicating
assembly 12 and in a disconnected position, as shown in FIG. 1,
separating the control assembly 18 disposed within the control box
242 from the indicia indicating assembly 12 for repair, replacement
or storage of the indicia display apparatus 10 of the present
invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, second cable component 254 of the cable 20,
more particularly, extends upwardly through the support assembly
24, the second cable component 254 extending through a cable
opening 260 formed through the base 14 and through a cable opening
262 formed through each of the plates 82, as shown more clearly in
FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 with respect to the base 14 and one of the plates
82. As shown more clearly in FIGS. 1 and 3, the second cable
component 254 extends from the cable opening 260 in the base 14,
through the post opening 124 and, in the one operational embodiment
shown in FIG. 3, through the opening 176 in the support structure
170. Thus, a substantial portion of the second cable component 260
is encompassed via the indicia indicating assembly 12 and the post
16. It has been found desirable to color code the electrical
conductors disposed within the cable 20 using a color matching the
colors of the color-coded sections 38 through 50, inclusive,
thereby simplifying the identification of the electrical conductors
connected to particular illumination devices 26 to facilitate
trouble-shooting of the indicia indicating apparatus 10.
Changes may be made in the construction and the operation of the
indicia display apparatus described herein without departing from
the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined in the
following claims.
* * * * *