Apparatus for supporting a goal upright

Abstract

An apparatus for use with goals, preferably soccer goals, includes a support (101) that is capable of preventing the rotation of the goal, particularly when the goal is tipped, and is movably connected an upright (103). When a goal is tipped, gravity causes the support (101) that is hingedly connected to upright (103) to maintain an approximately vertical position while the upright (103) moves as the goal tips. As the goal tips, the support (101) moves within a desired range relative to the upright (103). When the support (101) contacts the play field, rotation of the goal stops.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Not Applicable STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH / DEVELOPMENT [0002] The present invention does not involve any form of federally sponsored research or development. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The present invention relates to goals used with sporting activities including, but not limited to, goals that have supports that prevent goal uprights from contacting the ground when the goal is tipped. Devices and methods for use in securing goals so as to prevent tipping, particularly soccer goals, are known. Goals are typically formed by attaching netting to a frame structure. The frame structure typically includes uprights, and cross-bars, but can also include a base, back-stops, and so forth. For example, a soccer goal typically includes a cross-bar that is attached across two uprights so as to form an opening through which a ball must pass to score a goal. In addition, the soccer goal typically has a base to which the u...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] An apparatus and a method for use to prevent the tipping of goals used for sporting activities are provided. The apparatus includes a support attached to an upright such that the support is capable of moving within a desired range relative to the upright and contacting the playing surface so as to stop and prevent the tipping movement of the goal. The steps of the method include installing an apparatus having a support in a goal upright, and contacting an end of the support with a surface upon which the goal is supported.

Problems solved by technology

Although a goal can have substantial weight, a typical movable soccer goal is susceptible to tipping because the structural weight is located on one side of the goal plane.

Unfortunately, because of the movable nature of the soccer goal, and for a variety of reasons such as moving goals for practice, moving goals for field maintenance, and so forth, the goal are often not securely anchored and pose a hazard.

Because public facilities such as community parks, and so forth, typically use movable goals, goal tipping can occur during periods when playing fields are unsupervised.

When tipped and because of the weight of a soccer goal, the uprights and cross-bar have been known to strike, severely injure, and even kill soccer players.

Unfortunately, permanent anchoring of a goal can limit the use of the facilities such as community parks, playing fields, and so forth for other activities.

Unfortunately, the removable nature of the anchors poses a problem because the anchors may not be in place for a number of reasons.

Precautionary placards and labels that state the importance of proper anchoring can be attached to goals, but often prove to be ineffective.

Soccer goals typically weigh up to several hundred pounds and moving and locking goals together can be a significant inconvenience, can require significant effort, and can be a potential risk for injury.

The causal use of the playing field can also be compromised because locked- or chained-together goals are often located on the playing field, typically in the middle.

Unfortunately, part or all of the extension typically extends into the playing field and creates a tripping hazard.

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