FOOTBALL SIDELINE CHAIN MARKER

• US 3,678,592 A
• Filed: 01/15/1971
• Issued: 07/25/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Paul C. Williamson
• Original Assignee: Paul C. Williamson
• Inventors: Williamson, Paul C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Forman, Leonard
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stephan, Steven L.
• Application Number:
  US05/106,693
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 33/46F,137R
• US Class Current: 33/289
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 3/11 Chains for measuring length

Abstract

A pole and chain apparatus for measuring first downs in football incorporates a pair of poles each of which at its ground engaging end mounts an integral chain support structure adapted to stride the ball and to which a respective end of the chain is attached and which structure allows the measuring pole during close first down situations to be sued in alignment with the football axis.

Claims

1. A chain and pole measuring apparatus for the sport of football for sideline and on field use to determine earning of first downs, comprising:

a. a pair of pole markers each of which comprises;

1. a pole member corresponding in length to the conventional football chain pole and adapted during measuring to being held vertically and with its bottom end adapted to be engaged with the field surface, 2. a chain support structure of a suitable lightweight material rigidly and integrally formed with the pole member adjacent its bottom end, the configuration of said chain support structure providing rigid means for connecting one end of a chain at a connecting point which point during measuring is at substantially the same level as the bottom end of said pole member but spaced laterally from said pole member at a fixed distance at least slightLy in excess of the length of a football, said support structure being further formed whereby during measuring the football may be placed with its longitudinal axis substantially between and aligned with the pole member and said chain connecting point but without touching any portion of said chain support structure; and

b. a chain secured at its ends to the respective connecting points of said pole marker chain support structure and having a length selected such that the distance during measuring between the vertical axis of one said pole member and the inside surface of the bottom end of the opposite pole member is 10 yards;

said apparatus thereby enabling close first down determinations to be measured on the playing field with the measuring pole, football axis and chain aligned.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein each said chain support structure comprises a structure whose configuration includes respective horizontal and vertical members integrally secured to the respective pole member adjacent its ground engaging end and positioned to clear the height and length of the football during measuring of close first down determination, the said vertical member terminating in a free end providing said chain connecting point and adapted to slide over the field sod during measuring.

3. An apparatus as in claim 1 including a direction indicator on each said pole member.

4. An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein each said chain support structure is formed of a single plate material providing said horizontal and vertical members, the horizontal member having a free end secured to a respective said pole member and the vertical member having a free end with an aperture providing said chain connecting point.