GB2568064A

GB2568064A - Goal posts

Info

Publication number: GB2568064A
Application number: GB1718197.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Press Michael
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-11-02
Filing date: 2017-11-02
Publication date: 2019-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 2037-11-02
Also published as: AU2018361713A1; WO2019086895A1; GB201718197D0; GB2568064B

Abstract

A sports goal posts 11A comprises emitting means, such as an array of LEDs 20, extending longitudinally of an elongate post member 17,18. A remote actuator (14A, figure 1) is provided for remotely activating the light emitting means to cause the emission of light therefrom, for example when a goal or point is scored in a sports game. This enables spectators of the game to immediately see that a goal or point has been scored.

Description

GOAL POSTS

This invention relates to goal posts for sports games.

Rugby, Soccer, American football and other ball sports use goal posts located at opposite ends of a sports pitch, with goals or points being scored by one team when the ball passes between and/or over the goal posts of the other team.

Generally, when a goal or point is scored, a referee, linesman or other official will usually provide an initial indication that a goal or point has been allowed by raising a hand in which a flag may be carried. A problem with this is that physical spectators at the game may not be able to see the indication by the official, especially if they are located at the opposite end of the sports pitch. The same problem exists for spectators viewing the game on television, for example if the camera is not zoomed on the official.

Hence, one object of the present invention is to alleviate the above-mentioned problem.

Another object of the present invention is to improve the overall experience of the game for physical spectators and those spectators viewing the game on television.

With the foregoing objects in mind, I have now devised improved goal posts.

In accordance with the present invention, as seen from the first aspect, there is provided goal posts comprising an elongate post member, light emitting means extending longitudinally of the post member and means for remotely activating the light emitting means to cause the emission of light therefrom.

In use, when a goal or point is scored, the referee, linesman or other official can actuate the remote activation means to cause the light emitting means to emit light, so that physical and television spectators of the game can immediately see that a goal or point has been scored.

The effect caused by the emission of light from the light emitting means can be spectacular and can help to improve spectator’s enjoyment of the game, especially if music and/or other sounds are emitted at the same time.

The light emitting means may comprise one or more strips of light emitting devices which extend longitudinally of the elongate goal post member. The strips and/or the light emitting devices may be arranged to emit a variety of different colours.

Alternatively, the light emitting means may comprise an array of light emitting devices, which may be arranged to emit a variety of different colours. In the latter case, means may be provided for controlling the light emitting devices in response to video signals to cause the light emitting means to display successive images.

The goal posts may provide a plurality of goal post members, each provided with light emitting means. For example, rugby, soccer and American football goal posts may comprise light emitting means extending along both uprights and optionally the crossbar.

The light emitting means may extend fully or partially along the or each goal post member.

The light emitting means may be detachable from the goal post member, so that it can be readily installed or removed, for example when it needs to be repaired or replaced.

Preferably the light emitting means comprises a substrate which can be wrapped around the goal post member and secured in-situ, for example using hook-and-pile type fastenings.

Preferably the remote activation means comprises a transmitter for transmitting a wireless activation signal to a receiver of the light emitting means. In use, the transmitter may be carried by the referee, linesman or other official. The transmitter may be provided in a body portion of a flag, which the referee, linesman or other official can use to indicate when a goal or point has been scored. The transmitter may comprise a switch which cases the wireless activation signal to be transmitted.

Also in accordance with the present invention, as seen from a second aspect, there is provided a sports facility comprising a pair of goal posts in accordance with the first aspect of the invention disposed at respective opposite ends of a sports pitch.

The light emitting means of each goal post member is preferably independently actuable by the same or respective different remote control means.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic prospective view of a rugby sports facility in accordance with the second aspect of the invention, incorporating a pair of goal posts in accordance with the first aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 is a front view of a flexible LED display of the goal post of the sports facility of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front view of goal post of the sports facility of Figure 1; and

Figure 4 is a sectional view along the line IV-lV of Figure 3.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a rugby sports facility comprising a sports field 10 and a pair of goal posts 11 A, 11B disposed at respective opposite ends of the sports field 10. Each goal post 11 A, 11B comprises a wireless receiver 12 for receiving respective wireless activation signals from respective transmitters 13 disposed in handles of respective flag units 14A, 14B. Each flag unit 14A, 14B comprises a flag 15 and a switch 16, which can be actuated to transmit a wireless activation signal to the receiver 12 of the respective goal post 11 A, 11B.

Referring to Figures 2-4 of the drawings, each goal post e.g. 11A comprises a pair of uprights 17 interconnected intermediate their opposite ends by a crossbar 18. An elongate flexible LED display device 19 is wrapped around each upright 17 and crossbar 18. The LED display 19 comprises an array of light emitting diodes 20 mounted on the elongate flexible substrate 21 having strips 22H, 22P of the respective portions of a hook-and-pile fastener extending down its respective longitudinal side edges. Each light emitting diode 20 is arranged to emit the colours red, green and blue in various intensities in the same manner as a television to produce a colour image. Each display device 19 is elongate and is wrapped around the respective portions 17, 18 of the goal posts 11 A, 11B and secured in-situ by interengaging the corresponding strips 22H, 22P of the hook-and-pile fastener.

The wireless receiver 12 is connected to a control unit 23, which is also connected to a battery 24. The receiver 12, control unit 23 and battery 24 may be mounted within a padding member 25 disposed around the base of one of the uprights 17.

In use, the flag units 14A, 14B are carried by respective linesman during a rugby game. When a point is scored, for example by the ball being kicked over the crossbar 18 of the goal post 11 A, the linesman holding the flag unit 14A presses the button 16 whilst simultaneously raising the flag unit 14A. This then transmits an activation signal to the receiver 12 of the goal posts 11 A. The activation signal is sensed by the control unit 23 to cause the LED displays 19 of the goal post 11A to be activated to display a stored series of images on the goal post 11A. The images may comprise promotional images.

In an alternative embodiment, more than one flag unit e.g. 14A may be provided for sending wireless signals to the respective receiver 12 of each goal post 11A, 11B, for example if two linesmen are monitoring play in each direction. Alternatively, a single flag unit may be provided if there is just one linesman or other official monitoring play in both directions. In this case, the flag unit may comprise a pair of switches for sending wireless activation signals to the receiver 12 of respective goal posts 11 A, 11B.

It will be appreciated that a goal post in accordance with the present invention provides an easily visible indication to spectators that a goal or point has been scored. Furthermore, the illumination of the goal post can be visually spectacular and can enhance a spectator’s enjoyment of the game especially if moving images are displayed.

Claims

1. Goal posts comprising an elongate post member, light emitting means extending longitudinally of the post member and means for remotely

5 activating the light emitting means to cause the emission of light therefrom.

2. Goal posts as claimed in claim 1, in which the light emitting means comprises one or more strips of light emitting devices which extend longitudinally of the elongate goal post member.

3. Goal posts as claimed in claim 2, in which the strips and/or the light emitting devices are arranged to emit a variety of different colours.

4. Goal posts as claimed in claim 1, in which the light emitting means comprises

15 an array of light emitting devices.

5. Goal posts as claimed in claim 4, in which the array of light emitting devices is arranged to emit a variety of different colours.

6. Goal posts as claimed in claim 5, comprising means for controlling the light emitting devices in response to video signals to cause the light emitting means to display successive images.

7. Goal posts as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of goal

25 post members, each provided with light emitting means.

8. Goal posts as claimed in claim 7, comprising a pair of upright goal post members and a crossbar goal post member extending therebetween, said light emitting means extending along both upright goal post members.

9. Goal posts as claimed in claim 8, in which the light emitting means also extends along the crossbar goal post member.

10. Goal posts as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the light emitting

35 means extends fully or partially along the or each goal post member.

11. Goal posts as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the light emitting means is detachable from the goal post member.

12. Goal posts as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the light emitting means comprises a substrate which can be wrapped around the goal post member and secured in-situ.

13. Goal posts as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the remote activation means comprises a transmitter for transmitting a wireless activation signal to a receiver of the light emitting means.

14. Goal posts as claimed in claim 13, in which the transmitter is provided in a body portion of a flag.

15. Goal posts as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, in which the transmitter comprises a switch which cases the wireless activation signal to be transmitted.

16. comprising a pair of goal posts as claimed in any preceding claim disposed at respective opposite ends of a sports pitch.

17. A sports facility as claimed in claim 16, in which the light emitting means of each goal post member is independently actuable by the same or respective different remote activation means.