Sports goal

Abstract

A sports goal (such as a football goal) system comprises a sports goal 10 and a pair of wheel assemblies 12 removably attachable to the sports goal. The sports goal comprises a cross bar 18, a pair of

Description

Technical Field The present invention relates to sports goals, for example football goals. Background Goals are an essential element to sports, such as football. However, sports pitches are often multifunctional, requiring the goals to be stored elsewhere when not in use. Some goals occupy a relatively large volume when configured for use, and can be reconfigured, for example folded, so as to occupy a smaller volume when not in use. Summary According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sports goal system comprising a sports goal and a pair of wheel assemblies removably attachable to the sports goal, wherein: the sports goal comprises a cross bar, a pair of uprights attached to the crossbar and configured to support the crossbar above the ground, and a pair of side frames each movably attached to a respective one of the pair of uprights; and each of the pair of wheel assemblies is slidably receivable within a hollow recess at a base end of a respective one of the pair of uprights, and is slidable in an axial direction of the respective one of the pair of uprights. Sports goals are typically relatively large and unwieldy for a single person, such as a groundsman, to handle on their own. The side frames being movable attached to the uprights may enable the sports goal to be reconfigured depending on whether the sports goal is in use, in transit or in storage. For example, a transit and / or storage configuration may be folded to occupy less volume, but it is still difficult for a single person to lift and move. Provision of the pair of wheel assemblies enables a single person to roll, as opposed to lift, the sports goal between different locations, for example between an in-play location and a storage location, when the pair of wheel assemblies are received in the hollow recesses. The wheel assemblies being removable helps to ensure that the sports goal can be positioned correctly relative to the ground when configured for in use, for example that the crossbar is at a correct height from the ground, and that the pair of wheel assemblies do not impede play when the sports goal is in use. The pair of wheel assemblies may be substantially identical to one another. This may provide uniform support and rolling for the sports goal when the pair of wheel assemblies are received in the hollow recesses. This may also allow either of the pair of wheel assemblies to be slidably receivable in either of the pair of uprights, which may simplify use of the sports goal system by a user. Each of the pair of wheel assemblies may be slidably receivable in the hollow recess of the respective one of the pair of uprights via friction. This may provide a simple arrangement, in that each of the pair of wheel assemblies may be easy to insert and remove from the hollow recess. This may also negate a need for additional fasteners to hold the pair of wheel assemblies in place relative to the sports goal; a weight of the sports goal may be sufficient to keep the pair of wheel assemblies in the hollow recesses during transport of the sports goal. Each of the pair of wheel assemblies may comprise a protrusion slidably receivable in the hollow recess of the respective one of the pair of uprights by a distance of at least 200 mm. This may provide sufficient length of the protrusion within the hollow recess to enable handling of the sports goal without the pair of wheel assemblies inadvertently sliding out of the hollow recesses. The protrusion of each of the pair of wheel assemblies may be slidably receivable in the hollow recess of the respective one of the pair of uprights by a distance of less than 400 mm. At distances above 400 mm, it may be difficult to slide the protrusion into or out of the hollow recess due to the length being non-ergonomic and / or due to an amount of friction between the protrusion and walls defining the hollow recess. In addition, an increased length of the protrusion may be equated to an increased risk of torsional bending of the protrusion during sliding of the protrusion into or out of the hollow recess and / or during handling of the sports goal. The protrusion of each of the pair of wheel assemblies may comprise an upper end for insertion into the hollow recess and a lower end opposite the insertion end. Each of the pair of wheel assemblies may comprise a stopping member or element at the lower end of the respective protrusion, the stopping member or element having a greater maximum dimension, in a radial direction of the respective one of the pair of uprights, than a maximum dimension of the hollow recess. Accordingly, the stopping member cannot be inserted into the hollow recess and may thus limit a receivable distance of the protrusion within the hollow recess. The sports goal may comprise a rear member, and each of the pair of wheel assemblies may comprise a rear member interface to receive the rear member. In use of the sports goal, the rear member may be removably attachable to the pair of side frames, and, when attached to the pair of side frames, be configured to maintain the pair of side frames at a predetermined distance from one another. The rear member may be detached from the pair of side frames to move the pair of side frames relative to the pair of uprights. Provision of the rear member interface on each of the pair of wheel assemblies may negate a need to carry the rear member separately, and may also help to ensure that the rear member remains with a remainder of the sports goal during transit. Furthermore, when attached to the rear member interfaces, the rear member may provide increased rigidity to the sports goal during transit of the sports goal with the wheel assemblies received in the hollow recesses. The rear member interface may be mounted or provided on a support member of the respective one of the pair of wheel assemblies. The support member may extend outwardly from the protrusion in a direction substantially normal to the protrusion, and by a distance greater than a radius of a wheel of the wheel assembly. Accordingly, when attached to the rear member interfaces, the rear member may not impede rotation of the wheel. The sports goal system may comprise a pair of fasteners, wherein the rear member interface of each of the pair of wheel assemblies may be configured to receive a respective one of the pair of fasteners to attach the rear member to the wheel assembly at the rear member interface. Each of the pair of side frames may be configured to receive a respective one of the pair of fasteners to attach the rear member to each of the pair of side frames. The pair of fasteners may thus have a dual purpose; to attach the rear member to the side frames in use of the sports goal, and to attach the rear member to the pair of wheel assemblies during transit of the sports goal with the wheel assemblies received in the hollow recesses. This may simplify use of the sports goal system by a user and reduce the risk of fasteners being misplaced. Each of the pair of wheel assemblies may comprise at least one wheel, and each of the at least one wheels may have a diameter of no more than 300 mm, or no more than 220 mm. Accordingly, the sports goal does not need to be lifted from the ground by a particularly large distance after the pair of wheel assemblies have been inserted into the hollow recesses, for its centre of gravity to be above an axis of the wheel assembly. This may facilitate transit of the sports goal by a single person. Each of the pair of wheel assemblies may comprise more than one wheel, and each wheel may have a diameter of no more than 300mm, or no more than 220mm. Each wheel of the pair of wheel assemblies may have substantially the same diameter, which may enable uniform rolling of the first and second wheels along the ground. Each of the pair of wheel assemblies may comprise a first wheel and a second wheel on a common axis, wherein the first wheel is positioned on a first side of the protrusion and the second wheel is positioned on a second side of the protrusion, the second side opposite the first side. This may provide a more even distribution of loads through the sports goal and the wheel assemblies in transit of the sports goal with the wheel assemblies received in the hollow recesses, for example compared to a wheel assembly comprising a single wheel, or wheels to only one side of the protrusion. The first and second wheels also provide a level of redundancy, for example in the event that the other wheel of the wheel assembly is inoperable. The common axis may be generally parallel to the ground, which may enable uniform rolling of the first and second wheels along the ground. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wheel assembly configured for use in the sports goal system of the first aspect. Existing sports goals, for example typically have hollow uprights. Accordingly, the wheel assembly may be retrofitted to existing sports goals. The wheel assembly may have any suitable features of one of the pair of wheel assemblies described with reference to the first aspect. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wheel assembly for a folding sports goal, the folding sports goal comprising a foldable frame having a recess at a lower end of an upright thereof and a rear member removably attachable to a remainder of the foldable frame, wherein the wheel assembly comprises: a protrusion slidably receivable in the recess; a wheel rotatably attached to the protrusion; and a rear member interface configured to releasably attach the rear member to the wheel assembly. Existing folding sports goals typically have hollow uprights. Accordingly, the wheel assembly may be retrofitted to existing sports goals. In addition, a folding sports goal must typically be partially disassembled to remove the rear member to enable the foldable frame to be folded after use of the folding sports goal. The rear member may thus need to be carried separately in transit of the folding sports goal, which may result in additional time or complexity to move the folding sports goal when the foldable frame is partially disassembled and / or misplacement of the rear member. The rear member interface may negate a need for a person handling the folding sports goal to carry the rear member separately, and may also help to ensure that the rear member remains with the remainder of the sports goal during transit of the folding sports goal with the wheel assembly received in the recess. The wheel assembly may have any suitable features of one of the pair of wheel assemblies described with reference to the first aspect. Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only, which is made with reference to the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an illustrative example of a sports goal system comprising a sports goal on a sports pitch, the sports goal in a first configuration; Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of components of the sports goal system of Figure 1, the sports goal in a second configuration; Figure 3 shows a cross section of an upright of the sports goal of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a wheel assembly of the sports goal system of Figure 1; and Figures 5 to 7 show schematic perspective views of the sports goal system of Figure 1 at different stages of assembly and transit. Detailed Description The sports goal system 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a sports goal 10, in this example a football goal and referred to herein after as ‘the goal 10’, and a pair of wheel assemblies 12. Figures 1 and 2 are shown with axes x, y and z. The x-y plane is horizontal and parallel to a sports pitch 2 on which the goal 10 is usable, the x-z plane is vertical and parallel to a goal line 3 of the sports pitch 2, and the y-z plane is vertical and normal to the goal line 3. The goal 10 comprises a frame 14, a pair of shaft locking pins 15 and a net (omitted for clarity, but removably attachable to the frame 14 in a suitable fashion). The frame 14 comprises a pair of uprights 16, a cross bar 18, a pair of side frames 20 and a rear bar 22, each of which are rigid. The pair of uprights 16, the cross bar 18 and the rear bar 22 are each substantially straight and have a respective longitudinal axis extending between opposing ends. Each of the pair of uprights 16 is formed of an aluminium extrusion extending from a first end 24 to a second end 26 of the respective one of the pair of uprights 16. The first end 24 of each of the pair of uprights 16 is fixed to a respective end of the crossbar 18 such that each of the pair of uprights 16 extend parallel to one another in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the crossbar 18. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the aluminium extrusion of one of the pair of uprights 16, taken at the second end 16. The aluminium extrusion of the other of the pair of uprights 16 is identical. At the second end 26 of the upright 16, the aluminium extrusion defines a hollow recess 28, which extends from the second end 26 along the longitudinal axis of the upright 16 towards the first end 24. The aluminium extrusion comprises a plurality of protrusions 29 which extend into the hollow recess 28 and together define a generally rectangular recess 28a within the hollow recess 28. Each of the pair of side frames 20 is movably attached to a respective one of the pair of uprights 16 at an upper hinge 30, disposed at the first end 26 of the pair of uprights 16, and a lower hinge 32, disposed at the second end 26 of the pair of uprights 16. The pair of side frames 20 each comprise a base section 34, a riser 36 and a rear bar interface 38. The pair of side frames 20 are generally identical in geometry. A first end of the base section 34 connects the side frame to the respective one of the pair of uprights 16 at the lower hinge 32. The base section 34 extends in a direction generally normal to the longitudinal axis of the respective one of the pair of uprights 16. The base section 34 is connected, at a second end of the base section 34 opposite the first end, to the riser 36. The riser 36 connects the base section 34 to the upper hinge 30 of the respective one of the pair of uprights. The rear bar interface 38 is located at the second end of the base section 34 is arranged to receive an end of the rear bar 22, as will be described hereinafter, and a shaft 40 of one of the pair of shaft locking pins 15. The rear bar 22 comprises a pair of a bores (not shown) that extend through the rear bar 22 at respective ends of the rear bar 22. Each of the pair of bores is arranged to receive the shaft 40 of one of the pair of shaft locking pins 15. The bores extend parallel to one another. When received at the rear bar interface 38 of one of the pair of side frames 20, the shaft 40 of one of the pair of shaft locking pins 15 is received in the bore and at the rear bar interface 38 to attach the rear bar 22 to the respective side frame 20. The pair of shaft locking pins 15 each comprise the shaft 40 and a pin 42, which is generally semi-circular. The pin 42 has at attachment end that is movably attached to a first end of the shaft 40, and a locking end at an opposite end to the attachment end. The locking end can be removably attached to a second end of the shaft 40, opposite the first end of the shaft 40. The pair of shaft locking pins 15 are each said to be unlocked with the locking end is not attached to the second end of the shaft 40, and locked with the locking end is attached to the second end of the shaft 40. When the shaft locking pins 15 are locked, the pin 42 inhibits removal of any components that are around the shaft 40 and between the attachment end and the locking end of the pin 42 from sliding axially off the shaft 40. Other examples may use other elements than shaft locking pins, for example a nut and bolt. The goal 10, in particular the frame 14, is configurable between an in-use configuration, as shown in Figure 1, and a stowed configuration, as shown in Figure 2. In the in-use configuration, the goal 10 is suitably configured for use in a football match or training session. The pair of uprights 16 are oriented vertically with the second ends 24 in contact with the ground, i.e., the sports pitch 2. The pair of uprights 16 hold the cross bar 18 horizontally at a predetermined height above the ground. The cross bar 18 and the pair of uprights 16 lie on a common plane which, with reference to the example position of the goal 1 shown in Figure 1, is parallel to the x-z plane. The pair of side frames 20 are positioned perpendicularly to the common plane, and are generally parallel to the y-z plane of Figure 1 with the base section 34 of each of the pair of side frames 20 lying horizontally on the ground. The rear bar 22 is attached to each of the rear member interfaces 38 via the pair of shaft locking pins 15, which are locked. The rear bar 22 extends horizontally along the ground, in a direction that is generally parallel to the common plane. With the rear bar 22 attached to the pair of side frames 20 in this way, rotation of the pair of side frames 20 about the upper and lower hinges 30, 32 is inhibited. In the stowed configuration, the pair of uprights 16 and the cross bar 18 are in the same position relative to one another as in the in-use configuration, and lie on the common plane. However, in the stowed configuration, the pair of shaft locking pins 15 are unlocked and detached from frame 14, the rear bar 22 is detached from the pair of side frames 20 and the pair of side frames 20 are positioned generally parallel to the common plane. The pair of side frames 20 are each rotatable relative to the pair of uprights 16 about a respective rotation axis 44 that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the respective one of the pair of uprights 16, two switch the goal 10 between the in-use and stowed configurations. The rotation axes 44 pass through the respective upper and lower hinge 30, 32. With respect to Figure 1, the pair of side frames 20 are rotatable about the upper and lower hinges 30, 32 between a position in which the side frames 20 are generally parallel to the y-z plane and a position in which the side frames 20 are generally parallel to the x-z plane. In the in-use configuration, the goal 10 has a first depth, which extends in a normal direction to the common plane. Whereas, in the stowed configuration, the goal 10 has a second depth, which is less than the first depth. Accordingly, the stowed configuration is beneficial for storing the goal 10 when it is not in use because the goal 10 has a lesser volume in the stowed position. However, a goal 10 is typically stored in a different location to where it is used and even in the stowed configuration, the goal 10 is relatively large and cumbersome to lift and manoeuvre to a different location, particularly by a single person. To more easily facilitate manoeuvring of the goal 10, the sports goal system 1 comprises the pair of wheel assemblies 12, which will now be described. Each of the pair of wheel assemblies 12 is substantially identical to one another. Accordingly, only one wheel assembly 12 will be described, but the description is of course applicable to both of the wheel assemblies 12. The wheel assembly 12 comprises a box section 50, a stopping member 52, an axle 54, two wheels 56, an interface support 58, and a pair of rear bar interfaces 60. The box section 50 is formed of aluminium and has a length of around 300mm. The box section 50 has an upper end 62 and a lower end (not visible in Figure 4) and a longitudinal axis 64 extending between the upper end 62 and the lower end. A bore (not shown) extends through the box section 50 towards the lower end. The axle 54 extends through the bore such that the axle 54 protrudes from opposing sides of the box section 50. The two wheels 56 are mounted to opposing ends of the axle 54 and are rotatable relative to the box section 50 about a longitudinal axis 66 of the axle 54. Each of the wheels 56 is identical to the other and has an outer diameter of around 200 mm. The stopping member 52 is fixed to the box section 50 at a distance of around 220 mm from the upper end 62 of the box section 50. The stopping member 52 encircles the box section 50 and has an outer shape that generally corresponds to an outer shape of the aluminium extrusion of each of the pair of uprights 16. The interface support 58 is fixed to the lower end of the box section 50 and extends in a direction that is generally normal to both the longitudinal axis 66 of the axel and the longitudinal axis 64 of the box section 50. The interface support 58 has a length of around 180 mm, greater than a radius of each of the wheels 56. The pair of rear member interfaces 60 are fixed to opposing outer faces of the interface support 58. One of the rear member interfaces 60 will be described, but is identical to the other rear member interface 60 other than being oppositely oriented. The rear member interface 60 comprises a first flange 68 and a second flange 70 opposing the first flange 68. The first and second flanges 68, 70 extend outwardly from the interface support in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 66 of the axle 54. The first and second flanges 68, 70 are separated from one another by a distance that is greater than a diameter of the rear bar 22. The first and second flanges 68, 70 each have a hole 72 extending therethrough. The holes 72 are axially aligned with one another and each have a diameter sufficient to receive the shaft 40 of one of the pair of locking pins 15. Use of the wheel assemblies 12 to facilitate manoeuvring of the goal 10 will now be described with reference to Figures 2 and 5 to 7. The goal 10 is placed in the stowed configuration and laid on the ground so that the common plane is parallel to the x-y axis and the pair of side frames 20 are vertically above the common plane, as shown in Figure 2. The upper end 62 of the box section 50 of each of the wheel assemblies 12 is inserted into the hollow recess 28 at the second end 26 of a respective one of the pair of uprights 16. The box section 50 has an outer perimeter that is generally equal to an outer perimeter the rectangular recess 28a (denoted by the dashed lines in Figure 3). Accordingly, the protrusions 29 guide and locate the box section 50 correctly within the rectangular recess 28a. In addition, friction is generated between the free ends of the protrusions 29 and an outer surface of the box section 50, which helps to retain the box section 50 within the rectangular recess 28a. The box section 50 slides into the respective one of the pair of uprights 16 until the stopping member 52 contacts the second end 24 of the aluminium extrusions. Since the stopping member 52 corresponds in shape to the aluminium extrusion, the stopping member 52 cannot be inserted into the hollow recess 28 and thus limits insertion of the box section 50 into the hollow recess 28. When the wheel assembly 12 is inserted into the hollow recess, the longitudinal axis 66 of the axle 54 is parallel to the common plane on which the pair of uprights 16 and the cross bar 18 lie, and the interface supports 58 extend upward from the ground in the z-direction, as shown in Figure 5. Because the pair of rear bar interfaces 60 extend from opposing sides of the interface support 58, each wheel assembly 12 can be placed in the hollow recess 28 of either one of the pair of upright 16 and still work to attach the rear bar 22 to the wheel assembly 12. Next each end of the rear bar 22 is placed between the first and second flanges 68, 70 of the rear bar interface 60 of the respective one of the pair of wheel assemblies 12 that extends towards the other one of the pair of wheel assemblies 12. The rear bar 22 is rotated until the bores at either end of the rear bar 22 are co-axial with the holes 72 in the first and second flanges 68, 70. With the pair of shaft locking pins 15 unlocked, the second end of the shaft 40 of each shaft locking pin 15 is inserted through the holes 72 and the bore in a respective end of the rear bar 22 before the pin 42 is attached to the first end of the shaft 40, as best shown in Figure 6. Attaching the rear bar 22 to the wheel assemblies 12 reduces the number of separate parts of the goal 10 that need to be transported to another location and also provides increased rigidity to the frame 14 during manoeuvring of the goal 10 with the wheel assemblies 12 attached. The frame 14 is then raised off the ground by lifting the cross bar 18 or the first ends 24 of the pair of uprights such that part of a weight of the frame 14 is supported by the wheels 56, as best shown in Figure 7. The weight of the frame 14 also helps to retain the box section 50 within the hollow recess 28 by pressing on the stopping member 52. The whole sports goal assembly 1 can then be more easily manoeuvred, particularly by a single person, by rolling the goal 10 on the wheels 56. The diameter of the wheels 56 makes lifting of the frame 14 so that the crossbar 18 is above the axle of the wheels 56 easier compared to greater diameters. When the crossbar 18 is above the axle of the wheels, the weight of the assembly acts to keep the wheels 56 connected to the frame 14. To remove the wheel assemblies, the pair of shaft locking pins 15 are unlocked and removed, the rear bar 22 is removed from the rear bar interfaces 60, and the box sections 50 are slid out of the hollow recesses 28. The goal 10 may then be stored in the stowed configuration with the rear bar 22 nearby, or assembled to the in-use configuration. The wheel assemblies 12 may then be used to manoeuvre another goal 10, or else stored until the goal 10 needs to be moved to another location. The above embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples of the invention. Further embodiments of the invention are envisaged, for example as listed here. The goal 10 may be for a sport other than football, for example hockey. The rear bar interfaces may comprise any suitable means to attach the rear bar to the side frames and / or the wheel assemblies. Each wheel assembly may comprise only one rear bar interface, and may comprise one wheel or more than two wheels. It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one embodiment may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments, or any combination of any other of the embodiments. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A sports goal system comprising a sports goal and a pair of wheel assemblies removably attachable to the sports goal, wherein:the sports goal comprises a cross bar, a pair of uprights attached to the crossbar and configured to support the crossbar above the ground, and a pair of side frames each movably attached to a respective one of the pair of uprights to move the goal between an in-use configuration and a stowed configuration, wherein the sport goal occupies a lesser volume in the stowed configuration than when the sports goal is in the in-use configuration; andeach of the pair of wheel assemblies is slidably receivable within a hollow recess at a base end of a respective one of the pair of uprights via friction, is slidable in an axial direction of the respective one of the pair of uprights, and is configured to transport the sports goal in the stowed configuration.

2. The sports goal system of claim 1, wherein each of the pair of wheel assemblies comprises a protrusion slidably receivable in the hollow recess of the respective one of the pair of uprights by a distance of at least 200 mm.

3. The sports goal system of claim 2, wherein the protrusion of each of the pair of wheel assemblies is slidably receivable in the hollow recess of the respective one of the pair of uprights by a distance of less than 400 mm.

4. The sports goal system of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the protrusion of each of the pair of wheel assemblies comprises an upper end for insertion into the hollow recess and a lower end opposite the insertion end, and wherein each of the pair of wheel assemblies comprises a stopping member at the lower end of the respective protrusion, the stopping member having a greater maximum dimension, in a radial direction of the respective one of the pair of uprights, than a maximum dimension of the hollow recess.

5. The sports goal system of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the sports goal comprises a rear member, and each of the pair of wheel assemblies comprises a rear member interface to receive the rear member.

6. The sports goal system of claim 5, wherein the rear member interface is mounted on a support member of the respective one of the pair of wheel assemblies, wherein the support member extends outwardly from the protrusion in a direction substantially normal to the protrusion, and by a distance greater than a radius of a wheel of the wheel assembly.

7. The sports goal system of claim 5 or claim 6, comprising a pair of fasteners, wherein the rear member interface of each of the pair of wheel assemblies is configured to receive a respective one of the pair of fasteners to attach the rear member to the wheel assembly at the rear member interface, andwherein each of the pair of side frames is configured to receive a respective one of the pair of fasteners to attach the rear member to each of the pair of side frames.

8. The sports goal system of any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein each of the pair of wheel assemblies comprises a first wheel and a second wheel on a common axis, wherein the first wheel is positioned on a first side of the protrusion and the second wheel is positioned on a second side of the protrusion, the second side opposite the first side.

9. The sports goal system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the pair of wheel assemblies comprises a wheel, and each wheel has a diameter of no more than 300mm.

10. A wheel assembly configured for use in the sports goal system of any preceding claim.

11. A wheel assembly for a folding sports goal, the folding sports goal comprising a foldable frame having a recess at a lower end of an upright thereof and a rear memberCMOLOremovably attachable to a remainder of the foldable frame, wherein the wheel assembly comprises:a protrusion slidably receivable in the recess;a wheel rotatably attached to the protrusion; and5 a rear member interface configured to releasably attach the rear member to thewheel assembly when the rear member is detached from the remainder of the foldable frame.

Images