Abstract:
Improvements in an expandable goal net are disclosed. The expandable goal net is foldable and can be taken from a full size goal to a smaller size that can be easily compacted for transportation. The vertical legs telescope inside each other to essentially reduce the height of the vertical members to essentially half. The horizontal cross posts fold in half thereby to compact the expandable goal net into a vertical folded rectangle. The folding joints are on the horizontal members. Joints lock into a horizontal orientation and can be released to allow the joints to fold essentially 180 degrees. Corners use similar hinged joints that allow the horizontal members to bend to essentially 90 degrees. Vertical members have locking slides that telescope to reduce the total length of the vertical members. The expandable goal net is made from aluminum tubes and formed or molded plastic components.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of applicant&#39;s application Ser. No. 61/868,335 filed Aug. 21, 2013 the entire contents of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to improvements in an expandable goal net. More particularly, the present expandable net is a goal net that is used for soccer or other sports. The expandable net can be easily transported and erected. The erected net is strong enough for a person to hang from the horizontal member and still be folded and for transportation. 
     2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98. 
     There are several games where a ball or other object is kicked or struck into a goal. For many communities or homes a goal is not present and must be supplied by the coach player. There are generally two different types of goal, the first type is a permanent goal that is made from heavy tubular steel where a net is secured or tied into the tubular steel. These heavy tubular steel frames are welded together and can weigh several hundred pounds. The weight of these frames makes transportation, vandalism or stealing these framed fairly difficult. The other type of frames are assembled from pieces or folded and are typically flimsy and fragile where they can be easily damaged. Soccer goals consisting of numerous pieces have the distinct disadvantage that they are difficult and slow to set up. Loose fasteners may require tools for driving or tightening, and may also become lost in transit or storage or during assembly of a goal on a turf playing field. 
     A number of patents and or publications have been made to address these issues. Exemplary examples of patents and or publication that try to address this/these problem(s) are identified and discussed below. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,600 issued Sep. 21, 1999 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,643 issued Jun. 11, 2002 both to Sukhinder Gill disclose a Folding Soccer Goal. The folding soccer goal uses elastic cords inside of round or rectangular tubing. The tubed partially telescope inside each other and the elastic cords retain the telescoping tubes together. The telescoping tubes are pulled apart for folding and storage in a bag. While this patent discloses a foldable soccer goal the parts are not do not make a rigid structure that can accept the abuse from athletes handing on the cross members. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,980 issued Jan. 6, 2004 to Robert J. Walsh discloses a Sports Goal Collapsible Frame. The goal frame pieces include hinges that allow the components to fold for storage. While the frame folds the connecting hinges will support a child hanging on the goal frame. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,371,195 issued May 13, 2008 to Larry Richard Stevens discloses a Collapsible Sports Goal where the components of the goal use hinges and pivoting components that allow the goal to be quickly folded for storage or expanded for use. While the sports goal can be reduced in size for storage the connecting components can easily be collapsed when not desired. 
     What is needed is an expandable goal net that has structural components that both fold for easier storage and can be locked in an expanded form while providing similar structural strength to a welded frame. The proposed practigoal expandable goal net provides a solution to this problem. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the expandable goal net to be foldable. Because the expandable goal net is foldable the net can be taken from a full size goal to a smaller size that can be easily compacted for transportation. The vertical legs telescope inside each other to essentially reduce the height of the vertical members to essentially half. The horizontal cross post fold in half thereby o compact the expandable goal net into a vertical folded rectangle. 
     It is an object of the expandable goal net to have folding joints. The folding joints are on the horizontal members. The joints lock into a horizontal orientation and can be released to allow the joints to fold essentially 180 degrees. The corners use similar hinged joints that allow the horizontal members to bend to essentially 90 degrees. The vertical members have locking slides that telescope to reduce the total length of the vertical members. 
     It is another object of the expandable goal net to have essentially the same strength as a welded goal frame. In many cases a goal frame receives high impacts from a ball making contact, an athlete running into the goal frame or a person hanging onto the center span of the horizontal members. Without proper structural locking joints an expandable goal net frame could be easily damaged whereby making an expensive foldable goal net a worthless bent frame. 
     It is still another object of the expandable goal net to be made from light-weight material. The expandable goal net is made from aluminum tubes and formed or molded plastic components. The light-weight materials make the expandable goal net easy to transport or roll from a vehicle to a grass field where the expandable goal net can be expanded and erected for use by players. The transportation can be from integrated wheels or from a hand truck. 
     Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         FIG. 1  shows a front view of the expandable goal net. 
         FIG. 2  shows a top view of the expanded goal net. 
         FIG. 3  shows a side view of the expanded goal net. 
         FIG. 4  shows a front view of a folded goal net. 
         FIG. 5  shows a side view of a folded goal net. 
         FIG. 6A to 6C  show views of the footer. 
         FIG. 7A to 7C  show views of the straight bracket. 
         FIG. 8A to 8C  show views of the corner bracket. 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  show views of a first hinge arm. 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  show views of a second hinge arm. 
         FIG. 11A to 11C  show views of the knuckle. 
         FIG. 12  shows an assembled view of the arms and a knuckle. 
         FIGS. 13A and 13B  show views of a tube standoff. 
         FIGS. 14A and 14B  show views of a lock screw. 
         FIG. 15A to 15C  show views of the lock knob. 
         FIG. 16  shows a perspective view of the practice goal with a net and canopy. 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a front foot pad from  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a rear foot pad from  FIG. 16 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a front view of the expandable goal net  19  and  FIG. 2  shows a top view of the expanded goal net  19  and  FIG. 3  shows a side view of the expanded goal net  19 . The expanded goal net  19  is constructed from multiple square or rectangular tube members made preferably of aluminum. While aluminum is the preferred material for the tubing members, the tubes can be made from steel or other materials at the expense of weight. The tubing members are connected together with joints or other connecting members. The joints and connecting members are preferably made from molded plastic components that fit within the tubing members. The frame of the expanded goal net  19  can be reduced in size by folding or compressing and then expanded and covered with a net. With this understanding of the basic components we now refer to the figures showing how these various components connect together. 
     From  FIGS. 1, 2 and 3  the expanded goal net  19  has four vertical legs made from an outer tube  20  and an inner tube  21 . The inner tube  21  telescopes with the outer leg  22 . The inner tube  21  is retained in position in the outer tube  22  with a locking pin  140  that retains the two tube members in an extended position (for use) or in a retracted position (for storage). An enlarged foot  30  is secured to the end of the inner tubes  21 . The enlarged feet  21  spread the load of the expanded goal net  19  and provide a more stable footing for the expanded goal net  19 . At the top ends of the outer tubes  20  are connected with straight hinge arms  80 ,  90 , knuckles  100  and corner brackets  70 . The top portion of the frame includes horizontal tubes  22 ,  23  and side tubes  25 ,  26 . The horizontal tubes  22   m    23  and the side tubes  25 ,  26  hinge or fold at a mid-span to reduce the length of these members as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a front view of a folded goal net and  FIG. 5  shows a side view of a folded goal net  19 . In both of these figures the vertical legs are shown in a reduced height with the inner tube  21  retracted within the outer tube  20 . From  FIG. 4  the two horizontal tubes  22  and  23  are shown bent with the straight bracket  60  shown free from horizontal tube  23 . From  FIG. 5  the two side tubes  25  and  26  are shown bent with the straight bracket  60  shown free from horizontal tube  26 . In the top of both of these views, the first hinge arms  80  are shown engaged in the corner brackets  70  and in contact together between the vertical legs. The joints pivot on knuckles. At the bottom of these figures the footer  30  is shown where the expandable goal net  19  can stand in and expanded or retracted orientation on the ground. 
       FIG. 6A to 6C  show views of the footer  30 . The footer  30  is an essentially triangular base  31 . The triangular base  31  allows the four other feet to nest in closer proximity to each other. The footer  30  is preferably fabricated from plastic in an injection molding operation, but other material and fabrication materials and methods are contemplated and will pride a product with essentially the same function and support. Near the center of the triangular base a square or rectangular post  35  extends perpendicular to the base  31 . The square or rectangular post  35  is shaped and configured to fit within the inner tube  21  shown previously in the assembled expandable goal net  31 . One or more cross holes  36  extend through the square or rectangular post to secure the inner tube  21  onto the post  35 . A plurality of holes  32  extend through the triangular base to allow a stake to be driven through the triangular base  31  and holes  32  to secure the footer to the ground. A stand-off  33  supports a ring connection  34 . The ring connection  34  allows for securing a net to the footer with a string, rope, zip tie, bungee cord or other securing mechanism or means. 
       FIG. 7A to 7C  show views of the straight bracket  60 . The straight bracket  60  partially slides into tubular members where the straight bracket  60  is secured to the tubular members with fasteners that pass through holes  61  and the tubular members. A hole  62  provides a connection for locking or securing the straight bracket  60  into a complimentary horizontal or side tube. A recess  63  provides clearance for hinge arms shown and described in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
       FIG. 8A to 8C  show views of the corner bracket  70 . The corner bracket  70  joins the tubes that intersect orthogonally. A plurality of holes  71  to  78  allow for securing outer tubes  20 , horizontal tubes  22 ,  23  and side tubes  25 ,  26  to the corner bracket  70 . Clearance notches  79  provide clearance for hinge arms, shown and described in  FIGS. 9 and 10  and or knuckles  100 , shown in  FIG. 11 . 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  show views of a first hinge arm  80  and  FIGS. 10A and 10B  show views of a second hinge arm  90 . These hinge arms  80  and  90  have extensions  82  and  92  that fit within outer tubes  20 , horizontal tubes  22 ,  23  and side tubes  25 ,  26 . A hole  81 ,  91  allows a fastener to pass through the outer tubes  20 , horizontal tubes  22 ,  23  and side tubes  25 ,  26 , and secure into the hole  81  or  91 . The head of the hinge arms  80  and  90  have a circular bearing surface  83  and  93  that guide the knuckle  100 . Recess  84  in the first hinge arm provides clearance for the head of a fastener to screw into hole  94  in the second hinge arm  90 . Recess  86  in the first hinge arm provides clearance for the head of a fastener to screw into hole  96  in the second hinge arm  90 . 
       FIG. 11A to 11C  show views of the knuckle  100  and  FIG. 12  shows an assembled view of the arms  80  and  90  with a knuckle  100 . The knuckle  100  is essentially a double sided coupling that connects between arms  80 ,  90 , straight brackets  60  and corner brackets  70 . The knuckle  100  has a divider  101  where the two sides are symmetric from the divider  101 . On each side of the divider  101  two circular outer  102 ,  103  and inner  104 ,  105  bearing surfaces exist. These bearing surfaces allow the connecting members to articulate to provide folding of the frame of the expandable goal net  19 . In addition to the circular bearing surfaces, side surfaces  102  and  106  provide additional bearing surfaces. The material of the knuckle  100  is selected to allow for smooth rotational movement and also structural strength of the erected expandable goal net  19 . 
       FIGS. 13A and 13B  show views of a tube standoff  110 . The standoff  110  is essentially a cylindrical shape with a first side having a recess  113  clearance that terminates with a threaded connection  112 . The opposite side of the standoff  100  has a threaded hole  111 . 
       FIGS. 14A and 14B  show views of a lock screw  120 . The lock screw  120  has a central shank  123 . At one side of the central shank  123  a threads  121  exist that can be screwed into the tube standoff  110 . At the opposing side of the central shank  123  is a cylindrical head  120  with a recess  122  cut across the cylindrical head  120 . 
       FIG. 15A to 15C  show views of the lock knob  130 . The lock knob  130  is essentially a flat rectangle with central hole  132  that passes through the lock knob  130 . A hole  131  passes perpendicular to the central hole  132  and the lock knob  130 . 
       FIG. 16  shows a perspective view of the practice goal with a net and canopy. In this figure the frame is covered with a canopy having an upper portions with sides  168 , and back  166  and a top  167 . The sides  168 , back  166  and top and essentially opaque and provide protection from the sun and also from rain. It provides a shelter from the elements for the team, coach and or goal tender before, after or during play. The top surface  167  has a plurality of openings  169  for venting of air and wind to keep the interior of the goal cooler and prevent wind from lifting the goal and canopy. While two openings  169  are shown, this could include as few as one opening to more than two. It is also contemplated that the top surface  167  could be configured with flaps to allow for air movement. The lower portion of the canopy has a net structure  165 . 
     The net structure allows for air movement through the goal and allows for capturing of balls that enter the goal. On the bottom of the net structure  165  a pocket  160  is joined to the net. The pocket  160  has a stretchable cord that maintains the net in proximity to the ground. The pocket  160  and stretchable cord is secured to the base feet  30  that are connected to the vertical support members  21 . The canopy extends along the vertical members  21  and over the horizontal tubular members  22  and  23  of the goal. The canopy is remains on the frame whereby the frame and the canopy is erected and collapsed with the expandable goal as a single unit. 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a front foot pad  30  from  FIG. 16 . This figure shows a front foot pad  30 . The front foot pad  30  has the vertical support tube  21  attached to the foot pad  30 . The foot pad  30  further has an eyelet  34  with an opening for securing the stretchable cord  161 . The stretchable cord  161  runs through a pocket or canal  160  in a bottom section of the net  165 . A weighted bar  150  is removably secured to the foot pad  30 . The weighted bar  150  provides weight to keep the goal more secure to the ground and also provides dimensional stability between each front vertical pole  21  and the rear pole. The foot pad  30  and the weighted bar  150  have holes  32  and  152  respectively for a stake to be driven through the hole to further secure the goal to a location on the ground to prevent movement caused by wind or the goal being struck by a person or a ball. 
       FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a rear foot pad from  FIG. 16 . The rear foot pad  30  shows an eyelet with the stretchable cord  161  passing from one pocket or channel  160  through the eyelet and into another channel or pocket  160  to keep the bottom of the net in proximity to the ground. The weighted bar  150  is shown along the right side of this figure and removably secured to the foot pad  30 . The net  165  is shown stretching around the vertical pole  21 . 
     Thus, specific embodiments of an expandable goal net have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.