US1628364A - Goal and goal indicator - Google Patents

Description

- 1,628,364 May 10, 1927. E w. H'ETT GOAL AND GOAL INDICATQR Filed March 27. 1925 Patented May 10, 1927.

UNITED STATES I EVAN WOODARD HIETT, OF HOUSTON, liISSOURI.

GOAL AND GOAL INDICATOR.

Application filed March 27, 1925.

This invention relates to goal indicators and more particularly to goal indicators for use in. connection with basket-ball games.

The primary object of the invention is to provide both a visible and audible signal which will indicate to spectators when a goal has been made and will obviate disputes and contention to whether the ball passed through the goal or not.

Further objects and advantages of: the invention will be set forth in the detailed dc z-icription which follows.

In the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a goal indicator and goal, constructed in accordance with the invention, and

Fig. 2 is a diagramimitic view oi. the elcctric wiring employed.

Like numerals designate corresponding parts in both of the figures of the drawing.

Referring to the drawing, 5 designates a back-stop of any suitable size or shape. Braces 6, 7 and 8 support the goal-ring indicated at 9, from the back-stop. A second or auxiliary ring, which may be omitted if desired, is indicated at 10, and extends from the brace 7 to the brace 8 and is additionally supported by a short brace 11, at the front edge of the ring 9. A hanger 12 is fixed at the juncture of brace 6 and ring 9 and has a forked lower end 13, in which a rod 14 is pivoted. This rod carries a central metallic disc or plate 15, which is preferably nickel-plated or otherwise highly polished and the reflection from which, when the rod 14: is depressed by the passing of: a. ball through the goal, constitutes a visual signal. to the spectators. Rings 16 and 17 are so cured to the rod 14 and move therewith; and the outermost of these rings is of such a diameter as to insure that a ball cannot possibly pass through the ring 9, without striking and depressing rod 14.

The auxiliary ring serves as a guard. to prevent the ball from passing in and upon the rings and 16 from the side and without passing through the goal-ring 9. The inner end of the rod 1.4 carries a counter-weight 17, the downward movement of which is limited by a shelf or bracket 18, that is carried by the back-stop. The countor-weight is of such size and weight as to overcome the weight of the rings 15 and 16 and the plate 12, and to cause them to normally lie in the elevated position illustrated in the drawing.

Serial No. 18,738.

The inner end of the rod let carries a. metallic thimble 19, adapted, when the inner end of the rod is elevated, to move upwardly between two arcuatc metallic contact members 19 and 20. In the present instance these have been saown as wires bent to the i ropcr term and separated at their upper ends by an insulating block 21. The lower ends oi these wires are bent outwardly to form a portion within which the thimble 19 may rest, out of contact with the metallic members 19 and 20.

lVhile I have chosen to illustrate these members as being formed. of wire, it is ob vious that metallic strips may be substituted thcre'tor. if desired. hen the thimble 19 rises between and in contact with the members 19 and 20, a circuit is completed between these members and through a circuit constituted in part by said members and the conductor- 23, bell 524:, battery and conductor 26: so that the bell will ring both dnring the upward and downward movement of the thimble 19. At the same time a visual signal will be transmitted by reason of themovemcnt of the highly polished plate 12 as it returns to horizontal position after the ball has completely cleared it.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction set forth but that it includes within its purview whatever changes fairly come within either the terms or the spirit of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. The combination with a support 0T a hm'izontally disposed. ring constituting a goal for the passage of a ball. a, horizontally disposed lever located beneath said ring and pivoted intermediate its ends. a, reflecting disc constituting a visual signal secured to the outer portion of said lever and lying, substantially, centrally beneath the ring.

2. The combination with asupport. of a. horizontally disposed ring constituting a goal for the passage of a ball, a horizontally disposed lever located benea h said ring and pivoted intermediate its ends, a reflecting disc carried by said lever and constituting both a visual signal when the lever is tipped and a point of contact for a ball passing through said goal.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

EVAN WOODARD HIETT.

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