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  Racquet sport score keeper and vibration damperUSPTO Application #: 20070265120Title: Racquet sport score keeper and vibration damper 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. (end of abstract) Agent: Hansen Huang Technology Law Group, LLP - Washington, DC, US Inventor: Darren Bawden Hickey USPTO Applicaton #: 20070265120 - Class: 473520000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, Player Held And Powered, Nonmechanical Projector, Per Se, For Projecting Aerial Projectile By Striking; Part Thereof Or Accessory Therefor, With Sound-deadening, Vibration-damping, Or Shock-absorbing Feature Other Than Projectile- Or Hand-contact Surface Or With Rebound Reducing Feature The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070265120. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
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'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'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 6C 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. Continue reading... Full patent description for Racquet sport score keeper and vibration damper Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Racquet sport score keeper and vibration damper patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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