WO2022058985A1

WO2022058985A1 - Fenced playground

Info

Publication number: WO2022058985A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/058583
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claudio Galuppini
Original assignee: Padeltech S.R.L.
Priority date: 2020-09-21
Filing date: 2021-09-21
Publication date: 2022-03-24

Abstract

A playground suitable for playing a sport with tennis ball such as for example, paddle ball, padel or tennis having a base structure (10), a plurality of uprights (32) which can be fixed with said base structure (10), a lateral fence (7) suitable to delimit a playing area (5) which comprises a plurality of plurality of planar mesh elements (40) which can be fixed with said plurality of uprights (32). In particular, the plurality of planar mesh elements (40) is configured to allow the bouncing of the tennis ball and to resist against the impact of the user during use.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

The present invention generally relates to the technical field of building recreational-play grounds, and particularly it relates to a fenced recreational-play ground suitable for sports such as paddle ball or padel in which both the ball and the user impact against the fence during use.

Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a kit for building the aforementioned ground, as well as a building method which uses such kit and a method for building the ground starting from an existing fenced ground.

State of the Art

Outdoor grounds for ball sports such as padel, tennis, volleyball or the like require a base area that can be trod on by one or more users, and a lateral fence.

Therefore, such grounds require a safe and rigid fence. Panels made of glass or plastic (PMMA) are generally used so as to allow view from the external. Such panels have a large thickness and they must be properly fixed to suitable uprights so as not to break during use in case of impact with the user.

In particular, in the case of sports such as the padel, the lateral fence, or portions thereof, are an integral part of the playing field given that the tennis ball used must bounce on the base area and on the side walls.

In order to allow the tennis ball to bounce efficiently, the lateral fence is continuous and uniform (i.e. without interruptions or gaps), generally made of glass panels. Furthermore, in such sports, the impact of the player against the fence is an integral part of the game and not an accidental sporadic event.

A drawback of known grounds lies in the fact that they are not very safe given that the glass can break after impacts and the ensuing shattering could injure the user.

Furthermore, when these grounds are built outdoors, the uniform and continuous glass panels of the lateral fence subjects the structure to high stresses, with the entailed risk of breaking the playing field and/or injuring the users.

Summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to at least partly overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, by providing a playground with a fence that is highly functional, easy to manufacture and cost-effective.

Another object of the invention is to provide a playground with a fence that allows the tennis/padel/paddle ball to bounce effectively.

Another object of the invention is to provide a playground with a safe fence.

Another object of the invention is to provide a playground with a fence that can be positioned outdoors. Another object of the invention is to provide a playground with a modular fence.

A further object of the invention is to provide a modular and/or removable playground.

These and other objects that will be more apparent hereinafter, are attained by a playground as described, illustrated and/or claimed herein.

The playground may be suitable for tennis ball sports such as for example paddle ball, padel or tennis, and comprise a base structure and a lateral fence in turn comprising a plurality of uprights fixed with the base structure and a plurality of planar fence elements fixed with the plurality of uprights to internally delimit a playing area.

The planar fence elements may be designed to be hit by the tennis ball and/or to be impacted against by the user during use.

At least one of the planar fence elements may be a planar mesh element configured to allow the tennis ball to bounce and to resist against the impact of the user during use.

Advantageously, the at least one planar mesh element - in use - may have a linear resistance along a height of 1.2 m starting from the base structure at least of 1000 N/m, preferably at least of 1500 N/m.

Suitably, the at least one planar mesh element - in use - may have a surface resistance of at least 180 N/m².

In a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment, all planar fence elements may be planar mesh elements arranged adjacent to each other and cooperating with each other so as to form an internal surface of the substantially continuous playing area configured to allow the tennis ball to bounce and to resist against the impact of the user during use.

Advantageously, the internal surface may have a linear resistance along a height of 1.2 m starting from the base structure at least of 1000 N/m, preferably at least of 1500 N/m.

Suitably, the internal surface may have a surface resistance of at least 180 N/m².

Preferably, the lateral fence including both the uprights and the planar fence elements may have a linear resistance along a height of 1.2 m starting from the base structure at least of 1000 N/m, preferably at least of 1500 N/m.

Advantageously, the lateral fence including both the uprights and the planar fence elements may have a surface resistance of at least 180 N/m².

Suitably, the lateral fence including both the uprights and the planar fence elements may have a degree of vacuum lower than 50%, preferably lower than 30%, even more preferably lower than 10%.

In further aspects of the invention, there may be provided for a kit for building a playground, a method for building a playground that uses such kit and a method for building a playground starting from an existing fenced facility.

Brief description of the drawings Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more apparent in light of the detailed description of some preferred but non-exclusive embodiments of a field 1, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an axonometric view of an embodiment of the field 1;

FIG. 2 is an axonometric view of the playground 1 during an operating step comprising a base structure 10 and a plurality of uprights 32;

FIG. 3 is an axonometric view of the playground 1 with the base structure 10, the uprights 32 and a plurality of planar elements 40 coupled thereto;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are enlarged views of some details of a tight mesh planar element 43;

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C are schematic views of different embodiments of a modular base 10 comprising a plurality of modules 10';

FIG. 6 is a schematic axonometric view of a different embodiment of the base structure 10;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are respectively bottom and top views of a particular embodiment of the base structure 10;

FIGS. 9A, 10A and 11A are bottom views of different embodiments of a base module 10' with in FIGS. 9B, 10B, 11B and in FIGS. 9C, 10C, 11C cross-sectional views of FIGS. 9A, 10A and 11A;

FIGS 12 to 15 are schematic views of two adjacent modules 10' during different operating steps;

FIG. 16 shows a schematic view of two adjacent modules 10, 10', 10" connected.

Detailed description of some preferred embodiments

With reference to the aforementioned figures, herein described is a multi-purpose recreational- sports playground 1, which may thus comprise a playing area 5 designed to be trod on by one or more users, for example for playing or practicing sports.

Essentially, the playground 1 may comprise a solid base structure 10 and a fence 7 which can be fixed to the latter so as to define and/or delimit the playing area 5.

The playground 1 may be a playground for playing different sports and recreational activities.

In particular, the playground 1 may be particularly suitable for playing sports which provide for a separating net and a ball or the like, such as volleyball, football-tennis, tamburello, badminton, tennis, or other type of sport without separating net such as basketball, football/soccer, five-aside football/soccer/futsal, or the like or recreational activities, for example the area 5 may be a playing area for children. Such examples are not exclusive.

Suitably, as better explained hereinafter, the playground 1 may be particularly suitable for playing sports in which the fence 7 is fully or at least partially integral part of the play surfaces, such as for example padel, paddle ball, squash or the like.

The playground 1 may therefore be positioned on a ground T which may be of any type.

The ground T may be solid, such as for example a concrete cast, a road or a square, may be substantially solid, such as for example an unpaved or a ballast covered, or soft ground, such as for example a lawn or substantially yieldable, such as for example an embankment or a beach.

The base structure 10 may therefore be fixed or laid on such ground T. Should the ground be solid, the base structure 10 may comprise at least part of such ground. For example, the base structure 10 may be a floor, a concrete cast, a road, a square or the like. On the other hand, the base structure 10 may be laid on ground T, such as for example a concrete curb.

Preferably, the base structure 10 may be modular. In this case, a plurality of modules 10' operatively coupled to each other may be provided for. Preferably, the base structure 10 may be substantially rigid, and it may define a plane n.

Suitably, the fence 7 may comprise a support structure 30 and a plurality of substantially planar fence elements 40 operatively coupled to each other.

Preferably, the fence 7 may be substantially continuous so as to delimit the entire playing area 5. The fence 7 may have a substantially vertical extension, that is it may extend substantially vertically with respect to the base structure 10 and therefore with respect to the plane n.

On the other hand, it is clear that the fence 7 may comprise one or more openings 8 to allow access to the playing area 5. Doors or the like of the per se known type for closing said openings 8 may possibly be provided for.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the fence 7 may extend so as to delimit a substantially rectangular-shaped playing area 5. The fence 7 may therefore have a pair of facing and opposite long sides 71, 72 and a pair of facing and opposite short sides 73, 74. It is clear that such sides 71, 72, 73, 74 may define respective side walls.

Although a substantially rectangular fence 7 is described hereinafter, it is clear that the fence 7 may have different shape or geometry depending on the needs.

The support structure 30 may comprise one or more uprights 32 which may be fixed to the base structure 10. For example, the latter may be made of reinforced concrete, while the uprights 32 may be fixed thereto by means of fixing systems of the per se known type.

Preferably, the uprights 32 may be removably fixed with the base structure 10.

For example, the fixing systems may comprise screws and bolts. Suitably, special fixing plates 31 which can be drilled so as to allow the insertion of through screws, may be provided for. Possibly, the uprights 32 may comprise a lower portion which includes such fixing plate 31.

In this manner, the uprights 32 may therefore be rigidly fixed to the base structure 10. For example, each upright may support a lateral thrust of at least 100 kg/m².

Preferably, but not exclusively, an upright 32 may be arranged every 2 metres. The uprights 32 may have a height greater than 2 metres, preferably greater than 3 metres. Preferably but not exclusively, the uprights 32 may have a mutual distance comprised between 1 and 3 m, preferably of about 2 m. The uprights 32 may be substantially square-shaped. The plates 31 may also be substantially rectangular-shaped. Possibly, the base of the upright may include the plates 31.

Preferably, the uprights 32 may be coupled with the bearing structure 10 so as to have an inner face 32' facing toward the playing area 5.

The uprights 32 may be made of metal, preferably steel. The plates 31 may be made of the same material as the uprights 32 or of a different material, for example a high-strength steel.

Each planar element 40 may be interposed between a pair of uprights 32. Preferably, one or more planar elements 40 may be interposed between a pair of uprights 32. For example, two, three, four or more planar elements 40 superimposed and interposed between the pair of uprights 32 may be provided for.

The superimposed planar elements 40 may have a height substantially equal to the uprights 32 and they may have a width substantially equal to the distance between a consecutive pair of uprights 32.

Generally, the fence 7 may have a constant height along the extension thereof or it may have portions with lower heights and portions with greater heights. For example, the fence 7 may be higher at the short sides 73, 74.

The planar elements 40 can be operatively coupled with the uprights 32 in a per se known manner, for example by means of screw and bolt systems. For example, each planar element 40 may comprise a perimeter frame which may be coupled with the upright 32.

Once coupled with the uprights 32, the planar elements 40 may define an operating surface 70 facing toward the playing area 5. In particular, the planar elements 40 may be operatively coupled with the uprights 32 so as to remain substantially flushed with each other, while the uprights 32 may remain substantially outside the playing area 5.

In this manner, the operating surface 70 may define the inner face of the fence 7 facing toward the playing area 5 and it may be substantially continuous.

Such shape is not exclusive. Possibly, the planar elements 40 may be coupled with the uprights 32 so as to remain substantially flushed with the inner face 32' of the uprights 32 facing toward the playing area 5.

In this case, the operating surface 70 can cooperate with the face 32' to define the inner face of the fence 7.

In any case, the inner face of the fence 7 may be substantially continuous. In this manner, it is possible to protect the user against injury during use, hence making the playground 1 particularly safe. Furthermore, still thanks to such characteristic, one or more parts of the inner face may allow the tennis ball to bounce as better explained hereinafter.

When doing activities or playing sports in the area 5 such as, for example, when playing padel or paddle ball, volleyball, basketball or the like, the operating surface 70 can resist the lateral thrusts due to impact against it by the user.

The operating surface 70 may withstand a linear load applied along a height of 1.2m from the base structure 10 greater than 1000 N/m, preferably 1500 N/m according to the EN 13814 standard.

Preferably, the entire fence 7 may withstand such loads.

Suitably, all the planar elements 40 may be may be identical to or different from each other. For example, the planar elements 40 may be substantially continuous and uniform planar elements, for example glass or PMMA sheets, continuous, uniform and non-transparent planar elements, for example a metal sheet or mesh planar elements 43, 44. Therefore, such planar elements may comprise the support frame and a mesh, preferably a metal mesh.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, the operating surface 70 may comprise mesh planar elements 43, 44 only. In this manner, the operating surface 70 may have a particularly small windresistant surface.

Suitably, when the surface 70 substantially defines the entire inner face of the fence 7, the entire fence 7 may have a particularly small wind-resistant surface.

The expression "resistant surface" is used to indicate the surface tangential to the wind flow.

In this manner, the lateral thrust of the wind may be particularly small, allowing to install the playground 1 also outdoors and/or in windy areas.

As a matter fact, such characteristic allows to avoid or limit the so-called "sail effect", known in the field of fences.

Preferably, the entire fence 7 may withstand a wind pressure equal to at least 180 N/m² according to the EN 13814 standard.

It is clear that the playground 1 may comprise further elements besides the operating surface 70, such as for example banners, nets, panels, lampposts or other continuous planar elements.

Such elements may be external to the fence 7. As a matter fact, the operating surface 70 may preferably define the inner surface of the fence 7. Possibly, it may define most of the inner surface of the fence 7.

Preferably, the fence 7 may be without continuous planar elements, or may comprise small continuous planar elements 41 such as glass, Plexiglas or metal sheets having surface smaller than 2 m², preferably smaller than 1.5 m².

For example, the fence 7 may have a degree of vacuum lower than 50%, preferably lower than 30%, even more preferably lower than 10%. The expression degree of vacuum is used to indicate the ratio between the resistant surface and the entire surface defined by the fence 7.

The fence 7 may therefore consist of the uprights 32 and the mesh elements 43, 44 and the means for allowing to fix the former to the base and the latter to the uprights. Possibly, the fence 7 may consist of the above and of small uniform continuous elements, preferably smaller than 1.5 m². Possibly, the fence 7 may comprise mesh elements all equal to each other, for example the mesh elements 44 only or the mesh elements 43 only.

Should the playground 1 be particularly suitable for playing the padel or paddle ball, the operating surface 70 can allow both the support against lateral thrusts caused by impact with the user and by the bouncing of the tennis ball. In particular, the ball may be a tennis ball or similar to the latter.

Suitably, the inner surface 70 may define the surface for the bouncing of the ball and it may comprise an effective bouncing area 75 and a reduced bouncing area 76.

In particular, the mesh planar elements 43 may define the effective bouncing area 75 while the mesh planar elements 44 may define the reduced bouncing area 76.

The mesh elements 43 may therefore be an effective bouncing tight mesh, while the mesh elements 44 may be a broad mesh.

The expression "effective bouncing" is used to indicate that the bouncing of the tennis ball on the tight mesh 43 is substantially equal to or slightly less than the bouncing of the ball on a continuous planar element. In particular, considered hereinafter is the tight mesh 43 and a continuous planar element consisting of a glass sheet subject of comparison.

A tennis ball dropped vertically (for example along the vertical plane) on the tight mesh 43 arranged horizontally (for example along the horizontal plane n) may have a vertical bouncing height equal to or slightly less than the bouncing of the ball dropped from the same height on a continuous planar element.

For example, the height reached by the ball after bouncing on the tight mesh 43 may be at least 65% of the height reached by the ball after bouncing on the glass sheet, preferably at least 75%, even more preferably at least 80%.

Furthermore, the height reached by the ball after bouncing may be less than 90% of the height reached by the ball after bouncing on the glass sheet, preferably less than 85%.

Thanks to this characteristic the bouncing of the ball can be damped by the mesh so as to facilitate playing.

The effective bouncing tight mesh 43 may allow the tennis ball to bounce to a height at least equal to 50% of the launching height, preferably at least equal to 60%, even more preferably at least 70%.

For example, once the tight mesh 43 is positioned horizontally, a ball dropped vertically from a height of 1.5 metres over the tight mesh 43 may bounce to a minimum height of 0.75 m substantially along the same vertical drop axis, preferably of at least lm.

The tight mesh 43 may preferably be metallic. This metal mesh may have a plurality of vertical wires 431 and a plurality of horizontal wires 432 coupled to form a mesh. For example, the vertical 431 and horizontal 432 wires may be electro-welded.

The tight mesh 43 may be substantially rectangular. The wires 431 and/or the wires 432 may have a thickness comprised between 3 and 4.5 mm, preferably of about 3.8mm. It is clear that the thickness may coincide with the diameter of the wire.

More in detail, the horizontal wires 432 may have a distance between centres comprised between 15 and 20 mm, preferably of about 16.6 mm, while the vertical wires 431 may have a distance between centres comprised between 20 and 35 mm, preferably of about 32 mm.

Suitably, the horizontal wires 432 may face toward the playing area, while the vertical wires 431 may face toward the opposite side. Thanks to the particular arrangement of the horizontal 432 and vertical 431 wires, the direction - after bouncing with respect to the vertical plane, that is a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane n, of a tennis ball directed toward the tight mesh 43 - may be substantially similar to the bouncing direction of the continuous surface glass sheet subject of comparison. In this manner, the effective bouncing may relate both to the amount of the bouncing described above and the bounce angle.

Suitably, the tight mesh elements 43 may define the area 75 which may therefore have characteristics of effective bouncing of the ball, impact resistance and relatively high degree of vacuum to avoid the sail effect.

The mesh planar elements 44 may be a metal mesh and they may have a mesh substantially greater than the mesh of the mesh 43. For example, the metal mesh 44 may have a square mesh with a side measuring 50 mm.

Suitably, the short sides 73, 74 may comprise at least one tight mesh 43, preferably a plurality of tight meshes 43 or both tight 43 and broad 44 meshes. Preferably, the short sides 73, 74 may comprise a significantly greater number of tight mesh elements 43 than the number of broad mesh elements 44.

According to a particular embodiment, the short sides 73, 74 may comprise both the area 75 and the area 76. For example, as illustrated in the attached figures, the short sides 73, 74 of the fence may comprise - at the lower part - the area 75 and the area 76 at the upper part. For example, the short side 73, 74 may comprise three rows of tight mesh elements 43 and one upper row of broad mesh elements 44.

On the other hand, the long sides 71, 72 may comprise the area 76 with reduced bouncing and the area 75 with high or effective bouncing.

Suitably, the long sides 71, 72 may comprise broad mesh elements 44 only or tight mesh elements 43 only or both tight mesh elements 43 and broad mesh elements 44.

Preferably, the tight mesh elements 43 of the long sides 71, 72 may be in proximity of the short sides 73, 74 so that the area 75 is substantially continuous and extends from one long side 71 to the opposite long side 72 passing through the short sides 73 or 74.

The surface 70 may therefore comprise the broad mesh elements 44 in the central area of the long sides 71, 72, thus defining the area 76 and the tight mesh elements 43 as described above to define the area 75.

For example, the long sides 71, 72 may comprise one or two end columns with the tight mesh elements 43 and a plurality of central columns interposed between the latter with the broad mesh elements 44.

It is clear that the arrangement of the mesh elements 43 and 44 may vary depending on the needs so as to vary the extension of the areas 75 and 76.

Suitably, the playground 1 may comprise a mesh which may be fixed to the bearing structure 10 and configured to allow doing activities or playing sports such as padel, paddle ball, tennis, footballtennis, badminton, volleyball or the like. For example, the mesh may be fixed by means of plates or the base structure 10 may comprise special blind holes for the insertion of the net support posts in a per se known manner.

Furthermore, the fence 7 may hold different types of furniture or equipment. For example, light posts which may be positioned at the uprights may be provided for.

Suitably, a kit comprising the uprights 32 and the planar mesh elements 40 may be provided for. Advantageously, this kit may be easy to transport. This allows to produce the uprights 32 and the planar elements 40 in a given place, for example at the blacksmith, and then the kit can be easily transported to the place where the playground 1 is to be built.

Advantageously, the planar elements 40 may be suitable to be easily stacked so as to occupy a small space. In particular, a container with a support structure suitable to house the planar elements 40 of a playground 1, preferably both the planar elements 40 and the uprights 32, may be provided for.

Such support structure may be shaped so as to be easily transported or moved using forklifts and/or cranes. For example, it may comprise at least one pair of seats for the forks of the forklift and/or one or more hooks or rings so as to be lifted by a crane by means of chains or ropes.

The planar elements, as well as the uprights, can have a much greater linear extension with respect to the standard pallets. Therefore, the support structure can be made specifically with the dimensions of the uprights and of the planar elements.

The base structure 10 may be a bearing base structure. For example, the base structure 10 may be capable of bearing a load greater than 300 kg/m².

Preferably, the base structure 10 may be modular so as to allow to obtain a base structure 10 with different dimensions depending on the needs.

In particular, a plurality of base modules 10' mutually removably connected to form the base structure 10, may be provided for.

Thanks to these characteristics, the base structure 10, and therefore the playground 1, may vary the dimensions even after the positioning thereof on the ground T.

Each module 10' may be parallelepiped-shaped and it may have a substantially rectangular base shape so as to have a pair of opposite short sides 18 and a pair of opposite long sides 19.

In any case, the modules 10' may have a lower surface 11 and an opposite upper surface 12. In particular, once the modules 10' have been connected together, the lower surfaces 11 may cooperate to define the lower surface 2 of the base structure 10 while the upper surfaces 12 may cooperate to define the upper surface 3 of the base structure 10.

The lower surface 2 may come into contact with the ground T while the upper surface 3 may define the floor that can be trod on by the user or that can support a flooring or turf that can be trod on by the user.

Once in contact with the ground, substantially the entire surface 2 can discharge the weight onto the ground.

Suitably, means 60 for connecting the modules 10' so as to provide a rigid base structure 10 may be provided for as better explained hereinafter.

Thanks to this characteristic, the base structure 10 can have high resistance and may be suitable to support the fence 7 and withstand the lateral thrusts that can act thereon both due to the impacts of the users and due to the wind.

In particular, once the uprights 32 have been coupled to the base structure 10, it will be possible to prevent the lateral thrusts, that is the forces parallel to the plane n, acting on the uprights 32 from damaging the uprights 32 and/or the base structure 10.

Preferably, the base structure 10 may be prefabricated. In particular, each module 10' may be prefabricated and subsequently connected with other modules by means of the connection means 60.

In this manner, the playground 1 is particularly cost-effective and easy to store. As a matter fact, the modules 10' and the connection means 60, which can therefore be available to build the field 1 whenever required, may be produced and stored. The following may possibly be provided for

Possibly, the modules 10 may allow to vary the dimensions of the playground 1, for example by connecting further modules 10' so as to increase and/or modify the dimensions of the base structure 10.

Furthermore, both the modules 10' and the uprights 32 may be removable so as to allow to reposition the modules 10', to reduce or vary the dimensions and/or shape of the base structure 10 as well as the position of the uprights 32 and therefore of the fence 7.

Preferably, but not exclusively, the connection means 60 may be configured so as to connect the modules 10' to each other both at the surface 11 and at the surface 12. In other words, the modules 10' may be interposed between the connection means 60 so that the base structure 10 is substantially rigid.

As a matter fact, this characteristic will allow to prevent the modules 10' from bending with respect to each other and the base structure 10 may maintain a substantially planar extension along the plane n.

According to a particular embodiment, the connection means 60 may comprise a plurality of fixing plates 61. Preferably, the fixing plates 61 may be made of steel.

In particular, the fixing plates 61 may be coupled with the modules 10' to mutually connect the latter, preferably removably.

In greater detail, each fixing plate 61 may be coupled with two or more modules 10' so as to connect the latter.

Suitably, male and female elements may be provided for to allow the coupling of the fixing plates

61 and the modules 10'.

Each module 10 may have an inner area 14 and a peripheral area 15. In particular, the fixing plates 61 may be coupled with the modules 10' at the peripheral area 15 of the latter.

In greater detail, the peripheral area 15 may comprise at least one seat 16 for coupling with the fixing plate 61 defining the female element. On the other hand, the fixing plate 61 may comprise a base area 62 and at least one protuberance 63, preferably at least one pair of protuberances 63 extending from the base area 62 substantially orthogonally thereto. The protuberances 63 may thus define the male element.

In this manner, a fixing plate 61 may have a pair of protuberances 63 which may be inserted into the seats 16 of two adjacent modules 10' to mutually connect the latter.

It is clear that the fixing plates 61 and the seats 16 may therefore be dimensioned so as to allow the insertion of the protuberances 63 into the seats 16.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, the seats 16 may all have the same distance from the edge 15' of the peripheral area 15 and they may all have substantially the same configuration, for example the same size and/or depth and/or diameter. In this manner, also the fixing plates 61 and the respective protuberances 63 may all be equal to each other.

Thanks to this characteristic, the connection of the modules 10' may be particularly simple and quick.

Preferably, the peripheral area 15 may comprise a step 17 at the seats 16. In particular, such step 17 may be configured so that when the fixing plate 61 is coupled with the module 10', the former is substantially flush with the upper surface 12 of the module 10'.

In greater detail, the step 17 may have a height and/or dimensions substantially equal to the base

62 of the fixing plate 61 so that once the fixing plate 61 is coupled with the module 10', the base 62 is flush with the surface 12 of the module 10' so that the operating surface 3 of the base structure 1 is substantially continuous.

Preferably, the male and female elements may be configured so as to promote the mutual insertion and therefore the coupling of the fixing plates 61 with the module 10' or the modules 10'.

To this end, the protuberances 63 and the seats 16 may be mutually configured so as to act as a mutual pilot element for the insertion of the former into the latter. In particular, the protuberances 63 may have a substantially converging shape, for example conical or truncated cone. On the other hand, the seats 16 may be substantially cylindrical, preferably they may have a substantially diverging shape, possibly they may be complementarily shaped with respect to the protuberances 63.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, the fixing plates 61 may be coupled with the modules 10' both at the lower surface 11 and at the upper surface 12. Once the modules 10' are connected to each other, these characteristics will allow to produce a base structure 10 with high rigidity.

In particular, both the lower surface 11 and the upper surface 12 of each base module 10' may comprise at least one seat 16. In this manner, the fixing plates 61 may be coupled with the modules 10' both at the upper surface 12 and at the lower surface 11 thereof.

It is clear that the coupling of the fixing plates 61 and of the modules 10' at the lower surface 11 may be obtained in a manner similar to the one described for the upper surface 12.

As a matter fact, the seats 16 and the steps 17 of the lower surface 11 may be mirror-symmetrical to the seats 16 and the steps 17 of the upper surface 12. In other words, the fixing plate 61 coupled - at the upper part - and the fixing plate 61 coupled - at the lower part - may be arranged in close to each other. In other words, pairs of corresponding fixing plates 61 may therefore be defined.

Furthermore, in this manner the fixing plates 61 may all be identical to each other, whether they are positioned at the lower surface 11 or at the upper surface 12.

Suitably, means 50 for the mutual fixing of the corresponding fixing plates 61 may be provided for. This will allow to prevent the de-coupling of the fixing plates 61 and the modules 10'.

For example, such means 50 may comprise a through screw 51 through the module 10' for mutually connecting the corresponding fixing plates 61.

In particular, the module 10' may comprise a through hole 52 to allow the through screw 51 to pass through the modules 10'. Preferably, such through hole 52 may be arranged at the seat 16.

Possibly, the number of through holes 52 may be equal to that of the seats 16 of each module 10', that is each module 10' may have a seat 16 and a corresponding through hole 52.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, the protuberances 63 may comprise a threaded inner area 64 for the screw 51. In other words, the fastening of the screw 51 into the protuberances 63 may allow the corresponding plates 61 to approach each other.

In other words, each module 10' may remain interposed between a pair of fixing plates 61. More generally, the base structure 10 may have a plurality of adjacent modules 10' and a plurality of fixing plates 61 arranged on opposite sides of the base structure 10 and mutually fixed using the means 50.

Thanks to these characteristics, the base structure 1 may have a high rigidity.

Possibly, the uprights 32 may be coupled with the base structure 10 at the plates 61. Possibly, the screws for fixing the uprights 32 may define the screws 50 and therefore allow the coupling of two or more modules 10'.

Possibly, the connection means 60 may comprise the base plates 31. For example, the connection means 60 arranged at the upper surface 3 may comprise both base plates 31 and the plates 61, while the connection means 60 arranged at the lower surface 2 may comprise the plates 61.

However, it is clear that the modules 10' may be coupled to each other in a different manner.

For example, a module 10' may have a height H of about 15 cm, a length LU of about 300-400 cm and a width LA of about 200-250 cm. It is clear that the modules may have different dimensions without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

Furthermore, it is clear that the base structure 10 may have different dimensions depending on the number of modules 10 and the dimensions thereof.

Advantageously, the base structure 10 may be made starting from a kit comprising a plurality of modules 10' and a plurality of fixing plates 61.

Possibly, a kit comprising a plurality of modules 10' and the fixing plates 61 of the latter, and a plurality of uprights 32 and a plurality of planar elements 40 for building the playground 1 with the fence 7, may be provided for.

For example, the base structure 10 may have a width of 10 m and a length of 20 m, and it may consist of 25 modules each having a length of 4 m and a width of 2 m.

According to another example, the base structure 10 may have a width of 8 m and a length of 16 m, and it may consist of 16 modules each having a length of 4 m and a width of 2 m.

According to another example, the base structure 10 may have a width of 6 m and a length of 16 m, and it may consist of 12 modules each having a length of 4 m and a width of 2 m. In this case, playground 1 may further comprise 48 planar elements 43 and 26 planar elements 44 and 24 uprights 32.

Thanks to these characteristics, the modules 10' may be used to build playgrounds 1 of different sizes.

According to a particular embodiment, the base structure 10 may comprise modules 10' different from each other. For example, the centrally arranged modules, the side modules and the head modules may have different dimensions.

For example, as illustrated in Fig. 9A, the central modules 10' may comprise four seats 16 arranged in the peripheral area 15 at the corners, while the fixing plates 61 may comprise four protuberances 63 so that the same fixing plate 61 can be coupled with four adjacent modules 10'. In this case, the peripheral area 15 may have a reduced thickness, of the order of 20-30 cm, while the recesses 13 may have large dimensions, for example a length of about 300 cm.

For example, as illustrated in Fig. 10A, the side modules 10' may be designed to have a portion 15" facing outwards. In particular, the peripheral area 15 may comprise an area 15" of greater dimensions arranged along a short side 18, for example greater than 70 cm. Suitably, one or more seats 16 may be arranged at one or two corners of the peripheral area 15 in a manner similar to the central module 10 to allow connection with the latter and one or two pairs of seats 16 may be located at the area 15" to allow the connection with another side unit 10'.

In this manner, the side modules 10' may be rigidly connected with other side modules 10' and/or with the central modules 10. Preferably, the plates 61 having four protuberances 63 may be used.

Furthermore, for example as illustrated in Fig. 11A, similarly, the head modules 10", which may comprise two adjacent sides 18, 19, each having a seat 16 at the angle formed between them and a pair of seats 16 arranged at the opposite ends with respect to the angle, may also be provided for.

Such modules have the areas 15" with larger dimensions arranged at a pair of sides 18 or 19 and of the side comprised between the latter.

The head modules 10" may have recesses 13 that are small in size, for example 65x100 cm, and areas 15" of the peripheral areas 15 of large dimensions, for example of at least 70 cm.

As shown in the attached figures, the seats 16 may be positioned in a suitable manner so as to allow the connection between the head 10", side 10' and/or central 10 modules.

Furthermore, the distance between two seats 16 may still be the same so as to allow the connection of all the modules 10, 10', 10' by means of a single fixing plate 61.

Operatively, a plurality of modules 10, for example the central 10, side 10' and head 10" modules and a plurality of fixing plates 61, may thus be provided for.

In particular, as schematically illustrated in Figs. 12 - 15 the fixing plates 61 may be positioned on the ground T and then a module 10' which may be coupled with the fixing plates 61 by inserting the protuberances 63 into the seats 16.

Subsequently, it may be sufficient to position further fixing plates 61 onto the ground T and a further module 10' which may thus be connected with the previous module 10' by means of one or more fixing plates 61 in common.

The corresponding fixing plates 61 may therefore be fixed to each other by means of the fixing means 50, for example by means of the screw 51.

Therefore, repeating this operation allows to obtain the entire base structure 10. In other words, each module can be connected with the adjacent module by means of at least one, preferably by means of at least two fixing plates 61.

Advantageously, the modules 10, 10', 10" may be lowered from above by means of a crane or the like. In this manner, thanks to the configuration of the protuberances 63 and of the seats 16, the latter may act as a pilot element for the coupling of the modules 10' and the fixing plates 61.

Subsequently, the plates 61 may be positioned at the upper surface 12 of the modules 10'.

Preferably, as schematically illustrated in figures 12 to 15, once two adjacent modules 10' are connected by means of the fixing plates 61 arranged below, the plates 61 may also be coupled at the upper surfaces 12 of the adjacent modules already connected.

Preferably, each module can be connected with the adjacent module by means of at least one pair of fixing plates 61 which may be coupled to each other by means of the fixing means 50.

This will allow to prevent the two adjacent modules from bending.

Furthermore, thanks to the configuration of the modules 10, and of the step 17, and of the plates 61, the upper surface 12 and the base area 62 may cooperate to define the operating surface 3 of the base structure 10.

This operation may be repeated for the subsequent modules 10' until the basic structure 10 is completed.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, the side modules 10' and the head modules 10' may have an operating area 15" of the peripheral area 15 without recesses 13. In particular, once the modules 10' are connected together, these areas 15" may cooperate to define a perimetric ridge.

Therefore, the latter may have a high resistance. In this manner, the base structure 10 may have high structural rigidity.

Preferably, the modules 10' may comprise a main body 25 made of concrete and a reinforcement element which may be embedded in the main body 25.

For example, the reinforcement element may be a reinforcement so as to form a base module 10 made of reinforced concrete. The reinforcement may be made of metal material, for example it may include a plurality of steel bars suitably shaped and/or dimensioned in a per se known manner and/or it may comprise a plurality of metal meshes so that the base module 10' has a high mechanical strength. For example, two metal meshes spaced from each other may be present.

Possibly, the reinforcement element may comprise fibrous elements for reinforcing the concrete matrix so as to obtain a module 10' of made of "fibre-reinforced concrete". The fibrous elements may be of various kinds: Steel, plastic, glass, cast iron or the like.

Possibly, different types of reinforcements may be present, for example a metal mesh and polymeric fibres.

Suitably, one or more recesses 13 may be provided for so as to lighten the total weight of the single module 10'. For example, the recesses may have a depth of about 5-10 cm. The module 10' may have a weight less than 300 kg, preferably less than 250 kg.

The recesses 13 may have an elongated shape and they may preferably be arranged at the inner area 14 of the module 10' so as not to jeopardise the structural strength of the module.

In particular, the lower surface 11 may comprise such recesses 13, while the upper surface 12 may be without them so that the latter is substantially continuous.

Possibly, the interspaces between the modules 10' may be closed or sealed by means of a sealant in a per se known manner. In light of the above, it is clear that the invention attains the pre-set objectives.

The invention is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants all falling within the inventive concept outlined in the attached claims. All details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements, and the materials can be different depending on the technical needs, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Even though the invention has been described with particular reference to the attached figures, the reference numbers utilised in the description and in the claims are meant for improving the intelligibility of the invention and thus do not limit the claimed scope of protection in any manner whatsoever.

Claims

1. A playground suitable for playing tennis ball sports such as for example paddle ball, padel or tennis comprising:

- a base structure (10);

- a lateral fence (7) comprising a plurality of uprights (32) fixed with said base structure (10) and a plurality of planar fence elements (40) fixed with said plurality of uprights (32) to internally delimit a playing area (5); wherein said plurality of planar fence elements (40) are designed to be hit by the tennis ball and/or to be impacted against by the user during use; wherein at least one of said planar fence elements (40) is a planar mesh element (43) configured to allow the tennis ball to bounce and to resist against the impact of the user during use.

2. Playground according to claim 1, wherein said at least one planar mesh element (43) in use has a linear resistance along a height of 1.2 m starting from said base structure (10) of at least 1000 N/m, preferably at least 1500 N/m.

3. Playground according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said at least one planar mesh element (43) in use has a surface resistance of at least 180 N/m².

4. Playground according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein all said planar fence elements (40) are planar mesh elements (43, 44) arranged adjacent to each other and cooperating with each other so as to form an internal surface (70) of said substantially continuous playing area (5) configured to allow the tennis ball to bounce and to resist against the impact of the user during use.

5. Playground according to the preceding claim, wherein said internal surface (70) has a linear resistance along a height of 1.2 m starting from said base structure (10) at least of 1000 N/m, preferably at least of 1500 N/m.

6. Playground according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said internal surface (70) has a surface resistance of at least 180 N/m².

7. Playground according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said lateral fence (7) has a linear resistance along a height of 1.2 m starting from said base structure (10) at least of 1000 N/m, preferably at least of 1500 N/m.

8. Playground according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said lateral fence (7) has a surface resistance of at least 180 N/m².

9. Playground according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said lateral fence (7) has a degree of vacuum lower than 50%, preferably lower than 30%, even more preferably lower than 10%.

10. Playground according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said plurality of planar mesh elements (43) includes a plurality of first wires (432) parallel to each other and second wires (431) parallel to each other and perpendicular to said first wires (432), the distance between said first wires (432) being comprised between 20 and 35 mm, the distance between said second wires

(431) being comprised between 15 and 20 mm so as to form a tight mesh planar element (43) to allow the effective bouncing of the tennis ball.

11. Playground according to the preceding claim, wherein the distance between said first wires

(432) is about 32mm and/or the distance between said second wires (431) is about 16mm.

12. Playground according to claim 10 or 11, wherein once said at least one tight mesh planar element (43) is coupled with said uprights (32), said first wires (432) are horizontal and said second wires (431) are vertical.

13. Playground according to the preceding claim, wherein said first horizontal wires (432) are directed toward said playing area (5) so as to remain internal, said second vertical wires (431) being directed toward the opposite side so as to remain external.

14. Playground according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein said plurality of first and second wires (431, 432) are metallic so that said at least one tight mesh planar element (43) is a metal mesh.

15. Playground according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said lateral fence (7) comprises a pair of first bottom walls (73, 74) facing and substantially parallel to each other and a pair of second side walls (71, 72) facing and substantially parallel to each other so that said playing area (5) has a substantially rectangular shape, each of said pair of first bottom walls (73, 74) comprising said at least one tight mesh planar element (43).

16. Playground according to the preceding claim, wherein each of said pair of first bottom walls (73, 74) comprises a plurality of said tight mesh planar elements (43) coupled with said uprights (32) and mutually positioned adjacent to each other so as to cooperate to form a substantially continuous tight mesh surface (75) extending between said pair of second side walls (71, 72) to allow the effective bouncing of the tennis ball.

17. Playground according to the preceding claim, wherein all the planar fence elements (40) consist of tight mesh planar elements (43) so that said effective bouncing tight mesh surface (75) defines said inner surface (70).

18. Playground according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said lateral fence (7) is without continuous and uniform planar elements.

19. Playground according to the preceding claim, wherein said lateral fence (7) allows to view through it and it is without transparent glass or plastic transparent planar elements.

20. Playground according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said base structure (10) is a bearing planar structure including said playing area (5).

21. Playground according to the preceding claim, wherein said base structure (10) is modular, a plurality of modules (10') which can be mutually coupled to each other to form said modular base structure (10) being provided for.

22. Playground according to the preceding claim, wherein said plurality of modules (10') have a substantially parallelepiped shape with a lower surface (11) designed to come into contact with the ground and an opposite surface (12) designed to be trod on by the user during use.

23. Playground according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said uprights (32) are removably fixed with said base structure (10).

24. Playground according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said planar fence elements (40), respectively said tight mesh planar elements (43) are removably fixed with said uprights (32).

25. A kit for building a playground suitable for playing tennis ball sports such as for example paddle ball, padel or tennis, comprising:

- a plurality of uprights (32) which can be fixed with a base structure (10);

- a plurality of planar fence elements (40) which can be fixed to said plurality of uprights (32) to form a lateral fence (7) suitable to delimit a playing area (5); wherein said plurality of planar fence elements (40) are designed to be hit by the tennis ball and/or to be impacted against by the user during use; wherein at least one of said planar fence elements (40) is a planar mesh element (43) configured to allow the tennis ball to bounce and to resist against the impact of the user during use.

26. Kit according to the preceding claim, wherein said plurality of uprights (32) and said base structure (10) can be removably fixed to each other, said plurality of planar mesh elements (43) being suitable to be removably fixed with said plurality of uprights (32).

27. Kit according to claim 25 or 26, wherein said lateral fence (7) - in use - has a linear resistance along a height of 1.2 m starting from the base structure (10) of at least 1000 N/m, preferably at least of 1500 N/m and/or it has a surface resistance of at least 180 N/m².

28. Kit according to any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein at least one of said plurality of planar mesh elements (43) includes a plurality of first wires (432) parallel to each other and second wires (431) parallel to each other and perpendicular to said first wires (432), the distance between said first wires (432) being comprised between 20 and 35 mm, the distance between said second wires (431) being comprised between 15 and 20 mm so as to form a tight mesh planar element (43) to allow the effective bouncing of the tennis ball.

29. Kit according to the preceding claim, wherein the distance between said first wires (432) is about 32mm and/or the distance between said second wires (431) is about 16mm.

30. Kit according to claim 28 or 29, wherein once said at least one tight mesh planar element (43) is coupled with said uprights (32), said first wires (432) are horizontal and said second wires (431) are vertical.

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31. Kit according to any one of claims 25 to 30, further comprising a plurality of base modules (10') which can be mutually coupled to form said base structure (10).

32. A transportable container comprising a support structure and a kit according to one or more of claims 25 to 21.

33. A method for building a playground suitable for playing tennis ball sports such as for example paddle ball, padel or tennis, comprising the steps of:

- providing a base structure (10);

- providing one kit according to one or more of claims 25 to 32;

- fixing the uprights (32) to the base structure (10);

- fixing the planar fence elements (40) to the uprights (32).

34. A method for building a playground suitable for playing tennis ball sports such as for example paddle ball, padel or tennis, starting from an existing playground including:

- a base structure (10);

- a lateral fence (7) comprising a plurality of uprights (32) fixed with said base structure (10) and a plurality of planar fence elements (40) fixed with said plurality of uprights (32) to internally delimit a playing area (5); wherein said plurality of planar fence elements (40) are designed to be hit by the tennis ball and/or to be impacted against by the user during use; the method comprising the step of replacing at least one planar fence elements (40) of said existing playground with at least one planar mesh element (40) configured to allow the tennis ball to bounce and to resist against the impact of the user during use.

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