Player queuing device

Abstract

A player queuing device to que players of a game played using articles is described and includes: a body comprising: a front surface; a rear surface opposite the front surface; a top surface; a bottom surface opposite the top surface; a left surface; and a right surface opposite the left surface, the top, bottom, left, and right surfaces connecting the front surface with the rear surface; a moveable pointer on the front surface; and a plurality of slots arranged around the moveable pointer on the front surface and dimensioned to and configured to receive ones of the articles, respectively.

Description

PLAYER QUEUING DEVICECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 609,638, filed on December 13, 2023. The entire disclosure of the application referenced above is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to racket sports and more particularly to player queuing devices for racket sports and other sports.BACKGROUND

[0003] The background description provided here is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.

[0004] Various different racket sports are played in countries throughout the world. Racket sports are sports in which players use a racket or a paddle to hit a ball or another type of object. Examples of racket sports include but are not limited to tennis, racquetball, pickleball, ping pong, badminton, and other sports.

[0005] Some racket sports involve players hitting a ball back and forth over a net within defined areas on the sides of the net. Some racket sports involve players using a netted racket, such as tennis, badminton, and racquetball. Other racket sports involve players using solid non-netted paddles, such as ping pong and pickleball.SUMMARY

[0006] In a feature, a player queuing device to que players of a game played using articles is described and includes: a body comprising: a front surface; a rear surface opposite the front surface; a top surface; a bottom surface opposite the top surface; a left surface; and a right surface opposite the left surface, the top, bottom, left, and right surfaces connecting the front surface with the rear surface; a moveable pointer on thefront surface; and a plurality of slots arranged around the moveable pointer on the front surface and dimensioned to and configured to receive ones of the articles, respectively.

[0007] In further features, the moveable pointer is configured to rotate and to, at different times, point to each of the slots.

[0008] In further features, the plurality of slots extend from the front surface to the rear surface.

[0009] In further features, the plurality of slots include apertures on the rear surface.

[0010] In further features, the plurality of slots extend downwardly toward the bottom surface and away from the top surface.

[0011] In further features, the plurality of slots extend downwardly at an angle of at least 30 degrees relative to the front surface.

[0012] In further features, the plurality of slots decrease in width moving away from the front surface and approaching the rear surface.

[0013] In further features, the player queuing device further includes identifiers of a predetermined order disposed on the front surface, the identifiers disposed adjacent to the slots, respectively.

[0014] In further features, the identifiers include numbers.

[0015] In further features, the articles include pickleball paddles.

[0016] In further features, a width of each of the slots at the front surface is at least 8 inches.

[0017] In further features, a height of each of the slots at the front face is at least 1 inch.

[0018] In further features, a thickness from the front surface to the rear surface is at least 2 inches.

[0019] In further features, the player queuing device further includes slots that extend from first apertures on the top surface to second apertures on the rear surface.

[0020] In further features, the slots extend at an approximately 45 degree angle relative to the top surface and at an approximately 45 degree angle relative to the rear surface.

[0021] In further features, the player queuing device further includes: first slots that extend from first apertures on the right surface to second apertures on the rear surface; and second slots that extend from third apertures on the left surface to fourth apertures on the rear surface.

[0022] In further features, the player queuing device further includes slots that extend from first apertures on the bottom surface to second apertures on the rear surface.

[0023] In further features, the slots include at least 12 slots.

[0024] In further features, the moveable pointer includes flanges that extend into and engage an aperture in the front surface.

[0025] In a feature, a player queuing device to que players of a racket sport played using rackets or paddles is described, the player queuing device includes: a body comprising: a front surface; a rear surface opposite the front surface; a top surface; a bottom surface opposite the top surface; a left surface; and a right surface opposite the left surface, the top, bottom, left, and right surfaces connecting the front surface with the rear surface; a moveable pointer on the front surface; and a plurality of slots arranged around the moveable pointer on the front surface and dimensioned to and configured to receive ones of the articles, respectively, where the moveable pointer is configured to rotate and to, at different times, point to each of the slots, where the plurality of slots extend from the front surface to the rear surface, where the plurality of slots extend downwardly toward the bottom surface and away from the top surface, where the plurality of slots decrease in width moving away from the front surface and approaching the rear surface, where the slots include at least 12 slots, and where the moveable pointer includes flanges that extend into and engage an aperture in the front surface.

[0026] Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, the claims and the drawings. The detailed description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0028] FIG. 1 is a top front perspective view of an example implementation of a player queuing device;

[0029] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the example player queuing device;

[0030] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an example portion of the player queuing device;

[0031] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an example implementation of the pointer and the body of the player queuing device;

[0032] FIG. 5 includes a front perspective view of an example implementation of one of the slots looking toward the front surface;

[0033] FIG. 6 includes a perspective view toward the front surface of the example of the player queuing device;

[0034] FIG. 7 includes a cross-sectional view of the example of the player queuing device;

[0035] FIG. 8 includes a perspective view toward the rear surface of the example of the player queuing device;

[0036] FIG. 9 includes a perspective view toward the top or bottom surface or of the example of the player queuing device;

[0037] FIG. 10 includes a front perspective view of an example implementation of a player queuing device;

[0038] FIG. 11 includes a front perspective view of an example implementation of a player queuing device;

[0039] FIG. 12 includes a front perspective view of an example implementation of a player queuing device;

[0040] FIG. 13 includes a rear perspective view of an example implementation of a player queuing device;

[0041] FIG. 14 includes a side perspective view of an example implementation of a player queuing device;

[0042] FIG. 15 includes a top or bottom perspective view of an example implementation of a player queuing device;

[0043] FIG. 16 includes a cross-sectional view along section A of FIG. 12;

[0044] FIG. 17 includes a cross-sectional view along section C or D of FIG. 12;

[0045] FIG. 18 includes a cross-sectional view of an example indicator;

[0046] FIG. 19 includes a front perspective view of an example indicator; and

[0047] FIG. 20 includes a rear perspective view of an example indicator.

[0048] In the drawings, reference numbers may be reused to identify similar and / or identical elements.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] Players of a racket sport may play the sport in a singles fashion where one player faces one other player or in a doubles fashion where two players of one team play two players of another team. Some racket sports may involve more than 2 players per team.

[0050] In some places, multiple courts for the racket sport may be located in close proximity to each other in a single area (e.g., park) where players may go to “drop in” and play the racket sport. For example, multiple pickleball courts may be located side by side at a park. Queuing the players, however, is difficult. Queuing players involves keeping track of which player(s) is / are next to join the next game.

[0051] The present application involves a queuing device for queuing players of a game, such as a racket sport. The queuing device includes slots into which players that wish to play the game can insert their personal sporting devices, such as paddles or rackets. The slots may be arranged around a center point, such as in a diamond, circle, or other shape. The slots may be numbered or letters, and the numbers or letters may be used to identify which player is next to play the game. A rotating pointer may be used to point to the slot of the player that is next to play the game. When a game completes, a next one or more of the slots (e.g., higher in numerical order, or next in alphabetical order relative to the present position of the pointer) may indicate denote which player(s) or teams are next to play. Thus, player queuing is simplified and the period between games may be decreased.

[0052] FIG. 1 is a top front perspective view of an example implementation of a player queuing device 100. FIG. 2 involves a top perspective view of the example player queuing device 100.

[0053] The player queuing device 100 includes a body including front and back surfaces 104 and 108, respectively, left and right side surfaces 112 and 116, respectively, and top and bottom surfaces 120 and 124, respectively. The left, right, top, and bottom surfaces 112, 116, 120, and 124 join the front and back surfaces 104 and 108. The front, back, left, right, top, and bottom surfaces 112-124 may each be rectangular or have another suitable shape. The body of the player queuing device 100 may be generally rectangular cuboid in shape or have another suitable shape.

[0054] Apertures (slots), such as 128 and 132 are formed through the front surface 104 and extend toward the back surface 108. While the example of the player queuing device 100 including twelve slots is provided, the player queuing device 100 may include more or a fewer number of slots. The number of slots included may be an integer divisible by N, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2. In the example of pickleball where 4 players can play a game at the same time, the number of slots may be an integer that is divisible by 4 (e.g., 8, 12, 16, etc.). FIGS. 10-13 illustrate an example with a greater number of slots.

[0055] The slots are dimensioned to and configured to receive articles of players of the game, such as rackets or paddles (e.g., pickleball paddles) used by the players to play the sport. In the example of rackets or paddles, the slots are dimensioned and configured to receive head (paddle or racket) portions. Alternatively, the slots may be dimensioned to and configured to receive handle portions of the rackets or paddles. Example paddles 140 are shown with the head portions in ones of the slots in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0056] The slots are arranged around a pointer 136, such as a rotating pointer. The pointer 136 includes an indicator 144, such as an arrow. While the example of an arrow is provided, the present application is also applicable to other directional indicators. The pointer 136 can be moved (e.g., rotated) to point the indicator 144 at one of the slots at a given time. The indicator 144 points to the article of the next player to play a next game. FIG. 19 includes a front perspective view of an example implementation of the pointer 136. FIG. 20 includes a rear perspective view of the example implementation of the pointer 136. FIG. 18 includes a cross-sectional view of the example implementation of the pointer 136.

[0057] Each slot includes a number (e.g., an integer) located on one or both sides of that slot. The numbers may increase in a predetermined order in a predetermineddirection around the pointer 136. For example, the numbers may increase (e.g., by 1 ) moving clockwise around the pointer 136 as illustrated. While the example of numbers is provided, the present application is also applicable to other indicators of the predetermined order, such as letters (e.g., alphabetical or reverse alphabetical) and other suitable indicators of order. The numbers, letters, or other indicators may be, for example, on stickers adhered to the player queuing device 100, engraved into the player queuing device 100, etched into the player queuing device 100, carved into the player queuing device 100, or made visible on the player queuing device 100 in another suitable manner.

[0058] Players wishing to play the game may insert their articles, respectively, for the sport into a next one of the slots in the predetermined order that is presently holding an article. In the example of FIG. 1 , paddles 140 are inserted in slots 2 and 3 in the predetermined order. Based on the rest of the slots being open, the next player wishing to play may insert his or her article for the sport into the slot 4 or slot 5.

[0059] The player queuing device 100 may include lines, such as 148, connecting locations of the indicator 144 with ones of the slots. The player queuing device 100 may also include numbers of the slots located on or near the lines, respectively. One or both of these features may help to facilitate alignment of the indicator 144 with one of the slots and may help players to identify which player is next to play the game.

[0060] The width (left to right) of each slot may be a predetermined width distance larger than a predetermined largest width of articles of the game. For example, the predetermined largest paddle used for pickleball may be approximately 8.25 inches, and the predetermined distance may be approximately 1 / 8 inch or 1 / 4 inch or another suitable value to allow the articles to be inserted into the slots. The height (up and down) of each slot may be a predetermined height distance larger than a predetermined largest height of the articles of the game. For example only, the predetermined height distance may be 1 / 8 inch or 1 / 4 inch or another suitable value to allow the articles to be inserted into the slots. The height of each slot may be, for example, approximately 1 inch or another suitable height. The predetermined largest height of the articles may be, for example, approximately 1 / 4 inch or 5 / 16 inch.

[0061] As illustrated, the slots extend vertically downward away from the top surface 120 and toward the bottom surface 124 while extending from the front face 104 to the back face 108. The slots may extend downwardly at a predetermined angle relative tothe front face 104. For example only, the predetermined angle may be between approximately 30 and 60 degrees, such as approximately 45 degrees, or another suitable angle. The downward angle of the slots may help better hold the articles within the slots and also help players identify their articles and when it is their turn to play.

[0062] FIGS. 3 and 16 includes a cross-sectional view of an example portion of the player queuing device 100. FIGS. 3 and 16 illustrates a slot 304 extending downwardly between the front face 104 and the back surface 108 at the predetermined angle 0.

[0063] The player queuing device 100 may be made via gluing different pieces together, computer numerical control (CNC) machining, molding, three dimensional (3D) printing, additive manufacturing, or in another suitable manner. The player queuing device 100 may be made of or include, for example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a plastic or one or more other suitable materials. In various implementations, the player queuing device 100 may be made of a waterproof material as the player queuing device may be left outside and exposed to weather.

[0064] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an example implementation of the pointer 136 and the body of the player queuing device 100. The pointer 136 may be fixed to the player queuing device 100 via a fastener, such as a screw, a nail, a peg, or another suitable type of fastener. FIGS. 18-20 include example views of the pointer 136 including a cross-sectional view, a front view, and a rear view, respectively.

[0065] In various implementations, the pointer 136 may include one or more flanged portions 404 that extends into a recessed portion 408 or aperture in the front surface 104 of the player queuing device 100. The flanged portion 404 may be fit, such as compression or interference fit, into the recessed portion 408. In various implementations, the flanged portion 404 may be made of a flexible material, such as a rubber or another suitable type of material that allows the flanged portion 404 to be fit into the recessed portion 408. In various implementations, an area of the front surface 104 around the pointer 136 may be recessed, such as illustrated in the example of FIG. 17. FIG. 17 includes a cross-sectional view along section C of FIG. 12, although the cross-sectional view along section D of FIG. 12 may be the same as that along section C.

[0066] FIG. 5 includes a front perspective view of an example implementation of one of the slots 504 looking toward the front surface 104. As illustrated, the player queuing device 100 may include extensions 508 that extend horizontally (left to right) into theslot 504. The extensions 508 prevent the articles of the players from slipping through the slots. In various implementations, the extensions 508 may be omitted. However, apertures 512 may be provided through the rear surface 108 such that water and other fluids can drain through each slot.

[0067] FIG. 6 includes a perspective view toward the front surface 104 of the example of the player queuing device 100. Example dimensions are illustrated for the example of pickleball and based on the predetermined angle above.

[0068] FIG. 7 includes a cross-sectional view of the example of the player queuing device 100. Example dimensions are again illustrated for the example implementation of pickleball. As illustrated, a height (and a width) of the aperture 512 in the rear surface 108 may be smaller than a height (and a width) of the aperture in the front surface 104. Examples of the apertures are also illustrated in FIG. 13. Example dimensions of various components are also illustrated in FIGS. 11 -19.

[0069] FIG. 8 includes a perspective view toward the rear surface 108 of the example of the player queuing device 100. Example dimensions are illustrated for the example of pickleball and based on the predetermined angle above. FIG. 13 also includes a perspective view toward the rear surface 108 of the example of the player queuing device 100.

[0070] FIG. 9 includes a perspective view toward the top or bottom surface 120 or 124 of the example of the player queuing device 100. FIG. 15 also includes a perspective view toward the top or bottom surface 120 or 124 of the example of the player queuing device 100. The top and bottom surfaces 120 and 124 may be identical in various implementations. Example dimensions are illustrated in inches (“) for the example of pickleball and based on the predetermined angle above.

[0071] As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the top and bottom surfaces 120 and 124 may include slots 904 that extend from the top surface 120 to the back surface 108 and from the bottom surface 124 to the back surface 108. A fastening device, such as a zip tie or another suitable type of fastening device may be extended through the slots 904 and a substrate that includes holes (e.g., a fence, a gate, etc.) to fasten the player queuing device 100 to the substrate. The slots 904 may extend at the predetermined angle relative to the rear surface 108, such as approximately 45 degrees.

[0072] In various implementations, the right and left side surfaces may similarly include slots 808 that extend from the right or left side surface 116 or 112 to the back surface 108. FIG. 14 also includes a perspective view toward the left or right surface 112 or 116 of the example of the player queuing device 100. The left and right surfaces 112 and 116 may be identical in various implementations. A fastening device, such as a zip tie or another suitable type of fastening device may be extended through the slots 808 and a substrate that includes holes (e.g., a fence, a gate, etc.) to fasten the player queuing device 100 to the substrate. The slots 808 may extend at the predetermined angle relative to the rear surface 108, such as approximately 45 degrees.

[0073] As illustrated in the example of FIG. 14, the bottom surface 124 may not be perpendicular to the front and back surfaces 104 and 108 and may form an angle, such as approximately 45 degrees or another suitable angle relative to the rear surface 108. In this example, the bottom surface 124 forms a second angle (90 degrees minus the angle relative to the rear surface 108) relative to the front surface 104.

[0074] The foregoing description is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. The broad teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes particular examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent upon a study of the drawings, the specification, and the following claims. Further, although each of the embodiments is described above as having certain features, any one or more of those features described with respect to any embodiment of the disclosure can be implemented in and / or combined with features of any of the other embodiments, even if that combination is not explicitly described. In other words, the described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and permutations of one or more embodiments with one another remain within the scope of this disclosure.

[0075] Spatial and functional relationships between elements (for example, between modules, circuit elements, semiconductor layers, etc.) are described using various terms, including “connected,” “engaged,” “coupled,” “adjacent,” “next to,” “on top of,” “above,” “below,” and “disposed.” Unless explicitly described as being “direct,” when a relationship between first and second elements is described in the above disclosure, that relationship can be a direct relationship where no other intervening elements are present between the first and second elements, but can also be an indirect relationshipwhere one or more intervening elements are present (either spatially or functionally) between the first and second elements. As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A OR B OR C), using a non-exclusive logical OR, and should not be construed to mean “at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C.” The drawings may be to scale.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A player queuing device to que players of a game played using articles, comprising: a body comprising: a front surface; a rear surface opposite the front surface; a top surface; a bottom surface opposite the top surface; a left surface; and a right surface opposite the left surface, the top, bottom, left, and right surfaces connecting the front surface with the rear surface; a moveable pointer on the front surface; and a plurality of slots arranged around the moveable pointer on the front surface and dimensioned to and configured to receive ones of the articles, respectively.

2. The player queuing device of claim 1 wherein the moveable pointer is configured to rotate and to, at different times, point to each of the slots.

3. The player queuing device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of slots extend from the front surface to the rear surface.

4. The player queuing device of claim 3 wherein the plurality of slots include apertures on the rear surface.

5. The player queuing device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of slots extend downwardly toward the bottom surface and away from the top surface.

6. The player queuing device of claim 5 wherein the plurality of slots extend downwardly at an angle of at least 30 degrees relative to the front surface.

7. The player queuing device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of slots decrease in width moving away from the front surface and approaching the rear surface.

8. The player queuing device of claim 1 further comprising identifiers of a predetermined order disposed on the front surface, the identifiers disposed adjacent to the slots, respectively.

9. The player queuing device of claim 8 wherein the identifiers include numbers.

10. The player queuing device of claim 1 wherein the articles include pickleball paddles.11 . The player queuing device of claim 1 wherein a width of each of the slots at the front surface is at least 8 inches.

12. The player queuing device of claim 1 wherein a height of each of the slots at the front face is at least 1 inch.

13. The player queuing device of claim 1 wherein a thickness from the front surface to the rear surface is at least 2 inches.

14. The player queuing device of claim 1 further comprising second slots that extend from first apertures on the top surface to second apertures on the rear surface.

15. The player queuing device of claim 14 wherein the second slots extend at an approximately 45 degree angle relative to the top surface and at an approximately 45 degree angle relative to the rear surface.

16. The player queuing device of claim 1 further comprising: second slots that extend from first apertures on the right surface to second apertures on the rear surface; and third slots that extend from third apertures on the left surface to fourth apertures on the rear surface.

17. The player queuing device of claim 1 further comprising second slots that extend from first apertures on the bottom surface to second apertures on the rear surface.

18. The player queuing device of claim 1 wherein the slots include at least 12 slots.

19. The player queuing device of claim 1 wherein the moveable pointer includes flanges that extend into and engage an aperture in the front surface.

20. A player queuing device to que players of a racket sport played using rackets or paddles, the player queuing device comprising: a body comprising: a front surface; a rear surface opposite the front surface; a top surface; a bottom surface opposite the top surface; a left surface; and a right surface opposite the left surface, the top, bottom, left, and right surfaces connecting the front surface with the rear surface; a moveable pointer on the front surface; and a plurality of slots arranged around the moveable pointer on the front surface and dimensioned to and configured to receive ones of the articles, respectively, wherein the moveable pointer is configured to rotate and to, at different times, point to each of the slots, wherein the plurality of slots extend from the front surface to the rear surface, wherein the plurality of slots extend downwardly toward the bottom surface and away from the top surface, wherein the plurality of slots decrease in width moving away from the front surface and approaching the rear surface, wherein the slots include at least 12 slots, and wherein the moveable pointer includes flanges that extend into and engage an aperture in the front surface.

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