Adjustable goal post

Abstract

A ground sleeve (20) for a goal post (12, 14) includes an outer housing (38) for being embedded in the ground below a surface (22) of a playing field, an inner housing (40) slidably receivable within the outer housing (38), and a sleeve (50) for supporting a goal post (12, 14). The sleeve (50) extends within the inner housing (40) and is movable relative to the inner housing (40) in forward and rearward directions and to adjust a tilt angle of the sleeve (50) relative to the inner housing (40). Thus, a position of a goal post (12, 14) can be moved toward or away from the playing field and the angle at which the goal post (12, 14) extends relative to the ground surface (22) can be adjusted. In addition, when the inner housing (40) is moved upward or downward within the outer housing (38), the sleeve (50) moves with the inner housing (40) for adjusting a height at which a goal post (12, 14) extends above the surface (22) of the playing field.

Description

ADJUSTABLE GOAL POSTBACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates to soccer goals and like goal structures, such as a goal having a crossbar supported between a pair of upstanding goal posts which together define a goal mouth along a goal line of a playing field. The upstanding goal posts are inserted within and supported in an upright position by ground sleeves embedded and anchored within the ground adjacent and below a playing field. In particular, the present invention relates to a ground sleeve permitting precise adjustments of the positioning of a goal post relative to a goal line and playing field.

[0002] GB 2,552,496 B provides an example of a soccer goal permitting fine adjustment of a height of a goal post extending above a playing field. A telescopically retractable and extendable strut extends from the goal post within a ground sleeve and may be extended or retracted while the goal post remains inserted within and supported by the ground sleeve. Thus, the height of the goal post extending above the ground surface of the playing field can be adjusted in fine increments to increase the height of the crossbar above the playing field or decrease the height of the crossbar above the playing field so that precise control of the size of a goal mouth can be provided.

[0003] Another example of adjusting the height of a goal post relative to the ground surface of a playing field is provided by JP 2002-360753 A. Here, fine height adjustments of the goal post relative to the ground surface of a playing field is providedby rotation of an adjustment screw located within an upper part of a ground sleeve. The goal post remains mounted within the ground sleeve as the adjustment is being made.

[0004] While the goal posts and ground sleeve assemblies of the above referenced prior art enables fine adjustments to the height at which a goal post extends above a ground surface, there is no capability for other adjustments. For example, if one or more of the goal posts is not precisely aligned with a goal line, there is no ability to make fine adjustment to the location of the goal post relative to the goal line (i.e., in a horizonal direction toward and / or away from the goal line). Further, if one or more of the posts is tilting at an undesired angle toward or away from the playing field, there is no ability to adjust a tilt angle of a goal post to ensure it is extending perpendicular to the ground surface (i.e., tilting the goal post forward toward the playing field or rearward away from the playing field).SUMMARY

[0005] Accordingly, an objective of embodiments disclosed herein is to provide a ground sleeve that enables the positioning of a goal post extending from the ground sleeve to be adjusted. Such adjustment should include fine adjustments to a height at which a goal post extends above a ground surface, a position of the goal post toward and away from the goal line, and an angle at which the goal post extends from the ground sleeve. Accordingly, embodiments disclosed herein enable precise location and size of the goal mouth provide by a goal, such as a soccer goal.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a ground sleeve for a goal post of a goal is provided. The ground sleeve includes an outer housing for being embedded in a stationary condition within the ground below a surface of a playing field. A sleeve is located therein for receiving an end of a goal post for supporting the goal post in an upright condition. The sleeve is movable relative to the stationary outer housing in lateral forward and rearward directions. This enables a position of a goal post to be adjusted relative to the playing field (i.e., forward and rearward relative to the playing field. The sleeve may also be moveable to change an angle of tilt of the sleeve relative to the stationary outer housing to enable adjustment of a goal post that is not oriented precisely perpendicular to a surface of playing field.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, the above referenced ground sleeve includes an inner housing slidably receivable within a cavity of the outer housing in up and down directions. The sleeve is located within the inner housing and moves with the inner housing when the inner housing is moved up or down within the outer housing for adjusting a height at which the goal post extends above the surface of the playing field.

[0008] According to a further aspect of the present invention, an assembly including the above referenced ground sleeve and a goal post is provided.

[0009] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a soccer goal including a pair of goal posts, a pair of the above referenced ground sleeves, and a crossbar is provided.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein should become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a goal (i.e., referred to as a soccer goal in the United States and as a football goal in many other countries) without a net and with the goal post supported within ground sleeves embedded within the ground below the playing field according to an embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a ground sleeve for a goal post according to an embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a cut-away perspective view of the ground sleeve of FIG. 3 with a cap removed and with a portion of walls of the ground sleeve removed for illustrative purposes.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a cut-away perspective view of the ground sleeve of FIG. 3 with a cap removed and with a portion of walls of the ground sleeve removed for illustrative purposes.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the ground sleeve of FIG. 3 in a condition which positions a goal post upward to increase the height of a goal mouth relative to a ground surface of the playing field.

[0017] FIG. 7 is an expanded perspective view of an inner housing of the ground sleeve of FIG. 3 relative to an outer housing of the ground sleeve according to an embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] For simplicity and illustrative purposes, the principles of the embodiments are described by referring mainly to examples thereof. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. It will be apparent however, to one of ordinary skill in the art, that the embodiments may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In some instances, well known devices, apparatus, methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the embodiments.

[0019] An example of the framework of a soccer goal 10 is shown in FIGs. 1 and 2. The framework includes a pair of goal posts, 12 and 14, and a crossbar 16 elevated above the playing field and extending from the tops of the goal posts, 12 and 14. Thus, a goal mouth 18 is defined by the goal posts, 12 and 14, crossbar 16, and ground surface 22 of the playing field which defines a goal line. The showing of soccer netting is excluded in FIGs. 1 and 2 for ease of illustration purposes. However, a soccer net would extend rearward from the goal posts, 12 and 14, and crossbar 16 behind the goal mouth 18 as discussed in more detail below.

[0020] Each goal post, 12 and 14, is inserted within and supported by a ground sleeve 20. The ground sleeve 20 is typically embedded within concrete or the like (not shown) and located entirely within the ground below the ground surface 22 and substantially aligned with the goal line. As an example, each ground sleeve 20 may be located at least about 5 inches (about 13 cm) below the ground surface 22. See arrows 24 in FIG. 2.

[0021] As shown in FIGs. 1 and 2, the framework of the soccer goal 10 can include ground posts 26 (see FIG. 2) extending rearward of the goal posts, 12 and 14, relative to the playing field and a cross ground post 28 (see FIG. 1) interconnecting the ends of the ground posts 26 opposite the goal mouth. As illustrated in FIGs. 1 and 2, the ground posts 26 and cross ground post 28 rest on the ground surface 22 of the playing field. Goal netting would be secured to the ground posts 26 and cross ground post 28. In addition, three tension poles 30 may be mounted behind the goal 10 for being secured to parts of the netting via cables to uplift the netting and enhance the appearance thereof.

[0022] According to embodiments disclosed herein, each ground sleeve 20 is configured to enable adjustment of the positioning of one of the goal posts, 12 and 14, while the goal post remains connected to and supported by the ground sleeve 20 (i.e., the goal post is not required to be removed from the ground sleeve to accomplish adjustments).

[0023] As best shown in FIG. 1, the assembly of the ground sleeve 20 and goal post, 12 or 14, permits the cross bar 16 to be extended upward or downward relative tothe ground surface 22 of the playing field. Thus, the height to which each of the goal posts, 12 and 14, extends above the ground surface 22 can be adjusted to finely control the size and height of the goal mouth 18. See arrow 32 in FIG. 1.

[0024] As best shown in FIG. 2, the ground sleeve 20 also permits the location of the goal posts, 12 and 14, to be adjusted forward and rearward relative to the playing field. See arrow 34 in FIG. 2. This permits the goal posts, 12 and 14, and thus, the goal mouth 18, to be precisely located relative to the goal line.

[0025] In addition, as best shown in FIG. 2, the ground sleeve 20 permits adjustments to the tilt angle of the goal posts, 12 and 14. See arrow 36 in FIG. 2. This permits fine adjustments to the angle of the goal posts, 12 and 14, relative to the ground surface 22 to ensure that the location of the cross bar 16 is directly aligned with and over the goal line.

[0026] As best shown in FIG. 7, the ground sleeve 20 according to embodiments may include an outer housing 38 which telescopically or slidably receives an inner housing 40. The shape of the inner and outer housings may be as illustrated; however, the shape of the housings is not limited to the illustrated shape and can include other shapes.

[0027] The outer housing 38 may include sidewalls 42 and a base 44 that extends outward of the footprint or perimeter of the sidewalls 42. Thus, during installation, when the outer housing 38 is positioned within a hole dug in the ground, concrete or like material may be poured into the hole along the exterior of the outer housing 38 and on apart of the base 44 of the outer housing 38 that extends laterally outward of the sidewalls42. Accordingly, upon installation as discussed above, the outering housing 38 is stationary.

[0028] According to some embodiments, the outer housing 38 may define a pair of cavities, 46 and 48, defined within the sidewalls 42. A first cavity 46 is provided for receiving the inner housing 40 and a second cavity 48 receives mechanisms for imparting movement of a goal post receiving sleeve 50 located within the inner housing 40. As discussed in greater detail below, such movement includes adjustment of the goal post, relative to the goal line in forward and rearward directions and adjustment of the angle of tilt of the goal post.

[0029] With respect to fine adjustment of the goal post in forward and rearward directions relative to a playing field and referring to FIG. 5, an end of one of the goal posts is supported within sleeve 50, and the sleeve 50 extends within the inner housing 40 and is moveable forward and rearward (in a horizontal direction) while the inner housing 40 remains stationary (i.e., the inner and outer housings, 38 and 40, do not move forward and rearward). For purposes of causing movement of the sleeve 50 forward and rearward within the inner housing 40, at least two separate mechanisms, 62 and 64, are used to impart motion. One of the mechanisms 62 is attached to the sleeve 50 adjacent an upper portion of the sleeve 50, and another of the mechanisms 64 is attached to the sleeve 50 adjacent a lower portion of the sleeve 50. When these mechanisms, 62 and 64, are activated, the sleeve 50 (and thus the goal post, 12 or 14) can be pushed forward towardthe playing field or pulled rearward away from the playing field. Thus, the goal posts can be precisely aligned as desired relative to the goal line and playing field.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the mechanisms, 62 and 64, include gears such as bevel gears 66. Vertically disposed shafts 68 extend upward above the top end of the outer housing 38. When the shaft 68 is rotated along a shaft axis, the bevel gear 66 rotates and translates the rotation of the vertically-oriented shaft 68 to rotation of a horizontally disposed shaft 70. The shaft 70 extends through an aperture in a sidewall 54 of the inner housing 40. Rotation of the shaft 70 in one direction, causes the sleeve 50 to be urged forward, and rotation of the shaft 70 in an opposite direction causes the sleeve 50 to be pulled rearward. For instance, the end of the shaft 70 can be threaded and received within a threaded component located within the inner housing 40. As the shaft 70 rotates, the threaded component is caused to advance along the length of the shaft 70 to push the sleeve 50 forward or is caused to move rearward on the shaft 70 thereby pulling the sleeve rearward.

[0031] As best shown in FIG. 5, the shafts 68 of the mechanisms, 62 and 64, may be independently operated. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the shafts 68 may be engaged and rotated with the use of a hand tool or the like, such as a socket wrench of the like, such that each shaft 68 can be independently rotated to move the upper portion or the lower portion of the sleeve 50 forward or rearward within the inner housing 40. As an option, the ground sleeve 20 can include motors (not shown) housedtherein to power rotation of the shaft 70 or the shaft 68. As a further option, operation of battery powered motors may be accomplished by remote control.

[0032] Further, the use of mechanisms, 62 and 64, interconnected to upper and lower portions of the sleeve 50 enables the sleeve 50 to be tilted relative to the inner housing 40. Thus, if the goal post supported by the ground sleeve 20 is not perfectly vertical relative to the playing field, an angle of tilt can be adjusted. For example, by maintaining one of the mechanisms, 62 or 64, stationary while causing the other of the mechanisms, 62 or 64, to push or pull the sleeve forward or rearward, the sleeve 50 may be tilted forward or rearward relative to the playing field. In this manner, the goal posts can be adjusted to extend precisely vertical or perpendicular relative to the playing field and goal line.

[0033] Referring to the illustrated embodiment, a third shaft 72 within and through the inner housing 40 enables a height of the sleeve 50 relative to the outer housing 38 (and thus, goal post) to be adjusted relative to the ground surface 22 (i.e., movement of the sleeve 50 and goal post vertically up and down). As an example, the shaft 72 may include threaded sections extending through threaded components that are fixed and stationary relative to the inner housing 40. Thus, rotation of the shaft 72 can cause the inner housing 40 to slide upward relative to the outer housing 38 or downward. For example, see FIG. 6 which shows the inner housing 40 elevated relative to the outer housing 38. In comparison, see FIG. 5 which shows the inner housing 40 completelyretracted into the outer housing 38 which defines a lower limit of the travel of the inner housing 40.

[0034] Accordingly, the upper end of the shaft 72 may be engaged and rotated with the use of a hand tool or the like, such as a socket wrench of the like, to raise or lower the position of the inner housing 40 relative to the outer housing 38. As an option, the ground sleeve 20 may include a motor (not shown) housed therein to power rotation of shaft 72. As a further option, operation of a battery powered motor may be accomplished by remote control. As yet a further option for making vertical adjustments, the mechanism for adjusting the height of the goal post may extend and be contained within the goal post.

[0035] As best shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of elongate, vertically-extending glide strips 52 may be located on the sidewalls 42 of the outer housing 38 such that the strips 52 confront the sidewalls 54 of the inner housing 40. The purpose of the strips 52 are to enable ready sliding of the inner housing 40 relative to the outer housing 38. The strips 52 may be made of any material that reduces friction between the walls of the housings, 38 and 40. For example, the strips 52 can be made of plastic. In addition, if desired, the strips 52 can be replaced with a coating that covers substantially the entire surface area of the confronting surfaces of the housings, 38 and 40.

[0036] Similar to the strips 52 discussed above, the walls 54 of the inner housing 40 may also include a plurality of elongate, horizontally-extending strips 56 such that the strips confront the goal post receiving sleeve 50 to permit ready sliding of the sleeve 50within the inner housing 40. Still further, as best shown in FIG. 5, a strip 58 may be located on the base 60 of the inner housing 40 to permit ready sliding of the sleeve 50 across the base 60.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 3, some embodiments may include a cap 74 to close an open top of the inner housing 40, outer housing 38, or both. For instance, there may be a separate cap for each of the cavities, 46 and 48, of the outer housing 38. In some embodiments, one of the caps may be telescopically received within another of the caps as shown in FIG. 3. Thus, when the sleeve 50 and goal post is moved forward or rearward, the cap covering the inner housing 40 may move forward or rearward with the sleeve 50 while the cap covering cavity 48 may remain stationary.

[0038] For purposes of cleaning the ground sleeve 20 and or performing maintenance, the inner housing 40 may be completely removed from the outer housing 38 (which is typically embedded within concrete or the like within the ground). Thus, after the goal post is removed from the sleeve 50, the inner housing 40 may be removed from the outer housing 38 as shown in FIG. 7. The various mechanisms within the inner housing 38 can then be readily accessed for cleaning or maintenance.

[0039] The foregoing description and specific embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles thereof, and various modifications and additions may be made to the apparatus by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

We Claim:

1. A ground sleeve (20) for a goal post (12, 14), comprising: an outer housing (38) for being embedded in a stationary condition below a surface (22) of a playing field; and a sleeve (50) for receiving an end of a goal post (12, 14) for supporting the goal post (12, 14) in an upright condition, said sleeve (50) extending within said outer housing (38) and being movable relative to said outer housing (38) laterally in forward and rearward directions for adjusting a position of the goal post (12, 14) relative to the playing field.

2. The ground sleeve (20) according to claim 1, wherein an angle of said sleeve (50) relative to said outer housing (38) is adjustable for adjusting an angle of the goal post (12, 14) relative to the surface (22) of the playing field.

3. The ground sleeve (20) according to claim 1, further comprising an inner housing (40) slidably receivable within a cavity (46) within said outer housing (38) such that said inner housing (40) is slidable in upward and downward directions relative to said outer housing (38).

4. The ground sleeve (20) according to claim 3, wherein said sleeve (50) is located within said inner housing (40) and moves with the inner housing (40) when the inner housing (40) is moved upward or downward within said outer housing (38) for adjusting a height at which the goal post (12, 14) extends above the surface (22) of the playing field.

5. The ground sleeve (20) according to claim 4, wherein said sleeve (50) is movable laterally within said inner housing (40) in the forward and rearward directions.

6. The ground sleeve (20) according to claim 5, further comprising a mechanism (72) for raising and lowering the inner housing (40) within the outer housing (38).

7. The ground sleeve (20) according to claim 4, further comprising a mechanism (62, 64) for moving said sleeve (50) forward and rearward within said inner housing (40).

8. The ground sleeve (20) according to claim 7, wherein said mechanism (62, 64) adjusts a tilt angle of said sleeve (50) relative to said inner housing (40).

9. The ground sleeve (20) according to claim 7, wherein said mechanism (62, 64) includes at least two interconnections to said sleeve (50), one (62) adjacent an upper end of said sleeve (50) and one (64) adjacent a lower end of said sleeve (50).

10. The ground sleeve (20) according to claim 7, wherein the mechanism (62, 64) includes a vertically-oriented shaft (68) connected to a horizontally-oriented shaft (70) via a bevel gear (66).

11. The ground sleeve (20) according to claim 7, wherein said mechanism (62, 64) includes separate first and second mechanisms (62, 64), wherein said first mechanism (62) is connected adjacent an upper end of said sleeve (50) and said second mechanism (64) is connected adjacent said lower end of said sleeve (50), and wherein said first and second mechanisms (62, 64) are independently operable.

12. The ground sleeve (20) according to 11, wherein said outer housing (38) includes a second cavity (48) in which said first and second mechanisms (62, 64) are located.

13. The ground sleeve (20) according to claim 5, further comprising at least one glide strip (56, 58) located between said inner housing (40) and said sleeve (50) for reducing friction therebetween.

14. The ground sleeve (20) according to claim 13, wherein said at least one glide strip (56, 58) includes glide strips (56) on opposite sides of said sleeve (50) and underneath said sleeve (50).

15. The ground sleeve (20) according to claim 3, further comprising at least one glide strip (52) located between said inner housing (40) and said outer housing sleeve (38) for reducing friction therebetween.

16. The ground sleeve (20) according to claim 3, further comprising a cap (74) that covers an open top of said outer housing (38) and includes a first cap section covering the inner housing (40) and a second cap section, wherein the first cap section is telescopically received within the second cap section.

17. An adjustable goal post (12, 14), comprising: a ground sleeve (20) according to claim 1; and a goal post (12, 14) of a goal (10) inserted into and supported by said sleeve (50) of said ground sleeve (20).

18. A soccer goal (10), comprising: a first ground sleeve (20) and a second ground sleeve (20), each according to claim 1; a first goal post (12) inserted into and supported in an upright position by said first ground sleeve (20) and a second goal post (14) inserted into and supported in an upright position by said second ground sleeve (20);a cross bar (16) connected to upper ends of said first and second goal posts (12, 14) such that a goal mouth (18) is defined by the first and second goal posts (12, 14), the cross bar (16), and a ground surface (22) of a playing field.

19. A ground sleeve (20) for a goal post (12, 14), comprising: an outer housing (38) for being embedded in a stationary condition within the ground below a surface (22) of a playing field; an inner housing (40) slidably receivable within a cavity (46) within said outer housing (38) in upward and downward directions; and a sleeve (50) for receiving an end of a goal post (12, 14) for supporting the goal post (12, 14) in an upright condition, said sleeve (50) extending within said inner housing (40) and being movable relative to said inner housing (40) laterally in forward and rearward directions for adjusting the goal post (12, 14) relative to the playing field.

20. The ground sleeve (20) according to claim 16, wherein an angle of said sleeve (50) relative to said inner housing (40) is adjustable for adjusting an angle of the goal post (12, 14) relative to the surface (22) of the playing field, and wherein, when saidinner housing (40) is moved upward or downward within said outer housing (38), said sleeve (50) is moved with said inner housing (40) for adjusting a height at which a goal post (12, 14) extends above the surface (22) of the playing field.

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