Patent US3985356A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3985356A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for locating and positioning a football on a football playing field
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-07-25
•
Granted: 1976-10-12
•
Expires: 1994-07-25
Abstract
Abstract A carriage is provided for movement along a track which is positioned parallel to one side of the playing field. Means for providing a measuring beam, such as a laser beam, is supported from the carriage and directs the measuring beam across the field and perpendicular to the track. A beam receptor which can be moved on the field is provided which includes means for detecting the measuring beam when the receptor is positioned in alignment with the beam and signaling means is connected to the detecting means for indicating when the receptor is positioned in alignment with the measuring beam whereby a football may be located or positioned on the field by its relative position to the receptor. Brake means are provided for releasably locking the carriage in place on the track. Measuring means may be connected to the carriage for moving the carriage predetermined distances along the track. The signaling means preferably includes both a visual signal and an audible signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles R. Carlock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 07:52
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B71/00; A63B71/06; A63B71/0605; A63B2243/00; A63B2243/0066; A63B2243/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
An apparatus for locating the position of a football on a football playing field comprising, a track positioned parallel to one side of and spaced from the playing field, a carriage having a plurality of wheels engaging said track and supporting said carriage, beam directing means for producing a measuring beam loosely carried by said carriage for directing said beam across said field and perpendicular to said track, said track including a stationary alignment bar, said stationary alignment bar being positioned near said track and parallel thereto; a traveling alignment bar perpendicularly connected to said beam directing means and movably carried by said carriage along said stationary alignment bar, means mounted on said traveling alignment bar and engaging said stationary alignment bar for maintaining said traveling alignment bar in parallel alignment with said stationary bar, a beam receptor adapted to be moved unrestricted over said field and including means for detecting said beam when said receptor is positioned in alignment with said beam, and signaling means connected to said detecting means for indicating when the receptor is positioned in alignment with the measuring beams whereby a football may be located or positioned on the field by its relative position to said receptor.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
202 words
An apparatus for locating the position of a football on a football playing field comprising, a track positioned parallel to one side of and spaced from the playing field, a carriage having a plurality of wheels engaging said track and supporting said carriage, beam directing means for producing a measuring beam loosely carried by said carriage for directing said beam across said field and perpendicular to said track, said track including a stationary alignment bar, said stationary alignment bar being positioned near said track and parallel thereto; a traveling alignment bar perpendicularly connected to said beam directing means and movably carried by said carriage along said stationary alignment bar, means mounted on said traveling alignment bar and engaging said stationary alignment bar for maintaining said traveling alignment bar in parallel alignment with said stationary bar, a beam receptor adapted to be moved unrestricted over said field and including means for detecting said beam when said receptor is positioned in alignment with said beam, and signaling means connected to said detecting means for indicating when the receptor is positioned in alignment with the measuring beams whereby a football may be located or positioned on the field by its relative position to said receptor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the carriage includes, means connected to the carriage for releasably locking the carriage in place on the track.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the carriage includes, means for measuring the distance the carriage moves along the track.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the signaling means includes, a visual signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the signaling means includes, an audible signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for detecting the measuring beam includes, decoding means responsive only to the measuring beam whereby the signaling means will not be activated by extraneous environmental conditions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for providing a measuring beam includes, a coded electromagnetic wave.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the means for providing the measuring beam includes a laser.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said beam receptor is an elongate rod having a plurality of vertically positioned detector elements attached thereto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the signaling means includes an audible signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2308814A
Cited
US2520031A
Cited
US3462845A
Cited
US3502333A
Cited
US3608199A
Cited
US3633285A
Cited
US3741662A
Cited
US3752588A
Cited
US3781009A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-10-12 | 1980-04-12 | 1980-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-12 | 1984-04-12 | 1984-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-12 | 1988-04-12 | 1988-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |