>FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is the perspective view of the sports goal 12 of FIG. 5 with the goal frame in a retracted position and the main cover portion 38 in the open position. FIG. 7 is the perspective view of the sports goal 12 of FIG. 6 with the goal frame 34 in between the retracted position and the playing position and the main cover portion 38 in the open position. FIG. 8 is the perspective view of the sports goal 12 of FIG. 7 with the goal frame 34 in the playing position and the main cover portion 38 in the closed position. FIG. 9 is a cross sectional side view of the sports goal 12 of FIG. 8 as shown with a net 40. FIG. 10 is a cross sectional front view of the sports goal 12 with the goal frame 34 in the retracted position and the main cover portion 38 in the closed position. FIG. 11 is a cross sectional front view of the sports goal 12 of FIG. 10 with the goal frame 34 in the playing position and the main cover portion 38 in the closed position.

The goal frame housing 32 has a crossbar housing section 42 with first and second housing ends 44, 46. The goal frame 34 includes a crossbar 48 having first and second crossbar ends 50, 52. In the retracted position the crossbar 48 is disposed in the crossbar housing section 42, such as depicted in FIGS. 6 and 10. In the playing position the crossbar 48 is extended vertically away from the crossbar housing section 42, such as depicted in FIGS. 8. 9 and 11. The goal frame 34 further includes first and second goal posts 54, 56. The first goal post 54 has a top end 58, a bottom end 60 and a post body 62 disposed between the top and bottom ends 58, 60. The second goal post 56 has a top end 64, a bottom end 66 and a post body 68 disposed between the top and bottom ends 64, 66. The top ends 58, 64 of the first and second goal posts 54, 56 are respectively connected to the first and second crossbar ends 50, 52 with the crossbar 48 being disposed perpendicular to the first and second goal posts 54, 56.

The sports goal further includes the cover plate 36. The cover plate 36 has first and second cover ends portions 70, 72 with the main cover portion 38 disposed between the first and second cover end portions 70, 72. The cover plate 36 further has first and second post openings 74, 76. The main cover portion 38 is positionable along the crossbar housing section 42. The cover plate 36 and the crossbar housing section 42 are cooperatively sized and configured to surround the crossbar 48 with the goal frame 34 in the retracted position. The first cover end portion 70 and the main cover portion 38 are cooperatively formed to surround the post body 62 of the first goal post 54 with the first goal post 54 disposed through the first post opening 74 and the goal frame 34 in the playing position. The second cover end portion 72 and the main cover portion 38 are cooperatively formed to surround the post body 68 of the second goal post 56 with the second goal post 56 disposed through the second post opening 76 and the goal frame 34 in the playing position.

According to various embodiments, the main cover portion 38 may have an open position and a closed position. The main cover portion 38 and the crossbar housing section 42 may be cooperatively sized and configured to surround the crossbar 48 with the goal frame 34 in the retracted position and the main cover portion 38 in the closed position. The main cover portion 38 is aligned with first and second cover ends portions 70, 72 with the main cover portion 38 in the closed position. The main cover portion 38 is not aligned with first and second cover ends portions 70, 72 with the main cover portion 38 in the open position. This is because the main cover portion 38 is moved from a position of alignment to one which allows for access to the interior of the crossbar housing section 42.

The main cover portion 38 and the first and second cover end portions 70, 72 are configured to seamlessly blend with the adjacent playing surface 10 so as minimize any trip hazard and to mitigate against water from entering the goal frame housing 32. In this regard, the main cover portion 38 and the first and second cover end portions 70, 72 are configured to be vertically aligned with the playing surface 10 and with a minimal amount of gaps with the playing surface 10 when the main cover portion 38 in the closed position. The hinge 78 may be recessed to as to not protrude from the playing surface 10. Further, the outer surfaces of the main cover portion 38 and the first and second cover end portions 70, 72 may be include surface characteristics to be similar to the surrounding playing surface 10 and/or to not be relatively smooth so as to create in slip hazard. Various warning indicia may be imprinted upon the main cover portion 38 when rotated to the opened position so as to warn user not to “play.”

The first post opening 74 may be cooperatively formed by the first cover end portion 70 and the main cover portion 38 with the main cover portion 38 in the closed position. Likewise, the second post opening 76 may be cooperatively formed by the second cover end portion 72 and the main cover portion 38 with the main cover portion 38 in the closed position. The sports goal 12 may further include a hinge 78 attached the main cover portion 38 and the crossbar housing section 42 for allowing the main cover portion 38 to move between the open and closed positions. The hinge 78 may be constructed without any portion of it extending beyond the uppermost surfaces of the main cover portion 68 and the adjacent portion of the crossbar housing section 42. This allows for a smooth horizontal transition along these surfaces with the main cover portion 38 in the closed position.

The post bodies 62, 68 of the first and second goal posts 54, 56 may be circular shaped. The first and second post openings 74, 76 may also be circular shaped. These complementary circular shapes are sized with the first and second posting openings 74, 76 being slightly bigger than the post bodies 62, 68. It is desirable to minimize any gaps between the slightly bigger diameter first and second posting openings 74, 76 compared to the post bodies 62,68. This mitigates safety issues with any openings or gaps about the post bodies 62, 68 while the main cover portion 38 is in the closed position. However, it is also desirable that the first and second post openings 74, 76 are sized so as to allow the main cover portion 38 be freely rotate between the open and closed positions without the main cover portion 38 contacting the post bodies 62, 68 with the first and second goal posts 54, 56 in the playing position.

The main cover portion 38 may include first and second lateral sides 80, 82 and front and back longitudinal sides 84, 86. The front and back longitudinal sides 84, 86 may be parallel to each other and extend along the crossbar housing section 42. The first lateral side 80 may be disposed adjacent the first cover end portion 72. The second lateral side 82 may be disposed adjacent the second cover end portion 74. Further, the front longitudinal side 84 may be longer than the back longitudinal side 86. The main cover portion 38 is hingedly attached to the crossbar housing section 42 at the front longitudinal side 84 with the hinge 78. The first lateral side 80 may include a first side indentation 88. The first cover end portion 70 may include a first end indentation 90. The first side indentation 88 and the first end indentation 90 may cooperatively form the first post opening 74. Similarly, the second lateral side 82 may include a second side indentation 92. The second cover end portion 72 includes a second end indentation 94. The second side indentation 92 and the second end indentation 94 may cooperatively form the second post opening 76. The first and second end indentations 90, 94 and the first and second side indentations 88, 92 may be all semi-circular shaped.

An aspect of the present invention recognizes that the first and second post openings 74, 76 may be configured to have a minimal size about the post bodies 62, 68 while allowing for freedom of movement of the main cover portion 38 to move between the open and closed positions. In this regard, the first and second lateral sides 80, 82 may be disposed at 45 degrees to the front and back longitudinal sides 84, 86. As such the first and second lateral sides 80, 82 are at 45 degrees relative to the axis of rotation of the main cover portion 38 (i.e., along the hinge 78). This mitered junction allows for a minimal sizing of the first and section post openings 74, 76.

The sports goal 12 may further have first and second opening covers 96, 98. The first opening cover 96 may be used to cover or otherwise be disposed in and across the first post opening 74 when the main cover portion 38 is in the closed position (such as depicted in FIGS. 2, 5 and 10). The second opening cover 98 may be used to cover or otherwise be disposed in and across the second post opening 76 when the main cover portion 38 is in the closed position. The first and second opening covers 96, 98 may be used to close up the goal frame housing 32 when the sports goal 12 is not in use and the main cover portion is the closed position and the goal frame 34 is in the retracted position. The first and second opening covers 96, 98 may be tethered to the underside of the main cover portion 38 so as to not become lost when not positioned in the first and second post openings 74, 76.

The goal frame housing 32 may include a first goal post housing section 100 and a second goal post housing section 102. The first goal post housing section 100 extends orthogonally to crossbar housing section 42 at the first housing end 44. The second goal post housing section 102 extends orthogonally to crossbar housing section 42 at the second housing end 46. In this regard, the first and second goal post housing sections 100, 102 extend vertically downward in a caisson-like manner. The first and second goal post housing sections 100, 102 are sized and configured to respectively receive the first and second goal posts 54, 56 when the goal frame 34 is in the retracted position.

A first gas spring 104 and a second gas spring 106 may be provided. The first gas spring 104 may be disposed in the first goal post housing section 100 and may be configured to support the first goal post 54 at the bottom end 60. The second gas spring 106 may be disposed in the second goal post housing section 102 and may be configured to support the second goal post 56 at the bottom end 66. The first and second gas springs 104, 106 may be sized and configured to bias the first and second goal posts upwards from the retracted position towards the playing position. At the least, the first and second gas springs 104, 106 may provide some degree of vertical force on the first and second goal posts 54, 56, which may or may not be more than the overall weight of the goal frame 34. Nonetheless, the first and second gas springs 104, 106 may be used to assist the user when deploy the goal frame 34 from the retracted position to the playing position. Though not shown, a locking mechanism may be provided to releasably retain the goal frame 34 in the retracted position, as well as the playing position. Such mechanism may be released to allow for the deployment of the goal frame 34 from the retracted position. Once the goal frame 34 is in its playing position, the goal frame 34 may be temporarily locked into place with the locking mechanism. This is provided as a safety feature to mitigate against the goal frame 34 from inadvertently collapsing from the playing position. This may be as simple as providing spring loaded locking pins or cotter pins. The first and second gas springs 104, 106 may also be configured to provide a damping effect when lowering the goal frame 34 from the playing position so as to avoid the goal frame 34 from rapidly dropping in an unsafe manner.

A first goal post base 108 may be provided in the goal frame housing 32 at the first housing end 44 adjacent the crossbar housing section 42, and a second goal post base 110 may be provided in the goal frame housing 32 at the second housing end 46 adject the crossbar housing section 42. The first and second goal post bases 108, 110 provide structural support and stability to the first and second goal posts 54, 56, especially when the goal frame 34 is in the fully deployed playing position.

The sports goal 12 may further include the net 40 attachable to the goal frame 34. The net 40 may be attached to the goal frame 34 through a series of clips, rings and the like about the rear-facing side of the first and second goal posts 54, 56 and the crossbar 48. It is contemplated that the net 40 may be attached even while the goal frame 40 is in the retracted position. This allows the goal frame 34 to be deployed in the playing position and the net 40 is substantially in a condition for play. A rearward portion of the net 40 may further be attached to the playing surface 10 with the use of retaining members 112 and carabiners 114 (such as depicted in the side view of FIG. 12).

It is contemplated that the material selections for the various components of the sports goal 12 and the related manufacturing processes thereof may be chosen from any of those which are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example the goal frame housing 30 and the goal frame 34 may all be formed of metal, such as steel tubing and plates, of a variety of types and thicknesses with a variety of surface treatments.

Referring now to FIGS. 12 through 16 there is provided a sports goal 116 according to another embodiment. The sports goal 116 is generally similar to the sports goal 12, however with the various differences as notice. In this regard, like reference numerals indicate like structures. Thus, similar referenced structures are as described above but with those differences noted.

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional front view of the sports goal 116 according to another embodiment with a goal frame 126 in a playing position. FIG. 13 is a cross sectional front view of the sports goal 116 of FIG. 12 with the goal frame 126 in between the retracted position and the playing position. FIG. 14 is a cross sectional front view of the sports goal 116 of FIG. 13 with the goal frame 126 in the retracted position. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the sports goal 116 of FIG. 13 with a goal frame housing 118 without any cover (with a portion of first and second goal posts 134, 136 of the goal frame 126 and first and second goal post housing sections 122, 124 in dashed lining). FIG. 16 is the perspective view of the sports goal 116 of FIG. 15 with the goal frame 126 in the retracted position (with a portion of the first and second goal posts 134, 136 of the goal frame 126 and the first and second goal post housing sections 122, 124 in dashed lining).

In this embodiment, the goal frame housing 118 includes a horizontal crossbar housing section 120 and the first and second goal post housing sections 122, 124. The goal frame 126 incudes a crossbar 128 and the first and second goal posts 134, 136. The cross bar 128 has opposing first and second crossbar ends 130, 132. The first goal post 134 includes a first top end 138, an opposing first bottom end 140, and a first post body 142 disposed between the first top end 138 and the first bottom end 140. The second goal post 136 includes a second top end 144, an opposing second bottom end 146, and a second post body 148 disposed between the second top end 144 and the second bottom end 146. The first goal post 134 extends perpendicularly from the crossbar 128 with the first top end 138 attached to the first crossbar end 130, and the second goal post 136 extends perpendicularly from the crossbar 128 with the second top end 144 attached to the second crossbar end 132.

The goal frame 126 has a playing position and a retracted position. In the retracted position the crossbar 128 is disposed in the crossbar housing section 120. In the playing position the crossbar 128 is extended vertically away from the crossbar housing section 120. In the playing position the crossbar 128 is extended vertically away from the crossbar housing section 120 and the first and second goal posts 134, 136 are respectively extended from the first and second goal post housing sections 122, 124. In the retracted position the crossbar 128 is completely disposed in the crossbar housing section 120 and the first and second goal posts 134, 136 are respectively disposed in the first and second goal post housing sections 122, 124.

The goal frame 126 further includes first goal post wheels 150 mounted to the first goal post 134 sized and configured to engage the first goal post housing section 122 in rolling contact upon the goal frame 126 moving between the playing position and the retracted position. The goal frame 126 further includes second goal post wheels 154 mounted to the second goal post 136 sized and configured to engage the second goal post housing section 124 in rolling contact upon the goal frame 126 moving between the playing position and the retracted position. In this regard, the first and second goal post wheels 150, 152 are respectively configured to spin about axes of rotation that are orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of each of the first and second goal posts 134, 136. As such, the first and second goal post wheels 150, 154 are respectively configured to roll in the direction along the longitudinal axes of the first and second goal posts 134, 136 (i.e., in a vertical direction).

According to various embodiments, the first goal post wheels 150 may include four wheels disposed equally radially about the first goal post 134, and the second goal post wheels 154 may include four wheels disposed equally radially about the second goal post 136. The first goal post wheels 150 may be mounted to the first goal post 134 adjacent the first bottom end 140, and the second goal post wheels 154 may be mounted to the second goal post 136 adjacent the second bottom end 146. A first post wheel support 152 may be provided that is used to rotatably attach the first goal post wheels 150 to the first goal post 134 adjacent the first bottom end 140. A second post wheel support 156 may be provided that is used to rotatably attach the second goal post wheels 154 to the second goal post 136 adjacent the second bottom end 146.

Further, the first goal post housing section 122 may be cooperatively sized and configured to be slightly larger than the arrangement of the first goal post wheels 150. In this regard, the first goal post housing section 122 may have a square cross section with each side being in rolling contact with a respective one of the first goal post wheels 150. Similarly, the second goal post housing section 124 may be cooperatively sized and configured to be slightly larger than the arrangement of the second goal post wheels 150. In this regard, the second goal post housing section 124 may have a square cross section with each side being in rolling contact with a respective one of the second goal post wheels 154. This configuration allows for the first and second goal posts 134, 136 to be centered respectively within the first and second goal post housing sections 122, 124.

The goal frame housing 118 may include first housing wheels 158 mounted to the first goal post housing section 122 sized and configured to engage the first goal post 134 in rolling contact upon the goal frame 126 moving between the playing position and the retracted position. The goal frame housing 118 may further include second housing wheels 162 mounted to the second goal post housing section 124 sized and configured to engage the second goal post 136 in rolling contact upon the goal frame 126 moving between the playing position and the retracted position.