Collapsible goal

Abstract

A collapsible goal includes two side frames assembled from multiple tubular members and three crossbars extended between the side frames to connect them to each other. Each of the crossbars is pivotally connected at two outer ends to the side frames via two pivots, and includes two symmetrical sections that are pivotally connected to each other via a knuckle. The knuckle allows the two sections of each crossbar to move into vertically parallel positions while outer ends of the crossbar pivotally turns about the pivots, so that the two side frames are pulled toward each other to collapse the goal into a reduced volume. When the crossbar is in a fully extended and straightened state, a sleeve slidably mounted on the crossbar may be moved to enclose the knuckle and firmly hold the crossbar to the straightened state.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A collapsible goal, comprising two spaced side frames connected to each other via three crossbars separately extended between lower rear side, upper front side, and upper rear side of said goal, each said side frame being assembled from multiple tubular members, including a front upright, a rear upright, a top brace extended between and connected to upper ends of said front and said rear uprights, and a leg base extended between and connected to lower ends of said front and said rear uprights; a batting trainer with a tethered ball being optionally connected to said front upright of one said side frame; said goal being characterized in that each of said crossbars is pivotally connected at two outer ends to said two side frames via two pivots, and includes two symmetrically sections pivotally connected to each other via a knuckle; each said knuckle allowing said two sections of each said crossbar to move toward each other in a direction the same as that in which said pivots at two outer ends of said crossbar allow said crossbar to pivotally turns; each said knuckle also allowing said two sections of each said crossbar to pivotally turn about said knuckle between a first position, in which said two sections are extended to a straight line, and a second position, in which said two sections are moved toward each other into vertically parallel state; and a sleeve being slidably provided on each said crossbar for enclosing said knuckle and holding said two sections of each said crossbar to said first position; 
 Whereby when said sleeves are slid away from said knuckles on said crossbars, said crossbars can be bent at said knuckles into two vertically parallel sections to draw said two side frames close to each other and therefore collapse said goal to a reduced volume for convenient transport and storage, and when said two side frames are pulled outward to straighten said three crossbars and said sleeves are slid to enclose said knuckles, said collapsed goal is fully extended for use.  
 
     
     
         2 . The collapsible goal as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of said pivots includes a U-shaped brace connected to said side frame at a position to where an outer end of one said crossbar is connected, and a pivot pin hole provided at each outer end of each said crossbar.  
     
     
         3 . The collapsible goal as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said pivots are so oriented that said three crossbars would not collide with one another when they are bent into said vertically parallel state.  
     
     
         4 . The collapsible goal as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of said knuckles includes two connectors, each of which having a connecting head connected to an inner end of each said section of said crossbar, and a spider coupling located between said two connectors to connect at two ends to said connecting heads via pivot pins.  
     
     
         5 . The collapsible goal as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said connectors and said spider couplings are made of a plastic material through molding.  
     
     
         6 . The collapsible goal as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each said sleeve is movable on said crossbar and has an overall length longer than an overall width of each said knuckle, such that said sleeve may be slid to completely enclose said knuckle when said two sections of said crossbar are fully extended to said first position.  
     
     
         7 . The collapsible goal as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each said sleeve is provided at two ends with locating holes, and each said section of said crossbar is provided in the inner end with a spring clip having a key projected from a hole on said section, such that said sleeve is firmly held to said crossbar around said knuckle through engagement of said locating holes with said projected keys of said spring clips in said crossbar without the risk of easily sliding away from said knuckle.