US2321692A - Game charting device - Google Patents

Description

GAME CHARTING DEVICE Filed Nov. 14,1941 a Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Jos eph HJWcP/nee .4 TTORNEYJ' June 15, 1943- .1. A. M PHEE GAME CHARTING DEVICE Filed NOV. 14, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 v IN V.EN TOR.

Jos epb H. McPh e e A TTORNEYS.

June 15, 1943. J. MQPHEE GAME OHARTING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 14, 1941 ld/IIIII!I/(II(IlIIIIIII/I/IIllII/IIllIIlII/lIIIIII/IIIIIIIlrI/IIIIIIIIIIIIII I NVENTOR. Jos ephAMcPhee ATTORNEYS.

Patented June 15, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GAME CHARTING DEVICE Joseph A. McPhee, Pittsbur'gfca'iif.

Appiication November 14, 1941, Serial No. 419,153

13 Claims.

This invention relates in general to a manually actuated charting device, and in particular the invention is directed to a device for charting the consecutive plays of an athletic contest, such as-a football game.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a charting device for the purpose described which is manually operative to record, in symbolic symmetrical order, and in different colors to represent the different terns, the consecutive plays of a football game, the yardage of the play, and the position of the latter lengthwise of the playing field; the recordation being made by a stylus upon a replaceable sheet mounted on the device and having its face imprinted to represent a football field and including "the yard lines thereon.

Another object of the invention is to provide a charting device as above which includes a manually depressible carriage mounted for movement lengthwise of the device and including a stylus assembly overhanging the replaceable sheet upon which the recordation is made; there being means to automatically move the carriage 'supported stylus assembly a predetermined distance transversely of the sheet when the marking of one play has been completed and the operator releases the carriage which is depressed during the marking of a play.

A further object of the invention is to produce a simple and inexpensive device and yet one which will be exceedingly e'iiective for the purpose for which it is designed. These objects I accomplish by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the device.

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the device.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the ratchet and pawl mechanism which moves the stylus assembly on the carriage arms; such ratchet and pawl assembly'bein'g in inoperative position.

Figure 5 is a similar View but showing the ratchet and pawl mechanism in operative position.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse section showing the stylus assembly in one operative position but clear of the chart sheet.

Figure 7 is a similar view but showing the stylus in its other position and in engagement with the chartsheet.

Figure 8 is a cross-section on line 8-28 of Fig. 6.

Referring now more particularly 'to the :characters of reference on the drawings, the device comprises a rectangular base 1 :having flanged supporting legs 2 along opposite longitudinal edges. Along opposite sides of base 'I and atone end thereof, there are hold-down and locating members 3 for a plurality of chart sheets '4 upon the upper face of each of which is imprinted the outline 5 of a playing afield including the transverse parallel yard lines t which are numbered, as at 1; along one longitudinal edge ofthe chart sheet.

' An upstanding rail .-8,iwhich i of substantially T-shape in cross section, :is mounted in fixed relat-ion with one of the flange supported legs 2 and extends in spaced relation from and along :one side of base I from end to end thereof; the "top of rail 8 being disposed in a horizontal :plane some distance above the chart sheet supporting A carriagezassembly is mounted on the 'rail '8 tor-movement therealong manually, such carri'age assembly comprising a carriage .head -.9

"through which the head .H 'ofthe rail :8 projects in slidable relation. Inturned flanges ill on the carriage head engage beneath the rail head on opposite sides and prevent escape of such head irom the :rail. The depth of the carriage head between the top thereof and the flanges I'll is such, as clearly shown in Fig. .2, as to permit of limited vertical movement of said carriage rhea-d relative to the head of the frail. Elliptical vleaf springs H which extend lengthwise of the rail are disposed within the head :9 in itransv'ersely spaced relation; being secured to the top of said head by attachment elements l2. and riding in parallel channels l3inlthe top of the rail head. -As will be obvious, these :lea'f springs normally maintain the head 19 in. elevated position relative tothe railrhead ll.

The top of housing '9 is formed with a rectangular opening or window in. which is secured a magnifying lens TM; this lens having a central cross hair 15 which reads on lines and numerals indicated generally at :fli, marked. on top of the rail head and which correspond to .and. are in alinement transversely the device with the lines I and numerals. .1 of the chartsheets when thelatterare inplaceron basal;

' The carriage i-assemb'ly tofwhich carriage head :9 forms apart includes a pair roi parallel :horizontal arms [1 which project .frohithe'inne'r side of head 9 transversely across the base 1 overhanging the chart sheets, these arms I I being spaced apart somewhat lengthwise of the base. The horizontal plan in which said arms I! is disposed is such that the arms remain in clearance relation to the chart sheet whether the head 9 is in normally elevated or manually depressed position.

A slide block 18 is mounted in connection with and extends between the horizontal arms [1; the block frictionally engaging the arms sufliciently to prevent accidental movement of said block relative to the arms. Between said arms the slide block is formed with a slot l9 elongated in a direction parallel to said arms. A stylus assembly is mounted in connection with the slide block [8 and comprises the following:

A mainly circular or disc-like body 20 of substantial thickness is disposed vertical with the lower portion thereof projecting into slot l9, such body being journaled between upstanding ears 2| on opposite sides of the body by means of adjustable pivot bolts 22. It will thus be seen that the body 29, having its axis extending horizontally and lengthwise of the device, mayrock in a transverse plane relative to the chart sheet 4. On opposite sides of its axis the body 20 is formed with parallel and substantially vertical bores 23, each having a stylus. 24 projecting therethrough to a termination some distance therebelow, but in a plane normally above the plane of the chart sheets. Each stylus 24 is spring urged in a downward'direction by a compression spring 25 which engages between a head 26 secured in the upper end of the bore and a split sleeve 21 engaging the stylus within said bore. Each stylus is preferably a small circular pencil or the like to which the split sleeve is frictionally applied. The styli are of different colors, each. color representing a team whose plays areto be recorded On the chart sheet. An operating handle 28 is mounted on body 20 radially thereof and is used to swing such body about its pivot to bring either one or the-other of th styli into contact with the chart sheet; each'stylus, when it is swung to position for chart. sheet engagement, projectingat its lower end below the bottom of the slide block I8, whereby when the entire carriage is depressed the stylus'point engages the chart sheet for marking thereon. The point of each stylus is disposed transverselyof the device in the same plane as the cross hair [5 in magnifying lens M on carriage head 9. The body 20 is held in either operative position by means of spring fingers 29 which engage corresponding notches 30 in the periphery of such body.

A flexible cord 3| extends from the side of slide block [8 adjacent the carriage head in the direction of the latter, passing over a directionchanging pulley 32 immediately adjacent said carriage head and thence extending downward and being wound about and dead-ended on a spool 33 journaled between ears 34 which depend from the adjacent fiange Ill of said carriage head. With rotation of spool 33 in one direction, it will be seen that the slide block I8, together with the stylus assembly supported thereon, will slide along arms I! toward the carriage head; this movement being imparted step by step in the following manner: 1

A ratchet wheel 35 is fixed with spool 33 and moves longitudinally of the device with corresponding movement of the carriage along the rail 8. A horizontal blade-like pawl 36 is mount? ed between ears 3'! upstanding from the base l adjacent the ends of the latter and at the edge adjacent rail 8; this full length blade-like pawl cooperating with ratchet wheel 35 regardless of the position of the carriage on the rail 8. The pawl 36 is urged into engagement with the ratchet by means of a spring finger 38. The teeth of the ratchet wheel 35 face upwardly on the side adjacent the pawl and the pawl extends at a downward slope from its axi to cooperate with said teeth. A pawl release lever 39 is pivoted on the carriage head as at 40 and includes an exposed finger key 4|, the depressing of which retracts and effects the release of the pawl from the ratchet wheel.

Operation In use, the pawl release key 4| is depressed and the slide block l8, together with supporting stylus assembly, is drawn outward along arms H, to a point above the chart sheet adjacent the edge remote frond-rail 8. The stylus supporting body 20 is then turned so as to bring that stylus 'lnto'working position whose color represents the team who is in posssession of the ball.

After the first play in the game, the operator of the charting device places one hand'on the carriage head 9 and, with the cross-hair l5 reg istering with the yard line where the play began, depresses the entire carriage assembly until the point of such stylus comes in contact with the chart sheet. Then the carriage assembly is moved in the direction of the play to the point of determination of the latter, making a straight line L representing the play and in the color representing the corresponding team.

With the play thus marked, the operator permits the carriage to raise under the influence of leaf springs I I and upon upward movement of the carriage the pawl 36 engages a tooth of the ratchet wheel 35, rotating the latter a distance equal to the extent of such tooth. This rotates the spool 33 and winds the cord 3| thereonto to a certain extent, which in turn causes the slide block, together with the stylus assembly, to be moved transversely of the chart sheet a short distance. As the charting of each play requires the depression and subsequent release and upward movement of the carriage head the stylus assembly and slide block l8, under the influence of the ratchet and pawl mechanism, move transversely of the chart sheet toward the carriage head. As a result, each play is charted on the sheet in transversely spaced relation to the line representing the preceding play, as is clearly shown by the play lines indicated in Fig. 1.

When the ball changes hands and the play begins by the opposing team, the stylus body 20 is'of course rotated to bring the opposite and difierently colored stylus into operative position, whereupon the plays of such other team are charted in a different color.

After a game has been completely charted, the chart sheet 4 is removed and maybe kept as a record sheet, a new sheet being used for the next game to be charted; the slide block [3 being returned to its initial or starting position before recording on such new sheet begins.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that I have produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

' Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A charting device comprising a base to support a chart sheet, an arm overhanging the base from one'edge, a stylus mounted on the arm for movement therealong, means mounting the arm for back and forth horizontal movement between oppositeedges of the sheet and for vertical movement between a normally up. and a lowered position, the stylus engaging the sheet only when the arm is lowered, and means to, impart step by step movement of the stylus along the arm;

2. A charting device comprising a base to support a chart sheet, an arm overhanging the base from one edge, a stylus mounted on the arm for movement therealong, means mounting the arm for back and forth horizontal movement between opposite edges of the sheet and for vertical movement between a normally up and a lowered position, the stylus engaging the sheet only when the arm is lowered, and means actuated by said vertical movement of the arm in one direction to impart predetermined movement to the stylus along the arm with each such vertical movement.

3. A charting device comprising a base to support a chart sheet, an arm overhanging the base from one edge, a stylus mounted on the arm for movement therealong, means mounting the arm for back and forth horizontal movement between opposite edges of the sheet and for downward and upward movement between a normally up and a lowered position, the stylus engaging the sheet only when the arm is lowered, and means actuated by upward movement of the arm to impart predetermined movement to the stylus along the arm.

4. A charting device comprising a base to support a chart sheet, a carriage including an arm overhanging the base transversely, means movably mounting the carriage for movement of the arm between opposite ends of the sheet and for limited downward movement from a normally up position, means yieldably maintaining the carriage in said normal position, a stylus mounted on the arm for movement therealong, said stylus engaging the sheet only upon downward movement of the arm, and means actuated upon return movement of the arm to impart predetermined movement to the stylus therealong.

5. A charting device comprising a base to support a. chart sheet, a rail mounted in connection with the base and extending along one side thereof, a carriage including an arm overhanging the base transversely, means mounting the carriage on the rail for movement therealong and including a spring acting on the carriage to yieldably maintain the same raised a predetermined amount relative to the base, a stylus assembly slidably mounted on the arm, said stylus engaging the sheet only when the carriage is depressed, and means actuated by each depression and return movement of the carriage to slide the stylus assembly a predetermined distance along the arm.

6. A device as in claim with a plurality of transverse markings of predetermined spacing on the top of the rail, and a magnifying lens mounted on the carriage, said lens having a cross hair adapted to read on said rail markings; the stylus of said assembly and said cross hair being alined transversely of the base.

7. 'A charting device comprising a base to support a chart sheet, a rail mounted in connection with the base and extending along one side thereof, a carriage including an arm overhanging the base transversely, means mounting the carriage on the rail for movement therealong and including a spring acting on the carriage to Yieldably maintain the same raised a predetermined amount relative to the base, a stylus assembly slidably mounted on the arm, said stylus engaging the sheet only when the carriage is depressed, a pawl and ratchet wheel mechanism operatively connected between said carriage and the base, the pawl being arranged to rotate the ratchet wheel a predetermined extent upon each depressionand return movement of the carriage, and means between the ratchet wheel and stylus assembly to slide the latter along the arm upon rotation of said wheel.

8. A charting device comprising a base to support a chart sheet, a rail mounted in connection with the base and extending along one side thereof, a carriage including an arm overhanging the base transversely, means mounting the carriage on the rail for movement therealong and including a spring acting on the carriage to yieldably maintain the same raised a predetermined amount relative to the base, a stylus assembly slidably mounted on the arm, said stylus engaging the sheet only when the carriage is depressed, a spool rotatably mounted on the carriage, a flexible element connected at one end with the stylus assembly and at the other end winding about and being dead ended on the spool, and means actuated by each depression and return movement of the carriage to rotate the spool a predetermined extent and in a direction to wind said element thereon whereby to slide the stylus assembly a proportionate distance on the arm.

9. A charting device comprising a base to support a chart sheet, a rail mounted in connection with the base and extending along one side thereof, a carriage including an arm overhanging the base transversely, means mounting the carriage on the rail for movement therealong and including a spring acting on the carriage to yieldably maintain the same raised a predetermined amount relative to the base, a stylus assembly slidably mounted on the arm, said stylus engagmg the sheet only when the carriage is depressed, a spool rotatably mounted on the carriage, a flexible element connected at one end with the stylus assembly and at the other end winding about and being dead ended on the spool, a ratchet wheel mounted in connection with the spool to rotate the latter, and a pawl mounted in connection with the base cooperating with the ratchet wheel, said ratchet wheel and pawl mechanism being operative upon each depression and return movement of the carriage to rotate the spool a predetermined extent and in a direction to wind said element thereon whereby to slide the stylus assembly a proportionate distance on the arm.

10. A device as in claim 9 in which the pawl is of blade-like configuration and extends longitudinally from end to end of the path of travel of the carriage, and the axis of the ratchet wheel is parallel thereto, whereby said pawl is positioned for engagement with the ratchet wheel regardless of the position of the carriage on the rail.

11. A charting device comprising a base to support a chart sheet, an arm overhanging the sheet from one edge, means mounting the arm for back and forth movement between opposite edges of the sheet, a stylus assembly mounted on the arm for movement therealong, and means to impart step by step movement of said assembly along the arm; said assembly including a pair of stylus elements having different chart marking colors, and means mounting said pair of elements for manual adjustment to selectively position either stylus, but only one at a time thereof, in position ior chart engagement.

12. A device as in claim 11 in which said last named means comprises a slide block mounted on the arm, a body pivoted on the slide block for limited rotative movement in a substantially vertical plane; the pair of stylus elements being mounted on said body in depending spaced relation.-

13. A :charting'device comprising a base to support a chart sheet, a stylus overhanging the base, a support for the stylus, operating means mounting said support for movement along the base and sheet in one direction and for independent movement in a direction at right angles to said one direction, means acting on the operating means to yieldably hold the same raised relative to the base so that the stylus then clears the sheet, said operating means being adapted to be manually depressed to engage the stylus with the sheet, and means between the base, operating means and stylus support to move the latter a predetermined distance in said right-angle direction upon upward movement of the operating means from a depressed position.

JOSEPH A. MCPHEE.

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