US4257594A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic athletic equipment
Assignee: O-ZONE RACQUETS Ltd
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Filing: 1978-07-17
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Granted: 1981-03-24
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Expires: 1998-07-17
Abstract
Abstract A tennis racquet or other athletic instrument configured for striking a moveable ball or other playing element includes electronic sensors for providing an audible or audio-visual indication of the location on the racquet or instrument at which contact is made with the ball or other playing element. Various devices for sensing the location of contact are disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard N. Conrey
- 👤 Phillip T. McQuaid
- 👤 Paul J. Yursis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:17
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B24/00; A63B24/0021; A63B49/00; A63B49/02; A63B51/00; A63B51/02; A63B60/00; A63B60/46; A63B69/00; A63B69/38; A63B2024/0037; A63B2024/004; A63B2024/0043; A63B71/00; A63B71/06; A63B71/0619; A63B71/0622; A63B2071/0625; A63B2102/00; A63B2102/22; A63B2220/00; A63B2220/80; A63B2220/801; A63B2220/83; A63B2220/833; A63B69/36; A63B69/3617; A63B69/362
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
In combination, an implement adapted to be entirely supported by hand and movable to strike a movable game element to impart motion thereto, said implement comprising at least one area in which contact with the game element is intended to be made; electrically conductive coating means applied to a portion of said at least one area for defining at least one conductor extending to at least one preselected location within said at least one area; an electrical circuit including said at least one conductor; means for detecting a change in the electrical properties of said circuit due to contact by the game element at said at least one preselected location; and means responsive to said detecting means for providing an indication of the presence of the game element at said at least one preselected location.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
In combination, an implement adapted to be entirely supported by hand and movable to strike a movable game element to impart motion thereto, said implement comprising at least one area in which contact with the game element is intended to be made; electrically conductive coating means applied to a portion of said at least one area for defining at least one conductor extending to at least one preselected location within said at least one area; an electrical circuit including said at least one conductor; means for detecting a change in the electrical properties of said circuit due to contact by the game element at said at least one preselected location; and means responsive to said detecting means for providing an indication of the presence of the game element at said at least one preselected location.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said implement is a racquet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination of claim 2, wherein said racquet comprises a strung portion including said at least one area, said coating means being applied to at least one string in said strung portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 3, wherein said coating means defines spaced contacts on said at least one string which can be bridged by the game element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 4, wherein said detecting means detects a change in electrical resistance between said spaced contacts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 3, wherein said coating means is impregnated into said at least one string.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 2, wherein said detecting means detects said game element on either side of said racquet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said detecting means detects repeated contacts by said game element without requiring intervention by a player using said implement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said means for providing an indication comprises an audible signal generator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said detecting means detects a change in electrical resistance.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
126 words
In combination, a racquet for striking a movable game element to impart motion thereto, said recquet comprising at least one area in which contact with the game element is intended to be made; electrically conductive coating means applied to a portion of said at least one area for defining at least one conductor extending to at least one preselected location within said at least one area; an electrical circuit including said at least one conductor; means for detecting a change in the electrical properties of said circuit due to contact by the game element at said at least one preselected location; and means responsive to said detecting means for providing an indication of the presence of the game element at said at least one preselected location.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
126 words
In combination, a racquet for striking a movable game element to impart motion thereto, said recquet comprising at least one area in which contact with the game element is intended to be made; electrically conductive coating means applied to a portion of said at least one area for defining at least one conductor extending to at least one preselected location within said at least one area; an electrical circuit including said at least one conductor; means for detecting a change in the electrical properties of said circuit due to contact by the game element at said at least one preselected location; and means responsive to said detecting means for providing an indication of the presence of the game element at said at least one preselected location.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination of claim 11, wherein said racquet comprises a strung portion including said at least one area, said coating means being applied to at least one string in said strung portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 12, wherein said coating means is impregnated into said at least one string.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 12, wherein said coating means defines spaced contacts on said at least one string which can be bridged by the game element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 14, wherein said detecting means detects a change in electrical resistance between said spaced contacts.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 11, wherein said detecting means detects repeated contacts by said game element without requiring intervention by a player using said implement.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 11, wherein said detecting means detects said game element on either side of said racquet.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 11, wherein said means for providing an indication comprises an audible signal generator.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of claim 11, wherein said detecting means detects a change in electrical resistance.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-03-23 | 1984-09-22 | 1985-03-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-23 | 1988-09-22 | 1989-03-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-23 | 1992-09-22 | 1993-03-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |