Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a sports goal apparatus and method used in the game
of soccer or
similar games where a goal apparatus is required, in which you deposit a ball,
to score points or
goals. Other names which are applied to similar apparatuses, in the field of
invention are goal
or net, which are structures on the field or surface in which the games are
played.
Background
The idea for the Goal Apparatus and Method came about as a result of the
inventor's desire, to
see more excitement in the game of soccer. If there could be more scoring in
the game of
soccer; it will make for a more robust game for spectators and players. It was
at this time the
inventor began with the thought of finding a way to increase the amount of
scoring. This idea
led to changes from the conventional soccer goal to an apparatus where a
player can deposit
more goals. The idea of a goal apparatus with an upper and a lower scoring
area, to increase
the chances of a player scoring, seemed a creative and practical option. The
need to retrieve
the ball from the upper net was also considered and factored into the
invention with a novel
design. There was also a need to modify and create new rules for the game of
soccer to
accommodate the new goal apparatus. These major changes in effect created a
more exciting
game.
Description of Goal Apparatus and Method
Soccer is a popular sport around the world. It is played at all levels, from
recreation, amateur to
professional levels. In Europe and many other parts of the world, soccer is
known as football. In
North America, the name soccer was chosen to differentiate it from American
style of football.
The largest sporting spectacle in soccer/football is the FIFA World Cup which
is played every
four years.
The invention of the Goal Apparatus and Method is designed to provide more
scoring within
the game, thereby providing a more excitement for spectators and players. By
creating a more
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exciting game for spectators and players, it will be possible to induce a
broader section of the
public to become interested in the sport. To achieve this, a goal apparatus
was designed with
an upper and lower net. It is a novel design where the ball drops from the
upper net into the
lower net. The goalie can then retrieve the ball and continue the play after a
goal is scored in
the upper net. This will keep the ball "in play" and result in more
participation by the goalie.
Goals can be scored in the lower net similar to a regular soccer game. The
rules of soccer were
modified slightly to accommodate the new goal apparatus and as a result create
a more fluid
game.
A notable feature of the Goal Apparatus is the angled surface of the top net,
which allows the
ball to roll to the rear of the net, to an opening which passes through to the
bottom net. When
the ball passes through, an electronic sensor detects the ball and sends a
signal to a light which
is mounted to the Goal Apparatus. The light is wired to a timer and a
rechargeable 12 volt
battery. It will turn on for a few seconds to signal a goal, and then turn
off.
Some of the most notable rule changes to the existing game of soccer, the
methods, in which
the Goal Apparatus will be used are: scoring in the upper net counts for one
point, scoring in
the lower net counts for two points. After a goal is scored in the upper net,
the goalie can
retrieve the ball, then kick or throw it onto the field, the game then
continues without
stoppages. There will be three 30 minute periods instead of two half periods.
Substitution of
players will be allowed while the game is still being played and there is
movement of players on
the field.
The Goal Apparatus and Method in a new concept applied to a very popular
sport. There is
criticism that soccer can be a boring game for some, due to the low number of
goals scored
during a match. It is not uncommon to see games where the total number of
goals scored by
both teams is less than three. North American, sporting enthusiasts,
accustomed to sports like
ice hockey, basketball, baseball and North American football can count on
seeing high scores in
those games. With soccer, you can spend two hours watching a professional game
only to see
a low number of goals scored. The Goal Apparatus and Method are designed to
increase the
scoring in a game. It is designed to alter the nature of the game whereby the
goalie now
becomes a defensive and an offensive player with more participation in the
game. The goalie
will be handling the ball more. It is also designed to give the spectators and
the players more of
a thrill by now having a second method of scoring. Players will be more likely
to kick the ball to
the upper net creating more action on the field.
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The following is a list of patents relating to sporting and soccer:
Other inventions:
Patent No.
5,564,711 multi-purpose sports goal 0 ct, 15, 1996 Scheie; Carl E
4,169,598 double structure goal structure Oct 2, 1979 Taylor;
Lawrence H
6,758,769 electronic sound effect system July 6, 2004 Nelson; Webb T
5,346,228 soccer goal and gaming Sept 13, 1994 Offutt; James C
5,615,889 soccer goal practice net Apr 1, 1997 Long; Phillip E
7,037,21982 soccer training device May 2, 2006 Pakieser; Greg
5,054,791 background shield for soccer Oct 8, 1991 Ball; Allan F
3,822,883 compartmented net July 9, 1994 DeVos; John B
5,042,820 soccerball return Aug 27, 1991 Ford; James M
5,197,744 Soccer-Am Mar 30, 1993 Nanau; George
Brief Description of the Drawings
Fig 1 illustrates a side view of the structure showing the upper and lower net
combined to
form the complete goal apparatus.
Fig 2 illustrates a side view of the structure to show the upper and lower net
when they are
separate.
Fig 3 is a three dimensional view of the structure showing the preferred
embodiment of the
of the upper net, It also shows the sensor locations for the electronic light
and its
components.
Fig 4 illustrates in clear view the opening at the rear of the bottom net to
allow the ball to fall
through to lower net. It also shows the preferred embodiment of the sloped
surface
to allow the ball to roll to rear of net and into opening.
Fig 5 illustrates the complete goal apparatus in a three dimensional view
looking at it from the
front.
Fig 6 illustrates the way in which the net is fitted to the top of the lower
net using Velcro tabs.
Fig 7 shows a schematic drawing of the electronic sensor and the components
for the sensor,
light and timer used to indicate a goal is scored in the upper net.
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Detailed Description of the Invention
The detailed descriptions set forth below in connection with the appended
drawings is intended
merely as a description of the presently preferred embodiment of the
invention, and is not
intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be
constructed or
utilized. The description sets forth the structure in connection with
illustrated embodiments. It
is to be understood, however, that the same or similar structures are intended
to be
encompassed within the scope of the invention.
The actual size of the goal apparatus in the appended drawings, when built for
use, may vary
depending on the purpose. The sizes may vary based on the soccer clubs and
league
requirements. The following are some sizes for example, but are not restricted
to only these
sizes. The lower goal opening can be as follows.
8 feet high X 24 feet wide, FIFA Standard. Professional soccer league
standard.
7 feet high X 21 feet wide, USA Junior Standard
6.5 feet high X 18 feet wide
6.5 feet high X 12 feet wide, official indoor soccer
The attached drawings are based on a Goal Apparatus which is of a professional
size, meaning
the lower net measures twenty four feet wide by eight feet high. The
dimensions for the width
of the opening for the upper goal are the same as the width of the lower goal
opening. The
height of the upper goal is one third the height of the lower goal in the
attached drawings.
All measurements in the following description assume these measurements.
Fig 1 represents a side view of the Goal Apparatus. The Goal Apparatus is made
up of two
components which, when stacked, one on top of the other, forms a singular
unit. The lower net
21 and the upper net 20 are shown in the position they will be in, as a
functional unit when a
game is being played. The frame of the structure 26 can be made of any solid
material like
aluminum, wood, steel, fiberglass, and carbon fiber, or any material
sufficient to support the
construction of such a structure. The upper net will have a standard soccer
mesh 32 covering on
all sides, except the goal opening at the front and at the bottom of the
assembly. The mesh net
will be fitted so as to not allow the ball to escape through its sides or top
when a ball enters the
goal area. When the top net is lowered unto the lower net 21, the mesh fitted
to the top of the
lower net will complete the enclosure as per the design embodiment.
Fig 2 represents a side view of the Goal Apparatus when the upper net and the
lower net are
separated. The lower net 21, has a slope at the top 23, which is designed to
allow the ball to roll
to the opening 24 at the rear of the lower net. The opening is 26 centimeters
across or
appropriate to allow a soccer ball to pass through with ease. The optimum
design method is to
create an opening four to eight centimeters larger than the diameter of the
intended ball to
pass through. The angle of the slope 23 is designed to be fifteen degrees at
the opening of the
lower net 21, extending three feet from the opening of the lower net. The
angle then increases
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until it reaches the opening 24. Also visible in Fig 2 is the docking posts 34
which are designed
to allow the upper net to attach onto the lower net. The frame structure for
both the upper
and lower net uses square aluminum tubing in these drawings. Round,
rectangular, square or
such suitable framing structures can be used. The docking method for this part
particular design
uses a male- female sleeve approach. The docking posts 34 on the lower net
have a square tube
which is smaller than the tube on the upper net. When the upper net is lowered
in place, the
tube of the upper net will extend approximately four inches and fit over the
lower tube 34.
Also visible on Fig 2 is the battery box 25, which is a small box to hold a 12
volt rechargeable
battery. This battery will be the power source for the electronic sensor and
light 22 which will
detect the ball as it passes from the upper net 20 to the lower net 21.
Fig3 represents a three dimensional view of the upper net 20 and the lower net
21. Visible in
this figure drawing is the top frame angles supports 33, which are designed to
strengthen the
lower goal apparatus 21, and creates a framework for a custom fitted mesh 28
which sits on top
of the lower goal apparatus. The fitted mesh 28 is a mesh netting which is
made to a specific
dimension and design so that it can be fitted to the lower goal apparatus. The
mesh fitted to
this area will be described thoroughly when the drawing of fig 6 is described
later.
Fig 4 illustrates the lower net looking from the rear. It is clear to see the
opening 24 in this
drawing. Visible in this drawing is the custom mesh 28 and the sloping of the
top, towards the
opening 24. The custom mesh will be designed with a solid fabric like canvas
cotton, vinyl or
other fabrics, sewn around its perimeter. The perimeter fabric 35 in this
design, is six inches
wide, but not restricted to this width. This perimeter fabric 35 which is sewn
around the mesh
28 will provide a surface on which to mount or sew Velcro straps which will be
used to fasten
mesh to the lower goal assembly 21.
Fig 5 illustrates a three dimensional view of the goal apparatus when all
parts are assembled
and the unit is ready for use.
Fig 6 illustrates a close-up view of the top mesh 28 on the lower goal
assembly 21. Visible is the
perimeter fabric 35 sewn around the mesh 28. The Velcro tabs 30 are sewn to
the perimeter in
such a way that you can wrap the tab 30 around the frame of the goal apparatus
21 and stretch
the mesh 28 into place and fasten with the Velcro tabs 30. The mesh 28 will be
a mesh fabric
different than that of the conventional soccer netting 32. The mesh fabric for
mesh 28 will be a
closer and tighter weave the conventional soccer mesh or net. The mesh fabric
selected will be
a natural fabric like cotton or manmade fabric like nylon or similar. It is
necessary to create a
mesh 28 that does not sag with the weight of the ball when it is fasten snugly
to the frame. It is
necessary to have a mesh 28 covering which can support the weight of the ball
yet the ball to
roll to the opening 24 at the rear of the net.
Fig 7 illustrates the wiring of the components, used to detect the ball as it
passes from the
upper net to the lower net. The sensor, 27, is a photoelectric sensor made by
Banner
Engineering Corp. of Minneapolis, MN, USA. The part number is Q45BB6LV, the
reflector, 29,
for this sensor is part number BRT-84 and the plug-in module for the delay
timer is part number
45LM5D. The delay timer module is inserted into the inner housing of the
sensor Q45BB6LV,
where there is a slot for it to slide into. You can adjust the length of time
the light stays on after
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a goal is scored into the top net by adjusting the timer. For example, you can
set the timer to
have the light stay on for four seconds before resetting for the next time a
goal is scored in the
top net. There are four wires coming out of the sensor, 27. They are brown,
which is connected
to the positive of the battery. There is blue which is connected to negative
of the battery. There
is a black wire which is connected to the positive side of the two lamps.
There is a white wire
which is not used. The negative from both lights will be connected to the
negative of the
battery, 36. The system uses a twelve volt rechargeable battery. A lithium
rechargeable battery
is used in this design. A lead acid, twelve volt battery can also be used. For
the lights, 22, to
indicate when a goal is scored. A blue LED light, similar to the light used on
police vehicles will
be used. The light will be mounted to poles, welded to the top of the upper
net, using screws or
bolts. The wiring for the complete system will be fed inside the frame if it
is constructed of
hollow tubing. 16-18 gauge wiring can be used. The top net wiring will be
connected to the
lower net wiring with a two pin insulated quick connector, similar to those
used in automotive
applications. When the top net is removed, all you have to do is disconnect
the wiring at the
quick connector.
