US20180015350A1 - Post and Barrier Safety Device - Google Patents

Post and Barrier Safety Device Download PDF

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Publication number
US20180015350A1
US20180015350A1 US15/208,511 US201615208511A US2018015350A1 US 20180015350 A1 US20180015350 A1 US 20180015350A1 US 201615208511 A US201615208511 A US 201615208511A US 2018015350 A1 US2018015350 A1 US 2018015350A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
flexible
post
safety device
insert
rigid
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US15/208,511
Inventor
James Lindsay
Kathleen MCCROSSAN
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US15/208,511 priority Critical patent/US20180015350A1/en
Priority to PCT/CA2017/050841 priority patent/WO2018010025A1/en
Publication of US20180015350A1 publication Critical patent/US20180015350A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/0054—Features for injury prevention on an apparatus, e.g. shock absorbers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B63/00—Targets or goals for ball games
    • A63B63/004—Goals of the type used for football, handball, hockey or the like
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B63/00—Targets or goals for ball games
    • A63B63/06—Revolving targets ; Moving targets, e.g. moving or revolving on impact
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/02—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00 for large-room or outdoor sporting games
    • A63B71/023—Supports, e.g. poles
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F15/00—Safety arrangements for slowing, redirecting or stopping errant vehicles, e.g. guard posts or bollards; Arrangements for reducing damage to roadside structures due to vehicular impact
    • E01F15/02—Continuous barriers extending along roads or between traffic lanes
    • E01F15/04—Continuous barriers extending along roads or between traffic lanes essentially made of longitudinal beams or rigid strips supported above ground at spaced points
    • E01F15/0476—Foundations
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F9/00—Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
    • E01F9/60—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs
    • E01F9/623—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs characterised by form or by structural features, e.g. for enabling displacement or deflection
    • E01F9/627—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs characterised by form or by structural features, e.g. for enabling displacement or deflection self-righting after deflection or displacement
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B63/00—Targets or goals for ball games
    • A63B63/08—Targets or goals for ball games with substantially horizontal opening for ball, e.g. for basketball
    • A63B63/083—Targets or goals for ball games with substantially horizontal opening for ball, e.g. for basketball for basketball
    • A63B2063/086—Targets or goals for ball games with substantially horizontal opening for ball, e.g. for basketball for basketball deflectable under excessive loads
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/0054—Features for injury prevention on an apparatus, e.g. shock absorbers
    • A63B2071/0063—Shock absorbers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/02—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00 for large-room or outdoor sporting games
    • A63B71/023—Supports, e.g. poles
    • A63B2071/024—Supports, e.g. poles with screws or pins in the earth
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2209/00—Characteristics of used materials
    • A63B2209/14—Characteristics of used materials with form or shape memory materials
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B61/00—Tennis nets or accessories for tennis or like games, e.g. volley-ball
    • A63B61/02—Posts; Revolvably-mounted posts ; Straining or adjusting devices on the posts, e.g. coin- or time operated

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to safety equipment.
  • the present invention relates to a device and system for improving safety during sports, recreation, and other activities which require use of rigid posts or rigid barriers.
  • padding or a crash resistant shell may be externally wrapped around the post in a zone of likely collision to reduce injury.
  • the presence of padding may change the shape of the post which may alter function.
  • posts are made of non-rigid, flexible materials to give way during a collision.
  • None of the prior art provides a solution which permits rigid posts to absorb collision energy to reduce risk of injury, while also maintaining rigidity and original shape of the post.
  • the post safety device and system of the present invention provides these features.
  • FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the post safety device of one embodiment of the present invention for use in a soccer goal post;
  • FIG. 2 is a front plan view of a soccer goal incorporating two post safety devices.
  • FIG. 3 is a side plan view of a soccer goal incorporating two post safety devices.
  • a post safety device for a rigid structure having one or more vertical rigid support posts comprising a flexible, resilient insert attached below ground level between the lower end of each of the one or more vertical posts, and the upper end of a rigid anchor attached below each insert.
  • the structure may be a sports structure such as soccer goalposts, hockey goals, football uprights, basketball hoop supports, tennis nets, and field hockey goals, or a roadway structure such as traffic lights, light standards, road signs, bus stop signs, barriers, and guardrails.
  • sports structure such as soccer goalposts, hockey goals, football uprights, basketball hoop supports, tennis nets, and field hockey goals
  • a roadway structure such as traffic lights, light standards, road signs, bus stop signs, barriers, and guardrails.
  • the safety device may be for a rigid structure having one or more vertical rigid wall elements, the safety device having a flexible, resilient strip attached below ground level between the base of each rigid wall element and a rigid anchor attached below each strip.
  • the safety device insert or strip may be manufactured of plastic, a hard rubber compound, or other recyclable materials.
  • the insert or strip may be a unitary component, or it may be made up of multiple layers of flexible, resilient materials.
  • the invention is also a safety post comprising a rigid upper portion attached at its lower end to an upper end of a flexible insert, and a rigid anchor attached at its upper end to a lower end of the flexible insert.
  • the safety post may be for installation in a support surface, wherein the post is installed with the upper portion above the installation surface, and the flexible insert and anchor installed below the installation surface
  • a post safety device comprising a flexible insert manufactured of a hard rubber compound, plastic, or other resilient material having a cross-sectional area approximately equal in size to the cross sectional area of a post into which the post safety device is to be integrated.
  • the insert may be a solid, unitary piece, or it may be manufactured of stacks of multiple layers of rubber, plastic or other resilient material glued or compressed together to form an expansion joint.
  • the system of the invention comprises a post safety device insert 2 connected at its lower end to an anchor 4 , and at its upper end to a rigid post 6 .
  • each insert is connected at its upper end to the bottom of the above ground portion of a soccer goal post 8 , and at its lower end to an anchor.
  • the soccer goal post is installed in such a manner that the anchors and flexible inserts are placed below the ground 10 of the playing surface 12 , and the above ground portions of the soccer goal posts extend upwardly from the inserts above the ground of the playing surface.
  • the insert In operation, when a player collides with the rigid soccer goal post, the insert permits the goal post to absorb more of the energy of the collision than is the case with a soccer goal post lacking flexible inserts. The result to the player is a greatly reduced risk of injury. Post-collision, the soccer goal posts quickly return to their resting position to permit continued play of the game.
  • the device and system of the invention may be incorporated into a wide variety of rigid posts used in various sports such as tennis and rugby and other field sports, recreation, workplaces, roads, and other locations.
  • rigid posts used in various sports such as tennis and rugby and other field sports, recreation, workplaces, roads, and other locations.
  • metal roadside barriers or guardrails along highways could incorporate the system to cushion vehicle impacts in order to reduce vehicle damage and passenger injury.
  • rigid posts used for traffic signs, traffic lights, light standards, and bus stop signs, as well as postal boxes could all incorporate the post safety device and system of the invention to permit flexibility during collisions.
  • a flexible strip may be placed along the bottom edge of the rink boards to absorb the energy of players colliding with the boards.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Refuge Islands, Traffic Blockers, Or Guard Fence (AREA)

Abstract

A post safety device for a rigid structure with vertical rigid support posts, the safety device having a flexible, resilient insert attached below ground level between the lower end of the vertical posts, and the upper end of a rigid anchor attached below each insert, and a safety device for a rigid structure with vertical rigid wall elements, the safety device having a flexible, resilient strip attached below ground level between the base of each rigid wall element and a rigid anchor attached below each strip.

Description

    FIELD OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention relates to safety equipment. In particular, the present invention relates to a device and system for improving safety during sports, recreation, and other activities which require use of rigid posts or rigid barriers.
    • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • In sports such as soccer or basketball, participants are frequently moving at high speed in proximity to rigid vertical posts such as goal posts or hoop posts. The risk of a participant colliding with a rigid post is significant, and the result may be serious injury or worse for the participant.
  • Similarly, parks, roads and other areas often install rigid posts or other rigid barriers. As these areas are used by runners, children playing, cyclists, and others moving past the rigid posts, a similar risk of injury exists.
  • It is known in the prior art to provide means for reducing the risk of injury from collisions with rigid posts. For example, padding or a crash resistant shell may be externally wrapped around the post in a zone of likely collision to reduce injury. The presence of padding may change the shape of the post which may alter function. In some cases, posts are made of non-rigid, flexible materials to give way during a collision.
  • None of the prior art provides a solution which permits rigid posts to absorb collision energy to reduce risk of injury, while also maintaining rigidity and original shape of the post.
  • As will be described below, the post safety device and system of the present invention provides these features.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • A detailed description of the preferred embodiments is provided by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings, in which:
  • FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the post safety device of one embodiment of the present invention for use in a soccer goal post;
  • FIG. 2 is a front plan view of a soccer goal incorporating two post safety devices; and
  • FIG. 3 is a side plan view of a soccer goal incorporating two post safety devices.
    •
  • In the drawings, one embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for the purpose of illustration and as an aid to understanding, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • There is provided a post safety device for a rigid structure having one or more vertical rigid support posts, the safety device comprising a flexible, resilient insert attached below ground level between the lower end of each of the one or more vertical posts, and the upper end of a rigid anchor attached below each insert.
  • The structure may be a sports structure such as soccer goalposts, hockey goals, football uprights, basketball hoop supports, tennis nets, and field hockey goals, or a roadway structure such as traffic lights, light standards, road signs, bus stop signs, barriers, and guardrails.
  • The safety device may be for a rigid structure having one or more vertical rigid wall elements, the safety device having a flexible, resilient strip attached below ground level between the base of each rigid wall element and a rigid anchor attached below each strip.
  • The safety device insert or strip may be manufactured of plastic, a hard rubber compound, or other recyclable materials. The insert or strip may be a unitary component, or it may be made up of multiple layers of flexible, resilient materials.
  • The invention is also a safety post comprising a rigid upper portion attached at its lower end to an upper end of a flexible insert, and a rigid anchor attached at its upper end to a lower end of the flexible insert. The safety post may be for installation in a support surface, wherein the post is installed with the upper portion above the installation surface, and the flexible insert and anchor installed below the installation surface
    • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • There is provided a post safety device comprising a flexible insert manufactured of a hard rubber compound, plastic, or other resilient material having a cross-sectional area approximately equal in size to the cross sectional area of a post into which the post safety device is to be integrated.
  • The insert may be a solid, unitary piece, or it may be manufactured of stacks of multiple layers of rubber, plastic or other resilient material glued or compressed together to form an expansion joint.
  • The system of the invention comprises a post safety device insert 2 connected at its lower end to an anchor 4, and at its upper end to a rigid post 6. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, each insert is connected at its upper end to the bottom of the above ground portion of a soccer goal post 8, and at its lower end to an anchor. The soccer goal post is installed in such a manner that the anchors and flexible inserts are placed below the ground 10 of the playing surface 12, and the above ground portions of the soccer goal posts extend upwardly from the inserts above the ground of the playing surface.
  • In operation, when a player collides with the rigid soccer goal post, the insert permits the goal post to absorb more of the energy of the collision than is the case with a soccer goal post lacking flexible inserts. The result to the player is a greatly reduced risk of injury. Post-collision, the soccer goal posts quickly return to their resting position to permit continued play of the game.
  • The device and system of the invention may be incorporated into a wide variety of rigid posts used in various sports such as tennis and rugby and other field sports, recreation, workplaces, roads, and other locations. For example, metal roadside barriers or guardrails along highways could incorporate the system to cushion vehicle impacts in order to reduce vehicle damage and passenger injury. Similarly, rigid posts used for traffic signs, traffic lights, light standards, and bus stop signs, as well as postal boxes could all incorporate the post safety device and system of the invention to permit flexibility during collisions.
  • According to another embodiment for use in hockey, a flexible strip may be placed along the bottom edge of the rink boards to absorb the energy of players colliding with the boards.
  • It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other variations of the preferred embodiment may also be practiced without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (18)

1. A post safety device for a rigid structure having one or more vertical rigid support posts, the safety device comprising a flexible, resilient insert attached below ground level between the lower end of each of the one or more vertical posts, and the upper end of a rigid anchor attached below each insert.
2. The post safety device of claim 1, wherein the structure is a sports structure selected from the group of structures comprising soccer goalposts, hockey goals, football uprights, basketball hoop supports, tennis nets, and field hockey goals.
3. The post safety device of claim 1, wherein the structure is a roadway structure selected from the group of roadway structures comprising traffic lights, light standards, road signs, bus stop signs, barriers, and guardrails.
4. The post safety device of claim 1, wherein the flexible, resilient insert is manufactured of a hard rubber compound.
5. The post safety device of claim 1, wherein the flexible, resilient insert is manufactured of plastic.
6. The post safety device of claim 1, wherein the flexible, resilient insert is comprised of a unitary structure.
7. The post safety device of claim 1, wherein the flexible, resilient insert is comprised of multiple layers of flexible, resilient material.
8. A safety device fora rigid structure having one or more vertical rigid wall elements, the safety device comprising a flexible, resilient strip attached below ground level between the base of each rigid wall element and a rigid anchor attached below each strip.
9. The safety device of claim 8, wherein the flexible, resilient insert is manufactured of a hard rubber compound.
10. The safety device of claim 8, wherein the flexible, resilient insert is manufactured of plastic.
11. The safety device of claim 8, wherein the flexible, resilient insert is comprised of a unitary structure.
12. The safety device of claim 8, wherein the flexible, resilient insert is comprised of multiple layers of flexible, resilient material.
13. A safety post comprising a rigid upper portion attached at its lower end to an upper end of a flexible insert, and a rigid anchor attached at its upper end to a lower end of the flexible insert,
14. The safety post of claim 13 for installation in a support surface, wherein the post is installed with the upper portion above the installation surface, and the flexible insert and anchor installed below the installation surface.
15. The safety post of claim 13, wherein the flexible, resilient insert is manufactured of a hard rubber compound.
16. The safety post of claim 13, wherein the flexible, resilient insert is manufactured of plastic.
17. The safety post of claim 13, wherein the flexible, resilient insert is comprised of a unitary structure.
18. The safety post of claim 13, wherein the flexible, resilient insert is comprised of multiple layers of flexible, resilient material.
US15/208,511 2016-07-12 2016-07-12 Post and Barrier Safety Device Abandoned US20180015350A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US15/208,511 US20180015350A1 (en) 2016-07-12 2016-07-12 Post and Barrier Safety Device
PCT/CA2017/050841 WO2018010025A1 (en) 2016-07-12 2017-07-11 Post and barrier safety device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US15/208,511 US20180015350A1 (en) 2016-07-12 2016-07-12 Post and Barrier Safety Device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20180015350A1 true US20180015350A1 (en) 2018-01-18

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US15/208,511 Abandoned US20180015350A1 (en) 2016-07-12 2016-07-12 Post and Barrier Safety Device

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US (1) US20180015350A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2018010025A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN112451938A (en) * 2020-10-12 2021-03-09 莫盛南 Football goal with replaceable rigid and flexible doorposts

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5165663A (en) * 1991-12-02 1992-11-24 Wells Rolfe L Ground anchor for fence post, and driving member for installing it
US5186119A (en) * 1992-05-01 1993-02-16 Markers, Inc. Modular marking system for athletic fields
US5597262A (en) * 1995-03-28 1997-01-28 Dale W. Beavers Resilient traffic bollard with rotatable collar
WO2007064235A1 (en) * 2005-12-01 2007-06-07 Nok Lok Licensing Limited Anchoring system for posts

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN112451938A (en) * 2020-10-12 2021-03-09 莫盛南 Football goal with replaceable rigid and flexible doorposts

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Publication number Publication date
WO2018010025A1 (en) 2018-01-18

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