US3683357A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Battery operated scoreboard
Assignee: Metatronics Manufacturing Corp
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Filing: 1970-02-19
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Granted: 1972-08-08
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Expires: 1990-02-19
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to the battery operation of display devices and the like, including scoreboards for sports events. More particularly, the invention is directed to a unique circuit for efficiently operating a bank of display lamps in a display board with extra light output and for operating the lamps for comparatively lengthy durations without recharging of the batteries. The new and improved operation of remotely situated display boards is effected through the novel manner in which the lamps, of a predetermined voltage rating, are energized with excess voltage or ''''overenergized.'''' The display lamps are divided into two separate loads, and the ''''overenergization'''' of the overall display is alternated rapidly between the two loads of the divided display at a frequency (i.e., 50-70 Hz) carefully selected to provide adequate and regular cooling of the ''''overenergized, extra intensely burning'''' lamps while providing the appearance to the eye of being constantly energized. The desired display of information is obtained by a novel ''''scintillating'''' energization of the lamps of the board, which energization is effected through a new circuit which includes an oscillator circuit, a switching circuit, and a guard circuit for automatically terminating operation of the board when the DC battery source has reduced itself to a predetermined level or when the oscillator is not properly functioning.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael C Presnick
- 👤 Everett Penn
- 👤 John Piorek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:43
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B71/00; A63B71/06; G; G08; G08B; G08B5/00; G08B5/22; G08B5/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A portable scoreboard comprising a. a display panel including a plurality of selectively lightable incandescent lamps divided into first and second lamp loads; b. a portable battery providing a DC voltage source of predetermined value; c. scintillating circuit means for alternatingly applying said DC voltage to each of said lamp loads for durations of approximately 5-12 milliseconds; d. said lamps are of predetermined voltage rating substantially less than the DC voltage source; e. whereby the lamps of the first load are non-energized and free to cool down during the energization of the second load and vice versa, whereby the lamps of the entire display panel provide an appearance of constantly being lighted, and whereby said lamps are overenergized when said voltage is applied.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A portable scoreboard comprising a. a display panel including a plurality of selectively lightable incandescent lamps divided into first and second lamp loads; b. a portable battery providing a DC voltage source of predetermined value; c. scintillating circuit means for alternatingly applying said DC voltage to each of said lamp loads for durations of approximately 5-12 milliseconds; d. said lamps are of predetermined voltage rating substantially less than the DC voltage source; e. whereby the lamps of the first load are non-energized and free to cool down during the energization of the second load and vice versa, whereby the lamps of the entire display panel provide an appearance of constantly being lighted, and whereby said lamps are overenergized when said voltage is applied.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The scoreboard of claim 1, in which a said scintillating circuit means include a generator of timing pulses and means switching the delivery of DC voltage from said first load to said second load at a rate determined by the frequency of said timing pulses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The scoreboard of claim 2, which further includes a. guard circuit means in association with said scintillating circuit means to prevent the energization of said lamps by said DC source in the absence of timing pulses for a predetermined limited duration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The scoreboard of claim 3, in which a. said guard circuit means includes means to prevent the energization of said lamps upon the predetermined dimunition of voltage of said DC source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
143 words
A circuit for energizing a plurality of display lamps from a DC voltage source, including a. means dividing said plurality of lamps into two groups; b. means generating a train of timing pulses; c. switching means alternately and mutually exclusively applying the voltage from said DC source to said two groups of lamps at a frequency and for durations determined by said timing pulses; d. the frequency of the application of said voltage to said lamps being high enough to provide the optical illusion that both groups of lamps are lighted at the same time and said frequency being low enough to provide each group of lamps sufficient time for cooling of its filaments while the other group of lams is being energized; and d. said lamps being overenergized by said DC source to provide extra light and a more readily visible appearance.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
143 words
A circuit for energizing a plurality of display lamps from a DC voltage source, including a. means dividing said plurality of lamps into two groups; b. means generating a train of timing pulses; c. switching means alternately and mutually exclusively applying the voltage from said DC source to said two groups of lamps at a frequency and for durations determined by said timing pulses; d. the frequency of the application of said voltage to said lamps being high enough to provide the optical illusion that both groups of lamps are lighted at the same time and said frequency being low enough to provide each group of lamps sufficient time for cooling of its filaments while the other group of lams is being energized; and d. said lamps being overenergized by said DC source to provide extra light and a more readily visible appearance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The circUit of claim 5, which includes a. guard circuit elements for opening the lamp energizing circuit upon the failure of said means generating a train of timing pulses or upon the reduction of the voltage source to a predetermined level.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
104 words
The circuit of claim 6, in which a. the timing pulses are generated by a UJT relaxation oscillator means; b. said switching means includes a commutated pair of silicon controlled rectifiers; c. said guard circuit includes relay means having switch contacts in series with said DC source and said lamp groups and a latching coil in series with a guard silicon controlled rectifier; d. sampling means for detecting the voltage at the gates of the commutated pair of silicon controlled rectifiers; e. said guard silicon controlled rectifiers being fired in the absence of the detection of a pulsating voltage by the voltage sampling means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-08 | 1976-02-07 | 1976-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-08 | 1980-02-07 | 1980-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-08 | 1984-02-07 | 1984-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |