WO2009129504A2

WO2009129504A2 - Multi sport net frame

Info

Publication number: WO2009129504A2
Application number: PCT/US2009/041032
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin James Dotterweich
Original assignee: Hkd International (Hk) Limited
Priority date: 2008-04-17
Filing date: 2009-04-17
Publication date: 2009-10-22
Also published as: WO2009129504A3

Abstract

An assembly for a collapsible multi-sport net frame includes a unibody frame having two vertical members, a top horizontal member, a lower horizontal member and two side members, each member being elongated and having a first end and a second end, each of the two vertical members having a variable vertical length defining a height, the variable vertical length having a collapsed vertical position and one or more extended vertical positions, each of the two horizontal members having a variable horizontal length defining a width, the variable horizontal length having a collapsed horizontal position and one or more extended horizontal positions; a brace member having a first end coupled to one of the side members and a second end selectively attachable to one of the vertical members adjacent the side member for selectively securing the angle defined between the one side member and the adjacent vertical member; and a hinge coupling one of the side members at a first end of the side member to an adjacent vertical member at a first end of the vertical member.

Description

MULTI SPORT NET FRAME

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.

61/045,716 filed April 17, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD [0002] The present disclosure relates to its use to practice the various sports, and in particular to a construction of the net adaptable to a variety of sports which includes a novel huge structure permitting the net to be easily assembled in multiple width and height dimensions and easily collapsible for storage and transport.

BACKGROUND

[0003] The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

[0004] Sports nets are well known in the art. In general, these structures enable one to practice his support, for example hockey or golf by hitting a golf ball or a soccer ball into the net for practice. The net catches the ball or puck, for example, enabling a user to retrieve it for continued practice. Support and that's available in the prior art, however, are characterized in their difficulty to assemble, and store.

SUMMARY

[0005] The inventor hereof has succeeded at designing a collapsible multiple sport net frame adaptable varying dimensions and therefore one that is suitable for use in a variety of sports, including hockey, lacrosse, and soccer, and for practicing these and other sports such as golf and baseball. A plurality of targets can be provided for the practice of any of these particular sports. The construction of the frame enables for the easy assembly and disassembly for any one sport and the conversion of the frame and net from one sport to another sport. Additionally, the assembly provides for easy collapsing of the frame for transportation and storage when not in use. [0006] According to one aspect, an assembly for a collapsible multi-sport net frame having a unibody frame having two vertical members, a top horizontal member, a lower horizontal member and two side members, each member being elongated and having a first end and a second end, each of the two vertical members having a variable vertical length defining a height, the variable vertical length having a collapsed vertical position and one or more extended vertical positions, each of the two horizontal members having a variable horizontal length defining a width, the variable horizontal length having a collapsed horizontal position and one or more extended horizontal positions; a brace member having a first end coupled to one of the side members and a second end selectively attachable to one of the vertical members adjacent the side member for selectively securing the angle defined between the one side member and the adjacent vertical member; and a hinge coupling one of the side members at a first end of the side member to an adjacent vertical member at a first end of the vertical member.

[0007] According to yet another aspect, an assembly for a collapsible multi- sport net frame including a unibody frame having two vertical members, a top horizontal member, a lower horizontal member and two side members, each member being elongated and having a first end and a second end, each of the two vertical members having a variable vertical length defining a height, the variable vertical length having a collapsed vertical position and one or more extended vertical positions, each of the two horizontal members having a variable horizontal length defining a width, the variable horizontal length having a collapsed horizontal position and one or more extended horizontal positions, each of the vertical members and the horizontal members includes a push button snap interconnect locking mechanism having a push button coupled to an elastic member and wherein one of the mated segments includes one or more holes adapted for receiving the push button for selectively locking one segment to an adjacent segment in a fixed position; a brace member having a first end coupled to one of the side members and a second end selectively attachable to one of the vertical members adjacent the side member and having a locking element for selectively securing the angle defined between the one side member and the adjacent vertical member; a first hinge coupling one of the side members at a first end of the side member to an adjacent vertical member at a first end of the vertical member; a second hinge coupling a second end of the one side member to a first end of the lower horizontal member; a first corner angle lock positioned between the second end of the one side member and the first end of the lower horizontal member for selectively locking the side member at an angle relative to the lower horizontal member; a third hinge coupling a second end of the adjacent vertical member to a first end of the top horizontal member; and a second corner angle lock positioned between the second end of the one side member and the first end of the lower horizontal member for selectively locking the side member at an angle relative to the lower horizontal member.

[0008] According to still another aspect, an assembly for a collapsible multi- sport net frame having a unibody frame having two vertical members, a top horizontal member, a lower horizontal member and two side members, each member being elongated tubing and having a first end and a second end, each of the two vertical members having a variable vertical length defining a height, the variable vertical length having a collapsed vertical position and one or more extended vertical positions, each of the two horizontal members having a variable horizontal length defining a width, the variable horizontal length having a collapsed horizontal position and one or more extended horizontal positions, wherein each of the vertical members and the horizontal members includes a plurality of mated segments that are slidable relative to each for providing the variable lengths, and wherein each of the vertical members and the horizontal members includes a push button snap interconnect locking mechanism having a push button coupled to an elastic member and wherein one of the mated segments includes one or more holes adapted for receiving the push button for selectively locking one segment to an adjacent segment in a fixed position; a brace member having a first end rotatably coupled to one of the side members and a second end selectively and slidably coupled to one of the vertical members adjacent the side member for selectively securing the angle defined between the one side member and the adjacent vertical member; a locking member positioned proximate to the hinge and fixedly attached to one of the coupled members and selectively attached to the other one of the coupled members for selectively securing the angle defined between the coupled side member and the adjacent vertical member; a locking mechanism for selectively securing the brace member in a fixed position on the adjacent vertical member; a first hinge coupling one of the side members at a first end of the side member to an adjacent vertical member at a first end of the vertical member; a second hinge coupling a second end of the one side member to a first end of the lower horizontal member; a first corner angle lock positioned between the second end of the one side member and the first end of the lower horizontal member for selectively locking the side member at an angle relative to the lower horizontal member; a third hinge coupling a second end of the adjacent vertical member to a first end of the top horizontal member; and a second corner angle lock positioned between the second end of the one side member and the first end of the lower horizontal member for selectively locking the side member at an angle relative to the lower horizontal member. [0009] Further aspects of the present disclosure will be in part apparent and in part pointed out below. It should be understood that various aspects of the disclosure may be implemented individually or in combination with one another. It should also be understood that the detailed description and drawings, while indicating certain exemplary embodiments, are intended for purposes of illustration only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of an assembled multi-sport net frame configured for use as a hockey goal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [0011] Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of an assembled multi-sport net frame for use as a soccer goal according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] Fig. 2A is a view of practice targets employable with the embodiment of Figure 2 according to one exemplary embodiment.

[0013] Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of an assembled multi-sport net frame configured for use as a goal practice net according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] Fig. 3 A is a plan view of a practice target employed with the embodiment of Figure 3.

[0015] Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of an assembled multi-sport net frame configured for use as a baseball practice net according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Fig. 4A is a plan view of a practice target employed with the embodiment of Figure 4.

[0017] Figs. 5 and 5A are a perspective view of a net frame without a net attached shown the net frame being expanded in both vertical and horizontal directions and wherein the vertical members are being positioned perpendicular to the side members and hinge, respectively according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0018] Figs. 6A-6H are perspective views of an assembled net frame as in

Fig. 5 but being assembled according to one embodiment. [0019] Fig. 7 is an exemplary embodiment of a push button locking mechanism suitable for use with various embodiments of the disclosure.

[0020] Fig. 8 is an exemplary embodiment of a hinge assembly with an integrated corner lock mechanism suitable for use with some embodiment of the present disclosure. [0021] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure or the disclosure's applications or uses. Before turning to the figures and the various exemplary embodiments illustrated therein, a detailed overview of various embodiments and aspects is provided for purposes of breadth of scope, context, clarity, and completeness.

[0023] In one embodiment, an assembly for a collapsible multi-sport net frame having a unibody frame having two vertical members, a top horizontal member, a lower horizontal member and two side members, each member being elongated and having a first end and a second end, each of the two vertical members having a variable vertical length defining a height, the variable vertical length having a collapsed vertical position and one or more extended vertical positions, each of the two horizontal members having a variable horizontal length defining a width, the variable horizontal length having a collapsed horizontal position and one or more extended horizontal positions; a brace member having a first end coupled to one of the side members and a second end selectively attachable to one of the vertical members adjacent the side member for selectively securing the angle defined between the one side member and the adjacent vertical member; and a hinge coupling one of the side members at a first end of the side member to an adjacent vertical member at a first end of the vertical member. [0024] As shown in the Figs. 1-2, and 3-6, an assembly 100 for a collapsible multi-sport net frame that is suitable for use as a goal for a variety of different sports includes a net frame 102 having adaptable width and height. The net frame 102 has a unibody made from various members, referred collectively herein as 106 and specifically as vertical members 108, top horizontal member 1 10, lower horizontal member 1 12, and side members 114. The net frame 102 is unibody but is not monolithic, as each member 106 can be movable relative to other members 106 while still being unibody. Each member 106 has an elongated body with a first end and a second end. The members 106 can be of any shape but can be configured from tubes having either a circular or rectangular, including square, cross-sectional area. Each member 106 can be configured from any material including, but not limited to metal, such as aluminum or steel, or otherwise, a plastic, or a composite. [0025] Each of the two vertical members 108 are configured to have multiple or variable vertical lengths that define a height V_x of the net frame 102 when the net frame 102 is assembled for use. The variable vertical length members 108 have a collapsed vertical position that is less than the multiple in use heights thereby providing for a compact disassembled assembly for ease of transport and storage. Similarly, each of the two horizontal members 110 and 112 has a variable horizontal length W_x that defines a width of the net frame. The variable horizontal length W_x defining a width has a collapsed horizontal position (not shown) that is less than the maximum in use width. There can be one or more extended horizontal in-use positions thereby providing for multiple different in use widths. For example, as shown in Fig. 1 , the net frame 2 is assembled as a hockey net with appropriate width W_x of approximately 6 feet and height H_x of approximately 4 feet. Fig. 2 illustrates a different assembled position as a soccer goal wherein the net frame can be sized such as for youth at V_x of 4.5 ft. high and W_x of 9 ft. [0026] Each of the vertical members 108 and the horizontal members 1 10 and

1 12 can include a plurality of mated segments 1 16 that are slidable relative to each for providing the variable lengths. Each vertical and horizontal member includes a locking mechanism 1 18 positioned for selectively locking two adjacent mated segments 116 in a fixed position relative to each other and thereby forming a singular selective fixed length member 106. Each mated section 116 can be of any length but in some embodiments they are between about 2 feet to about 4 feet in length. There can be two sections 116 per member 106 in some embodiments and in other embodiments there may up to about 6 or 7 sections 116 per member 106 for providing a total cross-sectional area of the net from face of up to 12 feet in height and/or width. As such, the height and width can each vary from 2 to 12 feet in typical embodiments.

[0027] The locking mechanism 1 18 for securing each section 1 16 to an adjacent section 116 to form a secured length of each member 106 can be a snap interconnect. An example of a snap interconnect 150 is shown in Fig. 7. Such a snap interconnect 150 can include a push button 152 coupled to an elastic member 154 and one or more holes 156 adapted and positioned for receiving the push button 152 for selectively locking one female segment 116A containing the holes 156 to an adjacent male segment 116B that contains the locking mechanism 1 18 including the push button 152 and the elastic member 154 in a fixed position relative to each other. In another embodiment, the locking mechanism 1 18 includes a clamp lock assembly as known in the art for fixing the position of a mated tubular construction (not illustrated) that is positioned proximate to an end of a female segment the clamp lock assembly having a clamping ring and an actuator for receiving user input for activating the clamp for securing the clamping ring about a mated male member. In yet another embodiment, the locking mechanism can be a friction coupler (not illustrated but that is known in the art) having an activating trigger for applying a friction about an outer surface of a male segment within a female segment.

[0028] One or more brace members 120 are coupled between one or both the side members 1 14 and an adjacent vertical member 108 for selectively securing the angle A (as shown in Fig. 2) that is defined between one of the side members 114 and the adjacent vertical member 108 during use. Of course, each side member 114 and vertical member 1 14 combination can be supported by a separate brace member 120. The brace member 120 is selectively placed in an in use position but is moved to unsecure the angle A for disassembly of the net frame 102. The defined angle A is generally about 90 degrees, but can vary based on the desired design and application of use to include other angles. The brace member 120 can be rotatably coupled using a hinge connection 122 to the side member and slidably coupled with a slider coupling 124 to the adjacent vertical member 124 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, or can be alternatively coupled. A locking element 126 can be included with the brace member 120 for selectively securing the brace member 120 in a fixed position either on the vertical member 108 or on the side member 14 as may be desired in a particular implementation. The locking element 126 can be any suitable mechanism such as a snap interconnect having a push button, an elastic member and one or more holes (as illustrated in the Figures), a clamp lock assembly defining the slidable coupling of the brace member to the vertical member as known in the art, or a friction lock having a friction protrusion for leveraging against a male segment also as known in the art. [0029] A hinge 128 couples one of the side members 1 14 at a first end of the side member 114 to an adjacent vertical member 128 at a first end of the vertical member 128. Of course, another hinge 128 can couple the other side member 108 to the other vertical member 108 as well.

[0030] A locking member 130 can also be positioned proximate to the hinge 128 for selectively securing a side member 114 to the adjacent vertical member 108. The locking member 130 can selectively secure the angle A defined between the coupled side member 114 and the adjacent vertical member 108.

[0031] In addition, while in some embodiments each of the side members 1 14 has a monolithic fixed length body, in other embodiments, each of the two side members 114 has a variable length defining a variable depth D_x as shown in Fig. 2. The variable depth D_x can have a collapsed depth position and one or more extended depth positions. Each side member 1 14 can include a plurality of mated segments 1 16 that are slidable relative to each for providing the variable depth lengths D_x. In such embodiments, each of the side members 1 14 can include a locking mechanism 1 18 positioned for selectively locking two adjacent segments 116 of a side member 114 in user selectable fixed position. The locking mechanism 118 can be any suitable mechanism such as described above with regard to the other members 106 of the net frame 102.

[0032] In some embodiments, the interconnection between the adjacent side members 1 14 and vertical members 108 include the only hinged connection at hinge 128 between members 106. In such embodiments, the net frame 102 can be collapsed in width and height to the minimal lengths and then the vertical member 108 can be rotated about the hinge 128 to form a substantially planar collapsed net frame 102. In some embodiments, this collapsed state may be sufficient. However, in other embodiments, additional hinges 132 can be included between both the vertical member 108 and the top horizontal member 1 10 and also between the side member 108 and the lower horizontal member 112. In such embodiments, the hinge 132 couples a second end of the one side member 1 14 to a first end of the lower horizontal member 112. A corner angle lock 134 is positioned between the second end of the one side member 114 and the first end of the lower horizontal member 112 for selectively locking the side member 114 at an angle X (as shown in Fig. 2) relative to the lower horizontal member 112. Generally, this angle X will be 90 degrees in most applications, but could be otherwise. [0033] A hinge 132 can be coupled to a second end of the adjacent vertical member 108 to a first end of the top horizontal member 110. A corner angle lock 134 can be positioned between the second end of the one side member 114 and the first end of the top horizontal member 112 for selectively locking the side member 114 at an angle Z relative to the top horizontal member 110. The corner angle locks 134 can be separate devices or assemblies or can be integrally formed as a feature of the hinge 132 such as in a hinge assembly. An example of a lockable hinge assembly 135 is shown in Fig. 8 by way of example, and is not intended to be limiting within this disclosure.

[0034] As the net frame assembly 100 as described herein is for use in sports, a net can also be included. A net 136 can be coupled to and dispersed among each of the two vertical members 108, the two horizontal members 1 10, 112 and the two side members 1 14. A single net 136 can be sized for a tallest extended vertical position of the vertical members 108 and a widest horizontal potion of the horizontal members 1 10, 112 such that the net 136 can be fixed to the frame 102 when assembled and when disassembled. In other embodiments, the net 136 can be attachable to the frame 102 only when assembled. Where a single net 136 is included, the net 136 can be configured from an elastic or stretchable material, or can include one or more elastic members 138 (as shown in Figs. 1 and 2) interlaced within webs of the net 136. One or more netting tensioners coupleable to the net 136 and configured for securing excess net 136 to one of the members 106 and removing slack in the net 136 for tightening the net 136 dispersed among the members 106. Such arrangements of the net 136 can provide for removing slack in the net 136 for all applications of the net frame 102 and therefore can be applicable to all user selected heights and widths of the frame assembly 100.

[0035] While the net frame 102 can be used as a goal for use during play or practice in some sports such as street hockey, lacrosse, or soccer, the net frame 102 can also be used for generally practicing of many sports. These can include street hockey, lacrosse, soccer, golf, baseball, football, or as a backstop for any sport activity.

[0036] When used for practicing, the assembly can include one or more targets 140 that can be adapted for attachment to at least one of the vertical members 108 and the top horizontal member 110 of the net frame 102. Each of the targets 140 can be separately adapted as a target for a different sport. For example, targets 140A as shown in Fig. 2 and 2A can be used for soccer practice, targets 140B as shown in Figs. 3 A and 3B can b e used for golf practice, and targets 140C as shown in Figs. 4 A and 4 can be used for baseball practice. Of course other targets are also possible.

[0037] The net frame assembly 100 can be packaged such that a package includes the collapsed net frame 102, one or more nets 136, and one or more practice targets 140. These can be packaged in a single packaging bag for ease of sale, transport and storage.

[0038] While the disclosure is described in particular to its use in the sports of that field, those skilled in the art will recognize the wider applicability of the inventive principles disclosed hereinafter.

[0039] When describing elements or features and/or embodiments thereof, the articles "a", "an", "the", and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements or features. The terms "comprising", "including", and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements or features beyond those specifically described.

[0040] Those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes can be made to the exemplary embodiments and implementations described above without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

[0041] It is further to be understood that the processes or steps described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative processes or steps may be employed.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An assembly for a collapsible multi -sport net frame comprising: a unibody frame having two vertical members, a top horizontal member, a lower horizontal member and two side members, each member being elongated and having a first end and a second end, each of the two vertical members having a variable vertical length defining a height, the variable vertical length having a collapsed vertical position and one or more extended vertical positions, each of the two horizontal members having a variable horizontal length defining a width, the variable horizontal length having a collapsed horizontal position and one or more extended horizontal positions; a brace member having a first end coupled to one of the side members and a second end selectively attachable to one of the vertical members adjacent the side member for selectively securing the angle defined between the one side member and the adjacent vertical member; and a hinge coupling one of the side members at a first end of the side member to an adjacent vertical member at a first end of the vertical member.

2. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a locking member positioned proximate to the hinge and fixedly attached to one of the coupled members and selectively attached to the other one of the coupled members for selectively securing the angle defined between the coupled side member and the adjacent vertical member.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the brace member is rotatably coupled to the side member and slidably coupled to the adjacent vertical member, further comprising a locking element for selectively securing the brace member in a fixed position on the adjacent vertical member.

4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the locking element is selected from the group consisting of a snap interconnect having a push button, an elastic member and one or more holes, a clamp lock assembly defining the slidable coupling of the brace member to the vertical member, and a friction lock having a friction protrusion for leveraging against a male segment.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein each of the vertical members and the horizontal members includes a plurality of mated segments that are slidable relative to each for providing the variable lengths, and wherein each of the vertical members and the horizontal members includes a locking mechanism positioned for selectively locking two adjacent mated segments in a fixed position.

6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the locking mechanism is a snap interconnect including a push button coupled to an elastic member and a hole adapted and positioned for receiving the push button for selectively locking one segment to an adjacent segment in a fixed position.

7. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the locking mechanism includes a clamp lock assembly proximate to an end of a female segment the clamp lock assembly having a clamping ring and an actuator for receiving user input for activating the clamp for securing the clamping ring about a mated male member.

8. The assembly of claim 5 wherein each of the segments has a length of about 4 feet.

9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein each of the two side members have a variable length defining a depth, the variable depth length having a collapsed depth position and one or more extended depth positions, and wherein each of the side members includes a plurality of mated segments that are slidable relative to each for providing the variable depths, and wherein each of the side members includes a locking mechanism positioned for selectively locking two adjacent segments in a fixed position.

10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein the locking mechanism includes a clamp lock assembly proximate to an end of a female segment, the clamp lock assembly having a clamping ring and an actuator for receiving user input for activating the clamp for securing the clamping ring about a mated male member.

11. The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a net coupled to and dispersed among each of the two vertical members, the two horizontal members and the two side members, and sized for a tallest extended vertical position of the vertical members and a widest horizontal potion of the horizontal members.

12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the net includes one or more elastic members interlaced within webs of the net configured for removing slack in the net regardless of the user selected height and width of the frame assembly.

13. The assembly of claim 1 1 , further including one or more netting tensioners coupleable to the net and configured for securing excess net to one of the elements and removing slack in the net for tightening the net dispersed among the members regardless of the user selected height and width of the frame assembly.

14. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the hinge is a first hinge, further comprising a second hinge coupling a second end of the one side member to a first end of the lower horizontal member; a first corner angle lock positioned between the second end of the one side member and the first end of the lower horizontal member for selectively locking the side member at an angle relative to the lower horizontal member; a third hinge coupling a second end of the adjacent vertical member to a first end of the top horizontal member; and a second corner angle lock positioned between the second end of the one side member and the first end of the lower horizontal member for selectively locking the side member at an angle relative to the lower horizontal member.

15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the first corner angle lock is configured integral to the second hinge and the second corner angle lock is configured integral to the third hinge.

16. The assembly of claim 1 wherein each member is configured from rectangular tubing.

17. The assembly of claim 1 wherein each member is configured from at least one of metal, plastic, and composite.

18. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the top and lower horizontal members and the vertical side members each have variable lengths ranging from about 2 feet to about 12 feet.

19. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising two or more different targets adapted for attachment to at least one of the vertical members and the top horizontal member, each of the two or more different targets being adapted as a target for a different sports.

20. An assembly for a collapsible multi-sport net frame comprising: a unibody frame having two vertical members, an top horizontal member, an lower horizontal member and two side members, each member being elongated and having a first end and a second end, each of the two vertical members having a variable vertical length defining a height, the variable vertical length having a collapsed vertical position and one or more extended vertical positions, each of the two horizontal members having a variable horizontal length defining a width, the variable horizontal length having a collapsed horizontal position and one or more extended horizontal positions, each of the vertical members and the horizontal members includes a push button snap interconnect locking mechanism having a push button coupled to an elastic member and wherein one of the mated segments includes one or more holes adapted for receiving the push button for selectively locking one segment to an adjacent segment in a fixed position; a brace member having a first end coupled to one of the side members and a second end selectively attachable to one of the vertical members adjacent the side member and having a locking element for selectively securing the angle defined between the one side member and the adjacent vertical member; a first hinge coupling one of the side members at a first end of the side member to an adjacent vertical member at a first end of the vertical member; a second hinge coupling a second end of the one side member to a first end of the lower horizontal member; a first corner angle lock positioned between the second end of the one side member and the first end of the lower horizontal member for selectively locking the side member at an angle relative to the lower horizontal member; a third hinge coupling a second end of the adjacent vertical member to a first end of the top horizontal member; and a second corner angle lock positioned between the second end of the one side member and the first end of the lower horizontal member for selectively locking the side member at an angle relative to the lower horizontal member.

21. The assembly of claim 20, further comprising a locking mechanism positioned proximate to the hinge and fixedly attached to one of the coupled members and selectively attached to the other one of the coupled members for selectively securing the angle defined between the coupled side member and the adjacent vertical member.

22. The assembly of claim 20 wherein the brace member is rotatably coupled to the side member and slidably coupled to the adjacent vertical member, wherein the locking element selectively secures the brace member in a fixed position on the adjacent vertical member.

23. The assembly of claim 20 wherein the locking element is selected from the group consisting of a snap interconnect having a push button, an elastic member and one or more holes, a clamp lock assembly defining the slidable coupling of the brace member to the vertical member, and a friction lock having a friction protrusion for leveraging against a male segment.

24. The assembly of claim 20 wherein each of the segments is about 4 feet in length.

25. The assembly of claim 20, further comprising a net coupled to and dispersed among each of the two vertical members, the two horizontal members and the two side members, the net being sized for a tallest extended vertical position of the vertical members and a widest horizontal potion of the horizontal members, the net including one or more elastic members interlaced within webs of the net configured for removing slack in the net regardless of the user selected height and width.

26. The assembly of claim 20 wherein each member is configured from rectangular tubing.

27. An assembly for a collapsible multi-sport net frame comprising: a unibody frame having two vertical members, a top horizontal member, a lower horizontal member and two side members, each member being elongated tubing and having a first end and a second end, each of the two vertical members having a variable vertical length defining a height, the variable vertical length having a collapsed vertical position and one or more extended vertical positions, each of the two horizontal members having a variable horizontal length defining a width, the variable horizontal length having a collapsed horizontal position and one or more extended horizontal positions, wherein each of the vertical members and the horizontal members includes a plurality of mated segments that are slidable relative to each for providing the variable lengths, and wherein each of the vertical members and the horizontal members includes a push button snap interconnect locking mechanism having a push button coupled to an elastic member and wherein one of the mated segments includes one or more holes adapted for receiving the push button for selectively locking one segment to an adjacent segment in a fixed position; a brace member having a first end rotatably coupled to one of the side members and a second end selectively and slidably coupled to one of the vertical members adjacent the side member for selectively securing the angle defined between the one side member and the adjacent vertical member; a locking member positioned proximate to the hinge and fixedly attached to one of the coupled members and selectively attached to the other one of the coupled members for selectively securing the angle defined between the coupled side member and the adjacent vertical member; a locking mechanism for selectively securing the brace member in a fixed position on the adjacent vertical member; a first hinge coupling one of the side members at a first end of the side member to an adjacent vertical member at a first end of the vertical member; a second hinge coupling a second end of the one side member to a first end of the lower horizontal member; a first corner angle lock positioned between the second end of the one side member and the first end of the lower horizontal member for selectively locking the side member at an angle relative to the lower horizontal member; a third hinge coupling a second end of the adjacent vertical member to a first end of the top horizontal member; and a second corner angle lock positioned between the second end of the one side member and the first end of the lower horizontal member for selectively locking the side member at an angle relative to the lower horizontal member.

28. The assembly of claim 27 wherein each member has a rectangular cross section.

29. The assembly of claim 27 wherein each member is configured from at least one of metal, plastic, and composite.

30. The assembly of claim 27 wherein each of the top and lower horizontal members and the vertical side members having multiple segments for adapting to have variable lengths ranging from about 2 feet to about 10 feet.

31. The assembly of claim 27, further comprising a net coupled to and dispersed among each of the two vertical members, the two horizontal members and the two side members, the net being sized for a tallest extended vertical position of the vertical members and a widest horizontal potion of the horizontal members, the net including one or more elastic members interlaced within webs of the net configured for removing slack in the net regardless of the user selected height and width.