US2348431A - Scoreboard - Google Patents

Description

May 9, 1944. B. A. WARMEY ETAL S COREBOARD Filed June 13, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,ml ljjL-- L "NL mi ff Q N mi X5 Q kg az n 4 @L 'm5 Q EL El r Filed June 15, l19.40 3 Sheets-Sheet. Y

Patented May 9, 1944 2,348,431 scoannoaap Bernard A. Warmey and William J. Moreland, Jr., Chicago, Ill., assignorsby meme assignments,

v to George W. Borg Corporation, Chicago, Iii.,

a corporation of Delaware 9 Application Jnne'1a194o, serial 10,340,378

12 Claims.

The present invention relates in general to scoreboards, such as may be used for visually indicating the progress of a game to the spectators, and more in particular to a scoreboard o1 this type which is adapted for use in connection with the game of basketball. The object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved device of this character.

The invention and various features thereof will be described in detail hereinafter, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a front view of the complete scoreboard, comprising home team and visitors scoring devices and a central clock cabinet;

Fig. 2 is a top view of one of the scoring devices, with casing assembled Fig. 3 is a section through one of the scoring devices, on the line 3 -3, Fig. 4;

Fig. 4 is a front view of one of the scoring devices, with the front part of the casing .removed:

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5--5, Fig. 4; while Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic circuit drawing showin! the electrical connections.

Referring to Fig. l, the scoreboard is con-l structed on the .sectional plan, and comprises three separate casings or cabinet sections II), Il, and I2, which are of uniform height and are adapted to be mounted side by side against a team appear` below the display opening I3', and the numerals 1 and 2 are -shown in the opaque space I6' instead of the numerals 3 and 4. It may be mentioned here that the numerals 1 to 4 are used to indicate the four quarters of the game and are conveniently divided between the two scoring sections, which makes a symmetrical arrangement.

, The second or central section Il comprises a casing in which is contained the clock motor, a signal horn, and two relays which will be described hereinafter. The front of the casing is arranged to resemble a' clock face, as show n in Fig. 1. The hand Il is the minute-hand and is driven by the clock motor through the medium of suitable gearing so that it makes one complete rotation in eight minutes, corresponding o the length of the quarters in high school basketball.

, hand, each division represents one second. As

wall or other support to form a complete score- Y board. While'the installation may be more or less permanent, the scoreboard is portable and the sectional construction greatly facilitates handling and transportation from place to place. At` the same time the arrangement is such that the appearance of a unitary structure is presented lwhen the three sections are assembled for. use.

The right hand section I2` comprises -a sheet metal casing in which is contained scoring apparatus capable of displaying any' number containing one or two digits. This apparatus consists of an arrangement of tubular lamps .and a1 switch for controlling them, all of .which will be described in detail. The front of the casing has a rectangular opening I3 therein, behind which there is secured a sheet of glass 35 (Figs. 3 and 5) having translucent portions I l and I5 and a portion I6 which is opaque to light. 'I'he portion IG may be made opaque by a coating of black paint or other suitable material. The numerals 3 and 4 are translucent and are made in any suitable manner, as by pasting paper numerals to the glass before the paint is applied and removing .them after the paint is dry. The word Visitors appears below the opening I3 in large letters which may be painted or'stencilled on the casing in any suitable manner.

'.l'he rst section I0 is similar to the third section in all respects, except that the words "Home regards the minute-hand, fifteen divisions rep'- resent two minutes, thirtydivisions four minutes, and so on. The hands are mounted on two concentric shafts which extend through -the front of the casing, said shafts being driven at the proper speedsby suitable gearing and a motor in known manner. The motor will be described more in detail in Vconnection with the circuit drawings, Fig. 6. At the lower front of the casing II there is a grill I9 behind which the signalhorn is mounted.

It will be convenient now to consider one oi part of the casing comprises the back 2l, sidesl 2l and 22, top 23, and bottom 24. The `front part comprises thefront 25, sides 26 and 2l, the top 2l, and bottom 29. The two parts are assembled edge-to-edge, as shown in Figs. 2, 3,

and 5. The front 25 is cut out at I3, as indicated in Fig.v 1, and behind the opening the sheet of glass 3|! issupported as shown.

l Within the casing there is a chassis comprising the back 3l, sides 32 and 33, top 34, and bottom 35. The chassis also resembles a shallow rectangular pan. The sides 32 and 33 are extended at right angles -as indicated at 36 and 31. The chassis is ofthe proper height to fit snugly s within the casing, where it is hold by screws. As

indicated in Figs. 2 and 5, there are a plurality of screws passing through the top members 23 and 28 of the casing, said screws being threaded into the top member 34 of the chassis. Similar screws pass through the bottom members 24 and and are threaded into the bottom member 3l The lamps forming the visual indicator may be of the type known as Lumeline" and are mounted on the chassis. 'Ihe sockets 40 to 41, inclusive, are mounted on the back member 3| of the chassis, together with four double sockets such as 43, and serve to support and conduct current to the vertical lamps B', C', E', F', B, C, E, and F. There are also four sockets mounted on back member 3| vfor accommodating the diagonally positioned lamps H and H. The horizontal lamps A', D. G', A, D, and G are supported on three sockets such as 50 mounted on the chassis rim 30, three sockets such as 0| mounted on the opposite rim31, and three double sockets such as 52 mounted on a vertical strip 53 which is attached above and below to top and bottom members 3| and 35 of the chassis.

' The vertical lamps are provided with shields such as 55, of U-shaped cross-section, which are cut out around the sockets and are secured to back member 3|. Each shield takes care of two lamps, as indicated clearly in Fig. 5. Similar shields are provided for the lamps H' and H.- Each pair of horizontal lamps, such as A' and A,

is provided with a shield such as 56, the construction of which will be obvious from the several views of the drawings. The purpose of the shields .so prevent diffusion of light to the sides of the lamps, which would otherwise render the outline of the lamps indistinct.

There are two lamp sockets 60 and 6| mounted on vthe chassis, as seen in Fig. 3, which support lamps B2 and 63. The sockets are properly located so that the lamps are directly behind the numerals 3 and 4 shown in Fig. l. Shields 64 and 65 are provided to prevent diiusion of light from these lamps. Also mounted on the chassis are two switches S1 and S2, only the outline of which is shown, owing to the scale of the drawings. These switches are of known type and are explained in connection with the circuit drawing. 4

Lamps A' to H constitute a set and are used for displaying the tens digit in the score. Lamps AA to H likewise constitute a set and are used for displaying the units digit. In order to display desired digits, -the lamps are lighted in different predetermined combinations in which they are effective to form the outlines of the digits. Thus, if the digit 0 is to -be displayed on the units set, the lamps A, B, C, E, F, and G are lighted. For

convenience the following table is inserted to It will be understood that the two scoring tion with Fig. l, and hence the preceding description will serve for both. The description of the casing and chassis will also suihce as regards the clock section Il, where the diiierent Yequipment items are mounted on the chassis in any suitable manner.

Referring to Fig. 6, the scoreboard is operated from a control panel indicated by the rectangle |00. This equipment maybe in the form of a small cabinet adapted to be supported on a table -or in any convenient manner. On the cabinet are mounted keys Kl to K", inclusive, the function of which will be explained presently.

In order to carry out the quick assembly and portability feature, the control cabinet and the three equipment sections are connected by plug and Jack connections, as indicated at |0I, |02, and |03. The jacks are preferably located on the central clock section at the rear of the casing. The conductors coming from the scoring sections |0 and I2 are in the'form of cables, three or four feet long, terminating in plugs. The conductors coming from the control cabinet are also prefrably in the form of a plug-ending cable which, however, should be much longer. One hundred feet or more may be supplied, depending on the situations in which the equipment is to be used.

The diilerent items of equipment in the clock section will now be described briefly. 'I'he switch S3 is a step-by-step switch of known type, comprlsing a stepping magnet |04, an associated ratchet mechanism for driving a double wiper or brush |05, and a bank of eight or more contacts which are multipled together in groups of four, as shown. 'I'he brush |05 connects the common segment |06 with the individual contacts selectively, as will be readily understood.

The clock motor and associated gearing for driving the hand shafts are represented by the circle |01. The motor is of known type, being a reversible synchronous motor, adapted to run on Acommercial 60-cycle alternating current. Re-

lay |08 is a reversing relay. A cam ||4 is mounted on the minute-hand shaft |09 and controls contact springs and II3. A similar cam ||5 on the second-hand shaft ||0 controls the condevices, sections I0 and |2, are the same except for the slight diil'erences mentioned in connec- 75 tact spring ||2. These cams control the circuit of the signal horn IIB, which is preferably of the low voltage type and is supplied with current by the step down transformer ||1. Relay ||8 is for stopping the horn under certain conditions which will be explained.

At the right of Fig. 6 are shown the tens and units switches S1 and S2 which are provided for controlling the lamp sets in the scoring section I2. The switch S1 comprises two ratchet mechanisms and two banks of contacts with their associated wipers or brushes |215 to |28, inclusive, and |29 to |32, inclusive. Both sets of brushes are mounted on a common shaft |22, and all the brushes are conductively connected. The shaft |22 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction bya ratchet mechanism comprising stepping magnet |20 and ratchet Wheel |2|, and in a clockwise direction by the ratchet mechanism comprising stepping magnet |23 and ratchet wheel |24.

The banks are divided into eight quadrants which are labeled in-the drawings as X' and A to G', inclusive. Each quadrant hasten contacts, corresponding to the digits 0 to 9 and numbered in that order when the counterclockwise direction of the switch is considered. 'I'he wiper which moves over the X quadrant makes connection with one side of the current source in al1-positions and thus renders all the other wipers active. Each of the other quadrants is associated with a particular lamp, quadrant A' being used for controlling lamp A', quadrant B' for controlling lamp B', etc. An exception to the foregoing is quadrant E', which controls lamp H' as well as lamp E'.' In view of the numbering of the contacts it will be understood that the switch adds when driven in a counterclockwise direction and subtracts when driven Iirl the opposite direction.

. The switch S2 is similar to switch S1.'l The ratchet mechanism comprising stepping magnet |34 and ratchet wheel |35 drives the shaft |38 in a counterclockwise direction, and the ratchet mechanism comprising stepping magnet |31 and ratchet wheel |38 drives theshaft in a clockwise direction. On the shaft |36 are mounted two sets of wipers |45|48 and |48-|52. With each set of wipers there is associated a bank of contacts, divided into four quadrants, as shown. The arrangement here is the same as in switch S1, already described.

Switch S2 is provided with means for controlling switch S1 comprising a contact spring |39 winch is effectively operated when the armature of stepping magnet |34 is fully attracted, and a contact spring |40 which is similarly controlled by the armature of stepping magnet |31.

The scoring section I for the home team is the same as section i2 and consequently is not shown in detail in Fig. 6, being indicated merely by a rectangle. The circuits for the lamps which illuminate the quarters digits 1 and 2 are, however, shown in the drawings.

The central clock section may be provided with a-pairV of power terminals |55 and |56, to which a plug-ending cord comprising conductors |51 and |58 is attached. By plugging into an available socket commercial current is supplied to the equipment. It should be mentioned that the various magnets and relays are designed to operate on alternating current; that is, they will hold their armatures attracted as long as their circuits are closed.

rI'he operation of the equipment in scoring a game of basketball will now Ibe explained briefly. Shortly before the game is to start, the plug attached to the cord comprising conductors |51 and |58 is inserted in a convenient socket, as

Y mentioned previously, and power is supplied to the equipment.

Assuming that the tens and units switches Sl and S2 are in the position in which they are shown, that is, the position corresponding to the digit 0, the lamp set comprising lamps A' to G, inclusive, will display the digit 0 as the tens digit and the lamps of set A to G, inclusive, will display the digit 0 as the units digit. The circuit of the tens lamps extends from terminal |56 by way of conductor |80, zero contact of quadrant X', brush |25, brushes |26, |21, |28, |38, I3l, and |32 in parallel, lamps A', B', C', E', F', and G' in parallel, and thence over conductor |8| to terminal |55. The circuit for the units lamps is similar and need not be traced in detail, it being understood that the correspoding lamps A, B, C, E, F, and G are lighted. Thus the digit 0 is displayed as the tens and units digits at the scoring device I2.

It may .be assumed that the tens and units switches in scoring device I0 are also in zero position, and accordingly this scoring device will also display the ldigit 0 as both the tens and units digits.

Assuming that switch S3 is in the position shown, a circuit for lighting the lamp in scoring device I0 which illuminates the quarters digit 1 will be closed, said circuit extending from terminal |56 by way of conductor |62, conductor |18, common segment |08, brush'-|05, first contact in bank of switch S3, conductor |63, lamp behind digit 1, and conductor |64 to terminal |55. The illumination of the quarters digit 1 indicates that the first quarter is about to start.

Having observed that the scoring devices are Y in proper order, the operator at the control cabinet now notes the positions of the hands of the clock, which should both be set at the digit 8, Fig. l. Assuming that the hands are in the position in which they are shown, the operator throws the key K5 to the left, thereby closing three circuits which will be described. The iirst circuit extends from terminal |56 by way of conductor |82, conductor |18, field winding .|65 of the clock motor, conductor |66, conductor |80, contact |61 of key K5, conductor |68, and conductor |68 to terminal |55. This circuit energizes winding |85. 'I'he second circuit extends from terminal |56 by Way of conductor |62, Winding of relay |08, conductor |18, conductor |14, contact |15 of key K5, conductor |68, and conductor |68 to terminal |55. This circuit energizes relays |08, which attracts its armature |12 and opens the circuit of shading coil |1|, at the same time closing the circuit of shading coil |10. Winding being energized, the clock motor now runs in the proper direction to move hands |1 and |8 backward, or in a counter-clockwise direction. The hands will come together at the digit 8, and when Vthey reach this point the clock motor is stopped by restoring key K5 The third circuit above referred to' extends from terminal |56 by way of conductor |62, conductor |18, conductor |18, winding of relay ||8, conductor |11, contact |16 of key K5, conductor |68, and conductor |63 to terminal |55. Relay ||8 energizes when the circuit is closed and locks itself to conductor |68 via its armature |8| and contact ||3, the latter being closed at this time by minute-hand cam ||4. The locking circuit is independent of key K5, so relay ||8 remains energized after the key is restored. In its energized position, relay ||8 holds open a circuit for operating the signal horn, said circuit extending from terminal |58 by way of conductor |62, conductor |18, conductor |18, primary winding of transformer ||1, contact |82, contact at spring ||2 (closed by the second-hand cam ||5 when the hand points to the digit 8), contact at spring (closed by minute-hand cam I4), and conductor conductor |88 to terminal |55. Upon the clo-A sure of the above circuit current is caused to -flow in the secondary winding of transformer |1 and through the horn. When the horn sounds, the

ball is put in pla`y and at the same time thev operator actuates key K5 to the right. 'I'his operation of the key closes a circuit for the motor winding |85 over a path the same as that previously traced, except that it includes contact |88 of key K5, and the clock motor is started.

Relay |08 not being energized, the motor runs in such a direction that the hands I1 and I8 are moved forward, that is, in a clockwise direction. As soon as the hand I1 has advanced a short distance the cam |I4 permits the locking circuit |84 of relay |I8 to open at spring I|3 and the relay deepergizes.

The clock continues to run while the ball is in play and its instant position always indicates the number of minutes and seconds of the quarter which remain to be played. In case a foul is committed, the signal horn is sounded and the clock motor is stopped by restoring key K5. The

clock is again started by operating the key when play is resumed. It will be understood also that the clock is stopped and startedagain when time is taken out for any other reason.

The operation of thescoring devices may now be considered. Assuming that the visiting team scores on a free throw, the key K4 is actuated to the right, or to adding position, and key K7 is momentarily operated, thereby closing a circuit 'which extends from terminal |56 by way of conductor |60, winding of stepping magnet I 34 of units s witch S2, conductor |86, conductor |81, conductor |88, key K4, key K7, conductor |68, and conductor |60 to terminal |55. 'Upon the closure of this circuit, magnet |34 is energized sult is that an impulse is transmitted to the stepping magnet and the tens switch Sl is advanced one step from zero position to the position corresponding to the digit 1. The digit 1 is now displayedl as the tens digit and the digit 0 as the units digit, showing a score of ten points.

As the game continues the units switch is advanced one or two steps at a time as scores are made until the score of nineteen is displayed. When the next point is scored the tens switch is again advanced in the manner described, and the digit 2 is displayed as the tens digit, while the digit 0 is displayed as the units digit. Thus the scoring device shows a score of twenty points.

In the event a point is scored in error which advances tlie tens switch S1, as. when the switches are advanced to show a score of ten or twenty and the ratchet wheel |35 is advanced one step,

which advances the brushes |45|62 from the zero position to the position corresponding to the digit l.. The digit 1 is thus displayed as the units digit instead of the digit 0. The digit'zero, however, is still displayed as the tens digit.

Assuming now that the visiting team scores on a eld goal, the operator goes through the same procedure as before, except that the key K't is actuated twice momentarily. Magnet |34 is thus given two impulses, which advances the switch S3 to the position corresponding to thel digit 3. Accordingly this digit is now displayed as the units digit.

When the home team scores, the units switch in the scoring device I0 is advanced in the same manner as described, by means of keys K3 and K8, the former key being set in the adding position.

In case a point is scored by mistake, or is not allowed after being scored, the units switch such as S2 is stepped backward in order to correct the score. In order to accomplish this the operator actuates key K4 to the left, or, to the subtract position, and then actuates key K'I once or twice,

depending on the amount of the error. One or more impulses are thus transmitted to the step'- ping magnet |31 and the switch is stepped in a reverse direction to the proper position. The circuit 'of magnet |31 extends from terminal |56 by way of conductor |60, winding of stepping y magnet |31, conductor |90, conductor I 9|, conductor |92, key K4, key K", conductor I68, and

conductor |69 to terminal |55.

Assuming now that nine oints have been scored by the visitl team, the units switch will have been advanceo its ninth position, wherein the digit 9 is displayed as the units digit. When another point is sc ored, the stepping magnet |34 will be given another add impulse in the manner explained, and the switch brushes will be advanced from ninth position to zero position, each brush moving ahead into the next quadrant., When brush |50 moves from ninth position in quadrant E to zero position in quadrant D, a circuit is completed for advancing the tens switchv S1, said circuit extending from terminal |56 by points, it becomes necessary to step both switches backward in order to correct the mistake. The umts switch S3 is stepped backward fromgzeroto ninth position in the manner already explained. When the wiper such as |50 movesfrom quadrant D back to the ninth bank contact in quadrant E, a circuit isy completed for the stepping magnet |23 which extends from terminal |56 by way of conductor |60, brush |45, brush |50, conductor |95, contact at spring |40 (magnet |31 being energized) conductor |96, winding of steppingmag net |23, and conductor I6I to terminal |55. An impulse is thus transmitted to the stepping magnet |23 which steps the tens switch backward one step. Thus the error is corrected by the reverse stepping of both the units and tens switches. It will be understood that in casethe score is changed from a number such as nineteen to twenty-one by mistake, two subtract impulses will have to be transmitted to the units switch. The rst vsubtract impulse will step the units switch` back one step while the second will step back both switches in the manner` described.

When the time for the rst quarter has nearly expired the hand I1 will have made nearly one complete rotation and cam I |4 will again close the contact at spring When the secondhand I8 catches up with the hand |1 on the eighth rotation of the second-hand, the hands will come together at the digit 8 on the clock dial and cam II5 will close the contact. at spring II2. The latter operation, which has been ineffective during the seven'previous rotations of the second-hand,- due to the inoperative position of cam II4, now closes the previously traced signalling circuit and the horn II6 is automatically sounded, indicating the end of the quarter. The horn is sounded for about two seconds, being stopped automatically when the clock runs past the starting point. The operator then sto'ps the clock motor by restoring key K5 and starts it in the reverse direction by reversing the key in order to set the hands at the digit 8, as previously explained. The operation of key K5 to reverse the'clock motor also operates relay ||8 over a circuit previously traced and the relay locks itself at armature |8|, thereby preventing the renalling circuit at amature |82.

The clock hands are now in position to start the second quarter, and the scoring devices display the scores made so far by .the respective teams. During the intermission the operator will advance the switch S3 one step by momentarily operating the key K2, which closes a circuit extending from terminal |56 by way of conductor |62, conductor |19, winding of stepping magnet |04, conductor |98, conductor |89, key K, conductor |68, and conductor |59to terminal |55. The single impulse thus transmitted tothe stepping magnet |04 causes the latter to advance the switch S3 one step from position I to position 2, in which a circuit is completed for the lamp located behind the quarters digit 2 in the scoring device I0. The illumination of this digit indicates that the second quarter is about to be played.

The operation of the equipment during the second and succeeding quarters is the same as described. At the end of each quarter except the last the operator sets the clock hands in readiness for the next quarter and steps the switch S3 ahead one step. 'I'hus during the third and fourth quarters, respectively, the lamps 52 and 53 will be lighted. If the score is a tie at the end of the fourth quarter, the operator prepares for the overtime period by reversing the clock and allowing it to. run backward until it shows three minutes left to play. In other words, the clock motorl is run in the reverse direction until the second-hand has made three complete rotations. The length of the overtime period can, of course, be varied by agreement and may be two minutes instead of three. i of the clock motor is of considerable advantage in this situation, as it saves a large part of the time that would otherwise be occupied in running the clock forward from 8 to 3 or 2.

When the game is over the switches in the scoring devicesmay be stepped to `zero position` by transmitting subtract impulses thereto in the manner described, in order that they may be in the proper position the next time the equipment is used. The switch S3 may also be stepped ahead to iirst position, or multiple thereof. The equipment is then disconnected by withdrawing the plug associated with conductors |51 and |55.

It will be seen that the invention provides a scoreboard having numerous advantages as regards simplicity and rapidity of operation, accuracy, and completeness of the information displayed, as well as the high degree of visibility afforded. While the construction and operation have been described in detail, this has been done for convenience in explaining 'a desirable form of the invention, and it will be understood that modifications can be made, particularly as regards the equipment items specified, without departing from the spirit of the inventiom We do not therefore wish to be limited to the exact The reversibility form of the invention which is shown and deunits switch for automatically stepping the tens switch in either direction.

2. In a scoring device, tens and units indicator lamps, tens and units switches for controlling said lamps, stepping magnets in each switch for driving the same in either direction, and circuits for the stepping magnets of the tens switch controlled, respectively, by the stepping magnets oi -the units switch.

3. In a scoring device, tens and units indicator said lamps, a stepping magnet in each switch, contacts controlled by the armature of the stepping magnet of the units switch, and a circuit for the stepping magnet of the tens switch which includes said contacts and a bank contact of said units switch.

4. In a lamp indicator, a chassis, sets of tubular lamps mounted on said chassis, a casing comprising front and rear pan-shaped parts disposed on opposite sides of said chassis with their open edges together, means for removably securing each of said parts to said4 chassis, and a translucent window .in said front part through which characters are displayed by said lamps.

5. In a basketball scoreboard system, a set of lamps for displaying any units digit, a set of lamps for displaying any tens digit, unitsV and tens switches for controlling said lamp sets, respectively, operators control equipment, means included in said equipment for transmitting impulses to said units switch to increase or decrease the value of the units digit displayed by the assoelated lamps, and means automatically responsive to an impulse transmitted to the umts switch at a time when the highest units digit is displayed for advancing the tens switch to increase the value of the tens digit displayed,

6. In a scoreboard, indicating means comprising two tubular lamps vertically disposed in two spaced parallel lines, three horizontal tubular lamps spaced apart and crossing said vertical lamps, a diagonally disposed tubular lamp, a stepby-step switch having a wiper for controlling each lamp, circuits closed by said wipers in one position of said switch for illuminating a combination of said lamps for displaying the digit zero, and circuits closed by said'wipers in successive adjacent positions of said switch for illuminating different combinations of said lamps to display the digits one to nine, respectively, whereby the step-by-step operation of said switch through all its positions causes the display of the digits zero to nine in regular order.

7. n a scoreboard, a set of lamps for displaying any digit when lighted in different combinations, a switch for selecting said combinations, add and subtract magnets for stepping said switch in either direction, circuits for said mag-- nets, respectively, manually operated means for selecting either magnet circuit at will and for closing ithe selected circuit at one point to prepare for impulse transmission thereover, anda manually operated device for transmitting stepping impulses over the selected circuit by closing the same at another point.

8. In a scoreboard,.a plurality of lamps for displaying any digit when lighted in dilIerent combinations, a switch for selecting said combinations, said switch having a number of wipers equal to the number of said lamps, circuit connections including one wiper for supplying current to`all the other wipers, circuit connections including said other wipers for distributing the current to a like plurality of said lamps. respectively, and a circuit for the remaining lamp including one of said other wipers in a position in which the corresponding lamp is unlighted` 9. In a scoreboard, a set of tubular lamps for displaying any tens digit, a set-of tubular lamps for displaying any units digit, two step-by-step switches for controlling the tens digit lamps and the units digit lamps, respectively, each said switch having a plurality of wipers and a plurality of cooperative contact banks for supplying currexit to said lamps in diierent digit combinations in` diilerent positions of the wipers, add-and-subtract magnets in each switch for stepping the wipers thereof in opposite directions, two contacts adapted to be closed by energization of (the add-and-subtract magnets, respectively, of the units digit switch, and circuits for the add-and-subtract magnets of the tens digit switch includingsaid contacts, respectively, the said circuit of the add magnet including also the zero contact in a bank of the units switch, and the said circuit of the subtract magnet including the ninth contact in a bank of the units switch.

10. In a scoreboard, a set of tubular lamps for displaying any digit from 0 to 9, inclusive, a switch for controlling said lamps, said switch comprising two circular rows of bank contacts, each row comprising four quadrants each having ten contacts numbered from 0 to 9 in the same direction around the row, condudtors leading from said lamps and connected to selected contacts in said quadrants, respectively, a wiper shaft, two sets of wipers mounted on said shaft and associated with said rows of contacts, respedtively, each set of wipers comprising four wipers spaced ninety degrees apart around the shaft, Va magnet for rotating said shaft stepby-step to cause the wipers of each set to traverse in succession all four quadrants in the associated row of bank contacts, whereby each wiper becomes successively associated with the bank contacts in four diierent quadrants, and a second magnet adapted to be energized in place of said rst magnet to rotate said shaft one or more steps in 'fthe opposite direction.

automatically controlled by the, magnets and' wipersiof the units switch, a control cabinet located ait a point remote from said lamps and switches, a cable extending between the point where said lamps and switches are located and said control cabinet, said cable including two operating conductors for the add-and-subtract magnets, respectively, of [the units switch, and manually operated switching means at said control cabinet for transmitting impulses over either of said operating conductors at will.

12. In a scoring device, a set of tubular lamps arranged in predetermined fixed relation such ithat the illumination of said lamps in different combinations will display diierent digits, a stepby-step switch, said switch having a plurality of contactstindividual to each digit to be displayed, a plurality of banks in which said contac are arranged in the order of the digits to which (they are individual, each bank having a contact individual to each digit, circuits for said lamps, the circuit of each lamp including a conductor connected in multiple to the contacts in one of said banks which are individual to the digits for the display of which such lamp is required, a plurality of wipers for said switch associalted with said banks, respectively, stepping means for moving said wipers over said banks in either direction to cause the wipers to engage `the contacts individual to successively higher or lower digits, and means for supplying current through said wipers to said lamp circuits.

BERNARD A. WARMEY. c WIILIAM J. MORELAND, Jn.

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