Pickleball scorekeeping device and method

Abstract

A scorekeeping device (1) and method are provided wherein the device has two rows of objects (3, 4), preferably beads, that are movably attached to a base (1), preferably a sweatband, worn on an appendage of a player (8), wherein the objects may be of different colors to denote different teams. One bead is moved downward as each point is scored until the last bead is reached, denoting a winner. A third row (5) having two beads is provided to indicate which team is serving.

Claims

1. A scorekeeping device for pickleball comprising: two rows of a plurality of objects movably attached to a base, each row having a number of objects equal to eleven, the number of points necessary to win a game of pickleball, wherein each movable object of number of objects is inserted into each slot of plurality of slots in each row.

2. The scorekeeping device of claim 1 wherein each row of objects is a different color to differentiate between different teams.

3. The scorekeeping device of claim 1 further comprising: a third row containing two objects for keeping track of which team is serving.

4. The scorekeeping device of claim 3 wherein the two objects are a different color to differentiate between the teams.

5. The scorekeeping device of claim 1 wherein the two rows of objects have a final object of a different color than remaining objects in a row to indicate a final winning point of a game.

6. The scorekeeping device of claim 1 wherein the objects are beads.

7. The scorekeeping device of claim 2 wherein the objects are beads.

8. The scorekeeping device of claim 3 wherein the objects are beads.

9. The scorekeeping device of claim 4 wherein the objects are beads.

10. The scorekeeping device of claim 5 wherein the objects are beads.

11. A scorekeeping device for pickleball comprising: at least two rows of a plurality of objects movably attached to a base, each row having a number of objects equal to eleven, the number of points necessary to win a game of pickleball, wherein the base is a flexible sweatband for wearing on an appendage of a player, and wherein each movable object of number of objects is inserted into each slot of plurality of slots in each row.

12. The scorekeeping device of claim 11 wherein each row of objects is a different color to differentiate between different teams.

13. The scorekeeping device of claim 11 further comprising: a third row containing two objects for keeping track of which team is serving.

14. The scorekeeping device of claim 13 wherein the two objects are a different color to differentiate between the teams.

15. The scorekeeping device of claim 11 wherein the two rows of objects have a final object of a different color than remaining objects in a row to indicate a final winning point of a game.

16. The scorekeeping device of claim 11 wherein the objects are beads.

17. The scorekeeping device of claim 12 wherein the objects are beads.

18. The scorekeeping device of claim 13 wherein the objects are beads.

19. The scorekeeping device of claim 14 wherein the objects are beads.

20. A method for keeping score in pickleball using a scorekeeping device having two rows of a plurality of objects movably attached to a base, each row having a number of objects equal to eleven, the number of points necessary to win a game of pickleball, wherein each row of objects is a different color to differentiate between different teams and the base is a flexible sweatband for wearing on an appendage of a player, said method comprising the steps of: at a beginning of a game, pushing the objects together upward; as a point is scored using an index finger or finger nail to slide the objects down one object at a time as each point is scored; and indicating a winner once a final object is reached.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device of the present invention in the form of a wristband being worn by a player; and

(3) FIG. 2 is a front view of a device of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(4) For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered accessories in the drawings is as follows: 1. sweatband scorekeeping device, generally 2. appendage of player 3. first team row of beads 4. second team row of beads 5. third row of serving beads 6. top bead of each row 7. securing line 8. beads 9. player

(5) Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 a perspective view of the device of the present invention 1 in the form of a wristband being worn by a player 8 is illustrated. The band 1 has a first team row of objects 3 and a second team row 4 of objects, preferably beads of different colors for each team. Each row of beads 3 and 4 contains the same number of beads for the number of points necessary to win a game, in the case of pickleball that is eleven points. Ten beads in each row are of the same color and the eleventh bead 6 has a different color to signify the end of a pickleball game. The beads are movably attached together using line 7, such as uni-filament fishing line for strength and durability, threaded left to right, right to left, through each bead. Each row of beads 3 and 4, is secured to the sweatband 1 using a separate piece of line.

(6) At the beginning of a game, the beads 8 should be pushed together upward. As a point is won an index finger or finger nail can be used to slide the beads down one bead at a time as each point is scored. Once the eleventh bead 6 is reached the game is over and the beads can be easily reset for the next game.

(7) As pickleball has become an extremely popular game, much like tennis, which requires two teams and two sets of points to remember, each team has a row having one color. Having different colors gives a player a quick assessment of a current score of a game. The third row of two beads 5 between the first and second rows 3 and 4 of different color beads are to keep track of the first and second server. Not only is it difficult to remember each team's points, it is often difficult to keep track of who is the first and second server.

(8) Not only does the device of the present invention act as a scorekeeper, but in the form of a sweatband it can be used to wipe sweat off a person's forehead. As a sweatband it is easily machine washable by turning it inside out to prevent damage to the beads, and then air dried. The sweatband device can come in many colors to match or coordinate with a player's clothing to be fashionable.

(9) Pickleball is a game for all ages, young and elderly. The present invention will ease the stress associated with keeping score so that players can focus and enjoy the game.

(10) It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.