Football goal

Abstract

A flexible collapsible curtain for hanging up as a football pitch backstop characterised by a flap protruding from the plane of the curtain to define a goal having a goal mouth in the plane of the curtain, wherein, in use, the edges of the goal mouth are defined by tension in the curtain.

1 . A flexible collapsible curtain for hanging up as a football pitch backstop having a flap protruding from the plane of the curtain to define a goal having a goal mouth in the plane of the curtain, characterized in that the curtain is suspended from a support such that it may be moved between a collapsed position and a deployed position, wherein, in the deployed position the edges of the goal mouth are defined by tension in the curtain. 
     
     
         2 . A flexible collapsible curtain as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the shape of the goal mouth is defined exclusively by the tension in the curtain. 
     
     
         3 . A curtain as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a removable rigid frame to assist in defining the shape of the goal mouth. 
     
     
         4 . A curtain as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the tension in the curtain is maintained by tethers at the perimeter of the curtain. 
     
     
         5 . A curtain as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the curtain is tethered to the ground at vertices of the goal portion. 
     
     
         6 . A curtain as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the curtain is tethered to the ground by means of weights. 
     
     
         7 . A curtain as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the tension in the curtain is maintained by loops retained by tent pegs. 
     
     
         8 . A curtain as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the flap is joined to the plane of the curtain by side panels to form a sealed goal portion in the form of a three dimensional pocket. 
     
     
         9 . A curtain as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one edge of the goal mouth is marked so as to be distinguishable from the rest of the curtain. 
     
     
         10 . A curtain as claimed in  claim 1 , formed of a mesh material. 
     
     
         11 . A curtain as claimed in  claim 1 , formed of a plastics material. 
     
     
         12 . A curtain as claimed in  claim 1 , formed of a fabric material. 
     
     
         13 . A curtain as claimed in  claim 1 , further including a folded-over portion for receiving a string from which the curtain can be hung. 
     
     
         14 . A curtain as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the flap is integral to the plane of the curtain. 
     
     
         15 . A curtain as claimed in  claim 1  wherein in the deployed position the plane of the curtain is flat. 
     
     
         16 . A method of creating a collapsible football goal and backstop as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
 providing a curtain as claimed in  claim 1 ,   suspending the curtain from two points above the ground; such that the curtain defines a goal line backstop, tethering the flap so that it protrudes from the plane of the curtain, and   tensioning the goal mouth to reinforce its shape.   
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the shape of the goal mouth is defined exclusively by the tension in the curtain. 
     
     
         18 . A method as claimed in  claim 16 , further comprising the step of strengthening the goal portion by inserting rigid members into the vertices of the goal portion to provide additional support. 
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the step of supporting the goal portion comprises securing the goal portion to the ground. 
     
     
         20 . A method as claimed in  claim 19 , further comprising securing the remainder of the curtain to the ground. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein a wire or cable is secured at two points from which the curtain is suspended.