US3631453A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Timer start-stop apparatus
Assignee: Data Time Inc
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Filing: 1970-08-21
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Granted: 1971-12-28
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Expires: 1990-08-21
Abstract
Abstract Electronic circuitry for controlling from the actions of one or more hand-operated signaling devices the starting and stopping of one or more electrical timers employed to time the performances of participants in sporting and like events. The circuitry employs a start circuit, and separate therefrom a different stop circuit for each participant. Interposed between the start and stop circuits is an arming circuit which prevents operation of the stop circuits until the elapse of a predetermined time after operation of the start circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard J Stalp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 16:45
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04F; G04F8/00; G04F8/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
255 words
In the electrical timing system including a timer having one input terminal adapted to receive a start signal which initiates operation of the timer and another input terminal adapted to receive a stop signal which terminates operation of the timer, and a signaling device operable to produce a control signal, apparatus for utilizing a pair of time-spaced control signals from said signaling device to produce first a start signal and next a stop signal for said timer, said apparatus comprising a start circuit operatively connected to said signaling device and to said timer''s said one input terminal, adapted to receive a control signal from the signaling device, and operable on receiving such a signal to supply a start signal to said one input terminal, an arming circuit operatively connected to said start circuit operable to produce an arming signal a predetermined time interval after said start circuit supplies a start signal, and a stop circuit operatively connected to said signaling device, to said arming circuit, and to said timer''s said other input terminal, adapted to receive a control signal from said signaling device and an arming signal from said arming circuit, said stop circuit having a nonarmed state in which it is nonresponsive to a control signal from said signaling device, and on receiving an arming signal from said arming circuit being placeable in an armed state, and being operable while in its said armed state to supply a stop signal to said other input terminal on receiving a control signal from said signaling device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
255 words
In the electrical timing system including a timer having one input terminal adapted to receive a start signal which initiates operation of the timer and another input terminal adapted to receive a stop signal which terminates operation of the timer, and a signaling device operable to produce a control signal, apparatus for utilizing a pair of time-spaced control signals from said signaling device to produce first a start signal and next a stop signal for said timer, said apparatus comprising a start circuit operatively connected to said signaling device and to said timer''s said one input terminal, adapted to receive a control signal from the signaling device, and operable on receiving such a signal to supply a start signal to said one input terminal, an arming circuit operatively connected to said start circuit operable to produce an arming signal a predetermined time interval after said start circuit supplies a start signal, and a stop circuit operatively connected to said signaling device, to said arming circuit, and to said timer''s said other input terminal, adapted to receive a control signal from said signaling device and an arming signal from said arming circuit, said stop circuit having a nonarmed state in which it is nonresponsive to a control signal from said signaling device, and on receiving an arming signal from said arming circuit being placeable in an armed state, and being operable while in its said armed state to supply a stop signal to said other input terminal on receiving a control signal from said signaling device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said stop circuit includes an electronic switching device having a terminal which must be biased a certain amount to place the stop circuit in its said armed state, and said arming circuit is operatively connected to said switching device''s said terminal and biases the same by said certain amount said predetermined time interval after said start circuit supplies a start signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
125 words
In an electrical timing system including timing means adapted to receive a start signal which initiates operation of timing means, and at least two signaling devices each operable to produce control signals, apparatus interconnecting said signaling devices and said timing means utilizing control signals from the former to produce a start signal for the latter, said apparatus comprising a pair of input conductors each connected to a different one of said signaling devices to receive control signals therefrom, and a start circuit operatively connected to said input conductors and to said timing means operable to supply a start signal to the latter only under circumstances with each of said input conductors simultaneously in a condition receiving a control signal from its respective associated signaling device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
125 words
In an electrical timing system including timing means adapted to receive a start signal which initiates operation of timing means, and at least two signaling devices each operable to produce control signals, apparatus interconnecting said signaling devices and said timing means utilizing control signals from the former to produce a start signal for the latter, said apparatus comprising a pair of input conductors each connected to a different one of said signaling devices to receive control signals therefrom, and a start circuit operatively connected to said input conductors and to said timing means operable to supply a start signal to the latter only under circumstances with each of said input conductors simultaneously in a condition receiving a control signal from its respective associated signaling device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said timing means comprising a pair of timers whose operations are initiated simultaneously upon the supply of a start signal by said start circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said start circuit comprises an electronic switching device having an input terminal, and a voltage divider for said device operatively connected to said input terminal for supplying voltage thereto, said voltage divider including a pair of resistors each connected between said input terminal and a different one of said input conductors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
247 words
In an electrical timIng system including at least a pair of timers, each having one input terminal adapted to receive a start signal for initiating operation of the timer and another input terminal adapted to receive a stop signal for terminating operation of the timer, and at least a pair of signaling devices each operable to produce a control signal, circuit means comprising a start circuit operatively connected to said signaling devices and to said timers'' said one input terminals adapted to receive control signals from said signaling devices, and operable on receiving simultaneously a control signal from each signaling device to supply a start signal to both timers, an arming circuit operatively connected to said start circuit operable to produce an arming signal a predetermined timer interval after said start circuit supplies a start signal to said timers, and a pair of stop circuits, one for each timer, each operatively connected to a different one of said signaling devices, to said arming circuit, and to its respective associated timer, and adapted to receive control signals from its respective associated signaling device and an arming signal from said arming circuit, each stop circuit having a nonarmed and an armed state and being placeable in the latter state on receiving an arming signal from said arming circuit, and each stop circuit when in its said armed state and on receiving a control signal from its respective associated signaling device supplying a stop signal to its respective associated timer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
247 words
In an electrical timIng system including at least a pair of timers, each having one input terminal adapted to receive a start signal for initiating operation of the timer and another input terminal adapted to receive a stop signal for terminating operation of the timer, and at least a pair of signaling devices each operable to produce a control signal, circuit means comprising a start circuit operatively connected to said signaling devices and to said timers'' said one input terminals adapted to receive control signals from said signaling devices, and operable on receiving simultaneously a control signal from each signaling device to supply a start signal to both timers, an arming circuit operatively connected to said start circuit operable to produce an arming signal a predetermined timer interval after said start circuit supplies a start signal to said timers, and a pair of stop circuits, one for each timer, each operatively connected to a different one of said signaling devices, to said arming circuit, and to its respective associated timer, and adapted to receive control signals from its respective associated signaling device and an arming signal from said arming circuit, each stop circuit having a nonarmed and an armed state and being placeable in the latter state on receiving an arming signal from said arming circuit, and each stop circuit when in its said armed state and on receiving a control signal from its respective associated signaling device supplying a stop signal to its respective associated timer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
212 words
For use with sporting event timing apparatus including timing means which is capable of producing a separate running elapsed-time indication for each of a certain number of participants in an event, and which includes a shared start input terminal adapted to receive a start signal for simultaneously initiating an elapsed-time indication for each participant, and a separate stop input terminal for each participant adapted to receive a stop signal for stopping the elapsed-time indication for that participant, and a signaling device for each participant operable to produce control signals associated with performance of the participant, a start circuit adapted to be connected to said timing means and to said signaling devices, and adapted when so connected to receive control signals from the latter and to supply a start signal to said start input terminal under circumstances with at least two of said signaling devices simultaneously producing a control signal, and for each participant, a stop circuit adapted to be connected to said timing means, to said start circuit, and to the signaling device associated with the participant, operable when so connected, and subsequent to operation of said start circuit, to supply a stop signal stopping the elapsed-time indication for the participant on receiving a control signal from its respective associated signaling device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
212 words
For use with sporting event timing apparatus including timing means which is capable of producing a separate running elapsed-time indication for each of a certain number of participants in an event, and which includes a shared start input terminal adapted to receive a start signal for simultaneously initiating an elapsed-time indication for each participant, and a separate stop input terminal for each participant adapted to receive a stop signal for stopping the elapsed-time indication for that participant, and a signaling device for each participant operable to produce control signals associated with performance of the participant, a start circuit adapted to be connected to said timing means and to said signaling devices, and adapted when so connected to receive control signals from the latter and to supply a start signal to said start input terminal under circumstances with at least two of said signaling devices simultaneously producing a control signal, and for each participant, a stop circuit adapted to be connected to said timing means, to said start circuit, and to the signaling device associated with the participant, operable when so connected, and subsequent to operation of said start circuit, to supply a stop signal stopping the elapsed-time indication for the participant on receiving a control signal from its respective associated signaling device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3363243A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-27 | 1975-06-28 | 1975-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-27 | 1979-06-28 | 1979-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-27 | 1983-06-28 | 1983-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |