Goal securement system and method

• US 10,024,487 B1
• Filed: 09/05/2013
• Issued: 07/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RTC Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: RTC Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Barenbrugge, Joel, Dempsey, Gregory, Fuchs, Michael James
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Tan
• Application Number:
  US14/019,231
• Time in Patent Office: 1,776 Days
• Field of Search: 248500, 248542, 248545, 248530, 248534, 248508, 248509, 52155, 52157, 521731, 473407, 473476, 473478, 116200, 70 14, 70 58
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/024 with screws or pins in the earth
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/14 Lacrosse
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/22 Field hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/14 with form or shape memory materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/80 Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0025 Football American football A63B2243/007
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/004 Goals of the type used for football, handball, hockey or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0054 Features for injury prevention on an apparatus, e.g. shock absorbers mats or the like for absorbing shocks for jumping A63B6/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/023 Supports, e.g. poles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 5/80 Ground anchors for galleries, tunnels or shafts E21D21/00
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 5/801 driven by screwing
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle

Abstract

A goal securement device includes a ground engagement system, a ground securement system, a goal securement system, and a goal securement monitoring system. In an embodiment, the systems work cooperatively to secure a goal to the ground and monitor the status of such securement. Embodiments of each system and embodiments of various components, aspects, or features of each system are described.

Claims

1. A goal securement and monitoring device, comprising:

a securement member configured to secure a ground bar of a goal to the ground, wherein the securement member includes a ground base member and an arm member extending from the ground base member, wherein the ground base member is configured to be secured to the ground and the arm member defines a channel in which the ground bar of the goal can be positioned in between the arm member and the ground when the ground base member is secured to the ground, wherein the securement member further includes at least one of a gusset or a set of press ribs configured to resist deformation of the securement member;

a securement housing enclosing a portion of the arm member, the securement housing configured such that the ground bar of the goal can be positioned in between the securement housing and the ground when the ground base member is secured to the ground, wherein the securement housing includes a first and second opposing halves, wherein the first and second opposing halves are joined by a clip joint, wherein the securement housing further includes at least one groove that is complimentary with an edge of the securement member such that the edge of the securement member fits within the groove, and further wherein the securement housing includes a set of crush ribs defined with the groove, wherein the crush ribs are configured to deform and conform to the shape of the edge of the securement member to establish a friction fit between the securement housing and the securement member; and

a pressure pad assembly configured to indicate whether the ground base member is secured to the ground, the pressure pad assembly having a pressure pad housing, a pressure pad base, a pressure pad biasing element, and an indicator, wherein the pressure pad encloses a distal portion of the arm member, and the pressure pad base is slidably coupled to the pressure pad housing such that a portion of the pressure pad base is positioned within the pressure pad housing when the pressure pad assembly is in a set position and the portion of the pressure pad base extends from the pressure pad housing when the pressure pad assembly is in an extended position, wherein the pressure pad biasing element biases the pressure pad housing and the pressure pad base into the extended position,

wherein the pressure pad assembly is configured to be in the set position when the ground member is secured to the ground and is configured to be in the extended position when the ground base member is not secured to the ground, and

wherein the indicator is configured to indicate at least one of;

     1) that the ground base member is not secured to the ground when the pressure pad assembly is in the extended position or

     2) that the ground base member is secured to the ground when the pressure pad assembly is in the set position.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the indicator is configured to provide at least one of a visual indication or audible indication.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising a ground engagement system configured to secure the ground base member to the ground.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the ground engagement system includes an auger having blades and a locking mechanism on a proximate end of the auger, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to lock the proximate end of the auger to the ground base member.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising a resilient securement member connected to the securement housing, wherein the resilient securement member is configured to conform to the shape of the ground bar when the ground base member is secured to the ground and the resilient securement member is in contact with the ground bar.

6. A goal securement and monitoring device comprising:

a securement member configured to secure a ground bar of a goal to the ground, wherein the securement member includes a ground base member and an arm member extending from the ground base member, wherein the ground base member is configured to be secured to the ground and the arm member defines a channel in which the ground bar of the goal can be positioned in between the arm member and the ground when the ground base member is secured to the ground;

a securement housing enclosing a portion of the arm member, the securement housing configured such that the ground bar of the goal can be positioned in between the securement housing and the ground when the ground base member is secured to the ground; and

a pressure pad assembly configured to indicate whether the ground base member is secured to the ground, the pressure pad assembly having a pressure pad base and a pressure pad biasing element,

wherein the pressure pad base is operably connected to a distal portion of the arm member, and the pressure pad biasing element is operably connected to the distal portion of the arm member and the pressure pad base,

wherein the pressure pad assembly is configured to move from a set position when the ground base member is secured to the ground to an extended position when the ground base member is not secured to the ground, and

wherein the pressure pad biasing element biases the pressure pad assembly to the extended position.

7. A goal securement and monitoring device, comprising:

a securement member configured to secure a ground bar of a goal to the ground, wherein the securement member includes a ground base member and an arm member extending from the ground base member, wherein the ground base member is configured to be secured to the ground and the arm member defines a channel in which the ground bar of the goal can be positioned in between the arm member and the ground when the ground base member is secured to the ground;

a securement housing enclosing a portion of the arm member, the securement housing configured such that the ground bar of the goal can be positioned in between the securement housing and the ground when the ground base member is secured to the ground; and

a pressure pad assembly configured to indicate whether the ground base member is secured to the ground, the pressure pad assembly having a pressure pad housing, a pressure pad base, a pressure pad biasing element;

wherein the pressure pad biasing element biases the pressure pad housing and the pressure pad base into the extended position;

wherein the pressure pad assembly is configured to be in the set position when the ground member is secured to the ground an is configured to be in the extended position when the ground base member is not secured to the ground.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the securement member further includes at least one of a gusset or a set of press ribs configured to resist deformation of the securement member.

9. The device of claim 7 wherein the securement housing includes first and second opposing halves, wherein the first and second opposing halves are joined by a clip joint, wherein the securement housing further includes at least one groove that is complimentary with an edge of the securement member such that the edge of the securement member fits within the groove, wherein the crush ribs are configured to deform and conform to the shape of the edge of the securement member to establish a friction fit between the securement housing and the securement member.

10. The device of claim 7 further wherein the pressure pad encloses a distal portion of the arm member, and the pressure pad base is slidably coupled to the pressure pad housing such that a portion of the pressure pad base is positioned within the pressure pad housing when the pressure pad assembly is in a set position and the portion of the pressure pad base extends from the pressure pad housing when the pressure pad assembly is in an extended position.

11. The device of claim 7, wherein the pressure pad further comprises an indicator and wherein the indicator is configured to indicate at least one of:

1) that the ground base member is not secured to the ground when the pressure pad assembly is in the extended position or

     2) that the ground base member is secured to the ground when the pressure pad assembly is in the set position.

12. The device of claim 7 further comprising a ground engagement system configured to secure the ground base member to the ground.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the ground engagement system includes an auger having blades and a locking mechanism on a proximate end of the auger, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to lock the proximate end of the auger to the ground base member.

14. The device of claim 7 further comprising a resilient securement member connected to the securement housing, wherein the resilient securement member is configured to conform to the shape of the ground bar when the ground base member is secured to the ground and the resilient securement member is in contact with the ground bar.

15. A goal securement and monitoring method comprising:

configuring a securement member to secure a ground bar of a goal to the ground, providing the securement member with a ground base member and an arm member extending from the ground base member, configuring the ground base member to be secured to the ground;

providing a securement housing for enclosing a portion of the arm member, configuring the securement housing such that the ground bar of the goal can be positioned in between the securement housing and the ground when the ground base member is secured to the ground;

providing a pressure pad assembly and configuring the pressure pad assembly to indicate whether the ground base member is secured to the ground, providing the pressure pad assembly with a pressure pad base and a pressure pad biasing element,

configuring the pressure pad assembly to move from a set position when the ground base member is secured to the ground to an extended position when the ground base member is not secured to the ground, and

configuring the pressure pad biasing element to bias the pressure pad assembly to the extended position.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising providing the arm member with a channel in which the ground bar of the goal can be positioned in between the arm member and the ground when the ground base member is secured to the ground.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising operably connecting the pressure pad base to a distal portion of the arm member, and operably connecting the pressure pad biasing element to the distal portion of the arm member and the pressure pad base.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising providing an indicator and configuring the indicator to indicate at least one of:

1) that the ground base member is not secured to the ground when the pressure pad assembly is in the extended position or

     2) that the ground base member is secured to the ground when the pressure pad assembly is in the set position.

19. The method of claim 15 further comprising providing a ground engagement system and configuring the ground engagement system to secure the ground base member to the ground.

20. The method of claim 15 further comprising providing the securement housing with a set of crush ribs defined with the groove, and configuring the crush ribs to deform and conform to the shape of the edge of the securement member to establish a friction fit between the securement housing and the securement member.

21. A device comprising:

a securement member configured to secure a goal to the ground, wherein the securement member includes a ground base member and an arm member extending from the ground base member, wherein the arm member defines a channel in which the goal can be positioned in between the arm member and the ground; and

a pressure pad assembly configured to indicate whether the ground base member is secured to the ground, the pressure pad assembly having a pressure pad base and a pressure pad biasing element,

wherein the pressure pad base is operably connected the arm member, and the pressure pad biasing element is operably connected to the arm member and the pressure pad base,

wherein the pressure pad assembly is configured to move from a set position when the ground base member is secured to the ground to an extended position when the ground base member is not secured to the ground, and

wherein the pressure pad biasing element biases the pressure pad assembly to the extended position.

22. A device comprising:

a securement member configured to secure a goal to the ground, wherein the securement member includes a ground base member and an arm member extending from the ground base member, wherein the arm member defines a channel in which a ground bar of the goal can be positioned in between the arm member and the ground;

a pressure pad assembly configured to indicate whether the ground base member is secured to the ground, the pressure pad assembly having a pressure pad base and a pressure pad biasing element,

wherein the pressure pad base is operably connected the arm member, and the pressure pad biasing element is operably connected to the arm member and the pressure pad base,

wherein the pressure pad assembly is configured to move from a set position when the ground base member is secured to the ground to an extended position when the ground base member is not secured to the ground, and

wherein the pressure pad biasing element biases the pressure pad assembly to the extended position;

an indicator assembly operably connected with the pressure pad assembly, the indicator assembly having at least a first indicator arm,

wherein the indicator assembly is configured to move the first indicator arm from a first position indicating the set position when the ground base member is secured to the ground to a second position indicating the extended position when the ground base member is not secured to the ground.