FOOTBALL GOAL WITH HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT MEANS

Abstract

 A goal, particularly for high level competition football (soccer), includes a crossbar (12) supported between a pair of vertical posts (11) resting on feet (21) in sockets (2) in the ground. An adjustment mechanism (17) operable e.g. by a rotary handle (18) inserted into the post at a convenient height above ground level is arranged to adjust the height of the crossbar by moving the feet (21) in an axial direction of the posts relative to the crossbar and preferably relative to the lower end portions (15) of the posts which are received in the sockets. The mechanism may include a screw (25) driven by a gear assembly (40) with a thrust bearing (31) to support the weight of the goal on the screw.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to goals comprising a crossbar supported between a pair of vertical posts which are mounted in sockets in the ground, and in which means are provided for adjusting the height of the crossbar.

[0002] Goals of this type are used particularly In high level competition football (soccer), in which the dimensions of the goal must conform to regulations defined by the governing bodies of the sport, including in particular the height of the lower surface of the crossbar as measured from the ground surface. For this purpose the lower end of each of the posts is conventionally supported on a footplate which is adjustable on a screw in the axial direction of the post. The goal is mounted in the use position by inserting the lower end portion of each post into a socket, usually supported in a block of concrete just below the ground surface of the football pitch, so that the footplate rests on a support surface of the socket.

[0003] Since the distance between the ground surface and the support surface of the socket is often inexact and can vary over time, including for example when the pitch is relaid or resurfaced, the goal can be lifted out of the sockets and the footplate adjusted as necessary to maintain the crossbar at the correct height. If the required accuracy is not achieved then the goal must be lifted and replaced again as many times as necessary until the adjustment is correct. The size and weight of a competition football goal can make this a difficult operation to perform, particularly when under pressure from a referee prior to kick-off.

[0004] It is known for example from GB2336322 A to provide a goal with ground anchoring pins which extend telescopically from the posts. DE202010012997 U1 discloses a goal in which a telescopic extension piece can be extended or retracted from each post by grasping a mushroom shaped handle which extends from the lower end of the extension piece, or alternatively by inserting a removable crank into the post to engage an internal cable drum or a self locking spindle drive.

[0005] Mechanisms of the type disclosed by GB2336322 A and DE202010012997 U1 can be used to adapt a self supporting goal for use on different pitches which may or may not provide sockets to receive the goal posts. After retracting the telescopic pins or extension pieces, the goal can be removed and placed on the ground on the new pitch, and then anchored or secured against overturning by other means if no sockets are available.

[0006] However, mechanisms of this type are not used in competition football goals which are designed always to be supported in an upright position by inserting the posts into sockets in the ground, so that the weight of the goal is transferred via the posts to the sockets while the structural continuity of the post which fits closely within the wall of the socket ensures that the goal posts remain firm and vertical in use.

[0007] US 5080375 A discloses a football goal in which the height of the crossbar is adjustable, but in which the weight of the goal is supported by other frame members resting on the ground surface so that adjustment of the crossbar height requires also simultaneous adjustment of other dimensions.

[0008] DE9316826 U1 also discloses a goal in which the height of the crossbar is adjustable, but in relatively coarse increments.

[0009] It is the object of the present invention to provide a goal of the type comprising a crossbar supported between a pair of vertical posts which are mounted in sockets in the ground to support the weight of the goal, in which the height of the crossbar can be more conveniently adjusted to conform to regulations.

[0010] Accordingly the present invention provides a goal as defined in the claims.

[0011] Further more specific objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the illustrative embodiments which will now be described, purely by way of example and without limitation to the scope of the claims, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1A is a rear view of a football (soccer) goal according to an embodiment of the invention, supported in the upright use position in a pair of sockets on a football pitch;

Fig. 1B is an enlarged view of detail B in Fig. 1A, with a handle inserted into the drive socket in the post;

Fig. 2 shows one of the posts of the goal of Fig. 1A; and

Figs. 3 - 10 show details of the post of Fig. 2, wherein:

Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the foot assembly and part of the post;

Fig. 4 is a plan view from the upper end of the post;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section through the foot assembly;

Fig. 6A is a plan view of the foot assembly;

Fig. 6B is a longitudinal section at B - B of the upper end of the foot assembly of Fig. 6A;

Fig. 7 shows a thrust bearing assembly;

Fig. 8 shows the thrust bearing assembly installed in the upper end of the foot assembly;

Figs. 9 and 10 show the upper end of the foot assembly with the driven gear installed in the thrust bearing assembly; and

Fig. 11 shows a removable handle for rotating the drive gear.

[0012] Reference numerals appearing in more that one of the figures indicate the same parts in each of them.

[0013] Referring to the drawings, a football goal 10 is supported in an upright use position on a football pitch by inserting the lower end portion 15 of each of the pair of posts 11 into a respective one of a pair of sockets 2 permanently fixed, e.g. in concrete, just below the ground surface 1 of the pitch, so that the crossbar 12 is supported horizontally between the vertical posts 11 at a height H above the ground surface, as shown in Fig. 1.

[0014] Each of the posts and the crossbar is conveniently constructed with a relatively rigid tubular wall 19 of steel or extruded aluminium, with the horizontal crossbar terminating at short vertical extensions 13 which are connected to the upper ends 14 of the posts.

[0015] The weight of the goal is borne by the posts 11, with the lower end portion 15 of each post being a close fit within the wall of the socket 2. The sockets 2 are preferably fixed in concrete blocks with substantial mass, so that the engagement of the posts with the sockets supports the weight of the goal and provides a firm moment connection to the ground.

[0016] Each post includes a foot assembly 16 including a foot 21 which is arranged to rest on a support surface 3 of the socket, conveniently the horizontal, upwardly facing internal base surface of the socket as shown. In the use position, the weight of the goal imposes a load L on each foot 21 in the axial direction X - X of the post. The foot is arranged to transfer the load L to the support surface 3 of the socket to support the weight of the goal, which may be substantial, particularly in a full size goal for use in high level competition football.

[0017] In order to facilitate adjustment of the height H of the crossbar, each foot assembly 16 includes an adjustment mechanism 17 which is operable to move the foot 21 relative to the crossbar and preferably also relative to the lower end portion 15 of the post in an axial direction along the length axis X - X of the post.

[0018] The adjustment mechanism 17 is operable in the use position by a user control, exemplified by a removable handle 18 in the illustrated embodiment, which is positioned in use above the lower end portion 15 of the post, and is arranged to transfer the load L from the post via the foot 21 to the support surface 3 of the socket during operation of the adjustment mechanism. This allows the user to adjust the height H of the crossbar while the weight of the goal is supported by the posts inserted in the sockets in the use position as shown in Fig. 1.

[0019] The adjustment mechanism preferably provides very fine or infinite adjustment within the adjustment range, and preferably also is arranged to be self securing in the sense that it will hold the foot after adjustment in the selected position without any additional latching or detent arrangement, so that the height of the crossbar can be easily, quickly and accurately adjusted to conform to regulations with the goal in the use position. Preferably, as exemplified by the illustrated embodiment, the adjustment mechanism is housed inside the tubular wall of the post, and optionally partially inside the tubular wall of the lower end portion 15 of the post, with the foot being arranged as a downwardly facing surface of a strut 20 which is telescopically retractable inside the lower end portion 15 of the post. The post may thus have a generally smooth and continuous outer profile along its length from its upper end down into the socket.

[0020] Preferably the user control is removable from the post after adjustment, as exemplified by the illustrated embodiment, so that the post is left with a smooth surface and the possibility of tampering is avoided.

[0021] The adjustment mechanism 17 may include a bearing assembly, exemplified by a thrust bearing assembly 30 in the illustrated embodiment, so as to transfer the load L from the post 11 via the bearing assembly 30 and the foot 21 to the support surface 3 of the socket during operation of the adjustment mechanism. The bearing assembly allows the adjustment mechanism to move during adjustment while transferring the load through the moving mechanism to the foot, even if the goal is very heavy.

[0022] The adjustment mechanism may further include a screw, exemplified by screw 25 in the illustrated embodiment, which extends in the axial direction of the post 11, so as to transfer the load via the screw and the bearing assembly during operation of the adjustment mechanism.

[0023] Conveniently, the adjustment mechanism may be operable by the user control to rotate the screw, and the bearing assembly arranged to transfer the load from the post to the screw during rotation of the screw. Advantageously, the adjustment mechanism may further include a gear assembly, exemplified by gear assembly 40, for driving the screw in rotation, and the bearing assembly may comprise a thrust bearing, with the adjustment mechanism being arranged to transfer the load L via the thrust bearing but not via the gear assembly. This is particularly advantageous in that the gear assembly is not loaded in the axial direction of the post, so that operation is easier using a small user control such as handle 18 to rotate the gear assembly. The handle can be removed and kept in the operator's pocket in case it is required again during or after the match.

[0024] In the illustrated embodiment, the foot assembly 16 includes an upper support sleeve 50 and a lower support sleeve 55. The upper support sleeve has flat plates 51, 53 fixed respectively at its upper and lower ends, each plate lying in a horizontal plane in the use position and defining an outwardly extending flange which slidingly engages the internal profile of the tubular wall 19 of the post so that the sleeve can be slid up inside the lower end of the tubular wall and fixed to it by fixings 54. The upper plate 51 includes a fixture 52 to accommodate the thrust bearing assembly 30 and gear assembly 40, while the lower plate 53 has a square aperture through which the strut 20 extends so as to be axially slidable along the length axis X - X of the post 11. The strut 20 has a square transverse section which fits the aperture so that it is fixed against rotation with respect to the plate 53 and post 11. The lower support sleeve 55 has an internal section corresponding to that of the strut 20, and a lower plate 56 which closes the lower end of the tubular wall 19 when the sleeve is inserted and fixed inside it with fixings 57. After assembly, the strut 20 is thus supported telescopically within the upper and lower support sleeves inside the lower end portion 15 of the post, with its lower end protruding through the plate 56 to form the foot 21. Optionally, the foot 21 may include a soft or resilient pad of rubber or the like (not shown) which forms its downwardly facing surface to cushion the assembly against impact when it is lowered into the socket.

[0025] The thrust bearing assembly 30 comprises a thrust bearing 31 and a mount 32 having a collar 33 and a flange 34. The gear assembly 40 is arranged to provide a mechanical advantage for the operator as well as turning the drive through a 90 degree angle. It includes a drive gear assembly 41 which is rotatably mounted on a horizontal axle in the fixture 52 and engages a driven gear 43 fixed by a pin in the collar 33. The thrust bearing is interposed between the downwardly facing lower surface of the plate 51 and fixture 52 and the upwardly facing upper surface of the flange 34 so that the collar 33 extends upwardly through a hole in the plate 51 and fixture 52. The screw 25 comprises a threaded bar which is fixed at its upper end both axially and against rotation in a socket formed in the lower surface of the mount 32 to extend downwardly from the thrust bearing assembly 30 below the plate 51, so that the thrust bearing 31 transfers the load L from the plate 51 and fixture 52 supporting the post 11, via the flange 34 to the screw 25 in the axial direction of the post during rotation of the screw by the removable handle 18, which can be inserted by the operator through a hole in the tubular wall 19 of the post into a square drive socket 42 in the drive gear assembly 41.

[0026] The lower end of the screw 25 is threadedly engaged in a threaded sleeve 22 which is fixed both axially and against rotation in a horizontal plate 23 forming the upper end of the strut 20. By rotating the handle 18 anticlockwise as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1B and Fig. 5, the strut 20 is driven downwardly with respect to the lower end portion 15 of the post by rotation of the screw about its length axis to raise the height of the crossbar. The threaded engagement between screw 25 and sleeve 22 provides a self retaining or self locking assembly, in the sense that the weight of the goal transferred by the screw to the sleeve 22 will not cause rotation of the screw 25, so that no additional locking or detent arrangement is necessary to retain the goal in the selected position, while the screw provides infinite adjustment within the telescopic range of movement of the strut 20. The operator is thus able to adjust the height H of the crossbar quickly and accurately up or down by rotating the handle in either direction without removing the goal from the sockets.

[0027] In the illustrated example, and in contrast to goals designed for use on pitches which do not provide ground sockets, the goal does not have any structural elements which rest on the ground surface, and so the load transferred via the feet 21 to the support surfaces 3 of the sockets includes substantially the total weight of the posts and crossbar.

[0028] In summary, a preferred embodiment provides a goal, particularly for high level competition football (soccer), including a crossbar supported between a pair of vertical posts resting on feet in sockets in the ground. An adjustment mechanism operable e.g. by a rotary handle inserted into the post at a convenient height above ground level is arranged to adjust the height of the crossbar by moving the feet in an axial direction of the posts relative to the crossbar and preferably relative to the lower end portions of the posts which are received in the sockets. The mechanism may include a screw driven by a gear assembly with a thrust bearing to support the weight of the goal on the screw.

[0029] The support surface 3 of each socket is conveniently an internal, generally horizontal base surface of the socket as shown, but could alternatively be a surface above the internal base of the socket, e.g. an annular surface arranged at or below an upper end of the socket, in which case the foot may be adapted, e.g. as a cylindrical sleeve interposed between the lower end portion of the post and the wall of the socket and having a radially outwardly extending flange at its upper end, to engage the support surface. The lower end portion of the post may then slide in the axial direction within the sleeve inside the socket as the height of the crossbar is adjusted, with the structural continuity of the post extending from the crossbar down inside the sleeve ensuring a firm moment connection to the ground.

[0030] Of course, a similar sleeved configuration of the foot and the lower end portion of the post could be adopted even where the foot is arranged to rest on the upwardly facing base surface of the socket. However, it is preferred to arrange the lower end portion of the post in direct sliding contact with the wall of the socket as shown, in order to obviate an upwardly facing sliding interface between post and foot which may become sticky with dirt, and to maintain the outer diameter of the post so as to provide a more rigid moment connection with the socket.

[0031] Preferably, as exemplified by the illustrated embodiment, the foot is adjustable in the axial direction of the post not only relative to the crossbar but also relative to the lower end portion of the post, which is slidingly received in the socket so that it can move up and down inside the socket as the height of the crossbar is adjusted. In this configuration the post may be arranged to be structurally continuous from the crossbar down into the sockets, and may advantageously comprise a tubular wall which extends in a single piece from its connection to the crossbar or crossbar assembly down into the socket, so that the post is as rigid as possible and provides a more satisfactory moment connection via the socket to the ground, ensuring that the posts remain firm and vertical in the upright use position under impact during a game.

[0032] In alternative embodiments however it is possible for the foot to be adjustable in the axial direction of the post relative to the crossbar but not relative to the lower end portion of the post which extends into the socket, so that the post does not slide within the socket as the height is adjusted. For example, the foot may be fixed to the lower end portion of the post which fits closely inside the socket and which extends telescopically upwardly inside the upper portion of the post, which moves together with the crossbar and terminates just above ground level.

[0033] In further alternative embodiments, the adjustment mechanism could include a screw extending in the axial direction of the post and driven in rotation about its length axis, but with a bearing assembly including recirculating ball bearings arranged in the manner of a ballscrew as known in the art to transfer the load from the screw to the foot. The body of the ballscrew mechanism in this case may be fixed to the upper end of the foot strut so that it cannot rotate about the axis of the post.

[0034] Alternatively, the adjustment mechanism could include a screw extending in the axial direction of the post but fixed against rotation with respect to the post, while the bearing assembly (arranged for example as a threaded nut or sleeve or as a recirculating ballscrew mechanism) is arranged to rotate about the screw to cause relative axial displacement between the screw and the bearing assembly. For example, the screw could be fixed to the foot so that it cannot rotate about the axis of the post, with the ballscrew mechanism being mounted for rotation on a thrust bearing assembly which transfers the load from the post via the ballscrew mechanism to the screw.

[0035] Advantageously, a screw may be arranged to remain in the selected position after adjustment with respect to the threaded component with which it is engaged, so that no separate locking or latching component is required to retain the mechanism in the selected position.

[0036] In yet further alternative embodiments, the adjustment mechanism could comprise for example a rack and a pinion engaging the rack, each of the rack and pinion being fixed, respectively in relation to the upper portion of the post and the crossbar or to the foot, with the rack extending in the axial direction of the post. The pinion is operable to drive the foot axially relative to the crossbar and upper portion of the post, with a rotary bearing assembly being arranged to transfer the load in the axial direction of the post between the post and the pinion while supporting the pinion for rotation about an axis normal to the post. In one such embodiment, the user control may be configured as a rotary handle driving a worm which engages a worm wheel mounted on the axle of the pinion, the worm being configured to hold the pinion in the selected position when the handle is released. In another such embodiment a gear train may be introduced between the worm wheel and the pinion.

[0037] In yet further alternative embodiments, the adjustment mechanism could comprise a rack extending in the axial direction of the post and engaged by a screw in the manner of a worm drive, the screw rotating about an axis parallel with the length axis of the rack.

[0038] In yet further alternative embodiments, the adjustment mechanism could comprise a hydraulic or other actuator controlled by valve means as known in the art so that the load is transferred, e.g. by fluid pressure to the foot.

[0039] In each embodiment the adjustment mechanism is preferably manually operated although it could also be powered e.g. by a motor or by stored pressure from a spring or a compressed gas cartridge.

[0040] The novel goal is particularly suitable for use in football (soccer), especially although not exclusively in high level competition football, and can be used on either outdoor or indoor sports pitches. Accordingly, the term "ground" as used in this specification is construed mutatis mutandis to include the surface of an indoor pitch. In alternative applications, the dimensions of the novel goal may be selected for use in any other sport requiring a goal comprising a crossbar supported between a pair of vertical posts mounted in sockets in the ground, and the goal may include additional features such as net attachments, support struts and the like to suit the requirements of the sport.

[0041] Those skilled in the art will recognise that many further adaptations are possible within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A goal (10) for use on a sports pitch having a ground surface (1) and a pair of sockets (2) below the ground surface, the goal comprising a pair of posts (11) and a crossbar (12) supported between the posts, each post having:

a lower end portion (15) which is inserted in use into a respective one of the sockets to support the post in an upright use position;

a foot (21); and

an adjustment mechanism (17) operable to move the foot relative to the crossbar in an axial direction of the post;

the goal imposing a load on the foot in the axial direction of the post in the use position, the foot being arranged to transfer the load to a support surface (3) of the socket;

wherein the adjustment mechanism is operable in the use position by a user control (18) positioned above the lower end portion of the post,

and the adjustment mechanism is arranged to transfer the load from the post via the foot to the support surface of the socket during operation of the adjustment mechanism.

2. A goal according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism is operable to move the foot relative to the lower end portion of the post in the axial direction of the post.

3. A goal according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the adjustment mechanism of each post includes a bearing assembly (30), and the adjustment mechanism is arranged to transfer the load from the post via the bearing assembly and the foot to the support surface of the socket during operation of the adjustment mechanism.

4. A goal according to claim 3, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a screw (25) extending in the axial direction of the post, and the adjustment mechanism is arranged to transfer the load via the screw and the bearing assembly during operation of the adjustment mechanism.

5. A goal according to claim 4, wherein the adjustment mechanism is operable by the user control to rotate the screw (25), and the bearing assembly is arranged to transfer the load from the post to the screw during rotation of the screw.

6. A goal according to claim 5, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a gear assembly (40) for driving the screw in rotation, and the bearing assembly (30) comprises a thrust bearing (31), and the adjustment mechanism is arranged to transfer the load via the thrust bearing but not via the gear assembly.

7. A goal according to any preceding claim, wherein the posts and crossbar have a total weight, and the load transferred via the feet to the support surfaces of the sockets includes substantially the total weight of the posts and crossbar.

Drawing