SPORTS REBOUNDING AND GOAL APPARATUS

Abstract

An apparatus includes a first base member, a second base member, a first sliding connector slidable along the first base member, a second sliding connector slidable along the second base member, a first pivotable connector coupled to the first base member, a second pivotable connector coupled to the second base member, a first side support pivotably coupled to the first pivotable connector, a second side support pivotably coupled to the second pivotable connector, one or more cross-members extending between at least one of (a) the first pivotable connector and the second sliding connector or (b) the second pivotable connector and the first sliding connector, a first brace (a) pivotably coupled to the first side support and (b) pivotably coupled to the first sliding connector, and a second brace (a) pivotably coupled to the second side and (b) pivotably coupled to the second sliding connector.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: a first base member; a second base member; a first sliding connector slidable along the first base member; a second sliding connector slidable along the second base member; a first pivotable connector coupled to the first base member; a second pivotable connector coupled to the second base member; a first side support pivotably coupled to the first pivotable connector; a second side support pivotably coupled to the second pivotable connector; one or more cross-members extending between at least one of (a) the first pivotable connector and the second sliding connector or (b) the second pivotable connector and the first sliding connector; a first brace (a) pivotably coupled to the first side support and (b) pivotably coupled to the first sliding connector; and a second brace (a) pivotably coupled to the second side and (b) pivotably coupled to the second sliding connector.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first pivotable connector and the second pivotable connector are positioned at or proximate ends of the first base member and the second base member.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first pivotable connector and the second pivotable connector are positioned at or proximate lower ends of the first side support and the second side support.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a lateral support extending between the first side support and the second side support.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the lateral support is positioned at or proximate upper ends of the first side support and the second side support.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: a pair of hinges pivotably coupling the lateral support to the first side support and the second side support; a net; and a plurality of net connectors extending between the (a) the pair of hinges and the net and (b) the first pivotable connector, the second pivotable connector, and the net.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the lateral support includes a hinge element positioned proximate a center thereof.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the hinge element includes a locking mechanism configured to pivotably lock the lateral support in an unfolded configuration.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more cross-members include: a first cross-member extending between the first pivotable connector and the second sliding connector; and a second cross-member extending between the second pivotable connector and the first sliding connector.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a cross-support locking mechanism pivotably coupled to the first cross-member and coupled to the second cross-member.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second cross-member includes a first leg and a second leg.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first leg extends between the second pivotable connector and the cross-support locking mechanism, and wherein the second leg extends between the cross-support locking mechanism and the first sliding connector.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the second leg is axially offset from the first leg.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the cross-support locking mechanism defines an aperture, wherein the first cross-member includes a spring biased detent button positioned along a length thereof, and wherein the spring biased detent button of the first cross-member is positioned to selectively engage with the aperture of the cross-support locking mechanism to pivotably fix the first cross-member with the cross-support locking mechanism.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first brace is pivotably coupled to the first side support at a position between a lower end and an upper end thereof.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first brace and the second brace are extendable.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a net coupled to the first side support and the second side support.

18. An apparatus comprising: a base frame assembly including: a first base member; and a second base member; an upper frame assembly including: a first side support; a second side support; a first hinge coupled to an upper end of the first side support; a second hinge coupled to an upper end of the second side support; a lateral support extending between the first hinge and the second hinge, the lateral support including a third hinge positioned proximate a center thereof; a first connector pivotably coupling the first side support with the first base member; a second connector pivotably coupling the second side support with the second base member; a net; and a plurality of net connectors extending between (a) the net and (b) the first hinge, the second hinge, the first connector, and the second connector.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising: a first brace extending between the first side support and the first base member; a second brace extending between the second side support and the second base member; and one or more cross-members extending between the first base member and the second base member.

20. An apparatus comprising: a base frame assembly; an upper frame assembly pivotably coupled to the base frame assembly, the upper frame assembly configured to support a net; a sliding connector slidable along a portion of the base frame assembly; and a brace pivotably coupled to the upper frame assembly and the sliding connector.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an example implementation of a sports rebounding and goal apparatus of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an example implementation of a sports rebounding and goal apparatus of the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an example implementation of a sports rebounding and goal apparatus of the present disclosure in a partially collapsed configuration;

[0026] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example implementation of a sports rebounding and goal apparatus of the present disclosure in a collapsed configuration;

[0027] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of an example implementation of a sports rebounding and goal apparatus of the present disclosure in a collapsed configuration;

[0028] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an example implementation of a sports rebounding and goal apparatus of the present disclosure; and

[0029] FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic views of an example implementation cross member locking mechanism of a rebounder of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] As used in this document, the singular forms a, an, and the include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. As used in this document, the term comprising means including, but not limited to. When used in this document, the term exemplary is intended to mean by way of example and is not intended to indicate that a particular exemplary item is preferred or required.

[0031] In this document, when terms such first and second are used to modify a noun, such use is simply intended to distinguish one item from another, and is not intended to require a sequential order unless specifically stated. The term approximately, when used in connection with a numeric value, is intended to include values that are close to, but not exactly, the number. For example, in some implementations, the term approximately may include values that are within +/10 percent of the value.

[0032] When used in this document, terms such as top and bottom, above and below, upper and lower, or front and rear, are not intended to have absolute orientations but are instead intended to describe relative positions of various components with respect to each other. For example, a first component may be an upper component and a second component may be a lower component when a device of which the components are a part is oriented in a first direction. The relative orientations of the components may be reversed, or the components may be on the same plane, if the orientation of the structure that contains the components is changed. The claims are intended to include all orientations of a device containing such components.

[0033] FIGS. 1 and 6 present an example implementation of a sports rebounding and goal apparatus, or rebounder, generally 100, in accordance with the present disclosure. Rebounder 100 includes a first, or upper, frame 102 connected to a second, or base, frame 104. Base frame 104 includes elongated first and second base members 104a, 104b that extend behind and generally perpendicular, or at an acute angle, with respect to upper frame 102. Upper frame 102 defines an open area 106 (FIG. 2), and a net 108 that is configured to be connected by one or more connectors, such as straps, hooks, or the like, generally 110, to upper frame 102 and to base frame 104 and to also span across at least a portion of open area 106 for use in rebounding balls, pucks, or the like propelled against net 108.

[0034] Upper frame 102 includes an elongated upper support, generally 112, having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. An elongated first side support 114 is pivotally connected to first end of upper support 112 and is pivotally connected to first base member 104a via pivotal connector 115. An elongated second side support 116 is pivotally connected to the second end of upper support 112 and is pivotally connected to second base member 104b via pivotal connector 115, which in an example implementation may be a knuckle connector.

[0035] Each of the first and second side supports 114, 116 may be configured to move between a first position substantially perpendicular to base frame 104 (FIGS. 1, 2, and 6) and a second position generally parallel to at least a portion of upper support 112 (FIGS. 4 and 5).

[0036] First side support 114 may also be configured to move between a first position, where first side support 114 extends substantially perpendicular to first base member 104a, a second position where first side support 114 extends at an acute angle with respect to first base member 104a, and a third, collapsed, position wherein first side support 114 extends substantially parallel to first base member 104a. Similarly, second side support 116 may be configured to move between a first position, where second side support 116 extends substantially perpendicular to second base member 104b, a second position wherein second side support 116 extends at an acute angle with respect to second base member 104b, and a third, collapsed, position, where second side support 116 extends substantially parallel to second base member 104b.

[0037] Example implementations of rebounder 100 of the present disclosure may include upper support 112 comprising an elongated first upper support member 118 and an elongated second upper support member 120. Locking mechanism 122 connects first and second upper support members 118, 120 together.

[0038] First upper support member 118 includes a first end 118a and a second end 118b opposite first end 118a. Similarly, second upper support member 120 includes a first end 120a and a second end 120b opposite first end 120a. First ends 118a, 120a of the first and second support members 118, 120, respectively, are pivotally connected to upper frame 102. Specifically, first end 118a of first upper support member 118 is pivotally connected to first side support member 114 with a pivotal connector, such as a hinge connector 123, and first end 120a of upper support member 120 is pivotally connected to side support member 116, also with a hinge connector 123.

[0039] Locking mechanism 122 is pivotally connected to each second end 118b, 120b of first and second upper support members 118, 120, and is actuatable between a locked position, where first and second upper support members 118, 120 are substantially rigidly fixed with respect to one another and are configured to hold net 108 in tension, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 1 and 6. Locking mechanism 122 is actuatable to an unlocked position, where at least one of the second ends 118b, 120b of the first and second upper support members 118, 120 is pivotable with respect to the locking mechanism 122. When in the unlocked position, locking mechanism 122 allows the second ends 118b, 120b of first and second upper support members 118, 120, to pivot downwardly, as shown in FIG. 3. In such a configuration, the tension in net 108 is reduced, allowing net 108 to become slack as compared to when locking mechanism 122 is in the locked position (FIGS. 1, 2 and 6).

[0040] Locking mechanism 122, which could be a of a variety of configurations, is in one example a toggle lock mechanism having a hinged coupling that is pulled upwardly to a tensioned over-center-toggle point which then induces compression in first and second upper supports 118, 120 (with respect to side supports 114, 116) sufficient to hold first and second upper supports 118, 120 in place in a generally rigid, end-to-end relationship. To release, or unlock, coupling 122, a user need only depress the locking mechanism 122 a sufficient distance whereby the members 118, 120 are no longer in tension, at which point members 118, 120 may freely pivot downwardly in a folding manner as shown in FIG. 3.

[0041] Rebounder 100 may also include first and second cross members, or supports, 124, 126, which each extend between first and second base members 104a, 104b. First support 124 is a single member and has an end 124a pivotally connected to first base member 104a via pivotal connector 115, and a second end connected for pivotally and/or slidingly movement to second base member 104b via sliding pivotal connector 117 during set up and collapsing of rebounder 100. Second cross member 126 has an elongated first leg 126a and an elongated second leg 126b. A cross support locking mechanism 128 receives first cross member 124 and first and second legs 126a, 126b. Each of first and second legs 126a, 126b has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end of first leg 126a is pivotally connected to second base member 104b via sliding pivotal connector 117 during set up and collapsing of rebounder 100. The first end of the second leg 126b is pivotally and/or slidingly connected to the first base member 104a via a sliding pivotal connector 117 through which base member 104a passes. The second end of each of the first and second legs 126a, 126b is connected to the cross member locking mechanism 128. The cross support locking mechanism 128 receives, spans between, and is pivotally connected to first support 124 and rigidly connected to the second end of each of the first and second legs 126a, 126b. Cross support locking mechanism 128 is actuatable between a locked position (where a spring biased detent button 128a extends through hole 128b) (FIGS. 7 and 8). Locking mechanism 128 also receives leg 126a and includes a pivot 129 attached to first support, such that locking mechanism pivots about pivot 129 upon rebounder 100 being collapsed. First and second legs 126a, 126b are fixed with respect to one another and the net is maintained in tension. To unlock, spring-biased locking button 128a is depressed into hole 128b, and when unlocked, the second ends of the first and second legs are fixed with respect to the cross support locking mechanism 128, and the tension of the net is reduced as compared to when the cross support locking mechanism is in the locking position.

[0042] Telescoping first and second side brace members 130, 132 are each pivotally connected to first side support 114 and second side support 116 respectively. First brace member 130 has a first end 130a pivotally connected to first side support 114 and pivotally and/or slidingly connected to base member 104a via a sliding pivoting connecter 117 that receives second base member 104a during set up and collapsing of rebounder 100. Second brace member 132 has a first end 132a pivotally connected to second side support 116 and is pivotally and/or slidingly connected to second base member 104b via a sliding pivoting connecter 117 during set up and collapsing of rebounder 100. With this configuration, upper frame 102 is adjustable relative to base frame 104 by the sliding and/or pivotal movement and/or adjustment of the second end 130a of first brace 130 and the second end 132a of second brace 132 with respect to first and second base members 104a, 104b respectively. For example, upper frame 102 may be angled relative to base frame 104 by adjusting the positioning of first and second support members 130, 132. Additionally, each of first and second side brace members 130, 132 include a first sleeve 133a, and a second sleeve 133b slidingly, or telescopingly, received within the first sleeve 133a, where the upper frame 102 is adjustable relative to the base frame 104 by telescoping of first and/or second sleeves 133a, 133b with respect to one another to adjust the overall length of the first and second brace members 130, 132, and where, as a consequence, the second end of each of the first and second brace members 130, 132 slides with respect to the first and second base members 104a, 104b, respectively, thereby allowing the upper frame 102 to be selectively angled relative to the base frame 104 by adjusting the effective length of at least one of the first and second brace members 130, 132. One or more releasable locking devices may be included, which may in an exemplary implementation comprise at least one spring-biased detent device 133c, configured for selectively engaging one or more holes in the first sleeve 133a in which the second sleeve is received, to thereby allow such second sleeve 133b to be selectively fixed with respective to the first sleeve and to thereby selectively fix the effective length of such first or second brace 130, 132.

[0043] To collapse rebounder 100, coupling 123 of locking mechanism 122 is released, or unlocked, by the user need by depressing the coupling 122 a sufficient distance, whereby the members 118, 120 are no longer in tension, at which point members 118, 120 may freely pivot downwardly in a folding manner as shown in FIG. 3. The user would also depress button 128a of cross support locking mechanism 128 into hole 128b, and when unlocked, the first support 124 is then pivotable with respect to the cross support locking mechanism 128. Cross supports 118, 120 are folded downwardly, causing the upper frame 102 to generally fold upon itself, cross members 124, 126 are drawn together and generally inwardly upon themselves, and base members 104a, 104b and side braces 130, 132 pivot upwardly and inwardly to be generally adjacent one another, where the collapsed rebounder's components are ultimately in a space-saving, readily transportable stacked, compact configuration, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0044] Components of rebounder 100, including without limitation, upper frame 102, lower frame 104, cross supports 124, 126, and braces 130, 132, could be constructed of steel pipe or tubing, or any other suitable including metal, alloy, or material.

[0045] Accordingly, implementations are disclosed herein that provide a soccer rebounder that can be manipulated to be in a compact, space-saving configuration. Additionally, implementations are disclosed herein that provide a goal apparatus, for use in the training and/or play of other activities, such as hockey, lacrosse, etc., that can also be manipulated to be in a compact, space-saving configuration.

[0046] The above-disclosed features and functions, as well as alternatives, may be combined into many other different apparatuses or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements may be made by those skilled in the art, each of which is also intended to be encompassed by the disclosed implementations.