Folding sports goal for soccer and the like

#The present invention relates to sporting goals, and in particular to a folding goal and associated frame for soccer and the like.

#Goals for soccer and other similar sports are generally well known in the art, and typically include a rigid frame about which a flexible net or other similar material is attached to contain an associated ball or other sports projectile.

#It is important that such goals have a very rugged construction, which is capable of withstanding substantial abuse from both the weather and zealous game participants. Because such goals have a relatively large and bulky profile when in the fully erected use position, it is desirable that the same are capable of being disassembled and/or collapsed into a smaller profile from storage and/or transport. Sports goals that are designed to be disassembled are susceptible to having the various parts lost or misplaced, and typically cannot be reconfigured without substantial time and energy. Also, many such collapsible sports goal constructions are not as durable or rugged as rigid goals. Hence, a folding goal for soccer and the like which overcomes these disadvantages would clearly be advantageous.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a folding sports goal for soccer and the like embodying the present invention, shown in an unfolded use position.

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sports goal, wherein side frames have been pivoted to a folded position.

#FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sports goal, wherein a base frame has been pivoted to a partially folded position.

#For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “rear”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIGS. 1-4. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

#With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a sports goal embodying the present invention. The sports goal 1 includes a folding frame 2, comprising a rigid front frame 3 having an inverted, generally U-shaped front elevational configuration defined by two, generally parallel and laterally spaced apart uprights 4 which are oriented generally vertically in an unfolded use position as shown in FIG. 1. Uprights 4 have upper and lower portions, and an upper cross leg 5 is rigidly attached to and interconnects the upper portions of the uprights 4, and extends generally horizontally in the unfolded use position shown in FIG. 1 to define a goal opening 6 between uprights 4 and cross leg 5. Folding frame 3 also includes a rigid base frame 10 having a generally U-shaped plan configuration, oriented generally horizontally in the unfolded use position, and defined by two generally parallel side legs 11, which are spaced apart an amount commensurate with the uprights 4 of front frame 3, and have forward and rearward portion 12 and 13, respectively. A rear cross leg 14 is fixedly attached to and interconnects the rearward portions 13 of the side legs 11 of base frame 10. The forward portions 12 of side legs 11 of base frame 10 are pivotally connected with the lower portions of the uprights 4 of front frame 3 to permit base frame 10 to be pivoted along a generally vertical plane between the unfolded use position (FIG. 1) in which base frame 10 is oriented generally horizontally and perpendicularly with front frame 3, and a folded storage position (FIG. 4) in which base frame 10 is oriented generally vertically and parallel with front frame 3. Folding frame 2 also includes a pair of rigid side frames 18, each having a generally C-shaped side elevational configuration with an upper free end 19 connected with the upper portion of an associated one of the uprights 4 on front frame 3, a lower free end 20 pivotally connected with a lower portion of an associated one of the uprights 4 of front frame 3, and an angled medial portion 21, which extends downwardly and rearwardly from the upper free end 18 at a predetermined angle to a rear foot portion 22 which is located adjacent to and is abuttingly supported on the rearward portion 13 of an associated one of the side legs 11 of face frame 10 in the unfolded use position, and then forwardly in a generally horizontal direction above the associated side leg 11 of base frame 10 to the lower free end 20. The side frames 18 are pivoted on front frame 3 along a generally horizontal plane between the unfolded use position (FIG. 1) in which the side frames 18 are oriented generally perpendicular with the front frame 4, and the folded storage position (FIG. 4) in which the side frames 18 are oriented generally parallel with front frame 3. A pair of first lock mechanisms 26 (FIGS. 1 and 15-17) are disposed on the rearward portion 13 of the side legs 11 of base frame 10. A pair of second lock mechanisms 27 (FIGS. 9 and 15-17) are disposed on the rearward foot portions 22 of the side frames 18, and lockingly mate with the first lock mechanisms 26 on the base frame 10 in the unfolded use position (FIG. 1) to securely, yet detachably, interconnect the same, and thereby retain the front frame 3, the base frame 10, the side frames 18 in the unfolded use position. A pair of third lock mechanisms 28 (FIGS. 4 and 19-22) are disposed on the uprights 3 of front frame 2, and lockingly mate with the first lock mechanisms 26 on the base frame 10 to securely, yet detachably, interconnect the same and thereby retain the front frame 3, the base frame 10 and the side frame 18 in the folded storage position (FIG. 4). The sports goal 1 is shifted from the unfolded use position shown in FIG. 1, to the folded storage position shown in FIG. 4, by sequentially unlocking the first and second lock mechanisms 26, 27, pivoting the side frames 11 fully inwardly, pivoting the base frame 10 fully upwardly to capture the side frames 18 between the front frame 3 and the base frame 10, and then locking the first and third locking mechanisms 26, 28.

#The front frame 3 of the illustrated folding frame 2 is constructed from three segments of rigid extrusions that are made from aluminum, steel or the like, as best shown in FIGS. 10, 11, 13, 14 and 20, and are rigidly connected along biased joints by means such as welding, or the like to define uprights 4 and cross leg 5. Both of the illustrated uprights 4 and the cross leg 5 has a generally arc-shaped front face 32 (FIGS. 10 and 11) and a generally flat rear face 33 with a T-slot 34 extending the length thereof. Internal webbing 35 is provided to add rigidity to the section. T-slot 34 is adapted to selectively receive and retain therein clips 36 in which marginal portions of a net 37 are retained to securely, yet detachably mount net 37 on folding frame 2, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 25.