Patent Application
20110098140
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to the field of sporting goal structures, and more particularly, to apparatuses and methods for releasably securing a structural member of a movable goal, such as a soccer goal, to a surface, such as the ground.
Fields at athletic facilities are often used for a variety of different sports and events. For example, football fields are often also used as soccer fields. To temporarily transition any field into a soccer field, movable soccer goals are placed on the field. Such movable soccer goals, however, are often prone to tip over, sometimes causing injury to players or others. This may be especially true when young children are playing on the field, as young children may be more likely to climb on, hang on, jump on, bump, or otherwise attempt to disturb the soccer goal. Vandals may also move or steal the movable soccer goals. Furthermore, it takes significant time and effort for facilities personnel to properly align a movable soccer goal on a field relative to the sidelines and the other soccer goal. These problems are not only true for soccer goals, but also pertain to other types of goals and athletic equipment, such as field hockey goals, lacrosse goals, backstops, safety nets, and the like.
Accordingly, there is a long-felt but unmet need to provide a system that enables facility personnel to quickly and easily anchor a movable soccer goal on a field, such as a football field. Previous attempts at securing movable goals involve piercing or puncturing the surface of the playing field with a stake or screw-type device. These devices, however, can cause damage to a playing field when the field consists of natural turf, and these devices cannot be used at all on artificial playing surfaces.
Embodiments of the present invention relate to apparatuses and methods for releasably securing a structural member of a movable goal, such as a soccer goal, to a surface, such as the ground. For example, in one embodiment, an apparatus for releasably securing a structural member of a movable goal relative to a surface is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises: (1) an enclosure structured to be placed at least substantially below the surface, the enclosure defining a cavity; (2) a goal engaging member movable relative to the surface and structured to engage the structural member of the movable goal; and (3) a tightening mechanism mounted within the enclosure and operatively connected to the goal engaging member, the tightening mechanism being structured to urge the goal engaging member toward the tightening mechanism so that the goal engaging member releasably secures a portion of the structural member of the movable goal.
In one embodiment, the enclosure further comprises a clamping member extending outwardly from the enclosure, and the tightening mechanism is configured to urge the goal engaging member toward the tightening mechanism to thereby releasably secure the portion of the structural member of the movable goal between the goal engaging member and the clamping member. In another embodiment, the enclosure further comprises a pedestal extending into the cavity of the enclosure, the pedestal being structured to support and releasably secure the tightening mechanism. In yet another embodiment, the tightening mechanism comprises a ratcheting mechanism comprising a reel, a flexible belt configured to wind and unwind about the reel, and a handle configured to ratchet the reel in at least one direction.
In one embodiment, the enclosure further comprises at least one track member structured to laterally align the goal engaging member when the goal engaging member moves vertically relative to the enclosure. In another embodiment, the enclosure further comprises an anchoring member extending therefrom, the anchoring member structured for anchoring the enclosure below the surface. In still another embodiment, the anchoring member comprises: (1) at least one support member extending into the cavity of the enclosure, the support member defining an aperture; and (2) an elongate member extending through the aperture, the elongate member defining a protuberance at the distal end thereof.
In one embodiment, the goal engaging member has a generally hook-shaped configuration. In another embodiment, the goal engaging member comprises an alignment pin extending therefrom, the alignment pin being structured to engage a corresponding aperture in a portion of the structural member of the movable goal to align the movable goal relative to the enclosure. In yet another embodiment, the enclosure is structured to receive a least a portion of a generally vertical structural member of a football goal therein, and wherein the goal engaging member is structured to engage a generally horizontal structural member of a movable soccer goal. In still another embodiment, the enclosure comprises a cover, the cover being structured to extend across at least a portion of the enclosure. In another embodiment, the cover further comprises an aperture, the aperture of the cover being structured so that the goal engaging member may move relative to the enclosure through the aperture.
Embodiments of the present invention also provide another apparatus for releasably securing a structural member of a movable goal. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises: (1) an enclosure configured to be placed at least partially below a surface, the enclosure defining a cavity; (2) a goal engaging member movable relative to the enclosure and structured to engage the structural member of the movable goal; and (3) a tightening mechanism mounted within the enclosure and operatively connected to the goal engaging member, and when the goal engaging member is engaged with the structural member of the movable goal, the tightening mechanism is structured to urge the goal engaging member towards the enclosure to thereby releasably secure a portion of the structural member of the movable goal.
In one embodiment, the enclosure further comprises a pedestal extending into the cavity of the enclosure, the pedestal being structured to support and releasably secure the tightening mechanism. In another embodiment, the tightening mechanism comprises a ratcheting mechanism comprising a reel, a flexible belt configured to wind and unwind about the reel, and a handle configured to ratchet the reel in at least one direction. In yet another embodiment, the enclosure further comprises at least one track member structured to align the goal engaging member when the goal engaging member moves relative to the enclosure.
In one embodiment, the goal engaging member has a generally hook-shaped configuration. In another embodiment, the goal engaging member comprises an alignment pin extending therefrom, the alignment pin being structured to engage a corresponding aperture in a portion of the structural member of the movable goal to align the movable goal relative to the enclosure. In another embodiment, the enclosure is structured to receive a least a portion of a generally vertical structural member of a football goal therein, and wherein the goal engaging member is structured to engage a generally horizontal structural member of a movable soccer goal. In still another embodiment, the enclosure comprises a cover, the cover being structured to extend across at least a portion of the enclosure. In another embodiment, the cover further comprises an aperture, the aperture of the cover being structured so that the goal engaging member may move relative to the enclosure through the aperture.
Embodiments of the present invention also provide a method for releasably securing a structural member of a movable goal. For example, in one embodiment, the method comprises: (1) providing a goal anchoring apparatus comprising a movable goal engaging member structured to engage the structural member of the movable goal, and a tightening mechanism operatively connected to the goal engaging member; (2) positioning the goal engaging member so that the goal engaging member engages the structural member of the movable goal; and (3) actuating the tightening mechanism to urge the goal engaging member towards the tightening mechanism so that the goal engaging member releasably secures the structural member of the movable goal.
Having thus described embodiments of the present invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily draw to scale, and wherein:
Embodiments of the present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the present invention are shown. Indeed, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Where possible, any terms expressed in the singular form herein are meant to also include the plural form and vice versa unless explicitly stated otherwise. Also, as used herein, the term “a” and/or “an” shall mean “one or more,” even though the phrase “one or more” is also used herein. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
Embodiments of the present invention address the need for an apparatus and/or method to anchor and/or releasably secure movable goals.
In one embodiment, the enclosure 50 includes a cover 52 for covering the enclosure 50. In an alternate embodiment, the cover 52 is structured to extend across a portion of the enclosure 50. In one embodiment, the cover is generally flush with the surface of the field 20 and is, in some embodiments, covered with artificial turf (not shown) so that the cover 52 blends in with the rest of the field 20. The cover 52 may also be raised above the surface of the field 20. The cover 52 may be plywood, a metallic plate, a polymeric plate, or made from some other material or combination of materials suitable for supporting the artificial turf and the forces that are typically encountered on the field (e.g., the forces associated with athletes playing various sports, vehicles driving over the field, etc.).
A goal engaging member, such as hook-shaped member 40, extends from within the enclosure 50 through an opening, slit, or cutout 54 in the cover 52. In an operating configuration, the hook-shaped member 40 extends above the surface of the field 20 so that the hook-shaped member 40 may engage a structural member of the movable soccer goal 10 by, for example, being placed over the horizontal rear ground bar 12 of the soccer goal 10. A mechanism (not visible in
In some embodiments of the present invention, the enclosure 50 is anchored to the ground with concrete and/or is surrounded by stone, gravel, dirt, or the like (not shown). The dashed lines of the enclosure 50 shown in
Although this description mainly refers to using embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with a soccer goal 10 and an outdoor artificial turf field 20, it will be understood that other embodiments of the present invention may be used in conjunction with other types of movable goals and other types of surfaces, including outdoor or indoor playing surfaces.
As illustrated in
The surrounding walls of the enclosure 50 may be made of a metallic material or other suitable material. In some embodiments of the present invention, the lower surface 58 of the enclosure is completely open or partially open to the material that surrounds the enclosure. Such a design may be useful in that it may permit the drainage of water that enters into the cavity 51. Additionally, it will be understood that in other embodiments of the present invention, the enclosure 50 may comprise more or fewer walls and/or surfaces than those shown in the embodiment illustrated in
The cover 52 may be supported by a variety of structures. In one embodiment, shelves (not shown) extend from one or more of the enclosures walls, slightly below the upper edges of the walls, to support the cover 52. In one embodiment, the cover 52 is held in place by gravity and the surrounding walls. In other embodiments, however, the cover 52 is coupled to the enclosure 50 by hinges, tracks, or other mechanisms that allow the cover 52 to open by pivoting or sliding relative to the enclosure 50. In some embodiments the cover 52 is bolted to the enclosure 50. In some instances, the enclosure 50 includes a locking mechanism (not shown) that locks the cover 52 to the enclosure 50. Such a locking mechanism may require a key or other special tool to open the cover 52 so that only authorized personnel are permitted to access the interior of the enclosure 50. A locking mechanism such as this may function to prevent tampering with the goal anchoring apparatus 30 and may also prevent unauthorized persons from moving a goal 10 that is anchored by the anchoring apparatus 30.
Referring again to
In one embodiment, the hook-shaped member 40 is comprised of a metallic plate that is bent at one end to form the hook portion 44. In some embodiments, the hook portion 44, or at least the inside surface of the hook portion 44, is padded or otherwise coated with a protective material that functions to prevent the hook-shaped member 40 from scratching the ground bar 12 of the goal 10 and vice versa. As illustrated in
The hook-shaped member 40 is mounted in the enclosure 50 so that it may slide up and down relative to the enclosure 50 in a generally vertical plane. This allows the hook-shaped member 40 to be raised so that the ground bar 12 of the soccer goal 10 may be moved under the hook portion 44 and then lowered so that the hook portion 44 engages the ground bar 12 and clamps or otherwise secures the ground bar 12 between the hook portion 44 and the ground. In the illustrated embodiment, the edges of the vertical portion 42 of the hook-shaped member 40 are inserted into slots in the track members 74 so that the hook-shaped member 40 may then slide up and down in the slots. Accordingly, the track members 74 are structured to laterally align the hook-shaped member 40 when the hook-shaped member 40 moves vertically relative to the enclosure 50. It will be understood that, in other embodiments, the enclosure 50 may comprise track members 74 that are positioned and/or structured differently so as to align the hook-shaped member 40 in a different way as the hook-shaped member 40 moves relative to the enclosure 50.
In the illustrated embodiment, the edges of the vertical portion 42 are sufficiently long to permit the hook-shaped member 40 to slide sufficiently upwards so that the hook portion 44 may clear the top of the goal's horizontal ground bar 12. Also, one or more cutouts, such as the cutout 48 as shown in
In other embodiments of the present invention, other structures are provided to permit the hook-shaped member 40 to slide upwards and downwards relative to the enclosure 50 and allow the hook-shaped member 40 to be moved below grade when not in use. For example, in another embodiment of the present invention, the hook-shaped member 40 includes a pin or wheel coupled to each side of the vertical portion 42, where each pin or wheel is received within a track. The track allows the pin or wheel to move upwards and downwards relative to the enclosure 50. In some embodiments, the pins or wheels also allow the hook-shaped member 40 to pivot relative to the track. In this way, when the goal securing apparatus 30 is not in use, the hook-shaped member 40 may be pivoted to a more horizontal configuration so that it is contained completely within the cavity 51, below the cover 52.
As illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment, the ratcheting mechanism and the wheel 72 are mounted or otherwise releasably secured to a support surface 70, such as a pedestal, that extends from the front wall 57 at least partially above the lower edge of the front wall 57. This type of configuration, where the lower side 58 of the enclosure 50 is open to the material surrounding the enclosure, may be useful since it permits drainage of water that enters the cavity 51. However, the support surface 70 raises the ratcheting mechanism 60 slightly above the bottom of the cavity to protect the ratcheting mechanism 60 from water that may accumulate in the cavity during, for example, a heavy rain storm. However, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this disclosure, in other embodiments the ratcheting mechanism 60 may be mounted in other ways and in other locations within the enclosure 50.
It will be understood that, in some embodiments, the goal anchoring apparatus 30 is configured such that a user may anchor a goal 10 by hand, without the use of any tools.
In some embodiments, the height of the enclosure 50 relative to the field 20 is adjustable. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the four bolts 92 illustrated in
Specific embodiments of the present invention are described herein. Many modifications and other embodiments of the present invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments and combinations of embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US09/40553 | 4/14/2009 | WO | 00 | 1/6/2011 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61124098 | Apr 2008 | US |
