FIELD

[01 ] The present invention relates to an enclosure apparatus such as a sports enclosure apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a portable pop-up sport enclosure apparatus, for example a goal apparatus or baseball return apparatus.

BACKGROUND

[02] Many sports such as football (soccer), hockey, baseball etc. utilise apparatus that provides a partially enclosed area. The enclosure apparatus may be in the form of a goal apparatus formed of parallel posts and a crossbar extending between the posts to define a goal area. The enclosure apparatus may also just be in the form of a practice net that is formed of a net held up between posts to provide a practice area.

[03] Such structures are usually permanent or semi permanent fixtures and are made from heavy and cumbersome materials. However, it is also known to provide structures that may be assembled on site prior to use and disassembled once use has ceased. In this manner, a location need not be permanently devoted to use as a sports field. Portable structures, such as portable goals, are particularly useful in training scenarios where it may be beneficial to have a large number of goals to train with, which can then be dismantled after use.

[04] It is desirable for portable goals to have properties including ease of assembly and disassembly, reduced bulk and weight for carrying and storage, and a stable structure defining an opening, once assembled.

[05] Portable goals that require little or no assembly are known as pop-up goals. Pop-up goals are generally biased to a full or partially erect position. Such goals are generally stored by folding the goal into a smaller configuration.

[06] Pop-up goals known in the prior art often involve the use of flexible tubular plastic materials to form the frame, posts and crossbar which, while representing a saving on weight, and providing an easy to assemble pop-up ability, are still very bulky in the collapsed state and therefore represent a significant burden with regard to carrying and storage. Furthermore, such goals often have a component extending between the base of the goalposts along the goal line, representing a safety risk in use.

[07] Therefore, there is a requirement for an improved portable pop-up sports enclosure apparatus. It is therefore an object of aspects of the present invention to address one or more of the abovementioned or other problems.

SUMMARY

[08] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a support frame for an enclosure apparatus comprising a base member and first and second post members, wherein base member comprises first and second arms, wherein the first post member is attached or is operable to attach to the first arm and the second post member is attached or is operable to attach to the second arm, wherein the base member is operable to hold the post members when attached in a first erect position, wherein the post members are operable to be moved from the first erect position to a second collapsed position in which the angle between the longitudinal axes of the respective post members and arms is less than in the first erect position, and wherein the base member is collapsible such that it is operable to be moved from a first open position in which the arms are spaced to a second collapsed position in which the arms are proximate.

[09] Suitably, the support frame may be a sports support frame. The support frame may be for a goal apparatus or a practice net apparatus.

[10] The support frame of the first aspect of the present invention may be a portable support frame, suitably a pop-up portable support frame.

[1 1 ] Suitably, in the erect position the angle between the longitudinal axes of the arm and the respective post member is between 70° and 1 10°, suitably between 80° and 100°, preferably about 90°. Preferably, in the collapsed position the post members are operable to be substantially parallel with the arms of the base member. The base member is preferably biased to the first open position. As such, preferably the base member is resiliently deformable to the collapsed position.

[12] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a base member for use in a support frame or an enclosure apparatus, such as a support frame apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention or an enclosure apparatus according to fourth aspect of the present invention, wherein the base member comprises a collapsible section comprising at least a first flexible portion arranged between adjacent stiff portions, wherein the collapsible section is operable by movement of the flexible portion to be moved from a first open position in which adjacent stiff portions are spaced to a second collapsed position in which adjacent stiff portions are proximal, and wherein the flexible portion is outwardly biased such that the stiff portions of the collapsible section are biased to the first open position.

[13] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a base member for use in a support frame or an enclosure apparatus, such as a support frame apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention or an enclosure apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, wherein the base member comprises a collapsible section comprising a series of flexible portions arranged between adjacent connecting portions, the collapsible section comprising n connecting portions and n-1 flexible portions arranged between the connecting portions, wherein n is >2, preferably n is >3, most preferably n is >4, wherein the collapsible section is operable by movement of the flexible portions to be moved from a first open position to a second collapsed position, wherein in the first open position the angle between the longitudinal axes of adjacent connecting portions is <130°, and wherein the flexible portions are outwardly biased such that the connecting portions of the collapsible section are biased to the first open position.

[14] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an enclosure apparatus comprising:

a. a support frame according to the first aspect of the present invention; or

b. a support frame comprising a base member according to the second or third aspect of the present invention and first and second post members;

and wherein the enclosure apparatus further comprises a net.

[15] Suitably, the enclosure apparatus is a sports enclosure apparatus. The enclosure apparatus may be a goal apparatus or a practice net apparatus.

[16] The enclosure apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention may be a portable enclosure apparatus, suitably a pop-up portable enclosure apparatus.

[17] Suitably, the flexible portions are angled. By“angled” herein in relation to the flexible portions of the frame of the second aspect of the present invention it is intended to mean not linear.

[18] The base members of the second and third aspects of the present invention may comprise first and second arms, suitably wherein one end of each arm is operable to be attached to a goalpost member. Preferably, the arms of the base members are spaced in first open position and proximal in the second collapsed position.

[19] The base members of the second and third aspects of the present invention are preferably for use in a sports enclosure apparatus, such as a goal apparatus or a practice net apparatus. The base members of the second and third aspects of the present invention are preferably for use in a portable enclosure apparatus, suitably a pop-up portable enclosure apparatus.

[20] In the base member according to the second or third aspect of the present invention the angle between the longitudinal axes of adjacent connecting/stiff portions may be <120°, <1 10°, <100° in the first open position. The angle between the longitudinal axes of adjacent connecting/stiff portions may be <90° in the first open position. In the base member according to the second or third aspect of the present invention the angle between the longitudinal axes of adjacent connecting/stiff portions may be <80°, <70°, <60°, <50°, such as about 45° in the first open position. Suitably, in the first open position the angle between the longitudinal axes of adjacent connecting/stiff portions is >25°, such as >30, >35°, >40°, or about 45°.

[21 ] In the second collapsed position the angle between the longitudinal axes of adjacent connecting/stiff portions may be operable to be <25°, such as <20°, <15°, <10°, <5°, <0°, <-5°, <- 10°, <-15°, <-20°, or <-25°.

[22] Suitably, the connecting portions of the third aspect of the present invention are substantially linear. The connecting portions of the third aspect of the present invention may be according to the stiff portions of the second aspect of the present invention.

[23] The arms of the base member may be stiff portions. The arms of the base member may be terminal connecting/stiff portions of the collapsible section of the base member. Terminal connecting/stiff portions herein are portions connected at only one end to a flexible portion that is in turn connected to a further connecting/stiff portion. As such, non-terminal connecting/stiff portions can be considered to be connecting/stiff portions that are connected at both ends to flexible portions that are then in turn connected to another connecting/stiff portion.

[24] The collapsible section of the frame of the second aspect of the present invention may comprise n stiff portions and n-1 flexible portions, suitably each flexible portion is arranged between adjacent stiff portions in series. In the base member of the second or third aspect of the present invention n may be from >2 to <10, such as >3 to <8, or >4 to <6. Preferably, n is 4 or 5, most preferably 4.

[25] Preferably, the flexible portions and stiff/connecting portions are in series such that two stiff/connecting portions are connected to flexible portions at one end and n-2 stiff/connecting portions are connected at two ends to flexible portions, suitably at opposed ends of each of the n-2 stiff/connecting portions. Preferably, the collapsible section comprises terminal stiff/connecting portions connected at only one end to a flexible portion. The terminal stiff/connecting portions may be the arms portions. For example, when n is 4 and the collapsible section comprises first, second and third flexible portions and first to fourth stiff portions, the first flexible portion is arranged between a first end of the first stiff portion and a first end of the second stiff portion, the second flexible portion is arranged between a second end of the second stiff portion and a first end of the third stiff portion, and the third flexible portion is arranged between a second end of the third stiff portion and a first end of the fourth stiff portion. In this example the first and fourth stiff portions are the terminal stiff portions.

[26] In the base member according to the second or third aspect of the present invention the angle between the longitudinal axes of one or both terminal or arm connecting/stiff portions and the adjacent connecting/stiff portion may be <120°, <1 10°, <100° in the first open position. The angle between the longitudinal axes of one or both terminal connecting/stiff portions and the adjacent connecting/stiff portion may be <90° in the first open position. In the base member according to the second or third aspect of the present invention the angle between the longitudinal axes of one or both terminal connecting/stiff portions and the adjacent connecting/stiff portion may be <80°, <70°, <60°, <50°, such as about 45° in the first open position. Suitably, in the first open position the angle between the longitudinal axes of one or both terminal connecting/stiff portions and the adjacent connecting/stiff portion is >25°, such as >30, >35°, >40°, or about 45°.

[27] The stiff/connecting portions of the collapsible section may be substantially opposed along the longitudinal sides, in use, in at least the second position, preferably substantially opposed in both the first and second position.

[28] The collapsible section of the base member may be in the form of a concertina.

[29] Advantageously, it has been found that the base member of the present invention enables improved compactness in combination with reduced wear. Furthermore, the compressible base member of the present invention allows for the production of an enclosure apparatus having post members that have improved lateral movement upon impact of the net. Such lateral movement reduces the force on the apparatus at impact and allows for the components of the apparatus to be thinner and lighter.

[30] The flexible and stiff/connecting portions of the collapsible section may be integrally formed or formed of discrete portions attached together, suitably fixedly attached together.

[31 ] The base member may be operable to abut the ground in use.

[32] The base member of the present invention is suitably operable to be placed in the second collapsible position by manual reconfiguration of said stiff/connecting portions.

[33] The flexible portion of the collapsible section may be flexible substantially about a single plane, suitably the horizontal plane, in use. Preferably, the flexible portion is stiff about the vertical planes relative to the flexibility about the horizontal plane. Preferably, the flexible portion is substantially inflexible about the vertical planes.

[34] Suitably, the flexible portion comprises spring metal or a hinge joint, such as a biased hinge joint, preferably spring metal, most preferably spring steel.

[35] By“stiff in relation to the stiff portions of the collapsible section herein it is meant portions having a stiffness against flex that is greater than the stiffness against flex of the flexible portion in the plane in which the flexible portion is most flexible. The flexible portion may be fixedly attached between adjacent connecting/stiff portions, such as fixedly attached by a cooperating deformation of the connecting/stiff portion and the flexible portion. A cooperating deformation may be produced by inserting the flexible portion into the connecting/stiff portion and then machine stamping the two components to deform the connecting/portion into the flexible portion to thereby form a fixed attachment. [36] The stiff/connecting portions may be formed of any suitably stiff material, such as metal. Preferably, the stiff/connecting portions are formed of steel.

[37] Preferably, the non-terminal stiff/connecting portions are substantially linear. Preferably, the terminal stiff/connecting portions are substantially linear, typically apart from the upwardly extending portion of the attachment member.

[38] The collapsible section may comprise a holding member. The holding member may limit the angle between the stiff/connecting portions in the open position to less than would be obtained in the absence of the holding member. Suitably, the collapsible section comprises a holding member extending between each adjacent stiff/connecting portion. Suitably, the holding member is pliable. In the first open position the holding member is typically held under tension.

[39] Suitably, the holding member is fixedly attached to the respective stiff/connecting portions and/or flexible portions, either directly or via a cover arranged over the stiff/connecting portions and/or flexible portions.

[40] One or more of the stiff/connecting portions may comprise a length reduction member operable to reduce the longitudinal length of the stiff/connecting portion. The length reduction member may comprise a telescopic length reduction member such that a part of the stiff/connecting portion is operable to insert into another part of the stiff/connecting portion. The length reduction member suitably comprises securing member operable to move from a first secured configuration in which the longitudinal length of the stiff/connecting member is fixed, to a second unsecured configuration in which the longitudinal length of the stiff/connecting member may be changed. Suitably, the length reduction member is arranged on non-terminal stiff/connecting portion.

[41 ] The base member may comprise a cover, suitably a sleeve, extending over a portion of the stiff/connecting portion and/or flexible portion. Suitably, the cover is attached, preferably fixedly attached, toward the ends of the cover to the base member. The cover may comprise attachment points, or be attached to, one or more holding members, other covers and/or portions of the net.

[42] The cover may comprise a first end and a second end, wherein the first end and the second end each comprise cooperative attachment means that are operable to form a reversible attachment between the first and second ends of the cover.

[43] Preferably, the first and second arms each comprise a cover extending along a portion thereof.

[44] The base member, support frame or enclosure apparatus may comprise a securing member operable to hold the collapsible section of the base member in the second collapsed position. [45] The post members may be goalpost members for a goal apparatus or net post members for a practice net.

[46] The post members may be stiff. Suitably, stiff is defined in the same way as for the stiff portions of the collapsible section of the base member.

[47] The post members may be formed of plastic, fibreglass or metal, suitably of fibreglass.

[48] The post members and base member may be reversibly attachable. The base member and post members may comprise attachment members operable to form a reversible attachment. Preferably, the attachment members of the post members and the base member operable to form a reversible attachment are also operable to form an attachment that holds the post members in the erect position.

[49] The attachment members of the base member may comprise an upwardly extending portion having at an upper end thereof an attachment point operable to form an attachment to a goalpost.

[50] The upwardly extending portions may extend upwardly at an angle that is off-vertical. Such as an angle of between 10 to 45° from the vertical axis. Suitably, the upwardly extending portions extend off the vertical axis outwardly from the interior of the base member. Preferably, the upwardly extending portions extend off-vertical in opposite directions.

[51 ] The base member typically comprises first and second attachment members each operable to form an attachment with a post member. The first and second attachment members are typically opposed on the base member when the frame is in the first open position. Preferably, the first arm comprises the first attachment member, suitably toward an end thereof, and the second arm comprises the second attachment member, suitably toward an end thereof. The first and second attachment members may be arranged at an end of the terminal stiff/connecting portions of the collapsible section of the base member. Suitably, the upwardly extending portions of the attachment members are integrally formed with the respective stiff/connecting portion.

[52] The terminal stiff/connecting portions comprising the attachment members may be longer than the non-terminal stiff/connecting portions.

[53] The base member may comprise reinforcing struts extending between a stiff/connecting portion and the upwardly extending portion of the attachment members.

[54] Suitably, the attachment points of the base member attachment members are apertures and the attachment members of the post members are projections, suitably extending from an end therefore, wherein the apertures are operable to receive the projections and hold the post members in the erect position. The projections of the post members may be formed of plastic. [55] The post members may each comprise a cover, suitably a sleeve, extending over a portion thereof.

[56] The enclosure apparatus, support frame, post members and/or the base member may comprise at least one, and preferably at least first and second linking members operable to form a link between the base member and the post members. Preferably, the linking member is not sufficient to hold the goalpost members in the erect position independently of the attachment members.

[57] Each linking member is preferably fixedly attached to both the respective post member and the base member. Suitably, the linking member is attached to the arm comprising the attachment member and to the respective post member. The linking members may be attached directly to the arm/post member or via a cover of the arm/post member.

[58] Preferably, when the post members are arranged in the attachment members of the base member the linking members apply a holding force that increases the force required to remove the post members from the attachment members, suitably the linking members are held under tension. Preferably, the linking member is an elastic link that is held under tension when the post members are arranged in the attachment members.

[59] Advantageously, it has been found that use of the linking members in combination with reversible attachment members provides for improved compactness whilst maintaining good stability, as well as providing improved ease of assembly.

[60] The enclosure apparatus of the present invention, suitably the goal apparatus, preferably further comprises a crossbar member, wherein the crossbar member is attached to or is operable to be attached between the post members, suitably the goalpost members. The crossbar member is preferably pliable. Preferably, when the post members are attached to the base member and the base member is in the first open position the enclosure apparatus of the present invention is operable to hold the crossbar member under tension, suitably to form a substantially rectangular goal frame. The crossbar member may be attached, suitably fixedly attached to the covers of the post members.

[61 ] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a net for use in the enclosure apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[62] The net of the present invention may be operable to be held in the enclosure apparatus such as to provide a return-type apparatus operable to return a ball toward the user after impact of the ball on the net. The net may be operable to be held in the enclosure apparatus such as to provide a sock-type apparatus in which the ball is captured in the apparatus. In a return-type apparatus the net is typically held under tension. In a sock-type apparatus at least a portion of the net is typically held without tension. Suitably, the enclosure apparatus, preferably the return-type apparatus, more preferably a baseball return apparatus, comprises post members that are operable to move laterally upon impact of the ball on the net. By“laterally” it is meant movement substantially along the line extending between the opposed post members.

[63] Suitably, the crossbar member, holding members and/or covers of the post members and/or base member comprise attachment points, or are attached to, portions of the net.

[64] Suitably, the base member in the first open position when attached to the post members is operable to provide tension in the net when in the first open position and release tension in the next when moved toward the second closed position.

[65] The base member of the second and third aspects of the present invention may be operable to support post members in the erect position such that a goal area or practice area is delineated.

[66] The enclosure apparatus of the aspects of the present invention may be operable to provide a partially delineated cavity or be in the form of a rebound goal. Suitably, the rebound goal provides a substantially flat net held in tension by the frame of the present invention.

[67] In the erect position suitably the first and second post members extend substantially parallel to each other and said pliable crossbar member extends substantially perpendicularly to said first and second pliable post members.

[68] As used herein, the singular includes the plural and plural encompasses singular, unless specifically stated otherwise. For example, the use of the singular, i.e. "a" or "an", includes "one or more". In addition, as used herein, the use of "or" means "and/or" unless specifically stated otherwise, even though "and/or" may be explicitly used in certain instances.

[69] All of the features contained herein may be combined with any of the above aspects in any combination.

[70] For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the following figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[71 ] Figure 1 shows a front view of an erect goal apparatus according to the present invention.

[72] Figure 2 shows a perspective front view of the erect goal apparatus of Figure 1 .

[73] Figure 3 shows a bottom view of the erect goal apparatus of Figure 1.

[74] Figure 4 shows a perspective bottom view of the erect goal apparatus of Figure 1 .

[75] Figure 5 shows a side perspective side view of the erect goal apparatus of Figure 1 .

[76] Figure 6 shows a partial collapsed bottom view of the goal apparatus of Figure 1 .

[77] Figure 7 shows a top view of the base member of the goal apparatus of Figure 1 . [78] Figure 8 shows a perspective enlarged view of flexible and stiff portions of the goal apparatus of Figure 1 .

[79] Figure 9 shows a front view of the upwardly extending members of the goal apparatus of Figure 1.

[80] Figure 10 shows an enlarged side perspective view of an attachment member of the goal apparatus of Figure 1 .

[81 ] Figure 1 1 shows a side view of a goalpost member of the goal apparatus of Figure 1 with and without the sleeve as well as an enlarged view of the base of the goalpost member.

[82] Figure 12 shows a bottom view of the base member of the goal apparatus of Figure 1 in the collapsed position.

[83] Figure 13 shows a front view of a second embodiment of an enclosure apparatus according to the present invention in the form of a return-type apparatus for use as a sports practice net.

[84] Figure 14 shows a side view of the erect practice net of Figure 13.

[85] Figure 15 shows a top view of the erect practice net if Figure 13.

[86] Figure 16 shows a perspective view of the erect practice net of Figure 13.

[87] Figure 17 shows an enlarged perspective view of a net attachment point on a post of the practice net of Figure 13.

[88] Figure 18 shows a perspective exploded view of the base member and post members of the practice net of Figure 13.

[89] Figure 19 shows a top view of a portion of a base member of a third embodiment of an enclosure apparatus according to the present invention.

[90] Figure 20 shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an enclosure apparatus according to the present invention in the form of a sock-type apparatus for use as a sports practice net.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[91 ] Figure 1 shows a front view of assembled erect goal apparatus 100 according to the present invention. Goal apparatus 100 is formed of collapsible support frame 102 and net 106, wherein support frame 102 delineates a goal area and net 106 delineates a partial cavity behind the goal area.

[92] Support frame 102 comprises base member 1 10, which is formed of a series of linear inflexible hollow cylindrical steel stiff potions 1 12, 1 14, 1 16, 1 18 and curved spring steel flexible portions 120, 122, 124 wherein each flexible portion is fixedly attached between adjacent stiff portions. As such, as shown in figure 2, base member 1 10 has terminal stiff arm portion 1 12 attached at a first end 1 12b to a first end of flexible portion 120a, which is in turn attached at a second end 120b to a first end of stiff portion 1 14b, which is attached at a second end 1 14a to a first end of flexible portion 122a, which is attached at a second end 122b to a first end of stiff portion 1 16a, which is attached at a second end 1 16b to a first end of flexible portion 124a, which is attached at a second end 124b to a first end of terminal stiff arm portion 1 18b. Terminal stiff arm portions 1 12 and 1 18 are longer than the non-terminal stiff portions 1 14 and 1 16. Curved flexible portions 120, 122, 124 are alternately orientated such that base member 1 10 has a concertina shape in which the stiff portions 1 12, 1 14, 1 16, 1 18 are substantially longitudinally opposed.

[93] Figure 7 shows the base member 1 10 independent of the other components of goal apparatus 100, showing stiff portions 1 12, 1 14, 1 16, 1 18 and flexible portions 120, 122, 124 attached securely together. As shown in Figure 8, flexible portion 120 is flattened and has a significantly larger height than depth, appearing thin when viewed from above. Flexible portion 120 is securely attached at a first end 120a to stiff portion 1 12b and at a second end 120b to stiff portion 1 14b. The ends of stiff portions 1 12b, 1 14b are flattened and ends 120a and 1 12b slide into respective ends 1 12b and 1 1 b to form a close fit attachment. The stiff portions 1 12, 1 14 are fixedly secured to the flexible portion 120 by cooperating deformation at point 1 13 of the stiff portion and the flexible portion formed by use of a machine stamp. Flexible portion 120 is able to flex about the horizontal plane whilst being substantially inflexible about the vertical planes. Flexible portions 122 and 124 are formed in the same manner as flexible portion 120.

[94] Flexible portions 120, 122, 124 are operable to flex about the horizontal plane but are biased toward a substantially linear position. As shown in figure 3, holding members 126, 128 and 130 extend between adjacent stiff portions, restricting the flex of the flexible portions when support frame 102 is in the open position such that the angle between adjacent stiff portion that is smaller than the angle that would otherwise be obtained in the absence of the holding members in the open position. As such the holding members are held in tension in the open position by the biasing of the flexible portions toward a linear position.

[95] Support member 102 can be moved from the open position shown in Figures 1 to 5 to the collapsed position shown in Figure 12 by manually applying force to move the terminal stiff arm portions together.

[96] Fabric sleeve cover 162 extends around and along flexible portion 120 and terminal stiff portion 1 12. Sleeve 164 is the same as sleeve 162 except that it is arranged at the opposite side of the base member, extending around and along flexible portion 124 and stiff portion 1 18. Further fabric sleeve 166 is arranged around and along flexible portion 122 and extends to ends 1 14a and 1 16a of stiff portions 1 14 and 1 16.

[97] Rivets 172, 174, 176, 178, 180, 182 secure sleeves 162, 164, 166 to the base member toward the ends of the sleeve, preventing movement of the sleeve along the base member. [98] Fabric pliable holding member 126 is connected at a first end to a first end of sleeve 166, and at a second end to sleeve 162 at a point on sleeve 162 that is approximately half way along terminal stiff portion 1 12. Likewise, holding member 130 is connected at a first end to a second end of sleeve 166, and at a second end to sleeve 164 at a point on sleeve 164 that is approximately half way along terminal stiff portion 1 18. Rear fabric pliable holding member 128 extends between sleeve 162 and 164. In this manner holding member 128 indirectly forms a linear connection between the apex of flexible portions 120 and 124 which are arranged at the rear of base member 1 10. Net 106 is attached at its lower rear edge to holding member 128 to provide the enclosure produced by net with a linear rear bottom edge.

[99] At the second ends 1 12a and 1 18a of terminal stiff portions 1 12 and 1 18 are attachment members 132 and 134, respectively. Attachment members 132 and 134 are formed of inflexible upwardly extending portions 136, 138 integrally formed with respective terminal stiff portions 1 12a and 1 18a. The angle between upwardly extending portions 136 and 138, and the horizontally extending stiff portions 1 12 and 1 18 to which they are attached is around 90°. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, upwardly extending portions 136 and 138 extend off the vertical axis in opposed directions. At the top end of upwardly extending portions 136 and 138 are attachment apertures 140 and 142 each having plastic annular collars 144 and 146 extending over the metal upper edge of apertures 140 and 142.

[100] In Figure 9 the upwardly extending portions of attachment members 132 and 134 are viewed from the front, looking down the length of the stiff portions. The upwardly extending portions extend off-vertical in opposed directions by an amount labelled phi.

[101 ] As shown in Figure 10, inflexible steel strut 190 is connected at a first end toward end 1 12a of stiff portion 1 12 and at a second end to upwardly extending portion 136 to provide further structural support. Strut 192 is formed in the same manner in relation to stiff portion 1 18 and upwardly extending portion 138. Elastic peg loops 168 and 170 are attached to struts 190 and 192, respectively. Using the peg loops, goal apparatus 100 may be secured to the ground by means of a peg in use, for example.

[102] Figure 1 1 shows goalpost member 148 with and without sleeve 156. Goalpost member 148 is formed of a stiff linear plastic shaft that has at a lower end 148a projection 194 extending co-axially from the base of the shaft. Extending around the base of projection 194 is plastic collar 210. Collar 210 has integrally formed tab 202 extending outwardly therefrom. Tab 202 comprises apertures 208. At the base of collar 210 and projection 194 is blocking flange 198. Goalpost member 150 is formed in the same manner as goalpost member 150. The projections of goalpost members 148 and 150 are operable to extend into the respective attachment aperture of attachment members 132 and 134 such as to form a reversible close fit attachment that erects the goal frame. The blocking flanges of goalpost members 148 and 150 abut the upper face of collars 144 and 146 such as to limit the depth that the projections of the goalpost members can extend into the attachment members. Extending around the shaft of goalpost members 148 and 150 and extending from close to the base of the respective projections are sleeves 156 and 158. Each sleeve 156 and 158 extends up and around the shafts of the goalpost members and are sealed shut at the top of the goal post member. Sleeves 156 and is attached toward the base of the goalpost member by attachment of loop 206 to an aperture 208 in tab 202. Sleeve 158 is attached to goalpost member 150 in the same manner. Extending between and attached to the sleeve at the upper end of each goalpost member is pliable fabric crossbar member 160.

[103] When the projections 194 and 196 of goalpost members 148 and 150 are inserted through attachment apertures 140 and 142 into attachment members 132 and 134, respectively, with base member 1 10 is in the open position, goalpost members 148 and 150 are held in an erect position in which the goalpost members extend upwardly, are opposed and are spaced by base member 1 10, as shown in figures 1 to 5. With goalpost members 148 and 150 spaced by base member 1 10, crossbar member 160 is held in tension between goalpost members 148 and 150 to thereby define a goal frame.

[104] As shown in Figure 4, elasticated linking portions 184 and 186 indirectly connect each terminal stiff potion 1 12 and 1 18 with the respective goalpost member 148 and 150 via the sleeves of the stiff portions and goalpost members. Elasticated linking portions 184 and 186 are held in tension when goalpost members 148 and 150 are attached to the attachment members of the support frame. As such, the linking portions provide resistance to the removal of the goalpost member from the support frame.

[105] Net portion 106 is attached along sleeves 156 and 158, along crossbar 160, along sleeves 162 and 164 which cover the terminal stiff portions1 12 and 1 18 and along holding member 128. In this manner, net 106 delineates a partial enclosure within support frame 102 when base member 1 10 is in the open position and goalpost members 148 and 150 are inserted in attachment members 132 and 134.

[106] The outside face of the enclosure of goal apparatus 100 in the erect position can be seen in Figure 5, formed by net portion 106 attached to the crossbar 160, goalpost member 150, sleeve 164 and holding member 128.

[107] Figure 6 shows goal apparatus 100 with goalpost members 148 and 150 removed from attachment members 132 and 134 of the base member 1 10. Goalpost members 148 and 150 are removed by applying an amount of upward force to the goalpost member sufficient to overcome the close fit attachment between the projection of the goalpost member and the attachment member, and to also further elongate the linking portion, which puts the already taut linking portion under additional tension. When the goalpost members are removed as in Figure 6, goalpost members 148 and 150 may longitudinally abut terminal stiff portions 1 12, 1 18 of the base member 1 10 to thereby improve compactness. Although removed from attachment members 132 and 134, the goalpost members are still attached to the support from via linking portions 184 and 186.

[108] Figure 12 shows base member 1 10 in the collapsible position independent of the other components of goal apparatus 100. Flexible portions 120, 122, 124 are bent about substantially the same horizontal plane to allow stiff portions 1 12, 1 14, 1 16, 1 18 to abut, overlap and form a compact shape. The first and third flexible portions 120, 124 overlap and the second flexible portion 122 resides on top of the attachment members 136 and 134.

[109] As shown in Figure 5, fabric length 188 is attached to sleeve 164 and has hook and eye connection surfaces arranged at the opposite ends of the fabric length. Fabric length 188 is operable to secure the support frame in the collapsed second position for transport and storage.

[1 10] Figure 13 shows a second embodiment of an enclosure apparatus according to the present invention, specifically a baseball return practice net 300. Practice net 300 is formed of collapsible base member 310, two net posts 348, 350 and net 306.

[1 1 1 ] Base member 310 is the same as base member 1 10 of goal apparatus 100.

[1 12] The attachment members 332, 334 of base member 310 are connected to net post members 348, 350.

[1 13] Net post members 348, 350 are made of fiberglass, and are biased toward a substantially linear position. Net post members 348 and 350 are formed of two sections 348a and b, 350a and b. The provision of net post in sections allows for the use of long post members in combination with improved compactness in the disassembled form. For example, when the practice net is required to be 2 meters high by 2 meters wide, the net post members must be at least 2 meters in length. As such the net post sections may be approximately 1 meter in length and connected together to form a net post member of approximately 2 meters. Each set of net post sections 348a, b and 350a, b are removably attached by a ferrule 412 and 414, respectively. The net post members are shown in a dissembled configuration in Figure 18, where ferrules 412, 414 are fixedly attached to 348a and 350a, respectively.

[1 14] Net 306 is removably attached to net post members 348 and 350 at the upper end thereof by net post attachment members 416 and 418 respectively. Net post attachment members 416,418 each comprise a hook 420. The hook 420 receives loop 422 in net 306 as shown in Figure 17. Hooks 420 are attached to the upper ends of the net post members and loops 422 are attached to two upper corners of net 306.

[1 15] Further, net 306 is attached to post members 348, 350 at the lower end thereof at attachment point 426. Net 306 is also attached to base member 310 towards the end of each outermost arm 424, as shown in Figure 14. The net is attached at these points with the use of a rivet. [1 16] The further connections of net 306 to base member 310 utilises webbing straps 428, 430. The webbing straps 428, 430 connect to inner net attachment points 432, 434 of the net respectively. Webbing straps 428, 430 connect to the flexible portions 320, 324 of base member 310 via respective covers (not shown) extending around and along flexible portions 320, 324. The connections of the net to the base member and net post members as described above are responsible for giving the net the shape shown in Figure 16.

[1 17] Figure 15 shows a top down view of the practice net. The position of net 306 relative to base member 310 can be seen. The top and front edge of the net is between attachment means 416 and 418 forming a pseudo cross bar member 360. The bottom of the net is behind and below the pseudo cross bar member where the net is attached to base member towards the end of each outermost arm at attachment points 424. The back of the net is behind both top and bottom edges of the net and is held in this position by webbing straps connecting the back of the net to the base member.

[1 18] When net post members 348 and 350 are attached to the base member 310 of practice net 300 the post members extend outwardly off vertical due to the outwardly extending attachment points in the base member as described for goal apparatus 100 above. However, when net 306 is attached to the hooks of the net post members the net posts are bent inwardly and held in this position under tension by net 306. Likewise, due to the linear biasing of the net post members net 306 is also held under tension. After the attachment between net posts and net is released, the tension is removed and the net post members return to their biased linear position. The net portion between the attachment means 416 and 418 forms a pseudo cross bar member 360 when the net it tightly stretched between the net post members.

[1 19] Figure 19 shows an embodiment of present invention in which the base member 510 comprises a telescopic base crossmember. The other aspects of the goal apparatus are the same as the first embodiment described above. Stiff portions 512, 514, 516 and flexible portions 520, 522 are attached securely together. The flexible portions 520, 522 are equivalent in design to flexible portions 120, 122 and 124. The stiff portions 512, 516 are the same as stiff portions 1 12, 1 14, 1 16 and 1 18. Stiff portion 512 is fixedly attached to a first end of flexible portion 520. The second end of flexible portion 520 is fixedly attached to a first end of stiff portion 514a. A first end of stiff portion 514b is fixedly attached to a first end of flexible portion 522, and the second end of flexible portion 522 is fixedly attached to a first end of stiff portion 516. The flexible portions 520 and 522 are able to flex about the horizontal plane, towards each other to form a“C”-configuration, whilst being substantially inflexible about the vertical plane. The telescopic base crossmember 514 comprises two stiff portions 514a, 514b and a securing member 515. Stiff portion 514b is capable of being inserted into stiff portion 514a as shown by arrow A, resulting in telescopic base crossmember 514 being variable in length, for example toreduce the size of the base for moving or storing the apparatus. Securing member 515 is fixedly attached to stiff portion 514a, and stiff member 514b to be secured inside member 514a at the desired point.

[120] Figure 20 shows a fourth embodiment of an enclosure apparatus comprising base member 610, post members 648, 650 and net 606. Base member 610 is the same as base member 310, and post members 648,650 are the same as post members 348, 350.

[121 ] Net 606 is attached to the top of post members 648, 650 at net post attachment members 716, 718. Net 606 is also attached to post members 648, 650 at the lower end thereof at attachment points 726. Net 606 is further attached to the centre of post members 648, 650 by post attachment sleeves 649, 651 . Post attachment sleeves are fixedly attached to opposing sides of net 606 and form sleeves that extend over a portion of the middle of post members 648, 650.

[122] Net 606 is a“sock-type” net formed of two net sections 606a, 606b.“Sock-type” nets of this type are well known within the field of sports. Net 606 comprises an outer net 606a which is attached to the post members as previously described, and an inner net 606b which forms the “sock” pocket, which for example, is able to receive and hold a ball. The inner and outer nets are fixedly attached by sewing the nets directly together, or sewing them to connecting seam 608. Outer net 606a is held under tension while inner net 606b is substantially not under tension.

[123] Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

[124] All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

[125] Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[126] The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.