Conventional ball courts, goal ends, backboards, rebound fencing and so on comprise fencing panels that are joined to fixed posts by the insertion of a bolt that passes through an aperture in the panel and a projection or lug which is welded to the posts.

Although such equipment has been commercially successful, ball impacts against the fencing panels typically give rise to considerable vibrations, reverberations and associated noise. Some manufacturers have attempted to reduce the level of noise by interposing an elongate rubber strip between the side of the panel and the fixing lugs on the post. Fixing bolts are then inserted through apertures in the lugs, the rubber strip and the panel, to secure the panel in position.

A disadvantage with such a approach is that the rubber strip tends to bulge out from the side of the panel, and around the aperture, when the bolts are tightened, thereby exposing the rubber to weathering and to vandalism. After quite a short period, the rubber either disintegrates or is removed, thereby allowing direct metal to metal contact between the lug and the post. Since the fixings become loose when the rubber is removed, the resultant metal to metal contact produces substantial noise whenever a ball hits the panel, often to the distress of nearby residents.

It is an object of the present invention at least to alleviate the disadvantages of the prior art.

According to the present invention there is provided an impact absorbing fixing for securing a panel to a post, the post including a projection having an aperture therein; the fixing including a first isolator of an impact absorbing material interposed between the panel and the projection and extending into the aperture.

The present invention provides improved impact-isolation between the panel and the post, thereby greatly reducing both vibrations and noise when an impact (for example from a football) is applied to the panel.

The present invention provides a more durable fixing, in contrast with prior art fixings, and is less susceptible both to weathering and to vandalism.

The first isolator may comprise a resilient washer having a portion thereof (for example a central boss) which extends into the aperture. Preferably, it fits closely within the aperture, and is arranged to receive a fixing means such as a bolt therethrough. The first isolator thereby isolates not only the projection from the panel but also provides isolation for the bolt or other fixing means.

In a preferred embodiment the first isolator comprises a round resilient washer, for example of rubber, having a cylindrical central boss which extends into the aperture.

This provides economy in manufacture and also means that, in contrast with the prior art, the isolator is to a large extent at least protected both from the weather and from the effects of vandalism. The invention further extends to a ball court, to area fencing, and to other types of fixed outdoor sporting equipment which incorporate fixings as described.

The present invention may be put into practice in a number of ways, and one specific embodiment will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a horizontal section through the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a rear view; and Figure 5 is a perspective view from the rear.

Figure 1 shows an exploded view of the components making up the impact-absorbing fixing according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The fixing is arranged to secure a panel 1 to a post 15. Typically, the panel 1 comprises a rectangular metal frame 2 within which there is a sheet of heavy duty wire mesh (not shown). The panel 1 is held in an upright position by securing it to the upright metal post 15 which is itself securely concreted into the ground. Extending down one vertical side of the panel 1 is an angled fixing plate 5 having within it an elongate slot 10. Extending from the post 15 is a welded-on projection or lug 20 having a circular aperture 25 within it.

The fixing plate 5 is secured to the lug 20 by means of a bolt 70 which passes through both the slot 10 and the aperture 25. Interposed between the fixing plate and the lug is a steel clamping washer 40 and a rubber impact-isolator washer 30. On the far side of the lug 20 is a further rubber impact-isolator washer 35, a further steel clamping washer 45, a nylon do-cap base 50, a further metal washer 55, a steel securing nut 60, and finally a nylon do-cap cover 65. The components are assembled onto the post 15 as shown generally in Figure 1, and the steel nut 60 tightened to secure the panel in position.

To improve the impact absorbency of the fixing, the rubber washer 30 is formed with a central boss 33 which, when the fixing is in place, extends within the aperture 25 of the lug 20. The boss 33 is preferably sized so that its outer periphery fits closely although not tightly within the inner perimeter edge 22 of

the aperture 25. An aperture 24 within the rubber washer 30 is preferably sized so as to fit closely but not tightly around the bolt 70. In the preferred embodiment, the boss 33 extends right through the aperture 25 so that, when the fixing is in place, the boss 33 comes into contact with the rubber washer 35 on the other side of the lug. Thus, the bolt 70 is entirely sleeved in impact- absorbing material as it passes through the lug. The washers 30,35 are preferably of an external grade Neoprene or similar.

In an alternative arrangement (not shown) the washer 30 could permanently be secured (for example by an adhesive) to the washer 40, and the washer 35 could likewise be secured to the washer 45. Alternatively, a single washer could be provided on each side of the lug, the washer being moulded or otherwise manufactured of a dual- hardness material (for example a rubber or a plastics material).

Figure 2 is a horizontal section through the completed assembly. Figures 3 and 4 show, respectively, front and rear views. Figure 5 is a perspective view from the rear, showing clearly how the fixing plate 5 is slightly spaced from the lug 20 when the nut 60 has been tightened, thereby allowing the panel 1 to move as the rubber washers 30, 35 absorb the effect of ball impacts on the panel.