Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – With stadium or auditorium feature
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-22
2001-09-11
Kent, Christopher T. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
With stadium or auditorium feature
C052S007000, C052S010000, C052S111000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286264
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a playing field, in particular for team sports such as soccer, with a playing surface formed of grass, particulate or similar natural and/or synthetic layer, and a substrate in particular of earth and/or clay or the like.
The invention further relates to a method for horizontally displacing this playing field.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Today's known soccer stadiums have a grass playing field with a standardized size of about 75 m×115 m. If necessary the playing field is also provided with a track for light athletic sports. Viewing stands are provided around the playing field and if necessary around the track. Stadiums are also known that are partially covered. Some of the soccer fields have drainage that carries away water during and after heavy rainfall. In individual cases there are also special surface heaters, for example in the Munich Olympic Stadium, so that the field can be played on and used even in winter. The grass can thus be maintained free of snow and ice and relatively dry.
The construction and maintenance of such stadiums are relatively expensive so for commercial reasons there is a need to use these stadiums also for other purposes as for instance for concerts. Above all this subjects the grass surface either directly or through a covering put over it to some damage.
In addition there are multipurpose venues, such as for instance the Dortmund/Westphalia Hall, where the inside surface and the viewing stands are completely under cover. According to use, as for example bicycle races, tennis, team sports, handball, volleyball, or stage shows or concerts, the hall interior is provided with the appropriate ground covering. Nonetheless in the existing European halls the usable inside space is too small to hold a soccer field. A big enough multipurpose hall would not be suitable for a permanent grass covering since the natural conditions necessary (sunlight, rain) are lacking in a closed hall. These requirements can be partially met by an openable or slideback roof. in any case there is the disadvantage that the grass gets damaged when used for certain purposes since it can only be otherwise used for short times. On the other hand grass is only periodically used, for example every two weeks for during the regular soccer season. A solution of this problem can be the use of sod which is set out in strips and rolled up afterward, but such a system is not only expensive, but the sod surface does not bond solidly to the underlying earth and constant removal and reuse quickly kills the grass. The invention is aimed at this problem.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a playing field of the above-described type that without the above-cited disadvantages can be moved horizontally relatively quickly without damaging the playing surface, in particular the grass. To this end this object should be obtained in that when the grass surface is not used it is wholly displaced outside the hall.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This object is attained according to the invention in that the entire playing field including the substrate lies on a preferably trough-shaped support frame that is mainly formed of concrete and/or steel members, and the support frame is horizontally slidable via slide pads on stationary slide tracks. Preferably the slide tracks extend from a fully or partially covered stadium or multipurpose hall to an adjacent outside space, preferably a parking lot. This construction has the advantage that only for sporting activities that are conducted on grass is the complete support frame slid into the hall and afterward slide back out outside. The slide tracks can be set in the floor of the multipurpose hall or stadium where they are no hindrance to walking. The same is true for the outside area which is free to use, e.g. as a parking lot. In this manner it is possible to produce a stadium that can be set up inside for any type of use so that costs for the slide construction are amortized in a short time. Basically the instant invention can be used for size of space covered with natural plants that in only used part of the time at a particular location, that is in a hall, and after use can be slid back outside.
In order not to lose any spectator area in the stadium or multipurpose hall, it is provided according to a further feature that the support frame is slidable underneath reviewing stands in the stadium or multipurpose hall where there is an opening. The opening can be closed by sliding doors, flaps, or the like.
The number of slide pads is determined by the weight of the support structure and the playing field on it, which in a grass field of 75 m×115 m can be over 100,000 kN. With such great weights preferably slide pads with a track-engaging surface of polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) and slide tracks of steel with a special coating are used. Combinations of PTFE, which is sold under the trade name Teflon, and austenitic steel are in fact already known in bridge constructions as equalizing joints, but there the slide paths are relatively small. Surprisingly it has been determined that slide pads with polytetrafluorethylene plates that slide on a coated slide track provided with a slide film can be used for sliding great weights over great distances. Basically according to the invention known lubricants, such as silicon oil or lithium soap can be used, preferably however a thin water-soluble oil and/or grease film is used on the slide tracks. The slide pads, that is the PTFE plates, have on their undersides lubricant pockets and/or oil- and/or grease-distributing grooves which increase the slidability while minimizing friction. With this combination of PTFE and lubricant or oil and coated steel sliding frictions of from 0.018 to 0.025 can be obtained. In order to overcome static friction the pushing force is such that a sliding up to a friction of 0.07 can be exerted for breaking free.
According to a feature of the invention the support frame is supported on a plurality of vertical posts which are arranged in several parallel rows standing on anchor plates, on so-called load knot points. These posts are preferably made of concrete, on each of whose undersides is (from top to bottom) a support plate, several respective elastomeric bodies in which are embedded plates to increase the horizontal resistance to shear of the elastomer, and finally several PTFE pads. The elastomeric layer is vulcanized into the support plate and elastically supports the load so that height differences in the slide track are compensated for. The steel plate vulcanized under the elastomeric layer have grooves for holding and trapping the PTFE plate inserts that are preferably 5 mm thick.
Basically it is possible to provide the slide tracks manually or by separate means with a thin grease and/or oil film. In order however to avoid this cost according to a further feature of the invention oil/grease applicators are provided relative to the two slide directions in front of and behind the PTFE pads on a protective housing of the support plate, are preferably supplied with oil and/or grease by hoses, and are mounted above the slide tracks. An appropriate conduit system thus allows the necessary quantity of grease and/or oil automatically to be applied during the advance.
In order to protect the parts underneath the support plates, in particular from dust and dirt, a protective housing is secured on the concrete anchor which extends around and over the support plate and the parts secured thereto and which preferably has dirt scrapers guided on the slide tracks and mounted on edges turned toward the slide tracks. Thus during advance it is possible to preclean the slide tracks so that dirt on them does not mix with the grease and/or oil. The dirt-protecting housing can also be otherwise mounted so long as each oil distributor and the space between the oil distributor and the PTFE pads is protected.
Preferably in order to horizontally move the support frame there is a plurality of slide actuators that can each gra
Dubno Herbert
Kent Christopher T.
Schiess-Defries Engineering Immobilien-und Bautrager GmbH
Thissell Jennifer I.
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