Patent Publication Number: US-8968123-B2

Title: Soccer goal securing apparatus and method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional patent application No. 61/182,474, filed May 29, 2009 and entitled: “SOCCER GOAL SECURING APPARATUS AND METHOD”, the contents of which are also hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The invention generally relates to the field of sporting goal structures, and more particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus for improving the safety of a movable soccer goal used on a field by securing the movable soccer goal to the ground and or a fixed object. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Playing fields, such as American-style football fields, are often used to play soccer. For example, a high school may have a football field that is surrounded by stands and other spectator facilities, but the school may not have such facilities for soccer. Building a separate soccer field having its own spectator facilities might not be considered an efficient use of a school&#39;s limited real estate and financial resources. Therefore, the high school may instead choose to use the football field or other field for soccer games and/or other purposes. To temporarily transition a field into a soccer field, movable soccer goals may be placed at each end of the field. Such movable soccer goals, however, are often prone to tip over, sometimes causing injury to players or others. This may be especially true when young children are playing on the field, as young children may be more pone to climb on, jump on, bump, or otherwise attempt to disturb the soccer goal. 
     Accordingly, there is a long-felt but unmet need to provide a system that enables facility personnel to quickly and easily anchor a movable goal on a field. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the invention address the need for an effective device to increase the safety and sturdiness of soccer goals or other types of objects without causing damage to playing fields or other surfaces. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention can be used on any type of playing surface, either natural turf or an artificial playing surface, which can be indoors or outdoors, since at least some embodiments of the present invention are not limited to a particular playing surface to function properly. 
     More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus that can secure a movable goal (e.g., a soccer goal) to a playing field or surface. For example, embodiments of the present invention provide a secure means of attaching the lower ground bar of a soccer goal to a housing secured into the ground and/or a football goal goalpost. 
     For example, embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for securing a movable goal, where the apparatus comprises a securing device and a housing fixed to a playing surface. The securing device is capable of simultaneously and removably engaging an essentially horizontal member of the movable goal and the fixed housing. In one embodiment, the securing device is attached to the housing and a fixed vertical member, such as a vertical post of a football goal. 
     In one embodiment, the securing device includes a hook-shaped member for engaging the essentially horizontal member of the movable goal. In such an embodiment, the securing device may further include a pulling mechanism configured to pull the hook-shaped member to secure the essentially horizontal member between the hook-shaped member and the playing surface. 
     In one embodiment, the apparatus is configured such that no tools, other than those fixed to the apparatus, are required to engage or disengage the essentially horizontal member of the movable goal and the securing device extending from the playing surface. In some embodiments, the apparatus is structured to secure the goal by clamping the essentially horizontal member of the movable soccer goal between a portion of the securing device and the playing surface or a vertical post of the football goal. 
     Embodiments of the invention further provide an apparatus for securing a movable goal to a surface. The apparatus includes at least one securing member capable of engaging a structural member of the object and at least one mechanism is configured to substantially fix the securing member at a location of the surface to releasably secure the structural member of the object to the particular location 
     Embodiments of the invention further provide an apparatus structured to secure a movable goal to a surface, where the goal has a horizontal bar. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing, a goal holding portion, and a user-actuable mechanism for coupling the goal holding portion to the horizontal bar. The goal holding portion is coupled to the housing and extends to the horizontal bar to releasably engage the horizontal bar of the movable goal. The user-actuable mechanism is structured such that actuation of the mechanism pulls the goal holding portion toward the surface. 
     Embodiments of the present invention also provide a method comprising: (1) positioning a movable goal such that a structural member of the goal is located proximate to a housing secured in the ground; (2) positioning a goal securing apparatus proximate to the housing, the goal securing apparatus comprising a hook-shaped member; (3) attaching the hook-shaped member to the structural member of the goal; and (4) actuating a user-actuable mechanism of the goal securing apparatus to releasably secure the structural member to a particular location. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Having thus described embodiments of the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily draw to scale, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a soccer goal anchored using a soccer goal securing apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a soccer goal securing apparatus of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of the soccer goal securing apparatus of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  (collectively  FIG. 4 ) illustrates a perspective side view of a wide hook device and a narrow hook device of the goal securing apparatus of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a soccer goal anchored to a football goal using a soccer goal securing apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a top view of the soccer goal securing apparatus of  FIG. 5 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a soccer goal securing apparatus of  FIG. 6  taken along line  7 - 7 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a method of anchoring a movable soccer goal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a soccer goal  1  anchored to a playing field  10  using a soccer goal securing apparatus  20 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. More particularly, in the illustrated embodiment, the soccer goal securing apparatus  20  is configured to be anchored to a portion of the playing surface/ground  12  of the field  10 . The soccer goal securing apparatus  20  is further configured to securely hold the horizontal ground bar  3  of the soccer goal  1  at the same time that the soccer goal securing apparatus  20  is secured to the ground  12 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the soccer goal securing apparatus  20  is positioned at the ground  12  or other playing surface. In this way, the soccer goal securing apparatus  20  anchors the soccer goal&#39;s ground bar  3  to the field  10  at ground level, while remaining easily accessible to facility personnel who are charged with moving the soccer goal  1  on and off of the field  10 . It should be noted that, although the embodiments of the present invention generally describe securing the ground bar  3  of the soccer goal  1  to the ground, in other embodiments, a similar apparatus and similar techniques may be applied to securing any soccer-like goal to any other object. For example, in one embodiment, a moveable goal (e.g., soccer goal, lacrosse goal, etc.) or other object may be secured to the vertical post of a football goalpost, as is described later with regards to  FIGS. 5-6 . In another exemplary embodiment, an indoor soccer goal or floor hockey goal may be secured to a gym floor, to the vertical post of a basketball hoop or to another surface or object. 
     It should be understood embodiments of the present invention may be employed to secure any type of goal, such as a soccer goal, lacrosse goal, hockey goal, basketball goal, and the like. Furthermore, objects other than goals, such as chairs, signage, or any other object(s), may be secured using various embodiments of the present invention. It should be further understood that the goal or other object may be secured to any surface, such as a football field, soccer field, other field, other outdoor surfaces, indoor surfaces (e.g., basketball court, indoor turf, floor, etc.) or any other surface. 
       FIGS. 2-3  illustrate a cross-sectional side view and a top perspective view, respectively, of a soccer goal securing apparatus  20  positioned in the ground  12  and securing the ground bar  3  of a soccer goal  1  to the ground  12  of a field  10 , in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As such, the soccer goal securing apparatus  20  generally comprises a hook  22  ( FIG. 4A ) for releasably holding the ground bar  3  of a soccer goal  1  and one or more ratcheting systems  24  for engaging the hook  22 . The ratchets  24  allow for engaging/disengaging the hook  22  with the ground bar  3 , as will be discussed in more detail later. In one exemplary embodiment, the soccer goal securing apparatus  20  is configured such that a user can engage and/or disengage the soccer goal&#39;s ground bar  3  and hook  22  without the use of any tools not already coupled to some portion of the soccer goal securing apparatus  20 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 2-3 , the soccer goal securing apparatus  20  comprises a housing  26  that is configured to be positioned in the ground  12 . The housing  26  includes sidewalls  29  and a lid  32  to cover an opening  34  in the box member  26 . The housing  26  also includes one or more openings to support one or more hooks  22 . The housing  26  may further include a lip portion  25  that extends outward from a sidewall  29  of the housing  26 . In one embodiment, the lip portion  25  is a portion of the housing  26  that extends a predetermined distance away from the hook  22  such that the lip portion  25  will be disposed underneath the ground bar  3  of the goal  1 . The lip portion  25  and the sidewalls  29  are composed of a substantially rigid material and have a substantial surface area. 
     The housing  26  is secured to the ground  12  so that the lid  32  may be slightly below the ground surface, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In one embodiment, the housing  26  is secured to the ground  12  so that the lid  32  is substantially flush with the ground surface  10 . In order to install the housing  26  in the ground  12 , concrete  27  may be poured into a hole in the ground  12  and one or more fasteners  28  may be embedded in the concrete to provide a foundation  36  for the housing  26  to be secured to. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a concrete foundation  36  is laid in the ground  12  and fasteners  28  are embedded therein with the threaded portions  37  pointed upwards so that the housing  26  may be secured to the fasteners  28  with one or more nuts  30 . One or more L-brackets may be attached to the sidewalls  29  and the fasteners  28  to provide further stability. 
     In order to secure the ground bar  3  with respect to the housing  26 , the soccer goal securing apparatus  20  further includes a mechanism to draw the ground bar  3  toward the lip portion  25  so that the ground bar  3  is secured between the lip portion  25  of the housing  26 . The securing mechanism may be any device which can draw the ground bar  3  toward the playing surface  10 . In the illustrative embodiments, the securing mechanism may be one or more ratchets  24  secured within the interior  40  of the housing  26 . 
     Each ratchet  24  may include a series of internal gears (not shown) to tighten a variable-length strap  31  extending from the ratchet  24 . A lever  41  on the ratchet  24  allows for tightening of the strap  31  and a release valve  42  or other device is operable to loosen the tension on the strap  31 . The ratchet  24  may be mounted to sidewalls  29  and/or the foundation  36  of the housing  26  via one or more fasteners  43  or any other device. It should be understood that any other device capable of tightening and loosening tension on the strap  31  may be employed and the present invention should not be limited to the ratchet  24  described herein. The strap  31  may be any device to connect two objects, such as a cable, a rope, a belt, and the like. 
     The ratchet  24  attaches to the hook  22  by attaching the strap  31  to the hook  22 . The hook  22  has a top portion  45  and a base portion  46 . The top portion of the hook  22  is configured to receive and secure the soccer goal&#39;s ground bar  3 . The base portion of the hook  22  is configured to be located within the interior  40  of the housing  26  and has a shackle portion  44  to removably attach a portion of the strap  31  thereto. The hook  22  extends through an opening in the sidewall  29  of the housing  26  to the exterior  46  of the housing  29  so that the top portion  45  of the hook  22  extends above ground level  10 . In one embodiment, the hook  22  may be altogether removable from the housing  26  or retractable into the interior  40  of the housing  22 . To that extent, when the securing apparatus  20  is not in use, the securing apparatus  20  does not pose any harm to other and may be hidden within the ground  12 . 
     The hook  22  may be any device to substantially immobilize the soccer goal&#39;s ground bar  3 . The hook  22  may have any shape or size and/or one or more fasteners or other devices to facilitate immobilization of the soccer goal&#39;s ground bar  3  or securing the soccer goal&#39;s ground bar  3  to the housing  26 . The hook  22  is guided via two U-shaped guides which allow vertical movement of the hooks  22  at the same time of not allowing horizontal movement of the hooks  22 . 
     A rotatable pulley  47  may be disposed between the ratchet  24  and the hook  22  to assist with guiding and tightening of the strap  31 . The pulley  47  may be rotateable to facilitate movement of the strap  47 . The pulley  47  allows for the strap  31  that extends horizontally from the ratchet  24  to be vertically disposed to the hook  22 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , any horizontal forces to or from the ratchet  24  will translate to equivalent vertical forces on the hook  22 . This allows for the ratchet  24  to be installed horizontally within the interior  40  of the housing  26  for ease of access. 
     The soccer goal securing apparatus  20  may be accessible through the lid  32  of the housing  26 . The lid  32  may be removable so that the ratchet  24 , ratchet strap  31 , the hook  22 , and/or other parts of the securing apparatus  20  are accessible to an operator of the securing apparatus  20 . It should be noted that  FIG. 2  illustrates the goal securing apparatus  20  with the lid  32  installed and  FIG. 3  illustrates the goal apparatus  20  without the lid  32  and a view into the interior  40  of the housing  26 . 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  (collectively  FIG. 4 ) illustrates a perspective side view of the hook device  22 .  22 ′ of the goal securing apparatus  20  of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 4A  illustrates a wide hook as implemented in  FIG. 1  while  FIG. 4B  illustrates a narrow hook  22 ′ which is illustrated as implemented in  FIG. 5 . In one embodiment, the narrow hook  22 ′ may be employed in situations where multiple ratchets  24  are employed, as is further discussed later with regard to  FIGS. 5-7 . 
     In the illustrative embodiments of  FIG. 4 , at least one hook or hook-shaped member  22 ,  22 ′ extends from the housing  26 . The hook  22  can be used to engage the ground bar  3  by positioning the hook  22  around the ground bar  3 . In one embodiment, the hook  22  forms a generally “C”-shaped member  21  having an interior  23  where the ground bar  3  can be secured thereto. It should be understood that the hook  22  may be other devices other than a “C”-shaped member, such as a fastener system (e.g., nut and bolt) to secure to a portion of the ground bar  3 , a magnet, or any other device which will attach to or be integral with the ground bar  3 . The hook  22  may extend from the housing  26  and/or a device within the interior  40  of the housing  26 . For example, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2-3 , the hook  22  may extend from the ratchet  24 , which is integrally formed with, welded to, or otherwise coupled to the interior of the housing  26 . The hook  22  may be perpendicular to the playing surface  10  and a portion of the hook  22  may be secured to the housing  26 . In this way, the hook  22  can simultaneously grasp the soccer goal&#39;s ground bar  3 , while being fixed to the housing  26 . In one embodiment, the ground bar  3  is generally cylindrical. In such an embodiment, the hook  22  may be configured to have an inside diameter that is only just slightly greater than the diameter of the ground bar  3 . 
     As described above, in the illustrated embodiment, the hook  22  curves downwards toward the ground  12 . Such a configuration may be preferable since it allows the ground bar  3  to be held close to the lip portion  25  of the housing  26 , as is generally desirable, while the remainder of the soccer goal securing apparatus  20  remains slightly above the ground  12  where it can be more easily adjusted and manipulated by a user without significant interference from the ground  12 . Furthermore, configuring the hook  22  to curve downwards makes it possible for a user to place the hook  22  over the ground bar  3  as opposed to requiring the user to lift the ground bar  3  over the hooks  22 , which would be more difficult for a single person to accomplish. However, despite these potential advantages, in other embodiments of the present invention, the hook  22  may curve upwards towards the sky or may be of other configurations, as previously discussed. 
     By positioning the hook  22  around the ground bar  3 , the open end of the hook  22  attaches to the ground bar  3 . As previously mentioned, in order to secure the ground bar  3  within the hook  22  and in order to secure the soccer goal securing apparatus  20  with respect to the housing  26 , the ratchet  24  or other securing mechanism functions to draw the hook-shaped member  22  toward the lip portion  25  so that the ground bar  3  is secured between the hooks  22  and the housing  26 . 
     In some embodiments, the soccer goal securing apparatus  20  is made primarily of metal. However, in other embodiments, the soccer goal securing apparatus  20  may be made of any suitable polymeric or metallic material or any combination of these or other materials. In some other embodiments, portions of the soccer goal securing apparatus  20  may made of, lined with, or coated with relatively soft, flexible, and/or resilient material to protect the post  12  and/or the ground bar  3  from damage. For example, in one embodiment, the hook-shaped member  22  are coated with a rubber-like material or lined on the inside of the curvature with a foam or rubber-like material. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a soccer goal  1  anchored to a football goal  51  using a soccer goal securing apparatus  50  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. More particularly, in the illustrated embodiment, the soccer goal securing apparatus  50  is configured to engage a lower portion of the vertical post  52  or gooseneck that supports the football crossbar and uprights  55 . The soccer goal securing apparatus  50  is further configured to securely hold the horizontal ground bar  3  of the soccer goal  1  at the same time that the soccer goal securing apparatus  20  is engaged with the lower portion  56  of the vertical post  52  of the football goal  10 . 
       FIGS. 6-7  illustrate a top perspective view and a side cross-sectional view, respectively, of the soccer goal securing apparatus  50  positioned around a vertical member  52  of a football goal  55  and securing the ground bar  3  of a soccer goal  1  to the football goal  55 , in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 7  illustrates a cross-sectional view  FIG. 6  taken along line  7 - 7 . In  FIGS. 6-7 , the soccer goal securing apparatus  50  is similar to the soccer goal securing apparatus  20  previously described. For example, the soccer goal securing apparatus  50  generally releasably holds the ground bar  3  of a soccer goal  1  and comprises a housing  26  and one or more ratchets  24  for releasably engaging the ground bar  3 . Each ratchet  24  generally includes one or more releasing mechanisms  42  to allow a hook  22 ′ to release the soccer goal&#39;s ground bar  3 . In one exemplary embodiment, the soccer goal securing apparatus  50  is configured such that a user can engage and/or disengage the soccer goal&#39;s ground bar  3  without the use of any tools not already coupled to some portion of the soccer goal securing apparatus  50 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 6-7 , the housing  54  that is configured to be positioned around and secured to a vertical post  52  of a football goal  55 . Secured to the housing  54  is one or more ratchets  24 . In the illustrative embodiment, two ratchets  24  are employed on either side of the vertical post  52 . Each ratchet  24  may be similar in function and design as the ratchet  24  previously described with regards to  FIGS. 2-3 . Nonetheless, each ratchet  24  may be secured to a sidewall  29  of the housing  54  via an L-bracket  58  or other type of fastener. 
     In one embodiment, the L-bracket  58  may include adjustable portions  62 , such as elongated channels defined by the body  61  of the L-bracket  58 , to allow the position and/or location of the ratchet  24  to be adjustable and moveable within the housing  26 . For example, the L-bracket adjustable portions  62  allow each ratchet  24  and associated hook  22 ′ to move forward and backward upon setting the football goal  55  to compensate for any installation alignment. To that extent, the ground bar  3  of the goal  1  can be pulled snug against the football goal  55  no matter where the vertical post  52  of the football goal  55  is located in the interior  40  of the housing  26 . 
     Each ratchet  24  may be connected to a single unitary hook  22 ′ or each ratchet  24  may be connected to separate individual hooks  22 ′ so that a plurality of hooks  22 ′ are secured to the ground bar  3 . Thus, each ratchet  24  may be independently operated and attached to separate pulleys  47 , straps  31  and hooks  22 ′, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
     In one embodiment, narrow hooks  22 ′ (illustrated in  FIG. 4B ) are employed in securing the ground bar  3  of the goal  1 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the ratchets  24  are employed on either side of the vertical post  52  and each ratchet  24  employs a separate narrow hook  22 ′. As previously mentioned, the housing  26  may include a lip portion  25 ′ which extends from and away the hook  22 ′. Each ratchet  24  draws each respective hook  22 ′ toward the lip portion  25 ′ of the housing  26  so that the ground bar  3  of the goal  1  is secured between the hooks  22 ′ and the lip portion  25 ′. The lip portion  25 ′ illustrated in  FIGS. 6-7  indicates a portion of the lid  32  as part of the lip portion  25 ′ such that the hooks  22 ′ draw the ground bar  3  between the hooks  22 ′ and the lid  32 . The hooks  22 ′ are allowed to be disposed through a portion  60  of the housing  26  between portions of the lid  32  as illustrated best in  FIG. 7 . 
     Embodiments of the present invention further provide a method of anchoring a movable goal. Such method will now be described.  FIG. 8  illustrates a method  80  of anchoring a movable soccer goal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the method  80  may involve positioning a movable soccer goal such that a structural member of the soccer goal, such as the ground bar, is located proximate to a housing and/or a structural member (e.g., a vertical post) secured in the ground. As illustrated by block  81 , one or more hooks of the soccer goal securing apparatus is positioned around the horizontal ground bar or other structural member of the soccer goal. As illustrated by block  82 , the hook is secured to one or more ratchets, such as by attaching each respective ratchet strap to the shackle that extends from the base portion of each respective hook. In block  83 , one or more ratchets of the soccer goal securing apparatus are tightened to draw the hook(s) into a locked position until the soccer goal&#39;s ground bar is secured against the playing surface and/or the housing. The ratchet is then locked into a locked position. If the user wants to release the ground bar in decision block  84 , the method  80  continues to block  85  where the release device of the ratchet is activated while the ratchet is in the locked position. This releases the tension of hook on the ground bar and the hook may be detached from the ground bar, as illustrated in block  86 . 
     Specific embodiments of the invention are described herein. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments and combinations of embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.