US20020069815A1

US20020069815A1 - Baseball score keeping device

Info

Publication number: US20020069815A1
Application number: US09/735,053
Authority: US
Inventors: Fred Farina
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-12-13
Filing date: 2000-12-13
Publication date: 2002-06-13

Abstract

A baseball score keeping device including a housing having a generally kidney-shaped configuration defined by a top wall, a bottom wall, and a surrounding side wall. The housing is sized to fit comfortably within a person's hand. The top wall has a plurality of windows formed therein. The windows have corresponding function labels. The function labels relate to the game of baseball. The side wall has a plurality of openings therein corresponding with the windows. A plurality of wheels are rotatably disposed within the openings in the surrounding side wall of the housing. The wheels have an upper surface, a lower surface, and a peripheral side wall. The peripheral side wall is knurled. The upper surface has a series of escalating numbers disposed thereon inwardly of the peripheral side wall. The numbers are individually viewable within the windows of the housing.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a baseball score keeping device and more particularly pertains to allowing people attending a baseball game to keep track of the score, the inning, and the number of outs in the inning throughout the duration of a baseball game.

The use of score keeping devices is known in the prior art. More specifically, score keeping devices heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of keeping score during a sporting event are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objective and requirements, these patents do not describe a baseball score keeping device for allowing people attending a baseball game to keep track of the score, the inning, and the number of outs in the inning throughout the duration of a baseball game.

In this respect, the baseball score keeping device according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of allowing people attending a baseball game to keep track of the score, the inning, and the number of outs in the inning throughout the duration of a baseball game.

Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved baseball score keeping device which can be used for allowing people attending a baseball game to keep track of the score, the inning, and the number of outs in the inning throughout the duration of a baseball game. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of score keeping devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved baseball score keeping device. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved baseball score keeping device which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a housing having a generally kidney-shaped configuration defined by a top wall, a bottom wall, and a surrounding side wall. The housing is sized to fit comfortably within a person's hand. The bottom wall has a pliable clip secured thereto. The top wall has four windows formed therein. The four windows have corresponding function labels. The function labels relate to the game of baseball. The function labels include a score for a home team, a score for a visiting team, a number of outs in an inning, and an inning number for the game being played. The side wall has four openings therein corresponding with the four windows. Four wheels are rotatably disposed within the four openings in the surrounding side wall of the housing. The four wheels have an upper surface, a lower surface, and a peripheral side wall. The peripheral side wall is knurled. The upper surface has a series of escalating numbers disposed thereon inwardly of the peripheral side wall. The numbers are individually viewable within the windows of the housing.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved baseball score keeping device which has all the advantages of the prior art score keeping devices and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved baseball score keeping device which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved baseball score keeping device which is of durable and reliable construction.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved baseball score keeping device which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such a baseball score keeping device economically available to the buying public.

Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved baseball score keeping device for allowing people attending a baseball game to keep track of the score, the inning, and the number of outs in the inning throughout the duration of a baseball game.

Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved baseball score keeping device including a housing having a generally kidney-shaped configuration defined by a top wall, a bottom wall, and a surrounding side wall. The housing is sized to fit comfortably within a person's hand. The top wall has a plurality of windows formed therein. The windows have corresponding function labels. The function labels relate to the game of baseball. The side wall has a plurality of openings therein corresponding with the windows. A plurality of wheels are rotatably disposed within the openings in the surrounding side wall of the housing. The wheels have an upper surface, a lower surface, and a peripheral side wall. The peripheral side wall is knurled. The upper surface has a series of escalating numbers disposed thereon inwardly of the peripheral side wall. The numbers are individually viewable within the windows of the housing.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: [0018]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the baseball score keeping device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. [0019]
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the present invention illustrated in partial cross-section. [0020]
FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the present invention. [0021]
The same reference numerals refer to the same parts through the various figures. [0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular, to FIGS. 1 through 3 thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved baseball score keeping device embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the [0023] reference number 10 will be described.
Specifically, it will be noted in the various figures that the device relates to a baseball score keeping device for allowing people attending a baseball game to keep track of the score, the inning, and the number of outs in the inning throughout the duration of a baseball game. In its broadest context, the device consists of a housing and four wheels. Such components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective. [0024]
The [0025] housing 12 has a generally kidney-shaped configuration defined by a top wall 14, a bottom wall 16, and a surrounding side wall 18. The housing 12 is sized to fit comfortably within a person's hand. The bottom wall 16 has a pliable clip 20 secured thereto. The pliable clip 20 allows the housing 12 to be secured on a user's belt or the like. The top wall 14 has four windows 22 formed therein. The four windows 22 have corresponding function labels 24. The function labels 24 relate to the game of baseball. The function labels 24 include a score for a home team, a score for a visiting team, a number of outs in an inning, and an inning number for the game being played. It should be noted that the present invention can be altered to reflect other functions of a baseball game, or any game, that are important to the user to keep track of. The side wall 18 has four openings 26 therein corresponding with the four windows 22. Additionally, the present invention can be adapted to provide additional windows 22 and openings 26 to accommodate variations to the device 10.
The four [0026] wheels 28 are rotatably disposed within the four openings 26 in the surrounding side wall 18 of the housing 12. The four wheels 28 have an upper surface 30, a lower surface 32, and a peripheral side wall 34. The peripheral side wall 34 is knurled. This allows the wheels 28 to be easily rotated. The upper surface 30 has a series of escalating numbers 36 disposed thereon inwardly of the peripheral side wall 34. The numbers 36 are individually viewable within the windows 22 of the housing 12. The user can turn the wheels 28 so that the proper number corresponding to the baseball game is properly displayed within the window for a corresponding function label 24. The amount of numbers 36 on the wheels 28 will correspond with the function labels 24. For example, the wheel 28 used for outs will have only the numbers 1, 2, 3, and 0. The other wheels 28 will have more numbers 36 because the score of the game can raise to unimaginable numbers and the inning numbers can also reach unpredictable numbers.
In use, the present invention can be utilized to keep track of the score of baseball game, the number of outs in a particular inning, and the inning number that is presently being played. The present invention can be adapted to keep track of other facets of the baseball game or other sporting events. [0027]
As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. [0028]
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and the manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. [0029]
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. [0030]

Claims

What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the united states is as follows:

1. A baseball score keeping device for allowing people attending a baseball game to keep track of the score, the inning, and the number of outs in the inning throughout the duration of a baseball game, the device comprising, in combination:

a housing having a generally kidney-shaped configuration defined by a top wall, a bottom wall, and a surrounding side wall, the housing being sized to fit comfortably within a person's hand, the bottom wall having a pliable clip secured thereto, the top wall having four windows formed therein, the four windows having corresponding function labels, the function labels relating to the game of baseball, the function labels including a score for a home team, a score for a visiting team, a number of outs in an inning, and an inning number for the game being played, the side wall having four openings therein corresponding with the four windows;

four wheels rotatably disposed within the four openings in the surrounding side wall of the housing, the four wheels having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a peripheral side wall, the peripheral side wall being knurled, the upper surface having a series of escalating numbers disposed thereon inwardly of the peripheral side wall, the numbers being individually viewable within the windows of the housing.

2. A baseball score keeping device for allowing people attending a baseball game to keep track of the score, the inning, and the number of outs in the inning throughout the duration of a baseball game, the device comprising, in combination:

a housing having a generally kidney-shaped configuration defined by a top wall, a bottom wall, and a surrounding side wall, the housing being sized to fit comfortably within a person's hand, the top wall having a plurality of windows formed therein, the windows having corresponding function labels, the function labels relating to the game of baseball, the side wall having a plurality of openings therein corresponding with the four windows;

a plurality of wheels rotatably disposed within the openings in the surrounding side wall of the housing, the wheels having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a peripheral side wall, the peripheral side wall being knurled, the upper surface having a series of escalating numbers disposed thereon inwardly of the peripheral side wall, the numbers being individually viewable within the windows of the housing.

3. The baseball score keeping device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the bottom wall of the housing has a pliable clip secured thereto.

4. The baseball score keeping device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the function labels include a score for a home team, a score for a visiting team, a number of outs in an inning, and an inning number for the game being played.