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(11) | EP 4 446 523 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | PADDLE TENNIS COURT |
| (57) The paddle tennis court (1) of the present invention comprises a playing horizontal
surface of concrete covered by artificial turf (12), a net (11), two net fixing posts
(10), a perimeter structure and, optionally, a lighting system integrated into the
perimeter by means of posts (13), characterized by said perimeter structure is made
up of the following elements: metal frames (2) with electro-welded mesh; glass panels
(7); vertical posts (8,9) to reinforce the whole self-supporting fixation of the perimeter
structure to the ground; L-shaped tubes (5) in each corner of the perimeter structure
and metal tubes (6) in each rear (15) of the perimeter structure. The paddle tennis
court (1) of the present invention stands strong winds, up to 95 km/h and allows full
visibility to the public watching the match. |
Field of the invention
[0001] The present invention relates to modular structures for paddle tennis court facilities for recreational, and professional sport practice, that exhibits resistance against strong winds.
Background to the invention
[0002] Paddle is a consolidated sport and its practice takes place, usually, in closed facilities delimited peripherally by physical limits, which usually consist of fixed constructions built inside of sport facilities, therefore, protected from special weather circumstances, like heavy rains or strong winds. Basically, a court to practice paddle comprises a horizontal surface, marked with corresponding lines and established cross network dividing the two playing fields. This horizontal surface is delimited by an enclosure with a certain height, enclosure through which can be perfectly observed the development of the game within the court, because that enclosure is made either of glass panels, or metallic mesh, or combinations thereof, all mounted on suitably arranged coupling angles for fixing the panels glass and metal mesh, complementing the court with lighting means, net posts and even one or two access doors to enter and exit in/out the court.
[0003] Most of the paddle courts known in the state of the art are built as fixed constructions, in concrete, most of the rear sides and, partially, also of the lateral sides in angle with those rear sides of the court. Therefore, the only zones that would allow viewing the match by the public, would be the part of the lateral sides made of metallic mesh. However, those paddle tennis courts disclosed in the state of the art do not allow to the public attending a tournament, to watch the paddle court completely. In order to solve that technical problem, there also are in the state of the art, paddle courts made in glass. That other kind of paddle courts have the problem that they must be installed inside sport buildings because they are not able to stand strong winds (>95 km/h). That deprives paddle courts fully open to public watching, to be installed in private facilities, as the paddle courts installed at open air in urbanizations or in private properties, as villas or detached houses.
Brief description of the invention
[0004] The paddle tennis court of the present invention is an installation intended for the use of paddle tennis players, both recreationally and for official competition, that presents innovative elements in its structure that gives it unique characteristics to be able to be installed open air in areas or zones with strong gusts of wind.
[0005] In a first aspect and in accordance with one of the characteristics of the invention, the self-supporting perimeter surface of the paddle tennis court is formed by means of a union of frames built as blocks joined together reinforced by vertical posts (8,9), anchored to the ground at one end. This modular construction has the advantage of allowing the manufacturing of the different modules (panels, meshes, blocks, etc...) outside the ground wherein the paddle court is going to be installed and its mounting quickly on the ground.
[0006] Moreover, the module structure allows the paddle court structure to be more flexible and to support higher winds strengths offering augmented resistance to breakage and to bending. In order to achieve this goal, the coupling between the different elements constituting the modules (panels, meshes, ...) and their corresponding supports, becomes crucial.
[0007] For that reason, another characteristic of the invention to solve the existing problems related to strong winds is that additionally also comprises reinforcement supports of metal for fixing the metal and glass parts of the perimeter frames to the mentioned vertical post, compacting the perimeter structure even more.
[0008] The paddle court structure of present invention has not blind zones for the public watching the game: therefore, the paddle court of present invention can be used either privately, or publicly (tournament), offering in both situations full view of the match being played.
[0009] The wind resistance of the paddle court of the invention, installed open-air, is also reassured by the fixation of the above mentioned modules made of crystal panels and metallic meshes, not only between them, but also to the ground by the corresponding anchorage elements.
[0010] Basically, the paddle tennis court (1) of the present invention consists of a concrete horizontal game surface covered by an artificial turf (12), crossed in its middle by a net hold between two posts, closed in its perimeter, entirety by the following elements:
- 28 metal frames, preferably made in steel, of the following types:
∘ 12 metal frames (2), preferably made in steel, with three electro-welded meshes, for the lateral side (14) of the perimeter structure of the paddle tennis court.
∘ 2 metal frames (3), preferably made in steel, with an electro-welded mesh, for the upper part of the entrance and exit of the paddle tennis court.
∘ 14 metal frames (4), preferably made in steel, with an electro-welded mesh, for the lateral (14) and rear (15) sides of the perimeter structure of the paddle tennis court, located on top of a glass panel.
- 18 glass panels (7).
- 4 vertical posts (8) and 4 vertical posts (9) to fix the whole self-supporting perimeter surface of the paddle tennis court (1) to the ground.
- 4 L-shaped tubes (5) in each corner of the paddle tennis court, to connect the metal frame (4), metal tubes (6) and glass panels (7), wherein, L-shaped tubes (5), metal frames (4) and glass panels (7), are solidly fixed to the ground, through the vertical posts (8) and (9).
- 2 metal tubes (6), preferably made in steel, horizontally disposed in the upper part of each rear (15) side of the perimeter of the paddle tennis court (1), to connect L-shaped tubes (5) and the metal frames (4).
Description of the figures
[0011] To complement the description being made and, in order to aid to have a better understanding of the invention's technical features, according to a preferred practical embodiment thereof and as an integral part of said description, a set of figures only with illustrative and non-limitative character, is enclosed hereto.
Figure 1 shows a schematic representation corresponding to an overall elevation view of the paddle tennis court based on the structure of the invention.
Figure 2 shows a schematic representation corresponding to a side view of the paddle tennis court based on the structure of the invention.
Figure 3 shows a schematic representation corresponding to a plant view of the paddle tennis court based on the structure of the invention.
Figure 4 shows a schematic representation corresponding to a rear view of the paddle tennis court based on the structure of the invention.
Figure 5 and Figure 6 show a schematic representation corresponding to an elevation view of the metal frame (2) with electro-welded mesh for the lateral sides (14) of the paddle tennis court based on the structure of the invention.
Figure 7 shows a schematic representation corresponding to a plant view of the metal frame (2) with electro-welded mesh for the lateral sides (14) of the paddle tennis court based on the structure of the invention.
Figure 8 shows a schematic representation corresponding to a side view of the metal frame (2) with electro-welded mesh for the lateral sides (14) of the paddle tennis court based on the structure of the invention.
Figure 9 and Figure 10 show a schematic representation corresponding to an elevation view of the metal frame (3) for the upper part of the entrance and exit of the paddle tennis court based on the structure of the invention.
Figure 11 shows a schematic representation corresponding to a plant view of the metal frame (3) for the upper part of the entrance and exit of the paddle tennis court based on the structure of the invention.
Figure 12 shows a schematic representation corresponding to a side view of the metal frame (3) for the upper part of the entrance and exit of the paddle tennis court based on the structure of the invention.
Figure 13 and Figure 14 show a schematic representation corresponding to an elevation view of the metal frame (4) for the lateral (14) and rear (15) sides of the perimeter structure of the paddle court of the invention.
Figure 15 shows a schematic representation corresponding to a plant view of the metal frame (4) for the lateral (14) and rear (15) sides of the perimeter structure of the paddle court of the invention.
Figure 16 shows a schematic representation corresponding to a side view of the metal frame (4) for the lateral (14) and rear (15) sides of the perimeter structure of the paddle court of the invention.
Figure 17 shows a schematic representation corresponding to a side view of the L-shaped tubes (5) disposed in each corner of the paddle tennis court, to connect the metal frames (4) metal tubes (6) and glass panels (7).
Figure 18 shows a schematic representation corresponding to an elevation view of the L-shaped tubes (5) disposed in each corner of the paddle tennis court, to connect the metal frame (4), metal tubes (6) and glass panels (7).
Figure 19 shows a schematic representation corresponding to a plant view of the L-shaped tubes (5) disposed in each corner of the paddle tennis court, to connect the metal frame (4), metal tubes (6) and glass panels (7).
Figure 20 shows a schematic representation corresponding to a side view of the metal tube (6) in each rear (15) side of perimeter structure of the paddle tennis court (1), to connect L-shaped tubes (5) and the metal frames (4).
Figure 21 shows a schematic representation corresponding to an elevation view of the metal tube (6) in each rear (15) side of the perimeter structure of the paddle tennis court (1), to connect L-shaped tubes (5) and the metal frames (4).
Figure 22 shows a schematic representation corresponding to an elevation view of a glass panel (7).
Figure 23 shows a schematic representation corresponding to the vertical supports of the glass frames.
Figure 24 shows a schematic representation corresponding to an elevation view of the L-shape lower glass panel support.
Figure 25 shows a schematic representation corresponding to an elevation view of the vertical post (8).
Figure 26 shows a schematic representation corresponding to an elevation view of the vertical post (9).
Figure 27 shows a schematic representation corresponding to an elevation view of the net post (10).
Figure 28 shows a schematic representation corresponding to a side view of the net post (10).
Figure 29 shows a schematic representation corresponding to a rear view of the net post (10).
Figure 30 shows a schematic representation corresponding to a plant view of the net post (10).
Figure 31 shows a schematic representation corresponding to an elevation view of the lighting post (13).
Figure 32 shows a schematic representation corresponding to a side view of the lighting post (13).
Figure 33 shows a schematic representation corresponding to an overall elevation view of the lighting post (13).
Detailed description of the invention
[0012] As it can be shown in the figures, the structure for a paddle tennis court (1), as shown in Figure 1, 2, 3 and 4, is constituted from a concrete base covered by an artificial turf (12), divided in its central part by a net (11) held by two posts (10), surrounded on its perimeter by a structure comprising the following elements:
- T1 structure consisting of twelve metal frames (2) with three electro-welded mesh (20) each one of them, for the lateral side (14) of the perimeter structure of the paddle tennis court (1).
- T2 structure consisting of two metal frames (3) with electro-welded mesh (22), for the upper part of the entrance and exit of the paddle tennis court (1).
- T3 structure consisting of fourteen metal frames (4) with electro-welded mesh (23), for the lateral (14) and rear (15) sides of the perimeter structure of the paddle tennis court (1).
- T4 structure consisting of eighteen glass panels (7), for the lateral (14) and rear (15) sides of the perimeter structure of the paddle tennis court (1).
- T5 structure to assemble T1, T2, T3 and T4 structures all together and reinforce their
fixation to the ground, which is composed of the following elements:
∘ Four vertical posts (8)
∘ Four vertical posts (9).
∘ Four L-shaped tubes (5) disposed in each corner of the paddle tennis court (1).
∘ Two tubes (6) horizontally disposed in the upper part of each rear side (15) of the perimeter of the paddle tennis court (1).
[0013] The paddle tennis court (1) must be executed on a level of concrete base. This can be executed directly on the flat slab or by executing a hoop perimeter. In the case of construction on the floor, this must have a thickness minimum of 15 cm. The reinforced concrete will be defined according to the Spanish instruction of structural concrete EHE-08. A porous finish of gravel must be executed on the floor and cement mortar, with levelling and spread to achieve the slopes necessary for storm drainage, this slope will not exceed 1% from the centre of the court to the sides, with a maximum drop of 5 cm.
[0014] The artificial turf (12) to be installed occupies the entire interior of the paddle tennis court (1) and it is normally manufactured in rolls of 4 and 2 m (2 rolls of 4 m and 1 roll of 2 m, as a way of example), wherein, during the installation of a paddle tennis court (1), the different rolls are mounted together by using union joints until reaching the total surface of the court. These joints are made by gluing the parts to be joined to a geotextile, by using a special glue or double-sided adhesive tape depending on the needs of each facility. Once the grass is installed, sand must be added to reduce the risk of injury and, at the same time, make easier the performance of the players during the game, basically related to player-surface interaction and ball-surface.
[0015] The sand used must be rounded quartz, washed and dried, with 97% silica (SiO2). The granulometry may vary depending on the type of fibre system, but it can be between 0.5 and 0.8 mm. The silica content must be greater than 96%, in order to avoid fungus or other types of life can proliferate that can affect the pavement or to the users. The amount of sand per unit area will vary depending on the height of the filaments, the type of filament, the granulometry of the sand and even depending on the needs required for specific playing conditions.
[0017] T1 structure consisting of twelve frames (2) of 1647 x 3000 mm manufactured in a 60 x 30 x 1,5 mm tube frame (16), with 14 mm holes on the sides for fixings each other, in turn, the tube has some perforations on the 30 mm side where later the 50 x 50 x 4 mm electro-welded mesh (20) will be inserted on the entire surface of the frame (16), with three tube reinforcements (17) of 30 x 15 x 1,5 mm distributed from the lower part to the upper part, to reinforce the bending of the electro-welded mesh (20), in turn the beaters have an anchor plate (19) for fixing to the ground in their lower part measuring 120 x 200 x 8 mm thick and holes of 16 mm, said plate is added to the vertical tube frame by means of a 70 x 300 x 6 mm bracket (18) welded to the plate and to the tube. The entire T1 frames of the self-supporting structure at their bases are solidly fixed to the ground by 12 x 150 mm metallic type coined anchor of maximum performance for demanding static and seismic loads in cracked concrete. For the connection between T1 frames in the vertical direction, 12 mm bolts, self-locking nut and cover are used. For the vertical connection between T1 frames and vertical posts (8), 12 mm threaded rod, self-locking nut and cap, are used.
[0018] T2 structure consisting of two frames (3) of 2118 x 782 mm, made in a 60 x 30 x 1,5 mm tube frame (21) and 50 x 50 x 4 mm electro-welded mesh (22) on the entire surface of the frame (21) and 14 mm holes in the side tubes for fixings. For the union between T1 and T2 frames, vertically, 12 mm zinc-plated screws with self-locking nut and cover, are used.
[0019] T3 structure consisting of fourteen frames (4) of 3000 x 2000 mm manufactured in a tube frame (24) of 30 x 15 x 1,5 mm win its lower part, and in its upper part 1000 x 50 x 2 mm die-cut on its sides and 50 x 50 x 4 mm electro-welded mesh (23) over the entire surface of each frame (4). The vertical tube frame has welded a reinforcement folded sheet (25) in each side that measures 140 x 500 x 40 x 2 mm.
[0020] T4 structure consisting of eighteen glass panels (7) of 3000 x 2000 x 12 mm tempered glass (35), with 8 holes of 30 mm for fixing to the metal frame. The glass panel (35) has a vertical support (37) at both sides, with 8 holes of 30 mm (38) for fixing to the other glass panels and T1 structures. The glass panel (35) has a lower glass support (39), both made up of a 2 mm and 4 fixings and 14 mm holes for the ground fixing screws, in turn this folded in an L-shape in a front that serves to support the glass. For the fixing between T4 frames and vertical post (8), countersunk nylon bushes, screw with countersunk head and self-locking nut, are used. In turn, all the glass is cushioned around the entire perimeter by means of the neoprene interposition between glass and steel.
[0021] T5 structure is composed of the following elements:
4 L-shaped tubes (5) in the upper corner of the court, measuring 4015 x 2224 mm, made of 120 x 40 x 3 mm tube (26), with a tongue and groove joint (27) on one side of 250 mm long in a U-shape of 112 x 122 x 122 in 3 mm, on the other side it has four holes of 8 mm for fixing the vertical post (8). On the upper part it has incorporated plates (28) of 75 x 40 x 3 mm with holes of 8 mm for receiving a metal frame (4) and on the rear part it has lids (29) with a hole of 8 mm for the connection of glass panels (7), which has three holes (36) aligned with said lids (29).
[0022] 2 tubes (6) horizontally disposed in the upper part of each rear (15) side of the perimeter of the paddle tennis court (1), 5787 mm long, made of 120 x 40 x 3 mm tube (31). The tube (31) has two 75 x 40 x 3 plates (32) with 8 mm holes for the reception of T3 frames (4) on its upper part and on its rear part, it has lids (33) with a hole of 8 mm for the connection of glass panels (7). The tube (31) has also holes (34) at both ends for the fixing of the supports (5).
[0023] 4 vertical posts (8) made of 120 x 120 x 2 mm metal tube (40), with a 300 x 120 x 8 mm plate (41) at the base with 4, 8 mm holes for fixing to the floor, and at the top an L-shaped plate (42) measuring 200 x 300 x 6 mm with 6, 8 mm holes for lateral fixing to the support (5), and a plate (43) with 4, 10 mm threaded holes for fixing the lighting post (13), both plates are joined to the post (8) by welding.
[0024] 4 vertical posts (9) made of 120 x 120 x 2 mm tube (44), the upper part is open to receive a support (5), and its base has a 1265 x 280 x 8 mm plate (45) with 4, 8 mm holes for fixing to the ground, this plate (45) is joined to the post (9) by welding.
[0025] The fixing between supports (5) and vertical posts (9) at the corner of the tennis paddle court (1) is done by means of a tongue and groove socket. For the connection between T3 frames (4) and supports (5) and supports (5) and supports (6), 8 mm screws, are used. To fix the net posts (10) to the ground, a 12 x 150 mm metal anchor of the highest performance type for demanding static and seismic loads in cracked concrete (carbon steel), will be used. The welding points of the galvanised electro-welded mesh blocks are protected both on the inside of the track and on the outside with perimeter fencing, so that no sharp edges are created that could cause cuts or scratches, forming a flat, vertical surface.
[0026] The net fixing posts (10) are made up of two section units square measuring 947 x 140 x 3 mm. Both posts (10) have at their base a plate (47) measuring 220 x 260 x 10 mm, said plate (47) is welded to the post, in turn, has six holes of 16 mm for its subsequent fixing to the ground, the posts house an accessible hole for fixing the net tensioner for care and maintenance its tension.
[0027] The net (11) is 10 meter long and 0,88 meter high in the centre, lifting height at the ends of 0,92 m composed of synthetic polypropylene fibres of high density with ultraviolet treatment. Mesh wire thickness between 3 and 4 mm, whose braiding does not allow the passage of the ball (approximately of 42 mm). Upper band in 55 mm wide coloured ribbon white, double-stitched once folded over the steel cable tensor. Eyelets at the ends to suspend and tighten it with a cord of 3 mm. The tension of the network is carried out by means of a ratchet-type tensioner (46) that goes incorporated into one of the posts (10), the tension is carried out by means of a steel power cable of 6 mm with anticorrosive protection coating.
[0028] The lighting system is supported by means of four posts (13) of Z-shaped square section, measuring 80 x 40 x 2 mm and 6 m long. Integrated in a tongue-and-groove manner in the vertical posts (8) of the self-supporting structure using U (48) of 32 x 32 x 2 mm and 450 mm long. In the upper part of the post, it incorporates a plate (49) of 122 x 122 x 6 mm for fixing LED lighting projectors. The projectors will be solidly fixed to the posts (13) of the structure by means of screws, these projectors are intended for interior/exterior, and whose lighting values achieved are ideal for practicing sports, with an average luminance of 500 lux with a ratio uniformity between the illumination intensity minimum and maximum less than 0,7, standardized for competition and high-level training.
[0029] However, it should be understood, that the invention has been described according to a preferred embodiment thereof, which may be susceptible to modifications without this implying any alteration of the fundaments of the invention and can affect such changes, especially, the shape, size, and particularly to the manufacturing materials of the whole or of its parts.
a) Metal frames (2) for the lateral side (14) of the perimeter structure, solidly fixed to the ground in their lower part by an anchor plate (19), electro-welded to the vertical tube frame (16) by means of a bracket (18) and wherein the two vertical tubes of the frame (16) have perforations to accommodate steel tube reinforcements (17).
b) Metal frames (3) with electro-welded mesh for the upper part of the entrance and exit of the perimeter.
c) Glass panels (7) for the lateral (14) and rear (15) sides of the perimeter structure, each one of them having a L-shape lower support (39) connected by tongue and groove joints.
d) Metal frames (4) for the lateral (14) and rear (15) sides of the perimeter, located on the top of the glass panels (7).
e) vertical posts (8,9) to fix the perimeter structure to the ground.
f) L-shaped tubes (5) in each corner of the perimeter, to reinforce the connection of the metal frame (4), the glass panels (7) and the metal tubes (6), wherein L-shaped tubes (5) and metal frames (4) are solidly fixed to the ground, through the vertical posts (8) and (9).
g) Metal tubes (6) horizontally disposed in the upper part of each rear side (15) of the perimeter structure, to connect the L-shaped tubes (5), the metal frames (4) and the glass panels (7).