SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PREPARING A PLAYING SURFACE

• US 20080220912A1
• Filed: 02/22/2008
• Published: 09/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hawk-Eye Sensors Inc.
• Original Assignee: HAWK-Eye Sensors Limited
• Inventors: Greenberg, Mark E., Roditi, Moise
• Granted Patent: US 7,846,046 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/467
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0611 Automatic tennis linesmen, i.e. in-out detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0605 Decision makers and devices using detection means facilitating arbitration
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 19/06 Apparatus for setting-out or dividing courts
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 19/065 Line markings, e.g. tapes; Methods therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 19/08 Mechanical means for marking-out
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2019/067 Machines for marking

Abstract

A movable frame may be positioned about a playing surface and defines a substantially straight pathway for a tool to follow while altering a playing surface, such as by cutting or marking the surface. A template that may be used to accurately define key positions of a playing surface, like a tennis court. Various pairs of the key positions may, in turn, be used to define each line that is to be marked or altered on the playing surface. Patterns of sensor circuits are defined for indentifying whether a ball impacts the tennis court at a position that is in play, or out of play.

Claims

1. A system for modifying a playing surface, the system comprising:

a movable frame that extends for a distance of 3 feet or more to defines a first substantially straight horizontal axis; and

a tool platform configured to move along the first horizontal axis, the tool platform providing a mounting feature for one or more tools that may be used to modify the playing surface.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the movable frame extends for a distance of 20 feet or more to define the first substantially horizontal axis.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the movable frame extends for a distance of 50 feet or more to define the first substantially horizontal axis.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the movable frame is constructed of multiple frame segments that may be disassembled from one another.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a gantry on which the tool platform is mounted, the gantry defining a second substantially straight horizontal axis, transverse to the first horizontal axis, the tool platform being configured to move along the second horizontal axis.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the tool platform defines a third axis along which the one or more tools may be moved in a vertical direction.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the tool platform includes a follower that identifies the playing surface and provides a constant vertical offset from the playing surface for the one or more tools.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more tools are selected from a group consisting of:

a circular saw, a router, a taper, a liner, a marker, a drill, a cutter, a sander, a polisher, and a painter.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

rollers mounted to the movable frame.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

locking features to temporarily locate the movable frame to a surface to be modified.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the locking features include suction cups.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an alignment tool.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the alignment tool is mounted to the tool platform.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the alignment tool comprises a plurality of alignment tools mounted to the movable frame.

15. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a controller configured to control movement of the tool about the first horizontal axis, a second horizontal axis that is transverse to the first horizontal axis, and a third axis that extends in a vertical direction.

16. The pattern of claim 15, wherein the controller is programmable to have a first and a second tool of the one or more tools impact the placing surface along a common location.

17. A template for identifying key positions on a tennis court, the template comprising:

a first set of strips of material for identifying key positions of the tennis court, the first set of strips including five or more strips of material that when placed on the tennis court, overlie at least two points that intersect each line to be used to mark the lines on the tennis court;

a second set of strips of material configured to connect two or more strips of the first set, the strips of the second set lying transverse to each strip of the first set when connected to the two or more strips of the first set.

18. The template of claim 17, wherein the first set of strips identify sixteen key positions on the tennis court.

19. The template of claim 18, wherein the sixteen key positions collectively provide at least two points that define lines that lie along a pair of base lines, a pair of doubles side lines, a pair of singles side lines, a pair of service lines, and a center line.

20. The template of claim 19, wherein the first set of strips identify an additional three key positions on the tennis court.

21. The template of claim 17, wherein the second set of strips of material comprises at least one strip of material that lie between diametrically opposed corners of the template.

22. The template of claim 17, wherein strips of the second set are joined to strips of the first set to define one or more right triangles.

23. The template of claim 17, wherein first set of strips of material include apertures for identifying locations of the key positions.

24. A pattern of sensor circuits for a tennis court that includes a baseline, a left and a right doubles side line, a left and a right singles side line, a service line, and a center service line, the pattern comprising:

a first circuit positioned outside of each of the left and right doubles side lines and the baseline;

a second circuit positioned beneath a portion of the baseline, a portion of each of the left and right singles side lines, and outside of the service line;

a third circuit positioned beneath the left doubles side line, a portion of the baseline, and outside of the left singles side line;

a fourth circuit positioned beneath the right doubles side line, a portion of the baseline, and outside of the right singles side line;

a fifth circuit positioned under a portion of the left singles side line, a portion of the service line, and positioned left of the center service line;

a sixth circuit positioned under a portion of the right singles side line, a portion of the service line, and positioned right of the center service line; and

a seventh circuit positioned under the center service line.

25. The pattern of claim 24, further comprising the tennis court that includes the baseline, the left and right doubles side lines, the left and right singles side lines, the service line, and the center service line.

26. The pattern of claim 24, wherein each of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh circuits each comprise a triboelectric sensor.

27. The pattern of claim 24, further comprising:

a controller that is connected to each of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh circuits and that is configured to detect when a tennis ball impacts any of the circuits.

28. The pattern of claim 24, applied to each side of the tennis court.

29. A pattern of sensor circuits for a tennis court that includes a baseline, a left and a right doubles side line, a left and a right singles side line, a service line, and a center service line, the pattern comprising:

a first circuit positioned beneath portions of the baseline and portions of each of the left and right singles side lines;

a second circuit positioned beneath a portion of the service line, the right center service line, and a portion of the left singles side line;

a third circuit positioned beneath a portion of the service line, the left center service line, and a portion of the right singles side line;

a fourth circuit positioned beneath the left doubles side line, and a portion of the baseline; and

a fifth circuit positioned beneath the right doubles side line, and a portion of the baseline.

30. The pattern of claim 29, further comprising the tennis court that includes the baseline, the left and right doubles side lines, the left and right singles side lines, the service line, and the center service line.

31. The pattern of claim 29, wherein each of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth circuits each comprise a triboelectric sensor.

32. The pattern of claim 29, further comprising:

a controller that is connected to each of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth circuits and that is configured to detect when a tennis ball impacts any of the circuits.

33. The pattern of claim 29, wherein each of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth circuits extend to each side of the tennis court but consisting of the same physical circuits.

34. A method of altering a playing surface, the method comprising:

positioning a movable frame on a playing surface at a first position, the movable frame defining a first substantially horizontal axis along which the tool may travel;

attaching a cutting tool to the movable frame;

cutting a groove in the playing surface, the groove lying parallel to the first horizontal axis;

attaching a marking tool to the movable frame;

moving the movable frame to a second position, after cutting the groove, and then repositioning the movable frame at the the first position; and

then

marking a line that is in registration with the groove in the playing surface.