PORTABLE MULTIFUNCTIONAL SOCCER GOAL

Abstract

A portable multifunctional soccer goal includes a fabric portion and a supporting structure. The fabric portion includes a left fabric portion, a right fabric portion and a back fabric portion. The back fabric portion includes a mesh, a left long strip fabric portion and a right long strip fabric portion. The supporting structure includes an upper crossbar, a lower crossbar, a middle crossbar, a left triangular frame and a right triangular frame. The left and right triangular frames are respectively positioned at two ends of the crossbars and covered by the left and right fabric portions. The lengths of the crossbars are identical and greater than the sum of lateral widths of the left long strip fabric portion and the right long strip fabric portion. The left and right long strip fabric portions can be joined by a connector when the soccer goal is being transformed into a bag.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present patent application generally relates to sport equipment and more specifically to a portable multifunctional soccer goal that can be transformed into a bag and achieve flat storage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world, attracting a wide audience and participants. Apart from the traditional professional matches involving 10 to 22 players, soccer is also a beloved outdoor activity in daily life. Whether it's playing with friends or engaging in family parent-child sports, soccer plays a significant role. One of the most exciting moments in soccer is scoring a goal by kicking the ball into the net. Therefore, both the soccer ball and the goal are indispensable equipment. To enable more people to easily enjoy the sport, portable soccer goals have emerged. However, soccer enthusiasts typically need to carry portable goals, soccer balls, jerseys, boots, water, and other personal items separately and simultaneously, presenting certain challenges in terms of portability and convenience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present patent application is directed to a portable multifunctional soccer goal. In one aspect, the portable multifunctional soccer goal includes: a fabric portion and a supporting structure beneath the fabric portion and configured for supporting the fabric portion. The fabric portion includes a left fabric portion, a right fabric portion and a back fabric portion connecting the left fabric portion and the right fabric portion. The back fabric portion includes a mesh, a left long strip fabric portion and a right long strip fabric portion, the left long strip fabric portion and the right long strip fabric portion being connected with the mesh. The supporting structure includes an upper crossbar, a lower crossbar, a middle crossbar disposed between the upper crossbar and the lower crossbar, a left triangular frame and a right triangular frame, the left triangular frame and the right triangular frame being respectively positioned at two ends of the upper crossbar, the middle crossbar and the lower crossbar and covered by the left fabric portion and the right fabric portion. The lengths of the upper crossbar, the lower crossbar and the middle crossbar are identical and greater than the sum of lateral widths of the left long strip fabric portion and the right long strip fabric portion. The left long strip fabric portion and the right long strip fabric portion are configured to be joined by a connector when the soccer goal is being transformed into a bag.

When the soccer goal is being transformed into a bag, the middle crossbar and the lower crossbar may be configured to adhere to a bottom surface of the soccer goal, while the upper crossbar may be configured to form an inclined arch-shaped space.

The left triangular frame may include an upper left vertical bar, a lower left vertical bar and a left bent connector connecting the upper left vertical bar and the lower left vertical bar. The right triangular frame may include an upper right vertical bar, a lower right vertical bar, and a right bent connector connecting the upper right vertical bar and the lower right vertical bar.

The left bent connector and the right bent connector may be configured to determine the angle of opening of the soccer goal and vertically expand the fabric portion.

A plurality of pads with holes defined therein may be attached to bottom of the fabric portion so that nails can be inserted into the ground through the holes to fix the soccer goal on the ground.

The upper crossbar, the middle crossbar and the lower crossbar may be made of flexible and bendable fiberglass.

All the supporting structure may be wrapped in the fabric portion, except for the ends of the upper left vertical bar and the upper right vertical bar respectively opposing to the left bent connector and the right bent connector, which are configured to serve as a left connection point and a right connection point respectively during transformation.

The fabric portion below the left connection point and the right connection point may be colored in bright colors to enhance visual cues.

Hooks may be respectively installed at the ends of the lower left vertical bar and the lower right vertical bar opposing to the left bent connector and the right bent connector and configured to connect with the left connection point and the right connection point when the soccer goal is being transformed into the bag.

The connector may be a zipper that includes a left zipper part, a right zipper part and a zipper head. The zipper head may be configured to move from bottom of the left and right long strip fabric portions to top of left and right long strip fabric portions.

A first group of connecting parts may be respectively attached to the left long strip fabric portion and the right long strip fabric portion near the top of the soccer goal. A second group of connecting parts may be respectively attached to the left long strip fabric portion and the right long strip fabric portion near the bottom of the soccer goal. The first group of connecting parts may be respectively configured to connect the second group of connecting parts when the soccer goal is being transformed into the bag.

The first group of connecting parts and the second group of connecting parts may be rectangular pieces of Velcro sewn to the left long strip fabric portion and the right long strip fabric portion.

A third group of connecting parts may be respectively attached to outer sides of the left fabric portion and the right fabric portion in a horizontal direction, facing outward and near to bottom of the soccer goal. A fourth group of connecting parts may be respectively attached to inner sides of the left fabric portion and the right fabric portion in a vertical direction, facing toward inside of the soccer goal and slightly above the center of the left fabric portion and the right fabric portion. The third group of connecting parts may be configured to respectively connect the fourth group of connecting parts when the ball goal is being transformed into a bag.

A fifth group of connecting parts may be respectively disposed at an end of the left long strip fabric portion and the right long strip fabric portion and close to the left zipper part and the right zipper part, the end of the left long strip fabric portion and the right long strip fabric portion being close to the lower crossbar.

The upper left vertical bar and the upper right vertical bar may be configured to be pushed toward the middle crossbar and the lower crossbar one after another when the soccer goal is transformed to a flat storage mode in which the soccer goal fit into a flat bag.

The mesh may be fixed to the upper left vertical bar, the upper right vertical bar, the left bent connector, the right bent connector, the lower left vertical bar and the lower right vertical bar, and sewed with the left long strip fabric portion and the right long strip fabric portion through a left sewing thread and a right sewing thread respectively. The left sewing thread and the right sewing thread may end at a distance from both ends of the left long strip fabric portion and the right long strip fabric portion.

The ratio between the length of the crossbars and the sum of the lateral widths of the left long strip fabric portion and the right long strip fabric portion may be 3:1.

In another aspect, the present patent application provides a ball goal including: a fabric portion and a supporting structure beneath the fabric portion and configured for supporting the fabric portion. The fabric portion includes a left fabric portion, a right fabric portion and a back fabric portion connecting the left fabric portion and the right fabric portion. The back fabric portion includes a mesh, a left long strip fabric portion and a right long strip fabric portion, the left long strip fabric portion and the right long strip fabric portion being connected with the mesh. The supporting structure includes an upper crossbar, a lower crossbar, a middle crossbar disposed between the upper crossbar and the lower crossbar, a left triangular frame and a right triangular frame. The left triangular frame and the right triangular frame are respectively positioned at two ends of the upper crossbar, the middle crossbar and the lower crossbar. The left long strip fabric portion and the right long strip fabric portion are configured to be joined by a connector when the ball goal is being transformed into a bag. When the ball goal is being transformed into a bag, the middle crossbar and the lower crossbar are configured to adhere to a bottom surface of the ball goal, while the upper crossbar is configured to form an inclined arch-shaped space.

The ratio between the length of the crossbars and the sum of the lateral widths of the left long strip fabric portion and the right long strip fabric portion may be 3:1.

In yet another aspect, the present patent application provides a ball goal including: a fabric portion and a supporting structure beneath the fabric portion and configured for supporting the fabric portion. The fabric portion includes a left fabric portion, a right fabric portion and a back fabric portion connecting the left fabric portion and the right fabric portion. The back fabric portion includes a mesh, a left long strip fabric portion and a right long strip fabric portion, the left long strip fabric portion and the right long strip fabric portion being connected with the mesh. The supporting structure includes an upper crossbar, a lower crossbar, a middle crossbar disposed between the upper crossbar and the lower crossbar, a left triangular frame and a right triangular frame. The left triangular frame and the right triangular frame are respectively positioned at two ends of the upper crossbar, the middle crossbar and the lower crossbar. The left triangular frame includes an upper left vertical bar, a lower left vertical bar and a left bent connector connecting the upper left vertical bar and the lower left vertical bar. The right triangular frame includes an upper right vertical bar, a lower right vertical bar, and a right bent connector connecting the upper right vertical bar and the lower right vertical bar. The upper left vertical bar and the upper right vertical bar are configured to be pushed toward the middle crossbar and the lower crossbar one after another when the ball goal is transformed to a flat storage mode in which the ball goal fit into a flat bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable multifunctional soccer goal in an expanded mode in accordance with an embodiment of the present patent application.

FIG. 2A is a partial magnified view of the portable multifunctional soccer goal depicted in FIG. 1 illustrating the connection points.

FIG. 2B is another partial magnified view of the portable multifunctional soccer goal depicted in FIG. 1 illustrating the hooks and the connection points.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the portable multifunctional soccer goal depicted in FIG. 1 when the soccer goal is transformed into a bag.

FIG. 4 illustrates a variant design of the zipper head in a portable multifunctional soccer goal in accordance with another embodiment of the present patent application.

FIG. 5 illustrates how the portable multifunctional soccer goal depicted in FIG. 1 is further transformed into a flat storage mode after being transformed into a bag.

FIG. 6 illustrates that the portable multifunctional soccer goal depicted in FIG. 1 has been transformed into a flat storage mode in which it can fit into a flat bag completely.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portable multifunctional soccer goal in an expanded mode in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present patent application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to a preferred embodiment of the portable multifunctional soccer goal disclosed in the present patent application, examples of which are also provided in the following description. Exemplary embodiments of the portable multifunctional soccer goal disclosed in the present patent application are described in detail, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features that are not particularly important to an understanding of the portable multifunctional soccer goal may not be shown for the sake of clarity.

Furthermore, it should be understood that the portable multifunctional soccer goal disclosed in the present patent application is not limited to the precise embodiments described below and that various changes and modifications thereof may be effected by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the protection. For example, elements and/or features of different illustrative embodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of this disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable multifunctional soccer goal in an expanded mode in accordance with an embodiment of the present patent application. Referring to FIG. 1, the portable multifunctional soccer goal includes a fabric portion and a supporting structure beneath the fabric portion and configured for supporting the fabric portion and achieving transformation. The fabric portion, when in an expanded mode, forms the shape of a goal. The front of the goal defines a goal opening. The fabric portion includes a left fabric portion 103, a right fabric portion 105 and a back fabric portion connecting the left fabric portion 103 and the right fabric portion 105. In this embodiment, both the left fabric portion 103 and the right fabric portion 105 are made of splash-proof polyester fabric. The back fabric portion includes a mesh 107, a left long strip fabric portion 109 and a right long strip fabric portion 111. The left long strip fabric portion 109 and the right long strip fabric portion 111 are connected with the mesh 107.

The supporting structure includes an upper crossbar 113, a middle crossbar 115, a lower crossbar 117, a left triangular frame and a right triangular frame. The middle crossbar 115 is disposed between the upper crossbar 113 and the lower crossbar 117. The upper crossbar 113, the middle crossbar 115 and the lower crossbar 117 are configured to laterally expand the mesh 107. The left triangular frame and the right triangular frame are respectively positioned at two ends of the upper crossbar 113, the middle crossbar 115 and the lower crossbar 117, and covered by the left fabric portion 103 and the right fabric portion 105.

The left triangular frame includes a left bent connector 121, an upper left vertical bar 125, and a lower left vertical bar 129. The left bent connector 121 connects the upper left vertical bar 125 and the lower left vertical bar 129. The right triangular frame includes a right bent connector 123, an upper right vertical bar 127, and a lower right vertical bar 131. The right bent connector 123 connects the upper right vertical bar 127 and the lower right vertical bar 131. In this embodiment, the left bent connector 121 and the right bent connector 123 are metallic pipes. The left and right bent connector 121 and 123 are bent in shape, with an opening angle toward a direction that matches the direction of the goal opening. The left and right bent connectors 121 and 123 are configured to determine the angle of the opening and vertically expand the fabric portion.

In this embodiment, the middle crossbar 115 is disposed between the upper and lower crossbars 113 and 117 and connected between the left and right bent connectors 121 and 123. The combination of the three horizontal crossbars 113, 115 and 117 and the left and right triangular frames on both sides achieves structural stability when the portable multifunctional soccer goal is in an expanded mode, a bag mode and a flat storage mode. Considering the potential wind forces and other external pressures that outdoor soccer and team sports activities may endure, practical tests have shown that adding a middle crossbar 115 forms a more stable base. This effectively prevents the overall structure or goal from tilting, deforming, or even collapsing due to deformation of the inner edge of the bottom fabrics when the soccer goal is in the expanded mode, ensuring increased stability in both horizontal and vertical directions. Simultaneously, when the soccer goal is transformed into a bag, the support structure formed by the middle crossbar 115 and the lower crossbar 117, both in terms of weight and geometry, maintains the balance of the base of the bag. It also provides a stable flat support structure above the fabric portion, ensuring that even with items weighing up to 10 kg inside, there is no deformation at the bottom due to weight or gravity. This guarantees a symmetrical, upright, and aesthetically pleasing structural appearance for the soccer goal in different modes.

In this embodiment, the left bent connector 121 and the right bent connector 123 on both sides are hollow metal tubes located at the bottom of the goal and configured to connect the upper vertical bars and the lower vertical bars on both sides. The angle of the left and right bent connectors 121 and 123 ranges between 80 degrees and 85 degrees to ensure sufficient height for the soccer goal and ample internal space and capacity when the soccer goal is transformed into a bag.

The upper vertical bars are longer than the lower vertical bars. When the soccer goal is in the expanded mode, the upper vertical bars experience longitudinal tension from the side arc-shaped triangular fabrics 103 and 105, causing it to slightly bend, giving the soccer goal a more natural appearance.

Within the left and right bent connectors 121 and 123, the length of the portions connected with the upper vertical bars 125 and 127 (i.e. the upper portions of the bent connectors) is different from the length of the portions connected with the lower vertical bars 129 and 131 (i.e. the lower portions of the bent connectors). The upper portions of the left and right bent connectors 121 and 123 account for approximately ⅕ of the total length of the upper vertical bars 125 and 127, while the lower portions of the left and right bent connectors 121 and 123 account for about ⅓ of the total length of the lower vertical bars 129 and 131, which is greater than ⅕. In other words, the length of the upper portions of the left and right bent connectors is in a smaller proportion of the upper vertical bars than the length of the lower portions of the left and right bent connectors is in of the lower vertical bars. In addition, the length of the upper vertical bars 125 and 127 is longer than that of the lower vertical bars 129 and 131. Consequently, when the soccer goal is transformed into a bag, subjected to the same external force, the upper vertical bars 125 and 127 are more prone to bending and deformation, while the lower vertical bars 129 and 131 remain straight without deformation, resulting in a flat bottom and arched top space for the bag.

To secure the goal more firmly, multiple pads with nail holes defined therein are attached to the bottom of the fabric portion. Ground nails can be inserted into the ground through the nail holes to fix the goal on the ground. In this embodiment, four pads 133, 135. 137 and 139 are respectively attached to front left, rear left, front right, rear right of the bottom of the fabric portion.

The upper crossbar 113 is the upper boundary of the mesh 107 while the lower crossbar 117 serves as the lower boundary of the mesh 107. The middle crossbar 115 is an independent bar placed inside the goal, serving as a stable support to achieve lateral expansion and reinforce the structure.

The upper crossbar 113, the middle crossbar 115 and the lower crossbar 117 are made of flexible materials (in this embodiment flexible and bendable fiberglass). The lengths of the three crossbars are identical, matching the horizontal dimensions of the mesh 107. In addition, the length of the crossbars is greater than the sum of the lateral widths of the left long strip fabric portion 109 and the right long strip fabric portion 111. In this embodiment, the ratio between the length of the crossbars and the sum of the lateral widths of the left long strip fabric portion 109 and the right long strip fabric portion 111 is approximately 3:1.

FIG. 2A is a partial magnified view of the portable multifunctional soccer goal depicted in FIG. 1 illustrating the connection points. FIG. 2B is another partial magnified view of the portable multifunctional soccer goal depicted in FIG. 1 illustrating the hooks and the connection points. Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, all of the supporting structure is covered by the fabric portion, except for the ends of the upper left and right vertical bars 125 and 127 respectively opposing to the left bent connector 121 and the right bent connector 123. In this embodiment, approximately 0.5 inch of the upper left and right vertical bars 125 and 127 are exposed at 1 inch apart from those ends, serving as a left connection point 141 and a right connection point (not shown in FIG. 2A or FIG. 2B) respectively during transformation. Moreover, the fabric portion below the left and right connection points are colored in bright colors, such as yellow to enhance visual cues, highlighting corresponding areas of connections.

In this embodiment, hooks 145 and 147 are respectively installed at the ends of the lower left and right vertical bars 129 and 131 opposing to the left bent connector 121 and the right bent connector 123. The left and right hooks 145 and 147 are respectively configured to connect, and more specifically hooked up in this embodiment, with the left and right connection points when the portable multifunctional soccer goal is being transformed into a bag.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the portable multifunctional soccer goal depicted in FIG. 1 when the soccer goal is transformed into a bag. Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 1, when the soccer goal is transformed into a bag, i.e. when the soccer goal is in a bag mode, the left long strip fabric portion 109 and the right long strip fabric portion 111 can be connected and joined through a connector. In this embodiment, the connector is a zipper. The zipper includes a left zipper part 110, a right zipper part 112 and a zipper head 114. The zipper head 114 of the zipper is configured to move from the bottom of the left and right long strip fabric portions 109 and 111 to the top of left and right long strip fabric portions 109 and 111. When the portable multifunctional soccer goal is in the expanded mode, the zipper is in a fully open state. When the portable multifunctional soccer goal is transformed into a bag and in the bag mode, the zipper is in a fully closed state.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, when the soccer goal is transformed into a bag, the left hook 145 will latch onto the left connection point 141, and simultaneously, the right hook 147 will latch onto the right connection point 143. Then, the left zipper part 110 and the right zipper part 112 are joined by the zipper head 114, which is pulled to about halfway along the total length of the zipper. Consequently, due to that the combined width of the left long strip fabric portion 109 and the right long strip fabric portion 111 is less than the length of the crossbars, the upper crossbar 113, the middle crossbar 115 and the lower crossbar 117 are subject to lateral contraction forces causing bending deformation. More specifically, the middle crossbar 115 and the lower crossbar 117 will naturally adhere to the bottom surface, while the upper crossbar 113 will naturally form an inclined arch-shaped space to accommodate personal items such as soccer balls, shoes, and etc., therefore forming a storage space. After the items are properly stored, a user can simply zip the bag completely.

In an alternative embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4, unlike the zipper head 201 in the previous embodiment, the zipper head 301 of the zipper is configured to move from the top of the left and right long strip fabric portions 109 and 111 to the bottom of left and right long strip fabric portions 109 and 111. Consequently, the bag resulting from the transformation of the soccer goal in this embodiment, will vary from the form 203 as in the previous embodiment to form 303.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, a first group of connecting parts are respectively attached to the left long strip fabric portion 109 and the right long strip fabric portion 111 near the top of the soccer goal. In this embodiment, the first group of connecting parts include two connecting parts 149 and 151. A second group of connecting parts are respectively attached to the left long strip fabric portion 109 and the right long strip fabric portion 111 near the bottom of the soccer goal. In this embodiment, the second group of connecting parts include two connecting parts 153 and 155. More specifically, in this embodiment, the connecting parts 149, 151, 153 and 155 are rectangular pieces of Velcro sewn to the left long strip fabric portion 109 and the right long strip fabric portion 111. It is understood that in alternative embodiments other types of connecting parts may be used as the first and second groups of connecting parts. The width of the first group of connecting parts is slightly less than the width of the left and right long strip fabric portions. The first group of connecting parts 149 and 151 are corresponding to the second group of connecting parts 153 and 155. A user can attach the first group of connecting parts of 149 and 151 to the second group of connecting parts 153 and 155 respectively when the soccer goal is being transformed into a bag.

In this embodiment, the first group and the second group of connecting parts serve to prevent items inside the bag from falling out, and to provide an additional set of fasteners for securing the bag's shape more firmly, avoiding sudden detachment due to hook movement or excessive weight inside the bag, preventing the bag's structure from instantly disassembling and the support frame from springing open.

In this embodiment, a third group of connecting parts (in this embodiment two connecting parts 157 and 159) are respectively attached to the outer sides of the left fabric portion 103 and the right fabric portion 105, along the horizontal edge thereof, facing outward and near to the bottom of the soccer goal. In this embodiment, the connecting parts 157 and 159 are rectangular pieces of Velcro sewn to the left fabric portion 103 and the right fabric portion 105. A fourth group of connecting parts (in this embodiment two connecting parts 161 and 163) are respectively attached to the inner sides of the left fabric portion 103 and the right fabric portion 105, in a vertical direction facing toward inside of the soccer goal and slightly above the center of the left fabric portion 103 and the right fabric portion 105. In this embodiment, the connecting parts 161 and 163 are rectangular pieces of Velcro sewn to the left fabric portion 103 and the right fabric portion 105 facing inward. It is understood that in alternative embodiments other types of connecting parts may be used as the third and fourth groups of connecting parts. In this embodiment, more specifically, the third group of connecting parts are disposed close to the middle point of the lower vertical bars 129 and 131 with a length less than ½ of the lower vertical bars. The fourth group of connecting parts have a length identical to the length of the third group of connecting parts. The third group of connecting parts (the connecting parts 157 and 159) are corresponding to the fourth group of connecting parts (the connecting parts 161 and 163). A user can attach the connecting parts 161 and 163 to the connecting parts 157 and 159 respectively when the soccer goal is being transformed into a bag.

When the soccer goal is transformed into a bag, the area reduction of the triangular structures on both sides causes fabric overlap. The third group and the fourth group of connecting parts serve to straighten out the overlapping fabrics, making it visually neater and preventing items from falling out from the sides.

When the soccer goal is transformed from the bag mode to the expanded mode, the aforementioned four groups of connecting parts serve as buffers against the sudden release of pressure, preventing the fiberglass crossbars from instantly springing open, avoiding unexpected injuries from the sudden release of the left and right vertical bars 125 and 127 caused by unintentional detachment, and ensuring the user's safety.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, when the left and right long strip fabric portions 109 and 111 are drawn together by the zipper, to enable the deformation of the upper, middle and lower crossbars 113, 115 and 117, while simultaneously ensuring that the upper and lower crossbars 113 and 117 (as they form the upper and lower edges of the mesh 107) adhere closely to the specific plane where the left and right long strip fabric portions 109 and 111 are located, thereby creating storage space within, the mesh 107 is fixed to the upper left and right vertical bars 125 and 127, the left and right bent connectors 121 and 123, and the lower left and right vertical bars 129 and 131 while at the same time, the mesh 107 is fixed to the left long strip fabric portion 109 and the right long strip fabric portion 111 by sewing. The sewing threads must reserve enough flexible space for the upper and lower crossbars 113 and 117 to deform in an arc-shape while keeping their surface smooth when the soccer goal is being transformed from the expanded mode to the bag mode. In this embodiment, a left sewing thread 171 and a right sewing thread 173 respectively connect the mesh 107 to the left and right long strip fabric portion 109 and 111. The left sewing thread 171 and the right sewing thread 173 end at a distance from both ends of the left long strip fabric portion 109 and the right long strip fabric portion 111. Preferably, the distance between the point where the left sewing thread 171 (or the right sewing thread 173) ends at the bottom and the lower cross bar 117 is approximately equal to the width between the lower left vertical bars 129 (or the lower right vertical bar 131) and the left zipper part 110 (or the right zipper part 112). Such a geometrical design ensures that the soccer goal can transform from an expanded mode to a bag mode smoothly, and that the soccer goal, when transformed from the bag mode into the flat storage mode, forms a flat and substantially square shaped storage, which will be described hereafter in more detail.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, in this embodiment, two handles 165 and 167 are separately attached to the left long strip fabric portion 109 and the right long strip fabric portion 111 facing outward so that a user can carry the soccer goal (or the bag when the soccer goal is transformed into a bag) though the handles.

FIG. 5 illustrates how the portable multifunctional soccer goal depicted in FIG. 1 is further transformed into a flat storage mode after being transformed into a bag. Referring to FIG. 5, when a user pushes the upper left vertical bar 125 and the upper right vertical bar 127 toward the middle crossbar 115 and the lower crossbar 117 respectively one after another, the portable multifunctional soccer goal can be further transformed into a flat storage mode, for purposes such as long-term non-use storage, transportation, product display and space saving. In this embodiment, the flexible fabric portion and the bendable supporting structure allow the soccer goal, measuring 39″W×26″H×21″D in its original size, to be transformed into the flat storage mode of 12.6″W×22.6″H×2″D in just a few simple steps. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the portable multifunctional soccer goal 701 in the flat storage mode can be inserted into a flat bag 703 completely.

In this embodiment, the ratio between the length of the crossbars 113, 115 and 117 and the sum of the lateral widths of the left long strip fabric portion 109 and the right long strip fabric portion 111 is approximately 3:1. In addition, the crossbars 113, 115 and 117 and the left and right triangular frames are connected by the fabrics covering them so that they can still move around the connection points. As a result, the soccer goal, when being transformed into the flat storage mode, can form a flat and substantially square shaped storage, which facilitates space saving and provides convenience in transportation.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portable multifunctional soccer goal in an expanded mode in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present patent application. Referring to FIG. 7, a fifth group of connecting parts (in this embodiment a left buckle part 801 and a right buckle part 803) are respectively disposed at an end of the left and right long strip fabric portions 109 and 111 and close to the left zipper part 110 and the right zipper part 112. This end of the left and right long strip fabric portions 109 and 111 is close to the lower crossbar 117. The left buckle part 801 and a right buckle part 803 are configured to pull the left and right long strip fabric portions 109 and 111 closer to each other before the zipper head 114 is pulled up and the left and right zipper parts 110 and 112 are engaged. The left buckle part 801 and a right buckle part 803 serve as a safety measure to prevent the lower crossbar 117 from suddenly popping open due to the zipper head 114 not being securely fastened, thus avoiding accidental injuries to people nearby.

The portable multifunctional soccer goal provided by the above embodiments utilizes a deformable structure that can be transformed into a bag, providing convenience to soccer enthusiasts. The portable multifunctional soccer goal, which can be transformed between an expanded mode, a bag mode and a flat storage mode, not only frees up hands but also enables further compact storage and fits into a complementary flat storage pouch, resolving issues related to storage, transportation, and display space.

It is understood although a soccer goal is described in the above embodiments as an example, any ball goal for a ball game that requires the ball goal to be installed on the ground may have the same structural features as disclosed in the above embodiments.

While the present patent application has been shown and described with particular references to a number of embodiments thereof, it should be noted that various other changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A portable multifunctional soccer goal comprising: a fabric portion and a supporting structure beneath the fabric portion and configured for supporting the fabric portion; wherein:the fabric portion comprises a left fabric portion, a right fabric portion and a back fabric portion connecting the left fabric portion and the right fabric portion;the back fabric portion comprises a mesh, a left long strip fabric portion and a right long strip fabric portion, the left long strip fabric portion and the right long strip fabric portion being connected with the mesh;the supporting structure comprises an upper crossbar, a lower crossbar, a middle crossbar disposed between the upper crossbar and the lower crossbar, a left triangular frame and a right triangular frame, the left triangular frame and the right triangular frame being respectively positioned at two ends of the upper crossbar, the middle crossbar and the lower crossbar and covered by the left fabric portion and the right fabric portion;the lengths of the upper crossbar, the lower crossbar and the middle crossbar are identical and greater than the sum of lateral widths of the left long strip fabric portion and the right long strip fabric portion; andthe left long strip fabric portion and the right long strip fabric portion are configured to be joined by a connector when the soccer goal is being transformed into a bag.

2. The portable multifunctional soccer goal of claim 1, wherein when the soccer goal is being transformed into a bag, the middle crossbar and the lower crossbar are configured to adhere to a bottom surface of the soccer goal, while the upper crossbar is configured to form an inclined arch-shaped space.

3. The portable multifunctional soccer goal of claim 1, wherein the left triangular frame comprises an upper left vertical bar, a lower left vertical bar and a left bent connector connecting the upper left vertical bar and the lower left vertical bar, while the right triangular frame comprises an upper right vertical bar, a lower right vertical bar, and a right bent connector connecting the upper right vertical bar and the lower right vertical bar.

4. The portable multifunctional soccer goal of claim 3, wherein the left bent connector and the right bent connector are configured to determine the angle of opening of the soccer goal and vertically expand the fabric portion.

5. The portable multifunctional soccer goal of claim 1, wherein a plurality of pads with holes defined therein are attached to bottom of the fabric portion so that nails can be inserted into the ground through the holes to fix the soccer goal on the ground.

6. The portable multifunctional soccer goal of claim 1, wherein the upper crossbar, the middle crossbar and the lower crossbar are made of flexible and bendable fiberglass.

7. The portable multifunctional soccer goal of claim 3, wherein all the supporting structure is wrapped in the fabric portion, except for the ends of the upper left vertical bar and the upper right vertical bar respectively opposing to the left bent connector and the right bent connector, which are configured to serve as a left connection point and a right connection point respectively during transformation.

8. The portable multifunctional soccer goal of claim 7, wherein the fabric portion below the left connection point and the right connection point are colored in bright colors to enhance visual cues.

9. The portable multifunctional soccer goal of claim 8, wherein hooks are respectively installed at the ends of the lower left vertical bar and the lower right vertical bar opposing to the left bent connector and the right bent connector and configured to connect with the left connection point and the right connection point when the soccer goal is being transformed into the bag.

10. The portable multifunctional soccer goal of claim 1, wherein the connector is a zipper, comprising a left zipper part, a right zipper part and a zipper head, the zipper head being configured to move from bottom of the left and right long strip fabric portions to top of left and right long strip fabric portions.

11. The portable multifunctional soccer goal of claim 1, wherein a first group of connecting parts are respectively attached to the left long strip fabric portion and the right long strip fabric portion near the top of the soccer goal, a second group of connecting parts are respectively attached to the left long strip fabric portion and the right long strip fabric portion near the bottom of the soccer goal, and the first group of connecting parts are respectively configured to connect the second group of connecting parts when the soccer goal is being transformed into the bag.

12. The portable multifunctional soccer goal of claim 11, wherein the first group of connecting parts and the second group of connecting parts are rectangular pieces of Velcro sewn to the left long strip fabric portion and the right long strip fabric portion.

13. The portable multifunctional soccer goal of claim 1, wherein a third group of connecting parts are respectively attached to outer sides of the left fabric portion and the right fabric portion in a horizontal direction, facing outward and near to bottom of the soccer goal, a fourth group of connecting parts are respectively attached to inner sides of the left fabric portion and the right fabric portion in a vertical direction, facing toward inside of the soccer goal and slightly above the center of the left fabric portion and the right fabric portion, and the third group of connecting parts are configured to respectively connect the fourth group of connecting parts when the ball goal is being transformed into a bag.

14. The portable multifunctional soccer goal of claim 10, wherein a fifth group of connecting parts are respectively disposed at an end of the left long strip fabric portion and the right long strip fabric portion and close to the left zipper part and the right zipper part, the end of the left long strip fabric portion and the right long strip fabric portion being close to the lower crossbar.

15. The portable multifunctional soccer goal of claim 3, wherein the upper left vertical bar and the upper right vertical bar are configured to be pushed toward the middle crossbar and the lower crossbar one after another when the soccer goal is transformed to a flat storage mode in which the soccer goal fit into a flat bag.

16. The portable multifunctional soccer goal of claim 3, wherein the mesh is fixed to the upper left vertical bar, the upper right vertical bar, the left bent connector, the right bent connector, the lower left vertical bar and the lower right vertical bar, and sewed with the left long strip fabric portion and the right long strip fabric portion through a left sewing thread and a right sewing thread respectively, while the left sewing thread and the right sewing thread end at a distance from both ends of the left long strip fabric portion and the right long strip fabric portion.

17. The portable multifunctional soccer goal of claim 1, wherein the ratio between the length of the crossbars and the sum of the lateral widths of the left long strip fabric portion and the right long strip fabric portion is 3:1.

18. A ball goal comprising: a fabric portion and a supporting structure beneath the fabric portion and configured for supporting the fabric portion; wherein:the fabric portion comprises a left fabric portion, a right fabric portion and a back fabric portion connecting the left fabric portion and the right fabric portion;the back fabric portion comprises a mesh, a left long strip fabric portion and a right long strip fabric portion, the left long strip fabric portion and the right long strip fabric portion being connected with the mesh;the supporting structure comprises an upper crossbar, a lower crossbar, a middle crossbar disposed between the upper crossbar and the lower crossbar, a left triangular frame and a right triangular frame, the left triangular frame and the right triangular frame being respectively positioned at two ends of the upper crossbar, the middle crossbar and the lower crossbar;the left long strip fabric portion and the right long strip fabric portion are configured to be joined by a connector when the ball goal is being transformed into a bag; andwhen the ball goal is being transformed into a bag, the middle crossbar and the lower crossbar are configured to adhere to a bottom surface of the ball goal, while the upper crossbar is configured to form an inclined arch-shaped space.

19. The ball goal of claim 18, wherein the ratio between the length of the crossbars and the sum of the lateral widths of the left long strip fabric portion and the right long strip fabric portion is 3:1.

20. A ball goal comprising: a fabric portion and a supporting structure beneath the fabric portion and configured for supporting the fabric portion; wherein:the fabric portion comprises a left fabric portion, a right fabric portion and a back fabric portion connecting the left fabric portion and the right fabric portion;the back fabric portion comprises a mesh, a left long strip fabric portion and a right long strip fabric portion, the left long strip fabric portion and the right long strip fabric portion being connected with the mesh;the supporting structure comprises an upper crossbar, a lower crossbar, a middle crossbar disposed between the upper crossbar and the lower crossbar, a left triangular frame and a right triangular frame, the left triangular frame and the right triangular frame being respectively positioned at two ends of the upper crossbar, the middle crossbar and the lower crossbar;the left triangular frame comprises an upper left vertical bar, a lower left vertical bar and a left bent connector connecting the upper left vertical bar and the lower left vertical bar, while the right triangular frame comprises an upper right vertical bar, a lower right vertical bar, and a right bent connector connecting the upper right vertical bar and the lower right vertical bar; andthe upper left vertical bar and the upper right vertical bar are configured to be pushed toward the middle crossbar and the lower crossbar one after another when the ball goal is transformed to a flat storage mode in which the ball goal fit into a flat bag.