DE3608188C2 - - Google Patents

Abstract

In order to facilitate operation and extend the service life of a covering device for tennis courts (1), having a spread-out tarpaulin (3) which is attached displaceably on the longitudinal sides of the tennis court (1), the device has running rails (4, 5) arranged on the longitudinal sides of the tennis court (1), carriages (29), which are guided on the running rails (4, 5) and on which the tarpaulin (3) is attached, and supports (12, 13) which lift the tarpaulin (3) between the running rails (4, 5). <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a device for covering tennis places with a stretched tarpaulin, the Cover tarpaulin slidable on the long sides of the tennis court is hung.

The tennis sport is predominantly practiced on open air courts today practiced. The game is played on tennis courts with a red blanket Brick powder or ground red natural stone, made of plastic Asphalt or concrete or from lawn. Although such tennis courts have a drainage, they are mostly for after rainfall unplayable for a long time. This is especially the case with the first and to observe the latter blankets. Since the Tennis has become increasingly popular great need for effective coverage that is easy to handle is. This applies in particular to tournament events where the competitions are carried out on time have to.

So far, simple tarpaulins have been used, which are rolled out on the tennis court when it rains. At this procedure, it is particularly disadvantageous that the amount of liquid deposited on the tarpaulin collect because they do not expire by themselves. It's almost like that Avoid that the previously known tarpaulin rolled up damp and that liquid runs off on the tennis court.

It is also a device for covering tennis courts become known in which a tarpaulin is attached to a rope is stretched, which is between masts on the front sides of the Tennis court is excited. The tarpaulin is attached to the Fixed along the sides of the tennis court so that there is a tent roof, where rainwater runs off to the side.  

This device is particularly complex to handle. To next the network must be dismantled so that the rope over laid out the place and then the tarpaulin from the Long sides can be rolled out over the tennis court. Here are several people just for rolling out the tarpaulin required. Then the tarpaulin on the long sides of the Be fixed on the tennis court. Finally the rope is in the Masts hung, the masts are erected and the Ab Deckplane pulled up by a crank mechanism on one of the Masts is operated. It is understandable that even a good one played team almost half an hour for building this Device needed. It is also disadvantageous that the Do not let moisture escape from the rolled tarpaulin can, which makes it unsightly after a short time and rots.

DE-OS 24 47 185 is a generic covering device Known for tennis courts on the long sides Ropes can be stretched between corner posts, on which a tarpaulin is slidably suspended by brackets. The tarpaulin is permanently stretched between two front corner posts and pulled out between the other two corner posts exciting. For this and for tensioning the ropes on the long sides of the tennis court are two separate tensioning devices on each the latter corner post provided. So that the rainwater can run from the central sagging tarpaulin, points at least one in the middle Drainage opening to which a hose can be connected.

From the above it already follows that the effort for Method of the known covering device is large. First namely the ropes on the long sides of the tennis court be excited. Then the tarpaulin can be pulled out, which requires considerable effort. Here is it is disadvantageous that the clips on the ropes rub and  damage them over a long period of operation. If the Cover is pulled out, it must be on its second face be stretched between corner posts. Finally, the drainage opening the sagging tarpaulin a hose connect and lead to a sewer.

From DE-OS 15 78 822 is a device for covering Sports fields known, with a tarpaulin on in the transverse direction Slidably suspended rails running over the sports field is. The running rails in turn are complex Rope structure suspended from the side telescopic posts is attached.

The invention is based on the object basic, a device for covering tennis courts create where the water is forcibly drained, the can be assembled and disassembled more easily and quickly and that can be attached organically and inconspicuously to a tennis court.  

To solve this problem is a generic further developed device with on the long sides of the Running tracks arranged on the tennis court, on the tracks guided carriage on which the tarpaulin is suspended and supports lifting the tarpaulin between the rails.

In a device according to the invention, the Ab Deckplane in standby position on the front of the Tennis court, being between neighboring carriages and the Earth is folded meandering. On standby position takes up little space, but her  Surface for drying is exposed. When it starts to rain is the tarpaulin with little effort over the Extended tennis court as they attached to the carriage with little friction the rails is guided. The rails are like that spaced from the court surface that the somewhat sagging The tarpaulin does not drag the net and effortlessly can be overcome. Once the tarpaulin covers the tennis court completely covered, it is raised with the supports until it no longer forms troughs in which rainwater accumulates. This is achieved when the tarpaulin at all points between longitudinally offset supports above the carriage is arranged. Then the rainwater between longitudinally offset supports laterally in the direction of the running rails run and it runs between supports and the front of the Tennis court both to the side of the running tracks as well the front sides.

It is particularly advantageous that a device according to the invention can be handled easily and rainfall is effective conducts, immediately after rainfall from the Aus driving position are returned to the ready position can, because it dries quickly there. Here is the front direction inexpensive because the tarpaulin is practically not rots. It can also be organic and unobtrusive Attach a tennis court, especially if the running tracks be integrated into the side fences.

In one embodiment of the invention, the tarpaulin is two trained in parts so that they can be used with little effort both halves of the space can be pulled. For sealing is in To provide an overlap area in the middle of the tennis court.

Usually the tarpaulin remains both in the ready shaft position as well as in the extended position, as they pass through their great weight and that of the supports  applied tension resists the influence of wind forces. It is particularly advantageous, however, if the tarpaulin on the End faces of the tennis court is set as they are then over all is forced into a shape that is strong even from strong wind gusts cannot be destroyed. This can be particularly easy Way done with earth anchors. If the tarpaulin also on the Rails can be fixed, can be prevented closes automatically for the aforementioned reasons or opens.

Before the tarpaulin is returned to the ready position will drive, the supports are spindled down so that they sags everywhere between the rails. If the Running rails are only aligned horizontally the tarpaulin in the standby position between neighboring carriages and the running rails the shape of troughs that sag in the middle. This can Collect rainwater in the middle of the tarpaulin. Furthermore the view from the front of the tennis court is obstructed different. This can be avoided if the rails on the Front ends of the tennis court run out in elbows that lead to the Point out the surface of the court. This causes the Cover in the standby position anywhere between the Running rails rests on the floor, being on the lowered carriage is fanned out. Expediently the arches are attached to the tennis court with floor slabs and closed.

In a further embodiment, all carriages are excluded arranged half of the elbows when the tarpaulin over the Tennis court is fully spread out. This will make a Avoid throwing up the tarpaulin in the area of the bends.

In order to ensure an even support force in the tarpaulin the supports on the two T-points of the Arranged tennis court and they have a tarpaulin convex contact surface.  

If the supports are adjustable in height, they can be put on the Ten be set up before the tarpaulin is extended the tarpaulin can and will be lifted more easily. If the supports are high spindle, the cover is raised plan further relieved. For this, the supports have a sub stamp with an external thread on the top, an elongated hole, the is arranged in the external thread in the longitudinal direction of the support, a clamping device which can be screwed onto the external thread, in the lower stamp inserted upper stamp with holes and a fixing bolt that goes into the slot and into the hole is inserted and rests on the clamping device.

In order to safely guide the carriages on the long sides, they are used in tracks. The running rails can have a C-profile with inner shoulders adjacent to the longitudinal slot, wel ches is protected from the ingress of rainwater if the Longitudinal slots facing the tennis court and horizontally or to Horizontal are inclined.

In order to introduce the clamping force evenly into the rails, the carriages are supported with rollers on the inner shoulders. For this purpose, four rollers are preferably mounted on the housing of the carriage before. To reduce the transverse forces on the rollers, the carriages - preferably on the two ends of the housing - guide rollers which engage in the longitudinal slot of the rails. For this purpose, eyes can be welded to the end faces of the housing, into which bearing bolts are inserted, which carry guide rollers.

In a further embodiment, the carriages protrude with the Ge out of the rails and is the tarpaulin on the protruding portion of the housing attached, thereby the Ab cover tarpaulin is particularly easy to attach. The resilience will introduced evenly into the tarpaulin if that Housing has a flange and the tarpaulin between this and a plate is screwed. It is particularly cheap  Flange and the plate with four aligned each other to drill holes.

To reduce the load on the tarpaulin caused by suspension forces and folds them evenly in the ready position support, this can have sinusoidal sides and with the Maxima to be hung on the carriage.

In a further embodiment, the running rails are open Supports fixed and the supports inserted into guide tubes, which, encased in a layer of concrete, sunk into the ground are let. These supports absorb great tension and can be assembled or disassembled at any time. To the run rails can be assembled or disassembled separately these are attached to the supports with brackets. The guide tube is on the lower end of a T-beam, so that it rests on a concrete layer on this face. Purpose moderately, the supports are designed as double-T beams, which have a particularly high strength with low weight. The supports are preferably located on their outside with elevations coat on the guide tubes so that they are easily inserted can be managed and still run with little play. If the Brackets in the guide tubes can easily rust off these are separated because only the surveys with the Rust the guide tubes.

In a further embodiment, the running rails are in sleeves used, which are attached to the supports. The sleeves include the rails on the outer jacket, so that the Running rails are practically not deformed by holding forces. As a result, the running rails are free of weld seams would result in an increased term delay. The Rails can be easily screwed into the Sleeves to be fixed.  

Finally, in one embodiment of the invention see that the rails are welded to reinforcement rails are, which means greater distances between adjacent columns can be bridged without the rails with clamping forces to overload. The reinforcement rails on the Supports or brackets welded.

Further details and advantages result from the following description of the accompanying drawings, in which a preferred embodiment has been shown. In the Shows drawings

Figure 1 shows a device for covering tennis courts in the extended position in plan view.

Fig. 2 the same device cut along the line II-II of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 cut the same device along the line III-III of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 the same device cut along the line IV-IV of Fig. 1;

Figure 5 shows the same device cut along the line VV of Figure 1;

Figure 6 shows the same device cut along the line VI-VI of Figure 1;

FIG. 7 shows the same device in the standby position in the plan view;

Figure 8 shows the same device cut along the line VIII-VIII of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is enlarged partial view IX of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 the same device cut along the line XX of Fig. 7;

Figure 11 shows the same device cut along the line XI-XI of Figure 7;

Figure 12 shows the same device cut along the line XII-XII of Figure 7;

FIG. 13 is partial enlarged view of XIII of figure 1 with partly cut-away tarpaulin.

Fig. 14 support for the rails of the same device in section XIV-XIV of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 the same support cut along the line XV-XV of Fig. 14;

Figure 16 is the same support cut along the line XVI-XVI of Figure 14;

Fig. 17 support for the running rail of the same device along the line XVII-XVII of Fig. 13 cut;

Fig. 18 support for the running rail of the same device along the line XVIII-XVIII of Fig. 13 cut;

Fig. 19 carriage of the same device in the direction of travel in the outline of the track;

Fig. 20 the same carriage in the view;

Fig. 21 arc piece of the same device in an enlarged partial view XXI of Fig. 2;

FIG. 22 shows the same arch section cut along the line XXII-XXII of FIG. 21;

Fig. 23 support the same device in an enlarged partial view XXIII of Fig. 3 and 4;

Fig. 24 ground anchor of the same device in an enlarged partial view XXIV in FIG. 1.

Fig. 1 shows a tennis court 1 with a playing field 2 and a device according to the invention, the tarpaulin 3 is in the extended position, wherein it spans the tennis court 1 . On the long sides of the tennis court 1 there are rails 4 , 5 for holding and guiding the tarpaulin 3 . On the end faces 6 , 7 of the tennis court 1 , the tarpaulin 3 is fixed with ground anchors 8 , 9 . On the T-points 10 , 11 of the tennis court - ie the points on which the service line and the service center line intersect - supports 12, 13 are arranged, on which the tarpaulin 3 rests.

As seen from Fig. 2, the rails 4, 5 mounted on supports 14, 14 ', so that the cover sheet 3 at the longitudinal sides is held in a perpendicular distance from the tennis court are 1. The rails 4 , 5 end on the sides in curved pieces 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , which will be explained further below.

Fig. 3 shows the contour of the tarpaulin 3 in its extended position with high-spindle supports 12 , 13th These are set so that the tarpaulin 3 is arranged in the central region 19 above its lateral suspensions. So rain water that falls in the central area 19 is forced to the long sides of the tennis court. The direction of flow of the rainwater is better seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, which are cross sections through the device in the central region 19 . Be remarkable is also that the central region 19 is suspended above the network 20 , so that it does not need to be dismantled.

Between the supports 12 , 13 and the end faces 6 , 7 , the rainwater runs off both on the long side and on the end side. Between the ridges 21 and 22 and the ridges 23 and 24 ( FIG. 1), the tarpaulin 3 is arched downward ( FIGS. 3 and 6), so that the rainwater is forcibly diverted from these areas to the end faces 6 , 7 .

FIGS. 7 to 12 show the apparatus in the standby position in which the two-part cover sheet 3 on the end sides 6, 7 of the tennis court is stored and in which the supports 12, 13 are removed from the game field 2. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, the space requirement of the apparatus is extremely small. In particular, the width of the tennis court that can be walked on is practically not restricted by the device, since it can be integrated into side fences which are present anyway.

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the tarpaulin 3 is stored in a meandering manner in the region of the arch pieces 15 to 18 , the longitudinal openings 25 being fanned out between adjacent loops 26 . At the end faces 6 , 7 , the tarpaulin is limited by the ground anchors 8, 9 . Due to their own weight, the tarpaulin 3 normally remains in the standby position.

In the Fig. 13 details of the lateral suspension of the tarpaulin 3 are shown. This has a sinusoidal side 27 on the running rail 5 , the maxima 28 of which are suspended on carriages 29 inserted into the running rails 5 . In the case of the running rail 4 , the tarpaulin 3 is designed accordingly because the maxima are directly opposite on both sides.

The following statements relate to both the running rail 4 and the running rail 5 , although reference is made only to the running rail 5 . On its underside, the running rail has 5 drain holes 30 for rainwater. It is held by sleeves 31 , which in turn are attached to supports 14 . Between the sleeves 31 carries the guide rail 5 reinforcing rails 32 , with which they are fastened together on supports 14 '.

Details of the attachment and support of the rails 4 and 5 can be seen better from FIGS. 14 to 18, which are explained in the following. The running rail 5 is fixed in the sleeves 31 by clamping screws 33 . The sleeves 31 are welded to brackets 34 in such a way that the longitudinal slot 35 of the running rail 5 is slightly inclined to the horizontal. This enables an optimal application of force from the tarpaulin 3 via the carriage 29 into the running rail 5 . The console 34 is in turn attached to the support 14 , which is designed as a double-T beam. The support 14 is inserted into a guide tube 36 which, surrounded by a concrete layer 37 , rests in the ground 38 . In order to encase the guide tube 36 on the underside with the Be layer of clay, a T-beam 39 is placed there. The support 14 has elevations 40 on the crossbeams, which in particular prevent the entire surface from rusting in the guide tube.

Fig. 17 shows a running rail 5, which is welded with a reinforcing rail 32 having box-section on a console fixed. The console 41 is attached to a support 14 'which, like the support 14 , is mounted in the ground.

Fig. 19 shows the carriage 29 in the running rail 5. In Fig. 20 the carriage 29 has been shown together with the lower rail edge 42 . The carriage 29 has a housing 43 which is extended to a flange 44 which projects from the longitudinal slot 35 of the running rail 5 . Four rollers 45 are rotatably mounted on the housing 43 and roll on the inner shoulders 46 of the running rail 5 . Eyes 47 are welded to the end faces of the housing 43 , into which bearing bolts 48 are inserted, which carry rotatable guide rollers 49 . The guide rollers 49 engage in the longitudinal slot 35 of the running rail 5 and absorb lateral forces by rolling on the inner shoulders 46 .

The tarpaulin 3 is screwed between the flange 44 and a plate 50 . For this purpose, the flange 44 and the plate 50 have four mutually aligned bores 51 and 52 . The upper edge 53 of the plate 50 is rounded according to the page 27 of the tarpaulin 3 .

FIGS. 21 and 22 show a sheet piece 16, which extends with a radius 54 to the tennis court 1 side. To set the tennis court 1, the sheet piece 16 is welded to a bottom plate 55, wherein between the sheet piece 16 and bottom plate 55 welded to a reinforcing rib 56 is. The bottom plate 55 has a bore 57 for fixing it to the tennis court 1 . The arc piece 16 is the same in cross section of the running rail 5 , so that carriages 29 can roll in it.

Fig. 23 shows a support 13, bearing surface on the convex 58 on the cover sheet 3 rests. The lower punch 59 of the support 13 has a bottom plate 60 at the lower end and an external thread 61 at the upper end, on which a screwable clamping device 62 is guided. A fixing bolt 63 can be inserted within an elongated hole 64 in bores 65 of the upper punch 66 , wherein it rests on the upper edge of the clamping device 62 . An inserted fixing bolt 63 of the upper punch 66 is accordingly the displacement of the clamping device 62 mitver inserted.

Fig. 24 shows a ground anchor 9 which is driven into the tennis court 1, in two views, which are shifted by 90 °. The ground anchor 9 consists of a T-profile which is chamfered on one side to a tip 67 and has a striking head 68 on the other side. On its central web, the ground anchor 9 has an eyelet 69 near the striking head 68 , to which a tension cable 70 is fastened for lashing the tarpaulin 3 .

Claims (34)

1. Device for covering tennis courts ( 1 ) with a stretched tarpaulin ( 3 ), the tarpaulin ( 3 ) being slidably suspended on the long sides of the tennis court ( 1 ), characterized by rails arranged on the long sides of the tennis court ( 1 ) ( 4 , 5 ), carriages ( 29 ) guided on the running rails ( 4 , 5 ), on which the tarpaulin ( 3 ) is suspended, and supports ( 12 , 13. ) Lifting the tarpaulin ( 3 ) between the running rails ( 4 , 5 ) ). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tarpaulin ( 3 ) is in two parts. 3. Device according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the tarpaulin ( 3 ) on the end faces ( 6 , 7 ) of the tennis court ( 1 ) is fixed. 4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the tarpaulin ( 3 ) is fixed to ground anchors ( 9 ). 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the tarpaulin ( 3 ) on the rails ( 4 , 5 ) can be fixed. 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the running rails ( 4 , 5 ) on the end faces ( 6 , 7 ) of the tennis court ( 1 ) in arch pieces ( 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ) which run to Point out the surface of the court. 7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the arc pieces ( 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ) with welded base plates ( 55 ) on the tennis court ( 1 ) are attached. 8. Device according to one of claims 6 to 7, characterized in that all the carriages ( 29 ) outside the Bo gene pieces ( 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ) are arranged when the tarpaulin ( 3 ) over the tennis court ( 1 ) completely is spread. 9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the supports ( 12 , 13 ) on the two T-points ( 10 , 11 ) of the tennis court ( 1 ) are arranged. 10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the supports ( 12 , 13 ) are adjustable in height. 11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the supports ( 12 , 13 ) are high spindle. 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the supports ( 12 , 13 ) have a lower punch ( 59 ) with an external thread ( 61 ) that an elongated hole ( 64 ) in the longitudinal direction of the support ( 61 ) in the external thread ( 61 ) 12 , 13 ) that a screwable clamping device ( 62 ) is arranged on the external thread ( 61 ), that an upper punch ( 66 ) with bores ( 65 ) is inserted into the lower punch ( 59 ) and that a fixing bolt ( 63 ) in the slot ( 64 ) and the bores ( 65 ) is inserted and rests on the clamping device ( 62 ). 13. The device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the supports ( 12 , 13 ) have a to the cover ( 3 ) convex bearing surface ( 58 ). 14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the carriages ( 29 ) are inserted into the running rails ( 4 , 5 ). 15. The apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the rails ( 4 , 5 ) have a C-profile with the longitudinal slot ( 35 ) adjacent inner shoulders ( 46 ). 16. The apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the rails ( 4 , 5 ) have the longitudinal slots ( 35 ) on the side of the tennis court ( 1 ) and that the longitudinal slots ( 35 ) are arranged horizontally or inclined to the horizontal. 17. The device according to one of claims 15 to 16, characterized in that the carriages ( 29 ) with rollers ( 45 ) on the inner shoulders ( 46 ) are supported. 18. The apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the carriage ( 29 ) have four on a housing ( 43 ) mounted barrel rollers ( 45 ). 19. Device according to one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that the carriages ( 29 ) have guide rollers ( 49 ) which engage in the longitudinal slot ( 35 ) of the running rails ( 4 , 5 ). 20. The apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that the guide rollers ( 49 ) are arranged on the two end faces of the housing ( 43 ). 21. The apparatus according to claim 20, characterized in that on the end faces of the housing ( 43 ) eyes ( 47 ) are welded, in the bearing bolts ( 48 ) are inserted, the guide rollers ( 49 ) carry. 22. Device according to one of claims 14 to 21, characterized in that the carriage ( 29 ) on the housing ( 43 ) protrude from the rails ( 4 , 5 ) and that the tarpaulin ( 3 ) on the projecting section of the housing ( 43 ) is fastened. 23. Device according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that the housing ( 43 ) of the carriage ( 29 ) has a flange ( 44 ) to which the tarpaulin ( 3 ) is attached. 24. The device according to claim 23, characterized in that the tarpaulin ( 3 ) between the flange ( 44 ) and a plate ( 50 ) is screwed. 25. The device according to claim 24, characterized in that the flange ( 44 ) and the plate ( 50 ) each have four mutually aligned bores ( 51 , 52 ). 26. Device according to one of claims 1 to 25, characterized in that the tarpaulin ( 3 ) on the rails ( 4 , 5 ) has sinusoidal sides ( 27 ), and with the maxima ( 28 ) attached to the carriage ( 29 ) is. 27. The device according to one of claims 1 to 26, characterized in that the rails ( 4, 5 ) on supports ( 14 , 14 ') are fixed and that the supports ( 14 , 14 ') are inserted into guide tubes ( 36 ) which, encased by a layer of concrete ( 37 ), are embedded in the soil ( 38 ). 28. The apparatus according to claim 27, characterized in that the rails ( 4, 5 ) with brackets ( 34 , 41 ) on the supports ( 14 , 14 ') are attached. 29. Device according to one of claims 27 to 28, characterized in that the guide tube ( 36 ) rests on the lower end face on a T-beam ( 39 ). 30. Device according to one of claims 27 to 29, characterized in that the supports ( 14 , 14 ') are double T-beams. 31. The device according to one of claims 27 to 30, characterized in that the supports ( 14 , 14 ') bear with elevations ( 40 ) on their outer jacket on the guide tubes ( 36 ). 32. Device according to one of claims 27 to 31, characterized in that the rails ( 4 , 5 ) in sleeves ( 31 ) are set, which are attached to the supports ( 14 , 14 '). 33. Apparatus according to claim 32, characterized in that the sleeves ( 31 ) have clamping screws ( 33 ) for fixing the running rails ( 4 , 5 ). 34. Device according to one of claims 1 to 33, characterized in that the running rails ( 4 , 5 ) with reinforcing rails ( 32 ) are welded.