Abstract:
Low cost, durable, reusable, lightweight, inexpensive, simple, easy to assemble/disassemble, transportable goal posts. The goal posts may be composed of single piece T reinforcement and single piece cross bar reinforcements, as well as readily available construction materials, such as PVC pipe. The bodies of the single piece reinforcements are sized so that the pipes forming the upright posts and crossbar have the same length. Assembly, disassembly, and transportation are simplified. The disassembled components can be carried in vans and SUVs. Internal reinforcements allow flexible, low cost materials such as PVC pipe to be used while maintaining a professional, aesthetic appearance.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to goal posts used on sport fields, in particular the invention related to improved lightweight, portable, low cost goal posts. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Prior Art 
         [0004]    Rugby Football is becoming more popular in the United States and other countries. However, with a few notable exceptions such as Stanford, U.C. Berkeley and West Point there are few permanent Rugby Football Stadiums. Fields used for Rugby are typically used for soccer, baseball and other sports that require the Rugby goal posts to be removed after the match or tournament is concluded. Further, Rugby typically is a club sport and the clubs have limited resources and need to play in different fields. 
         [0005]    For many years, Rugby Football has been played all over the world. However, the sport has been more popular in countries other than the United States, making Rugby Football fields scarce. American Football and Association Football (soccer) fields, on the other hand, are everywhere. Having the ability to erect a low cost, portable Rugby goal post would make it easier to play Rugby on any suitable pitch. 
         [0006]    In the case of Rugby Union, the International Rugby Board (IRB) sets the specification for the size and shape of the regulation Rugby goal posts. Currently the goal post must be at least 3.4 meters high with the cross bar being 3.0 meters high and 5.6 meters wide (between the upright posts). 
         [0007]    Previously, single piece goal posts have been manufactured of rectangular or round (tubular) metal. However, these are heavy, expensive, and difficult to transport. Some versions have a removable cross bar, but are still difficult to transport because they don&#39;t fit in a passenger vehicle and are relatively difficult to breakdown and reassemble. 
         [0008]    What is needed is a lightweight, low cost, portable Rugby goal post that can be broken down, placed inside commonly available vans and SUVs and reassembled. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    It is an objective of the present invention to provide an improved goal post having various advantages that make for quick and easy setup and ultimately facilitate the playing of Rugby on any suitably sized sports field. The various embodiments include novel, lightweight, strong, low cost manufacture, easy to setup, easy to store, easy to transport goal posts. 
       OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
       [0010]    Some objects and advantages of the present invention are:
       a) To provide an inexpensive goal post.   b) To provide a simpler way of making a goal post.   c) To provide a collapsible goal post.   d) To provide an easy to store goal post.   e) To provide an easy to transport goal post.   f) To provide a lightweight goal post.   g) To provide a simple way to manufacture goal posts.   h) To provide an inexpensive way to manufacture goal posts.   i) To provide a simple way to ship goal posts components.   j) To provide an ideal goal post for people, groups of people, and organizations, such as athletic clubs, schools and churches, who prefer a low maintenance and low cost goal post.   k) To provide a goal post that could be sold in kits to be assembled by the purchaser and doesn&#39;t require special tools such as wrenches, pliers, and screwdrivers.   l) To provide a goal post made of PVC pipe and or other types of rods, pipes, and tubing that are plastic, metal etc. and which are inexpensive and readily available.   m) To provide a goal post made of parts with consistent sizes to minimize manufacturing and make it easier to assemble.   n) To provide a goal post having a professional and aesthetic appearance with hidden seams between the components.       
 
     
    
     
       DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0025]    In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes. 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  illustrates a PVC pipe version of a Rugby goal post. 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  illustrates PVC posts leaning in due to sagging PVC cross bar. 
           [0028]      FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate a solution with wooden reinforcements. 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  illustrates a solution with single piece reinforcements. 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  illustrates a T reinforcement. 
           [0031]      FIG. 7A through 7E  illustrates the embodiments of reinforcement legs. 
           [0032]      FIG. 8A  illustrates the embodiment of a cap. 
           [0033]      FIG. 8B  illustrates the embodiment of a cap with wind streamers. 
           [0000]    
         
           
                 
               
                 
                 
                 
               
             
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
               
                 
                     
                 
               
            
             
                 
                     
                    1 (a-b) 
                   T reinforcement 
                 
                 
                     
                    2 
                   cross bar reinforcement 
                 
                 
                     
                    3 (a-b) 
                   upper post 
                 
                 
                     
                    4 (a-b) 
                   cap 
                 
                 
                     
                    5 (a-b) 
                   lower post 
                 
                 
                     
                    6 (a-b) 
                   cross bar section 
                 
                 
                     
                    7 (a-b) 
                   fence post 
                 
                 
                     
                    8 
                   cross bar 
                 
                 
                     
                    9 (a-b) 
                   post 
                 
                 
                     
                   10 (a-b) 
                   T connector 
                 
                 
                     
                   11 
                   goal post 
                 
                 
                     
                   12 
                   straight connector 
                 
                 
                     
                   20 (a-b) 
                   T connector with screw entry 
                 
                 
                     
                   22 (a-b) 
                   vertical board 
                 
                 
                     
                   24 (a-b) 
                   horizontal board 
                 
                 
                     
                   26 (a-b) 
                   screw 
                 
                 
                     
                   28 (a-b) 
                   washer 
                 
                 
                     
                   30 
                   vertical board screw hole 
                 
                 
                     
                   32 
                   horizontal board screw hole 
                 
                 
                     
                   34 
                   connector screw entry 
                 
                 
                     
                   36 
                   center horizontal board 
                 
                 
                     
                   60 (a-c) 
                   leg 
                 
                 
                     
                   63 (a-e) 
                   leg shoulder 
                 
                 
                     
                   66 (a-e) 
                   leg reinforcement 
                 
                 
                     
                   69 
                   T body 
                 
                 
                     
                   70 (a-b) 
                   cross bar leg 
                 
                 
                     
                   71 
                   first alternate leg 
                 
                 
                     
                   72 
                   second alternate leg 
                 
                 
                     
                   73 
                   third alternate leg 
                 
                 
                     
                   74 
                   fourth alternate leg 
                 
                 
                     
                   75 
                   cutout 
                 
                 
                     
                   79 
                   cross bar body 
                 
                 
                     
                   80 
                   cap with wind streamer 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                   attachment 
                 
                 
                     
                   81 
                   wind streamer 
                 
                 
                     
                   82 
                   wind streamer attachment 
                 
                 
                     
                   84 
                   cap shoulder 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                 
               
            
           
         
       
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     PVC Pipes and Connectors Solution 
       [0034]      FIG. 1  illustrates an early attempt to solve the above described problems was to make portable goal posts out of commercially available PVC pipes and standard connectors ( FIG. 1 ). T connectors  10   a  and  10   b  are connected onto upper posts  3   a  and  3   b,  lower posts  5   a  and  5   b  forming posts  9   a  and  9   b.  Cross bar sections  6   a  and  6   b  are connected into the T connectors  10   a  and  10   b  respectively and into a straight connector  12  forming a cross bar  8 . 
         [0035]    Testing showed that this PVC-only goal post met some of the requirements but was not a complete solution. PVC pipe is relative flexible. As illustrated by  FIG. 2 , the weight of the cross bar  8  caused cross bar  8  to sag and the posts  9   a  and  9   b  to lean inward. This PVC-only solution could be challenged because did not meet regulation shape and brought ridicule to the home team. 
         [0036]    To meet regulation size while using standard connectors, the upper posts  3 , lower posts  5  and cross bar sections  6  are cut to different lengths, for example some are cut to nine feet while the others are cut to nine feet ten inches. This difference in size makes it difficult to quickly assemble the pipes in the right configuration. 
         [0037]    In one embodiment, the PVC pipes were cut from six 2″ by 20′ PVC pipes and assembled with 2″ Tees, Cap, Connectors. 
         [0000]    PVC Pipes with Wooden Reinforcements 
         [0038]      FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate how the PVC-only solution was improved by using wooden reinforcements inside the cross bar and inside the T connections. 
         [0039]      FIG. 3  illustrates the details of the wooden reinforcement comprising vertical board  22  and horizontal board  24 . A screw  26  is inserted through washer  28  into a vertical board screw hole  30  and tightened to hold the vertical board  22  and the horizontal board  24  together. In order to attach the board together inside the PVC pipes, the standard T connector is replaced with a T connector with screw entry  20 , which has a connector screw entry  34 , which allows access to insert the screw  26 , and a wrench (not shown). 
         [0040]      FIG. 4  illustrates a reinforced PVC pipe goal post. The vertical boards  22   a  and  22   b,  the horizontal boards  24   a  and  24   b  and the center horizontal board  36  are placed inside PVC posts ( 3   a,    3   b,    5   a,    5   b,    6   a  and  6   b ) and T connector with screw entries ( 20   a  and  20   b ). After the boards are inside the PVC components, the PVC pipes are inserted into the connectors. Optionally, a center horizontal board  36  is also placed inside the PVC cross bar sections ( 6   a  and  6   b ) and straight connector  12  to further reduce the sag in the cross bar  8 . 
         [0041]    The T connectors with screw entry  20   a  and  20   b  are connected onto the upper posts  3   a  and  3   b,  the lower posts  5   a  and  5   b  forming the posts  9   a  and  9   b.  The cross bar sections  6   a  and  6   b  are connected into the T connector with screw entry  20   a  and  20   b  respectively and into the straight connector  12  forming the cross bar  8 . The center horizontal board  36  is placed inside the straight connector  12  prior to it being connected to cross bar sections  6   a  and  6   b.    
         [0042]    The screw  26  and washer  28  are inserted through the connector screw entry  34  of the T connector with screw entry  20 , into the vertical board screw hole  30  and threaded into horizontal board screw hole  32  to hold the vertical board  22  and the horizontal board  24  together. The outer PVC pipes are reinforced by the inner boards. 
         [0043]    In one embodiment, the board are made from 2″×2″×2″ redwood cut into one 5′ and one 3′ length, respectively. 
         [0044]    Testing showed good results as far as the shape of the goal posts, but there are still problems. 
         [0045]    The screw  26  joint into the horizontal board  24  at the horizontal board screw hole  32  is weak and doesn&#39;t hold up over a few uses. Alternative embodiments attempt to improve this by using bolts that attach to nuts embedded in the horizontal board  24 , or use different hardware, but these embodiments still have the following problems in common with the previous disclosure. 
         [0046]    Because the details of the complex reinforcement mechanism is hidden, in testing the wooden boards ( 22 ,  24 ) were innocently broken by volunteers helping to take this wood reinforced goal post down. 
         [0047]    There are many parts and it is difficult to assemble and requires special tools such as wrenches, pliers, and screwdrivers. It&#39;s hard to keep track of the tools while carrying the PVC pipes and parts from the vehicle and across the fields. The screw is difficult to put in place and easy to lose on the playing field. Once lost, a large screw presents a hazard for injury. 
         [0048]    The assembled poles  9   a  and  9   b  and the crossbar  8  have irregular shapes because the T connectors  20  and straight connector  12  have circumferences larger than the PVC pipes (for example see outline of  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0000]    Portable Goal Post with Single Piece Reinforcements 
         [0049]      FIG. 5  shows goal post  11 , which uses single piece reinforcements ( 1 ,  2 ) that are made of lightweight but strong material such as plastic or metal. The single piece reinforcements are preferably manufactured through a molding process, but some embodiments may be homemade using commercially available materials. In one embodiment the pipes are standard PVC pipes cut to the same length. The pipes including the upper posts  3   a  and  3   b,  lower posts  5   a  and  5   b,  and cross bar sections  6   a  and  6   b  are connected onto the T reinforcements  1   a  and  1   b.  The upper posts  3   a  and  3   b  are connected onto legs  60   a  (of  1   a  and  1   b  respectively), and the lower posts  5   a  and  5   b  are connected onto legs  60   c  (of  1   a  and  1   b  respectively), forming the posts  9   a  and  9   b.  The cross bar section  6   a  is connected onto leg  60   b  of T reinforcements  1   a  and the cross bar leg  70   a  of the cross bar reinforcement  2 , and the cross bar section  6   b  is connected onto leg  60   b  of T reinforcements la cross bar leg  70   b  of the cross bar reinforcement  2  forming the cross bar  8 . 
         [0050]    This assembly requires no tools. For each goal post, in a pair of goal posts, there are only three components ( 1   a,    1   b,  and  2 ) needed to connect the pipes. The parts are easy to carry, hard to lose, hard to break. The pieces are intuitive and easy to assemble and disassemble. 
         [0051]    In an embodiment where the pipes ( 3   a,    3   b,    5   a,    5   b,    6   a,  and  6   b ) are cut to the same length, the length of the respective bodies ( 69  and  79 ) are made so that the regardless of which pipe is used, the resulting goal post  11  will be regulation size and shape. 
         [0052]    Once assembled, the goal post  11  is held up, for example, by placing the lower posts  5   a  and  5   b  over standard steel fence posts  7   a  and  7   b  that are driven into the ground. 
         [0053]    In one embodiment the tops of the upper posts  3   a  and  3   b  are left open. 
         [0054]    In yet other embodiments the tops of the upper posts  3   a  and  3   b  are closed with caps  4   a  and  4   b  ( FIG. 8A ) or with caps with wind streamer attachments  80  ( FIG. 8B ), respectively. 
         [0055]    The assembled goal post  11  is lightweight, has a smooth outer consistent diameter, and performs well despite the substantially lower cost of PVC pipe. The goal post  11  can be assembled and disassembled without tools or loose parts. The assembly and disassembly is intuitive and is simpler and faster. The disassembled goal post  11  can fit in most passenger vehicles including station wagons and sedans with fold out seats. 
       Embodiments of Single Piece Reinforcements 
       [0056]    Details of one embodiment of molded pieces are shown in  FIG. 6 , namely the T reinforcement  1 , and in  FIG. 7A , namely the cross bar reinforcement  2 . The body of each T body  69  and cross bar reinforcement body  79  preferably has the same outer diameter as the PVC pipes including the upper posts  3   a  and  3   b,  lower posts  5   a  and  5   b  and cross bar sections  6   a  and  6   b.  The reinforcement legs  60 ( a - c ) and cross bar legs  70 ( a - b ) have an outer diameter that fits tightly the inner diameter of the PVC pipes ( 3   a,    3   b,    5   a,    5   b,    6   a,  &amp;  6   b ). The T body  69  and the cross bar reinforcement body  79  leg shoulders  63 ( a - e ) that match the end of each PVC pipe ( 3   a,    3   b,    5   a,    5   b,    6   a,  &amp;  6   b ) when fully inserted (forming a hidden seam) providing the consistent outer diameter for the goal post  11 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 6  illustrates one embodiment of the T reinforcement  1 , comprising a T body  69  and three legs ( 60   a,    60   b,  and  60   c ). Where the respective legs connect to the T body  69 , the T reinforcement  1  comprises a leg shoulder ( 63   a,    63   b,  and  63   c,  respectively). 
         [0058]      FIG. 7A  illustrates one embodiment of the cross bar reinforcement  2 , comprising a cross bar body  79  and two cross bar legs ( 70   a,  and  70   b ). Where the respective legs connect to the cross bar body  79 , the cross bar reinforcement  2  comprises a leg shoulder ( 63   d  and  63   e,  respectively). 
         [0059]    Good results have been obtained where each of the legs are greater than two feet in length. The legs reinforce the respective pipes providing greater structural strength and help maintain the desired goal post shape enabling the use of low cost, lightweight, relatively flexible materials for the pipes, such as for example two inch PVC pipe. 
         [0060]    As discussed above, optionally, when the T body  69  and cross bar body  79  have sufficient predetermined length the pipes ( 3   a,    3   b,    5   a,    5   b,    6   a,  &amp;  6   b ) can have identical lengths simplifying assembly and transport. 
         [0061]      FIG. 7A through 7E  show various embodiments where the legs are formed in alternate ways. Each shows an embodiment of a leg connected at the leg shoulder  63  as shown  FIG. 6  (to the T body  69 ) or  FIG. 7A  (to the cross bar body  79 ). These leg embodiments are exemplary and not intended to be restrictive of the invention. These embodiments are lightweight and strong. 
         [0062]      FIG. 7A  illustrates leg reinforcement  66 ( a - e ) consisting of a cylinder with cross hair with horizontal and vertical reinforcements. This embodiment provides the best reinforcement for the respective pipes, but has more material and cost. 
         [0063]      FIG. 7B  illustrates a first alternate leg  71  consisting of a vertical bar with thin disks set at intervals. This embodiment helps maintain the round shape of the pipes with less material than the embodiment in  7 A. This embodiment provides good linear support in one dimension, as is primarily needed with the cross bar  8 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 7C  illustrates a second alternate leg  72  consisting of intersecting bars with thin disks set at intervals. This embodiment helps maintain the round shape of the pipes with less material than the embodiment in  7 A. This embodiment provides good linear support in two dimensions. 
         [0065]      FIG. 7D  illustrates a third alternate leg  73  consisting of a vertical bar with circle cutouts  75  hole. This embodiment reduces the material and cost over the other embodiments shown. 
         [0066]      FIG. 7E  illustrates a fourth alternate leg  74  comprising vertical and horizontal pieces having a cross hair cross-section. 
         [0067]      FIGS. 7A and 7E  are examples of embodiments that could be home made. The bodies could be made by cutting PVC pipe and sheets of PVC plastic to form the shapes shown and then melding them into a single piece using PVC cement. The PVC pipe and PVC cement are available at local hardware stores. PVC plastic sheets can be obtained cut to size, from plastic stores or the Internet, e.g. Tap Plastics, www.tapplastics.com. 
       Caps 
       [0068]      FIG. 8A  shows an embodiment of the cap  4  with the cap shoulder  84  for the present invention.  FIG. 8B  shows the embodiment of a cap with wind streamer attachment  80  for the present invention. As with the embodiment of cap  4 , the cap with wind streamer attachment  80  also has a cap shoulder  84  making both interchangeable. In addition, a provision for a wind streamer  81  is made and is held by a wind streamer attachment  82 . The wind streamer attachment  82  is made via a hole in the cap  80  or via a hole in an eye loop molded into the cap  80 . 
       Minimal Shipping 
       [0069]    The invention may be manufactured as a product comprising molded T reinforcements  1  and a cross bar reinforcement  2 . Only the single piece reinforcements ( 1 ,  2 ) need to be manufactured and shipped. The caps ( 4  or  80 ) could also be included. The user can then obtain the standard PVC pipe (cut to size) and fence posts at a local hardware store. This reduces manufacturing, warehousing and shipping costs, but provides an easy to use, durable, reusable, portable solution. 
       Advantages 
     Lightweight 
       [0070]    These improved goal posts are lightweight. 
       Low Cost 
       [0071]    These improved goal posts are low cost. They can be made of PVC pipe and or other types of rods, pipes, and tubing that are plastic, metal etc. and which are inexpensive and readily available. 
       Simple to Make and Manufacture 
       [0072]    These improved goal posts are easy to make or to manufacture, having a simpler set of parts and configuration. 
       Collapsible 
       [0073]    These improved goal posts are collapsible for easier handing. 
       Easy to Store 
       [0074]    These improved goals post are easy to store. 
       Easy to Transport 
       [0075]    These improved goal posts are easy to transport. They can fit inside most vans and SUVs, which are commonly available to small sport clubs and families. 
       Easy to Ship 
       [0076]    The molded parts can be shipped easily, compared to having to ship the entire goal posts of convention goal posts. 
       Easy to Use 
       [0077]    These improved goal posts are ideal for people, groups of people, and organizations, such as athletic clubs, schools and churches, who prefer a low maintenance and low cost goal post. Kits can be assembled by the purchaser. Assembly does not require special tools such as wrenches, pliers, and screwdrivers. These improved goal posts made of parts with consistent sizes, which minimize manufacturing and make assembly and disassembly easier. 
       Professional Appearance 
       [0078]    These goal posts have a professional and aesthetic appearance with hidden seams between the components. 
       Durable 
       [0079]    The preferred embodiments of these goal posts are durable and are less likely to be broken. 
       Conclusion, Ramification, and Scope 
       [0080]    Accordingly, the reader will see that the improved lightweight, portable, low cost goal posts are easy to use and transport. 
         [0081]    While the above descriptions contain several specifics these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as examples of some of the preferred embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, the legs of the single piece reinforcements can be manufactured in different ways to reduce material and simplify manufacturing. The variations could be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the novel features of the present invention. 
         [0082]    Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the illustrated embodiments, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.