Patent Application
20200129826
The present application is based on, claims priority to, and incorporates herein by reference in its entirety United Kingdom Patent Application No. GB1817829.3, filed on Oct. 31, 2019, and entitled “Modular Crossbar.”
The present invention relates to crossbars for sports goals and like assemblies, and more particularly, to modular crossbars for portable or semi-permanent football goals.
It is important to allow sports goals to be easily accessible around the world without compromising on their safety and durability. Goals are used for many different sports including but not limited to football, handball and futsal.
On existing, conventional models the logistical and conceptual design of a crossbar is inefficient due to the size, weight and manufacturing processes put into place. As a result, the restriction placed upon the size and weight of the crossbar further enhances the restricted access for the end consumer due to increased logistical outlay and assembly time.
The traditional crossbar design is uninspired, bulky and not fit for the modern era whereby increased consumer demand requires faster delivery times allowing soccer goals to be introduced into the mass market bringing an enhanced user-friendly design. Lifting and lowering of the crossbar needs to be done in a safe manner and involve the minimum number of operators as possible. All these need to be overcome whilst still meeting strict safety standards.
To overcome these issues, the present invention proposes an aluminum crossbar on a modular mechanism that is easy to assemble using brackets and internal connectors, this is done in a manner which does not have any fittings or fixings protruding from the face of the goal whilst also allowing net clips to still be fitted into the fixing channel. The crossbar which can be fitted to numerous sizes of sports goals, enables the efficient construction of the goal whilst deploying a safe, sturdy and non-corrosive crossbar. The crossbar is also locked into place with specifically designed hardware to enable a singular person to assemble the goal whilst reducing the minimum number of operators required for lifting and carrying.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a frame assembly for a sports goal comprising at least two frame members each comprising an internal channel defined by a respective frame member casing and an external channel formed upon the casing. The frame member casings comprises a plurality of apertures extending between the internal and external channels. The frame assembly further comprising an insert disposable within the internal channel, having a plurality of apertures alignable with the plurality of apertures of the frame member casings, a first plurality of fixing members configured to extend through the plurality of apertures of the frame member casings and insert thereby connecting the frame members and insert, a second plurality of fixing members disposable within the external channel of the frame members, and a plate, disposable within the channel, having a first plurality of apertures alignable with the second plurality of fixing members and a second plurality of apertures configured to receive a connection means for supporting a goal net.
Further aspects and embodiment of the inventions are provided as set out in the claims.
The invention may be performed in various ways and embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring to
In an embodiment the frame members are tubular. The frame members may be partly, substantially hollow. The frame members may adhere to standard or conventional shapes and sizes of sports goals components, such that they me be retrofitted to existing goals or form new modular assemblies where more than one is used. The frame member may be constructed from any appropriate material such as aluminum or plastics.
Referring to
In an embodiment the insert is weighted to weigh the goal down to prevent any injury from tipping. The insert may be aligned within the frame members with the help of locating features within the internal channel, such features may be protrusion which impeded further progress along the length of the member or the like. In conjunction with the frame members the insert may be constructed from various materials in the appropriate size and shape for the required use.
In an embodiment the external channel is as known in the art, profiled such that the channel may be used with “quick clips” to attach nets to goals. Further embodiments are envisaged where the channel also cooperates with second fixing members 120 to retain them in place, the channel may be further supplied with locating features such as protrusions or indentations that the fixing member cooperate with. In
Referring to
In an embodiment both the first and second fixing means are shown as threaded bolts, included nuts (for the second means) and washers. It will be appreciated that the skilled person could consider various other attachment means for example but not limited to clips, brackets, screws, adhesives, resiliently deformable members, straps etc.
Referring to
In an example of use of the frame assembly 100, the components can be brought to the location of the goal in a deconstructed configuration. Two frame members 101a and 101b may be set out with an insert 130. The insert 130 is placed partially within both the internal channels 103 of the frame members, there may be locating feature within the channel to help with alignment. Second fixing members 120 are slid into the external channel 104, which may also have locating features to help with alignment. The frame members are brought together and the insert 130 enclosed. The second fixing members are protruding outwards from the external channel. First fixing members 110 are placed through apertures 105 in the external channel 104 into the internal channel 103 and also the insert 130, thereby retaining the insert within the frame members and also securing the opposing frame members 101a,101b. A plate 140 is placed over the protruding second fixing members 120, which extend through the plates first apertures 142. Additional features of the fixing members 120 such as washers 121b and nut 121a can than be used to secure the plate in place and further securing the frame members, such that they are adequately robust for use. Finally further connecting means 150 can be placed through the plate's 140 second apertures 146, which can be used to attach the net 207 to the goal. Once the frame assembly is completed it can be attached to further interconnectable modular frame assemblies or standard components to form the full structure of a goal 10. Multiple frame assemblies can be used to create multiple goals at different location with ease.
It will be appreciated that some of these steps can be down in different orders, for example sliding in the second fixing members from the end of the channel furthest from where the members connect but, this will add time to the set up.
It will be appreciated that frame assembly of the present invention provides a modular, safe and portable goal for use in all weather conditions. Conforming to all the required safety standards and meeting different sporting regulations.
Within this specification embodiments have been described in a way which enables a clear and concise specification to be written, but it is intended and will be appreciated that embodiments may be variously combined or separated without parting from the invention. For example, it will be appreciated that all preferred features described herein are applicable to all aspects of the invention described herein.
Thus, while the invention has been described in connection with particular embodiments and examples, the invention is not necessarily so limited, and that numerous other embodiments, examples, uses, modifications and departures from the embodiments, examples and uses are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto. The entire disclosure of each patent and publication cited herein is incorporated by reference, as if each such patent or publication were individually incorporated by reference herein.
Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1817829.3 | Oct 2018 | GB | national |
