Patent Application
20120142457
This invention relates to a collapsible goal post that is suitable for use in American football.
A goal post in American football consists of a base connected to the playing field, a support attached to the base, a crossbar extending perpendicular from the support and parallel to the playing field, and an upright extending from either end of the crossbar. After many sporting games, it is common for fans and spectators to rush onto the field. In American football games in particular, spectators or vandals often climb onto and hang from the crossbar, support or other parts of the goal posts. Spectators falling from the goal posts may be injured or killed, or injuries or death can results from climbing spectators falling onto other spectators, players, officials, staff and others on the field. The goal posts are sometimes torn down by the spectators, which can also lead to injury and death to players, officials, staff, spectators and others on the field. It is also costly, time-consuming and otherwise bothersome to replace torn-down goalposts.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,885 describes an articulated football goal post having a crossbar and uprights that that can be pivoted to a raised game position and lowered to a second position. However, since the uprights are substantially vertical in both the raised and lowered positions, the uprights can still be climbed or torn down by spectators or vandals.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,252,605 describes an articulated football goal post having a crossbar and uprights that can be pivoted to a raised game position and lowered to a second position. In the second position, the uprights are substantially parallel to but suspended above the playing field. The second lowered position facilitates detachment of the crossbar and uprights. Although the detachment of the crossbar and uprights may prevent damage, the detachment process may be too slow to allow for complete detachment before the spectators rush onto the field. If removed by spectators or vandals, the uprights themselves may be moved, brandished, or otherwise handled in a manner that could cause injury or death to those on the field or in the area of the field. Furthermore, the detached crossbar and uprights must be completely removed from the field to prevent theft. The additional removal step is also time-consuming, and possibly even dangerous in a crowded situation.
One embodiment of the present invention is directed toward a goal post for American football that is quickly, easily and safely lowered to the ground, making it impossible to climb on or otherwise forcibly tear down the goal post.
A goal post having a hinged pivot point is held in an upright position by a clevis pin locking device. To collapse the goal post, the pivot point is unlocked and gravity pulls the crossbar and uprights into a lowered position, wherein the crossbar and uprights are substantially parallel to and resting on the playing field.
In another embodiment, one or more hydraulic cylinders, for example double-acting hydraulic cylinders, regulate the speed of the lowering. The hydraulic cylinder may be situated on either side of the pivot point. The hydraulic cylinder allows the travel speed from the raised position to the lowered position to be adjustable. A pump connected to the hydraulic cylinder allows the goal post to be raised by the hydraulic cylinder. The one or more hydraulic cylinders may be removable in either the raised or lowered positions
Further developments of the invention will stand out from a description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.
With regard to
The base portion assembly 100 includes a lower support 110 and optionally a padding 180. A bottom portion 118 of the lower support 110 installed below the plane of a playing field 10 and attaches to an anchor assembly (not shown), separate from the base portion assembly 100. The anchor assembly may include hardware to secure the goal post 1 to the playing field 10. The lower support 110 extends substantially perpendicular from the playing field 10. A top portion 112 of the lower support 110 includes a beveled portion 112a and a horizontal portion 112b. The horizontal portion 112b is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lower support 110. The beveled portion 112a is at an angle to the horizontal portion 112b. The top portion 112 of the lower support 110 further includes parts of the pivot point assembly 300, which is described below.
The padding 180 covers the base portion assembly 100 in a circumferential direction from the playing field 10 to at least approximately 6 feet above the playing field 10. In one embodiment, the padding 180 is approximately 30 inches in diameter.
The upper portion assembly 200 includes a curved cylindrical support 210, a cylindrical crossbar 240 and two cylindrical uprights 260.
The curved support 210 includes a first end 212 and a second end 214. The first end 212 of the curved support 210 includes a beveled portion 212a and a flat portion 212b. The curved support 210 is attached to the lower support 110 by the pivot point assembly 300 at the first end 212. The second end 214 includes an open end forming a cavity 214a. The curved support 210 is curved such that the axis of the first end 212 and the axis of the second end 214 are substantially perpendicular.
The crossbar 240 has two ends 244, two end shanks 245, a top 246, a midpoint 242 and a midpoint shank 243. Each end shank 245 is a cylindrical segment smaller in diameter than and coaxial with the upright 260, and located near each of the ends 244. In one embodiment, each end shank 245 is welded to the crossbar 240. Each end shank 245 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the crossbar 240. The midpoint shank 243 is a cylindrical segment at about the midpoint 242 of the crossbar and extends substantially perpendicular to both the longitudinal axis of the crossbar and each of the two cavities 245. The second end 214 of the curved support 210 is attached to the crossbar 240 by inserting the midpoint shank 243 into the cavity 214a of the curved support 210. In one embodiment, the crossbar is cylindrical and 6 inches in diameter. In one embodiment, the top 246 of the crossbar 240 is 10 feet from the playing field 10 when the goal post 1 is in the raised position.
Each of the two uprights 260 includes a lower end 262, a lower end cavity 263, an upper end 264 and an inside 266. The lower end cavity 263 is a cylindrical cavity larger in diameter than the end shank 245 of the crossbar 240, and located at the lower end 262. One upright 260 is mounted to each of the two ends 244 of the crossbar 240 by inserting the shank 245 into the cavity 263 and securing the upright 260 with set screws (not shown). The two uprights 260 are substantially parallel to each other, and each is substantially perpendicular to the crossbar 240. In one embodiment, the inside 266 of each of the uprights 260 are spaced 18 feet and 6 inches from one another. In one embodiment, when the goal post 1 is in the raised position, the upper end 264 of the upright 260 is 40 feet above the playing field 10, which is the distance required by the National Football League (“NFL”). In another embodiment, when the goal post 1 is in the raised position, the upper end 264 of the upright 260 is 30 feet above the playing field 10, which is the minimum distance required by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (“NCAA”). In one embodiment, the diameter of each of the uprights 260 is 4 inches.
With reference to
The base portion pivot assembly 302 includes a lower pivot bar 330, two lower pivot gussets 340, and two lower pivot knuckles 320 each having a bore 326.
The lower pivot bar 330 has two ends 332 and is a rectangular plate having a long axis slightly longer than the diameter of the lower support 110 and a short axis approximately the same width as the horizontal portion 112b. The lower pivot bar 330 is mounted on top of the horizontal portion 112b so that the two ends 332 of the lower pivot bar 330 extend beyond the sides of the lower support 110.
Each lower pivot gusset 340 is a plate in the shape of a right triangle having a short leg 342, a long leg 344 and a hypotenuse 346. One of the two lower pivot gussets 340 is mounted to the lower support 110 such that the long leg 344 is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the lower support 110, the short leg 342 of the lower pivot gusset 340 extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lower support 110, and the short leg 342 abuts one of the ends 332 of the lower pivot bar 330. The other lower pivot gusset 340 is mounted in substantially the same way, except that the short leg 342 abuts the other of the ends 332 of the lower pivot bar 330. The lower pivot gussets 340 serve to buttress the ends 332 of the lower pivot bar 330 that extend beyond the diameter of the lower support 110.
Each lower pivot knuckle 320 is a plate in the shape of an arched rectangle with a flat end 322 and an arched end 324. Each lower pivot knuckle 320 has a lower pivot knuckle bore 326 near the arched end 324. One lower pivot knuckle 320 is mounted on each of the ends 332 of the lower pivot bar 330 such that the two lower pivot knuckles 320 extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the lower support 110 and the two lower pivot knuckle bores 326 are coaxial.
The upper portion pivot assembly 304 includes an upper clevis plate mount plate 216, an upper clevis plate 272, and a pivot tube 220.
The upper clevis plate mount plate 216 is a D-shaped plate and is mounted on the end of the beveled portion 212a such that the flat side of the D abuts and is parallel to the flat portion 212b.
An upper clevis plate 272 is a fin-shaped plate having a flat end 271 and a tapered end 273 at an angle to the flat end 271. The flat end 271 is mounted to the upper clevis plate mount plate 216 such that the upper clevis plate 272 is substantially perpendicular to the upper clevis plate mount plate 216. The upper clevis plate 272 includes an upper clevis plate lock pin bore 274, an upper clevis plate rigging bore 275 and an upper clevis plate mount bore 276. The upper clevis plate rigging bore 275 is provided as a convenience to a ground crew installing, removing or maintaining the goal post 1. The upper clevis plate rigging bore 275 is approximately 1 inch in diameter, and is intended to be used in conjunction with an anchor shackle (not shown) as a rigging point, making it convenient to hoist the goal post 1 into and out of the ground.
The pivot tube 220 defines a pivot tube bore (not shown). As shown in
The pivot pin assembly 306 includes a pivot pin 310 and optionally a pivot pin lock ring 312. The pivot pin 310 is a cylinder having a diameter small enough to fit within the lower pivot knuckle bores 326 and a length at least as long as the distance between the lower pivot knuckles 320. To accommodate the pivot pin lock ring 312, the pivot pin 310 also includes at least one groove (not shown). In one embodiment, pivot pin 310 includes two grooves, one on either side of the pivot pin 310. The grooves are positioned on the pivot pin 310 such that the grooves are spaced apart wider than the outside edges of the lower pivot knuckles 320.
The pivot pin lock ring 312 is a circular ring having an open section that is dimensioned to fit into one groove. When the lock ring 312 is positioned into the groove, the outside diameter of the pivot pin lock ring 312 is larger than the lower pivot knuckle bores 326. One pivot pin lock ring 312 is used for each groove.
With reference to
The lower support cap plate 114 is a D-shaped plate mounted on top of the beveled portion 112a of the lower support 110 such that the flat portion of the lower support cap plate 114 is close to and parallel to the pivot axis.
The lock pin clevis 360 includes two substantially parallel planar plates 360a and 360b. Each of the planar plates 360a and 360b have an arched rectangular shape having an arched short edge 364 and a contoured long edge 365 that fits the contours of the top portion 112 where the lower support cap plate 114 adjoins the lower support 110. The plates 360a and 360b are spaced apart to allow the upper clevis plate 272 to fit between them. In an alternative embodiment, the arched edge 364 of each of the plates 360a and 360b are spaced farther apart from one another than the contoured long edge 365 of each of the plates 360a and 360b for better guiding of the upper clevis plate 272 between the plates 360a and 360b. Each of the plates 360a and 360b have a lock pin clevis bore 362 near the arched short edge 364. The lock pin clevis 360 is mounted on top of the lower support 110 at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the lower support 110 and resting in part on the lower support cap plate 114.
The lock pin bore 274 on the upper clevis plate 272 is oval in shape with the smaller axis of the oval being approximately the same diameter as each of the lock pin clevis bores 362.
The lock pin 350 is T-shaped and includes a cylindrical shaft 352 and a cylindrical head 354 mounted perpendicular to the shaft 350 to form a T shape. The cylindrical shaft 350 is sized to fit within the lock pin bore 274 and the lock pin clevis bores 362. The lock pin 350 further includes a pushbutton 356 on the head 354 and a ball 358 on the shaft 352. The ball 358 prevents the shaft 352 from moving through the lock pin bore 274 and the lock pin clevis bores 362. When the pushbutton 356 is pushed, the ball 358 retracts into the shaft 352 so the lock pin 350 can be inserted through the lock pin bore 274 and the lock pin clevis bores 362.
As shown in
With reference to
With reference to
The lower clevis plate mount plate 116 is a curved plate that is mounted flush against the sidewall of the lower support 110. The lower clevis plate mount plate 116 is a doubler plate to strengthen the joint between the lower clevis plate 172 and the lower support 110.
The lower clevis plate 172 is a triangular plate having a short leg 173, a long leg 174 and a hypotenuse 175. The lower clevis plate 172 is mounted perpendicular to the lower clevis plate mount plate 116 along the long leg 174 such that the lower clevis plate 172 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lower support 110 and the short leg 173 faces the top portion 112 of the lower support 110. The lower clevis plate 172 includes the lower clevis plate mount bore 176 near the short leg 173.
The hydraulic cylinder 410 has on an end opposite the piston rod 421 the cylinder clevis 412 that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hydraulic cylinder 410. The cylinder clevis 412 is an integral part of the hydraulic cylinder 410 as supplied by the manufacturer. The cylinder clevis 412 includes two substantially parallel triangular plates 412a and 412b that are spaced to allow the lower clevis plate 172 to fit between them. Each of the parallel plates 412a and 412b include a cylinder clevis mount bore 416a and 416b, respectively. The cylinder clevis mount bores 416a and 416b are substantially the same diameter as the lower clevis plate mount bore 176.
The lower mount clevis pin 178 is cylindrical and includes a cylindrical shaft 178a and a head 178b mounted on one end of the shaft 178a. On an end opposite the head 178b, the shaft 178a has a bore 178c. The bore 178c is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 178a. A lower mount cotter pin 179 is a length of wire bent into shape resembling a capital letter “R”. The straight leg of the cotter pin 179 fits in the bore 178c. The bent leg of the lower mount cotter pin 179 grips the side of the shaft 178a. The cylindrical shaft 178a is sized to fit within the lower clevis plate mount bore 176 and the cylinder clevis mount bores 416a and 416b. The cotter pin 179 and the head 178b are sized such that the lower mount clevis pin 178 cannot be removed from the lower clevis plate mount bore 176 and the cylinder clevis mount bores 416a and 416b when the cotter pin 179 is placed in the bore 178c.
The upper mount assembly 406 includes the upper clevis plate mount bore 276 on the upper clevis plate 272, a piston clevis 422 having piston rod mount bores 426a and 426b, and an upper mount clevis pin 278.
The piston clevis 422 is attached to an end of the piston rod 421 opposite the hydraulic cylinder 410. The piston clevis 422 is a single, forged piece that threads onto the piston rod 421, and is typically provided by the manufacturer. The piston clevis 422 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the piston rod 421. The piston clevis 422 includes two substantially parallel plates 422a and 422b that are shaped like arched rectangles, each having a flat end 423 and an arched end 424. The parallel plates 422a and 422b are spaced to allow the upper clevis plate 272 to fit between them. The parallel plates 422a and 422b are mounted to the piston rod 421 at the flat end 423. Each of the parallel plates 422a and 422b include a piston clevis mount bore 426a and 426b, respectively, near the arched end 424.
The upper mount clevis pin 278 is cylindrical and includes a cylindrical shaft 278a and a head 278b mounted on one end of the shaft 278a. On an end opposite the head 278b, the shaft 278a has a bore 278c. The bore 278c is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 278a. An upper mount cotter pin 279 is a length of wire bent into shape resembling a capital letter “R”. The straight leg of the cotter pin 279 fits in the bore 278c. The bent leg of the lower mount cotter pin 279 grips the side of the shaft 278a. The cylindrical shaft 278a is sized to fit within the upper clevis plate mount bore 276 and the piston clevis mount bores 426a and 426b. The cotter pin 279 and the head 278b are sized such that the upper mount clevis pin 278 cannot be removed from the upper clevis plate mount bore 276 and the piston clevis mount bores 426a and 426b when the cotter pin 279 is placed in the bore 278c.
With reference to
The hydraulic line 430 is tubing and/or piping that connects the upper chamber 410a to the reservoir 450. Other components of the hydraulic control assembly 408 including the actuator valve 442, adjustable valve 444, safety valve 446, one way valve 462 and gear pump 464 are connected between the upper chamber 410a and the reservoir 450 by the hydraulic line 430.
The air line 435 is tubing and/or piping that connects the lower chamber 410b directly to the airspace above the fluid in the reservoir 450.
The adjustable valve 444 is connected between the upper chamber 410a and three components connected in parallel between the adjustable valve 444 and the reservoir 450. The three components include the actuator valve 442 for lowering the upper portion assembly 200, the gear pump 464 for raising the upper portion assembly 200, and a safety valve 446.
The adjustable valve 444 includes an adjustable orifice 444a and a ball check valve 444b. The adjustable orifice 444a is an opening that is adjustable in size, which effectively meters the rate at which the hydraulic fluid can flow from the upper chamber 410a through the adjustable valve 444. The ball check valve 444b allows fluid to flow freely into the upper chamber 410a from the gear pump 464.
The actuator valve 442 is a spring-loaded valve that, when actuated, allows fluid to flow from the upper chamber 410a to the reservoir 450. When the actuator 442 is released, the spring-loaded valve automatically shuts and all fluid flow ceases. The piston 420 does not and cannot extend and thus lower the upper portion assembly 200 when the actuator 442 is not actuated. Additionally, holding the actuator valve 442 in the open position will prevent the gear pump from raising the upper portion assembly 200.
The safety valve 446 is an integral part of the actuator valve 442. In the event that hydraulic pressure in the upper chamber 410a exceeds a pre-determined pressure, hydraulic fluid will flow from the upper chamber 410a through the adjustable valve 444 and the safety valve into the reservoir 450. This is a safety feature, designed to prevent damage to the goal post 1, including the hydraulic assembly 400.
Between the gear pump 464 and the adjustable valve 444 is a one way valve 462, which allows hydraulic fluid to flow from the gear pump 464 to the upper chamber 410a, but not from the upper chamber 410a to the gear pump 464. In one embodiment, the one way valve 462 is a ball check valve. The gear pump 464 acts to move fluid from the reservoir 450 through the one way valve 462 to the upper chamber 410a, and therefore retract the piston rod 421 into the hydraulic cylinder 410. In one embodiment, the pump 464 is a gear pump that is operated by a battery powered hand held drill or a manual crank handle.
The hydraulic fluid reservoir 450 stores the hydraulic fluid flowing from the upper chamber 410a and air flowing from the lower chamber 410b. The reservoir 450 is open to the atmosphere via a vented fluid fill cap (not shown) located at the top of the reservoir 450. This design limits the amount of moisture or other contaminants entering the hydraulic assembly 400.
An enclosure (not shown) made of sheet metal may be formed around the hydraulic assembly 400 to facilitate removal and handling of the hydraulic assembly and also for aesthetic and safety purposes.
The assembly of the goal post 1 will now be described with reference to
To connect the upper portion assembly 200 to the base portion assembly 100, the pivot tube 220 is positioned between the two lower pivot knuckles 320, with the pivot tube bore aligned with the two lower pivot knuckle bores 326. The pivot pin 310 is inserted through the two lower pivot knuckle bores 326 and the pivot tube bore, such that the two grooves 311 remain exposed. One of the two locking rings 312 is positioned into each of the two grooves 311 to lock the pivot pin 310 in place.
To mount the piston rod 421 to the curved support 210, the upper clevis plate 272 is inserted into the piston clevis 422, and the upper clevis plate mount bore 276 is aligned with the piston clevis mount bores 426a and 426b. The shaft 278a of an upper mount clevis pin 278 is inserted through all three mount bores 276, 426a and 426b. The cotter pin 279 is then inserted through the bore 278c of the upper mount clevis pin 278.
To mount the hydraulic cylinder 410 to the lower support 110, the lower clevis plate 172 is inserted into the cylinder clevis 412, and the lower clevis plate mount bore 176 is aligned with the cylinder clevis mount bores 416a and 416b. The shaft 178a of the lower mount clevis pin 178 is inserted through all three mount bores 176, 416a and 416b. The cotter pin 179 is then inserted through the bore 178c of the lower mount clevis pin 178.
Because the hydraulic fluid is incompressible, the upper chamber 410a must allow hydraulic fluid to escape in order for the upper chamber 410a to decrease in volume. Likewise, the lower chamber 410b must allow air to enter in order for the lower chamber 410b to increase in volume. This is accomplished by connecting the upper chamber 410a to the reservoir 450 by the hydraulic line 430 via the adjustable valve 444, the actuator valve 442 and the safety valve 446; and the lower chamber 410b to the reservoir 450 by the air line 435.
When the goal post 1 is in the raised position, as shown in
When the goal post 1 is in the raised position, the upper clevis plate lock pin bore 274 aligns with each of the lock pin clevis bores 362. The T-shaped lock pin 350 is inserted through all three bores to maintain the goal post 1 in the raised position.
To collapse the goal post 1 from the raised position to the lowered position, the pump 464 is actuated to drive hydraulic fluid from the reservoir 450 through the pump 464, the ball check valve 462 and the ball check valve 444b to the upper chamber 410a. This moves the piston 420 down to increase the volume of the upper chamber 410a, which in turn retracts the piston rod 421 farther into the hydraulic cylinder 410. This retraction pulls the upper portion assembly 200 farther into a raised position, which unloads the lock pin 350 for easier removal from the lock pin clevis bores 362 and the upper clevis plate lock pin bore 274. The oval shape of the lock pin bore 274 allows the lock pin 350 to be more easily removed. After the lock pin 350 is removed, the force of gravity acts to pivot the upper portion assembly 200 toward the playing field 10 until the uprights 260 rest on the playing field 10.
However, when the hydraulic assembly 400 is mounted to the goal post 1, the curved support 210 is attached to the piston rod 421 and the lower support 110 is attached to the hydraulic cylinder 410. The upper portion assembly 200 therefore does not and cannot pivot about the pivot point assembly 300 unless the actuator 442 is actuated to allow the hydraulic fluid to move from the upper chamber 410a through the orifice 444a and the actuator 442 to the reservoir, thereby allowing the piston 420 to move and the piston rod 421 to extend out of the hydraulic cylinder 410. The adjustable valve 444 can be adjusted to control the rate at which the upper portion assembly 200 lowers.
Because the actuator 442 does not allow the upper portion assembly 200 to pivot unless the actuator 442 is actuated, this is referred to as a “dead man” operation. If an operator lets go of the actuator 442, the spring-loaded valve will close and all motion of the goal post 1 will cease.
To raise the goal post 1 from the lowered position to the raised position, resistance from the hydraulic cylinder 410 and piston 420 should be minimized. This can be accomplished by removing the hydraulic assembly 400 and raising the upper portion assembly 200 manually. The upper portion assembly 200 can then be raised manually by grasping any part of the upper portion assembly 200 and hoisting the goal post 1 into the raised position. Alternatively, the upper portion assembly 200 can be raised by any other method.
In another embodiment, the pump 464 can provide a hydraulic assist to raise the upper portion assembly 200. The pump 464 is actuated to drive hydraulic fluid from the reservoir 450 through the pump 464, the ball check valve 462 and the ball check valve 444b to the upper chamber 410a. This moves the piston 420 down to increase the volume of the upper chamber 410a, which in turn retracts the piston rod 421 farther into the hydraulic cylinder 410. This retraction pulls the upper portion assembly 200 farther into a raised position
To remove the hydraulic assembly 400, the upper mount clevis pin 278 and the lower mount clevis pin 178 are removed. The upper mount cotter pin 279 is removed from the bore 278c. Then, the upper mount clevis pin 278 is removed from the piston clevis mount bores 424a and 424b and the upper clevis plate mount bore 274, which allows the upper clevis plate 272 to be removed from the piston clevis 422, and therefore uncouple the piston rod 421 from the curved support 210. The lower mount cotter pin 179 is removed from the bore 178c. Then, the lower mount clevis pin 178 is removed from the cylinder clevis mount bores 416a and 416b and the lower clevis plate mount bore 176, which allows the lower clevis plate 172 to be removed from the cylinder clevis 412, and therefore uncouple the hydraulic cylinder 410 from the lower support 110. Once the upper portion assembly is raised, manually or otherwise, the upper clevis plate 272 is inserted between the parallel plates 360a and 360b of the lock pin clevis 360. The upper clevis plate lock pin bore 274 is aligned with the lock pin clevis bores 362, and the shaft 352 of the lock pin 350 is inserted through all three lock pin bores.
The hydraulic assembly 400 can be removed when the upper portion assembly 200 is in either the raised or lowered positions. The hydraulic assembly 400 would typically be removed when the upper portion assembly 200 is in the raised position. However, the hydraulic assembly 400 would be removed when the upper portion assembly 200 is in the lowered position to facilitate removal of the goal post 1 from the playing field 10, as frequently occurs when the stadium is used for other sporting events such as soccer, or for other events such as concerts.
While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, different mounting and locking mechanisms may be employed, the hydraulic line 430 may have a different configuration or different components, or the dimensions of the goal post may be changed. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention may be limited except by the appended claims.
