GB2445624A

GB2445624A - A portable goal

Info

Publication number: GB2445624A
Application number: GB0706874A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Thomas Tonkiss
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-01-10
Filing date: 2007-04-10
Publication date: 2008-07-16
Also published as: GB0706874D0; GB0700431D0

Abstract

A portable goal comprises a frame 1 which is hinged 8,8 in sections so that the cross bar folds in sections to lie along side the uprights 10. The side stanchions 5 also fold to lie behind the uprights. The goal nets are stored within the uprights and may be spring loaded to automatically roll out when the frame is extended.

Description

I

Portable Soccer goal

Field of the invention:

This application relates to a fully functional portable soccer goal-set, that requires no assembly, but instead relies on a "concertina" effect for it's portability.

Background of the invention:

All current portable goals on the market operate in roughly the same way.

They are all based on the construction method of linking up various pieces of a tubular framework and then attaching the nets (if required) once completed.

This can be very time consuming for the consumer and they can sometimes run into difficulty constructing the product, which can lead to the product

becoming unstable.

My product differs to every other portable goal type on the market, due to the fact that there is absolutely no assembly required by the consumer in order for it to operate.

A simple pull from both sides of the goals is enough to make it operable.

This will save the consumer considerable time and resources as the typical current product on the market can take up to 20 minutes to construct.

Summary of the invention:

The product is a portable goal set (nets included) that can be folded away and be placed in a trolley for easy transportation.

The goals will fold away at the touch of a button in a concertina method, no assembly is required.

The goal frames will be 15.6ft x 4ft x 3ft in size. They will be made of steel (for the adult version) or plastic (for the children's version). They will consist of various mechanisms to enable the goals to fold away, these include -Fold away crossbar-The crossbar will fold away using a concertina effect enabling the two vertical posts to come together.

Nets in posts-The nets will actually be stored in the posts of the goal frame they will roll out when the posts are pulled apart and the crossbar is fully extended.

Fold away back stanchions-The back stanchion of the goalposts fold away behind each of the posts.

My product will be able to fit into the boot/trunk of any car and come with its own trolley. This coupled with the quick and easy assembly will set it apart from the rest of the products in the market.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a panoramic view of the full goal set before the release button has been pressed in.

Figure 2 shows a panoramic view of the goal set after the release button has been pressed in and the fold away begins.

Figure 3 shows a panoramic view of the goal set when it has almost completely folded away.

Figure 4 shows a panoramic view of the goal set when it is compact and folded away.

Figure 5 shows a panoramic view of the goal set when placed in the

portable trolley.

Figure 6 shows a top view of the full goal set before the release button has been pressed in.

Figure 7 shows a top view of the goal set immediately after the release button has been pressed in and the telescopic bar has been retracted.

Figure 8 shows a top view of the goal set when it is about mid way through folding away.

Figure 9 shows a top view of the goal set when it is compact and folded away.

Figure 10 shows a top view of the goal set when placed in the portable trolley.

Figure ii shows a panoramic view of the telescopic bar when fully extended.

Figure 12 shows the telescopic bar when retracted.

Figure 13 shows the crossbar collapsing and folding away (due to retracting the telescopic bar).

Figure 14 shows the double axel joint in the "set" position.

Figure 15 shows the double axel joint when the crossbar starts to collapse.

Figure 16 shows the double axel joint cause the inner section of the crossbar to move in behind the outer section of the crossbar Figure 17 shows the goal set when fully compact.

Figure 18 shows a rear view of the nets and goalposts.

Figure 19 shows a rear view of the location of the separate components of the back stanchion adjacent to the posts, once the stanchions are folded away.

Figure 20 shows a panoramic view of a back stanchion before being folded away.

Figure 21 shows a side view of a back stanchion before being folded away.

Figure 22 shows a side view of a back stanchion while folding away.

Figure 23 shows a rear view of the back stanchion adjacent to the posts, once the stanchions are folded away.

Figure 24 shows a side view of a stanchion and net runner at the beginning of the fold out.

Figure 25 shows a side view of a stanchion and net runner mid way through the fold out.

Figure 26 shows a side view of a stanchion and net runner at the end of the fold out.

In figure 1, a panoramic view of the goal-set (1) that comprises the following. The height of the posts (2) will be 4ft. The crossbar is made of four separate pieces of tubing (3) measuring 3ft 9" in length and 3" in diameter. The combined length of the crossbar when attached to the posts will be 15ft 6".

The back stanchions will consist of three separate sections, two will measure 2fi 6" in length and 1.5" in diameter (4) and the third will measure 3ft 8" in length and 1.5" in diameter (5).

The crossbar will consist of the following features, A release button (6) that once pressed will enable the telescopic bar (7) to retract (taking away support from the outer sections of the crossbar) and fold down.

A double axe! joint (8), which will enable the crossbar to collapse with the inner sections of the crossbar folding in behind the outer sections of the crossbar.

A rubber lining (9) will be placed inside the framework of the crossbar to enable the telescopic bar to retract smoothly without any friction.

The nets will be located within the posts (10) and will be spring loaded to ensure that once the release button is pressed the two posts will be drawn together.

Fold out handles (11) will be located on either post to help when pulling out the goals.

The crossbar and the posts are held together using a joint (12) which will measure 6" in length and 3" in diameter.

Figure 2 shows the goals immediately after the release button has been pressed. The Telescopic bar begins to retract (13) releasing support for the outer sections of the crossbar, the posts begin to draw in and the back stanchions begin to fold away.

These mechanisms will be explained more fully in Fig 11. to Fig.26.

Figures 3 to 5 shows the inner sections of the crossbar folding in behind the outer sections of the crossbar until it reaches its compact position and is ready to be placed in it's trolley for easy transportation.

Figure 6 is a top view of figure 1 showing many of the same features as well as the 0.2" gap where the nets fold out (14).

Figure 7 is a top view of figure 2 showing goal posts immediately after release button has been pressed and the retracted telescopic bar (7).

Figures 8 to 10 are top views of figures 3 to 5 showing the goal frame at the various stages until it is compact and in it's trolley.

Figure 11 shows the telescopic bar when fully extended. The outer section of the telescopic bar (7a) measures 311 4" in length and 2" in diameter. The inner section of the telescopic (7b) bar measures 10" in length and 1.5" in diameter. There is an overhang of 2" past the double axe! joint (15) when the bar is in extended mode.

In figure 12, the release button has been pressed in and telescopic bar has been retracted. There is a 2" gap between the end of the telescopic bar and double axe! joint (16).

In figure 13, (17) relates to a gap on each side of the release button mechanism that enable the inner sections of the crossbar to fold in.

In figure 15, (18) relates to a ball and socket (on runner) mechanism that holds the two double axe! joints together. Both the joints rotate anti -clockwise (19) In figure 17, the release button (20) is just visible when the goals are fully compact, along with the inner sections of the crossbar (21) and the posts (22).

In Figure 19, (23) relates to the base of the back stanchion when folded up (width 1.4" depth 1.4"). (24) Relates to the folded diagonal of the back stanchion (width 1.4" depth 2.8"). (25) Relates to the gap for net release (width 0.2").

In figure 20, (26) is the width of the joint, which is 6". (27) Is the distance from the top of the crossbar to the top of the back stanchions, which is 4".

(28) Is the height of the post from the bottom to where it meets the top of the back stanchion, which is 3ft 8". (29) Is the length of the two sections that make up the diagonal of the back stanchion, which are 211 6" each.

(30) Is the length of the base of the back stanchion, which is 3ft 8".

In figure 23, (31) is the measurements of the final resting position of the back stanchions, which is width 2.8" depth 2.8" In figure 25, (32) relates to the base of the back stanchion folding out as it's attached to a runner on the nets. (33a) Shows the location of the runner that is attached to the nets.

In figure 26, (33b) shows the runner when the goals are fully extended.

(34) Relates to the steel ball attached to the end of the back stanchion and onto the runner, which enables the mechanism to work.

Claims

Claims 1. A portable fold away goal set (nets included) that uses the

concertinalnets in goalposts method that I have developed. To my knowledge no other product or patent has used anything like this before so I therefore wish to patent this idea as being original and unique to my product.
2. A portable fold away goal set according to claim I, in which the use of a telescopic bar and double axe! joint enables it to collapse and fold away.
3. A portable fold away goal set according to claim 1, in which the nets are stored in the two vertical posts are spring-loaded and fold out along with the rest of the goal set.
4. A portable fold away goal set according to claim 1, in which the back stanchions that can be folded away so they rest vertically behind each of the posts, the back stanchions on some portable goalposts have the ability to swivel at a 90 degree angle so the rest adjacent to the crossbar, the back stanchions on my goals fold away totally so they rest vertically behind the posts.
5. A portable fold away goal set according to claim 1, in which a runner attached to the inside of the net and the back stanchions will enable the stanchions to fold in and out automatically, along with the rest of the goal frame.