Tennis court boundary detection system

• US 5,800,292 A
• Filed: 07/08/1996
• Issued: 09/01/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brace; Steven James
• Original Assignee: Brace; Steven James
• Inventors: Brace, Steven J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAGER, MARK ALAN
• Application Number:
  US08/676,925
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: 364/410, 364/411, 273/371, 273/372, 340/323 R, 473/467, 473/474, 473/470, 473/471, 473/472, 473/473, 473/570, 473/606
• 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

Abstract

System for detecting whether a conductive felt covered game ball has landed within the boundary area of a gaming surface. The system incorporates permanently installed decorative circuits which stay in an active open state while awaiting touch down of conductive game ball. Completion or closure of active open circuit determines the ball in-bounds and thus still in-play. The control box will transmit a filtered signal to an audible tone or a wireless hearing aid designed for official use. Controversial opinions regarding continuation or elimination of the human element in officiating has allowed such a system to be designed which will initially aid officials and henceforth apply accruing detection modifications as these demands present themselves.

Claims

1. An electronic detection system for a playing surface which has boundaries, comprising:

(a) an installed body of material comprising no less than one exposed edge of no less than one said body of material comprising no less than two pieces of conductive buss bar, and

(b) said bar sandwiches an insulator of the same dimensions forming said body of material, and

(c) said playing surface comprises non-porous concrete material, and

(d) no less than one groove is cut in and extends the full length of said boundaries of said playing surface.

2. A system according to claim 1 comprising said body of material is elongated and extended the full length of said boundaries.

3. A system according to claim 2 wherein said material may be located at furthest outside edge of said boundaries and is added in intervals inward thereof, thereby detecting balls in-play.

4. A system according to claim 1 comprising electronic connector means thereby transmitting an external signal to a remote hearing aid means for official attended matches.

5. A system according to claim 4 further including an audible means for matches officially unattended.

6. A system according to claim 5 including a programmable logic controller for manual operation of different court area detection during designated segments of the match.

7. A system according to claim 1 additionally including an electronically conductive felt nap means for an officially approved tennis ball.

8. A system according to claim 7 further comprising an electronically conductive fiber blended in a predetermined amount thereby giving said tennis ball durability and making fiber difficult to recognize with an unaided eye.

9. An electronic detection system for a gaming surface which has boundary lines, comprising:

(a) a permanently installed body of material including no less than one exposed edge of no less than one said body of material including no less than one conductive buss bar, and

(b) said bar borders an insulator means forming said body of material installed in a cut groove in said gaming surface.

10. A system according to claim 9 wherein no less than one said body of material is elongated and continues the full length of said boundary lines.

11. A system according to claim 9 further comprising no less than one elongated and longitudinal said cut groove in said boundary lines of said playing surface comprising a concrete material playing surface.

12. A system according to claim 9 including connector means wherein said connector means transmits external signal means to audio means further including hearing aid means for chair umpire and linespeople during attended matches.

13. A system according to claim 12 further comprising programmable logic controller means for court area detection during match play.

14. A system according to claim 9 comprising electronically conductive felt nap means for tennis ball.

15. A system according to claim 14 further comprising conductive fibers partly present which are conductive in their entirety and said conductive fibers in a predetermined amount are not recognizable with unaided eye and contains physical properties of official tennis ball.

16. An electronic arrangement for a gaming surface which has boundary lines, comprising:

(a) a permanently installed detection body including no less than one exposed edge of no less than one said detection body comprising a conductive buss bar, and

(b) said bar sandwiches insulator forming said detection body installed in a cut groove in said gaming surface.

17. A system according to claim 16 wherein said detection body is elongated and extends the full length of said boundary lines wherein initial said detection body is located at the furthest outside edge of said boundary lines and continues in intervals inwards and outwards from said boundary lines.

18. A system according to claim 17 including a hardcourt surface material comprising

a groove cut in said boundary lines of said hardcourt surface material.

19. A system according to claim 16 comprising a programmable logic controller means for manual operation of different court area detection.

20. A system according to claim 16 including electronically conductive fiber means blended with felt nap for officially approved tennis ball.