Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a goal for a ball game; an apparatus for playing a game; and a method of playing a game with the goal of the invention.

Background and Discussion of the Prior Art

The invention will be discussed in relation to a goal for a ball game in which the ball is a football (soccer ball). Goals for use in a game hybridising golf and football are known. The hybridised game comprises the use of a football in place of a golf ball and replacement of the usual holes on the putting green of golf with a football goal. The aim of the game is to kick a football around a course similar to a golf course, scoring goals in a number of nets, similar to the putting of a golf ball into a number of holes. The score is calculated based on the number of strikes a player must make in order to score each goal.

Goals having two spaced vertical posts and a crossbar forming a rectangular goalmouth; and a net extending rearwardly of the goalmouth to prevent the ball travelling a long way behind the goalmouth are known.

A disadvantage of such goals is that a player is restricted to scoring from one side of the goal only: this is unlike golf in which the ball can be putted from any side of the hole.

The present invention seeks to alleviate the above problem at least.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a goal for a ball game, comprising;

a frame, which encloses a volume of space large enough to encompass a ball of the sport for which the goal is intended to be used, provided with at least two orifices large enough to allow said ball to pass therethrough into the space, wherein the orifices face in outwardly different directions; and wherein means is provided for each orifice, said means being displaceable by the ball and adapted to reduce the kinetic energy of said ball sufficiently that the ball remains within the space enclosed by the frame.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for playing a game comprising at least one goal according the first aspect of the invention, set out in course.

According to a third aspect of the current invention there is provided a method of playing a game with a goal according to the first aspect of the invention, comprising the steps of; a player propelling a ball toward the goal with the aim of the ball entering the goal; and attributing a score based on the number of times a player propels the ball before the ball enters the goal.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts adapted to be constructed to make a goal according to the first aspect of the invention.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of non-limiting example only and with reference to the drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a goal in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a frame for a goal in accordance with the invention;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of net in combination with a crossbar;

Figure 4 is a plan view of two support beams;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of two support beams and four posts during construction of a goal;

Figure 6 is a view of two crossbars, a post and a corner connector during construction of a goal;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a goal in accordance with the invention; Figure 8 shows the frame components of one embodiment of the invention; Figure 9 partially shows a frame component of one embodiment of the invenion; Figure 10 is an illustration of an kit of parts for constructing into a goal in accordance with the invention;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a goal in accordance with the invention. Specific Description

With reference to figure 1 there is provided a goal for a ball game 1 , comprising a frame 2 and flaps 3. The frame 2, also illustrated in figure 2, defines a volume of space 4 which is large enough to encompass a ball of the sport for which the goal is adapted, for example a football/soccer ball.

The frame 2 is provided with four orifices 5, one on each of its side faces. The orifices 5 are large enough to allow a ball, of the game for which the goal 1 is adapted to be used, to pass therethrough. In this manner it is possible for a ball to enter the volume of space 4 encompassed by the frame 2, from any side of the goal.

In a preferred embodiment, the goal 1 is adapted to be used with a football/soccer ball, the volume of space 4 being adequate to encompass a standard size football and the orifices 5 being large enough to allow a standard football to pass therethrough.

The above frame is advantageous because, in contrast to known goals where a player can only score from a single side, a player can score a goal from 360° around the

goal. In a preferred use of the goal in a hybrid golf-football game, there results a game much more closely related to golf than when using a standard football goal because a goal can be scored from any side of the goal 1.

Preferably the frame also has an upwardly facing orifice through which a ball, of the sport the goal is adapted for use with, can pass.

The illustrated frame 2 is generally cuboidal, however it will be clear to the reader that other shapes, including alternative parallelepiped, pyramidal and other multi-faced structures could be used.

As illustrated in figure 1 , the goal is also provided with flaps 3 associated with each of the side orifices 5. The flaps 3 act to reduce the kinetic energy of an incoming ball sufficiently that the ball remains within the volume of space 4. The flaps 3 are preferably comprised of a sheet of flexible material 6. When a ball is propelled toward one of the side orifices of the goal 1 , it contacts one of the flaps 3, the flap 3 reduces the kinetic energy of the ball by acting as a damper, so that the ball comes to rest within the volume of space 4.

Preferably the flexible material 6 is flexible to the extent that when the ball is propelled into the flap, the material cups the ball.

In a preferred embodiment the sheet of flexible material 6 comprises a plastic sheet. In a preferred embodiment the sheet of flexible material 6 comprises a woven sheet.

In a preferred embodiment the sheet of flexible material 6 comprises a net. The net may be standard football netting.

Preferably each flap 3 is provided with one or more weights along its lower edge. Weights may also be provided on the side edges of the flaps 3. The weight/s act to hold the flexible material 6 in a hanging position and bring it back into the hanging position after displacement by a ball. They also act to help reduce the kinetic energy of the ball.

As illustrated in figure 3, there are preferably provided two or more weights 7, each weight extending only part of the way along the lower edge of the flap 3. In this manner the lower edge of the flap is flexible and the cupping action of the flexible material 6 is enhanced when compared to a single weight extending the full length of the lower edge of the flap 3.

In a preferred embodiment, means to prevent the flap 3 passing through its associated orifice 5 may be provided. This may take the form of a bar extending across the flap, wherein the bar is longer than the orifice is wide so that it abuts the frame 2 preventing the flap 3 from passing through. Preferably the bar comprises two weights joined by a hinge allowing the bar to open in one direction but not the other. Thereby the bar 7 can pass through the orifice 5 in one direction but is prevented from passing through in the opposite direction. This is also advantageous because the lower edge of the flap remains able to flex and aid the cupping action of the flexible material 6.

In an alternative embodiment the flexible material may be replaced by a non- flexible member provided with a damping material, such as a foam, on at least one face. In such an embodiment the non-flexible member may be adapted to be heavy enough to cause the flap to hang and to cause the flap to return to the hanging position, so that additional weights, as provided with the flexible flaps above, need not be provided. As illustrated in figure 2, the frame 2 is constructed from four posts 8, four crossbars 9, four corner connectors 10 and two support beams 11 connected to the lower ends of the posts.

The support beams 11 are releasably joined at their midpoint to form a cross. As illustrated in figure 4 the support beams 11 are preferably joined together by means of a protrusion 12 on one of the beams and a complimentary recess 13 on the other beam. As illustrated in figure 5, at each end of the support beams there is provided a recess or cup adapted to receive and hold an end of one of the posts 8.

In a preferred embodiment the support beams are hinged at at least one point along their length allowing them to be collapsed to a shorter length than when in their open state. This is to allow for easy storage and transportation. Preferably a hinge is provided at or close to the midpoint of each of the support beams 11 allowing the support beams 11 to be collapsed to approximately half their open length.

As illustrated in figure 6, each corner connector 10 is provided with a recess adapted to receive and retain an upper end of one of the posts 8; and two further recesses adapted to receive and retain one of the ends of the crossbars.

The components of the frame are preferably constructed from a light weight material such as a plastic or light weight alloy.

Each flap 3 is preferably attached to one of the crossbars 9 of the frame by means of straps 14, which may, for example, comprise ties, buttons, poppers or a hook and mesh connection. In an alternative embodiment the flap 3 may be attached to one of the crossbars by a hinge or live hinge. In a preferred embodiment of the invention there, is provided an apparatus for playing a game comprising, a plurality of goals in accordance with the invention set out on a course. The course may preferably be a golf style course, wherein the goals replace the holes of the golf course. Alternatively the course may comprise a building such as a multi-storey car park. Preferably the goals are adapted to be used with, and the game is played with, a football.

In the above game a score is allotted to a player depending upon the number of times that he or she has to strike the ball in order to get the ball into each goal on the course. Alternatively or in combination with the above, a score may also be allotted depending on which of the available orifices the ball passes through when entering the goal.

The goal is preferably adapted to be constructable and deconstructable, to allow for easy transportation and storage.

Alternative frame constructions may be used.

An example of an alternative frame construction is illustrated in figures 7 to 9. The illustrated construction comprises four legs 14. Each pair of diagonally opposed legs 14 is connected by a diagonal support 15. The diagonal supports 15 are pivotally joined approximate their midpoints allowing them to open and close between alternative positions in which they are substantially perpendicular (figure 8) or substantially parallel (figure 9) to one another. This allows the frame to be easily assembled for play or easily collapsed for transportation.

The illustrated frame also comprises a rectangle 20, in this case a square, of crossbars 9. The rectangle 20 is supported on the diagonal support bars 15.

Alternatively the rectangle may be supported directly on legs 14 or indirectly on the legs 14 by means other than the diagonal supports 15. Recesses 21 are provided on the diagonal supports 15, into which portions of the rectangle 20 are received. The recesses act to secure the rectangle 20 so as to stop it slipping out of place. Alternatively the recesses may be provided on the rectangle 20 to receive portions of the diagonal support bars 15.

When the frame is constructed flaps 6 are hung from the crossbars 9, as illustrated in figure 7.

A further alternative example of frame construction is illustrated in figure 10. In this embodiment a rectangular base plate 22, in this case a square, is provided. Connectors 23 provided at the corners of the base plate 22 act as fixing points for legs 8. The connectors 23 may take the form of recesses adapted to accept the legs 8 or projections adapted to be received in recesses associated with the legs 8 for example in a push fit arrangement. A rectangle 20 of crossbars 9 is provided with connectors 24 similar or the same as those on the base plate 22 to engage the legs 8. The rectangle 20 preferably comprises integrally formed crossbars 9. In the illustrated embodiment a gap 25 is

provided in one of the crossbars 9. The gap 25 allows the flaps 6 to be attached to the crossbars 9. A sleeve 30 is provided on each of the flaps and is adapted to be slid onto the crossbars 9 via the gap 25.

The above described goals can be provided in a plurality of sizes. Preferable examples include goals sized for football/soccer balls and goals sized for desktop games using for instance a ping pong sized or smaller ball.

Features described herein with reference to one embodiment may be used in combination or as alternatives in one of more of the other described embodiments. In particular the features of the gap 25, the hanging mechanism for the flaps and the various connectors, can be used in combination with any of the embodiments.