Covering system

Abstract

 A covering system (2) is provided for covering a pre-defined area. The covering system (2) includes a trench (6) in which cover means are locatable when in a storage position and first movement means for allowing movement of the cover means between the storage position and out of an opening in the trench (6) to an in use position. The opening of the trench (6) is provided with closure means. Further movement means are associated with the closure means for moving the closure means between open and closed positions.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a covering system.

[0002] Although the following description refers almost exclusively to a covering system for use in covering football pitches, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention can be used for covering any pre-defined area, including other types of sports grounds, such as tennis courts, cricket pitches, athletic tracks, base ball pitches, hockey pitches and/or the like, or non-sports grounds, such as an outdoor concert venue and/or similar.

[0003] It is known to provide a removable cover over football pitches in order to prevent the pitch from becoming water logged or frozen following adverse weather conditions, thereby reducing the likelihood of football matches being cancelled and reducing the man power taken to clear pitches ready for play. Ultimately, this reduces the costs associated with maintaining the football pitch.

[0004] An example of a known removable football pitch cover includes a series of large water proof covers which are located over a football pitch when the pitch is not in use, particularly if an adverse weather warning has been issued. When the pitch is in use, the covers are wound onto large rollers located adjacent the edges of the football pitch for storage. Movement of the cover onto the roller and over the pitch is remotely controlled using a remote handset.

[0005] A problem with this conventional removable cover system is that when the cover is wound onto the rollers in a storage condition, the system is large and cumbersome and is typically located at the base of the spectator stands. This can cause both a visual obstruction for spectators and may restrict the emergency exit of spectators from the stands. Due to recent football stadium tragedies where spectators have become crushed whilst trying to exit the stands, there is now a requirement to leave the area surrounding the base of the stands free from obstacles, thereby allowing the rapid exit of spectators. In order to prevent spectators from having to climb over the pitch cover system, the cover system is now provided in a trench located along one or more sides of the football pitch. A series of hydraulic arms are located in the trench to automatically lift the cover from the trench when required, the cover then being moved across the pitch in the normal manner. However, a problem with this is that there is now an open trench present which may still represent an obstacle to spectators in the event of an emergency and the trench may collect rubbish, rain water or snow therein, thereby requiring the trench to be regularly cleaned and/or a drainage system to be employed, which is likely to be expensive. In order to prevent or reduce this problem, the trench is currently covered by wooden panels. However, these panels are unsightly in appearance and each panel has to be manually removed and replaced, thereby increasing the time taken for the covering system to be moved between in―use and storage positions.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved covering system which overcomes the abovementioned problems.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a covering system for covering a pre-defined area, said covering system including a housing in which cover means are locatable when in a storage position and first movement means for allowing movement of said cover means between said storage position and out of an opening in said housing to an in-use position, the opening of the housing provided with closure means, characterized in that further movement means are associated with said closure means for moving said closure means between open and closed positions.

[0008] The further movement means for moving said closure means between said open and closed positions are remotely controlled using control means, thereby allowing the closure means to be automatically moved between said open and closed positions. This improvement allows full automation of the covering system, thereby reducing the time taken for use of the system.

[0009] With the closure means in an open position, the cover means can be moved out of and/or into said housing via said opening. With the closure means in a closed position, the cover means is in said housing in said storage position and is protected from external environmental conditions and movement of the cover means out of the housing is prevented.

[0010] Preferably the closure means is in the form of one or more panels or lids which are located over or in an opening of said housing to close and/or open said opening as and when required.

[0011] In one embodiment the further movement means includes one or more hydraulic or pneumatic arm members. These arm members are arranged so as to lift or lower the closure means between said open and closed positions.

[0012] Preferably one or more non-return valves are used in the pneumatic or hydraulic system supplying the one or more arm members to allow substantially even movement of said closure means.

[0013] The closure means is typically pivotally mounted to one or more portions on or adjacent the housing.

[0014] Preferably the housing is in the form of a trench or recess located adjacent the pre-defined area being covered by said cover means, the closure means forming a lid over the trench or recess. Since there is no longer the time consuming requirement of manually moving the metal plates over and from the trench/housing, this greatly increases the speed with which the trench can be covered after use, thereby reducing the likelihood of the trench causing an obstacle or hindering a persons exit from the stands.

[0015] Preferably a recessed lip is provided adjacent one or more upper edges of the walls defining the open end of the trench or recess. This allows the top surface of the closure means to be substantially flush with the top surface of the surrounding area (such as the pre-defined area), thereby preventing a person from tripping over the edge of the closure means.

[0016] In one embodiment the closure means itself is provided with a recessed portion on an upper surface defined by a flange or protruding lip thereon. This recessed portion can be used for the location of grass, artificial grass or some other suitable floor covering, thereby providing the closure means with an improved aesthetic appearance.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment the floor covering used on the closure means matches the floor surface of the surrounding area.

[0018] Preferably one or more drainage apertures are provided on the closure means and/or in the housing to allow adequate drainage of water or precipitation therefrom.

[0019] Preferably the closure means is formed from reinforced steel, such as stainless steel, mild steel with zinc spray and paint finish or galvanized treated.

[0020] Support means are typically provided onto which the cover means are located in at least the storage position.

[0021] Preferably the support means includes one or more roller members onto which said cover means are wound in said storage position.

[0022] In one embodiment the further movement means is part of or is associated with the first movement means for moving the cover and/or roller members from said housing. Thus, in one example, operation of a single movement mechanism moves the closure means and the cover means.

[0023] Preferably the further movement means are operated remotely with respect to said housing using a remote controlled handset or similar. This handset typically operates all the control functions of the covering system remotely, i.e. movement of the closure means, cover means and the roller members. Alternatively a control panel can be provided adjacent to or in the housing for manual automated operation of said further movement means.

[0024] The cover means can be provided as a single unit or can be provided in a number of cover portions, depending on the size of the pre-defined area being covered and the requirements of the user.

[0025] Preferably the closure means can be retrofitted to an existing housing if required.

[0026] The closure means is typically moved upwardly and outwardly of an open end of said housing in use to a distance sufficient to allow the cover and support means to be moved into and from said housing. The closure means typically moves in a direction away from the area being covered.

[0027] Preferably the cover and roller members are supported in the housing via one or more support members and said support members are moved by said first movement means between raised and lowered positions to move the cover and roller into and out of said housing as required.

[0028] Preferably a plurality of closure means are provided with said housing, located side by side in a linear arrangement. Further preferably all the closure means move substantially together and in alignment with each other.

[0029] The first movement means for the cover means is typically located on an opposite side wall of the housing to the further movement means for the closure means.

[0030] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a covering system for covering a pre-defined area, said covering system including cover means, support means on which said cover means are located when in a storage position and a housing in which the cover means and support means are located when in said storage position, said housing being provided with movement means for allowing movement of at least said cover means out of an opening of said housing when said cover means is to be moved to an in-use position, the opening of said housing provided with closure means, characterized in that further movement means are associated with said closure means for moving said closure means between open and closed positions.

[0031] The advantage of the present invention is that it greatly reduces the time taken to move the covering means between in use and out of use positions and is easy to use. In one example, timing means can be provided to allow movement of the cover means and/or closure means to take place at a pre-set time.

[0032] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures wherein:

Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of a covering system according to an embodiment of the present invention with the closure means in an open condition;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the covering system in figure 1 in a closed condition;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the cover means in the system in figure 1;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of the trench used in the covering system; and

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the closure means located in the upper edge of the trench without the movement means in an open and closed position.

[0033] Referring to the figures, there is illustrated a covering system 2 for covering a football pitch 4. The covering system includes a trench 6 which is located parallel to an end of the football pitch 4. The trench has a base 8 and side walls 10, 10' defining a cavity 11, and an open end 12.

[0034] The trench cavity 11 houses a cover which is wound onto a roller (referred together as 14). The cover and roller 14 are supported in the trench cavity 11 on a support member 16, which is pivotally mounted at 18 to an upper edge 20 of side wall 10. Support member 16 is provided with a channel portion 22 and an arm portion 24 and the cover and roller 14 are located in channel portion 22.

[0035] A hydraulically operated arm 26 is provided for movement of said support member 16 between a lowered position, wherein support member 16 is located in the trench cavity 11, and a raised position, wherein support member 16 is pivoted in an upwardly and outwardly direction, as shown by arrow 28 until the cover and roller is adjacent the uppermost edge of the trench. Arm 26 is fixed at one end 30 to a lower part of side wall 10 and opposite end 32 at a suitable position on arm portion 24 of support member 16.

[0036] Open end 12 of trench 6 is provided with closure means in the form of a lid 34 which is pivotally mounted to upper edge 36 of side wall 10' about hinge 38. The lid 34 is pivotally movable between a closed position, wherein lid 34 sits on a recessed lip portion defined by the upper edge 36 of side walls 10, 10', as shown in figures 2 and 4, and an open position, wherein lid 34 is pivoted away from opposite side wall 10, as shown in figure 1. Provision of the recessed lip portion allows the top surface of lid 34 to be substantially flush with the surrounding surface of pitch 4, thereby preventing a person from tripping up over the lid and reducing the likelihood of injury to the person and damage to the lid. The recessed lip portion is approximately 20mm in depth.

[0037] Further movement means in the form of hydraulically operated arm 40 is provided for movement of the lid between said open and closed positions.

[0038] Arm 40 is attached at a first end 42 to side wall 10' and at a second end 44 to lid 34.

[0039] Both hydraulic arms 26, 40 operate in a conventional manner with a first arm member telescopically movable within a sleeve as a result of hydraulic pressure. Suitable attachment means, such as bracket members can be provided to attach the ends of the hydraulic arms to the side walls of the trench and the lid/support member.

[0040] Lid 34 can be provided with a protruding edge or flange 46 around a peripheral edge thereof, thereby defining a dish or recessed area on top of lid 34. This can be used for the location of grass, astro-turf, artificial grass and/or the like thereon, thereby improving the appearance of the upper surface of the lid and hiding the lid of the covering system from view.

[0041] The closure means can be formed from any required material, such as metal, wood or plastic. The trench is typically formed from concrete but could also be formed from bricks, stone or could be lined with plastic, metal, wood and/or the like.

[0042] The cover is typically formed from a waterproof fabric which is strong and resistant to tearing. Furthermore, the cover is typically formed from breathable material, such as a transparent plastic material, thereby allowing the grass to stay healthier than if a solid cover was used. Printed matter can be provided on an outer surface of the cover, such as advertisement, football club logo and/or the like.

[0043] A drainage system can be provided in the trench if required.

[0044] In use, a user typically depresses an appropriate button on a remote control handset. This causes hydraulic arm 40 to lift lid 34 in an upwardly direction by pivoting the lid 34 outwardly of trench 6 to an angle of approximately 62 degrees to the horizontal. Once the lid 34 is in a required position, support member 16 is lifted by hydraulic arm 26 until the cover/roller 14 is at ground level. The roller then progresses up the football pitch, unwinding the cover therefrom onto the pitch as it moves. In order to remove the cover from the pitch the above process takes place in reverse.

[0045] Thus the present invention reduces the man-power, time and expense associated with manually moving covers onto and from a pre-defined area.

Claims

1. A covering system (2) for covering a pre-defined area, said covering system (2) including a housing in which cover means are locatable when in a storage position and first movement means for allowing movement of said cover means between said storage position and out of an opening in said housing to an in use position, the opening (12) of the housing provided with closure means, characterized in that further movement means are associated with said closure means for moving said closure means between open and closed positions.

2. A covering system according to claim 1 characterized in that the further movement means are remotely controlled using control means.

3. A covering system according to claim 1 charatcerized in that when the closure means are in an open position, the cover means can be moved between in use and storage positions, and with the closure means in a closed position, movement of the cover means out of the housing is prevented.

4. A covering system according to claim 1 characterized in that the closure means include one or more panels or lids (34) located over or in the opening (12) of said housing.

5. A covering system according to claim 1 characterized in that the first and/or further movement means includes one or more hydraulic or pneumatic arm members (40, 26).

6. A covering system according to claim 5 characterized in that one or more non-return valves are used in the hydraulic or pneumatic system allowing operation of said hydraulic or pneumatic arm members (40, 26).

7. A covering system according to claim 1 characterized in that the closure means are pivotally mounted to one or more portions (36) on or adjacent said housing.

8. A covering system according to claim 1 characterized in that the housing is in the form of a trench (6) or recess located adjacent the pre-defined area being covered by said covering means.

9. A covering system according to claim 8 characterized in that a recessed lip is provided adjacent one or more upper edges of the walls (10, 10') defining the opening (12) of the trench (6) or recess and the closure means is located within said recess lip so that a top surface of the closure means is substantially flush with the surface surrounding the trench or recess.

10. A covering system according to claim 1 characterized in that a recessed portion is provided in a top surface of the closure means.

11. A covering system according to claim 10 characterized in that grass, artificial grass and/or Astroturf is located in the recessed portion.

12. A covering system according to claim 1 characterized in that one or more drainage apertures are provided on the closure means and/or in the housing.

13. A covering system according to claim 1 characterized in that support means are provided onto which said cover means are located in at least said storage position.

14. A covering system according to claim 13 characterized in that the support means includes one or more roller members (14) onto which said cover means is wound in said storage position.

15. A covering system according to claim 14 characterized in that the one or more rollers member (14) and cover means are supported in the housing on one or more support members and the support members are moved by first movement means.

16. A covering system according to claim 1 characterized in that the further movement means forms part of or is associated with said first movement means.

17. A covering system according to claim 1 characterized in that the first movement means are provided on an opposite wall (10) of the housing to the further movement means.

18. A covering system according to claim 1 characterized in that timing means are provided with said first and/or further movement means for allowing movement of the covering system to be actuated at a pre-set time.

Drawing