Sports Net Assembly

Abstract

A sports net assembly includes a base having a back element and first and second depth elements connected to form a U-shape supported by the ground when deployed. Two side bars extend upwardly from the base perpendicular to the ground. Crossbars extend toward each other and are coaxial with each other while being parallel to the ground. The first crossbar has a first distal end with a dovetail channel and the second crossbar has a second distal end with a dovetail rail complementing the dovetail channel. The dovetail rail slides into the dovetail channel to form the sports net opening. A back brace is magnetically secured between the back element and the distal ends of the crossbars and the net is draped over the back brace while being secured to the base, sides and crossbars.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a portable sports net assembly. More particularly, the invention relates to a portable sports net assembly that is foldable.DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0002] Most children participate in team sports that require a net. For practice, a sports net that is the same size as the net used in games is desired to keep the game experience authentic to the practice. However, many of these sports nets are difficult to transport as they need to be fully disassembled and reassembled for transportation, thus taking up valuable practice time There is a need for a sports net that is easy to assemble and disassemble, easy to transport and store; all while being sturdy enough to handle the forces being applied to it when balls, pucks and bodies collide with the sports net. When not in use, there is a need for a sports net to be easily stored and with the shift from the typical house with garage to apartments and attached houses being built a solution was needed for those who want to continue playing sports while having their own net available.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A sports net assembly includes a base having a back element and first and second depth elements connected to form a U-shape supported by the ground when deployed. Two side bars extend upwardly from the base perpendicular to the ground. Crossbars extend toward each other and are coaxial with each other while being parallel to the ground. The first crossbar has a first distal end with a dovetail channel and the second crossbar has a second distal end with a dovetail rail complementing the dovetail channel. The dovetail rail slides into the dovetail channel to form the sports net opening. A back brace is magnetically secured between the back element and the distal ends of the crossbars and the net is draped over the back brace while being secured to the base, sides and crossbars.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0004] Advantages of the invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention with a net shown in phantom;

[0006] FIG. 2 is an exploded, cut away, perspective view of a portion of one embodiment of the invention;

[0007] FIG. 3 is an exploded, cut away, perspective view of another portion of one embodiment of the invention;

[0008] FIG. 4 is a cut away perspective view of another portion of the one embodiment of the invention with a member shown in one orientation and another orientation in phantom;

[0009] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of a connection between two members of the frame; and

[0010] FIGS. 6A and 6B are a top view and a bottom view, respectively of the one embodiment of the invention in a compact configuration, ready for storage and / or transportation (with the mesh net removed for clarity).DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Referring to the Figures, a sports net assembly is generally indicated at 10. The sports net assembly 10 is designed to be easily transportable without any special equipment. Thus, the assembly, disassembly, storage and transport of the sports net assembly 10 may be done without any special tools or equipment.

[0012] The sports net assembly 10 includes a base, generally shown at 12, having first 14 and second 16 back elements that are removably connected end-to-end to each other to create a single back element. The base 12 also includes first 18 and second 20 depth elements. The first depth element 18 is pivotally connected to one end of the first back element 14 using a first pivot corner 21 whereas the second depth element 20 is pivotally connected to one end of the second back element 16 using a second pivot corner 23. The connections create a U-shaped base 12 supported by the ground when deployed.

[0013] First 22 and second 24 side bars are pivotally connected or secured to the base 12 and extend upwardly from the base 12 perpendicular to the ground when deployed. The height of the first 22 and second 24 side bars defines the height of the sports net assembly 10. The first side bar 22 is connected to the first depth element 18 with a third pivot corner 25 and the second side bar 24 is pivotally connected to the second depth element 20 with a fourth pivot corner 27.

[0014] First 26 and second 30 crossbars are pivotally connected or secured to the other ends of the first 22 and second 24 side bars using fifth 28 and sixth 29 pivot corners, respectively. The crossbars 26, 30 extend toward each other when deployed, with the first 26 and second 30 crossbars extending coaxial with each other and parallel to the ground when deployed.

[0015] In the arrangement as disclosed above, the sports net assembly 10 has two halves with each half including a back element, a depth element, a side bar, and a crossbar. When the two halves are put together, the ground (not shown), the crossbars 26, 30 and the side bars 22, 24 form the goal or target at which the focus of the players is.

[0016] Referring specifically to FIGS. 2 through 5, the two halves of the portable sports net assembly 10 are secured together using dovetail channels and rails. More specifically, the first crossbar 26 has a first distal end 32 at the opposite end of the end that is pivotally connected to the first side bar 22. The first distal end 32 includes a first dovetail endcap 33 having a crossbar dovetail channel 34. The crossbar dovetail channel 34 has a cross section that resembles a dovetail with flat lower surface 36 and two inwardly directed surfaces 37.

[0017] The second crossbar 30 has a second distal end 38. Fixedly secured to the second distal end 38 is a second dovetail endcap 39 with a crossbar dovetail rail 40 complementing the crossbar dovetail channel 34 such that the crossbar dovetail rail 40 slides into the crossbar dovetail channel 34 when deployed to lock the first 26 and second 30 crossbars together.

[0018] The first 14 and second 16 back elements are removably secured together in the same fashion. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, it is the first back element 14 includes a third dovetail encap 45 that includes a back dovetail rail 41. Likewise, the second back element 16 that includes a fourth dovetail endcap 47 including a back dovetail channel 43. The opposite orientation of the dovetail elements between the crossbars and the back elements helps retain the sports net assembly 10 in one piece while in use.

[0019] A back brace 42 is removably securable to the back elements 14, 16 and the crossbars 26, 30 when deployed. The back brace 42 is magnetically held in place between the back elements 14, 16 and the distal ends of the first 26 and second 30 crossbars. The back brace 42 extends between a lower end 44 and an upper end 46, with each of the lower 44 and upper 46 ends having lower 48 and upper 49 endcaps plate holders, each having a ferromagnetic plate 50, 52 secured thereto. The ferromagnetic plates 50, 52 are attracted to lower 56 and upper 54 magnets, which are embedded in an upwardly directed arm 57 and a downwardly directed arm 58 of the third 47 and second 39 dovetail endcaps, respectively. Each of the upwardly 57 and downwardly 58 directed arms includes a receiving face (only one receiving face 61 shown in the Figures) to receive the ferromagnetic plates 50, 52 thereagainst.

[0020] A net 64, shown in FIG. 1 as a phantom line, is removably securable to the base 12, the first 22 and second 24 side bars, the first 26 and second 30 crossbars, and draped over the back brace 42 when deployed.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, top and bottom views of the portable sports net assembly 10 in a collapsed state are shown with the net 64 not shown for purposes of clarity and simplicity. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the net 64 can be stored with the portable sports net assembly 10 when it is in its collapsed state.

[0022] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.

Claims

1. A sports net assembly 10 comprising:a base having first and second back elements, and first and second depth elements connected to form a U-shape supported by the ground when deployed;first and second side bars pivotally secured to said base extending upwardly from said base perpendicular to the ground when deployed;first and second crossbars extending toward each other when deployed, said first and second crossbars extending coaxial with each other and parallel to the ground when deployed, said first crossbar having a first distal end with a dovetail channel and said second crossbar having a second distal end with a dovetail rail complementing said dovetail channel such that said dovetail rail slides into said dovetail channel when deployed;a back brace removably securable to said back element and said first and second crossbars when deployed; anda net removably securable to said base, said first and second side bars, said first and second crossbars and draped over said back brace when deployed.

2. A sports net assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said back brace is magnetically held in place between said back element and said distal ends of said first and second crossbars.

3. A sports net assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said back brace extends between a lower end and an upper end, each of said upper and lower ends having a magnetic element secured thereto.

4. A sports net assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said crossbars are pivotally secured to said side bar.

6. A sports net assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said first and second depth elements are pivotally connected to said back element.

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