US 11,969,641 B2
Method and system for determining ball positions and first downs in a football game
Jeb Brown, Denver, CO (US)
Filed by Jeb Brown, Denver, CO (US)
Filed on Dec. 16, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/552,775.
Application 17/552,775 is a continuation of application No. 16/258,912, filed on Jan. 28, 2019, granted, now 11,202,953.
Application 16/258,912 is a continuation of application No. 15/620,058, filed on Jun. 12, 2017, granted, now 10,188,933, issued on Jan. 29, 2019.
Application 15/620,058 is a continuation of application No. 15/244,236, filed on Aug. 23, 2016, granted, now 9,675,865, issued on Jun. 13, 2017.
Application 15/244,236 is a continuation of application No. 15/058,339, filed on Mar. 2, 2016, granted, now 9,433,849, issued on Sep. 6, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2022/0105414 A1, Apr. 7, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A63B 71/06 (2006.01); A43B 3/00 (2022.01); A43B 3/34 (2022.01); A63B 24/00 (2006.01); G01C 15/00 (2006.01)
CPC A63B 71/0619 (2013.01) [A43B 3/34 (2022.01); A63B 24/0021 (2013.01); A63B 71/0605 (2013.01); G01C 15/004 (2013.01); A43B 3/00 (2013.01); A63B 2024/0053 (2013.01); A63B 2071/0694 (2013.01); A63B 2225/74 (2020.08); A63B 2243/007 (2013.01); G01C 15/00 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for determining ball placement on an athletic football field, comprising:
a first light projection device and a second light projection device, at least one of which is adapted to travel parallel to the athletic field within an elongated track having at least one slot, said track being positioned parallel to one sideline on a football field;
wherein said first light projection device and said second light projection device are configured to project a light on the athletic field, and wherein the first light projection device is configured to track the location of a football during play of a football game, and wherein the second light projection device is configured to track the location of a first down demarcation on the field;
wherein the first light projection device and the second light projection device are adapted to project a light on the athletic field to provide a visual indication of a distance by which the ball must be moved to achieve a first down;
a location sensor possessed by a referee, that communicates the location of the football, wherein the referee sends a signal to the first light projection device, instructing the first light projection device to move into alignment with the location of the football;
wherein at least one of said first light projection device and said second light projection device is associated with a first elongated member that extends along the length of a side-line of the field between a first end zone to a second end zone, said elongated member associated with a first pulley and a second pulley; and
wherein said elongated track is flexible and designed to roll such that it can be rolled out for a game, and then rolled-up after the game.