TELESCOPIC FOLDING STRUCTURAL FRAME

Abstract

A telescopic folding structural frame is disclosed, including a first structural member operable to telescopically insert into a second member via a connector and be held in place. The telescopic folding structural frame readily engageable to a screen to retain golf balls struck by a user therein.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/350,249 filed Jun. 8, 2022, titled “TELESCOPIC FOLDING STRUCTURAL FRAME” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to telescopic folding structural frames, which in some embodiments can be used as indoor golf swing practice areas.

BACKGROUND

Frames for golf practice are generally cumbersome and fixed in location and orientation. They may not be easily stored and may take up valuable space that a user does not wish to have permanently assigned to the activity.

To elaborate, the assembly of load-bearing structural frames has previously been made using various combinations of materials such as wood, plastics, composites, metals and concrete to create their shape. The most apparent disadvantage that nearly all previous structural frame apparatuses are designed to have a final form that is both static and permanent. Although there are other types of collapsible/expandable frame structures in existence, they have low load capacity.

Thus, it would be beneficial and needs exist for collapsible and storable structural frames.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce a variety of concepts in a simplified form that is further disclosed in the detailed description of the embodiments. This summary is not intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In general, the embodiments provided herein relate to a telescopic and foldable structural frames which can be used as a load-bearing structural frame when fully expanded that can be collapsed and stowed away quickly as a much smaller ergonomic mobile device. The device includes various clamping hinges (90 degree locking and 180 degree reverse) which clamp to a screen, or other components of the device. The geometric design of the dual tapering symmetry is used for each telescoping support beam. A locking mechanism of telescoping support beams is provided to lock the telescopic and foldable structural frame in a suitable extended or retracted position.

Telescopic folding structural frames are highly desirable as they allow for convenient extension and retraction. The extended configuration allows for the telescopic folding structural frame engage with a screen which retains golf balls within the frame once struck by the user. The telescopic folding frame may then me reconfigured into a retracted configuration which allows for easy and convenient transportation of the device to various location. In such, the telescopic folding frame is readily deployable in a variety of environments to provide a ready-to-assembly and use golf screen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present embodiments and the advantages and features thereof will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a telescopic folding structural frame in expanded configuration, according to some embodiments;

FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate a telescopic folding structural frame in folded configuration from various viewpoints, according to some embodiments;

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate a telescopic folding structural frame in folded configuration with detached parts, according to some embodiments;

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate a telescopic folding structural frame upper right section, according to some embodiments;

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate a telescopic folding structural frame lower left section, according to some embodiments; and

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate telescopic folding structural frame assemblies and parts from various orientations, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before describing example embodiments in detail, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of components and procedures related to the system. Accordingly, the system components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

The frame is most efficiently expanded or collapsed with two people and may also be accomplished with just one person. To expand the frame, it is first telescoped outward along its width from its folded/collapsed position. This process involves the removal and replacement of a (in some embodiments a dozen) steel pins to unlock the three cross bars from their collapsed initial position to then lock the three cross bars to their final point position. Next, the middle legs are separated and laid out flat on the floor. Then, the four 90 degree locking hinges are engaged bringing the vertical supports to their upright position. The last step is to individually remove the 16 remaining steel pins from the four vertical supports and replace them in their final locked positions.

Advantages can include: 1. Frames can come fully assembled. 2. two tilt-engaged wheels on the back of the frame means there is no lifting required for it to be transported locally once in its collapsed position and 3. the lack of the top side connecting cross bars allows for the front and back supports to move independently from one another while not under and type of load.

FIG. 1 illustrates a telescopic folding structural frame 100 in expanded configuration wherein the screen 101 is engaged with the telescopic folding structural frame 100. The screen 101 encloses an interior 103 of the device 105 such that a user stands within the interior 103 and strikes a golf ball or other projectile. The screen 101 retains the projectile therein such that the user may practice their golf swing or other discipline while the telescopic folding structural frame 100 is in an expanded configuration.

In some embodiments, the telescopic folding structural frame 100 includes attachment means 130 which connects the telescopic folding structural frame to the screen 101. The attachment means may be a cord, rope, or other means of connecting the frame to the exterior surface of the screen. The attachment means 130 allows for the efficient connection and detachment of the screen during use and may allow for the screen to be retained on the telescopic folding frame in the expanded configuration or the retracted (i.e., collapsed configuration).

FIGS. 2A-2D and 3A-3B illustrate a telescopic folding structural frame 100 in folded configuration from various viewpoints. The telescopic folding structural frame 100 includes a top telescopic member 200, a bottom telescopic member 201, a left telescopic member 203, and a right telescopic member 205. Each telescopic member 200, 201, 203, and 205 is selectively extended or retracted by the user such that a suitable interior size of the device may be formed using the screen.

In some embodiments, base members 207 are provided to contact the ground surface while supporting the telescopic folding structural frame 100 and providing sufficient friction such that the telescopic folding structural frame 100 does not move during use.

In particular, FIG. 2D illustrates a plurality of left folding members 210 and a plurality of right folding members 220 which allow for the length of the telescopic folding structure 100 to be increased or decreased as needed. The telescopic members 200, 201, 203, and 205 (see FIG. 2A) allow for the width of the telescopic folding structure 100 to be increase or decreased.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate a telescopic folding structural frame upper section 400. Top joints 401 provide a substantially 90° bend in the top members 403 and side members 405 which forms the frame's shape. In such, the telescopic folding structural frame 100 forms a cuboid structure having a hollow interior when in an expanded configuration. The structure is large enough to allow the user to at least partially stand therein while striking a golf ball into the interior of the telescopic folding structural frame. Similarly, FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate a telescopic folding structural frame lower section having lower joints 500 which form a substantially 90° bend in the bottom member 503 and side members 405. This, along with the top joints 401 (see FIG's 4A-4B) provides the structure and shape necessary to form the cuboid structure when in the expanded configuration.

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate telescopic folding structural frame collars 600 which may be used to lock the various components of the frame in position during use. The collars 600 are slidingly engaged with the telescopic members 200, 201, 203, and 205 and/or the folding members 210,220 and may provide a locking mechanism 601 to retain each of the telescopic members 200, 201, 203, and 205 and/or the folding members 210,220 in a suitable position.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. The systems and methods described herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.

Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.

The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of this disclosure. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of this disclosure.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

It should be noted that all features, elements, components, functions, and steps described with respect to any embodiment provided herein are intended to be freely combinable and substitutable with those from any other embodiment. If a certain feature, element, component, function, or step is described with respect to only one embodiment, then it should be understood that that feature, element, component, function, or step can be used with every other embodiment described herein unless explicitly stated otherwise. This paragraph therefore serves as antecedent basis and written support for the introduction of claims, at any time, that combine features, elements, components, functions, and steps from different embodiments, or that substitute features, elements, components, functions, and steps from one embodiment with those of another, even if the description does not explicitly state, in a particular instance, that such combinations or substitutions are possible. It is explicitly acknowledged that express recitation of every possible combination and substitution is overly burdensome, especially given that the permissibility of each and every such combination and substitution will be readily recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.

In many instances entities are described herein as being coupled to other entities. It should be understood that the terms “coupled” and “connected” (or any of their forms) are used interchangeably herein and, in both cases, are generic to the direct coupling of two entities (without any non-negligible (e.g., parasitic) intervening entities) and the indirect coupling of two entities (with one or more non-negligible intervening entities). Where entities are shown as being directly coupled together or described as coupled together without description of any intervening entity, it should be understood that those entities can be indirectly coupled together as well unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

While the embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that these embodiments are not to be limited to the particular form disclosed, but to the contrary, these embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit of the disclosure. Furthermore, any features, functions, steps, or elements of the embodiments may be recited in or added to the claims, as well as negative limitations that define the inventive scope of the claims by features, functions, steps, or elements that are not within that scope.

An equivalent substitution of two or more elements can be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element can be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements can be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination can be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present embodiment is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the following claims.

Claims

1. A telescopic folding structural frame, comprising: a first structural member operable to telescopically insert into a second member via a connector and be held in place, the telescopic folding structural frame readily engageable to a screen to retain golf balls struck by a user therein.

2. The telescopic folding structural frame of claim 1, further comprising a top telescopic member.

3. The telescopic folding structural frame of claim 2, further comprising a bottom telescopic member.

4. The telescopic folding structural frame of claim 3, further comprising a left telescopic member.

5. The telescopic folding structural frame of claim 4, further comprising a right telescopic member.

6. The telescopic folding structural frame of claim 5, wherein each of the top telescopic member, the bottom telescopic member, the left telescopic member, and the right telescopic member are readily expandable to allow for the expansion of the telescopic folding structural frame to permit releasable engagement with the screen in an expanded configuration.

7. The telescopic folding structural frame of claim 6, wherein each of the top telescopic member, the bottom telescopic member, the left telescopic member, and the right telescopic member are readily retractable to allow for the expansion of the telescopic folding structural frame to permit removable engagement with the screen in a retracted configuration.

8. A telescopic folding structural frame, comprising:

a first structural member operable to telescopically insert into a second member via a connector and be held in place, the telescopic folding structural frame readily engageable to a screen to retain golf balls struck by a user therein; and

a locking mechanism to lock the first structural member and a second member in an extended or retracted position.

9. The telescopic folding structural frame of claim 8, further comprising a top telescopic member.

10. The telescopic folding structural frame of claim 9, further comprising a bottom telescopic member.

11. The telescopic folding structural frame of claim 10, further comprising a left telescopic member.

12. The telescopic folding structural frame of claim 11, further comprising a right telescopic member.

13. The telescopic folding structural frame of claim 12, wherein each of the top telescopic member, the bottom telescopic member, the left telescopic member, and the right telescopic member are readily expandable to allow for the expansion of the telescopic folding structural frame to permit releasable engagement with the screen in an expanded configuration.

14. The telescopic folding structural frame of claim 13, wherein each of the top telescopic member, the bottom telescopic member, the left telescopic member, and the right telescopic member are readily retractable to allow for the expansion of the telescopic folding structural frame to permit removable engagement with the screen in a retracted configuration.

15. The telescopic folding structural frame of claim 14, further comprising at least one base member to support the telescopic folding structural frame during use and to minimize movement of the telescopic folding structural frame.