Game Or Sport Patents (Class 377/5)
  • Patent number: 5242355
    Abstract: Exercise apparatus includes a counting device for counting the number of push-up completed during a period of exercise and a plurality of platform elements. The counting device comprises a housing, a digital counter mounted in the housing and a button switch mounted on the top of the housing. The counter is positioned on a supporting surface beneath the chest of the person performing the push-ups and it is incremented each time a person lowers his/her chest to contact the top of the housing when doing a push-up. The platform elements are stackable one on top of another and the counting device is stackable on top of the uppermost platform element to enable the user to adjust the vertical height of the counting device above a supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Inventor: Kathleen Costa
  • Patent number: 5214679
    Abstract: A scorekeeper and distance indicator for use with a golf cart measures distance traversed by the golf cart and uses the measured distance in conjunction with stored information about a hole being played to determine the remaining distance to the pin. The apparatus displays the remaining distance, the number of the hole being played and a cumulative score. The apparatus is adaptable to store scores and other information for a plurality of players. A portion of the apparatus that includes a memory device can be removed from the golf cart and taken to a remote location to read or print scores. The increasing use of golf carts, and especially of powered golf carts, makes it feasible to use an odometer to measure the distance traversed by the golf cart. The availability of inexpensive microprocessor chips makes it feasible to combine information from an odometer or the like about measured distances with stored information about the characteristics of a golf course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Robert G. Metcalf
    Inventor: Robert G. Metcalf
  • Patent number: 5164967
    Abstract: A pedometer for exercise such as walking and jogging, comprising the fact that an appropriate intensity of exercise is set by setting reference signals, which the user of the pedometer is permitted to hear with a sound producer or an earphone, thereby making it possible to render the user conscious of the exercise at the appropriate intensity and to count or measure and then display the number of steps of the exercise, the period of time thereof, and the continuation period of time thereof as associated with the set reference signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Marutakairyoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mikiya Endo, Mitsuhiro Ikeda
  • Patent number: 5153826
    Abstract: A hand-held, portable device for keeping track of the in-play and error shots of a specific type of shot made by a player in a sports event, comprises at least a first display for indicating at least the percentage of the cumulative number of in-play shots relative to the cumulative number of the total in-play and error shots; a first key switch for inputting each in-play shot; a second key switch for inputting each error shot; and a microprocessor for keeping track of the total number of in-play and error shots and for calculating at least the percentage of the cumulative number of the in-play shots relative to the cumulative number of the shots made by the player, whereby the percentage display is updated each time one of the first and second key switches is depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Inventor: Robert Johnson
  • Patent number: 5136621
    Abstract: Swim/sporting event timer/counter. A waterproof housing has upwardly projecting digital displays and two spaced ultrasonic receivers. A swimmer wears an ultrasonic transmitter tuned to ultrasonic receivers. by measuring the time differential for the ultrasonic signals from the transmitter to reach the receivers in the housing, the position of the swimmer (i.e., in front of, directly over, or behind the housing), is determined. Laps are identified by determining when the transmitted signal changes from being received by the two receivers by an increasing time differential to being received by a decreasing time differential. Each time the swimmer passes over the housing, the numbers on the display are inverted so that the swimmer may look down into the water and see the time regardless of which direction the swimmer is traveling in the lane or other predetermined course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Inventors: Mitchell, David E., Dean Lurker
  • Patent number: 5130955
    Abstract: A swim/sporting event timer/counter times a athlete moveing along a predetermined path based on signals received from the athlete. A time counter begins when movement of the athlete is detected. Based upon the amount of time it takes for the athlete to pass by the timing system, the time counter is automatically adjusted, if necessary, to account for the time counter having been started at an incorrect time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Inventors: Dean Luerker, David E. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 5127044
    Abstract: An electronic golf scoring system which includes a scoring subsystem installed for example in a golf cart or carried manually on the golf course; a handicap subsystem installed for example in a fixed location, e.g. in a clubhouse or the like; a portable data memory device that serves for transferring data between the scoring subsystem and the handicap subsystem; some interface or means for reading data into and out of the memory device connected to and being part of both the scoring subsystem and the handicap subsystem, wherein the data includes player identification data identifying each player preparing to play a round of golf and golf course pictorial data which serve to provide pictorial features of the chosen golf course, and other data as may be useful to the players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Golf Scoring Systems Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Bonito, Michael Appelton
  • Patent number: 5125010
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lap counting system having a radio communication range between a radio transmitter and a radio receiver. The lap counting system increments a lap count each time the distance between the receiver and the transmitter becomes smaller than the communication range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Inventors: Lewis C. Lee, T. Lester Wallace
  • Patent number: 5090030
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for counting the laps completed by a remote-controlled model that detects a spurious radio-frequency electromagnetic signal spontaneously generated by the unmodified model. Presently, each model must carry on-board lap-counting signal generating apparatus. This invention eliminates the need for such apparatus, and reduces the complexity, weight, and cost of such models.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Inventor: Jimmy R. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 5084695
    Abstract: An umpire's counter is provided with a housing having a top face and a bottom face. On the side of the housing between the faces, inputs for advancing a balls display, a strikes display, an outs display and an inning display are provided. A separate button is provided for clearing at least the strikes and balls display. A strap can be provided on the back of the umpire's counter which encircles the umpire's hand of encircles two of the umpire's fingers. The strap enables the umpire to make a "safe call" without dropping the counter. An audible output is provided for indicating when at least the balls or strikes displays have been advanced. Each of the inputs are provided in recesses with covers to prevent inadvertent actuation of the displays. A time, score or alarm set display is provided and buttons are provided for advancing the home and visitors score or advancing the hours and minutes during alarm setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. Freeman
  • Patent number: 5065414
    Abstract: A pedometer which has a walking sensor for detecting a walking by the vibration of a walker's body, a counter for counting the number of walker's walking steps from the walking sensor, an indicator for indicating the value of the counter, a walking reference signal setter for storing a walking reference signal arbitrarily set in advance by the walker, a walking reference signal generator for generating a walking reference signal set by the walking reference signal setter, and sound producing unit for producing a sound upon reception of the output of the walking reference signal generator. Thus, the pedometer can measure a walking reference signal arbitrarily set in advance by a user or a pitch of user's walking when he actually walks with the pedometer by sounding the result as the walking reference signal to give the standard of the strength of his walking motion to the user, thereby providing the walking motion with high motion efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Marutakairyoki Kabushikikaisha
    Inventors: Mikiya Endou, Motohiro Matsuura, Toshihiro Tsuzuki
  • Patent number: 4932045
    Abstract: A waterproof digital lap counter automatically counting and indicating the number of laps traversed by a swimmer having the lap counter attached to a hand or foot comprises a LCD array including a digital counter, driver and LCD embedded within a sealed inner housing which is slidably and nonrotatably supported in an outer housing. Counting and indication of laps traversed occurs automatically and is triggered by abutment of the lap counter against the side of the swimming pool during the swimming stroke or flip turn of the swimmer. Abutment of the lap counter against the side of the pool momentarily closes a switch which sends an input signal to the LCD array representative of a lap traversed. The LCD array counts and provides a visible indication of the number of input signals received which corresponds to the total number of laps traversed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Kasoff Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Kasoff, William C. Stone
  • Patent number: 4864592
    Abstract: An electronic golf score counter for counting each fairway and putting stroke and totaling hole scores, total scores for the front nine holes, totals for the second or back nine, and the 18-hole totals. The counter has LCD displays and a plurality of switch keys for entering and displaying the hole number, its par value, the tee and fairway and putting strokes for each hole, and their totals. A reverse feature permits a count-down to a selected hole for a review of correction of a score. One embodiment provides a count for four players and includes an over/under par display for each.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Inventor: Yong K. Lee
  • Patent number: 4846467
    Abstract: An electronic drag race starting signal unit includes a housing contained circuit provided with or energizing a series of race starting lamps. The race start indicator or Christmas Tree, which may be a series of LED's, are preferably three aligned amber or yellow lamps terminating in aligned relationship with a red lamp and a green lamp interposed betwen the red lamp and the adjacent yellow lamp. A manually held pushbutton switch, when closed, simulates a vehicle transmission brake and energizes the circuit to sequentially or simultaneously energize the yellow lamps followed by the green lamp which is the start signal. A counter in the circuit visually records the time lapse between the start signal and the release (opening) of the push-button switch by the operator which, if it is received before a predetermined time, energizes the red lamp as a disqualification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Inventor: John W. Rosson
  • Patent number: 4823367
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for counting the number of occurrences that a mobile unit comes within range of a stationary unit. The invention is useful in counting the number of laps which a runner or swimmer completes through a course. In one aspect, the present invention includes a timer which, in cooperation with the information generated by the lap counter, produces information corresponding to the lap time, average minutes per mile and other such data. In a preferred embodiment, a stationary transmitter emits an infrared signal to create a zone of detection which triggers a receiving unit attached to the runner or swimmer each time the runner or swimmer passes through the zone of detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Rikagaku Kenkyujyo and Hochiki Corp.
    Inventor: Robert J. Kreutzfeld
  • Patent number: 4775948
    Abstract: A baseball with a self-contained speed-measuring module positioned within a hollowed-out portion of the solid core of the ball, with the upper portion of the module being a display unit that indicates the speed at which the baseball was thrown over a fixed distance, the read-out of the display unit being visible from the outside to allow for the reading thereof. The module is enclosed in a single, unitary housing, and includes a computer chip. The chip includes speed-determining circuitry, and is made up of a programmable counter that counts down a plurality of times for every time interval of the flight of the thrown ball, the value representative of each time interval being loaded into the programmable counter by a programmable logic array, whose inputs are coupled to the outputs of a most-significant digit display counter of an LCD unit, the instantaneous value of which is representative of the time interval determined by the countdown rate of the programmable counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Assignee: Monogram Models, Inc.
    Inventors: Dwain Dial, Hong T. Lin, Jr., Michael Yang, Ding-Li Huang, Teng C. Lu
  • Patent number: 4744098
    Abstract: A roulette calculator for recording and visually displaying the occurrence and number of winning numerals during the progress of play of a roulette game is disclosed. The calculator includes a keyboard having a key and visual display for each number of a roulette wheel. A power source and electronic circuit means are employed between the keys and visual display means to advance the count in the visual display means upon key stroke of a given key to thus visually display winning numerals and the number of times that numeral was a winning numeral. The layout of the keyboard and color of the keys correspond to the roulette table colors and layout. Additional keys and associated visual displays may be provided to record conditions such as the number of winnings of red vs. black or odd vs. even. The keys and visual displays are positioned within recesses to prevent miskeying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Inventor: Walter A. Grabowski
  • Patent number: 4700369
    Abstract: This invention provides a highly portable device for counting athletic activities of a repetitive nature, e.g., pool laps swum, track laps run, pushups, situps, etc. The device has a mat-like body flexible enough to be rolled up and carried in a handbag. It is comprised of: (1) a watertight upper section containing a weight for anchoring the device during use, battery and circuit means for powering a lap counting electrical circuit, (2) a middle section for displaying an athletic activities card and (3) a watertight lower section containing a lap count display and a touch pad which operates the lap counting electrical circuit in a manner such that the display count advances by one for each touch of the pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Assignee: Joseph Siegal
    Inventors: Joseph J. Siegal, John A. Carlin
  • Patent number: 4669731
    Abstract: A slot machine of the type having a plurality of rotatable reels, each bearing an annular row of various symbols on the outer surface thereof, or a corresponding CRT display, which selects and displays combinations of symbols during each game, and which pays out coins not only when predetermined prize-winning combinations of symbols occur on prize-winning rows but also when a predetermined number of consecutive lost games take place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Universal
    Inventor: George Clarke
  • Patent number: 4510485
    Abstract: A sound generating device for a jogger has a generator circuit for generating pace signals the frequencies of which are different from each other in correspondence with different tempos and for generating reference clock pulses, a time counter for receiving and counting the reference clock pulses, and circuits for selectively supplying pace signals the frequencies of which are different from each other and which are supplied from the generator circuit. In response to an instruction signal generated by a switching operation, the time counter starts counting. Simultaneously, based on a selected pace signal from the generator circuit, a desired pace sound can be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1985
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Iwao Tahara
  • Patent number: 4491954
    Abstract: An electronic score-keeper for table tennis or Ping-Pong having a digital read-out for display of the score and having lamps which are energized to indicate responsibility for the serve. Each player presses a button at the side of the table to register his points. Proper serve indication is given throughout the course of the game, as prescribed by the international rules of table tennis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1985
    Inventor: Luther L. Genuit
  • Patent number: 4479181
    Abstract: An electronic device for decisions and scoring using a master and two slave controls to give a summation of at least two decisions characterized by digital logic to indicate to the referee the majority decision and when play should be stopped, initiating an audible signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Inventor: James T. Hannah
  • Patent number: 4451896
    Abstract: A digital timing system for sports competitions in which a large number of participants progress independently and simultaneously on the same track between a starting line and a finish line. This system comprises a starting time memory, a finish time memory, and a register which permits the temporary storing of the times of a predetermined number of events happening nearly simultaneously. The time is furnished by means of an oscillator and decade counters of which the multiplexed output is applied to the register where the information is entered. This information is shortly thereafter transferred to the starting time memory or to the finish time memory, as the case may be. A subtractor unit subtracts the recorded starting time of a selected participant from the real time when it is desired to display the lapsing time of the participant. At the final, the final track time is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1984
    Assignee: Universite Laval
    Inventors: Andre Pomerleau, Jean-Francoys Brousseau
  • Patent number: 4396904
    Abstract: An electronic pace timing device whereby a physically perceptible pace timing signal can be repetitively generated, and whereby the repetition frequency of this pace timing signal can be set into the pace timing device as a numeric value, by actuation of external operating members. No calculations are performed in order to convert the numeric value specifying the repetition frequency of the pace timing signal into an actual pace timing signal, so that the overall circuit configuration can be very simple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1983
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company Limited
    Inventor: Tadashi Hanaoka