GB1563601A - Scoreboards - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO SCOREBOARDS (71) We, NOD OR SCORES LIMITED whose Registered Office is situate at The Nodor Company Limited, Bedwas, Newport, Gwent, a British company do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the follow mg statement: The invention relates to improvements in and relating to scoreboards, and particularly concerns a scoreboard for use in games such as darts.

According to the invention there is provided a scoreboard for scoring a game in which at least two players play against one another and each has a running totals of summed individual scores comprising in combination a body with a fascia panel with two visual score indicating means for showing two players' respective running totals or the respective differences between such totals and a predetermined number, electronic circuit means for adjusting selectively either of the score indicating means so that the updated running total is shown, and actuating means carried by the body for manually entering an individual score and thus actuating the electronic circuit means.

There may be a further visual score indicating means which shows an actual score.

The actuating means may comprise a plurality of keys.

The score indicating means or display devices may be digital illuminated read-out devices.

There may be as many electronic circuit means with associated actuating means and visual score indicating means as there are players, for example there may be two electronic circuits each with an associated actuating means and display visual score indicating means. Or there may be electronic circuit means comprising a single circuit which actuates all the score indicating means.

Constructions embodying the invention are hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a front elevational view of one scoreboard; Figure 2 shows a front elevational view of a second scoreboard; and in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of scoreboard in place adjacent a dartboard; Figures 4a to 4c show another scoreboard schematically; and Figure 5 shows a fourth scoreboard.

Referring to the drawings, in which like parts have the same reference numerals, Figure 1 shows a scoreboard 1 for use in a game of darts between two players. The scoreboard 1 has a rectangular body with a plane fascia panel 2 and houses electronic circuit means in the form of two electronic circuits. One circuit has actuating means in the form of keys 3 and a visual score indicating means or display device 4 and the other has actuating means in the form of keys 5 and visual score indicating means or display device 6.

The keys 3 and 5 include a set of keys with numerals from 0 to 9 for entering a score, and command keys 7 to 10 for controlling the circuit according to a required function e.g. total, add, subtract or running score, cancel, cancel entry or mistake.

The command keys may be coloured for ease of identification e.g. green for 'total', yellow for 'score', red for 'running score', blue for 'mistake'.

The fascia panel 2 may be colour coded for each player, for example the left hand side as viewed may be black and the right hand side white.

To use the scoreboard to score a game of darts of '301 up' between two players, the score 301, with which each player starts the game is entered on the display devices 4 and 6 by punching the appropriate number keys 3 and 5. The start button is then pressed, a player throws his darts and enters his score on his side of the board by pressing his number keys 3. If he enters his score wrongly, he can cancel his entry by pressing the blue button.

Each player enters his score in this way as the game proceeds, and his running total is displayed on the scoreboard.

The fascia may have a panel 11 in which advertising material can be mounted. The panel may be illuminated.

The scoreboard 20 shown in Figure 2 is similar to that of Figure 1 except that the displays for each player are controlled by a single chip electronic circuit for which there is a single set of number keys 21. Each player has a set of command keys 7. Also, there is an additional display device 22 for showing the actual score of a player as he enters it on the board after his turn so that it can be agreed before his running total is shown.

The keys 3 may be colour coded, for example one set of command keys may be red, the other green and the common number keys 21 may be white.

This board also has an advertising display device, which can be illuminated.

Referring now to Figure 3, the scoreboard 30 shown is similar to that of Figure 2 in that it has a single chip electronic circuit (not shown) (with a memory) which is actuated by a keyboard 31 to illuminate a visual score indicating means or display device 32 or 33 for each player. There is also a third visual score indicating means or display device 34 for indicating an actual score.

There is a start button 35 and plus '+' or minus '-' keys 36 and 37 for each player.

There is also a cancel button 38. The display devices 32, 33 and 34 are in the form of a digital type display. The electronic circuit is operated by a 12 volt supply via a lead 39.

The scoreboard 30 has a body 39 which is easily mounted adjacent a darts board.

Also, the keys and display devices are readily seen in its fascia 40, as in an advertising dislay 40a.

To use the scoreboard 30, assuming a game of '301' up is being played, the number 301 is tapped out on the keys 31 and this comes up in the dislay panel 34. The start button 35 is then pressed and this brings the score up on each display device 32 and 33. The players throw their darts in turn. At the end of a turn, the player who has just thrown totals his score and enters it on his display panel 32 say by pressing the appropriate keys 31, for verification by the other player. He then presses his minus button 37 (say the one on the left) so that his total is subtracted from his previous total and his running total appears on his display device 32, the one on the left as viewed in Figure 3.

The running total score of each player is entered in this way throughout the game.

The circuit is designed so that any score leaving a total of less than 2 cannot be subtracted from a running total of a player.

Also, though not shown, each player may have a key by which he can enter a 'double' or 'treble' on his display device e.g. a double or treble '17'.

The electronic circuit also has a device whereby it is a single function operation, i.e.

only one '301' or the like comes up no matter how many times the start button is pushed. However, if during a game it is decided to start again, a fresh number '301' or '401' or whatever can be entered using keys 31 and the start button 35 depressed.

The new number then comes up on the two display panels 32 and 33, which are thus over-ridden by the start button 35.

Referring now to Figures 4A to 4C, the scoreboard 41 shown may have a blackboard surface 142 in its rear side (Figures 4C or 5) and may be rotationally mounted in arms 42 and 43. The arms 42 and 43 may provide electrical conduiting for the power supply to the board.

The arms 42 and 43 are pivoted to a wall 44. If the board 41 is to be moved from the Figure 4A to Figure 4C position, the arms 42 and 43 are pivoted away from the wall about axes 45 as shown in Figure 4B. The board 41 is then pivoted through 180C about axis 46 and the arms 42 and 43 are then pushed back against the wall so that the board 41 is flat against it as it was originally.

It is held in place by clips 47.

Figure 5 shows a board 50 which is merely hinged to a wall along one edge 51 so that either its front or rear surfaces are exposed.

Its directions of movements are shown by the arrows.

In every embodiment the display device may each display four digits, rather than three as shown.

The scoreboard can be used for a game other than darts, for example it could be used to score a game of snooker or of billiards.

It will be understood that a 'start' key may be the same key as the running score key.

There may be a sub-total key whereby the sub-totals of a players score may be entered as he plays his turn, e.g. his total is added up independently of his overall running score.

It will also be understood that the single start button 35 is used for starting the game and transfers to both displays 32 and 33 the score from which each player decreases his running total as he plays the game.

Claims (6)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A scoreboard for scoring a game in which at least two players play against one another and each has a running total of summed individual scores, comprising in combination a body with a fascia panel with two visual score indicating means for showing the two players' respective running totals or the respective differences between such totals and a predetermined number, electronic circuit means for adjusting selectively either of the score indicating means so that the updated running total or difference of a particular player is shown, and actuating means carried by the body for manually entering an individual score and thus actuating the electronic circuit means.

2. A scoreboard according to Claim 1, including a further visual score indicating means which shows an individual score.

3. A scoreboard according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, the actuating means comprising a plurality of keys.

4. A scoreboard according to any preceding claim, the score indicating means comprising digital illuminated read-out devices.

5. A scoreboard according to any preceding claim, with a blackboard surface opposite the fascia panel, mounted for pivot rotation through 1800.

6. A scoreboard for scoring a game in which at least two players play against one another and each has a running total, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.