GB2569361A

GB2569361A - Method of installing a sports-activity playing-surface access system

Info

Publication number: GB2569361A
Application number: GB1721017.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Harrison Colin; Matthew Harrison
Original assignee: Cia Fire & Security Ltd
Current assignee: Cia Fire & Security Ltd
Priority date: 2017-12-15
Filing date: 2017-12-15
Publication date: 2019-06-19
Anticipated expiration: 2037-12-15
Also published as: GB2569361B; GB201721017D0; GB2569361A8

Abstract

A method of installing a sports-activity playing-surface access system 10 for providing unmanned access to a sports surface. The method comprises providing a modular entry barrier kit to be installed comprising a modular openable and closable entry gate 14, a modular frame 42 and an electrically operable locking assembly 58. An entry barrier hinge direction is then selected and an appropriate left or right-handed lock jamb 46 is installed. A first rail member 16 is inserted into a second rail member 18 to appropriately dimension the entry barrier to the entranceway. The locking assembly 58 is installed to the modular entry barrier for locking and/or unlocking the modular openable and closable entry barrier 14. The locking assembly 58 is then connected to an external server 68 so that an entry demand inputted into the electronic user-interface 60 is verifiable with a server. Also disclosed is a modular-entry-barrier kit.

Description

Method of Installing a Sports-Activity Playing-Surface Access System

The present invention relates to a method of installing a sports-activity playing-surface access system.

Enclosed sports courts having sports-activity playing-surfaces, such as tennis courts or five-a-side football pitches, typically have restricted access to prevent unauthorised persons from using them. Persons who may be authorised to access the sports-activity playing-surfaces may be those who have paid to have a membership of the organisation who manage the sports-activity playing-surfaces, or those who have paid to make a booking of the use of the sports-activity playing-surfaces.

By restricting access to the sports-activity playing-surfaces, potential customers are encouraged to pay to ensure access to the facilities, as opposed to public courts which are freely accessible, and which are difficult to use at desirable times.

To prevent unauthorised persons from accessing the sports-activity playing-surfaces it is conventionally required to employ personnel to on-site monitor the sports-activity playing-surfaces. Persons who do access the sports-activity playing-surfaces without authorisation may then be required to be evicted by the personnel. Elowever, employing personnel is financially costly and therefore it is desirable to reduce the number of personnel employed.

Additionally, sports-activity playing-surfaces may conventionally be fenced or walled, at least in part to prevent or limit the unintentional loss of playing articles, such as balls, from the area of play. If fenced or walled, a door or gate to the sports-activity playingsurfaces is typically provided. However, such doors or gates may vary in width and/or swing direction requirement depending on their surroundings, for example if a fence, wall or edge of the court is adjacent to an entranceway of the door or gate. As there is no universal gate size, replacement gates may be required to be bespokely designed and made at significant cost.

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to these problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of installing a sports-activity playing-surface access system for providing unmanned access to a sports-activity playing-surface, the method comprising the steps: providing a modular entry-barrier kit to be installed, the modular-entry-barrier kit comprising a modular openable and closable entry barrier, a modular frame and an electrically-operable locking assembly; the modular openable and closable entry barrier including a first rail member and a second rail member, the first rail member being at least in part receivable within the second rail member to alter a dimension of the entry barrier; the modular frame including a right-hand lock jamb and a left-hand lock jamb, the right-hand lock jamb having a right-hand locking-member receiving portion at or adjacent to an edge of the right-hand lock jamb for installing the entry barrier in a right-hand orientation and the left-hand lock jamb having a left-hand locking-member receiving portion at or adjacent to an edge of the left-hand lock jamb for installing the entry barrier in a left-hand orientation; the locking assembly including an at least in part electronic user-interface; installing the access system by assembling the modular-entry-barrier kit in an entranceway to a sports-activity playing-surface via the steps of: selecting an entrybarrier hinge direction; installing the right or left-hand lock jamb in an upright configuration at or adjacent to an upright edge of the entranceway; inserting the first rail member into the second rail member to dimension the entry barrier appropriately to the entranceway; and installing the locking assembly on the modular entry barrier to permit locking and/or unlocking the modular openable and closable entry barrier; and communicatively connecting the locking assembly to an external server so that an entry demand inputted into the electronic user-interface is verifiable at the server to permit authorised user access to the sports-activity playing-surface.

An openable entry barrier with an electrically-operable locking assembly, having an electronic user-interface and connected to a server to enable verification of an entry demand, enables permitted persons to access the playing surface and prevents or limits the access of others without the need for personnel at the entranceway. Providing a modular-entry-barrier kit having a right-hand lock jamb and a left-hand lock jamb allows for a lock jamb of the access system to be provided to the installer of the access system without prior knowledge of the desired hinge direction or swing direction of the gate. Lock jambs may vary between right-hand and left-hand arrangements by the position of the locking locking-member receiving portion relative to a vertical edge of the lock jamb. In the kit of parts provided, the lock jamb is provided at or adjacent to an inside edge and it is typically desirable for gates to swing inwards to the playing surface. Therefore, it is necessary to have two different lock jambs to suit either a left-hand hinged gate or door or a right-hand hinged gate or door. A rail made up of two rail members, one of which is insertable into the other, allows for a width or other dimension of the entry barrier to be adjusted depending on the width of the entranceway. Therefore, the entry-barrier kit may be manufactured and provided to the installer of the gate without prior knowledge of the width of the entranceway, which may vary between playing surfaces.

Preferably, the first rail member has a non-uniform lateral extent along a longitudinal direction to form a receivable portion being received in a complimentarily sized receiving portion of the second rail member. A non-uniform lateral extent allows for the first rail member to have a narrower portion, which is receivable in the second rail member, and a wider body portion. The body portion may have a lateral extent matching that of the second rail member thus, if the entirety of the narrower receivable portion is received, a rail may have a uniform lateral cross section. This may assist with attachment and interengagement of the two rail members.

Advantageously, the first and second rail members may form at least in part a top rail of the entry barrier and a further first rail member and a further second rail member may form a bottom rail of the entry barrier, the further first rail member being receivable in the further second rail member. An adjustable top rail and bottom rail allow for both the laterally extending parts of a perimeter of the barrier to be adjustable, in the instance that the gate has more than one rail. Thus, in this instance, the whole lateral extent of the modular openable and closable entry barrier may be adjustable.

Additionally, the modular openable and closable entry barrier may further comprise a hinge stile, for hingeable attachment of the entry barrier to the frame, and a lock stile, for locking of the entry barrier to the frame.

Optionally, the modular frame may further comprise a hinge jamb, for attachment of the frame to the entry barrier, and a lintel, for providing lateral support to the frame.

Beneficially, the electronic user-interface may be any one of a keypad, a card reader, or a RFID reader. A keypad allows a user having no identification or access equipment to input an electronic demand for access. A card reader or a RFID reader allows for a user having an assigned or personal identification device to more quickly and securely input an electronic demand than a keypad.

In a preferable embodiment, the locking assembly may include a locking member which is receivable in the right-hand locking-member-receiving portion and/or the left-hand locking-member-receiving portion. A locking member allows the openable and closable entry barrier to be locked to the frame.

Preferably, the locking assembly may further have a manual user-interface including a key hole. A manual user interface allows for the locking assembly to be locked or unlocked in the event of power failure to the electronic user interface. Alternatively, the locking assembly may be lockable to prevent any electronic access.

Advantageously, the locking assembly may include a first magnetic element positionable on the entry barrier and a second magnetic element positionable on the frame, the first and second magnets being positionable to mutually attract. A magnetic locking assembly would allow for the locking assembly to be automatically unlocked in the event of power failure, in the event that the magnetic locking assembly is electromagnetic.

Beneficially, the installation of the access system may further include the step of providing a power supply and connecting the power supply to the locking assembly. A power supply enables the operation of the electrically operated locking assembly.

Optionally, the power supply may comprise a solar power device. A solar power supply allows for the access system to be installed at a location remote from a mains power supply.

In a preferable embodiment, the modular entry barrier and/or the modular frame may further include inductor guide elements at an internal surface of the modular openable and closable entry barrier or modular frame. These guide elements can prevent or limit inductors from becoming tangled and/or may prevent or limit the inductors from becoming damaged by being turned with a tighter curvature than exceeds a minimum bend radius.

Optionally, the locking assembly may be connected to the external server via a computer network. The external server can therefore be positioned remotely to the modular entry barrier for ease of control by a user.

Additionally, the sports-activity playing-surface may be a tennis court.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of installing a sports-activity playing-surface access system for providing unmanned access to a sports-activity playing-surface, the method comprising the steps: providing a modular entry-barrier kit to be installed, the modular-entry-barrier kit comprising a modular openable and closable entry barrier and an electrically-operable locking assembly having an at least in part electronic user-interface; wherein the modular openable and closable entry barrier includes a multi-part top rail, the top rail being formed from a first rail member and second rail member to alter a dimension of the entry barrier; installing the access system by assembling the modular-entry-barrier kit in an entranceway to a sportsactivity playing-surface, via the steps of: connecting the first rail member to the second rail member to appropriately dimension the entry barrier to the entranceway; and installing the locking assembly on the modular entry barrier to permit locking and/or unlocking the modular openable and closable entry barrier; communicatively connecting the locking assembly to an external server so that an entry demand inputted into the electronic user-interface is verifiable at the server to permit authorised user access to the sports-activity playing-surface.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a modular-entrybarrier kit for providing unmanned access to a sports-activity playing-surface comprising: a modular openable and closable entry barrier including a first rail member and a second rail member, the first rail member being at least in part receivable within the second rail member to alter a dimension of the entry barrier; a modular frame including a right-hand lock jamb and a left-hand lock jamb, the right-hand lock jamb having a right-hand locking-member receiving portion at or adjacent to an edge of the right-hand lock jamb for installing the entry barrier in a right-hand orientation and the left-hand lock jamb having a left-hand locking-member receiving portion at or adjacent to an edge of the lefthand lock jamb for installing the entry barrier in a left-hand orientation; and an electrically-operable locking assembly including an at least in part electronic userinterface.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a front view of an entranceway to a sports-activity playing-surface for the installation of an access system according to the first and second aspects of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a front view of a right or left-hand lock jamb installed in accordance of step b) ii) of the first aspect of the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a front view of a first and second rail member, the first rail member being received within the second rail member, and installed in accordance with step b) iii) of the first aspect of the present invention;

Figure 4 shows a front view of a locking assembly installed in accordance with step b) iv) of the first aspect of the present invention and step b) ii) of the second aspect of the present invention, and the kit according to the third aspect of the present invention installed;

Figure 5 shows a front view of the locking assembly being connected to an external server, not shown, in accordance with step c) of the first and second aspects of the present invention and the kit according to the third aspect of the present invention installed;

Figure 6a shows a right-hand lock jamb and Figure 6b shows a left-hand lock jamb, the lock jambs comprising part of the modular-entry-barrier kit for installation with the method of the first aspect of the present invention; and

Figure 7 shows an exemplary representation of the method of use of the access system installed according to the first aspect of the present invention;

Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 5 there is shown a sports-activity playing-surface access system 10 shown being installed at an entranceway 11 to a sports-activity playing-surface.

The sports-activity playing-surface access system 10 is at least in part formed of the parts of a modular-entry-barrier kit 12 which firstly comprises a modular openable and closable entry barrier 14.

The modular openable and closable entry barrier 14 at least comprises a first rail member 16 and a second rail member 18, the first rail member 16 being at least in part receivable within the second rail member 18.

The first rail member 16 is preferably elongate and/or substantially tubular in shape, that is, it may be hollow. The first rail member 16 may have a rectangular lateral cross-section although it is appreciated that it may alternatively have a circular or elliptical lateral cross section. A lateral or radial extent or cross-sectional area of the first rail member 16 is preferably non-uniform along a longitudinal direction, thereby defining a distinct receivable portion 20 and a body portion 22, the receivable portion 20 having a radial extent less than that of the body portion 22. The transition between the receivable portion 20 and the body portion 22 may be substantially sharp to define a circumferentially and radially extending rail-member engagement surface or may in fact be gradual to form a taper. It is also appreciated that the first rail member 16 may in fact have a uniform lateral extent along a longitudinal direction.

The second rail member 18 is preferably also elongate and/or substantially tubular in shape and may similarly have a rectangular lateral cross-section although it is appreciated that it may alternatively have a circular or elliptical lateral cross-section. The crosssectional area and/or the radial extent of the second rail member 18 is substantially uniform in a longitudinal direction although it is appreciated that it may not be substantially uniform. A first-member receiving opening 24, may be at at least one longitudinal end of the second rail member 18. The first-member receiving opening 24 may be at least part of a receiving portion complimentarily sized to the receivable portion 20 of the first rail member 16. A lateral extent or cross-sectional area of the second rail member 18, and in particular of the first-member receiving opening 24, may be greater than, or match or substantially match a lateral extent or cross-sectional area that of the body portion 22 of the first rail member 16. Whilst described as an opening it is appreciated that the receiving portion of the second rail member may have a U-shape or a channel shape.

The first and second rail members 16, 18 may here form at least part of a top rail 26 of a modular openable and closable entry barrier 14, although it is appreciated that they may form a rail spaced apart from the top of the modular openable and closable entry barrier

14. Whilst only first and second rail members 16, 18 are described it is appreciated that there may be more than two rail members. For example, a first rail member may be at least in part receivable within a second rail member and the second or first rail member may be at least in part receivable within a third rail member. One of the three rail members would thus interengage the other two rail members. In this way the top rail would be formed from three rail members

The modular openable and closable entry barrier 14 may also comprise a further first rail member 28 and a further second rail member 30 which may here be formed similarly or the same as the first rail member 16 and the second rail member 18. The further first and further second rail members 28, 30 may at least in part form a bottom rail 32 of a modular openable and closable entry barrier 14, although it is appreciated that they may instead form a rail spaced apart from the bottom of the modular openable and closable entry barrier.

The modular openable and closable entry barrier 14 further includes a lock stile 34 and a hinge stile 36. The lock and hinge stiles 34, 36 are here elongate. The lock stile 34 may have a locking-member aperture which may extend through a lateral extent of at least part of the lock stile 34. The hinge stile 36 may have a longitudinal extent similar or the same as the lock stile 34 although a lateral extent of the hinge stile 36 is here greater than that of the lock stile 34. The hinge stile 36 may have at least one and preferably at least two hinges 38. In the modular-entry-barrier kit 12, the lock stile 34 and/or the hinge stile 36 may be pre-attached or unitarily formed with the second and/or further second rail member 30 or the first and/or further first rail member 28. Alternatively, the lock and/or hinge stile may have attachment means for attachment of a first, second, further first and/or further second rail member.

The modular openable and closable entry barrier 14 may comprise a barrier body 38 which may here be formed of welded wire mesh fence, chain link fence and/or a continuous panel. In total, the exemplar entry barrier may thus be formed as a gate or door.

The modular openable and closable entry barrier 14 may also comprise at least one support 40.

The modular-entry-barrier kit 12 further comprises a modular frame 42 which at least includes a right-hand lock jamb 44 and a left-hand lock jamb 46. Each lock jamb 44, 46 is preferably elongate. The longitudinal extent of each lock jamb 44, 46 is preferably greater than the longitudinal extent of the lock and hinge stiles 34, 36. Here each lock jamb 44, 46 has a preferably rectangular or square lateral cross-section and may therefore have four longitudinally extending and contiguous surfaces or sides, although it will be appreciated that they may have an elliptical or circular lateral cross-section. One of the longitudinally extending surfaces of each lock jamb 44, 46 may here be a lock surface 48 and may have a locking-member receiving portion 50 thereon or therethrough. The locking-member receiving portion 50 may here be a recess which may extend into a lateral extent of the lock jamb 44, 46 through the lock surface 48. One of the longitudinally extending surfaces adjacent to the lock surface 48 may be a front surface 52, with respect to the entranceway, and the other longitudinally extending surface may be the rear surface, with respect to the entranceway. In the instance that the lockingmember receiving portion 50 is a recess, the recess may also extend through the front surface 52. The recess 50 may therefore contiguously extend through both the lock surface 48 and the front surface 52.

Whilst described as a recess, the locking-member receiving portion 50 may be a front engagement member and a rear engagement member. The front and rear engagement members may be spaced apart from each other in a lateral extent of the lock jamb and may project or extend outwards from the lock jamb to define the receiving portion therebetween. The front engagement member may project or extend further from the lock jamb than the rear engagement member.

The locking-member receiving portion 50 may be a right-hand locking-member receiving portion 50a when on the right-hand lock jamb 44 and a left-hand locking-member receiving portion 50b when on the left-hand lock jamb 46. The preferable arrangement of right-hand and left-hand locking-member receiving portions 50a, 50b is shown in Figures 6a and 6b respectively. The locking-member receiving portion 50 may here be positioned at a longitudinal edge of the lock surface 48 adjacent to the front surface 52 of each lock jamb 44, 46. Given that the right-hand lock jamb 44 is for hinging the modular openable and closable entry barrier 14 from the right and the left-hand lock jamb 46 is for hinging the modular openable and closable entry barrier 14 from the left, the front and rear surfaces of the lock jambs 44, 46 are at opposing surfaces. Therefore, the position of the locking-member receiving portion 50 of the right-hand lock jamb 44 may be considered to be mirrored to that of the left-hand lock jamb 46. The right-hand lock jamb 44 may be considered to have a right-hand locking-member receiving portion 50a at or adjacent to an edge of the right-hand lock jamb 44 for installing the entry barrier 14 in a right-hand orientation. The left-hand lock jamb 46 may be considered to have a left-hand lockingmember receiving portion 50b at or adjacent to an edge of the left-hand lock jamb 46 for installing the entry barrier 14 in a left-hand orientation.

The modular frame 42 may preferably further comprise a lintel 54 and a hinge jamb 56. The hinge jamb 56 may be elongate and have a longitudinal extent similar or the same as each lock jambs 44, 46. The lintel 54 is preferably elongate and may have a longitudinal extent at least as great as the combined length of the longitudinal extent of the body portion 22 of the first rail member 16 and the second rail member 18, and the lateral extent of the lock stile 34 and the hinge stile 36.

Whilst a hinge jamb 56 is described, it is appreciated that the lock jamb 44, 46 of the right-hand or left-hand lock jambs 44, 46 that is not selected to be used as a lock jamb 44, 46 may be utilised as a hinge jamb 56. A distinct hinge jamb 56 could, therefore, not be provided in the modular-entry-barrier kit.

The modular-entry-barrier kit 12 further comprises an electrically operable locking assembly 58 which includes an at least in part electronic user-interface 60. The user interface may be a keypad, a card reader or a radio frequency identification (RFID) device reader. The locking assembly 58 preferably further includes a locking member 62 and an actuator, such as an electric motor and/or a piston, the locking member 62 being movable by the actuator. The locking member 62 may here be a bolt. The locking assembly 58 may optionally include a manual user interface including a key hole. In this way the locking assembly 58 and or the locking member 62 may additionally be manually or physically operated or actuated. The manual user interface may also include one or more door handles.

The modular openable and closable entry barrier 14 and/or the modular frame 42 may further include inductor guide elements at an internal and/or external surface of the modular openable and closable entry barrier 14 and/or modular frame 42. The inductor guide elements may take the form of brackets, projections or ties. There may additionally be an inductor inlet aperture and/or an inductor outlet aperture which may extend though at least part of the modular openable and closable entry barrier 14 and/or modular frame 42. In inductor inlet and/or outlet may allow for the inductors to extend from the exterior of the frame or entry barrier to the interior of the frame or entrance barrier.

The sports-activity playing-surface access system 10 is installed by first providing the modular-entry-barrier kit 12 as described above. The entranceway 11, as shown in Figure 1, which the access system 10 is to be installed is selected and any existing gate, door or other openable and closable entry barrier and/or frame may be removed if applicable. The sports-activity playing-surface access system 10 may be installed to provide access to the sports-activity playing-surface. Such a sports activity playing surface may be a tennis court, a five-a-side football pitch, a basketball court or any other sporting venue to which entry is to be regulated. Whilst the access system is described as being for a sports-activity playing-surface, it will be appreciated that the access system may provide or limit access to other venues such as gardening or allotment facilities or swimming pools.

A front-to-back direction may be defined as being in a direction normal or substantially normal to the fencing, wall or barrier 64 which is provided around the playing-surface and being towards the playing-surface, that is corresponding with a direction of entry for a user. A back-to-front direction may be defined as being in an opposite direction to the front-to-back direction, that is in a direction of exit of the user.

A desired or required entry-barrier hinge direction or swing direction is selected. The entry-barrier hinge direction is firstly selected depending on whether the modular openable and closable entry barrier 14 is desired to hinge inwards, in a substantially frontto-back direction, or outwards, in a substantially back-to-front direction. The modular openable and closable entry barrier 14 may preferably be desired to hinge outwards so that the playing surface is not obstructed by the opening of the entry barrier and/or so that parts of the locking assembly 58 may not be exposed or may be limited from being exposed. The entry-barrier hinge direction may additionally be selected depending on whether the modular openable and closable entry barrier 14 is desired to be hung or hinged from a right-hand side, from a front-to-back perspective, or hung or hinged from a left-hand side, from a back-to-front perspective. If hinged from a right-hand side, then the modular openable and closable entry barrier 14 may move in an arc around or substantially around the right-hand side of the frame. If hinged from a left-hand side, then the modular openable and closable entry barrier 14 may move in an arc around or substantially around the left-hand side of the frame. A left-hand or right-hand hinging may be selected based on obstructions which may be present around the intended swing or arc of the modular openable and closable entry barrier 14 or whether the modular openable and closable entry barrier 14 will obstruct a path.

If right-hand hinging or hanging is selected than a right-hand lock jamb 44 may be installed in an upright configuration, preferably at or adjacent to a left-hand edge of the entranceway 11, as shown in Figure 2. At least part of the right-hand lock jamb 44 may be embedded in the ground. The right-hand lock jamb 44 is preferably oriented such that the locking surface faces across a plane of the entranceway 11 and the front surface 52 faces away from the playing-surface. This is so that the opening of the recess of the locking-member receiving portion 50 faces the front, that is away from the playingsurface, and across the plane of the entranceway 11.

The remainder of the components of the modular frame 42 may then be installed which may include the installation of a hinge jamb 56 at or adjacent to a right-hand side of the entranceway 11. The lintel 54 may then be interconnected or interengaged between the lock jamb 44, 46 and the hinge jamb 56 at or adjacent to the top of each of the jambs.

If a left-hand swing direction is selected then the left-hand lock jamb 46 may be installed at a right-hand edge of the entranceway 11 preferably in the same or similar way as the right-hand lock jamb 44 is described as being installed. The hinge jamb 56 may then be installed at a left-hand edge of the entranceway 11, in the same or similar way as described above.

The modular openable and closable entry barrier 14 is formed as follows. The first rail member 16 may be inserted into the second rail member 18 to appropriately dimension the modular openable and closable entry barrier 14 to the entranceway 11, as shown in

Figure 3. Here this takes the form of at least part of the receivable portion 20 of the first rail member 16 being inserted into the first-member receiving opening 24 of the second rail member 18. The first rail member 16 may be inserted into the second rail member 18 so that the combined extent of the first and second rail members 16, 18 matches, substantially matches, and/or is less than the extent between the lock jamb 44, 46 and the hinge jamb 56.

The first and second rail members 16, 18 may be attached together via fasteners. Each fattener may take the form of a fastening strap, which may form part of the modularentry-barrier kit 12, with both first and second rail members 16, 18. The fastening strap may then be attached to the first and second rail members 16, 18 through the use of fasteners and fastener receiving apertures. The fastener receiving apertures may be predrilled into the fastening strap, first and second rail members 16, 18 and thus form part of the modular-entry-barrier kit 12 or may be drilled on site. There may be two fastening straps engaging the first and second rail members 16, 18 at opposing sides. Each strap may be substantially U-shaped such that they may engage three surfaces of each of the first and second rails 16, 18.

The first and second rail members 16, 18 may alternatively be fastened together by inserting a fastener through an overlapping portion of the first and second rail members 16, 18. Additionally or alternatively, the first and second rail members 16, 18 may be fastened together through the use of an interference fit whereby the lateral extent of the receivable portion 20 tapers towards the end of the receivable portion 20. The first and second fasteners may be on site welded together. The attachment of the first and second rail members 16, 18 may form the top rail 26 of the modular openable and closable entry barrier 14.

The further first rail member 28 may then be at least in part received into the further second rail member 30 and fastened or attached together in a similar or the same way as the first and second rail members 16, 18 are fastened together. This may form the bottom rail 32 of the modular openable and closable entry barrier 14.

The hinge stile 36 is then attached to the first and/or further first rail members 16, 28. This attachment may be done via the use of fasteners, a fastening strap and/or welding on site. However, it is appreciated that the hinge stile 36 may be pre-attached to or unitarily formed with the first and further rail members. Similarly or in the same way, the lock stile 34 is attached to the second and/or further second rail member 16, 30. This is so that the top rail 26 and the bottom rail 32 interengage the lock stile 34 and the hinge stile 36 to form a perimeter 65 of the modular openable and closable entry barrier 14. Whilst described in this way is appreciated that the lock stile 34 and/or the hinge stile 36 may be attached to one of the first and second rail members 16, 18 and one of the further first and second rail members 16, 18.

A support 40 may interengage the top rail 26 and the hinge stile 36; the top rail 26 and the lock stile 34; the bottom rail 32 and the hinge stile 36; and/or the bottom rail 32 and the lock stile 34.

The barrier body 38 is then attached to the perimeter 65 of the modular openable and closable entry barrier 14. This may be done via fastening one or more fastening straps to the perimeter 65 which may clamp the barrier body 38 to the perimeter 65. Alternatively, the barrier body 38 may be on site welded to the perimeter 65. Whilst fastening straps are described it is appreciated that the barrier body 38 may be fastened through the use of screw threaded fasteners.

The electrically-operable locking assembly 58 may then be attached to the modular openable and closable entry barrier 14, as shown in Figure 4. This may here take the form of attaching the locking member 62 to the modular openable and closable entry barrier 14 such that the locking member 62 is movable by the actuator and preferably extends through the locking-member aperture of the lock stile 34. The at least in part electronic user-interface 60 may then be installed to either the modular openable and closable entry barrier 14 or the frame 42.

The modular openable and closable entry barrier 14 is then hingeably attached to the frame. This may be done by attaching a hinge stile 36 to the hinge jamb 56 with one or more of the hinges 38.

Once the modular openable and closable entry barrier 14 is attached to the frame the locking member is at least in part fixed to the modular openable and closable entry barrier.

The locking member 62 is positioned such that it is extendable or movable from the modular openable and closable entry barrier 14 into the locking-member receiving portion 50 of the lock jamb 44, 46. The locking member 62 is extendable beyond the lateral extent of the locking-member receiving portion 50 within the front surface 52 of the lock jamb 44, 46. Once extended in this way the locking member 62 is engageable with the lock jamb 44, 46 and therefore the modular openable and closable entry barrier 14 is locked to the modular frame 42. The locking member 62 is also positionable such that the locking member 62 is received in the locking-member receiving portion 50 but does not extend beyond the lateral extent of the locking-member receiving portion 50 within the front surface 52 of the lock jamb 44, 46. In this way the modular openable and closable entry barrier 14 is able to pivot outwards in a back-to-front direction but is unable to move inwards, in a front to back direction. This is due to the locking member 62 being engageable with the lock jamb 44, 46 adjacent to the lock surface 48. The modular openable and closable entry barrier 14 is thus unlocked relative to the frame 42.

A power source may be connected to the electronic user-interface 60 and to the actuator and/or locking member 62. The power source may preferably be an external power source and may be a solar power device or the mains electricity supply. Alternatively, the power source may be a battery internal to the modular openable and closable entry barrier 14, the frame 42, or locking assembly 58. Here, the electronic user-interface 60 is on the frame 42 or on the fence, wall or other barrier 64 and thus the electronic user-interface 60 may be connected to the power supply via inductors and may be operably connected to the actuator and/or locking member 62 via inductors 66 via the hinges 38. The actuator and/or locking member 62 may be connected to the power supply via inductors via the hinges 38. The inductors may be guided to their relevant destinations via inductor guide elements during installation my positioning the inductors on, at or through the guide elements. If the electronic user-interface 60 is on the modular openable and closable entry barrier 14 then the external power source may be connected to the electronic userinterface 60 and to the actuator and/or locking member 62 via inductors via the hinges

38.

The electronic user-interface 60 is connected to an external server 68 or controller, as shown in Figure 5, so that an entry demand inputted into the electronic user-interface 60 is verifiable with the server 68 or controller. The electronic user-interface 60 is here connected to the external server 68 or controller via further inductors 70 and preferably via a computer network, for example the internet.

Referring to Figure 7 there is shown a representation of the access system in use. A user may first request to be authorised by the server 68 or controller to access the playingsurface. This access may be time dependent, for instance a specified time period of one hour may be provided. The user may request the access via the internet from their home 72. The server 68 may then grant the authorisation request and may issue to the user a unique access number, identifier or signature. Said access number, identifier or signature may only be valid for a limited period of time to gain access.

The modular openable and closable entry barrier 14 may be locked to the modular frame 42. When at the sports-activity playing-surface, the user inputs the access number into the electronic user-interface 60, which may here be a keypad, as a request for access. The access number is transmitted from the electronic user-interface 60 to the external server 68. If the access number matches the access number issued by the external server 68 to the user, and is inputted during the relevant time if time dependent, then the server 68 issues a command to the locking assembly 58 to operate. The locking assembly 58 is then operated to unlock, for instance so that the actuator causes the withdrawal of the locking member 62 so that the modular openable and closable entry barrier 14 is unlocked relative to the frame 42. Alternatively or additionally, if magnetic elements are present the magnetic elements may be deactivated or repositioned to unlock the modular openable and closable entry barrier 14 relative to the frame 42. The user may then access the sportsactivity playing-surface. The locking assembly may then automatically lock after the user has gained access the modular openable and closable entry barrier 14

Alternatively, the server 68 may issue the access number to the locking assembly 58, which may have a memory device and a processor in this instance, and the access number may be stored in the memory device. When the user inputs the access number into the electronic user-interface 60, the processor may verify that the inputted number matches the number which is stored in the memory device. Alternatively or additionally, the user may have a personal access number, identifier or signature and may request authorisation from the server 68. The user may then input a request for access into the electronic user interface 60 with their personal access number, identifier or signature and access may be provided in a similar or the same way.

Whilst the first rail member is described as being receivable within the second rail member, it will be appreciated that the first and second rail members can be appropriately dimensioned to the entranceway without being receivable in one another. The first and second rail members may be positioned such that they are spaced apart from one another. The spacing between them may be varied to be appropriately dimensioned to the entranceway. Having been appropriately spaced, the first and second rail members may be attached to one another through the use of at least one interengaging fastening strap, or a rigid frame element.

Whilst the locking assembly is described as being lockable to the lock jamb, and thus lockable in a horizontal or substantially horizontal direction, it will be appreciated that the locking assembly may in fact lock the modular openable and closable entry barrier to the frame in a vertical or substantially vertical direction. For example, the modular openable and closable entry barrier may be locked to the lintel or to the ground. Alternatively, the locking assembly may lock the modular openable and closable entry barrier by locking or fixing the hinges so that the modular openable and closable entry barrier may not move. Additionally, the locking assembly may comprise one or more magnetic elements on the modular openable and closable entry barrier and one or more magnetic elements on the frame. The magnets may be positioned so as to be attractable to each other and when attracted the door may be in a locked condition and when not attracted may be in an unlocked condition. At least one of the magnetic elements may thus be electro-magnets.

Whilst described as having the conventional components of a frame and a door, it is appreciated that the modular-entry-barrier kit may not in fact include these conventional components. The modular-entry-barrier kit may therefore not include a hinge jamb, the entry barrier being hinged directly to the wall or fence, or a lintel. Nor may the entry barrier include a lock or hinge stile with the entry barrier being hinged directly to a body of the entry barrier and the locking assembly being fixed to the body of the entry barrier.

Whilst a first and second lock jamb are described it will be appreciated that there may in fact not be a first and second lock jamb. There may instead only be a singular or universal lock jamb, suitable for locking entry barriers hung from either a left-hand or a right-hand direction. Said lock jamb may have a locking member receiving portion, lock plate, staple or strike plate attachable or attached to a lock face of the lock jamb. Said locking member receiving portion may be attachable via fastener receiving apertures extending through the lock face of the lock jamb. Additionally or alternatively, the locking assembly may be a flush fitting locking assembly.

It is therefore possible to provide a method of installing a sports-activity playing-surface access system so that the number of personnel employed to monitor the sports-activity playing-surface may be limited. Additionally, the method allows for the installation of a modular openable and closable entry barrier without prior knowledge of the dimensions of the entranceway.

The words ‘comprises/comprising’ and the words ‘having/including’ when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein.

Claims

1. A method of installing a sports-activity playing-surface access system for providing unmanned access to a sports-activity playing-surface, the method comprising the steps:

a) providing a modular entry-barrier kit to be installed, the modular-entrybarrier kit comprising a modular openable and closable entry barrier, a modular frame and an electrically-operable locking assembly;

the modular openable and closable entry barrier including a first rail member and a second rail member, the first rail member being at least in part receivable within the second rail member to alter a dimension of the entry barrier;

the modular frame including a right-hand lock jamb and a left-hand lock jamb, the right-hand lock jamb having a right-hand locking-member receiving portion at or adjacent to an edge of the right-hand lock jamb for installing the entry barrier in a right-hand orientation and the left-hand lock jamb having a left-hand locking-member receiving portion at or adjacent to an edge of the left-hand lock jamb for installing the entry barrier in a left-hand orientation;

the locking assembly including an at least in part electronic userinterface;

b) installing the access system by assembling the modular-entry-barrier kit in an entranceway to a sports-activity playing-surface via the steps of:

i. selecting an entry-barrier hinge direction;

ii. installing the right or left-hand lock jamb in an upright configuration at or adjacent to an upright edge of the entranceway;

iii. inserting the first rail member into the second rail member to dimension the entry barrier appropriately to the entranceway; and iv. installing the locking assembly on the modular entry barrier to permit locking and/or unlocking the modular openable and closable entry barrier; and

c) communicatively connecting the locking assembly to an external server so that an entry demand inputted into the electronic user-interface is verifiable at the server to permit authorised user access to the sportsactivity playing-surface.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first rail member has a non-uniform lateral extent along a longitudinal direction to form a receivable portion being received in a complimentarily sized receiving portion of the second rail member.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first and second rail members form at least in part a top rail of the entry barrier and a further first rail member and a further second rail member form a bottom rail of the entry barrier, the further first rail member being receivable in the further second rail member.

4. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the modular openable and closable entry barrier further comprises a hinge stile, for hingeable attachment of the entry barrier to the frame, and a lock stile, for locking of the entry barrier to the frame.

5. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the modular frame further comprises a hinge jamb, for attachment of the frame to the entry barrier, and a lintel, for providing lateral support to the frame.

6. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic user-interface is any one of a keypad, a card reader, or a RFID reader.

7. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking assembly includes a locking member which is receivable in the right-hand locking-member-receiving portion and/or the left-hand locking-memberreceiving portion.

8. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking assembly further has a manual user-interface including a key hole.

9. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking assembly includes a first magnetic element positionable on the entry barrier and a second magnetic element positionable on the frame, the first and second magnets being positionable to mutually attract.

10. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the installation of the access system further includes the step of

v. providing a power supply and connecting the power supply to the locking assembly.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the power supply comprises a solar power device.

12. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the modular entry barrier and/or the modular frame further includes inductor guide elements at an internal surface of the modular openable and closable entry barrier or modular frame.

13. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking assembly is connected to the external server via a computer network.

14. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sportsactivity playing-surface is a tennis court.

15. A method of installing a sports-activity playing-surface access system for providing unmanned access to a sports-activity playing-surface, the method comprising the steps:

a) providing a modular entry-barrier kit to be installed, the modular-entrybarrier kit comprising a modular openable and closable entry barrier and an electrically-operable locking assembly having an at least in part electronic user-interface; wherein the modular openable and closable entry barrier includes a multi-part top rail, the top rail being formed from a first rail member and second rail member to alter a dimension of the entry barrier;

b) installing the access system by assembling the modular-entry-barrier kit in an entranceway to a sports-activity playing-surface, via the steps of

i. connecting the first rail member to the second rail member to appropriately dimension the entry barrier to the entranceway; and ii. installing the locking assembly on the modular entry barrier to permit locking and/or unlocking the modular openable and closable entry barrier;

16. A modular-entry-barrier kit for providing unmanned access to a sports-activity playing-surface comprising:

a modular openable and closable entry barrier including a first rail member and a second rail member, the first rail member being at least in part receivable within the second rail member to alter a dimension of the entry barrier;

a modular frame including a right-hand lock jamb and a left-hand lock jamb, the right-hand lock jamb having a right-hand locking-member receiving portion at or adjacent to an edge of the right-hand lock jamb for installing the entry barrier in a right-hand orientation and the left-hand lock jamb having a lefthand locking-member receiving portion at or adjacent to an edge of the left-hand lock jamb for installing the entry barrier in a left-hand orientation; and an electrically-operable locking assembly including an at least in part electronic user-interface.