GB2082225A - Device for Protecting Outside Recreational Areas - Google Patents

Abstract

A protecting device 40 comprises a roof-like structure supported by supporting means 3. The roof-like structure comprises an elongate horizontal ridge frame 45, a pair of spaced apart eaves members 6, 7, and waterproof sheeting 14 connected to the eaves members 6, 7 and extending inwardly and upwardly to be supported by the ridge frame 45. The roof-like structure further includes inclined struts 9a, 9b pivotally connected at their lower ends to the eaves members 6, 7 and at their upper ends to the ridge frame 45 or means rigid with the latter, and tensioning means connected between the eaves members 6, 7 for limiting their mutual separation. In use the weight of the ridge frame 4 acts through the struts 9a, 9b to urge the eaves members 6, 7 to rotate thereby tensioning the waterproof sheeting 14 between the ridge frame 45 and the eaves members 6, 7. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A Ground Protecting Device This invention relates to a ground protecting device in the form of a roof-like structure adapted to be supported above the ground to be protected by supporting means. In particular the ground protecting device is intended for protecting from the weather outdoor recreational areas, for example football pitches, cricket pitches, tennis courts or bowling greens, or outdoor industrial areas.

According to the invention there is provided a ground protecting device in the form of a roof-like structure adapted to be supported above the ground to be protected by supporting means, the roof-like structure comprising an elongate, substantially horizontal ridge frame, a pair of spaced apart, elongate eaves members extending substantially parallel to the ridge frame and adapted to be supported by the supporting means, at least two inclined struts pivotally connected, at their lower, outer ends, to each eaves member, each strut being pivotally connected at its upper, inner end to the ridge frame or means rigid with the ridge frame, water-proof protective sheeting connected to the eaves members and extending therefrom inwardly and upwardly above the struts to the ridge frame, and tensioning means connected to each of the eaves members for limiting the mutual separation of the two eaves members, the weight of the ridge frame, when the eaves members are supported by the supporting means, acting through said struts to urge each eaves member to turn about its longitudinal axis, or an axis parallel thereto, thereby tensioning the said water-proof sheeting between the eaves members and the ridge frame.

The supporting means conveniently comprise a plurality of extensible and contractible support stands, e.g. hydraulically actuated rams, adapted to support the eaves members. The support stands may be positioned directly beneath, to directly support, the eaves members. Alternatively, the support stands supporting at least one of the eaves members may be positioned inwardly of the said at least one eaves member for directly supporting auxiliary means connected to said at least one eaves member by lever arms.

The tensioning means may comprise further struts which are pivotally connected to, and extend from one to the other of, said eaves members, said further struts being pivotally connected to each eaves member below the pivotal connections of said first-mentioned struts to the eaves member.

Preferably, however, the tensioning means, e.g. cables or further struts, are connected to lower parts of each eaves member and extend inwardly and downwardly towards means extending downwardly from, and being rigid with, said ridge frame. The cables or further struts may be connected to said downwardly extending means to provide a plurality of cables or further struts extending therefrom to each of said eaves members. Alternatively or additionally, in the case where the tensioning means include at least some cables, the cables may extend continuously from one to the other of said eaves members, each of these cables being located by, but not necessarily being fixed to, said downwardly extending means.

The first-mentioned struts may be hinged along their length to permit folding of the struts to enable the roof-like structure to be collapsed when not in use. In this case the hinged struts are lockable in their unfolded condition in use of the ground protecting device.

The waterproof protective sheeting may be in the form of rigid or semi-rigid sheets, e.g. of plywood, plastics or metal, or of a flexible material, e.g. a polyethylene sheet or a woven fabric, or of overlapping strips of flexible material, depending upon the intended use of the ground protecting device. For large scale applications, e.g. for protecting a football pitch, where large areas of protective sheeting are employed, it is important that the protective sheeting has a good tensile strength to weight ratio, and for such applications a strong, lightweight flexible waterproof protective sheeting is preferred. When the protective sheeting is in the form of rigid or semi-rigid sheets, each sheet is hinged or pivoted to the ridge frame and its associated eaves member.When the protective sheeting is flexible it may extend continuously from one eaves member, over the ridge frame to the other eaves member.

Preferably, however, separate sheeting extends from each eaves member to the ridge frame.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side view of one embodiment of a ground protecting device according to the invention, Figure 2 is an end view of the ground protecting device shown in Figure 1, Figures 3 and 4 are schematic end views of modified eaves members for the ground protecting device shown in Figures 1 and 2, Figure 5 is a schematic end view of a roof-like structure of another embodiment of a ground protecting device according to the invention, Figure 6 is an end view, on an enlarged scale, of an end module of an eaves member of the ground protecting device shown in Figures 1 and 2, the end module being shown without stabilising diaphragms, Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view through the end module shown in Figure 6 which shows how the end module is secured to an intermediate module, Figure 8 is a schematic, perspective view, not drawn to scale, of another embodiment of a ground protecting device according to the invention, and Figure 9 is an end view, on an enlarged scale, of a ridge frame of the ground protecting device shown in Figure 8.

Figures 1 and 2 show a ground protecting device according tothe invention generally designated by the reference numeral 1 and comprising a roof-like structure 2 supported by a plurality of supporting means 3.

The roof-like structure 2 includes a lightweight, elongate, ridge frame 4 having a number (at least two) of rigid downward extensions 5 spaced apart throughout its length, and a pair of spaced apart, elongate eaves members 6 and 7 which are in the form of torque tubes or boxes which are positioned below, and on opposite sides of a vertical plane passing through, the ridge frame 4. The ridge frame 4 is suitably of generally triangular cross-section having a latticework structure provided with reinforcing means 8, e.g. struts or cables, throughout its length.The roof-like structure 2 further includes a pair of struts 9a and 9b pivotally connected at 1 8a and 1 8b, respectively, to the upper part of each downward extension 5, one strut 9a of each pair extending outwardly and downwardly to be pivotally connected at 1 9a to the eaves member 6 and the other strut 9b of each pair extending outwardly and downwardly to be pivotally connected at 1 9b to the eaves member 7, and tensioning means in the form of cables 1 0 which extend substantially parallel to each other from connections 11 on the lower part of the eaves member 6 to connections 12 on the lower part of the eaves member 7.The cables 10 pass through openings 1 3 in the downward extensions 5, which openings 13 are located beneath the eaves members 6 and 7 so that the cables 10 extend inwardly and downwardly from the eaves members 6 and 7 towards the openings 13. Finally, the rooflike structure 2 further includes waterproof sheeting, generally designated 14, positioned above the struts 9a and 9b and extending downwardly from the ridge frame 4 to the eaves members 6 and 7. The waterproof sheeting may be in the form of rigid or semi-rigid panels, e.g. of plywood, plastics or metal, or of a flexible material, e.g. woven fabric.

In practice the waterproof sheeting 14 connected to each of the eaves members 6 and 7 would be of the same form, i.e. panel-like or flexible, although, for convenience, in Figure 2 the sheeting connected to eaves member 6 has been shown in the form of a panel 1 4a, which is pivotally connected at its lower end via connections 1 5 to an upper part of the member 6 and at its upper end to pivotal connection means 1 6 of the beam 4, whereas the sheeting connected to eaves member 7 has been 'shown in the form of flexible material 1 4b (erg. strips of flexible material joined edge-to-edge), which has its lower free edge adhered to the member 7, the flexible material then extending circumferentially around the member 7 before extending inwardly and upwardly towards connection means 1 7. As can be seen in Figure 2, the connection means 1 6 and 1 7 are spaced from each other along the length of the ridge frame 4 to allow for ventilation beneath the waterproof sheeting 14. In order to prevent rain or snow from falling between the connection means 16 and 17, an umbrella-like cap 28, fixed to the ridge frame 4 by connecting elements 29 is positioned above the space between the connection means 1 6 and 1 7. The cap 28, which is typically made of corrugated material, may be pivotally connected to the ridge frame 4.By aerodynamic design of the cap 28, the latter may automatically adopt the desired attitude according to wind conditions.

The supporting means 3 are shown schematically in Figures 1 and 2 and are typically in the form of expansible and contractible hydraulically operated rams which enable the roof-like structure 2 to be raised and lowered. Although three supporting means 3 have been shown supporting each eaves member 6, 7, it should be realised that each eaves member may be supported by two such supporting means only or by more than three such supporting means depending on the size and weight of the roof-like structure to be supported.

The roof-like structure 2 is suitabiy designed to be a lightweight structure so as to minimize the weight that the supporting means are required to support. As can be seen in Figure 2. the supporting means 3 may be arranged to support the eaves members directly (as shown for the supporting means 3 supporting the eaves member 6) or indirectiy (as shown for the supporting means 3 supporting the eaves member 7). Each of the supporting means 3 which indirectly support the eaves member 7, directly support a separate short auxiliary tube or member 21 which is positioned inwardly of the member 7 and which is connected thereto by rigid lever arms 20 (only one of which can be seen in Figure 2).

The eaves member 7 is of modular construction and consists of a pair of spaced apart end modules 7a (only one of which is shown in Figures 6 and 7), a plurality of intermediate modules 7b (see Figure 7) and connecting rings 7c for connecting together adjacent modules. Each module 7a, 7b comprises a tubular part 30 and a pair of spaced apart end stabilising diaphragms 31 secured inside the tubular part 30 and positioned to abut against opposite ends of strips 32 and 33 secured to diametrically opposed regions of the inside of the tubular part 30.

The diaphragms, designated 31 a, closing each end of the eaves member 7 are positioned so as to be flush with the end of the tubular parts 30 of the end modules 7a. The remaining diaphragms 31, however, are spaced a short distance from their respective tubular part ends to enable the connecting rings 7c to fit inside, and be adhered to, the inner tubular surface of the end portions of adjacent tubular parts 30 thereby providing a rigid connection between each pair of adjacent tubular parts 30.

Each of the diaphragms 31 is provided with a centrally-located aperture 34 for enabling a man to move along inside the member 7 from one module to another for inspection/maintenance purposes. An inspection cat-walk 35 (see Figure 6) may be provided inside the bottom of each module 7a and 7b.

Each diaphragm 31 a may be provided with a door (not shown) for closing the aperture 34 therein. Bird nesting shields 50 (shown in chain lines in Figure 6) may be fixed to upper parts of the eaves modules.

If the flexible material 1 4b is in strip form, each module 7a, 7b may have the same axial length as the width of each flexible material strip. In this case each flexible material strip is secured (e.g.

adhesively secured) to a separate eaves beam module. As can be seen in Figure 6, the wrap-around angle of the flexible material on each eaves beam module is approximately 3300.

The eaves member 6 also suitably has a modular structure. However in this case the panel 1 4 is pivoted to the member 6 instead of being wrapped therearound and secured thereto as with the eaves member 7.

In use of the ground protecting device 1 the weight of the ridge frame 4 and of the waterproof sheeting 14 is transmitted through struts 9a and 9b to the eaves members 6 and 7. In the case of eaves member 7, the combined forces exerted through the struts 9b and by the weights of the eaves member 7 and the lever arms 20 urge the eaves member 7 to turn or pivot in a direction A about the longitudinal axis of the auxiliary member 21 thereby tensioning the sheeting 1 4b between the eaves member and the ridge frame 4. As regards the eaves member 6, the force transmitted thereto via the struts 9a urges the eaves member 6 to turn in a direction B about the longitudinal axis, or an axis parallel thereto, of the eaves member 6 causing the panel 1 4a to be tensioned between the eaves member 6 and the ridge frame 4.

The actual axis about which the eaves member 6 is urged to turn depends upon the geometry of the roof-like structure and in particular upon the construction of the eaves member 6. In the embodiment of the ground protecting device 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2, the pivotal connections 1 9a are positioned inwardly of a plane containing the connections 11 and 15, so that the eaves member 6 is urged to turn in the direction B about a longitudinal axis containing the pivotal connections 1 9a. If the pivotal connections 1 9a were arranged above the connections 11 and outwardly of the plane containing the connections 11 and 15, the eaves member 6 would be urged to turn in the direction B about a longitudinal axis containing the connections 11.

By a suitable choice of strong, lightweight constructional components, a lightweight, semi-rigid or fully-rigid roof-like structure 2 is provided in which the component parts react against each other or against themselves, avoiding any structure externally of the structure 2 apart from the supporting means 3 which support the weight of the roof-like structure 2 at appropriate elevational heights and absorb any wind created loads.

Alternative constructions for the eaves member 6 are shown in Figures 3 and 4 in which similar reference numerals have been employed to identify similar parts to those shown in the ground protecting device of Figures 1 and 2. In both Figures 3 and 4, the eaves member 6 comprises an elongate torque tube or core 6a having arms 6b, 6c and 6d extending radially therefrom at axially spaced apart locations along the length of the core 6a. However in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the arm 6d extends radially outwardly towards the ridge frame 4 whereas in the embodiment shown in Figure 4 the arm 6d extends radially outwardly in a direction away from the ridge frame 4.Thus in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the eaves member 6 will be urged to turn about a longitudinal axis containing the pivotal connections 1 9a, whereas in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the eaves member 6 will be urged to turn about a longitudinal axis containing the connections 11.

In modification of the ground protecting device shown in Figures 1 and 2, the struts 9b may be hinged along their length so that they can be folded enabling the roof-like structure to be collapsed when not in use. The hinged struts would be lockable in their extended, unhinged condition in use of the ground protecting device. The struts 9a could also be hinged, although in this case the panels 1 4a would also need to be hinged to enable the roof-like structure to be collapsed.

In other modifications of the device 1, the cables 10 can be replaced by separate cables or rigid struts connected between the downward extensions 5 and each eaves member. Alternatively the cables 10 could be replaced by rigid struts 25 (see Figure 5) pivotally connected to the eaves members 6 and 7 for limiting their mutual separation.

Figures 8 and 9 show an alternative embodiment of a ground protecting device 40 according to the invention. Where possible the same reference numerals have been employed to designate parts of the device 40 which correspond to parts of the device 1.

In the ground protecting device 40 shown in Figure 8; the waterproof sheeting 14 connected to both the eaves members 6 and 7 comprises a plurality of strips 41 of flexible material, e.g. high modulus polyethylene sheet, each strip 41 having a width 1. Adjacent strips 41 overlap along their edges and the overlapping strip edges are preferably secured, e.g. releasably secured, together. The eaves members 6 and 7 are of modular construction (i.e. having a similar construction to eaves member 7 of the device 1 with the exception that the lever arms 21 are not provided) and may each have the same or a different axial length as the strip width I.

The ridge frame 4 of the device 40 comprises upper and lower extruded longitudinal tubes or booms 42 and 43, respectively, (see Figure 9) which are secured along respective upper and lower edges of a longitudinal plate beam 44 disposed in a substantially vertical plane. A plurality of substantially diamond shaped, vertically disposed and equally spaced apart transverse plates 45 are rigidly secured to the plate beam 44.

Between each adjacent pair of transverse plates 45 there is carried a pair of tube assemblies 46, one tube assembly 46 on each side of the beam 44. Each tube assembly comprises a support tube 47 of length land a pair of spaced apart end plates 48 each having an annular flange (not shown) projecting therefrom which is secured inside a respective end of its associated supporting tube. The end plates 48 carrying each tube 47 are pivotally secured to adjacent pairs of transverse plates 45. As shown in Figure 9, ancillary transverse tie bars 49 are connected between pairs of pivotal connections associated with each transverse plate 45.

The upper ends of the strips 41 are partly wrapped around and adhered to respective ones of the supporting tubes 47. As can be seen in Figure 9, each tightly stretched strip 41 lies in a plane containing the pivoting axis of the tube assembly 46 to which it is attached.

The tube assemblies 46 thus support the eaves members 6 and 7 via the strips 41 and prevent the eaves members from sagging along their lengths. In the embodiment of the device 40 shown in Figures 8 and 9, the struts 9a, 9h, the rigid downward extensions 5 and the cables 10 are only provided at the ends of the device 40 and thus in use the eaves members 6 and 7 may bow inwardly towards each other along their lengths. By not providing any struts or cables between the gable ends of the device 40, the weight and cost of the device are minimised. There is also the further advantage that no bird perches are provided underneath the strips 41.

A typical application for the ground protecting device 40 is for protecting a bowling green.

Typically the device 40 has a span of 1 50 feet, a length of 1 60 feet, and a total weight of approximately 13 2 tons. Other typical dimensions are as follows:- (A) Each strut 9a, 9b In form of tube having.

diameter=2 feet wall thickness=1/8 inch Angle of inclination=1 50 (B) Each downward extension 5: (i) Part above pivotal connections 1 8a, 1 8b In the form of tube having: diameter=2 feet wall thickness=1/8 inch (ii) Part below pivotal connections 1 8a, 1 8b In the form of tube having diameter=2 feet wall thickness=1/8 inch (C) Each cable 1 0 (Steel) diameter=3/4 inch (D) Each module 7a, 7b- (i) Tubular part 30 diameter=5 feet wall thickness=1/8 inch length=6 feet (ii) Diaphragm 31 aperture diameter=2 1/2 feet.

(E) Strips 41 made of 8 ounces/sq.ft.

polyethylene sheet.

Strip width=8 feet Angle of inclination=230 (F) Plate beam 44 length=160 feet depth=1 0 feet thickness=5/32 inch.

In modifications of the ground protecting device 40, units 51 (shown in chain lines in Figure 9) may be mounted to the boom 43 to provide upwardly directed lighting and/or downwardly directed heating. Furthermore the gable ends of the device 40 may be closed, for example by the provision of "vertical blinds" pendant from the free edges of the strips 41 at the ends of the device 40 and tensioned by a common anchor-bar or gutter. The slats of the vertical blinds could be pivoted top and bottom to be aerodynamically self-closing and sealing.

Claims (23)

Claims

1. A ground protecting device in the form of a roof-like structure adapted to be supported above the ground to be protected by supporting means, the roof-iike structure comprising an elongate, substantially horizontal ridge frame, a pair of spaced apart, elongate eaves members extending substantially parallel to the ridge frame and adapted to be supported by the supporting means, at least two inclined struts pivotally connected, at their lower, outer ends, to each eaves member, each strut being pivotally connected at its upper, inner end to the ridge frame or means rigid with the ridge frame, waterproof protective sheeting connected to the eaves members and extending therefrom inwardly and upwardly above the struts to the ridge frame, and tensioning means connected to each of the eaves members for limiting the mutual separation of the two eaves members, the weight of the ridge frame, when the eaves members are supported by the supporting means, acting through said struts to urge each eaves member to turn about its longitudinal axis, or an axis parallel thereto, thereby tensioning the said waterproof sheeting between the eaves members and the ridge frame.

2. A ground protecting device according to claim 1, in which said tensioning means comprises at least one rigid extension extending downwardly from the ridge frame and provided with locating and/or attachment means and at least one tension rneans extending downwardly from first connecting means on the lower part of one of said eaves members to the said locating and/or attachment means and then upwardly from the said locating and/or attachment means to second connecting means on the lower part of the other of said eaves members.

3. A ground protecting device according to claim 2, in which the or each tension means comprises at least one cable.

4. A ground protecting device according to claim 3, in which the or each tension means is in the form of a single cable extending continuously from the first to the second connecting means of said eaves members, the said locating and/or attachment means comprising a through opening through which the cable passes.

5. A ground protecting device according to claim 3, in which the or each tension means comprises first and second cables connected at one of their ends to the first and second connecting means, respectively, and at their other ends to the locating and/or attachment means.

6. A ground protecting device according to claim 2, in which the or each tension means comprises first and second rigid members connected, respectively, between the first connecting means and the locating and/or attachment means and between the second connecting means and the locating and/or attachment means.

7. A ground protecring device according to any of claims 2 to 6, in which one of the said tension means is provided at each end of the roof-like structure.

8. A ground protecting device according to claim 1, in which the tensioning means comprise rigid connecting members which are pivotally connected to, and extend from one to the other of, said eaves members, said rigid connecting members being pivotally connected to each eaves member below the pivotal connections of said inclined struts to the eaves members.

9. A ground protecting device according to any of the preceding claims, in which each eaves member comprises a plurality of modular parts rigidly connected end to end.

10. A ground protecting device according to claim 9, in which each modular part is of tubular form and is prdvided with end-stabilising diaphragm-like closures.

11. A ground protecting device according to any of the preceding claims, in which the waterproof protective sheeting comprises rigid or semi-rigid panels.

12. A ground protecting device according to any of claims 1 to 10, in which the waterproof protective sheeting comprises flexible sheeting.

13. A ground protecting device according to claim 12, in which the flexible sheeting comprises a plurality of overlapping first strips connected between the ridge frame and one of said eaves members and a plurality of overlapping second strips connected between the ridge frame and the other of said eaves members.

14. A ground protecting device according to claim 1 3, in which adjacent pairs of overlapping scrips are releasably secured together.

1 5. A ground protecting device according to claim 13 or claim 14, in which the upper end of each of said first and second strips is secured to a different one of a plurality of tube assemblies mounted on the ridge frame. each tube assembly extending parallel to said eaves members.

1 6. A ground protecting device according to claim 1 5, in which the tube assemblies are pivotally mounted on the ridge frame.

1 7. A ground protecting device according to any of claims 1 2 to 16, in which the flexible sheeting is wrapped partly around and secured to the external surface of said eaves members.

1 8. A ground protecting device according to any of the preceding claims, in which the struts pivotally connected to one, or both, of the eaves members are hinged along their length to enable the roof-like structure to be collapsed when not in use.

1 9. A ground protecting device according to any of the preceding claims, in which the supporting means comprises at least four expansible and contractible support stands arranged to support the ends of the eaves members.

20. A ground protecting device according to claim 1 9, in which the support stands supporting at least one of the eaves members are positioned inwardly of said at least one eaves member for directly supporting support members carried by rigid lever arms fixed to said at least one eaves member.

21. A ground protecting device according to any of the preceding claims, in which the ridge frame is designed to resist bending at least in a vertical plane.

22. A ground protecting device constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figures 1 and 2 or Figures 1 and 2 as modified by Figures 3, 4 or 5.

23. A ground protecting device constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figures 1 and 2 as modified by Figures 6 and 7, or Figures 8 and 9.