SURFACE WITH AIRFLOW

Abstract

In at least some implementations, a user supportable surface, includes a floor having a playing surface and a plurality of openings through the playing surface of the floor and a support on which the floor is supported above the ground to define at least part of an air chamber in communication with the openings. The support and floor arranged to support one or more people on the floor. Air flow may be directed or provided through the openings to provide a flow of air at the playing surface.

Description

REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/933,560 filed Jan. 30, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent application relates to a user supportable surface including forced air flow through a playing surface.

BACKGROUND

People have been playing games on ice outside for hundreds of years. The modem sport of ice hockey, for instance, has been played since the 19th century. Curling is even older in origin, having been played in some form since the 16th century. Part of the enjoyment of these games is that one can glide across the ice along with the pucks or stones used to play the games.

These games originally required cold climates with large natural sheets of ice, such as frozen lakes, ponds, and rivers to play. In the 19th century, individuals found ways to create artificial sheets of ice in rinks using either the natural cold or artificial means of freezing water into ice.

These artificial rinks are not without their issues, however. For instance, it is extremely expensive and resource intensive to maintain an ice rink outside in warm and hot climates, such as Florida, Arizona, or Southern California. This forces individuals to play games such as ice hockey and curling inside or to forgo them altogether.

During the 1980s, inline skates using wheels became commercially popular. These inline skates mimic the feel of ice skates and allow the wearer to roll across solid surfaces (such as concrete or wooden floors) in much the same way that an ice skater glides across ice using ice skates. Inline skates can be used in a wider variety of climates and locations, including outside on sidewalks, parking lots, and roads even during hot summers.

Inline skates are also used to play hockey on solid, non-frozen surfaces, such as outside on concrete or other paved surfaces or inside on prepared surfaces such as a basketball court. Regular, flat hockey pucks do not slide on such surfaces, so inline hockey is played with different pucks or balls in place of traditional ice hockey pucks. Rubber pucks quickly come to a stop due to the increased friction they experience on inline hockey surfaces and so they behave quite differently than pucks do on ice. While balls roll and suffer less deceleration from the increased friction, they also behave differently due to their shape. For instance, balls easily bounce in a way that pucks do not.

In addition, inline and ice skates are difficult for some individuals to use for a variety of reasons (coordination, age, disabilities, etc.). For these individuals, there is still a desire to experience and enjoy playing ice games, but without having to use skates. Therefore, there is a need by some individuals for a way to play a hockey-like game wearing shoes (or in wheelchairs) that is not filled by using rubber pucks or balls on a concrete or wooden floor.

There is a real and unfulfilled desire for a way to play games similar to those played on ice in conditions and circumstances where it is difficult or inconvenient to do so using an ice rink or skates.

SUMMARY

In at least some implementations, a user supportable surface, includes a floor having a playing surface and a plurality of openings through the playing surface of the floor and a support on which the floor is supported above the ground to define at least part of an air chamber in communication with the openings. The support and floor arranged to support one or more people on the floor. Air flow may be directed or provided through the openings to provide a flow of air at the playing surface.

A system may include a surface or floor, an air chamber and a blower. The floor may have a plurality of openings and be adapted to support the weight of more than one person moving around on the floor. The air chamber is in communication with the openings, and the blower is communicated with the air chamber to force air through the air chamber and openings. In this way, a user supportable floor is provided with forced air flow along at least part of a playing surface of the floor.

A surface or floor may include a series of openings through which pressurized air is forced, thereby creating a cushion of air that substantially reduces the friction between the surface of the floor and items on the floor, such as pucks or stones. Pucks or stones can glide across this surface in much the same way that a hockey puck or curling stone glides across ice. Because the flooring is not made of ice, it can be used in a variety of different climates and temperatures without concern that the ice will melt and can be used with inline skates or shoes, instead of ice skates.

The floor can be made in modular sections, each with many openings. Each floor section can be assembled in a variety of shapes and sizes, from a small backyard rink for children to play on (e.g. 40 feet×24 feet), to a curling sheet (e.g. 150 feet×16 feet), or to a full-sized hockey rink (e.g., 200 feet×100 feet). The floor can easily be scaled or built to meet any need or desire.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description of preferred embodiments and best mode will be set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a representative hockey rink utilizing a user supportable surface or floor and forced air system;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the rink shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of a rink having a portion covered by a perforated floor and a portion uncovered to show components located beneath the floor, openings in the floor are not shown in this view;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of sheet of perforated flooring, this view shows the openings that may be present in similar manner in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a supporting frame or base for the perforated floor, and for a bench or other area outside of a playing surface of the floor;

FIG. 6 is a sectional side view showing an alternate rink having a floor with banked or elevated portions;

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a supporting frame, perforated floor and an air chamber beneath the floor;

FIG. 8 is a side view of showing a module and a portion of another module of a modular floor design;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of one module shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the perforated floor showing openings therethrough of non-uniform width;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the perforated floor showing openings therethrough of uniform width or diameter;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of one implementation of a puck; and

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the puck.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring in more detail to the drawings, FIGS. 1-11 illustrate components and systems for providing a user supportable surface (e.g. a floor 10) with a forced air flow therethrough. The floor 10 may be constructed to support one or more people to, among other possible uses, provide a way of simulating the response and behavior of ice with objects using airflow instead of ice. Air may be forced through a series of perforations or openings in the floor, thereby creating a cushion of air that objects can ride on or otherwise be influenced by, similar to an arcade style air hockey table game creates a cushion of air for the plastic puck to float on. Unlike the game table which is designed only to support a lightweight plastic disc, the floor 10 is designed in a much larger scale such that people can stand, walk, run, or roller blade on the floor 10. In certain implementations, the floor 10 may be part of a rink 11 that may include all of the features traditionally included in an ice hockey rink. Of course, the floor could be used in other applications and situations, as desired.

In one embodiment, the floor 10 is part of a system 12 that includes the floor 10, a support 14 that defines at least part of an air chamber 16 beneath the floor 10 and one or more blowers 18 that move air through the air chamber 16 and through the floor 10. The floor may be created in modular sections 12 that can be assembled into different sized rinks or surfaces while allowing for disassembly and facilitating transportation. While this modularity is useful from a commercial, flexibility, and ease-of-use standpoint, the system 12 and floor 10 are not limited to modular embodiments. A single, permanent floor can be created and it may be formed from sections or materials of any desired size.

The floor 10 can be made from variety of rigid materials included natural and synthetic materials or combinations thereof, such as wood, metal, plastic or composite materials. One example is 0.75 inch thick polycarbonate sheets. Other materials and thicknesses can be used. For example, 0.5-0.75 inch HDPE or polypropylene sheets or tiles might be used for the playing surface in lieu of polycarbonate. Typical roller or inline hockey playing surfaces, like sport court tiles and the like, may also be used after modification to permit airflow therethrough as taught in this patent application.

The floor 10 includes a plurality of openings 20. The openings 20 have an outlet 22 at an outer or playing surface 24 of the floor. Air flows through the outlets 22 at an angle to the playing surface 24 of the floor 10 and in at least some implementations, that angle is about 90 degrees. The openings 20 may be of any shape and size to provide a desired airflow at the floor playing surface 24. For example, without limitation, the openings 20 in at least some embodiments may be generally straight bores formed through the thickness of the floor, e.g. through the panels or pieces defining the floor 10. Another representative example is shown in FIG. 10 wherein the openings 20 are each defined by separate passage of varying size along its length. In this example, the passage is tapered so that it becomes radially wider (relative to a central axis 26 (FIG. 10) of the opening 20) from the floor surface 24 to an opposite or bottom surface 28 of the floor. An arrangement where the opening 20 becomes wider or larger away from the floor surface 24 may make it easier for debris that enters an outlet 22 to pass through the floor 10 rather than become stuck within the opening/passage 20. While shown as frustoconical, the passage or opening 20 may have any desired shape. The frustoconical passage or opening 20 may conveniently be drilled or machined with a suitable tapered mill or drill bit. In at least some implementations, a sidewall 20 of the opening 20 may be provided at an acute included angle β of between about 3 and 25 degrees relative to the central axis 26 of the opening 20. In addition to reduce instances of a plugged or blocked opening 20, the opening that is larger near the bottom surface 28 than the top may also change the air flow characteristics through the outlet 22, providing a converging passage through which the air may exit the outlet 22 at an increased rate.

The size of the outlets 22 and the spacing thereof may be varied as desired. FIG. 4 shows a floor or section of a floor including a plurality of relatively closely spaced openings 20, the outlets 22 of which are shown, a few of which are labeled with the reference number 22. In at least some implementations, it has been found that 0.09375 ( 3/32) inch diameter outlets 22 spaced apart at approximately one inch intervals in both horizontal directions provide an optimal air cushion in at least certain implementations. Other configurations may be used, however. Different sized outlets 22 (both larger and smaller) that are spaced at different intervals (closer and farther) and in different patterns could be used. For instance, 0.06-0.2 inch holes could be used that are spaced at 0.5-2.0 inch intervals in square, hexagonal, random or offset patterns, among others. In at least some implementations, the spacing of the outlets 22 is provided so that at least one outlet 22 is beneath an object used on the floor playing surface 24, and preferably multiple outlets 22 simultaneously are aligned with and beneath an object on the floor playing surface 24. In the example of a hockey puck, the outlets 22 may be spaced so that one or more outlets 22 are generally always aligned with or overlapped by a puck, at least when the puck is generally flat on the floor 10 (i.e. the puck is not on its peripheral edge). In other words, in at least some implementations, the openings in the floor are spaced apart such that at least one opening at least partially overlaps an imaginary three inch diameter circle anywhere on the floor. Of course, other outlet spacings are possible and may be used.

To facilitate airflow through the outlets 22 and to facilitate leveling the floor 10, the floor 10 may be positioned on the support structure 14 so that the floor is raised off of a subfloor 30 to create an air chamber 16 below the floor 10, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 7. That is, the air chamber 16 is formed between the floor bottom surface 28 and the subfloor 30, where the subfloor 30 could be the ground or one or more walls or another surface provided between the floor 10 and ground. Air in the air chamber 16 is communicated with the openings 20 and, when the floor is in use, the air is forced through the openings 20 as will be discussed in more detail below. While the air chamber 16 need not be perfectly sealed (and indeed cannot be due to the openings 20 in the floor 10), it may be constructed in such a manner that most of the air forced into the air chamber 16 flows out through the outlets 22 as opposed to other exit points in the air chamber 16 or subfloor 30, or between the floor 10 and the ground. In at least some embodiments, the air chamber 16 is substantially enclosed and at least the majority of the air, up to all of the air, flows through the openings in the floor, at least when the blower is operating.

The floor 10 can be supported by a series of vertical supports 32 between the subfloor 30 and floor 10 that allow air to pass around and circulate between the supports 32 but are strong enough to support the weight and stresses of active individuals standing, running, jumping, and falling on the floor 10. For example, the floor 10 can be buttressed by one or more supports 32 extending between the subfloor 30 and floor 10 spaced at any desired interval. The supports may be wood, metal or plastic walls, tubes or other members and they may be spaced apart as desired, such as one to four inches in both horizontal directions in the case of relatively small tubes or rods (e.g. about one inch in diameter). The lengths of these supports 32 can be made to be adjustable to allow for leveling of the floor 10 off of or relative to the subfloor 30, which could be important if the floor is placed on uneven land. Or, the subfloor 30 or supports 32 may include adjustment features 34, such as adjustable feet to permit leveling and height adjustment of the floor 10. The adjustment features 34 may be of any type or arrangement to permit the height or incline of any part of the floor to be adjusted. Different spacing, heights, and support structures/materials could also be used.

The air that flows through the openings 20 in the floor 10 may be moved by one or more blowers 18 connected to air chamber 16 (FIGS. 1 and 2). These blowers 18 draw air from outside the air chamber and move it within the air chamber and out through the openings 20 in the floor 10. In order to create a smoother and more uniform airflow through all the openings 20, blowers 18 may be spaced about the floor 10, such as by being located on opposite ends of the rink 11, as shown in FIG. 1, or in other arrangements to provide desired air flow(s) within the system 12. For smaller sized rinks 11, a single blower 18 may be sufficient to push the required air through the openings 20. For larger sized rinks 11, multiple blowers 18 located at various positions around the rink 11 may be desirable. For the enjoyment of the participants and to reduce the sound of the blowers 18, the blowers 18 may be placed in sound-isolating containers or located at a distance with the air forced through pipes or tubing to the air chamber 16. The blowers 18 could be placed in an adjacent room, or outside of a building containing the floor system 12, if desired.

In an alternative embodiment, the air chamber 16 can be sectioned off into sub air chambers, and the sub air chambers may be at least partially isolated from one another. Each blower 18 (or a subset of all the blowers 18) could then push air through just one or more sub air chambers, instead of pushing air throughout a large air chamber 16 for the entire floor 10. For example, the air chamber 16 could be split into four sub air chambers, each with a single blower 18. Or, the air chamber 16 could be sectioned into two halves, with each half being fed air by two blowers 18 (for a total of four blowers 18 for the entire rink). The numbers of sub air chambers and blowers 18 connected to each sub air chamber can vary, depending on the needs of the user and the design considerations.

One example of a modular floor system 12 is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, and may be used to create a rink like that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, or a different playing surface, as desired. A floor module 40 includes a floor section 42 and a support structure or base 44 on which the floor section 42 is received. The floor section 42 may be defined by one or more panels or pieces of material as described above. The floor section 42 may be coupled to the base 44 in any suitable manner, including with fasteners, a snap-fit, press-fit, glue, weld, etc. The base 44 may include one or more sidewalls 46 extending generally perpendicularly or otherwise from the floor section 42 toward a ground or other surface on which the floor section 42 is supported. The base 44 may include one or more feet 50 that engage the ground, or edges of the sidewall(s) 46 may engage the ground or other support structure. Intake air openings 52 may be defined within the base 44, or between the base 44 and subfloor 48. The base 44 may also include one or more support members 56, like columns or walls to further support the floor section 42 as desired. The support members 56 may extend between the floor section lower surface 58 and the subfloor 48, or between the floor section lower surface 58 and an interior wall or cross-member. In at least some implementations, the base 44 may be formed from a molded plastic material and in just one or more than one piece, as desired. The base could also be made of wood or metal, as desired. The base may be composed of any number of legs, plates, panels, cross-members, ribs or other features desired to provide adequate support for the floor. The base may be designed to hold one floor section, multiple floor sections, or only part of a floor section.

The floor module 40 may also include one or more blowers 60 that may be carried by the base 44. In the example shown, one blower 60 is used and the remaining description thereof will refer to a single blower, though multiple blowers may be used if desired. In the example shown, the base 44 includes an interior wall that defines at least part of the subfloor 48 and the blower 60 is carried by the interior wall. An air chamber 62 is defined between the subfloor 48, sidewalls 46 and the floor section 42, and the air chamber 62 may be sealed, or mostly so, so that air flows into the air chamber 62 through the blower 60 and out of the air chamber 62 through the openings 20 in the floor section 42. The blower 60 draws air in from outside the air chamber 62 (e.g. through the intake air openings 52 and the space between the subfloor 48 and the ground) and forces that air into the air chamber 62 whereupon air flows under pressure through the openings 20 in the floor section 42. In at least some implementations, a separate blower 60 is provided for each floor module 40. The blower 60 may be coupled together by suitable electrical supply 66 and control, to facilitate powering and controlling the multiple blowers 60 that may be used in a floor system that includes multiple floor modules 40. Alternatively, the air chambers 62 of multiple floor modules 40 may be communicated with one another by suitable passages, conduits or openings in adjacent bases 44, for example. In this way, one fan or blower 60 may provide air to the air chambers 62 of multiple floor modules 40.

While the support members 56 are shown as passing through the subfloor 48 to the ground, separate support members 56 may be provided between the subfloor 48 and the floor section 42 and between the subfloor 48 and the ground to limit openings or penetrations through the subfloor 48. This may simplify leveling the floor module 40, such as with adjustment features (diagrammatically shown at 34) between the base 44 and the ground (e.g. shims or adjustable feet which may be threaded into the base 44, for example). The subfloor 48 and floor section 42 may define a separate module from a support or stand disposed between this separate module and the ground, if desired. In this way, the modules may be used with different stands to provide different heights, strengths or for any other reason. This in essence takes the module 40 from a one-piece unit into two or more pieces.

A plurality of modules 40 may be positioned side-by-side to form a larger, continuous floor 10 of any desired size and shape. The modules could be formed into a rink 11. The modules 40 may be connected together in any suitable manner, such as with brackets, fasteners, tongue and groove or other interlocking connection, adhesives, cables, ropes, bands, all of which are a few of the many possibilities. The connection could be made at the floor sections 42 or the bases 44 or at any stands, if provided. The modules may be of any desired size, providing any desired surface area floor sections 42 at any desired height. In one example, the floor sections are 3 feet by 3 feet square which makes them relatively easy to handle, assemble and transport.

The Puck

While the floor systems 12 described above create a flow of air that is amenable to allowing objects to float or glide across the floor 10 or floor section 42 similar to the way that they might across a smooth surface of ice, not all objects will behave in this manner. If the object has a non-optimal weight or design, it will either remain stuck to the floor 10 as if there was no air flowing through the openings 20 or fly away due to the air blowing through the openings 20. Thus, the objects should fit within a range of weight, density, and shape to maximize the desired gliding effect and meet other objectives of the game or activity being played.

For a puck 68 similar in size and shape of an ice hockey puck (three inches in diameter and one inch thick), it has been determined that the circular faces on both sides of the puck should be hollowed out in order to achieve the proper weight and to create a recess or cavity 70 for the air that allows the puck to ride on a cushion of air in this pocket (as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13). An approximately 2.5 inch diameter by 0.22 inch deep cavity 70 with 45° slope at the circumference on both sides of the puck 68 (e.g. a bevel) has been found to be sufficient. The shape and size of the cavity 70 may vary depending upon puck size, material, weight and other factors, as desired. Some prototype pucks have been successfully tested and have had diameters between 2.5 and 4 inches (these are examples and are not limiting as to the possible sizes). Representative pucks have a weight between 85 and 120 grams, although other weights may be used. The puck 68 can be made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), ultra-high-molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), among other materials. It should have sufficient strength to be able to withstand the stresses of being hit with a hockey stick and striking walls or floors, but be light enough that it will ride or glide along on the air cushion provided along the floor 10. Additional sizes, configurations, and materials could be used with this surface as long as they allow for the puck 68 to glide across the floor 10 in a manner similar to a hockey puck gliding across a smooth ice surface.

The puck 68 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is designed for use in playing hockey or similar games on the floor 10. The puck 68 has a generally cylindrical sidewall 72 that terminates at inwardly extending rims 74 at each end. Cavities 70 may be defined in each end such that the rim 74 is the axially outer portion of the puck 68 and oppositely facing internal walls 76 are each contoured and arranged at varying axial distances from an adjacent rim 74. In the implementation shown, each cavity 70 extends radially outwardly beyond a radially inner edge 78 of its associated rim 74, providing an undercut configuration, and this may be axially spaced from the rim 74 or immediately adjacent to the rim, as desired. The undercut configuration provides a scooped or contoured shape of the cavity 70 that directs air radially inwardly at the rim 74, rather than outwardly, to keep more air under the puck 68 and limit the air that travels from within the cavity 70 outwardly from the puck 68. The air motion imparted by this undercut feature 78 may also substantially decrease the velocity of the air exiting between the floor 10 and the rim 74 of the puck 68 and consequently reduce the magnitude of a pressure drop that would occur at a faster flow rate due to the Bernoulli effect of this exiting air at or near the rim of the puck 74 which could pull the puck toward the floor or reduce the flying/gliding height of the puck over the floor. The movement of air in the cavity 70, upwardly into the cavity 70 from the floor outlets 22 and downwardly from the cavity 70 against the floor 10 (and radially inwardly in the implementation shown) helps to more efficiently utilize the airflow from the floor 10 to improve the gliding of the puck 68 and reduce its frictional engagement with the floor. Additionally, in at least some implementations, a central annulus 80 may be provided in each wall 76 radially inwardly spaced from the rim 74 and extending axially toward the rim 74 further than adjacent portions of the wall 76. The annulus 80 may interrupt or direct air flow as desired in a central region of the puck 68 to improve the retention of air under the puck 68 and reduce air flow radially outwardly from under the puck 68. Other features may likewise be provided in addition to or instead of the annulus 80 and/or the undercut to promote a desired air flow or air retention under the puck 68, including but not limited to protrusions or recesses of any desired shape. In some embodiments, the rims 74 were between ⅛ and 3/16 of an inch in axial thickness, but any thickness may be used.

In addition to pucks, other objects could be formed for use on these surfaces, such as a stone, similar to that used in curling. The precise dimensions and materials could be optimized so that the stone mimics the way a curling stone acts on a smooth surface of ice. The term “float” is sometimes used in this description and it should be understood that this word may include situations where all of the puck is spaced from the floor surface, only some of the puck is spaced from the floor surface (e.g. some of the puck engages the floor), and none of the puck adjacent to the floor is spaced from the floor surface, but the effective weight of the puck is reduced or offset at least partially by the airflow acting on the puck which then reduces the frictional engagement of the puck with the floor. To further reduce friction between the floor and the puck, one or both of the floor and the puck may be formed from or coated with low friction materials.

Arena-Sized Embodiment

In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the modular floor pieces are assembled into an 80 feet×180 feet rink 11 with curved corners, similar in size to a standard ice hockey rink (FIG. 12). Other full-scale sizes, such as 85 feet×200 feet or 98 feet×197 feet (the sizes of National Hockey League and Olympic/international rinks) or 85 feet×220 feet, could be used as can any other desired shape and size.

The floor is made from one or more panels or pieces of material such as (by way of one non-limiting example) 0.75 inch thick polycarbonate sheets with 0.125 inch diameter holes drilled approximately 1.0 inch on center from one another in a grid-like pattern, as shown in FIG. 4. The floor sections are generally 4 feet×8 feet in size, but can vary as needed to create the desired surface.

Each section is supported from below by a series of lightweight, stackable, bases. The bases may be enclosed boxes or skeleton like structures that hold the floor sections up (and, therefore, the entire surface) and a series of support members (such as 1.5 foot long plastic or metal rigid tubes—rubber tips may be used for sound/vibration damping) may be provided for added support for each floor section. Each support member may be secured to the underside of each floor section 42 via countersunk bolts or other types of connectors. The bases may be the same size as the floor sections or they may be divided into 2 feet×2 feet (or other size) modular sections for ease of storage and shipping, if desired.

The bases, in turn, may rest on the ground or a modular support system or stands. In one implementation, the top of the floor is approximately 2.67 feet above the ground, although other heights are possible and can be implemented. In the example where the base includes a skeleton structure, panels may be provided to enclose the bases at the periphery of the rink 11 to enclose the air chamber or air chambers beneath the floor 10 and inhibit or prevent air from leaking out of the air chambers at the periphery of the rink 11.

The shape of the floor can be made in varying form factors. In one embodiment (as shown in FIG. 6), starting (for example) 25 feet from both ends of surface, the floor 10 slopes upwards and rises from the level of the main part 90 of the floor to a higher level (in one example, approximately 6.67 feet) at both ends 91, thereby creating a rink with banked ends behind where hockey goals are typically placed. Of course, the rink could be configured with different heights and angles or curves as desired. In order to create a smooth transition, specially-formed section fabricated in the shape of a long sweep are used to transition between the flat and sloped areas of the surface. The sides of the surface may be flat and not sloped, if desired. In an alternative embodiment, there are no sloped ends, and the entire surface is of uniform flatness, like a standard ice rink. In yet another embodiment, the ends of the rink are quarter-pipes (i.e., curved sections that look like a quarter section of a pipe) that would allow players to skate or run from a horizontal position on the floor 10 to a vertical position at the end of the quarter-pipe.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the floor 10 may be surrounded partially or completely by prefabricated board walls 92, clear plexi-glass panels 94, and nets 96 as in a traditional hockey rink. The sideboard walls 92 may be formed from any material and be of any size, such as 2.67 feet high and made from structured metal framing covered with HDPE panels. The end board walls also may be formed from any material and be of any size, such as 6.67 feet high and made from the same materials as the sideboard walls. These walls may surround and help define the playing area. Above these board walls may be provided clear plexi-glass panels (representative size is 4 feet by 8 feet) that allow spectators to see inside the rink while providing a measure of safety. Finally, a safety net (representative height of 22 feet) may surround at least the end portions of the floor 10 in order to prevent pucks or other objects on the floor from leaving the rink. These features are optional, and the stated sizes are merely representative and are not intended to be limiting in any way.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, along one of the long sides of the rink, one or more bench areas 98 (representative size of 8 feet wide by 32 feet long) allow for players from each team to wait while they are not playing on the rink 11. No air flow is needed in the bench areas 98 so in these areas a supporting frame 99 may simply support a floor of the bench area without providing for any air chamber or forced airflow. On the opposite long side of the rink are two penalty boxes 101 (representative size of 8 feet wide by 16 feet long) and a scorers/referee table (not shown, representative size of 8 feet wide by 30 feet long). All of these areas may have gates that allow individuals access to the floor 10. These areas, while useful to facilitate organized games, are not required, and they can be of different sizes (either larger or smaller) or in different locations if provided at all.

The pressurized air may be created by one or more blowers 18. In at least some forms, the blowers 18 may be capable of moving 18,000 cubic feet per minute of air through each blower. For example, 20 seven-horsepower blowers 18 surrounding the rink can be used. Alternatively, 10 fifteen-horsepower blowers 18 that move more air could be used. By positioning the blowers 18 uniformly around the rink, the blowers 18 will create a more uniform flow of air through the openings in the floor in order to give a more consistent air cushion across the entire floor surface. The blowers 18 may be located on the outside of the rink so that they can draw air from outside the rink and blow it into the air chamber(s) beneath the floor. Alternative numbers of blowers 18, strength of blowers 18, and positions could be used.

Optionally, artificial lighting can be placed on poles around and above the rink so that people can see and play on the surface outside when it is dark. In addition, the floor can be transparent, semi-transparent, or translucent. This light permeability allows lights 100 to be placed beneath or in the floor 10 to provide light that will shine up and through the floor, and, therefore, be visible to players and spectators watching from above. For example, these lights 100 could be LED, incandescent, or fluorescent lights, among others, and configured individually or collectively in ropes or connected sections (see, e.g., FIG. 3 in which a few lights or strands/ropes of lights are shown, but the lights may be provided everywhere or in selected locations). These lights 100 can be used to define certain locations on the floor (e.g., the crease around the goal, the center line, the blue lines, and the goal lines, among others). The position of a puck or other object on the floor can also be identified and highlighted using sensors in the puck, sensors in or under the floor, or a video system that tracks the puck. This position can then be displayed by illuminating lights 100 under the puck's current location, which makes it easier for spectators to locate and follow the puck as it moves along the surface.

Alternatively, or in addition, these types of lights can be positioned in an arrayed pattern to make a television/video screen in or below the floor that would allow the operator to display a variety of static or dynamic images and text on the floor 10 itself (e.g., like an embedded Jumbotron or other arena large-screen display). For instance, the floor 10 could display the names or logos of sponsors, advertisers, the teams, the names of the players next to each player, when a goal was scored, who a penalty was called on, the time remaining in the game or a penalty, or replay a scene from the game, among many other things.

These lighting systems can be hardwired to be switched on and off manually (e.g., to turn on background illumination of the entire floor or to light up the specific lines or sections on the rink) or can be automatically controlled via a computer or microprocessor to dynamically change the lighting or display more complex effects in the same manner in which screen and displays at traditional arenas are controlled.

Backyard-Sized Embodiment

While large-scale rinks may be provided, the floor system 12 can also be used to make smaller rinks that could be placed in a backyard, park, or other smaller area. In one embodiment, the floor piece sections are assembled to form, for example, a flat 24 feet×40 feet rink with curved corners. The flooring surface may be entirely flat, if desired, unlike the banked example described above (although contours could be built into the rink if desired). The rink may be surrounded by 2 feet high wall on the sides and a 3.5 feet high wall around the ends of the rink that are finished with HDPE.

The floor or flooring sections may be comprised of 0.5 inch thick HDPE panels with 0.125 inch diameter holes located approximately one inch apart in both horizontal directions (non-cylindrical holes could also be used). The playing surface may be supported by 0.5 inch diameter, 6 inch long PVC pipe with a cap on the top and bottom for attachment to the base sheet. All vertical supports are placed on a 6 inch on center grid, in this example. A 7-horsepower blower 18 is located at each end of the rink in order to provide pressurized air below the floor that is forced through the holes in the floor. These blowers 18 may provide 18,000 cubic feet per minute of air flow can be used, for example. Alternatively, four smaller blowers 18 could be positioned at the corners of the rink. Different numbers of blowers 18, strength of blowers 18, and positions could be used.

Because the side walls are only 2 feet high in this example, entry gates might not be needed, although they could be placed on either (or both) sides to facilitate entry onto the surface, which would be helpful for children or those in wheelchairs that cannot easily scale the wall. All of the sizes are representative and are not intended to limit this disclosure.

Given the nature of the expected use and expected costs for this smaller rink, simpler lighting systems would likely be used (e.g., to identify certain areas of the rink or to provide additional ambient light). However, the more complex lighting systems described above could also be used with these smaller rinks, if desired.

Curling Sheet

While the embodiments described above are optimized for playing a form of hockey, the invention can be used to play other games, including a form of warm-weather curling.

In one embodiment, the floor piece sections are assembled to form a flat 16 feet×150 feet curling sheet. The flooring surface is entirely flat and is surrounded by a short wall (e.g. 1 feet high) around the ends of the sheet that are made of HDPE. This short wall section prevents the curling stone from leaving the surface during play.

The flooring sections are comprised of 0.5 inch thick HDPE panels with 0.125 inch diameter holes located approximately 1 inch apart in both horizontal directions. The flooring sections may be supported by a 7.25 inch high skeleton structure with supports every 6 inches that rest on a solid, flat subfloor. Multiple blowers 18 are located along the sides of the sheet in order to provide pressurized air below the floor that is forced through the holes in the floor. All of the sizes are representative and are not intended to limit this disclosure.

Given the nature of the expected use for this sheet, simpler lighting systems would likely be used (e.g., to identify certain areas of the sheet such as the centerline, hogline, free guard zone, and house, or to provide additional ambient light). However, the more complex lighting systems described earlier could also be used with these sheets, if desired, to show the score, players, or status of the game, among other things.

Because a curling stone is substantially larger than a hockey puck (approximately 13 inches in diameter and at least 4.5 inches high, versus the 3 inch diameter and 1 inch height for a hockey puck), the stone will have a different design that may mimic, at least in part, the way in which a curling stone moves across the ice.

Miscellaneous

While a traditional hockey-type game can be played on the surface, other games, including modified hockey games, can also be played. For instance, a traditional hockey net/goal is approximately 4 feet high×6 feet wide×3 feet deep, and a single point is scored each time a puck crosses a goal line and enters into the goal area. A modified hockey net/goal that is approximately 4 feet high×7 feet wide×3 feet deep with two 7 inch wide×2 inch high×9 inch deep slots or sub goals in the bottom comers of the goal (one on each side) can be used. Instead of being worth one point, a puck that enters into these slots would be worth two or more points, for example, to the scoring team. A puck that enters into the remaining goal area would still be worth one point, or some other value as desired. Alternative sizes and scoring values could also be used, including sub goals in the upper comers or along the sides, top, or bottom of the goal.

While the forms of the invention herein disclosed constitute presently preferred embodiments, many others are possible. For example, while described with reference to hockey and curling, among other things, the floor system and teachings of this application can be used for other things, including games or activities not yet created. It is not intended herein to mention all the possible equivalent forms or ramifications of the invention. It is understood that the terms used herein are merely descriptive, rather than limiting, and that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, relative location or orientation terms like upper, lower, side, top, bottom, left, right or the like are directed to the orientation of components in the drawings and are not intended to limit the invention unless expressly noted as such a limitation. It is contemplated that the components may be oriented and arranged in other ways.

Claims

1. A user supportable surface, comprising:

a floor having a playing surface and a plurality of openings through the playing surface of the floor; and

a support on which the floor is supported above the ground to define at least part of an air chamber in communication with the openings, the support and floor arranged to support one or more people on the floor.

2. The surface of claim 1 wherein the air chamber is substantially enclosed so that air that flows out of the air chamber does so primarily through the openings.

3. The surface of claim 1 wherein the openings extend through the floor and have a size that varies along their length.

4. The surface of claim 3 wherein the openings become larger as they extend away from the playing surface.

5. The surface of claim 4 wherein the openings are frustoconical in shape.

6. The surface of claim 1 wherein the floor is at least partially translucent so that light may pass through the floor.

7. The surface of claim 1 wherein the floor includes a plurality of floor sections located adjacent to one another to define a larger continuous surface.

8. The surface of claim 7 wherein each floor section is carried by a separate support.

9. A system, comprising:

a floor having a plurality of openings and being rigid and strong enough to support the weight of more than one person moving around on the floor;

an air chamber in communication with the openings; and

a blower communicated with the air chamber to force air through the air chamber and openings.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein a plurality of blowers are communicated with the air chamber.

11. The system of claim 9 which includes a plurality of air chambers and the blower communicates with more than one air chamber.

12. The system of claim 9 which includes a plurality of air chambers and the blower is communicated with one air chamber.

13. The system of claim 9 which also includes a support for the floor that is received between the floor and a ground surface to define the air chamber at least partially beneath the floor.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the floor includes a plurality of floor sections and a separate support is provided for each floor section.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein each floor section has its own air chamber, a plurality of blowers are provided, and each air chamber is communicated with a separate blower.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein each air chamber is substantially isolated from the other air chambers.

17. The system of claim 9 wherein the openings in the floor are spaced apart such that at least one opening at least partially overlaps an imaginary three inch diameter circle anywhere on the floor.

18. The system of claim 9 wherein the openings extend through the floor and have a size that varies along their length.

19. A puck, comprising:

a body with a generally circular periphery, opposed rims at the axial ends of the periphery and a cavity formed radially inwardly of each rim, each cavity having an undercut portion extending radially outwardly of a radially inner edge of its adjacent rim.

20. The puck of claim 19 which also includes an annulus provided within each cavity and radially inwardly spaced from each rim.