Abstract:
A collapsible, portable sporting goal frame is provided, having a pair of side support frames connected by a pair of flexible cables. Each of the side frames is constructed of a sequence of individual tubular frame members that connect to one another on an end-to-end basis. An elastic cord runs through each of the tubular members, and is placed in a stretched configuration when the tubular members are slidably connected together, end-to-end. The elastic cord thereby applies a compressive force against the connected frame members, resisting the unintentional disassembly thereof. When storage or transport is required, the individual members slide apart, with the elastic cord maintaining sequential order of the frame members. The net is attached to the flexible cables and the tubular frame members collapse in a manner forming a take-up spindle for the netting.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application, Serial No. 60/080,199, filed Mar. 31, 1998. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to portable framework structures and, more particularly, to such structures as are used with a net to construct a goal for use in various sporting events. More specifically, the present invention relates to a portable soccer goal that is constructed of interconnecting components that can be easily assembled and disassembled. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Although soccer has long been the world&#39;s most popular sport, in the United States soccer was virtually ignored throughout the 1960&#39;s and 1970&#39;s. However, beginning with youth programs in the 1980&#39;s, the popularity of soccer has dramatically increased, achieving nation-wide recognition in 1994 when the World Cup events were held in the United States. 
     Baseball remains the “national past time”; however, soccer is in rapid pursuit. In the year just prior to the World Cup competition, 12 million youngsters under age 18 had placed soccer even in popularity with softball and touch football. Moreover, according to the Soccer Industry Council of America, soccer&#39;s popularity cuts across demographic and geographic lines. Females account for over half of the players, and California and New York, followed by Texas, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, have the greatest percentage of children participating in the sport. Children of ages from 7 -11 years represent the single largest number of soccer players, accounting for approximately 42% of the nation&#39;s players. The “youth” of soccer is readily apparent, with players of age from 7-7 representing over 70% of the nation&#39;s soccer players. 
     This rising popularity of soccer has resulted in the establishment of increasing numbers of recreational and competitive soccer teams. With the sport being taken more seriously, “semi-professional” coaches have been hired and practice regimens are scheduled. Fortunately, the required equipment for practicing is minimal in comparison with some other sports, with a soccer ball and a rectangular field area all that is required. 
     To increase the benefits of practice, simulation of the “goal area” is desired. In order to sharpen both goal-tending skills and goal-scoring ability, it is important that all three dimensions, height, width, and depth of an official goal be present and available during at least part of the practice sessions. 
     Since schools are in large part responsible for the awakening of children&#39;s interest in soccer, school grounds are frequently the sight of soccer practicing. Unfortunately, the majority of schools are unable to provide great numbers of “permanent” soccer fields, and thus most soccer teams and players must rely upon portable soccer goals if such enhanced practice sessions are to be provided on a regular basis. 
     Regulation soccer goals measure 24 feet by 8 feet, and replication of such a large netted structure in a portable design has proven to be somewhat difficult. One solution has been to utilize basically the same components as in a permanent soccer goal, with attachment to a wheeled foundation provided in the place of ground-foundation structures. The resulting goal is quite heavy, and presents safety concerns to those around it, as will be discussed hereinafter. 
     An alternative solution has been the construction of soccer nets on site using a multiple-component framework to which separate netting is attached. Once assembled, the framework design tended to simulate the more permanent soccer net structures, and consequently included a number of heavy, over-sized components that were of marginal portability. Additionally, by separating the netting from the outer framework, the opportunities for inadvertent separation of the two components increased. 
     In addition to being of questionable portability, the semi-permanent wheeled nets and the use of heavy, multi-component frames also present a safety risk. When improperly installed or when they are used in a manner for which they were not designed. Such non-soccer activities have included being climbed upon or used to perform acrobatics, with severe, if not fatal injuries, a result. In one case, as one person climbed on the horizontal header of a 600-pound steel goal post, the goal post tipped forward and struck the head of another person who was hanging from the header, resulting in fatal injuries. At the time of the incident, this goal post was not properly anchored to the ground. In another case, while lifting a corner of the goal post to remove a net for storage, the goal post fell, striking the head of a three-year-old boy—again resulting in fatal injuries. 
     Over a fourteen-year period, the Consumer Products Safety Commission investigated 27 injuries relating to falling soccer goal posts. Eighteen of these injuries were fatal, primarily as a result of head trauma, with the injured being predominantly male, and ten-year old (average age). Of the 27 goal posts involved, 26 were made of metal, usually steel or galvanized pipe and 23 of the goal posts were mobile. Virtually all of the injuries occurred when the goal post fell forward, its top cross bar striking the victim. 
     All 27 events were witnessed, and in the majority of cases an adult was either directly supervising or in the general vicinity at the time of the injury. With the mouth of a soccer goal post completely open to the playing field, only three sides of the goal are available to stabilize and prevent a forward collapse of the goal. The injuries typically resulted from climbing on the goal posts, swinging or hanging from cross bars, or from doing chin-ups on the crossbars. The Consumer Products Safety Commission recommends that goal posts not in use should be either chained to a fence or other permanent structure, placed goal-faced-down on the ground, or disassembled for storage. 
     The growing popularity of soccer has resulted in an increased need for portable soccer goals. Portability and safety concerns both require that such goals be lightweight, with easy assembly and disassembly by their users. Additionally, since many times such practice sessions occur with few adults present, it is important that when disassembled, the soccer net be as compact and easy to carry as possible. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a sporting goal that can be easily set up and dismantled, and that can be reduced in size for ease in portability. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to greatly eliminate or minimize the need for clips and fasteners to attach the netting to a support framework. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to construct the frame out of multiple members of minimum individual length, permitting collapse of the frame to a minimum size while the assembled size of the frame enables the use of a larger net. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to utilized the collapsed, individual frame members of minimum length to provide a spindle about which the netting may be wound for further ease in transporting the collapsed net. 
     A further object of the present invention is to attach the support frames to one another in a manner that does not require a rigid frame member, yet also provides a support from which the netting can be hung. 
     A further object of the present invention utilizes a non-rigid connecting member to attach the pair of support frames to one-another in a manner that easily defines and establishes the overall dimensions of the goal when fully erected, as well as further assists in conforming the collapsed framework to a shape about which the netting can be easily wrapped. 
     In this regard, a portable soccer goal utilizes a net spread between and supported by a pair of side support frames. Each frame is constructed of multiple individual tubular sections that may be joined together in an end-to-end manner. An elastic cord runs within the tubular sections, and the compressive force occasioned by the stretching of this cord when adjacent frame sections are joined assists in maintaining the structural rigidity of the assembled frame construction. 
     A flexible cable connects the two frame members together, and is used to suspend the netting that will extend between the two frames when fully deployed. The netting remains attached to the cables during storage, which insures a degree of order that assists in both the set-up and teardown operations. Additional lateral support is provided the erected goal by tensioning straps that are attached to each support frame and extend away from the net to a stake that is temporarily anchored in the ground. 
     Disassembly of the frame requires only a temporary, further stretching of the cord to separate the end-to-end frame member attachment. The elastic cord then permits the adjoining frame members to fold together to create the spindle-like structure used to receive the attached netting. 
     Some further objects and advantages of the present invention shall become apparent from the ensuing description and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view, with portions broken away, showing a portable soccer net in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing a disassembled support framework in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view showing a partially erected support framework and tie-down system in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 3A is an enlarged perspective view taken within circle  3 A of FIG. 3 showing the manner in which a net support cable and a tensioning strap are attached to a support brace in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a partial side elevation view showing a side support framework having an alternative, enhanced support bracing system in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the supporting framework for the portable tent disassembled and enwrapped in the netting material, forming a compact arrangement for storage in accordance with the present invention; and 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a storage and transport container for the portable net in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. A portable soccer goal  10  is shown in FIG. 1, having a net  14  spread between and supported by a pair of side support frames  18 . Additional support for the soccer goal  10  is provided by a pair of tensioning straps  22  that are attached to and extend from the side support frames  18  to an anchoring stake  24 . 
     The pair of support frames  18  are attached to one another by a pair of lateral support cables  26  (best shown in FIG. 2) and by the net  14 . In an embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the net  14  is attached to both side support frames  18  as well as being slidably received upon the lateral support cables  26  (FIG.  2 ). In this manner, when the side support frames  18  are spaced apart to the maximum extent permitted by the support cables  26 , the support frames  18  and the support cables  26  form a supporting frame of proper dimensions over which the net  14  extends. 
     When fully erected, the side support frames  18  include a pair of support legs  28 . Turning to FIG. 2, each of the support legs  28  consist of a plurality of individual leg segments  32 . In the case of each of the support legs  28 , the individual leg segments  32  are interlinked by an elastic cord  36 . Extending from a head beam  42  of the side support frame  18  to the most distant leg segment  32 , the elastic cord  36  has a length shorter than the fully extended support leg  28 . As a result, the elastic cord  36  exerts a compressive force against each of the individual leg segments  32  when the support leg  28  has been fully assembled. 
     The interconnections between the adjacent leg segments  32  are formed in a manner to advantageously utilize the compressive force generated by the elastic cord  36 . The individual leg segments  32  have an attachment sleeve  44  formed at a first end of each leg segment  32  with an end socket  46  formed at an opposite end of the leg segment  32 . In this manner, with the individual leg segments  32  placed in an end-to-end arrangement, the attachment sleeves  44  of adjoining leg segments  32  are received within the end sockets  46  of the next-adjoining leg segment  32 . 
     The head beam  42  includes a lateral cross brace  48  with a pair of bracket legs  52  formed at either end thereof. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the various supporting structures are formed of a rectangular stock material, such as PVC tubing. In a presently preferred alternative embodiment, circular aluminum tubing is used instead to form the side support frames  18 , including both the head beam  42  and the plurality of individual leg segments  32  that form the pair of support legs  28 . 
     Such a preferred, alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 3, where a pair of triangularly-shaped corner gussets  54  are provided, each attached to a separate one of the bracket legs  52  and extending to an adjacent portion of the lateral cross brace  48 . This pair of corner gussets  54  are particularly advantageous when the frame structure is fabricated out of this extruded aluminum tubing, as they further enhance the structural integrity of the head beam  42 . Additionally, as will be subsequently discussed, regardless of the fabrication material used to form the side support frames  18 , the pair of corner gussets  54  also provide an improved and simplified attachment location for the net  14 . 
     Returning momentarily to FIG. 2, the bracket legs  52  each have a sleeve-receiving opening  55  formed therein of a size to receive the attachment sleeve  44  of an initial one of the plurality of leg segments  32 . In this manner each of the support legs  28  is received by the head beam  42 , with the compressive force exerted by the extended elastic cord  36  biasing the individual leg segments  32  together at each of the attachment sleeve-end socket connections, as well as biasing the individual support legs  28  to the head beam  42 . 
     Such a configuration is clearly shown in FIG. 4, with only the final leg segments  32  requiring insertion to complete the formation of the support legs  28 . FIG. 4 also illustrates one mechanism by which the tensioning straps  22  provide additional stability for the side support frames  18 . 
     In addition to providing lateral stability, the tensioning strap  22  terminates in a Y-attachment strap  56  that puts equal pressure on both of the lateral support cables  26  (not shown in FIG.  4 ). The equalization of support obtained through the use of the Y-attachment strap  56  assists in providing fore-aft as well as torsional stability for the soccer goal  10  in a manner that would be extremely difficult to accomplish if separate support straps were provided on each side. 
     In FIG. 4, each leg of the Y-attachment strap  56  is attached to a separate one of the bracket legs  52  of the head beam  42  utilizing a strap fastener  58 . A presently preferred alternative manner of attaching the Y-attachment strap  56  makes use of the pair of corner gussets  54  previously mentioned in the context of FIG.  3 . As is best shown in FIG. 3A, a pair of inner and outer sleeve receiving openings  55   a ,  55   b  are formed in each of the corner gussets  54 . A snaplink fastener  60  (also known as a carabiner) is attached to each terminal end of the Y-attachment strap  56 , and then each is selectively attached to a separate one of the inner sleeve receiving opening  55   b  on the pair of corner gussets  54 . 
     In a similar manner, the front and back lateral support cables  26  are preferably attached to the pair of corner gussets  54 . As is also partially depicted in FIG. 3A, a separate snaplink fastener  60  is attached to each of the front and back lateral support cables  26 . Each cable snaplink fastener  60  is then selectively attached to a separate one of the outer sleeve receiving openings  55   a  on the pair of corner gussets  54 . Utilizing each of the pair of corner gussets  54  as the points of attachment for the Y-attachment strap  56  and the support cables  26 , eliminates the extra fabrication step of forming the strap fasteners  58 . 
     Adjustments in the tension applied by the tensioning straps  22  is preferably easily effected by the utilization of a friction or cam-lock fastener  62  to connect the tensioning straps  22  to the anchoring stake  24 . Such a device enables the easy adjustment of the tension being applied by the tensioning straps  22 , requiring only the prompt shortening or lengthening thereof. 
     The alternative methods of attaching the net  14  to the side support frames  18  are best explained by reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. In both cases, the lateral support cables  26  are each woven through and in the section of netting that separates the opposed pair of side support frames  18 . Such interweaving within a cable of fixed length enables the netting to extend at a known, appropriate dimension when the portable soccer goal  10  is fully assembled. Such interweaving also assists in maintaining the net  14  in a favorable orientation during disassembly, as will be discussed hereinafter. 
     In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a further securement of the net to an upper portion of the support frame  18  is provided by utilizing one or more snaplinks or carabiners  60  to attach the net  14  to the cross brace  48  of the head beam  42 . The presently preferred embodiment utilizing the corner gussets  54  as the attachment location for the support cables  26  does not require such additional snaplink attachment to the side support frames  18 . 
     Turning now to FIG. 3, in the case of both embodiments, stabilization of the lower portion of the net  14  is preferably achieved by the use of additional snaplinks  60 . A first snaplink attaches a lower front portion of the netting to a bottom opening of the front lower leg segment  32 , and a second snaplink attaches a suitably spaced lower portion of the net to a bottom opening of the rear lower leg segment  32 . To prevent snarls in the net during storage, both snaplinks should be attached to the lateral support cables  26 . Since some users may not take this additional step, a presently preferred alternative attachment device is a bungee toggle fastener, consisting of a length of an elastic cord with the two ends fastened together within a small ball (not shown in the drawings). 
     The doubled cord is then threaded within a net opening, wrapped around one of the support frames, and when received over the ball attached to the other end of the cord, is secured in place. Since fabricated of an elastic member, the bungee toggle can also be used to apply a tension to the netting, resulting in an improved “bounce-back” of the soccer balls after impacting the net. 
     Whether by snaplinks or by bungee toggles, the netting  14  is releaseably secured to each of the support legs  28  during use of the portable soccer goal  10 . However, the netting  14  is secured in a manner such that it can be easily removed therefrom during the disassembly of the support frame construction. 
     For ease in transport and assembly, as is shown in FIG. 5, each of the leg segments  32  are preferably fabricated out of a hollow tubing member. Although illustrated in FIG. 5 as if fabricated out of rectangular tubing, other geometric shapes are also appropriate, including the presently preferred use of circular tubing. When such circular tubing is used, the overall shape of the collapsed net and net supports is more circular than the rectangular shape depicted in FIG.  5 . 
     The present inventive use of individually-segmented side support frames not only assists in the assembly of the portable soccer goal  10 , but is also greatly advantageous during the disassembly, transportation, and storage of this portable soccer goal  10 . Disassembly is preferably initiated by releasing the netting from its attachment to each of the side support frames  18 , detaching the snaplinks  60  that attach the lower edge of the netting to the lower openings of each of the support legs  28 . Thereafter, tension is released from the tensioning straps  22 , permitting the lowering of the side support frames  18 . 
     The tensioning straps  22  are then either disconnected from the anchoring stake  24  or the stakes are removed from the ground. Each of the support legs  28  may then be collapsed by the sequential removal of the adjoining leg segments from one another. Linked together by the elastic cord  36 , adjacent leg segments  32  conveniently fold against one another in a serpentine manner. Each of the support legs  28  collapses to form a substantially compact, rectangularly-shaped cube if plastic segments are used, or a tubular-shape if circular aluminum segments form the support legs  28 . 
     The head beam  42  is preferably dimensioned such that it generally corresponds in length to each of the collapsed support legs, permitting both collapsed legs and the head beam  42  to collectively form a compact structure that can be held together utilizing a storage strap  72  (see FIG. 2) of sufficient length to encircle the two collapsed support legs and retain them in position adjacent the head beam  42 . 
     Turning now to FIG. 5, with the side support frames  18  neatly collapsed and secured, such collapsed frames can conveniently function as a spool about which to wrap the netting  14 . With the collapsed support frames  18  located at each end of the netting  14 , each of the collapsed support frames need only take up one-half of the netting  14 . The resulting collapsed structure is of greatly compacted dimensions in comparison to the erected portable soccer goal  10 , and can be conveniently stored and transported in a carrying case  74  (see FIG.  6 ). 
     In a preferred embodiment, the individual leg segments  32  of the support legs  28  are fabricated out of swaged or sleeved circular metal tubing, 1 in diameter, such as aluminum, or out of a circular plastic, PVC tubing. To achieve a goal area of four (4) feet deep, the rear support leg must be angled away from the front support leg, forming an angle of approximately 101° versus 90° for the front. Additionally, one of the leg segments used in each of the rear support legs must be slightly longer than those segments used in the front legs. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the longer section measures 28¼ in length, with all of the remaining leg segments, for both the front and rear support legs, measuring 26½ in length. For each of the leg segments, that portion of the segment that is swaged to form the attachment sleeve  44  has a reduced dimensions of ⅞ in diameter and extends a length of 3″ from the non-reduced portion of the leg segments. While a greater length of sleeve would provide a support leg having greater structural rigidity, it would also make assembly and disassembly of the support legs more difficult. Conversely, while a shorter sleeve would somewhat simplify construction, the ability of the resulting support leg to bear any side loading would be significantly reduced. 
     The elastic cord  36  is preferably a cord of length 6 feet and an un-stretched diameter of 4 mm, constructed of FiberTex. It is preferably attached to the bracket leg  52  and the lower leg segment  32  by a pin or a screw. The tensioning straps are semi-elastic, functioning as shock absorbers to protect the integrity of the light frames when they are struck, and are fabricated out of nylon or polyester of width 1 and thickness of approximately {fraction (1/11)}″. The anchoring stake  24  can be fabricated out of a variety of materials, with 6″ to 12″ being preferred in areas of harder ground. The tensioning strap  22  is preferably attached to the anchoring stake  24  using an adjustable fastener, such as Cambuckle #Y1823, manufactured by Bungee International of Oxnard, Calif. 
     Traditional netting used for soccer has a rectangular mesh size of approximately 6″ (diagonal), and is constructed out of polyester material of thread size approximately 1-3 mm in diameter, with 2 mm preferred. 
     My invention has been disclosed in terms of a preferred embodiment thereof, which provides an improved soccer goal that is of great novelty and utility. Various changes, modifications, and alterations in the teachings of the present invention may be contemplated by those skilled in the art without departing from the intended spirit and scope thereof. It is intended that the present invention encompass such changes and modifications.