EP1682235B1 - Transportable goal for games - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a transportable goal (1) for games, comprising two goal posts (2) and a bottom frame (9) with two free ends (14, 15). The goal posts (2) are removably joined to one of the two spaced-apart free ends (14, 15) of the bottom frame (9), respectively. The inventive transportable goal (1) is characterized in that at least some areas of the goal posts (2) are embodied in an elastically flexible manner.

Description

The invention relates to a portable game gate referred to in the preamble of claim 1 Art.

Goals are needed for many games. As an example, the ball game football is cited. But also for other games, such as hockey, handball, etc. goals are an indispensable game requirement, because according to the rules of the game, the achievement of points requires that the players play a game object, e.g. a ball through which a goal gate defined by a goalkeeper, e.g. by shooting with the foot, by throwing by hand or by hitting with thugs.

A game goal consists of two side goal boundaries, the goalpost, which are placed parallel to each other and at a fixed distance from each other perpendicular to the bottom of the field. Between the upper ends of the posts usually extends an upper gate boundary, which is referred to as a gate bar, and which runs parallel to the bottom of the playing field. The goal line is the shortest connection between the two posts on the field surface. The two posts; the bar and the goal line limit the goal area to be crossed by the object to be played.

Furthermore, most gates have a net that is stretched between the posts and the crossbar and suitably attached thereto. The net serves on the one hand the better recognizability, whether a goal was achieved. If the object of the game goes into the goal net, he has usually passed the goal area before. On the other hand, the network also serves a higher gaming comfort by the game object is stopped after passing through the goal area, and does not need to be retrieved.

Gladly, the aforementioned games requiring goals are also played spontaneously in locations where no goals are available. Popular venues are e.g. Beaches, publicly accessible lawns or other surfaces or your own garden. In the simplest way, a gate can be created there by serving as side gate boundaries placed on the floor items such as shoes or clothing. The door surface extends over the area between these lateral boundaries and over a certain height above the goal line, the height is usually determined by eye. According to experience, such provisional goals repeatedly give rise to discussions among the players during the game as to whether the object of the game has passed the area between the goal boundaries or outside the boundaries. Not infrequently it comes to dispute, which significantly affects the fun of the game.

To avoid these disadvantages portable game gates are known in the art, which can be carried by the players and built at the venue. Such goals are known in many sizes and designs, the goal size does not have to comply with the official requirements according to the rules of the game. As a rule, these goals are designed smaller than compliant goals because they have a lower weight and are accordingly easier to transport, for example, in specially designated pockets.

The WO 02/40106 A1 shows a generic foreign game goal, which has at least partially bending elastic goal posts. The posts are formed at their lower ends with anchoring means to achieve anchoring by sinking these anchoring means into the playing field ground. The goalposts get their stability solely from this anchorage in the playing field background, a floor frame is not provided. For a hard playing surface, for example, for indoor, stone or artificial turf floors, or for soft ground, such as a sandy bottom, the goal is therefore unsuitable. Also, the attachment of the goal net must be done via separately carried Bodenbefestigungsmittel that can easily be lost.

Another genre foreign game gate shows eg the US 5,951,415 , The gate consists of two ground anchoring elements, which, like the WO 02/40106 spaced apart, according to the desired width of the door, anchored in the ground, and each receiving the lower end of one of the two provided goalposts. Between the two upper ends of the formed as elongated pipes goalposts, a rope that forms the door slat extends. A goal net is attached to the posts and to the batten, and extends to the playing field floor, where it is fastened with fasteners spaced from the goal line. Finally, two guy ropes are provided, each stretched between one of the posts and the playing field. The goal posts are held at their upper ends by the equilibrium tensile forces of the guy ropes and the elastic batten.

A disadvantage of this construction is considered that the installation of the gate is relatively laborious and time consuming. Furthermore, the goal is little overall stable against forces acting on the door. Thus, for example, the forces acting on the goal by a football shot into the goal are only received unsatisfactorily in the construction shown, so that the goal can be torn or collapsed. Finally, players can also stumble over the guy ropes that run directly on the field boundary. The gate is, as already at the WO 02/40106 designed, suitable only for soft floors, as the goal posts must be rammed into the playing field underground.

A generic portable game gate shows the US 6,371,873 , It has a multi-part, zusammensteckbaren, U-shaped goal frame, which is plugged together from two mutually parallel posts and extending between the upper ends of the bar. Furthermore, the gate has a likewise U-shaped bottom frame, whose free ends can be joined together in each case with the lower free end of one of the posts of the goal frame. When the gate is erected, the floor frame lies flat on the playing field, while the goal frame is essentially perpendicular to the playing field. However, all components of the door are rigid and rigidly interconnected. This has the consequence that, for example, a sharp shot, flying in the goal ball shifts the door or overturns, or deform under extreme loads individual component or a connection between components or can break.

The US 2001/034274 A1 also shows a portable game gate, which is constructed of elastic materials and thus is very small collapsible.

The US 2003/0203775 A1 shows a game goal with a goal frame, which consists of several collapsible components, which are partially flexible, wherein the components are pivotally attached to each other.

Finally, the shows US 5,433,433 a gate that is made entirely of elastic material and thus is small collapsible.

It is the object of the present invention to form a generic game gate more stable against game loads.

This object is achieved by a game goal according to the features of claim 1. The so marked goal receives its basic stability through the floor frame, which rests on the playing field floor. From the base frame, the flexible elastic goalposts are held.

Due to their elasticity, the posts can absorb any forces that occur without the door being noticeably displaced or with the risk of damage. A post hit e.g. just puts the hit post into vibration.

The bending elasticity of the goal posts and the weight of the floor frame can be chosen within wide limits, so that the door with a suitable choice can withstand very large forces, e.g. when a player bumps against the goal. Alternatively or additionally, the floor frame could also be fixed to the ground.

A goal with very flexible elastic posts and a heavy ground frame is very stable against all occurring forces. In addition, very easily bending goalposts can also lead to a new gaming experience, because the posts are at correspondingly high elasticity flex even at low wind speeds to vibrate such that the door surface is permanently in motion. This makes it difficult to score as well as defend of the gate. This effect can, if desired, be reinforced, for example, by suitable formation of a net to be fastened to the posts and the floor frame. The network has to preferably have a high air resistance.

So it is preferred that the gate also has a gate bar to make the upper boundary of the goal area clearly recognizable. Such a batten could, for example, be a bar which can be fastened between the upper ends of the posts. However, such a pole would take the post part of its elasticity by coupling the movement of both posts together. Furthermore, the rod would be unwieldy due to the length to be provided, which is partially repairable by a multi-part training. It would therefore be better to use e.g. a rope as a bar, which is stretched between the posts. In order for the rope not to sag, it could e.g. be designed to be elastic, and stretched between perpendicular goal posts. But the posts would be pulled inside.

It is advantageously provided that the posts are kept at rest from the vertical position inclined, in opposite directions. Preferably, the inclination direction is to be selected parallel to the goal line. It can then instead of a rod as a bar or a zugelastischen band and a tensile rope form the door bar, which is attachable to the upper ends of the post. To tighten the rope is further provided that it keeps bent after attachment to the goal post these under tension. For this purpose, the rope is shorter than the distance to choose the resting upper ends of the goalposts. The rope is pulled taut in this way and does not sag.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

With the features of claim 2 is advantageously achieved that the goal posts are substantially perpendicular after attaching the goal net, and the goal area receives the generally common rectangular shape.

Although the gate according to the invention can also be used without a goal net. However, it is provided with advantage according to claim 3 that the gate has a connectable to the posts and the bottom frame network. This makes it easier to see if a goal has been scored. In addition, the net catches the object of play so that it does not have to be nachgerannt. Overall, there is a gain in gaming comfort.

As mentioned above, the door slat can be designed as a rod or as a rope, which are a separate component of the door. According to claim 4 but is proposed with advantage that the upper edge of the goal net forms the door batten. As a result, the goal then only consists of a floor frame, two posts and a goal net. In this case, it is preferable to ensure that the post voltage is sufficiently dimensioned, aufzuspannen the goal net such that the upper edge of the net substantially does not sag, but runs approximately parallel to the goal line. This can be achieved by a suitable choice of angle of inclination and flexural elasticity of the posts.

Advantageously, the features of claim 5 are provided. Completely flexurally elastic posts are particularly suitable for cushioning the acting forces. Also, the production of the posts is easier.

The posts can be connected in any way with the free ends of the bottom frame, for example by a screw or a clamp connection. However, particularly preferred according to claim 6 is a plug connection. The construction and dismantling of the gate is thus particularly easy and fast.

Regarding the attachment of the goal net at the gate and / or the floor frame, there are many possibilities. For example, hooks for suspending the goal net could be provided on the posts. Advantageously, however, two fasteners are arranged at a defined distance from each other according to claim 7 on the gate network. The goal net is thus always attached in the structurally provided manner on the goal frame, and the posts are thus always in the desired manner under tension. Overall, the attachment of the network proves to be particularly easy and fast to accomplish.

According to claim 8, the fastening means are preferably plug-in sleeves which are positively stuck over the upper free ends of the posts. The attachment of the network is possible in a few steps.

With the features of claim 9 is advantageously achieved that the connection between the post and floor frame is very stable and can not be accidentally solved because it is a self-secured connector from below. When assembling, push the posts forward with their free ends through the hole to the stop serving as the foot.

According to claim 10, the post feet may be formed as a ground anchoring device to fix the door additionally on or in the ground. The feet may be pointed, for example, to be rammed into the playing field background. For indoor floors, for example, a non-slip coating on the underside of the foot would be conceivable or a foot adhering to the floor when pressed on, for example in the manner of a suction cup.

According to claim 11, the bottom frame may also have on its underside a ground anchoring device in order to increase the stability of the door.

The bottom frame may be integrally formed. According to claim 12, however, it is advantageously designed in several pieces, whereby it can be disassembled into better manageable frame parts. The frame parts may e.g. be releasably connected to each other via a simple plug connection.

The bottom frame may be formed, for example, U-shaped or triangular. Advantageously, however, it is curved according to claim 13, because this ensures optimum weight and stability.

According to claim 14 is provided with advantage that the goal net is permanently attached to the bottom frame. The construction of the gate succeeds even faster, and the game object can not slip through the net without attaching the network at the bottom of the field.

Figur 1

eine Darstellung der einzelnen Bauteile eines Spieltores gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Figur 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Spieltores des Ausführungsbeispiels der Figur 1 nach Zusammenbau der einzelnen Bauteile,

Figur 3

eine Frontalansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Tores gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Figuren 4 a) - d)

verschiedene Ausführungsvarianten einer lösbaren Verbindung zwischen Pfosten und Bodenrahmen,

Figur 5

einen vergrößerten Ausschnitt aus Figur 2 zur Erläuterung der Netzbefestigung bzw. der Steckhülsen, und

Figuren 6 a) - d)

verschiedene Ausführungsvarianten von Pfostenfüßen.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. Show it:

FIG. 1

a representation of the individual components of a game gate according to a first embodiment,

FIG. 2

a perspective view of the game gate of the embodiment of FIG. 1 after assembly of the individual components,

FIG. 3

a frontal view of a gate according to the invention according to a second embodiment,

FIGS. 4 a) - d)

various embodiments of a detachable connection between posts and floor frame,

FIG. 5

an enlarged section FIG. 2 to explain the network attachment or the sockets, and

FIGS. 6 a) - d)

various embodiments of post feet.

In FIG. 1 the individual components of a game gate 1 are shown according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The game goal 1 has two goal posts 2, each consisting of a long rod 3 made of a flexible material having a lower and an upper free end 4, 5 has. The posts further comprise a post base 6, which consists of a base plate 7 and a receiving sleeve 8 fixedly connected thereto, in which the lower end 4 of the rod 3 is received and fastened, for example by gluing.

Furthermore, the gate 1 has an arcuate, two-part base frame 9. Each of the two floor frame parts 10, 11 is made of a bent tube. The two bottom frame parts 10, 11 are approximately the same length and connectable via a plug connection 12, 13. Furthermore, both bottom frame parts 10, 11 in each case at the non-plug connection serving free ends 14, 15 in each case a the tube in the entire diameter continuous bore 16. On the bottom frame 9 a goal net 18 is fastened with fastening means 17. In the example shown, the attachment is permanently provided.

The network 18, which is spread out substantially trapezoidal, wherein the longer of the two mutually parallel sides forming the base frame to be attached lower edge, while the shorter of these two parallel sides forms the upper edge 19 of the goal net 18. Two receptacles 20, 21 are fixed in the network 18 each at the left and right ends of the net upper edge 19.

FIG. 2 shows the gate 1 of FIG. 1 in its assembled state. For assembly, the two bottom frame parts 10, 11 by means of the connector 12, 13 with each other to connect to the bottom frame 9. Subsequently, the goal posts 2 are each with their free ends 4 advancing from below through the holes 16 in the ends 14, 15 of the bottom frame 9 to push through until the stop forming base plate 7 of the post feet 6 is reached. Finally, the sockets 20, 21 aufzustecken each on the upper free ends 5 of the post 2. The upper edge 19 of the goal net 18 forms the lath. It can for example be highlighted in color, to make them stand out more clearly as the upper goal boundary opposite the rest of the goal net 18. The goal 1 is now usable, the bottom frame 9 rests flat on the field, and the posts 2 are substantially perpendicular to the field ,

In the frontal view of the FIG. 3 showing a second embodiment of a game goal, no goal net is shown for ease of illustration, but may preferably be provided. The frontal view makes the deflection of the posts 2 from the vertical position in the rest position recognizable. The rest position of the goal posts 2 'is shown with dashed lines. The post 2 'held by the bottom frame 9 are inclined out of the vertical position by a respective angle φ of the bores 16 at a respective angle φ, in mutually opposite directions. By bending the posts 2 'inward, the sockets 20, 21 are fitted onto the upper ends 5, so that then the posts 2 slightly bent are approximately perpendicular. The door surface 22 now has approximately a rectangular area. Unlike the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 owns the embodiment of FIG. 3 a designed as a separate component door slat 23 which is formed by a band which is fixedly connected at its ends to the receptacles 20, 21. Furthermore, in contrast to the first embodiment, both the goal posts 2, 2 'and the bottom frame 9 have additional floor fastening means 24 and 25, which can be pressed into the field surface due to their pointed shape.

In the FIGS. 4a) to d) Embodiments of the connection between the bottom frame 9 and the goal posts 2 are shown. FIG. 4 d) shows in an enlarged view again in the Figures 1 and 2 already shown connector.

FIG. 4 a) shows an alternative connection variant, namely a screw connection. The post 2 has at its lower end a metallic sleeve in which the flexible elastic rod 3 is received and glued with its lower end 4. The sleeve has an external thread at its lower closed end. Fits to a bore with internal thread 17 is provided in the bottom frame part 11, in which the post can be screwed.

The FIGS. 4b) and c) show more plug connections. In this case, a simple circular bore 27 is provided in the variant of the figure b) in the bottom frame part 11, in which the lower end 4 of the goal post 2 can be inserted in a form-fitting manner. In contrast, the bottom frame part 11 of the Figure 4c ) has a quadrangular receiving opening, in which the square shaped lower end of the post is in turn form-fitting inserted. In the variants shown in a) to c), the post foot can not have a floor attachment means. However, it could be 9 such means are provided on the side facing the playing field of the free ends 14, 15 of the bottom frame.

FIG. 5 shows in a magnified view a partial section of FIG. 2 , namely a sectional view of the plug-in sleeve 20, which is inserted over the upper end 5 of the post 2. The sleeve is made of a stable metal and has near its closed end 28 a through hole 29 on. A connected to the net 18 or belonging to thread 30 is threaded through the holes 29, the sleeve 20, and secured on the output side by a node 31. In this way, the sleeve 20 is firmly connected to the net 18.

Finally, in the FIGS. 6a) to d) shown different variants of pole feet. The foot of the FIG. 6 a) consists of a base plate 7 and a receiving sleeve for receiving a lower free end 4 of a flexurally elastic rod 3 to be glued therein FIG. 6b However, the foot is designed as a tip 32, for example, to be pressed into a lawn forming the playing field background. The foot 6 of FIG. 6c ) has an external thread 33 to be anchored in the playing field background by turning. Finally, the foot 6 is the FIG. 6d ) designed as a suction cup 34, and is particularly suitable for the attachment of the game goal in hard playing surface, such as a hall floor.

Claims (14)

1. A transportable goal (1) for games consisting of two goal posts (2) and a base frame (9) with two free ends (14, 15), wherein the goal posts (2) are releasably connected to a respective (1) of the two spaced free ends (14, 15) of the base frame (9), characterised in that the goal posts (2) are of resilient construction, at least in regions, and the base frame (9) holds the goal posts (2) in the rest position inclined away from one another through an angle out of the vertical position and a goal bar in the form of a rope (19, 23) holds the posts (2) under tension bent out of the rest position.
2. A goal (1) as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the length of the rope (19, 23) corresponds substantially to the spacing between the two lower free ends (4) of the posts (2) and the rope (19, 23) is substantially inextensible.
3. A goal (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the goal (1) has a net connectable to the goal posts (2) and the base frame (9).
4. A goal (1) as claimed in Claim 3, characterised in that the upper edge (19) of the goal net (18) constitutes the goal bar.
5. A goal (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the goal posts (2) consist entirely of resilient material.
6. A goal (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the base frame (9) has receptacles (16, 17, 27) at its free ends (14, 15), into which the posts (2) are insertable.
7. A goal (1) as claimed in Claim 3, characterised in that two fastening devices (20, 21) are arranged on the goal net (18) at a defined spacing from one another, which are constructed to fasten the net (18) to a respective one of the two posts (2).
8. A goal (1) as claimed in Claim 7, characterised in that the fastening devices are constructed in the form of sleeves (20) with a closed end and an open end, which may be slid in a form-locking manner over the upper free ends (5) of the posts (2).
9. A goal (1) as claimed in Claim 6, characterised in that the receptacles are constructed in the form of through bores (16) in the free end (14, 15) of the base frame (9) and the goal posts (2) each have a foot (6) at one end acting as a stop (7).
10. A goal (1) as claimed in Claim 9, characterised in that the foot (6) is constructed as a ground anchoring device (24, 32, 33, 34).
11. A goal (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a ground fastening device (25) is arranged on the underside of the base frame (9).
12. A goal (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the base frame (9) is of multi-part (10, 11) construction.
13. A goal (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the base frame (9) is of arcuate shape.
14. A goal (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the goal net (18) is permanently fastened to the base frame (9).

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