Abstract:
The present invention is a portable structure used for exhibition or sports (batting cage) applications including an expansion section with a plurality of expansion segments, each of which is self-contained. Each expansion segment is bounded by an upright member onto which an articulating arm is attached adjacent the tope and bottom. Each articulating arm bends at an elbow and folds flat against the upright members when each expansion segment is extended, the articulating arms straighten at the elbow and pivot in a scissor-type motion with respect to the upright members until the articulating arms are fully extended substantially straight. The expansion segments roll on rollers removably affixed to the upright members. The portable structure includes three positions, a transport position wherein large wheels or skids are suppled for easy manipulation of the device, an expansion segment wherein the expansion segments are extended or collapsed using smaller wheels. Once fully extended, the smaller wheels are likewise removed in a structural position wherein the structure is resting on and supported from the ground. A storage container may be added to store the netting or fabric used to enclose the extended expansion section to form an enclosed structure. A foldable platform may be installed in the extension segment.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to portable structures, include a portable metal frame, and more particularly to sporting enclosures to include batting cages. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Portable shelters including expandable metal frames covered by flexible fabric have been known for many years and include camping and other related lawn tents. These structures are very portable and easy to erect, however, they are limited in size and structural integrity. Larger tents and awnings provide the necessary structural stability but require supporting members of substantial weight which are commonly supported by guy wires secured from stakes driven into the ground. This makes these structures more difficult to erect, less portable and unsuitable for certain applications. A need therefore exists for a structure which includes an expandable frame which is portable yet provides the requisite structural integrity. 
     Sporting structures such as batting cages have become an essential training apparatus for the competitive athlete. Such structures allow batting and/or throwing practice without the necessity of another person to throw or catch the ball. In order for an athlete to remain competitive, that athlete must practice hitting and/or throwing on a regimented basis. 
     When a baseball team is traveling, such as for a tournament or post-season series, it is often difficult to schedule sufficient time in the hosting venues facilities to maintain top competitive form. Traditional batting cages are not structures conducive to portable transport. The above-described problems are not unique to baseball. Other sports such as softball, golf, and hockey have similar difficulties. 
     The art contains some disclosures of sports enclosures which are represented to be portable, however, they are found to be cumbersome, heavy and difficult to set up and take down. A need therefore exists for a portable structure for use in sports training which is compact for storage or transport yet can be expanded so as to be efficient for a competitive training regimen. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A portable structure for defining an enclosed sports apparatus, shelter structure, or to create booths for festival use, such as arts festivals is herein described. The portable structure of the present invention includes, most generally, an expansion section which is comprised of numerous component expansion segments, each of which is expanded and collapsed independently of the others. The segmented form allows the entire expansion section to be expanded or collapsed without dismantling the structure or any of the component expansion segments. 
     Each expansion segment includes adjacent upright members with at least one articulating arm extending therebetween. Each articulating arm is capable of pivoting at an elbow and with respect to the upright member such that when the portable structure is expanded and one upright member extended from its adjacent upright member, each articulating arm pivots at the elbow and with regard to each upright member in a scissor type motion so as to expand to a maximum length wherein each articulating arm is substantially horizontal and pivotally supported by an upright member on each end. The component expansion segments are sequentially expanded to the maximum length of the portable structure. Once the expansion section is completely extended, the structure is further supported using an outrigger extending from each upright member. The upright members are then expanded horizontally and then vertically and locked in the proper width and height positions. In order to retract or collapse the expansion section, the process is performed in reverse order to again collapse the portable structure to its transport/storage state. 
     The portable structure includes three positions, a transport position wherein large transport wheels (or skids) are employed for ease of maneuverability of the entire collapsed structure. A second position is an expansion position wherein a plurality of smaller wheels secured to each upright member are used to extend the component expansion segments. A third position is the structural position wherein the smaller wheels are removed and the device rests on the ground providing structural integrity without the use of stakes or other such devices. 
     The portable structure may also include a storage container into which an outer netting or fabric covering may be stored for extension over the entire expanded extension section and secured thereon to achieve an enclosed structure. A folding platform may also be stored within the storage container and then folded out or extended. 
     It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a portable structure which collapses to a compact size for storage or transport and expands to a size suitable for shelter and/or sports applications. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a portable structure which is self contained. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a portable structure which may be expanded or collapsed without dismantling the structure. 
     It is yet an additional object of the present invention to provide a portable structure which is expanded on a segmented basis. 
     It is another object of the present invention to expand the segmented sections using articulating arms in a scissor-type motion. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a portable structure which includes a transport position, expansion position, and structural position. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of the portable structure of the present invention depicted in the transport position. 
     FIG. 2 is the portable structure of FIG. 1 depicted in the expansion position showing a first segment being extended. 
     FIG. 3 is the portable structure of FIG. 2 wherein the first segment is shown fully extended and a second segment in the process of being extended. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the portable structure of the present invention shown fully extended. 
     FIG. 5 is an upright detail depicting the manner in which each upright assembly is capable of increase in width and height and including an outrigger assembly. 
     FIG. 6 is a detail view of the outrigger assembly. 
     FIG. 7 is a view taken along line  7 — 7  of FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 8 is a view taken along line  8 — 8  of FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 9 is a back view of the portable structure detailing the storage container. 
     FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of the storage container of FIG. 9 showing its interior. 
     FIG. 11 is a top view of an alternate embodiment batting platform for use with the portable structure of the present invention configured to be wheelchair adaptable. 
     FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the batting platform of FIG.  11 . 
     FIG. 13 is an end elevational view of the batting platform of FIG. 11 depicting the manner in which it may be folded for storage and transport. 
     FIG. 14 is the end elevational view of the batting platform of FIG. 13 shown in its folded state for storage and transport. 
     FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the batting platform of FIG. 11 showing a wheelchair accessible ramp, side rails and removable shield. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The portable structure  10  of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1 includes generally a plurality of upright members  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 , and  22 , storage container  24 , large transport wheels, collectively  26 , and smaller expansion wheels, collectively  28 . Portable structure  10  is shown is FIG. 1 in the transport position including an expansion section  11  defined by a plurality of expansion segments which are further defined by and between uprights  12  and  14 ,  14  and  16 ,  16  and  18 ,  18  and  20 ,  20  and  22 , and  22  and storage container  24 . Expansion section  11  is shown fully retracted or collapsed so as to take up a minimum amount of space (volume) for transport and/or storage. Additionally, in its retracted, transport position, portable structure  10  includes large wheels  26  which allow portable structure  10  to be completely portable either by hand, manipulated, or towed with a slow moving utility vehicle such as a tractor. Large wheels  26  are caster-type so as to be able to rotate (or swivel) 360° thereby providing maximum mobility and ease of transport. In the event that it becomes necessary to transport portable structure  10  a greater distance, it is contemplated that large wheel  26  could be used to manipulate portable structure  10  onto a truck or utility trailer to be towed behind a vehicle. 
     Large wheels  26  may be substituted with skids for ease of transport of portable structure  10  on grass, gravel, dirt, sand, or the like. Moreover, large wheels  26  are intended only for transport of portable structure  10  and in this transport position and are capable of being removed for expansion of portable structure  10 . 
     In its retracted position, portable structure  10  includes a rigid bar  30  to which uprights  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 , and  22  may be secured such as by using of pins, collectively  32 . It has been found that cage pins are particularly suitable for this purpose, however, it is understood that other securing means such as bolts could be substituted. Rigid bar  30  and pins  32  prevent expansion section  11  from undesired expansion during transport or storage of portable structure  10 . 
     Referring next to FIG. 2, the portable structure  10  of FIG. 1 is depicted in an expansion position where the large wheels  26  of FIG. 1 have been removed. In the expansion position, upright members  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 , and  22  of expansion segment  11  rest upon their respective smaller wheels  28  while storage container  24  rests on the ground. Large wheels  26  of FIG. 1 may be added or removed by jacking portable structure and removing or adding large wheels  26 . Wheels  28  are also preferably of a swivel, caster type. 
     FIG. 2 depicts a first component segment of expansion section  11  defined between upright member  12  and upright member  14 . A pair or articulating arms  34  and  36  extend between upright members  12  and  14 . 
     Each articulating arm such as articulating arm  34 , includes a first length  38  and a second length  40 . First length  38  and second length  40  are joined at an elbow  41 . Likewise, articulating arm  36  includes a first length  42  and a second length  44  joined at an elbow  45 . 
     Referring briefly back to FIG. 1, in the retracted, transport/storage position, wherein upright member  12  is adjacent upright member  14 , first segment  38  is articulated against second segment  40  by pivoting at elbow  41 . Likewise, first segment  42  is articulated against second segment  44  by pivoting at elbow  45 . 
     Referring again to FIG. 2, when first pin  32  is removed and as upright member  12  is extended away from upright member  14  on wheels  28 , arms  34  and  36  are articulated or extended at elbows  41  and  45  in a scissor-type motion. For arm  34 , this motion is exemplified by arrows  46  and  48 . When upright member  12  is rolled away from upright member  14 , elbow  41  pivots such that arm  38  pivots away from upright member  12  at a point  50  along path of travel  46  while second segment  40  pivots away from upright member  14  at a point  52  along path  48 . Segments  38  and  40  of articulating arm  34  pivot in a downward direction to ultimately form a substantially straight, horizontal member connected to upright member  12  on one end and upright member  14  on the other. 
     Likewise, when upright member  12  is extended from upright member  14 , articulating arm  36  extends by pivoting at elbow  45 . First segment  42  pivots away from upright member  12  at a point  54  following path of travel  47  while second segment  40  pivots from upright member  14  at  56  following path of travel  49 . First segment  42  and second segment  44  of articulating arm  36  pivot at elbow  45  upwardly following paths of travel  47  and  49 , respectively. 
     Each upright member, such as upright member  12 , includes an upper bracket  53  to which segment  42  is pinned so as to pivot at pivot point  54 , and a lower bracket  51  to which first segment  38  of articulating arm  34  is pinned so as to pivot at pivot point  50 . Likewise, upright member  14  includes a bracket  58  from which second segment  42  of articulating arm  36  pivots at pivot point  56  while second segment  40  of articulating arm  34  is pinned to a bracket  60  so as to pivot at pivot point  52 . Each upright member  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 , and  22  are constructed in the same manner. 
     Referring next to FIG. 3 which shows the portable structure  10  of FIG. 2 wherein the first expansion segment bounded between upright member  12  and upright member  14  is shown fully extended. Articulating arms  34  and  36  are articulated at elbows  45  and  41 , respectively, such that articulating arms  34  and  36  are substantially straight therefore providing the maximum length extension between upright member  12  and upright member  14 . 
     Once a first segment, such as the segment between upright member  12  and  14 , of expansion section  11  is fully extended as shown in FIG. 3, the second expansion segment between upright members  14  and upright member  16  may be extended after removing second pin  32  using wheels  28  and articulating arms  62  and  64 . Articulating arms  62  and  64  are the same construction as articulating arms  34  and  36  and are pivoted at elbows  66  and  68  in identical scissor-type motions so as to likewise fully extend articulating arms  62  and  64  to provide the maximum distance between upright members  14  and  16 . 
     Likewise, the extension segments defined between upright members  16  and  18 ,  18  and  20 ,  20  and  22 , and  22  and storage cabinet  24  are extended in an identical scissor-type manner so as to fully extend expansion section  11  of portable structure  10 . 
     Additional support may be obtained through the use of triangular upper support brackets  70  which rotate out from hinges secured to the upright members, such as upright member  14  in FIG.  3  and pinned to the upper articulating arm, such as  36 . Triangular bracket  70  provides additional structural support to the portable structure  10 . 
     An upper cable system  72  and lower cable  74  may be connected to each upright member and extended therewith. Cable system  72  and  74  is useful in drawing a covering over portable structure  10  such as netting for a batting cage or a protective fabric cover for an exhibition or storage tent. However, it is also intended that such netting or fabric could be manually extended or secured over the frame structure defined by expansion section  11  in a basic embodiment. 
     FIG. 4 depicts portable structure  10  from a side view in a fully extended structural position. In the structural position, smaller wheels  28  are removed so that the structure rests on the ground. The portable structure of FIG. 4 is embodied as a batting cage including a netted enclosure  76  completely enshrouding the expansion segment  11 . However, it is understood that in the event that portable structure  10  is configured as an exhibition tent, a solid fabric cover may be substituted for netting  76  over expansion section  11  without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     A raised, folding platform  78  may be removed from storage within storage cabinet  24  and unfolded inside the netting  76  of expansion section  11 . In the batting cage embodiment, a rigid, level batter&#39;s platform  78  with a sloping, rigid or preferably flexible fabric surface  80  extending between platform  78  and storage cabinet  24  so that pitched balls may automatically return by gravity back toward storage cabinet  24 . 
     In the embodiment of an exhibition tent, sloped surface  80  could be replaced with a plurality of level folding platforms identical to platform  78  (or a single folded platform) in order to provide a rigid, level exhibition surface within expansion section  11 . Alternately, a single accordion folded platform could be stored within storage container  24  are extended for use. 
     FIG. 5 is a detail of an upright member such as upright member  14  of FIG.  2 . Upright member  14  is shown from a front view in order to disclose the expansion capability of each individual upright member. Each upright member is capable of expanding in height and width once expansion section  11  is extended in order to maximize the space (or volume) within the portable structure without diminishing structural integrity. Vertical member  14  (and each vertical member  12 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 , and  22  of the portable structure) is capable of telescopic expansion both in height and width. 
     More particularly, upright member  14  includes a pair of vertical posts  82  and  84  and horizontal braces  86  and  88  which together bound a substantially rectangular vertical perimeter with an interior volume  90 . By way of example, the dimensions of a collapsed upright member in a preferred embodiment are  8 ′ on the horizontal  86  and  88  and slightly less than  8 ′ on the vertical  82  and  84 . 
     Vertical posts  82  and  84  include a female slide adjustor segment  92  and  94 , respectively, and a male slide adjustor segment  96  and  98 . Male slide adjustor segments  96  and  98  telescope within female slide adjustor segments  92  and  94  respectively. 
     When male slide adjustor segments  96  and  98  are telescoped out of female slide adjustor segments  92  and  94  to a desired expanded height, shown in phantom as  100 , male slide adjustor segments  96  and  98  are secured in place. Male slide adjustor segments  96  and  98  may be secured in place by any suitable means, however, it has been found that a cage pin is particularly suited for this application. 
     In like manner, horizontal support  86  and  88  include a female slide adjustor segments  102  and  104  which receive a male slide adjustor segment. In the preferred embodiment, these male slide adjustor segments include an extension of male slide adjustor segment  96  on the above horizontal support  88  and extension of female slide adjustor segment  92  on the lower horizontal support  86 . In this way, female slide adjustor segment  92  becomes the male slide adjustor segment on the lower horizontal support  86  which telescopes into female slide adjustor segment  104 . When the horizontal supports are extended to the desired length, shown in phantom as  106 , they are secured such as with a cage pin inserted into holes  108  and  110 . 
     An expanded vertical member  14  having an increased height  100  and increased width  106  is obtained. By way of example for purpose of illustration, the expanded width  106  is expanded to  12 ′ while the height  100  is expanded to almost  12 ′. The internal volume  90  is thus substantially increased. When each upright member  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 , and  22  of FIG.  4  is extended, the resultant internal area defined within portable structure  10  enclosed by netting  76  is vastly increased. 
     When portable structure  10  is retracted for transport or storage, each vertical member, such as  14  of FIG. 5 is likewise reduced. The pins are removed and the male slide adaptor segments telescoped within their female slide adaptor segments to reduce the height of vertical posts  82  and  84  as well as the width of horizontal supports  86  and  88  are reduced to their original dimensions to facilitate transport and/or storage. 
     Each upright member is fitted with an extendable outrigger on each vertical post. In FIG. 5, upright member  14  includes an outrigger  112  which pivots from vertical post  82  and outrigger  114  which pivots from vertical post  84 . Outrigger  112  is shown in its extended configuration while outrigger  114  is shown in its folded position within upright member  14 . 
     Outriggers, such as outriggers  112  and  114 , add increased stability to vertical posts  82  and  84  and thereby the entire portable structure. 
     FIG. 6 is a detail of outrigger assembly  112  of FIG. 5 which shall next be described. Outrigger  112  is of a substantially triangular geometry wherein one leg  116  is secured to vertical post  82  by hinge  118 . Hinge  118  allows outrigger  112  to pivot from a first position shown in phantom to its extended position. Outrigger  112  is secured in this position using a cage pin  120 . 
     A second leg  122  of outrigger  112  is parallel to the ground and horizontal support  86 . However, in order for outrigger  112  to be capable of folding within upright member  12  (FIG.  5 ), it is necessary that leg  122  rotate to a position which is parallel to and rests upon horizontal support  86 , shown in phantom. This being the case, when outrigger  112  is rotated outward from vertical post  82 , a gap between leg  122  and the surface upon which horizontal support  86  rests is realized. In order to fill this gap, a spacer  126  is hinged to leg  122  such that when outrigger  112  is rotated outward from vertical post  82 , spacer  126  is rotated around leg  122  thereby providing contact between outrigger  112  and the surface upon which horizontal support  86  rests. Outrigger  112  is then capable of providing support to upright member  12  (FIG.  5 ). 
     FIG. 7 shows outrigger  112  rotated out from upright  14  on hinge  118 . Spacer  126  is shown rotated on hinge  128  from a position adjacent outrigger  112  as shown in phantom to a position under outrigger  112 . Third leg  124  of outrigger  112  is shown from the top view. 
     A brace  125  extends from upright member  14  to which bracket  58  is secured. As stated above with regard to FIG. 2, bracket  58  are pivotally connected to articulated arms  34  and  62 . 
     FIG. 8, a view taken along line  8 — 8  of FIG. 6, depicts the manner in which spacer  126  rotates upon hinge  128  around leg  122 . Spacer  126  includes substantially the same dimensions as horizontal support  86 . In the collapsed position, spacer  126  rotates on hinge  128  about leg  122  so as to be positioned adjacent leg  122  above horizontal support  86  as shown in phantom in FIG. 6 in combination with FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 9 is a back view of storage container  24  which shall next be described. Storage container  24  includes a general storage area  130 , an overhead storage area  132  and a cut out area  134 . Storage container  24  is a framed structure enclosed by wire mesh or other suitable material to provide low level security to its contents. 
     General storage area  130  is secured by a hinged door  136  which provides access to its interior. General storage area  130  may be used to store a raised platform as discussed above with relation to FIG. 4 or any other sports or other equipment associated with the usage of the portable structure. General storage area  130  may also include a plurality of hooks  138  to retain tools and/or sporting equipment such as batting helmets, bats, bags, etc. Overhead storage area  132  extends the width of storage cabinet  24  and provides additional storage therein. In a preferred embodiment, the netting or fabric used to cover the portable structure is stored in overhead storage compartment  132 . FIG. 10 is a cut-away view of the end  135  of FIG. 9 is shown. A hinged access door  140  provides security and access to the contents of overhead storage area  132 . Hinged door  140  folds outward (as shown in phantom) to provide such access. 
     Hooks  138  are seen in greater detail in FIG.  10 . 
     Referring back to FIG. 9, storage container  24  includes a space or area  134  which is open to provide access to the interior the portable structure or in the preferred embodiment batting cage, to receive an automatic pitching machine. Space  134  is positioned within storage container  24  so as to be in the center of the length of the interior of the portable structure when fully extended and expanded. Additional supports  142  are provided between the top of storage container  124  and expansion segment  11  (of FIG.  3 ). Structural members  142  provide additional rigid structural support to the portable structure. Structural members  142  are capable of telescopic extension to account for the increased distance created by the increase in the height of extension section  11  to which it is affixed. Structural members  142  are also capable of pivoting with respect to storage container  24  to account for the increase in the angle between structural support  142  and the top of storage container  24 . 
     FIGS. 11-15 depict a specific embodiment batting platform (such as  78  of FIG. 4) which provides wheelchair accessibility to the interior of the portable structure when configured as a portable batting cage. Wheelchair accessible batting platform  150  includes, generally, a level foldable batting surface  152  and a wheelchair accessible ramp  154 . Batting surface  152  includes a home plate  156  to provide the batter orientation with regard to the ball being pitched within the portable structure. Batting surface  152  additionally includes two cut our portions  158  and  160  in batting surface  152  at locations calculated to partially receive and retain therein wheels of a wheelchair. Holes  158  and  160  are calculated to be at the proper distance in orientation to home plate  156  such that when a batter using a wheelchair positions the large wheelchair wheels in either slots  158  or slots  160 , the batter will be positioned in the proper location with respect to home plate and thereby the pitching machine. 
     Holes  158  are cut for use by a left handed batter, while holes  160  are contemplated for use by a right handed batter. An additional pair of holes  162  and  164  may be drilled in batting platform  152  so as to receive a shield or screen  166  therein. Shield  166  separates the batter from the path of errant incoming baseballs. Shield  166  may be positioned in either holes  164 , as shown, or in holes  162  depending upon the batting orientation of the batter. Batting platform  152  also includes rail  168  and ramp  154  includes rail  170 . 
     Referring briefly to FIG. 15, a side elevation view of batting platform  150  depicting surface  152 , ramp  154 , home plate  156 , rails  168  and  170 , and shield  166 . Shield  166  is shown extending through surface  152 . 
     Ramp  154  is hinged from batting surface  152  and extends downwardly therefrom. 
     The folding operation of batting platform  152  shall be discussed in relation to FIGS. 11-15. 
     FIG. 12 is a bottom view of batting surface  152  which shows the manner in which it is hinged to include hinges  178 . Hinges  178  divide batting surface  152  into two sections for storage and transport. 
     FIG. 13 depicts batting surface  152  in the folding process wherein batting surface  152  is folded along hinges  178 . Legs  172 ,  174 , and  176  pivot in relation to batting surface  152  so as to to rotate flush therein as shown in phantom. Legs  172 ,  174 , and  176  are each segmented so as to be capable of retraction in length when folded. 
     FIG. 14 depicts batting surface  152  fully folded such that batting surface  152  is divided along hinges  178  and legs  172 ,  174 , and  176  are retracted in length and folded flush with batting surface  152 . It is understood that legs  172 ,  174 , and  176  represent a pair of legs as shown in greater detail in FIG.  12 . In FIG. 15, legs  172 ,  174 , and  176  are shown pivoted outward so as to support batting surface  152  and extended to a maximum height. Thus, a foldable, portable batting platform which provides wheelchair access is provided. 
     While the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is manifest that many changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment set forth herein for purposes of exemplification, but is to be limited only by the scope of the attached claim or claims, including the full range of equivalency to which each element thereof is entitled.