WO2004091737A1

WO2004091737A1 - Arrangement of net or mesh provided for a ball game

Info

Publication number: WO2004091737A1
Application number: PCT/NO2004/000106
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stein Alvern
Original assignee: Invekst As
Priority date: 2003-04-15
Filing date: 2004-04-14
Publication date: 2004-10-28
Also published as: NO20031752D0

Abstract

An arrangement of a net or mesh comprising at least one hatch over at least one opening in said net or mesh is provided to indicate a hit or a strike from a ball or a puck or similar device. If a ball or puck or similar device strikes said hatch said ball or puck or similar device may pass through said opening. In another. example of embodiment, a pouch or basket is attached over said opening catching a passing ball etc.

Description

Arrangement of net or mesh provided for a ball game

The present invention is related to a net or mesh provided for a goal used in ball games, and especially for an arrangement of a net that can be applied text, symbols, logos, commercials or similar and at the same time electronically or by any other visual manner be able to register hits or strikes from a ball, puck or similar device on said net or mesh.

Nets used in goals for football, handball, hockey or similar sporting events are usually provided as a net or mesh mounted on a suitable frame where the net or mesh captures the ball or puck or similar device, adjusted to the present game, if the ball or puck etc. passes through an opening in said net provided for this purpose. Typically will a prior art net have a square shaped mesh pattern with a mesh width of 10- 12cm while goals for hockey games usually has a mesh width of 3 to 5cm. It is common not to have any means detecting a hit or strike from a ball or puck etc. in said prior art nets.

The financial cost of arranging sports event are normally high, primarily because the rent and maintenance of arenas, indoor arenas, indoor swimming pools, etc. are high both for clubs and owners using such facilities. The entrance fees cover rarely such expenses. In some sports the wages for the players are also high adding a substantial financial burden on the clubs. In such sports the clubs are dependent on sponsors and income from commercials displayed at stadiums during games etc. For example it is common to have advertising signs attached to sideboards etc. around a football field. The area around the goals is the most attractive since the general public is more aware ofthe activity on the field during games around these goals. Therefore the price for the advertisement signs is usually much higher on these sideboards around the football goals.

The US patent application US 2002/0115508 describes a multi-filamentous net or mesh comprising an image visible only on one side. The image is visible only from the primary viewing position without the paint or ink composition being absorbed through the fibers to be visible from the back ofthe net or mesh. However, a problem with this solution is that the mesh width has to be small.

UK patent application GB 2 323 390 comprises a net or mesh woven from a material applied a pattern on its surface that after weaving displays an advertising message or similar message. However, a problem with this solution is that the hole net or mesh has to be woven once more when the message is to be changed.

US patent no. 5,820,496 describes a backstop or target suitable for use in athletic applications such as baseball or golf comprising a frame mounted with a net or mesh comprising a plurality of linear displacement sensors are mounted between the net or mesh and the frame thereby providing information about hits or strikes from a ball or puck when the net or mesh is displaced due to the impact of said ball or puck. However, this solution provides no information about the geometrical position on said net or mesh where said impact happened. An additional light beam device is provided together with computer means to detect and calculate the positions of hits or strikes on said net or mesh.

An object ofthe present invention is to provide a possibility of advertisement signs applied on the net or mesh mounted on the frame ofthe goal.

Another object ofthe present invention is to provide an indication of hits in goals comprising a visual and/or electronic arrangement indicating hits by a ball or puck or similar device in said goals.

Figure 1 depicts an example of embodiment ofthe present invention indicating hits from a ball or puck or similar device.

Figure 2 depicts another example of embodiment ofthe present invention illustrating a registration device of hits on the net or mesh.

Figure 3 depicts another example of embodiment ofthe present invention illustrating a hatch providing an optical indication of hits.

Figure 4 illustrates another example of embodiment ofthe present invention comprising applying a colorant on a net or mesh displaying a message.

Figure 5 illustrates the same example as in figure 4 viewed from a different angle.

Figure 6 illustrates another example of text being displayed according to an example of embodiment ofthe present invention. Figure 7 illustrates another example of embodiment ofthe present invention comprising an electronic registration device of hits on the net or mesh.

Figure 8 depicts an example of embodiment ofthe present invention comprising a series of switches providing a signal when at least one of the switches are closed by a hit from a ball or puck or similar device.

Figure 9 illustrates how two hatches are arranged in separate corners ofthe goal according to an example of embodiment ofthe present invention.

Figure 10 depicts the same example as in figure 9 comprising two pouches or bags attached tow the two hatches catching a ball or puck or similar device passing through one ofthe two hatches.

The present invention provides a solution to known problems in the prior art for goals comprising a net or mesh mounted on a frame of a goal used for ball games according to the amended independent claim 1, and variations of embodiments ofthe present invention as described in the dependent attached claims.

An example of embodiment ofthe present invention is illustrated in figure 2, where the panes 5 applied the letters A to O represent hatches as illustrated in figure 3. The object ofthe present example is to provide a visual indication when a hatch is opened by a passing ball or puck or similar device hitting the net or mesh. Figure 3 illustrates how a hatch 6 is detached from an attachment 7 along three ofthe edges ofthe hatch. The attachment 7 may be for example of a Velcro type. When a ball or puck or similar device has passed the hatch, the hatch 6 will fall back towards the net or mesh and be attached by the attachment 7 because gravity pulls the hatch downwards. In another example of embodiment, the hatches 6 comprise small plummets arranged in the lower edge ofthe hatch 6.

Figure 9 illustrates how two hatches are arranged in two opposite corners of a football goal thereby providing a visual indication of hits in these two corners. In figure 10 the hatches shown in figure 9 comprises in addition two pouches or bags catching passing balls or pucks or similar devices passing through said hatches.

In yet another example of embodiment ofthe present invention there is provided at least one switch in the attachment 7 attaching the hatch 6. When the hatch is closed the switch is closed. When the hatch is opened the switch is open. The switch may be provided as an electric conducting surface on the hatch 6 facing towards a counterpart electrically conducting surface provided on the attachment 7. An electrical signal flowing in conductors attached to the switch may then provide an electrical indication of a hit when the switch is broken.

Text, graphics, symbols, logos, advertisements etc. may be applied on the net by applying a colorant on the woven net as known to a person skilled in the art. However, the visibility of such information will be much more visible if the total colored surface ofthe filament comprising the woven net is as large as possible. According to a preferred example of embodiment ofthe present invention, the net comprises a rhombic shaped mesh pattern providing a greater surface ofthe filament that also includes fibers inclined from the junctures ofthe net. All together this enhances the visibility ofthe colorant applied on the net. In a preferred embodiment, the mesh pattern is provided with a width of 8mm x 8mm with a filament of 2.5mm diameter.

In another example of embodiment, the net is provided with a separate section intended for displaying a message while the rest ofthe net is arranged as known to a person skilled in the art.

In yet another example of embodiment ofthe present invention, hatches 6 are arranged on surfaces ofthe net displaying messages as described above, thereby enhancing a visual indication of a hit due to a visual distortion ofthe graphics when a hatch is opened by a hit.

Figure 1 illustrates an example of embodiment ofthe present invention comprising a matrix of sensors located on junctures on the net. The matrix may be part ofthe net itself, or a separate device that can be joined or attached to the filament ofthe net or mesh with for example a Nelcro, string or similar arrangement. A waterproof electronic device 1 comprises the necessary electronic in communication with the matrix off sensors in the net. In an example of embodiment ofthe present invention, a hit by a ball or puck or similar device on a juncture provided with a sensor element 4 generates a signal along the y direction 2 and the x direction 3 thereby providing the coordinates for a hit on sensor element 4. Dependent on the sensor type, the density of sensors in the matrix etc., more than one sensor element may be hit by a ball or puck. In such instances, the electronic device 1 may calculate the center of gravity of all sensors involved in the hit as the coordinates for the hit. The sensor element in the matrix may be a piezoelectric crystal, strain gauge device, capacitive switch element etc. as known to a person skilled in the art. According to a preferred example of embodiment, the sensor element is provided as a series of membrane switches. An arrangement of stripes of membrane switches in an x and y direction is depicted in figure 7. In 9 there is a small bubble in the switch element comprising a gas with a certain predefined pressure suitable for being compressed by a hit from a ball or puck or similar device. In the center ofthe bubble there is a contact element 10 providing an electrically detectable switch function. In an example of embodiment ofthe present invention, the membrane switches are interconnected as illustrated in figure 8. A bias voltage is applied on a common conductor 12 interconnecting one pole ofthe switches. The other side ofthe switches comprising the other pole ofthe switches is also interconnected via a common conductor 13 communicating a detection signal to for example the registration box 1 shown in figure 1 when at least one ofthe switches 14 is closed by a hit form a ball or puck or similar device. If the at least one switch 14 is closed the applied bias on the conductor 12 will be transferred to the signal conductor 13. The bias is transferred as long as the switch is closed. When the ball or puck etc. bounces off the net, the switch is open again, and the signal on the conductor 13 will appear as a pulse detectable by an electronic device for example in the detection unit 1. With reference to figure 1, the device according to figure 7 will then provide a signal or pulse indicating an x signal 2 and an y signal 3 indicating the coordinates for the hit at 4. A suitable arrangement of resistors, transimpedans amplifiers etc. as known to a person skilled in the art may provide an x and y coordinate for a center of gravity for a hit as described above.

Membrane switches are provided as sheets made of a suitable flexible material that easily can be glued onto a front part of an apparatus, for example, as known to a person skilled in the art. One ofthe benefits of utilizing membrane switches is the easy step of providing text, colors, graphics etc. on the front ofthe sheet constituting the membrane switches. This can be done with well known typographical techniques as known to a person skilled in the art. In the example of embodiment ofthe present invention as illustrated in figure 7, the graphics or logo or text etc. that is to be displayed on the net, is provided as a print dispersed correctly on to the surface ofthe matrix constituted by the stripes of membrane switches attached to the net. Viewed from a distance, the message arranged on the surface ofthe membrane switches is visible. In an example of embodiment ofthe present invention, the stripes of membrane switches are 3mm wide and has a length adjusted to the dimensions ofthe net. The stripes with membrane switches can be wrapped around the filament, and be attached by gluing the stripes to the filament. Other methods of attaching the stripes may be used as known to a person skilled in the art. In the device 1 as depicted in figure 1, there is for example electronic encoder circuitry communicating with the signals 13 that converts the unary coded signals 13 to binary numbers. In this manner the device 1 may provide binary coded numbers for the coordinates x and y for a hit.

The advantage of providing coordinates of hits is that a coach may use this information to train and analyze the ability and accuracy etc. of different players on a football team, for example.

In another example of embodiment ofthe present invention membrane switches are grouped with 4 switches in a tight configuration. The gas pressure inside the bobbles in the 4 grouped membrane switches is different in this example of embodiment. In this manner it is possible to detect 4 different levels ofthe strength of a hit of a ball or puck or similar device on to such a group of switches. In this example of embodiment, each ofthe switches with the same gas pressure are linked together as a stripe of membrane switches as described above, thereby providing 4 stripes of switches in the x and y direction, respectively. By identifying which line ofthe 4 stripes of switches that has been activated, the force ofthe hit may be identified.

In another example of embodiment ofthe present invention, a graphical imprint is provided on the net as described above illustrating the pattern of a certain game board. When a ball or puck or similar device hits the net, it also hits a position on the game board. This may be utilized, for example, as a wager game where the general public may place a bet on a certain field on the game board. If the ball or similar device hits this spot on the net, it is a winning situation.

Claims

C l a i s

1.

Arrangement of net or mesh provided for a ball game, comprising at least one hinged hatch on said net or mesh over at least one opening in said net or mesh, wherein said hatch will open up when a ball or puck or similar device strikes said hatch, and where said ball or puck or similar device may pass through said opening when striking said hatch.

2.

Arrangement of net or mesh according to claim 1, wherein said at least one opening has a pouch or basket attached over said opening receiving said passing ball or puck or similar device if passing through said opening.

3.

Arrangement of net or mesh according to claim 1, wherein said at least one hatch has an electric contact or switch providing an electronically identifiable signal when said hatch opens up by a striking ball or puck or similar device on said hatch.

4.

Arrangement of net or mesh according to claim 1, wherein said hatch is made of same material and has same appearance as said net or mesh.

5. Arrangement of net or mesh according to claim 1 , wherein said net or mesh is provided as a rhombic pattern manufactured from a filament.

6.

Arrangement of net or mesh according to claim 1, wherein at least a first stripe of membrane switches are arranged in a first direction, attached to said net or mesh, and where at least second stripes of membrane switches are arranged in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction, also attached to said net or mesh.

7. Arrangement of net or mesh according to claim 6, wherein said switches on at least one of said stripes of membrane switches are interconnected such that a first pole of said switches are connected together with a first conductor, and a second pole of said switches is connected together with a second conductor.

8.

Arrangement of net or mesh according to claim 6 and 7, wherein a group of at least two of said membrane switches on said at least one stripe is located adjacent to each other, and it is provided a different gas pressure inside each of said at least two adjacent membrane switches.

9. Arrangement of net or mesh according to claim 1, wherein there is applied a graphical pattern corresponding to a game board on a filament constituting said net or mesh, and where said at least one hatch constitutes an integral part of said game board.

10. Arrangement of net or mesh according to claim 1, wherein there is applied a graphical pattern corresponding to a textual message, logo or advertisement sign on a filament constituting said net or mesh, and where said at least one hatch constitutes an integral part of said textual message, logo or advertisement sign.