PORTABLE DUGOUT SCOREBOARD

Abstract

A portable scoreboard includes self winding scrolls exposed through windows in a front face for keeping score, and open areas for applying team logos. The front face includes spaced apart pairs of slots for each scoring scroll, and additional pairs of spaced apart slots for scrolls representing a phase of a game, for example, an inning. The scrolls are self winding on bobbins behind the slots and pass through the slots to generally expose a single digit for viewing. Digits are changed by simply manually sliding the exposed portion of a scroll to expose the next digit. The scrolls generally include digits spaced apart to display single digits and a pair of scrolls are used to express numbers greater than nine, but may optionally also include spaced apart double digits. Areas are provided below the individual scores and on a back surface to place team logos and/or advertising.

Description

The present application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/027,629 filed Feb. 11, 2008, which application is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to scoreboards and in particular to a low cost portable scoreboard suitable for hanging in a baseball dugout.

A variety of sports are practiced thousands of times every week in fields and gyms across the United States. These sports are often practiced in playing areas which lack permanent scoreboards or where the permanent scoreboards are present but not available for general use. In such situations, teams often attempt to improvise or to use a portable scoreboard.

Portable electronic portable scoreboards are available, for example, the ESE310 Baseball scoreboard available from Electronic Scoreboards costing over $2,000. While such electronic scoreboards meet the present need, in many instances, the cost is prohibitive. Additionally, teams often desire a personalized scoreboard with team logos and the like, which scoreboards are positioned in the team's rest area, for example, in a baseball dugout. The cost of known electronic scoreboards is particularly prohibitive for such personalized use.

Manual “flip” scoreboards are available at much lower cost than electronic scoreboards, but cannot be used in all situations, for example, where room is not available for flipping the numbers. Thus a need remains for a low cost portable scoreboard which can be used in all scenarios.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the above and other needs by providing a portable scoreboard which includes self winding scrolls exposed through windows in the scoreboard front face for keeping score, and open surface areas for applying team logos. The front face includes spaced apart pairs of slots for each scoring scroll, and additional pairs of spaced apart slots for phase scrolls representing a phase of a game, for example, the inning. The scrolls are self winding on bobbins behind the slots and pass through the slots to generally expose a single digit for viewing. Digits are changed by simply manually sliding the exposed portion of a scroll to expose the next digit. The scrolls generally include digits spaced apart to display single digits and a pair of scrolls are used to express numbers greater than nine, but may optionally also include spaced apart double digits. Areas are provided below the individual scores and on a back surface to place team logos and/or advertising.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a portable scoreboard. The portable scoreboard includes a scoreboard enclosure having a scoreboard face and pairs of horizontally spaced apart first and second slots, spaced apart by a spacing S, in the scoreboard face. Self winding scrolls are provided for manually changing scores. The self winding scrolls include spaced apart digits and contiguously and serially comprise a first self winding portion residing behind the scoreboard face, a flattened portion residing exposed before the scoreboard face, and a second self winding portion residing behind the scoreboard face. The digits are spaced apart farther than the spacing S so that only one digit may be exposed at a time. There may be an additional self winding scroll to show the phase of the game.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for using a portable scoreboard for keeping score at a sports event. The method includes positioning the scoreboard for viewing by at least one of players and audience members, manually sliding exposed portions of score scrolls horizontally to an end to show a score of zero for teams playing in a game, observing scores made in the game, and manually sliding the exposed portions of the score scrolls horizontally to show a change in score when a score is made. The method may additionally include manually sliding exposed portions of a phase scroll horizontally to indicate the beginning of the game, observing the phase of the game, and manually sliding exposed portions of the phase scroll horizontally to indicate a change in the phase of the game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings wherein:

FIG. 1A is a front view of a portable scoreboard according to the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a rear view of the portable scoreboard according to the present invention.

FIG. 1C is a side view of the portable scoreboard according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1C of the portable scoreboard according to the present invention showing self winding scrolls.

FIG. 3 shows a pair of the self winding scroll elements of a scoring or phase scroll according to the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a self winding scroll portion of a scoring or phase scroll according to the present invention, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of a self winding scroll portion of a scoring or phase scroll with an inner bobbin and an outer bobbin according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a hook according to the present invention for hanging the portable scoreboard in a baseball dugout.

FIG. 6 is a method for keeping score according to the present invention.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing one or more preferred embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims.

A view of a front face 12 of a scoreboard enclosure 13 of a portable scoreboard 10 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 1A, a view of a back face 24 of the scoreboard enclosure 13 of the scoreboard 10 is shown in FIG. 1B, and a side view of the scoreboard enclosure 13 of the scoreboard 10 is shown in FIG. 1C. The scoreboard includes two horizontally spaced apart continuous self winding scoring scrolls 11a and a game phase scroll 11b comprising a first self winding portion 22a residing behind the front face 12 (see FIG. 2), an exposed flattened portion 14 exposed in front of the front face 12 for viewing, and a second self winding portion 22b residing behind the front face 12.

Digits (or numerals) 18 are displayed on the flattened portion 14 to provide game scores and/or phases (for example, innings in baseball). The digits 18 are spaced apart at least a distance to conceal an adjacent digit 18 when a digit 18 is centered between one of the pairs of horizontally spaced apart slots 16a, 16b. The self winding scrolls pass through horizontally spaced apart pairs of horizontally spaced apart first and second vertical slots 16a and 16b in the front face 12. The front face 12 includes indicia 20 indicating the team the score is for. The back face 24 of the portable scoreboard 10 includes two openings 26 for hanging the portable scoreboard 10. A variety of hooks may be used to hang the scoreboard 10 from walls, fences, etc. A preferred hook is described in FIG. 5.

Opens areas 17 on the front face 12, and open area 19 on the back face 24, are provided for stickers, decals, painting, marking, or any form of visual representation. A preferred use of the scoreboard 10 is for individual use by a team, for example, hanging in a baseball dugout. Teams may apply stickers or logos with a team name, in the open areas 17. Such stickers are available from Wincraft in Winona, Minn. and from Giant Sticker in Hygiene, Colo. Additionally, the areas 17 and 19 may be used for advertising, and due to the very low cost of the scoreboard 10 according to the present invention, manufacturers and retailers may place their logos and/or contact information on the scoreboard 10 and give the scoreboard 10 to teams, for example, to little league teams. There are approximately 250,000 active little league teams and as many as ten million baseball and softball teams competing in the United States presenting a huge market for sporting goods. A low cost product which allows a manufacturer or retailer to gain exposure to this market is of tremendous value, and the portable scoreboard 10 according to the present invention provides exactly that exposure.

Self winding scrolls 11a and 11b are made by first forming a flat sheet, and then tightly winding the flat sheet around a mandrel. The flat sheet has a structural memory, and when the sheet is removed from the mandrel, the sheet self winds. Mylar® polyester film is an example of a material which provides the desired structural properties, but materials with similar properties may also be used. Such self winding sheets are available from Vulcan Spring in Telford, Pa.

A rear view of the self winding portions 22a and 22b of a general self winding scroll 11 is shown in FIG. 3 and a cross-sectional view of the self winding portions 22a and 22b taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 is shown in FIG. 4A. The self winding portion 22a and 22b reside behind the spaced apart slots 16a and 16b. Transition portions 15a and 15b of the self winding scroll 11 pass through the front face 12 and connect the first self winding portions 22a and 22b to the exposed flattened portion 14. Each pair of slots 16a, 16b are spaced apart by a spacing S which is preferably approximately 2.25 inches and the slots 16a, 16b have a width W which is preferably approximately 0.125 inches. No winding means is required because of the self winding tendency of the scroll 11.

A top view of an embodiment of the present invention with a tube (or inner bobbin) 28 inside the self winding portion 22b and a split tube (or outer bobbin) 30 resides over the self winding portion 22a is shown in FIG. 4B. The outer bobbin 30 and inner bobbin 28 tend to help the self winding portion 22b consistently self wind.

A variety of hooks may be used to hang the scoreboard 10 from walls, fences, etc. A preferred hook 32 is shown in FIG. 5. The hook 32 has a large end 32a with a mouth width W1, a small end 32b with a mouth width W2, and an overall height H. The width W1 is preferably approximately 0.8 inches, the width W2 is preferably approximately 0.25 inches and the height H is preferably approximately three inches. The small end 32b is suitable for carrying the scoreboard 10 by inserting into the openings 26 (see FIG. 1B) and the large end 32a is suitable for engaging a dugout fence. While the hook 32 is preferred, a variety of other methods may be exercised to hang the scoreboard 10 or the scoreboard 10 may rest on a shelf or table, and any scoreboard 10 having scrolls as described herein for displaying scores is intended to come within the scope of the present invention.

The portable scoreboard 10 preferably is made from ABS plastic and a preferred size is approximately 18 inches wide, approximately 14 inches high, and approximately 1.25 inches deep. The indicia 20 may be silk screened, may be a sticker, may be a decal, may be stenciled on, or created by any appropriate method. The self winding scrolls are preferably approximately five inches by approximately 30 inches when laid flat, preferably approximately 0.003 inches thick and preferably made of Mylar® polyester film. The slots 16a and 16b are preferably die cut in the front face 12.

A method for keeping score according to the present invention is described in FIG. 6. The method includes positioning the scoreboard for viewing by at least one of players and audience members at step 100, manually sliding exposed portions of score scrolls horizontally to an end to show a score of zero for teams playing in a game at step 102, observing scores made in the game at step 104, and manually sliding the exposed portions of the score scrolls horizontally to show a change in score when a score is made at step 106. The method may additionally include manually sliding exposed portions of a phase scroll horizontally to indicate the beginning of the game at step 108, observing the phase of the game at step 110, and manually sliding exposed portions of the phase scroll horizontally to indicate a change in the phase of the game at step 112. The Step 100 preferably comprises positioning the scoreboard inside a baseball dugout for viewing by a baseball team.

While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A portable scoreboard comprising:

a scoreboard enclosure having: a scoreboard front face; and at least one spaced apart pair of horizontally spaced apart first and second scoring slots in the scoreboard front face, the slots horizontally spaced apart by a spacing S;

a continuous self winding scoring scroll cooperating with each pair of slots and including spaced apart digits, the scroll contiguously and serially comprising: a first self winding portion residing behind the scoreboard front face; a first transition portion passing through the first slot; a flattened portion residing exposed above the scoreboard front face; a second transition portion passing through the second slot; and a second self winding portion residing behind the scoreboard front face.

2. The portable scoreboard of claim 1, wherein the self winding portions are wound on inner bobbins.

3. The portable scoreboard of claim 2, wherein split outer bobbins reside over the self winding portions.

4. The portable scoreboard of claim 1, wherein the spaced apart digits are spaced apart single digits.

5. The portable scoreboard of claim 4, wherein the spaced apart digits are spaced apart at least a distance to conceal an adjacent digit when a digit is centered between one of the pairs of horizontally spaced apart slots.

6. The portable scoreboard of claim 1, wherein the self winding portions are free to self wind behind the front face of the scoreboard.

7. The portable scoreboard of claim 1, wherein the at least one spaced apart pair of scoring slots are at least two horizontally spaced apart pairs of scoring slots.

8. The portable scoreboard of claim 7, further including an additional pair of horizontally spaced apart phase slots and an additional self winding phase scroll for showing a phase of a game.

9. The portable scoreboard of claim 8, wherein the additional pair of horizontally spaced apart phase slots are vertically spaced apart from the scoring slots.

10. The portable scoreboard of claim 8, further including at least one area for applying a team logo.

11. A portable scoreboard comprising:

a scoreboard enclosure having: a scoreboard front face; four horizontally spaced apart pairs of horizontally spaced apart first and second scoring slots in the scoreboard front face, the scoring slots of each spaced apart pair spaced apart by a spacing S; a pair of horizontally spaced apart first and second phase slots vertically spaced apart from the scoring slots;

continuous self winding scoring scrolls, each scroll cooperating with one of the pairs of scoring slots and with the pair of phase slots and including spaced apart digits, the scrolls contiguously and serially comprising: a first self winding portion residing behind the scoreboard front face; a first transition portion passing through the first slot; a flattened portion residing exposed before the scoreboard front face; a second transition portion passing through the second slot; and a second self winding portion residing behind the scoreboard front face;

two areas residing on the front face on each side of the phase slots and below the scoring slots for applying team logos to the front face.

12. A method for keeping score with a portable scoreboard, the method comprising:

positioning the scoreboard for viewing by at least one of players and audience members;

manually sliding exposed portions of scoring scrolls horizontally to an end to show a score of zero for teams playing in a game;

observing scores made in the game; and

manually sliding the exposed portions of the score scrolls horizontally to show a change in score when a score is made.

13. The method of claim 12, further including:

manually sliding exposed portions of a phase scroll horizontally to indicate the beginning of the game;

observing the phase of the game; and

manually sliding exposed portions of the phase scroll horizontally to indicate a change in the phase of the game.