GB2485141A

GB2485141A - A goal post assembly which can collapse into a housing to be flush with the ground

Info

Publication number: GB2485141A
Application number: GB1018105.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Robert Fountain
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-10-27
Filing date: 2010-10-27
Publication date: 2012-05-09
Anticipated expiration: 2030-10-27
Also published as: GB201018105D0; GB2485141B

Abstract

A goal post assembly comprising a housing 20 adapted for installation in the ground and having a lid 45-47 which can be opened or closed, a goal post 11, 12 and 15 connected to the housing 20 and pivotally movable between a storage position within the housing 20 and an erected position and locking means to secure the lid 45-47 in the closed position wherein when the housing 20 is installed in the ground and the lid 45-47 is in a the closed position the lid 45-47 is flush with the ground surface. There may be a sliding collar 39 to hold the goal post in an upright position. The lid 45-47 may have an opening 50 to allow the goal posts to extend through it when they are erected and it is in a closed position and a cap may be provided to cover this opening 50. The lid 45-47 may have an artificial grass covering to conceal it.

Description

Goal Post Assembly This invention relates to a goal post assembly which enables a goal post to be securely and discretely stored within the ground at a fixed location and which can be assembled easily and quickly for use when required.

Goal posts are used for a variety of sports including, for example, s football, rugby and hockey. The choice of available goal posts for any one of these sports is extensive, ranging from small sized goal posts suitable for children to larger goal posts for professional sports players as well as teenagers and adults in general.

Most commonly goal posts are erected in parks, sports fields or io dedicated outside areas, but they are also used indoors within sports halls and indoor arenas. The particular configuration of known goal posts is not only dependant on the sport for which they are intended to be used, but also on the location and the particular requirements of the users. Goal post structures typically fall into two main categories, namely moveable free standing goal posts and fixed goal posts. Moveable free standing goal posts require no external support, whereas fixed goal posts are secured either permanently or temporarily into the ground.

Permanent goal posts are often planted direct in the ground, sometimes using specialised sockets. This type of permanent structure can be found mainly on sports pitches and other sports areas and due to their fixed nature are highly susceptible to vandalism. To minimise damage to the goal post structure as a result of vandalism the goal net is often removed from the goal posts for storage when the goal post structure is not in use. Permanent goal posts are also exposed to the effects of the environment which reduce the quality of the goal post over time.

Quite often the location where a goal post has been erected is also required for purposes other than a sport needing a goal post and in such cases s it is beneficial not to have a permanent goal post structure. Temporarily fixed goal posts can be cumbersome to assemble and disassemble and require storage when not in use. Assembling and disassembling such a goal post is not only time consuming but can also be awkward, often requiring the assistance of more than one person. ln many cases the assembly and io disassembly of these types of goal post gives rise to negative safety implications if not carried out correctly. lt is also necessary to store these goal post structures when not in use and to transport them to and from the location of use, which can also be difficult.

For locations where there are no permanent goal posts but which may is be used for sports requiring goal posts it is often necessary to use a free standing goal post. Such posts usually require either no or minimal set up but also require transportation to and from the location. Portable goal posts exist but these either lack the structural benefits of permanent goal posts or comprise many interconnecting parts which, as with temporary fixed goal posts, take time to put together and take apart.

It is a principal aim of the present invention to provide a goal post assembly which addresses the problems of the known goal post structures discussed above.

According to this invention, there is provided a goal post assembly comprising: -a housing adapted for installing in the ground and having a lid movable between open and closed positions; s -a post associated with the housing and pivotally movable between a storage position where the post is contained wholly within the housing and an erected position; and -locking means for securing the lid in the closed position, wherein with the housing installed in the ground and the lid in the closed io position, the lid is flush with the ground surface.

It should be appreciated that the term "ground" as used herein should be construed broadly as meaning any land or floor within which the housing may be installed. Thus the housing may be installed in a field or in the floor of a building.

is The goal post assembly of this invention provides a storage facility which is convenient and discrete. The entire goal post structure can be erected and stored quickly and with ease at the installation site.

In one arrangement, the post may be pivotally connected at its lower end to the housing so that the post may turn relative to the housing. In this arrangement the post may have an elongate slot, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the post, and a pivot pin passing through the slot. The post can then be retained in the erected position by having a recess in the base of the housing into which the free end of the post is free to drop when the elongate slot is in a vertical orientation.

In an alternative arrangement the post includes a lower section secured to and contained wholly within the housing and an upper section pivotally connected to the lower section. To maintain the upper section of the post in an erected position, the goal post assembly preferably further comprises a s securing collar slidably received on the upper section but which may be slid over the pivotal connection to hold the upper section of the post in the erected position.

The goal post assembly of this invention finds particular use for goal post structures having two posts horizontally spaced from each other and connected io to each other by a crossbar, such as football and hockey goal posts. In such an arrangement, each post is associated with the housing and is pivotally movable between a storage position where the post is contained wholly within the housing and an erected position.

To enable the entire goal post structure to be stored within the housing it is is preferable that the crossbar is also contained wholly within the housing when the two posts are in their storage positions. To facilitate this, the housing is ideally of a substantially rectilinear U-shape in plan. Preferably, the housing comprises three sections arranged with two parallel spaced apart sections and the third section extending orthogonally between the ends of the two parallel spaced apart sections.

The lid may comprise a single component hinged to the housing along one edge thereof. More preferably, the lid is divided into three distinct parts, separately hinged to and corresponding to the three sections of the housing.

This arrangement makes it easier to gain access into the housing.

It is important for safety purposes to ensure that the lid can be closed when the post is in an erected position as well as when it is in a stored position.

To achieve this, the lid may also include an opening through which the post extends when the post is in the erected position and the lid is in its closed s position. The opening is preferably sized to accommodate the post in a close-fitting arrangement to avoid potential accidents.

The lid may also serve to support the goal net when the goal post is in the erected position so that the net does not need to be secured to the ground.

In this way, when the lid is closed it may be secured to the housing to retain the io skirt of the net in the housing and preferably the housing includes loops to which the net is attached. ldeally, the net may be connected to the goal post at all times so that when the goal post is moved between the storage position and the erected position, the goal net is also moved respectively. In this way, the goal net may be stored wholly within the housing when the goal post is in the is storage position and retracted automatically for use as the goal post is moved to an erected position.

For safety purposes, when the goal post structure is stored in the housing, the goal post assembly preferably includes a cap which locates in the opening in the lid when the post is in the storage position. This cap may be lockable within the opening to prevent accidental removal as well as unauthorised access to the housing.

Ideally, the lid carries artificial grass to conceal the assembly when the lid is in the closed position. This provides a discrete cover for the housing and ensures that the appearance of the goal post structure when in the erected position does not differ substantially from existing goal post structures.

By way of example only, one specific embodiment of goal post assembly of this invention will now be described in detaU, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 is a perspective view of the goal post assembly in the erected position with the lid open; Figure 2 is a front cross-sectional view of the goal post assembly in the erected position; io Figure 3 is a plan view of the goal post assembly in the storage position with the lid open; Figure 4 is a detailed cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the post within the housing when the goal assembly is in the erected position.

Figure 5 is a detailed front view showing the assembly of a modified is post.

Figure 6 is a detailed side view showing the assembly of a modified post.

Figure 7 is a detailed view of the modified post; and Figure 8 is a plan view showing the lid in the closed position when the goal assembly is in the erected position.

Referring initially to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown a goal post assembly having a pair of parallel horizontally spaced tubular posts 11, 12, connected to each other at their upper ends 13, 14 by a tubular horizontal crossbar 15.

The posts 11, 12 and crossbar 15 together with a goal net 16 define a typical football goal post structure.

A housing 20 is provided for the storage of the goal posts 11, 12, crossbar 15 and goal net 16. The housing 20 generally comprises three sections: parallel and spaced apart first and second sections 21 and 22 sized to accommodate the posts 11, 12 and a third section 23. The third section s interconnects one ends of the first and second secUons 21, 22 at their one ends 24, 25 and is sized to house the crossbar 15. All three sections 21, 22, 23 are trough shaped in vertical cross-section and the three together define a substantially rectilinear U-shape in plan. The three sections 21, 22, 23 share a common base 26 and at the other ends 27, 28 of the first and second sections 21, 22, remote from the third section 23, the housing 20 is extended downwardly, vertically below the common base 26 to form a chamber 29 with a base plate 30, having an aperture 31 formed therein.

Each post 11, 12 comprises a lower section 35 and an upper section 36.

The lower section 35 of each post 11, 12 is disposed within the chamber 29 of is the housing 20 and extends through the aperture 31 in the base plate 30. The lower section 35 is secured in position within the chamber 29 using concrete 37. The upper section 36 of each post 11, 12 is connected to the lower section by a pivot hinge 38, which allows the upper sections 36 of the posts 11, 12 to be pivoted with respect to the lower sections 35. Each post 11, 12 also includes a securing collar 39 which is adapted for sliding movement along the post 115 12 and which is locatable around the pivot hinge 38 to hold the upper sections 36 of the post 11, 12 in an erected position.

The housing 20 includes a lockable lid which is hinged to the walls of the housing 20 by hinges 40. The lid is divided into separate lid parts 45, 46, 47 corresponding to the first, second and third sections 21, 22, 23 of the housing 20. A separate lid portion 48, 49 is provided above each chamber 29 and these lid portions 48, 49 have an opening 50 through which the post 11, 12 extends when in an erected position. A cap 51 is locatable in the opening 50 when the s posts 11, 12 and crossbar 15 are stored within the housing 20 to cover the exposed opening 50 and to prevent unauthorised access and use of the goal post assembly 10.

Each lid part 45, 46, 47 includes a key operated lock 43 which secures the lid parts 45, 46, 47 in a closed position by engaging in a receptor 44 within io the housing 20. Each lid part 45, 46, 47 is covered with artificial grass 52 so that when the lid parts 45, 46, 47 are closed the housing 20 is not readily visible.

The goal net 16 of the goal post structure 17 is attached to the crossbar and goal posts 1 1, 12 and is adapted for storage within the housing 20 along is with the remainder of the goal post assembly. When the goal post structure 10 is moved between a storage position and an erected position the goal post 16 also moves accordingly. Loops 53 are provided within the housing 20 to support the skirt of the goal net 16 when the goal post structure 10 is erected.

The loops 53 also reduce the likelihood of the net 16 being tangled and caught on the assembly 10 when the goal post structure is folded into and removed from the housing 20.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, existing tubular goal posts 55 may be modified to form part of the goal post assembly 10. To facilitate this, each post must be cut into two sections to define the upper section 36 and the lower section 35. The cut should be made at the lower end 56 of each post, below the level of the ground 57, so that the remaining lower section 35 can be accommodated wholly within the housing 20, when installed in the ground 57.

A hinge unit 38 has two tubes 59, 60 hinged together (Figures 5 and 6), each s tube 59, 60 having a smaller external diameter than the internal diameter of the goal posts 11, 12. The tubes 56 and 60 are fitted into the lower and upper sections 36, 35 respectively of the cut post 55 and are then secured in place for example by an adhesive, welding or other technique. It will be appreciated that this could be performed on an existing goal post or could be installed as part of io an overall assembly.

The housing 20 is designed for location within the ground 57 such that when the lid parts 45, 46, 47 are closed the artificial grass 52 covering the lid parts 45, 46, 47 is flush with the surface of the ground 57.

To erect the goal post from the housing 20 the lid parts 45, 46, 47 must is be unlocked and the cap 51 removed from the opening 50. The lid parts 45, 46, 47 are then opened to reveal the goal posts 11, 12 stored within the housing 20. The upper sections 36 of the goal posts 11, 12 are then pivoted with respect to the lower sections 35 about the pivot hinge 38 from the stored position to an erected position where the upper sections 36 of the posts 11, 12 are in vertical alignment with the lower sections 35. Movement of the goal posts 11, 12 from the stored position to the erected position causes the goal net 16 to be erected also since the goal net 16 is secured to the goal posts 11, 12.

To maintain the upper sections 36 of the posts 11, 12 in an erected position the securing collar 39 is slid over the pivot hinge 38 to prevent further movement of the upper section 36. The openings 50 in the lid portions 48, 49 at the other ends 27, 28 of the first and second sections 21, 22 enable the lid portions 48, 49 to be closed when the posts 11, 12 are in an erected posftion. When the goal posts are erected, the lid parts 45, 46, 47 are closed and locked to prevent s injury or acddental opening.

Claims

-Ii -CLAIMS1. A goat post assembly comprising: -a housing adapted for installing in the ground (as defined herein) and having a lid movable between open and closed positions; -a post associated with the housing and pivotally movable between a storage position where the post is contained wholly within the housing and an erected position; and -locking means for securing the lid in the closed position, wherein with the housing installed in the ground and the lid in the closed position the lid is flush with the ground surface.
2. A goal post as claimed in claim 1, wherein the post comprises a lower section and an upper section pivotally connected to the lower section.
3. A goal post assembly as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a securing collar slidably receivable over the pivotal connection to hold the upper section of the post in the upright use position.
4. A goal post assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein there are two posts horizontally spaced from each other and connected to each other by a crossbar.
5. A goal post assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the crossbar is contained wholly within the housing when the two posts are in the storage position.
6. A goal post assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the housing comprises three sections arranged with two parallel spaced apart sections and the third section extending orthogonally between the ends of the two parallel spaced apart sections.
7. A goal post as claimed in claim 6, wherein the lid is divided into three separate parts, separately hinged to and corresponding to the three sections of s the housing.
8. A goal post as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the lid has an opening through which the post extends when the post is in the erected position and the lid is in its closed position.
9. A goal post assembly as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a cap io which locates in the opening in the lid when the post is in a storage position.
10. A goal post assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the lid carries artificial grass to conceal the assembly when the lid is in the closed position.
11. A goal post assembly as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as is hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.