GB2585031A

GB2585031A - Goal frame having a fixing plate assembly received in a channel of a hollow profile

Info

Publication number: GB2585031A
Application number: GB1909105.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Galley Thomas
Original assignee: Harrod UK Ltd
Current assignee: Harrod UK Ltd
Priority date: 2019-06-25
Filing date: 2019-06-25
Publication date: 2020-12-30
Anticipated expiration: 2039-06-25
Also published as: GB2585031B; GB201909105D0

Abstract

The bars of a goal frame comprise at least one hollow profile 21 defining a flanged channel 30 configured to receive at least one plate 50, 60 having a non-circular outer periphery 51, 61 and a non-circular aperture 53 to receive a non-circular cross-section 44 of a threaded fastener 40, such as a square collar coach bolt. The plate fixes the fastener against rotation and is slotted in the channel 30 beneath the flanges (32, figure 8) to connect the goal posts together. This arrangement may be used to attach accessories to the goal frame. This may be used in the joints of a frame, for example in the posts of a football goal. The goal frame may have a crossbar and rear bar extending between side posts.

Description

Goal frame having a fixing plate assembly received in a channel of a hollow profile This invention relates to goal frames, particularly but not exclusively football goal frames, wherein the bars of the frame are made from a hollow profile defining a flanged channel, and a fixing plate is received in the channel.

Figs. 1 -4 show one bar of a known goal frame comprising a hollow, extruded aluminium profile 1 defining an outwardly open channel 2 having a pair of short, opposed flanges 3 defining a narrow slot 4 between them. The channel is configured to receive a fixing plate 5 having a rectangular periphery and an aperture 6 for a threaded fastener 7, which can be used to connect accessories to the frame.

The threaded fastener includes a square head 8 which is configured to engage the side walls 9 of the channel to prevent rotation of the fastener when the head is slidingly inserted into the channel beneath the flanges 3 and a nut is screwed onto the fastener body. The fixing plate 5 is received in the outer part of the channel so that in use, the plate is fixed against rotation by abutment of its periphery against the side walls 9 of the channel, and the flanges 3 are clamped between the head 8 of the fastener and the plate 5.

The slot 4 is typically about 12mm wide to accommodate the threaded body of the fastener, which is typically about 10mm in diameter, and is covered by the fixing plate 5 in its use position. The closely spaced flanges 3 are configured to remain in rigid relation when the frame is under load to ensure that the fastener head 8 remains securely engaged beneath the flanges 3 in use. It is desirable however to ensure that the narrow slot 4 does not form a finger trap which could result in injury.

In order to connect two frame elements together it is known to extend the fixing plate for a short distance (for example, less than 200mm) along the length axis of the profile 30 to accommodate two or more fasteners 7 which are arranged respectively to engage the flanges of two adjacent profiles arranged in collinear relation and abutting end-toend.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a goal frame having a hollow profile defining a flanged channel and a fixing plate received in the channel, wherein the channel can be configured to reduce the risk of finger entrapment.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a goal frame as defined in claim 1.

The novel goal frame includes at least one hollow profile, at least one fastener, and at least one plate.

The at least one hollow profile has a constant cross-section along a length axis of the at least one hollow profile, an interior cavity, an outer wall bounding the interior cavity, and a channel opening outwardly through the outer wall.

The channel includes: a pair of side walls extending inwardly from the outer wall into the interior cavity; a pair of flanges, each flange extending from a respective one of the side walls to a free edge of the flange, the free edges of the flanges being spaced apart in opposed relation to define a slot between the free edges of the flanges; and a base wall extending between the side walls and spaced apart from the flanges between the flanges and the interior cavity.

The at least one fastener has: a threaded body, a head, and a non-circular cross-section normal to a length axis of the threaded body.

The at least one plate has: a non-circular outer periphery, a bearing surface, and at least one aperture extending through the at least one plate, the at least one aperture having an aperture periphery.

The at least one fastener, the at least one plate, and the at least one hollow profile are configured to be assembled together in a use position wherein, in the use position: the at least one plate is arranged in the channel between the side walls, the head of the at least one fastener is arranged between the bearing surface and the base wall, the threaded body of the at least one fastener extends outwardly through the at least one aperture and the slot, and the non-circular outer periphery engages the side walls to prevent rotation of the aperture periphery about the length axis of the threaded body and relative to the at least one hollow profile.

The at least one plate includes an inner plate configured to be received between the flanges and the base wall in the use position, the bearing surface being formed on the inner plate.

The aperture periphery is non-circular and configured to engage the non-circular cross-section of the at least one fastener in the use position, to prevent rotation of the at least one fastener about the length axis of the threaded body and relative to the at least one plate.

Advantageously, the inner plate may distribute loads applied via the fastener head over an extended area of the flanges, reducing local load concentrations and providing a reliable fixture even if the width of the slot is increased to reduce the risk of finger entrapment. The threaded fastener may be of conventional design and substantially smaller in diameter than the width of the slot, and is restrained against rotation by engagement of its non-circular cross-section with the non-circular aperture periphery.

Further features and advantages will become evident from the following illustrative embodiments of the invention which will now be described, purely by way of example and without limitation to the scope of the claims, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figs. 1 -3 show one bar of a known goal frame with a fixing plate and fastener respectively in exploded view (Fig. 1), partially assembled (Fig. 2), and fully assembled in a use position (Fig. 3); Fig. 4 is an end view of the bar of the known goal frame with the fastener assembly in the use position of Fig. 3; Figs. 5 -7 show an end region of one bar of a first goal frame in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, with a fixing plate and fastener respectively in an exploded view (Fig. 5), partially assembled (Fig. 6), and fully assembled in a use position (Fig. 7); Fig. 8 is an end view of the bar of the first goal frame in the use position of the fastener assembly as shown in Fig. 7; Fig. 9 shows the first goal frame; Fig. 10 is an exploded view of a front joint of the first goal frame comprising a second fixing plate and fastener assembly in accordance with a second embodiment; Fig. 11 is an exploded view of a rear joint of the first goal frame comprising a third fixing plate and fastener assembly in accordance with a third embodiment; and Fig. 12 is an end view of the fastener of the first goal frame as shown in side view in Fig. 8.

Reference numerals and characters appearing in more than one of the figures indicate the same or corresponding parts in each of them.

Referring to Figs. 5 -8, a goal frame 20 includes at least one hollow profile 21, at least one fastener 40, and at least one plate. The at least one plate includes an inner plate 50 and optionally also an outer plate 60.

By profile is meant a structural element, which in particular may form a bar of the frame, with a constant cross-section along its length axis. Goal frames are commonly made from hollow profiles because they are strong and stiff and relatively light in weight.

The at least one hollow profile 21 may be extruded, for example, in aluminium or aluminium alloy, or pultruded, for example, from reinforced plastics materials, and has a constant cross-section (which is the same as its end surface 26 as shown in Fig. 8) extending along a length axis X1 of the at least one hollow profile -which is to say, the cross-section does not vary along the length axis.

The profile 21 defines an interior cavity 22, an outer wall 23 bounding the interior cavity, and a channel 30 opening outwardly (which is to say, away from the interior cavity) through the outer wall 23. The outer surface 24 of the outer wall 23 may have a curved cross-section which may define one or more, circular or elliptical arcs, and may extend around the interior cavity for most, but less than all, of a complete revolution, the remaining portion of the closed cross-section of the profile 21 being occupied by the channel 30. A major part (i.e. most of) the outer surface 24 of the cross-section of the profile 21 may conform to a circle or an ellipse. The outer wall 23 may include flat or straight portions, as known in the art and exemplified by the section of Fig. 4 which has two curved portions separated by a pair of opposed, short, straight portions. Thus, when considered in cross-section, the interior cavity 22 may be enclosed within or bounded by the outer wall 23 and the channel 30. The interior cavity 22 may contain internal ribs 25 extending inwardly (i.e. towards the interior cavity 22) from the outer wall 23 or the channel 30, which may be used to locate an internal stiffener as further described below.

The channel 30 includes a pair of side walls 31 extending inwardly from the outer wall 23 into the interior cavity 22, and a pair of flanges 32. Each flange 32 extends from a respective one of the side walls 31 to a free edge 33 of the flange. The free edges 33 of the two flanges 32 are spaced apart in opposed relation to define a slot 34 between the free edges 33 of the two flanges. The slot 34 has a width W1 between the free edges 33 of the flanges and normal to the length axis X1 of the profile. In order to minimise the risk of finger entrapment, the width W1 may be greater than 25mm, so that the slot 34 is much wider than the slot 4 of the prior art goal frame of Figs. 1 -4.

The channel 30 further includes a base wall 35 which extends between the side walls 31. The base wall 35 is spaced apart from the flanges 32 between the flanges 32 and the interior cavity 22, while the outwardly facing surface 37 of the base wall 35 (which is to say, its surface facing away from the interior cavity 22) defines the inward or base surface of the channel 30.

The fastener 40 has a threaded body 41 (which is to say, a body that is threaded for at least part, optionally all of its length); a head 42; and a non-circular cross-section 43 normal to the length axis X2 of the threaded body 41. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastener is configured as a coachbolt, and the non-circular cross-section 43 is formed by the square collar 44 of the coachbolt between the head and the body; the cross-section 43 is thus the same as the end view of the square collar 44 as shown in Fig. 12, and can be taken anywhere along the length L2 of the collar. For simplicity the threads of the fastener are shown only in Fig. 8.

The at least one plate 50, 60 has (when considered in a plane normal to the fastener axis X2 in the use position) a non-circular outer periphery 51, 61, a bearing surface 52 (which is to say, a surface against which the fastener head 42 abuts to restrain the fastener 40 in its axial direction) formed on the inner plate 50, and at least one aperture 53, 63 extending through the at least one plate 50, 60, the at least one aperture 53, 63 having an aperture periphery 54, 64.

The aperture periphery 54 is non-circular (for example, square as illustrated) and is configured to engage the non-circular cross-section 43 of the at least one fastener in the use position, to prevent rotation of the at least one fastener about the length axis X2 of its threaded body 41 and relative to the at least one plate 50, 60.

The non-circular outer periphery 51 and the non-circular aperture periphery 54 are both formed on the same plate, and may both be formed on the inner plate 50, as exemplified by each of the illustrated embodiments.

Where the at least one plate includes both inner and outer plates (or inner and additional plates, or inner, outer and additional plates, as further described below), both or each of the inner and outer and/or additional plates are provided with apertures 53, 63 which are aligned in the use position so that the threaded body of the fastener extends through both apertures 53, 63, as shown.

Moreover, where the at least one plate includes both inner and outer and/or additional plates, each of the inner and outer and/or additional plates, or alternatively only any respective one of the inner and outer and/or additional plates, may have a non-circular outer periphery and a non-circular aperture periphery.

As illustrated, the outer plate 60 may have a circular aperture periphery 64 and may have a non-circular outer periphery 61 which is configured to engage the side walls of the channel so that, like the inner plate 50, the outer plate 60 is restrained against rotation relative to the profile 21 in the use position.

The non-circular outer periphery 51, 61 of the or each plate 50, 60 is defined normal to its minor, thickness dimension and may be generally square or generally rectangular and elongate to extend along the length axis Ll of the profile to accommodate more than one fastener 40 in more than one aperture 53, 63, as further described below with reference to the second and third embodiments.

The or each plate may be made for example from steel.

The at least one fastener 40, the at least one plate 50, 60, and the at least one hollow profile 21 are configured to be assembled together in a use position as shown in 7. In the use position, the or each plate 50, 60 is arranged in the channel 30 between the side walls 31.

The inner plate 50 is configured to be received in the use position inwardly of the flanges 32, which is to say, between the flanges 32 and the base wall 35. In this position the outer surface 55 of the inner plate 50 opposite its bearing surface 52 abuts against the inwardly facing surfaces 36 of the flanges 32 to restrain the inner plate 50 against movement in the outward direction (away from the interior cavity 22) along the fastener axis X2.

Where an outer plate 60 is provided, it may be arranged in the outer part of the channel 30 outwardly of the flanges 32, which is to say, so that the flanges 32 are interposed between the outer plate 60 and the interior cavity 22.

In the use position, the fastener head 42 is arranged between the bearing surface 52 of the inner plate 50 and the base wall 35 of the channel to abut the bearing surface 52, so that the inner plate 50 restrains the fastener 40 against movement in an outward direction (away from the interior cavity) along the fastener axis X2, which may be normal (i.e. orthogonal) to the length axis X1 of the profile, as illustrated.

The threaded fastener body 41 extends outwardly through the aligned apertures 53, 63 and the slot 34, which is aligned with the apertures 53, 63 along the fastener axis X2 in the use position. In this position the non-circular outer periphery 51 engages the side walls 31 of the channel to prevent rotation of the aperture periphery 54 formed in the same plate (optionally as illustrated, in the inner plate 50) about the length axis X2 of the threaded fastener body 41 and relative to the profile 21.

The fastener 40 thus engages the plate which in turn engages the side walls 31 to lock the fastener in rotation relative to the profile. Of course, some clearance may be provided between the respective parts to facilitate assembly, so that the respective parts only engage after a small degree of rotation, to prevent further or substantial rotation about the fastener axis X2. The fastener is thus restrained against rotation, facilitating final assembly while the fastener is tightened, for example, by screwing a nut 45 onto the fastener body 41 as shown in Fig. 7. This is particularly helpful where as illustrated the nut 45 includes a plastics (e.g. nylon) locking ring or other anti-loosening feature which applies torque to the fastener as the nut is advanced along the thread.

The flanges 32 and base wall 35 may be configured to prevent the inner plate 50 from being inserted into or removed from the channel 30 inwardly of the flanges 32 (which is to say, between the flanges 32 and the base wall 35) other than by sliding the inner plate 50 into or out of an exposed end 30' of the channel in a direction of the length axis X1 of the profile, as shown in Fig. 5. This ensures that the inner plate 50 is correctly positioned during assembly.

During assembly, the threaded body 41 of the or each fastener extends through the slot 34 and slides along the slot 34 as the inner plate slides along the channel beneath the 20 flanges.

The base wall 35 may include guide portions 38 and a central portion 39 arranged between the guide portions 38, wherein the guide portions 38 are configured to retain the inner plate 50 proximate the flanges 32 (for example, slidingly abutting the flanges 32) and spaced apart from the central portion 39 when the inner plate 50 is inserted slidingly into the channel 30 inwardly of the flanges 32 during assembly. The guide portions 38 may be angled obliquely to the opposed surfaces 36, 37 of the flanges 32 and the central portion 39 of the base wall 35, as illustrated. Alternatively, the guide portions could be configured as stepped or locally thickened regions or flanges. The guide portions make it easy to insert the inner plate 50 from an open end of the profile 21 and then slide it along the channel 30 to the required position. Obliquely angled guide portions advantageously help to avoid local stress concentrations and provide smaller sliding contact areas, further easing assembly.

Referring to Fig. 5 and Fig. 8, it can be seen that the fastener head 42 has a length L1 along the length axis X2 of the threaded fastener body 41, while the non-circular cross-section 43 extends for a length L2 along the length axis X2. In the illustrated embodiment, the length L2 is the length of the square collar 44.

The inner plate 50 has a thickness Ti along the length axis X2 in the use position, while respective, opposed surfaces 36, 37 of the flanges 32 and the base wall 35 are spaced apart by a distance D1 along the length axis X2 in the use position.

Where as illustrated the non-circular outer periphery 51 and the non-circular aperture periphery 54 are formed on the inner plate 50, these dimensions may be selected so that (L1 + L2) > (D1 -T1) This makes assembly easier (particularly when the fasteners have anti-loosening features) by ensuring that the fastener 40 remains restrained against rotation when it is loosely assembled together with the inner plate 50 as shown in Fig. 6 and before it is secured, for example, by screwing a nut 45 onto the threaded body 41 as shown in Fig. 7.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8 it can be seen that where both an inner plate 50 and an outer plate 60 are provided, the fastener 40 may be configured to clamp the flanges 32 between the inner plate 50 and the outer plate 60 to form a rigid assembly. The clamped, inner and outer plates may support accessories (such as net attachments, wheels for moving the goal frame, or struts to support the net) or may be used to connect component parts of the goal frame together as will now be described.

Referring now to Figs. 10 and 11, the inner and outer plates 250, 260 and 351, 352, 360 are configured generally as the inner and outer plates SO, 60 as described above, but are extended along the length axis X1 of the profile to accommodate a plurality of apertures 53, 63 to receive a plurality of fasteners 40. Each aperture 53 is aligned with a corresponding aperture 63 in the use position, as described above.

In each of the second and third embodiments, the at least one hollow profile 21 includes at least first and second and, optionally, third hollow profiles 21', 21" 21", which may be identical in cross-section, each being configured generally as described above. The first and second hollow profiles 21', 21" are arranged to abut each other end-to-end in collinear relation along their common length axis X1 as shown, and form respective bars or portions of the bars of the goal frame 20.

It should be understood that the "first", "second" and "third" profiles are identified as such purely for ease of reference when describing configurations where two or more bars or portions of bars are joined together; thus, for example, the "second profile" and "third profile" may be identified at opposite ends of one bar of the frame.

The at least one fastener includes at least first and second fasteners 40, and the at least one aperture includes at least first and second apertures 53 in the inner plate 50, and first and second apertures 63 in the outer plate 60. The first and second fasteners 40 and the first and second apertures 53 and 63 are spaced apart in the use position along the length axis X1 of the at least one hollow profile 21 to fix the first and second hollow profiles 21', 21" together.

Optionally, as illustrated in both the second and third embodiments, a stiffener 70 may be fittingly received in the interior cavity 22 to extend along the length axis X1 of the at least one hollow profile 21 within both of the first and second hollow profiles 21', 21" so as to provide a strong moment connection between the first and second hollow profiles 21.

In each of Figs. 10 and 11 the stiffener 70 may be a welded "L" shaped bar, which is to say, a bar having two legs welded together normal to each other. One leg (illustrated in broken lines in Fig. 10 but not in Fig. 11) is received in a third hollow profile 21"' connected to the first hollow profile 21', and the other is slidingly received in the second hollow profile 21" when the second hollow profile 21" is offered up to the first hollow profile 21' to assemble the goal frame.

The stiffener 70 may be inserted into the third hollow profile 21"' before the first hollow profile 21' is slidingly assembled over the stiffener 70 and welded to the third hollow profile 21"' at the mitre joint to form one permanent part of the assembly. The second hollow profile 21" forming the other part of the assembly can then be slidingly engaged over the exposed leg of the stiffener 70 and fixed by means of the inner and outer plates and fasteners 40. The fasteners can be released to disassemble the goal frame 20 into its component parts for transport or storage.

During assembly, the inner plate or plates 250, 351, 352 and fasteners 40 are inserted into the channel 30 in one or each of the first and second profiles 21', 21" before closing the profiles together and sliding the inner plate 250, 352 along the channel 30 to extend partially into the channel 30 of the first profile 21' and partially into the channel 30 of the second profile 21". The outer plate 260, 360 is then placed over the fasteners 40 in the outer part of the channel 30, and the fasteners 40 are then tightened to clamp the flanges of the first and second profiles 21', 21" between the inner and outer plates. The plates thus act in tension to retain the first and second profiles 21', 21" together against tension forces applied along the length axis X1, with the stiffener 70 extending across the joint inside them to maintain axial alignment and to stiffen the joint by transferring bending moments between the two parts of the assembly.

As illustrated in Fig. 9, the goal frame 20 may be a football (which is to say, soccer or Association football) goal frame, wherein the at least one hollow profile 21, 21', 21", 21"' defines a crossbar 201 extending between the upper ends of a pair of upright posts 202 to define a goal mouth 203, and, resting on the ground, a rear bar 204 extending in parallel with the crossbar 201 between a pair of side bars 205, each side bar 205 extending normal to the crossbar 201 and the rear bar 204 between a respective end of the rear bar 204 and a lower end of a respective one of the upright posts 202. Of course, different parts of the frame could be made from different profiles or different bars if desired.

In the second embodiment of Fig. 10, the at least one plate and the at least one fastener 40 are arranged proximate the lower end of a respective one of the upright posts 202 to connect the respective one of the upright posts 202 to a respective one of I 5 the side bars 205, forming a front joint 210 of the football goal frame 20. In this embodiment the at least one plate comprises an inner plate 250 and an outer plate 260, corresponding to the inner and outer plates 50, 60 except that they are extended to accommodate at least first and second fasteners, (for example, as illustrated, four fasteners 40.) The fasteners are spaced apart along the length axis X1 to clamp between the plates the respective flanges 32 of each of the first and second profiles 21', 21".

In the third embodiment of Fig. 11, the at least one plate and the at least one fastener 40 are arranged proximate a respective end of the rear bar 204 to connect the rear bar 204 to a respective one of the side bars 205, forming a rear joint 211 of the football goal frame 20.

In this embodiment, the at least one plate includes a first said inner plate 351 and a second said inner plate 352, and the outer plate 360 includes first and second portions 361, 362. The first portion 361 of the outer plate is configured to extend in the use position in a direction of the length axis X1 of the at least one hollow profile (which may be as illustrated the third profile 21'") of the respective one of the side bars 205. The second portion 362 of the outer plate 360 is configured to extend in the use position in a direction of the length axis X1 of the at least one hollow profile (which may be as illustrated the first and second profiles 21', 21") of the rear bar 204.

The at least first and second fasteners 40 (for example, as illustrated, four fasteners 40) are arranged to connect both of the first and second inner plates 351, 352 to the respective, first and second portions 361, 362 of the outer plate 360 so that the rear joint 211 forms a corner joint.

As illustrated, the football goal frame 20 may include a net support bar 212, wherein the first fastener 40 is arranged to fix the net support bar 212 to the first portion 361 of the outer plate 360.

In summary, in embodiments the bars of a goal frame 20 comprise at least one hollow profile 21 defining a flanged channel 30 configured to receive at least one plate 50, 60 having a non-circular outer periphery 51, 61 and a non-circular aperture 53 to receive a corresponding, non-circular cross-section 43 of a threaded fastener 40. The at least one plate fixes the fastener against rotation and is received in the channel 30 beneath the flanges 32 to connect the bars together or to attach accessories to the goal frame.

In alternative embodiments, the at least one plate may include both the inner plate (optionally also the outer plate) and an additional plate, both of the inner and additional plates being arranged between the flanges and the base wall in the use position, wherein the bearing surface is formed on the inner plate, and the non-circular outer periphery and the non-circular aperture periphery are formed on the additional plate. Thus, opposed flat sides of the inner and additional plate may abut each other in a plane normal to the fastener axis X2 with the apertures in each of the plates being aligned along the fastener axis X2 in the use position. The fastener need not be a coachbolt. If the non-circular cross-section is formed on the head of the fastener (for example, if the fastener is a square or hexagonal headed screw or bolt) then the head of the fastener may be received within the aperture of the additional plate to restrain the fastener against rotation, while the fastener is restrained in its axial direction by abutment of the head against the bearing surface of the inner plate. The inner plate may then be arranged between the flanges and the additional plate.

In all of the above described embodiments, the base wall need not include guide portions. The side walls may be spaced apart by a greater distance outwardly of the flanges than inwardly of the flanges, or by a greater distance inwardly of the flanges than outwardly of the flanges. First portions of the side walls may be spaced apart inwardly of the flanges by a first distance corresponding to a dimension of the inner plate, and second portions of the sidewalls by a second distance greater or smaller than the first distance, which may correspond to a dimension of the additional plate to restrain the additional plate against rotation; for example, the side walls may have a stepped configuration inwardly of the flanges.

In yet further alternative embodiments, where both inner and outer plates are provided, the non-circular outer periphery and the non-circular aperture periphery may be formed on the outer plate, so that the inner plate restrains the fastener axially and the outer plate restrains the fastener in rotation when clamped against the flanges by the fastener.

Further adaptations are possible within the scope of the claims.

In the claims, and with the sole exception of the equation, reference numerals and characters are provided in parentheses, purely for ease of reference, and are not to be construed as limiting features.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A goal frame (20) including: at least one hollow profile (21), at least one fastener (40), and at least one plate (50, 60, 250, 260, 351, 352, 360); the at least one hollow profile having: a constant cross-section along a length axis (X1) of the at least one hollow profile, an interior cavity (22), an outer wall (23) bounding the interior cavity, and a channel (30) opening outwardly through the outer wall, the channel including: a pair of side walls (31) extending inwardly from the outer wall into the interior cavity, a pair of flanges (32), each flange extending from a respective one of the side walls to a free edge (33) of the flange, the free edges of the flanges being spaced apart in opposed relation to define a slot (34) between the free edges of the flanges, and a base wall (35) extending between the side walls and spaced apart from the flanges between the flanges and the interior cavity; the at least one fastener having: a threaded body (41), a head (42), and a non-circular cross-section (43) normal to a length axis (X2) of the threaded body; the at least one plate having: a non-circular outer periphery (51, 61), a bearing surface (52), and at least one aperture (53, 63) extending through the at least one plate, the at least one aperture having an aperture periphery (54, 64); the at least one fastener, the at least one plate, and the at least one hollow profile being configured to be assembled together in a use position wherein, in the use position: the at least one plate is arranged in the channel (30) between the side walls (31), the head (42) of the at least one fastener is arranged between the bearing surface (52) and the base wall (35), the threaded body (41) of the at least one fastener extends outwardly through the at least one aperture (53, 63) and the slot (34), and the non-circular outer periphery (51, 61) engages the side walls (31) to prevent rotation of the aperture periphery (54, 64) about the length axis (X2) of the threaded body (41) and relative to the at least one hollow profile (21); characterised in that: the at least one plate includes an inner plate (50, 250, 351, 352) configured to be received between the flanges (32) and the base wall (35) in the use position, the bearing surface (52) being formed on the inner plate (50, 250, 351, 352); and the aperture periphery (54) is non-circular and configured to engage the non-circular cross-section (43) of the at least one fastener (40) in the use position, to prevent rotation of the at least one fastener (40) about the length axis (X2) of the threaded body (41) and relative to the at least one plate.
2. A goal frame according to claim 1, wherein the non-circular outer periphery (51) and the aperture periphery (54) are formed on the inner plate (50, 250, 351, 352).
3. A goal frame according to claim 2, wherein the head (42) has a length Ll along the length axis (X2) of the threaded body (41), the non-circular cross-section (43) extends for a length L2 along the length axis (X2) of the threaded body (41), the inner plate (50, 250, 351, 352) has a thickness T1 along the length axis (X2) of the threaded body (41) in the use position, respective, opposed surfaces (36, 37) of the flanges (32) and the base wall (35) are spaced apart by a distance D1 along the length axis (X2) of the threaded body (41) in the use position, and (L1 + L2) > (D1 -T1).
4. A goal frame according to any preceding claim, wherein the flanges (32) and the base wall (35) are configured to prevent the inner plate (50, 250, 351, 352) from being inserted into or removed from the channel (30) between the flanges (32) and the base wall (35) other than by sliding the inner plate (50, 250, 351, 352) into or out of an exposed end (30') of the channel (30) in a direction of the length axis (X1) of the at least one hollow profile (21).
5. A goal frame according to any preceding claim, wherein the base wall (35) includes guide portions (38) and a central portion (39) arranged between the guide portions, the guide portions (38) configured to retain the inner plate (50, 250, 351, 352) proximate the flanges (32) and spaced apart from the central portion (39) when the inner plate is inserted slidingly into the channel (30) during assembly.
6. A goal frame according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one plate includes an outer plate (60, 260, 360), and the at least one fastener (40) is configured to clamp the flanges (32) between the inner plate (50, 250, 351, 352) and the outer plate (60, 260, 360).
7. A goal frame according to claim 6, wherein the at least one hollow profile (21) includes at least a first hollow profile (21') and a second hollow profile (21"), the first and second hollow profiles (21', 21") abutting end-to-end in collinear relation; and the at least one fastener (40) includes at least first and second fasteners (40), and the at least one aperture (53, 63) includes at least first and second apertures (53, 63), the first and second fasteners (40) and the first and second apertures (53, 63) being spaced apart in the use position along the length axis (X1) of the at least one hollow profile to fix the first and second hollow profiles (21', 21") together.
8. A goal frame according to claim 7, further including a stiffener (70), the stiffener being fittingly received in the interior cavity (22) to extend along the length axis (X1) of the at least one hollow profile within both of the first and second hollow profiles (21', 21").
9. A goal frame according to claim 8, wherein the goal frame (20) is a football goal frame, and the at least one hollow profile (21) defines: a crossbar (201) extending between a pair of upright posts (202) to define a goal mouth (203), and a rear bar (204) extending in parallel with the crossbar (201) between a pair of side bars (205), each side bar (205) extending normal to the crossbar (201) and the rear bar (204) between a respective end of the rear bar (204) and a lower end of a respective one of the upright posts (202).
10. A goal frame according to claim 9, wherein the at least one plate (250, 260) and the at least one fastener (40) are arranged proximate the lower end of a respective one of the upright posts (202) to connect the respective one of the upright posts (202) to a respective one of the side bars (205).
11. A goal frame according to claim 10, wherein the at least one plate (351, 352, 360) and the at least one fastener (40) are arranged proximate a respective end of the rear bar (204) to connect the rear bar (204) to a respective one of the side bars (205).
12. A goal frame according to claim 11, wherein the at least one plate includes a first said inner plate (351) and a second said inner plate (352), and the outer plate (360) includes first and second portions (361, 362); the first portion (361) of the outer plate (360) being configured to extend in the use position in a direction of the length axis (X1) of the at least one hollow profile of the respective one of the side bars (205), the second portion (362) of the outer plate (360) being configured to extend in the use position in a direction of the length axis (X1) of the at least one hollow profile of the rear bar (204); and the first and second fasteners (40) are arranged to connect both of the first and second inner plates (351, 352) to the outer plate (360) to form a corner joint (211).
13. A goal frame according to claim 12, further including a net support bar (212), wherein the first fastener (40) is arranged to fix the net support bar (212) to the first portion (361) of the outer plate (360).
14. A goal frame according to any preceding claim, wherein the slot (34) has a width (W1) greater than 25mm between the free edges (33) of the flanges (32) and normal to the length axis (X1) of the at least one hollow profile (21).