CA1127677A - Frame for a portable skating rink - Google Patents
Frame for a portable skating rinkInfo
- Publication number
- CA1127677A CA1127677A CA334,242A CA334242A CA1127677A CA 1127677 A CA1127677 A CA 1127677A CA 334242 A CA334242 A CA 334242A CA 1127677 A CA1127677 A CA 1127677A
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- frame
- generally
- members
- shape members
- web
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- Expired
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Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01C—CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR
- E01C13/00—Pavings or foundations specially adapted for playgrounds or sports grounds; Drainage, irrigation or heating of sports grounds
- E01C13/10—Pavings or foundations specially adapted for playgrounds or sports grounds; Drainage, irrigation or heating of sports grounds for artificial surfaces for outdoor or indoor practice of snow or ice sports
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Floor Finish (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A frame of a modular portable rink for holding a plastics sheet on the ground is basically of the type of a box-shaped, enclosed cross-sectional configuration composed of two generally identical structural shaped members disposed in a staggered relationship so that the abutment areas at the inside of the frame and at the outside thereof alternate to eliminate the need for special connectors between abutted parts of the frame. The only fasteners required are stakes driven at predetermined intervals through preformed holes in the respective elements. The invention simplifies the overall structure of the frame while enhancing its rigidity.
A frame of a modular portable rink for holding a plastics sheet on the ground is basically of the type of a box-shaped, enclosed cross-sectional configuration composed of two generally identical structural shaped members disposed in a staggered relationship so that the abutment areas at the inside of the frame and at the outside thereof alternate to eliminate the need for special connectors between abutted parts of the frame. The only fasteners required are stakes driven at predetermined intervals through preformed holes in the respective elements. The invention simplifies the overall structure of the frame while enhancing its rigidity.
Description
~127677 The present invention relates to portable skating rinks of the type composed of a plurality of frame elements arranged to be assembled together to hold a water impermeable plastics sheet normally placed on ground and filled with a relatively small amount of water. In particular, the invention is concerned with a composite frame for a modular, portable s~ating rink of the above general type. Many different structures of skating rinks of the above type have been proposed and disclosed in prior art. Thus, U.S. patent 2,907,362 issued October 6, 1959 (E E. Owen) discloses a skating rink or the like composed of a plurality of frame elements holding a plastics sheet inside the frame, to be filled with water. At the corners of the structure a bolt and nut connection is proposed to hold wooden elements of the frame together. The drawback of the proposal is in that the connectors are exposed to weather and are likely to rust and eventually become inoperative thus making it difficult to use the frame repeatedly over a number of seasons without repairs or relatively demanding maintenance of the joints. Moreover, the device does not propose anchoring Of the structure to the ~round which renders the overall arrangement relatively weak. U.S. patent 2,996,896 issued August 22, 1961 (F.L. Johnson) proposes a similar type of frame having a plurality of abutting wooden elements or beams held to~ether by additional beams at joinders of the frame elements, the additional beams also being utilized in securing to the first mentioned beams stakes located at suitable intervals exteriorly of the frame structure. The overall arrangement is complex and, as in the preceding prior art reference, requires bolted connections which are unsuitable for applications in winter climate. U.S. patent 3,012,596 issued December 12, 1961 (D.S. Skolout) discloses a portable ice rink including a plurality of frame members and specially shaped connectors. The 3L~'~6~7 arrangement is relatively expensive to produce as a number of different parts is required for satisfactory operation. U.S.
patent 3,797,049 issued March 19, 1974 ~De Santo) discloses another type of a modular portable skating rink. The rink has preformed abutting side elements and a plurality of clamping elements holding the abutted members together. In order to increase stability of the abutting members of the frame, the base portion of the preformed side wall elements is spread apart such that, in cross-sectional configuration, the frame has the shape of an inverted V. The disadantage of the broad base is that the frame is subject to damage particularly when used in public skating areas wherein many skaters walk around the rink with skates on. Due to the abutment of preformed pieces such that the inside and outside wall of the preformed structural shape are in a co-planar relationship, the overal t structure is relatively weak and can be easily damaged, parti-cularly at the beginning of the season during the flooding of the rink.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable skating rink of the above type whicll would be o a simplified structural configuration compared with the above prior art, yet would be of sufficient rigidity and would be less subject to damage by skaters walking around with their skates on.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a composite frame is provided for a modular portable skating rink of the type including a generally flat, flexible, water impermeable plastics sheet, securing means for securing the sheet to said frame, and anchor means for securing the frame to the ground, said frame including side wall means of a generally rectangular box-shaped cross-sectional configuration, wherein said side wall means is formed by two structural shape members having each a normally vertical web or flange portion
patent 3,797,049 issued March 19, 1974 ~De Santo) discloses another type of a modular portable skating rink. The rink has preformed abutting side elements and a plurality of clamping elements holding the abutted members together. In order to increase stability of the abutting members of the frame, the base portion of the preformed side wall elements is spread apart such that, in cross-sectional configuration, the frame has the shape of an inverted V. The disadantage of the broad base is that the frame is subject to damage particularly when used in public skating areas wherein many skaters walk around the rink with skates on. Due to the abutment of preformed pieces such that the inside and outside wall of the preformed structural shape are in a co-planar relationship, the overal t structure is relatively weak and can be easily damaged, parti-cularly at the beginning of the season during the flooding of the rink.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable skating rink of the above type whicll would be o a simplified structural configuration compared with the above prior art, yet would be of sufficient rigidity and would be less subject to damage by skaters walking around with their skates on.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a composite frame is provided for a modular portable skating rink of the type including a generally flat, flexible, water impermeable plastics sheet, securing means for securing the sheet to said frame, and anchor means for securing the frame to the ground, said frame including side wall means of a generally rectangular box-shaped cross-sectional configuration, wherein said side wall means is formed by two structural shape members having each a normally vertical web or flange portion
-2-112~6~7 and a normally horizontal flange or web portion, the shape members being of complementary cross-sectional configuration and being adapted to be engaged with each other to thus form said box-shaped configuration, said side wall means including, a plurality of first shape members of a generally equal length;
a plurality of second shape members of a generally equal length smaller than that of said first shape members; the frame further comprising, a plurality of elongate, generally channel-shaped cap members complementary with a top of said generally box-shaped cross-sectional configuration; corner cap members having two arms fixedly secured to each other; the arms being of a cross-sectional configuration generally identical with that of said cap members and being disposed at a predetermined corner angle; normally generally vertical passage means in all of said normally horizontal web or flange portions for receiving said anchor means.
Preferably, said cap members also include passage means whose spacing is complementary with that of the passage means in said normally horizontal web or flange portions, whereby the anchor means of the type of a stake can be driven through said cap means through a margin of the sheet and through the normally horizontal portions of the numbers to thus simultaneously secure the sheet to the frame and the frame to the ground.
In another preferred embodiment, the length of the second shape members is one-half of that of said first shape members, the spacing between each end of each of said first shape members and adjacent passage means being the same as that between each end of each of said second shape members and a respective adjacent passage means.
The composite frame of the present invention may further include a set of channel-shaped cap members complementary with a bottom of said box-shaped configuration.
11~76~
The cap members and the corner cap members may have each an inside, normally upright wall whose length is equal to at least one-half of the height of said side wall means. According to a still another preferred embodiment, said structural shape members are each of a generally L-shaped configuration having a first arm portion and a second arm portion and including engagement means at a free edge of one web or flange portion thereof for receiving the other flange or web portion of another structural shape member to thus form said generally rectangular box-shaped configuration. The shape members may also each be of the tvpe of a channel whose web portion is wider than the width of the respective flange portions. In another alternative, the structural shape members are each a channel whose web portion is narrower than the width of the respective flange portions.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, said structural shape members are each of a generally E-shaped cross-sectional configuration of the type having a normally vertical web, two normally horizontal end flange portions and an intermediate, rlormally horizontal 1ange portion whose spacing from one of said end flange portions is greater than that from the other of said end flange portions. Preferably, a fLrst one of said end flange portions is formed by a pair of closely spaced, parallel flanges spacecl from each o~her at a spacing complementary with the thickness of the other end flange portion, whereby two of said shapes can be connected by inserting the respective other end portions between the respective pair of said closely spaced parallel flanges, while J
the respective intermediate flange portions reinforce said generally rectangular, box-shaped configuration.
In another embodiment, said structural shape members are of a generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration ~12 7677 including two parallel, spaced-apart flanges and a rounded web portion.
In another aspect, the present invention provides, for use in a composite frame for a modular portable skating rink; a plurality of first structural shape members including each a normally vertical web or flange portion, and a normally horizontal flange or web portion, said first structural shape members being of a generally equal length; a plurality of second structural shape members whose structural configuration is generally the same as that of said first structural shape members; the length of said second shape members being smaller than that of said first shape members, said second shape members being of generally equal length; said first and second structural shape members being of a complementary cross-sectional con-figuration whereby the shape members can be assembled to form side wall means of a generally box-shaped cross-sectional configuration having a top, a bottom and two side portion; a plurality of elongate, generally channel-shaped cap members complementary with the top of said side wall means and including corner cap members, each corner cap member having two arms fixedly secured to each other at a predetermined preferably 90 angle; each cap member having a normally horizontal portion and two normally vertical portions; anchor stake means for securing said wall means to the ground; normally vertical passage means in each of said normally horizontal flange or web portions of all of said structural shape members; a water impermeable plastics sheet; and fastener means for securing peripheral margin portion of said sheet to said wall means.
The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to several embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a corner of the frame of a portable skating rink with the plastic sheet omitted for the sake of clarity;
Figure 2 is section II - II of figure 1 showing the assembly as put together when in use;
Figure 3 is section III - III of figure l;
Figures 4 - 7 are views similar to figure 3 but showing further embodi'ments of the present invention; and Figure 8 is a view similar to figure 4 but showing a modified version of the top cap and also including the plastic sheet as in place when the rink is assembled.
Turning now to figure 1, the assembly shown therein includes a top corner cap 10, which is shown in aligned arrangement with a top cap 11. It will be appreciated on comparison of figures 2 and 3 that the cross-sectional configuration of the top corner cap 10 and the top cap 11 is generally identical. The top corner cap 10 has two arms 12, 13 generally integral with each other and disposed at a right angle. With reference to figure 2, the arm 12 comprises a web portion 14 and two depending skirt portions 15, 16, the lower edges of the skirts 15, 16 being turned inwardly as shown in figure 2.
Figure 3 shows that the top cap 11 is of generally identical cross-sectional configuration including a web 17 and two downwardly dependent skirt sections 18, 19.
Provided in the web 14 of the corner cap 10 is a passage 20 for receiving an anchor stake 21, while the web17 of the top cap 11 includes a similar passage 22 for receiving a stake 23, the top cap 11 also including a second passage 24 11~7677 for receiving a still further stake (not shown in the drawings).
Disposed below the caps 10, 11 as shown in figure 1 is a long structural shape member 25, generally of an inverted L-shaped cross-sectional configuration including a vertical leg portion 26 and a horizontal foot portion 27, the free end of the foot portion 27 being turned inwardly and outwardly at 28, to provide engagement means for a subsequent structural shape member referred to hereinafter. It will be appreciated that the engagement means 28 is thus of the type of a slot extending longitudinally of the long structural shape member 25. The structural shape member 25 also includes, in its foot portion 27, two passages 29, 30 for receiving the stakes 21, 23, respectively.
Shown below the long structural shape member 25 is a short structural shape member 31 and a long structural shape member 32, both being of a configuration identical with that of the long structural shape member 25 but turned around by 180~. Both structural shape members 31, 32 include a foot portion 33, 34, respectively, and 2 respective upright leg portion 35, 36. The respective ends of the foot portions 33, 34 also have the inwardly turned terminal portion providing outwardly open engagement means 38, 39, receiving the free end of the leg portion 26 of the aforesaid long structural shape member 25. Like the preceding member 25, the short structural shape member 31 has a passage 40 for the stake 21, while the long structural member 32 has a passage 41 for stake 23 and also a second passage 42 for a still further stake (not shown in the drawings).
Finally, shown at the bottom of figure 1 is a bottom corner cap 43 whose configuration is identical with that of the top corner cap 10. Thus, the bottom corner cap also in-cludes two arms 44, 45 each of a generally channel-shaped cross-sectional configuration including a bottom horizontal web 46 and two upright flanges 47, 48.
Disposed co-axially with the arm 45 is a long bottom cap member 49 which is of a cross-sectional configuration identical with that of the top cap 11. In other words, the bottom cap 49 also includes a horizontal bottom web 50 and two upright flanges 51, 52 with inwardly turned marginal portions visible from figure 3 and igure 1. Like the top cap 11, the bottom cap member 49 also has a passage 53 for the stake 23 and another passage 54 for a further stake (not shown in the drawings).
It will be appreciated from figure 1 that the box-shaped configuration of the frame is composed of a plurality of short structural shape member such as member 31 and long structural shape members such as member 25. In the corner of the frame assembly, for instance, the short shape member 31 would normally abut against a long structural shape member 55, while the long structural shape member 25 abuts against a short struct-ural shape member 56. In the embodiment of figure 1, of course, both structural shape members 56 and 55 abut against the res-pective flange portions 1~, 48 of the top and bottom corner caps 10, 43, respectively. The long and short structural shape members 55, 56 are of configuration identical with the above members 31 and 25 and therefore do not have to be described in greater detail.
The box-shaped confiyuration covered by the top and bottom caps is composed of a plurality of two generally iden-tical structural shape members of different length. Therefore, there is no need for providing a special fastener between the two members forming the box-shaped configuration. At the same time, the rigidity of the assembled arrangement is enhanced by the staggered arrangement of the two halves of the box-shaped configuration.
1~27677 It is within the scope of the present invention to use the caps and the structural shape members of a confi-furation different from that shown in figures 1, 2 and 3, as indicated in figures 4, 5, 6 and 7. Corresponding parts of such figures will be referred to with the same reference numerals with different indexes. Figure 4 shows in an assembled state, a modified version wherein an anchor stake 23a passes through passages of a top cap lla and through two long struct-ural shape members 25a and 32a. A bottom cap 49a is in the position corresponding to the bottom cap 49 shown in figure 1.
It will be observed that the embodiment of figure 4 is composed of two structural shape members of a generally flattened U-shaped cross-sectional configuration.
Figure 5 is similar to figure 4 but the structural members are of an upwardly elongated U-shaped configuration.
Thus, the embodiment of figure 5 shows an anchoring stake 23b passing through structural shape members 32b and 25b and also through the top and bottom caps llb, 49b, respectively.
The embodiment of figure 6 is particularly su.itable if instead of metal sheet such as in figure 1, extruded plastics material is preferred. There is shown if figure 6 an assembly comprising a top cap llc, combined with two structural shape members 32c and 25c. The whole assembly is disposed in bottom cap 49c and held together by an anchor stake 23c. In this arrangement, the configuration of the two matching structural shape members is that of a "E" with one base of each of the structural shape members being formed by a double flange to provide an insertion slot for the counterpart as clearly visible from figure 6.
_g_ ~12~6~7 A yet another embodiment of a combination of "U"- -shaped members is shown in figure 7 which displays a cap lld of semi-circular cross-sectional configuration, in combination with structural shape members 25d and 32d and with a bottom cap 49d, held together by an anchor stake 23d.
It follows from the above that many different shapes may be considered for use in the present invention, without departing from the scope of the invention.
Turning now to figure 8, it will be observed that this particular embodiment is generally identical to that of figure 4. However, the embodiment shows sectional view of a rink in a completely assembled state. In particular, the frame comprises the long structural shape member 25a and the short structural member 32a held together by the stake 23a. The top cap lla is of a slightly modified configuration in that it includes an extended downwardly dependent skirt 57. The bottom cap 49a is of generally the same configuration as bottom cap 49a in figure 4. A plastics sheet 58 is placed on ground 59 and its peripheral edge placed over the box-shaped assembly formed by structural shape members 25a, 32a ~uch that the outermost edge 60 of the sheet 58 protrudes slightly over the exterior margin of the top cap lla as shown whereupon the top cap lla is placed over the sheet 58 and the entire assembly put together by driving the stake 23a into ground 59. The rink is now ready for filling with waterfill 61 whose level should be above the lowermost edge 62 of the top cap lla to protect the sheet 58 from damage.
Thus, the present invention provides a structurally simple protable rink whose elements are held together solely by anchor stakes without the need for any further fasteners at points wherein the components of the frame abut a~ainst each other. Due to the staggered arrangement of the combination of long and short structural shape members as described above, 11~7677 the overall assembly is rigid enough for the particular use.
It has already been indicated that many modifications of the design as described may exist. For instance, it is readily conceivable from the above that there may be different shapes of the top cap members 11. It is further conceivable that the bottom cap members 49 may be partly or entirely omitted in certain embodiments. The material from which the frame is made may also vary. The embodiment of figure 1 represents a metal sheet arrangement while at least some of the alternatives of figures 4 - 8 are all proposed to be made from extrusion molded plastics material. Extruded aluminum shapes are readily conceivable. It is further within the scope of the present invention to provide the corner caps 10, 43 such that one of their arms corresponds in length to the long structural shape member 25, while the other arm is of generally the same length as the short structural member 31.
Thus, the above description of the preferred embodi-ments is to be considered strictly as a set of examples illustrating the invention but also showing that many departures from the embodiments may exist without departing from the scope of the present invention as recited in the accompanying claims.
a plurality of second shape members of a generally equal length smaller than that of said first shape members; the frame further comprising, a plurality of elongate, generally channel-shaped cap members complementary with a top of said generally box-shaped cross-sectional configuration; corner cap members having two arms fixedly secured to each other; the arms being of a cross-sectional configuration generally identical with that of said cap members and being disposed at a predetermined corner angle; normally generally vertical passage means in all of said normally horizontal web or flange portions for receiving said anchor means.
Preferably, said cap members also include passage means whose spacing is complementary with that of the passage means in said normally horizontal web or flange portions, whereby the anchor means of the type of a stake can be driven through said cap means through a margin of the sheet and through the normally horizontal portions of the numbers to thus simultaneously secure the sheet to the frame and the frame to the ground.
In another preferred embodiment, the length of the second shape members is one-half of that of said first shape members, the spacing between each end of each of said first shape members and adjacent passage means being the same as that between each end of each of said second shape members and a respective adjacent passage means.
The composite frame of the present invention may further include a set of channel-shaped cap members complementary with a bottom of said box-shaped configuration.
11~76~
The cap members and the corner cap members may have each an inside, normally upright wall whose length is equal to at least one-half of the height of said side wall means. According to a still another preferred embodiment, said structural shape members are each of a generally L-shaped configuration having a first arm portion and a second arm portion and including engagement means at a free edge of one web or flange portion thereof for receiving the other flange or web portion of another structural shape member to thus form said generally rectangular box-shaped configuration. The shape members may also each be of the tvpe of a channel whose web portion is wider than the width of the respective flange portions. In another alternative, the structural shape members are each a channel whose web portion is narrower than the width of the respective flange portions.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, said structural shape members are each of a generally E-shaped cross-sectional configuration of the type having a normally vertical web, two normally horizontal end flange portions and an intermediate, rlormally horizontal 1ange portion whose spacing from one of said end flange portions is greater than that from the other of said end flange portions. Preferably, a fLrst one of said end flange portions is formed by a pair of closely spaced, parallel flanges spacecl from each o~her at a spacing complementary with the thickness of the other end flange portion, whereby two of said shapes can be connected by inserting the respective other end portions between the respective pair of said closely spaced parallel flanges, while J
the respective intermediate flange portions reinforce said generally rectangular, box-shaped configuration.
In another embodiment, said structural shape members are of a generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration ~12 7677 including two parallel, spaced-apart flanges and a rounded web portion.
In another aspect, the present invention provides, for use in a composite frame for a modular portable skating rink; a plurality of first structural shape members including each a normally vertical web or flange portion, and a normally horizontal flange or web portion, said first structural shape members being of a generally equal length; a plurality of second structural shape members whose structural configuration is generally the same as that of said first structural shape members; the length of said second shape members being smaller than that of said first shape members, said second shape members being of generally equal length; said first and second structural shape members being of a complementary cross-sectional con-figuration whereby the shape members can be assembled to form side wall means of a generally box-shaped cross-sectional configuration having a top, a bottom and two side portion; a plurality of elongate, generally channel-shaped cap members complementary with the top of said side wall means and including corner cap members, each corner cap member having two arms fixedly secured to each other at a predetermined preferably 90 angle; each cap member having a normally horizontal portion and two normally vertical portions; anchor stake means for securing said wall means to the ground; normally vertical passage means in each of said normally horizontal flange or web portions of all of said structural shape members; a water impermeable plastics sheet; and fastener means for securing peripheral margin portion of said sheet to said wall means.
The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to several embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a corner of the frame of a portable skating rink with the plastic sheet omitted for the sake of clarity;
Figure 2 is section II - II of figure 1 showing the assembly as put together when in use;
Figure 3 is section III - III of figure l;
Figures 4 - 7 are views similar to figure 3 but showing further embodi'ments of the present invention; and Figure 8 is a view similar to figure 4 but showing a modified version of the top cap and also including the plastic sheet as in place when the rink is assembled.
Turning now to figure 1, the assembly shown therein includes a top corner cap 10, which is shown in aligned arrangement with a top cap 11. It will be appreciated on comparison of figures 2 and 3 that the cross-sectional configuration of the top corner cap 10 and the top cap 11 is generally identical. The top corner cap 10 has two arms 12, 13 generally integral with each other and disposed at a right angle. With reference to figure 2, the arm 12 comprises a web portion 14 and two depending skirt portions 15, 16, the lower edges of the skirts 15, 16 being turned inwardly as shown in figure 2.
Figure 3 shows that the top cap 11 is of generally identical cross-sectional configuration including a web 17 and two downwardly dependent skirt sections 18, 19.
Provided in the web 14 of the corner cap 10 is a passage 20 for receiving an anchor stake 21, while the web17 of the top cap 11 includes a similar passage 22 for receiving a stake 23, the top cap 11 also including a second passage 24 11~7677 for receiving a still further stake (not shown in the drawings).
Disposed below the caps 10, 11 as shown in figure 1 is a long structural shape member 25, generally of an inverted L-shaped cross-sectional configuration including a vertical leg portion 26 and a horizontal foot portion 27, the free end of the foot portion 27 being turned inwardly and outwardly at 28, to provide engagement means for a subsequent structural shape member referred to hereinafter. It will be appreciated that the engagement means 28 is thus of the type of a slot extending longitudinally of the long structural shape member 25. The structural shape member 25 also includes, in its foot portion 27, two passages 29, 30 for receiving the stakes 21, 23, respectively.
Shown below the long structural shape member 25 is a short structural shape member 31 and a long structural shape member 32, both being of a configuration identical with that of the long structural shape member 25 but turned around by 180~. Both structural shape members 31, 32 include a foot portion 33, 34, respectively, and 2 respective upright leg portion 35, 36. The respective ends of the foot portions 33, 34 also have the inwardly turned terminal portion providing outwardly open engagement means 38, 39, receiving the free end of the leg portion 26 of the aforesaid long structural shape member 25. Like the preceding member 25, the short structural shape member 31 has a passage 40 for the stake 21, while the long structural member 32 has a passage 41 for stake 23 and also a second passage 42 for a still further stake (not shown in the drawings).
Finally, shown at the bottom of figure 1 is a bottom corner cap 43 whose configuration is identical with that of the top corner cap 10. Thus, the bottom corner cap also in-cludes two arms 44, 45 each of a generally channel-shaped cross-sectional configuration including a bottom horizontal web 46 and two upright flanges 47, 48.
Disposed co-axially with the arm 45 is a long bottom cap member 49 which is of a cross-sectional configuration identical with that of the top cap 11. In other words, the bottom cap 49 also includes a horizontal bottom web 50 and two upright flanges 51, 52 with inwardly turned marginal portions visible from figure 3 and igure 1. Like the top cap 11, the bottom cap member 49 also has a passage 53 for the stake 23 and another passage 54 for a further stake (not shown in the drawings).
It will be appreciated from figure 1 that the box-shaped configuration of the frame is composed of a plurality of short structural shape member such as member 31 and long structural shape members such as member 25. In the corner of the frame assembly, for instance, the short shape member 31 would normally abut against a long structural shape member 55, while the long structural shape member 25 abuts against a short struct-ural shape member 56. In the embodiment of figure 1, of course, both structural shape members 56 and 55 abut against the res-pective flange portions 1~, 48 of the top and bottom corner caps 10, 43, respectively. The long and short structural shape members 55, 56 are of configuration identical with the above members 31 and 25 and therefore do not have to be described in greater detail.
The box-shaped confiyuration covered by the top and bottom caps is composed of a plurality of two generally iden-tical structural shape members of different length. Therefore, there is no need for providing a special fastener between the two members forming the box-shaped configuration. At the same time, the rigidity of the assembled arrangement is enhanced by the staggered arrangement of the two halves of the box-shaped configuration.
1~27677 It is within the scope of the present invention to use the caps and the structural shape members of a confi-furation different from that shown in figures 1, 2 and 3, as indicated in figures 4, 5, 6 and 7. Corresponding parts of such figures will be referred to with the same reference numerals with different indexes. Figure 4 shows in an assembled state, a modified version wherein an anchor stake 23a passes through passages of a top cap lla and through two long struct-ural shape members 25a and 32a. A bottom cap 49a is in the position corresponding to the bottom cap 49 shown in figure 1.
It will be observed that the embodiment of figure 4 is composed of two structural shape members of a generally flattened U-shaped cross-sectional configuration.
Figure 5 is similar to figure 4 but the structural members are of an upwardly elongated U-shaped configuration.
Thus, the embodiment of figure 5 shows an anchoring stake 23b passing through structural shape members 32b and 25b and also through the top and bottom caps llb, 49b, respectively.
The embodiment of figure 6 is particularly su.itable if instead of metal sheet such as in figure 1, extruded plastics material is preferred. There is shown if figure 6 an assembly comprising a top cap llc, combined with two structural shape members 32c and 25c. The whole assembly is disposed in bottom cap 49c and held together by an anchor stake 23c. In this arrangement, the configuration of the two matching structural shape members is that of a "E" with one base of each of the structural shape members being formed by a double flange to provide an insertion slot for the counterpart as clearly visible from figure 6.
_g_ ~12~6~7 A yet another embodiment of a combination of "U"- -shaped members is shown in figure 7 which displays a cap lld of semi-circular cross-sectional configuration, in combination with structural shape members 25d and 32d and with a bottom cap 49d, held together by an anchor stake 23d.
It follows from the above that many different shapes may be considered for use in the present invention, without departing from the scope of the invention.
Turning now to figure 8, it will be observed that this particular embodiment is generally identical to that of figure 4. However, the embodiment shows sectional view of a rink in a completely assembled state. In particular, the frame comprises the long structural shape member 25a and the short structural member 32a held together by the stake 23a. The top cap lla is of a slightly modified configuration in that it includes an extended downwardly dependent skirt 57. The bottom cap 49a is of generally the same configuration as bottom cap 49a in figure 4. A plastics sheet 58 is placed on ground 59 and its peripheral edge placed over the box-shaped assembly formed by structural shape members 25a, 32a ~uch that the outermost edge 60 of the sheet 58 protrudes slightly over the exterior margin of the top cap lla as shown whereupon the top cap lla is placed over the sheet 58 and the entire assembly put together by driving the stake 23a into ground 59. The rink is now ready for filling with waterfill 61 whose level should be above the lowermost edge 62 of the top cap lla to protect the sheet 58 from damage.
Thus, the present invention provides a structurally simple protable rink whose elements are held together solely by anchor stakes without the need for any further fasteners at points wherein the components of the frame abut a~ainst each other. Due to the staggered arrangement of the combination of long and short structural shape members as described above, 11~7677 the overall assembly is rigid enough for the particular use.
It has already been indicated that many modifications of the design as described may exist. For instance, it is readily conceivable from the above that there may be different shapes of the top cap members 11. It is further conceivable that the bottom cap members 49 may be partly or entirely omitted in certain embodiments. The material from which the frame is made may also vary. The embodiment of figure 1 represents a metal sheet arrangement while at least some of the alternatives of figures 4 - 8 are all proposed to be made from extrusion molded plastics material. Extruded aluminum shapes are readily conceivable. It is further within the scope of the present invention to provide the corner caps 10, 43 such that one of their arms corresponds in length to the long structural shape member 25, while the other arm is of generally the same length as the short structural member 31.
Thus, the above description of the preferred embodi-ments is to be considered strictly as a set of examples illustrating the invention but also showing that many departures from the embodiments may exist without departing from the scope of the present invention as recited in the accompanying claims.
Claims (12)
EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS
FOLLOWS:
1. A composite frame for a modular portable skating rink of the type including a generally flat, flexible, water impermeable plastics sheet, securing means for securing the sheet to said frame, and anchor means for securing the frame to the ground, said frame including wall means of a generally rectangular box-shaped cross-sectional configuration, wherein (a) said wall means is formed, at any cross-section, by two structural shape members having each a normally vertical web or flange portion and a normally horizontal flange or web portion, the shape members being of complementary cross-sectional configuration and being adapted to be engaged with each other to thus from said box-shaped configuration, said wall means thus including (i) a plurality of first shape members of a generally equal length; (ii) a plurality of second shape members, each of a generally equal length smaller than that of said first shape members; the frame further comprising, (b) a plurality of elongate, generally channel-shaped cap members complementary with a top of said generally box-shaped cross-sectional configuration;
(c) corner cap members, each having two arms fixedly secured to each other; the arms being of a cross-sectional configuration generally identical with that of said cap members and being disposed at a predetermined corner angle;
(d) normally generally vertical passage means in all of said normally horizontal web or flange portions for receiving said anchor means.
(c) corner cap members, each having two arms fixedly secured to each other; the arms being of a cross-sectional configuration generally identical with that of said cap members and being disposed at a predetermined corner angle;
(d) normally generally vertical passage means in all of said normally horizontal web or flange portions for receiving said anchor means.
2. A frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cap members also include passage means, whose spacing is com-plementary with that of the passage means in said normally horizontal web or flange portions, whereby the anchor means of the type of a stake can be driven through said cap means through a margin of the sheet and through the normally horizontal portions of the shapes to thus simultaneously secure the sheet to the frame and the frame to the ground.
3. The frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the length of said second shape members is one-half of that of said first shape members, the spacing between each end of each of said first shape members and adjacent passage means thereof being the same as that between each end of each of each of said second shape members and an adjacent passage means thereof.
4. A frame as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3, further including a set of elongated channel-shaped bottom cap members complementary with a bottom of said box-shaped configuration.
5. A frame as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said cap members complementary with the top of said box-shaped configuration have each an inside, normally upright wall whose length is equal to at least one-half of the height of said side wall means.
6. A frame as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said shape members are each of a generally L-shaped configuration having a first arm portion and a second arm portion and in-cluding engagement means at a free edge of one web or flange portion thereof for receiving the other flange or web portion of another structural shape member of generally the same shape to thus form said generally rectangular box-shaped configuration.
7. A frame as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said structural shape members are each a channel whose web portion is wider than the width of the respective flange portions.
8. A frame as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said structural shape members are each a channel whose web portion is narrower than the width of the respective flange portions.
9. A frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein said structural shape members are each of a generally E-shaped cross-sectional configuration of the type having a normally vertical web, two normally horizontal end flange portions and an intermediate, normally horizontal flange portion whose spacing from one of said end flange portions is greater than that from the other of said end flange portions.
10. A frame as claimed in claim 9, wherein a first one of said end flange portions is formed by a pair of closely spaced, generally parallel flanges spaced from each other at a spacing complementary with the thickness of the other end flange portion, whereby two of said shapes can be connected by inserting the respective other end portions between the respective pair of said closely spaced parallel flanges, while the respective intermediate flange portions reinforce said generally rectangular, box-shaped configuration.
11. A frame as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said shape members are of a generally U-shaped configuration including two parallel, spaced-apart flanges and a rounded web portion.
12. For use in a composite frame for a modular portable skating rink:
(a) a plurality of first structural shape members including each a normally vertical web or flange portion, and a normally horizontal flange or web portion, said first structural shape members being of a generally equal length;
(b) a plurality of second structural shape members whose structural configuration is generally the same as that of said first structural shape members;
(c) the length of said second shape members being smaller than that of said first shape members, said second shape members being of generally equal length;
(d) said first and second structural shape members being of a complementary cross-sectional configuration whereby the shape members can be assembled to form side wall means of a generally box-shaped cross-sectional configuration having a top, a bottom and two side portion;
(e) a plurality of elongate, generally channel-shaped cap members complementary with the top of said side wall means and including corner cap members, each corner cap member having two arms fixedly secured to each other at a predetermined angle; each cap member having a normally horizontal portion and two normally vertical portions;
(f) anchor stake means for securing said wall means to the ground;
(g) normally vertical passage means in each of said normally horizontal flange or web portions of all of said structural shape members;
(h) a water impermeable plastics sheet; and (i) fastener means for securing peripheral margin portion of said sheet to said wall means.
(a) a plurality of first structural shape members including each a normally vertical web or flange portion, and a normally horizontal flange or web portion, said first structural shape members being of a generally equal length;
(b) a plurality of second structural shape members whose structural configuration is generally the same as that of said first structural shape members;
(c) the length of said second shape members being smaller than that of said first shape members, said second shape members being of generally equal length;
(d) said first and second structural shape members being of a complementary cross-sectional configuration whereby the shape members can be assembled to form side wall means of a generally box-shaped cross-sectional configuration having a top, a bottom and two side portion;
(e) a plurality of elongate, generally channel-shaped cap members complementary with the top of said side wall means and including corner cap members, each corner cap member having two arms fixedly secured to each other at a predetermined angle; each cap member having a normally horizontal portion and two normally vertical portions;
(f) anchor stake means for securing said wall means to the ground;
(g) normally vertical passage means in each of said normally horizontal flange or web portions of all of said structural shape members;
(h) a water impermeable plastics sheet; and (i) fastener means for securing peripheral margin portion of said sheet to said wall means.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA334,242A CA1127677A (en) | 1979-08-22 | 1979-08-22 | Frame for a portable skating rink |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA334,242A CA1127677A (en) | 1979-08-22 | 1979-08-22 | Frame for a portable skating rink |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1127677A true CA1127677A (en) | 1982-07-13 |
Family
ID=4114978
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA334,242A Expired CA1127677A (en) | 1979-08-22 | 1979-08-22 | Frame for a portable skating rink |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1127677A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5669227A (en) * | 1996-01-16 | 1997-09-23 | Original Shinny Rink Incorporated | Portable skating rink |
| US6230451B1 (en) * | 1999-05-11 | 2001-05-15 | Sto-Cote Products, Inc. | Ice skating rink structure |
-
1979
- 1979-08-22 CA CA334,242A patent/CA1127677A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5669227A (en) * | 1996-01-16 | 1997-09-23 | Original Shinny Rink Incorporated | Portable skating rink |
| US6230451B1 (en) * | 1999-05-11 | 2001-05-15 | Sto-Cote Products, Inc. | Ice skating rink structure |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |