Abstract:
A collapsible soccer goal for playing and practicing variations of the traditional soccer game in a circular configuration at locations comprising and typically requiring smaller play areas than usually required for traditional soccer play. The inventive device comprises a multi-panel frame and net structure and appropriate netting and ground attachment devices to secure the netting to the frames and the device to the ground. The concentric circle lines establishing the play area parameters facilitate the unique form of soccer play described herein. In addition to the unique application of the device, the unique design and nature of this device, making it optionally foldable, collapsible, and light weight, facilitates its transportation to, speedy placement on, and removal from the area of use.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to a U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/740,559, filed Dec. 21, 2012, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to soccer game goal and more specifically, it relates to a Sircle Soccer multi-panel goal for play or practice in a circular playing field configuration typically in a smaller area than normally required in a regulation soccer game or practice environment. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    It can be appreciated that the game of soccer is played worldwide and that soccer goals of various sizes and shapes have been in use for years. Typically, soccer goals comprise a single solid stationary goal frame and an attached net. Variations of this typical soccer goal also comprise various collapsible and transportable single frame multi-dimensional and/or flat goals. 
         [0004]    The main problem with conventional soccer goals and related play is that they require a large and heavy frame and a relatively large play area. Another problem is that they cannot be easily transported and placed in smaller and temporary locations. Another problems with the conventional soccer goal and its variations is that none of the goals consist of multiple rectangular netted panels extending from a hub assembly at the center to form a goal facilitating the simultaneous use of three or more separate goal areas. Another problem is that the conventional soccer goal is not adaptable for playing the game of Sircle Soccer from multiple directions with as few as two players or with up to three goalies. Another problem with the conventional soccer goal and its variations is that the large and heavy goals are sized for the entire field such that the filed cannot be divided into smaller play or practice area, which restricts the number of teams that can play simultaneously, restricts the number of players that can play simultaneously, and restricts the teaching of specific skills required for the game. Another problem is that when the field is to be used for other purposes, the removal and storage of the large and heavy goals are difficult. Another problem is that the location of the goals and the size of the field are designed for adult play. Downsizing of existing facilities to accommodate small children and youths is difficult. Another problem with the conventional soccer goals and play is that specific skills can only be practiced and learned during actual play on the entire field with two goals, which prevents other practice activities from being conducted. Another problem with the conventional soccer play and goals is that for players to become proficient at their positions they must play frequently with realistic competition, and with typically only one field available for several soccer teams this proficiency is difficult to obtain. 
         [0005]    The Sircle Soccer as described by this invention solves the problems associated with the above-mentioned conventional soccer and related art. The name “Sircle Soccer” is intended to be used as a trademark and is not to be confused as a misspelling of “circle soccer”. 
         [0006]    While the conventional soccer goal and its variations may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for multi-faceted play and do not incorporate easy collapsibility and transportation to and from desired play areas and for subsequent removal and storage when not in use. 
         [0007]    In these respects, Sircle Soccer according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional soccer play concepts and designs in prior art, and in so doing provides a soccer goal primarily developed for the purpose of facilitating an alternative form of soccer game play and practice by previously unavailable methods and in previously impractical locations. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of soccer goals and play methods now present in the prior art as required for Sircle Soccer play, the present invention provides a new soccer goal construction wherein the same is light weight and collapsible and can be easily transported to, quickly set up, and utilized in various more limited play locations and play methods. 
         [0009]    The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a soccer goal that has many advantages of the existing soccer goals mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new soccer game which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art soccer goals and games, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
         [0010]    To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a multi-panel goal frame assembly configured in an equal angled arrangement of the panels and attached netting, thus forming three or more V-shaped goals along with appropriate attachment hardware and ground anchoring methods. The frames are attached to a center hub post and hub device allowing the entire goal to be folded/unfolded and/or collapsed/extended and/or assembled/disassembled into appropriate configurations required for play and subsequently into one or more of the described collapsible variations for ease of removal, portability, or transportation, if desired. 
         [0011]    Various types of play or practice can be achieved by the use of this goal. A primary embodiment of this goal is the ability to simultaneously defend three or more goals with a goalie at each, any, or all of the goals formed by any two adjoining panels and with one or many kickers attempting to kick or head one or more soccer balls in order to score at one or more of the goals. The play area consists of one or more concentric circles markings on the ground, the center hub post being the focus of all such circles. This particular configuration is an integral element in the methods involved in the use of the goal for play or practice of Sircle Soccer. 
         [0012]    There have thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter. 
         [0013]    In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0014]    A primary object of the present invention is to provide a soccer game goal that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art soccer goals. 
         [0015]    An object of the present invention is to provide a soccer goal for alternative soccer play methods such as Sircle Soccer. 
         [0016]    Another object is to provide a transportable soccer play goal device. 
         [0017]    Another object is to provide a soccer goal that can be produced in various sizes, styles, and types of devices and of various commonly available materials. 
         [0018]    Another object is to provide a soccer goal that may be utilized on various ground surfaces. 
         [0019]    Another object is to provide a soccer goal that may be placed onto and removed from the play area. 
         [0020]    Another object is to provide a soccer goal that does not interfere with the normal use of the remaining recreational areas. 
         [0021]    Another object is to provide a soccer goal that is light weight and transportable in common conveyance vehicles. 
         [0022]    Another object is to provide a soccer goal that is collapsible in various degrees, methods, and variations. 
         [0023]    Another object is to provide a multi-panel goal as a scoring target for the game of Sircle Soccer which allows for shooting on goal from any radius point of a 360 degree circle around the omni-directional goal target. 
         [0024]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0025]    To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the soccer goal in the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the soccer goal in the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is the center hub. 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the soccer goal in a collapsed state. 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a depiction of a typical panel swing hinge corner bracket assembly. 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is a depiction of a typical anchor foot and spike. 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a typical playing field configuration. 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  is a top view of a typical playing field configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0034]    Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views. The attached figures,  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  in particular, illustrate a general configuration of a soccer goal in the present invention, comprising three or more soccer style netting panels  26 , which are attached to a center hub  14 , a center hub post  12 , and a center base  10 . Each of the three of more netting panels  26  is attached to the center hub post  12 , the horizontal member  16 , to the vertical member  18 , with various common available clips or other attachment devices and optionally to the ground with anchor stakes  38 . 
         [0035]    The device comprises a structure that is collapsible by various methods and to various degrees and which can alternatively be produced in variations facilitating disassembly without the use of hinged components or optionally in a non-disassembleable version for permanent installations. 
         [0036]    Each netting panel  26  comprises one tubular horizontal member  16  and one tubular vertical member  18 , connected respectively to the center hub  14  and to each other by uniquely designed corner brackets  20  and  22  fastened with bolts  28 , nuts  30 , screws  32 , and knobs  36 , capable of supporting the unit&#39;s weight and are of sufficient strength and rigidity to withstand the repeated impacts of a soccer ball directed at the netting panels  26  or at any other portion of the device and resistant to repeated impact by players. Each frame preferably comprises high strength light weight tubular materials formed by either circular or square extrusions of typical materials such as thin wall aluminum, steel, plastic, PVC, or any other material suited for such construction. 
         [0037]    The center hub  14  is designed and comprises a structure and attachment components that facilitate the attachment of each of the panels&#39; horizontal members  16  in a manner allowing the panels to be disassembled, folded, and/or collapsed into a smaller transportable configuration. For example, in one design as shown in  FIG. 3 , the center hub  14  has three or more notches, designed with a size suited to fit the tubular horizontal members  16  when the goal is assembled. The notches are placed in a way to dissect the circumstance of the circular center hub  14  to equal degrees, such that the netting panels  26  divide the playing field into equal portions and positions of the netting panels  26  do not change during play. Along the edge of the notches there are metal plates extending downwardly from the center hub  14 , with screw holes on the metal plates such that the horizontal member  16 , when assembled, is fastened against the center hub  14  by bolts  28 , nuts  30 , screws  32 , and knobs  36 . 
         [0038]    Instead of having a knob  36  with a screw attached to it to fasten the horizontal member  16  to the center hub  14 , or to fasten the vertical member  18  to the corner bracket  20 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , another way is to have a knob  36  with a spring-loaded pin, which when released, the pin fits into a hole in the horizontal member  16  or the vertical member  18  to fasten it against the center hub  14  or the corner bracket  20 , respectively. 
         [0039]    One way to collapse/disassemble/fold the goal, as shown in  FIG. 4 , is to loosen the screws  32  on the corner brackets  20  and  22  on each of the netting panels  26 , such that the vertical member  18  can rotate inwardly towards the horizontal member  16 , in a configuration that the vertical member  18  and the horizontal member  16  are substantially parallel to each other, connected by remaining screws on the corner brackets  20  and  22 . The next step is to loosen the screws  32  and knobs  36  on the center hub  14 , such that both the horizontal member  16  and the vertical member  18  can rotate inwardly into the center hub post  12 , in a configuration that both the horizontal member  16  and the vertical member  18  are substantially parallel to the center hub post  12 , connected by remaining screws on the center hub  14 . 
         [0040]    Alternatively, the tubular horizontal member  16  and vertical member  18  and the center hub post  12  may be collapsible through either telescoping or further folding maneuvers in one or more variations of the compression or expansion processes or by additional disassembly. 
         [0041]    The netting attachment is accomplished by common attachment methods utilizing any combination of clips, sleeves, perforations, or hooks and loops, dependent on the size and thickness of the horizontal and vertical members,  16  and  18  respectively, and netting materials. 
         [0042]    The vertical center hub post  12  and the vertical member  18  of the netting panels  26  are attached to the playing field surface by anchor stakes with anchor feet  24  and common ground fastening anchor stake devices  38 , respectively, specially designed for and adaptable to various ground surfaces. 
         [0043]    The ground attachment devices may be secured to the netting panels  26  utilizing a fastener or directly within the structure.  FIG. 6  shows an exemplary anchor foot design, which can be secured temporarily or permanently to the center base  10 , wherein the anchor foot  24  is spiked in the playing field ground to support the entire goal such that the goal can withstand multiple impacts from soccer balls directed to it and/or impacts from players. Alternatively, the ground fastening devices may be detachable or not utilized in circumstances for which they are not required. 
         [0044]    Turning now to  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , which illustrate an exemplary setup of the playing field and relating play and practice of Sircle Soccer. 
         [0045]    The player first determines a desired location for play or practice of the Sircle Soccer in the present invention. Having determined a center point for the location of the goal, using the center location for the goal as a focal point of the playing field circles, the player then utilizes a line marking device and line marking spray to mark two or more concentric circles at various distances and sector demarcation lines as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , surrounding the goal at various distances according the choice of play or practice. For younger children and less number of players in each team of play, the diameters of the concentric circles may be smaller than those for the teenagers and adults, especially when more players play or practice at the same time. 
         [0046]    The player then attaches the goal to the ground surface as appropriate for that surface and intended use and then extends and/or assembles all components to form the ultimate intended shape of the structure and attachment devices appropriate for the particular playing field conditions. 
         [0047]    The principal method of play, including many of its variations, comprises one or more players kicking a soccer ball from within or outside a circular line formed by one or more concentric circles originating at the center hub post and surrounding the goal, and across the imaginary goal line formed by any two outermost points of any two netting panels and defended by a goalie in each of one or more of the goals formed by any two netting panels. In contrast with the conventional soccer play, the Sircle Soccer play is different in at least the following aspects. The playing field is circular, not rectangular in shape. The player scores a point by kicking the soccer ball into any of the netting panels, not just the opposite goal of the other team. The goalie of the team must defend all the netting panels, not just one goal, and must move quickly from sector to sector, according to the situation of the play. As a result, there may be moments that two or more goalies from opposite teams defend the same goal, while other goals are wide open. When the player intends to shoot the soccer ball into a goal to score, the goalie of the same team must rotate out to an adjacent sector and leave the targeted goal open. If the soccer ball crosses the imaginary goal line while the goalie is too slow or unable to rotate out, the team of the scoring player loses a point. The player can also choose to pass, in an anticipation that his or her goalie would not move out quickly, to avoid losing a point for his or her team. 
         [0048]    In addition, the player can pass the soccer ball to his teammates by kicking it over the goal into another sector, which is not possible in the conventional soccer play. The outermost concentric circle marks the boundary line of the entire playing field. When the soccer ball is out of boundary, it can be thrown into the playing field by another player from an opposite team from the spot where the soccer ball is out of bound, and the play resumes when the soccer ball touches the playing field inside the concentric circle. 
         [0049]    There is no offside in the Sircle Soccer play. 
         [0050]    Furthermore, the teams can play two or more soccer balls simultaneously. 
         [0051]    Upon completion of the soccer play, the player may choose to leave the goal in the selected location on a permanent or temporary basis or may choose to detach, collapse, or disassemble the goal for storage or transportation. 
         [0052]    The player may choose to enclose the goal, in a collapsed state, in a typical storage or transportation case to be optionally provided for and incorporated in the present invention. 
         [0053]    As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
         [0054]    With respect to the above description thereof, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the components and assembly parts of the present invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly, and use, storage and transportation, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the foregoing specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0055]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only on the principles of the present invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes, as Sircle Soccer being developed, will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the present invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the present invention.