Abstract:
A portable goal assembly that folds in two dimensions is disclosed. The goal assembly includes tubular members, most of which are connected by hinges to facilitate movement between expanded and collapsed configurations. The hinges may be lockable to provide bracing when the goal assembly is in its expanded configuration. The goal assembly includes a pair of U-shaped, open-ended frames pivoted together by hinges at their open ends and also connected by two diagonal braces mounted to the frame by rotating tee fittings. The diagonal braces fold on hinges when the frames are pivoted substantially parallel to each other to make the goal assembly nearly flat. The center members of each frame also fold on hinges to reduce the size of the goal still further. Once folded for transport or storage, the goal assembly may be carried by a shoulder strap.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   A. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to portable, folding, collapsible goal assemblies, and, more particularly, to a portable, foldable goal assembly of tubular construction that presents an upright and inverted U-shaped opening to serve as the goal mouth. 
   B. Description of the Related Art 
   The growing popularity of the sport of soccer, as well as other team sports, such as roller hockey and lacrosse, has spurred considerable interest in creating goals that improve upon the traditional version. In the United States, for instance, such games are considered among the fastest growing sports, particularly in regard to youth participation. 
   However, the practice environment for such sports is not ideal. This is especially the case in the informal practice environment, outside the realm of organized league sports. Consider that basketball hoops are common in many driveways and recreational parks, allowing for impromptu competition, short-sided games (i.e., fewer players than the standard game calls for), or even solitary practice. That situation stands in sharp contrast to the facilities available to soccer players. While many recreational facilities have soccer goals, the nets are usually only attached when official league games are being played, a measure designed to guard against theft and wear and tear of the large nets. In addition, standard, non-portable soccer goals are designed for full-sided games featuring twenty-two players, which is usually too many to assemble for what are known as “pick-up games.” The situation is no better for roller hockey players or participants in other sports that use smaller goals. Few facilities have invested in built-in goals for such sports, as they have for basketball hoops or tennis nets. 
   Even in formal practice environments, the need for smaller soccer goals is great. One reason for this is limited field space. By using a shortened field and a smaller goal without a goalkeeper, coaches can have many practice games going on at once. Such games have become a staple in soccer training, not only because of their convenience, but because such games allow players to receive the ball more often, and place a greater emphasis on speed, ball control, teamwork and decision-making. Also, these games, known as “small-sided games,” can be conducted indoors during the winter. 
   In view of the above, there is a growing need for portable goals that can be used by both children and adults. Ideally, such goals can be transported by car or by foot, set up quickly, and then removed when play is concluded. The related art features a variety of goals that attempt to meet some or all of these demands. Among these goals are those shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,830,089; 5,533,733; 5,431,411; 5,308,083; 5,273,292; 5,244,213; 5,186,469; 5,080,375; and 4,407,507. While all of these goals have certain strong points, each has its own shortcomings. Some, for instance, may be reduced in size such that they fit into a car. However, such goals must be disassembled, which poses the possibility of lost pieces, as well as time-consuming and cumbersome assembly and disassembly, in some cases, that is too difficult for children. Other goals, such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,213, are lightweight and collapsible, yet have a pup-tent-like form and must be staked into the ground to remain sufficiently stationary when hit by a ball. Unfortunately, such goals are unsuitable for indoor use, play during summer when the ground may be hard, or for games in which a simulacrum traditional goal is desired (i.e., balls caroming off goal posts, etc.). 
   Other goals in the related art, such as the goal shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,411, present drawbacks such as fragility at the side post joints due to lack of support from braces that would give the structure a stable triangular profile. Other goals, such as the goals of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,539,957 and 5,533,733, have only one central brace supporting the crossbar, allowing the crossbar to twist on impact and increasing the possibility of breakage. Such goals may work well for sports such as roller hockey, in which a relatively lightweight plastic puck is used, but present significant drawbacks for soccer, especially adult soccer in which goals continually receive impacts from larger, heavier balls moving at high speeds. 
   Some goals in the related art are too bulky to carry easily, while others include a multitude of complex, costly-to-produce components, or potentially dangerous metal parts, such as wing nuts and bolts and detent-and-notch formations, features that are not easily manipulated by small children. 
   Finally, to be truly portable a relatively large goal must be collapsible in a multi-dimensional fashion. That is, it must be narrow and flat so that at least two such devices can fit in the trunk of car. U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,089, for example, discloses a collapsible goal, but this device folds in only one dimension. The collapsed version of such a goal is similar to an extremely large picture frame, a shape that makes storage somewhat easier but does little to provide portability, as transport by car is extremely difficult. Thus, there is a need in the art for a portable, foldable goal assembly that overcomes the deficiencies of the related art. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention solves the problems of the related art by providing a collapsible goal assembly to which a net is attached by connector loops. The goal assembly includes tubular members, most of which are connected by hinges to facilitate movement between expanded and collapsed configurations. To provide the necessary bracing when the goal assembly is in its expanded configuration, such hinges are lockable. 
   In accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention comprises a goal assembly that includes a U-shaped base frame and an inverted U-shaped goalmouth frame. Each U-shaped frame includes two side members and a longer, central connecting member which are attached to each other by ninety-degree elbow connectors. Hinges connect the two U-shaped frames at their open ends so that they can be pivotally moved toward one another until the goalmouth frame and base frame are folded into a flat, or nearly co-planar, position. The central members of the two U-shaped frames also are connected by two diagonal struts. The two struts are hinged so that they fold when the goalmouth frame and base frame are folded into the flat position. The central member of each U-shaped frame is also hinged at a midpoint. Once the goal assembly is in its flat position, it can be folded in half laterally at the hinges of the central members of the U-shaped frames. The goal assembly&#39;s fully folded shape is basically that of an “L”. The goal assembly may further include a strap that extends across the open portion of the “L” so that the folded assembly can be transported over a person&#39;s shoulder. 
   Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevational view showing a goal assembly of the present invention in its fully folded (folded in two directions) transportable configuration; 
       FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the goal assembly shown in  FIG. 1  with the goal assembly being folded in one direction; 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the goal assembly shown in  FIG. 1  in a partially folded configuration; 
       FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the goal assembly shown in  FIG. 1  in its fully expanded (unfolded) operational configuration; 
       FIG. 5  is a partial front elevational view of a rotated elbow fitting, tee fitting, and cap of the goal assembly shown in  FIG. 1  in its unlocked position; 
       FIG. 6  is a partial front elevational view of the elbow fitting, tee fitting, and cap shown in  FIG. 5  in its fully rotated and locked position; 
       FIG. 7  is a partial side elevational view with parts in cross section of the elbow fitting, tee fitting, and cap shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view of the elbow fitting, tee fitting, and cap shown in  FIGS. 5–7 , looking in the direction  8 — 8  of  FIG. 7  and showing the projection on the elbow fitting; 
       FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the elbow fitting, tee fitting, and cap shown in  FIGS. 5–8  and showing the mating of the notches and tee fitting; and 
       FIG. 10  is an exploded side elevational view of the one side of the goal assembly shown in  FIG. 1  and showing the right and left side connectors. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. Also, the following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. 
   A goal assembly of tubular structure of the present invention is shown generally in  FIG. 1  as reference numeral  10 . The basic structure and tubular components of goal assembly  10  are shown in  FIGS. 1–4 .  FIG. 1  shows goal assembly  10  in its fully folded (folded in two directions) transportable configuration.  FIG. 2  shows goal assembly  10  folded in one direction.  FIG. 4  shows goal assembly  10  in its fully expanded (unfolded) operational configuration, or use mode. The primary components of goal assembly  10  are an upright goalmouth frame  11 , a ground-engaging base frame  12 , diagonal braces  13 A,  13 B, releasably lockable hinges  14 , and frame hinges  15 . Preferably, each of the tubular components of goal assembly  10  is molded from a lightweight and durable plastic material. However, other lightweight, inexpensive materials may be used for the tubular components, and goal assembly  10  of the present invention is not limited to this material of construction. 
   Goalmouth frame  11  may include a crossbar  16  and two side posts  17  connected by two ninety-degree elbow fittings  18 . Crossbar  16  and side posts  17  may be rigidly secured by elbow fittings  18  to form an inverted, U-shaped configuration. 
   Base frame  12  may be similarly constructed. Base frame  12  may be the same size as or larger than goalmouth frame  11 , but preferably is slightly smaller than goalmouth frame  11  so that base frame  12  may fit inside goalmouth frame  11  when folded for transport or storage. Base frame  12  may include a rearward cross member  19  and a pair of side members  20  rigidly connected by elbow fittings  18 . Preferably, base frame  12  has the same shape as goalmouth frame  11  and is connected by its side members to goalmouth frame  11  at the open end of its U-shaped configuration. 
   In the fully-extended (unfolded) configuration of goal assembly  10 , goalmouth frame  11  stands perpendicular to the ground, mutually perpendicular to the ground-engaging base frame  12 . Side posts  17  connect at ground level to base frame  12  by frame hinges  15 . Each frame hinge  15  connects at a front end of each corresponding side member  20  and at a bottom end of each corresponding side post  17 . Frame hinges  15 , which allow goalmouth frame  11  and base frame  12  to pivot toward one another into a substantially parallel relation, are described in more detail below. 
   In addition to being connected at frame hinges  15 , goalmouth frame  11  and base frame  12  may be connected by diagonal braces  13 A,  13 B, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Each diagonal brace  13 A may connect to crossbar  16  of goalmouth frame  11  and each diagonal brace  13 B may connect with rearward cross member  19  of base frame  12  through tee fittings  21 . Tee fittings  21  may be bracketed by stop rings rigidly affixed to crossbar  16  and rearward cross member  19 , that prevent tee fittings  21  from sliding laterally. Each tee fitting  21  provides an internal cylindrical surface that snugly embraces the tubular member to which it is connected. However, the fit is loose enough to permit rotation of each tee fitting  21  and thus the corresponding diagonal brace  13 A,  13 B to which it is connected, when a person applies a slight amount of force to rotate it about the tubular member. When such force is applied to goal assembly  10 , tee fittings  21  rotate freely on crossbar  16  and rearward cross member  19 . Diagonal braces  13 A,  13 B form a top leg that is slightly longer than a bottom leg and may be joined by releasably lockable hinges  14  near their midpoints. When goalmouth frame  11  and base frame  12  are folded toward one another as shown in  FIG. 3 , diagonal braces  13 A,  13 B fold on their hinges  14  and tee fittings  21  rotate on crossbar  16  and rearward member  19 . This folding action brings hinges  14  inward toward frame hinges  15 , allowing goal assembly  10  to achieve a flattened position with goalmouth frame  11  and base frame  12  in a nearly co-planar position, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   Once in the flattened position, goal assembly  10  may be folded again along releasably lockable hinges  14  in crossbar  16  and unlockable hinges  22  in rearward cross member  19 , i.e., in a second direction. This fold brings side posts  17  of goalmouth frame  11  and side members  20  of base frame  12  together, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   As heretofore described, goal assembly  10  may be folded flat and then in half in a second direction so that it can be easily transported or stored. To achieve this reduction in size, the invention employs eight hinges  14 ,  15 ,  22  that allow the goal assembly&#39;s tubular components to collapse toward one another. Four of these hinges (hinges  14 ) are releasably lockable. That is, when goal assembly  10  is in its fully expanded configuration, these hinges can be locked to provide the rigidity necessary to withstand repeated impact. The other four hinges (hinges  15 ,  22 ) are nearly identical in structure and function, however they have no locking mechanism and thus need no manipulation by a user. 
   The releasably lockable hinges  14  feature the mating of an elbow fitting and tee fitting, each of which are attached to the tubular members of goal assembly  10 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , each hinge includes an elbow fitting  18  into which a tubular extension  23  is affixed. Extension  23  has threads  24  on the end that protrudes from elbow fitting  18 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , extension  23  fits through a tee fitting  21  such that tee fitting  21  can freely rotate and laterally slide on extension  23 . Extension  23  is of a length that allows threaded end  24  to protrude from the opening of tee fitting  21 , opposite the end from which it is inserted. A cap  25  may be twisted on to threaded end  24 . When cap  25  is tightened as shown in  FIG. 5 , the pressure from the inward motion of cap  25  causes tee fitting  21  to slide along threaded extension  23 , bringing the opening of tee fitting  21  flush with the opening of elbow fitting  18 . The pressure from this meeting alone provides a certain level of stability to the hinge. 
   However, a locking mechanism may be used to make the hinges of goal assembly  10  rigid enough to withstand repeated impacts from balls and other collisions. For example, tee fitting  21  may have two notches  26  which are diagonally opposed from one another across the opening of tee fitting  21 . When cap  25  is tightened, these notches  16  interlock with corresponding mating protrusions  27  that protrude from the threaded extension  23 . Notches  26  and mating protrusions  27  on each hinge are circumferentially positioned so that when they interlock, goal assembly  10  is in the fully expanded position. To release the hinge from its locked position, cap  25  may be partially unscrewed. The release of pressure against the tee fitting  21  allows tee fitting  21  to slide back from elbow fitting  18  so that elbow fitting  18  and the tee fitting  21  are no longer flush. In the space created, the mating protrusions  27  may move unimpeded as goal assembly  10  is folded into storage position and tee fitting  21  and elbow fitting  18  rotate in opposite directions.  FIGS. 5–9  show releasably lockable hinges  14 . Unlockable hinges  15 ,  22  are the same as lockable hinges  14  except that they do not have protrusions  27  or notches  26 . 
   From its fully expanded configuration, goal assembly  10  may be collapsed into its transport and storage position by turning caps  25  on the four releasably lockable hinges  14  several rotations. Once tee fittings  18  are disengaged from mating protrusions  27 , goalmouth frame  11  can be pivoted down toward base frame  12 . Then side posts  17  may be drawn together to fold the flat goal assembly  10  in half. The residual frictional force of unlockable hinges  15 , 22  and unlocked lockable hinges  14  is sufficient to keep the fully folded goal assembly in a compact unit as it is transported. 
   Goal assembly  10  may include a net or netting  100  that attaches to goal assembly  10  with connectors such as the tie wrap connectors  30  shown in  FIG. 2 . Net  100  may or may not include a reinforcement cord  102  that reinforces net  100  at locations where net  100  connects to goal assembly  10 . Finally, goal assembly  10  may include a strap  28  rotatably affixed to the crossbar  16  for carrying the fully-folded assembly  10 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Strap  28  may connect to the folded side members  20  with a loop  29  that can be opened and closed with a buckle, hook and pile (e.g., Velcro) fastener or the like. 
   The goal assembly  10  can be broken down for shipment or part replacement as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
   It can therefore be seen that the present invention provides an inexpensive, lightweight, sturdy, self-contained, portable goal assembly  10  that can be used, indoors and outdoors, for informal games of soccer, as well as other sports requiring a goal. Goal assembly  10  may be collapsed without disassembling or removing any component part, and thus may be set up quickly (e.g., in less than half a minute) and easily without having to wrestle with the fitting of pieces or attachment of a net, or incurring possible loss of parts when goal assembly  10  is in storage mode or being transported. Furthermore, the locking mechanisms are easily and safely manipulated, even by small children, for opening and closing goal assembly  10  for use. The folded configuration and strap provides a convenient mechanism for carrying goal assembly  10  to desired locations. 
   It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the goal assembly of the present invention and in construction of the goal assembly without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. As an example, various materials of construction may be used for present invention, as long as the materials are lightweight. As another example, various dimensions may be employed for the goal assembly and its components, depending upon the use of the goal assembly (e.g., goal assembly may be larger if used for soccer than if used for hockey). 
   Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.