Patent ID: 8801549
Filing Date: 2014-08-12
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
1. In a sports goal for soccer and the like, a folding frame comprising: a rigid front frame having an inverted, generally U-shaped front elevational configuration defined by two generally parallel and laterally spaced apart uprights which are oriented generally vertically in an unfolded use position and have upper and lower portions, and an upper cross leg rigidly attached to and interconnecting said upper portions of said uprights, which extends generally horizontally in said unfolded use position to define a goal opening between said uprights and said cross leg; a rigid base frame having a generally U-shaped plan configuration, oriented generally horizontally in said unfolded use position, and defined by two generally parallel side legs which are spaced laterally apart an amount commensurate with said uprights of said front frame and have forward and rearward portions, and a rear cross leg fixedly attached to and interconnecting said rearward portions of said side legs of said base frame; said forward portions of said side legs of said base frame being pivotally connected with said lower portions of said uprights of said front frame to permit said base frame to be pivoted along a generally vertical plane between said unfolded use position in which said base frame is oriented generally horizontally and perpendicular with said front frame, and a folded storage position in which said base frame is oriented generally vertically and parallel with said front frame; a pair of rigid side frames, each having a generally C-shaped side elevation configuration with an upper free end thereof pivotally connected with said upper portion of an associated one of said uprights on said front frame, a lower free end thereof pivotally connected with said lower portion of an associated one of said uprights of said front frame, and an angled medial portion which extends downwardly and rearwardly from said upper free end at a predetermined angle to a rear foot portion thereof which is located adjacent to and is abuttingly supported on said rearward portion of an associated one of said side legs of said base frame in said unfolded use position, and then forwardly in a generally horizontal direction above said associated side leg of said base frame to said lower free end; said side frames being pivoted on said front frame along a generally horizontal plane between said unfolded use position in which said side frames are oriented generally perpendicular with said front frame, and said folded storage position in which said side frames are oriented generally parallel with said front frame; a pair of first lock mechanisms disposed on said rearward portions of said side legs of said base frame; a pair of second lock mechanisms disposed on said rearward foot portions of said side frames, and lockingly mate with said first lock mechanisms on said base frame in said unfolded use position to securely yet detachably interconnect the same and thereby retain said front frame, said base frame and said side frames in said unfolded use position; and a pair of third lock mechanisms disposed on said uprights of said front frame, and lockingly mating with said first lock mechanisms on said base frame to securely yet detachably interconnect the same and thereby retain said front frame, said base frame and said side frames in said folded storage position, whereby said sports goal is shifted from said unfolded storage position to said folded use position by sequentially unlocking said first and second lock mechanism, pivoting said side frames fully inwardly, pivoting said base frame fully upwardly to capture said side frames between said front frame and said base frame, and locking said first and third locking mechanisms.