Patent ID: 7150690
Filing Date: 2006-12-19
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
1. A soccer goal assembly comprising: a soccer goal including a post having a generally orthogonal cross-sectional post shape to present a front section and generally perpendicular side sections, with the front and side sections cooperatively defining a longitudinally extending, generally forward and sideward facing playing surface; and a goal pad removably wrapped at least partly around the post to overlie the playing surface, said goal pad including an elongated body comprising a wall that presents a generally tubular cross-sectional pad shape with a central opening in which the goal post is received, said wall presenting an inner surface that defines the central opening, said wall including at least three longitudinally extending, generally straight wall portions, with a pair of the wall portions being spaced apart and projecting from a first one of the wall portions, said body presenting a longitudinally extending slot defined between opposed longitudinal edges, said body being formed of a compressible and resilient material that provides impact-cushioning along the playing surface and permits resilient flexing thereof so that the edges are resiliently separable to receive the post within the slot as the goal pad is installed or removed, said body being in a resiliently flexed condition when received on the post and in a relatively unflexed condition when located off of the post, said pair of wall portions converging toward the slot when the body is in the unflexed condition and being less convergent when the body is in the flexed conditions said wall portions assuming a generally orthogonal shape and the inner surface contacting and closely conforming to the post shape when the body is received on the post.