GB2297493A - Folding goal post - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable goal post frame comprising a cross bar 11 and two upright members 12, one upright member being located at each end of the cross bar in a general goal mouth configuration, each upright member incorporating a side frame 15,16, said side frame being adapted to support side netting and each side frame being movable between a position in which it is extended substantially at right angles to the cross bar in a so called "unfolded" configuration and a so called "folded" configuration in which the side frame is substantially aligned with the cross bar, characterised in that the side frame and the upright member to which it is attached pivot as a unit about the longitudinal axis of the upright.

Description

FOLDING GOAL POST Field of the Invention The present invention relates to folding goal posts and is particularly applicable to, but in no way limited to, five-A-side goal posts.

Background to the Invention Indoor goal posts are finding more and more use with the increase in leisure activities seen in this country and abroad. Sports halls and multi-purpose leisure complexes are correspondingly on the increase and these need to make provision for a wide range of sporting activities. Since booking schedules for these facilities are usually very tight the conversion of a play area from one sport to another must be virtually instantaneous. This means that equipment such as goal posts must be quick to erect and equally quick to disassemble and store away.

Folding goal posts are known and a typical example is shown in Figures 1 to 3. This version relies on a quick release hinge incorporated into the brackets welded to each goal post upright. This arrangement has a number of disadvantages. Firstly, the hinge point top and bottom is to the rear of the upright so that the side frame member can never fold entirely flat. Secondly, the quick release mechanism on the hinge is prone to damage or components may become lost altogether, making the goal difficult or impossible to erect and collapse safely. When the quick release mechanism has been lost or broken, the goal will collapse when the side frame is struck from the side and safety is thus compromised. Thirdly the brackets and hinge are a point of weakness as well as being a potential cause of injury to players accidentally colliding with the goal.

The object of the present invention is to provide a folding goal that overcomes these disadvantages.

Summary of the Invention According to the present invention, in its broadest sense, there is provided a portable goal post frame comprising a cross bar and two upright members, one upright member being located at each end of the cross bar in a general goal mouth conformation, each upright member incorporating a side frame, said side frame being adapted to support side netting, and each side frame being movable between a position in which it is extended substantially at right angles to the cross bar in a so-called "un-folded" configuration and a socalled "folded" configuration in which the side frame is substantially aligned with the cross bar, characterised in that the side frame and the upright member to which it is attached pivot as a unit about the longitudinal axis of the upright member.

By pivoting the upright and side frame as a unit the need for hinges external to the upright as found in the prior art is avoided.

Preferably the upright member is adapted to extend into a portion of the cross bar, the side member being adapted to pivot within that portion of the cross bar into which it extends.

This simple pivot arrangement is easy to manufacture and thus inexpensive.

Preferably the cross bar incorporates an elbow at each end, the elbow extending in use substantially perpendicularly downwards, the said elbow being so sized and shaped that the upright member is a sliding pivotal fit within it.

By this means the pivot point is positioned just below the cross bar and the side frames fit within the goal mouth and under the cross bar to give a flat pack arrangement for ease of storage.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the pivot incorporates a catch mechanism such that the upright member pivots between two fixed configurations.

Having fixed positions whereby the side frame is locked in either the folded or unfolded configuration makes the assembly safer to use, store and move.

Preferably the catch mechanism is of the button clip type.

In a further preferred embodiment an engagement means is provided to positively retain the upright member within the cross bar.

By incorporating an engagement means this ensures that during use, movement or storage the goal post assembly cannot accidentally separate into its component parts.

Description of the Drawings In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 and Figure 2 show a goal according to the prior art in the unfolded and folded configuration respectively; Figure 3 illustrates a typical quick release hinge as used in the prior art folding goal; Figure 4 shows front and side elevations of a goal post according to the present invention in the unfolded configuration; Figure 5 shows front and side elevations of the goal according to Figure 4 in a folded configuration; Figure 6 shows a pivoting mechanism.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments The present embodiments represent currently the best ways known to the applicant of putting the invention into practice. But they are not the only ways in which this could be achieved. They are illustrated, and they will now be described, by way of example only.

Referring to Figure 4, this illustrates a goal post frame 10 consisting of a cross bar 11 and two upright members 12, 13. A side frame 14 is rigidly attached to each upright 12, 13, the side frame being adapted to carry the goal netting. The shape of the side frame is not critical and will depend upon the desired shape of the goal. Generally a lower portion 15 of the side frame extends perpendicularly away from the upright and it incorporates a guard 17 or a caster (not illustrated) to protect the playing surface.

In this embodiment each end of the cross bar 11 incorporates an elbow 18 formed substantially at right angles to the cross bar itself. The upper portion of the upright 12, 13 is a sliding fit within the elbow, as shown in Figure 4A, such that the upright together with its side frame can rotate about the longitudinal axis of the upright. To prevent damage to the playing surface an end cap 19 is provided at the bottom end of each upright.

It is preferable that the upright can rotate between two otherwise fixed configurations, one in which the goal is configured as for playing, a so-called "unfolded" configuration. The other configuration is one in which the side members are folded inside the goal mouth and is termed the "folded" configuration. One method of achieving this is the use of a button-type clip 20 as illustrated in Figure 4A. A button 21 protrudes through an aperture 23 in the upright, the button being spring-loaded by spring 22. As the upright rotates the button can engage with one of two holes 24, 25 in the elbow, these two holes being 90" apart and corresponding to the folded and unfolded configurations described above.

This is just one example of a type of lock-and-hold mechanism that could be used and it is not intended to be restrictive.

In this example the upright 12, 13 and cross bar 11 are a sliding fit one within another. These goal posts are preferably finished in a powder coating or similar finish and this, together with the length of upright within the elbow 18 tends to keep the various parts of the frame together. However, it is possible to incorporate a more positive fixing if this is required to ensure that the uprights and cross bar do not come apart accidentally. For example, a spring loaded ring seating in an annular channel could be provided on the external surface of the upright in the region which fits inside the cross bar. This ring is adapted to engage in a corresponding groove inside the cross bar portion (not illustrated).

Although the elbow 18 is a convenient way to incorporate a pivot the invention will operate successfully without an elbow joint at the end of the cross bar. This can be achieved by arranging for the upper end of the upright member to rotate in a correspondingly shaped fitting inserted into the end of the cross bar itself. Providing the upper portion of the side frame 16 is set a little below the pivot point then the goal frame will still fold flat when collapsed.

It will also be appreciated that where the foregoing description describes one portion forming a sliding fit within another, this arrangement could equally well be reversed.

This invention offers the following advantages over and above the prior art.

* The uprights act as pivots thereby eliminating the need for separate hinges to be provided.

* In the folded configuration the uprights are locked in position by the button clips enabling easier handling.

* The uprights and net supports fold directly into line with the cross bar which reduces the storage space required and also leads to easier handling.

* The net supports are flat at the base which means that the floor is better protected by the plastic guards and end caps such that there is no metal directly in contact with the playing surface.

Claims (7)

CLAIMS:

1. A portable goal post frame comprising a cross bar and two upright members, one upright member being located at each end of the cross bar in a general goal mouth configuration, each upright member incorporating a side frame, said side frame being adapted to support side netting and each side frame being movable between a position in which it is extended substantially at right angles to the cross bar in a so called "unfolded" configuration and a so called "folded" configuration in which the side frame is substantially aligned with the cross bar, characterised in that the side frame and the upright member to which it is attached pivot as a unit about the longitudinal axis of the upright.

2. A goal post as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the upright member is adapted to extend into a portion of the cross bar, the side member being adapted to pivot within that portion of the cross bar into which it extends.

3. A goal post as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterised in that the cross bar incorporates an elbow at each end, the elbow extending in use substantially perpendicularly downwards, said elbow being so sized and shaped that it forms a sliding pivotal fit with the upright member.

4. A goal post as claimed in any preceding Claim characterised in that it incorporates a catch mechanism such that the upright member pivots between two fixed positions.

5. A goal post as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the catch mechanism is of the button clip type.

6. A goal post as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein engagement means are provided to positively retain the upright member within the cross bar.

7. A goal post substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any combination of the accompanying figures 4 to 6.