DE4100434A1 - Ball impact indicator e.g. for tennis court - exploits optical or acoustic emission from, or plastic deformation of, portion of line contacted by ball - Google Patents

Abstract

The point of impact of a ball on any line is indicated by colouring, or change of colour, caused by its effect on e.g. liq. crystals, dyes, varnishes or other media constituting the line. The court and its boundary lines or surrounding areas alternatively may be equipped with devices for signalling the impact by plastic deformation or acoustic emission. Whatever the form of the indication, it is reversible and endures for a limited time. ADVANTAGE - Ball-on-line impact decisions are made easier, minimising disputed calls and guaranteeting continuity of play.

Description

The invention relates to a device for displaying Ball contacts on sports surfaces according to the generic term of Claim 1.

The facility is said to be by displaying the ball hit point Sports grounds to players and / or referees Divorce over a "ball" (ball outside the game field) facilitate. The display can take place directly, e.g. B. by changing the color of the field boundary lines or indirectly through z. B. Change the default Playing field condition, which is then heard visually or acoustically is cash. The display of the ball contact is reversible and limited in time.

Hits during a ball game (e.g. a tennis game) the ball more or less often near the edge of the field on. It is often difficult to decide whether the ball occurred inside or outside the field. In amateur sports is to identify the edge of the field this with boundary lines. In the professional Sport is sometimes an additional auxiliary device find that acoustically indicates a "ball".

It is in the amateur sport by the ever faster Make the decision about a "ball" increasingly difficult hold true. There is often discussion about one Ball and partial wrong decisions, the game-deciding could be. There are also professional sports events often disputes about balls near or at stake field boundary lines. The aid currently in use direction for identifying a "ball" works unreliable and is therefore sometimes disregarded or even ignored switched off.

The invention has for its object the decision to facilitate a "Ausball".  

This object is achieved in that the Lines of a playing field (e.g. a tennis court) with on directions are equipped when hitting the ball create a color or change color and thus show the ball contact visibly. The display through crystals (e.g. liquid crystals), paints, varnishes or other media triggered. There are also facilities possible that plastically deform the lines or Einrich that produce a sound. Except for the lines are also the playing field or the one surrounding the playing field Areas can be equipped with this facility. Besides this changes in color, acoustics or plastic facilities that are sensitive to pressure, temperature, static charge, brightness, electrical / magnetic Fields or other react and thus the ball contact Show directly or indirectly. All types of display are reversible and limited in time.

The advantages that can be achieved with the invention are in particular special in that the decision about a "ball" relieved and thus the discussion about such Ball is reduced to a minimum. That is at the same time a continuous progress of the game guaranteed. E.g. can the lines of a tennis court by lines that this facility included, easily replaced. The financial expenditure is comparatively low. Depending on Condition of the sports area can be displayed under several options can be selected. At the same time, the variety offer the display types for both amateur sports and pro professional sport the appropriate solution. New to Creating sports areas are from the start with this Equipment can be equipped, existing sports areas are retrofittable.

Claims (6)

1. Device for displaying ball contacts on sports surfaces, characterized in that the interfaces of a game field, for. B. the lines of a tennis court are equipped with facilities that contain liquid crystals and these liquid crystals produce a color when they hit the ball or change in color and thus visibly display the exact ball hit point. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the coloring or color change by

• - Crystals e.g. B. liquid crystals,
• - Colours,
• - paints or
• - other media is triggered and / or displayed.

3. Device according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the contact of the ball

• - with the field,
• - its boundary lines,
• - or the areas surrounding the playing field of the meeting point are displayed visibly, e.g. B. by color or plastic change of the meeting point.

4. Device according to claim 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that when the ball contacts

• - with the field
• - its boundary lines
• - or the areas surrounding the playing field of the meeting point is indicated acoustically, e.g. B. by these contact surfaces automatically generate a sound.

5. Device according to claim 1, 2, 3 and 4, characterized in that facilities in the sports field are included, the pressure, temperature, static Charging, brightness, electrical / magnetic fields or Responding differently and thus the ball contact directly or display indirectly. 6. Device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 characterized in that the displays are reversible and are limited in time.