US20200061447A1 - Playing court - Google Patents

Playing court Download PDF

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Publication number
US20200061447A1
US20200061447A1 US16/466,445 US201716466445A US2020061447A1 US 20200061447 A1 US20200061447 A1 US 20200061447A1 US 201716466445 A US201716466445 A US 201716466445A US 2020061447 A1 US2020061447 A1 US 2020061447A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
markings
playing surface
playing
light
wavelength
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US16/466,445
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English (en)
Inventor
Khalil Mahmoud ABU AL-RUBB
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Individual
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Individual
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Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of US20200061447A1 publication Critical patent/US20200061447A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63C—SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE
    • A63C19/00—Design or layout of playing courts, rinks, bowling greens or areas for water-skiing; Covers therefor
    • A63C19/06—Apparatus for setting-out or dividing courts
    • A63C19/065—Line markings, e.g. tapes; Methods therefor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63C—SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE
    • A63C19/00—Design or layout of playing courts, rinks, bowling greens or areas for water-skiing; Covers therefor
    • A63C19/02—Shaping of the surface of courts according to the necessities of the different games
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63C—SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE
    • A63C2203/00—Special features of skates, skis, roller-skates, snowboards and courts
    • A63C2203/14—Lighting means

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a playing court or a playing surface, and to systems and methods for displaying or generating markings on a playing surface, for example, but not exclusively for use on a court used for recreational or competitive sports.
  • US Patent Application Publication No 2008/0254920 discloses a surface selectively marked by using a coating containing quantum dots, which can emit coloured light when exposing the entire surface to a constant source of energy.
  • US Patent Application Publication No 2013/0120715 discloses a line display system including a plurality of projectors installed to project a line image on a floor surface.
  • US Patent Application Publication No 2012/0065006 discloses an apparatus having a light source to project lines that define an area for an activity.
  • a playing surface comprising a phosphorescent material.
  • the material may be capable of absorbing radiation, for example radiation at predetermined wavelength, and may be capable of emitting light, e.g., visible light, in a delayed manner.
  • the material may be capable of emitting light, e.g., visible light, following exposure to/with the radiation.
  • the phosphorescent material may be capable of emitting light, e.g., visible light, following exposure to the radiation, for an amount of time sufficient for an activity, game and/or sport to be played on the surface.
  • the material may be capable of emitting light, e.g., visible light, following exposure to the radiation, for at least 1 hour, e.g. at least 2 hours, e.g. at least 3 hours. It will be understood that it not be necessary for the playing surface to display markings for the entire duration of an activity, game or match, but that it may be sufficient for the playing surface to display markings for an amount of time corresponding to the time between interruptions in the game.
  • the markings can be re-activated during one or more intervals between the playing sections by irradiating or exposing the surface during one or more intervals.
  • the phosphorescent material may be provided within the surface material, e.g. may be impregnated, dispersed, or the like, within the matrix of the surface material.
  • the phosphorescent material may be provided on the surface material, e.g. may be coated on the surface.
  • the phosphorescent material may comprise or may be a pigment, dye, or other phosphorescent particle.
  • the company Day-Glo® markets a number of pigments and dyes which have a transient reaction to different forms of electromagnetic radiation.
  • the terms “phosphorescent” and “transient” will be herein understood as referring to optical materials, e.g. pigments or dyes, which are capable of absorbing electromagnetic radiation, for example radiation at predetermined wavelength, and may be capable of emitting light, e.g., visible light, in a delayed manner.
  • the electromagnetic radiation may include ultraviolet (UV) light, infrared (IR) light, laser light, visible light, or the like.
  • the phosphorescent material may emit light, e.g. visible light, at given wavelength, e.g. may generate a given colour.
  • the phosphorescent material may appear in any colour, such as but not limited to green, red, blue, turquoise, purple, pink, white, yellow or orange, after exposure to the electromagnetic radiation.
  • the phosphorescent material may comprise any known phosphorescent material, e.g. pigments, including, for example, zinc sulfate, calcium sufide, an alkaline earth aluminate such as strontium aluminate, an alkaline earth oxide aluminate such as strontium oxide aluminate, an alkaline earth aluminate metal silicate such as strontium aluminate or any combination thereof.
  • pigments including, for example, zinc sulfate, calcium sufide, an alkaline earth aluminate such as strontium aluminate, an alkaline earth oxide aluminate such as strontium oxide aluminate, an alkaline earth aluminate metal silicate such as strontium aluminate or any combination thereof.
  • the use of a phosphorescent material enables markings on the playing surface to be activated by exposure of the surface to a/the electromagnetic radiation, e.g. for a predetermined period of time.
  • the amount of time required for activation of the surface may depend on a number of factors, including for example the type of phosphorescent material, the amount of time for which the markings are required to be displayed/visible after exposure/irradiation and/or the characteristics of the source of irradiation, e.g. wavelength, power, intensity, etc.
  • the surface may be activated by exposing areas of the surface to a/the electromagnetic radiation, according to a pattern corresponding to characteristics, e.g. dimensions, shape, and/or location, suitable for an activity, game or sport. Thus, only areas of the surface where markings are intended to be visible during use, may be exposed to the electromagnetic radiation.
  • the markings may correspond to playing court markings, e.g. lines, continuous lines, dotted lines, dashed lines, dots, spots, solid areas, or the like.
  • the markings may correspond to markings for use in an activity, game or sport selected from the list consisting of basketball, volleyball, tennis, football (soccer), futsal, badminton, handball, netball, American football, lacrosse, hockey, and squash, or any other activity, game or sport.
  • the playing surface may comprise a plurality of phosphorescent materials.
  • the playing surface may comprise a first phosphorescent material which may absorb energy at a first exposure wavelength, and may emit light at a first emission wavelength or may generate a first colour, following irradiation.
  • the playing surface may comprise a second phosphorescent material which may absorb energy at a second exposure wavelength, and may emit light at a second emission wavelength or may generate a second colour, following irradiation.
  • the first exposure wavelength and the second exposure wavelength may be different.
  • the first emission wavelength and the second emission wavelength may be different.
  • the first colour and the second colour may be different.
  • providing a plurality of phosphorescent materials may allow a first set of markings to be activated by exposing the surface to a first exposure wavelength according to a pattern corresponding to characteristics, e.g. dimensions, shape, and/or location, suitable for a first activity, game or sport.
  • the first set of markings can either be let to disappear, e.g. by waiting until the first phosphorescent material has released its stored energy, or by exposing an area, e.g. an area encompassing the first set of markings, to the first exposure wavelength in order to “wipe” the first set of markings and/or render the first set of markings invisible, e.g., relative to a surrounding or adjacent area.
  • the surface may be exposed to a second exposure wavelength, e.g. according to a pattern corresponding to characteristics, e.g. dimensions, shape, and/or location, suitable for a second activity, game or sport to activate a second set of markings.
  • the surface may be provided with a number of phosphorescent materials. Each phosphorescent material may be used to activate a set of markings for an associated activity, game or sport. In an embodiment, there may be provided a phosphorescent material, and an associated exposure pattern, for each activity, game or sport intended to be used on the surface.
  • the surface may be provided indoor.
  • the surface may be provided outdoor.
  • a system for generating markings on a playing surface comprising:
  • a playing surface comprising a phosphorescent material
  • a display device for irradiating the surface with an electromagnetic radiation so as to generate a first set of markings on the surface.
  • the playing surface may be a playing surface according to the first aspect of the invention.
  • the display device may comprise or may be a projector.
  • the display device may be capable of exposing the surface to/with electromagnetic radiation, which may include ultraviolet (UV) light, infrared (IR) light, laser light, visible light, or the like.
  • electromagnetic radiation may include ultraviolet (UV) light, infrared (IR) light, laser light, visible light, or the like.
  • the display device may be configured to generate, project and/or illuminate an electromagnetic radiation on the surface, according to a pattern corresponding to characteristics, e.g. dimensions, shape, and/or location, suitable for an activity, game or sport.
  • the display device may be configured to expose, irradiate or illuminate areas of the surface where markings are intended to be visible during use, at a first exposure wavelength, e.g. to generate a first set of markings.
  • the display device may be capable of generating, projecting and/or illuminating an electromagnetic radiation, e.g. at the first exposure wavelength, on the surface, e.g. on an area encompassing the first set of markings, in order to “wipe” the first set of markings and/or render the first set of markings invisible, e.g., relative to a surrounding or adjacent area.
  • the display device may be configured to expose, irradiate or illuminate areas of the surface where markings are intended to be visible during use, at a second exposure wavelength, e.g. to generate a second set of markings, according to a pattern corresponding to characteristics, e.g. dimensions, shape, and/or location, suitable for a second activity, game or sport.
  • a method for generating markings on a playing surface comprising:
  • the playing surface may be a playing surface according to the first aspect of the invention.
  • the method may comprise using a system according to the second aspect of the invention.
  • the method may comprise exposing the surface to an electromagnetic radiation which may include ultraviolet (UV) light, infrared (IR) light, laser light, visible light, or the like.
  • an electromagnetic radiation which may include ultraviolet (UV) light, infrared (IR) light, laser light, visible light, or the like.
  • the method may comprise generating, projecting and/or illuminating an electromagnetic radiation on the surface, according to a pattern corresponding to characteristics, e.g. dimensions, shape, and/or location, suitable for an activity, game or sport.
  • the method may comprise exposing, irradiating or illuminating areas of the surface where markings are intended to be visible during use, at a first exposure wavelength, e.g. to generate a first set of markings.
  • the method may comprise generating, projecting and/or illuminating an electromagnetic radiation, e.g. at a/the first exposure wavelength, on the surface, e.g. on an area encompassing the first set of markings, in order to “wipe” the first set of markings and/or render the first set of markings invisible, e.g., relative to a surrounding or adjacent area.
  • an electromagnetic radiation e.g. at a/the first exposure wavelength
  • the method may comprise exposing, irradiating or illuminating areas of the surface where markings are intended to be visible during use, at a second exposure wavelength, e.g. to generate a second set of markings, according to and/or corresponding to characteristics, e.g. dimensions, shape, and/or location, suitable for a second activity, game or sport.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a playing surface and system according to an embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2 illustrates court markings produced by the system of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 illustrates alternative court markings produced by the system of FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a system 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the system 10 includes a projector 12 and a playing surface 30 which contains a phosphorescent material.
  • the projector 12 comprises a light source 14 capable of illuminating the surface 30 with light 20 at a first wavelength.
  • the light source 14 may be a laser which can be controlled by a computer to produce a desired pattern.
  • the light source 14 has an optical filter 16 and a lens 18 so as to irradiate or expose the surface 30 according to a desired pattern.
  • the illustration of FIG. 1 is schematic and that the known elements of a projector and other elements of the embodiment are not illustrated in detail.
  • the projector 12 comprises intricate electronics which are not shown here.
  • the projector 12 is a digital projector.
  • the projector 12 is situated above the playing surface 30 so that the light 20 emitted by the light source 14 is projected through the optical filter 16 and through the lens 18 onto the playing surface 30 .
  • the lens 18 will focus the light 20 onto the playing surface 30 .
  • the optical filter 16 may be a stencil holder that holds stencils which correspond to the line markings for the chosen game.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the court markings for basketball and the stencil holder, for such an arrangement, would hold a stencil having the line markings illustrated in FIG. 2 in negative. Therefore, inserting such a stencil into the stencil holder 16 and turning on the light source 14 would cause the projector 12 to project light 20 corresponding to the court markings 26 of FIG. 2 onto the playing surface 30 , so as to activate the phosphorescent material in the playing surface to render markings 26 visible to an observer and/or player following exposure to the light 20 according to the selected pattern.
  • a stencil corresponding to the court markings 28 illustrated in FIG. 3 but in negative form, could be inserted into the stencil holder 16 to cause the projector 12 to project light 20 onto playing surface 30 corresponding to the court markings 28 illustrated in FIG. 3 .
  • any type of optical filter may be envisaged so long as it allows the display of light on the surface 30 according to a desired pattern.
  • the projector can irradiate to whole surface 30 with light, e.g. light at a first wavelength.
  • An advantage of the present system is that, because the/each set of markings is activated prior to the surface being used for an activity, such that the markings are visible for a predetermined amount of time and preferably for an amount of time sufficient to allow the activity to occur without interruption, there is no risk of any interaction between the light (e.g., light generated by a projector) and players' bodies, accessories or equipment, during use.
  • the light e.g., light generated by a projector
  • the light source may comprise UV, IR and/or lasers.
  • Embodiments of the invention are particularly suited to the indoor environment where the level of ambient light is low and therefore the power required projection is also low. However further embodiments may be suited to the outdoor environment particularly in low light circumstances such as night-time. Further embodiments of the invention involving high-powered projectors are also suitable for use during daytime.
  • the user can reverse the activated surface just like “deleting” the lines ahead of its natural decay time by means of using the light source with a reverse (‘negative’) pattern, activating the earlier non-activated surface until the entire court surface fades into a single colour.
  • the power intensity of the light source can be controlled in such a manner to activate the court surface with a different colour at each pre-set level. Hence the court can be used multiple times during the day.
  • the projector is situated above the playing surface.
  • the projector may be situated elsewhere such as below the playing surface which could be made from glass.
  • the projector need not be situated directly above the playing surface and any distortion in geometry can be accounted for through appropriate arrangement of the optical filter 16 or the projecting light source.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
US16/466,445 2016-12-06 2017-12-05 Playing court Abandoned US20200061447A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
LULU93337 2016-12-06
LU93337A LU93337B1 (en) 2016-12-06 2016-12-06 Playing Court
PCT/EP2017/081488 WO2018104287A1 (en) 2016-12-06 2017-12-05 Playing court

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US20200061447A1 true US20200061447A1 (en) 2020-02-27

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US16/466,445 Abandoned US20200061447A1 (en) 2016-12-06 2017-12-05 Playing court

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US (1) US20200061447A1 (pt)
EP (1) EP3551302B1 (pt)
JP (1) JP2020513271A (pt)
CN (1) CN110290843A (pt)
BR (1) BR112019011448A2 (pt)
CA (1) CA3045943A1 (pt)
LU (1) LU93337B1 (pt)
WO (1) WO2018104287A1 (pt)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20220134214A1 (en) * 2020-10-30 2022-05-05 Shalinder Gupta Game-court-surface projector

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2516727A (en) * 1948-09-21 1950-07-25 Robert A Schultheiss Light chargeable pad
US5174571A (en) * 1988-06-23 1992-12-29 Aubusson Russell C Temporary line marking method and apparatus
US20080254920A1 (en) * 2007-04-11 2008-10-16 Darrell Oresky System and method for selectively marking objects
US20090252899A1 (en) * 2005-10-25 2009-10-08 Ten Cate Thiolon B.V. Artificial Lawn, in Particular an Artificial Grass Sports Field
US20120065006A1 (en) * 2010-09-13 2012-03-15 Vogt Steven D Light source projecting lines defining activity area
US20130120715A1 (en) * 2011-11-16 2013-05-16 Seiko Epson Corporation Line display system using projector

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3741662A (en) * 1971-06-16 1973-06-26 W Pioch Visible line marker
JPS60149675U (ja) * 1984-03-14 1985-10-04 奥　昭 競技コ−トのライン表示装置
FR2677552B1 (fr) * 1991-06-12 1994-05-20 Yves Guissart Marquage selectif au sol par procede lumineux ou luminescent pour salles de sport(s).
JP3932541B2 (ja) * 2003-01-21 2007-06-20 秀仁 下岡 スケート靴

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2516727A (en) * 1948-09-21 1950-07-25 Robert A Schultheiss Light chargeable pad
US5174571A (en) * 1988-06-23 1992-12-29 Aubusson Russell C Temporary line marking method and apparatus
US20090252899A1 (en) * 2005-10-25 2009-10-08 Ten Cate Thiolon B.V. Artificial Lawn, in Particular an Artificial Grass Sports Field
US20080254920A1 (en) * 2007-04-11 2008-10-16 Darrell Oresky System and method for selectively marking objects
US20120065006A1 (en) * 2010-09-13 2012-03-15 Vogt Steven D Light source projecting lines defining activity area
US20130120715A1 (en) * 2011-11-16 2013-05-16 Seiko Epson Corporation Line display system using projector

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20220134214A1 (en) * 2020-10-30 2022-05-05 Shalinder Gupta Game-court-surface projector

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3551302A1 (en) 2019-10-16
JP2020513271A (ja) 2020-05-14
LU93337B1 (en) 2018-07-03
BR112019011448A2 (pt) 2019-10-08
EP3551302B1 (en) 2021-10-20
CA3045943A1 (en) 2018-06-14
CN110290843A (zh) 2019-09-27
WO2018104287A1 (en) 2018-06-14

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