IL266046A - A goal structure - Google Patents

Description

A GOAL STRUCTURE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention disclosed herein, relates generally to sports games and in particular to ball sports games, and more specifically to an apparatus to be used in a ball sports game as a goal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In many sports, especially ball games, points are scored by sending the ball into a goal. A goal in this sense is a physical structure that the attacking player or team must get the ball to go through.

A goal may be used as a sole method of scoring points, or as one of a few methods. Either way, the final score of the game reflects the number of goals scored by each participating party in the game, in other sports goals could have different score depending on the circumstances.

In basketball, for example, the score for each goal is determined by the position of the player who shot the ball, while in Australian football the score of each goal depends on the route of the ball, between the goal posts or rather between the behind posts, in the variety of rugby games and sometimes in North American football, a drop gaol scores differently from a penalty goal, or a conversion goal.

There are several known types of goals. In association football, hockey, handball, water polo, and many other 1games, the goal consists of two side polls positioned at both ends of a goal line and connected by a top crossbar.

A goal is scored when the ball passes the goal line, anywhere within the frame between the side poles and under the crossbar.

In basketball, and netball the goal, also referred to as basket, is a ring suspended horizontally, In some games, (e.g. rugby) the goal consists of two side polls and a middle crossbar forming an H shape, and a goal is scored when a goal is kicked or drop kicked between the post and above the crossbar at any hight.

In hurling, an Irish ball game, the goal is of an H shape like in rugby, yet the lower frame under the crossbar has a net and scoring under the crossbar worth more points than scoring above it.

In North American football the goal structure consists of a horizontal crossbar suspended above the ground, with two vertical goalposts extending vertically from each end of said crossbar.

Basically, there are two main concepts of goals. The basket concept which is small in size, Horizontal and based on a hand shot ball, and the vertical goals allows relatively a larger area of scoring, and used mostly for foot kicked ball.

There are examples of smaller vertical frames in the art.

Yet they are designed either for training or for gambling purposes, both are not as part of the game. Such goals are 2set forth in AT142942B which discloses a multi frames structure positioned alongside the sidebars and aimed to collect out driven balls to allow betting games regardless of the ball game that is played.

US4921257A discloses a football training device for training soccer players to direct their shots on goal to selected target areas within the goal opening. And consist of smaller frames positioned within the goal area and are not part of a game.

In US4169598A a double purpose goal structure is described, having a netted cage area at the base and a wide and open framed area at the top, has been invented to make a substantial improvement in soccer specifically and other kicking ball games by giving the players on the field in play, two concurrent options for scoring during play by either kicking the ball into the lower netted cage goal for the highest goal score, or alternately kicking the ball thru the upper open field goal frame for a lesser goal score.

Yet the structure suggested is heavy, large in scale and can’t be fitted with an existing goal structure. The idea behind this patent is to allow higher scores in association football by allowing easy goals scores for balls shot above the crossbar, much like in hurling. Since a major failed attempt of goal scoring is by way of missing the goal by kicking above the goal, it is suggested to allow some of these missed shots to be counted and enlarge the scores 3and score related moments throughout the game, without the need for better skills or technic. Therefore, this prior art goal is designed to be wide and to allow easier scoring.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a goal structure that is vertical, yet smaller in size than a known goal structure.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a goal structure that designed to be harder to score, than an existing goal structure.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a goal structure that is easy to assemble on any existing goal.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a goal structure that is assembled on top of the crossbar of an association football goal wherein each of said goal structure edges does not exceed a third of the length of said crossbar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative 4discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

The present invention pertains to an inventive apparatus, being an enhanced and new conceptual goal-structure(10).

In an aspect of the present invention, it contains at least one vertical goal-structure comprising a closed frame(20).

In some embodiments of the present invention, the goal- structure is having two side edges (21) a top edge (22) and a bottom edge (23).

The goal-structure according to the present invention, is designed to be assembled on top of a crossbar (32) of an association football goal(30) or similar shape goal frame.

In some embodiments of the present invention, a set of two goal-structures(201/ 202) is assembled on both sides of said crossbar.

In other embodiments, the goal-structure is of an arc (25) or another round or polygon(26) shape.

The goal-structure is designed to be assembled to the crossbar by joints. Said joints could be of any shape or size, an integral part of the goal structure or detachable thereof.

Attention is drawn now to the drawings: 5Fig. 1 depict an existing association football gaol(30) with two goal structures (201/202) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention assembled on top of its crossbar (32).

In some embodiments of the present invention the goal- structure comprising a net(51). Said net is designed to collect a scored ball.

Optionally the goal structure could have a full or partial back frame attached to it to form a dimension of depth.

Such a back frame is designed like a back frame of an association football goal(33) and could be of different size and shapes.

Fig.2 Describes alternative frame shapes of the goal- structure according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 3 Depict a goal-structure according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein the bottom edge(231) is having a printed material attached to it. In some embodiment of the present invention said printed material is a trademark, an advertisement, or the name or a logo of the team playing.

It would be understood to those who skilled in the art that the bottom edge of the goal-structure of the present invention could be a part of the goal-structure, or alternatively, could be the crossbar to which the goal- structure is assembled. 6In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bottom edge(23) is not in touch with the crossbar, by having a gap between their proximal parts. Said gap could be used in the same manner for printed material.

The purpose of said gap is to locate the goal structure in a position that is harder to score yet harder to defend.

Fig. 4-5 depict different joints that can be used to assemble the goal-structure to the crossbar when the crossbar is of a polygon profile.

To those skilled in the art, it is understood that any joints could be used for the present invention. Screws, bolts.

Clamps or other.

Said joints could be integrally attached to the goal- structure or separate attachable means. It can be universal or designed for a specific crossbar.

Fig. 6 depict two goal structures according to the present invention assembled on a crossbar, wherein said crossbar is of a round profile.

Fig. 7-9 describes yet different joints, and demonstrate the assembly on a round profile crossbar.

It is apparent to those skilled in the art that the joints demonstrated with polygon profile crossbar could be used for round profile and vice verse.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one of the side edges of the goal-structure is extended(211) 7downwards and allows a joint to connect it to the sidebar of the association football goal. This assembly provides for better stability of the goal-structure when hit by a missing ball.

Fig. 10 depict a goal-structure according to the present invention, where a fabric(52) is placed within its inner frame. Said fabric is connected to the frame in a manner that a scoring ball would cause it to be detached and fall.

The goal-structure according to the present invention could be made of any material including but not limited to: iron. Steel, aluminum, composite materials, plastic or any combination thereof.

The goal-structure of the present invention could be attached permanently to a goal crossbar or be a detachable modular apparatus.

It can be of a professional manner, amateur or a children toy device.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the frame formed by the goal-structure is of hight and width of 70-80 cm.

In some embodiment of the present invention, the frame formed by the goal-structure is of hight and width of between 2-4 of the diameter of the playing ball. 8EXAMPLES The present invention could be used with reference to many games. Such as football, handball, water polo and more.

The goal-structure according to the present invention is aimed to add extra excitement to ball games by allowing a less frequent and more difficult and skill demanding option of scoring a goal.

In one of the preferred usages of the present invention, a two teams game is conducted. The game is based on a futsal pitch, and combine rules of association football, volleyball, and basketball.

In some examples, a game is played by two teams aiming at the existing goal score a point per goal, while a goal scored in the goal-structure of the present invention is of more points or alternatively considered a knockout goal that wins the match.

Optionally the flag or symbol printed fabric of a team is located in the goal-structure frame, a goal scored result in the fall of said flag, symbolizing the loss of the game.

In other examples when two goal-structures of the present invention are assembled to each teams crossbar, the game is played where it is possible to score for the main 9conventional goal or to the two goals of the present invention, wherein the first score to a first of said goal- structures scores more points, and wherein another score to the other goal-structure considered a knockout goal.

The present invention is designed best for a ball game called pomball, but it is understood that it can apply to indefinite options of ball games.

Claims (11)

1. , A goal-structure comprising a frame, wherein said goal-structure is designed to be assembled to a crossbar of a football goal, and wherein the bottom end of said goal-structure is proximal to the top end of the football goal, and wherein said goal-structure width is less than a 1/3 of the length of said crossbar.

2. A goal-structure of claim 1 comprising a top edge, side edges and a bottom edge.

3. A goal-structure of claim 1 comprising an arc-shaped edge and a bottom edge.

4. A goal-structure of claim 1 comprising a round shaped edge.

5. A goal-structure of claim 1-3 wherein said crossbar is used as said bottom edge.

6. A goal-structure of any of claim 1-3 wherein the frame is designed to have a gap between the lower end of said bottom edge and said crossbar.

7. A goal-structure of any of previous claims comprising a net, wherein

8. Said net is fixed to said frame and wherein a ball shot inside said frame is caught by said net. 118. A goal-structure of any of claims 1-6 comprising a printed fabric wherein said fabric is attached to the frame with at least two holding means, and wherein said holding means is designed to detach from the fabric when the goal-structured is scored.

9. A goal-structure of any of claims 1-8, wherein one of the side edges of said goal-structure is extended downwards, and wherein Said extension is designed to be connected to the sidebar of said football goal.

10. A goal-structure of any of previous claims, wherein the frame formed by said goal-structure is of hight of 70-80 cm, and width of 70-80 cm.

11. A goal-structure of any of previous claims, wherein frame formed by said goal-structure is of hight and width of between 2-4 times the diameter of the playing ball. 12