SWEATBAND WITH ATTACHABLE SPORT SCORING APPARATUS

Abstract

The sport scoring apparatus includes a flexible band configured for attachment to a user. A retainer is coupled to the flexible band and is configured to selectively receive a scoring device having an adjustable scoreboard. The scoring device may include a wireless transmitter for communication with a remote scoreboard. In this regard, the scoring device may regulate the display of the remote scoreboard, such as a game time and/or a game score.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates a portable sport scoring apparatus. More particularly, the invention relates to a sweatband with an attachable sport scoring apparatus capable of remote communication.

Sweatbands are generally well known in the art and have been traditionally used to absorb perspiration on the outer extremities of the body, especially the head, arms and legs, during active exercise or athletic activities. Conventional sweatbands have been manufactured from an elongated towel-like absorbent material, such as terrycloth, or other specially designed material that absorbs moisture or otherwise whisks moisture away from the skin. Sweatbands are generally circular and may consist of a continuous flexible material that allows the sweatband to stretch and retract. Such a sweatband is usable in a wide range of applications and may come in various sizes. Alternatively, other sweatbands may include two ends that fasten together in an encircling relationship to releasibly connect the sweatband around a wrist or the head. Releasable sweatbands provide some level of adjustability through interconnection of the two sweatband ends and may provide a better fit upon application relative to the aforementioned continuous sweatbands.

Sweatbands are commonly used by athletes that compete in athletic events. Similarly, referees or other officials regulating the athletic event may also find it beneficial to use a sweatband. But, referee attire is oftentimes governed by the applicable league rules that establish standard referee attire. Referees on-the-field or off-the-field athletic event officials usually monitor and regulate the official time and/or score of the athletic event. Referees in particular are usually permitted to wear a watch or another timing device to track the time associated with the game play. Alternatively, the official time may be tracked by an official scorer located off-the-field at a scorer's table (e.g. in basketball) or in the press box (e.g. in football). But, more recent trends in athletic competitions have moved away from off-the-field official scorers in favor of the officials actually calling the game on-the-field. Off-the-field official scorers are not necessarily able to accurately determine when play starts and stops—certainly not to the same degree of accuracy as on-the-field referees. This can be particularly problematic in sports such as basketball or football where a shot clock or a play clock can have a significant impact on the end result of a game.

One major drawback to current on-the-field refereeing techniques is the coordination of time and score with the main scoreboard. On-the-field referees that maintain game play time do not have a means for remotely tracking time on a scoreboard. This is also particularly disadvantageous for sports like basketball and football where teams incur penalties or change of possession based on shot clock violations, delay of game penalties and other time-related rules. Ultimately, the players on the field must be able to quickly and accurately identify the game time and any particular short term time clock (e.g. a shot clock or delay of game clock) during game play. Typically in sports like basketball and football, the play clock is governed remotely by an official scorer that sits at the scorer's desk (basketball) or otherwise resides in the press box (football). This leaves the on-the-field referee only a certain degree of control over time management.

It is also difficult for referees to directly control the game clock to account for time outs, injuries, extra time, instant replays, etc. Referees may consult instant replay video camera footage to accurately determine when the play clock stopped or should have stopped. A play clock locally managed by the on-the-field referee has less tendencies to run into this type of problem. Accordingly, the on-the-field referee may promptly stop the clock when one of the crew members signals that the play is dead. It is certainly much easier to hear a whistle signaling a play dead on-the-field rather than off-the-field. Time can be particularly difficult to track in sports like soccer. Some soccer referees wear two watches—one to record the actual running time of the half and the other to record the amount of time to be added at the end of each half. Other referees accomplish this same task with one watch by stopping time for unusual delays and restoring time when play resumes. For example, a soccer referee may stop time for injuries or other disruptions in game play. This effectively enables the referee to account for the time that should be played during the half or the full game, but otherwise does not enable the referee to signal to each bench the amount of “extra time” added beyond the running time of the half. Obviously, this type of timing system is tricky and prone to mistakes.

Timing mistakes, however, are not unique to soccer, but are also common in other sports such as basketball and football. For example, football referees may ask the official scorer in the press box to change the game time or reset the delay of game clock. This exchange can take several minutes as the referees may be required to review instant replay cameras to determine the accurate time when the play clock should have stopped and then convey that time to the official scorer located remotely in the press box. The referee typically communicates with the press box via a telephone on the sideline or the stadium PA system. Problems arise when the referee loses communication with the press box. Similar situations may occur in basketball games where officials examine instant replay videos before continuing the game due to coordination problems between the officials and the timekeeper at the scorer's table.

Referees also do not have a viable means for locally scoring the game and thereafter relaying the score to a remote indicator (e.g. a scoreboard) viewable by teams and spectators. Most athletic events include some type of a visual scoreboard where the competitors, coaches and any spectators may monitor the score and game time. In sports such as hockey or indoor soccer, where teams may score five or more goals in the game, the referee must coordinate with the scoring table or otherwise operate a field accessible scoring device to tally the score and regulate the time shown on the scoreboard. This is disadvantageous as it may distract the referee from otherwise continuing to maintain play of the athletic event.

Thus, there exists a significant need for a sweatband with an attachable sport scoring device capable of remote communication. Such a sweatband with a sport scoring device should include a stretchable band-type material capable of attaching to wrists that vary in size, should comprise a sweatband-type material to absorb or whisk away moisture, should include a retainer for selectively receiving a programmable scoring device capable of tracking the score and time of an athletic competition, and should include a way for the scoring device to remotely communicate with a scoreboard visible by the players, coaches and spectators. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The sport scoring apparatus disclosed herein includes a flexible band having a retainer coupled thereto to receive a scoring device therein. The scoring device includes an adjustable scoreboard and may selectively removably secure to the flexible band by a lock in the retainer. The retainer may include a channel or a pocket that exposes the scoreboard so that the user may adjust a timer or a game score thereon. The flexible band is configured for attachment to a user and, in one embodiment, a securement mechanism attaches opposite ends of the flexible band for so a user can secure the band around a wrist or other appendage.

The scoring device may include a wireless transmitter and/or a wireless receiver for bilateral communication with a remote scoreboard. Through such wireless communication, the scoring device may regulate the display of the remote scoreboard. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the wireless transmitter includes a radio frequency transmitter or a Bluetooth transmitter and is internet accessible. As such, the scoring device may be programmable and include a touch screen similar to that of a portable electronic device such as a cell phone, PDA, etc. The scoring device also preferably includes a waterproof housing for protection of the electronics therein.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sweatband with an attachable sport scoring device encircling a wrist;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the sweatband having the sport scoring device attached thereto;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating removal of the sport scoring device from the sweatband;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative sweatband with attachable sport scoring device;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the sweatband with sport scoring device of FIG. 4, illustrating an attachment mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative sweatband receiving the sport scoring device in a pocket;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the alternative sweatband in FIG. 6, retaining the sport scoring device in the pocket; and

FIG. 8 is an environmental view illustrating communication of the sport scoring device with a remote scoreboard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the present invention for a sweatband having an attachable scoring device is generally referred to by the reference number 10. In FIG. 1, the sweatband 10 is shown in an encircling relationship around a wrist 12 and above a hand 14 of a wearer. The sweatband 10 includes a retainer 16 capable of receiving a scoring device 18, as described in more detail below. The sweatband 10 itself is preferably an elongated flexible material sized to encircle the wrist 12. Preferably, the sweatband 10 is adjustable such that the sweatband 10 is capable of encircling wrists 12 that vary in size. In this regard, the sweatband 10 may be manufactured from various compatible materials known in the art. Conventional sweatbands have been manufactured from towel-like absorbent materials, such as terrycloth, or other materials that absorb or otherwise whisk moisture away from the skin. The sweatband 10 may be designed specially to be water resistant around the area of the sweatband 10 having the retainer 16 and the scoring device 18. This may be particularly desirable in the event that a referee wearing the sweatband 10 sweats during an athletic competition such that moisture would otherwise interfere with the electronic scoring device 18. Moreover, it is preferable that the scoring device 18 itself be waterproof so moisture does not damage the device or the circuitry.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the sweatband 10. Here, the sweatband 10 is made from a single continuous material capable of encircling the wrist 12 of FIG. 1. The diameter of the sweatband 10 is relatively smaller than the width of the hand 14. The material comprising the sweatband 10 is preferably flexible and somewhat elastic so the diameter of the sweatband 10 may stretch to fit over the hand 14 and onto the wrist 12. When the worn by a user, as shown in FIG. 1, the sweatband 10 should snugly fit to the wrist 12. The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is provided in a one-size fits all configuration through use of an elastic material. This enables the sweatband 10 to fit wrists that vary in size and shape. This embodiment is also particularly preferred because removal of the sweatband 10 from the wrist 12 requires sliding the sweatband 10 over the somewhat wider portion of the hand 14. The risk of accidentally disconnecting end portions of the sweatband 10, as described in more detail below with respect to FIGS. 4 and 5, are nonexistent. This may be particularly desirable because the sweatband 10 is meant for use on-the-field during athletic competitions. Referees, for example, may accidentally contact other players on the field that could cause the sweatband 10 to otherwise disconnect from the wrist 12 of the user.

FIG. 3 illustrates removal of the scoring device 18 from within a pair channels 20 in the retainer 16. The retainer 16 may attach to the sweatband 10 by any mechanical or adhesive means known in the art. For example, the retainer 16 may be stitched directly into the material comprising the sweatband 10. Alternatively, a substantially permanent adhesive may be applied to the back side of the retainer 16 for application and retainment to the material of the sweatband 10. Most importantly, the means for attaching the retainer 16 to the sweatband 10 should be water resistant, rust resistant and otherwise manufactured to withstand inadvertent contact that may occur from time to time, during an athletic competition. The channels 20 slidably receive a pair of flaps 22 formed on each side of the scoring device 18. The interaction between the channels 20 and the flaps 22 secure the scoring device 18 to the retainer 16 so the scoring device 18 cannot be dislodged during athletic activity or in the event of accidental contact during an athletic competition. Preferably, the flaps 22 engage the channel 20 by friction fit or by some form of indent/detent combination formed along complementary sections of the surfaces of the channels 20 and the flaps 22. The scoring device 18 may otherwise snap or lock into the retainer 16 by other mechanical or adhesive mechanisms known in the art. Importantly, the scoring device 18 should be selectively removable from within the retainer 16, regardless of the mechanism for attaching the scoring device 18 to the retainer 16.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the sweatband 10 for use with the scoring device 18. In this embodiment, the sweatband 10 comprises an elongated flexible material having a first end 24 that selectively attaches to a second end 26. Application of the sweatband 10, depicted in FIG. 4, to the wrist 12 (FIG. 1) requires first disconnecting the first end 24 from the second end 26. Thereafter, the sweatband 10 is wrapped around the outside of the wrist 12 and the first end 24 attaches to the second end 26 by a securement mechanism 28. FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of the securement mechanism 28 that includes a patch of hooks 30 disposed on the first end 24 and a patch of loops 32 disposed on the second end 26. The hooks 30 and the loops 32 are complementary such that engagement thereto secures the sweatband 10 in an encircling relationship around the user's wrist 12. In one embodiment, the hooks 30 and the loops 32 comprise Velcro. Other mechanical or adhesive mechanisms known in the art may be used in place of the hooks 30 and the loops 32. For example, the sweatband 10 may include buttons, snaps, clips, releasable adhesive or zippers designed to releasibly retain the sweatband 10 in a closed loop configuration. Preferably, the securement mechanism 28 should not easily disconnect due to anticipated use in an athletic competition environment that may involve running, sweating and/or accidental contact.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the retainer 16. Here, the retainer 16 comprises a pocket 34 configured to receive the scoring device 18. The pocket 34 includes a peripheral frame 36 attached to the body of the sweatband 10 on three sides, as shown in FIG. 6. The fourth side of the peripheral frame 36 includes an opening 38 through which the scoring device 18 may slide through for retention by the retainer 16. The scoring device 18 fully inserts into the pocket 34 of the retainer 16 as shown in FIG. 7. Preferably, the scoring device 18 snugly resides between the material comprising the sweatband 10 and the peripheral frame 36. The retainer 16 may further include a transparent window 40 that helps retain the scoring device 18 within the retainer 16. The transparent window 40 should not inhibit accessing the face of the scoring device 18 for purposes of controlling the time or the score, as described in more detail below. The transparent window 40 may include a plurality of apertures therein that enable a user to easily access a set of buttons in the face of the scoring device 18 that protrude therethrough. Alternatively, the transparent window 40 may be removed completely such that the face of the scoring device 18 is readily accessible by the user. In this embodiment, only the peripheral frame 36 of the retainer 16 secures the scoring device 18 therein. Moreover, the pocket 34 may include other mechanical or adhesive mechanisms known in the art for selectively, yet releasibly retaining the scoring device 18 to the sweatband 10. For example, the scoring device 18 may clip or snap into the peripheral frame 36. Thereafter, the user may need to access a button or another release mechanism to disengage the scoring device 18 from the peripheral frame 36 for removal out from within the interior of the pocket 34. In an alternative embodiment, the scoring device 18 is easily removed from the sweatband 10 by pushing the scoring device 18 out from within the pocket 34.

FIG. 8 illustrates wireless transmission of the scoring device 18 with a remote scoreboard 42. The scoring device 18 preferably includes a wireless transmitter capable of generating a wireless signal 44 that can be received by a wireless receiver mounted (not shown) in the remote scoreboard 42. The wireless transmitter in the scoring device 18 may need to be configured with the wireless receiver in the remote scoreboard 42 depending on the location that the scoring device 18 is to be used. In one embodiment, the wireless transmitter and the wireless receiver are initially synchronized to one another and designed for exclusive use together. In this embodiment, the referee or other official would receive the scoring device 18 upon arrival to a field. Here, the scoring device 18 is already pre-synchronized with the remote scoreboard 42. The sweatband 10 may be individually owned by the referee such that the scoring device 18 can be easily mounted to the sweatband 10 via the retainer 16, as described above. In this embodiment, it is necessary that the retainer 16 include some universal means for connecting to the scoring device 18 because the scoring device 18 may vary from location to location and model to model.

Alternatively, the referee may transport both the sweatband 10 and the scoring device 18 from location to location. In this embodiment, the circuitry of the scoring device 18 would need to synchronize with the circuitry of the remote scoreboard 42 before the scoring device 18 can operate the remote scoreboard 42 remotely. Synchronization of the scoring device 18 with the remote scoreboard 42 over the wireless signal 44 may be accomplished by any means known in the art. The wireless signal 44 itself may comprise a radio frequency signal, a Bluetooth signal, etc.

The scoring device 18 may include a display and/or a plurality of controls externally accessible by the operator, as best shown in FIG. 2. Preferably, the scoring device 18 may include a time display 46, a home score 48, a visitor score 50, a home information area 52 and an away information area 54. Moreover, the scoring device 18 may include a plurality of buttons 56 externally accessible by the user for controlling the home score 48, the visitor score 50, the home information area 52 and the away information area 54. For example, the scores 48, 50 may simply be an aggregate number of points tallied by the respective home and visiting teams. The quantity displayed by the scores 48, 50 may be increased or decreased with the buttons 56. Changes to the scores 48, 50 and the time display 46 are relayed to the remote scoreboard 42 by the wireless signal 44. Additional information such as time outs, fouls or other sports related information that must be tracked by an official or referee is stored and displayed in the information areas 52, 54. The information areas 52, 54 are specific to the home team and/or the visiting team. The buttons 56 may be designed such that the referee may enter information, such as player name and number, time or other statistics into the information areas 52, 54. The buttons 56 are also capable of controlling a timing mechanism internal to the scoring device 18 and shown in the time display 46. The timer may be multifunctional and include many of the features available in simple or advanced scoreboards and/or watches. For example, the scoring device 18 may display the game time in the time display 46 while simultaneously tracking the time a hockey player has remaining in a penalty box. Accordingly, the remaining time the hockey player must spend in the penalty box is displayed in either of the information areas 52, 54. The scoring device 18 may audibly notify (e.g. beep) or mechanically notify (e.g. vibrate) the referee when the penalty time expires. A person of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the face of the scoring device 18 may be multiconfigurational and may be specifically configured for the type of sport and the remote scoreboard 42 with which the scoring device 18 synchronizes. Exemplary sports that may have specifically designed scoring devices 18 may include baseball, basketball, football, hockey, soccer, tennis, etc.

In an alternative embodiment, the scoring device 18 comprises an LCD touch screen 58 (FIG. 8) that is multiconfigurational and programmable based on the software loaded into the electronic circuitry. In this embodiment, a referee is not necessarily required to change the scoring device 18 depending on the type of remote scoreboard 42 or the particular sport with which the sweatband wearer is refereeing or officiating. The scoring device 18 may also include a wireless receiver such that the scoring device 18 is capable of bilateral communication with a wireless transmitter mounted within the remote scoreboard 42. In this embodiment, the remote scoreboard 42 sends unique information to the scoring device 18 during synchronization for display of a replica of the remote scoreboard 42 on the LCD screen 58. The information exchanged between the scoring device 18 and the remote scoreboard 42 may enable bi-lateral programming of either the scoring device 18 or the remote scoreboard 42. The LCD screen 58 may include haptec feedback to provide better controllability thereof. The scoring device 18 may further use the wireless transmitter for internet connectivity to download updates, applications or other athletic-related programming that enhances the ease of using the scoring device 18 to maintain the time or score of the athletic competition.

The LCD screen 58 shown in FIG. 8 may include a touch screen that enables the user to program the scoring device 18 through interaction of the screen itself. In this embodiment, the scoring device 18 may function like a touch screen cell phone, PDA or other mobile electronic device. The software loaded into the memory of the scoring device 18 operates the functionality of the features displayable and selectable through the LCD screen 58. The LCD screen 58 should at least enable the wearer to program the score and track the time associated with the athletic competition. It is particularly preferred that the information programmed into the scoring device 18 be relayed through the wireless signal 44 to the remote scoreboard 42 such that the remote scoreboard 42 reflects the information displayed on the LDC screen 58. This effectively enables a referee or official in charge of the game to work the remote scoreboard 42 from the scoring device 18, which is attached to the sweatband 10 via the retainer 16. Of course, the sweatband 10 may include many different types of bands, not necessarily one designed as a sweatband, for use to be encircled around the wrist.

Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made to each without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A sport scoring apparatus, comprising:

a flexible band configured for attachment to a user;

a retainer coupled to the band; and

a scoring device including an adjustable scoreboard and being removably engageable with the retainer.

2. The scoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein the scoring device includes a wireless transmitter in communication with a remote scoreboard.

3. The scoring apparatus of claim 2, wherein the scoring device further includes a wireless receiver for bilateral communication with the remote scoreboard.

4. The scoring apparatus of claim 2, wherein the scoring device regulates the display of the remote scoreboard.

5. The scoring apparatus of claim 2, wherein the wireless transmitter comprises a radio frequency transmitter or a Bluetooth transmitter.

6. The scoring apparatus of claim 2, wherein the wireless transmitter is internet accessible.

7. The scoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retainer includes a lock for removably securing the scoring device therein.

8. The scoring apparatus of claim 1, including a securement mechanism for attaching opposite ends of the flexible band.

9. The scoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retainer comprises a channel or a pocket.

10. The scoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein the scoring device comprises a waterproof housing.

11. The scoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein the scoring device includes a touch-screen.

12. The scoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein the scoring device is programmable.

13. The scoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein the scoreboard includes a timer and a game score.

14. A sport scoring apparatus, comprising:

a flexible band configured for attachment to a user;

a retainer coupled to the band; and

a scoring device including an adjustable scoreboard and being removably engageable with a lock in the retainer, wherein the scoring device includes a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver for bilateral communication with a remote scoreboard.

15 The scoring apparatus of claim 14, wherein the scoring device regulates the display of the remote scoreboard.

16. The scoring apparatus of claim 14, wherein the wireless transmitter is internet accessible and comprises a radio frequency transmitter or a Bluetooth transmitter.

17. The scoring apparatus of claim 14, wherein the scoreboard includes a timer and a game score.

18. The scoring apparatus of claim 17, wherein the scoring device includes a touch-screen and is programmable.

19. The scoring apparatus of claim 14, including a securement mechanism for attaching opposite ends of the flexible band.

20. The scoring apparatus of claim 14, wherein the retainer comprises a channel or a pocket.

21. The scoring apparatus of claim 14, wherein the scoring device comprises a waterproof housing.