Abstract:
An illuminating goal structure is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention the illuminating goal structure, adapted for connection to a power source, includes a back plate, a face plate having at least one lighting aperture defined therein, viewable signal means (VSM) housed within the at least one lighting aperture, connection means for operably connecting the VSM to the power source, and VSM control means for controlling the distribution of power from the power source to the VSM, wherein the back plate is attached to the face plate such that the connection means are enclosed therein. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the illuminating goal structure adapted for connection to a power source includes an illumination tube including at least one lighting channel therein, VSM housed within the at least one lighting channel, connection means for operably connecting the VSM to the power source, and VSM control means for controlling the distribution of power from the power source to the VSM. A method for manufacturing illuminating goal structures is also disclosed. The goal structure and methodology described herein allows one to illuminate a goal structure in such a manner that the lighting arrangement therein is easily modifiable.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to goal structures for use in sporting events. More specifically, the present invention relates to illuminating goal structures.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    It is well known that many sports use a goal structure for purposes of defining a scoring area. For example, the sport of hockey employs a hockey goal, basketball uses a hoop and backboard, baseball has foul poles, and football utilizes uprights. One drawback of traditional sports goal structures, however, is that it is often difficult for spectators to determine whether the ball or puck has entered the scoring area. This is particularly true in the world of professional sports where sporting venues are much larger and game speeds are much quicker.  
           [0003]    One prior art attempt to improve upon goal indication is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,846 issued to Craig. This patent discloses a hockey net having lights within the goal posts wherein the lights are illuminated upon a goal being scored. One chief shortcomings of the Craig patent, however, is that no method for manufacturing the net is provided. Furthermore, the lighting scheme described in the Craig patent is fixed and, therefore, not modifiable. As such, the net is an impractical solution for purposes of displaying advertisements or other messages, as a new net is required each time there is a change in sponsorship or message requirement.  
           [0004]    A need, therefore, has been identified for an improved illuminating goal structure and a method for manufacturing an improved illuminating goal structure.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an illuminating goal structure and a method of manufacturing an illuminating goal structure which obviates or mitigates at least one of the disadvantages described above.  
           [0006]    In accordance with the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing an illuminating goal structure adapted for connection to a power source comprising the steps of: forming a back plate; forming a face plate, wherein said face plate has at least one lighting aperture defined therein; housing viewable signal means within the at least one lighting aperture; operably connecting the viewable signal means to the power source via connection means, wherein power distributed to the viewable signal means via the connection means is controlled by viewable signal means control means; and attaching the face plate to the back plate such that the connection means are enclosed therein.  
           [0007]    The invention is also directed to a method of manufacturing an illuminating goal structure adapted for connection to a power source comprising the steps of: forming an illumination tube wherein the tube includes at least one lighting channel therein; housing viewable signal means within the at least one lighting channel; and operably connecting the viewable signal means to the power source via connection means wherein power distributed to the viewable signal means via the connection means is controlled by viewable signal means control means.  
           [0008]    The invention is also directed to an illuminating goal structure adapted for connection to a power source comprising: a back plate; a face plate having at least one lighting aperture defined therein; viewable signal means housed within the at least one lighting aperture; connection means for operably connecting the viewable signal means to the power source; and viewable signal means control means for controlling the distribution of power from the power source to the viewable signal means; wherein the back plate is attached to the face plate such that the connection means are enclosed therein.  
           [0009]    The invention is also directed to an illuminating goal structure adapted for connection to a power source comprising: an illumination tube including at least one lighting channel therein; viewable signal means housed within the at least one lighting channel; connection means for operably connecting the viewable signal means to the power source; and viewable signal means control means for controlling the distribution of power from the power source to the viewable signal means.  
           [0010]    Various terms of art are used throughout this specification. A discussion of the various terms is set out hereinbelow in order to provide context to the meaning of each term.  
           [0011]    The term “viewable signal means” is used in connection with a light source that is either viewable by the human eye or detectible by an external device (eg. a video camera). Examples of “viewable signal means” include: light emitting diodes; lasers; illuminated liquid crystal display, fibre optics, or any matrix pixel display. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings and which:  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevation of a goal structure as is known in the art;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 a  presents an exploded top view of an illuminating goal structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 b  presents an exploded side elevation of an illuminating goal structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 c  presents a top view of a face plate in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 d  presents a top view of a face plate in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 e  presents a cross sectional top view of a face plate in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 f  presents a side elevation of a face plate in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2 g  presents a top view of a face plate in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 h  presents a side elevation of a face plate in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 i  presents a face plate and back plate in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 2 j  presents a face plate and back plate in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 3 presents a flow chart of a method of manufacturing an illuminating goal structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 4 illustrates a circuit diagram for controlling an illuminating goal structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 5 presents an illuminating goal structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention as attached to non-illuminating goal structure;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 6 presents an isometric view of an illuminating goal structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention as attached to non-illuminating goal structure which includes a storage compartment and sensor therein;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 7 a  presents a top view of an illuminating goal structure in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 7 b  presents a side view of an illuminating goal structure in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 8 presents a flow chart of a method of manufacturing an illuminating goal structure in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 9 illustrates an illuminating goal structure in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention as attached to non-illuminating goal structure;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 10 illustrates a circuit diagram in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0033]    With reference to FIG. 1 there is illustrated a goal structure as is known in the art and depicted generally by reference number  10 . The goal structure  10  includes mesh  12  and structure  14 . A portion of structure  14  to be illuminated is identified as element  16  as defined by cutting line  1 - 1 .  
         [0034]    Referring to FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b , an illuminating goal structure in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown in an exploded top view and an exploded side view respectively. The goal structure described therein includes a back plate  200  having mounting apertures  202  therein, a face plate  204  having mounting apertures  202  and lighting apertures  206  therein, bulkhead rings  208  having mounting apertures  210  therein, light emitting diode assembly (LEDA)  212  and screws  214 . According an embodiment of the invention, the LEDA includes light emitting diodes (LED)  216  attached to printed circuit board (PCB)  218  which has wires  220  attached thereto. Wires  220  are adapted for connection to two 12V batteries (not shown). As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, the way in which power is supplied to the LED does not affect the working of the invention described previously in the summary of the invention. Thus, one could easily replace wires  220  with optical fibre or any other electrical connectors as are known in the art.  
         [0035]    Referring to FIG. 3, a flow chart depicting a method of manufacturing an illuminating goal structure as depicted in FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b  is described. Beginning at a step  300 , back plate  200  for the illuminating goal structure is formed. At a step  302 , face plate  204  is formed, wherein the face plate has lighting apertures  206  defined therein. Referring back to FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b , one can see that in this embodiment of the invention face plate  204  and back plate  200  include two channel members which, when attached to one another, form a structural component having length, width and curvature substantially similar to that portion of the goal structure sought to be illuminated  16 . The step of forming a back plate  200  or face plate  204  therefore includes any method for manufacturing such plates. For example, one could form plates by merely removing a piece of the original goal structure sought to be illuminated  16  and splitting said structure along its longitudinal axis. Alternatively, one could utilize only a portion of the original goal structure for purposes of back plate  200  or face plate  204  and then manufacture a mating piece such that any material which would be lost while cutting the structure could be replaced by the manufactured piece. Finally, one could manufacture both the back plate and the face plate without utilizing any of the original structure. For example this could be achieved by extruding the plates. Although each of face plate  204  and back plate  200  depicted in FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b  generally represent 50 percent of the illuminating goal structure respectively, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that this proportion of back plate  200  to face plate  204  is not essential. The only limit to the size of a back plate or a face plate is that said plates must be of necessary width to facilitate connection of the face plate to the back plate. This connection is described below in greater detail.  
         [0036]    With respect to lighting apertures  206  and mounting apertures  202 , those apertures can be formed by any method known in the art of machining including, for example, drilling. Preferably lighting aperture  206  are designed to minimize space between LEDs  216  and face plate  204 , so as to prevent unnecessary vibration that may damage LEDs  216 .  
         [0037]    Referring back to FIG. 3, the method continues at a step  304  wherein LEDs  216  are housed within lighting apertures  206  defined in face plate  204 . Referring to FIG. 2 c , a top view close-up of face plate  204  housing LEDs  216  within lighting apertures  206  is described. As shown therein, LEDs  216  as attached to PCB  218  are housed within lighting apertures  206  via O-rings  222 , silicone  224 , and fibreglass resin  226 . In accordance with this embodiment of the present invention, a lens  227  is inserted into aperture  206  to protect LED  216  from being damaged by a puck for example.  
         [0038]    As one can see in FIG. 2 c , lighting apertures  206 , LEDs  216 , and PCBs  218  are oriented perpendicular to their respective surface tangents  203 . By comparison, in FIG. 2 d  lighting apertures  206 , LEDs  216 , and PCBs  218  are oriented perpendicular to a single tangent  205 . This alternative embodiment of face plate  204  is beneficial in that more LEDAs  212  can be incorporated into a single face plate as the associated printed circuit boards  218  will not interfere with each other.  
         [0039]    Referring back to FIG. 3 again, at a step  306 , LEDAs  212  are connected to two 12V batteries via wires  220  wherein power distributed to the LEDAs is controlled by controller  400  and power supply board  402  as described below.  
         [0040]    Referring FIG. 4 to a circuit diagram for an illuminating goal structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. As shown therein LEDAs  212  is connected to power supply board  402  via wires  220 . Power supply board  402  is in turn connected to controller  400  via power connection  404 . In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, controller  400  is provided for by an IPM 420™ controller. Controller  400  includes a plurality of outputs  406  for each respective LEDA  212 . As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, the number of LEDAs which can be controlled by controller  400  is only limited by the number of outputs on controller  406 . Also attached to controller  400  is an infrared receiver  408 . Finally, batteries  410  are connected to power supply board  402 . In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, batteries  410  are provided for by two Sanyo™ NP-1 style 12-volt batteries in series.  
         [0041]    As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, battery  410  supplies power to power supply board  402 . Power supply board  402  in turn provides power to controller  400  via power connection  404 . In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, power supply board  402  and controller  400  are distinct components. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, these boards could easily be combined without effecting the operation of the illuminating goal structure. Responding to a signal provided by RF receiver  408 , controller  400  outputs signals via outputs  406  which signals are boosted by power supply board  402  and ultimately illuminate LEDAs  212 . As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, controller  400  can be utilized to provide any number of effects such as blinking or strobing. In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, only one LEDA is lit at any particular time. The period of illumination, however, is sufficiently short such that, to the human eye, all LEDAs  212  appear lit at the same time. This is beneficial in that it reduces the draw on batteries  410  without affecting the appearance of the goal structure.  
         [0042]    Infrared receiver  408  is utilized for the purpose of allowing remote control of the LEDAs  212  by an official, for example. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, any form of signalling device could be used in place of infrared sensor  408 . For example one could employ a whistle sensor, radio receiver, or a 3D puck sensor without affecting the operation of the goal structure.  
         [0043]    Referring back to FIG. 3 once again, the methodology concludes at a step  308  wherein face plate  204  is attached to the back plate  200  such that LEDAs  212  and wires  220  are enclosed therein. Referring back to FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, face plate  204  is attached to back plate  200  via bulkhead rings  208 . More specifically, face plate  204  and back plate  200  are attached by aligning mounting apertures  202  with apertures  210  in bulkhead rings  208  and inserting fastener  214  therethrough.  
         [0044]    Referring to FIGS. 2 e  and  2   f  an alternative embodiment of a face plate  204  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention is shown. According to this embodiment face plate  204  is defined by extruding a hollow member having two portions with different outside diameters such that a notch or lip  230  formed. Notch  230  aids in attaching face plate  204  to back plate  200  (not shown).  
         [0045]    Referring to FIGS. 2 g  and  2   h  face plate  204 , as depicted in FIGS. 2 e  and  2   f , is shown having a section of the smaller diameter portion being removed so as to effectively create bulkhead rings  232  in face plate  204 . Similar to face plate  204  described in FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b  face plate  204  can be attached to back plate  200  (not shown) via fasteners  214  apertures  202  and apertures  210  in bulkhead rings  232 .  
         [0046]    Referring to FIGS. 2 i  and  2   j  two alternative embodiments for attaching face plate  204  to back plate  200  are shown. Referring to those figures as one can see that back plate  204  includes male connectors  234  for mating attachment with female connectors  236  formed within face plate  200 . This type of attachment is known in the art as an interference fit. Also shown within FIGS. 2 i  and  2   j  is a bulb  240  and a ring  242  attached to back plate  200  for attachment of mesh  12 .  
         [0047]    Although the preceding embodiments of the present invention utilized screws and an interference fit respectively for connecting face pate  200  to back plate  204 , one skilled in the art will appreciate that said plates could easily be welded without affecting the invention described above in the summary.  
         [0048]    Referring to FIG. 5 an illuminating goal structure as described in FIGS. 2 a  through  2   j , generally represented by reference number  500 , is shown attached to non-illuminating goal structure  502 . As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, non-illuminating goal structure includes any structure required for defining the goal structure itself which is not replaced by illuminating goal structure  500 .  
         [0049]    Referring to FIG. 6, one can see illuminating goal structure  500  attached to non-illuminating goal structure  502 . Incorporated into non-illuminating goal structure  502  is infrared receiver  406  and storage compartment  602  wherein storage compartment  602  is adapted to house controller  400  and  402 , and batteries  404  therein. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, illuminating goal structure  502  and infrared sensor  406  are operably attached to controller  400  and batteries  406  via wires  220 . A storage compartment housed within the non-illuminating goal structure is beneficial in that the entire goal structure is self-contained. That is to say, one can physically move the goal structure without the necessity of disconnecting wires  220 .  
         [0050]    Although the preceding embodiments of the present invention only depict LEDs  216  housed in face plate  204 , the invention described in the summary is not so limited. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, LEDs  216  could just as easily be housed in back plate  200  utilizing the same methodology set out above.  
         [0051]    Referring to FIGS. 7 a  and  7   b  an alternative embodiment of an illuminating goal structure is described. According to this embodiment, LEDAs  212  are housed within an illumination tube  700 . Illumination tube  700  includes a central tubular portion  702  having a plurality of T-shaped members  704  extending therefrom thereby defining a plurality of lighting channels  706 . Lighting channels  706  in turn house shields  708  within which LEDAs  212  are housed. According to this embodiment of the invention, shield  708  is provided by a transparent red extruded plastic channel designed to house LEDAs  212  therein. Together illumination tube  700 , shield  708  and LEDA  212  define an illuminating goal structure.  
         [0052]    Referring to FIG. 7 b , a bushing attachment for attaching the illuminating goal structure described in FIG. 7 a  to non-illuminating goal structure (not shown) is depicted. The attachment is provided for by removing the upper portion of T-shaped members  704  from illumination tube  700  at one end. Removal of these T-shaped members results in an illumination tube section consisting of hollow tubular member  702  and fins  710 . Hollow member  702  and fins  710  are then inserted into a mating pocket  714  formed within polyurethane bushing  712 . Also shown in FIG. 7 b  is a washer  716  for insertion between illumination tube  700  and bushing  712  to prevent destruction of bushing  712  by vibration of illumination tube  700 . Bushing  712  is then attached into non-illuminating goal structure  502  as described below. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, the illumination tube need not represent the male member of the connection. That is to say, the bushing could represent the male end and the illumination tube, in particular the tubular member  702  therein, could act as the female connection.  
         [0053]    Referring to FIG. 8, a method of manufacturing an illuminating goal structure in accordance with the alternative embodiment of the invention described in FIGS. 7 a  and  7   b  is shown. The methodology begins at step  800  wherein illumination tube  700  having at lighting channels therein is formed. In accordance with this alternative embodiment of the invention, illumination tube  700  is formed by extruding a tubular member having a profile as shown in FIG. 7 a . Proceeding to step  802  LEDAs  212  are housed within lighting channels  706 . As described above with reference to FIG. 7 a , LEDAs  212  can be housed within lighting channels  706  directly or alternatively within shields  708 . Finally, at a step  804 , LEDs  216  are connected to the 12V batteries  404  in the same manner described above with reference to FIG. 4.  
         [0054]    Referring to FIG. 9, the illuminating goal structure described above with respect to FIGS. 7 and 8 is shown attached to non-illuminating goal structure  502 . According to this embodiment of the invention, although not shown in FIG. 9, the connection between busing  712  and illumination tube  700  was reinforced by a tension spring.  
         [0055]    The embodiments of the illuminating goal structure described above are beneficial for many reasons. One benefit in particular is the ability to modify the appearance of the illuminating goal structure by merely re-defining the position of the lighting apertures  206  or lighting channels  706  therein. This ability to modify the appearance of the illuminating goal structure is particularly beneficial when the lighting arrangement itself defines a textual advertising message. This is because one can use the illuminating goal structure for one sponsored event and then merely replace it for the next sponsored event without having to replace the non-illuminating goal structure. The inventor envisions the preceding embodiments of the invention being used for purposes of generating advertising revenue at sporting events.  
         [0056]    While the LEDAs  212  described above included rows of LEDs  216  attached via PCBs  218 , the invention described in the summary is not so limited. For example, according to another embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 10, LEDAs  212  are replaced by message matrix board  1000 . Message matrix board  1000  is beneficial in that it can be used for purposes of generating advertising revenue in addition to signifying a goal. As one can see in FIG. 10, power supply board  402  is connected to battery  410  and controller  400  in the same manner described above with reference to FIG. 4. In addition to power connection  404 , power supply board  402  is also connected to controller  400  by serial connection  1010 . Controller  400  includes eight row outputs  1020 , corresponding to each row on matrix row, connected to power supply board  402 . Power supply board  402  has corresponding outputs  1030  which in turn are connected to individual rows on matrix board  1000 . Finally, power supply board  402  is connected to the first row of matrix board  1000 , the master board  1020 , by a serial connection  1050 .  
         [0057]    According to this embodiment of the invention, controller  400  again receives an input signal from RF receiver  408  signifying a goal or advertising event. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, in accordance with the lighting algorithm stored within controller  400 , controller  400  outputs a raw lighting pattern for a matrix row via output  1020  and  1030 . Via serial connection  1010  and  1050 , controller  400  lights those lights on of master row  1040  in accordance with the lighting pattern received. Controller  400  then determines which particular row of this lighting pattern is to be displayed on by matrix  1000  via outputs  1020  and  1030 . The process then repeats for the remaining rows on matrix  1000 . As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, the operations of the controller are effectively instantaneous. As such, any number of effects such as vertical or horizontal text scrolling or animation can be achieved.  
         [0058]    Although a hockey net is depicted in the preferred embodiments of the invention, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described in summary of the invention is not so limited. As such, the invention described in the summary of the invention can easily be applied to any sporting goal structure. For example, one could apply the invention to a lacrosse goal, soccer goal, football uprights, a basketball hoop, or baseball foul poles to name a few.  
         [0059]    While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is clear that changes and modifications may be made to such embodiments without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention. Thus it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.