Device and method for properly locating the YardLine numbers of a football field

Abstract

A template for properly determining the positions for the yardline numbers of an American-style football field includes a generally rectangular frame having an external perimeter and an internal opening defined by an internal perimeter. The shape of the internal opening, and the corresponding shape of the internal perimeter, is such that for each of the yardline numbers, i.e. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and 0, the internal perimeter defines a plurality of locations for abutting a corresponding plurality of outer edge portions of the yardline number. With the external perimeter appropriately aligned along one or more lines of the field, the frame can be used to properly locate any one of the six yardline numbers that are needed to properly locate all of the yardline numbers on an American-style football field. This frame reduces the number of templates needed to locate the yardline numbers of a football field, and also simplifies the process of properly locating the yardline numbers.

Claims

1. A template for properly locating, at one time, either one of at least two different yardline numbers on an artificial turf football field comprising: a generally rectangular frame having an external perimeter and an internal opening defined by an internal perimeter, the internal perimeter shaped to identify a first plurality of locations for abutting a corresponding first plurality of outer edge portions of a first yardline number when the first yardline number is temporarily located within the opening, to locate the first yardline number in a first yardline number position on the artificial turf; and the internal perimeter also shaped to identify at least one additional plurality of locations for abutting at least one additional corresponding plurality of outer edge portions of a second different yardline number when the second yardline number is temporarily located within the opening, to locate the second yardline number in a second yardline number position on the artificial turf, the second yardline number position being different from the first yardline number position, so that the first plurality of locations for abutting the internal perimeter differs from the at least one additional plurality of locations for abutting the internal perimeter, whereby the frame has a size and a shape so as to be usable to properly locate, at one time, either the first yardline number or the second yardline number but not both at the same time.

2. The template of claim 1 wherein six different yardline numbers are used to mark the artificial turf football field, and further comprising: for each of the six yardline numbers, the internal perimeter of the frame identifies a plurality of locations for abutting, at one time, a corresponding plurality of edge portions of any one but only one of the yardline numbers, such that the internal perimeter of the frame has six different pluralities of locations for abutting.

3. The template of claim 1 and further comprising: the outer perimeter configured to locate an additional template for locating the position of a corresponding yardline arrow.

4. The template of claim 1 wherein the outer perimeter defines at least one edge for locating the template relative to at least one of: a yardline on the field and a temporary longitudinal line extending along the length of the field.

5. The template of claim 1 and further comprising: a hinge line extending along the frame and defining two connected frame sections, the frame sections being foldable about the hinge line.

6. The template of claim 5 and further comprising: a handle formed in the frame generally opposite the hinge line, thereby to facilitate carrying of the frame.

7. The template of claim 1 wherein the first yardline number is a 5, and there are 5 locations for abutting the 5 yardline number.

8. The template of claim 1 wherein the first yardline number is a 4 and there are 4 locations for abutting the 4 yardline number.

9. The template of claim 1 wherein the first yardline number is a 3 and there are 7 locations for abutting the 3 yardline number.

10. The template of claim 1 wherein the first yardline number is a 2 and there are 8 locations for abutting the 2 yardline number.

11. The template of claim 1 wherein the internal perimeter of the frame generally defines top and bottom sides and left and right sides for the internal opening, when viewed from an adjacent sideline of the football field, and further wherein a first yardline number is a 1 and there are 3 locations for abutting the 1 yardline number when the 1 yardline number is located on the left side of the opening.

12. The template of claim 1 wherein the first yardline number is a 0 and there are 4 locations for abutting the 0 yardline number.

13. The template of claim 2 wherein the internal perimeter of the frame is sized to accommodate yardline numbers that have a longitudinal dimension of about 6 feet, the longitudinal dimension being parallel to an adjacently located yardline on the artificial turf.

14. The template of claim 2 and further comprising: the frame being of uniform thickness; and a hinge line extending along the frame and defining two hingedly connected frame sections, the frame sections being of uniform thickness, and the frame sections being foldable about the hinge line to a stacked relationship.

15. The template of claim 14 and further comprising: each of the frame sections including an opening located opposite the hinge line, the openings of the two frame sections being aligned when the frame sections are in the stacked relationship so as to form a handle in the frame generally opposite the hinge line, thereby to facilitate carrying of the frame.

16. The template of claim 2 wherein the external perimeter comprises a pair of spaced parallel segments that are parallel with the orientation of each of the yardline numbers, wherein each of the parallel segments is alignable along a football yardline to properly locate the frame on the artificial turf.

17. A template for properly locating, at one time, any one of a plurality of different yardline numbers on an artificial turf football field comprising: a generally rectangular frame having an external perimeter and an internal opening defined by an internal perimeter, the internal perimeter shaped to identify, for each of the different yardline numbers needed for properly marking a conventional football field with yardline numbers, a plurality of locations for abutting a corresponding plurality of outer edge portions of the corresponding yardline number when the corresponding yardline number is temporarily located within the opening, wherein each of the plurality of locations for abutting for any particular yardline number differs from the plurality of locations for abutting for all of the other yardline numbers, so that the internal perimeter of the frame defines a yardline number position for each yardline number and wherein all of the yardline number positions are different, such that the same frame may be used to properly locate, at one time, any one but only one of the plurality of different yardline numbers; and the external perimeter is also shaped to identify a location for an adjacently located arrow template.

18. The template of claim 17 and further comprising: the frame being of uniform thickness; and a hinge line extending along the frame and defining two hingedly connected frame sections, the frame sections being of uniform thickness, and the frame sections being foldable about the hinge line to a stacked relationship.

19. The template of claim 18 and further comprising: each of the frame sections including an opening located opposite the hinge line, the openings of the two frame sections being aligned when the frame sections are in the stacked relationship so as to form a handle in the frame generally opposite the hinge line, thereby to facilitate carrying of the frame.

20. The template of claim 17 wherein, for each of the different yardline numbers, the frame is marked with indicia to identify the locations for abutting corresponding edge portions of the yardline number.

21. The template of claim 17 wherein for each of the different yardline numbers, the plurality of locations for abutting includes at least one of: a straight line, a curve, a corner, and a combination thereof.

22. The template of claim 17 wherein one of the yardline numbers is a 1 yardline number, and the internal perimeter of the frame generally defines top and bottom sides and left and right sides for the internal opening, when viewed from an adjacent sideline of the football field, such that the 1 yardline number is located on the left side in order to properly mark a yardline number 1 position.

23. The template of claim 22 wherein one of the yardline numbers is a 0 yardline number, and the 0 yardline number position is obtained by flipping the template over a yardline of the artificial turf football field that extends perpendicularly from the adjacent sideline thereof, such that the template resides on a right side of the yardline when properly locating the 0 yardline number and resides on a left side thereof when properly locating each of the other yardline numbers.

24. The template of claim 17 wherein each of the six yardline numbers has a dimension such that the internal perimeter of the frame is sized so as to accommodate the six different yardline numbers, and each of the six yardline numbers has a longitudinal dimension of about six feet, the longitudinal dimension being parallel to an adjacently located yardline on the artificial turf.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a plan view of a conventional field used for American-style football, showing the yardline and the yardline numbers.

(2) FIG. 2 is a plan view of a football field yardline numbering template according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, with no numbers shown therein, but with colors on the internal perimeter to show locations for abutting outer edge portions of a particular yardline number.

(3) FIG. 3 is a plan view, similar to FIG. 2, of the yardline numbering template of the present invention, but with each of the six yardline numbers shown superimposed over each other, in color, within the opening defined by the frame.

(4) FIG. 4 shows the yardline numbering template of the present invention as used to locate the yardline number 5.

(5) FIG. 4A shows the location and orientation of template 26 with respect to yardline 20 and temporary line 37, with template 40 also shown.

(6) FIG. 4B shows a yardline number 36 located above and in alignment with the internal opening 30, while FIG. 4C shows the yardline number 36 in place within the opening 30, for pinning and then cutting.

(7) FIG. 4D schematically shows the original turf, in the shape of a 5 that has been removed after cutting, while FIG. 4E schematically shows the yardline number 36 now aligned with its eventual position on the turf, and also the arrow 41.

(8) FIG. 4F shows yardline number 36 and arrow 41 in place on the field.

(9) FIG. 5 shows the yardline numbering template of the present invention as used to locate the yardline number 4.

(10) FIG. 6 shows the yardline numbering template of the present invention as used to locate the yardline number 3.

(11) FIG. 7 shows the yardline numbering template of the present invention as used to locate the yardline number 2.

(12) FIG. 8 shows the yardline numbering template of the present invention as used to locate the yardline number 1.

(13) FIG. 9 shows the yardline numbering template of the present invention as used to locate the yardline number 0.

(14) FIGS. 10A and 10B show the portability feature of the template shown in the other Figures.

(15) As noted above, FIGS. 2 and 3 are presented in color.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(16) FIG. 1 shows a conventional U.S. style football field 10, with typical football field markings included thereon. This includes opposing sidelines 12, end lines 14 which demarcate the distal ends of the oppositely located end zones, and opposing goal lines 16. These markings essentially frame the field of play. FIG. 10 also shows a pair of hash lines 18 which are parallel and which run the length of the field. In actuality, the hash lines are not longitudinal lines per se. Rather, they represent a series of aligned hash marks, with one hash mark for each yard of the field, in which the playing field is 100 yards long. Along the sidelines, there are sideline hash marks 19.

(17) In between the goal lines 16, the field 10 includes a plurality of yardlines 20 which extend across the entire width of the field. These yardlines 20 appear every five yards of the field. As shown in FIG. 1, a typical American-style football field includes yardline numbers 22 to mark the yardlines which are multiples of ten, i.e., every ten yards of the field. This means that when the field is viewed from either side, the viewer sees, starting from the left, the 10 yardline, then the 20 yardline, and then successively the 30, 40, 50, 40, 30, 20, and then the opposite 10 yardline. A viewer from the opposite side of the field sees the same numbers. Each yardline number represents the distance, in yards, to the nearest goal line, and the 50 yardline represents halfway between the two opposing goal lines 16. In addition to the yardline numbers 22, the football field also includes arrows 24 which are located adjacent to the yardline numbers 22 and which point to the nearest goal line 16.

(18) FIG. 2 shows a yardline number template 26 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. More particularly, FIG. 2 shows a frame 28 defined by an external perimeter 29 and an internal opening 30 which is defined by an internal perimeter 31. The external perimeter 29 is generally rectangular in shape, except for a section 32 that is shaped like a jigsaw and which is located near the upper left side of the frame 28. The internal opening 30 defined by the internal perimeter 31 of the frame 28 is sized to properly locate each of the yardline numbers needed to mark the yardline numbers on the football field 10. More specifically, for each yardline number, the irregular shape of the internal perimeter 31 defines a plurality of locations for abutting a corresponding plurality of the outer edge portions of the yardline number when located within the opening 30. And this is true with respect to each of the six yardline numbers used to number the field 10.

(19) In FIG. 2 each color shows the locations of a particular yardline number, and this is shown more clearly in FIG. 3, which shows each of the yardline numbers located within the opening 30, but in superimposed condition in different colors. More specifically, in FIG. 3 each of the numbers is shown in a different color, and the internal perimeter 31 shows corresponding different colors. These colors can be used to help in properly locating each yardline number in the proper position within the opening 30. As an alternative to using colors, the frame 28 could use another type of indicia, or even printed instructions. The particular shape of the internal perimeter 31, and hence the internal opening 30, was achieved by successively superimposing, in a digital database, all of the yardline numbers and then outlining the superimposed numbers to create a perimeter defined by the outermost or external-most edge portion of the superimposed yardline numbers. The use of the template 26 is further explained below. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that while the perimeter of these FIG. 31 is font specific, other fonts could also be used.

(20) More specifically, FIG. 4 shows the 5 yardline number 36 located within the opening 30 of the frame 28, wherein the frame 28 is located such that the longitudinal edge of the outer perimeter 29, on the right side, is aligned with the furthest portion of the actual yardline of the field. Moreover, the upper edge of the outer perimeter 29 of the frame is aligned with a temporary line 37 that has been placed on the field 10, as measured from the closest hash mark 18. As shown in FIG. 4, the 5 yardline number 36 has an outer edge which abuts against the internal perimeter 31 in several locations. The abutting relationship may be along a straight line, a curve, a corner, or some combination of a straight line, a curve, and a corner. In FIG. 4 this contact occurs at the bottom (a curve), at the lower left (a curve), at the upper left (a corner), at the upper right (a curve), and at the lower right (a curve). Thus, the edges of the 5 yardline number abut the internal perimeter 31 at five locations.

(21) FIG. 4 also shows the arrow template 40 located within the designated location defined by surface 32 located at the upper left part of the frame 28. The arrow template 40 properly locates a corresponding arrow section 41 of the field.

(22) FIGS. 4A-4F show a typical sequence used to place the yardline number 36 in the field. More particularly, FIG. 4A schematically shows the template 26 and the arrow template 40 ready to be placed on the field. FIG. 4B shows the templates 26 and 40 on the field, with the yardline number 36 schematically shown thereabove. FIG. 4C shows yardline number 36 in place for pinning and cutting the original turf from thereunder. As described earlier, it is typical to remove the template 26 prior to cutting the initial turf to allow better access thereto. FIG. 4D shows removal of the original turf, while FIG. 4E schematically shows yardline number 36 and arrow 41 located above their respective positions. And finally, FIG. 4F shows the yardline number 36 and the arrow 41 in their appropriate positions of the field.

(23) It should be understood that FIGS. 4A-4F are exemplary with respect to the location of the arrow 41, in combination with the depiction of the yardline number 5, because with most fields no arrows are used at the 50 yardline. After all, it is the middle of a U.S. football field. Nonetheless, the template location shown in these Figure shows, where the arrow 41 is located relative to the template 26 when locating the arrow for each of the 10, 20, 30, and 40 yardlines.

(24) Similarly, FIG. 5 shows 4 yardline number 44 located within the opening 30, with edge portions abutting corresponding sections of the internal perimeter 31. Again, the longitudinal right side edge of the frame 28 is located along the sideline, and the top edge thereof is located along line 37. Moreover, arrow template 40 is again shown in place. With respect to the 4 yardline number 44 itself, it abuts the internal perimeter 31 at four locations of edge abutment, namely, the bottom (three straight lines which define a corner and also include the lower right), the left side (a straight line), the top (a straight line), and the right side (another straight line).

(25) FIG. 6 shows a 3 yardline number 48 located within the opening 30 defined by internal perimeter 31, and with outer edge portions thereof abutting a plurality of locations of the internal perimeter 31, namely at the bottom (a curve), the lower left (a curve), the upper left (a curve), the upper left again near the top (a curve), the top (a curve), the upper right near the top (a curve), and the lower right (a curve). Thus, the 3 yardline number 48 includes seven locations of edge abutment.

(26) FIG. 7 shows the 2 yardline number 52, again located within the opening 30 defined by the internal perimeter 31. The 2 yardline number 52 contacts the internal perimeter 31 at the bottom right (a curve), lower left (a curve), upper left (a curve), upper left again (a curve), top left (a point), top (a curve), upper right (a curve), and lower right (a curve). Thus, there are eight edge abutting locations.

(27) FIG. 8 shows the 1 yardline number 56 located within the opening 30 defined by the internal perimeter 31. In contrast to the other non-zero digits, the number 1 is significantly thinner, with a reduced widthwise dimension. For that reason, the frame 28 is offset relative to the yardline 20, to the right. Indicator arrows at the top and bottom of the template 26 show the user where to align the template 26 with the yardline 20. Also, the top edge of the outer perimeter is again aligned along temporary line 37. With the frame 28 located in this position, as understood by those skilled in the art, the 1 yardline number 56 is located at the left-most portion of the opening 30, in an offset position, with contact points at the bottom left (a corner), upper left (corner with a curve at the top), and the top (another curved corner), and therefore three locations of edge abutment.

(28) FIG. 9 shows the 0 yardline number 60 located on the right side of the nearest yardline. Essentially, to form the 0 yardline number, the template 26 is flipped over the nearest yardline (i.e. turned like a page, with respect to the yardline), to locate the 0 on the right side thereof. As shown in FIG. 10, the 0 yardline number abuts the internal perimeter at four locations, namely, the top and the bottom and the right and left sides, and all of these contact points or locations of edge abutment are curves.

(29) The Figures described above show the yardline numbers 22 located on the left side of the field 10, with the arrow on the left. For those yardline numbers 22 located on the right side of the field (when viewed from either sideline, starting with the 40 yardline, and then proceeding to the 30, the 20, and then the 10 yardlines), the arrow template 40 will be used to locate the arrow to point toward the closest goal line, namely the goal line 16 on the right. Thus, the arrow template 40 also inverts with the frame 28 when the 0 is located, for proper locating of the field arrow template 40 next to the 0 yardline number.

(30) FIG. 10A shows the frame 28 configured with hinges 72 located along a hinge or fold line, thereby to define two hingable frame sections 28a and 28b, with the frame sections 28a, 28b including aligned openings 70a, 70b to define a handle to facilitate carrying to the next yardline. FIG. 10B shows the sections 28a and 28b being folded together.

(31) The template 26 of the present invention does not change the actual pinning of the sideline numbers to the initially installed turf, or the cutting of the initially installed turf for removal. Nor does it change the manner in which the already-colored yardline numbers (typically made from colored fibers at the factory) are thereafter inserted into the cut portions of the initially installed field. Rather, the present invention simplifies the proper locating of the colored yardline numbers on the initially installed field. With one single template rather than six different number-specific templates, the field installation crew can mark the locations of all the yardline numbers of a football field in about half fewer hours than was previously required with multiple templates. Applicant estimates that using a single template reduces the man-hours for this step being about 50%.

(32) The template of the present invention simplifies the process of properly locating the yardline numbers of a football field. More specifically, with the template of this invention the yardline numbers can be initially placed in the general areas of the field where they will be used. Then, once the temporary longitudinal lines have been marked, the installers can carry the template to the first yardline number location on one side of the field, such as the 10 yardline.

(33) For example, the template can first be used to locate the 1 in the proper position and then the same template can be flipped over the yardline to be used to locate the 0 yardline number, in inverted form. As soon as the 1 and the 0 are pinned in the proper location and the arrow also pinned in place, the template can be moved to the next yardline. The process can continue along the sideline until all of the yardline numbers have been located. Thereafter, the installer moves to the opposite side of the field and repeats the same process.

(34) The template of the present invention can be made from any one of a number of relatively lightweight and sturdy materials, but the template can also be flexible. Still further, it can also be made of rigid material and preferably hinged along a central axis, thereby to define two frame sections, as shown. And in that case, the frame sections preferably include aligned internal handles, to enhance portability.

(35) Those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that this specification explains the details of the present invention in the context of an exemplary embodiment, and that the exemplary embodiment is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, or to be used to limit the scope of the following claims. For example, the present invention is particularly suitable for marking the yardline numbers of an American football field on an unfilled artificial turf. But the principle of the present invention could be applied to other sports, and also to other markings that are used on various athletic fields, other than numbers used for American football. Still further, the principle could be used on other types of athletic surfaces, not solely infilled artificial turf surfaces.

(36) Further, those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the objects set forth in this specification are not intended to be construed as limitations. Rather, they are intended to provide the reader with a practical understanding of the various benefits achieved via certain aspects of the present invention, particularly according to the presently disclosed preferred embodiment. Moreover, each claim of this specification recites subject matter that applicant considers to be new, useful, and unobvious over the prior art, regardless of whether that recited subject matter achieves one or more of the above-described objects, or maybe even only partially achieves one or more of those objects. In other words, this specification explains the story of this invention, i.e. how it came to be, and why it represents an improvement over the existing state of the art. And as a result, applicant does not intend that each of the appended claims is required to achieve every one of the above-stated objects, and those skilled in the art will understand that.