Patent ID: 6907840
Filing Date: 2005-06-21
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
1. A football first down indicator system comprising: a pair of first down marker members each having an upright elongate housing member, and also having a stub shaft being attached to a bottom of said elongate housing member for resting upon a ground, and further having a down display housing being attached to a top of said elongate housing member; each of said upright elongate housing members having a front wall, and a back wall which is closely spaced from said front wall, said front and back walls of said upright elongate housing members being tapered from said top to said bottom, said front wall of a first of said upright elongate housing members including openings being disposed therethrough; a plurality of number display members being rotatably disposed in each said down display housing; a means of determining and signaling a first down in football including a laser-emitting member being disposed in one of said openings near said bottom of said first upright elongate housing member for emitting a laser from across a football field to a second of said upright elongate housing members, and also including a laser-sensor member being disposed in another one of said openings of said first upright elongate housing member near said laser-emitting member, and further including a laser-reflecting member being disposed in an opening of said second of said upright elongate housing members for reflecting a laser beam from said laser-emitting member to said laser-sensor member, and also including a battery power supply being disposed in said first upright elongate housing member and being connected to said laser-emitting member and to said laser-sensor member; and wherein said means of determining and signaling a first down in football further includes a voice box and speaker being disposed in said first upright elongate housing member and being connected to said battery power supply and to said laser-sensor member for producing a vocal message to a first down as determined by said laser beam being interrupted by a football on the football field.