US3580573A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Football field area identification means
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1968-04-22
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Granted: 1971-05-25
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Expires: 1988-04-22
Abstract
Abstract The present application discloses a standard-sized, rectangular football playing field characterized by the fact that it is marked off by parallel, transverse lines spaced every five yards between a pair of transverse goal lines spaced 100 yards apart. Normally, these transverse lines, called yard lines, are colored white, as are the parallel, longitudinal lines which extend the full length of the playing field and define its lateral boundaries; however, in the present disclosure, certain of the transverse lines, which preferably include the goal lines, the midfield or 50-yard line and each of the six transverse yard lines nearest each of the goal lines are colored other than white to distinguish these lines, and the zones defined thereby, from other lines and zones on the field.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael F Noonan
- 👤 James J Fisher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:10
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63C; A63C19/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
In a football playing field of the type having a generally rectangular configuration and being defined by longitudinally extending, generally parallel side lines approximately 160 feet apart and approximately 120 yards long and joined at their ends by generally parallel end lines, said field being marked by a pair of transverse goal lines generally parallel to and spaced approximately 10 yards from a respective end line and extending from side line to side line, and generally parallel, transverse yard lines spaced approximately every 5 yards from goal line to goal line and each of which extends from side line to side line; the improvement wherein the six transverse yard lines closest to each of said goal lines, said transverse goal lines and the transverse yard line which is substantially equidistant from each goal line are colored to distinguish from the other transverse lines. CM,2Mprovement as defined in claim 1 wherein said transverse goal lines and the transverse yard line which is substantially equidistant from each goal line are colored to distinguish from the six transverse yard lines closest to each of said goal lines.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein the six transverse yard lines closest to each of said goal lines are red in color.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said goal lines are colored yellow and the transverse yard line which is substantially equidistant from each said goal line is colored orange.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein Said field includes a hash line called the 2-yard line, located substantially 2 yards from each goal line and substantially equidistant from each side line, said goal lines being distinguished in color from said hash lines.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
171 words
In a generally rectangular football playing field of standard dimensions which is bounded by longitudinal side lines and transverse end lines, said field having a pair of goal lines spaced selected distances from respective end lines and yard lines spaced selected distances from goal line to goal line, said goal lines and said yard lines being generally parallel to each other and to said end lines and extending from side line to side line; the improvement which comprises identifying the areas of said field within a selected distance from each goal line by coloring with a certain color only the selected yard lines within and defining said areas to distinguish those that are of said certain color from the other differently colored transverse lines adjacent said areas, said selected yard lines comprising some but not all of said yard lines, and identifying said goal lines and a yard line which is equidistant from each goal line by coloring these lines to distinguish from the other differently colored transverse lines adjacent thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
171 words
In a generally rectangular football playing field of standard dimensions which is bounded by longitudinal side lines and transverse end lines, said field having a pair of goal lines spaced selected distances from respective end lines and yard lines spaced selected distances from goal line to goal line, said goal lines and said yard lines being generally parallel to each other and to said end lines and extending from side line to side line; the improvement which comprises identifying the areas of said field within a selected distance from each goal line by coloring with a certain color only the selected yard lines within and defining said areas to distinguish those that are of said certain color from the other differently colored transverse lines adjacent said areas, said selected yard lines comprising some but not all of said yard lines, and identifying said goal lines and a yard line which is equidistant from each goal line by coloring these lines to distinguish from the other differently colored transverse lines adjacent thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement as defined in claim 6 wherein said yard lines within said areas are colored red.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement as defined in claim 6 wherein said line which is equidistant from each said goal line is spaced approximately 50 yards therefrom.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement as defined in claim 6 wherein said areas extend approximately 30 yards from their respective goal lines.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The improvement as defined in claim 6 wherein said field includes a hash line located substantially two yards from each said goal line and parallel thereto, said goal lines being distinguished in color from said hash lines.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2227382A
Cited
AU309446A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-24 | 1974-11-23 | 1975-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-11-23 | 1979-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-24 | 1982-11-23 | 1983-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |