Abstract:
A vibration damper for a racquet sport includes a score tallying device for keeping the score of t racquet sport such as tennis. A rotating score indicator is provided with allowed score values for indicating the current score by rotation of the indicator by a user. Alternatively, the current score is maintained by an electronic circuit and displayed on an electronic display within the vibration damper. The vibration damper is configured to be attached to the racquet strings. The vibration damper and score keeper is preferably marked so that it displays only legitimate scores of the type of racquet sport for which it is intended.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to the field of accessories for sports equipment, and more specifically to accessories for racquet sports such as tennis, racquetball, and squash.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Tennis racquets can be equipped with small vibration absorbing masses which are attached to the strings of the racquet. The purpose of the vibration absorbing mass is to dampen or diminish the initial impulse and subsequent string and frame vibrations caused when a player&#39;s racquet strikes a tennis ball. Such masses are typically sold separately but may be installed on a new racquet or when a racquet is strung.  
         [0003]     There are devices for attachment to the frame of a tennis racquet or to a player&#39;s wrist to help players tally the score for one or both players. Such devices have a number of disadvantages since scoring devices attached to the racquet change its weight and balance and many players prefer playing without anything on their wrists.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The present invention combines a vibration absorbing mass with a score tallying device into a vibration damper/score keeper that attaches to the racquet strings to provide both vibration dampening and an easy way to track and display the game score. The present invention is suitable for use on racquets used in any racquet sport, including tennis, squash, racquetball, and badminton.  
         [0005]     Each time the score in a game changes, the vibration damper/score keeper device can be manipulated by the finger or fingers of the player holding the racket to which the device is attached. Besides dampening vibrations, the device displays the current score. The vibration damper/score keeper is preferably designed so that it only displays legitimate scores of the type of sport for which it is used. Specifically for tennis, for example, the device would only display numeric scores of 0 (or “love”), 15, 30, and 40, and indications of “deuce” (e.g., “DU” or “40-40”) and of “advantage” (e.g., “AD”). 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain features of the invention.  
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention installed on a tennis racquet.  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment.  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  is a detailed view of a portion of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another embodiment.  
         [0011]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are orthogonal perspective views and  FIG. 5C  is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 5D  is a perspective view of an alternative configuration of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0013]      FIGS. 6A, 6B  and  6 C are perspective views of another embodiment.  
         [0014]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another embodiment.  
         [0015]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another embodiment.  
         [0016]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are perspective views of alternative versions of another embodiment.  
         [0017]      FIGS. 10 and 11  are flow diagrams of example software programs for use in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9A . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0018]     The various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Generally, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the figures to refer to the same or like parts. The term “player” as used herein may also refer to two (or more) players on the same team.  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a vibration damper/score keeper  22  according to an embodiment of the present invention installed on a tennis racquet  1 . While other locations are possible, the invention is illustrated as positioned on, near, or between the middle longitudinal strings  2  and on the handle-side of the transverse string closest to the handle portion of the racquet (i.e., “below” the bottom string). Official tennis rules permit vibration dampers (also referred to as vibration dampeners) to be attached to the racquet strings outside the pattern of the crossed strings, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , for the purpose of dampening vibrations in the strings and racquet. See e.g., http://www.itftennis.com/technical/rules/equipment/racket.asp. Although the invention is frequently described herein as appropriate for use in tennis, the invention can more generally be adapted for and applied to any sport that utilizes a stringed racquet, such as squash, badminton and racquetball. Other racquet sport rules may permit locating vibration dampers in other locations on the racquet face. All locations on the strings of the racquet are within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0020]     The vibration damper/score keeper of the various embodiments comprises sufficient mass, which can be of vibration absorbing material, to absorb a portion of the energy or impulse transmitted along the strings when the racquet strikes a ball (e.g., a tennis ball) during normal play. The vibration damper/score keeper can be made of one or more of a variety of shock absorbing materials, including by way of example but not by way of limitation, a plastic polymer, rubber, foam rubber, or a rubber-like material. Additionally, the vibration damper/score keeper may comprise a rubber or plastic outer shell encompassing a fluid (e.g., water or an oil) to provide hydrodynamic dampening. A pliant or plastic material will absorb energy of the initial impulse and subsequent string and racquet vibrations transmitted along the racquet strings. By presenting a mass on selected strings, vibration energy in the strings is absorbed in the acceleration of the vibration damper/score keeper, thereby leading to rapid dampening of vibrations in the racquet. Additionally, the harmonic frequency of strings attached to the mass is reduced, thereby reducing harmonic vibrations throughout the racquet. In some embodiments, vibration absorbent material may form a cage or housing for the score keeper.  
         [0021]      FIG. 1  shows a single vibration damper/score keeper  22 ; however, multiple such devices may be used, such as two vibration damper/score keepers  22  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , one for each side or player, or three vibration damper/score keeper  22 , one for each side or player and one for a game or set tally.  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  provides a close-up view of an embodiment of the vibration damper/score keeper  10 , which shows only a few longitudinal strings  2  and transverse strings  3  of the racquet  1 . In this embodiment, an outer body  12  encompasses a wheel indicator  16  and attaches to strings  2 ,  3 , such as by means of a compression fitting. The outer body  12  may provide most of the mass required for impulse and vibration absorption and dampening. The score wheel indicator  16 , which is illustrated separately in  FIG. 3 , includes all the possible game scores imprinted on it. An axis of rotation  18  on the outer body  12  and wheel indicator  16  allows the wheel indicator  16  to be rotated. The outer body  12  is configured so that a portion of the wheel indicator  16  extends beyond the exterior of the outer body  12  so that the wheel indicator  16  can be rotated by a player&#39;s finger. A window  14  in the outer body  12  is provided in a position and of a size so as to reveal a single score value on the wheel indicator  16  at a time. The outer body  12  is further configured to resist the free rotation of the wheel indicator  16 , so that the wheel indicator  16  remains in a set position so the score displayed in the window  14  remains until the player applies sufficient rotational force to overcome the resistance to rotation. In use, a player simply rotates the wheel indicator  16 , such as in the clockwise direction as shown in  FIG. 2 , until the appropriate score appears in the window  14 . Then, with each successive point, the wheel indicator is turned one position to reveal the updated score.  
         [0023]     In an embodiment, two wheel indicators  16  may be provided and attached to the racquet  1 , one for each player. In a version of this embodiment, the outer body  12 , the wheel indicator  16  and/or numbering may be of different colors to indicate the player to which vibration damper/score keeper  10  applies—such as black numbers on a white background for one player and white numbers on a black background for the other.  
         [0024]     In another embodiment, two vibration damper/score keepers  10  are attached to the strings. In another embodiment, the outer body  12  includes two windows  14  and two wheel indicators  16 , with one positioned on each side of two or four strings  2 ,  3 . In this embodiment, each side will appear as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In a version of this embodiment, the wheel indicators  16  and/or the printed scores on the two sides may be of different colors to indicate the player to which each side applies—such as black numbers on a white background on a side for one player and white on blue for the other.  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  shows a detail view of the wheel indicator  16  by itself, showing score numbering specifically intended for tennis. As is well known, tennis is scored 15, 30, 40, game, but if both sides or players reach 40, the game is scored “deuce” after which a side or player must score two points in succession to win. When a side or player wins a point after “deuce” that player is said to have the advantage, since winning another point will give that side or player the game. However, if the other side or player wins the next point, the score returns to “deuce.” Accordingly, the “DU” and “AD” designations on the wheel indicator  16  respectively are abbreviations for “deuce” and “advantage”, and the numbers represent possible scores for a tennis player. In another embodiment, the “DU” or deuce designation can be eliminated and represented by a score of “40-40.” For embodiments appropriate for other racquet sports, such as racquetball, where there are a larger number of possible scores, for example 0 to 20, there will be a larger number of scores on the wheel indicator  16 . Alternatively, two indicator wheels  16  may be provided per player—one for the units digits and one for the tens digits. Such a pair of indicator wheels  16  may be configured concentric and of differing radii, partly overlapping, spaced apart, or implemented as two separate instances of the two vibration damper/score keepers  10 , with one for the 10&#39;s digit and one for the 1&#39;s digit of the score, for example.  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  illustrates another embodiment of the vibration damper/score keeper  22 , close ups of which are shown in  FIGS. 5A, 5B  and  5 C. In this embodiment, there is no outer housing and the vibration damper/score keeper  22  comprises a cylinder provided with a slot (or groove)  28  extending circumferentially around the cylinder, partially bisecting it into two generally planar portions (e.g., wheels)  24  connected by an interior hub  26 . The axial length of each cylinder  22  should be long enough to allow easy rotation of the cylinder  22  by the thumb and index finger of the player holding the racquet. The diameter of the cylinder  22  should exceed the distance between two longitudinal strings  2 , while the minimum diameter of the hub  26  should be less than the distance between two longitudinal strings  2 . The slot  28  should be wide enough to accept a racquet string  2  on each side of the cylinder  22  as shown in  FIG. 4 . This allows each cylinder  22  to be captured by two adjacent strings  2 . The vibration damper/score keeper  22  is attached to a racquet  1  by positioning it so a string  2  is within the groove  28  on either side of the hub  28 . This may be accomplished by momentarily spreading apart the two strings  2  or, if the vibration damper/score keeper  22  is made from a pliable rubber, by bending the vibration damper/score keeper  22  to fit first one string and then another into the groove  28 . A single damper/score keeper  22  may be used as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , such as one by each side or player to track their own scores. Alternatively, two (or more) vibration damper/score keepers  22  may be used on a single racquet as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , for tracking the scores of each side or player on the same racquet. As described above, two vibration damper/score keepers  30  may be made with different colors, such as white lettering on a black background on one and black lettering on a white background on the other, to indicate the player or side to which each score applies.  
         [0027]     In an alternative of the embodiment of the vibration damper/score keeper  22  illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the width of the groove  28  is less than the diameter of a typical racquet string  2 . In this embodiment, the planar portions  24  on either side of the groove  28  press against the strings  2  to provide sufficient friction to prevent the cylinder  22  from inadvertently turning.  
         [0028]     In another alternative of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the innermost annular surface of the hub  26  is provided with a regular polygonal shape having an even number of sides equaling the number of different scores printed on one or both of the planar portions  24 . An example polygonal shaped hub  26  is shown in a cross-sectional view in  FIG. 5C . In this embodiment, the major diameter D 1 , which is the point-to-point diameter of the polygon, can be greater than the normal spacing between strings  2  while the minor diameter D 2 , which is, the face-to-face diameter of the polygon, of the hub  26  can be approximately equal to or less than the normal spacing between strings  2 . In this configuration with score values printed on an edge portion of the planar portions  24  midway between flat sides, the tension of the strings  2  will snap the cylinder  22  to an orientation that shows a score at the 12 o&#39;clock location as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . For example, for an embodiment appropriate for tennis illustrated in  FIG. 4 , which has six scores imprinted one or both of the planar portions  24 , the hub  26  would be a six-sided polygon as shown in  FIG. 5C . As another example, a hub  26  having a 10-sided polygonal shape will provide 10 preferred orientations when positioned between two strings, thereby providing a 10 digit scoring capability. While  FIG. 5C  shows the points of the polygon having sharp corners, the corners may be rounded or slightly flattened in order to permit easier rotation of the vibration damper/score keeper  22  from one score position to the next.  
         [0029]     Scores can be imprinted on both sides of each cylinder  22 . Additionally, the edges of the planar portions  24  may be serrated or grooved as illustrated in  FIGS. 4, 5A  and  5 C to aid the player in rotating the planar portions  24  against the rotational resistance provided by the strings  2 .  
         [0030]     While the planar portion  24  of the vibration damper/score keeper  22  is shown in  FIGS. 4, 5A ,  5 B and  5 C as having a generally circular shape, these portions may have other shapes. For example, in an alternative configuration, the planar portion  24  may have a polygonal shape, such as with the number of sides matching the number of different scores in the game as illustrated in  FIG. 5D  for the case of a tennis score keeper. In this alternative, each score may be presented near a point (as shown in  FIG. 5D ) or near the midpoint of a flat side of the polygon. As another example, the planar portion  24  may have a star shape with the number of star points matching the number of different scores in the game and one score presented on each point. Additionally, the score values may be presented on the planar portions  24  with raised or lowered lettering, such as may be formed by an injection molding process, or printed on the surface (or a combination of both). Further, the surface or sides of the planar portions  24  may include a raised, lowered or edge shape that can be recognized by touch (like a brail pattern) so the player can determine and adjust the score by feel without having to look at the vibration damper/score keeper  22 .  
         [0031]     The embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 4, 5A ,  5 B,  5 C and  5 D can be manufactured as a unitary device by injection molding, or stamping from a sheet of rubber followed by simple machining (e.g., by a blade, hot wire or laser). When manufactured as a unitary device, the device is characterized by two planar portions coupled together by an internal hub portion as described above. The score numbering on the planar portions  22  may be formed by printing or as raised letters as part of an injection mold forming process. As such, the embodiment can be low cost to manufacture, having no parts to assemble or wear out.  
         [0032]      FIG. 6A  illustrates another embodiment in which the vibration damper/score keeper  30  is shaped as a sphere (illustrated), cylinder (not shown), or a frustum of a cone (not shown) on which are printed score values  32 . In this embodiment, the vibration damper/score keeper  30  includes a channel  34  so that a string  2  passes through the center of the vibration damper/score keeper  30 . The channel  34  can be a through-hole (“tunnel”), in which case the vibration damper/score keeper  30  can be installed when the racquet is strung. Alternatively, the channel can be in the form of a slot  35  (see  FIGS. 6B and 6C ) so the vibration damper/score keeper  30  can be fitted over a string  2 , allowing the vibration damper/score keeper  30  to be installed without restringing.  
         [0033]     In an embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6B , the slot  35  can form or include an interlocking press fit joint  36 , such as a snap joint, to allow the vibration damper/score keeper  30  to be clasped tightly over the string in order to prevent the vibration dampener/score keeper  30  from slipping off the string. Such a press fit joint may be an internal press fit joint on internal faces of the two hemispheres that snaps in place when the two hemispheres are pressed together. Alternatively, the slot  35  may be shaped so that a portion forms a press fit joint when the two hemispheres are pressed together, as illustrated in  FIG. 6B .  
         [0034]     In an alternative embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6C , the slot  35  can be fitted with a clasp  37  or similar latch on one side of the slot  35  and tab  38  or other suitable attachment point on the other side of the slot  35 , configured to securely hold both sides of the slot  35  together. In embodiments such as illustrated in  FIGS. 6B and 6C , the channel fits tightly to the string  2  so as to provide frictional resistance to rotation so the vibration damper/score keeper  30  remains in place during play.  
         [0035]     In an alternative embodiment, one or both surfaces of the slot may include an adhesive or other bonding material, such as Velcro™, to hold the two faces together. An adhesive may be included on one or both faces at the time of manufacture, in which case a peel off film or sheet can be provided to prevent the two sides from bonding until the film is removed when the score keeper is positioned on a racquet string. Alternatively, the adhesive may be applied when the score keeper is positioned on a racquet string. Alternatively, Velcro™ may be positioned on the two faces so that the faces are held close together by the Velcro™ action when pressed together.  
         [0036]     In an alternative embodiment, the radius of the vibration damper/score keeper  30  is configured to be large enough (i.e., larger than the distance between two adjacent strings) so a portion of the surface of the vibration damper/score keeper  30  touches neighboring strings  2  so as to create friction to prevent unintended rotation during normal play of the game. In an alternative configuration of this embodiment, the surface of the vibration damper/score keeper  30  can include detents or grooves which can engage neighboring strings  2  so as to help prevent rotation whenever a taut neighboring string resides in a detent.  
         [0037]      FIG. 6A  shows two vibration damper/score keepers  22 , one for each side or player. As described above, the two vibration damper/score keepers  30  may be different colors, such as white lettering on a black background on one and black lettering on a white background on the other, to indicate the player or side to which each score applies.  
         [0038]      FIG. 7  shows yet another embodiment of the vibration damper/score keeper  40  wherein the assembly includes two indicators  42  and  44  installed adjacently on the same string  2 .  FIG. 7  shows the two adjacent indicators as two hemispheres  42  and  44  forming a single sphere. Alternatively, the indicators can be two cylinders, two cones, or a combination of shapes. As with the embodiments illustrated in  FIG. 6A-6C , each of the separate indicators  42 ,  44  can include a channel or slot so that a string  2  passes through the center of each the indicators  42 ,  44 . The channel can be a through-hole (“tunnel”), in which case the indicators  42 ,  44  would be installed when the racquet is strung. Alternatively, the channel can be in the form of a slot so the indicators  42 ,  44  can be fitted over a string  2 , allowing the indicators  42 ,  44  to be installed without restringing. In an alternative configuration, the channel in the indicators  42 ,  44  fit tightly to the string  2 , such as with the aid of an interlocking joint or clasp as illustrated in  FIGS. 6B and 6C , so as to provide frictional resistance to rotation so the indicators  42 ,  44  remain in place during play. Alternatively, the radius of the indicators  42 ,  44  can be large enough (i.e., larger than the distance between two adjacent strings) so a portion of the surface of the indicators touch neighboring strings  2  so as to create friction to prevent unintended rotation during normal play of the game. In yet another alternative, the surface of the indicators  42 ,  44  can include detents or grooves which can engage neighboring strings  2  so as to help prevent rotation whenever a taut neighboring string resides in a detent. As described above, the two indicators  42 ,  44  may be different colors, such as white lettering on a black background on the top indicator  42  and black lettering on a white background on the bottom indicator  44 , to indicate the player or side to which each score applies.  
         [0039]      FIG. 8  illustrates yet another embodiment of the vibration damper/score keeper  50 , that includes an outer housing or cage  52  which captures at least one score indicator  54  configured to rotate about an axis parallel to the strings  2  or  3 .  FIG. 8  shows the cage  52  held in place between two strings  2  and holding only one indicator  54 . More than one indicator  54  can be included in each cage  52 . A side slot  56  can be included on each side of the housing to firmly engage each side string  2 . The indicator  54  may be a ball, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , or cylinder, frustum of a cone, or other such round shape. The cage  52  may be a unitary device having an inner cavity slightly smaller in diameter than the indicator  54  so that the cage  52  engages the indicator  54  and resists rotational movement, such as by friction. Alternatively, the indicator  54  may have detents, grooves or lands to engage portions of the cage  52  in order to prevent inadvertent rotation. In yet another alternative configuration, a spring-loaded pawl in the cage  52  can be provided so as to engage detents or grooves in the surface of the indicator  54 .  
         [0040]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  provide detailed views of another embodiment of the vibration damper/score keeper  60  which includes an electronic scoring device. The vibration damper/score keeper  60  comprises a housing  62 , which also serves as the dampening mass, in which are positioned electronics (not shown). A display  64 , which can be a liquid crystal display (LCD) and at least one button  66  can be positioned within the housing  62 . The display  64  is configured to show at least one player&#39;s score, but can preferably show two scores, one for each player or side as illustrated in  FIG. 9A . Additionally, the display  64  may be configured to also display game and set tallies, depending upon the scoring rules of a particular racquet sport.  
         [0041]     As with the mechanical embodiments described herein, the vibration damper/score keeper  60  and display  64  can be configured to present the scores appropriate for the particular game for which the vibration damper/score keeper  60  is intended, such as the scoring sequence shown in the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 5 . The display  64  can also include an indication of which player or side is associated with each score. For example, the display may label one score as “me” to indicate it applies to the player holding the racquet.  
         [0042]     A button  66  is provided for entering each displayed score. In an embodiment, the vibration damper/score keeper  60  can be configured so the player simply presses the button  66  briefly to increment the score, and holds the button  66  down for an extended time (such as two seconds) to reset (zero) the score. Mistakes can be corrected by zeroing the score and repeatedly pressing the button  66  until the correct score is shown. At the end of a game all buttons  66  could be held simultaneously to reset all scores.  
         [0043]     In an embodiment suitable for tracking just one score, only a single button  66  is provided. In such an embodiment each player may track their own score or two vibration damper/score keepers  60  may be included on a single racket (such as illustrated in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 ).  
         [0044]     In an embodiment suitable for tracking two scores, two buttons  66  are provided on the vibration damper/score keeper  60 . In such an embodiment, a first button, button A, is used to track the scores of player A, and a second button, button B, is used to track the scores of player B. The vibration damper/score keeper  60  software can keep track of the relationship between the scores of players A and B and adjust the scores as appropriate under the scoring rules of a particular racquet sport. For instance, when both players&#39; scores reach “40” in a tennis embodiment, the vibration damper/score keeper  60  would change both displayed scores to indicate “deuce.” Resetting the scores can be accomplished by pressing either button A or button B for an extended period of time (e.g., greater than 2 seconds). Alternatively, button A could reset the score for just player A and an extended pressing of button B could reset the score of just player B. Other configurations of buttons and associated software steps may be implemented in order to provide additional functionality.  
         [0045]     In an embodiment suitable for tennis, the vibration damper/score keeper  60  can be configured to count and display the number of games of a set and/or the number of sets in a match won by each player. In this embodiment, the vibration damper/score keeper  60  can automatically increment the game and set tally when the scores are reset at the end of each game. Game and set counts can be reset by pressing the button  66  for a longer interval, such as more than five seconds. To allow for a larger display to show the game and set tallies, the buttons  66  can be located on the back side of the device as illustrated in  FIG. 9B . Alternatively, the housing  62  or display  66  can be touch sensitive and thereby act as a button for incrementing and resetting score values.  
         [0046]     The vibration damper/score keeper  60  includes electronics for maintaining the count and generating the display images. In an embodiment, the electronics comprise a programmable microcomputer operating a software program to provide the scoring functions described herein, a power supply, and circuitry associated with the button  66  and display  68 . The power supply may be an internal battery or a solar cell positioned on the exterior of the vibration damper/score keeper  60  or within the display  64 . A solar powered embodiment has the advantages of less weight and a long useful lifetime, and is appropriate to racquet sports which are normally played under conditions of sufficient lighting to allow players to see the ball.  
         [0047]     Example embodiments of software programs for operating the vibration damper/score keeper  60  are illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . When first turned on, the program would initialize to a score of zero for each player. Subsequently, each press of a button would be interpreted to increment the corresponding player&#39;s score to the next appropriate value until a game has been won. Due to the programmable flexibility of a microprocessor, the vibration damper/score keeper  60  embodiment can be more sophisticated than the mechanical embodiments described herein, especially if two players&#39; scores are tallied. For example, when the game score is “deuce,” the display may show “D”, “Dc”, or “=” for each player. Then, after the next point is scored by one player and after the corresponding button  66  is pressed, one score can be “AD” or “A+” for “advantage in”, and the other will be “A−”. Upon winning, one score can be “WG” and the other “LG”, for example. Whenever a button  66  is pressed continuously for at least 2 seconds, the corresponding score (or perhaps both) can be reset.  
         [0048]     In an alternative embodiment of the vibration damper/score keeper  60 , instead of displaying “WG” at the end of a game, the supplementary game count for the current set can automatically increment and the game scores can reset to zero. When the last game of a set is won, the supplementary set count for the current match can be automatically incremented. If a button is held pressed for at least 5 seconds, all counts can be reset.  
         [0049]     Referring to  FIG. 10 , an example software program begins with initialization of score values in step  100 . This may occur when power is turned on or upon holding one or both buttons down for a prolonged period of time. After initialization of scores, the software routine waits until a button is pressed. This may be accomplished in a loop of tests to determine whether a button has been pressed, steps  105 ,  110 ,  115 . Upon detecting that button A has been pressed, step  105 , the program increments and displays the score for player A to the next score in step  120 . For an embodiment of a tennis scoring device, the increments would be from 0 to 15, 15 to 30, 30 to 40, 40 to “win” or 30 to “deuce” (e.g., “Dc”), Dc to A+, A+ to win, and A− to Dc. After the scores have been implemented, in step  130 , the software determines if the score of the other player should be changed as appropriate under the scoring rules of the particular racquet sport. For example, in tennis to address the scoring progression of deuce-advantage-game, in step  130 , if the A player score is advantage (“A+”), the B player&#39;s score would be set to A−, and if the A player&#39;s score is set to deuce, the B player&#39;s score would also be set deuce. Similarly, if the A score is incrementing to 40 and the B score is already 40, then the A and B scores are set to “deuce” in step  145 . After a “win” score has been set, the software may wait or test for an extended press of either button A or B (such as more than two seconds) to determine whether the scores should be cleared, step  115 . If the score should not be cleared, then the software performs a loop back to step  145  to continue waiting for a reset actuation. If the software determines that either button A or button B has been pressed for the reset duration, then the software jumps to the reset operations of step  100 . The software routine associated with pressing button B is similar to that of a button A, implementing steps  125  and  135  to increment scores appropriately. The software may also test the buttons at any time to determine whether either button A or button B has been pressed for more than two seconds indicating a need to reset scores, step  115 . The flow process illustrated in  FIG. 10  is a summary of software steps that may be implemented in a vibration damper/score keeper, but additional functions may also be included.  
         [0050]      FIG. 11  illustrates another example software program that may be implemented on a vibration damper/score keeper in which game and set scores are tracked. As with the routine illustrated in  FIG. 10 , upon initialization all scores are set to zero, step  100 . The routine illustrated in  FIG. 11  includes the score tracking steps shown in  FIG. 10  for incrementing A&#39;s scores in steps  120 ,  130 , and  140  if button A is pressed, and incrementing B&#39;s scores in steps  125 ,  135  and  140  if button B is pressed.  FIG. 11  also shows how score values can be used to increment game tallies, and game tallies can be used to increment set tallies. For example, if A&#39;s score is incremented to “win,” then the game tally for player A would be incremented, step  145 . Similarly if B&#39;s score is incremented to “win,” then the game tally for player B would be incremented. If the game tally for a player exceeds a threshold under the sport&#39;s scoring rules, then a set tally maybe incremented in step  150 . For example in an embodiment suitable for tennis, if the number of games exceeds six and the game tally for player A is greater than two more than the game tally of player B, then the set tally for player A would be incrementing to “win.” Finally, if the set tally exceeds a threshold under the scoring rules for the sport, then the set tally maybe incremented to “win” and the other player&#39;s set tally incremented to “lose,” step  155 , thereby indicating the outcome of the match. After the match score is displayed, the software can wait for a press of buttons indicating that the scores should be reset, step  160 . An extended pressing of buttons can indicate whether game scores, game tallies or set tallies should be reset. For example if button A or button B is pressed for more than two seconds but less than five seconds, step  115 , then the current game scores should be zeroed, but not the game and set tallies. If button A or button B is pressed for greater than five seconds, step  115 , then step  100  is performed to zero all scores and tallies.  
         [0051]     In an embodiment, and vibration damper/score keeper  60  may include scoring rules for a number of different racquet sports, and present a player with a menu for selecting the appropriate sport for which scores should be displayed. This can be implemented by changing the incremental scoring rules used in steps  120 ,  125 ,  130 ,  135 , and  140 . To support this embodiment, the vibration damper/score keeper  60  would include a read-only memory storing the alternative scoring rules for various sports, in addition to the software program.  
         [0052]     The various decisions and incrementing operations illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11  and described for alternative configurations and embodiments may be programmed using software rules or look up tables as is well known in the software arts.  
         [0053]     In use, the vibration damper/score keeper  10 ,  20 ,  30 ,  40 ,  50 , or  60  is manipulated by a player to reset the score indicator  16 ,  22 ,  32 ,  44 ,  52 ,  54 , or  64  to a score of zero by using a finger or fingers to rotate the indicator to the zero position. Whenever one player scores, the indicator  16 ,  22 ,  30 ,  44 ,  52 ,  54 , or  64  is manually advanced (e.g., by rotation) to the next score. In the case of tennis (and for other games as appropriate) where winning requires two consecutive points by a player (as in tennis&#39;s scoring progression of “deuce”, “advantage”, then “game”) the player simply rotates one indicator  16 ,  22 ,  30 ,  44 ,  52 , or  54  back and forth between the indication for “deuce” and “advantage” until the player with the “advantage” wins the next point and thereby wins the game.  
         [0054]     While the figures and foregoing embodiments illustrate vibration damper/score keepers for tracking game scores, additional vibration damper/score keepers may be positioned on a racquet and used to also track the number of games or sets won by each player or side in a match. Alternatively, more score indicators may be included on a single vibration damper/score keeper to keep track of game and/or set tallies.  
         [0055]     One or more vibration damper/score keepers may be assembled and sold as a kit for use by players, coaches or support personnel to modify their racquets. Such a kit can include one or more vibration damper/score keepers according to various embodiments described herein, instructions for installing the vibration damper/score keepers on the racquet string or strings and, optionally, a tool for holding strings apart to enable inserting the vibration damper/score keeper on the strings and/or adhesive for bonding two faces of the vibration damper/score keepers around racquet strings. Such a kit may be provided in a suitable container. Optionally, the instructions may also include scoring rules of the racquet sport for which the vibration damper/score keeper is intended.  
         [0056]     While the present invention has been disclosed with reference to certain preferred embodiments, numerous modifications, alterations, and changes to the described embodiments are possible without departing from the sphere and scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the described embodiments, but that it have the full scope defined by the language of the following claims, and equivalents thereof.