Classifications

• • 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
  • A63C19/10—Ice-skating or roller-skating rinks; Slopes or trails for skiing, ski-jumping or tobogganing

Definitions

• the invention relates to a dismountable/collapsible board structure especially for sports and exercise activities, such as for setting up a boarding for a floorball court.
• the board structure consists of elongated board elements, which are removably interconnectible one after the other in a longitudinal direction and which are provided with a board component substantially vertical in cross-section and a base component extending substantially sideways therefrom for supporting the board element against a foundation.
• the board element included in the board structure is made from an essentially non-metallic material for an integral unit, such as a profile.
• the board element comprises a frame of aluminiun or steel, as well as a front panel of plywood or plastics.
• the board element is provided with a required rigidity by means of the frame element and the rebound properties needed for a boarding in floorball are attained by virtue of the front panel.
• the board's frame element is further fitted with support brackets constructed from a metal or some other material for holding the board upright.
• a complete floorball rink is built from a plurality of such board elements which are interconnected by means of fasteners made primarily from rubber.
• this board element is highly functional as a floorball barrier.
• its problem is structural heaviness. Assembling the rink is a slow process and the manipulation and handling of board elements requires the labour input of several persons. Storage of board elements is also labour-intensive.
• Another problem with the board element is its hazardousness in certain playing situations, such as accidents and players falling against the boards.
• the presence of a metallic frame member in the board element as well as plywood or plastic edges in the front panel constitute a hazard for players, especially in fall and accident situations.
• the edges constitute both a fracturing and cutting hazard for players, the elements being made of a material which neither yields in accident situations nor absorbs impacts in a safe manner.
• Rubber fasteners used for holding board elements together are also problematic.
• the board elements should not be connected to each other in an excessively secure manner and, thus, the fasteners must have elasticity in accident situations, which is why the fasteners are indeed primarily manufactured in elastic and flexible rubber.
• the rubber fastener gives way in accident situations, which is important from a safety aspect.
• a problem in this design is that such fasteners do not sufficiently eliminate the sideways movement of board elements in normal playing situations, the rink wall going easily out of alignment in the heat of regular play, thus impeding the game itself.
• the board element comprises a thermoplastic panel-like element of ABS plastics, which is filled with urethane .
• the boarding has its bottom edge fitted with support brackets of metal for holding a board element upright.
• a floorball rink is assembled from a plurality of such board elements which are interconnected by means of rubber-made fasteners.
• the board elements may additionally have the ends thereof formed with a male/female joint, intended for facilitating the mutual alignment of board elements as well as for reducing a relative sideways movement therebetween in regular playing situations .
• the rubber fasteners of these board elements involve the same problems as the first solution. Although the male/female joints present at the board elements' ends are intended for improving the boarding ' s permanent linearity or straightness, this objective is not fulfilled sufficiently well.
• the rink walls are still able to move notwithstanding rubber bands and male/female joints, the rink wall quickly losing its straightness or alignment in the heat of the game.
• the board element comprises a thin element laminated to form with fiberglass, wherein the board element, including its upright panel and support bracket, is laminated to provide a single integral element.
• a floorball rink is assembled from a plurality of such board elements attached to each other by means of primarily rubber-made fasteners.
• a problem with this board element is its hazardousness as it contains a multitude of sharp edges as a result of using thin panel. In accident and fall situations, as panel elements and rubber fastenings give way, the sharp edges constitute a serious cutting hazard. Thin fiberglass and plastic panels are also susceptible to breaking under a weight, thus developing more sharp edges, particularly in accident situations.
• the rink elements consist of a plurality of separate components.
• the board elements comprise several separate components : a frame, a front panel, rubber fasteners, as well as screws and nuts holding the same together.
• This is problematic with regard to both manufacture and board usability.
• the more components to be secured in various operations are included in board elements, the more complicated and expensive is the manufacture of such board elements.
• the more separate components are included in a rink structure, the more complicated and tedious is the mounting and dismounting of the rink.
• the mounting and dismounting of a rink is also restrained by a heavy weight of the above-described board elements .
• a board structure of the invention is principally characterized in that a board element, comprising at least a board component and a base component, is manufactured in an expanded or foamed plastic-based material, such as honeycombed, cellular, foamed plastics or the like.
• the most important benefit offered by a board element of the invention is its safety in service. Safety in service has been improved especially by means of material selections, as well as by reducing the need for separate fastening elements and support structures by producing the board elements as an integral unit from a single mould.
• the board elements manufactured integrally from expanded plastics do not contain sharp edges, corners, brackets or components, which could expose a player to injuries or cuts.
• the material is elastic and yields in accident and fall situations, which reduces a risk of bone fracture.
• the material is also capable of absorbing impacts and is resilient under a weight and, thus, not likely to cause cuts and fractures even when a player falls on top of the boarding.
• the material has elasticity and, thus, after absorbing impacts or giving way in accident situations, it recovers its original constitution, which enables a quick resumption of play after a fall situation, for example.
• the material may also crack under a person to prevent injury, but even then there will be no sharp edges or pieces that could be dangerous, since the fragments will be resilient and exhibit no sharp edges .
• the presently developed board element is manufactured in the sense of engineering technology by means of a single mould as a single element, which integrally incorporates all the features required in a board element, i.e. both the board element's vertical panel, support bracket and, in a preferred embodiment, also necessary fastening mechanisms. Since board elements can be manufactured in the sense of engineering technology by means of a single mould, the manufacturing process of such board elements will be as simple and cost- effective as possible.
• the inventive board element satisfies the game requirements.
• the board elements are also lightweight and can be readily handled by a single person. Since the board elements can be provided with integral fastening mechanisms, the building of a rink will be as easy as possible.
• the fastening mechanisms can be designed so as to retain the board elements in engagement with each other in both lateral and longitudinal directions, the rink maintaining as closely as possible its proper outline during normal play and the rink walls remaining in line.
• integrally built fasteners are also preferred in the sense that integral fasteners do not require separate storage or shipping in connection with the assembly or disassembly of a rink.
• Extra support for fastening board elements to each other and/or for keeping a rink in alignment can be further provided by using separate metal or plastic fasteners.
• fasteners fixed to support brackets prevent the rink wall from opening outward in playing situations.
• fig. 1 shows one board element included in a board structure of the invention in a perspective view from the front
• fig. 2 shows the board element of fig. 1 in a perspective view from the back
• fig. 3 shows an end of the board element of figs. 1 and 2 in an enlarged perspective view
• fig- 4 shows the board element of figs . 1 and 2 in an end view
• fig. 5 shows a board structure composed of board elements of the type depicted in figs. 1 and 2
• fig. 6 shows one board element configuration alternative to that of figs. 1 and 2 in a perspective view from the back,
• fig. 7 shows the board element of fig. 6 in a view from above
• fig. 8 shows a board structure composed of board elements of the type depicted in fig. 6 in a perspective view from the back,
• fig. 9 shows one preferred retainer mechanism included in a board structure of the invention
• fig. 10 further shows one preferred mechanical bracing arrangement included in a board structure of the invention
• fig. 11 further shows one preferred further embodiment for a board structure of the invention, e.g. for advertising applications or the like,
• figs. 12a-12c show a few preferred optional retainer and coupling mechanisms
• fig. 13 further shows one preferred optional coupling and retainer mechanism
• figs. 14a and 14b illustrate the operating principle for base component locking facilitated by a board element of the invention
• figs. 15a-15d show a few preferred surface structures for a board element of the invention.
• the invention relates to a dismountable/collapsible board structure especially for sports and exercise activities, such as for setting up a boarding for a floorball court.
• the board structure consists of elongated board elements 1, which are removably interconnectible one after the other in a longitudinal direction s and which are provided with a board component substantially vertical in cross-section and a base component extending substantially sideways therefrom for supporting the board element against a foundation.
• the board element included in the board structure is made from an essentially non-metallic material for an integral unit, such as a profile.
• a profile such as a profile.
• the board element 1; 1' consisting of at least a board component 1 ' a and a base component l'b, is manufactured in an expanded or foamed plastic- based material, such as honeycombed, cellular, foamed plastics or the like.
• the board element 1; 1' has its opposite ends I, II in a preferred embodiment provided integrally with a coupling system 2 for interconnecting adjacent board elements on a quick coupling principle, such as with mutually complementary snap-fit couplings.
• Quick coupling refers to a locking system, in which separate elements are fastened to each other by means of fastening mechanisms included in the elements, such that the coupling process does not require the use of separate tools.
• the mutual snap-fit coupling of board elements refers to such a locking system in which the board elements have the ends thereof provided with such shaped mechanisms which, when secured to each other, retain the board components in attachment with each other against tractions in various directions.
• the coupling system 2 comprises one or more alternately placed pairs of protrusions and recesses 2a, 2b arranged at least in the end of the board element's 1; 1' board component l'a.
• the coupling mechanism can be optionally implemented by using, for example, a male/female configuration 2a', 2b' as shown in fig. 12c.
• the coupling system 2 comprises a retainer mechanism 2cl, which is arranged integrally in the end of the board component l'a and/or the base component l'b for resisting a lengthwise s traction and which comprises, for example, friction, anti-release, pressure contact, joint surfaces or the like.
• a retainer mechanism 2cl which is arranged integrally in the end of the board component l'a and/or the base component l'b for resisting a lengthwise s traction and which comprises, for example, friction, anti-release, pressure contact, joint surfaces or the like.
• Such retainer mechanisms are depicted in figs. 12a and 12b.
• the coupling system 2 and/or the retainer system 2cl for the lengthwise s traction can also be implemented by using separate locking mechanisms 2, 2c4, such as a Velcro attachment, as depicted in fig. 13.
• retainer mechanism 2c2 shown e.g. in fig. 9, which is implemented with separate quick couplings, such as so-called clips, retaining the end faces of adjacent board elements together in a spring-loaded manner.
• This type of retainer is capable of providing a highly secure construction, which first of all enables a sufficiently secure attachment of elements to each other in such a way that, as the loading increases, the retainers are capable of popping off, thus allowing a disengagement of the board elements from each other without safety hazard.
• a retainer system 2c, • 2c3 is used for completing the coupling system 2 by being mounted only on the base component l'b for maintaining the rink structure in alignment during regular play.
• Such retainer systems 2c3 are depicted in figs. 14a and 14b.
• the joint surfaces of board elements are beneficial to provide with sufficient wall thicknesses, by virtue of which the board elements urge each other for a proper alignment.
• the joint surfaces when manufactured e.g. from an EPP material, the joint surfaces have a wall thickness which is most preferably within the range of 10-60 mm.
• the board elements can be further provided with profiled braces and undercuts of the types shown in figs. 15a-15d both for reinforcing and lightening the board elements.
• Profiled braces and undercuts refer to formations and patterns designed on a board element in its manufacturing process.
• the inventive board element 1' is manufactured e.g. from an EPS material, such as expanded cellular polystyrene, styrofoam, or the like, from an XPS material, such as extruded cellular polystyrene, from an EPP material, such as expanded polypropylene, extruded cellular polyethylene, polyurethane, or e.g. from extruded structural foam panel of PVC.
• the board element 1' is preferably manufactured by low pressure casting.
• the manufacturing material may comprise a variety of cold-set and thermoplastics.
• the materials may also involve various additives and fillers for conditioning the properties of a material .
• the manufacturing material comprises EPP plastics (foamed cellular polypropylene) .
• EPP plastics fuoamed cellular polypropylene
• the properties of EPP plastics are particularly advantageous, its properties including elasticity, absorbability of impacts, and resilience, which are important for the invention.
• the manufacturing process of an EPP element enables a board element of this invention to be manufactured with a single mould as a single element, which contains all of the components required in a rink element, i.e. an upright panel and a support bracket, as well as, if necessary, also coupling mechanisms, in the way of an integral structure.
• the board element is manufactured in its entirety with a single mould.
• the manufacturing process can be effected by using various injection moulding techniques, rotational moulding, reaction casting (RIM, RRIM, PUR) , compression forming or moulding, vacuum moulding, lamination, blow moulding, extrusion, as well as SMC and BMC methods.
• the EPP element is manufactured, for example, by means of a RIM process.
• the board element 1' is provided as a mechanically reinforced assembly by way of inserts 4 removably mounted thereon, such as bracing ribs 4a, bracing profiles 4b and/or bracing plates 4c secured by means of snap-fit and/or slide-fit joints.
• inserts 4 can be manufactured e.g. from metal, plastics, or wood. The size, shape and position of these inserts can be varied for various modifications in the properties of the product. From the aspect of mould technology, the inserts can be located just as well inside a board element .
• the board element can be coated with various materials and, for example, with panels of various shapes for conditioning the properties of board elements.
• the coating may comprise for example plastics or urethane. Urethane, for example, can be applied on top of the element for example by spraying or by mechanical application.
• the coating may also comprise a shaped or unshaped coating panel, such as a plastic or wood panel. These coatings and panels can be used for improving board elements' properties, such as strength, rigidity, or appearance. Coatings can also be used for modifying properties associated with a type of board elements, such as the rebound or deflection response properties of board elements.
• the board element 1* is provided in a preferred embodiment with a transparent cover component 5 removably mountable thereon, such as with a snap-fit locking, for carrying replaceable advertisements 5a, messages, and/or the like.
• the cover component 5 can be made, for example, from polycarbonate.
• the board element 1 ' has its base component l'b provided, as depicted particularly in figs. 6-8, by two or more brackets l'bl, which are successive in a longitudinal direction s and protruding in a perpendicular direction from the board component ' s l'a back surface 1 ' at .
• a board element designed like this is feasible for making a corner piece for the board structure by bending the element on a principle depicted in fig. 7 to a curvature R.
• the retainer system used in connection with a coupling mechanism, can be implemented by means of e.g. a separate coupling pin or a locking member pivotably coupled between the components, as opposed to a so-called dovetail joint provided by a snap-fit or slide-fit connection present in the foregoing embodiments and/or as opposed to an extra friction surface present in each pair of protrusions and recesses.
• the board elements included in the board structure can have surface contours and dimensions which are different from the foregoing, such that a retainer system based on a separate connecting member is also essentially different from the retainer shown in the attached drawings, which is immobilized in a spring-loaded manner and which, in turn, can further be manufactured from appropriately flexible wood, plastic/metal materials .

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Floor Finish (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=8563749

Family Applications (1)

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Cited By (6)

Citations (5)

• 2002
  • 2002-04-12 FI FI20020705A patent/FI20020705A/sv not_active Application Discontinuation
• 2003
  • 2003-03-31 AU AU2003216756A patent/AU2003216756A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-03-31 WO PCT/FI2003/000246 patent/WO2003086556A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation

Patent Citations (5)

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