Theme-based scoreboard for events

Abstract

A scoreboard for events and a method of constructing a scoreboard. Embodiments of the scoreboard may include a rigid support structure; a display surface coupled to the support structure, the display surface having a perimeter shape embodying a theme; a graphic design on the display surface, the graphic design embodying the theme embodied by the perimeter shape of the display surface; and a plurality of numerical representations. In some embodiments, the support structure of the scoreboard has a substantially rectangular shape, and the scoreboard includes at least one appendage portion coupled to the support structure at an outboard location of the support structure, the at least one appendage portion abutting a side of the support structure to provide the perimeter shape of the display surface with a shape other than the substantially rectangular shape of the support structure.

1 . A scoreboard for events, the scoreboard comprising:
 a rigid support structure;   a display surface coupled to the support structure, the display surface having a perimeter shape embodying a theme;   a graphic design on the display surface, the graphic design embodying the theme embodied by the perimeter shape of the display surface; and   a plurality of numerical representations.   
   
   
       2 . The scoreboard of  claim 1 , wherein the theme embodied by each of the perimeter shape of the display surface and the graphic design corresponds to a sports theme. 
   
   
       3 . The scoreboard of  claim 1 , wherein the theme embodied by each of the perimeter shape of the display surface and the graphic design corresponds to a geographic theme. 
   
   
       4 . The scoreboard of  claim 1 , wherein the theme embodied by each of the perimeter shape of the display surface and the graphic design corresponds to a community theme. 
   
   
       5 . The scoreboard of  claim 1 , wherein the theme embodied by each of the perimeter shape of the display surface and the graphic design corresponds to a recreation-based theme. 
   
   
       6 . The scoreboard of  claim 1 , wherein the theme embodied by each of the perimeter shape of the display surface and the graphic design corresponds to a sponsor-based theme. 
   
   
       7 . The scoreboard of  claim 1 , wherein the theme embodied by each of the perimeter shape of the display surface and the graphic design corresponds to a mascot theme. 
   
   
       8 . The scoreboard of  claim 1 , wherein the graphic design is printed on a vinyl sheet. 
   
   
       9 . The scoreboard of  claim 8 , wherein the vinyl sheet is attached to the display surface via an adhesive. 
   
   
       10 . The scoreboard of  claim 1 , wherein the graphic design is printed directly on the display surface. 
   
   
       11 . The scoreboard of  claim 1 , wherein the display surface comprises a pattern of openings, and numerical representations of the plurality of numerical representations are in registration with openings of the pattern of openings. 
   
   
       12 . The scoreboard of  claim 1 , wherein the graphic design covers substantially all of the display surface. 
   
   
       13 . The scoreboard of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one appendage portion coupled to the support structure at an outboard location of the support structure. 
   
   
       14 . The scoreboard of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure has a substantially rectangular shape and the at least one appendage portion abuts a side of the support structure to provide the perimeter shape of the display surface with a shape other than the substantially rectangular shape of the support structure. 
   
   
       15 . The scoreboard of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one appendage portion comprises first, second, third, and fourth appendage portions, each abutting one of the sides of the support structure. 
   
   
       16 . The scoreboard of  claim 14 , wherein the support structure comprises first and second substantially parallel and substantially rectangular sheets coupled to one another via four channel members forming flanges near edges of the sheets. 
   
   
       17 . The scoreboard of  claim 14 , wherein the display surface comprises a first display surface portion on the support structure and at least one second display surface portion on the at least one appendage portion, the at least one appendage portion abutting the side of the support structure to provide the graphic design on the display surface with an uninterrupted visual appearance. 
   
   
       18 . The scoreboard of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises a first support structure portion and a second support structure portion, and the display surface further comprises a first display surface portion on the first support structure portion and a second display surface portion on the second support structure portion, the first and second support structure portions coupled to one another to provide the graphic design on the display surface with an uninterrupted visual appearance. 
   
   
       19 . The scoreboard of  claim 1 , further comprising a video monitor. 
   
   
       20 . The scoreboard of  claim 1 , further comprising an electronic illumination device adapted to illuminate a portion of the scoreboard other than the plurality of numerical representations, wherein the electronic illumination device and the plurality of numerical representations are operable independently of one another. 
   
   
       21 . The scoreboard of  claim 1 , further comprising perimeter lights located at perimeter regions of the display surface and operable independently of the plurality of numerical representations. 
   
   
       22 . The scoreboard of  claim 1 , further comprising interactive lights located at selected regions of the display surface, the interactive lights adapted to be illuminated by an operator to correspond to an event. 
   
   
       23 . The scoreboard of  claim 1 , wherein the display surface is substantially flat. 
   
   
       24 . The scoreboard of  claim 1 , wherein the display surface is three-dimensional. 
   
   
       25 . The scoreboard of  claim 1 , further comprising a three-dimensional structure coupled to the support structure and embodying the theme embodied by each of the perimeter shape of the display surface and the graphic design. 
   
   
       26 . A scoreboard for events, the scoreboard comprising:
 a rigid support structure;   at least one appendage portion coupled to and supported by the support structure;   a display surface coupled to the support structure and the at least one appendage portion, the display surface having a perimeter shape corresponding to a perimeter shape of the support structure with the at least one appendage portion coupled thereto, the perimeter shape of the display surface embodying a theme;   a graphic design overlying the display surface; and   a plurality of numerical representations.   
   
   
       27 . The scoreboard of  claim 26 , wherein the graphic design embodies a theme that is substantially similar to the theme embodied by the perimeter shape of the display surface. 
   
   
       28 . The scoreboard of  claim 26 , wherein the graphic design overlies substantially all of the display surface. 
   
   
       29 . A method of constructing a scoreboard having a rigid support structure, at least one appendage portion, and a display surface including a display surface portion of the support structure and at least one display surface portion of the at least one appendage portion, the display surface having a perimeter shape embodying a theme, the method comprising:
 forming the display surface portion of the at least one appendage portion to have at least one appendage portion perimeter shape; and   attaching the at least one appendage portion to at least one peripheral region of the support structure, the peripheral region selected so that the display surface of the scoreboard has the perimeter shape embodying the theme.   
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising applying a graphic design to the display surface of the scoreboard, the graphic design embodying the theme embodied by the perimeter shape of the display surface. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein attaching the at least one appendage portion to the at least one peripheral region of the support structure comprises:
 sliding a flange of the support structure between a panel of the at least one appendage portion and a structural member of the at least one appendage portion; and   connecting a brace between the at least one appendage portion and another flange of the support structure.