GB2331466A

GB2331466A - Protective covers for sports surfaces

Info

Publication number: GB2331466A
Application number: GB9801015A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Donald Kenyon; Michael John Begley
Original assignee: KENYON TEXTILES Ltd
Current assignee: KENYON TEXTILES Ltd
Priority date: 1998-01-16
Filing date: 1998-01-16
Publication date: 1999-05-26
Anticipated expiration: 2018-01-16
Also published as: GB2331466B; GB2331466A9; GB9801015D0

Abstract

A protective covering for a sports surface, particularly for a cricket wicket, comprises a flexible Water-impervious cover (24) mounted on a water-impervious framework (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22). A flexible skirt (26) extends around the periphery of the framework and a fan (30) located at one end is arranged to introduce air under the flexible cover (24) to generate a cushion of air beneath the cover in order to allow the covering to be transported to, and suspended over, the playing surface to be protected.

Description

2331466

1 DESCRIPTION

PROTE:TIVE COVERS FOR SPORTS SURFACES The present invention relates to protective covers for sports surfaces and in particular, but not exclusively, to such covers which are moved into position over a playing surface in the event of bad weather.

The quality of the playing surface in a number of sports, for example cricket, lawn tennis and golf, has a major effect on the playing of the sport. In such sports, notably cricket, if the playing surface (the wicket) is exposed to rain for any significant period of time it can deteriorate to such an extent thdt play is rendered impossible until the wicket has dried out, which can take man), hours. The problem is overcome to some extent in top-class cricket by the use of covers for the wicket which generally take the form of a wheeled support frame and an impervious cover secured over the frame. In the event of rain, the cover (or a number of covers) is wheeled into position over the wicket being used (and usually extends over the final portion of the bowlers' run-ups) whereby the wicket is protected from rain but whereby air is allowed to circulate between the cover and the wicket to prevent the wicket from sweating. The cover is usually used in conjunction with waterproof sheets which are spread out on both sides of the cover over the area around the wicket in use (usually over the entire cricket square) to protect as large an area as possible from the effects of rain.

Such covers have been used for many years. However, they suffer 2 fTom the disadvantage that as the cover is wheeled into position it can damage the playing surface, in particular a cricket wicket. Whilst this can be alleviated to some extent by appropriate wheel design, the weight of the cover (which can be substantial) is inevitably supported by a relatively small number of wheels and damage to the playing surface can result where the wheels are in contact with the playing surface. Whilst the damage might be minimal if the cover is only used for a relatively short period of time, it is not unknown for cricket wicket covers to remain in place for a period well in excess of a day.

Moreover, because of their sheer size, the known cricket wicket covers are quite cumbersome and it can be difficult to manoeuvre them quickly into position. Rapid deployment of the covers is, however, essential since the playing surface can deteriorate rapidly in the event of heavy rain, making play impossible for many hours.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a protective cover for sports surfaces which overcomes or alleviates the problems associated with the prior art.

In accordance with the present invention, a protective cover for a sports surface comprises a substantially impermeable cover and means for generating a cushion of air beneath the cover to suspend the cover over the playing surface to be protected.

Preferably, the means for generating the cushion of air comprises one or more fans arranged to blow air under the cover. The fan or fans are 3 advantageously mounted on the cover and self-contained (e.g. powered by an internal combustion engine) since the cover may be some distance from sources of external power such as electricity.

1 One or more auxiliary fans may also be provided for use of the cover in a mode where the main fan (or fans) is switched off when the cover is in position. Such auxiliary fans assist in maintaining a circulation of air within the cover and help to prevent "sweating" of the protected surface.

PreferaWy, the cover is provided with a peripheral flexibl skirt whJch is intended to be in contact with the surface to be protected, and which helps to retain the cushion of air beneath the cover.

In one embodiment, the cover comprises a substantially rigid supporting framework over which an impermeable, flexible cover (e.g. of waterproof sheeting) is positioned. By using a rigid framework the cover can be manoeuvred more easily and does not require tethering to keep the cover in position.

By way of example onlY, a specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of protective cover in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side view of the protective cover shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a view of the right-hand end of the cover as illustrated in 4 1 j Fi g. 2.

Referring to the drawings, the protective cover is generally elongate in nature. 'Re cover comprises a peripheral framework having two parallel longitudinal aluminium outer side frame members 12 and two transversely 0 disposed aluminium end frame members 14. Adjacent side and end frame members 10, 12 are joined in "mitred" fashion by comet frame members 16.

7be framework formed by the frame members 10, 12, 14, 16 supports a series of inclined aluminium struts 18 which in turn are secured to further aluminium inner elongate side frame members 20. A series of parSIlel spaced-apart transversely disposed arched aluminium supports 22 (illustrated in dotted lines in the Figures) extends between the frame members 20. A flexible, water-impervious canvas, tarpaulin or other sheet 24 is secured over the arched supports and is substantially sealed around its periphery to the framework.

Tle framework also carries a flexible skirt 26 extending around the entire periphery, in the manner of a hovercraft skirt. It will also be observed that one longitudinal end of the cover is provided with a circular aperture 28. A fan blade 30 (protected by a meshed guard 32) is located within the aperture 28, the fan blade being driven by an internal combustion engine 34 mounted on a support 36 secured to the framework. 'nie support 36 is itself mounted on an L-shaped metal scat 38 secured to the framework. The cover also may be provided with two auxiliary fans 40, one located at each end of the cover. The fans are preferably (but not necessarily) driven by electric motors and may conveniently be battery operated to avoid the need for long trailing electrical cables.

When the cover is required, the engine 34 is switched on, causing the fan blades 30 to rotate. This causes the sheet 24 covering the framework to inflate since the peripheral skirt 26 of the cover is in continuous contact with the ground, maldrig it difficult for the air to escape. As the cushion of ail is built-up beneath the flexible cover, the peripheral sldrt is also inflated, again in the manner of a hovercraft, increasing the sealing effect between the skirt and the ground. The cover may then be manoeuvred into position very easily since its weight is supported almost entirely by the cushion of air created by the fan, It has also been found that the lift provided by the cushion of air is such that the cover is able to carry with ease the impermeable flexible covers which are commonly placed in contact with the remainder of the cricket wicket not in use.

When the cover is in the desired position the engine speed may then be slightly reduced to reduce the fan's speed, whereby a small proportion of the weight of the cover is then supported by the peripheral skin 26. This has the advantage that the increased frictional contact thereby produced between the sldrt and the ground reduces the likelihood of the cover being blown from the protective area by high winds. However, the fact that the proportion of the weight of the cover in contact with the ground is spread substantially evenly around the whole periphery of the cover of the skirt, and the fact that the skirt is flexible rather than rigid, means that any damage to the playing surface is likely to be c) neglible.

1 1 6 Moreover, because the only substantial leakage of air from the cushion of air out from underneath the cover is between the skirt and the protected surface, the passage of air over that surface reduces the likelihood of any "sweating"' of the playing surface in the area of the ground in contact with the skirt.

Ile positive air pressure within the cover also reduces the tendency for moisture around the cover to "creep" under the skirt and onto the protected surface.

As a variant of the above, once the cover is in position the maun- fan 30 may be switched off, thereby "deflating" the skirt 26 and allowing the cover to contact the ground more closely. If the cover is used in this mode, then preferably the auxiliary fans 40, are actuated to produce a circulation of air within the cover and out of the cover between the skirt and the ground, in order to prevent "sweating" of the protected surface.

As a further variant there may also be a facility for introducing heated air into the cover. This could be done by providing, for example, heating elements in the vicinity of the fan 30 and/or the auxiliary fans 40, whereby the air entering the cover will be warm. Altematively, or in addition, there may be separate means for introducing heated air (for example by combustion of fuel) into the cover. This modification would have the advantage of being able to melt snow on a playing surface and/or to thaw a frozen playing swface. It would also help to dry out a surface which had inadvertently become wet.

7 Although the aforementioned embodiment has been described with reference to the protection of sports surfaces, primarily protection from rain, it has been found that the cover is extremely useful in displacing dew and/or condensation which has built up on a playing surface. The positive pressure within the cover tends to drive the moisture outwards, leaving a relatively dry playing surface. This feature could be used to particular advantage in removing dew and/or condemsation from golf greens. If the modification applying heated air to the cover is utilised then the effect is likely to be even more pronounced.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment. In particular, although the embodiment has been described with reference to a cover for a cricket wicket it is equally applicable to the protective and/or treatment of other sports playing surfaces, including lawn tenriis couris and golf greens, to name but a few. As indicated, the apparatus could also be used in a "travellirig" mode to displace dew or condensation from a playing surface over a wide area and, with the heated variant, to melt snow and/or thaw out frozen ground and/or assist iii drying wet ground.

Moreover, the size of the protective cover can be adapted to suit the puipusc for which it is intended to be put. In particular, it is envisaged that a single cover for a cricket wicket is likely to be approximaLely 100ft long and l5ft wide. Depending on the size, more than one fan 30 may be used. For example, there may be two fans 30, one located at each end of the cover.

Claims

1 1 AAW 1. A protective covering for a sports surface, comprising a substantially impermeable cover and means for generating a cushion of air beneath the cover to allow the covering to be transported to, and suspended over, the playing surface to be protected.

2. A protective covering as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for generating the cushion of air comprises one or more fans arranged to blow air under the cover.

3. A protective covering as claimed in claim 2, wherein the or each fan is mounted on the covering.

4. A protective covering as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the or each fan is self-contained.

5. A protective covering as claimed in claim 4, wherein the or each fan is powered by an internal combustion engine.

6. A protective covering as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising means for introducing heated air into the cover.

7. A protective covering as claimed in claim 6 when appendant to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the means for introducing heat there into the cover comprises one or more heating elements in the vicinity of a fan.

8. A protective covering as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more auxiliary fans for introducing air into the cover.

9. A protective covering as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further 01 comprising a peripheral flexible skirt for contact with the surface to be protected and for retaining the cushion of air beneath the cover.

10. A protective covering as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising a substantially rigid supporting framework.

11. A protective covering as claimed in claim 10, further comprising an impermeable, flexible cover located on the framework

12. A protective covering for a sports surface substantially as herein described, with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.