Patent ID: 6558279
Filing Date: 2003-05-06
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
A collapsible sports goal assembly, comprising:a base frame including a first leg, a second leg laterally spaced relative to the first leg and oriented approximately parallel thereto, and a third leg extending between the first and second legs; a front frame including a first leg, a second leg laterally spaced relative to the first leg and approximately parallel thereto, and a third leg extending between the first and second legs, wherein the first leg of the front frame is pivotally connected to the first leg of the base frame, and the second leg of the front frame is pivotally connected to the second leg of the base frame thereby pivotally connecting the front frame to the base frame; a top frame defining a first leg, a second leg laterally spaced relative to the first leg and oriented approximately parallel thereto, and a third leg extending between the first and second legs, wherein the first and second legs of the top frame are pivotally connected to the third leg of the front frame to thereby pivotally connect the top frame to the front frame; at least one connecting leg assembly pivotally connected at one end to the base frame and pivotally connected at another end to one of the front frame and top frame, and including a female leg and a male leg slidably received within the female leg with at least one of the male and female legs being slidably movable relative to the other; and at least one releasable locking member movable between a locked position with the locking member extending between the male and female legs of the connecting leg assembly and fixedly securing the male and female legs relative to each other, and an unlocked position spaced away from at least one of the male and female legs and allowing the male and female legs to slidably move relative to each other; the base frame, front frame, top frame and at least one connecting leg assembly being movable between (i) an open position wherein the base frame and front frame are oriented approximately perpendicular to each other, the top frame extends laterally and rearwardly from the front frame and is spaced above the base frame, the at least one connecting leg assembly extends upwardly and forwardly from the base frame and is pivotally connected to at least one of the top frame and front frame, and the at least one releasable locking member is located in the locked position thereby fixedly securing the position of the at least one male leg relative to the respective female leg and, in turn, fixedly securing the base frame, front frame and top frame in the open position, and (ii) a closed position wherein the at least one releasable locking member is located in the unlocked position, at least one of the base frame and front frame is folded onto the other, and the top frame is oriented approximately parallel to at least one of the front and base frames to thereby place the frame assembly in an approximately flat, collapsed condition.