BASKETBALL FOUL INDICIA DISPLAY APPARATUS

• US 3,868,671 A
• Filed: 06/07/1973
• Issued: 02/25/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hugh F. Maguire, William J. Miller
• Original Assignee: Hugh F. Maguire, William J. Miller
• Inventors: Maguire, Hugh F., Miller, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldwell, John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lange, Richard P.
• Application Number:
  US05/367,798
• Time in Patent Office: 628 Days
• Field of Search: 340/323,107,118,119 235/92GA 273/1E 240/1R,34,49,84,98 40/131R,132D,145R
• US Class Current: 340/323.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for signalling, marking or indicating, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 273/26 Point counters and score indicators

Abstract

An improved indicia display apparatus particularly useful for displaying indicia indicating the number of fouls and a team bonus free-throw situation during a basketball game, for example, the apparatus comprising: a housing constructed of a transculent material having a plurality of color-coded sections, illumination devices supported within the housing selectively illuminating the color-coded sections, and an opaque indicia formed on each colorcoded section. The indicia display apparatus is mounted on a post such that the housing must be removed prior to the removal of the base connecting the housing to the post, thereby reducing the possibility of unauthorized removal of the indicia display apparatus while providing an indicia display apparatus which is easily mounted in an assembled position and disassembled for storage or repair.

Claims

1. An indicia display apparatus, comprising:

a base;

support means connected to the base having portions forming a plurality of spaced compartments;

illumination means disposed in each of the spaced compartments, each illumination means providing light in an illuminated on position thereof;

control means connected to each of the illumination means having a portion selectively positioning each of the illumination means in the illuminated on position in one position thereof; and

a housing constructed of a translucent material, having an upper end, a lower end and a plurality of spaced, opaque indicia formed thereon, the housing having an opening formed through a portion intersecting the lower end thereof forming a receiving opening, the lower end of the housing engaging the base, the housing being movable in a direction generally toward the base disposing the support means within a portion of the housing opening and in a direction generally away from the base removing the support from within the housing opening; and

the predetermined indicia disposed adjacent predetermined compartments in an assembled position of the support means and the housing on the base, the illumination means illuminating the translucent portions of the housing disposed adjacent thereto accenting the opaque indicia in an illuminated on position of the illumination means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support means is defined further to include:

rod means, having opposite ends, one end of the rod means connected to the base, the base supporting the rod means extending a predetermined distance therefrom; and

a plurality of plates connected to the rod means and supported thereby, the plates being spaced apart predetermined distances, the spacing between one plate and the base forming one compartment and the spacing between the plates forming some of the remaining compartments; and

wherein one of the illumination means is disposed within the compartment formed between the base and one of the plates, one illumination means being disposed within each of the remaining compartments.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base includes a housing slot;

and wherein the housing opening extends through and intersects the lower end of the housing forming a receiving opening, the lower end of the housing disposed within the housIng slot in an assembled position of the housing and the support means on the base; and

wherein the apparatus includes means connected to the base and to the housing securing the housing to the base in one position thereof.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing is defined further as comprising a plurality of color-coded sections, each color-coded section disposed generally adjacent and aligned with one of the compartments formed via the support means, the illumination of the color-coded section providing a perceivable indication indicative of the opaque indicia associated with each compartment of the support means.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 defined further to include:

a plurality of spaced opaque strips, each opaque strip being secured to the housing and cooperating to confine the illumination of any one color-coded section substantially to that illuminated color-coded section.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the housing is defined further as being cylindrically shaped, the illumination of the color-coded section providing an output indication equally perceivable from positions located 360* about the housing.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 defined further to include:

a post connectable to the base supporting the base and the housing in an elevated position, having an upper end, a lower end and an upper flange formed on the upper end thereof providing a supporting surface engaging the base; and

connecting means extending through the upper flange and through the base removably connecting the base to the post.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the connecting means includes:

bolt means extending through the upper flange and through the base, a portion of the bolt means extending a distance above the base and disposed within the housing opening in an assembled position of the housing connected to the base; and

fastener means secured to the portion of the bolt means extending above the base and engaging a portion of the base, the fastener means and the bolt means securing the base to the post.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control means is connectable to a power source and includes:

switch means connectable to a power source and the illumination means, the switch means selectively connecting the illumination means to the power source in a closed position thereof positioning the illumination means in the illuminated on position in one position of the switch means connecting the illumination means to the power source.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 defined further to include:

flasher means interposed between the power source and one of the illumination means periodically interrupting the electrical communication therebetween in a closed position of the switch means.

11. An indicia display apparatus, comprising:

a post, having an upper end, a lower end and an upper flange formed on the upper end thereof providing a supporting surface;

a base, having a housing slot formed in a portion thereof, disposed on the upper flange supporting surface of the post;

connecting means extending through the flange and through the base, a portion of the connecting means extending a distance above the base;

fastner means removably connectable to the portion of the connecting means extending above the base and engaging a portion of the base, the fastener means and the connecting means cooperatingly securing the base to the post; and

indicia indicating means removably connected to the base, having a portion enclosing the fastener means and the portion of the connecting means extending above the base requiring the removal of the indicia indicating means prior to the disconnecting of the base and the post.