US3584597A

US3584597A - Golf scoring device

Info

Publication number: US3584597A
Application number: US5821A
Authority: US
Inventors: George Simmons
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-01-26
Filing date: 1970-01-26
Publication date: 1971-06-15
Anticipated expiration: 1988-06-15

Abstract

A device for use in scoring segments of play of a game wherein a plurality of members having scoring indicia thereon are shiftably mounted on a support at locations permitting one of the indicia of each member to be moved into alignment with indicia of other members whereby the aligned indicia represent the scores of particular segments of play of a game. Each member has means thereon for releasably holding the same in a generally fixed position on the support and the members are movable along parallel paths. The device is suitable for use in scoring a golf game and can be carried in a garment pocket.

Description

United States Patent [72] lnventor George Simmons Fiddler's Cove, Hyw. 1, Pescadero, Calif. 94060 [21] Appl. No. 5,821 [22] Filed Jan. 26, 1970 [45] Patented June 15, 1971 [54] GOLF SCORING DEVICE 8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 116/120, 40/65, 116/135 [51] 1nt.Cl ..A63b 71/06 [50) Field olSearch 116/114, 120, 135; 273/l52.42; 40/65 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 813,591 4/1906 Weston 40/65 Primary Examiner-- Louis .1. Capozi Attorney-Townsend and Townsend ABSTRACT: A device for use in scoring segments of play ofa game wherein a plurality of members having scoring indicia thereon are shiftably mounted on a support at locations permitting one of the indicia of each member to be moved into alignment with indicia of other members whereby the aligned indicia represent the scores of particular segments of play ofa game. Each member has means thereon for releasably holding the same in a generally fixed position on the support and the members are movable along parallel paths. The device is suitable for use in scoring a golf game and can be carried in a garment pocket.

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3 TOTAL g "-20 5 -46 T KIZ 567 as ,22 I7 TOT E 40 PATENTEUJUHI 5mm 3584-7597 INVENTOR.

GEORGE SIMMONS w r WW6 ATTORNEYS GOLF SCORING DEVICE This invention relates to improvements in scoring devices and, more particularly, to a device for use in recording the scores of particular segments of a game.

While the present invention is suitable for a number of different uses in recording scores or other numerical data, it is especially adapted for use in recording the score of a golf game wherein the user is desirous of seeing at a glance the individual scores corresponding to individual segments of play of the golf game, namely, the scores of the first nine holes of golf, the score for the second nine holes of golf and finally, the total score for both the first nine holes and the second nine holes.

Conventional golf scoring devices do not permit the scores of individual holes to been seen at the same time. These devices generally show an accumulative score which is merely a running total so that the user of such a device must remember the score of each previously played hole. This requirement is burdensome on golfers with poor memories and also causes a golfer to have some difficulty in comparing the scores of particular holes with corresponding scores of a previous golf round.

The present invention provides a scoring device which will allow a user to see at a glance the individual scores of different portions or segments of play of a game. The device also permits subtotals of the scores as well as a grand total of the scores to be seen. Thus, the device is especially suitable for use by a golfer since it is oftentimes important or at least desirable that the golfer see the scores of previous holes of a golf round so that he can be stimulated to expend greater effort to minimize his scores for the remaining holes of a golf round as well as to facilitate the comparison of his individual scores with those of a fellow golfer.

The device of this invention includes a plurality of score indicating members which are shiftably mounted on a support in the form of a base. The base is provided with a plurality of grooves therein, there being a groove for each member, respectively, with the members having a construction to permit sliding movement of the members in the corresponding grooves.

Each member has a number of scoring indicia thereon and is provided with improved means for releasably holding the member in any one of a number of operative positions, the indicia on the member being provided for respective operative positions of the member.

A cover plate is provided to hold the members in their grooves and the cover plate has at least one slot which is transverse to the paths of travel of the members whereby one of the indicia of each member can be moved into registry with the slot so that a number of indicia from respective members can be placed in alignment with each other to represent respective segments of play ofa game. Also, one or more of the members can provide a subtotal or a grand total score for the aligned indicia in the slot. In this way, the user cannot only see at a glance the individual scores of the segments of play but can see the total of such scores for ready comparison with scores of a previous golf round or with corresponding scores of a fellow golfer.

The primary object of this'invention is to provide an improved game scoring device wherein the scores of individual segments of play of a game can be recorded and observed at a glance to thereby avoid the need to record scores accumulatively and thereby provide adevice which is especially suitable for use by a golfer.

Another object of this invention is to provide a scoring device of the type described wherein a number of score-indicating members having scoring indicia thereon are shiftably mounted on a support for movement along paths which permit one of the indicia of each member to be placed in alignment with one of the indicia of each of the other members whereby the aligned indicia can represent the scores of individual segments of play of a game to thereby permit the user to observe all the scores at a glance without having to remember the individual scores themselves.

A further object of this invention is toprovide a device of the aforesaid character wherein each score-indicating member has means thereon for yieldably holding the same in any one of a number of operative positions with respect to the support to thereby retain one of its indicia in alignment with indicia of the other members notwithstanding the fact'that the device is handled by the user before and after the members are moved to record game scores.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent as the following specification progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawing for an illustration of an embodiment of the invention.

In the Drawings:

FIG. I is an elevational view of the device of this invention, parts being broken away to illustrate details of construction;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a score-indicating member forming a part of the device;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the underside of the member; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. I.

The game scoring device of this invention is broadly denoted by the numeral 10 and includes a baseplate 12 which serves as a support for a plurality of score indicating members 14 of the type shown in FIG. 2. A cover plate 16 is releasably coupled by screws 18 to baseplate 12 for holding members 14 in coupled relationship to baseplate 12 while permitting members 14 to shift along respective, generally parallel paths relative to the baseplate.

Baseplate 12 has a plurality of grooves 20 in one face 22 thereof. Grooves 20 are substantially parallel with each other and extend across the major portion of face 22 and terminate in proximity to a peripheral rib 24 at the outer periphery of face 22. Cover plate 16 rests on rib 24 as shown in FIG. 4, when the cover plate is secured by screws 18 to baseplate 12.

Cover plate 16 has a pair of centrally disposed

slots

26 and 28 which are in alignment with each other as shown in FIG. 1. The cover plate is also provided with a number of slits 30 on one side of

slots

26 and 28 and a number of slits 32 on the opposite side of slots.

Slits

30 and 32 are substantially perpendicular to

slots

26 and 28 and slits 30 are staggered with respect to slits 32. There is a slit for each groove 20, the slit and its-corresponding groove being in alignment with each other as shown in the broken away portion of FIG. 1.

There is a member 14 for each groove 20, respectively, each member having a transversely T-shaped configuration to present a central portion 34 and a pair of side portions 36 (FIG. 3). Each member 14 is coupled to baseplate 12 by inserting central portion 34 in the corresponding groove 20. The width of the central portion and the width of the groove is such as to permit shifting movement of member 14 longitudinally of the groove. FIG. 4 illustrates how central portion 34 is disposed within a groove 20. When member 14 is positioned as shown in FIG. 4, side portions 36 rest on and slide over the surface portions of face 22 on opposite sides of the corresponding grooves. Also, plate 16 serves to retain members 14 in coupled relationship to baseplate 12 since the cover plate overlies the upper flat surface 38 of each member 14. A plurality of indicia, namely, numbers 0 to 9 are placed in any suitable manner on surface 38 of each member 14, respectively. A tab 40 is rigid to each member 14, respectively, and extends outwardly from surface 38. Each tab 40 extends through a corresponding slit of cover plate 16.

When members 14 corresponding to slits 30 are in place in baseplate 12, tabs 40 of these members will be at the far lefthand ends of respective slits 30 when the corresponding index number is 0 and when this index number is in registry with the adjacent central slot. Thus, by moving each of these members to the right when viewing FIG. I, successive numerals are placed in registry with the slot. The slot, therefore, defines a margin adjacent to which is a plurality of aligned locations into which the indicia of respective members 14 can be moved.

When members 14 corresponding to slits 32 are in place in baseplate 12, tabs 40 of these members will be at the far righthand ends of slits 30 when the index number is in registry with the adjacent central slit. Thus, by moving members 14 to the left, their indicia will be successively moved into registry with the slit. In view of the foregoing, there will be left-hand members 14 and right-hand members 14. The staggering of the slits permits the indicia to be aligned with each other so that one of the indicia of one member can represent the score of one segment of play of a game while the indicia of other members 14 in alignment with the first-mentioned index can represent scores of other segments of play of the game. Thus, a player using the device can see at a glance the individual scores of different segments of play of a game.

Means is provided on each member 14 for releasably holding the same in an operative position with one of the indicia thereof in registry with the adjacent central slot. To this end, each member 14 has an extension 42 integral with central portion 34 and extending longitudinally thereof toward the end of the member having tab 40 thereon. A projection 44 is integral with the outer end of extension 42 and this projection has a convex shape which is complemental to the concave shape of each ofa plurality of recesses 46 formed in baseplate 12 at one side of the corresponding groove. As shown in FIG. 1, in the broken away portion, a projection 44 is received within a recess 46 corresponding to the index number 3 on the member 14. Thus, the numeral 3 is in registry with slot 28.

Extension 42 is yieldably connected to central portion 34 of each member 14 so that, when the member is locked in a direction longitudinally of the slot, the extension yields transversely of its length to cause the corresponding projection 44 to move out of recess 46 by a camming action. As soon as the member has moved sufficiently to permit the alignment of the projection with the next recess 46, extension 42 returns to its equilibrium position due to the resilience of the material forming a member 14 so that projection 44 moves into the next recess 46. In this way, each member 14 can be moved into any position with a desired index number and registry with a central slot and the member will be releasably retained against movement longitudinally of the slot.

in use, members 14 will be in position at the start of a game such that 0's will be in registry with

slots

26 and 28. For instance, if the device is used for scoring a golf game, the members will be moved such that they indicate the scores made for the particular holes of the golf game. The slits are numbered as shown in FIG. 1 to indicate the sequence by which the members are moved to record the scores of the various holes. in the particular example shown in FIG. 1, there are two members 14 which indicate a total score for each of the

slots

26 and 28. The total score for the first nine holes ofa golf game is indicated as 36 by the lower two members 14 of slot 26. The lower two members 14 and several members thereabove which correspond to slot 28 show zeros, indicating that the play of the second nine holes of golf has not yet been completed.

If each member 14 is moved to indicate a desired score, the corresponding projection 44 is moved successively out of and into recess 46 of the corresponding groove. When the desired number is reached, member 44 will be received in the corresponding recess 46 so as to retain member 14 in a fixed position relative to baseplate l2 and until the member is returned to its starting position.

Device can be formed from any suitable material, such as plastic or the like. It can be made cheaply and can be of a size to permit it to be carried in a garment pocket.

lclaim:

1. A game scoring device comprising: a base having a plurality of generally parallel grooves in one face thereof; a score indicating member for each groove, respectively, each member having a plurality of scoring indicia thereon and being shiftably received within the corresponding groove for movement longitudinally thereof; yieldable means on each member for releasably retaining the same in any one of a number of operative positions in the corresponding groove; and means defining a margin disposed transversely of said grooves, each member being movable in its groove to selectively position any one of its indicia at a respective, observable location adjacent to said margin, said margin being disposed to position the observable locations corresponding to said members in alignment with each other, whereby indicia at said locations can represent the score of different segments of play of a game.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said retaining means includes a projection for each member, respectively, said baseplate having a number of recesses in one side of each groove, said projection being removably receivable within any one of said recesses, and including means yieldably mounting the projection on the respective member to permit the projection to be movable out of a recess when the member is moved longitudinally of the respective groove.

3. A device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said mounting means includes an elongated extension secured at one end thereof to said member and extending longitudinally thereof, said projection being carried at the opposite end of said extension.

4. A device as set forth in claim 2, wherein each projection has a convex shape and each recess is concave to complementally receive the corresponding projection.

5. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said defining means includes a cover plate having a plurality of slits, there being a slit for each groove, respectively, each member having a tab extending through a corresponding slit to permit manual movement of the member relative to said cover plate, the latter having a slot extending transversely of the slits, said slot defining said margin.

6. A device as set forth in claim 5, wherein said slot is disposed, centrally of said cover plate, certain of said slits being on one side of said slot and the other slits being on the opposite side of the slot, the slits on said one side being staggered relative to the slits on the opposite side.

7. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the face of said base has surface portions on the opposite sides of each grooves, each member having a T-shaped cross section to present a pair of side portions and a central portion, the side portions of each member normally engaging the surface portions of the base on opposite sides of the groove and said central portion of the member being received within the groove.

8. A game scoring device comprising: a base having a plurality of generally parallel grooves in one face thereof, each groove having a number of concave recesses in one side thereof, said one face of the base having surface portions on the opposite sides of each groove; a score-indicating member for each groove, respectively, each member having a plurality of scoring indicia thereon and provided with a T-shaped cross section to present a side portion and a central portion, the central portion of each member being received within and movable along the respective groove and the side portions of each member normally engaging and being slidable along respective surface portions of the base; an elongated extension for each member, respectively, each extension being secured at one end thereof to the central portion of the respective member and extending longitudinally thereof, said extension being yieldable for movement transversely of the corresponding groove; a projection at the opposite end of each extension, respectively, each projection having a convex configuration substantially complemental with the concave configuration of the recesses of the corresponding groove, each projection being normally received in a recess of the corresponding groove and being movable out of the recess when a force is applied to the respective member to cause the latter to move longitudinally of the corresponding groove and thereby cause the respective extension to yield in a direction away from the recess, whereby the projection in a recess releasably retains a corresponding member in a fixed position in the correspondgrooves with the slits overlying respective grooves; and a tab for each member, respectively, the tabs extending through respective slits to permit manual movement members.

of respective

Claims

8. A game scoring device comprising: a base having a plurality of generally parallel grooves in one face thereof, each groove having a number of concave recesses in one side thereof, said one face of the base having surface portions on the opposite sides of each groove; a score-indicating member for each groove, respectively, each member having a plurality of scoring indicia thereon and provided with a T-shaped cross section to present a side portion and a central portion, the central portion of each member being received within and movable along the respective groove and the side portions of each member normally engaging and being slidable along respective surface portions of the base; an elongated extension for each member, respectively, each extension being secured at one end thereof to the central portion of the respective member and extending longitudinally thereof, said extension being yieldable for movement transversely of the corresponding groove; a projection at the opposite end of each extension, respectively, each projection having a convex configuration substantially complemental with the concave configuration of the recesses of the corresponding groove, each projection being normally received in a recess of the corresponding groove and being movable out of the recess when a force is applied to the respective member to cause the latter to move longitudinally of the corresponding groove and thereby cause the respective extension to yield in a direction away from the recess, whereby the projection in a recess releasably retains a corresponding member in a fixed position in the corresponding groove; a cover plate having a slot and a plurality of slits therein, the slits being perpendicular to the slot, there being a slit for each groove, respectively; means releasably mounting the cover plate on said base in covering relationship to the grooves with the slits overlying respective grooves; and a tab for each member, respectively, the tabs extending through respective slits to permit manual movement of respective members.