GB2463243A

GB2463243A - Assembly kit for sports equipment

Info

Publication number: GB2463243A
Application number: GB0816059A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stuart Jonathan Lacey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-09-03
Filing date: 2008-09-03
Publication date: 2010-03-10
Also published as: WO2010026378A1; GB2463926A; GB0821090D0; GB0816059D0; GB2463302A; GB0816963D0

Abstract

A kit of parts for sports equipment can be assembled into a soccer goal, a rugby goal, or a cricket net by virtue of a pair of top corner connectors 103, 104 which allow uprights for rugby 120, 121 to be attached extending upwards from the goal posts (101, 102, Figure 1) or cricket net supports (131-134, Figure 3) to be attached extending forwards so that side netting can hang from them to slow and/or stop a cricket ball struck into them. Netting 122 can also be used to span the uprights and the goalmouth. A variation can include a diagonal aperture 103c, 104c in the connectors to connect to a support system for stabilization. A further variation which omits the upward connection is provided (Figure 10), which can be used either with an existing soccer goal to convert it into a cricket net or on its own. Methods for construction are also provided.

Description

A kit of parts for assembly into sports equipment and methods of making sports equipment therefrom The invention relates to a kit of parts for assembly into sports equipment and particularly to a kit of parts having a connector that allows parts of the same kit to be used to assemble equipment for a variety of different sports.

Prior art in this field includes for example US5249796 and US7351168 which both disclose goals suitable for playing soccer which can be adapted to form a goal for rugby or American football by extending telescopic uprights stored in the goalposts.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved apparatus which can be used for playing additional games, or can be readily added to to provide equipment for more games.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts for assembly into sports equipment comprising two posts, a crossbar and two connectors; wherein each connector has at least two collinear apertures or spigots, one of which mates with one of the posts, and two apertures or spigots orthogonal to the collinear apertures or spigots and orthogonal to each other one of which mates with the crossbar; whereby the kit can be assembled into a soccer goal by connecting each of the two posts to a respective one of the apertures or spigots and connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot orthogonal to the one connected to the post.

By providing a kit of parts having such cor.nectors it is possib!e to make simp!e additions to the kit in order to provide both a rugby goal and a cricket practice net in addition to the soccer goal (which could of course serve as a goal for various other sports such as hockey or handball which are similar in shape).

In a preferred aspect of the invention the kit also includes two uprights, so that it can also be assembled into a rugby goal by connecting each of the two posts to one of the collinear apertures or spigots, connecting each of the uprights to the other collinear

I

aperture or spigot and connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot orthogonal to the one connected to the post.

In another preferred aspect of the invention, the kit also includes two elongate cricket net supports and netting, so that it can also be assembled into a cricket practice net by connecting each of the two posts to one of the apertures or spigots connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot orthogonal to the one connected to the post, connecting each of the elongate cricket net supports to an aperture or spigot orthogonal to the apertures or spigots connected to the crossbar and posts so as to extend in the same direction, and attaching the netting to the cricket net supports.

In a more preferred aspect of the invention, the two connectors include a diagonal spigot or aperture which can be connected to a goal post support system which can stabilise the assembled soccer goal, rugby goal or cricket practice net by interacting with the ground behind the goal and/or can support a net behind the goal. For example the support system could comprise a pair of elongate members that extend diagonally to the ground and are attached to further elongate members that extend along the ground connecting the ends of the diagonal pair to each other and to the bottoms of the goal posts. Stability can be further improved by pinning the elongate members that run along the ground into the ground with pegs. If a support structure is not provided the posts could, for example be anchored by being partially buried in the ground.

Another preferred feature is the provision of straps for attaching netting to the posts, crossbar, uprights, cricket net supports or support system, the straps having a hook and loop fastening system.

In yet another preferred embodiment the posts, crossbar, uprights, or cricket net supports are formed of a plurality of elongate members adapted to be connected to each other. This allows the kit to be packed into a smaller space for stowing/shipping.

The invention also provides a method of making a goal for soccer or the like according to claim 9; a method of making a goal for rugby or the like according to claim 10; and a method of making a cricket practice net according to claim 11.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts for sports equipment comprising two posts, a crossbar, a diagonal support and two connectors; wherein each connector has three mutually substantially orthogonal apertures or spigots and a diagonal aperture or spigot; the apertures or spigots arranged such that a soccer goal can be assembled by connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot in the connectors, connecting each posts to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the aperture or spigot attached to the crossbar and connecting the diagonal support to the diagonal aperture or spigot such that with the goal standing, the unconnected apertures or spigots are disposed so as to be connectable to a forward extending cricket net support.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts for modifying a goal for soccer or the like to act as a cricket practice net; the kit comprising at least two cricket net supports, netting, and two connectors, the connectors having three mutually substantially orthogonal apertures or spigots and a diagonal aperture or spigot, whereby two of the mutually substantially orthogonal apertures or spigots and the diagona! aperture or spigot of each connector can be connected to the crossbar, posts and diagonal support of an existing soccer goal and the cricket net supports can be connected to the other of the three mutually substantially orthogonal spigots or apertures so as to extend away from the back of the soccer goal.

Further preferred features of the invention will be evident from the following non-limiting description of certain embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a football goal according to a first embodiment; Figure la shows an enlarged portion of part of the football goal of figure 1; Figure lb shows an enlarged portion of part of the football goal of figure 1; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a rugby goal according to the first embodiment; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a cricket practice net according to the first embodiment.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a combined soccer goal, rugby goal and cricket practice nets according to the first embodiment.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a football goal according to a second embodiment; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a rugby goal according to the second embodiment; Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a cricket practice net according to the first embodiment; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a combined soccer gee!, rugby gee! and cricket practice nets according to the first embodiment; Figure 9 shows an enlarged perspective view of the top left hand connector in combination with the combined soccer goal, rugby goal and cricket practice nets as shown in figure 4; Figure 9a shows a right side elevation of the connector shown in figure 9; Figure 9b shows a front elevation of the connector shown in figure 9; Figure 9c shows a left hand side elevation of the connector shown in figure 9; Figure 9d shows a rear elevation of the connector shown in figure 9; and Figure 9e shows a plan view of the connector shown in figure 9.

Figure 1 shows a kit of parts assembled into a small football goal. In this state there are two identical posts 101, 102, which are suitably formed from PVC tubes four feet (1.2m) long and are positioned vertically. The tops of the posts 101, 102, are inserted into apertures in downwardly extending legs 103a, 104a of respective "top corner" connectors 103, 104 (shown in more detail in figures 9-9e).

A crossbar 105, suitably formed from a 6-foot (1.8m) long PVC tube is horizontally disposed between the tops of the posts 101,102. The left hand end of the crossbar is inserted into an aperture in a rightwardly extending leg 1 03b of the left hand top corner connector 103 and the right hand end of the crossbar 105 is inserted into an aperture in the leftwardly extending leg I 04b of the right hand top corner connector 104.

The connectors 103, 104, also have diagonally downward extending legs, 103c, 104c with apertures into which elongate support tubes 106, 107 are fitted so as to extend diagonally downwardly to the ground. The diagonal support tubes 106, 107 are suitably formed from PVC and are about 5.5 feet (1.7m) long, so that they can each form the hypotenuse of a right angled triangle made up of the posts 101, 102 and two further fourfoot(1.2m)long PVC tubes, 108, 109 which extend between connectors 110, 111 at 4I.... (,.4 ( 4k.4 4, ,I.... I r i (17 11 1 i + +i-c0+ ,c LI I IL.11 LI I IJI IaL J1JJI I. LI..IId I J'I, I %.i I L.J II I.' -posts 101, 102. An additional six foot (1.8m) tube 114, extends between the connectors 110, 111, at the bottom of the elongate support tubes 106, 107 to add a further degree of rigidity to the support system.

As shown in more detail in figure 1 b, the elongate tubes that run along the ground 108, 109, 114, can be pegged into the ground by suitably sized pegs 115 to tether the goal.

In order to trap balls/pucks etc. that go into the goal rear netting 116 is attached to the crossbar 105, diagonal support tubes 106, 107 and the tube 114 that extends between them. As shown in greater detail in figure ib, attachment is conveniently made by straps 117 employing a hook and loop fastening system.

Left side netting is also provided to cover the gap between the post 101, diagonal tube 106, and the tube 108 that extends between them and can be held in place by the pegs 115 as well as hook and loop fastening straps 117. Right side netting 119 is also provided to cover the gap on the right hand side behind the goal.

Figure 2 shows the structure of figure 1 with an additional two uprights 120, 121, which are inserted into upwardly extending apertures in upwardly extending legs 103d, 104d of the top corner connectors 103, 104. The uprights 120, 121 are suitably formed from six-foot (1.Bm) long PVC tubes and indicate an area above the goal into which a rugby ball should be kicked to score a conversion or drop goal. A net, 122 is shown spanning the space between the posts which can catch a rugby ball in order to ease collection of the ball after kicking practice (this is particularly useful if the set is being used in the user's garden, where the possibility of kicking into a neighbour's garden is a problem either due to annoyance of the neighbour or loss of the ball in a jungle of plants).

The top of each upright is provided with a removable flag pole, 123, 124 and flag 125, 126, each of which inckide a hook and loop fastening strap, 127, 128 to ho!d the net 122 at its top corners.

As shown in figure 3, the football goal of figure 1 can be added to to provide a cricket practice net. In this case, a pair of elongate cricket net supports, 129, 130 each formed for example from two six-foot long PVC tubes 131, 132, 133, 134 connected by a T junction 135, 136, are inserted into forward extending apertures in forward extending legs 103e, 104e of the top corner connectors 103, 104.

Downwardly extending support poles 137, 138 depend from the orthogonal aperture of the I junctions and additional support poles 139, 140 depend from the ends of the cricket net supportsl 29, 130 by being inserted into apertures in L shaped connectors 141, 142 at the end of the PVC tubes 133, 134. A left side net 143 hangs from the left hand cricket net support 129, and a right side net 144 hangs from the right hand cricket net support 130.

Again the nets are attached by straps with hook and loop fasteners, 117 and to provide additional support, poles 145, 146, 147, 148 extend along the floor, are connected to the downwardly depending poles, 137, 138, 139, 140 and can be pegged to the ground.

Figure 4 shows the complete kit of parts assembled as goal, cricket practice nets, and rugby post for completeness, but requires no further explanation.

A second kit of parts is used to assemble the sports equipment shown in figures 5- 8. This kit is similar to that of the first embodiment, therefore, only the major differences will be described and similar reference numerals will be used for like parts, with the only difference being the initial number 2, rather than 1.

Figure 5 shows a soccer goal formed from the second kit of parts. The secor.d goal is larger, therefore, posts, 201, 202 are suitably 7-foot (2.lm) long, as are the poles 208, 209 that extend between the connectors 212, 213 at the bottom of the posts. In order to complete a right angled triangle, the diagonal supporting poles 206, 207, are about 10-foot (3m) long. The crossbar, 205 is about 8-foot (2.4rn) across and to alleviate sagging is formed from two elongate members in the form of poles 250, 251, connected by a I junction 252. A brace member 253 is inserted into the I junction so as to extend diagonally to the another T junction 254 in the middle of the tube 214 that extends between the feet of the diagonals 206 and 207. In this case, the tube 214 is also provided as two PVC poles 255, 256, which saves space when stowed.

Figure 6 shows a pair of uprights 220, 221 added to the soccer goal of figure 5, these need not be any different from those of figure 2, but the netting, 222, must be wider to span the 8-foot (2.4m) gap. Likewise the side and back netting 216, 218, 219 of the goal of the second embodiment must be larger than the side and back netting of the first embodiment.

From Figure 7 it can be seen that the kit of the second embodiment can be constructed into a more traditional cricket net, with a top net 257 as well as side nets, 243, 244. At 7-foot (2.lm) tall, most people will fit comfortably under the net, whereas I.2m while suitable for a five-a-side soccer goal would only be stood under by the smallest of children (full size cricket wickets would only just fit under such a net, being 28 inches (71.1cm) high themselves). However, the relatively short height of the nets of the first embodiment is not thought to be a significant problem as most shots, particularly by children would not reach a height of more than four feet (1.2 m) within the lateral distance from where the ball is hit, to the nets (only 3 feet (0.9m) if bowled straight down the middle).

in addilion 10 the obvious difference from the first embodiment that the support poles 237, 238, 239, 240 that hold the elongate cricket net supports 229, 230 up are 7 feet (2.4m) tall, the cricket nets of the second embodiment also include a pair of top netting support poles 258, 259 which extend between the upstanding support poles 237, 238, 239, 240 to support the top netting 257. As usual hook and loop fastening straps 217 attach the netting 257 to the poles 258, 259.

Like figure 3, figure 8 shows the complete second kit of parts assembled as goal, cricket practice nets, and rugby post for completeness, but requires no further explanation.

Figure 10 shows a cricket practice net constructed in accordance with the second and third aspects of the inventions. It will be seen that the cricket net of figure 10 is substantially the same as that of figure 3, consisting of two identical goal posts 101, 102, which are suitably formed from PVC tubes four feet (1.2m) long and are positioned vertically; a crossbar 105, suitably formed from a 6-foot (1.8rn) long PVC tube horizontally disposed between the tops of the posts 101,102 elongate support tubes 106, 107 are fitted so as to extend diagonally downwardly to the ground. The diagonal support tubes 106, 107 are suitably formed from PVC and are about 5.5 feet (1.7m) long, so that they can each form the hypotenuse of a right angled triangle made up of the posts 101, 102 and two further four foot (1.2m) long PVC tubes, 108, 109 which extend between the feet of the elongate support tubes 106, 107 to the feet of the posts 101, 102. An additional six foot (1.8m) tube 114, extends between the bottom of the elongate support tubes 106, 107 to add a further degree of rigidity to the support system.

In order to trap balls/pucks etc. that go into the goal rear netting 116 is attached to the crossbar 105, diagonal support tubes 106, 107 and the tube 114 that extends between them. Left side netting 118 is also provided to cover the gap between the post 101, diagonai tube 106, and the tube 108 that extends between them and can be held in place by the pegs 115 as well as hook and loop fastening straps 117. Right side netting 119 is also provided to cover the gap on the right hand side behind the goal.

The significant difference between the cricket practice netting of figure 3 and that of figure 10 is that the pair of elongate cricket net supports, 129, 130 are connected to the structure making up the football goal by connectors 3, 4 which have only four -10 -apertures, namely a downward facing aperture for receiving the goalposts 101, 102, a rightward/leftward facing aperture for receiving the crossbar 105, a diagonally backwards facing aperture for receiving the diagonal supports 106, 107 and a forward facing aperture for receiving the cricket net supports 129, 130. That is to say the apertures labelled a, b, c, and e in figure 9 are present, but d is not. In this embodiment, the apparatus cannot be used for rugby, but can be used in the other two configurations. It will be understood that the connectors 3 and 4, supports 129, 130 and netting 143, 144 could be retrofitted to an existing soccer goal having only 3-way top-corner connectors to convert it into a cricket net it will also be appreciated that the diagonal supports render the cricket practice nets of this invention more stable than the traditional nets with only vertical and horizontal supports.

Various modifications can be made to the embodiments within the scope of the claims. By way of example, the lengths of poles are by no means fixed so long as the sports equipment is in suitable proportions when assembled. Also, the connectors could comprise spigots which are inserted into the various elongate tubes rather than vice versa, or a mixture of spigots and apertures. Moreover, the connections could be threaded or provided with other fastening means than the interference fit contemplated above. In a preferred (not shown) embodiment the forward facing apertures of the top corner connectors (and/or bottom corner connectors) are not disposed on a leg, but rather have operngs flush with the front of the legs 103a, 103b, 104a, 104b, 203a, 203b, 204a, 204b that connect to the crossbar and posts so as to avoid getting in the way of a ball by sticking out into the field of play, or impacting a goalkeeper's hands as he makes a save.

Claims

-11 -Claims 1. A kit of parts for assembly into sports equipment comprising two posts, a crossbar and two connectors; wherein each connector has at least two collinear apertures or spigots one of which mates with one of the posts, and two apertures or spigots substantially orthogonal to the collinear apertures or spigots and orthogonal to each other one of which mates with the crossbar; whereby the kit can be assembled into a soccer goal by connecting each of the two posts to a respective one of the apertures or spigots and connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the one connected to the post.
2. A kit of parts according to claim 1 further comprising two uprights; whereby the kit can be assembled into a rugby goal by connecting each of the two posts to one of the collinear apertures or spigots, connecting each of the uprights to the other collinear aperture or spigot in each of the connectors and connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the one connected to the post.
A I4 Id;. ;..,4 J. I RI!. .JI 1JQ1 L Q�,L,!JI.111 I L'.J,IaII II., I UI LI II.,JI I 11.11 III IJ Q I Ia!. L'.J 1JQI I the uprights when assembled and connecting means for connecting the net to the uprights.
4. A kit of parts according to claim 3 wherein the connecting means for connecting the net to the uprights comprises a flagpole -12 -
5. A kit of parts according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising two elongate cricket net supports and netting; whereby the kit can be assembled into a cricket practice net by connecting each of the two posts to one of the apertures or spigots in a respective one of the connectors, connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the one connected to the post, connecting each of the elongate cricket net supports to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the apertures or spigots connected to the crossbar and posts so as to extend in the same direction, and attaching the netting to the cricket net supports.
6. A kit of parts according to any of the preceding claims wherein the two connectors include a diagonal spigot or aperture which can be connected to a goal support system which can stabilise the assembled soccer goal, rugby goal or cricket practice net by interacting with the ground behind the goal and/or can support a net behind the goal.
7. A kit of parts according to any of the preceding claims further comprising straps for attaching netting to the posts, crossbar, uprights, cricket net supports or support system, the straps having a hook and loop fastening system.
8. A kit of parts according to any of the preceding claims wherein the posts, crossbar, uprights, or cricket net supports are formed of a plurality of elongate members adapted to be connected to each other.
9. A kit of parts for sports equipment comprising two posts, a crossbar, a diagonal support and two connectors; -13 -wherein each connector has three mutually substantially orthogonal apertures or spigots and a diagonal aperture or spigot; the apertures or spigots arranged such that a soccer goal can be assembled by connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot in the connectors, connecting each posts to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the aperture or spigot attached to the crossbar and connecting the diagonal support to the diagonal aperture or spigot such that with the goal standing, the unconnected apertures or spigots are disposed so as to be connectable to a forward extending cricket net support.
10. A kit of parts according to claim 9 further comprising netting and two cricket net supports suitable for connecting to one of the mutually substantially orthogonal spigots and supporting the netting.
11. A kit of parts for modifying a goal for soccer or the like to act as a cricket practice net; the kit comprising: at least two cricket net supports, netting, and two connectors, the connectors having three mutually substantially orthogonal apertures or spigots and a diagonal aperture or spigot, whereby two of the mutually substantially orthogonal apertures or spigots and the diagonal aperture or spigot of each connector can be connected to the crossbar, posts and diagonal support of an existing soccer goal and the cricket net -, I.. +-1 1. ... 4t,-, ...,, .4. .,dI., ., ,k.-.4.-..,4;.,II,, U1JI.J,JI t..,GI I IJ %.,.JI II L'.J LI I JLI II.11 LI I LIII I I IULUclIuy UIJI.cAI ILIOII Jl LI IJJI III spigots or apertures so as to extend away from the back of the soccer goal.
12. A method of making a goal for soccer or the like comprising: providing a kit of parts according to any of the claims 1-10; and -14 -connecting each of the two posts to a respective one of the apertures or spigots and connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the one connected to the post.
13. A method of making a goal for rugby or the like comprising: providing a kit of parts according to any of claims 2-8 and; connecting each of the two posts to one of the collinear apertures or spigots, connecting each of the uprights to the other collinear aperture or spigot and connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the one connected to the post.
14. A method of making a cricket practice net comprising: providing a kit of parts according to any of claims 5 to 8 and connecting each of the two posts to one of the apertures or spigots, connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the one connected to the post, connecting each of the elongate cricket net supports to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the apertures or spigots connected to the crossbar and posts so as to extend in the same direction, and attaching the netting to the cricket net supports.