Goal Apparatus

• US 20100304902A1
• Filed: 05/15/2008
• Published: 12/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Quick Play Sport Ltd
• Original Assignee: Quick Play Sport Ltd
• Inventors: Parsons, William, Holland, Allen
• Granted Patent: US 8,246,496 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/478
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/004 Goals of the type used for football, handball, hockey or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0036 Accessories for stowing, putting away or transporting exercise apparatus or sports equipment A63B47/00, A63B55/00, A63B60/56 take precedence

Abstract

A portable sports goal comprising a frame, a first pliable goalpost member, a second pliable goalpost member and a pliable crossbar member. The frame presents net connection points and is configured to support each of the pliable goal members in tension between two net connection points such that the goal apparatus presents a substantially rectangular goal mouth. A frame for use in the goal apparatus. A net for use in the goal apparatus comprising first, second and third edges, and a first pliable goalpost member, a second pliable goalpost member and a pliable crossbar member extending along the first, second and third edge respectively. A method of providing a goal. A portable football goal.

Claims

1. A goal apparatus, comprising:

a first pliable goalpost member;

a second pliable goalpost member;

a pliable crossbar member; and

a frame having a first lower net connection point and a first upper net connection point, and a second lower net connection point and a second upper connection point,

wherein said first pliable goalpost member is disposed in tension between first lower net connection point and said first upper net connection point, and

wherein second pliable goalpost member is disposed in tension between said second lower net connection point and said second upper net connection point, and

wherein said pliable crossbar member is disposed in tension between said first upper net connection point and said second upper net connection point;

such that said first and second pliable goalpost members extend substantially parallel to each other, said pliable crossbar member extends substantially perpendicularly to said first and second pliable goalpost members, said first and second upper net connection points of said frame are biased apart laterally from a position relative to each other, and said net presents an enclosure when assembled.

2. The goal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said frame comprises:

a base member; and

first and second post members connected to said base member;

said base member presents said first and second lower net connection points,

said first and second post members present said first and second upper net connection points respectively; and

said frame is arranged to be placed in compression by manual reconfiguration of said first and second post members relative to said base member.

3. The goal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said frame comprises a plurality of releasably connectable members.

4. The goal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first pliable goalpost member, said second pliable goalpost member and said pliable crossbar member are provided as part of the net.

5. The goal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said first and second upper net connection points comprises an open end of first and second post members respectively, and

each of said first and second upper frame connection points comprises a pin configured to be received within the said first and second open ends respectively.

6. The goal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said first and second lower net connection points comprises a projection, and

each of said first and second lower frame connection points comprises an eyelet member configured to be hooked over said first and second projections respectively.

7. The goal apparatus according to claim 1, configured as a portable football goal.

8. The goal apparatus according to claim 1, further including securing means to secure said goal apparatus to a supporting surface.

9. The goal apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a bag to facilitate manual transportation of said goal apparatus.

10. A frame for use in the goal apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:

a base member for resting on a support surface; and

first and second post members;

wherein

said base member presents first and second lower net connection elements

said first and second post members present first and second upper net connection elements respectively, and

said first and second upper net connection elements are normally biased apart from a position at which the frame is placed in compression.

11. A net for use in the goal apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a first edge, a second edge and a third edge connected between the said first and second edges,

a first pliable goalpost element extending along said first edge, a second pliable goalpost element extending along said second edge and a pliable crossbar element extending along said third edge, and

said first pliable goalpost element, said second pliable goalpost element and said third crossbar element collectively present a first lower frame connection element, a first upper frame connection element, a second lower frame connection element and second upper frame connection element.

12. The net according to claim 11, wherein the said pliable goalpost element, said second pliable goalpost element and said pliable crossbar element are each fabricates substantially from PVC (polyvinyl chloride).

13. The net according to claim 11, wherein said net comprises a plurality of additional attachment devices configured to extend around said frame and to allow a degree of movement of said net relative to said frame.

14. The goal apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the edges of said net are secured to said first and second pliable goalpost members and said pliable crossbar member at discrete attachment locations that allow a degree of movement of said net relative to said first and second pliable goalposts members and said pliable crossbar member.

15. A method of providing a goal, comprising the steps of:

providing a frame having a first lower net connection element and a first upper net connection element, and a second lower net connection element and a second upper connection element;

providing a first pliable goalpost member, a second pliable goalpost member and a third pliable crossbar member;

connecting said first pliable goalpost member between said first lower net connection point and said first upper net connection point;

connecting said second pliable goalpost member between said second lower net connection point and said second upper net connection point; and

connecting said pliable crossbar member on between the first upper net connection point and said second upper net connection point.

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)