WO2010026378A1

WO2010026378A1 - A kit of parts for assembly into sports equipment and methods of making sports equipment therefrom

Info

Publication number: WO2010026378A1
Application number: PCT/GB2009/002120
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stuart Jonathan Lacey
Original assignee: Stuart Jonathan Lacey
Priority date: 2008-09-03
Filing date: 2009-09-03
Publication date: 2010-03-11
Also published as: GB2463243A; GB0816059D0; GB2463302A; GB0816963D0; GB2463926A; GB0821090D0

Abstract

A kit of parts for assembling various different sports equipment can be assembled into a soccer goal, a rugby/American football goal and/or a cricket/golf practice net by virtue of a pair of top corner connectors which allow uprights for rugby to be attached extending upwards from the goal posts or cricket/golf net supports to be attached extending forwards so that side netting can hang from them to slow and/or stop a cricket/golf ball struck into them.

Description

A kit of parts for assembly into sports equipment and methods of making sports equipment therefrom

The invention relates to a kit of parts for assembly into sports equipment and particularly to a kit of parts having a connector that allows parts of the same kit to be used to assemble equipment for a variety of different sports.

Prior art in this field includes for example US5249796 and US7351168 which both disclose goals suitable for playing soccer which can be adapted to form a goal for rugby or American football by extending telescopic uprights stored in the goalposts. It is an object of this invention to provide an improved apparatus which can be used for playing additional games, or can be readily added to to provide equipment for more games.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts for assembly into sports equipment comprising two posts, a crossbar, two connectors and a goal support system; wherein each connector has at least two collinear apertures or spigots, one of which mates with one of the posts, and two apertures or spigots orthogonal to the collinear apertures or spigots and orthogonal to each other one of which mates with the crossbar and an additional aperture or spigot which mates with the support system; whereby the kit can be assembled into a soccer goal by connecting each of the two posts to a respective one of the apertures or spigots, connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot orthogonal to the one connected to the post and connecting the support system to each of the additional apertures or spigots.

By providing a kit of parts having such connectors it is possible to make simple additions to the kit in order to provide both a rugby/ American football goal and a cricket practice net or a golf practice net in addition to the soccer goal (which could of course serve as a goal for various other sports such as hockey or handball which are similar in shape). In a preferred embodiment of the invention the kit also includes two uprights, so that it can also be assembled into a rugby/American football goal by connecting each of the two posts to one of the collinear apertures or spigots, connecting each of the uprights to the other collinear aperture or spigot and connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot orthogonal to the one connected to the post.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the kit also includes two elongate net supports and netting, so that it can also be assembled into a cricket or golf practice net by connecting each of the two posts to one of the apertures or spigots connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot orthogonal to the one connected to the post, connecting each of the elongate net supports to an aperture or spigot orthogonal to the apertures or spigots connected to the crossbar and posts so as to extend in the same direction, and attaching the netting to the net supports.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the additional spigots or apertures on the two connectors are oriented diagonally so as to be connected to a goal post support system which can stabilise the assembled soccer goal, rugby/American football goal or cricket/golf practice net by interacting with the ground behind the goal and/or can support a net behind the goal. For example the support system could comprise a pair of elongate members that extend diagonally to the ground and are attached to further elongate members that extend along the ground connecting the ends of the diagonal pair to each other and to the bottoms of the goal posts. Stability can be further improved by pinning the elongate members that run along the ground into the ground with pegs. Alternatively, for example, the additional spigots or apertures can be collinear with one of the other spigots - in particular the aperture or spigot that in use is connected to the cricket net supports; in this case the support structure could consist of elongate props that extend diagonally downward to interact with the ground, but have a horizontally extending end in order to clip into the additional spigot or aperture. Another preferred feature is the provision of straps for attaching netting to the posts, crossbar, uprights, net supports or support system, the straps having a hook and loop fastening system.

In yet another preferred embodiment the posts, crossbar, uprights, or net supports are formed of a plurality of elongate members adapted to be connected to each other. This allows the kit to be packed into a smaller space for stowing/shipping.

The invention also provides a method of making a goal for soccer or the like according to claim 11 ; a method of making a goal for rugby or the like according to claim 12; a method of making a cricket practice net according to claim 13; and a method of making a golf practice net according to claim 14. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts for assembly into sports equipment comprising two posts, a crossbar, a diagonal support and two connectors; wherein each connector has three mutually substantially orthogonal apertures or spigots and a diagonal aperture or spigot; the apertures or spigots arranged such that a soccer goal can be assembled by connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot in the connectors, connecting each posts to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the aperture or spigot attached to the crossbar and connecting the diagonal support to the diagonal aperture or spigot such that with the goal standing, the unconnected apertures or spigots are disposed so as to be connectable to a forward extending cricket net support. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts for modifying a goal for soccer or the like to act as a cricket practice net; the kit comprising at least two cricket net supports, netting, and two connectors, the connectors having three mutually substantially orthogonal apertures or spigots and a diagonal aperture or spigot, whereby two of the mutually substantially orthogonal apertures or spigots and the diagonal aperture or spigot of each connector can be connected to the crossbar, posts and diagonal support of an existing soccer goal and the cricket net supports can be connected to the other of the three mutually substantially orthogonal spigots or apertures so as to extend away from the back of the soccer goal. A kit of parts for modifying a goal for soccer or the like to act as a golf practice net is provided in accordance with claim 18.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts for assembly into sports equipment comprising two posts, two uprights, a crossbar, two connectors and netting; wherein each connector has at least two collinear apertures or spigots one of which mates with one of the posts, the other of which mates with the uprights, and an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the collinear apertures or spigots which mates with the crossbar; whereby the kit can be assembled into a soccer goal by connecting each of the two posts to a respective one of the apertures or spigots and connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the one connected to the post; and the kit can be assembled into a rugby or American football goal by connecting a post and an upright into the collinear apertures of each connector and connecting each end of the crossbar to the orthogonal aperture or spigot of each connector; and the kit can be assembled into a golf practice net by connecting a post and an upright into the collinear apertures of each connector and connecting each end of the crossbar to the orthogonal aperture or spigot of each connector and connecting the netting to the posts and uprights so as to form an enclosure capable of containing a golf ball hit into it.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts for assembly into sports equipment comprising two posts, a crossbar and two connectors; wherein each connector has at least two collinear apertures or spigots, one of which mates with one of the posts, and two apertures or spigots orthogonal to the collinear apertures or spigots and orthogonal to each other one of which mates with the crossbar; whereby the kit can be assembled into a soccer goal by connecting each of the two posts to a respective one of the apertures or spigots and connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot orthogonal to the one connected to the post. By providing a kit of parts having such connectors it is possible to make simple additions to the kit in order to provide both a rugby/American football goal and a cricket practice net or a golf practice net in addition to the soccer goal (which could of course serve as a goal for various other sports such as hockey or handball which are similar in shape).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the kit also includes two uprights, so that it can also be assembled into a rugby/American football goal by connecting each of the two posts to one of the collinear apertures or spigots, connecting each of the uprights to the other collinear aperture or spigot and connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot orthogonal to the one connected to the post.

In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, the two connectors include a diagonal spigot or aperture which can be connected to a goal post support system which can stabilise the assembled soccer goal, rugby/American football goal or cricket/golf practice net by interacting with the ground behind the goal and/or can support a net behind the goal. For example the support system could comprise a pair of elongate members that extend diagonally to the ground and are attached to further elongate members that extend along the ground connecting the ends of the diagonal pair to each other and to the bottoms of the goal posts. Stability can be further improved by pinning the elongate members that run along the ground into the ground with pegs. If a support structure is not provided the posts could, for example be anchored by being partially buried in the ground.

Another preferred feature is the provision of straps for attaching netting to the posts, crossbar, uprights, net supports or support system, the straps having a hook and loop fastening system.

Methods of making soccer/rugby goals are provided in accordance with claims 31 and 32, and methods of making practice nets for cricket or golf are provided in accordance with claims 33 and 34.

Further preferred features of the invention will be evident from the following non- limiting description of certain embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a football goal according to a first embodiment;

Figure 1a shows an enlarged portion of part of the football goal of figure 1;

Figure 1 b shows an enlarged portion of part of the football goal of figure 1 ;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a rugby goal according to the first embodiment;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a cricket practice net according to the first embodiment;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a combined soccer goal, rugby goal and cricket practice nets according to the first embodiment; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a football goal according to a second embodiment; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a rugby goal according to the second embodiment;

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a cricket practice net according to the second embodiment; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a combined soccer goal, rugby goal and cricket practice nets according to the second embodiment;

Figure 9 shows an enlarged perspective view of the top left hand connector in combination with the combined soccer goal, rugby goal and cricket practice nets as shown in figure 4; Figure 9a shows a right side elevation of the connector shown in figure 9;

Figure 9b shows a front elevation of the connector shown in figure 9;

Figure 9c shows a left hand side elevation of the connector shown in figure 9;

Figure 9d shows a rear elevation of the connector shown in figure 9;

Figure 9e shows a plan view of the connector shown in figure 9; Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a cricket practice net according to a third embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 11 shows a perspective view of a combined soccer goal, rugby goal and golf practice net according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a kit of parts assembled into a small football goal. In this state there are two identical posts 101, 102, which are suitably formed from PVC tubes four feet (1.2m) long and are positioned vertically. The tops of the posts 101 , 102, are inserted into apertures in downwardly extending legs 103a, 104a of respective "top comer" connectors 103, 104 (shown in more detail in figures 9-9e).

A crossbar 105, suitably formed from a 6-foot (1.8m) long PVC tube is horizontally disposed between the tops of the posts 101,102. The left hand end of the crossbar is inserted into an aperture in a rightwardly extending leg 103b of the left hand top corner connector 103 and the right hand end of the crossbar 105 is inserted into an aperture in the leftwardly extending leg 104b of the right hand top corner connector 104.

The connectors 103, 104, also have additional diagonally downward extending legs, 103c, 104c with apertures into which a support system comprising elongate support tubes 106, 107 are fitted so as to extend diagonally downwardly to the ground. The diagonal support tubes 106, 107 are suitably formed from PVC and are about 5.5 feet (1.7m) long, so that they can each form the hypotenuse of a right angled triangle made up of the posts 101 , 102 and two further four foot (1.2m) long PVC tubes, 108, 109 which extend between connectors 110, 111 at the feet of the elongate support tubes 106, 107 to connectors 112, 113 at the feet of the posts 101 , 102. An additional six foot (1.8m) tube 114, extends between the connectors 110, 111 , at the bottom of the elongate support tubes 106, 107 to add a further degree of rigidity to the support system. As shown in more detail in figure 1 b, the elongate tubes that run along the ground 108, 109, 114, can be pegged into the ground by suitably sized pegs 115 to tether the goal.

In order to trap balls/pucks etc. that go into the goal, rear netting 116 is attached to the crossbar 105, diagonal support tubes 106, 107 and the tube 114 that extends between them. As shown in greater detail in figure 1 b, attachment is conveniently made by straps 117 employing a hook and loop fastening system. Left side netting is also provided to cover the gap between the post 101 , diagonal tube 106, and the tube 108 that extends between them and can be held in place by the pegs 115 as well as hook and loop fastening straps 117. Right side netting 119 is also provided to cover the gap on the right hand side behind the goal.

Figure 2 shows the structure of figure 1 with an additional two uprights 120, 121, which are inserted into upwardly extending apertures in upwardly extending legs 103d, 104d of the top corner connectors 103, 104. The uprights 120, 121 are suitably formed from six-foot (1.8m) long PVC tubes and indicate an area above the goal into which a rugby ball should be kicked to score a conversion or drop goal. A net, 122 is shown spanning the space between the posts which can catch a rugby ball in order to ease collection of the ball after kicking practice (this is particularly useful if the set is being used in the user's garden, where the possibility of kicking into a neighbour's garden is a problem either due to annoyance of the neighbour or loss of the ball in a jungle of plants).

The top of each upright is provided with a removable flag pole, 123, 124 and flag 125, 126, each of which include a hook and loop fastening strap, 127, 128 to hold the net 122 at its top corners. As shown in figure 3, the football goal of figure 1 can be added to to provide a cricket practice net. In this case, a pair of elongate cricket net supports, 129, 130 each formed for example from two six-foot long PVC tubes 131 , 132, 133, 134 connected by a T junction 135, 136, are inserted into forward extending apertures in forward extending legs 103e, 104e of the top corner connectors 103, 104. Downwardly extending support poles 137, 138 depend from the orthogonal aperture of the T junctions and additional support poles 139, 140 depend from the ends of the cricket net supports 129, 130 by being inserted into apertures in L-shaped connectors 141 , 142 at the end of the PVC tubes 133, 134. A left side net 143 hangs from the left hand cricket net support 129, and a right side net 144 hangs from the right hand cricket net support 130.

Again the nets are attached by straps with hook and loop fasteners, 117 and to provide additional support, poles 145, 146, 147, 148 extend along the floor, are connected to the downwardly depending poles, 137, 138, 139, 140 and can be pegged to the ground. Figure 4 shows the complete kit of parts assembled as goal, cricket practice nets, and rugby post for completeness, but requires no further explanation. A second kit of parts is used to assemble the sports equipment shown in figures 5- 8. This kit is similar to that of the first embodiment, therefore, only the major differences will be described and similar reference numerals will be used for like parts, with the only difference being the initial number 2, rather than 1. Figure 5 shows a soccer goal formed from the second kit of parts. The second goal is larger, therefore, posts, 201, 202 are suitably 7-foot (2.1m) long, as are the poles 208, 209 that extend between the connectors 212, 213 at the bottom of the posts. In order to complete a right angled triangle, the diagonal supporting poles 206, 207, are about 10-foot (3m) long. The crossbar, 205 is about 8-foot (2.4m) across and to alleviate sagging is formed from two elongate members in the form of poles 250, 251 , connected by a T junction 252. A brace member 253 is inserted into the T junction so as to extend diagonally to another T junction 254 in the middle of the tube 214 that extends between the feet of the diagonals 206 and 207. In this case, the tube 214 is also provided as two PVC poles 255, 256, which saves space when stowed. Figure 6 shows a pair of uprights 220, 221 added to the soccer goal of figure 5, these need not be any different from those of figure 2, but the netting, 222, must be wider to span the 8-foot (2.4m) gap. Likewise the side and back netting 216, 218, 219 of the goal of the second embodiment must be larger than the side and back netting of the first embodiment. From Figure 7 it can be seen that the kit of the second embodiment can be constructed into a more traditional cricket net, with a top net 257 as well as side nets, 243, 244. At 7-foot (2.1m) tall, most people will fit comfortably under the net, whereas 1.2m while suitable for a five-a-side soccer goal would only be stood under by the smallest of children (full size cricket wickets would only just fit under such a net, being 28 inches (71.1cm) high themselves). However, the relatively short height of the nets of the first embodiment is not thought to be a significant problem as most shots, particularly by children would not reach a height of more than four feet (1.2 m) within the lateral distance from where the ball is hit, to the nets (only 3 feet (0.9m) if bowled straight down the middle).

In addition to the obvious difference from the first embodiment that the support poles 237, 238, 239, 240 that hold the elongate cricket net supports 229, 230 up are 7 feet (2.4m) tall, the cricket nets of the second embodiment also include a pair of top netting support poles 258, 259 which extend between the upstanding support poles 237, 238, 239, 240 to support the top netting 257. As usual hook and loop fastening straps^' 217 attach the netting 257 to the poles 258, 259.

Like figure 3, figure 8 shows the complete second kit of parts assembled as goal, cricket practice nets, and rugby posts for completeness, but requires no further explanation.

Figure 10 shows a cricket practice net constructed in accordance with the second and third aspects of the inventions. It will be seen that the cricket net of figure 10 is substantially the same as that of figure 3, consisting of two identical goal posts 101 , 102, which are suitably formed from PVC tubes four feet (1.2m) long and are positioned vertically; a crossbar 105, suitably formed from a 6-foot (1.8m) long PVC tube horizontally disposed between the tops of the posts 101 ,102 elongate support tubes 106, 107 are fitted so as to extend diagonally downwardly to the ground. The diagonal support tubes 106, 107 are suitably formed from PVC and are about 5.5 feet (1.7m) long, so that they can each form the hypotenuse of a right angled triangle made up of the posts 101 , 102 and two further four foot (1.2m) long PVC tubes, 108, 109 which extend between the feet of the elongate support tubes 106, 107 to the feet of the posts 101 , 102. An additional six foot (1.8m) tube 114, extends between the bottom of the elongate support tubes 106, 107 to add a further degree of rigidity to the support system. In order to trap balls/pucks etc. that go into the goal, rear netting 116 is attached to the crossbar 105, diagonal support tubes 106, 107 and the tube 114 that extends between them. Left side netting 118 is also provided to cover the gap between the post 101 , diagonal tube 106, and the tube 108 that extends between them and can be held in place by the pegs 115 as well as hook and loop fastening straps 117. Right side netting 119 is also provided to cover the gap on the right hand side behind the goal.

The significant difference between the cricket practice netting of figure 3 and that of figure 10 is that the pair of elongate cricket net supports, 129, 130 are connected to the structure making up the football goal by connectors 3, 4 which have only four apertures, namely a downward facing aperture for receiving the goalposts 101 , 102, a rightward/leftward facing aperture for receiving the crossbar 105, a diagonally backwards facing aperture for receiving the diagonal supports 106, 107 and a forward facing aperture for receiving the cricket net supports 129, 130. That is to say the apertures labelled a, b, c, and e in figure 9 are present, but d is not. In this embodiment, the apparatus cannot be used for rugby, but can be used in the other two configurations. It will be understood that the connectors 3 and 4, supports 129, 130 and netting 143, 144 could be retrofitted to an existing soccer goal having only 3-way top-corner connectors to convert it into a cricket net, it will also be appreciated that the diagonal support system renders the cricket practice nets of this invention more stable than the traditional nets with only vertical and horizontal supports.

Figure 11 shows a golf practice net according to the fourth embodiment of the invention. It will be seen that the overall construction is based on the construction of figure 8. Therefore the differences will be described in detail. The apparatus of figure 11 is adapted to be used to practice golf, rather than cricket. Accordingly, in view of the desire of a golfer to better see the angle at which he has hit the ball, the top netting 257 is not provided, but to catch wayward balls which have been hooked or sliced, additional triangular side corner netting 301 is situated between the upright 220 and the elongate net support 231 that extends forward from the top left corner connector 203. Likewise on the right hand side, corner netting 302 is situated between upright 221 and elongate net support 232. Of course, the netting 216, 218, 219, 222, 243, 244, 301 , 302 of this embodiment must be of a closer weave so that the holes are small enough that a golf ball cannot pass through them, whereas in the earlier embodiments the holes in the netting 216, 218, 219, 222, 243, 244 need only be small enough to contain a cricket ball which is somewhat larger. Another difference about the fourth embodiment is the provision of split tubular foam padding 303, (e.g. expanded polyurethane or polythene foam) which is placed round all the posts, uprights or supports that are likely to be hit by a golf ball during practice. The padding 303 reduces the possibility of damage to the poles, and reduces the speed at which the ball bounces off the poles, thereby lessening the chances of injury.

A further difference in the kit for the fourth embodiment is the provision of a golf mat 304 which can include a rubber tee of known type (not shown) so as to avoid taking divots out of the grass in the garden or playing field where the apparatus is to be used. With the mat 304, it could even be conceivable to use the apparatus to practice on a hard surface, although in this instance it would probably not be appropriate to use a normal golf ball. It will of course be understood that a golf practice net according to this embodiment could be used as a cricket practice net too, although if tall enough it is preferable to have top netting 257 in a cricket net. Of course a kit could be provided that included top netting 257 as well as side corner netting 301 , 302, and a user could assemble the kit in the appropriate format for each sport.

Various modifications can be made to the embodiments within the scope of the claims. By way of example, the lengths of poles are by no means fixed so long as the sports equipment is in suitable proportions when assembled. Also, the connectors could comprise spigots which are inserted into the various elongate tubes rather than vice versa, or a mixture of spigots and apertures. Moreover, the connections could be threaded or provided with other fastening means than the interference fit contemplated above. Likewise the material of the kits need to be PVC, for example metal such as powder coated steel is particularly suitable for the poles and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic is a good candidate for the connectors. In a preferred (not shown) embodiment the forward facing apertures of the top corner connectors (and/or bottom corner connectors) are not disposed on a leg, but rather have openings flush with the front of the legs 103a, 103b, 104a, 104b, 203a, 203b, 204a, 204b that connect to the crossbar and posts so as to avoid getting in the way of a ball by sticking out into the field of play, or impacting a goalkeeper's hands as he makes a save.

Another potentially useful modification would be to provide the connectors with a further spigot or aperture, collinear with the aperture spigot labelled b (or 103b, 104b, 203b or 204b) that connects to the crossbar. The point of this further aperture or spigot would be that poles could be inserted collinear with the crossbar to support nets which could stop errant shots at the goal, or to broaden the cricket nets

Claims

1. A kit of parts for assembly into sports equipment comprising two posts, a crossbar, a goal support system and two connectors; wherein each connector has at least two collinear apertures or spigots one of which mates with one of the posts, and two apertures or spigots substantially orthogonal to the collinear apertures or spigots and orthogonal to each other one of which mates with the crossbar and one additional aperture or spigot to mate with the support system; whereby the kit can be assembled into a soccer goal by connecting each of the two posts to a respective one of the apertures or spigots, connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the one connected to the post and connecting the goal support system to the additional aperture or spigot.

2. A kit of parts according to claim 1 further comprising two uprights; whereby the kit can be assembled into a rugby goal by connecting each of the two posts to one of the collinear apertures or spigots, connecting each of the uprights to the other collinear aperture or spigot in each of the connectors and connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the one connected to the post.

3. A kit of parts according to claim 2, further comprising a net sized to span the uprights when assembled and connecting means for connecting the net to the uprights.

4. A kit of parts according to claim 3 wherein the connecting means for connecting the net to the uprights includes a flagpole.

5. A kit of parts according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising two elongate net supports and netting; whereby the kit can be assembled into a practice net by connecting each of the two posts to one of the apertures or spigots in a respective one of the connectors, connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the one connected to the post, connecting each of the elongate net supports to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the apertures or spigots connected to the crossbar and posts so as to extend in the same direction, and attaching the netting to the net supports.

6. A kit of parts according to claim 5 and claim 3 further comprising triangular side netting adapted to be attached to the uprights and the net supports to limit movement of golf balls hit into it.

7. A kit of parts according to any of the preceding claims wherein the additional spigot or apertures of the two connectors are oriented diagonally and the support system attached thereto stabilises the assembled soccer goal, rugby goal or practice net by interacting with the ground behind the goal.

8. A kit of parts according to any of claims 1-6 wherein the additional spigot or apertures of the two connectors are oriented collinearly with one of the other spigots or apertures and the support system attached thereto stabilises the assembled soccer goal, rugby goal or practice net by interacting with the ground behind the goal and/or supports a net behind the goal.

9. A kit of parts according to any of the preceding claims further comprising straps for attaching netting to the posts, crossbar, uprights, net supports or support system, the straps having a hook and loop fastening system.

10. A kit of parts according to any of the preceding claims wherein the posts, crossbar, uprights, or net supports are formed of a plurality of elongate members adapted to be connected to each other.

11. A method of making a goal for soccer or the like comprising: providing a kit of parts according to any of the claims 1-10; and connecting each of the two posts to a respective one of the apertures or spigots, connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the one connected to the post and connecting the support system to the additional spigot or aperture on each connector.

12. A method of making a goal for rugby or the like comprising: providing a kit of parts according to any of claims 2-10 and; connecting each of the two posts to one of the collinear apertures or spigots, connecting each of the uprights to the other collinear aperture or spigot, connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the one connected to the post and connecting the support system to the additional spigot or aperture on each connector.

13. A method of making a cricket practice net comprising: providing a kit of parts according to any of claims 5 to 9 and connecting each of the two posts to one of the apertures or spigots, connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the one connected to the post, connecting each of the elongate net supports to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the apertures or spigots connected to the crossbar and posts so as to extend in the same direction, and attaching the netting to the net supports.

14. A method of making a golf practice net comprising: providing a kit of parts according to any of claims 6 to 9 and connecting each of the two posts to one of the collinear apertures or spigots on a respective connector, connecting each of the two uprights to the other collinear aperture or spigot on each respective connector; connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the one connected to the post, connecting each of the elongate net supports to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the apertures or spigots connected to the crossbar and posts so as to extend in the same direction, and attaching the netting to the net supports and the uprights.

15. A kit of parts for assembly into sports equipment comprising two posts, a crossbar, a diagonal support and two connectors; wherein each connector has three mutually substantially orthogonal apertures or spigots and a diagonal aperture or spigot; the apertures or spigots arranged such that a soccer goal can be assembled by connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot in the connectors, connecting each posts to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the aperture or spigot attached to the crossbar and connecting the diagonal support to the diagonal aperture or spigot such that with the goal standing, the unconnected apertures or spigots are disposed so as to be connectable to a forward extending cricket net support.

16. A kit of parts according to claim 15 further comprising netting and two cricket net supports suitable for connecting to one of the mutually substantially orthogonal spigots and supporting the netting.

17. A kit of parts for modifying a goal for soccer or the like to act as a cricket practice net; the kit comprising: at least two cricket net supports, netting, and two connectors, the connectors having three mutually substantially orthogonal apertures or spigots and a diagonal aperture or spigot, whereby two of the mutually substantially orthogonal apertures or spigots and the diagonal aperture or spigot of each connector can be connected to the crossbar, posts and diagonal support of an existing soccer goal and the cricket net supports can be connected to the other of the three mutually substantially orthogonal spigots or apertures so as to extend away from the back of the soccer goal.

18. A kit of parts for modifying a goal for soccer or the like to act as a golf practice net, comprising at least two connectors according to claim 1 , at least two elongate net supports and netting, such that the soccer goal can be adapted to form an enclosure with netting extending forward of the goal to limit the amount of golf balls hit into the enclosure.

19. A kit of parts for assembly into sports equipment comprising two posts, two uprights, a crossbar two connectors and netting; wherein each connector has at least two collinear apertures or spigots one of which mates with one of the posts, the other of which mates with the uprights, and an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the collinear apertures or spigots which mates with the crossbar; whereby the kit can be assembled into a soccer goal by connecting each of the two posts to a respective one of the apertures or spigots and connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the one connected to the post; and the kit can be assembled into a rugby or American football goal by connecting a post and an upright into the collinear apertures of each connector and connecting each end of the crossbar to the orthogonal aperture or spigot of each connector; and the kit can be assembled into a golf practice net by connecting a post and an upright into the collinear apertures of each connector and connecting each end of the crossbar to the orthogonal aperture or spigot of each connector and connecting the netting to the posts and uprights so as to form an enclosure including side netting extending forward with respect to the goal so as to limit movement of a golf ball hit into it.

20. A kit of parts according to claim 19 wherein the netting extends in front of the goal from near the tops of the uprights.

21. A kit of parts according to claim 19 or 20 wherein the connector includes an additional aperture or spigot for connection to cricket net supports such that the kit can additionally be assembled into a cricket practice net.

22. A kit of parts for assembly into sports equipment comprising two posts, a crossbar and two connectors; wherein each connector has at least two collinear apertures or spigots one of which mates with one of the posts, and two apertures or spigots substantially orthogonal to the collinear apertures or spigots and orthogonal to each other one of which mates with the crossbar; whereby the kit can be assembled into a soccer goal by connecting each of the two posts to a respective one of the apertures or spigots and connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the one connected to the post.

23. A kit of parts according to claim 22 further comprising two uprights; whereby the kit can be assembled into a rugby goal by connecting each of the two posts to one of the collinear apertures or spigots, connecting each of the uprights to the other collinear aperture or spigot in each of the connectors and connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the one connected to the post.

24. A kit of parts according to claim 23, further comprising a net sized to span the uprights when assembled and connecting means for connecting the net to the uprights.

25. A kit of parts according to claim 24 wherein the connecting means for connecting the net to the uprights includes a flagpole.

26. A kit of parts according to any one of claims 22 to 25 further comprising two elongate net supports and netting; whereby the kit can be assembled into a practice net by connecting each of the two posts to one of the apertures or spigots in a respective one of the connectors, connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the one connected to the post, connecting each of the elongate net supports to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the apertures or spigots connected to the crossbar and posts so as to extend in the same direction, and attaching the netting to the net supports.

27. A kit of parts according to claim 26 and claim 24 further comprising triangular side netting adapted to be attached to the uprights and the net supports to limit movement of golf balls hit into it.

28. A kit of parts according to any of claims 22 to 27 wherein the two connectors include a diagonal spigot or aperture which can be connected to a goal support system which can stabilise the assembled soccer goal, rugby goal or practice net by interacting with the ground behind the goal and/or can support a net behind the goal.

29. A kit of parts according to any of claims 22 to 28 further comprising straps for attaching netting to the posts, crossbar, uprights, net supports or support system, the straps having a hook and loop fastening system.

30. A kit of parts according to any of claims 22 to 29 wherein the posts, crossbar, uprights, or net supports are formed of a plurality of elongate members adapted to be connected to each other.

31. A method of making a goal for soccer or the like comprising: providing a kit of parts according to any of claims 15 to16 or 19 to 30; and connecting each of the two posts to a respective one of the apertures or spigots and connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the one connected to the post.

32. A method of making a goal for rugby or the like comprising: providing a kit of parts according to any of claims 19 to 21 or 23 to 30; and connecting each of the two posts to one of the collinear apertures or spigots, connecting each of the uprights to the other collinear aperture or spigot and connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the one connected to the post.

33. A method of making a cricket practice net comprising: providing a kit of parts according to any of claims 16, 21 or 26 to 30 and connecting each of the two posts to one of the apertures or spigots, connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the one connected to the post, connecting each of the elongate net supports to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the apertures or spigots connected to the crossbar and posts so as to extend in the same direction, and attaching the netting to the net supports.

34. A method of making a golf practice net comprising: providing a kit of parts according to any of claims 19 to 21 or 26 to 30 and connecting each of the two posts to one of the collinear apertures or spigots on a respective connector, connecting each of the two uprights to the other collinear aperture or spigot on each respective connector; connecting each end of the crossbar to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the one connected to the post, connecting each of the elongate net supports to an aperture or spigot substantially orthogonal to the apertures or spigots connected to the crossbar and posts so as to extend in the same direction, and attaching the netting to the net supports and the uprights to form an enclosure whereby golf balls hit into the netting are restrained.