Foldable structure

Abstract

A foldable structure is a singular structure that includes first and second flexible, foldable panels that are pivotally connected to each other along adjacent edge portions. One or more support panels pivotally connects to one of the flexible, foldable panels and removably connects to the other flexible foldable panel. When in an unfolded position, the foldable structure may comprise any of a variety of structures such as, for example, soccer goals, sports goals, basketball hoops, tents, etc. The flexible, foldable panels comprise flexible, foldable, continuous members covered by fabric covers that are sewn together to form the pivotal connections.

1 - 34 . (canceled)  
   
   
       35 . A foldable structure having folded and unfolded positions, the foldable structure comprising: 
 a first panel comprising: 
 a first foldable, flexible, continuous member and having first and second edge portions;  
   a second panel comprising: 
 a second foldable, flexible, continuous member and having third and fourth edge portions, the third edge portion being pivotally connected to the first edge portion; and  
   a third support panel having fifth and sixth edge portions, the fifth edge portion being pivotally connected to one of the second and fourth edge portions, the sixth edge portion being removably connected to the other of the second and fourth edge portions such that (a) when the foldable structure is in the unfolded position, the sixth edge portion is connected to the other of the second and fourth edge portions and the third support panel holds the second and fourth edge portions at the angle relative to each other, and (b) when the foldable structure is in the folded position, the sixth edge portion is disconnected from the other of the second and fourth edge portions.    
   
   
       36 . The foldable structure of  claim 35 , wherein the foldable structure may be folded into the folded position by disconnecting the sixth edge from the other of the second and fourth edges, folding all three panels flat, and then folding the panels together.  
   
   
       37 . The foldable structure of  claim 35 , wherein the first panel further comprises a first fabric cover that at least partially covers an internal area of the first flexible, continuous member, and wherein the second panel further comprises a second fabric cover that at least partially covers an internal area of the second flexible, continuous member.  
   
   
       38 . The foldable structure of  claim 37 , wherein the first cover defines a brace that tends to hold the first member in a predetermined shape when the foldable structure is unfolded, and wherein the second cover defines a brace that tends to hold the second member in a predetermined shape when the foldable structure is unfolded.  
   
   
       39 . The foldable structure of  claim 37 , wherein the pivotal connection between the first and third edge portions comprises an attachment between the first and second covers.  
   
   
       40 . The foldable structure of  claim 35 , wherein the first, second, and third panels are permanently connected together such that the members form a single foldable structure.  
   
   
       41 . The foldable structure of  claim 35 , wherein the first through sixth edge portions are each substantially linear when the foldable structure is in the unfolded position.  
   
   
       42 . The foldable structure of  claim 41 , wherein the first and third edge portions are parallel to each other when the foldable structure is in its unfolded position.  
   
   
       43 . The foldable structure of  claim 42 , wherein the fifth edge portion and the one of the second and fourth edge portions are parallel to each other when the foldable structure is in its unfolded position.  
   
   
       44 . The foldable structure of  claim 43 , wherein, when the foldable structure is in its unfolded position, the first panel forms a first rectangle with the first and second edge portions defining adjacent legs of the first rectangle, and 
 wherein, when the foldable structure is in its unfolded position, the second panel forms a second rectangle with the third and fourth edge portions defining adjacent legs of the second rectangle.    
   
   
       45 . The foldable structure of  claim 44 , wherein the first panel has a seventh edge portion that defines a leg of the first rectangle opposite to the second edge portion, and 
 wherein the second panel has an eighth edge portion that defines a leg of the second rectangle opposite to the fourth edge portion, and    wherein the foldable structure further comprises a fourth support panel having ninth and tenth edge portions, the angle defining an angle formed between the ninth and tenth edge portions, the ninth edge portion being connected to one of the seventh and eighth edge portions, the tenth edge portion being removably connected to the other of the seventh and eighth edges.    
   
   
       46 . The foldable structure of  claim 44 , wherein the first and second rectangles are equally sized.  
   
   
       47 . The foldable structure of  claim 37 , wherein the first and second panels each have substantially linear base edge portions, the base edge portions being adapted to lay on a ground to support the foldable structure when in the unfolded position.  
   
   
       48 . The foldable structure of  claim 47 , wherein the base edge portions of the first and second panels are disposed on opposite sides of the first and second panels, respectively, from the first and third edges, respectively.  
   
   
       49 . The foldable structure of  claim 48 , wherein the first panel further comprises a first fabric cover that at least partially covers an internal area of the first flexible, continuous member, and 
 wherein the first cover has an opening formed in an upper portion thereof for receiving an object.    
   
   
       50 . The foldable structure of  claim 49 , wherein the first cover has a ball return hole formed in a lower portion thereof, and wherein the foldable structure further comprises a ball return passageway operatively connecting the opening to the ball return hole, the ball return passageway being constructed and arranged such that a ball that is received through the opening flows through the ball return passageway and hole and is projected away from the foldable structure.  
   
   
       51 . The foldable structure of  claim 50 , further comprising a backboard and hoop supported between the first and second panels within the passageway.  
   
   
       52 . A foldable structure having folded and unfolded positions, the foldable structure comprising: 
 an upright panel comprising a first foldable, flexible, continuous member and having a first lower edge portion and a second side edge portion, the first lower edge portion being adapted to lay on a ground when the foldable structure is unfolded; and    a chain of at least two sequentially-pivotally-connected support panels, each support panel comprising a foldable, flexible, continuous member, a first support panel in the chain having a third edge portion that pivotally connects to the second edge portion, a last support panel in the chain having an additional portion that removably connects to the first edge portion,    wherein lengths of the perimeters of the at least two support panels are each less than ½ of a length of a perimeter of the upright panel.    
   
   
       53 . The foldable structure of  claim 52 , wherein the chain of at least two sequentially-pivotally-connected support panels comprises first, second, and last support panels, and 
 wherein the first support panel in the chain has a fourth edge portion; and    wherein a second support panel in the chain has fifth and sixth edge portions, the fifth edge portion being pivotally connected to the fourth edge portion; and    wherein the last support panel in the chain has a seventh edge portion that is pivotally connected to the sixth edge portion.    
   
   
       54 . The foldable structure of  claim 53 , wherein the foldable structure comprises a goal, and wherein the upright panel has an opening therein that is adapted to receive an object therethrough.  
   
   
       55 . A foldable structure having folded and unfolded positions, the foldable structure comprising: 
 a first panel comprising a first foldable, flexible, continuous member and a first fabric cover that at least partially covers an internal area of the first flexible, continuous member;    a second panel pivotally connected to the first panel, the second panel comprising a second foldable, flexible, continuous member and a second fabric cover that at least partially covers an internal area of the second flexible, continuous member; and    a third support panel pivotally connected to one of the first and second panels and removably connected to the other of the first and second panels such that, when the foldable structure is in the unfolded position, the third support panel connects to the other of the first and second panels and the third support panel holds the first and second panels at a predetermined angle relative to each other.