Abstract:
A free standing, upright sports goal structure ( 10 ) having a plurality of inflatable bladders to form the framework ( 19 ) of a standing goal structure, together with an outer casing ( 25 ) of non-elastic material which encloses the inflatable framework ( 19 ) and serves to form a strong rigid goal structure ( 10 ) which is useful in a plurality of sports, yet which can quickly and easily be erected or collapsed for convenient transportation and storage.

Description:
This application is a continuation of my provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/262,793, filing date Jan. 22, 2001. 
    
    
     The present invention relates to an inflatable Hoop,/Basket,/Goal. Such structures may be used for a variety of purposes but principally this structures proposed use is for a recreational aid in the form of a goal or hoop that allows the user to throw, shoot, or kick a ball or object through the goal or hoop. The inflatable hoop/basket/goal can be used on any surface, indoors or outdoors. The invention is portable and being inflatable makes it easily assembled (Inflated) and stored. 
     The present invention provides an inflatable tubular framework comprising of inflatable tubular members. When inflated the tubular uprights (Legs) joined by the arches that are attached to the goal or hoop create a self supporting structure. An internal bladder system gives the structure its sturdyness. The inflatable tubular members can be made of plastics or strong fabric. They can be welded, glued or sewn together. The internal bladders can be made of plastics or rubberised fabrics that will seal air tight. The netting may be made of plastics or a yarn material. 
     Preferably, a plurality of anchorage points are provided along each tubular member intended in use to be lowermost. Anchorage points may also be provided on tubular members intended in use to be lowermost. Anchorage points may also be provided on tubular members intended to be at an upper part of the structure in use and guylines may be attached at these points in the form of ballasts. 
     Suitably, the framework structure may be provided in association with means for anchoring or weighing down the structure, such as weighted lines or pegs or stakes for driving into the ground. Preferably means for weighing down the structure are provided comprising a plurality of containers/ballasts such as bags adapted to be filled in use with a material such as sand or soil or with a liquid such as water. 
     Preferably, the anchorage points mentioned above may be provided as protruding tabs of the material of the inflatable structure provided with reinforced holes therein for receiving anchorage lines or ballasts. 
     It can be seen that the tubular frameworks illustrated can, when deflated, be stored in a compact and convenient manner and can conveniently be transported for use at the beach or on picnics or in other recreational situations. They may then be inflated by the use of a conventional foot pump or other compressed gas source to provide in a very short time a goal/hoop or basket for use in a game of basketball, soccer, ect. 
     Whilst the invention has been described with reference to specific characteristics of the embodiments illustrated, many modifications and variations are possible with the scope of the invention. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention relates to inflatable structures and is particularly directed to portable inflatable structures for indoor and outdoor use as a sports goal, hoop, or basket. 
     2. Prior Art 
     In the past there have been numerous types of inflatable objects, such as balloons, simulated furniture, and various types of flotation devices. This invention is of an upright, free standing, inflatable goal, hoop or basket. It is composed of inflatable portions which are interconnected and include four equally spaced legs. Each leg in turn is connected by an arched section. Each arched section is attached to the circular hoop or goal creating one complete structure. A mesh netting is attached to the interior circumference of the circular hoop, hanging from the hoop or basket. 
     OBJECTS AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide an inflatable sports goal which is strong and rigid when erected. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a free standing, upright sports goal which is strong and rigid when erected, yet which can quickly and easily be disassembled for portability and storage. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a free standing, upright sports goal comprising an inflatable framework, together with a casing formed of non-elastic material, to form a sports goal which is strong and rigid when erected, yet which can quickly and easily be disassembled for portability or storage. 
     A specific object of the present invention is to provide a free standing, upright sports goal structure having a plurality of inflatable tubes joined to form the framework of a free standing, upright goal structure, together with an outer casing of non-elastic material which encloses the inflatable framework and serves to form a strong rigid goal structure which is useful in a plurality of sports that would include basketball, soccer or any ball game played with the goal, yet which can quickly and easily be erected or collapsed for convenient transportation and storage, together with an improved method of manufacturing the same. 
     These and other objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a sports goal embodying the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a cut out side view of the sports goal of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the sports goal of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric view showing the inflatable framework for the sports goal of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the sports goal of  FIG. 1  showing the zippers for the insertion of the inflatable bladders. 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the sports goal showing the inflation/deflation valve location. 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the sports goal of  FIG. 1  showing the goal, free standing and upright ready for use. 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the sports goal ready to receive a ball (Any type) into the round goal area. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the free standing, upright goal with a ball (Any type) approaching the hoop or goal area. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In that form of the present invention chosen for purposes of illustration,  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6  show a sports goal, indicated generally at  10 , having four vertical arches with slanted legs  11 , with each individual leg joining  12  equally and laterally with the individual leg that corresponds to it realative to the four points that create the square shape at the base from the right legs of the arches  11 . The illustration of  FIG. 3  shows the top view of the sports goal as generally indicated at  13 , where the joining of the large inflatable hoop  14  to the very top of each arch with slanted legs  11  is seen at each individual corresponding place  15 . The illustration of  FIG. 2  shows a cut out side view of the sports goal as generally indicated at  16 , where the position of the joining between the large inflatable hoop  14  and the open ended tubular shaped netting  17  is clearly shown at  18  where it bugs the inner radious of the large inflatable hoop  14 . The sports goal  10  is preferably approximately six feet tall or eight feet tall. 
     To provide for quick and easy erection and disassembly to a convient size for portability and storage, the sports goal  10  is formed of an inflatable framework, indicated generally at  19  in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6  and comprising of the five inflatable bladders, as seen at  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 , and  24 , respectively, together with a casing  25  formed of non-elastic material and carrying the open ended tubular shaped netting  17 . 
     The casing  25  has slits  26  provided at convenient locations equally upon each individual arch with slanted legs  11 , as seen in  FIG. 1  to allow inflatable bladders  20 ,  21 ,  22 , and  23  of framework  19  to be inserted therein. The casing  25  has a slit  27  provided at a convenient location upon the large inflatable hoop  14  as seen in  FIG. 3  to allow for the inflatable bladder  24  of framework  19  to be inserted therein. Because casing  25  is formed of non-elastic material, it will form a strong and rigid structure when inflatable framework  19  is inserted and inflated. 
     At the same time, sports goal  10  can quickly and easily be erected or disassembled, when desired, for portability and storage, and, once disassembled, will occupy a minimum of space. Also, sports goal  10  is extremely light and buoyant and, hence, will float on water for use in water basketball and other water sports. Finally, if desired, flaps with hoops  28 ,  29 ,  30 , and  31  may be provided adjacent the respective pairs of legs  11  of casing  25  to receive suitable weights within vinyl bags, such as stones, sand, and the like to weigh the sports goal to the ground in a desired location. 
     When deflated, inflatable framework  19  and casing  25  can be folded and stored in a minimum of space and will be quite light, so that sports goal  10  can easily be transported in a suitable carrying case, not shown, to a desired location. At the desired location, inflatable bladders  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 , and  24  can be inflated and assembled inside casing  25  and deflated as one complete assembly. Next, the assembled inflatable network  19  can be inserted into slots  26  and  27  of casing  25  to form sports goal  10 , as seen in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6 . Finally, sports goal  10  can be oriented as desired, and suitable means such as weights can be applied to the flaps  28 ,  29 ,  30 , and  31  to weigh down the sports goal  10  in a desired position. 
     Obviously, numerous other variations and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, it should be clearly understood that the forms of the present invention described above and shown in the figures of the accompanying drawing, are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of this invention. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     Once inflated and assembled, sports goal/hoop is quite rigid and will be extremely strong. Odviously, sports goal/hoop can be mounted on dirt, sand, gymnasium, grass or paved surfaces, as desired, for use with basketball, soccer or any type balls. Alternatively, because framework is inflatable, it is also capable of floating on water. Therefore, sports goal/hoop can be used for water sports, in addition to its use on land.