System and method of preparing a playing surface

• US 7,846,046 B2
• Filed: 02/22/2008
• Issued: 12/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hawk-Eye Sensors Inc.
• Original Assignee: HAWK-Eye Sensors Limited
• Inventors: Greenberg, Mark E., Roditi, Moise
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim; Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, MICHAEL S
• Application Number:
  US12/035,825
• Publication Number:
  US 20080220912A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,019 Days
• Field of Search: 473/467, 473/415, 473/490, 239/754, 404/12, 404/84.05, 427/8, 472/92
• 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 in combination with a playing surface of a tennis court, the system comprising:

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

a plurality of tools for modifying the playing surface; and

a tool platform configured to move along the first horizontal axis, the tool platform providing a mounting feature for the plurality of tools that may be used to modify the playing surface, a first of the plurality of tools being a cutting tool mountable to the tool platform and configured to make a cut in the playing surface of the tennis court and a second of the plurality of tools being a marking tool mountable to the tool platform and configured to make a mark that remains for use on the playing surface of the tennis court that is in registration with the cut in the playing surface of the tennis court.

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 plurality of tools.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of 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 move the cutting tool and the marking tool so as to make the mark on the playing surface that is in registration with the cut in the playing surface.