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US 6,270,431 B1Granted
Control grid for table tennis scorekeeping device with audio and visual display
OwnerSteven D. Martininventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A control grid for an automated scorekeeping device for table tennis or ping pong includes a voice recorder that is used to announce the score before each serve of the game. The scorekeeping device further includes optional visual displays. The scorekeeping device is actuated by means of a grid system attached to the ends of the table. The grid is activated by the players' touching the grid with a conductive strip affixed to the end of their paddles. The scorekeeper can be adjusted manually to correct mistakes, and can be used in multiple modes.
Claims7
A control grid used in combination with Ping Pong equipment including a scorekeeping device comprising:
- a plurality of parallel conductive elements, said conductive elements are mounted on an end of a Ping Pong table, and said control grid is actuated by a triggering mechanism installed in a Ping Pong paddle;
- wherein
- said triggering mechanism comprises an electrically conductive material that is adapted to be affixed to an end of the Ping Pong paddle;
- such that
- the scorekeeping device is operated by a player making an electrically conductive connection between said triggering mechanism and said control grid, such that the score of the game is changed by the player placing the paddle in a position that causes said triggering mechanism to make an electrical connection with said control grid.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.