Technical Field

The invention relates a goal for ball games.

Background

A goal for ball games having two ring members connected to each other by at least one connecting element and with a net attached to the ring members is known from EP 1 432 478. This goal can be used for catching balls from several directions simultaneously. The net prevents balls from passing through the goal, which would otherwise cause inconvenience for persons using the goal from other sides. Further, when the goal is placed with one of the ring members resting on the ground the opening in the other ring member can be used by persons training to drop the ball through a horizontal opening. Thus this goal can be used with great advantage in e.g. football clubs and other sports associations, where people often train the handling of a ball.

The goal can just as well be used in private homes, which allows children to train in e.g. their own garden. In this case the goal is typically not used as intensively and often as in a football club, and therefore there will be a need to stow the goal away between training sessions. Thus it is a problem that the goal is quite voluminous and therefore requires a considerable storing space. The size of the goal can also be a problem if it should be moved from one place to another in e.g. a car.

Summary

Therefore, it is an object of embodiments of the invention to provide a goal of the described type that requires less space when it is stowed away or trans- ported.

According to embodiments of the invention the object is achieved in a goal for ball games, comprising a first ring member; a second ring member; at least one connecting element connecting said first and second ring members to each other; and at least one net attached to said first and second ring members. The object is achieved in that the at least one connecting element is connected to the ring members by hinges allowing the goal to be arranged in a playing position in which the ring members are placed in substantially parallel planes having a distance between them and in which the net is suspended in the space between the ring members; and a collapsed position in which the ring members are placed in substantially the same plane. In one embodiment, at least one of said ring members has a circular shape. This gives a harmonic look and allows the goal to be rolled when it is moved from one place to another, either in the playing position or the collapsed position. When the goal comprises two connecting elements connecting said first and second ring members to each other, a good and stable construction of the goal is achieved.

The first and second ring members may have different sizes. Such a goal will typically be placed with the smaller opening at the top, which may be an advantage when training to hit a horizontal opening with the ball.

In one embodiment, the goal comprises at least two connecting elements that are shaped to allow the goal in the playing position to be placed in at least one position where it rests on the connecting elements and one of the rings. Thus it can be trained to hit the opening defined by one of the ring members.

The goal may further comprise a rebound net suspended in the plane of one of said ring members. This allows another training possibility when the ball is bounced from the rebound net. When at least one of said hinges are provided with a locking mechanism configured to secure the goal in its playing position, the playing position of the goal is more well defined. Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described more fully below with reference to the drawings, in which

Figures 1a-c show a first embodiment of a goal for ball games where a con- necting element is connected to two ring members by hinges allowing the goal to be placed in a playing position or a collapsed position;

Figures 2a-c show an embodiment with a different type of hinges; Figures 3a-c show a further embodiment with a different type of hinges;

Figures 4a-b show an embodiment where the connecting element is formed to get around one of the ring members in the collapsed position of the goal; Figures 5a-c show an embodiment where the connecting element is articulated by an inserted joint;

Figures 6a-c show an embodiment having two straight connecting elements; Figures 7a-f show an embodiment having two connecting elements angled to allow the goal to be placed in different ways;

Figures 8a-e show an embodiment similar to that of Figures 7a-f, but with differently shaped connecting elements; and

Figures 9a-b show an embodiment having four connecting elements. Detailed Description of Embodiments

Figure 1a shows a first example of a goal 1 for ball games. The goal can be used as a training device or training goal or for playing different ball games. The goal 1 comprises a first ring member 2 and a second ring member 3, which are connected to each other by a connecting bar or connecting element 4. The two ring members are arranged in substantially parallel planes having a distance corresponding to the height of the goal. In Figure 1a the ring members 2 and 3 are shown as circular rings having different sizes. However, it is noted that the ring members may also have the same size, and/or they may have other shapes. As examples, they may be elliptical- or polygon-shaped. Further, the two ring members are shown in Figure 1a as having a common axis. However, this does not need to be the case, as long as they are arranged in substantially parallel planes. A net 7 is arranged in the space between the two ring members 2 and 3 to catch a ball that is kicked or thrown into the goal 1. For clarity reasons, the net 7 is only illustrated in the figure by its edge, e.g. in the form of an edge cord. Thus the meshes of the net 7 are not shown. The corners of the net 7 may be attached to the ring members in different ways, e.g. by small hooks on the ring members or cords that can be tied around the ring members.

In Figure 1a the goal 1 is shown in a playing position or playing state, in which the goal can be used for training or playing ball games. The connecting element 4 is connected to the two ring members by hinges 5 and 6 allowing the goal to be folded from the playing position to a collapsed or folded position that is shown in Figure 1 b. In the collapsed position the ring members and the connecting element are placed in substantially the same plane. Since in this embodiment the ring member 2 will rest on the connecting element 4 in the collapsed position of the goal, the elements of the goal are not placed totally in the same plane, but still in substantially the same plane. This position is very advantageous when the goal is stowed away between playing sessions or is transported from one place to another. For clarity reasons, the net 7 is not shown in Figure 1 b, but it is clear that the net is folded down together with the goal.

In Figure 1 c an embodiment of the hinge 6 is shown in more detail. A short piece of tube 8 is attached to the inner side of the ring member 3, e.g. by soldering, welding or gluing, dependent of the material from which the goal is manufactured. The connecting element 4 is angled at its end, so that the end 9 is can be inserted into the tube 8, thus forming the hinge 6. The hinge 5 can be made in the same way. The hinges 5 and 6 can be provided with a locking mechanism (as it will be described later), which ensures that the goal 1 can be maintained securely in the playing position, but the hinges may also be made with a friction between the end 9 and the tube 8 that is sufficient to keep the goal in position. A different embodiment of the hinges is shown in the goal 11 of Figures 2a-c with the hinges 15 and 16. Here each hinge, e.g. the hinge 16, consists of a piece of tube 18 attached to the end of the connecting element 4 and arranged to enclose the ring member 3. Again, the hinges may be provided with a locking mechanism or the goal may be kept in position by friction in the hinges. In other aspects the goal 11 is similar to the goal 1 of Figures 1 a-c.

A further embodiment of the hinges is shown in the goal 21 of Figures 3a-c, where the connecting element 4 is connected to the ring member 3 with the hinge 16 similar to the one in Figures 2a-c while it is connected to the ring member 2 with a different hinge 25 shown in Figure 3c. Again, a piece of tube 28 is attached to the end of the connecting element 4, but instead of enclosing the ring member it encloses a stud 29 protruding from the side of the ring member 2. As can be seen from Figure 3b, this embodiment allows the elements of the goal to be placed entirely in the same plane in the col- lapsed position. Figure 3c also illustrates an example of the use of a locking mechanism to ensure that the goal can be kept in the playing position during its use. The tube 28 is provided with two holes 22 and 23, while the stud 29 is provided with a spring-loaded button 24. In Figure 3c the spring-loaded but- ton 24 is engaged in the hole 22, which keeps the goal in the collapsed position. When the goal is to be taken to the playing position the spring-loaded button 24 is pressed and the tube 28 is turned until the spring-loaded button 24 engages in the hole 23 corresponding to the playing position. Alterna- tively, the hole 22 may be omitted so that the goal is not locked in the collapsed position, but only in the playing position when the spring-loaded button 24 engages in the hole 23. The same type of locking mechanism can be used on the hinges shown in Figures 1a-c and 2a-c. In Figures 1a-c, 2a-c and 3a-c the connecting element 4 is shown as a straight bar (or tube) connecting the two ring members. However, of course the connecting element may also have other forms. An example is shown in Figures 4a and 4b, where the goal 31 has a connecting element 34 formed as a curve designed to get around the ring member 2 in the collapsed posi- tion of the goal, as it is illustrated in Figure 4b. In other aspects the goal 31 is similar to the goal 1 in Figures 1a-c. Also this embodiment allows the elements of the goal to be placed entirely in the same plane in the collapsed position. Many other forms of the connecting element can also be used. As shown on the goal 41 in Figures 5a-c the connecting element may also be articulated by inserting a joint 42 so that the connecting element 44 has an upper part 45 and a lower part 46. In other aspects the goal 41 is similar to the goal 11 in Figures 2a-c. Figure 5b shows the goal 41 when it is in the process of being folded, while Figure 5c shows the goal in its collapsed position. Again for clarity reasons the net 7 is only shown at the goal in the play- ing position in Figure 5a. This embodiment allows a taller goal which can still be folded in such a way that the goal in its collapsed position only has the size of the larger ring member. Typically, the joint 42 will be provided with a locking mechanism, e.g. similar to the one shown in Figure 3a, which secures the goal in the playing position.

In another embodiment the goal may have two connecting elements connecting the two ring members, which gives a more stable goal. An example is shown as the goal 51 in Figures 6a-c, which is similar to the goal 11 of Fig- ures 2a-c except that it is provided with a further connecting element 14 connected to the ring members 2 and 3 by the hinges 17 and 18, respectively. Figure 6b shows the goal 51 when it is in the process of being folded, while Figure 6c shows the goal in its collapsed position. Again for clarity reasons the net 7 is only shown at the goal in the playing position in Figure 6a.

Similarly to the goal 31 in Figures 4a and 4b, the connecting elements of a goal with two connecting elements may also have other forms than the straight bars shown in Figures 6a-c. One example could of course be two elements having the form of the element 34 from Figures 4a and 4b. Another example is shown on the goal 61 in Figures 7a-f, where the connecting elements 63 and 64 are angled so that they have a bend or an elbow 62 allowing the goal (in the playing position) to be placed in different ways or positions, which are illustrated in Figures 7a-b, 7c-d and 7e-f, respectively. In Figure 7a the goal is placed with the ring member 3 resting on the ground as in the previous figures, and it is used as described in relation to these figures. Figure 7b shows a side view of this position. However, in this embodiment the goal is also provided with a further net 69 or other rebound material suspended in the plane of the ring member 3. In Figures 7c and 7e this net 69 is indicated with a few, relatively large meshes, while in practice the net will have much smaller meshes. For clarity reasons the net 7 is not shown in Figures 7c and 7e. In Figures 7c and 7d the goal 61 is arranged in a 90° position, where a ball will be bounced from the net 69 when thrown or kicked against the goal, which is useful in many training situations. Another training situation is achieved when the goal is placed in a 45° position as shown in Figures 7e and 7f. Again a ball is bounced from the net 69, but in a different angle. The shown angles of 90° and 45° are only examples. The connecting elements may just as well be designed to allow the goal to be placed in any other angle.

The two connecting elements can of course be designed in many other ways while still allowing the goal to be placed in different ways as described above. One other example is shown on the goal 71 in Figures 8a-e, where the con- necting elements 73 and 74, although different from the corresponding elements 63 and 64 in Figures 7a-f, allow the goal 71 to be placed in a 90° position as well as a 45° position as shown in Figures 8c and 8d. Figure 8e shows the goal 71 in the collapsed position.

In Figures 6a-c, 7a-f and 8a-e the two connecting elements of a goal are shown as being identical to each other. However, a goal can also be provided with two differently shaped connecting elements. Thus as an example, a goal could have one connecting element shaped as the element 14 of Fig- ure 6a and another shaped as the element 74 of Figure 8a.

A goal may also have more than two connecting elements. An example is shown in Figures 9a and 9b, where the goal 81 has four connecting elements 73, 74, 83 and 84. Otherwise, the goal 81 is identical to the goal 71 of Fig- ures 8a-e. Figure 9a shows the goal 81 in the playing position while Figure 9b shows the goal in the collapsed position. For clarity reasons the nets 7 and 69 are not shown in these figures, but they may be arranged similarly to the previous figures. The connecting elements may be differently shaped, e.g. such that the elements 73 and 74 allow the goal 81 to be placed in a 90° position as well as a 45° position as shown in Figures 8c and 8d, while the connecting elements 83 and 84 allow the goal to be placed in other angles.

Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described and shown, the invention is not restricted thereto, but may also be embodied in other ways within the scope of the subject-matter defined in the following claims.