Apparatus and method for design and installation of a customizable soccer mini-pitch system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10920437-B2
Application number	US-201916519947-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 23, 2019
Priority date	Jul 26, 2018
Publication date	Feb 16, 2021
Grant date	Feb 16, 2021

Abstract

There exists a number of youth development programs centered on sports programming. Some of these programs operate on a platform of revitalizing neighborhood spaces to improve community engagement by creating a space for youth to enjoy sports. Oftentimes these neighborhood spaces include restrictions or the surrounding community has needs (like lighting and seating) which are unmet or under-met. Envisioned is a system approach to addressing these needs wherein a wide variety of custom solutions can be produced from prefabricated, modular, and portable components that interface with existing amenities (if any) so to enrich the youth experience and better achieve program objectives. This modular approach provides a common infrastructure for different spaces, different sports, and different levels of play.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A customizable portable system for creating a field-based sport venue and one or more playing fields each having a perimeter comprising:
a. a plurality of structural components which when assembled approximates the perimeter of the one or more playing fields, said plurality comprising:
i. one or more components designed to withstand a specified wind load and provide rigidity; and
ii. one or more gates to allow access to the one or more playing fields;

b. one or more pole components in operative connection with the plurality of structural components each pole component including an elevated pole;
c. one or more electrically powered devices mounted to the one or more elevated poles;
d. one or more components to house power means for the one or more electrically powered devices and in operative connection with the plurality of structural components;
e. one or more seating components in operative connection with the plurality of structural components;
f. one or more adjustable leveling feet to level at least one of the structural components, pole components, components to house power means, and seating components; and
g. a plurality of fasteners for operatively connecting components.

2. The customizable portable system of claim 1 further comprising one or more prefabricated, accessible, enclosed storage components in operative connection with the plurality of structural components.

3. The customizable portable system of claim 1 further comprising one or more goal frames in operative connection with the plurality of structural components.

4. The customizable portable system of claim 1 further comprising an artificial pitch.

5. The customizable portable system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of structural components further comprises one or more components designed to keep a ball or object on the one or more playing fields.

6. The customizable portable system of claim 1 wherein the one or more pole components in operative connection with the plurality of structural components further comprises means to plumb the elevated pole.

7. The customizable portable system of claim 1 wherein the one or more electrically powered devices mounted to the one or more elevated poles comprises one or more lighting fixtures.

8. The customizable portable system of claim 7 wherein (i) the lighting fixtures are pre-aimed, (ii) the structural components are prefabricated, and (iii) the plurality of fasteners are removable.

9. The customizable portable system of claim 1 wherein the one or more adjustable leveling feet comprise:
a. an adjustable portion in direct contact with said one or more components designed to withstand a specified wind load and provide rigidity and adapted to adjust the height of said one or more components; and
b. a portion adapted to anchor the leveling feet to a ground surface.

10. A customizable portable soccer mini-pitch system having one or more playing fields each having a perimeter with opposite sides and opposite ends formed from a plurality of sets of prefabricated components comprising:
a. a first set of prefabricated components having at least two side components each having a length, width, and height, and opposite ends and adapted to create one or more sides of the perimeter by positioning the side components end-to-end along at least one of the sides of one of the one or more playing fields;
b. a second set of prefabricated components comprising at least two end components each having a length, width, and height, and opposite ends and adapted to create one or more ends of the perimeter by positioning the end components end-to-end along at least one of the ends of one of the one or more playing fields;
c. a third set of prefabricated components comprising at least four corner components each having a length, width, height, and internal space and adapted to create one or more corners by positioning the corner component at a junction of the sides and ends of the perimeter, the internal space being configurable for one or more of:
i. storage space;
ii. receiving and plumbing a pole; and
iii. receiving and operating amenities;

d. one or more doors or gates to allow access to and from the one or more playing fields;
e. one or more soccer goals;
f. a plurality of fasteners to fasten together at least some portion of the doors, gates, soccer goals, first set, second set, and third set so to create the system; and
g. a plurality of leveling feet adapted to support, anchor, and adjust the height of the system relative the one or more playing fields to compensate for a levelness of the playing fields, and to allow the system to float above the playing fields.

11. The customizable portable soccer mini-pitch system of claim 10 further comprising a fourth set of prefabricated components having at least two side components each having a length, width, and height, and opposite ends and adapted to cut through the perimeter by positioning the side components end-to-end through the one or more playing fields so to create a double pitch playing field.

12. The customizable portable soccer mini-pitch system of claim 10 further comprising a fourth set of prefabricated components comprising one or more seating components each having a seat, one or more legs for support on a surface, and an extension for connection to the system.

13. The customizable portable soccer mini-pitch system of claim 10 further comprising one or more plates enclosing the internal space of a corner component to create an enclosed storage space.

14. The customizable portable soccer mini-pitch system of claim 10 further comprising (i) a receiving portion mounted in the internal space of a corner component, (ii) a pole having a lower end and an opposite end, and (iii) a plurality of setscrews adapted to plumb the lower end of the pole when received in the receiving portion.

15. The customizable portable soccer mini-pitch system of claim 14 wherein the amenities are operationally connected to the pole nearer the opposite end than the lower end and comprise one or more of:
a. lighting fixtures;
b. sensors;
c. speakers;
d. cameras;
e. banners;
f. scoreboards; and
g. video boards.

16. The customizable portable soccer mini-pitch system of claim 10 wherein the one or more soccer goals comprise:
a. a frame defining a goal area; and
b. a coarse or fine net material behind at least a portion of the goal area.

Assignees

• Musco Corp

Inventors

• Crookham Joe P
• Rogers Jeffrey A
• Boyle Timothy J
• Herz Nathan E

Classifications

• A63C2203/10

  enabling folding, collapsing · CPC title

• A63C2019/085

  Fences; Nets; Barriers · CPC title

• A63C19/08

  Mechanical means for marking-out · CPC title

• A63B2209/00

  Characteristics of used materials · CPC title

• A63C19/00

  Design or layout of playing courts, rinks, bowling greens or areas for water-skiing; Covers therefor · CPC title