Patent Description:
It is important to be able to manoeuvre sporting equipment to diverse locations easily, safely and efficiently. Lifting of the sports equipment can be dangerous and manoeuvring can be difficult due to directional restrictions in wheel movement. The limitations of manoeuvrability and lifting can place excess strain on the sports equipment, which may lead to damage and an overall reduced product life span. Furthermore, current models require several operators to allow transport. The linear design of existing assemblies intended to assist transportation limits the application to the corresponding ends of the sports equipment whilst also limiting the movement to linear directions and increased arching turning circle. Variations in terrain can also have a resounding effect on its ability to function with an increased risk of immobilisation. Lifting and lowering of the sports equipment needs to be done in a safe manner and has to involve the minimum number of operators as possible.

<CIT> relates to a batting cage having vertically adjustable wheels for raising and lowering the cage; <CIT> discloses a support to prevent a goal from falling over and to serve as the transport aid; <CIT> discloses supported practice nets having a frame to which wheels may be mounted to facilitate transport of the sports net structure from one location to another; and <CIT> discloses a basketball stand having rollers that are moveable.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome and/or alleviate one or more of the technical problems mentioned above.

The invention may be performed in various ways, and, by way of example only, embodiments thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

<FIG> shows an assembly for lifting and transporting a football goal, such as a sports equipment <NUM> including goal posts <NUM>. The assembly <NUM> can be fitted to numerous variations of sports equipment <NUM> to enable both lifting of the sports equipment and horizontal transportation thereof.

The assembly <NUM> comprises an elongate arm <NUM> having a first end <NUM> and second end <NUM>. The arm <NUM> may comprise a hollow metal beam <NUM> for example.

The assembly <NUM> further comprises a wheel <NUM> coupled with the first end <NUM> of the elongate arm <NUM>. The wheel <NUM> may comprise a <NUM>° swivel castor <NUM> or any other wheel allowing rolling movement in all directions. The wheel <NUM> may be mounted so as to extend axially away from the arm <NUM> such that the longitudinal axis of the arm <NUM> extends substantially parallel to a plane defined by the wheel <NUM>. The wheel <NUM> may also be locked in place by a suitable mechanism which will prevent rotation thereof. The wheel <NUM> is thereby lockable into place which as a result, enables an individual operator to freely manoeuvre the sports equipment <NUM> with a reduced turning circle as they desire across different types of terrain, including but not limited to grass, artificial surfaces, concrete, tarmac, wood, sand and the like.

The assembly <NUM> further comprises a bracket <NUM> pivotally coupled with a side wall <NUM> of the elongate arm <NUM> proximate the first end <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> may comprise a shaft <NUM> insertable into an opening <NUM> in the side wall <NUM> such that the shaft <NUM> defines an axis of rotation of the bracket <NUM>. The axis of rotation of the shaft <NUM> extends substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the arm <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> may comprise a buckle or clamp adapted to engage and hold a frame member <NUM>, such as a horizontal bar <NUM>, of the goal post <NUM> (<FIG>). The bracket <NUM> may be shaped so as to define a cavity <NUM> adapted to receive the frame member <NUM> of the football goal <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> may comprise a rigid beam <NUM> having a first wall <NUM> coupled to a second wall <NUM> so as to define an L-shape or L-shaped cross-section of the bracket <NUM> or beam <NUM>, wherein the first wall <NUM> is pivotally coupled to the side wall <NUM> of the elongate arm <NUM>, and the second wall <NUM> is detachably couplable with the frame member <NUM> of the post <NUM>. The first wall <NUM> may extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the arm <NUM>, whereas the second wall <NUM> may extend substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the arm <NUM>. The second wall <NUM> may comprise a male connector <NUM> adapted to detachably couple with a female connector <NUM> disposed along the frame member <NUM> of the post <NUM>. Alternatively, the second wall <NUM> may comprise a female connector (not shown) adapted to detachably couple with a male connector (not shown) disposed along the frame member <NUM> of the post <NUM>. The L-shaped beam <NUM> may be arranged to receive the horizontal frame member <NUM> of the post <NUM>, for example, but may also be pivoted so as to receive a vertical frame member <NUM>.

The assembly <NUM> further comprises a locking means <NUM> configured to lock the bracket <NUM> relative to the elongate arm <NUM>. The locking means <NUM> may comprise a pin <NUM> configured to immobilise the bracket <NUM> relative to the elongate arm <NUM>, wherein the pin <NUM> is insertable into an aperture <NUM> disposed within a first support <NUM> positioned on a second wall <NUM> of the beam <NUM>, and into an aperture <NUM> disposed within the second support <NUM> positioned on a second wall <NUM>, and simultaneously into an aperture <NUM> located in the side wall <NUM> of the elongate arm <NUM>, when the apertures <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are aligned.

The arm <NUM> is pivotable between a first configuration, in which the elongate arm <NUM> is orientated substantially horizontally, and a second configuration in which the elongate arm <NUM> is orientated substantially vertically.

In use, the arm <NUM> is arranged to pivot about the fulcrum such that in the first configuration, the wheel <NUM> is positioned above a lower portion 201a of the frame member <NUM> for lowering the goal <NUM> onto the ground (<FIG> and <FIG>), and in the second configuration, the wheel <NUM> is positioned below the lower portion 201a of the frame member <NUM> for lifting and transporting the goal <NUM> (<FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>); and wherein. The arm <NUM> is lockable in the second configuration using the locking means <NUM> for facilitating substantially horizontal movement of the goal post <NUM>.

The elongate arm <NUM> may further comprise a retractable handle <NUM>. The retractable handle <NUM> may comprise a proximal end 116a and distal end 116b, wherein the proximal end 116a of the handle <NUM> is pivotally coupled with the second end <NUM> of the elongate arm <NUM>. The retractable handle <NUM> may be pivotable between a storage configuration, in which the retractable handle <NUM><NUM> extends substantially along the length of the elongate arm <NUM>, and an operative configuration, in which the retractable handle <NUM> extends along the longitudinal axis of the elongate arm <NUM> and away therefrom.

The assembly <NUM> can be operated as follows. An individual operator may position the assembly <NUM> horizontally along a ground-engaging frame member or bar <NUM> of a football goal post <NUM> for example. In this orientation, the bracket <NUM> may pivot relative to the arm <NUM> so that the cavity <NUM> may receive the bar <NUM> and the bracket <NUM> can be coupled to the ground-engaging bar <NUM> by connecting the male connector <NUM> with the female connector <NUM> and/or by using a nut and bolt for example. Alternative ways of fastening the assembly <NUM> to the post <NUM> are also possible. Once the assembly <NUM> is securely fastened to the bar <NUM>, the operator may repeat the process with further assemblies <NUM> which are going to be secured to the post <NUM> at different locations, for example at further ground-engaging frame members, so that the entire post <NUM> can be lifted completely of the ground. Once the bracket <NUM> is locked to the member <NUM>, the operator can then extend the handle <NUM> into the operative position. In this way, the handle can be gripped by the operator and lifted upwards, which will then translate into levering force acting on the post <NUM>.

Pivoting the arm <NUM> via the handle <NUM> from the horizontal position into vertical position will lift at least a portion of the post <NUM> associated with the assembly off the ground and reposition the wheel <NUM> from above the lower portion 201a of the frame member to a position below the lower portion 201a of the frame member, such that the wheel <NUM> will now engage the ground and thereby provide support for the post <NUM>. The locking pin <NUM> may now be slid into the aperture <NUM> which will immobilise the bracket <NUM> relative to the arm <NUM>. The above process can be repeated with the other assemblies until the entire post <NUM> is lifted completely of the ground. When all the assemblies locked in this way, then the post <NUM> may be safely rolled into another location. When in a desired location, the pin <NUM> may then be retracted back into unlocked position. The assembly <NUM> may then be safely lowered to the ground by pivoting the arm <NUM> or handle <NUM> from the vertical orientation into horizontal orientation. In this way, the wheel <NUM> moves from the position below the lower portion 201a of the frame member <NUM> into the position above the lower portion 201a of the frame member <NUM>. The arrangement of the assemblies <NUM> is illustrated on <FIG> which shows a transportation system <NUM> for transporting sports equipment <NUM>, comprising a plurality of the assemblies <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> there is illustrated a lifting and transporting assembly according to a second embodiment.

The assembly of this second embodiment can be fitted to a variety of sports equipment, including a goal frame <NUM> for example. The assembly <NUM> is couplable to a frame member <NUM> of the goal frame for lifting and transporting the frame. The assembly <NUM> comprises an elongate lever <NUM> having a first end 302a and second end 302b. The elongate lever <NUM> may comprise a foot operated lever.

The lever <NUM> is pivotally coupled at the first end 302a thereof to a bracket <NUM> mountable upon a frame member <NUM> of the goal frame. The lever <NUM> comprises a generally rectangular frame <NUM>, with substantially parallel left and right frame members 306a, 306b and a conjoining frame member 306c at the second end 302b defining a rectangular planar surface. The frame <NUM> is pivotally coupled at the first end 302a to the bracket <NUM> by a pair of frame feet <NUM>, which extend through over-moulded fixings <NUM>. The lever <NUM> is pivotable about the frame feet <NUM> about an axis which is substantially parallel to the frame member <NUM>.

Toward the second end 302b of the lever <NUM> there is a cross beam <NUM> which extends between the left and right frame members 306a, 306b. The cross beam <NUM> additionally comprises a coupler <NUM> having a substantially inverted T-shape. The coupler is coupled at an upper end to a central portion of the cross beam <NUM>, and opposite sides of the lower end of the T-shape coupler <NUM> extend through gates <NUM> disposed upon an upper side of a wheel plate <NUM>, at a distal end thereof. The gates <NUM> are sized such that the lower end of the T-shape coupler <NUM> can both slide along the wheel plate <NUM> and rotate relative to the plate <NUM>. The assembly further comprises a wheel <NUM> which extends from an underside of the wheel plate <NUM>.

The bracket <NUM> comprises a substantially rectangular plate <NUM> having a male connector 320a formed on the underside thereof, which is insertable into a female connector channel 320b disposed along the frame member <NUM>, for securing the bracket <NUM> to the frame member <NUM>. The male connector 320a is shaped such that it can only be inserted/removed into/from the channel 320b by sliding the male connector 320a along the frame member <NUM>; the male connector 320a is restricted from relative vertical separation by virtue of the interlocking arrangement of the male and female connections.

The wheel plate <NUM> is also pivotally attached at a proximal end thereof to the bracket <NUM> by means of a hinge <NUM>, such that the wheel plate <NUM> and thus the wheel <NUM> can pivot about the hinge <NUM> so that the wheel can be re-positioned above and below a lower portion of the frame member <NUM>. The wheel plate <NUM> is further coupled with the lever <NUM> via the T-shaped coupler <NUM> and the wheel <NUM> is coupled at the underside of the wheel plate <NUM> toward the distal end thereof, by means of a <NUM> swivel castor for example, or any other means of wheel attachment which allows movement in all directions.

The assembly <NUM> and particularly the wheel is reconfigurable between a first (raised) configuration and a second (lowered) configuration. During use, an operator can reconfigure the assembly <NUM> from the first to the second configuration by applying a downward force upon the lever <NUM>, at the distal end of the lever <NUM>. Upon applying a downward force to the lever <NUM>, the lever <NUM> will rotate about the frame feet <NUM> urging the lower end of the coupler toward the bracket <NUM> and thus the frame member <NUM>. However, during this movement, the lower end of the coupler <NUM> will abut the gate. By applying a further downward force, the abutment of the coupler with the gate will cause the frame member <NUM> to lift, effectively pivoting about the distal end of the coupler and at the same time, the wheel is arranged to pass underneath the frame member <NUM> and move from one side of the frame member to the other side. However, the extent to which the wheel extends underneath the frame member is limited by the contact of the lever <NUM> upon the hinge <NUM>, and in the second configuration, in which the lever <NUM> contacts the hinge <NUM>, the wheel <NUM> is arranged to extend to the other side of the frame member <NUM>, beyond the centre position and therefore adopt a stable configuration by virtue of the weight of the frame member <NUM> holding the wheel <NUM> in this over-centre position.

In order to reconfigure the assembly to the first configuration, an operator simply pulls upwards upon the distal end of the lever. This action causes the lower end of the coupler <NUM> to slide along the wheel plate until it abuts the opposite side of the gate <NUM>. Further upward force upon the lever <NUM> causes the wheel plate <NUM> and thus the wheel <NUM> to move back underneath the frame member <NUM>, beyond the centre position, so that the frame can be lowered to the ground. Referring to <FIG> of the drawings, there is illustrated an assembly <NUM> for lifting and transporting a frame according to a third embodiment.

The assembly <NUM> of the third embodiment can be fitted to a variety of goal frames, including a football goal, for example. The assembly <NUM> is couplable to a frame member <NUM> of the goal frame for lifting and transporting the frame. The assembly <NUM> comprises an elongate lever <NUM> having a first 402a end and a second end 402b, and a lifting mechanism <NUM> coupled to the lever <NUM>. The elongate lever <NUM> may be a cam lever.

The assembly <NUM> additionally comprises a substantially L shaped bracket (not shown) for attaching the assembly <NUM> to a frame member <NUM> of the goal frame. The bracket comprises a first portion which is arranged to extend over an upper region of the frame member <NUM> and a second portion which in use extends downwardly from the first portion, and which is arranged to extend adjacent a side of the frame member <NUM>.

The lifting mechanism comprises an actuation plate which is disposed between the second portion of the bracket and a backing plate. The actuation plate is arranged to slide in a substantially vertical direction, relative to the second portion of the bracket and the backing plate, in dependence of a rotational state of the lever <NUM> about a pivot pin 410a. The orientation of the actuation plate relative to the second portion of the bracket is maintained by further pins 410b and 410c which extend through respective elongate slots disposed within the actuation plate.

The pins 410a-c couple the backing plate to the second portion of the bracket, and are configured to a triangular configuration with the first pin 410a is disposed uppermost in the lifting mechanism <NUM>. The first pin 410a provides a fulcrum about which the lever <NUM> can rotate to effect the relative positioning of the actuation plate between the second portion of the bracket and the backing plate.

The first portion of the bracket <NUM> comprises a male connector (not shown) disposed at an underside thereof which is insertable into a female connector channel (not shown) formed along the frame member <NUM> for securing the bracket <NUM> to the frame member when in use. The male connector is shaped such that it can only be inserted/removed from the female connector by sliding the male connector along into the channel; the male connector is restricted from relative vertical separation by virtue of the interlocking arrangement of the male and female connections.

The lever <NUM> has a first end 402a and second end 402b. The first end 402a of the lever <NUM> comprises a handle region, which can be gripped by an operator in order to operate the assembly <NUM>. The second end 402b of the cam lever <NUM> comprises a head <NUM>. The cam head <NUM> is comprised of a first flat region 416a, and a second rounded region 416b. The second region 416b extends further from the axis of rotation of the lever than the first region 416a. An edge of the cam head <NUM> is arranged to abut an upper edge of the actuation plate. When the lever <NUM> is rotated by the operator, the cam head <NUM> abutting the edge of the actuation plate exerts a force on the actuation plate causing the plate to move relative to the second portion of the bracket and the backing plate.

The assembly of the third embodiment similarly comprises a wheel <NUM> which is coupled to the actuation plate via a wheel bracket <NUM>. The wheel <NUM> is attached to the wheel bracket <NUM> by means of a <NUM>° swivel castor for example, or any other means of wheel attachment which allows movement in all directions. The wheel <NUM> is attached to the underside of the wheel bracket <NUM> when the assembly <NUM> is oriented for use.

In use the lever <NUM> is rotated from a first position to a second positon to transfer the assembly <NUM> from a first configuration to a second configuration. When the lever <NUM> is in a first position, the flat region 416a of the cam head <NUM> is engaged with the upper edge <NUM> of the actuation plate, and the distance between the axis of rotation of the lever <NUM> and the upper edge of the actual plate is at a minimum. This configuration relates to a condition in which the wheel <NUM> is raised from the ground, and the frame member lowered to the ground. As the lever <NUM> is rotated from the first configuration to the second configuration, the second region of the cam head <NUM> contacts the upper edge of the actuation plate and owing to the increased separation of the second region from the axis of rotation compared with the first region, causes the actuation plate to move downwards relative to the bracket <NUM>, thereby lifting the frame member <NUM> off the ground. The assembly further comprises a locking system (not shown in the drawings) to lock the lever <NUM> into the first and second configuration.

<FIG> a to d show an assembly <NUM> for lifting and transporting a football goal, the football goal having a number of frame members. A section of a frame member <NUM> is a hollow, generally cylindrical elongate body <NUM> having a rounded base <NUM> which in use as a goal contacts the ground and a recessed elongate longitudinally extending channel <NUM> in its upper surface <NUM> having a slide track <NUM> formed therein extending longitudinally along the length of the goal frame member <NUM>.

The slide track comprises a slot <NUM> having two over hanging retaining lips <NUM>, <NUM>. The slide track is intended to receive net clips that have a lug which are shaped to facilitate insertion in to the slot but when rotated are capable of engaging the retaining lips <NUM>,<NUM> to retain the net clip in situ.

The assembly <NUM> has a sleeve <NUM> having a body <NUM> and a longitudinal through going bore <NUM> complementarily shaped to receive a frame member of a goal and having on its upper inner surface a protrusion <NUM> complementarily shaped with respect to the channel <NUM> of the frame member <NUM> which is received therein. The protrusion prevents rotation of the sleeve when coupled to the frame member and ensures correct positioning and alignment of the assembly. The sleeve is secured in position by means of two fasteners that engage with the slide track via apertures <NUM>, <NUM> disposed in the upper surface of the sleeve.

Moveably mounted on the sleeve is an elongate arm <NUM> to which a caster wheel, such as a <NUM>° swivel castor, may be mounted at one end <NUM> and a handle at the other end <NUM>. One end <NUM> has a planar square base mounted perpendicularly to the plane of the longitudinal axis of the arm <NUM> having four apertures disposed at its corners for receiving fasteners to secure a caster wheel thereto.

The assembly <NUM> further comprises a locking means <NUM> configured to lock the arm <NUM> relative to the sleeve <NUM>. The locking means <NUM> may comprise a pin <NUM> configured to immobilise the arm <NUM> relative to the sleeve <NUM>, whereby the pin <NUM> is insertable into an aperture <NUM> disposed within a first support positioned on the sleeve, and into an aperture <NUM> disposed within the second support positioned on the sleeve, and simultaneously into an aperture <NUM> located in the side wall of the elongate arm <NUM>, when the apertures <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are aligned.

The arm <NUM> is pivotally mounted on the sleeve by means of a elongate shaft <NUM> disposed on the sleeve and extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve which cooperates with a complementarily shaped aperture <NUM> in the arm <NUM> proximal to the base <NUM>. The elongate shaft has a free end terminating with a threaded section <NUM> for receiving a nut or other suitable fastener. The arm <NUM> is pivotable between a first configuration, in which the elongate arm <NUM> is orientated substantially horizontally, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame member to which the assembly is coupled, and a second configuration in which the elongate arm <NUM> is orientated substantially vertically, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame member to which the assembly is coupled.

In use, the arm <NUM> is rotatably mounted on the sleeve and arranged to pivot about the fulcrum <NUM> such that in the first configuration, a wheel <NUM> (see <FIG>) mounted on the base of one end <NUM> of the arm is positioned above a lower portion <NUM> of the frame member <NUM> for lowering the goal onto the ground, and in the second configuration, the wheel is positioned below the lower portion <NUM> of the frame member <NUM> for lifting and transporting the goal. The arm <NUM> is lockable in the second configuration using the locking means <NUM> for facilitating substantially horizontal movement of the goal relative to the ground.

The elongate arm <NUM> may further comprise a retractable or telescopically extending handle <NUM>.

<FIG> a and b show a slide <NUM> having a planar elongate rectangular body <NUM> having a downwardly depending, centrally disposed protrusion <NUM> that extends along its length and has a complimentarily shaped profile to the slide track <NUM> disposed in the frame member <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> extends substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the planar body <NUM> and has two laterally extending tongues <NUM>, <NUM> that cooperate with overhanging lips <NUM>, <NUM> of the slide track to retain the slide in the slide track.

Claim 1:
A lifting and transporting assembly (<NUM>) for lifting and transporting sports equipment (<NUM>) over a surface, the sports equipment (<NUM>) having a frame comprising one or more frame members (<NUM>), the assembly comprising:
an elongate arm (<NUM>) having a first end (<NUM>) and second end (<NUM>);
a wheel (<NUM>) coupled with the first end (<NUM>) of the elongate arm (<NUM>);
a coupling member (<NUM>) for coupling the arm (<NUM>) with a frame member (<NUM>) of the sports equipment (<NUM>), the arm (<NUM>) being pivotally mounted on the coupling member (<NUM>);
locking means (<NUM>) configured to lock the arm (<NUM>) relative to the coupling member (<NUM>);
wherein the arm (<NUM>) is moveable between:
a first configuration wherein the elongate arm is orientated substantially horizontally and the wheel (<NUM>) of the assembly (<NUM>) is positioned above a lower portion of the frame member (<NUM>), such that the frame member (<NUM>) is capable of being in contact with the surface, and a second configuration,
CHARACTERISED IN THAT, in the second configuration the elongate arm (<NUM>) is orientated substantially vertically and the wheel (<NUM>) of the assembly (<NUM>) is positioned below the lower portion of the frame member (<NUM>) to lift the frame member (<NUM>) off the surface; and
wherein,
the arm (<NUM>) is lockable in the second configuration using the locking means (<NUM>) and wherein,
the coupling member (<NUM>) comprises a sleeve (<NUM>) which is shaped to define a cavity adapted to receive the frame member (<NUM>), the sleeve being orientated substantially horizontally.