GB2255021A

GB2255021A - Target for a ball game.

Info

Publication number: GB2255021A
Application number: GB9109037A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin Bridges Ross
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-04-25
Filing date: 1991-04-25
Publication date: 1992-10-28
Also published as: GB9109037D0

Abstract

A mobile target for a football game comprises a circular board 4 having a series of circular apertures (12, 14, 16, 18) through which a football may be kicked. Behind each aperture is a net (22, 24, 26, 28) for catching the ball. The board is supported on a chassis 40 which holds the board upright, and has wheels 42 which allow the target to be moved onto the football pitch at half-time. <IMAGE>

Description

TARGET FOR A BALL GAME The present invention relates to a mobile target for a ball game, particularly a football game which can be played on the football pitch during the half-time interval.

Football clubs generally see a need to entertain the spectators during the half-time interval when the players are resting and taking refreshments. Most football clubs also have a need to raise money through advertising and through promotional events such as raffles.

It is an object of the present invention to assist with these requirements.

The present invention provides a mobile target for a game, which comprises: - an upstanding board having at least one aperture through which a ball may pass; - collecting means for catching the ball being mounted on the board across the rear of each aperture; - support means attached to the board for holding the board upright against the force of balls hitting the board, and; - wheel means for facilitating movement of the mobile target to the game playing location.

Without wishing to be limited in any way, the target is intended to be used in a game played in the following manner. As spectators enter the football stadium, they have the opportunity of purchasing raffle tickets. The raffle tickets are then drawn sometime during the first half of the match and the winners are then offered the opportunity of shooting at the target in order to win prizes. During the half-time interval, the mobile target is wheeled in front of one of the goals, and the raffle winners have the opportunity of kicking the football through one of the apertures in order to win a prize. The board forming part of the target is also an admirable location for advertising material, which may form an additional source of revenue to the football club. As each raffle winner kicks the football, it either goes through an aperture to win a prize or rebounds off the board.In a preferred form of the invention, blanking means may be placed across each aperture in order to close off the aperture once the respective prize has been won.

This game maintains the interest of the spectators in a football-type game, whilst at the same time providing revenue for the football club.

The board is preferably hinged horizontally about half way up, so that the target may be wheeled behind the goal during the match and the top half hinged down so that it does not impede the spectators' view.

The board generally has at least two apertures, though a child's version may be provided with only a single aperture. The apertures may be of varying sizes depending on the value of the prize to be won; the smaller the aperture, the more valuable the prize.

The collecting means are usually nets or bags (for example, woven nylon sleeves or cones) which are mounted by means of metal rings secured to the rear of the board around each aperture. The bags may be coloured, but are preferably see-through so that the spectators can see if the ball has been caught.

The support means are intended to prevent the board being knocked over by the force of balls hitting the board, and may be in any suitable form. In particular, adequate support may be provided by suitably spaced wheels mounted on a heavy chassis. Preferably, the wheels are wide and solid so as not to mark the pitch.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mobile target according to the invention in front of a football goal mouth, and; Figure 2 is a plan view of the mobile target.

The mobile target 2 comprises a circular board 4 divided horizontally into two halves 6, 8 hinged together by a series of hinges 10, which enables the top half to be hinged down so as to reduce the overall height of the target when stored behind the goal during the match.

Within the board are a series of apertures, 12, 14, 16, 18, which are circular and larger than the diameter of a football. Behind each aperture is a respective net 22, 24, 26, 28 for catching a football which has successfully passed through the aperture. Across the front of each aperture is a respective bar 30 which may be supported on brackets 32, 34 on either side of each respective aperture in order to blank off the aperture once the prize represented by that aperture has been won.

As shown, the board may carry suitable advertising material.

The board is mounted on a chassis 40 which carries four wheels 42 at respective corners thereof. The chassis includes a curved upright member 44, to which the lower part of the board is bolted. At one end of the chassis is provided a handle 46 pivotally attached to the chassis for allowing the chassis to be pulled. If required, the wheels at one end of the chassis may be arranged to be steerably attached to the chassis.

The nets are attached to the rear of the board by means of metal rings (not shown), which are split in the case of the top three apertures where the rings cross the hinge line.

The target may be used as follows. During the half-time interval, the target is wheeled out by pulling the handle 46 until it is positioned in front of the goal mouth. If desired, the top of the target may be secured to the goal-mouth cross bar for additional support.

Winners of the raffle then place the football in front of the target and attempt to kick the ball through one of the four apertures. Each winner is allowed a fixed number of shots at the target. If the ball goes through one of the apertures, a prize is won and the bar is placed across that aperture blanking it off. If desired, the bar may carry the value of the prize which is being won. After use, the target is pulled off the pitch and stored behind the goal. In order to prevent obstructing the spectators's view, the top half is hinged down so as to reduce the overall height.

Claims

1. A mobile target for a game, which comprises: - an upstanding board having a least one aperture through which a ball may pass; - collecting means for catching the ball being mounted on the board across the rear of each aperture; - support means attached to the board for holding the board upright against the force of balls hitting the board; and - wheel means for facilitating movement of the mobile target to the game playing location.

2. A target according to claim 1 wherein said at least one aperture is big enough to let a football pass through.

3. A target according to claim 1 or 2 which comprises a plurality of different sized apertures.

4. A target according to any preceding claim which further comprises blanking means, which may be placed across the or each aperture to close off the aperture.

5. A target according to any preceding claim where in the collecting means are nets.

6. A target according to any preceding claim wherein the board is divided substantially horizontally into a top portion and a bottom portion, and hinge means are provided to allow the top portion to be hinged down.

7. A mobile target for a football game substantially as disclosed in conjunction with the drawings.