Fixing device

The present invention relates to fixing devices. Particularly, although not exclusively, to fixing devices for fixing sports nets to a frame or post.

Many recreational sports include a frame which defines an aperture into which an object is passed. These frames are often called goals. For example, in the game of football, goals are formed from a rectangular frame that defines an aperture into which a ball must be struck to score a goal. It is well known to secure a net to the frame of such a goal to receive the ball when it is struck thereinto.

Many systems are known for fixing a net onto a goal frame. For example, it is known to have a series of hooks projecting radially outwardly from a goal frame, over which hooks the net may be secured. However, such a system can cause injury to a player due to the protruding nature of the hooks and also the hooks may erode and detach from the goal frame. Further, such hooks are cumbersome to use when securing the net to the frame when required, then removing the net from the frame when not required.

It is an object of aspects of the present invention to provide a solution to the above or other problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a fixing device for fixing a sports net to a frame member, the device comprising at least two retaining members operable to retain a portion of a sports net thereunder and at least one deflection member interspersed

between the at least two retaining members, the at least one deflection member being positioned so as to cause a path between the at least two retaining members to be deflected from a straight path to a bent path.

Preferably, the portion of a sports net that the retaining members are operable to retain is a cord thereof.

Preferably, the device comprises a first face from which the at least two retaining members and the deflection member extends .

Preferably, the at least two retaining members comprise a retaining lobe which, preferably, in use, defines a path thereunder. The path, in use, may be defined between the retaining lobe and the frame member to which the device is secured or between the retaining lobe and the first face. Preferably, the retaining lobe and the first face or the retaining lobe and the frame member are generally parallel, in use.

Preferably, the at least two retaining members comprise a retaining wall.

Preferably, the retaining lobe extends from an upper edge of the retaining wall.

Preferably, the at least one deflection member comprises a deflection section, which may be an abutment surface. Preferably, the deflection member comprises a rib. Preferably, the deflection section is a deflecting wall which may be an end wall of the rib.

Preferably, the retaining wall and the deflecting wall face in generally opposite directions.

Preferably, the retaining wall of each of the at least two retaining members and the deflecting wall of the deflection member combine to define a bent path, around which bent path a portion of a sports net may be threaded, in use.

Preferably, at least one of the retaining members is situated at or toward a longitudinal end of a retaining rib. Preferably, the at least two retaining members are situated at or toward a longitudinal end of a retaining rib. In a most preferred embodiment, the device comprises two retaining members situated at opposite longitudinal ends of a retaining rib. Preferably, the retaining rib extends from the first face and is preferably generally arcuate .

Preferably, the fixing device further comprises securing means operable to allow the device to be secured to a frame member.

Preferably, the path between the at least two retaining members is deflected by the deflection member such that the path is generally arcuate.

Preferably, the device comprises a channel through which a portion of a sports net may be passed, in use. Preferably, the path between the at least two retaining members comprises a channel.

Preferably, the channel is adapted to accommodate a portion of the sports net, in use. Preferably, the channel is generally arcuate.

Preferably, the retaining lobe extends over a portion of the channel.

Preferably, an underside of the device has a generally curved surface that preferably allows the device to closely fit onto a frame member having a corresponding curved outer surface.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a fixing system for fixing a sports net to a frame member, the system comprising at least one fixing device, which at least one fixing device comprises at least two retaining members operable to retain a cord thereunder and at least one deflection member interspersed between the at least two retaining members, the at least one deflection member being positioned so as to cause a path between the at least two retaining members to be deflected from a straight path to a bent path, the fixing system further comprising a sports net having a cord located at a position to be fixed to the frame member, wherein the cord is arranged under the at least two retaining members and around the at least one deflection member .

Preferably, the cord is elasticated.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a fixing kit for fixing a sports net to a frame member, the kit comprising at least one fixing

device, the fixing device comprising at least two retaining members operable to retain a cord thereunder and at least one deflection member interspersed between the at least two retaining members, the at least one deflection member being positioned so as to cause a path between the at least two retaining members to be deflected from a straight path to a bent path, the kit further comprising a sports net.

Preferably, the kit comprises a plurality of fixing devices .

Preferably, the sports net comprises an elasticated cord at a position to be fixed to the frame member.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of fixing a sports net to a frame member, the method comprising the steps of; securing at least one fixing device to a frame member, the fixing device comprising at least two retaining members operable to retain a cord thereunder and at least one deflection member interspersed between the at least two retaining members, the at least one deflection member being positioned so as to cause a path between the at least two retaining members to be deflected from a straight path to a bent path threading a portion of the sports net under the at least two retaining members and around the at least one deflection member.

All of the features disclosed herein may be combined with any of the above aspects in any combination.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a plan view of a fixing device;

Figure 2 shows a first side view of the fixing device;

Figure 3 shows a second side view of the fixing device;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the fixing device;

Figure 5 shows a third side view of the fixing device;

Figure 6 shows a fourth side view of the fixing device;

Figure 7 shows a second perspective view of the fixing device; and

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a fixing device.

Referring to figure 1 there is provided a fixing device 102 comprising a generally circular face 104 having a raised rib 106 extending around a portion of the circumference of the face 104. The rib 106 extends about half way around the circular face 104 and has lobes 114 (as shown in figure 2) extending from longitudinal ends thereof as will be described hereunder . A further rib 108 extends radially inward from an outer edge of the face 104 to a position past a centre of the face 104. The rib 106

and the rib 108 are arranged such that the straight rib 108 extends in between the generally "U" shaped rib 106. Between the rib 106 and the rib 108 is an arcuate channel 110.

Referring now to figure 2 there is shown the fixing device 102 as viewed from arrow "A" of figure 1. As can be seen from figure 2, on underside 112 of the device has a curved profile. The curved profile is provided to allow the underside to closely fit a frame member (not shown) that is generally circular in cross section. Ends 113, 115 of the rib 106 are shown in figure 2 having lobes 114 that extend longitudinally therefrom, over the face 104. The space between the lobes 114 and the face 104 defines opposite ends of the channel 110. The ends 113, 115 of the rib 106 serve as retaining surfaces in use, as will be explained hereunder .

Figure 3 shows the fixing device 102 as viewed from arrow "B" of figure 1. An end of the rib 108 that is situated between ends of the rib 106 is shown. At an end of the rib is an abutment surface 116 that extends generally perpendicularly to the face 104.

Figure 4 to 7 show alternative views of the fixing device 102 and are labelled as per figures 1 to 3.

In use, the fixing device 102 is secured to a frame member (not shown) by virtue of securing means (not shown) extending from the underside 112 of the device. The securing means may comprise, for example, a "T" shaped protrusion that extends from the underside 112 and into an elongate slot in the frame member. The protrusion is then

rotated through 90° to lock the device in place. Other methods of securing the device 102 to a frame member are also within the scope of the invention.

After the device 102 is secured to the frame member, a sports net (not shown) may be fixed to the device 102 as follows. Around a perimeter of the sports net is a cord, which cord is preferably elasticated. Such elasticated cords are known as "shock cords". The cord (not shown) is threaded under the lobes 114 of the rib 106 and through the channel 110. Thus the cord abuts the retaining surfaces 113, 115 of the rib 106 and the abutment surface 116 of the rib 108. In this manner, the abutment surface 116 deflects the cord from travelling in a straight path between lobes 114 and by deflecting the path toward the rib 106, puts pressure on the cord against the retaining surfaces 113, 115, thus retaining the cord under the lobes 114.

Referring now to figure 8 there is shown a perspective view of a second embodiment of a fixing device 202. The device is generally similar to the device 102 and similar features have been labelled similarly except that they begin with the number 2 rather than 1. The device 202 is secured to a frame member 220 by securing means (not shown) .

In this second embodiment, a portion of the face 104 has been removed, leaving a face 204 that is generally semi- circular. In this embodiment, the cord (not shown) is, in use, threaded under the lobes 214 of the rib 206 and is then passed through the channel 210 thus abutting an abutment surface 216 of the rib 208. In this manner, the

abutment surface deflects the path between the two lobes 214 from straight to bent.

A fixing device made in accordance with the present invention is simple quick to use, thus allowing the sports net to quickly and easily be attached to a frame member, such as a goal post. Further, although the net is securely fixed to the frame member during use, it is simple to remove the net from the frame member following use, by reversing the method of fixing the device to the frame member. The provision of a deflection member causes the cord to be arranged in a bent path thus retaining the cord in the device more effectively.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each

feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s) . The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.