[0001 ] The present invention relates to safety equipment. In particular, the present invention relates to a device and system for improving safety during sports, recreation, and other activities which require use of rigid posts or rigid barriers.

Background of the Invention

[0002] In sports such as soccer or basketball, participants are frequently moving at high speed in proximity to rigid vertical posts such as goal posts or hoop posts. The risk of a participant colliding with a rigid post is significant, and the result may be serious injury or worse for the participant.

[0003] Similarly, parks, roads and other areas often install rigid posts or other rigid barriers. As these areas are used by runners, children playing, cyclists, and others moving past the rigid posts, a similar risk of injury exists. [0004] It is known in the prior art to provide means for reducing the risk of injury from collisions with rigid posts. For example, padding or a crash resistant shell may be externally wrapped around the post in a zone of likely collision to reduce injury. The presence of padding may change the shape of the post which may alter function. In some cases, posts are made of non-rigid, flexible materials to give way during a collision.

[0005] None of the prior art provides a solution which permits rigid posts to absorb collision energy to reduce risk of injury, while also maintaining rigidity and original shape of the post.

[0006] As will be described below, the post safety device and system of the present invention provides these features. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] A detailed description of the preferred embodiments is provided by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0008] Fig. 1 is an isometric view of the post safety device of one embodiment of the present invention for use in a soccer goal post;

[0009] Fig. 2 is a front plan view of a soccer goal incorporating two post safety devices; and

[00010] Fig. 3 is a side plan view of a soccer goal incorporating two post safety devices. [0001 1 ] In the drawings, one embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for the purpose of illustration and as an aid to understanding, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

Summary of the Invention

[00012] There is provided a post safety device for a rigid structure having one or more vertical rigid support posts, the safety device comprising a flexible, resilient insert attached below ground level between the lower end of each of the one or more vertical posts, and the upper end of a rigid anchor attached below each insert. [00013] The structure may be a sports structure such as soccer goalposts, hockey goals, football uprights, basketball hoop supports, tennis nets, and field hockey goals, or a roadway structure such as traffic lights, light standards, road signs, bus stop signs, barriers, and guardrails.

[00014] The safety device may be for a rigid structure having one or more vertical rigid wall elements, the safety device having a flexible, resilient strip attached below ground level between the base of each rigid wall element and a rigid anchor attached below each strip.

[00015] The safety device insert or strip may be manufactured of plastic, a hard rubber compound, or other recyclable materials. The insert or strip may be a unitary component, or it may be made up of multiple layers of flexible, resilient materials.

[00016] The invention is also a safety post comprising a rigid upper portion attached at its lower end to an upper end of a flexible insert, and a rigid anchor attached at its upper end to a lower end of the flexible insert. The safety post may be for installation in a support surface, wherein the post is installed with the upper portion above the installation surface, and the flexible insert and anchor installed below the installation surface

Detailed Description of the Invention

[00017] There is provided a post safety device comprising a flexible insert manufactured of a hard rubber compound, plastic, or other resilient material having a cross-sectional area approximately equal in size to the cross sectional area of a post into which the post safety device is to be integrated.

[00018] The insert may be a solid, unitary piece, or it may be manufactured of stacks of multiple layers of rubber, plastic or other resilient material glued or compressed together to form an expansion joint.

[00019] The system of the invention comprises a post safety device insert 2 connected at its lower end to an anchor 4, and at its upper end to a rigid post 6. For example, as shown in Figs. 1 , 2, and 3, each insert is connected at its upper end to the bottom of the above ground portion of a soccer goal post 8, and at its lower end to an anchor. The soccer goal post is installed in such a manner that the anchors and flexible inserts are placed below the ground 10 of the playing surface 12, and the above ground portions of the soccer goal posts extend upwardly from the inserts above the ground of the playing surface.

[00020] In operation, when a player collides with the rigid soccer goal post, the insert permits the goal post to absorb more of the energy of the collision than is the case with a soccer goal post lacking flexible inserts. The result to the player is a greatly reduced risk of injury. Post-collision, the soccer goal posts quickly return to their resting position to permit continued play of the game.

[00021 ] The device and system of the invention may be incorporated into a wide variety of rigid posts used in various sports such as tennis and rugby and other field sports, recreation, workplaces, roads, and other locations. For example, metal roadside barriers or guardrails along highways could incorporate the system to cushion vehicle impacts in order to reduce vehicle damage and passenger injury. Similarly, rigid posts used for traffic signs, traffic lights, light standards, and bus stop signs, as well as postal boxes could all incorporate the post safety device and system of the invention to permit flexibility during collisions.

[00022] According to another embodiment for use in hockey, a flexible strip may be placed along the bottom edge of the rink boards to absorb the energy of players colliding with the boards.

[00023] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other variations of the preferred embodiment may also be practiced without departing from the scope of the invention.