GB2529234A

GB2529234A - Goal frame

Info

Publication number: GB2529234A
Application number: GB1414466.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chiu-Huang Chen
Original assignee: KIH CHUAN IND CO Ltd
Current assignee: KIH CHUAN IND CO Ltd
Priority date: 2014-08-14
Filing date: 2014-08-14
Publication date: 2016-02-17
Also published as: GB201414466D0

Abstract

A goal frame is assembled with multiple connecting devices 10, multiple tubes P1-P3, and multiple pairs of tubes P4-P7. Each connecting device includes a connector 10 and a plurality of fasteners 60. The connector has a plurality of tube segments 101-103. Each fastener is fitted onto one of the corresponding tube segments to force a plurality of walls 14 provided thereon to flex, and therefore to firmly hold a tube inserted therein. Each of the tube segments may have a plurality of flexible walls and a male screw thread 13. Each of the, preferably cylindrical, fasteners may have a corresponding female thread 34 which forces the walls to flex inwardly when screwed together. The walls of the tube segment may have an inclined surface so that the thickness gradually decreases from the male screw thread towards an opening 12 at the distal end. Additional connecters may be provided in association with any of the first P1 to fifth P5 tubes.

Description

GOAL FRAME

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to structures that connect objects, and more particularly to a connecting device for connecting tubes, and a goal frame assembled with the connecting device.

2. Description of Related Art

[0002] Conventionally, a connecting device used for connecting tubes includes a connector made of plastic and two tubes in the shape of cylindrical tube, wherein the connector has two openings at two opposite ends, and the inner diameter of the openings is slightly bigger than the outer diameter of the tubes. In this way, each tube can be fitted into one of the openings and therefore connected to the connector.

[0003] The aforementioned device is widely applied to goal frames for ball games. More specifically, such goal frames can be easily and quickly assembled by connecting multiple connecting devices together with tubes. However, if the tubes applied to this kind of goal frames are made of metal materials in purpose of providing higher structural strength, the connected connectors tend to be damaged at where the tubes fitted into. This problem is commonly seen, especially when such goal frames are used in football games. If a metal tube is hit by a football, the impact will be transferred to the plastic connector, which may lead to damage as a result. In addition, the connection between a metal tube and a connector is merely established through the slight difference between the inner/outer diameters, though such design allows them to be aligned and connected quickly, it also makes them disconnect from each other easily.

Therefore, a goal frame assembled with multiple conventional tubes is not convenient to use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In view of the above, the primary objective of the present invention is to provide a goal frame assembled with a connecting device, which not only provides more convenient and quicker installation, but also can be firmly connected with tubes.

[0005] The present invention provide a goal frame, which includes a pair of first connectors, a pair of second connectors, a pair of third connectors, a pair of fourth connectors, a first tube, a second tube, a third tube, a pair of fourth tubes, a pair of fifth tubes, a pair of sixth tubes, a pair of seventh tubes, and a plurality of fasteners. Each of the first connectors has a first tube segment, a second tube segment, and a third tube segment which are perpendicularly and mutually connected, and share a common connecting portion. Each of the second connectors has a first tube segment, a second tube segment, and a third tube segment which are mutually connected and share a common connecting portion, wherein the first tube segment is perpendicular to the second tube segment, and an included angel between the second tube segment and the third tube segment is an obtuse angle. Each of the third connectors has a first tube segment, a second tube segment, and a third tube segment which are mutually connected and share a common connecting portion, wherein the first tube segment is perpendicular to the second tube segment, and an included angel between the second tube segment and the third tube segment is an acute angle. Each of the fourth connectors has a first tube segment and a second tube segment which are perpendicular connected to each other. The first tube is straight, and has two opposite ends respectively inserted into the first tube segments of the paired first connectors. The second tube is straight, and has two opposite ends respectively inserted into the first tube segments of the paired second connectors. The third tube is straight, and has two opposite ends respectively inserted into the first tube segments of the paired third connectors. The fourth tubes are straight, wherein an end of each is inserted into the second tube segment of one of the first connectors, and another end thereof is inserted into the second tube segment of one of the second connectors. The fifth tubes are straight, wherein an end of each is inserted into the third tube segment of one of the second connectors, and another end thereof is inserted into the second tube segment of one of the third connectors. The sixth tubes are straight, wherein an end of each is inserted into the third tube segment of one of the first connectors, and another end thereof is inserted into the first tube segment of one of the fourth connectors. The seventh tubes are straight, wherein an end of each is inserted into the third tube segment of one of the third connectors, and another end thereof is inserted into the second tube segment of one of the fourth connectors. Each tube segment of the connectors is flexible at where inserted by the corresponding tubes; each of the fasteners is respectively fitted onto one of the tube segments to flex the tube segments inward to firmly hold the corresponding tubes.

[0006] Whereby, each tube segment of each connector is deformable at a part thereof where the corresponding tube is fitted into. The multiple fasteners are respectively fitted around each tube segment of each connector to deform each tube segment, and the tubes are firmly held as a result.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The present invention will be best understood by referring to the following detailed description of some illustrative embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which [0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the connecting device of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; [0009] FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the connection between the connector, one of the tubes, and one of the fasteners in the first preferred embodiment; [0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the connecting device of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; [00111 FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the connecting device of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention; [0012] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the connecting device of a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention [0013] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the connecting device of a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention; [0014] FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the connecting devices of the preferred embodiments applied to the goal frame for ball games; and [0015] FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the connection between the connector, two of the tubes, and two of the fasteners in the fifth preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The connecting device provided in the present invention basically includes a connector and a plurality of fasteners, wherein the connector is made of plastic, and has a plurality of mutually connected tube segments. Each of the tube segments respectively allows insertion of a tube which is made of metal. Each of the fasteners is fitted around one of the tube segments to deform the tube segment, and therefore to firmly hold the tube inserted therein. In different embodiments, the number of the tube segments of the connector can be two, three, or more, which depends on requirements; included angles between each tube segment can be predetermined too. A connector of the connecting device of the first preferred embodiment described below has three tube segments as an example for explanation.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the connecting device of the first preferred embodiment includes a connector 10 and three fasteners 60. The connector 10 includes a first tube segment 101, a second tube segment 102, and a third tube segment 103 which are mutually connected, wherein these tube segments 101, 102, 103 share a common connecting portion. The first tube segment 101, the second tube segment 102, and the third tube segment 103 are perpendicular to each other, and the three fasteners 60 respectively fit each of the tube segments 101, 102, 103.

[0018] Each tube segment 101, 102, 103 has identical structure, and we take the first tube segment 101 for example herein. The first tube segment 101 has a plurality of walls 14, an opening 12, and a male screw thread 13. The opening 12 is formed at a distal end of the tube segment 101, and an axis of the tube segment 101 passes through a center of the opening 12. The male screw thread 13 is provided on an outer side of the tube segment 101 near the distal end thereof.

The walls 14 are also provided at the distal end, and each of the walls 14 extends in parallel to the axis of the tube segment 101 with an end connected to where the male screw thread 13 is provided at. The walls 14 surround the opening 12, and a gap 11 is naturally formed between each two neighboring walls 14, wherein the gaps 11 are communicated with the opening 12. Each wall 14 has an inclined surface 15 which inwardly inclines from the male screw thread 13 toward the distal end. In other words, a thickness of each wall 14 gradually decreases from the male screw thread 13 toward the distal end. The wall portions 14 form a circumference or perimeter about the opening 12, save for the gaps 11 there-between.

[0019] Each fastener 60 is in the shape of cylindrical tube, and has a female screw thread 64 provided on an inner side 62 thereof, wherein the female screw thread 64 is complementary to the male screw thread 13 of each tube segment 101, 102, 103. The fastener 60 further has an inclined surface at the inner side behind the female screw thread 64 and a stop wall projected from the inner side at an end of the inclined surface. The inclined surface of the fastener 60 is complementary to the inclined surface 15 of the tube segment. With such design, each fastener 60 is respectively screwed onto the tube segments 101, 102, 103 through the engagement between the male screw thread 13 and the female screw thread 64. As shown in FIG. 2, a tube 200, which is made of metal, is inserted into the first tube segment 101 through the opening 12, and the fastener 60 is fitted onto the first tube segment 101. Since the female screw thread 64 is engaged with the male screw thread 13, once the fastener 60 is further rotated relative to the first tube segment 101, the inner side 62 of the fastener 60 presses each wall 14, and therefore flexes each wall 14 toward the axis of the first tube segment 101. As a result, the tube 200 is firmly held. The fit of the inclined surfaces makes the walls 14 be flexed more while the fastener 60 is being turned more tightly, and the stop wall against the distal ends of the walls 14 avoids the fastener 60 from over turning.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, a connector 20 of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention also includes mutually connected first tube segment 201, second tube segment 202, and third tube segment 203, wherein these tube segments share a common connecting portion too. Similarly, the first tube segment 201 is perpendicular to the second tube segment 202. However, the difference from the first preferred embodiment is that an included angle between the second tube segment 202 and the third tube segment 203 is an obtuse angle.

[0021] Again, as shown in FIG. 4, a connector 30 of the third preferred embodiment includes mutually connected first tube segment 301, second tube segment 302, and third tube segment 303, wherein these tube segments share a common connecting portion. The first tube segment 301 is perpendicular to the second tube segment 302 as the aforementioned preferred embodiments, though an included angle between the second tube segment 302 and the third tube segment 303 is an acute angle.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 5, a connector 40 of the fourth preferred embodiment includes a first tube segment 401 and a second tube segment 402 which are mutually connected, wherein the first tube segment 401 is perpendicular to the second tube segment 402.

[0023] As shown in FIG.6, a connector 50 of the fifth preferred embodiment includes two tube segments 501 which are connected coaxially.

[0024] Each tube segment in the aforementioned preferred embodiments has the same structure, and therefore they are all adapted for the fastener 60 to be fitted thereon. A goal frame 100 shown in FIG. 7 is assembled with the connectors 10, 20, 30, 40 of the first to the fourth preferred embodiments and multiple tubes which are made of metal. For ease of explanation, the connector 10 of the first preferred embodiment is renamed as the first connector 10 hereafter. Similarly, the connectors 20, 30, 40 of the second, the third, and the fourth preferred embodiment are respectively renamed as the second, the third, and the fourth connectors 20, 30, 40. And the tubes are respectively defined as a first tube P1., a second tube P2, a third tube P3, two fourth tubes P4, two fifth tubes P5, two sixth tubes P6, and two seventh tubes P7. These tubes P1-P7 are basically the same in structure, except that their lengths are different. An outer diameter of each tube P1-P7 is slightly less than an inner diameter of each tube segment 101-103, 201- 203, 301-303, 401-402 of the connectors 10, 20, 30, 40.

[0025] To assemble the goal frame 100, two ends of the first tube P1 are first respectively inserted into the first tube segments 101 of two paired connectors 10, two ends of the second tube P2 are also respectively inserted into the first tube segments 201 of two paired connectors 20, and two ends of the third tube P3 are respectively inserted into the first tube segments 301 of two paired connectors 30.

After that, one end of each fourth tube P4 is respectively inserted into the second tube segment 102 of one of the connectors 10, and another end thereof is inserted into the second tube segment 202 of one of the connectors 20. Similarly, an end of the fifth tube P5 is inserted into the third tube segment 203 of one of the connectors 20, and another end thereof is inserted into the second tube segment 302 of one of the connectors 30. At this point, a top part and a back part of the goal frame 100 is completely assembled.

[0026] Next, to finish assembling a left part and the right part of the goal frame 100, an end of each sixth tube P6 is respectively inserted into the third tube segment 303 of one of the first connectors 10, and another end thereof is also respectively inserted into the first tube segment 401 of one of the fourth connectors 40. An end of each seventh tube P7 is inserted into the third tube segment 303 of one of the third connectors 30, and another end thereof is inserted into the second tube segment 402 of one of the fourth connectors 40. As a result, once each tube segment 101-103, 201-203, 301-303, 401-402 of the connectors 10, 20, 30, 40 is respectively fitted with one of the fasteners 60, each tube segment 101-103, 201-203, 301-303, 401-402 is flexed to firmly hold the corresponding tubes P1-P7. After further providing a net 300 on the goal frame 100, the installation of a goal is then complete.

[0027] It is worth mentioning that any tube P1-P7 can be formed by connecting two metal tubes to opposite ends of the connector 50 of the fifth preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8. In more details, the metal tubes are two tubes 200 as an example, and the tubes 200 are respectively inserted into the tube segments 501 of the connector 50. Therefore, the size of the goal frame 100 is adjustable by adding or removing multiple of the connectors 50 of the fifth preferred embodiment.

[0028] In summary, a tube can be quickly and firmly connected to the connector provided in the present invention through the design of walls and engagement between the female screw thread of the tube segments and the male screw thread of the fasteners.

[0029] Whilst the above description refers to goal frames and goals formed in accordance with the invention, it is to be noted that the invention may be suited to similar frame structures which define a target or defined area for use in a variety of sports. In any aspect or embodiment of the invention the goals and goal frames described herein could be substituted with similar gates' and gate frames', depending on the sport to be accommodated. It must be pointed out that the embodiments described above are only some preferred embodiments of the present invention. All equivalent structures which employ the concepts defined by the appended claims should fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A goal frame for ball games, comprising: a pair of first connectors each having a first tube segment, a second tube segment, and a third tube segment which are perpendicularly and mutually S connected, and share a common connecting portion; a pair of second connectors each having a first tube segment, a second tube segment, and a third tube segment which are mutually connected and share a common connecting portion, wherein the first tube segment is perpendicular to the second tube segment, and an included angel between the second tube segment and the third tube segment is an obtuse angle; a pair of third connectors each having a first tube segment, a second tube segment, and a third tube segment which are mutually connected and share a common connecting portion, wherein the first tube segment is perpendicular to the second tube segment, and an included angel between the second tube segment and the third tube segment is an acute angle; a pair of fourth connectors, each having a first tube segment and a second tube segment which are perpendicular connected to each other; a first tube, which is straight, and has two opposite ends respectively inserted into the first tube segments of the paired first connectors; a second tube, which is straight, and has two opposite ends respectively inserted into the first tube segments of the paired second connectors; a third tube, which is straight, and has two opposite ends respectively inserted into the first tube segments of the paired third connectors; a pair of fourth tubes, which are straight, wherein an end of each of the fourth tubes is inserted into the second tube segment of one of the first connectors, and another end thereof is inserted into the second tube segment of one of the second connectors; a pair of fifth tubes, which are straight, wherein an end of each of the fifth tubes is inserted into the third tube segment of one of the second connectors, and S another end thereof is inserted into the second tube segment of one of the third connectors; a pair of sixth tubes, which are straight, wherein an end of each of the sixth tubes is inserted into the third tube segment of one of the first connectors, and another end thereof is inserted into the first tube segment of one of the fourth connectors; a pair of seventh tubes, which are straight, wherein an end of each of the seventh tubes is inserted into the third tube segment of one of the third connectors, and another end thereof is inserted into the second tube segment of one of the fourth connectors; and a plurality of fasteners; wherein each tube segment of the connectors is flexible at where inserted by the corresponding tubes; each of the fasteners is respectively fitted onto one of the tube segments to flex the tube segments inward to firmly hold the corresponding tubes.
2. The goal frame of claim 1, wherein the connectors and the fasteners are made of plastic, while the tubes are made of metal.
3. The goal frame of claim 2, wherein each of the tube segments has a plurality of flexible walls, an opening formed at a distal end thereof, and a male screw thread provided on an outer side thereof; the walls are provided at the same end thereof, and each of the walls extends from the male screw thread to the distal end; each of the fasteners is respectively fitted onto the tube segments; the fasteners are in a shape of cylindrical tube, each of which is provided with a female screw thread, which is complementary to the male screw threads, on an inner side thereof, which forces the walls to flex inward to firmly hold the tubes.
4. The goal frame of claim 3, each wall has an inclined surface so that a thickness of each wall gradually decreases from the male screw thread toward the opening; the inner side of each of the fasteners forces the walls to flex by pressing the inclined surfaces thereof.
5. The goal frame of claim 1, wherein the connectors are made of plastic; at least one tube among the first to the fifth tubes further includes a fifth connector made of plastic and two tubes made of metal; an end of each of the metal tubes is inserted into an end of the fifth connector, and another end of each of the metal tubes is inserted into the tube segment of the corresponding connector.