Abstract:
Collapsible structures are disclosed having a central panel, a first support panel disengageably connected to the left side of the central panel, and a second support panel disengageably connected to the right: side of the central panel. Each of the central panel and support panels includes a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material substantially covering the frame member.

Description:
RELATED CASES 
     This is a division of Ser. No. 09/162,304, entitled “Collapsible Structures”, filed Sep. 28, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,030,300 which is in turn a division of Ser. No. 08/835,730, entitled “Collapsible Structures”, filed Apr. 11, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,954, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by this reference as though set forth fully herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to collapsible structures, and in particular, to collapsible play structures which may be provided in a variety of shapes and sizes. The collapsible structures may be twisted and folded to reduce the overall size of the structures to facilitate convenient storage and use. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Two important considerations for all toys or play things targeted for children and adults are convenience and variety. Relating to convenience, a toy must be easily transportable so that the user can move it around the home, or even to other places outside of the home. A toy must also be easily stored since an adult or child is likely to have many other toys or objects that compete for precious storage space in the home. As for variety, a toy must offer enough variety in play so that the child or adult will be able to enjoy it for a long period of time without getting bored. 
     Larger toys often pose a greater problem with regards to convenience. The larger toys tend to be bulky, which makes it difficult to move them around the home, and sometimes makes it prohibitive to move them outside the house to other locations. Bulky toys also take up much storage space. For these reasons, many executive toys targeted for adults are made in small sizes. 
     Collapsible play structures have recently become popular with both adults and children. Examples of such structures are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,038,812 (Norman), U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,794 (Zheng) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,385 (Zheng). These structures may be twisted and folded to reduce the overall size of the structures to facilitate convenient storage and use. As such, these structures are being enjoyed by many people in many different applications. 
     For example, these structures have been provided in many different shapes and sizes for children&#39;s play inside and outside the house. Smaller versions of these structures have been used as infant nurseries. Even smaller versions of these structures have been used as dollhouses and action figure play houses by toddlers and children. 
     As another example, these structures have been made into tents or outdoor structures that can be used by adults and children for camping or other outdoor purposes. These structures have also been popular as beach cabanas. 
     Even animals can enjoy these structures. Some of these structures have been made into shelters that can be used by pets, both inside and outside the house. 
     The wide-ranging uses for these collapsible structures can be attributed to the performance, convenience and variety that these structures provide. When fully expanded, these structures are stable and can be used as a true shelter without the fear of collapse. These structures are easily twisted and folded into a compact configuration to allow the user to conveniently store the structure. The light-weight nature of the materials used to make these structures makes it convenient for them to be moved from one location to another. These structures also provide much variety in use and enjoyment. For example, a child can use a structure both indoors and outdoors for different play purposes, and can use the same structure for camping. 
     However, these collapsible structures have been primarily used to shelter individuals, animals, and objects, and to allow individuals or animals to crawl therethrough. Thus, there is still a need for collapsible structures that provide an increased variety of play and entertainment value, and yet are simple in construction and can be conveniently deployed, collapsed, and stored. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present invention provides collapsible structures that include arcade-styled games for the fun and entertainment of both adults and children. These collapsible structures can be easily and quickly disassembled, folded and collapsed into a compact configuration. As a result, the collapsible structures according to the present invention are convenient to assemble, to use, to move around, and to disassemble and store, thereby making them ideal for use at home, at the office as an executive toy, and at many other locations. 
     In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, the collapsible structure according to the present invention has a central panel, a first support panel disengageably connected to the left side of the central panel, and a second support panel disengageably connected to the right side of the central panel. Each of the central panel and support panels includes a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material substantially covering the frame member. 
     In one embodiment according to the present invention, the bottom surfaces of the central panel and support panels rest on the surface when the structure is in an upright position, with the central panel disposed at right angles to and between the support panels. 
     In another embodiment according to the present invention, the structure further includes a first base panel, and a second base panel. Each of the base panels includes a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material substantially covering the frame member. The top sides of the base panels are hingedly connected to the bottom side of the central panel. The first support panel is disengageably connected to the left side of the first base panel and the right side of the second base panel, and the second support panel is disengageably connected to the right side of the first base panel and the left side of the second base panel. When the structure is in an upright position, the base panels are disposed at an angle with respect to each other, the bottom sides of the base panels are resting on the surface, and the central panel is disposed at right angles to and between the support panels. 
     The collapsible structures according to the present invention may be provided with one or more entertainment features. For example, a first basket may be connected to the central panel. In addition, a first opening may be provided in the central panel, with a first tube coupling the first basket and the first opening. A second basket may be connected to the central panel opposite to the first basket, and a second opening provided in the central panel and spaced apart from the first opening, with a second tube coupling the second basket and the second opening. Another feature may include a flotation device coupled to the base panels. 
     In yet another embodiment according to the present invention, the structure includes a first collection panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and with a fabric material substantially covering the frame member. An inner side of the first collection panel is hingedly connected to the bottom side of the central panel and the top sides of the base panels. In addition, the first support panel is disengageably connected to the left side of the first collection panel, and the second support panel is disengageably connected to the right side of the first collection panel. 
     In a further embodiment according to the present invention, the structure has a central panel, a base panel having a front side hingedly connected to a bottom side of the central panel, a first support panel coupled to the left side of the central panel and the left side of the base panel, and a second support panel coupled to the right side of the central panel and the right side of the base panel. Each of the central panel, the base panel and the support panels includes a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material substantially covering the frame member. 
     The structures in accordance with the present invention may be collapsed and stored by folding the base panels (where applicable), the collection panel(s) (where applicable), and the central panel on top of each other about the hinged connection to have the base panels and central panel overlaying each other, and then twisting and folding the base panels, collection panel(s) and central panel to form a plurality of concentric rings and layers of panels to substantially reduce the size of the panels in the folded orientation. The support panels may be stacked on top of the folded panels and twisted and collapsed together, or the support panels may be twisted and collapsed separately. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a panel according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 1A is a partial cut-away view of the section A of the structure of FIG. 1 illustrating a frame member retained within a sleeve; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a collapsible structure according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2B is a front plan view of a support panel of the collapsible structure of FIG. 2; 
     FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate how a stack of the panels of the collapsible structure of FIG. 2 may be twisted and folded for compact storage; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a collapsible structure according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of a first preferred connection between two adjacent panels of the structure of FIG. 4 taken along line  5 — 5  thereof; 
     FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of a second preferred connection between two adjacent panels of the structure of FIG. 4 taken along line  5 — 5  thereof; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a collapsible structure according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of a first preferred connection between the three adjacent panels of the structure of FIG. 6 taken along line  7 — 7  thereof; 
     FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of a second preferred connection between the three adjacent panels of the structure of FIG. 6 taken along line  7 — 7  thereof; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a collapsible structure according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a side plan view of the collapsible structure of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a collapsible structure according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 11 is a side plan view of the collapsible structure of FIG.  10 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     The collapsible structures according to the present invention are provided in the form of arcade-style or miniature basketball games which can be enjoyed by both children and adults. These structures can be disassembled, and then folded and collapsed into a compact configuration for convenient storage and transportation. Each of the collapsible structures according to the present invention is assembled by attaching two or more panels together. These panels can assume a variety of shapes and sizes, and are assembled to create a resulting structure having any desired shape and size. 
     FIGS. 1 and 1A illustrate a panel  20  according to the present invention. The panel  20  has four sides, a left side  22 , a bottom side  24 , a right side  26  and a top side  28 . The side panel  20  has a continuous frame retaining sleeve  30  provided along and traversing the edges of its four sides  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 . A continuous frame member  32  is retained or held within the frame retaining sleeve  30  to support the side panel  20 . 
     The continuous frame member  32  may be provided as one closed continuous loop, or may comprise a strip of material connected at both ends to form a continuous closed loop. The continuous frame member  32  is preferably formed of flexible coilable steel, although other materials such as plastics may also be used. The frame member  32  should be made of a material which is relatively strong and yet is flexible to a sufficient degree to allow it to be coiled. Thus, the frame member  32  is capable of assuming two positions or orientations, an open or expanded position such as shown in FIG. 1, or a folded position in which the frame member  32  is collapsed into a size which is much smaller than its open position (see FIG.  3 D). 
     Fabric or sheet material  34  extends across the side panel  20  and is held taut by the frame member  32  when in its open position. The term fabric is to be given its broadest meaning and should be made from strong, lightweight materials and may include woven fabrics, sheet fabrics, a meshed material or even films. The fabric should be water-resistant and durable to withstand the wear arid tear associated with rough treatment by children. The frame member  32  may be merely retained within the frame retaining sleeve  30  without being connected thereto. Alternatively, the frame retaining sleeve  30  may be mechanically fastened, stitched, fused, or glued to the frame member  32  to retain it in position. 
     The frame retaining sleeve  30  may be formed by folding over the corresponding fabric piece  34  and applying a stitching  35  (see FIG.  1 A). 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a first embodiment of a collapsible structure according to the present invention. The structure  40  has a central panel  42  and two support panels  44  and  46 . The central panel  42  is substantially rectangular in configuration, having a bottom side  48 , a left side  50  and a right side  52  extending from opposite ends of the bottom side  48 , a left angled upper side  54  extending from the top of the left side  50 , and a right angled upper side  56  extending from the top of the right side  52  and connecting the left angled upper side  54  at an apex  58 . A basket  60  is provided on one side of the central panel  42  adjacent but offset from the apex  58 . An opening  62  is cut at about the central portion of the panel  42 , with a flap  64  hingedly connected along an upper edge, such as by stitching  66 , to an upper edge of the opening  62  to cover the opening  62 . Alternatively, the flap  64  can be provided by cutting its three edges from the fabric of the panel  42 , while leaving the upper edge attached to the fabric to act as a hinge for the flap  64 . 
     Referring also to FIG. 2B, support panels  44  and  46  may be identical in size and shape, and include a bottom side  70 , a left diagonal side  72  and a right diagonal side  74  extending from opposite ends of the bottom side  70  and connecting at an apex  76 . Support panels  44  and  46  are disengageably connected to the left and right sides  50  and  52 , respectively, of the central panel  42  to hold and support the central panel  42  in a vertical, upright position during use. Each support panel  44 ,  46  is disengageably connected to the left and right sides  50 ,  52 , respectively, at two spaced-apart locations on the support panel  44 ,  46 , such as at the apex  76  and at a central portion  77  of the bottom side  70 . 
     The disengageable connection of the support panels  44 ,  46  to central panel  42  can be accomplished in a number of ways. In a first disengageable connection method according to the present invention, a plurality of loops  80  are stitched or otherwise provided along the left and right sides  50  and  52 , and a plurality of toggles  82  are provided along the fabric, sides and/or apices of the support panels  44 ,  46 . The connection is achieved by slipping selected toggles  82  through selected loops  80 . For example, toggles  82   a  and  82   b  are connected to loops  80   a  and  80   b , respectively. As an alternative, tie members in the form of a strap or a strip of fabric can be provided on all the panels  42 ,  44  and  46  and the opposing tie members are tied together at selected locations to connect the panels. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other disengageable connection methods, such as but not limited to opposing Velcro pads, hooks, snaps and detachable zippers, can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, as long as these connection methods provide a stable support for the resulting structure. 
     The structure  40  may be disassembled from the configuration shown in FIG. 2 by removing the disengageable connections between the central panel  42  and the support panels  44 ,  46 . The three panels  42 ,  44  and  46  are then placed one on top of the other to form a stack of panels, as shown in FIG.  3 A. The stack of panels is then twisted and folded to collapse the frame members and panels into a smaller shape. In the next step shown in FIG. 3B, the opposite border  84  of the largest panel (i.e., panel  42 ) is folded in upon the previous fold to further collapse the frame members with the panels. As shown in FIG. 3C, the next step is to continue the collapsing so that the initial size of the structure is reduced. FIG. 3D shows the frame members and panels collapsed on each other to provide for a small essentially compact configuration having a plurality of concentric frame members and layers of the panels so that the collapsed structure has a size which is a fraction of the size of the initial structure. In this manner, the three separate panels  42 ,  44  and  46  can be folded, collapsed and stored together. Alternatively, the user may fold and collapse each panel  42 ,  44  and  46  separately according to the steps illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3D, and store these panels separately. 
     To assemble the structure  40  for use, the user opens the panels  42 ,  44 , and  46 , and the springy and biased nature of the frame members inside the panels  42 ,  44  and  46  will cause the panels  42 ,  44  and  46  to spring open and assume the open or expanded position. The three separate panels  42 ,  44  and  46  are then connected to form the desired configuration, in which the support panels  44 ,  46  are disposed generally at right angles to the central panel  42 . When in use, the user may toss a ball into the basket  60 , or may attempt to throw a ball through the flap  64  and opening  62  to the other side of the central panel  42 . 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a second embodiment of a collapsible structure according to the present invention. The structure  90  has a central panel  92 , two support panels  94  and  96 , and a base panel  98 . The central panel  92  has a configuration which is generally the same as central panel  42  described above. Support panels  94  and  96  may be identical in size and shape, and include a bottom side  100 , a vertical side  102  extending from one end of the bottom side  100 , and a diagonal side  104  connecting the other end of the bottom side  100  and the upper end of the vertical side  102 . The base panel  98  has a front side  106 , a left side  108  and a right side  110  extending rearwardly from opposite ends of the front side  106 , and a rear side  112  connecting the rear ends of the left side  108  and right side  110 . 
     The sides of the panels  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98  are hingedly connected so that these hinged connections cannot be disengaged without destroying the connection. Examples of the structures for these hinged connections are described below. The bottom side  114  of central panel  92  is hingedly connected to the front side  106  of the base panel  98 . The vertical side  102  of support panel  94  is hingedly connected to the right side  116  of central panel  92 , and the vertical side  102  of support panel  96  is hingedly connected to the left side  118  of central panel  92 . To assemble the structure  90 , the base panel  98  is placed on a surface, and the central panel  92  and support panels  94 ,  96  are raised to the positions shown in FIG.  4 . The bottom sides  100  of the support panels  94  and  96  are then connected to the right side  110  and the left side  108 , respectively, of base panel  98  by the disengageable connection methods and mechanisms described above. In the assembled position shown in FIG. 4, the support panels  94 ,  96  hold and support the central panel  92  in a vertical, upright position during use. Weights (not shown) may optionally be placed on or attached to specific locations on the base panel  98  to provide more stability to the structure  90 . A basket  120  may be provided on either side of the central panel  92  for receiving a ball tossed thereat. 
     FIG. 5A illustrates a first method for hingedly connecting adjacent sides  106  and  114  of the panels  98  and  92 , respectively. The fabric pieces  92   a  and  98   a  are stitched at their edges by a stitching  122  to the respective sleeves  92   b  and  98   b , respectively. Each sleeve  92   b  and  98   b  may be formed by folding a piece of fabric. The stitching  122  also acts as a hinge for the panels  92  and  98  to be folded upon each other, as explained below. The hinged connections for the other pairs of adjacent sides may be identical. 
     FIG. 5B illustrates a second method for hingedly connecting adjacent sides  106  and  114  of the panels  98  and  92 , respectively. As in the connection of FIG. 5A, the fabric pieces  92   a  and  98   a  are folded over at their edges along all the sides (except for sides  114  and  106 ) to define the respective sleeves  92   b  and  98   b , respectively. However, the frame retaining sleeves  92   b  and  98   b  converge at, or are connected to, one sleeve portion which interconnects panels  92  and  98  to form a singular frame retaining sleeve  124  along sides  114  and  106  which retains the frame members  92   c  and  98   c . Sleeve  124  may be formed by providing a tubular fabric, or by folding a piece of fabric, and applying a stitching  126  to its edges to connect the sleeve  124  to the fabric pieces  92   a  and  98   a . Stitching  126  acts as a hinge for the panels  92  and  98 . The connections for the other pairs of adjacent sides may be identical. 
     Structure  90  may be disassembled, folded and collapsed for storage according to the following method. The disengageable connections between the bottom sides  100  of the support panels  94  and  96  and the right side  110  and the left side  108 , respectively, of the base panel  98  are first disengaged and the central panel  92  laid on the surface. The base panel  98  is then folded about the hinged connection between its front side  106  and the bottom side  114  of the central panel  92  so that base panel  98  rests on the central panel  92 . The support panels  94  and  96  are then folded about the hinged connection between their vertical side  102  and the right side  116  and left side  118 , respectively, of the central panel  92  so that the support panels  94 ,  96  rest on the base panel  98  and central panel  92 . This resulting stack of panels  92 ,  98 ,  94  and  96  may then be folded and collapsed in the manner described in FIGS. 3A-3D. 
     To assemble the structure  90  for use, the user opens the panels  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98 , and the springy and biased nature of the frame members inside the panels  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98  will cause the panels  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98  to spring open and assume their open or expanded position. The disengageable connections are then formed to provide the structure  90  in the configuration shown in FIG. 4, in which the support panels  94 ,  96  are positioned generally at right angles to the base panel  98  and the central panel  92 , and in which the base panel  98  and the central panel  92  are disposed at approximate right angles to each other. 
     Alternatively, the bottom sides  100  of the support panels  94  and  96  may be hingedly connected to the right side  110  and the left side  108 , respectively, of base panel  98 , with the vertical sides  102  of the support panels  94  and  96  disengageably connected to the right side  116  and the left side  118 , respectively, of central panel  92 . To disassemble, fold and collapse this structure  90 , the disengageable connections are first disengaged, and the panels  94 ,  96  and  92  are then folded onto the base panel  98 , in this order, for example, to produce a stack of panels  98 ,  94 ,  96  and  92  which is folded and collapsed in the manner described in FIGS. 3A-3D. 
     As a further alternative, the two support panels  94 ,  96  can be provided separately from the base panel  98  and the central panel  92 , with their vertical sides  102  and bottom sides  100  disengageably connected to the central panel  92  and the base panel  98 , respectively. To disassemble, fold and collapse this structure  90 , the disengageable connections are first disengaged, and the base panel  98  folded onto the central panel  92 , and the separate support panels  94 ,  96  placed on top of the stacked central and base panels  92 ,  98 , to produce a stack of panels  92 ,  98 ,  94  and  96  which is folded and collapsed in the manner described in FIGS. 3A-3D. 
     As yet another alternative, all the panels  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98  can be provided separately and then disengageably connected to each other to form the structure  90 . To disassemble, fold and collapse this structure  90 , the disengageable connections are first disengaged, and panels stacked one on top of the other to produce a stack of panels which is folded and collapsed in the manner described in FIGS. 3A-3D. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a third embodiment of a collapsible structure according to the present invention. The structure  140  has a central panel  142 , a first base panel  144 , a second base panel  146 , and two support panels  148  and  150 . The central panel  142  is substantially rectangular in configuration, having a bottom side  152 , a left side  154  and a right side  156  extending from opposite ends of the bottom side  152 , a left angled upper side  158  extending from the top of the left side  154 , and a right angled upper side  160  extending from the top of the right side  156  and connecting the left angled upper side  158  at an apex  162 . A basket  164  is provided on one side of the central panel  142  adjacent to but offset from the apex  162 . 
     The first base panel  144  has a bottom side  166 , a left side  168  and a right side  170  extending from opposite ends of the bottom side  166 , and a top side  172  connecting the upper ends of the left side  168  and the right side  170 . The second base panel  146  is preferably identical in shape and size to the first base panel  144 . 
     Support panels  148  and  150  may be identical in size and shape, and include a bottom side  174 , a left diagonal side  176  and a right diagonal side  178  extending from opposite ends of the bottom side  174  and connecting at a top apex  180 . Support panels  150  and  148  are disengageably connected to the left and right sides, respectively, of the central panel  142  and the base panels  144 ,  146  to hold and support the central panel  142  in a vertical, upright position during use. 
     The bottom side  152  of the central panel  142  and the top sides  172  of the base panels  144  and  146  are hingedly connected to each other according to one of the following methods. FIG. 7A illustrates a first hinged connection along line  7 — 7  of FIG. 6, in which three frame retaining sleeves  142   a ,  144   a  and  146   a  each retain a frame member  142   b ,  144   b  and  146   b , respectively, and are held together by stitching  182 . The fabric pieces  142   c ,  144   c ,  146   c  of panels  142 ,  144  and  146 , respectively, are also stitched to the sleeves  142   a ,  144   a  and  146   a  by the stitching  182 . Alternatively, FIG. 7B illustrates a second hinged connection in which the three frame retaining sleeves  142   a ,  144   a  and  146   a  are each formed by a separate stitching along all sides except along sides  152  and  172 . The sleeves  142   a ,  144   a  and  146   a  converge to form, or are connected to, one singular frame retaining sleeve  186  which retains the frame members  142   d ,  144   d  and  146   d . The singular frame retaining sleeve  186  is created by folding a fabric material and applying a stitching  184  to hold the sleeve  186  together with the panels  142 ,  144  and  146 . The stitching  186  acts as a hinge for the panels  142 ,  144  and  146 . 
     To set up the structure  140  for use, the combined central panel  142  and base panels  144 ,  146  are separated from the support panels  148 ,  150 , and all the panels  142 ,  144 ,  146 ,  148  and  150  are opened to their opened or expanded configurations in the manner described above. Base panels  144  and  146  are spread apart at an angle so that they form an inverted “V” shape, with their bottom sides  166  resting on the surface to support the central panel  142  along their top sides  172 . Support panels  148  and  150  are disengageably connected to the right and left sides, respectively, of the central panels  142  and base panels  144 ,  146 , to provide support to the base panels  144 ,  146  and the central panel  142 . For example, the support panel  148  is disengageably connected at about its first bottom apex  181  to the right side  170  of the first base panel  144  and at about its second bottom apex  183  to the left side  168  of the second base panel  146 , and the support panel  150  is disengageably connected at about its first bottom apex  181  to the right side  170  of the second base panel  146  and at about its second bottom apex  183  to the left side  168  of the first base panel  144 , to retain and support the base panels  144 ,  146  at a determined position with respect to each other. In addition, the support panels  148  and  150  are disengageably connected at their top apices  180  to the right side  156  and the left side  154 , respectively, of the central panel  142 , to retain and support the central panel  142  at a determined vertical and upright position with respect to the base panels  144 ,  146 . Support panels  148  and  150  are disposed at right angles to the base panels  144 ,  146  and the central panel  142 . 
     Structure  140  may be disassembled, folded and collapsed for storage according to the following method. The disengageable connections between the support panels  148 ,  150  and the central panel  142  and base panels  144 ,  146  are first disengaged and the support panels  148 ,  150  separated from the other panels. The central panel  142  and base panels  144 ,  146  are then folded onto each other to form a stack of three panels. The support panels  148 ,  150  are then placed on top of the stack of three panels to form a stack of five panels, which is then folded and collapsed in the manner described in FIGS. 3A-3D. 
     When in use, a ball tossed through the basket  164  will land on the first base panel  144  and roll down the base panel  144 . In addition, flotation devices  190  and  192  may be attached by using tie members, straps, toggles and loops, hooks, or other conventional mechanisms to the left and right sides of the base panels  144 ,  146  to allow the structure  140  to be used in a swimming pool or at the beach. The flotation devices  190 ,  192  can be a roll of foam, or an inflation tube, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that any material or configuration can be provided for the flotation devices  190 ,  192  without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a fourth embodiment of a collapsible structure according to the present invention. The structure  200  is essentially the same as structure  140 , except that central panel  142   a  is provided with baskets  164   a ,  164   b  on opposing surfaces of its fabric, and first and second openings  202  and  204  are provided in side-by-side manner in the central panel  142   a  below the baskets  164   a  and  164   b . A first tube  206  has its opposing ends stitched or otherwise connected to the basket  164   a  and the first opening  202 , and a second tube  208  has its opposing ends stitched or otherwise connected to the basket  164   b  and the second opening  204 . Alternatively, the ends of the tubes  206  and  208  may be removably attached to the baskets  164   a ,  164   b  and the openings  202 ,  204  by a removable connection mechanism, such as but not limited to opposing Velcro pads, toggles, hooks, ties or similar mechanisms. The tubes  206  and  208  can be made from a non-transparent fabric material, or from a mesh or transparent material that allows the interior of the tube to be viewed. The material is also preferably a flexible material which allows the tubes  206 ,  208  to be folded and collapsed along with the panels of the structure  200 . 
     Thus, when the structure  200  is in use, balls  210  entering basket  164   a  will be guided by the first tube  206  and pass through first opening  202  and roll down the second base panel  146   a . Similarly, balls  212  entering basket  164   b  will be guided by the second tube  208  and pass through second opening  204  and roll down the first base panel  144   a . To change the variety of play, one or both tubes  206  and  208  can be removed completely so that balls entering the baskets  164   a ,  164   b  will be roll down first and second base panels  144   a ,  146   a , respectively. As a further alternative, the tubes  206  and  208  can be removably connected at openings  204 ,  202 , respectively. 
     FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a fifth embodiment of a collapsible structure according to the present invention. The structure  220  is essentially the same as structure  140 , in that it has a central panel  222  supported below by two base panels  224  and  226  that are angled with respect to each other, and with the sides of the central panel  222  and the base panels  224 ,  226  supportably connected by two disengageable support panels  228  and  230 . There are two differences between structure  220  and structure  140 . First, the support panels  228  and  230  have a five-sided configuration similar to the configuration of the central panels  142  and  222 , rather than the generally triangular configuration of the support panels  148  and  150 . Second, and more significantly, two collection panels  232  and  234  are hingedly connected to the hinged connection between the bottom side  236  of the central panel  222  and the top sides  238  of the base panels  224  and  226 . Each collection panel  232 ,  234  has a generally square or rectangular configuration, with an outer side  240  and an inner side  242  connected at their ends by a left side  244  and a right side  246 . 
     The inner sides  242  of the collection panels  232 ,  234  are hingedly connected to the bottom side  236  of the central panel  222  and the top sides  238  of the base panels  224  and  226  to form a five-sided hinged connection according to the general principles for the hinged connections described and illustrated above for the two- and three-sided hinged connections in FIGS. 5A,  5 B,  7 A and  7 B. In particular, the frame members of each of the five panels  222 ,  224 ,  226 ,  232  and  234  can be retained in separate frame retaining sleeves, and the five separate frame retaining sleeves and fabric pieces stitched together by a stitching, according to the principles illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 7A. Alternatively, the frame members of each of the five panels  222 ,  224 ,  226 ,  232  and  234  can be retained in separate frame retaining sleeves, with each sleeve converging to a single retaining sleeve which holds and retains the portions of the five frame members along the hinged connection of the five sides, according to the principles illustrated in FIGS. 5B and 7B. 
     The left side  244  and the right side  246  of each collection panel  232 ,  234  are disengageably connected to the support panels  230 ,  228 , respectively, at a location of the support panels  230 ,  228  that will hold the collection panels  232 ,  234  at an upwardly angled position, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. This location can be anywhere along the sides of the support panels  230 ,  228 , such as, but not limited to, adjacent a corner  248  of the support panels  230 ,  228 , and this location can be adjusted to provide the collection panels  232 ,  234  at different angles. The collection panels  232 ,  234  are provided to collect balls  250  deposited through the baskets  252 ,  254  positioned on opposing surfaces of the central panel  222 . To retrieve the balls collected on the collection panels  232 ,  234 , the user merely removes the disengageable connections between the collection panels  232 ,  234  and the support panels  228 ,  230 , and allows the collection panels  232 ,  234  to be lowered towards the base panels  224 ,  226 , respectively, to allow the balls  250  to roll down the collection panels  232 ,  234  (as shown in phantom in FIG.  11 ). The collection panels  232 ,  234  are then connected again to the support panels  228 ,  230  to assume the angled position shown in FIG.  10 . 
     Assembly and disassembly of the structure  220  is accomplished by using the same general methods described above for structure  140 , except that the stack of panels to be collapsed now includes seven panels instead of five panels. Since the panels  222 ,  224 ,  226 ,  232  and  234  are hingedly connected to each other, they will form a stack of five panels that can be folded one on top of the other, and the two separate support panels  228 ,  230  can be added to this stack of five panels to be collapsed into a smaller configuration for storage and transportation. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any of the features shown in any of the embodiments of the present invention can be applied to any of the other embodiments. For example, the openings  62 ,  202 ,  204  can be provided in any of the central panels  92 ,  142 ,  142   a  or  222 . Similarly, baskets can be provided on either or both surfaces of the central panels  92 ,  142 ,  142   a  or  222 . The sizes of the openings, and of the top opening of the baskets, as well as the size of the balls, can be adjusted to change the degree of difficulty. In addition, although the openings  202 ,  204  are illustrated as being generally circular, and opening  62  as being generally square, these openings can also be provided in any desired shape or size. The fabric pieces on any of the panels can be decorated with any pattern, color or design to provide an attractive structure. In addition, the panels that are provided separately (i.e., not hingedly connected) can be stacked together with the stack of hingedly-connected panels to be folded and collapsed together, or can be folded and collapsed separately from each other. Further, the corners that connect the sides of the panels illustrated in the present invention are preferably rounded, although those skilled in the art will appreciate that these corners can be made sharper as well. 
     Regardless of whether the panels are provided separately or attached to other panels as part of the structure, the structures of the present invention may be conveniently folded and collapsed, thereby making them convenient to move around, and requiring little storage space. If the panels are provided separately, the individual further derives an additional variety of play since he or she can create structures of different shapes. 
     Thus, the present invention provides collapsible structures which provide the player with an unlimited source and variety of fun and entertainment. The shapes and sizes of the panels and the structures can be varied or combined, as well as the entertainment features. 
     While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.