EP1059103A1 - Modular playfield with inflated obstacles - Google Patents

Abstract

The playing field comprises big (3,4), little cylindrical tubular casings (5) and extensions (6,7,8) attached together by connection parts (9,10,11) to form continuous internal volume filled with air at specified pressure of 1.5 bars. It has corner fan (2) compensating for pressure losses in internal volume. Various shaped obstacles (12,13,14,15) are arranged either horizontally or vertically.

Description

The invention is in the field of sports equipment. It relates to particularly a modular playground intended for the practice of sport known as "paintball".

Fasting known as paint ball (term we will use in the continuation of the description) is a collective sport. The goal of each team is to grab the flag of the opposing team, and bring it back in its own base, without being eliminated. A player is eliminated from the game as soon as he is marked by an impact of a paintball, on his clothes or on his equipment (marker, harness). The game ends when the player hangs up the flag or when the time runs out.

Conventionally, the paintball fields currently used in the world are approximately rectangular surfaces of a few hundreds of square meters (the total area being largely variable depending on number of players), including a number of obstacles any form (natural obstacles or objects) that provide shelter or hiding places for players.

These grounds are permanently equipped places, taking advantage of the more often of existing natural obstacles. The grounds are then little or to barely comparable from one to the other, they are most often totally asymmetrical for both teams, and spectators are not always able to find a place to see the game clearly.

Paintball obstacles in the form of inflated balloon, marketed by the same company, pressurized at start of the game, and placed at previously selected positions. These obstacles have the main disadvantage of their weight, because a good seal against air is necessary, which implies the choice of a thick tarpaulin type fabric with welded or vulcanized "seams" between the pieces of fabric forming the obstacles. The set of obstacles is then both heavy and expensive. The obstacle repairs are also difficult to consider locally by field operators.

The object of the present invention is to remedy the drawbacks previous.

The aim of the invention is then to propose a new concept of terrain removable and transportable paintball game, the limits of which are determined by the device which is the subject of the invention.

According to a second objective, the land is adapted to be installed quickly.

According to a third objective, the playing field can be delimited so predetermined chosen from a very large number of possible combinations modular elements, and symmetrical playing surfaces can be defined for both teams.

According to a fourth objective, the invention makes the game less dangerous, in avoiding rigid obstacles.

According to a fifth objective, the maintenance of the elements is very easy.

The invention provides for this purpose a playground characterized in that it has elements in the form of empty envelopes, tied together to form a continuous interior volume filled with air under pressure predetermined, and a means of compensating for the pressure losses of this interior volume.

We understand that this choice of ventilated elements allows us to consider the times an identical pitch assembly in different places where parts must be played, and transport the ground from one place to another.

In addition, the choice of permanently ventilated elements rather than inflated once reduces the need for very tight and thick fabric, and thus contributes to an economy of realization of the ground, as well as to a overall weight reduction of the playing field.

It then becomes easy to allow spectators to attend the game, by planning the installation of the land on an open area. Likewise, media can easily evolve around freely installed terrains (and therefore according to these so-called media), and the always similar nature of the land installed allows spectators to better follow and compare games between they.

Preferably, the elements include juxtaposed sheaths comprising closable air supply means, on at least one of their sides and at least one of their two ends.

This provision is favorable to a standardization of connections between ducts and obstacles, and therefore facilitates the mounting of the field. Otherwise, the existence of multiple air supply means on at least one side of the ducts provide great modularity for the installation of the land, according to the game organizer.

• des grosses gaines déterminant des limites du terrain de jeu,
• des petites gaines adaptées à être fixées sensiblement perpendiculairement aux grosses gaines sur leurs moyens d'alimentation en air obturables,
• des rallonges adaptées à être fixées sensiblement perpendiculairement aux petites gaines sur leurs moyens d'alimentation en air obturables,
• des obstacles adaptés à être fixés au bout de rallonges ou directement sur les petites gaines.

In a preferred embodiment, the elements include:

• large sheaths determining the limits of the playing field,
• small ducts adapted to be fixed substantially perpendicular to the large ducts on their closable air supply means,
• extensions adapted to be fixed substantially perpendicular to the small ducts on their closable air supply means,
• obstacles suitable for being fixed at the end of extensions or directly on small ducts.

The elements also advantageously include fittings for connection between large and small ducts, simple corner elements, and at least one motorized corner element.

We understand that we are looking on the one hand for a simple assembly of the terrain to base of a small number of standardized elements, allowing by a set of different lengths to achieve a large number of terrain conformations, and, on the other hand, a wide variety of obstacles that can be created little by little little, as long as they remain in compliance with fixing point standards and air supply for ducts and standard elements.

To facilitate the transport and the assembly or disassembly of the playground, the elements are made of porous textile of grammage of the order of 50 to 200 grams per m2.

In an embodiment particularly suitable for intensive use of the playing field, the elements are made of pieces of fabric cut according to predetermined shapes and then sewn using a so-called seam double needle offset arm with chain stitch.

To solve the problem of the forces transmitted at the level of the fittings by the internal air pressure and the supports of the players, the connections of elements include a zipper forming a spiral with two turns.

In order to reduce the cost of the playground and change easy key elements, the means of compensating for pressure losses of the internal volume is a centrifugal fan with a flow rate between 0 and ½ m3 per second, suitable for maintaining a pressure of the order of 1.5 bars in the interior volume.

• la figure 1 représente une vue en plan d'un terrain de jeu selon l'invention;
• le figure 2 représente une gaine en vue de côté;
• le figure 3 représente une petite gaine en vue de côté;
• le figure 4 représente une rallonge en vue de côté et de face;
• la figure 5 représente un obstacle de type cône en vue de côté et de dessus
• la figure 6 représente un obstacle de type "rocket" en vue de côté et de dessus;
• la figure 7 représente un obstacle de type cylindre en vue de côté et de dessus;
• la figure 8 représente un renfort destiné à la fixation des éléments sur le sol par des "sardines" de type camping;
• les figures 9A à 9C illustrent des variantes de principe de couture des pièces;
• la figure 10 illustre un type de fixation des éléments entre eux par double tour de fixation.

The description and the drawings which follow will make it possible to better understand the aims and advantages of the invention. It is clear that this description is given by way of example, and is not limiting. In the drawings:

• Figure 1 shows a plan view of a playground according to the invention;
• Figure 2 shows a sheath in side view;
• Figure 3 shows a small sheath in side view;
• Figure 4 shows an extension in side and front view;
• FIG. 5 represents a cone type obstacle viewed from the side and from above
• FIG. 6 represents an obstacle of the "rocket" type in side and top view;
• FIG. 7 represents an obstacle of the cylinder type in side and top view;
• Figure 8 shows a reinforcement for fixing the elements on the ground by "sardines" camping type;
• FIGS. 9A to 9C illustrate variants of the principle of sewing the pieces;
• FIG. 10 illustrates a type of attachment of the elements to each other by double attachment turn.

As seen in Figure 1, a playground 1 according to the invention consists of a number of elements juxtaposed in continuity on a substantially rectangular surface (but which could as well be chosen from different form, as we can easily understand).

These elements are in the form of empty textile envelopes, tied together to form a continuous interior volume filled with air, ventilated permanently (to compensate for air losses by stitching, porosity etc.), and whose surface tension of the envelope determines the shape geometric.

Such a playground 1 therefore comprises a ventilation element 2, intended to keep all the elements of the ground under air pressure (approximately 1.5 bar), sheath elements 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, mainly cylindrical, of length and variable diameter depending on use, pieces of fittings 9, 10, 11, allowing to connect sheaths in length or in corner, and obstacles 12, 13, 14, 15 of various shapes, which can be arranged in a vertical position or horizontal.

1/ pour former les limites extérieures rectangulaires du terrain de jeu 1 :

• un angle moteur 2 (source de ventilation),
• quatre grosses gaines latérales longues 3 (longueur 50 m dans le présent exemple),
• quatre grosses gaines latérales courtes 4 (longueur 24 m),
• quatre éléments de liaison 9,
• trois éléments d'angle simples 11,

ces éléments étant assemblés bout à bout pour former un rectangle de 100 m par 48 m,

2/ pour former des limites intermédiaires et les sources d'alimentation en air des obstacles :

• huit petites gaines transversales 5 (longueur 24 m), fixées par une extrémité à un côté (cylindrique) des grosses gaines,
• quatre éléments de raccord transversal 10, reliant entre elles deux extrémités de petites gaines,

3/ pour positionner et alimenter en air les obstacles :

• six rallonges longues 6 (longueur 6 m),
• huit rallonges moyennes 7 (longueur 2 m),
• quatorze rallonges courtes 8 (longueur 1 m),
• quatorze liaisons directes 16 des obstacles sur les petites gaines 5,

ces rallonges étant fixées par une extrémité à un côté des petites gaines

4/ des obstacles :

• huit cônes 13 verticaux ,
• quatre cônes 13 horizontaux,
• quinze cylindres 12 verticaux,
• huit cylindres 12 horizontaux,
• deux pyramides 15,
• huit obstacles dits "rockets" 14,

chacun de ces obstacles étant raccordé sur une rallonge qui le positionne et l'alimente en air sous pression.

In the example of terrain described here without limitation, the playground 1 includes:

1 / to form the rectangular outer limits of playground 1:

• an engine angle 2 (ventilation source),
• four large long side ducts 3 (length 50 m in the present example),
• four large short side ducts 4 (length 24 m),
• four connecting elements 9,
• three simple corner elements 11,

these elements being assembled end to end to form a rectangle of 100 m by 48 m,

2 / to form intermediate limits and sources of air supply for obstacles:

• eight small transverse ducts 5 (length 24 m), fixed by one end to one side (cylindrical) of the large ducts,
• four transverse connection elements 10, connecting two ends of small sheaths,

3 / to position and supply air to the obstacles:

• six long extensions 6 (length 6 m),
• eight medium extensions 7 (length 2 m),
• fourteen short extensions 8 (length 1 m),
• fourteen direct connections 16 of obstacles on the small ducts 5,

these extensions being fixed by one end to one side of the small sheaths

4 / obstacles:

• eight vertical cones 13,
• four horizontal cones 13,
• fifteen vertical 12 cylinders,
• eight horizontal cylinders 12,
• two pyramids 15,
• eight obstacles called "rockets" 14,

each of these obstacles being connected to an extension which positions it and supplies it with pressurized air.

Such land represents a length of about 100 meters long by 48 meters wide. It is easy to understand that many combinations of terrain become possible with these elements, unlike terrain of previous paintballs that were fixed, and linked to a given place.

As can be seen, the playground according to the invention uses two types of sheaths. The large sheaths 3, 4 of diameter 16 centimeters are used to have a higher air flow for better field supply.

They also fulfill the function of delimiting the surface of clearance. The small sheaths 5, 11 cm in diameter, are used to supply the obstacles and are less inconvenient for players.

It is clearly understood that other extension elements can also be made, for example large sheaths of 5 m, 8 m, 20 m, 8 m long sheaths etc.

All the elements have an envelope made of flexible type fabric nylon polyester with a polyurethane layer on the surface (for reduce its porosity in air), similar for example to the fabric of the type known as the trade name "Kway". The thickness of the fabric is chosen from a range corresponding to approximately 50 to 200 g / m2, which is quite far from the fabric of type tarpaulin to truck, whose grammage is rather from 300 to 900 gr / m2.

The choice of such a thin and flexible fabric is decisive for the ease of folding the playing field, as well as the weight of the playing field for transport.

An obstacle typically representing 6 to 8 m2 of 180 g / m2 fabric, its weight will be approximately 1 to 2 kg taking into account the seams and reinforcements fastening, and will be two to four times lighter than fabric for truck covers. A terrain as described above, comprising approximately 40 obstacles, plus the feed ducts, remains of a total weight less than 150 kg, and therefore is transportable in a passenger car.

Likewise, the ease of washing is much greater for a fabric. light than for plastic tarpaulin type fabric.

The elements are therefore formed from pieces of fabric cut according to the desired shapes, then sewn.

A large sheath type 4 of 24 meters in length is illustrated in front view in FIG. 2. It is in the form of a long cylinder, comprising at one end a male connector 17 (closable opening), the other end a female connector 18 (a female connector has a half zipper with female end cap and pull tab, connector male has a half zipper with a tip, suitable for fit into the female end piece), as well as a series of male fittings lateral 19 on at least one side arranged every five meters, and loops 20 for fixing to the ground regularly spaced.

Large long 3 or short 4 side ducts, as well as connecting elements 9 are produced on this same model.

Each air supply fitting (male or female) is a closure of the zipper type, in the form of a spiral parallel to two turns (figure 10) corresponding substantially to the diameter of the extension or sheath which must be connected.

It is understood that the narrow strip of fabric comprising a half zipper on one of its edges is rolled up on itself according to the diameter of the fitting and the number of spiral turns desired, then sewn substantially in the middle, thus forming several zipper turns, arranged side by side in a tight fashion, with an end cap arranged inside the spiral.

When matching a male fitting to a fitting female, male zipper end is inserted into end female, then the zipper is moved along the spiral turns to the other end of the spiral. It is clear that this provision reduces wastage of air that would occur with a single spiral turn.

A connection is closed by a piece of fabric (provided with a connection when it is not used for the connection of another element. The double spiral turn fitting is used to decrease on each point of the zipper the forces created by a pull on the junction of the two elements at the connection (for example during the game) or simply by the pressure of the injected air.

Similarly, Figure 3 illustrates a small sheath 5, the two of which ends are of the female type, and which here comprises 5 male fittings 21 on a side, regularly spaced every four meters, for the connection of extensions 6, 7, 8, 16 for positioning obstacles. This little sheath 5 has seven loops 20 for fixing to the ground.

Unused fittings on ducts 3, 4, 5 are closed with parts of the same fabric as the sheaths themselves.

Figure 4 shows an extension which is an 11 cm cylindrical tube of diameter for 1, 2 or 6 meters in length, with a fixing to each end, one 22 of the male type for fixing on an obstacle, the other 23 of female type, for fixing to a side fitting 21 with a small sheath 5.

As shown in Figure 5, a cone type obstacle 13, the height of which is in the present nonlimiting example of 3 meters, for a diameter at the 1.5 meter base, includes female air supply fitting 24, and four loops 20 for fixing to the ground, fixed either at the base of the cone, or possibly also for one of these ground fixing loops 20 close from the top of the cone 13, thus allowing the cone 13 to be fixed in position lying down.

Figures 6 and 7 similarly show obstacles of the "rocket" type 14 or cylinder 12.

The loops 20 for fixing to the ground allow the elements to be fixed by metal sheets (or rigid plastic) such as "sardines" from camping, when fixing on loose ground is envisaged, or by fixing ballast bags attached to passers-by 20 when playground 1 is installed on hard ground such as a gym.

These loops 20 are made of nylon strap and are generally mounted ten centimeters from the beginning of the sheaths or extensions, and under the possible air supply points. On the various elements, passers-by 20 are fixed by sewing with a tarpaulin reinforcement 25, for example square, secured behind the fabric by double stitching 26 (Figure 8) to reduce the effect of tearing of the canvas during strong pulls (for example during the game).

Similarly, the obstacles include passers-by 27 for the fixation of banners (not shown). These passers-by do not use reinforcement tarpaulin, because the traction on these elements is very weak (no traction to predict on banners).

Regarding the seams used for mounting the parts (sheaths, extensions, obstacles), the playground uses three kinds of clothing, according to the type of use of the client.

In the case of intensive professional use, requiring many assemblies and disassembly of the playing field, the parts are assembled by sewing of the so-called seam offset arm double needle point of chain. We see in Figure 9A a sectional diagram of such a seam. The two parts 28, 29 of the sewing fabric are folded twice together, then a double seam 30, 31 is produced through this double fold.

In a first variant of average use, for example for a club, the playing field being intended to remain mounted for a long time in the same place, parts 28, 29 are assembled by simple stitching sewing 32 with stitching 33, 34 with double needle, single point (Figure 9B).

In a second variant, suitable for low intensity use of the field, parts 28, 29 are assembled by double needle inner stitching 35, 36.

In the example described here without limitation, we use for the seams of nylon polyester yarn of the so-called "electrobonded" silicone type with low teflon content, such as for example marketed under the brands Barbour or Cousin.

Regarding the engine angle 2 (source of ventilation of the terrain), there uses an electric type blower (alternating 110-230 V per example) centrifugal with maximum power of around 250 Watts, adjustable largely by the user (from 0 to 100% in this example), with a steady-state air flow (playing field under overpressure of 0.5 bar, the motor then simply serving to compensate for air losses through seams, closures and porosity of the fabric) of the order about 1/10 m3 per second (this value depends on the temperature pressure, etc.) and an empty flow rate of approximately ½ m3 per second.

The assembly of the playing field is as follows.

The blower (motor angle fan 2) is connected to a collar of said engine angle.

The large sheaths 3, 4 are first unrolled on the ground, and arranged on the ground at the approximate location of their final positioning. Sleeves 3, 4 are placed with the fittings 19 oriented towards the interior of the ground, the seams being oriented towards the ground.

The ducts are then assembled end to end with the elements of connection 9, the single angles 11 and the motor angle 2. This assembly is carried out by placing the fittings (closures) face to face and closing the fastening zippers.

Then the small sheaths 5 are connected by one end (which have a female connector) on side male connectors 19 of the large sheaths 3, 4, substantially perpendicular to the latter, in a plane of previously determined playing field. The small sheaths 5 are connected between them by transverse connection elements 10 (with two male connections).

At this time, the playing field forms a connected and closed volume (at the porosity of the fabric and within days of closings or seams). He can be supplied with air by starting the ventilation motor. Filling in air takes place in a few tens of seconds (at the rate of 1/2 m3 per about a second), then the ground retains its shape as long as air is injected by the supply motor.

When the ground formed by these sheaths is inflated, its shape mainly rectangular can be checked and then the metal plugs of ground fixing are installed in the loops 20 when fixing the ground on loose soil.

A fixing on hard ground (for example on a parking ground or in a sports hall) is carried out using the same passers-by 20, in which have gone from straps attached to sandbags of about 10 to 15 kilos.

Extensions 6, 7, 8 are then installed in the same way on some of the male connections 21 of the small sheaths 5, substantially perpendicular to these. Obstacles are finally installed at the end extensions 6, 7, 8 or directly connected to male fittings 21 of the small ducts 5 or large ducts 3, 4. Obstacles and extensions 6, 7, 8 are fixed to the ground by the loops 20 and the fixing plugs. The ground is then ready to be used.

We understand that the choice of engine type is determined by the volume of the ground to be supplied, by the desired pressure in the obstacles, as well as by the nature of the fabric forming the obstacles (more or less porosity). A ground made of tarpaulin will require a clearly engine power more important, to counterbalance the weight of fabric raised from the ground when pressurizing.

It is also clear that the device according to the invention requires that air losses exist in the elements constituting the ground. Fabrics completely non-porous, as well as welded seams, are therefore a priori excluded.

We are not here trying to create an inflated waterproof field (balloon balloon), but on the contrary to realize a simple, cheap, easy piece of land of realization and assembly, and therefore porous, and to be taken into account from the design this porosity by compensating for it by a permanent injection of air.

The air pressure in the ground conditions the rigidity of the obstacles. We notes that with an internal pressure of the order of 1.5 bar, obstacles do not not deform in the wind, or under the simple support of the players.

The advantages of the playground for the practice of paint ball according to the invention are manifold.

It is clear that the delimitation of the terrain by elements of geometry known allows on the one hand to define precise terrain limits on the contrary previously existing natural land, and, on the other hand, to choose two identical playing surfaces (generally symmetrical) for both teams (or to choose different surfaces, but this in a predetermined way). We create finally a reproducible playing field layout, which also allows better formalize the associated game rules.

The game then becomes more technical, fast and sporty. Increased mobility that the terrain according to the invention makes it a very spectacular sport.

Similarly, the transportable terrain allows spectators and the media to easily follow the progress of a game.

We also understand that the invention allows temporary installation land for events or tournaments, for example in an enclosure existing sport, without permanently using a surface, and allowing use of the same land in many places, according to demands, which provides an economic advantage.

Technically, the obstacles are very easy to move, the terrain can be changed at the option of users in minutes.

The ground being light and space-saving (a few tens of kilos typically), it is easily transportable in a car.

Using the same principle of ducts and junction points for the air passage, new forms of obstacles can be introduced regularly, keeping the use of existing elements.

Finally, it is quite clear that these pressurized (or ventilated) obstacles offer great security for players, contrary to obstacles previous natural, a player even launched at high speed can not injure an inflated obstacle.

In terms of site installation, its nature in the form of elements inflated plastic allows installation on any terrain, for example sand, snow, concrete, grass, etc. The terrain remains easy to mount and disassemble, at temperatures between -40 and + 70 ° C.

The delimitation of the playing surface authorized by the side sheaths avoids to have to use tapes or markings, which otherwise deteriorate gradually.

In a variant of the playing field, the elements are made of textile of the type used for making paraglider sails, which is both very resistant and very light (50 g / m2). The production technique then remains similar. It is understood that any textile with an area density of the order of 50 to 200 g / m2 is suitable for making the playground according to the invention. The limit is actually fixed by the total weight of the ground which must preferably stay small for easy transport. The lower limit is determined by the minimum resistance of the fabric (pressure internal, fittings etc.) and therefore by the technical feasibility of the fabric.

Alternatively, spiral closures with only slightly more of a tower are usable, with already an effect of reduction of air losses. Of even closures with three spiral turns are possible to reduce significantly the efforts at each point of the closure. The principle of use remains unchanged.

In another variant, in order to facilitate the mounting of a playground, the 3 different families of air supply ducts are differentiated by different colors (black for large outer sheaths defining the playing field limits, gray for small transverse interior sheaths, white for the extensions feeding the inflatable obstacles). This translates by a substantial improvement in pitch mounting speed.

Furthermore, it has been found that during intensive use outdoors problems with tissue deterioration (discoloration, altered resistance) linked to the acidity of the rains and UV abrasion.

To remedy the problem, the modular obstacle playground ventilated is made with a PVC coated fabric (weight included) between 200 and 250 gr / m2) this fabric does not fade and its strength is no longer impaired by climatic elements.

In yet another variant, to avoid possible tearing of the attach obstacles following a very significant shock with a player, a elastic of large diameter (more than 4mn thick) is added to each attached. The purpose of this elastic is to absorb most of the power of the shock which can lead to tearing of the fastener.

Finally, in still other variants of playgrounds according to the invention, new forms of ventilated obstacles have been created for more than diversities (modularity of the grounds).

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the details of the embodiments described here by way of example, but instead extends to modifications within the reach of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims (10)

Playground characterized in that it has elements under form of empty envelopes, tied together to form an interior volume continuous filled with air under a predetermined pressure, and a means of compensation for pressure losses of this interior volume. Playground according to claim 1, characterized in that the elements include juxtaposed sheaths comprising means air supply closable, on at least one of their sides and at least one of their two ends. Playground according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the elements include large sheaths determining the limits of the playing field, small ducts adapted to be fixed substantially perpendicular to the large ducts on their closable air supply means, extensions adapted to be fixed substantially perpendicular to the small ducts on their closable air supply means, obstacles suitable for being fixed at the end of extensions or directly on small ducts. Playground according to claim 3, characterized in that the elements also include connection fittings between large ducts and small ducts, single corner elements, and at least one corner element motorized. Playground according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the elements are made of porous grammage textile of the order of 50 to 200 grams per m2. Playground according to claim 5, characterized in that the textile is a nylon polyester fabric with a layer of polyurethane area. Playground according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the elements are formed from cut pieces of fabric according to predetermined shapes, then sewn using a type seam said double needle offset arm with chain stitch. Playground according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that elements have fixing loops (20) on the ground, fixed to the elements by sewing with a tarpaulin reinforcement (25) secured behind the fabric by double stitching (26). Playground according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the connections of the elements include a closure with slide forming a spiral in more than one turn. Playground according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the means for compensating for the pressure losses of the internal volume is a centrifugal fan with a flow rate between 0 and ½ m3 per second, suitable for maintaining a pressure of the order of 1.5 bars in the interior volume.

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