Collapsible ball game goal
First Claim
1. A collapsible, three-dimensional game goal for use on a playing surface, comprising:
- (a) at least two generally ring-shaped, openable hoops, each comprising at least one hoop coupling, each of the hoops being openable and closable at the hoop coupling, the hoops being coupleable to one another at the hoop coupling, the hoops comprising at least three post connecting mechanisms;
(b) at least three detachable posts of substantially equal length, opposite ends of each of the posts being removably connectable to one of the post connecting mechanisms on the hoops;
(c) a length of substantially flexible net affixed at a plurality of attachment points to an upper one of the hoops; and
(d) a detachable net holding mechanism attachable to the post connecting mechanisms at the opposite ends of each post;
wherein, when the goal is in an open, erect position;
a lower one of the hoops rests on the playing surface, the upper one of the hoops being substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the lower one of the hoops, the net extending downwardly between the substantially horizontally oriented hoops and the substantially vertically oriented, spaced apart posts;
the at least three posts and the net defining at least three adjacent, substantially vertical scoring surfaces;
the upper one of the hoops defining the generally circular upper periphery of a scoring basket at the top of the goal, the sides of a generally triangular-shaped base of the scoring basket being formed by the scoring surfaces.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A goal for a collapsible, three-dimensional game includes: (a) at least two generally ring-shaped, openable hoops, each of the hoops being openable, closable, and coupleable at a hoop coupling of each hoop, the hoops including at least three post connecting mechanisms; (b) at least three detachable posts of substantially equal length, the posts being removably connectable to one of the post connecting mechanisms on the hoops; (c) a substantially flexible net affixed to an upper one of the hoops; and (d) a detachable net holding mechanism attachable to the post connecting mechanisms on each post; wherein, when the goal is in an open, erect position: a lower one of the hoops rests on the playing surface, the upper hoop being substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the lower one of the hoops, the net extending downwardly between the substantially horizontally oriented hoops.
75 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A collapsible, three-dimensional game goal for use on a playing surface, comprising:
-
(a) at least two generally ring-shaped, openable hoops, each comprising at least one hoop coupling, each of the hoops being openable and closable at the hoop coupling, the hoops being coupleable to one another at the hoop coupling, the hoops comprising at least three post connecting mechanisms;
(b) at least three detachable posts of substantially equal length, opposite ends of each of the posts being removably connectable to one of the post connecting mechanisms on the hoops;
(c) a length of substantially flexible net affixed at a plurality of attachment points to an upper one of the hoops; and
(d) a detachable net holding mechanism attachable to the post connecting mechanisms at the opposite ends of each post;
wherein, when the goal is in an open, erect position;
a lower one of the hoops rests on the playing surface, the upper one of the hoops being substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the lower one of the hoops, the net extending downwardly between the substantially horizontally oriented hoops and the substantially vertically oriented, spaced apart posts;
the at least three posts and the net defining at least three adjacent, substantially vertical scoring surfaces;
the upper one of the hoops defining the generally circular upper periphery of a scoring basket at the top of the goal, the sides of a generally triangular-shaped base of the scoring basket being formed by the scoring surfaces. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A method of disassembling an erect, collapsible, three-dimensional game goal, the method comprising the steps of:
-
a) Detaching a detachable net attachment mechanism from a hoop coupling on an upper hoop of the goal;
the goal comprising;
(1) at least two generally ring-shaped, openable, spaced apart, substantially horizontally and substantially parallel hoops having substantially the same diameter as one another, each of the hoops comprising at least one hoop coupling, each of the hoops being openable and closable at the hoop coupling, the hoops comprising at least three post connecting mechanisms;
(2) at least three detachable, spaced apart, substantially vertical posts of substantially equal length, opposite ends of each of the posts being removably connectable to one of the post connecting mechanisms on the hoops;
(3) a length of substantially flexible net extending between the hoops and between the posts, the net being affixed to an upper one of the hoops, but not to the posts;
the net extending downwardly within the hoops; and
(d) a detachable net holding mechanism attachable to the post connecting mechanisms at the opposite ends of each post;
b) Detaching an upper end of each of three post lines from a net attachment mechanism on an upper hoop post connecting mechanism for each post of the goal;
c) Removing each post from the upper and lower hoop post connecting mechanisms of the goal;
d) Pulling the upper hoop of the goal apart at the upper hoop coupling; and
e) Pulling the lower hoop of the goal apart at the lower hoop coupling. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
-
-
16. A method of erecting a collapsed, three-dimensional game goal, the method comprising the steps of:
-
a) Pulling a hoop assembly of the collapsed goal apart at two hoop couplings of the goal;
the goal comprising;
(1) at least two generally ring-shaped, openable hoops having substantially the same diameter as one another, each of the hoops comprising at least one hoop coupling, each of the hoops being openable and closable at the hoop coupling, the hoops comprising at least three post connecting mechanisms;
(2) at least three detachable posts of substantially equal length, opposite ends of each of the posts being removably connectable to one of the post connecting mechanisms on the hoops;
(3) a length of substantially flexible net extending between the hoops and between the posts, the net being affixed to an upper one of the hoops, but not to the posts; and
(d) a detachable net holding mechanism attachable to the post connecting mechanisms at the opposite ends of each post;
b) Connecting an end of the upper or lower hoop into the hoop coupling of the same hoop;
connecting an end of the other hoop into the hoop coupling of the same hoop;
c) Placing the lower hoop on a generally flat surface with the lower hoop post connecting mechanisms facing in an upward direction;
d) Holding the upper hoop 12 over the lower hoop 11 with upper hoop post connecting mechanisms facing in a downward direction over the corresponding lower hoop post connecting mechanisms; and
e) Inserting one end of each post into the lower post connecting mechanism and an opposite end of the post into the corresponding upper hoop post connecting mechanism;
repeat for each post. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
-
Specification