Use of a ball carrier as goalposts

Abstract: The use of, and a method of constructing a ball carrier and subsequently forming at least one target for a ball game. The apparatus comprising first and second releasably connectable components (1, 2) which can carry a spherical football (6) and subsequently to provide at least one pair of goal posts which can be used in a game of association football. The first and second components being used connected together by connecting means (8, 9) to together define a container in which the football may be carried. The first and second components being used disconnected from each other to define therebetween a first pair of goal posts by positioning the first and second components on the ground in the spaced apart relationship. A method of constructing the carrier and subsequently forming the target is also disclosed.

Description: This invention relates to a use of, and a method of constructing a ball carrier and at least one target for a ball game such as football (soccer) or the like. Ball games and sports, such as football, are popular with people of all ages. These games and sports normally require items of often expensive equipment in order to be played. For instance, with football the equipment needed includes a pitch, two sets of goal posts and a ball. This equipment is not always available. People, especially children, have overcome this problem by improvising. For example, goal posts may be replaced by pieces of clothing such as sweaters or neck ties positioned on the ground. This solution is not always satisfactory. The use of items of clothing as goal post substitutes can lead to goal posts which are hard to see and also the risk of damage and loss of the clothing itself. A further problem with ball games, especially where children are involved, is the transportation of the ball. Balls can be dropped, deliberately or accidentally, whilst being carried, for instance, along the street. This can lead to the temptation for children to chase such a bouncing ball out into the street where they may be endangered by motor vehicles. Document US-A-4 494 650 discloses a display package for balls. The package consists of two parts being connected to each other with connecting means to define a container for a ball. A benefit of this invention is that the same apparatus is used to carry the ball and form the goal post substitutes. This reduces the cost for the user and the materials requirements for the manufacturer. It also reduces the risk that the goal post substitutes will be forgotten and lost since the user will be reminded to pick up the goal post substitutes when transporting the ball home. An embodiment of the present invention can provide use of a ball carrier in transporting a ball which is rigid such that the carrier will not bounce if dropped. An embodiment of the present invention can also provide use of a ball carrier which can be converted to form one or two sets of goal post substitutes. Accordingly, the present invention provides use of apparatus comprising first and second releasably connectable components to provide a carrier which can carry a spherical football and subsequently to provide at least one pair of goalposts which can be used in a game of association football, the first and second components being used connected together by connecting means to together define a container in which the football may be carried and the first and second components subsequently being used disconnected from each other to define therebetween a first pair of goalposts by positioning the first and second components on the ground in a spaced apart relationship. Advantageously, the apparatus used additionally comprises third and fourth components and in which the use additionally comprises use of the first and second components when connected together to define the container to carry the third and fourth components and subsequent use of the third and fourth components to define therebetween a second pair of goalposts by positioning the third and fourth components on the ground in a spaced apart relationship. Preferably, the apparatus used additionally comprises a handle provided on one of the first or second components and in which the use additionally comprises use of the handle to carry the carrier. Preferably, the apparatus used additionally comprises connecting means to connect the first and second components together to form a weather-tight seal therebetween and in which the use additionally comprises use of the apparatus to form a water-tight container to resist ingress of rain or moisture. In one specific embodiment, the apparatus used additionally comprises a plurality of keys on one of the first or second components and a plurality of key-ways on the other of the first or second components and in which the use additionally comprises use of the keys and key-ways as the connecting means, the keys being used to engage and disengage the key-ways by relative rotation of the first and second components. Alternatively, clips are used as the connecting means to fasten the first and second components together. Alternatively, use is made of a threaded portion provided on an exterior surface of the first component which is used to matingly engage a threaded portion provided on a surface of the second component as the connecting means. Preferably, the apparatus used additionally comprises a flattened portion on one of the first and second components and in which the use additionally comprises use of the flattened portion to provide a basal region to prevent rolling of the carrier. Preferably, use is made of rigid components. Preferably, components are plastic. The present invention also provides a method of constructing a ball carrier from first and second releasably connectable components and, subsequently forming at least one target for a ball game from said components comprising the steps of: connecting together the first and second components using connecting means to define therebetween a container in which, in use, a ball is carried; subsequently disconnecting the first and second components to allow the ball to be removed from the container; and positioning the first and second components on the ground in a spaced apart relationship to one another to form therebetween a first target. Preferably, further comprising the steps of placing third and fourth components in the container defined by the first and second connected components; and subsequently on disconnection of the first and second components to form the first target, positioning the third and fourth components on the ground in a spaced apart relationship to one another to form therebetween a second target. Preferably, the first and second components are substantially hemi-spherical shells. Alternatively, the first and second components are substantially semi-ellipsoidal. Preferably, the first and second components are connected wherein the first and second components are connected and disconnected by relative rotation. Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of ball carrier according to the present invention in the assembled state; Figure 2 is a perspective exploded view of a second embodiment of ball carrier according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a part of the invention of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a pictorial representation of the present invention in use in playing a game. Figure 1 shows a first embodiment according to the present invention. The carrier comprises first and second components 1, 2 which are shaped as hemispherical shells. The components are substantially identical in shape and size. The components are opposable and, in use, connectable to one another to form a substantially spherical shell defining a contained space therein. Each of the first and second components 1, 2 further comprises a flange element 10 around its circumferential edge such that when the first and second components 1, 2 are offered up to one another the flange elements are aligned and opposed. As shown in Figure 3 the flange elements 10 comprises a connecting means by which the first and second components 1, 2 may be repeatedly connected to, and separated from, one another. One possible connecting means, shown in Figure 3, is the provision of a plurality of keys 8 on the flange element 10 of one or other of the first and second components 1, 2 and a plurality of key-ways 9 on the other flange element 10 of the first and second components 1, 2. In order to connect the two components the keys 8 and key-ways 9 are aligned and the first and second components pushed together such that the keys 8 enter the key-ways 9. The first and second components 1, 2 are then rotated relative to one another about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the flange elements 10 such that the keys 8 pass within the flange 10 of the opposing component, out of alignment with the key-ways 9, to firmly interlock the first and second components 1, 2. The components 1, 2 are rotated in the opposite sense to disconnect. Alternatively, the first and second components 1, 2 may be connected by means of clips or other suitable means. Preferably the seal between the first and second components 1, 2 formed by the connecting means is weather-tight to resist the ingress of rain or moisture. This is advantageous to prevent the potential deterioration of the contents. A handle 5 may be provided on one or both of the first or second components 1, 2 by which the carrier may be transported. Providing a handle on only one component reduces the amount of material required. Alternatively providing a handle on both components can be advantageous in providing an improved means of gripping the first and second components 1, 2 in order to connect and/or disconnect them. In use a football 6 or other spherical game ball may be carried by positioning the first and second components 1, 2 around the football 6 when connecting them. The first and second components 1, 2 are dimensioned such that the internal diameter of the carrier is larger than the external diameter of the football 6. The external surface of the ball carrier may be patterned or have contours in order to convey advertising logos 7 or other aesthetic designs. The first and second components are preferably formed by injection moulding or vacuum forming of plastics materials. Plastics have the advantageous characteristics of lightness, rigidity, ease of forming, relative low cost, high impact resistance and quality of finish. Alternatively other rigid materials may be used. An advantage of using rigid, impact resistant materials is that the ball carrier will not bounce significantly if dropped. This is potentially beneficial where the carrier is being used in or near a street. The lack of bounce of the carrier will reduce the likelihood of the carrier bouncing out into the road in front of moving traffic. One or both of the flange elements 10 of the first and second components 1, 2 preferably comprises a flattened portion opposite the handle 5. The flattened portion defines a basal area by which the carried may be stood upright on hard surfaces to prevent the carrier rolling away. In another embodiment as shown in Figure 2, the carrier further comprises third and fourth components 3, 4. The third and fourth components 3, 4 are also hemispherical shells dimensioned to fit over and contain therewithin a football 6. The third and fourth components 3, 4 are also dimensioned to fit within the first and second components 1, 2 in a 'nested' fashion as shown in Figure 2. The third and fourth components 3, 4 do not necessarily require any connecting means since they are held in place between the internal surfaces of the first and second components and the external surface of the football 6. However, in another embodiment, the third and fourth components, 3 and 4, may be secured to the first and second components, 1 and 2, by the use of clips (not shown) or any other similar releasable fastening means. In use, and to form the target for a ball game, the first and second components 1, 2 are separated and then placed apart from one another to delimit the target as shown in Figure 4. The third and fourth components 3, 4 where present may be used to mark out a second target. Thus the ball carrier may be used to mark out two sets of goals for a football game. The first and second components 1, 2 may be shaped other than as hemispheres where the carrier is to transport a non-spherical ball. For example, the first and second components 1, 2 would have an elliptical cross-section in a carrier for a rugby ball.

Claims: Use of apparatus comprising first and second releasably connectable components (1, 2) to provide a carrier which can carry a spherical football (6) and subsequently to provide at least one pair of goalposts which can be used in a game of association football (1, 2), characterised by the first and second components (1, 2) being used connected together by connecting means (8, 9) to together define a container in which the football may be carried, and the first and second components (1, 2) subsequently being used disconnected from each other to define therebetween a first pair of goalposts by positioning the first and second components (1, 2) on the ground in spaced apart relationship. A use of apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus used additionally comprises third and fourth components (3, 4) and in which the use additionally comprises use of the first and second components when connected together to define the container to carry the third and fourth components and subsequent use of the third and fourth components to define therebetween a second pair of goalposts by positioning the third and fourth components on the ground in a spaced apart relationship. A use of apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the apparatus used additionally comprises a handle (5) provided on one of the first or second components and in which the use additionally comprises use of the handle to carry the carrier. A use of apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the apparatus used additionally comprises connecting means (8, 9) to connect the first and second components together to form a weather-tight seal therebetween and in which the use additionally comprises use of the apparatus to form a water-tight container to resist ingress of rain or moisture. A use of apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the apparatus used additionally comprises clips and in which the use additionally comprises use of the clips to secure the third and fourth components to the first and second components. A use of apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the apparatus used additionally comprises a plurality of keys (8) on one of the first or second components and a plurality of key-ways (9) on the other of the first or second components, and in which the use additionally comprises use of the keys and key-ways as the connecting means, the keys being used to engage and disengage the key-ways by relative rotation of the first and second components. A use of apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the apparatus used additionally comprises clips and in which the use comprises additionally use of the clips as the connecting means to fasten the first and second components together. A use of apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the apparatus used additionally comprises a threaded portion provided on an exterior surface of the first component and a threaded portion provided on a surface of the second component, and in which the use additionally comprises matingly engaging the threaded portions provided on the first and second components. A use of apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the apparatus used additionally comprises a flattened portion on one of the first or second components, and in which the use additionally comprises use of the flattened portion to provide a basal region to prevent rolling of the carrier. A method of constructing a ball carrier from first and second releasably connectable components (1, 2) and, subsequently forming at least one target for a ball game from said components characterised by the steps of: connecting together the first and second components (1, 2) using connecting means (8, 9) to define therebetween a container in which, in use, a ball (6) is carried; subsequently disconnecting the first and second components (1, 2) to allow the ball (6) to be removed from the container; and positioning the first and second components (1, 2) on the ground in a spaced apart relationship to one another to form therebetween a first target. A method as claimed in claim 10 further comprising the steps of: placing third and fourth components (3, 4) in the container defined by the first and second connected components; and subsequently on disconnection of the first and second components (1, 2) to form the first target, positioning the third and fourth components (3, 4) on the ground in a spaced apart relationship to one another to form therebetween a second target. A method as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the first and second components (1, 2) are connected and disconnected by relative rotation. A method as claimed in any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the first and second components (1, 2) are substantially hemi-spherical shells. A method as claimed in any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the first and second components (1, 2) are substantially semi-ellipsoidal. A method as claimed in any of claims 10 to 14, wherein the components are rigid. A method as claimed in any of claims 10 to 15, wherein components are plastic.

Inventors: BRUMMITT RUSSELL, BRUMMITT, RUSSELL
Applicants: BRUMMITT RUSSELL, BRUMMITT, RUSSELL
Application year: 1999
Main classification: A63B47
IPC codes: A63B47