GB2299514A - Target for ball games - Google Patents

Abstract

A ball sports structure comprising of a back board (11) supported by side wings (18) and mounted on posts with apertures to reduce wind pressures. The structure can support additional structures (14), (15), (17) and itself provide a support and surface for three dimensional and single dimensional graphics (12), (13), (16).

Description

PANORAMIC BALL-SPORTS STRUCTURE Field of this Invention THIS PRESENT INVENTION RELATES TO A VERTICALLY ORIENTATED STRUCTURE AGAINST WHICH A PLURALITY OF BALL-SPORTS MAY BE PLAYED AND ON WHICH THE RELEVANT SPORTS TARGETS WOULD BE CLEARLY DISPLAYED.

Backaround to the Invention Because of the nature of certain ball sports it is not generally possible to provide sufficient space to acommodate them all, and inparticular football, hockey, net-ball, basket-ball, cricket, tennis, base-ball, soft ball, rounders and so on.

If only limited space is available, indulging in a variety of ball sports presents many problems. Similarly, when coaching in any one of the afore-mentioned sports is required space and equipment is desirable.

History has recorded how prowess and adroitness has been acquired by practising some ball sports against a vertical wall or other upright surface.

The game of tennis requires a variety of strokes to produce competitive shots. Movement of the wrist; hand grip; position of the feet and body play a significant part in achieving winning shots.

PANORAMIC BALL-SPORTS STRUCTURE When played against a vertical surface the finnese cf action can be identified and corrected more easily than playing in an open space over a tennis net. A football pitch @ is 12Cr metres long and 90 metres wide and a hockey pitch 91 metres long and 54 metres wide. A tennis court requires 23.77 metres length and 10.37 metres wide with a net set at 0.97 metres high.To comply with the rules of each ball game, in terms of playing space, can be difficult in urban areas but by making use of the embodiment herein described only a small 1 area would be required to play the game of football and each of the other ball sports aforementioned.

The embodiment of this invention comprises a vertically orientated structure which can be erected to enable the ball sports mentioned to be played with realism and result. Where training, practice and tuition is required the structure offers many advantages over an open space.

The embodiment of this invention can also be erected indoors. It can be flat-packed and is easily transportable.

The structure illustrated enables one sport to be played on one side and another sport on the other side but requiring two similar structures plaCed back-to-back. Other variants will be available including double-sided walls and multiple unit walls.

PANORAMIC BALL-SPORTS STRUCTURE The vertical structure comprises a framework of timber or other appropriate material on to which is fixed a graphic cladding material with a weather protective coating of polyurethane or other appropriate material.

The assembly of the framework is in a plurality of sections, each rigidly attached to the other. Vertical support posts can be fixedly ground anchored or suitably attached to other substantial support work. The whole structure can be static, permanent, semi-permanent or transportable. The frontal area of the structure provides space for advertisement material, logos, pictorial panoramas, instructional captions or other data.

The structure and playing area may incorporate fixed or free standing screens to prevent fugitive balls causing damage or nuisance to adjoining or nearby areas.

A specific embodiment of this invention will now be more particularly described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a frontal view of the BALL-SPORTS STRUCTURE Figure 2 is a skeleton view of the BALL-SPORTS STRUCTURE framework.

Figure 3 illustrates a number of support elements included in the BALL-SPORTS STRUCTURE.

PANORAMIC BALL-SPORTS STRUCTURE Descripticn of the Preferred Embodiments According to Figure 1 there is shown a frontal view of the FLAT PACKED UPSTANDING BALL-SPORTS STRUCTURE 10, which henceforth throughout this specification will be identified by the "STRUCTURE 10".

The frontal view indicates football qoal posts 11, hoc key goal posts 12, tennis net 13, net ball hoops 15, and basl:et ball blackboard and basket 17 and 14 and cricket wickets t6.

The foot ball goal posts 11 and the hockey goal posts 12 are indicated by an appropriately dimensioned coloured boarders.

Similarly, the cricket wickets 16 and the tennis net cord 13 would be demarkated by coloured graphics dimensionally appropriate to the accepted regulation sizes.

The basket ball basket 14 and back board 17 are carried ---n framework which can be supported or partially supported by the ball sports structure 10.

The net-ball hoops 15 project horizontally outwards from the structure 10.

Angularly orientated from each of the vertical member of the football goal posts are wing structures 18 each being adequately joined to the said vertical members, the details of which will be dealt with in subsequent text.

PANORAMIC BALL-SPORTS STRUCTURE It will be appreciated that the combined structure will present a large surface to environmental conditions and in particular the win cl. Apertures are provided through the graphic panels to reduce wind pressure and the surface coating is resistant to precipitation, frost and snow.

Figure 1 also indicates in the plan view of the STRUCTURE 10 the angularly orientated wins structures 18 which are each releasably but securely attached to the vertically upstanding football goal post side member 11. It wi 11 be obvious from the frontal view of the STRUCTURE 10 that there is ample area available for advertisement material -- logos and the ii ke.

Reference is now made to Figure 2 which indicates one pattern of construction to produce the completo STRUCTURE 10. It can be seen that tie principal frontal framework is constructed preferably in three sections 19,20,21, but could in another embodiment comprise of more or less than three sections. Sections 19 and 21 are preferably of similar construction and would each be bolted directly to the side vertical members representing the hockey posts 12 (Figure 1) The horizontal and vertical members throughout the three sections 19,20,21 are preferably of wood material but could be in plastic, composite or any other appropriate material.

PANORAMIC BALL-SPORTS STRUCTURE It will also be obvious that the number of vertical and horizontal members throughout the STRUCTURE 10 sections 13,20,21 can be increased as required to enhance stablility and r i g i di ty. Similarly, the areas in which t he cr i c ket wickets 16 (Figure 1) are sited would be amply reinforced to withstand the impact of the cricket ball when the standard cricket ball is in use. Figure 2 also shows the framework 22 for the wing structures 18. A similar pattern of construction is used for the wing structures 18 which comprise a plurality of horizontal and vertical members, preferably of wood material but could be in any other appropriate material.It will be obvious that the longer vertically upright member 2.3 would be releasably attached to the distal vertical side members of sections 19 and 21. At the rear of the junctions between sections 19,20,21 is provided a vertically upstanding support post or member 24 (Figure 3) which would be of substantial proportions and preferably fixedly secured within the ground.

Alternatively, where the STRUCTURE 10 is not of permanent or semi-permanent placement the support member 24 would be securely anchored to substantial ground level attachments.

referring now to Figure 3 there is shown as view 3a one method of providing support for the STRUCTURE 10.

PANORAMIC BALL-SPORTS STRUCTURE Where permanence is envisaged for the STRUCTURE 10 a substantially proportioned vertical post 24 preferably of impregnated timber, is fixedly secured within the hard standing cit the sports area. A plurality of such vertical posts 24 would be provided at the junction points between the sections 19,20,21 and the wing section junctions 23.

The vertical posts @ 24- would be appropriately bolted to tie vertical end numbers of the said sections 19,20,21,22.

View 3b illustrates in plan sectional view the post 24 screw-bolted to the junction between any two sections of the STRUCTURE 10.

View 3c schows one method of introducing post 24 at the rear of the junction between sections 22 and 19 and sections 21 and 22. In views 3b and 3c the screw bolts 25 are illustrated passing through the vertically upright post 26 and are captive inside and behind the cladding sections 27.

View 3c indicated the angularly orientated sections 22 extending away from the junction 28. View 3f illustrates a vertically upright support post 24 which would be sited behind each distal end member of each wing structure 18/22.

Although shown in vertical orientation for clarity the section 22 in view 3f would lie angularly to sections 19,21 as indicated in view Dr.

PANORAMIC BALL-SPORTS STRUCTURE At the base of the sections 19,20,21, is provided at earl-i junction point an angle cleat 23 (Figure 3, views 3a,3d, Oe:o which additionally releasably secures the said sections to the vertical posts 24.

Views 3d and 3e illustrate the junction post 26 between the sections 19,20,21 (Figure 2) and indicates positions for the screw bolts 25. It must be Eitressed that the methocl of construction herein described can vary in relation to the environmental conditions in which the STRUCTURE 10 is erected and the specifications inherent in the desion to meet safety standards. Similarly, the materials used in the construction can also vary to comply with design parameters and with preferences for the positioning of the various ball sports included on the STRUCTURE 10. Steel work can be substituted for the wood posts 24 and alternative materials can be introduced to comply with the expressed preferences of operatives or users.

The screening to be provided to prevent fugitive balls is not illustrated or described herein since such provision would comply with known art and with commercially available practice.

Claims (7)

1. A vertically oriented structure against which a plurality of ball sports may be played and on which the relevant sports targets would be clearly displayed.

2. A structure as claimed in claim 1 with side support uings angled to the backboard.

3. A structure as claimed in claim 1 or 2 with basket ball basket and backboard.

4. A structure as claimed in claim 3 uith net-ball hoops projecting horizontally outuards from the structure.

5. A structure as claimed in any proceeding claim that is flat packed for eas transportation for erection indoors or out doors.

6. A structure as claimed in any proceeding claim which is made from metal plastics materials or wood or from a combination of these materials.

7. A panoramic ball sports structure substantially has herein described and illustrated in the accompanving drawings.