The present invention relates to an arrangement for a goal comprising a goal frame with posts and a cross-bar and a support frame capable of being set up on a base, with a net or similar ball or puck arrester extending between the goal frame and the support frame, in conjunction with which the net, etc., is attached to the goal frame and the support frame so as to extend along them, and the goal frame and the support frame are pivotally hinged to enable them to be moved between a collapsed storage position, in which position the aforementioned component parts are packed together, extending along one another, and an erected goal position, in which position the aforementioned component parts are essentially perpendicular in relation to one another, and the goal frame and the support frame are curved with straight pieces along the sides and poles connecting them.

Previously disclosed goals which are not of a kind such that they are permanently arranged so as to be ready for use as a goal, and are accordingly cumbersome to store and transport and difficult to handle, are arranged so that they can be assembled from a set of tubes with straight and curved pieces, or are of the kind disclosed in accordance with WO 95/21002 with pivotally mounted ends and a fixed goal rear. It is difficult to make such goals stable, given the requirement that they must be easy to handle at the same time.

Also disclosed through US,A, 5,186,469 is a collapsible goal comprising a goal frame and a support frame with a net extending between them. In order to tension the net, it is supported in such a way as to be rolled around a supporting shaft. Problems arise in tensioning the ends of

the net and also in imparting the form of a tunnel to the other part of the net.

A goal frame disclosed through US,A, 5,413,356 comprises a net retained by a net support component which is capable of being folded between a collapsed storage position and an erected shaft attachment position forming an inclined net. In this goal position, too, problems are encountered in achieving a tensioned net which helps to stabilize the goal at the same time as it is sturdy and capable of withstanding high stresses.

The principal object of the present invention is thus, in the first instance, to solve the aforementioned problems by simple yet effectively functioning means.

Said object is achieved by means of an arrangement in accordance with the present invention, which is characterized essentially in that a curved net support component is attached to the goal in such a way that it is pivotally mounted at its parts which meet one another in pairs, and in that the net support component exhibits a selected size in relation to the net such that it forms a pressure component against the net located internally inside the goal and also functions as a net attachment.

The invention is described below as a preferred illustrative embodiment, in conjunction with which reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a goal with its net removed to show the components clearly;

Fig. 2 shows the goal viewed from the side and with the net in position; Fig. 3 shows a side view of the goal in the intended erected goal position, but with the net removed;

Fig. 4 shows the goal in the process of being collapsed; and

Fig. 5 shows the goal fully collapsed.

An arrangement 1 in accordance with the present invention for a goal 2 comprises a goal frame 3 with pairs of posts 4, 5 capable of being raised vertically and a cross-bar 6 capable of being supported horizontally at the top ends 4A, 5A of said posts 4, 5, and also a support frame 8 capable of being set up on grass, gravel, asphalt, ice, a floor or some other base 7, which support frame 8 is provided with a net 9, a sheet, a tarpaulin or some other similar ball or puck arrester extending between the goal frame 3 and the support frame 8. In accordance with the invention the net 9 is arranged in a special manner, and the components 3, R are pivotally mounted. More specifically the net 9, which may consist of a net similar to a fishing net made of water- repellent plastic line 10, for example polyethylene or polyamide, of square form, or some other ball arrester of the aforementioned kind, is attached to the goal frame 3. and the support frame 8 extending along them. The goal frame 3 and the support frame 8 are pivotally mounted relative to one another in such a way as to permit them to be moved between a collapsed storage position I, in which the stored components 3, 8 are held tightly compressed extending close to and alongside one another, and an erected goal position II, in which position II the aforementioned articulated components 3, 8 are essentially perpendicular relative to one another. The goal frame 3 and the support frame 8 are curved and are made of tubes, with two straight parallel parts 4, 5 forming posts and support poles 11, 12 along the sides of the goal frame 3 and the support frame 8, as well as straight poles 6, 13 connecting them together and arranged perpendicularly with a curved part 14, 15, 16, 17 connecting the poles 4, 5, 6, 13.

A curved net support component 31, which is pivotally 51 attached to the goal 2, is pivotally mounted on its parts 4, 11 and 5, 12 which meet one another in pairs, and the aforementioned parts 31A, 31B, 31C connected together

preferably with essentially right angles, exhibit a form and size selected in such a way in relation to the net 9 that the net support component 31 forms a net pressure component located internally inside the goal 2, which pressure component is so arranged both as to press against the net 9 from inside the goal 2, and as to function as a net attachment around which an attachment wire or some other attachment device for securing the net 9 can be wound.

In order to permit pivoting collapsing of the components 3, 8, the goal frame 3 exhibits a pivot bearing 18 at the free ends 4B, 5B of its posts 4, 5 held by a bracket 19 at a raised level 50, which is situated at the free ends 11A, 12A of the support frame 8.

The aforementioned bracket 19 may, for example, be formed from a U-shaped component which, on its inside, accommodates the end 11A, 12A of the parallel support poles 11, 12 of the support frame 8, whereas the pivot bearing 18 in the form of a shaft extends between the shanks of the aforementioned component 19 at a distance from the base of the component. Each of the posts 4, 5 of the goal frame is accommodated with its bottom end 4B, 5B in the bracket 19, with the shaft 18 of the pivot bearing accommodated in a hole passing through the posts 4, 5. A preferably manually operated locking mechanism 20 acting between the goal frame 3 and the support frame 8 is preferably so arranged as to be capable of locking the goal frame 3 to prevent it from being folded down against the support frame 8, thereby retaining them in the aforementioned erected goal position II. The locking mechanism 20 is also so arranged, after actuation, as to be released in order to permit the goal 2 to be collapsed into a storage position I in which it is tightly packed.

The locking mechanism 20 arranged at either goal post 4, 5 is preferably formed from a pivotally mounted locking arm 21, 22, 23, 24 at either free end 4B, 5B, 11A,

12A of the straight parts 4, 5, 11, 12. These locking arms 21-24 are connected together pivotally in pairs 21-22 and 23- 24 relative to one another via a pivot link 25, 26 between them, and a stop component 27, 28 is arranged on the pivot link 25 and 26, for example in the form of a heel, in order to limit the pivoting movement of the pairs of locking arms as far as a straight end position III, in which position III the goal frame 3 is locked so as to be retained in an erected and essentially perpendicular goal position II. The illustrated example of a goal 2 has a support frame 8, the depth D of which exceeds the height H of the goal frame 3 in order to achieve maximum stability of the goal 2. In addition a spike 29 or some other means of increasing retention with the ground 7 can be provided, which spike 29 is designed to be accommodated in an internal opening 30 on the support frame 8, for example a lug with a hole in it, when it is driven down into the ground 7, for example. Other means may also be used for this purpose, for example friction rubber, suction cups and tags, etc. Support for the net 9 at a distance from a wet base 7 in order to spare the attachment of the net to the goal frame 3 can be achieved in accordance with the invention through the presence of a net support component. The net 9 is attached in this way, for example by lashing with a line around the frame of the goal, to the aforementioned net attachment frame 32, which is so arranged as to extend along the goal frame 3 and the support frame 8, i.e. along its poles 4-6 and 11-13 at a distance from and essentially parallel with them. The net attachment frame 32, which is formed preferably from pole material, extends with a first curved net attachment component 33 along the goal frame 3 at a distance from it and in an area on the rear side 3A of the goal frame 3. A further curved net attachment component 34 is arranged so that it is attached with its pairs of shanks 34A, 34B to the support frame 8 at a distance from and in a raised

position above the parts 11, 12 of the support frame, and with a net attachment component 34C connecting together the aforementioned shanks 34A, 34B situated at a raised level and in a position in which it is recessed inside the goal 2. The aforementioned net attachment frame 32 is also securely attached to the goal frame 3 and the support frame 8 via a number of tongue-shaped uprights 35, 36 arranged around the periphery of the aforementioned goal at a mutual distance from one another, which uprights are attached, for example welded, to the rear 3A of the goal frame 3 and to the top side 8A of the support frame 8.

The object of the invention functions safely and effectively, and in the collapsed position it is easy to transport and to carry by the transverse pole 13 of the support frame 8, which forms a handle.

Erection of the goal frame 3 involves erecting the net attachment 31 at the same time as the net 9 is tensioned by this. When the locking arms 21-24 of the locking mechanism 20 are aligned directly with one another in pairs, the goal is locked in an erect goal position II, and it is then a stable structure which is capable of withstanding heavy impacts and also adverse weather. The frame components of the goal preferably consist of painted metal tubes, although the use of other materials is conceivable, for example plastic materials.

The invention is not restricted to the illustrative embodiment described and illustrated here, but may be varied within the scope of the Patent Claims without departing from the idea of invention.