WO2022106570A1

WO2022106570A1 - A turf sports facility

Info

Publication number: WO2022106570A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/082204
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yngve SALTVEIT; Claus Johannsen
Original assignee: Nutcracker Solutions As
Priority date: 2020-11-19
Filing date: 2021-11-18
Publication date: 2022-05-27

Abstract

A turf sports facility (1) comprising movable turf modules (5) movable between an installed state and a storage state, and a storage system (7) with a module storage chamber (9) to accommodate the turf modules (5) when in the storage state. Sets (11a) of movable support beams (11) are configured to support the turf modules (5) when in the storage state. The module storage chamber (9) comprises two opposite guide walls (9a). Each guide wall comprises horizontal beam guides (13) configured to guide said support beams (11) in horizontal directions, vertically moving and retractable beam elevators (15) configured to move said support beams (11) vertically, and retractable storage supports (19) configured to support the support beams (11). The module storage system (7) further comprises a support beam storage (10) configured to store the sets (11a) of support beams (11).

Description

A TURF SPORTS FACILITY

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a turf sports facility, such as a football stadium, where turfed sports field is surrounded by spectator stands, and wherein the turfed field can be removed and stored.

Background Art

There are known several solutions for turfed sports fields that are made up of movable turf modules. For larger stadiums, it is of economic interest to be able to remove the turf such that other events can take place. For instance, for a stadium centrally located in a large city, it will represent a substantial economic benefit if one is able to arrange a concert on one evening and a football match the day after. To do this, however, one needs to remove the turfed sports field so that it is not destroyed.

JP2000356046A presents a solution where tatami mats, used for Japanese fencing (Kendo) are stored in a pit partially below a row of spectator seats. The pit is provided with an elevator having several shelfs for storing respective mats. When moving the mats into the pit, several tatami mats are lifted simultaneously.

WO201 3002649 presents a solution where a plurality of turf modules are stored in a storage chamber below the sports field. Each turf module is lowered with an elevator, and then moved horizontally into a shelf system adjacent the elevator.

US5319895 also discloses a solution where a sports field is lowered into a storage chamber having shelves for storing respective sport field modules.

Retrofitting existing stadiums with a storage system that can store the turfed field can be problematic. In some cases, it may be cumbersome to dig out storage space below spectator stands or even below the sports fields. In particular for stadiums arranged centrally in large cities, there may already exist infrastructure below the stadium, such as subway tunnel or other traffic tunnels. Hence, it will be advantageous if the volume of the storage chamber is small. Furthermore, with the solution according to the known art, the turf modules cannot be stored in the lift well, since that would prevent the lift from moving. An exception from this is the mentioned publication JP2000356046A. However, in that solution, all the modules (tatami mats) must be lifted simultaneously. For a turfed sports field, this would mean an unacceptable lifting weight.

An object of the present invention may thus be to provide a turf sports facility of the type defined in claim 1 , where the volume of the pit that has to be dug out for storage of the turf modules is reduced.

Summary of invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a turf sports facility, such as a football field, comprising a plurality of movable turf modules that are movable between an installed state and a storage state. It further comprises a storage system with a module storage chamber that is configured to accommodate the turf modules when they are in the storage state and with sets of movable support beams configured to support the turf modules when in the storage state. The module storage chamber comprises two opposite guide walls. Each guide wall comprises horizontal beam guides configured to guide said support beams in horizontal directions, vertically moving and retractable beam elevators configured to move said support beams vertically, and retractable storage supports configured to support the support beams. The module storage system further comprises a support beam storage configured to store the sets of support beams.

With the term installed state is meant that the turf modules are arranged together to form a turfed sports field, such as a football field. When in the storage state, the turf modules are arranged in the storage chamber.

By having the beam elevators retractable, they can move past a support beam when not supporting a support beam. This enables the use of the same beam elevators for moving different support beams. For instance, the beam elevators can land one set of support beams at a lower position in the storage chamber, then retract, and move upwards past the landed support beams for movement of a succeeding set of support beams.

It shall be clear that the term guide wall shall not be restricted to a closed or tight wall. Rather, it may also relate to, for instance, a vertical framework or the like, having posts onto which the beam elevators and the horizontal beam guides are arranged. Furthermore, it will be advantageous to provide access to the turf modules through one or both guide walls when the turf modules are in their storage state.

The retractable storage supports are located at defined vertical levels. These vertical levels will thus govern the vertical levels of the respective turf modules.

In some embodiments, there may be arranged retractable storage supports at more different vertical levels than there are turf modules. In this manner, one can adjust the intermediate distance between the respective turf modules when in the stored state.

The turf modules can advantageously have a rectangular shape with two longer and two shorter sides, wherein the support beams are parallel to the shorter sides when in the storage state.

In some embodiments, the guide walls can further comprise auxiliary horizontal guides and the storage system can further include auxiliary frames configured to be moved horizontally along said auxiliary horizontal guides. Advantageously, the auxiliary frames can be provided with lamps for artificial light.

The said auxiliary frames can take different shapes. For instance, they can have the shape of a beam, a plate, or a framework.

Advantageously, the auxiliary frames can be moved vertically with the beam elevators. In other embodiments, however, the auxiliary frames can be moved with auxiliary elevators.

Hence, the auxiliary frames can be installed above the upper face of the turf modules when in the storage state. With the artificial light, they can contribute in maintaining or even improving the quality of the turf.

Preferably the auxiliary frames can also be provided with water sprinkler means for distribution of water to the turf, and/or plant nutrition.

Advantageously, when in the storage state, the uppermost portion of the auxiliary frames can be arranged vertically above the lowermost portion of the support beams. This enables a more vertically compact storage of the turf modules, even with said auxiliary frames arranged between the turf modules. As a result, the vertical depth of the storage chamber can be made shallow.

In some embodiments, the respective retractable storage supports comprise a first and a second storage support part, wherein said beam elevators are configured to move vertically between the first and second storage support part.

The turf modules may comprise an upper turf surface with an area above 300 m².

When in the storage state, there will be intermediate distances between the upper face of the turf modules and the items above. Advantageously, one or more intermediate distances can be above 1 ,9 meters while one or more other intermediate distances can be less than 1 ,5 meters.

By having intermediate distance or distances of at least 1 ,9 meters, it will be possible for persons to work on the turf surface, such as for cutting the turf or removing unwanted weeds etc.

The said items above the upper face of the turf modules can typically be the lower face of another turf module, or an auxiliary frame with artificial light.

In some embodiments, instead of providing artificial light by installing auxiliary frames, it is possible to provide the lower face of the turf modules with artificial light.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a turf sports facility, such as a football field, comprising a plurality of movable turf modules that are movable between an installed state and a storage state. It further comprises a storage system with a module storage chamber configured to accommodate the turf modules when in the storage state, and with a lift configured to move the turf modules vertically inside a lift well. According to the second aspect of the invention, the storage chamber is the lift well. Furthermore, the lift is configured to lift succeeding turf modules downwards inside the lift well while a preceding turf module, i.e. a turf module already moved into the storage state, remains stored and non-moving in the lift well.

By stating that the storage chamber is the lift well, it is meant that once the turf modules have been moved vertically down into the storage chamber with the lift, the turf modules are not moved sideways into another storing position. In other words, once being lowered from the level of the sports field, the turf modules are not moved horizontally until they are lifted back onto the sports field.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of moving turf modules of a turf field from an installed state on a fixed support surface to a storage state inside a storage chamber. The method comprises the following steps: a) providing a set of support beams in an upper opening of the storage chamber and flush with said fixed support surface; b) moving a turf module from the fixed support surface onto the support beams; c) with beam elevators supporting the support beams, lowering the turf module vertically down into the storage chamber; d) landing the support beams on a plurality of retractable storage supports and then retracting the beam elevators; e) moving the beam elevators vertically upwards past the support beams, moving the beam elevators back out from their retracted positions.

Steps a) to e) are repeated until the turf modules have been moved into the storage chamber.

When installing the turf modules back onto the fixed support base, the method is reversed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a novel method of installing or deploying a plurality of individual turf modules into a complete turf field. The method comprises the following steps: a) joining individual turf modules into a row of turf modules; and then b) moving the row of turf modules joined in step a) into abutment with a previously installed row of turf modules; wherein steps a) and b) are repeated until said turf field is complete. Detailed description of the invention

While various features of the present invention have been discussed in general terms above, a more detailed and non-limiting example of embodiment will be presented in the following with reference to the drawings, in which

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a turf sports facility according to the invention, showing a storage chamber that is arranged adjacent a turf field;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a part of the storage chamber;

Fig. 3 is another perspective view of the storage chamber, showing inter alia the upper portion of the storage chamber;

Fig. 4 is another view of a storage chamber, immediately before moving a turf module into position above the storage chamber;

Fig. 5 shows one turf module being moved onto the storage chamber;

Fig. 6 shows the turf module shown in Fig. 5 from below, while being supported by support beams at an upper portion of the storage chamber;

Fig. 7 depicts the turf module being moved downwards inside the storage chamber, by means of beam elevators engaging support beams;

Fig. 8 shows the support beams in a landed position inside the storage chamber, while supporting a turf module;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective view inside the storage chamber, showing a beam elevator moving upwards past a stored turf module;

Fig. 10 shows a further set of support beams being moved upwards with the beam elevators;

Fig. 11 depicts a further turf module being landed inside the storage chamber;

Fig. 12 depicts an alternative turf sports facility according to the invention, wherein the storage chamber has another orientation with respect to the sports field;

Fig. 13 shows a turf module being moved towards or away from a set of support beams that are arranged above the storage chamber;

Fig. 14 shows a set of chamber lids being moved into a position to close the upper aperture of the storage chamber;

Fig. 15a is a perspective view from inside a storage chamber, showing a set of auxiliary frames provided with artificial lights;

Fig. 15b is another view inside the storage chamber, depicting sets of support beams and sets of auxiliary frames;

Fig. 16 is a schematic side view of the storage chamber when the turf modules are in their storage state;

Fig. 17 is a schematic side view similar to Fig. 16, however depicting an alternative embodiment;

Fig. 18 is an enlarged perspective view of an upper portion of the storage chamber;

Fig. 19 is a side view of a storage chamber, where turf modules are in a storage state and wherein a chamber lid closes the upper opening of the storage chamber;

Fig. 20 is a schematic top view illustrating a novel method of installing a plurality of turf modules; and

Fig. 21 is a schematic side view depicting the mutual vertical positions of support beams and auxiliary frames.

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a turf sports facility 1 according to the invention. It comprises a turf field 3 that is assembled of a plurality of turf modules 5. In association with the turf field 3, there is arranged a storage system 7. The storage system 7 comprises a storage chamber 9.

In some embodiments, as the one shown in Fig. 1 , the storage chamber 9 is located adjacent the turf field 3. In other embodiments the storage chamber 9 can be located within the area of the turf field 3. The latter is often advantageous when retrofitting existing stadiums since one will then not need to construct the storage chamber below existing stands. The following discussion will discuss how several turf modules 5 will be moved from their installed state as shown in Fig. 1 , to a storage state where they are accommodated within the storage chamber 9. In this example, the turf field 3 is made up of five turf modules 5.

Fig. 2 depicts the storage chamber 9. At one end of the storage chamber 9, namely at a beam storage wall 9b of the storage chamber 9, there is arranged a support beam storage 10. When the support beams 11 are not supporting turf modules 11 , they can be stored in the support beam storage 10. In the shown embodiment, the support beam storage 10 is arranged at one end of the storage chamber 9. However, in other embodiments, the support beam storage

10 can be located elsewhere, such as adjacent the storage chamber 9 and advantageously at an upper level.

There are arranged sets 11 a of movable support beams 11 . Since the storage system 7 shall store five turf modules 5, there are five sets 11 a of support beams 11 . In this embodiment, each set 11 a of support beams has 9 support beams 11 , however there may be fewer or more as the skilled person will understand.

As shown in Fig. 2, the support beams 11 of the lowermost set 11 a are moved from a retracted position and into the storage chamber 9. The support beams

11 are moved along horizontal beam guides 13. The horizontal beam guides 13 are arranged on opposite guide walls 9a of the storage chamber 9. For each set 11 a of support beams 11 , there are thus two horizontal beam guides 13.

To provide low friction, the support beams 11 or the horizontal beam guides 13 may be provided with rollers (not shown), that will rotate when the support beams 11 are moved along the horizontal beam guides 13. However, in other embodiments, the support beams 11 may simply slide directly on the upwardly facing face of the horizontal beam guides 13.

Furthermore, to provide the horizontal movement of the support beams 11 , the support beams 11 may for instance be interconnected with a pair of wires (not shown). In such an embodiment, the support beams 11 can be pulled towards the side of the storage chamber 9 that is opposite the beam storage wall 9b. By providing predetermined lengths of wire between each adjacent support beams 11 , the support beams 11 can be moved into predetermined positions along the horizontal beam guides 13.

Still referring to Fig. 2, the guide walls 9a are provided with beam elevators 15. The beam elevators 15 are configured to move the support beams 11 vertically. For each support beam 11 there is arranged one pair of beam elevators 15. Le. each pair comprises one beam elevator 15 on respective opposite guide wall 9a.

In the situation shown in Fig. 2, the beam elevators 15 are positioned flush with the horizontal beam guides 13, such that the support beams 11 are moved into a position onto the beam elevators 15. Consequently, when the support beams 11 are arranged on the beam elevators 15, the support beams 11 can be moved vertically. This is shown in Fig. 4.

Reference is now made to Fig. 3. At the lower part of the storage chamber 9, the support beams 11 can be seen. They are now arranged on the beam elevators 15 and are ready to be elevated.

Along the upper portions of the guide walls 9a, there are arranged module supports 17. As will be discussed below, the module supports 17 are configured to temporarily support turf modules 5. The module supports 17 can be moved between an activated and a non-activated state. In Fig. 3, the module supports 17 are shown in a position between these two states. Fig. 1 depicts the module supports 17 in the non-activated state, while Fig. 4 depicts the module supports 17 in the activated state.

In the shown embodiment, the module supports 17 are configured as two hinged plates. One plate is configured to take a horizontal orientation when in the activated state (Fig. 4), while supported by the other plate. The module supports 17 may however be provided with different embodiments, for instance as a support arm that pivot between the activated and non-activated states.

In Fig. 4, the support beams 11 are being moved upwards by the beam elevators 15 and the module supports 17 are in the activated state.

In the situation shown in Fig. 5, the support beams 11 have been elevated such that they are flush with the turf field 3 and with the module supports 17, which are in the activated state. A turf module 5 is being moved horizontally onto the support beams 11 and the module supports 17. Notably, this movement could also take place even without the support beams 11 being arranged flush with the module supports 17. I.e. the module supports 17 could support the turf module 5 also without the support beams 11 .

To facilitate the movement of the turf modules 5, the module supports 17 could be provided with rollers (not shown) or a low-friction surface. One type of roller can be a ball caster, of which several can be arranged on the turf module 5.

The entire turf module 5 is moved onto the module supports 17 and the support beams 11 . Fig. 6 depicts the turf module from below. As shown in Fig. 6, the module supports 17 have been moved from the activated state to the nonactivated state. Hence, the turf module 5 now rests on the support beams 11 , which are supported by the beam elevators 15.

The turf module 5 is then lowered by means of the beam elevators 15. This is shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 8 depicts the turf module 5 landed in a storage state.

In this storage state, the support beams 11 rest on retractable storage supports 19. The retractable storage supports 19 are configured to support the support beams 11 when in the storage state.

The retractable storage supports 19 are configured to move between an activated and a non-activated state. In the situation shown in Fig. 7 and in Fig.

8, the storage supports 19 are in the activated state. In the activated state they are configured to support the support beams 11 , as shown in Fig. 8.

There are arranged storage supports 19 in associated with each horizontal beam guide 13. Thus, in the shown situation, the storage supports 19 associated with the lowermost horizontal beam guide 13 are in the activated state, while the storage supports 19 associated with the above horizontal beam guides 13 are in the non-activated state. In the shown embodiment, the nonactivated state is a retracted state.

When the support beams 11 rest on the storage supports 19, the beam elevators 15 can move away from the support beams 11 so that a further turf module 5 can be moved. In the shown embodiment, each storage support 19 comprises a first and second storage support part 19a, 19b. As shown in Fig. 8, one storage support part 19a, 19b is arranged on respective sides of the beam elevator 15.

The beam elevators 15 are configured to move up and down along respective elevator paths 21 on the guide walls 9a. Referring to Fig. 8, to enable the shown beam elevator 15 to move upwards past the stored turf module 5, it is retractable. I.e. it can be moved a distance into or towards the guide wall 9a. Fig. 9 shows the beam elevator 15 being moved upwardly, past the turf module 5. Once the beam elevator 15 has moved above the turf module 5, it is moved out from its retracted position, such that it is ready to receive a new support beam 11 .

In the situation shown in Fig. 10, a new set 11a of support beams 11 is installed on the beam elevators 15, so that another turf module 5 can be moved into the storage chamber 9. The process discussed above for the first turf module 5 is repeated with the second turf module 5. As shown in Fig. 11 , the second turf module 5 is stored in a position above the first turf module 5. The distance between the two turf modules 5 can typically be between 2 and 4 meters. This distance enables access to the turf surface, such as for maintenance.

Maintenance may include provision of light and nutrition to the turf and cutting of the turf. Maintenance may also include provision of lines on the turf surface, such as the lines used to mark a football (soccer) field.

The third, fourth and fifth turf module 5 are moved in the same fashion into the storage chamber 9.

As the skilled person now will appreciate, the process disclosed above is reversed when the turf modules 5 are moved from their stored state to their installed state.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the storage chamber 9 is arranged with a longitudinal length that is parallel to a side of the turf field 3. In the situation shown in Fig. 12, the turf modules 5 are in the storage state, i.e. stored within the storage chamber 9. When in the installed state, the turf modules 5 will be arranged on a fixed support surface 23. The fixed support surface 23 can typically have a durable flat surface, such as concrete.

In this embodiment, the turf modules 5 are moved with a direction parallel to the support beams 11 , onto which they are moved. Hence, contrary to the embodiment discussed above (e.g. Fig. 1 ), the embodiment shown in Fig. 12 is without the module supports 17.

Fig. 13 shows the embodiment of Fig. 12 in a situation where one turf module 5 is being moved towards the storage chamber 9 for storage, or away from the storage chamber 9, for installation on the fixed support surface 23. Spectator stands 25 are shown partially encircling the fixed support surface 23.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 12 and Fig. 13, the storage chamber 9 is arranged within the area of the turf field 3. When the turf modules 5 are in the storage state, i.e. within the storage chamber 9, it will be advantageous to cover the storage chamber 9 with a chamber lid that is flush with the fixed support surface 23.

Such chamber lids 27 are shown in Fig. 14. In the situation shown in Fig. 14, the turf modules 5 are arranged within the storage chamber 9, such that the fixed support surface 23 is exposed. Furthermore, the chamber lids 27 are being moved with a horizontal movement from a lid storage position towards a lid cover position. When in the lid storage position, the chamber lids 27 are arranged partially below some of the spectator stands 25, on the left-hand side of Fig. 14. When in the lid cover position, the chamber lids 27 are arranged above the storage chamber 9. When in the lid cover position, the upper face of the chamber lids 27 are flush with the fixed support surface 23.

With the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 and the embodiment shown in Fig. 12, sets 11 a of support beams 11 are shown stored at the beam storage walls 9b. However, in alternative embodiments, the sets 11 a of support beams 11 could be stored at an upper position. For instance, when the sets 11 a are not in use, i.e. when the turf modules 5 are in the installed state, the sets 11 a of support beams 11 can be stored at one level. Preferably, such a level can be an upper level, i.e. on the same level as the uppermost horizontal beam guides 13. The pit that must be dug out for the storage chamber 9 can then be smaller. For instance, the plurality of sets 11 a of support beams 11 can be accommodated below a spectator stand 25.

Fig. 15a shows the inside of the storage chamber 9 in a situation where turf modules 5 are in their storage state, i.e. inside the storage chamber 9. In addition to the support beams 11 carrying the turf modules 5, there are also arranged auxiliary frames 29. The auxiliary frames 29 can advantageously comprise lamps for artificial light, so that a healthy turf can be maintained even while the turf modules 5 are in the storage chamber 9. Furthermore, the auxiliary frames 29 can also be provided with watering means, such as a sprinkler system (not shown) to keep a suitable moisture in the turf.

It shall be noted that the term artificial beam is not to restrict these items to merely beams. I.e. they could be shaped for instance as frames or similar structures.

In Fig. 15a, one auxiliary frame 29 is close to the viewer, as it is being moved, while other auxiliary frames 29 are positioned immediately below support beams 11 .

Fig. 15b depicts support beams 11 and auxiliary frames 29 being stored at the beam storage wall 9b of the storage chamber.

Fig. 16 is a schematic cross section side view of the storage chamber 9 when the turf modules 5 are in their storage state. A chamber lid 27 is arranged on top of the storage chamber 9. Below the chamber lid 27 there are arranged five turf modules 5, which are resting on respective sets 11 a of support beams 11 .

There are arranged auxiliary frames 29 below the support beams 11 , as well as below the chamber lid 27. The auxiliary frames 29 can in some embodiments be moved by the beam elevators 15 in the same manner that the support beams 11 are moved. In some embodiments, however, the auxiliary frames 29 are only moved horizontally.

The auxiliary frames 29 are advantageously configured to be moved along auxiliary horizontal guides 13a (shown in Fig. 15b) arranged on the guide walls 9a. Thus, the auxiliary frames 29 can be moved into the shown position, i.e. above and with a vertical distance from the turf module 5, after the turf modules 5 have been moved into their storage state.

The vertical distance between the upper face of the turf modules 5 and the items above it, i.e. typically the auxiliary frames 29 in the shown example, can typically be enough to enable a person to stand upright on the turf. For instance, this vertical distance can be between 2 and 2,5 meters. This intermediate distance 31 will, together with the vertical height of the turf modules 5, support beams 11 , and the optional auxiliary frames 29, govern the needed vertical depth of the storage chamber 9 (of course along with the needed number of turf modules 5).

In an alternative embodiment, as shown in Fig. 17, the said intermediate distance 31 is not even. Instead, the turf modules 5 are arranged in the storage chamber 9 in such a way that some intermediate distances 31 are less than others. In the shown embodiment, only one intermediate distance 31 has enough vertical height to enable a person to stand upright. The other intermediate distances 31 may for instance be less than one meter, for instance 0,5 meter.

With such an embodiment, one obtains that personnel can work on every turf module, but only one or some at a time. For instance, if personnel shall cut the turf, such as with a lawn mower, the support beams 1 1 will be configured such that one turf module can be cut. Then, the intermediate distances 31 are changed to enable a next turf module to be cut, etc.

With such embodiments, the vertical depth of the pit that that shall be dug out for accommodating the storage chamber 9, can be less.

Furthermore, since the storage chamber 9 will have less volume, it will facilitate replacement of the air inside the storage chamber 9. Controlling the air parameters, such as humidity and temperature, will affect the quality of the turf.

Fig. 18 depicts a portion of the upper part of the storage chamber 9 when in the situation shown in Fig. 14. As shown in Fig. 14, the chamber lids 27 are in the process of being installed in a position flush with the fixed support surface 23.

To support the chamber lids 27 in this vertical position, the support beams, such as shown in Fig. 18, are double-supporting beams 11 b. The double-supporting beams 11 b comprise two lid-support faces 12a, one on respective sides of the beam. The double-supporting beams 11 b further has an upper module-support face 12b, which is arranged vertically above the two lid-support faces 12a.

Thus, the chamber lids 27 (see Fig. 14) can be supported on respective side of the double-supporting beam 11 b in such a way that the chamber lids 27 are flush with the fixed support surface 23. Furthermore, the double-supporting beam 11 b can in addition, or simultaneously, support a turf module 5.

In some embodiments, all the support beams 1 1 can be in the form of said double-supporting beams 11 b. However, since most sets 1 1 a of support beams 1 1 will not need to support chamber lids 27, most support beams 11 will only need a module-support face 12b (i.e. without having a lid-support face 12a).

Notably, with the embodiments discussed above, the storage chamber 9 functions simultaneously as a storage chamber that accommodates the stored turf modules, and as a lift well, inside which the elevator moved vertically up and down. As appears from the above discussion, this feature is combined with the possibility of raising and lowering one turf module at a time, even if other turf modules are positioned in the lift well.

Fig. 19 depicts a schematic side view of the storage chamber 9, the fixed support surface 23 and a spectator stand 25. As shown in Fig. 19, a chamber lid 27 is arranged over the storage chamber 9 while the turf modules 5 are in their storage state. Also shown is a chamber lid storage chamber 28 which is located below the spectator stand 25. Thus, the chamber lid 27 needs only to move back and forth in a horizontal direction when moving between its stored position and its installed position above the storage chamber 9.

Fig. 20 is a schematic top view illustrating a method of installing a turfed field. A lift 1 15 is arranged in the storage chamber 9. A plurality of individual turf modules 5a are elevated out from the storage chamber 9 and onto the adjacent fixed support surface 23. Then a plurality of individual turf modules 5a are joined into a row of turf modules 105. They can be joined in various suitable manners, such as with locking clamps or bolts that maintain the individual turf modules 5a together as one piece.

The row of turf modules 105 has one dimension that corresponds to one dimension of the movable turf field 3 (e.g. such as the turf field 3 shown in Fig. 1 )-

A plurality of rows of turf modules 105 are moved horizontally on the fixed support surface 23 and placed adjacent each other, such as with the previous embodiments discussed herein. With such an embodiment, the lift 115 can elevate less weight, since it does not need to elevate an entire row simultaneously. Furthermore, by using this method of installation, one can install a turf field having several turf modules 5a in each orthogonal direction, while still not having to fit a protruding corner of a module into a receiving corner formed by previously installed modules. Instead, only straight turf edges are moved into abutment with previously installed turf edges.

Fig. 21 is a schematic side view illustrating the mutual position between support beams 11 and auxiliary frames 29. In this embodiment, the auxiliary frames 29 are moved vertically be means of auxiliary elevators (not shown). The auxiliary elevators can for instance function in the same manner as the beam elevators 15 discussed above.

By moving the auxiliary frames 29 with auxiliary elevators, it is possible to arrange the auxiliary frames 29 in a position at least partly between the support beams 11 . Hence, one can arrange the auxiliary frames 29 higher, leaving more vertical space between the auxiliary frames 29 and the upper turf surface of the turf module 5 below it. In other words, this enables a more vertically compact storage of the turf modules 5 inside the storage chamber 9.

As shown in Fig. 21 , the upper portion of the auxiliary frame 29 is at a vertical position that is higher than the lower position of the support beams 11 .

Claims

1 . A turf sports facility (1 ), such as a football field, comprising a plurality of movable turf modules (5) that are movable between an installed state and a storage state, and a storage system (7) with a module storage chamber (9) configured to accommodate the turf modules (5) when in the storage state and with sets (11 a) of movable support beams (11 ) configured to support the turf modules (5) when in the storage state, wherein the module storage chamber (9) comprises two opposite guide walls (9a), each guide wall comprising

- horizontal beam guides (13) configured to guide said support beams (11 ) in horizontal directions;

- vertically moving and retractable beam elevators (15) configured to move said support beams (11 ) vertically;

- retractable storage supports (19) configured to support the support beams (11 ); wherein the module storage system (7) further comprises

- a support beam storage (10) configured to store the sets (11 a) of support beams (11 ).

2. A turf sports facility (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the turf modules (5) have a rectangular shape with two longer and two shorter sides, wherein the support beams (11 ) are parallel to the shorter sides when in the storage state.

3. A turf sports facility (1 ) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the guide walls (9a) further comprise

- auxiliary horizontal guides (13a); and wherein the storage system (7) further includes

- auxiliary frames (29) configured to be moved horizontally along said auxiliary horizontal guides; wherein the auxiliary frames (29) comprises lamps for artificial light.

4. A turf sports facility (1 ) according to claim 3, characterized in that the guide walls (9a) further comprise

- auxiliary elevators configured to move the auxiliary frames (29).

5. A turf sports facility (1 ) according to claim 4, characterized in that when in the storage state, the uppermost portion of the auxiliary frames (29) are arranged vertically above the lowermost portion of the support beams (11 ).

6. A turf sports facility (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective retractable storage supports (19) comprise a first and a second storage support part (19a, 19b), wherein said beam elevators (15) are configured to move vertically between the first and second storage support part.

7. A turf sports facility (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the turf modules (5) comprises an upper turf surface with an area above 300 m².

8. A turf sports facility (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when in the storage state, there are intermediate distances (31 ) between the upper face of the turf modules (5) and the items above, wherein one or more intermediate distances (31 ) are above 1 ,9 meters while one or more other intermediate distances (31 ) are less than 1 ,5 meters.

9. A turf sports facility (1 ), such as a football field, comprising a plurality of movable turf modules (5) that are movable between an installed state and a storage state, and a storage system (7) with a module storage chamber (9) configured to accommodate the turf modules (5) when in the storage state, and with a lift (15) configured to move the turf modules (5) vertically inside a lift well, characterized in

- that the storage chamber (9) is the lift well;

- that the lift (15) is configured to lift succeeding turf modules (5) downwards inside the lift well while a preceding turf module (5) remains stored and non-moving in the lift well.

10. A method of moving turf modules (5) of a turf field (3) from an installed state on a fixed support surface (23) to a storage state inside a storage chamber (9), the method comprising the following steps: a) providing a set (11a) of support beams (11 ) in an upper opening of the storage chamber (9) and flush with said fixed support surface (23); b) moving a turf module (5) from the fixed support surface (23) onto the support beams (11 ); c) with beam elevators (15) supporting the support beams (11 ), lowering the turf module (5) vertically down into the storage chamber (9); 19 d) landing the support beams (11 ) on a plurality of retractable storage supports (19) and then retracting the beam elevators (15); e) moving the beam elevators (15) vertically upwards past the support beams (5), moving the beam elevators back out from their retracted positions; wherein steps a) to e) are repeated until the turf modules (5) have been moved into the storage chamber (9).

11 . Method of installing a plurality of individual turf modules (5a) into a turf field (3), the method comprising a) joining individual turf modules (5a) into a row (105) of turf modules; and then b) moving the row (105) of turf modules joined in step a) into abutment with a previously installed row (105) of turf modules; wherein steps a) and b) are repeated until said turf field (3) is complete.