COLLAPSIBLE SPORTS GOAL

Abstract

A foldable, portable sports goal structure includes a hollow frame that contains an elastic cord or cable that uses compressive forces from the cord tension to hold the frame together. The sports goal includes ground support bars, sidebars and a crossbar. Rear support bars may also be used. The elastic cord or cable that is under tensions is used to hold the frame together when the goal is set up. The elastic cord or cable also holds the frame together when the goal is folded up so the goal can be quickly set up or folded up. The net can remain attached to the frame, which allows the goal to be used or stored as a single unit.

Claims

1. A portable sports goal, comprising: a plurality of hollow and separable support segments; a plurality of hollow couplers, each of the couplers removably receiving with a friction fit at least one of the support segments and together with the support segments forming an interconnecting frame; and an elongate elastic cord disposed in all of the support segments and the couplers, the elongate elastic cord holding the separable support segments and the couplers together, wherein the elongate elastic cord is under tension where the separable support segments and the couplers are assembled as the interconnecting frame.

2. The portable sports goal of claim 1, further comprising a net attached to the frame.

3. The portable sports goal of claim 1, wherein the elongate elastic cord forms a continuous loop disposed through the separable support segments and the couplers of the goal frame.

4. The portable sports goal of claim 1, wherein the elongate elastic cord is divided into sections, each of the sections connecting at least two of the support segments.

5. The portable sports goal of claim 4, wherein each of the sections is connected to the at least two of the support segments with mechanical fasteners.

6. The portable sports goal of claim 1, wherein the support segments form a ground support bar, a pair of sidebars, and a crossbar.

7. The portable sports goal of claim 6, wherein the ground support bar is substantially U-shaped.

8. The portable sports goal of claim 1, wherein the each of the couplers is either formed separately from each of the support segments or formed integrally with one of the support segments.

9. A portable sports goal, comprising: a plurality of hollow and separable support segments; a plurality of hollow couplers including straight couplers, elbow couplers, and T-shaped couplers, each of the couplers removably receiving with a friction fit at least one of the support segments and together with the support segments forming an interconnecting frame; and an elongate elastic cord disposed in all of the support segments and the couplers, the elongate elastic cord holding the separable support segments and the couplers together, wherein the elongate elastic cord is under tension where the separable support segments and the couplers are assembled as the interconnecting frame.

10. The portable sports goal of claim 9, further comprising a net attached to the frame.

11. The portable sports goal of claim 9, wherein the elongate elastic cord forms a continuous loop disposed through the separable support segments and the couplers of the goal frame.

12. The portable sports goal of claim 9, wherein the elongate elastic cord is divided into sections, each of the sections connecting at least two of the support segments.

13. The portable sports goal of claim 12, wherein each of the sections is connected to the at least two of the support segments with mechanical fasteners.

14. The portable sports goal of claim 9, wherein the support segments form a ground support bar, a pair of sidebars, a pair of rear support bars, and a crossbar.

15. The portable sports goal of claim 14, wherein the ground support bar is substantially U-shaped.

16. The portable sports goal of claim 9, wherein the each of the couplers is either formed separately from each of the support segments or formed integrally with one of the support segments.

17. A portable sports goal kit, comprising: a plurality of hollow and separable support segments; a plurality of hollow couplers, each of the couplers configured to removably receive with a friction fit at least one of the support segments and together with the support segments configured to form an interconnecting frame; and an elongate elastic cord disposed in all of the support segments and the couplers, the elongate elastic cord holding the separable support segments and the couplers together, wherein the elongate elastic cord is under tension where the separable support segments and the couplers are assembled as the interconnecting frame.

18. The portable sports goal kit of claim 17, wherein the support segments are configured to form a ground support bar, a pair of sidebars, and a crossbar.

19. The portable sports goal kit of claim 17, further comprising a net configured to be attached to the frame.

20. The portable sports goal kit of claim 17, wherein the elongate elastic cord forms a continuous loop disposed through the support segments and the couplers.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0024] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a fully assembled goal with side support bars, according to one embodiment of the disclosure, with an interior elastic cord identified by dashed lines;

[0025] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a fully assembled goal without side support bars, according to another embodiment of the disclosure, with an interior elastic cord identified by dashed lines;

[0026] FIG. 3 is an exploded front perspective view of the goal shown in FIG. 2, illustrating that the goal can be broken down for storage and transport, and further depicted without a net attached thereto for purpose of clarity;

[0027] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional side elevational view of two support segments of the goal taken along section line 4,5-4,5 in FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the disclosure, the support segments connected via a coupler, and a continuous elastic cord running through both supports and providing a tension to hold the supports in the coupler; and

[0028] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional side elevational view of two support segments of the goal taken along section line 4,5-4,5 in FIG. 1, according to another embodiment of the disclosure, the support segments connected via a coupler, and an individual elastic cord segment attached to each support.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The following detailed description and appended drawings describe and illustrate various embodiments of the collapsible sports goal. The description and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the collapsible sports goal, and are not intended to limit the scope of the collapsible sports goal in any manner. In respect of the methods disclosed, the steps presented are exemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps is not necessary or critical unless otherwise disclosed.

[0030] FIGS. 1-2 show a collapsible sports goal 100 that is easily assembled using a series of hollow support bars 102, 104, 106, 108 connected by an elastic cord 105. These support bars 102, 104, 106, 108 can be made of wood, metal, plastic or any other suitable material, as desired.

[0031] The support bars 102, 104, 106, 108 are formed from a plurality of individual segments that are selectively connected to one another using friction fit couplers 110, 112, 114. For example, the couplers 110, 112, 114 may have an inner diameter substantially the same as an outer diameter of the support bars 102, 104, 106, 108 with which they connect. These couplers 110, 112, 114 can be straight line couplers 110, elbow couplers 112, and T-shaped couplers 114, as non-limiting examples. Other shapes for the couplers 110, 112, 114 may also be employed to impart a desired shape to the collapsible sports goal 100 upon assembly, within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0032] Although the couplers 110, 112, 114 are shown herein as being formed separately from each of the support segments 102, 104, 106 108, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments each of the couplers 110, 112, 114 may be formed integrally with one of the support segments 102, 104, 106 108. In such an embodiment, the coupler 110, 112, 114 may be an end of one of the support segments 102, 104, 106 108 that has a diameter greater than or less than an adjacent one of the support segments 102, 104, 106, 108 in the series. The end would be configured to either receive or be inserted into the adjacent hollow support segments 102, 104, 106, 108, and to have a friction fit with the same. In this manner, the end of one of the support segments 102, 104, 106 108 will function as the coupler 110, 112, 114, even though it is integrally formed as a one-piece unitary structure with the corresponding support segment 102, 104, 106 108.

[0033] The support bars 102, 104, 106, 108 are arranged to form a ground support bar 102, which stabilizes spaced apart sidebars 104 that support a crossbar 106. The ground support bar 102 of the goal 100 is illustrated in the drawings as being substantially U-shaped, but can be one of a multitude of shapes, including V-shaped, as desired.

[0034] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the goal 100 may also have rear supports 108. The rear supports 108 may connect a rear-ward portion of the ground support bar 102 to the crossbar 106. FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment, having the goal 100 without the rear supports 108. A skilled artisan may also select other suitable configurations for the goal 100 within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0035] More specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates the fully assembled goal 100 with side support bars segments 104 connected to the ground support bar segments 102 with the elbow couplers 112, and the ground support segments 102 connected to the crossbar segments 106 via the rear supports 108, using the T-shaped couplers 116. In particular, the ground support bar 102 may be composed of six segments, with certain segments connected using the straight coupler 110, and other segments connected with the elbow 112 in order to form the substantially U-shaped ground support bar 102.

[0036] FIG. 1 further illustrates that the ground support bar segments 102 are connected to the sidebar segments 104 by the elbow couplers 112. The crossbar segments 106 are connected to each other using the straight coupler 110, and are connected to the sidebar segments 104 also using elbow coupler 112. The sidebars 104 may also have segments connected with the straight coupler 110.

[0037] With reference to FIG. 2, the goal 100 according to another embodiment is shown. The goal 100 of FIG. 2 only uses the ground support bar 102 to stabilize the goal opening. The ground support bar 102 is composed of six segments that are connected using the straight couplers 110 and the elbow couplers 112. The ground support bar segments 102 are connected to the sidebar segments 104 by the elbow couplers 112. The crossbar segments 106 are connected to each other using the straight coupler 110, and are connected to the sidebar segments 104 using the elbow couplers 112.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the support bars 102, 104, 106, 108 also have a net 116 connected thereto. The net 116 may be removably or irremovably affixed to the support bars 102, 104, 106, 108, as desired. For example, the net 116 may be connected with hooks, clips, or the like. A particular advantage of the collapsible goal 100 is that the net 116 can be permanently attached to the goal 100 creating one unit. As a single unit (i.e., frame and net), the sports goal 100 can be disassembled and folded quickly and easily for storage and transport, while militating against a loss of individual pieces due to the use of the elastic cord 105.

[0039] In particular, it should be understood that the elastic cord 105 connects the individual segments of the support bars 102, 104, 106, 108. The elastic cord 105 can either run throughout the structure continuously (FIG. 4), or be internally attached to individual segments (FIG. 5). Where the elastic cord 105 is continuous, it should be appreciated that it may run through individual segments more than once, depending on the overall construction of the goal 100. In either embodiment, the cord 105 traverses the junction between the couplers 110, 112, 114 and support bars 102, 104, 106, 108, keeping them connected at all times.

[0040] The elastic cord 105 has a pretension imparted thereto, and is configured to retain a tension even when the goal 100 is fully assembled. The elastic cord 105 not only keeps all of the couplers 110, 112, 114 and support bars 102, 104, 106, 108 together in proper orientation for assembly, but also applies a compressive force against the connected support bars 102, 104, 106, 108 and the couplers 110, 112, 114 when assembled, thereby providing a desired rigidity to the goal 100 and militating against an unintentional disassembly.

[0041] FIG. 3 is a representation of the dissembled support bars 102, 104, 106, 108, showing that the cord 105 may be exposed upon disassembly of the goal 100. Where the cord 105 is exposed, it should be appreciated that this represents a location where the goal 100 will fold upon disassembly. In this manner, the support bars 102, 104, 106, 108 are held together with the elastic cord/cable 105, even when not rigidly coupled with the couplers 110, 112, 114. This allows the goal to be easily disassembled for transport or storage.

[0042] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a coupling connection in the frame of the goal 100, in which the continuous elastic cord 105 is employed. The elastic cord/cable 105 extends continuously from one segment 104 through the straight coupler 110 into the other segment 104 of the sidebar 104, and likewise throughout the other segments and couplers of the entire frame. The compressive force of the stretched elastic cord/cable 105 facilitates the holding together of the frame upon assembly.

[0043] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a coupling connection in the frame of the goal 100, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the elastic cord/cable 105 extends through the coupler 110, but is not continuous throughout the entire frame. Instead, individual sections of the elastic cord/cable 105 span the gap between the ends of the segments 104, and are affixed to the ends of the segments 104 by fasteners 118 on each side of the joint.

[0044] The fasteners 118 may be, in particular embodiments, one of a bolt, a screw, a pin, and a rod disposed through the segments 104 in an orientation transverse that of the cord 105. The cord 105 may be tied or knotted around the fasteners 118, for example. Alternatively, the ends of the cord 105 may have stop features that abut an eyelet formed in the fastener 118. In any case, the compressive force of the stretched elastic cord/cable 105 holds the joint together when the frame is assembled.

[0045] With renewed reference to FIGS. 1-2, and where the net 116 is not permanently affixed to the segments of the frame, the net 116 having specific dimensions to match the frame may be attached once the frame has been assembled. The net 116 can be attached to the frame using a variety of methods, such as straps or hook-and-loop fasteners. The ground support bar 102 would attach to the bottom of the net 116. The top of the net 116 would be connected to the crossbar 106 and the sides of the net 116 would be connected to each sidebar 104.

[0046] As a single unit frame and net 116, the sports goal 100 can be folded or unfolded quickly and easily. The net 116 could be connected to the frame and stay in place when in storage, transport or during use. Having the entire support frame and net 116 connected allows for quick and easy assembly and disassembly. The goal 100 is thereby made ready for use in a variety of sports such as, soccer, hockey, lacrosse, or as a practice net for kicking a football or for hitting golf balls, as non-limiting examples.

[0047] Advantageously, a portable framework structure in the form of the sports goal 100 described hereinabove may be used in combination with a net for use in various sporting events. In operation, the sports goal 100 is easily disassembled or broken down for storage and transport, for example, in a bag to move to the desired location, and also easily reassembled for use.

[0048] Other variations and embodiments of the present collapsible sports goal are contemplated. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate such variations upon carefully reviewing the above disclosure. Therefore, the present collapsible sports goal is not to be limited by the above description, but is to be determined in the scope of the claims, which follow.