Basketball scoring apparatus
First Claim
1. A portable electronic scoreboard apparatus attachable to a basketball goal having a hoop secured to a backboard by a rim plate, the apparatus comprising:
- an electronic analysis and report mechanism capable of receiving input information, analyzing such input information according to a mode of operation, and reporting output information which includes an indication of the number of successful shots and an indication of the shooting percentage;
an attempt detection means for detecting contact of a basketball with the basketball hoop or the backboard and responsively sending a contact signal to said electronic analysis and report mechanism, and for detecting the successful passage of a basketball through the basketball hoop and responsively sending a passage signal to said electronic analysis and report mechanism, said attempt detection means comprising;
a vibration sensor capable of sensing vibrations caused by an impact of a basketball against the basketball hoop or backboard,a paddle movable between a ready position and a reactive position, said paddle being capable of placement beneath the hoop of the basketball goal such that a basketball successfully passing through the hoop moves said paddle from the ready position to the reactive position; and
a switch disposed for actuation by said paddle and configured to emit a reactive paddle signal if said paddle moves to said reactive position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable electronic scoreboard apparatus attachable to a basketball goal is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an electronic analysis and report mechanism capable of receiving input information, analyzing the information according to a mode of operation, and reporting output information which includes an indication of the number of successful shots and an indication of the shooting percentage. The apparatus also comprises an attempt detection means for detecting contact of a basketball with the basketball goal and sending a contact signal to the electronic analysis and report mechanism, and for detecting the successful passage of a basketball through the hoop and sending a passage signal to the electronic analysis and report mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the contact signal arises in response to vibration of a piezoelectric vibration sensor, and the passage signal arises in response to movement of a paddle beneath the hoop by the basketball. Spurious passage and contact signals are preferably prevented by the use of a paddle filter and a vibration filter, respectively. The paddle is attached beneath the hoop by an attachment assembly which includes notched arms engaging a gear that is rotatable by a player. The arms have grooved feet for engaging the basketball rim plate. A releasable gear locking mechanism holds the arms in place to prevent the feet from being disengaged by repeated impacts of the basketball against the paddle.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A portable electronic scoreboard apparatus attachable to a basketball goal having a hoop secured to a backboard by a rim plate, the apparatus comprising:
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an electronic analysis and report mechanism capable of receiving input information, analyzing such input information according to a mode of operation, and reporting output information which includes an indication of the number of successful shots and an indication of the shooting percentage; an attempt detection means for detecting contact of a basketball with the basketball hoop or the backboard and responsively sending a contact signal to said electronic analysis and report mechanism, and for detecting the successful passage of a basketball through the basketball hoop and responsively sending a passage signal to said electronic analysis and report mechanism, said attempt detection means comprising; a vibration sensor capable of sensing vibrations caused by an impact of a basketball against the basketball hoop or backboard, a paddle movable between a ready position and a reactive position, said paddle being capable of placement beneath the hoop of the basketball goal such that a basketball successfully passing through the hoop moves said paddle from the ready position to the reactive position; and a switch disposed for actuation by said paddle and configured to emit a reactive paddle signal if said paddle moves to said reactive position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A portable electronic scoreboard apparatus attachable to a basketball goal having a hoop secured to a backboard by a rim plate, the apparatus comprising:
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an electronic analysis and report mechanism capable of receiving input information, analyzing such input information according to a mode of operation, and reporting output information which includes an indication of the number of successful shots and an indication of the shooting percentage; an attempt detection means for detecting contact of a basketball with the basketball hoop or the backboard and responsively sending a contact signal to said electronic analysis and report mechanism, and for detecting the successful passage of a basketball through the basketball hoop and responsively sending a passage signal to said electronic analysis and report mechanism, said attempt detection means comprising; a vibration sensor capable of sensing vibrations caused by an impact of a basketball against the basketball hoop or backboard; and
an attachment assembly comprising;a pair of arms each having a foot for engagement with the rim plate portion of the basketball goal and also having a series of successive notches; and a knob having a gear for engagement with said notches such that as said knob is turned, said gear turns to engage successive notches thereby advancing said pair of arms such that if said knob is turned one direction said foot of each arm moves closer together and if said knob is turned the other direction said foot of each arm moves farther apart. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A portable electronic scoreboard apparatus attachable to a basketball goal having a hoop secured to a backboard by a rim plate, the apparatus comprising:
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an electronic analysis and report mechanism capable of receiving input information, analyzing such input information according to a mode of operation, and reporting output information which includes an indication of the number of successful shots and an indication of the shooting percentage; and an attempt detection means for detecting contact of a basketball with the basketball hoop or the backboard and responsively sending a contact signal to said electronic analysis and report mechanism, and for detecting the successful passage of a basketball through the basketball hoop and responsively sending a passage signal to said electronic analysis and report mechanism, said attempt detection means comprising a vibration sensor capable of sensing vibrations caused by an impact of a basketball against the basketball hoop or backboard; wherein said electronic analysis and report mechanism further comprises a shot clock, said electronic analysis and report mechanism being capable of resetting said shot clock in response to receiving said contact signal or said passage signal from said attempt detection means.
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Specification