Patent Abstract:
An articulated athletic goal can be raised to a high position and/or a low position relative to the game position, for safety and security. The crossbar and uprights are supported on the end of a boom pivoted on a vertical column and powered by a hydraulic actuator, which may be operated remotely. Through either a parallel linkage or a separate hydraulic actuator, the uprights are held in a substantially vertical orientation throughout the pivoting motion. In a preferred embodiment, the boom is mounted on a single pivot and articulation enables the boom to be oriented substantially vertically downward. The boom is provided with a second, smaller, actuator, for releasing the crossbar/upright assembly when it is near the field, completely separating the crossbar/upright assembly from the boom. The sacrificial crossbar/upright assembly may then be removed by spectators without the dangerous and destructive mob action previously associated with after-game celebrations. A replacement crossbar/upright assembly is easily attached and readied for the next use.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This is a continuation-in-part of my application Ser. No. 10/779,833 filed Feb. 17, 2004 titled “Articulated Football Goal Post,” which in turn claims the full benefit of my Provisional Application 60/449,480 filed Feb. 21, 2003, titled “Hydraulically Actuated Football Goal Post.” 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The invention relates to football goals, particularly to a goal that can be adjusted in height and otherwise manipulated for improved safety and security, and readily placed in condition for use according to standard rules. In one embodiment, the crossbar and uprights can be lowered to the field for quick release or disassembly.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Rabid and out-of-control spectators and/or students at many football and other sporting events have frequently surged onto the field to destroy or topple the goal posts, presenting serious threats to human life, physical injuries, damage to and destruction of property, theft, and great expense in repairing and replacing the goal posts. Many presently existing goal posts are not easily removed or damaged, but some spectators have proven determined and innovative in carrying out their objective of destruction, sometimes bringing ropes, ladders and other equipment to aid in their endeavors.  
         [0004]     A football goal is essentially a horizontal pipe or rod important only for extra points and field goals, not necessary for a touchdown. The horizontal rod or crosspiece must, by rule, be in a certain location and has flanking uprights so the officials can readily see whether a kick passes over it. But the support for the structure can be dangerous to the players as it normally is located near the action of the game.  
         [0005]     There is a need for a goal and/or goal post that can safely manipulate the crosspiece to avoid damage by spectators and others, as well as to avoid injury to persons present when a mob is intent on damaging the goal. There is a need also for a goal that can be easily moved from the field for storage, as in the case of a multi-use stadium. And, there is a need for a goal structure that reduces the possibility of players colliding with it and sustaining injuries.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     My invention provides a cross member for an athletic goal which can be hydraulically elevated to a position well beyond the reach of most vandals and others intent on destruction. The goal can be readily lowered as well, permitting the easy installation and maintenance of television cameras and the like. Manipulation of the goal is accomplished from a remote control panel. The crossbar is supported preferably on a heavy steel upright that can optionally be placed farther back from the field than is commonly the case. The entire assembly can be removed from the field for storage.  
         [0007]     In one embodiment, the structure comprises a vertical column, a main boom, a nose boom, and a goal element including a crossbar and uprights on the ends of the crossbar. The structure is articulated at both ends of the main boom. During raising and lowering, the nose boom is caused to remain horizontal, so that the uprights on the ends of the crossbar remain vertical. In aspect of my invention, the vertical column is bolted or otherwise fixed to a concrete base during use. The bolts may be removed, the wiring disconnected, and the vertical column stored in a safe place, while the concrete substructure is covered with a portable supported playing surface.  
         [0008]     In another embodiment, there need be only one pivot. From a remote location, a hydraulic powered arm is adapted to lower the crossbar to a point near the field; the crossbar and uprights may then, on a remote signal, be detached from the boom, and the boom can be raised again to its normal height. In one variation of the present invention, then, an object of the invention is to reduce the likelihood of spectator injury by providing a sacrificial crossbar assembly. As will be seen, the boom can be quickly lowered to the field and readily released from the boom, and the boom can then be readily lifted out of reach of a crowd. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1   a  is a side elevational view and  FIG. 1   b  is a perspective view of one embodiment of my new goal post, in standard position ready for play.  
         [0010]      FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  show the goal in the elevated position.  
         [0011]      FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  show the goal in the lowered position.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a detailed view of the nose boom assembly.  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  details a hydraulic jack connection to the main boom.  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a schematic of the electrical and hydraulic systems.  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  shows an alternate construction in which the main hydraulic cylinder is in the rear of the vertical column.  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is a further alternate construction, showing a single hydraulic cylinder for operating the main boom, the main boom being held in place by a latch.  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  shows some detail of the hydraulic cylinder and latch assembly.  
         [0018]     In  FIG. 10 , the variation of  FIG. 8  is shown wherein the latch has been released.  
         [0019]     In  FIG. 11 , the boom is lowered to permit removal of the crossbar.  
         [0020]      FIG. 12  is a side elevational view of the sacrificial crossbar hold and release mechanism.  
         [0021]      FIG. 13   a  shows the goal in the lowered position. In  FIG. 13   b , the crossbar assembly has been released and lies on the field.  
         [0022]      FIG. 14  shows the crossbar neck in a position for inserting into the end of the boom. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0023]     Referring first to  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b , the vertical column  1  rests on base plate  2 , which is bolted to a concrete substructure not shown (see item  30  in  FIG. 7 ). Vertical column  1  may be fabricated from 4 pieces of ⅜″ mild steel forming the main vertical box structure welded to the base plate  2 . Base plate  2  may have, for example, 8¾ inch holes designed for installation of bolts to provide a mechanical, removable connection between the vertical column  1  and the substructure, permitting complete removal of the apparatus from the field. Main boom  7  (sometimes called an arm herein), which may be made of a lighter metal such as aluminum, is connected to the vertical column  1  at pivot  9 . Nose boom  14  is connected to main boom  7  through a pivot  13 . Beneath nose boom  14  is upper control arm bracket  18 . Upper control arm bracket  18  is fixed to nose boom  14  and connected through pivot  12  to control arm  8 .  
         [0024]     Control arm  8  is adjustable in length by a threaded insert  11 . Adjustment of the length of control arm  8  enables adjustment or correction of the vertical orientation of uprights  17  on the ends of crossbar  16 . Crossbar  16  is fixed to nose boom  14  through removable pin  15 , permitting disassembly of the crossbar from the rest of the structure. Control arm  8  is connected to the vertical column  1  at pivot  10 . Hydraulic jack  6  is pivoted and fixed to the vertical column  1  at lower mount  5  and pivoted and fixed to main boom  7  at upper mount  19 . Vertical column  1  includes an access door  4  for the hydraulic pump, pump motor and other devices for operating the structure, which will be described in more detail with respect to  FIG. 6 . Access door  4  has a lockable latch  3 .  
         [0025]     Crossbar  16  may have nipples or vertical extensions, not shown, for insertion into uprights  17  so they may be easily attached or removed. The uprights  17  may be attached to crossbar  16  in any known acceptable manner. Both the crossbar  16  and uprights  17  may be made preferably of a light metal, but any substantially rigid material will suffice. Whether or not the uprights  17  are tubular, they may be adapted for insertion or attachment, at their upper ends, for wind direction indicators or other devices.  
         [0026]     In  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , the goal is in the elevated position. In this depiction of the invention, main boom  7  is at an angle about 60 degrees from the horizontal. A particular feature of the invention is that the nose boom  15  is maintained horizontal, so that uprights  17  are maintained in a vertical orientation. It will be observed that control arm  8  is maintained at a constant length and accordingly pivot  12  moves in a substantially circular arc as main boom  7  is elevated, while control arm  8  is also held substantially parallel to main boom  7 , resulting in nose boom  14  being held substantially horizontal throughout the elevation of main boom  7  from its generally horizontal orientation of  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b . A major purpose of elevating the crossbar is to move it far out of the reach of a persons intent on damaging it. Accordingly, the apparatus should be capable of moving the crossbar to a height of at least fifteen feet; I prefer seventeen feet or more.  
         [0027]     Referring now to  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , the apparatus is seen to be in the lowered position, main boom  7  having been lowered from the horizontal about 30 degrees. It should be observed that the hydraulic jack  6  is approximately parallel to vertical column  1 , whereas it is angled slightly away from vertical column  1  in  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b . When the apparatus is in the elevated position as shown in  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , hydraulic jack  6  is still slightly angled from vertical column  1 , but not as much as when the apparatus is in the playing mode as in  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b . In  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , the uprights remain vertical and nose boom  14  is horizontal, no adjustment being necessary in the length of control arm  8  because of the movement from fully elevated (as in  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b ) to completely lowered, as in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b.    
         [0028]     In  FIG. 4 , the nose boom  14  and associated parts are shown in detail. Pin  15  can be removed to separate the crossbar  16  from nose boom  14 . Pivot  13 , connecting main boom  7  and nose boom  14 , together with pivot  12 , connecting upper control arm bracket  18  and control arm  8 , assures that nose boom  14  will be held substantially horizontal throughout the manipulation of the apparatus. If there is a slight deviation from the horizontal (which is readily detectable because the uprights  17  will not be vertical), an adjustment in the effective length of control arm  8  can be made by turning threaded insert  11  in one direction or the other. When the length of control arm  8  is coordinated with the effective length of main boom  7  (the distance between pivots  13  and  9 ), it can automatically assure that the nose boom  14  will remain horizontal and the uprights  17  are vertical regardless of the angular position of the main boom  7 .  
         [0029]     Since neither the elevated position nor the lowered position of the apparatus is normally used in the game, it may not be considered essential that the nose beam  7  remain strictly horizontal in those positions nor that the uprights extend exactly vertical; accordingly perhaps the only position for which some users may adjust threaded insert  11  will be the playing position shown in  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b . But because of the positioning and close relationship of main boom  7  and control arm  8 , an adjustment of the nose boom  14  to make it horizontal in the playing position will more or less automatically adjust the elevated and lowered positions also so that the nose boom  14  will be horizontal and the uprights  17  vertical.  
         [0030]     The detail of  FIG. 5  shows the articulation of main boom  7  in closeup fashion. Hydraulic jack  6  is connected at pivot  20  on upper mount  19 , which is fixed to the main boom  7 . Control arm  8  is situated on pivot  10  in vertical column  1 . Also on vertical column  1  is pivot  9  for the main boom  7 . The main boom  7  is elevated in this view, and accordingly if it were to be lowered to either the play or lowered position, hydraulic jack  6  would be retracted, pivoting on pivot  20 , causing the main boom  7  to be pivoted downwardly on pivot  9  and also causing control arm  8  to be pivoted on pivot  10 . The effective distances between pivots  9  and  10 , and  12  and  13 , are approximately equal, as are the effective distances between pivots  9  and  13  and pivots  12  and  10 . This double pivoting relationship thus forms an approximate parallelogram with the four pivots as corners, which assures that the nose beam remains horizontal throughout any manipulation of the main boom  7 .  
         [0031]     The more or less diagrammatic  FIG. 6  shows some power lines  40 , electrical control connections  41 , and hydraulic fluid lines  42 . Hydraulic jack  6  is extended or retracted according to the direction of flow of hydraulic fluid, which in turn is determined by a remotely located hydraulic controller  31 , normally operated by a human being. The reversible hydraulic pump  25 , its associated electric pump motor  26 , and the hydraulic fluid reservoir  27  are all located within the vertical column  1 , designated here as  24 , usually also together with a power junction box  30 , receiving AC power from an external source  32 , a battery backup  28 , and a relay switch  29  for switching from AC to DC in an emergency, i.e. if the external power source is cut or otherwise becomes unavailable. A check valve  21  may be used to guard against sudden interruption of power, or pressure loss. The controller  31  is able to command the pump. Wires connecting controller  31  to the electric motor  26  and three-way solenoid valve  23  should pass underground to the field operator&#39;s location remote from the goal. Design and construction of the concrete substructure mentioned in connection with  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  should provide a utility channel leading to the desired remote location for power source  32  and controller  31 . Ideally, in this embodiment, the controller will have only three simple options—play, elevated, and lowered. The operator normally needs only to choose one of the three options and the control system will operate the hydraulic jack  6  accordingly. The controller may use a wireless system to communicate with the pump motor and/or other devices within vertical column  1 .  
         [0032]     Persons skilled in the art will recognize that any conventional hydraulic fluid may be used—that is, no special fluid is required, although of course it should have a low freezing point where freezing conditions may be expected. The system may be pneumatic—that is, the fluid may be air. As used herein, the terms “hydraulic” and “hydraulic fluid” means any fluid suitable for use in a positioning cylinder or other actuator such as hydraulic jack  6 . Alternatively, the motion of main boom  7  may be accomplished by mechanical means through gears or other leverage applied directly from an electric motor, such as an electric actuator. Any sutiable device for applying force to cause main boom  7  to pivot on pivot  20  may be satisfactory; such a device—that is, the means for moving the main boom and, sometimes separately, the nose boom or the release mechanism, may be referred to herein broadly as an actuator.  
         [0033]     It also may be observed that the nose boom is not essential if one is not concerned about the orientation of the uprights  17  as the apparatus is moved from the playing mode to the lowered or elevated mode. Also, it is not essential that the vertical column  1  be exactly vertical in orientation—it may “lean” either forward or backward, or may take the form of a pyramid or other support. My use of the term “vertical column” is intended to include any support that is capable of supporting the main boom  7  at a pivot  9 . For example, one might, for whatever reason, wish to support the pivot  9  on a structure having two legs and a horizontal member with a bracket for holding pivot  9 . Such a structure would be functionally and structurally equivalent to the vertical column illustrated herein and accordingly is intended to be included within the meaning of “vertical column.” For my purposes, the pivot  9  will normally be at a height of about the same height as a regulation crossbar, or somewhat lower as is evident in  FIG. 1   a ; this may be varied somewhat within the scope of my invention.  
         [0034]      FIG. 7  shows an alternate configuration in which the hydraulic jack  31  is on the side of vertical column  1  opposite that of  FIG. 1   a , and pivot  38  on main boom  7  is leveraged somewhat differently from that of  FIG. 1   a . Hydraulic jack  31  pivots on pivot  37  and pivot  38 ; main boom  7  pivots on pivots  38  and  39 , which is located on vertical column  1 . In this illustration, it will be seen that there is no control arm  8 , but there is a second hydraulic jack  32  connecting nose boom  35  with main boom  7 . In the variation of  FIG. 7 , if one desires to maintain nose boom  35  horizontal at all times, it is necessary to coordinate the action of hydraulic jack  32  with that of hydraulic jack  31 . If main boom  7  is elevated, hydraulic jack  32  will be retracted, and if main boom  7  is lowered, hydraulic jack  32  will be extended to assure that nose boom  35  remains horizontal. The controller in such a system will have somewhat more complexity than those of  FIGS. 1-5 , and a separate hydraulic line should be supplied to hydraulic jack  32 .  
         [0035]     The alternate construction of  FIGS. 8-14  includes a vertical column  50 , a hydraulic cylinder  51  pivoted at pivot  52 , which is fixed to vertical column  50  and also pivoted at pivot  53  fixed to boom  54 . Boom  54  is pivoted at pivot  55 , which is also fixed to vertical column  50 . Pivots  52 ,  53 , and  55  are placed so that actuation of hydraulic cylinder  51  will raise or lower boom  54  depending on whether stem  56  is extended or retracted. Crossbar  57  is shown in side view in  FIG. 8 ; the uprights normally attached to the crossbar are omitted from this view.  
         [0036]     As with the variation of  FIGS. 1-7 , the variations of  FIGS. 8-14  preferably are secured to a concrete substructure  30  such as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , having provision for electrical wiring for operating the actuators from a remote location. The goals should be operated independently at each end of the field. Vertical column  50  may contain power connections, pumps, switches and the like including remote control systems, similar to those described with respect to  FIG. 6  and elsewhere herein. Alternatively, some or all of the pumps, switches, remote control systems and the like may be located within the concrete substructure  30 .  
         [0037]     Fixed to the boom  54  is a hook latch  58  which is interlocked with a similar hook latch  59 . Hook latch  59  is a part of stabilizing panel  60 . Stabilizing panel  60  is pivoted at pivot  61 . When the hook latches  58  and  59  are joined or interlocked as shown, the boom  54  is held steady, maintaining the crossbar  57  at the correct height for regulation play. Present NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) rules, for example, require a height of ten feet.  
         [0038]     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , the portion of  FIG. 8  including hydraulic cylinder  51  is seen to be enlarged and the interlocked state of hook latches  58  and  59  may be observed. Spring loaded arm  62  will urge stabilizing panel  60  in an upward and rightward (as depicted) direction when cylinder  51  is actuated to elevate boom  54 , thus disengaging hook latches  58  and  59  as explained further with reference to  FIG. 10 .  
         [0039]     In  FIG. 10 , actuation of the hydraulic cylinder  51  to extend stem  56  has resulted in the elevation of boom  54 , pivoting on pivot  55 . The movement of boom  54  also causes latch  58  to disengage from hook latch  59 , and arm  62  has moved panel  60  to clear the two latches  58  and  59 ; boom  54  can then be lowered. The hydraulic cylinder  51  can then be retracted, causing boom  54  to pivot downward on pivot  55 . Actuation of hydraulic cylinder  51  thus performs two functions—it not only moves boom  54 , but also disengages latches  58  and  59 , permitting the boom to be turned downward.  
         [0040]     As seen in  FIG. 11 , boom  54  is now substantially vertical, and crossbar  57  is very near to the field  63 . The uprights, not depicted here, extend substantially parallel to the field. Also seen in  FIG. 11  is the position of crossbar retainer hook  64  within the boom  54  and near its end. This device is described further in  FIGS. 12 and 14 .  
         [0041]     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , crossbar retainer hook  64  is located more or less centrally within boom  54 . It is seen here to be pivoted at pivot  65 , fixed to boom  54 . Stem  66  extends from a small hydraulic cylinder  70  for attachment to crossbar retainer hook  64  at  71 . Hydraulic cylinder  70  is attached to boom  54  at pivot  67 . Hydraulic cylinder  70  is actuated remotely, preferably by a system which will prevent actuation of cylinder  70  at any time except when boom  54  is in the position of  FIG. 11 . Crossbar  57  is attached to crossbar neck  75 , part of which is inserted into boom  54  (seen in detail in  FIG. 14 ). Crossbar neck  75  is retained within boom  54  by hook  64  which is engaged with pin  68 . Actuation of hydraulic cylinder  70  will cause crossbar retainer hook  64  to move and disengage from pin  68 .  
         [0042]      FIG. 13   a  shows the position of the boom  54 , the crossbar  57 , and uprights  69  prior to the release of the crossbar  57  and uprights  69 . Uprights  69  are seen to be substantially parallel to the field  63 . In  FIG. 13   b , the pin  68  has been released from its hold by crossbar retainer hook  64 ; since it is no longer engaged by hook  64 , the crossbar neck  75  has fallen from the end of boom  54 , and the crossbar  57  and uprights  69  are now on the field  63 . If the spectators remove the crossbar assembly, a replacement crossbar assembly is easily inserted into the boom as in  FIG. 14 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 14  illustrates in perspective the positioning of neck  75  for connection to boom  54 . Neck  75  is seen to be welded or otherwise attached to crossbar  57  and has a neck extension  72  slightly smaller in dimension than the interior of the end of boom  54 . Neck extension  72  may be slightly tapered to facilitate insertion and removal, preferably on the lower side (as depicted) or the upright sides (as depicted) rather than the upper side in order to help adjust the height of the crossbar  57  to regulation height. The boom  54  may be provided with set screws  73  or other devices to help secure and adjust the position of the crossbar  57  after insertion of the neck extension  72 . Within the neck extension  72  is pin  68 . Pin  68  is positioned for engagement with hook  64  for retention of the neck extension  72  in place in the boom  54 . As described above, hook  64  is manipulated from a remote location by activating cylinder  70  (see  FIG. 12 ). Pin  68  and hook  64  may be replaced with any apparatus capable of retaining and releasing the crossbar/neck assembly from the boom from a remote location. Pin  68  may be considered more broadly as providing a stationary retaining surface in or on the neck of the crossbar and upright assembly, and hook  64 , located in a goal holder or support such as, for example, the boom  54 , more broadly provides a movable retaining surface complementary to, and for engagement with, the stationary retaining surface in or on the neck.  
         [0044]     Therefore, it may be understood that my invention includes an articulating goal post for a football field comprising (a) a vertical column, (b) an arm pivoted thereon (c) a crosspiece near the end of the arm, and (d) upright members attached to the ends of the crosspiece. In another aspect, my invention includes a goal post comprising a vertical column having a base, a pivoted arm thereon, a crosspiece near the end of the pivoted arm, and two upright members, the upright members and the crosspiece defining a regulation kicking goal when the goal post is in a playing position, and means for moving the crosspiece and the upright members by the pivoted arm to an elevated position wherein the crosspiece is at least fifteen feet above the base. In yet another aspect, my invention is a football goal post comprising a crossbar, upright members on the ends of the crossbar, a nose boom rigidly connected to the crossbar, a main boom having a forward end and a rear end, the main boom being pivotally connected to the nose boom at the forward end, a vertical column including a pivot connecting the rear end of the main boom to the vertical column, a hydraulic jack pivotally mounted on the vertical column and pivotally connected to the main boom, and a substantially rigid control arm pivotally connecting the nose boom and the vertical column. In another aspect, my invention is a football goal comprising (a) a substantially vertical column, (b) a main boom attached in pivotal relation to the substantially vertical column, (c) an actuator for positioning the boom upwardly or downwardly, and (d) a crossbar and upright assembly including a releasable attachment to the end of the boom.  
         [0045]     In another aspect, my invention includes an articulating football goal comprising a vertical column, a boom movably attached to said vertical column, said boom holding near its end a crossbar and uprights to form a goal when maintained at a height suitable for regulation football, said boom being movable by at least one actuator to lower said crossbar and uprights to near field level, and means for releasing said crossbar from said boom; this aspect may include a movable retaining member in said boom for engagement with said stationary retaining member in said neck, and an actuator in said boom for activating said movable retaining member to release said neck from attachment to said boom. In another aspect, my invention is a crossbar and upright assembly for a football goal comprising (a) a crossbar having uprights on the ends thereof, said crossbar and uprights being of dimensions compliant with football rules, and (b) a neck on said crossbar, said neck being attached substantially centrally on said crossbar and in a plane about 90 degrees from the plane of said uprights, said neck including a retaining surface for releasable engagement with a complementary retaining surface in a holder for said crossbar and upright assembly. My invention also entails an athletic goal comprising (a) a substantially vertical column, (b) a boom including a vertical column end and a remote end, said boom being attached at its vertical column end in pivotal relation to said substantially vertical column, (c) an actuator in said athletic goal for moving said boom, and (d) a crossbar and upright assembly including a releasable attachment member for attachment of said assembly to the end of said boom; as with the other variations, this aspect of the invention may include a remotely operable release actuator within said boom for releasing said releasable attachment. In addition, my invention includes a football field including two goal posts at least 100 yards apart, said goal posts each comprising a vertical column, a boom articulated thereon and operable from a remote location, and a detachable crossbar and upright assembly releasable retained on said boom, whereby said crossbar and upright assembly may be lowered for release thereof onto said football field.  
         [0046]     My invention may be otherwise varied within the scope of the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0