Portable Goalpost

Abstract

A readily disassemblable football goalpost assembly that is readily portable from one location to another in either the assembled or the disassembled forms thereof, the disassemblable structural features also providing for interim storage and for selective adjustments of the height above the ground and the distance between the upright legs of the goalpost target member appropriate to the operator's skill. The goalpost structure might also conveniently carry a kicking-tee that is extendable for a measurable distance forwardly from the target member.

Description

Goalpost structures are positioned at the two transverse goal-line ends of a rectangular football playing field. Football goalposts comprise a substantially U-shaped uniplanar vertical target member, an important game objective being for player to kick a football through the target member. The goalpost also includes an elevator member for elevating the target member some lofty distance above the playing field (on the order of about 10 feet). Football goalposts have traditionally been rigid and immovable structures, taking fixed dimensional sizes for the target member and for the elevator member, and elevator members are invariably permanently anchored in to the earth as with concrete footings extending well below the earth's surface. Accordingly, players who wish to practice kicking football through a lofty target member must invariably be forced to utilize some "regulation" football playing field, which might be located a prohibitive geographic distance away or which might not be available to him because of other activities taking place at the playing field. Moreover, the goalpost structures at "regulation" fields are dimensionally unsuited for younger and undeveloped players, and hence, development of kicking skills must be delayed until the player has reached higher levels of physical maturity.

It is accordingly the general object of the present invention to provide a football goalpost assembly that can be readily employed for both permanent and temporary durations at practically any out-of-doors location, including within vacant lots and backyards of urban areas, at play-yards, at "sandlots", and even indoors as within gymnasia.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a football goalpost assembly that is readily assemblable nd disassemblable i.e. dismantleable, for ease in erection at any desired location, for interim storage, and for shipment between geographically remote locations.

It is a further object to provide a football goalpost assembly that is readily portable for relatively short distances in the assembled form thereof.

It is yet another object to provide a football goalpost assembly having a target member that is dimensionally selectively variable appropriate to site conditions and to the development of kicking skills, even for younger and physically less mature players.

It is a further object to provide a football goalpost assembly that will even unassisted players to progressively develop and record their kicking skills.

With the above and other objects and advantages in view, which will become more apparent as this description proceeds, the football goalpost assembly of the present invention includes a lofty elevator member located wholly above the earth's surface and comprising a weighty pedestal member abuttable against the earth's surface, the said pedestal member providing portability for the assembled goalpost, the goalpost being provided of readily disassemblable parts of a nature appropriate to selective dimensional variation of the goalpost target member, together with a kicking-tee attached to the forward free-end of an elongate measuring tape wich might be convolutely associated with the elevator member.

In the drawing, wherein like characters refer to like parts in the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a forward elevational view of a typical football goalpost structure of the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a forward elevational view of a representative embodiment of the novel football goalpost assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded forward elevational view of the FIG. 2 representative embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sectional elevational view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a sectional elevational view taken in the downward plan along line 5--5 of FIG. 2.

Football goalposts basically comprise two primary features. First, there is an upright and generally U-shaped target member e.g. "T", "TT", together with an elevator member e.g. "E", "EE", which serves to loftily elevate the target member above an underlying horizontal substrate i.e. the earth's surface "S". For example, the typical prior art structure of FIG. 1 is of generally H-shaped upright uniplanar configuration comprising five elongate pole-like sections 101--105, Three sections 101--103 including horizontal cross-bar 101 and vertical-uprights 102--103 are integrally joined together, as by welding, pipe fittings, etc., to provide a uniplanar upright U-shaped target member "T." The two remaining pole-like sections 104--105, integrally attached to target "T" and vertically colinear with sections 102 and 103, respectively, together provide the elevator member "E". Pole-like sections 104--105 extend well below the earth's surface to stabilize the goalpost, and said elevator member "E" or 104--105 is typically permanently anchored to the earth with concrete footings "F" extending below the earth's surface "S." For "Official" goalposts, the longitudinal distance between sections 102--103 is 181/2 feet, while the cross-bar 101 is ten feet above the earth's surface "X".

FIGS. 2--5 illustrate a representative embodiment "A" of the goalpost assembly of the present invention. As can be seen in FIG. 2, goalpost embodiment "A" includes a generally U-shaped target member "TT" comprising a substantially horizontal longitudinally extending cross-bar 10. Target "TT" also comprises a pair of substantially parallel upright-legs 21 attached to longitudinally separated positions of cross-bar 10 and also extending vertically upwardly therefrom whereby cross-bar 10 and the two upright-legs 21 are collectively disposed within a single vertical plane. Embodiment "A" also includes an elevator member "EE" removably attached to and extending below target member "TT" for loftily elevating the cross-bar 10 above the earth's surface "S". Elevator member "EE" comprises an upright-standard 40 having a weighty pedestal 48 attached to and disposed at the lower end of upright-standard 40. Pedestal 48, preferably having a horizontally planar lower surface 49 which abuts flatly against the earth's surface "S", bears a weight ratio of at least one-third as compared to the overall weight of lofty goalpost "A" so as to stably support the entire goalpost "A" upon the earth's surface "S". Thus, in counterdistinction to prior art goalposts, the entire goalpost herein is wholly disposed above the earth's surface "S," and hence, is readily portable from one location to another (as indicated in phantom line for element 40 in FIG. 3). The circular pedestal 48 herein allows the entire assembled structure "A" to be tilted slightly and rolled from one location to another.

The novel goalpost herein is amenable to ready disassembly and re-assembly to further enhance portability, and also amenable to selective adjustments appropriate to field use conditions and to the football kicking skills of the participant. Regarding the latter aspect, the longitudinally extending width of the target member "TT" i.e. between upright-legs 21, is selectively variable, and the height of the cross-bar e.g. 10, above the earth's surface "S" is also selectively variable. In this vein, there is provided a pair of substantially identical uniplanar L-shaped adapters 20, each adapter including a longer vertically extending portion 21 which provides an upright-leg 21 for the target member and a shorter horizontally extending portion 22 terminating at 23. The horizontal portions 22 of the respective adapters 20 are colinear with and movably associated along cross-bar 10, and removably attached to cross-bar 10 (as by pins 26), whereby the longitudinal distance between the target member upright-legs 21 can be selectively varied. For example, cross-bar 10 herein is of rectangular tubular configuration extending between the cross-bar respective ends 11 and 12. Both adapter portions 21 and 22 are provided of a single length of rectangular cross-section bar stock whereby cross-bar 10 slidably surrounds the respective horizontal portions 22. The similarly non-circular, herein rectangular, cross-sectional shapes for cross-bar 10 and the adapters horizontal portion 22 ensure that the upright-legs e.g. 21, will be vertically perpendicular to cross-bar 10. However, more economical circular cross-sectional shapes might be utilized for members 10 and 22, although positioning of pins 26 is more difficult.

There are spacing indicator means to indicate the longitudinal distance between the target member upright-legs 21. For example, cross-bar 10 might have two longitudinally-separated horizontal holes 13 and 14 therethrough, immediately adjacent to the respective cross-bar ends 11 and 12. The longitudinal distance between holes 13 and 14 might be on the order of about ten feet. Moreover, each adapter horizontal portion 22 might have a longitudinal length of at least about 1/2 feet and might have two horizontally extending holes 24 and 25 therethrough (hole 24 being the nearer to end 23), with the longitudinal might distance between holes 24 and 25 being on the typical order of four and one-fourth feet. Assuming the arbitrary situation of FIG. 2 wherein one pin 26 extends through a cross-bar hole 13 and an adapter hole 25, while the second pin 26 extends through cross-bar hole 14 and an adapter hole 25, the longitudinal distance between upright-legs 21 would be about 10 feet. If instead, one of the holes 24 were chosen for one pin 26, the distance between upright-legs 21 would be about the 141/4 feet. Further, if both holes 24 were chosen for both pins 26, the distance between upright-legs 21 would has the "Official" 181/2 feet. Thus, it can be seen that pins 26 and the several holes 13, 14, 24, and 25, serve not only to removably attach adapters 20 to cross-bar 10, but also serves as the spacing indicator means between upright-legs 21. If the lengths of horizontal portions 22 exceed about five feet, distances greater than 181/2 feet between upright-legs 21 would be possible, and appropriate for novice kickers.

Removable connection between the target member "TT" and the elevator member "EE" is herein provided by a horizontal top-pin 36 removably passing through upright-standard 40 and also through a depending tubular neck portion 15 of the target member cross-bar 10. Upright-standard 40 has an upper end 41 which extends about 7 feet above the pedestal lower surface 49; there is a horizontal hole 42 through upright-standard 40 near its upper end 41. The lowest portion 16 of neck 15 is vertical nd is preferably of non-circular (herein rectangular) cross-sectional shape; vertical portion 16 slidably surrounds the cross-sectionally geometrically similar upright-standard 40. Neck 15 haa a lower end 17 and has two or more horizontal holes therethrough including a first hole 18 nearer to neck lower end 17 and a second hole 19. There is a vertical distance herein of about 3 feet between holes 18 and 19, and thus, the height of cross-bar 10 above surfaces "S" and 49 is selectively variable from the "Official" 10 feet (when stop-pin 36 passes through holes 18 and 42) to 7 feet (when stop-pin 36 passes through holes 19 and 42). Additional holes at regular increments between holes 18 and 19 might be employed for intermediate and further vertical adjustments. It is oftentimes desireable that the target member be forwardly offset from the elevator-member, and for such purpose, tubular neck 15 might be angular including an upper horizontal portion 15B integrally attached to cross-bar 10 midway between ends 11 and 12.

The goalpost assembly herein might also desireably include a conventional kicking-tee e.g. 60. adapted to support a football 100' upon the earth's surface "S" forwardly of target member "TT" whereby the operator might attempt to kick the football through the target member. Kicking-tee 60 comprises a base-plate 61 adapted to rest upon the earth's surface, together with a pair of lugs 62 extending integrally upwardly-rearwardly from base-plate 61. Kicking-tee 60 is attached, as by rivet 63, to the forward free-end 66 of elongate measuring tape 65, while rearward portions of tape 65 are attached to the elevator member upright-standard 40. Thus, measuring tape 65 attached to goalpost "A" will allow the operator to readily select any desired distance forwardly of the target member for placing kicking-tee 60, Rearward portions of tape 65 are preferably convolutely wound about the hub 72 of windlass 70 (that is revolvably attached to lateral side 43 of upright-standard 40). Windlass 70 has hand crank 71.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the football goalpost assembly will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to restrict the scope of the invention narrower than in the appended claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. A portable disassemblable football goalpost assembly comprising:

A. a generally U-shaped target member including a substantially horizontal longitudinally extending cross-bar together with a pair of substantially parallel upright-legs each attachable to selectable longitudinally separated positions of the cross-bar and also extending vertically above the cross-bar, said target member including spacing indicator means to indicate the selected longitudinal position between the target member upright-legs; and

B. an elevator member attached to and extending below the target member for loftily elevating the cross-bar portion thereof above the earth's surface, said elevator member including a weighty pedestal portion adapted to rest stably upon the earth's surface to support the entire goalpost assembly.

2. The football goalpost assembly of claim 1 wherein the upright-legs are removably attachable to and thus readily dismantle-able from the cross-bar; and wherein the elevator member comprises an upright-standard that is removably attached to and thus dis-mantleable from the said target member.

3. The football goalpost assembly of claim 2 wherein said cross-bar has a pair of longitudinally separated ends together with a pair of L-shaped adapters, each of said L-shaped adapters including a horizontally extending portion reciprocatably engageable along the cross-bar and also including a vertically extending portion to provide said upright-legs for the target member.

4. The football goalpost assembly of claim 3 wherein the cross-bar is non-circularly tubular at the respective longitudinally separated ends thereof, the horizontally extending portion of the respective L-shaped adapters being of a non-circular transverse cross-sectional shape that is geometrically similar to that of the cross-bar tubular portion; wherein the respective end portions of the cross-bar slidably surround the horizontal portion of the respective L-shaped adapters; wherein there are removable pins spacing indicator means to indicate the selected longitudinal postion between the target member upright-legs; wherein there is a tubular neck attached to the target cross-bar medial portion, said neck including a vertical lower portion disposed below the cross-bar substantially midway the two ends thereof, said neck tubular lower portion vertically slidably surrounding the elevator member upright-standard, the selected vertical height of the cross-bar being maintained with a horizontal stop-pin removably extending through the upright-standard and the tubular neck; and wherein the elevator member carries an elongate measuring tape adapted to be extended in a horizontal direction normal to that vertical plane passing through the pair of upright-legs.

5. The football goalpost assembly of claim 4 wherein the target member is forwardly offset with respect to the elevator member upright-standard; wherein the elongate measuring tape includes a rearward portion attached to the upright-standard and also a free-end movable forwardly away from the elevator member, said measuring tape being convolutely retractably wound upon a hub revolvably attached to the upright-standard; wherein there is a kicking-tee attached to the measuring tape free-end; wherein the pedestal is circular to permit rollable portability of the assembled goalpost; and wherein the transverse cross-sectional shape of the cross-bar tubular ends and the adapter horizontal portions is rectangular.

6. A portable football goalpost assembly having a finite overall weight and comprising:

A. a generally U-shaped target member including a substantially horizontal longitudinally extending cross-bar together with a pair of substantially parallel upright-legs each attachable to longitudinally separated positions of the cross-bar and also extending loftily vertically above the cross-bar; and

B. an elevator member attached to and extending below the target member for loftily elevating the cross-bar portion above the earth's surface, said elevator member including a depending pedestal spaced longitudinally intermediately between the upright-legs and adapted to abuttably rest upon the earth's surface, the weight of said intermediately spaced depending pedestal bearing a weight ratio of at least one-third as compared to the goalpost assembly overall weight whereby said abuttable pedestal is adapted to uprightly stably support the entire goalpost assembly.

7. The portable goalpost assembly of claim 6 wherein the intermediate depending pedestal is of substantially circular configuration to permit rollable portability of the assembled goalpost.

8. The football goalpost assembly of claim 7 wherein the longitudinally extending width between the two upright-legs is selectively variable; and wherein the vertical height between the target member cross-bar and the elevator member pedestal is selectively variable.

9. The portable goalpost assembly of claim 6 wherein at least one of the target member upright-legs is longitudinally slidably movable along the cross-bar; and wherein the target member includes spacing indicator means to indicate the selected longitudinal position between the target member upright-legs.