U.S. patent application number 10/866363 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-15 for size adjustable soccer goal.
Invention is credited to Kegevic, Eduardo Ringeling, Kegevic, Tomas Vergara.
Application Number | 20050275168 10/866363 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35459729 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050275168 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kegevic, Tomas Vergara ; et
al. |
December 15, 2005 |
Size adjustable soccer goal
Abstract
A size adjustable soccer goal. A frame has corners and includes
tubular members replaceably attached to each other allowing the
frame to be size adjustable and knockdownable. A net operatively
and replaceably attaches to the frame allowing the net to be size
adjustable to accommodate a size of the frame and be removable from
the frame. The corners of the frame are one-piece with associated
members of the frame, respectively, eliminating small separate
additional corner pieces from getting lost, requiring additional
assembly, and compromising structural integrity of the frame.
Inventors: |
Kegevic, Tomas Vergara;
(Santiago, CL) ; Kegevic, Eduardo Ringeling;
(Santiago, CL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHARLES E. BAXLEY, ESQ.
90 JOHN STREET
THIRD FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10038
US
|
Family ID: |
35459729 |
Appl. No.: |
10/866363 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/407 ;
473/478 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2208/12 20130101;
A63B 2210/50 20130101; A63B 63/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/407 ;
473/478 |
International
Class: |
F41J 001/10; A63B
063/00 |
Claims
1. A smart and size adjustable soccer goal, comprising: a) a frame;
and b) a net; wherein said frame comprises a plurality of members;
wherein said plurality of members of said frame are tubular;
wherein said plurality of members of said frame are attached to
each other in such a way so as to allow said frame to be size
adjustable; wherein said plurality of members of said frame are
replacably attached to each other so as to allow said frame to be
knockdownable for easy storage and transit; wherein said net is
operatively attached to said frame so as to allow said net to be
size adjustable and accommodate size of said frame; wherein said
net is replaceably attached to said frame so as to allow said net
to be removable from said frame for easy storage and transit;
wherein said frame has corners; wherein said corners of said frame
are formed as one-piece with associated members of said frame,
respectively wherein said frame has a pair of front members;
wherein said frame has a top member; wherein said top member of
said frame extends from one front member of said frame to the other
front member of said frame; wherein said frame is formed from two
pairs of generally L-shaped members; wherein one pair of generally
L-shaped members of said frame comprise said top member of said
frame and associated corners of said frame; and wherein each
generally L-shaped member of said one pair of generally L-shaped
members of said fame comprises a portion of said top member of said
frame formed as one-piece with an associated corner of said
frame.
2. The goal as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of
members of said frame are telescopically attached to each other so
as to allow said frame to be size adjustable.
3. The goal as defined in claim 1, wherein said frame comprises
means for affixing adjacent members of said frame to each other,
while allowing said adjacent members of said frame to be length
adjustable.
4. (canceled)
5. The goal as defined in claim 1, wherein said pair of front
members of said frame are vertically-oriented; and wherein said
pair of front members of said frame are spaced-apart from each
other.
6. (canceled)
7. The goal as defined in claim 1, wherein said top member of said
frame is horizontally-oriented.
8. The goal as defined in claim 1, wherein said frame has a pair of
bottom members; and wherein said pair of bottom members of said
frame extend rearwardly from said pair of front members of said
frame, respectively.
9. The goal as defined in claim 8, wherein said pair of bottom
members of said frame are horizontally-oriented; and wherein said
pair of bottom members of said frame are spaced-apart from each
other.
10. The goal as defined in claim 8, wherein said frame has a back
member; and wherein said back member of said frame extends from one
bottom member of said frame to the other bottom member of said
frame.
11. The goal as defined in claim 10, wherein said back member of
said frame is horizontally-oriented.
12-14. (canceled)
15. The goal as defined in claim 1, wherein the other pair of
generally L-shaped members of said frame comprise said pair of
front members of said frame, said pair of bottom members of said
frame, and associated corners of said frame.
16. The goal as defined in claim 15, wherein each generally
L-shaped member of said other pair of generally L-shaped members of
said fame comprises one front member of said frame formed as
one-piece with an associated bottom member of said frame and a
corner of said fame joining them and formed as one-piece
therewith.
17. The goal as defined in claim 10, wherein said top member of
said frame has a pair of end; wherein said pair of front members of
said frame have upper ends; wherein said pair of ends of said top
member of said frame join said upper ends of said pair of front
members of said frame, respectively, so as to form a generally
inverted U-shape configuration; and wherein said generally inverted
U-shape configuration defines a ball-entering opening.
18. The goal as defined in claim 8, wherein said pair of front
members of said frame have lower ends; wherein said pair of bottom
members of said frame have forward ends; and wherein said lower
ends of said pair of front members of said frame join said forward
ends of said pair of bottom members of said frame, respectively, so
as to form generally L-shaped configurations.
19. The goal as defined in claim 10, wherein said back member has a
pair of ends; wherein said pair of bottom members of said frame
have rearward ends; and wherein said pair of ends of said back
member of said frame join said rearward ends of said pair of bottom
members of said frame, respectively, so as to form a generally
U-shaped configuration.
20. The goal as defined in claim 17, wherein said frame comprises
two pairs of extending members so as to allow said frame to be
further size adjustable; wherein each member of a respective pair
of extending members of said frame are of a same length; and
wherein each pair of extending members of said frame are of a
different length from each other.
21. The goal as defined in claim 20, wherein each of said two pairs
of extending members of said frame has an upper end; wherein each
of said two pair pairs of extending members of said frame has a
lower end; wherein each of said upper ends of a respective pair of
extending members of said frame joins a corresponding one of said
pair of ends of said top member of said frame, respectively; and
wherein each of said lower ends of said respective pair of
extending members of said frame joins a corresponding one of said
upper ends of said pair of front members of said frame,
respectively.
22. The goal as defined in claim 17, wherein said net extends from
said top member of said frame to said pair of front members of said
frame to said pair of bottom members of said frame to said back
member of said frame; and wherein said net does not obstruct said
ball-entering opening in said frame.
23. The goal as defined in claim 17, wherein said top member of
said frame, said pair of front members of said frame, said pair of
bottom members of said frame, and said back member of said frame
thread through appropriately located openings in said net so as to
replaceably maintain said net thereon while allowing said net to
accordion therealong and accommodate said size of said frame.
24. The goal as defined in claim 1, further comprising a goal
sensor; wherein said goal sensor is operatively connected to said
frame; and wherein said goal sensor automatically activates when a
goal is made.
25. The goal as defined in claim 22, further comprising a digital
goal counter; wherein said digital goal counter is operatively
connected to said frame; wherein said digital goal counter is
operatively connected to said goal sensor; and wherein said digital
goal counter automatically counts and displays goals when said goal
sensor is activated.
26. The goal as defined in claim 22, further comprising a goal
announcer; wherein said goal announcer is operatively connected to
said frame; wherein said goal announcer is operatively connected to
said goal sensor; and wherein said goal announcer automatically
announces a goal when said goal sensor is activated.
27. The goal as defined in claim 1, further comprising a clock;
wherein said clock is operatively connected to said frame; and
wherein said clock automatically displays time left to play.
28. The goal as defined in claim 1, further comprising a radio;
wherein said radio is operatively connected to said frame; and
wherein said radio plays player's favorite music.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a soccer goal, and more
particularly, to a size adjustable soccer goal.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Regulation soccer goals are typically constructed of heavy
steel pipe anchored into the ground at each of two opposite ends of
a playing field so as to provide stable permanent structures upon
which to install netting to receive a soccer ball. Playing fields
with such goals are scarce, therefore limiting practice and
effectively hampering growth of the sport of soccer. In contrast,
easily improvised playing areas for basketball, football, and
baseball encourage practice of these sports.
[0005] Basketball goals of selective height are quite common, so
that even quite small children are not dissuaded from playing.
Available soccer goal designs, however, are not suitable for use by
both children and adults or by smaller than regulation team sizes
or even for use on normally available and limited size playing
areas.
[0006] A number of portable soccer goals have been developed that
include a goal which may be folded after partial disassembly. The
goal, however, is of regulation size and would be incongruous when
installed in an available backyard or a like area. It would in fact
be quite impossible to miss such a goal in such a small practice
area. Nor do these goals provide the small sizes needed for use by
small children.
[0007] Clearly, a need exists for a soccer goal which not only can
be readily disassembled for transport and storage and has a large
range of selective sizes and shapes, but also has less joints which
are positioned strategically for increased structural
integrity.
[0008] Numerous other innovations for soccer goals have been
provided in the prior art. Even though these innovations may be
suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they
address, they each differ in structure and/or operation and/or
purpose from the present invention.
[0009] FOR EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,375 to Moosavi teaches a
soccer goal assembly that is adjustable in size and shape to
accommodate playing areas of limited to full sizes, indoors or
outdoors, full or partial teams, and children or adult players. The
goal assembly has a framework covered by a ball stopping net.
Individual frame members can be selected or assembled in selective
lengths for the desired goal sizes.
[0010] Even though these innovations may be suitable for the
specific individual purposes to which they address, they would not
be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore
described.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] ACCORDINGLY, AN OBJECT of the present invention is to
provide a size adjustable soccer goal that avoids the disadvantages
of the prior art.
[0012] ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a size
adjustable soccer goal that is simple to use.
[0013] STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide
a size adjustable soccer goal that can be readily disassembled for
transport and storage.
[0014] YET ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a
size adjustable soccer goal that has a large range of selective
sizes and shapes.
[0015] STILL YET ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to
provide a size adjustable soccer goal that has less joints which
are positioned strategically for increased structural
integrity.
[0016] BRIEFLY STATED, YET STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present
invention is to provide a size adjustable soccer goal. A frame has
corners and includes tubular members replaceably attached to each
other allowing the frame to be size adjustable and knockdownable. A
net operatively and replaceably attaches to the frame allowing the
net to be size adjustable to accommodate a size of the frame and be
removable from the frame. The corners of the frame are one-piece
with associated members of the frame, respectively, eliminating
small separate additional corner pieces from getting lost,
requiring additional assembly, and compromising structural
integrity of the frame.
[0017] The novel features which are considered characteristic of
the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The
invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its
method of operation, together with additional objects and
advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following
description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in
connection with the accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0018] The figures of the drawing are briefly described as
follows:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the size
adjustable soccer goal of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the
frame of the size adjustable soccer goal of the present invention
identified by ARROW 2 in FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 3 is an exploded diagrammatic perspective view of the
frame of the size adjustable soccer goal of the present invention
shown in FIG. 2; and
[0022] FIG. 4 is an enlarged diagrammatic front elevational view of
the area generally enclosed by the dotted curve identified by ARROW
4 in FIG. 1 of the cooperation between the net of the size
adjustable soccer goal of the present invention and the frame of
the size adjustable soccer goal of the present invention.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING
[0023] 10 size adjustable soccer goal of present invention
[0024] 12 frame
[0025] 14 net
[0026] 16 plurality of members of frame 12
[0027] 18 corners of frame 12
[0028] 20 apparatus for affixing adjacent members of plurality of
members 16 of frame 12 to each other while allowing adjacent
members of plurality of members 16 of frame 12 to be length
adjustable.
[0029] 22 pair of front members of frame 12
[0030] 24 top member of frame 12
[0031] 26 pair of bottom members of frame 12
[0032] 28 back member of frame 12
[0033] 30 one pair of generally L-shaped members of frame 12
[0034] 32 other pair of generally L-shaped members of frame 12
[0035] 34 pair of ends of top member 24 of frame 12
[0036] 36 upper ends of pair of front members 22 of frame 12
[0037] 38 ball-entering opening in frame 12
[0038] 40 lower ends of pair of front members 22 of frame 12
[0039] 42 forward ends of pair of bottom members 26 of frame 12
[0040] 44 pair of ends of back member 28 of frame 12
[0041] 46 rearward ends of pair of bottom members 26 of frame
12
[0042] 48 one pair of extending members of frame 12
[0043] 50 another pair of extending members of frame 12
[0044] 52 upper ends of one pair of extending members 48 of frame
12
[0045] 54 upper ends of another pair of extending members 50 of
frame 12
[0046] 56 lower ends of one pair of extending members 48 of frame
12
[0047] 58 lower ends of another pair of extending members 50 of
frame 12
[0048] 60 appropriately located openings in net 14
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0049] Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals
indicate like parts, and particularly to FIG. 1, which is a
diagrammatic perspective view of the size adjustable soccer goal of
the present invention, the goal of the present invention is shown
generally at 10.
[0050] The size adjustable soccer goal 10 comprises a frame 12 and
a net 14. The frame 12 is size adjustable. The net 14 is
operatively attached to the frame 12 so as to allow the net 14 to
be size adjustable and accommodate a size of the frame 12 and is
replaceably attached to the frame 12 so as to allow the net 14 to
be removable from the frame 12 for easy storage and transit.
[0051] The specific configuration of the frame 12 can best be seen
in FIGS. 2 and 3, which are, respectively, an enlarged diagrammatic
perspective view of the frame of the size adjustable soccer goal of
the present invention identified by ARROW 2 in FIG. 1, and, an
exploded diagrammatic perspective view of the frame of the size
adjustable soccer goal of the present invention shown in FIG. 2,
and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.
[0052] The frame 12 comprises a plurality of members 16. The
plurality of members 16 of the frame 12 are tubular, are attached
to each other in such a way so as to allow the frame 12 to be size
adjustable, and are replacably attached to each other so as to
allow the frame 12 to be knockdownable for easy storage and
transit.
[0053] The frame 12 has corners 18. The corners 18 of the frame 12
are formed as one-piece with associated members 16 of the frame 12,
respectively, so as to eliminate a need for small separate
additional corner pieces which could get lost, which require
additional assembly, and which compromise structural integrity of
the frame 12. The plurality of members 16 of the frame 12 are
telescopically attached to each other so as to allow the frame 12
to be size adjustable.
[0054] The frame 12 further comprises apparatus 20 for affixing
adjacent members 16 of the frame 12 to each other while allowing
the adjacent members 16 of the frame 12 to be length adjustable.
The apparatus 20 can by any means known in the art to adjustably
attach adjacent telescopic members to each other without departing
in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
[0055] The frame 12 further has a pair of front members 22, a top
member 24, a pair of bottom members 26, and a back member 28. The
pair of front members 22 of the frame 12 are vertically-oriented
and spaced-apart from each other. The top member 24 of the frame 12
is horizontally-oriented and extends from one front member 22 of
the frame 12 to the other front member 22 of the frame 12. The pair
of bottom members 26 of the frame 12 are horizontally-oriented, are
spaced-apart from each other, and extend rearwardly from the pair
of front members 22 of the frame 12, respectively. The back member
28 of the frame 12 is horizontally-oriented and extends from one
bottom member 26 of the frame 12 to the other bottom member 26 of
the frame 12.
[0056] The frame 12 is formed from two pair of generally L-shaped
members 30, 32. One pair of generally L-shaped members 30 of the
frame 12 comprise the top member 24 of the frame 12 and integral
corners 18 of the frame 12. Each generally L-shaped member of the
one pair 30 of the frame 12 comprises a portion of the top member
24 of the frame 12 formed as one-piece with the associated corner
18 of the frame 12. The other pair of generally L-shaped members 32
of the frame 12 comprise the pair of front members 22 of the frame
12, the pair of bottom members 26 of the frame 12, and integral
corners 18 of the frame 12, respectively. Each generally L-shaped
member of the other pair 32 of the fame 12 comprises one front
member 22 of the frame 12 formed as one-piece with an associated
bottom member 26 of the frame 12 and a corner 18 of the frame 12
joining them and formed as one-piece therewith.
[0057] The top member 24 of the frame 12 has a pair of ends 34 and
the pair of front members 22 of the frame 12 have upper ends 36.
The pair of ends 34 of the top member 24 of the frame 12 join the
upper ends 36 of the pair of front members 22 of the frame 12,
respectively, so as to form a generally inverted U-shape
configuration that defines a ball-entering opening 38 in the frame
12.
[0058] The pair of front members 22 of the frame 12 have lower ends
40 and the pair of bottom members 26 of the frame 12 have forward
ends 42. The lower ends 40 of the pair of front members 22 of the
frame 12 join the forward ends 42 of the pair of bottom members 26
of the frame 12, respectively, so as to form generally L-shaped
configurations.
[0059] The back member 28 has a pair of ends 44 and the pair of
bottom members 26 of the frame 12 have rearward ends 46. The pair
of ends 44 of the back member 28 of the frame 12 join the rearward
ends 46 of the pair of bottom members 26 of the frame 12,
respectively, so as to form a generally U-shaped configuration.
[0060] The frame 12 further comprises two pair of extending members
48, 50. The two pair of extending members 48, 50 of the frame 12
allow the frame 12 to be further size adjustable. Each member of a
respective pair of extending members 48, 50 of the frame 12 are of
a same length while each pair of extending members 48, 50 of the
frame 12 are of a different length.
[0061] The two pair of extending members 48, 50 of the frame 12
have upper ends 52, 54 and lower ends 56, 58. The upper ends 52, 54
of a respective pair of extending members 48, 50 of the frame 12
join the pair of ends 34 of the top member 24 of the frame 12,
respectively, and the lower ends 56, 58 of the respective pair of
extending members 48, 50 of the frame 12 join the upper ends 36 of
the pair of front members 22 of the frame 12, respectively.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 4, which is an enlarged diagrammatic front
elevational view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted curve
identified by ARROW 4 in FIG. 1 of the cooperation between the net
of the size adjustable soccer goal of the present invention and the
frame of the size adjustable soccer goal of the present invention,
the net 14 extends from the top member 24 of the frame 12 to the
pair of front members 22 of the frame 12 to the pair of bottom
members 26 of the frame 12 to the back member 28 of the frame 12 by
virtue of the top member 24 of the frame 12, the pair of front
members 22 of the frame 12, the pair of bottom members 26 of the
frame 12, and the back member 28 of the frame 12 threading through
appropriately located openings 70 in the net 14 so as to
replaceably maintain the net 14 thereon while allowing the net 14
to accordion therealong and accommodate the size of the frame 12.
The net 14 does not obstruct the ball-entering opening 38 in the
frame 12.
[0063] It will be understood that each of the elements described
above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application
in other types of constructions differing from the types described
above.
[0064] The invention has been illustrated and described as embodied
in a size adjustable soccer goal, however, it is not limited to the
details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions,
modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details
of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those
skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present
invention.
[0065] Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal
the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying
current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications
without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art,
fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific
aspects of this invention.
* * * * *