A mechanical pickleball scorekeeper for enabling a user to track a score for each team in a pickleball match, and for tracking a server number during the match, has a housing sized and shaped to be hand-held by the user. Three dials are operably mounted on the housing. One of the three dials is a first team score dial that includes numbers circumferentially spaced around the top surface. A second dial is a second team score dial that includes numbers circumferentially spaced around the top surface. A third dial is a server number dial.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to scorekeeping devices, and more particularly to a mechanical scorekeeping device specifically configured to track server and score of a pickleball game.

Description of Related Art

The prior art is well documented with examples of portable scorekeeping devices for assisting a person in keeping a correct score during game play. Some of these scorekeeping devices are electronic, and some are purely mechanical. Examples of an electronic device for gathering baseball data are shown, for example, in Freeman, U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,695 (umpire's counter), and Neel, U.S. 2008/0026877 (baseball data gathering device).

A mechanical pocket scoring device is shown in Willingham, U.S. Pat. No. 3,455,273, which includes wheels mounted in a housing, where manual rotation of the wheels enables a user to track the score of the game. A similar example is shown in Rothman, U.S. Pat. No. 2,993,288.

While it is known to track the score of a game using a mechanical counting device, it is not known to track both the score and the serve of a pickleball game using a unique device such as is taught by the present invention.

The prior art teaches various devices for tracking score of various sporting games. However, the prior art does not teach a mechanical pickleball scorekeeper that is easy to use to track both a serve and a game score. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further advantages as described in the following summary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a mechanical pickleball scorekeeper for enabling a user to track a score for each team in a pickleball match, and for tracking a server number during the match. The mechanical pickleball scorekeeper includes a housing sized and shaped to be hand-held by the user, the housing having a top surface that extends outwardly to an outer edge; three dials, each of the three dials having a top surface that extends outwardly to an outer perimeter edge, each of the three dials being operably mounted on the housing; wherein one of the three dials is a first team score dial that includes numbers circumferentially spaced around the top surface; wherein one of the three dials is a second team score dial that includes numbers circumferentially spaced around the top surface; and wherein one of the three dials is a server number dial.

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a mechanical pickleball scorekeeper having advantages not taught by the prior art.

Another objective is to provide a mechanical pickleball scorekeeper that tracks both a server number and a score number for each team.

A further objective is to provide a mechanical pickleball scorekeeper that is handheld and easy to use for tracking all of the necessary information needed during a pickleball game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The above-described drawing figures illustrate the invention, a mechanical pickleball scorekeeper for tracking information about a pickleball game.

FIG.1is a perspective view of a mechanical pickleball scorekeeper10according to one embodiment of the present invention, andFIG.2is a sectional view thereof taken along line2-2inFIG.1, illustrating three dials30that are used for tracking a pickleball game. As shown inFIGS.1-2, the mechanical pickleball scorekeeper10comprises a housing20sized and shaped to be hand-held by the user, and the three dials30mounted within the housing20to track server and score of a pickleball game.

The housing20comprises a top surface22that extends outwardly to an outer edge26. Three windows24are formed through the top surface22for enabling the display of numbers on the dials, as described in greater detail below. For purposes of this application, the term “windows” is defied to include a hole through the top surface22as illustrated, or in any other equivalent structure that displays one of the numbers, e.g., a recess or notch in the outer edge26, or any other equivalent structure known in the art that functions to allow viewing of a selected one of a number or indicia.

The dials30may extend outwardly beyond the outer edge26to enable turning the dials30. The outer edge26may include three openings28through which the dials30extend. However, in some embodiments, the outer edge26may simply all be open; and furthermore, the outer edge26may have recesses which allow the dials30to be accessed, and this configuration should be considered within the scope of the present invention.

The top surface22may be mounted on a bottom portion29, so that the dials30are mounted on the bottom portion29(or alternatively on the top portion) and sandwiched therebetween. While on embodiment of the housing20is disclosed herein, other shapes and configurations may be implemented. For example, a finger grip contour (not shown) may be formed in/on the outer edge26, to enable the user to hold it more securely, and a wrist strap (not shown) may be attached to the housing20. Further accessories, such as a whistle or light, may also be integrated to facilitate use of the device10. In some embodiments, the housing20is generally rectangular, but any suitable shape may be used, and should be considered within the scope of the present invention.

A ratchet mechanism40, shown inFIG.3, is provided in or on or otherwise associated with the housing20, with one of the three dials30mounted on or adjacent the ratchet mechanism40. In this embodiment, each of the dials30is mounted on top of the ratchet mechanism40, in this case three separate mechanisms (although it could be provided by a single mechanism). One embodiment of the ratchet mechanisms40is shown inFIG.3and discussed in greater detail below. However, alternative forms of ratchet mechanisms may also be used, and the term “ratchet mechanism” is defined to be broadly construed to include any form of mechanism that enables movement of the dials30through a series of discrete positions. For example, a plurality of recesses, with at least one protrusion which snaps from recess to recess, thereby providing discrete positions which the user can rotate through during use. Willingham, U.S. Pat. No. 3,455,273, teaches another form of ratchet mechanism, and this disclosure is incorporated by reference in full.

As shown inFIGS.1-2, each dial30has a top surface36that extends outwardly to an outer perimeter edge38, wherein a portion of the top surface36is visible through one of the three windows24of the housing20, and a portion of the outer perimeter edge38of the dial30extends beyond the outer edge26of the housing, through one of the three openings28of the outer edge26of the housing20.

As shown inFIG.2, one of the three dials30is a first team score dial31that includes numbers33(at least 0-11, in this embodiment, numbers 0-11, they could also include additional numbers as well, and or any other symbols desired) circumferentially spaced around the top surface36. While 0-11 numbers are shown and described herein, it is possible for more numbers to be included (i.e., 21 for one version of pickleball scoring), or indicia other than numbers, i.e., a graphic or word, etc. Furthermore, additional dials may be included to track other game events or metrics, as determined by one skilled in the art.

The first team score dial31may include a first color, which is provided in some manner on the first team score dial31, and a second color which is provided on the second team score dial32. In this case the numbers33are printed in the first color; however, it may alternatively be the color of the top surface36. The numbers33are preferably adjacent the outer perimeter edge38of the dial30and circumferentially spaced so that one of the numbers33is visible through one of the windows24, as shown inFIG.1.

For purposes of this application, the term “color” is broadly defined to include any visually distinguishable markings that enable the user to distinguish between the two dials31and33, or the halves of the server dial, including but not limited to any colors (including black and white), patterns, hatchings, text, and/or other markings that may be devised by one skilled in the art.

Another one of the three dials30is a second team score dial32that similarly includes numbers37(as above, in this embodiment 0-11) that are circumferentially spaced around the top surface36. The second team score dial32includes a second color that is different than the first color. The critical requirement is that the first and second colors are different. For example, the numbers33may be one color (e.g., green), while the numbers37may be red, or white on a contrasting background. In another example, the top surface36of the first team score dial31may be white, while the top surface36of the first team score dial32may be shaded a different color, such as gray, light red, etc. In this case, the numbers and the surfaces have distinctive colors so it is easy to distinguish the first team from the second team.

One of the three dials30is a server number dial34that is divided into two halves35aand35b, each half having a server indicia39. In this case, a first server indicia is used to indicate a first server, and a second server indicia is used to indicate a second server. In this embodiment, this is provided in the form of numbers (e.g., 1 and 2), indicating the current server for the game; however, other forms of indicia may be used, including but not limited to A and B, or any other name, symbol, or marking that may be used to indicate a particular server. One of the two halves35ahas a distinguishing color that is different from the color of the other of the two halves35b.

In one embodiment, the first color of the first team score dial31may be the same as one half35aof the server number dial34, and the second color of the second team score dial32may be the same as the other half35b, such that the server number and team score numbers each correspond to one of two teams playing pickleball. The colors may be applied to the entire top surface36of each dial30(shading, stippling, etc.), or in some embodiments, only the numbers are colored, or both may be colored (the same color, or different colors). Any colors may be used, and any suitable combination of colors, patterns, or graphic designs may be implemented, as long as the colors are reasonably distinguishable.

FIG.3is a top plan sectional view of one of the dials30ofFIG.2, illustrating the ratchet mechanism40used with each of the dials30in one embodiment of the mechanical pickleball scorekeeper10. As shown inFIG.3, in this embodiment, a downwardly extending annular ring42extends downwardly from each of the dials30, and the ratchet mechanism40is in the form of a fixed ratchet ring44that includes one or more pawls48that are biased to extend outwardly via springs49. The pawls48engage teeth46of the ring42such that the dial30may be rotated in one direction by the user via the exposed outer perimeter edge38(inFIG.2). In this embodiment, the dial30cannot be rotated in an opposite direction due to the ratchet mechanism40. This may include embodiments where the ratchet teeth and pawls are reversed, or wherein there is a single fixed pawl that contacts a simple ratchet gear, or any other suitable mechanism known in the art. Alternative ratchet mechanisms, such as the embodiment shown inFIG.4, may enable movement in either direction.

FIG.4is a sectional view similar toFIG.2, illustrating another embodiment of the ratchet mechanism40, wherein the dials30are mounted via a hub52to the bottom portion29of the housing20(shown inFIG.1). In this embodiment, the ratchet mechanism40includes a spring54that is mounted to the bottom portion29of the housing20(shown inFIG.1) via a mounting point56. A curved end opposite the mounting point engages recesses59in the outer perimeter edge38of the dial30. In this embodiment, the dial30may be turned in either direction, but the ratchet mechanism40biases the dial30towards predetermined circumferentially spaced positions that correspond with each of the numbers.

In use, as shown inFIGS.1-4, the pickleball scorekeeper10enables a user to track a score for each team in a pickleball match, and for tracking a server number during the match. Proper sequence for calling a pickleball score in doubles is: server score, receiver score, then the server indicia (e.g., 1 or 2). In some uses, a game may be played up to, for example, 11, but in other uses, as in a tournament, the game may be played up to 11. The user holds the scorekeeper10and adjusts the server number dial34to 1 to indicate the first server of the team that corresponds to the color visible through the window24of the scorekeeper housing20. Both scores are initially set to zero.

When the first server scores, the user adjusts the first team score dial31to add a point to the number of points scored. When the server faults out, the server changes to the second server, the user adjusts the server number dial34to 2 on the same half35aof the server number dial34, so the color corresponding to the first team is still visible. If the second server of the first team scores, the user adjusts the first team score dial31to reflect points scored. When the second server from the first team faults out, the user adjusts the server number dial34to 1 of the other half35bof the server number dial34, so that the color corresponding to the second team is visible. If the first server of the second team scores, the user adjusts the second team score dial32to reflect points scored, and so on.

If a user wishes to track a game that concludes at, for example, 11 points, the user may simply stop at11on the first or second team score dial31or32. If a user wishes to track a singles' game, the user may simply rotate the server number dial34to show only the1of each half35aand35b, or the user may use only the first and second team score dials31and32.

FIG.5is a top plan view of a second embodiment50of the mechanical pickleball scorekeeper. As shown inFIG.5, in various embodiments, the housing20may be formed in a wide range of shapes for hand-held use. In this embodiment, the perimeter edge38of the housing20has a curve, and the numbers39of the server number dial34are visible on the outside of the housing20, rather than being visible through a window24as in the previous embodiment. Furthermore, color indicators53may be included beside the windows24of the team score dials31and32, wherein the color indicators53correlate with the color of the adjacent team score dial31or32. The housing20of the embodiment50ofFIG.5may further include recessed portions56to enhance tactile sensation/grip.

FIG.6is a third embodiment60of the mechanical pickleball scorekeeper. As shown inFIG.6, in this embodiment, the mechanical pickleball scorekeeper comprises a housing62that is sized and adapted to be worn on the user's wrist via a wristband64. The three dials30are positioned within the housing62in an overlapping configuration, to save space within the housing62without overly compromising the sizes of the dials30. As illustrated, cutouts64may be formed in the top surface of the housing62, to expose the numbers33,37, and39on the dials30. The embodiments ofFIGS.5and6may include any additional features discussed in the first embodiment10, including any suitable form of ratchet mechanism, ornamental features, or any other features compatible with the invention as claimed.

The title of the present application, and the claims presented, do not limit what may be claimed in the future, based upon and supported by the present application. Furthermore, any features shown in any of the drawings may be combined with any features from any other drawings to form an invention which may be claimed.

As used in this application, the words “a,” “an,” and “one” are defined to include one or more of the referenced item unless specifically stated otherwise. The terms “approximately” and “about” are defined to mean +/−10%, unless otherwise stated. Also, the terms “have,” “include,” “contain,” and similar terms are defined to mean “comprising” unless specifically stated otherwise. Furthermore, the terminology used in the specification provided above is hereby defined to include similar and/or equivalent terms, and/or alternative embodiments that would be considered obvious to one skilled in the art given the teachings of the present patent application. While the invention has been described with reference to at least one particular embodiment, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments, but rather the scope of the invention is defined by claims made to the invention.