Modular sports field division system

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly comprising a sports field (2) and at least one modular division device (1) mounted on the sports field, in which the at least one modular division device (1) comprises a wall (11) equipped to be placed in a first position on the sports field in order to divide the sports field into a plurality of sections (21; 21'; 21''; 21''') according to dimensions predefined by the rules of the sport practiced on the sections, said assembly being characterized in that the at least one modular division device (1) comprises guidance means (13) arranged to guide the wall (11) along a predetermined trajectory (12) during a movement from the first position to at least a second position at which the wall (11) modifies the division of the sports field (2), and during a return movement to the first position.

Description

2 Indeed, the fixed nature of these walls limits the flexibility of field use. Once the areas are delimited, it becomes impossible to merge or temporarily divide them to obtain a larger or smaller field. This constraint considerably reduces the versatility of the infrastructure, particularly in sports facilities where the ability to modulate the space according to needs would be a major advantage. Furthermore, these fixed walls can also lead to inefficient use of the available space, preventing the adaptation of the field to different disciplines or game formats. Finally, the existing infrastructure presents significant technical difficulties. The fixed walls, due to their permanent design, make dismantling or modifying the grounds extremely complex and time-consuming. This rigidity prevents any rapid adaptation of the grounds' dimensions. For example, it becomes impossible to quickly modify the size or configuration of the grounds during the day, which limits the flexibility of use.In situations where needs evolve according to activities or the number of users, the inability to adjust dimensions quickly and efficiently represents a major obstacle to optimizing the use of available space. 25 To overcome these limitations, there are also movable walls, typically on casters, which can be manually positioned on a site to divide it into sections. These solutions allow for a certain degree of modularity by offering the possibility of modifying the configuration of the sites according to needs. However, they do not guarantee a precise division of space according to predefined (and preferably immutable) dimensions. Indeed, the manual positioning of these movable walls results in a lack of precision, making it difficult to adhere to predefined dimensions. Thus, rigid walls guarantee the precise division of space according to predefined dimensions, but do not allow for modularity, while movable walls offer modularity at the expense of precision.US20240173607A1 describes a safety device for a discus and hammer throwing cage. The cage includes a pair of pivoting doors that serve primarily to confine the discus or hammer during missed throws. Right-handed throwers generally close the left door, and vice versa for left-handed throwers, to prevent excessive rotation and "pulling" the throw out of the intended landing zone. The device therefore pursues exclusively a safety objective and is only intended to divide the playing field into a plurality of sections of dimensions predefined by the rules of the sport practiced on the sections. A person skilled in the art, faced with the technical problem of dividing a playing field, would have had no reason to consult the US20240173607A1. document US20240173607A1, which is limited to dealing with a safety problem related to throwing cages. This document does not deal with the division of a field and does not offer any relevant teaching to solve this problem.25 Aware of these problems, the applicant considered it useful to design a new modular division device that would address these issues without compromising either the precision required to respect predefined dimensions, in particular by the rules of sport, or the flexibility necessary 30 for a rapid adaptation of sports fields. BE2025 / 5122 4 Solution of the invention The invention relates to a modular division device for a sports field comprising a wall equipped to be placed in a first position on the sports field in order to divide the sports field into a plurality of sections according to predefined dimensions, in particular by the rules of the sport practiced on the sections, said modular division device being characterized in that it comprises guidance means arranged to guide the wall along a predetermined trajectory during a movement from the first position to at least a second position at which the wall modifies the division of the sports field, and during a movement back to the first position.15 The advantage of the modular dividing device according to the invention is that it offers a division of a sports field into multiple sections that is both modular and precise. The movable aspect of the partition effectively allows for rapid modification of the sports field division depending on the time of day and / or the planned activity. The sports field can then accommodate several types of sporting and / or optionally extra-sporting activities, for which the field division must (imperatively) be modified. Typically, a sports field division for five-a-side football is not suitable, for example, for a baseball activity or a festive event for which a large open area is required. In addition to this modularity, the guidance means arranged to guide the wall along a predetermined trajectory allow for precise positioning of the wall in relation to the sports field, and therefore to divide it precisely into a plurality of sections of predefined dimensions, in particular by the rules of the sport practiced on the sections.BE2025 / 5122 5 The predetermined trajectory effectively allows the wall to be positioned precisely in such a way as, for example, to meet the requirements of a competitive environment. The modular dividing device according to the invention therefore makes it possible to combine both modularity and precision in the positioning of the wall. The wall acts as a physical and visual barrier in order to divide a sports field into several sections. It is typically rectangular in shape and its dimensions are defined by a length, a height, and a thickness. These parameters can vary according to the needs of the sport(s) in question, the dimensions of the sports field, etc. The wall can be a single rigid element capable of moving as a unit. Alternatively, the wall may comprise a plurality15 of rigid elements in which case these elements can move relative to each other, they may for example be telescopic or connected to each other by hinges so as to be able to fold the wall upon itself.20 It is indeed necessary to provide for the possibility of dividing a sports field with several modular dividing devices, and therefore with several walls. The wall of the device therefore preferably includes means of connection at one end arranged to connect with means of connection at another wall of another device. By means of connection, we mean any means capable of creating a solid connection between two walls in such a way that the two walls can be considered as a single wall. 30 The modular partition device must allow the wall to be moved and positioned precisely in the first position in order to respect the predefined dimensions, in particular by BE2025 / 5122 6 the rules of the sport practiced on the sections. To do this the modular partition device includes guiding means arranged to guide the wall along a predetermined trajectory.In other words, when it is moved from one position to another, the wall is forced to follow a predetermined trajectory so as to force its passage from the first to at least a second position. The modular division device therefore offers much more precision than the movable walls known from the previous art. 10. The guiding means may include a rotation axis on which a first end of the wall is mounted, the predetermined trajectory being an arc of a circle with the rotation axis as its center, so that the wall can move in rotation along the arc of a circle between the first position and at least one second position. Since the wall may in some cases be particularly heavy and / or long, it is desirable to avoid subjecting the rotation axis to excessive bending, which could damage it. To achieve this, the wall may be mounted on rollers intended to be in contact with the ground and preferably located near a second end of the wall, opposite the first end.In this way, the wall has several support points and the axis of rotation does not undergo significant bending or torque. Alternatively or in addition to the rollers, the device may include an oblique beam connecting the second end of the wall to a hinge located above the axis of rotation to better distribute the loads and limit bending. Alternatively, the guiding means may include a rail or a slide, the predetermined trajectory being a straight line so that the wall can move in translation along the straight line between the first position and at least one second position. The translation may be horizontal or vertical. When the wall comprises a plurality of rigid elements so as to be retractable, for example folding or telescopic, the guiding means may include the combination of a rotation axis and a rail or a slide.The rotation axis can, for example, allow the positioning of the retracted screen to be guided in a predetermined direction, and the rail or rail can allow the deployment of the screen to be guided in this predetermined direction. For reasons of precision, the modular dividing device preferably includes stopping means to stop and / or block the partition when it reaches the first position and / or at least a second position. Advantageously, the stopping means are automatic; for example, they include a system of locking screens that automatically lock the partition at predetermined positions. A release action is then necessary to move the partition out of its position. The combination of guiding and stopping means thus offers even greater precision. Indeed, the partition is forced to pass through the predetermined positions by the guiding means and stops and is precisely in place at these positions by the stopping means.25. The modular dividing device may include a power source intended to set in motion and move the wall along the predetermined path. The power source may, for example, be an electric motor connected, for example, to a rotation axis, to hydraulic or electric cylinders, to a worm gear, etc. Advantageously, the modular dividing device includes an electric motor, a BE2025 / 5122 controller, and a sensor arranged to know the position of the wall directly or indirectly. The controller is arranged to receive the position information from the sensor and to control the motor according to the position information received from the sensor.5. The modular partition device is preferably a ground-mounted device arranged to be on the ground in several configurations such as, for example: - A wall mounted on a rotational axis and on wheels 10 arranged to pivot on the ground between at least two predetermined positions, - A retractable, telescopic or folding wall mounted on a rail or slide and arranged to move in translation between at least two predetermined positions. 15. Alternatively, the modular partition device may be an underground device arranged to be embedded in the ground in several configurations such as, for example: - A telescopic wall with a hydraulic or electric cylinder system and guided by a slide 20 or a rail, - A sliding wall guided by a slide or a rail and arranged to slide between underground positions and an above-ground position, for example with a system of hydraulic or electric jacks, 25 - A pivoting underground wall tilting 90° below ground level.Alternatively, the modular division device can be an aerial device arranged to be suspended in several arrangements such as for example: 30 -A sliding wall guided by a slide or a rail and arranged to slide between an aerial position and BE2025 / 5122 9 a ground position, with for example a system of hydraulic or electric jacks, -A wall comprising a plurality of rigid elements arranged to be rolled up and unrolled around a suspended axis and guided by a rail or a slide to deploy into a ground position.The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a sports field and at least one modular division device mounted 10 on the sports field, in which at least one modular division device comprises a wall equipped to be placed in a first position on the sports field in order to divide the sports field into a plurality of sections according to predefined dimensions, in particular by the rules of the sport practiced on the sections, said assembly being characterized in that at least one modular division device comprises guidance means arranged to guide the wall along a predetermined trajectory during a movement from the first position to at least a second position 20 at which the wall modifies the division of the sports field, and during a movement back to the first position. Modular division devices can be mounted on the sports field in various ways.According to a preferred embodiment, the devices are mounted along the edges of the sports field, the walls being arranged to pivot or slide across the sports field between at least a first and a second position. This arrangement has the advantage of being able to be incorporated into existing sports fields without walls or with fixed walls. Alternatively, the modular partitioning devices can be embedded in the sports field, the walls being arranged to slide between a first and a second position. The devices can also be suspended above the sports field, typically when the field is in a hall, and slide between a first and a second position.5 The invention also relates to a method for moving a wall of a modular dividing device according to the invention on a sports field, said method comprising the following steps 10: - The wall is moved along a predetermined trajectory using guiding means to a first position on the sports field at which the wall divides the sports field into a plurality of sections of predefined dimensions 15, in particular by the rules of the sport practiced on the sections, - The wall is moved along the predetermined trajectory using guiding means from the first position to at least a second position at which the wall 20 modifies the division of the sports field, and - The wall is returned along the predetermined trajectory using guiding means from at least the second position towards the first position. 25 The movement of the apparatus can be done in translation and / or rotation according to the guidance means of the modular division device.Detailed Description of the Invention 30 The invention will now be explained in more detail, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which: BE2025 / 5122 11 Figure 1 shows a view of a sports field divided into four sections by six modular dividing devices according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a two-dimensional view of Figure 5 1; Figure 3 shows a view of the sports field of Figure 2 whose division by the six modular dividing devices is modified; Figure 4 shows a two-dimensional view of Figure 10 3; Figure 5 shows a view of the sports field of Figure 3 whose division by the six modular dividing devices is again modified; and Figure 6 shows a two-dimensional view of Figure 15 5; Figure 7 represents a method for moving a wall of a modular division device of a sports field according to the invention.20 With reference to Figures 1 and 2, and according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a plurality of modular dividing devices 1, in particular six devices 1, are mounted on a sports field 2. Each of the modular dividing devices 1 comprises a wall 11 placed in a first 25 position on the sports field 2 in order to divide the sports field 2 into a plurality of sections 21; 21'; 21''; 21''', in particular four sections 21; 21'; 21''; 21''', according to predefined dimensions, in particular by the rules of the sport practiced on sections 21; 21'; 21''. Each device 1 is characterized in that it comprises guidance means arranged to guide the wall 11 along a predetermined trajectory 12 when moving from the first position towards at least BE2025 / 5122 12 a second position at which the wall 11 modifies the division of the sports field 2, and when moving back towards the first position.According to this preferred embodiment, the guiding means for each device 1 comprise a rotation axis 13 on which a first end 111 of the wall 11 is mounted, the predetermined trajectory being an arc of a circle 12 with the rotation axis 13 as its center, so that the wall 11 can move in rotation along the arc of a circle 12 between the first position and at least the second position. The wall 11 is preferably mounted on rollers 10 (not shown) intended to be in contact with the ground of the door and preferably located near a second end 112 of the wall, opposite the first end 111. In this way, the wall 11 comprises several support points and the rotation axis 13 does not undergo bending or a significant torque. In addition to the casters, each device 1 includes an oblique beam 15 connecting the second end 112 of the wall to a hinge located above the axis of rotation 13 to better distribute the loads and in order to limit bending.20 In Figures 1 and 2, all the walls 11 of the devices 1 are placed in a first position on the sports field 2 in order to divide the sports field 2 into a plurality of sections 21; 21'; 21''; 21''', in particular four sections 25 21; 21'; 21''; 21''', according to predefined dimensions, in particular by the rules of the sport practiced on sections 21; 21'; 21''; 21'''. In the present case, the sports field 2 is divided so as to form sections of precise and predefined dimensions according to the available space and by the 30 rules of five-a-side football, also called "five-a-side football". By dimensions predetermined by the rules of the sport, we do not necessarily mean standards BE2025 / 5122 13 official strict, but rather dimensions generally accepted to allow the practice of a sport in good conditions. These dimensions may vary slightly from one installation to another while respecting the spirit of the game.For example, in five-a-side football, there is no single, mandatory pitch size, but the dimensions follow commonly accepted standards that guarantee a consistent playing experience. The challenge, therefore, is to be able to modulate the divisions of space while ensuring a precise return to the predefined dimensions, whatever they may be. In the present case, the predefined dimensions for each section are, for example, 35m long by 17m wide. Of course, the dimensions are not limited to these particular sports and can be adapted to several types of sports for which precise pitch dimensions are required and / or preferred, such as the football (4v4, 6v6, 7v7, 8v8), tennis, volleyball etc. Three devices are arranged equidistant from each other on a first length of the field and three other devices are arranged equidistant from each other on a second length of the field, opposite the first length.In this way, the walls 11 of two facing devices 1 are joined at their ends 112 and connected by connecting means 16 to create a rigid connection between the two walls. This connection 25 allows the precise position of the walls to be maintained in case they are subjected to shocks. To further improve this precision, each device 1 preferably includes stopping means (not shown) to stop or block the wall when it reaches predetermined positions such as the first and / or second position 30. BE2025 / 5122 14 Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a modification of the division of the sports field of figures 1 and 2. The walls 11 of two devices 1 have effectively moved along a predetermined trajectory, in particular an arc of a circle 12, thanks to the guiding means, including here an axis of rotation 5 13, to move into the second position which modifies the division of the sports field 2.The sports field is now divided into three sections 22;21'';21''', a medium 22 and two small 21'';21''', and can potentially accommodate a sporting or summer activity that could not have taken place with the previous division in figures 1 and 2 intended to accommodate a five-a-side football activity. In Figures 5 and 6, two other walls 11 of two other devices 15 are moved along a circular arc trajectory 12 by means of their axes of rotation 13 to move into the second position which modifies the division of the sports field 2. The sports field is now divided into two sections 23; 21''', a large 23 and a small 21''', which can 20 accommodate potentially different activities than with the previous division. The division of the sports field 1 can therefore be modulated quickly and precisely by means of the modular division devices according to the invention. 25 In the illustrated example, the sports field 2 is divided to a maximum of four sections 21; 21'; 21''; 21'''.The invention is not limited, of course, to this specific division; the land can, for example, be divided into two aligned sections, three aligned sections, five aligned sections, six aligned sections, etc. The land can also be divided into a kind of matrix with, for example, two sections out of two, two sections out of three, two sections out of four, etc. BE2025 / 5122 15 L.