PORTABLE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PANELS
Features for assembling a physical boundary are disclosed. The boundary may be used in a variety of physical activities, including a pit for Ga-Ga ball. The boundary is made up of panels that can be stowed for transportation and then deployed to form the boundary. The panels are coupled together and secured to the ground using posts. The posts can secure directly to the ground or to supports. The panels may include a variety of features, including windows, ports, pockets, stiffeners, tensioners, and entry ways. An access such as a zipper in the panels may be opened and closed to provide an entry way. The panels and posts can be stored in a portable kit and deployed in a place of interest, such as a park. The assembly can then be broken down, stored as a portable kit, and transported. Associated methods of assembling and use are also disclosed.
Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/890,099, filed Oct. 11, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND1. Technical Field
The present technology relates to boundaries, specifically, portable boundaries and barriers, in which sports and games can be played. Related systems and methods of assembly are also disclosed.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the U.S., many schools are reducing recess and gym activities, and the overall population is growing increasingly sedentary and overweight. Now, more than ever before, it is important to reduce barriers to physical activity. There is a need for games that can be played quickly, easily, and nearly anywhere, which get people of all ages and abilities moving.
Many games require a demarcation of some kind to identify the boundaries of the playing field, court, pit, or course. In designated sports facilities, the demarcations often include lines, walls, and/or fences. It can be challenging to play many games outside of designated sports facilities, such as in a yard or open field, due to difficulties that exist in trying to define the physical boundaries of the games.
For example, in Ga-ga, a sport of increasing popularity, a wall is needed to define the boundary of the Ga-ga pit, and ideally, to also allow ricochet of the ball during play. Ga-ga has few rules and is easy to learn; it can be played by children and adults of nearly all ages and athletic abilities, and it is a short, fast-paced game that can be played by many participants at once. For at least these reasons, it is becoming a favorite game at schools and summer camps. The game itself requires no more than a bounceable ball, such as a playground ball; however, the ability to play Ga-ga is limited by the need for the pit-defining wall.
Current Ga-ga pits are generally permanent or semi-permanent in nature. In Ga-ga, the pit is typically octagonal or hexagonal in shape with each of the eight or six wall panels generally ranging from 2-5 feet in height and 6-9 feet in length. Installation of a pit of such dimensions is generally time- and cost-intensive. Even semi-permanent or “portable” Ga-ga pits on the market generally require assembly of a series of bulky 6-9 foot-long panels made of wood or a relatively rigid plastic or composite material. Summer camps looking for a more portable solution have been known to place a series of picnic tables on their sides to form the octagonal pit. Creating a pit in such a manner can be strenuous and is impractical in many settings. Further, portable Ga-ga pits on the market are not multipurpose and typically are made only for playing Ga-ga and serve no other significant fitness needs. There therefore exists a need for a user-friendly, portable fitness structure, which can be easily set up and taken down by a single person without the need for strenuous effort or large vehicles to transport. Further, there exists a need for such a structure that can serve multiple purposes, for instance as a Ga-ga pit but also as more general purpose exercise walls.
SUMMARYThe systems and methods described herein each have several aspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of this disclosure as expressed by the claims that follow, the more prominent features will now be discussed briefly. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled “Detailed Description,” one will understand how the sample features described herein provide for improved boundaries and barriers for Ga-ga, fitness obstacle courses, and other physical activities.
Due to an increasing interest in Ga-ga, a need exists for a Ga-ga pit boundary that allows Ga-ga to be played recreationally by friends and families, for example, in backyards, parks, and other open spaces. A need exists for a Ga-ga pit boundary that is quick to assemble and truly portable. A need also exists for a Ga-ga pit boundary that is affordable for families and individual consumers. The systems, devices, and methods described herein may address one or more of the aforementioned needs. Embodiments described herein relate to portable boundaries in which sports and games, such as Ga-ga, can be played.
One aspect of the disclosure is directed towards a system for defining the boundaries of a playing field. In some embodiments, the system comprises a plurality of deployable panels. Each panel may have a height of about 2-5 feet and a length of about 3-12 feet. Each panel is configured to collapse and deploy and has a top edge, a bottom edge, two side edges, and at least one sleeve coupled to each side edge. There are also a plurality of rigid support posts, with each post having a top portion and a bottom portion, and wherein each post extends at least the height of each side edge and is configured to mate with at least one sleeve and a plurality of foundations. Each foundation is configured to secure the bottom of each support post wherein the plurality of panels and the plurality of posts are moveable between multiple configurations, and wherein, in one configuration, the walls form a boundary defining a playing field.
In other embodiments of the first aspect, each sleeve comprises a plurality of loops and/or forms a tube of material along the height of each side edge.
In other embodiments of the first aspect, each panel is comprised of polyester, canvas, or other flexible polymer, fabric, or composite material.
In other embodiments of the first aspect, each foundation comprises a spike, an auger, a threaded end, or a pointed tip affixed to a bottom portion of the post and configured to be pierced or screwed into the ground or into a support. The support may further comprise a mount defining a cavity configured to receive a bottom end of the post, and the mount configured to secure the bottom end of the support post in place via friction fit, snap fit, or threading.
In other embodiments of the first aspect, the system may be in a configuration such that the panels form an enclosed hexagon, or the system may comprise eight panels and eight posts and the panels may form an enclosed octagon. In octagonal or other embodiments, one panel may be an access panel comprised of a long section and a short section, such that, in one configuration, the panels form an octagon comprising an access area along the access panel for entering and exiting the boundary.
In other embodiments of the first aspect, the system may have at least a portion of at least one panel that is transparent, and/or at least one panel including a port or moveable flap portion. Some embodiments may further comprise at least one anchor coupled to a bottom portion of at least one panel, and the anchor may comprise a pointed tip configured for securement into the ground.
In other embodiments of the first aspect, some embodiments may have at least one panel that comprises a pocket, and the system may further comprise an insert removably disposed within the pocket.
In other embodiments of the first aspect, some embodiments may further comprise a flexible flooring sheet positioned between, and substantially enclosed by, the plurality of panels.
In other embodiments of the first aspect, some embodiments may have at least one panel comprising a zipper.
In other embodiments of this first aspect, the system may comprise a net. The system may further comprise a plurality of net segments, wherein each net segment is configured to collapse and deploy, and wherein each net segment has a net top edge, a net bottom edge, and two net side edges, and a plurality of rigid net support posts or extensions, wherein each extension has a top post portion and a bottom post portion, and wherein each extension extends at least the height of each net side edge and is configured to mate with at least two net side edges. In some embodiments, the bottom portion of the extension is configured to mate with the top portion of the rigid support posts. In some embodiments, the system further comprises a cross brace configured to couple with the support posts or with the extensions, and the cross brace may be configured to clamp to the net and comprises a length that is adjustable.
A second aspect of the disclosure is directed towards a portable kit for defining the boundaries of a playing field. In some embodiments, the kit comprises a system for defining the boundaries of a playing field, wherein the deployable panels are configured to be rolled into a compact state, and a carrying case sized to enclose and carry the system.
In some embodiments of the second aspect, the carrying case is a shoulder bag, the kit is further comprising a post-driving insertion tool, the kit is further comprising a wall angle placement guide, the kit is further comprising a plurality of support bases, and/or the kit is further comprising a removable, flexible flooring sheet.
A third aspect of the disclosure is directed towards a method of assembling a system for defining the boundaries of a playing field. In some embodiments, the method comprises removing a playing field boundary from a carrying case, the playing field boundary comprising a plurality of panels and a plurality of support posts, unrolling or otherwise deploying the plurality of panels, inserting a first support post through a first sleeve coupled to a first side edge of a first panel, securing a bottom end of the first support post into the ground or into a first support base, extending the first panel, inserting a second support post through a second sleeve coupled to a second side edge of the first panel, securing a bottom end of the second support post into the ground or into a second support base, extending a second panel at an angle relative to the first panel, wherein the second panel is coupled to the second support post, and extending the remaining panels, inserting the remaining posts, and securing them in like manner to form the boundaries of the playing field.
In other embodiments of the third aspect, the method further comprises driving support anchors connected to one or more of the panels.
In other embodiments of the third aspect, the method further comprises inserting one or more support beams into one or more pockets of one or more of the panels.
In other embodiments of the third aspect, the method further comprises attaching net segments above each of the panels by inserting a post attached to two net segment side edges into a top portion of a respective support post.
In other embodiments of the third aspect, the method further comprises attaching a clamp of a cross brace to the posts and adjusting the cross brace to further extend and tighten the panels.
In another aspect, a system for defining a boundary is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of deployable panels, a plurality of posts, and a plurality of foundations. Each panel is configured to collapse and deploy, each post is configured to couple with at least one edge of at least one panel, each foundation is configured to couple a bottom portion of each post with the ground. The plurality of panels and the plurality of posts are moveable between multiple configurations, and, in at least one configuration, the panels define the boundary.
These are just some of the potential features of the boundary and related systems and methods. The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity, simplifications, generalizations, and omissions of detail; consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Any particular boundary, system, or method may have some or all of these features or additional or alternative features. Other aspects, features, and advantages described herein will become apparent in the teachings that follow.
The above-mentioned aspects, as well as other features, aspects, and advantages of the present technology will now be described in connection with various embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The illustrated embodiments, however, are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the present disclosure. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein and illustrated in the FIGS., can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and form part of this disclosure. For example, a system or boundary may be implemented or a method may be practiced using any number of the aspects set forth herein. In addition, such a system or boundary may be implemented or such a method may be practiced using other structure, functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to, or other than, one or more of the aspects set forth herein.
The boundary in
The boundary 100 is shown in
To deploy the panels 110, they would then simply be unrolled and then assembled with the posts 130 to form the boundary 100. The posts 130 may also be collapsible and deployable, for instance in a telescoping structure, or the posts 130 may also be a single, unitary structure of a single length. Further details of these and other structures are provided below.
As further shown in
A top view of an embodiment of a boundary 200 is shown in
Players or other users of the boundary 200 may enter and exit the boundary 200 in a variety of ways. In embodiments such as those shown in
An embodiment of the boundary 200 with a floor cover 242 is shown in
Some embodiments have eight walls, which form an enclosed boundary having the shape of an octagon, as shown, for example, in
The panel 410 is depicted in
The posts 430 are generally as long as the side edges 418, 420 of the panels 410 are high, with extra length at the bottom for the foundations 434 and possible extra length at the top. In some embodiments, the posts 430 are a single, unitary structure with a fixed length. In other embodiments, the posts 430 are adjustable structures of varying height, for instance telescoping structures that shorten for transport and lengthen for installation and assembly. The posts 430 in some embodiments are made of separate shorter post segments that detach from each other for transport and reattach for installation and assembly, for instance by screwing or snapping together.
The panel 410 depicted in
Another modification to the central panel 410 is the port 411 shown in
The port 411 may also be of any shape and may be positioned anywhere on the panel 410. It is shown as an oval near the middle of the height of the panel 410, but it could also be near the bottom of the panel 410 or could have a square shape. The port 411 may open and close by any means suitable for the material of the panel. For example, the port 411 may use a zipper or Velcro to open and close. Further, any material that is suitable for the panel 410 may also be used for the port 411. The port 411 may be the same or a different material as the panel 410, for example the port 411 may be canvas, or a hard plastic, such as plexiglass.
Besides the window 441 and port 411 shown in
The windows 441, ports 411, or other features of the panel 410 may, in addition to providing viewing or access, provide a means to tension the panels 410 and keep them taut. For instance, the access 440, such as a zipper, shown in the center of the panel 410 in
The tightening system 450 may likewise be located at or near the lower edge 416 of the panel 410 that connects the panel 410 to the ground 10 as shown in
Many variations of the tightening system 450 are possible, with the cord 453, attachments 452, and spikes 454 allowing for many combinations of such a system 450. Further, the spikes 454 may be pointed tip objects to facilitate a driving penetration and securement with the ground 10, or they may take a variety of other shapes and forms. For instance, the spikes 454 may be threaded for rotational penetration of the ground or hook shaped in order to flare out from the panels and provide stability in a direction that is out of the plane of the panel 410. Other features related to panel tensioning, stiffening, and securing are discussed below.
The tensioning system 450 depicted in
The access 440 in
A brace 466 is also shown in
While the system may be secured to the ground by direct penetration of the posts 500 into the ground, this is not always possible. When playing on hard surfaces, such as asphalt, a gym floor, concrete, or hard-packed dirt or clay, it is often not possible to drive the bottom point of the post 500 into the ground. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a support 750 that includes a base 755 and a mount 760 is provided as depicted in
The flanged base 755 is depicted with ribs that enhance stability of the support 750. The ribs are seen on either side of the mount 760 in
Some physical activities may require the need for a taller structure than is offered by the panels alone. In such a case, a net 860 may be implemented along the top of the panels 810, as depicted in
The net 860 may also provide additional support. It may advantageously allow additional support to be added without significantly impairing the view of spectators, due to the mesh pattern or holes of the net 860. Such support may be provided by a net 860 having an adjustable cross brace, discussed in more detail below. The net 860 may include many net segments 861 corresponding to portions of the net 860 that are over a single panel. For instance, the boundary 800 in
The net segments 862 may be collapsible and deployable. The segments 862 may be rolled or otherwise bunched up to collapse and take up a smaller volume, and then unrolled or otherwise unfurled to take their full, deployed shape. The net segments 862 may be removed from the panels 810 when the boundary 800 is disassembled and transported, or they may remain on the panels 810 for quicker assembly the next time the boundary 800 is assembled. Further detail of the net 860 and associated features are discussed below.
The extension 962 has the net segment 964 attached to it and is shown attached to the left side of the extension 962 in
A brace 966 is also shown as part of the net segment 964 depicted in
Another embodiment of the joint 901 formed by the post 500, the extension 962 and the brace 966 is shown in
Another embodiment of a brace 966 is depicted in
While the various embodiments can be positioned to form an enclosed boundary, the panels can also be moved and modified to form other shapes and structures. For example,
The panels 1110 are further shown with pockets 1115 located near the upper edge 1114. The pockets 1115 have inserts 1163, such as a batten. Further, a cord 1164 extends along the length of the upper edge 1114 and a cord 1153 extends along the lower edge of the panels 1110. The cord 1153 may be part of a bottom tensioning system 1150. Similarly, the cord 1154 may be part of an upper tensioning system 1160. The boundary 1100 may include a joint 1162 having a cross member 1161 coupling with the upper tensioner 1160, and the insert 1163.
The method 1300 may continue to block 1320 wherein a first panel is extended, such as unfurling or unrolling the panel 110. The panel 110 may be laid out on the ground.
The method 1300 may continue to block 1330 wherein a first post is inserted through a first sleeve of the first panel. This may include, for example, inserting the post 430 into the sleeve 432 on the left side 418 of the panel 410.
The method 1300 may continue to block 1340 wherein a second post is inserted through a second sleeve of the first panel. This may include, for example, inserting another of the post 430 into the sleeve 432 on the right side 420 of the panel 410.
The method 1300 may continue to block 1350 wherein the first and second posts are secured to the ground or other support on the ground. This may include, for example, securing the foundations 434 of the posts 430 into the ground. It may also include, for example, rotating the threads 732 of the foundation 730 on the lower part of the post 700 into the cavity 765 of the mount 760 on the support 750.
The method 1300 may continue to block 1360 wherein a second panel is extended away from the second post. This may include, for example, extending another panel 110 at an angle relative to the plane of the first panel 110, such that an angled corner or vertex of a boundary is formed. It may also include coupling the second panel with the second post. For instance, it may include extending the sleeve 432 on the left side 418 of the second panel 410 over the post 430.
The method 1300 may continue to block 1370 wherein the remaining panels are assembled in a similar manner. For instance, the remaining panels 110 may be coupled with the remaining posts 430 or 500 to form the boundary 100 or 1000.
The methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for achieving the described method. The method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another without departing from the scope of the claims. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is specified, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified without departing from the scope of the claims.
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes both the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).
Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
While the above description has pointed out novel features as applied to various embodiments, the skilled person will understand that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the device or process illustrated may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The claims are not limited to the precise configuration and components illustrated above. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined by the claims that follow rather than by the foregoing description. All variations coming within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are embraced within their scope.
Claims
1. A system for defining the boundaries of a playing field, the system comprising:
- a plurality of deployable panels, wherein each panel is configured to collapse and deploy, wherein each panel has a top edge, a bottom edge, two side edges, and at least one sleeve coupled to each side edge;
- a plurality of rigid support posts, wherein each post has a top portion and a bottom portion, and wherein each post is configured to couple with at least one sleeve; and
- a plurality of foundations, wherein each foundation is configured to secure the bottom of each support post.
- wherein the plurality of panels and the plurality of posts are moveable between multiple configurations, and wherein, in at least one configuration, the walls form a boundary defining a playing field.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein each sleeve comprises a plurality of loops.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein each sleeve forms a tube of material along the height of each side edge.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein each panel is comprised of polyester, canvas, or other flexible polymer, fabric, or composite material.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein each foundation comprises a spike, an auger, a threaded end, or a pointed tip coupled with the bottom portion of the post and is configured to be pierced or screwed into the ground or into a support.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the support comprises a mount defining a cavity configured to receive the foundation, the mount configured to secure the foundation in place via friction fit, snap fit, or threading.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein, in one configuration, the panels form an enclosed hexagon.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein, in one configuration, the panels form an enclosed octagon.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein one panel comprises an access panel, such that, in one configuration, the panels form an octagon comprising an access area along the access panel for entering and exiting the boundary.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein either at least a portion of at least one panel is transparent or at least one panel includes a port.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one panel comprises a pocket, and the system further comprises an insert configured to be removably disposed within the pocket.
12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a flexible flooring sheet positioned between, and substantially enclosed by, the plurality of panels.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one panel comprises a zipper.
14. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
- a plurality of net segments, wherein each net segment is configured to collapse and deploy, and wherein each net segment has a net top edge, a net bottom edge, and two net side edges; and
- a plurality of rigid net extensions, wherein each extension has a top portion and a bottom portion, and wherein each extension extends at least the height of each net side edge and is configured to mate with at least two net side edges.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the bottom portion of the extension is configured to mate with the top portion of the rigid support posts.
16. The system of claim 14, further comprising a cross brace configured to couple with the support posts or with the extensions and configured to clamp to the net and comprises a length that is adjustable.
17. A portable kit for defining the boundaries of a playing field, the kit comprising:
- the system of claim 1, wherein the deployable panels are configured to be rolled into a compact state; and
- a carrying case sized to enclose and carry the system.
18. The portable kit of claim 17, further comprising a post-driving insertion tool.
19. A method of assembling a system for defining a boundary of a playing field, the method comprising:
- extending a first panel;
- inserting a first post through a first sleeve coupled to a first side edge of the first panel;
- inserting a second post through a second sleeve coupled to a second side edge of the first panel;
- securing a bottom end of the first post into the ground or into a first support;
- securing a bottom end of the second post into the ground or into a second support;
- extending a second panel at an angle relative to the first panel, wherein the second panel is coupled to the second post;
- extending the remaining panels, inserting the remaining posts, and securing them in like manner to form the boundary of the playing field.
20. A system for defining a boundary, the system comprising:
- a plurality of deployable panels, wherein each panel is configured to collapse and deploy, a plurality of posts, wherein each post is configured to couple with at least one edge of at least one panel; and
- a plurality of foundations, wherein each foundation is configured to couple a bottom portion of each post with the ground,
- wherein the plurality of panels and the plurality of posts are moveable between multiple configurations, and wherein, in at least one configuration, the panels define the boundary.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 9, 2014
Publication Date: Apr 16, 2015
Inventor: Darren M. Teren (San Diego, CA)
Application Number: 14/510,943
International Classification: A63C 19/08 (20060101);