WO1998019754A1

WO1998019754A1 - Display means mounted on a goal post

Info

Publication number: WO1998019754A1
Application number: PCT/GB1997/002991
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Russell
Original assignee: Russell, Gillian; Mccombie, Ian, Peter; Ferrie, Kenneth, Alexander, Phillip
Priority date: 1996-11-07
Filing date: 1997-11-07
Publication date: 1998-05-14
Also published as: GB2319879A; GB9723467D0; AU4954197A

Abstract

A display means, comprising a display member comprising one or more display surfaces, adapted to be mounted on a support structure comprising a goal post.

Description

Title : DISPLAY MEANS MOUNTED ON A GOAL POST

Description of Invention

This invention relates to a display means for displaying information such as pictures and text.

The use of displays at sports grounds for the purposes of selling advertising space is of commercial value. Conventionally, advertising is displayed on hoardings at the periphery of the pitch. The area available on such hoardings is limited.

An object of the invention is therefore to provide a new or improved display means.

According to the present invention, we provide a display means, comprising a display member comprising one or more display surfaces, adapted to be mounted on a support structure comprising a goal post.

The display member may comprise a flexible substrate.

Information may be displayed on said one or more display surfaces.

The display member may comprise a further attachment means to enable one or more display panels to be releasably mounted on the display member where information may be displayed on a display surface of said one or more display panels.

The display means may be releasably mountable on said support structure by releasable attachment means. At least one of said releasable attachment means and said further attachment means may comprise a two part hook-and-loop fastening means, for example Velcro (RTM).

Alternatively, at least one of said releasable attachment means and said further attachment means may comprise at least one zip fastener.

Further alternatively at least one of said releasable attachment means and/or said further attachment means may comprise an elongate flexible member to be received in suitable apertures on the display means or display panels such as a string or cord.

At least one of said releasable attachment means and/or said further attachment means may be continuous or otherwise.

Said display member may comprise a plurality of sections. Said sections may be releasably attached to one another.

Where appropriate said one or more display surfaces may be provided on one or both sides of the display member.

Although it is preferable that the display means is wholly flexible, it may be provided with one or more relatively rigid portions connected by relatively flexible portions.

Said display member and/or said sections comprising said display member may be wholly or partially transparent, translucent or opaque as desired.

Said display panels may likewise be wholly or partially transparent, translucent or opaque as desired.

Releasable ground engageable means, or attachment points for releasable ground engageable means, may be provided where appropriate. Said ground engageable means may be pegs. Illumination means may be provided and may comprise front or back illumination means.

Alternatively, or in addition, if desired the support structure may be provided with means to fasten the display member thereto, preferably to lower a part thereof which may be adjacent a support surface.

The goal post may comprise a pair of uprights connected together by a transverse member. The goal post may also comprise at or adjacent the upper end of each upright a further transverse member extending generally away from a plane containing the uprights and the transverse member towards a rear side of the goal post.

The uprights may be adapted to be engaged in a supporting surface such as the ground.

Alternatively uprights may be mounted on a base part which may comprise transverse base members adjacent the lower ends of the posts extending rearwardly of the goal and interconnected by a cross member to provide a base portion adapted to rest on a supporting surface such as a surface of an ice rink.

The goal posts may be provided with a retaining net.

According to a second aspect of the invention, we provide a method for displaying information comprising releasably attaching a display member comprising one or more display surfaces to a support structure comprising a goal post.

The method may further comprise attaching to said display member a display panel having a display surface.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of a further alternative of the embodiment of the invention, and

Figure 4 is perspective view, partly broken away, of a yet further alternative embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, a display means 10 is adapted to be mounted on a support structure 11 comprising a goal having a pair of spaced vertical members or uprights 12 connected together at or towards their upper ends by a horizontal member 13 hereinafter described as a crossbar. Disposed towards the upper end of each vertical members 12 is a horizontal member 14 disposed in a direction perpendicular to the crossbar 13. Said horizontal members 14 are generally parallel and may be provided with bracing means 15 as shown here or otherwise supported.

The display means 10, comprising a flexible substrate of sheet material of, for example, plastic, woven nylon, canvas or other suitable material, comprises a display member having a rear section 20 and a front section 21.

The rear section 20 comprises a pair of trapezoidal side portions 22, a rear portion 23 and a top, horizontal, portion 24. The rear section 20 is suspended from the horizontal transverse members 14 and the crossbar 13 and extends to ground level.

The display means is releasably mounted on the support structure by releasable attachment means and in the illustrated embodiment forward parts 25 of the side portions 22 and a forward part 26 of the top portion 24 are wrapped around the vertical members 12 and the crossbar 13, such that one part 28a of a two part releasable fastening 30 faces forwardly of the vertical members 12 and the crossbar 13.

The front section 21 comprises a generally rectangular front portion 29 with a second part 28b of the releasable two part fastening 30 disposed on the rear face of the front section 21. Said second part 28b of the two part releasable fastening 30 engages with the first part 28a of the releasable two part fastening provided on the rear section 20, whereby the display means 10 encloses the goal.

Eyelets 33 are provided to receive pegs, not shown, to secure the display means to the ground.

All, or any desired combination, of the side portions 22, rear portion 23, top portion 24 and front portion 29 may comprise a display surface on which any desired information such as advertising may be displayed.

Alternatively, any one or more of the side portions 22, rear portion 23 or top portion 24 of the rear section 20 or the front portion 29 may be provided with further attachment means such that one or more display panels 32 having a display surface can be mounted thereupon. Any desired information, such as advertising, may be displayed on the one or more display panels. In this example only the front portion 29 is provided with such a panel 32. The further means includes a first part 3 1a of a releasable two part fastening provided on the front portion 29 and the display panel 32 is provided with a second part 31b of the two part releasable fastening, such that the display panel 32 can be mounted on the front portion 29 by the further attachment means. Alternatively, if desired the releasable attachment means and/or the further attachment means may comprise at least one zip fastener, string, cord or the like.

If desired the display member may comprise a one piece member of the shape described hereinbefore and which may be provided with one or more display panels. In this form the display member may be disposed over the goal post in the manner of a one piece cover.

As a further alternative the display member may comprise more than two separate sections disposed as desired.

The goal may comprise further vertical, horizontal or inclined members.

While the goal shown in Figure 1 is one possible form of goal, normally a football goal, a display means embodying the invention may be mounted on goals for other sports, for example field hockey or ice hockey.

A field hockey goal comprises four upright members with boards disposed between the rear uprights and side uprights, and members connecting the upper ends of the uprights. The display means as described above would be suitable for use with such a goal.

Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention suitable for use on an ice hockey goal. In Figure 2 the same reference numerals have been used to refer to corresponding parts as used in connection with Figure 1 and hence only the features of difference are described below. In such a case ground engaging means are inappropriate. Instead the uprights 12 of the goal post are provided with a pair of transversely extending base members 34 at their lower ends which are formed integrally with a transversely extending member 37 to provide a base which can rest on a supporting surface which, in the present example is an ice surface generally the surface of an ice rink. The member 37 is connected by a inclined member 35 to an upper transverse member 38 which is formed integrally with the transverse members 14 and intermediate member 39 is provided between the cross bar 13 and the member 38. Means 36 are provided comprising apertures to receive hooks, not shown, positioned on the members 34 and 37 to fasten the display member to the goal posts at the lower end thereof. In other respects the display member is as described in connection with the first embodiment except that, of course, the dimensions and general configuration are adapted to as illustrated to suit the particular goal post to which it is to be fitted.

Referring now to Figure 3 an alternative configuration of a football goal is illustrated. The same reference numerals have been used in Figure 3 to refer to corresponding parts as are used in connection with Figure 1. In this embodiment a pair of poles 50 are disposed behind and preferably transversely outwardly relative the uprights 12 and an elongated flexible element 51 extends between the top of each pole 50 and a corner 52. Tensioning of the elements 51 tensions the net and causes it to adopt and maintain the shape shown in Figure 3.

A display means 10, which may be of any of the constructions described hereinbefore, is fitted over the goal. The display means has suitable openings provided as necessary to enable the elements 51 to be attached to the net or, if desired, for a length of the element 51 to be passed transversely along the width of the net at the rear.

Referring now to Figure 4, in which the same reference numerals have been used for corresponding parts as in Figure 1. Where the goal is of a configuration as show in Figure 3 but poles 50 are not provided, or if it is desired not provide to poles 50 then a plurality, for example, four, vertical poles 60 are provided, having at their upper ends pins 61 which pass through a transverse aperture in a transverse pole 62. The poles 61 are braced by suitable disposed guy ropes 63. Again the display means 10 is disposed over the goal with suitable openings for the pins 61 and further modified as necessaiy for fitment. Again the cover may be of any desired configuration.

In all the embodiments the goal may be provided with a net N.

Where the display means is provided with a removable portion, such as a front panel or part thereof, it may contain articles which can be dispensed by removing the removable portion, for example, helium filled balloons.

If desired in any of the embodiments described hereinbefore any suitable means for releasably mounting the display means on the goal posts may be provided instead of the releasable attachment means described hereinbefore.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A display means, comprising a display member comprising one or more display surfaces, adapted to be mounted on a support structure comprising a goal post.

2. A display means according to Claim 1 wherein the display member comprises a flexible substrate.

3. A display means according to any of Claims 1 or 2 wherein mformation is displayed on said one or more display surfaces.

4. A display means according to any of the preceding claims wherein the display member comprises a further attachment means to enable one or more display panels to be releasably mounted on the display member where information may be displayed on a display suiface of said one or more display panels.

5. A display means according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the display means is releasably mountable on said support structure by releasable attachment means.

6. A display means according to Claim 4 or Claim 5 wherein at least one of said releasable attachment means and said fuitlier attachment means comprises a two part hook-and-loop fastening means, for example Velcro (RTM)

7. A display means according to any one of Claims 4 to 6 where at least one of said releasable attachment means and said fuither attachment means comprises at least one zip fastener.

8. A display means according to any one of Claims 4 to 7 wherein at least one of said releasable attacliment means and said further attachment means comprises an elongate flexible member to be received in suitable apertures on the display means or display panels such as a string or cord.

9. A display means according to any one of Claims 4 to 8 wherein at least one of said releasable attachment means and said fuither attachment means are continuous.

10. A display means according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein said display member comprises a plurality of sections.

11. A display means according to Claim 10 wherein said sections are releasably attached to one another.

12. A display means according to any one of the preceding claims wherein one or more display surfaces are provided on one or both sides of the display member.

13. A display means according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the display means is wholly flexible.

14. A display means according to any one of Claims 1 to 12 wherein the display means is provided with one or more relatively rigid poitions connected by relatively flexible poitions.

15. A display means according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein at least one of said display member and said sections comprising said display member are wholly or partially transparent or translucent.

16. A display means according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein at least one of said display member and said sections comprising said display member are wholly or partially opaque.

17. A display means according to Claim 4 or any one of Claims 5 to

16 where dependent directly or indirectly on Claim 4 where said display panels are wholly or partially transparent or translucent.

18. A display means according to Claim 4 or any one of Claims 5 to

17 where dependent directly or indirectly on Claim 4 where said display panels are wholly or partially opaque.

19. A display means according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein releasable ground engageable means, or attachment points for releasable ground engageable means, are provided.

20. A display means according to Claim 19 wherein said ground engageable means are pegs.

21. A display means according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the support structure is provided with means to fasten the display member thereto.

22. A display means according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein illumination means are provided.

23. A display means according to any one of the preceding Claims where the goal post comprises a pair of uprights connected together by a transverse member.

24. A display means according to Claim 23 wherein the goal post comprises at or adjacent the upper end of each upright a further transverse member extending generally away from a plane containing the uprights and the transverse member towards a rear side of the goal post.

25. A display means according to Claim 23 or Claim 24 wherein the uprights are adapted to be engaged in a supporting surface.

26. A display means according to Claim 23 or 24 wherein the uprights are mounted on a base part which may comprise transverse base members adjacent the lower ends of the posts extending rearwardly of the goal and interconnected by a cross member to provide a base portion adapted to rest on a supporting suiface.

27. A display means according to any one of Claims 23 to 26 wherein the goal posts are provided with a retaining net.

28. A method for displaying information comprising releasably attaching a display member comprising one or more display surfaces to a support structure comprising a goal post.

29. A method for displaying information according to Claim 28 fuither comprising attaching to said display member a display panel having a display suiface.

30. A display means substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

31. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.