GB2139904A

GB2139904A - Reversible playing area for sports and games

Info

Publication number: GB2139904A
Application number: GB08314103A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Devendra Nath Sharma
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-05-20
Filing date: 1983-05-20
Publication date: 1984-11-21
Also published as: GB8314103D0; GB2139904B

Abstract

A reversible playing and/or performing area is provided, comprising at least one reversible tray 1 having separately utilizable opposing plane surfaces, 3,9 eg of grass and sponge rubber or plastics respectively, mounted on supports 5 in such a way that the opposed surfaces may be rotatively reversed. As described trays 1 are mounted on shafts 4 which can be rotated to swing the trays 1 through 180 DEG . <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Reversible playing area for sports and games This invention relates to means whereby a playing area constituting of several small units can be turned over by reversing it and utilized for another games or game. Thus to give an example, a soccer pitch could be converted by turning the several units constituting the playing area to a slippery surface for playing another game. Other example may be a grasscovered tennis court, by turning over to be converted to an ashpalt or wooden surfaced tennis playing area. The reversible playing area concept can thus be applicable to other known sports or games.

Various artificial surfaces have been tried and are in vogue, but soccer and rugby can only be played with complete satisfaction with football boots on grass. Furthermore, this invention will provide a playing pitch as good as a Bowling green in every kind of weather condition.

Figure 1 indicates the general arrangement of the several sections constituting the playing area.

Figure 2 indicates the method of laying the mosaic of hinged grass container units and the method of turning these over by utilizing a mobile electrically operated or internal combustion engine trolley.

Figure 3 indicates the tray fitted with drainage outlets and heating element.

Figure 4 indicates trays in an upside down position and the apertures for threading string made of nylon, stainless steel wire or rods or netting.

Figure 5 indicates a grass tray in a normal position with threading holes, wire gauze to prevent the soil from falling out of the tray and the method of fixing the hinges in relation to the grass tray and the supporting pillars.

Referring to Figure 1 in detail, 3 represents the grass, 2 the threading holes, 1 the soil for growing the grass, 4,4, the hinges which enable the trays to be turned over. 5,5 the supporting pillars, 6 the main drainage channel, 7,7, subsidiary drainage channels, 8,8, represents sand and loam matrix including broken stone, bricks etc., and 9 sponge rubber or sponge plastic sheet or pad.

Figure 2 indicates the arrangement of laying individual small grass trays or units over a large playing area such as a soccer field. 10,10 represents the various hinged units hinged by any well-known hinged arrangement and which also permit the coupling of, say, four or six units by the main axle 15,15, passing through the hinge. Small units can be reversed or turned over manually, but with large units which may measure 30 feet by six feet this is not possible and therefore a portable electric or I/C trolley is utilized, which is coupled to the axle 15 by flexible coupling means 14, via. clutch, reversing unit 13 and a very high ratio gear unit 12. One half of the playing area may be reversed by using the trolly 11 on the right side touch line and the other half by using the trolley on the left touch line as indicated in the Figure by X.

Figure 3 indicates the inverted grass-tray hinged at 18, 16,16, the drainage outlets, 20 the grass or other artificial turf and 17,17 the electric resistance wire or strip for heating the tray during the snow or icy and cold weather conditions.

Figure 4 relates to trays hinged at 21 and 21A. The arrows indicate the movement of the trays when these are reversed. 23,23 represent holes in the trays for fixing nylon string or stainless steel wire or thin stainless steel rods for retaining soil assisted by the root system of grass.

Figure 5 represents a grass tray, the arrows indicating the movement of the trays when these are reversed. 27 represent the supportive pillars, 25 the hinged mechanism and 25A the central axle, and any type of known hinge arrangement may be utilized for this purpose. 25 will be surrounded by extra sponge rubber sheeting to prevent any injury to the players in the event of a very heavy fall. 26,26 indicate the drainage channels, 28,28 the wire net for holding the soil and the grass from falling out, but the grass root system will ensure that the soil in the trays becomes a solid compact mass and will not fall out during the reversing operation. 24 indicates the grass or any other artificial matting material.

The tray may be fabricated by using plastic, rubber stainless steel or other metal materials. These may be cast or moulded by well known engineering methods. It is preferred that the sides of the trays be moulded from rubber, plastic or similar spongy materials of consistancy which will not only hold earth and not cause any injury to the players in case they fall heavily on the playing area. The bottom sheet may be stainless steel and the sides made out of rubber or plastic material bolted or moulded with the stainless steel or metal sheeting, extra metal or similarstrengthining may be provided nearthe hinging mechanism.

1. A reversible playing and/or performing area comprising: - at least one area unit tray having first and second opposing plane surfaces; - in-ground support means for supporting each said tray; and means mounted on said support means at one end and on each said tray on the other end, for rotatatively reversing the surfaces of said tray.

2. The reversible area of claim 1 comprising a plurality of abutting trays.

3. The reversible area of claim 2 wherein the trays are all polygons of about the same shape and dimensions.

4. The reversible area of claim 3 wherein the trays are all rectangles arranged in a square or rectangular mosaic grid pattern.

5. The reversible area of claim 3 wherein the trays are all rectangles arranged in a mosaic grid pattern in which alternate rows are offset.

6. The reversible area of claim 3 wherein each area unit tray has a bottom and shallow sides, the outer surface of said bottom affording a base for the first of the opposing plane surfaces and wherein a bedding material is located within the space defined by the inner surfaces of the bottom and sides, to

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Reversible playing area for sports and games This invention relates to means whereby a playing area constituting of several small units can be turned over by reversing it and utilized for another games or game. Thus to give an example, a soccer pitch could be converted by turning the several units constituting the playing area to a slippery surface for playing another game. Other example may be a grasscovered tennis court, by turning over to be converted to an ashpalt or wooden surfaced tennis playing area. The reversible playing area concept can thus be applicable to other known sports or games. Various artificial surfaces have been tried and are in vogue, but soccer and rugby can only be played with complete satisfaction with football boots on grass. Furthermore, this invention will provide a playing pitch as good as a Bowling green in every kind of weather condition. Figure 1 indicates the general arrangement of the several sections constituting the playing area. Figure 2 indicates the method of laying the mosaic of hinged grass container units and the method of turning these over by utilizing a mobile electrically operated or internal combustion engine trolley. Figure 3 indicates the tray fitted with drainage outlets and heating element. Figure 4 indicates trays in an upside down position and the apertures for threading string made of nylon, stainless steel wire or rods or netting. Figure 5 indicates a grass tray in a normal position with threading holes, wire gauze to prevent the soil from falling out of the tray and the method of fixing the hinges in relation to the grass tray and the supporting pillars. Referring to Figure 1 in detail, 3 represents the grass, 2 the threading holes, 1 the soil for growing the grass, 4,4, the hinges which enable the trays to be turned over. 5,5 the supporting pillars, 6 the main drainage channel, 7,7, subsidiary drainage channels, 8,8, represents sand and loam matrix including broken stone, bricks etc., and 9 sponge rubber or sponge plastic sheet or pad. Figure 2 indicates the arrangement of laying individual small grass trays or units over a large playing area such as a soccer field. 10,10 represents the various hinged units hinged by any well-known hinged arrangement and which also permit the coupling of, say, four or six units by the main axle 15,15, passing through the hinge. Small units can be reversed or turned over manually, but with large units which may measure 30 feet by six feet this is not possible and therefore a portable electric or I/C trolley is utilized, which is coupled to the axle 15 by flexible coupling means 14, via. clutch, reversing unit 13 and a very high ratio gear unit 12. One half of the playing area may be reversed by using the trolly 11 on the right side touch line and the other half by using the trolley on the left touch line as indicated in the Figure by X. Figure 3 indicates the inverted grass-tray hinged at 18, 16,16, the drainage outlets, 20 the grass or other artificial turf and 17,17 the electric resistance wire or strip for heating the tray during the snow or icy and cold weather conditions. Figure 4 relates to trays hinged at 21 and 21A. The arrows indicate the movement of the trays when these are reversed. 23,23 represent holes in the trays for fixing nylon string or stainless steel wire or thin stainless steel rods for retaining soil assisted by the root system of grass. Figure 5 represents a grass tray, the arrows indicating the movement of the trays when these are reversed. 27 represent the supportive pillars, 25 the hinged mechanism and 25A the central axle, and any type of known hinge arrangement may be utilized for this purpose. 25 will be surrounded by extra sponge rubber sheeting to prevent any injury to the players in the event of a very heavy fall. 26,26 indicate the drainage channels, 28,28 the wire net for holding the soil and the grass from falling out, but the grass root system will ensure that the soil in the trays becomes a solid compact mass and will not fall out during the reversing operation. 24 indicates the grass or any other artificial matting material. The tray may be fabricated by using plastic, rubber stainless steel or other metal materials. These may be cast or moulded by well known engineering methods. It is preferred that the sides of the trays be moulded from rubber, plastic or similar spongy materials of consistancy which will not only hold earth and not cause any injury to the players in case they fall heavily on the playing area. The bottom sheet may be stainless steel and the sides made out of rubber or plastic material bolted or moulded with the stainless steel or metal sheeting, extra metal or similarstrengthining may be provided nearthe hinging mechanism. CLAIMS

2. The reversible area of claim 1 comprising a plurality of abutting trays.

6. The reversible area of claim 3 wherein each area unit tray has a bottom and shallow sides, the outer surface of said bottom affording a base for the first of the opposing plane surfaces and wherein a bedding material is located within the space defined by the inner surfaces of the bottom and sides, to afford a base for the second of the opposing plane surfaces.

7. The reversible area of claim 6 wherein the first plane surface is covered with a synthetic or natural material to afford a first playing or performing area, and wherein the second plane surface is covered with a natural or synthetic grass to afford a second playing or performing area.

8. The reversible area of claim 7 wherein the bedding and natural or synthetic grass are held within the tray by retaining means attached to the sides of said tray.

9. The reversible area of claim 8 wherein an electrical heating means is provided within said bedding to prevent the accumulation of ice or snow on either of the opposing surfaces.

10. The reversible area of claim 9 wherein drain means are provided in said tray for removing rainwater and melted snow or ice.

11. The reversible area of claim 3 wherein the means are located at the same one side of each said tray, said side forming the axis of rotation when said tray is reversed.

12. The reversible area of claim 3 wherein the means are located along a central axis bisecting each said tray, which tray is reversed by rotating it around said axis.

13. The reversible area of claim 3 wherein removable linking means are provided for joining together two or more adjacent trays, so that said trays may be reversed simultaneously.

14. The reversible area of claim 3 wherein powered motive means are provided for reversing each said tray, operatively connected to said tray.

15. The reversible area of claim 14 wherein the powered motive means comprises a disconnectable internal combustion engine, electric motor, or diesel engine.

16. The reversible area of claim 14 wherein the powered motive means is a plurality of electric motors, each of which is fixedly operatively connected to at least one said tray.

17. The reversible area of claim 16 wherein each of said electric motors is connected to a single control unit.

18. The reversible area of claim 16 wherein said electric motors are powered by solar energy converters.

19. Means for reversing playing areas and their construction diagrammatically as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.