Adjustable and portable soccer goal and molded joint connectors associated therewith

Abstract

An adjustable and portable soccer goal is provided with at least a top horizontal member connecting two vertical side supports, at least two rearwardly inclined bracing members formed in a circularly configuration, one bracing member engaging the top and bottom of one vertical member. The two bracing members are connected by a lower horizontal member which engages the ground or goal supporting surface to provide stability for the goal. A plurality of anchor assemblies are used to secure the ground engaging members, and each assembly includes a flange with a first end engaging the ground engaging member and a second ground engaging end with an aperture formed therein. The goal is constructed of hollow members with the vertical side supports and the horizontal member connecting them having a preferred thickness or diameter of approximately 1½ inches. The goal frame can be sized in height and width by using shorter or longer four inch vertical side supports and a shorter or longer top horizontal member connecting them. The smaller members are used to form the bracing members and the lower horizontal post. It has been found advantageous to provide curved segments both near the bottom and near the top of the vertical side supports when forming the bracing members. All member connections are made with specifically designed molded joint connectors for joining sections of the same thickness or diameter in an end-to-end relationship, for connecting two members in a T-shaped configuration and for connecting three members at the same location. Member segments when connected with the particular molded joint connector needed are secured to the connector preferably by Allen screws going through the member wall and into molded apertures formed in the connector.

1 . An anchor assembly for securing a ground engaging member to the ground comprising: a flange having a first end engaging the ground engaging member and a second ground engaging end with an aperture formed therein; a stake extending through the second end aperture and into the ground to secure the ground engaging member against movement with respect to the ground; and means securing the flange to the ground engaging member.  
   
   
       2 . The anchor assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the stake has an upper head portion and a lower ground entry end.  
   
   
       3 . The anchor assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the stake is slidable within the flange ground engaging end aperture from the stake upper head portion to the stake lower ground entry end.  
   
   
       4 . The anchor assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the flange first end has an aperture therein cooperating with the flange securing means to secure the flange to the ground engaging member.  
   
   
       5 . The anchor assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the flange securing means is a pin extending through the flange first end aperture to the ground engaging member.  
   
   
       6 . The anchor assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the ground engaging member is hollow and has an aperture through at least one wall aligned with the flange first end aperture.  
   
   
       7 . The anchor assembly as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the ground engaging member is hollow and has an aperture through at least one wall aligned with the flange first end aperture and the pin extends through the flange first end aperture and is secured within the hollow member at least one wall aperture to secure the flange to the ground engaging member.  
   
   
       8 . The anchor assembly as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the stake is slidable within the flange ground engaging end aperture from the stake upper head portion to the stake lower ground entry end.  
   
   
       9 . The anchor assembly as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the flange first end has an aperture therein cooperating with the flange securing means to secure the flange to the ground engaging member.  
   
   
       10 . The anchor assembly as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the flange first end has an aperture therein cooperating with the flange securing means to secure the flange to the ground-engaging member.  
   
   
       11 . The anchor assembly as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the flange securing means is a pin extending through the flange first end aperture to the ground engaging member.  
   
   
       12 . The anchor assembly as claimed in claim in  claim 5  wherein the pin threadably engages the ground-engaging member.  
   
   
       13 . The anchor assembly as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the stake lower ground entry end is larger in size than the second flange ground engaging end aperture opening so that the stake will remain held within the aperture opening when dislodged from the ground to permit the ground engaging member to be removed.  
   
   
       14 . The anchor assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the flange first end is arcuately configured.  
   
   
       15 . The anchor assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the flange first end is rectangularly configured.  
   
   
       16 . The anchor assembly as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the flange first end is arcuately configured.  
   
   
       17 . The anchor assembly as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the flange first end is rectangularly configured.  
   
   
       18 . The anchor assembly as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the at least one wall aperture is threadably formed to cooperatively receive the threadably formed pin and secure the flange to the ground engaging member.  
   
   
       19 . The anchor assembly as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the ground engaging hollow member has an aperture through opposing walls aligned with the flange first end aperture and the pin extends through the first flange end aperture and the opposing wall apertures, the anchor assembly further comprising: a threaded securing nut threadably engaging the pin outside the opposing walls of the ground engaging hollow member.  
   
   
       20 . The anchor assembly as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the flange first end is arcuately configured.  
   
   
       21 . The anchor assembly as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the flange first end is rectangularly configured.