Sport post

Abstract

The present invention is related to a sport post associated with a goal, a score or finish line, and a method of using the sport post. The sport post includes at least one post defining at least one slot along a longitudinal axis of the post. The post is substantially aligned with an edge adjacent a sport area associated with a sport surface for determining a sport condition of a goal, a finish or a score. At least one transparent member is received through the slot, and has a configuration so that at least a portion of the edge is visible through the transparent member. The sport post can be associated with a system including a reflective strip on the sport surface, an electromagnetic radiation transmitting device and a detection device for determining if a sport element crosses the edge.

What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows: 
     
         1 . A sport post comprising:
 at least one post defining at least one slot along a longitudinal axis of said post, said post being substantially aligned with an edge adjacent a sport area associated with a sport surface for determining a sport condition selected from the group consisting of a goal, a finish, and a score; and   at least one transparent member received through said slot, wherein said transparent member having a configuration so that at least a portion of the edge is visible through said transparent member.   
     
     
         2 . The sport post according to  claim 1 , wherein said transparent member includes at least one fastening structure to secure said transparent member to said post. 
     
     
         3 . The sport post according to  claim 2 , wherein said fastening structure is a flange featuring an edge that abuts against an interior surface of said post adjacent said slot. 
     
     
         4 . The sport post according to  claim 3 , wherein said flange extends along an entire longitudinal length of said transparent member. 
     
     
         5 . The sport post according to  claim 2 , wherein said fastening structure is a biased latch featuring an angled face and an edge that abuts against an interior surface of said post adjacent said slot. 
     
     
         6 . The sport post according to  claim 5 , wherein said biased latch extends along an entire longitudinal length of said transparent member. 
     
     
         7 . The sport post according to  claim 6 , wherein said biased latch is a plurality of latches oriented along said longitudinal length of said transparent member. 
     
     
         8 . The sport post according to  claim 1 , wherein said transparent member is located at a side of said post facing toward the sport area. 
     
     
         9 . The sport post according to  claim 1 , wherein said post includes a first side and a second side in space relationship with said first side to create a hollow interior. 
     
     
         10 . The sport post according to  claim 9 , wherein said slot is a first slot and a second slot, said first slot being defined in said first side, and second slot being defined in said second side aligned with said first slot. 
     
     
         11 . The sport post according to  claim 10 , wherein said transparent member is a first transparent member and a second transparent member, said first transparent member being received in said first slot, and said second transparent member being received in said second slot. 
     
     
         12 . The sport post according to  claim 11 , wherein said first and second transparent members each including at least one fastening structure to secure said first and second transparent members to said first and second sides, respectively. 
     
     
         13 . The sport post according to  claim 12 , wherein said fastening structure is a flange featuring an edge that abuts against an interior surface of said first and second sides adjacent said slot, respectively. 
     
     
         14 . The sport post according to  claim 12 , wherein said fastening structure is a biased latch featuring an angled face and an edge that abuts against an interior surface of said first and second sides adjacent said slot, respectively. 
     
     
         15 . The sport post according to  claim 1 , wherein said post is selected from the group consisting of a vertical post extending up from a sport playing surface, a horizontal post substantially parallel with the sport playing surface, and a corner post connecting at least a vertical post and a horizontal post. 
     
     
         16 . The sport post according to  claim 15 , wherein said post features a first side facing an interior of the sport area, said first side being angled away from the sport area featuring the sport element, said first side being angled away from the sport area in a direction from the edge toward the sport area. 
     
     
         17 . The sport post according to  claim 16 , wherein said transparent member features a side adjacent said first side of said post, said side of said transparent member being angled away from the sport area featuring the sport element to correspond with said first side of said post. 
     
     
         18 . A method of using a sport post for verifying a sport condition, said method comprising the steps of:
 a) orientating at least one post above an edge adjacent a sport area associated with a sport surface, said post defining at least one slot along a longitudinal axis of said post;   b) orientating at least one transparent member received through said slot so that at least a portion of the edge is visible through said transparent member; and   c) determining if a sport element crosses the edge of the sport area to determine a sport condition selected from the group consisting of a goal, a finish, and a score.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18  further comprising the step of, before step c), of transmitting an electromagnetic radiation from a transmitting device toward a reflective strip associated with the sport surface, and receiving a reflected electromagnetic radiation by a detection device that is reflected from said reflective strip. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein said electromagnetic radiation and said reflected electromagnetic radiation travel through said transparent member.