BAND WITH HANDRAIL, METHOD FOR CONSTRUCTING A MOBILE SPORTS FACILITY

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a handrail for a barrier, in particular for a mobile or permanently installed sports facility such as a roller skating rink, football rink or ice skating rink.

[0002] In sports, a board refers to the border of a playing field. It serves as a safety or people guidance element and can also be used to regulate the flow of the game (e.g. to prevent a puck or other game object from bouncing off). Typical materials for boards are wood, steel, plastic, concrete and glass. A board is often permanently attached to a sports facility or forms part of it. However, a board can also be designed for mobile applications, i.e. so that it can be permanently installed but can also be easily removed or disassembled into individual board elements. Such a mobile board is suitable, for example, for securing transportable sports facilities such as mobile soccer fields, ice rinks or roller skating rinks. A mobile ice rink, for example, needs a surrounding board to prevent ice skaters from slipping off the ice and injuring themselves or bystanders.Boards may have a handrail, usually made of plastic, that runs along the top edge of the board or board element.

[0003] In the field of sports, perimeter advertising, i.e. the display of advertising on the perimeter, is firmly established.

[0004] A disadvantage of the current technology is that handrails cannot yet be optimally equipped with (replaceable) information elements. While stickers can, of course, be affixed to the handrails, they are not protected from external mechanical influences. For example, stickers on handrails in mobile ice rinks quickly become unsightly or partially peeled off due to intensive contact by skaters.

[0005] ES1078959U discloses a barrier for a sports facility comprising a handrail on its upper edge, wherein the handrail has a handrail body with a profile extending in a longitudinal direction, wherein the handrail body has a groove on its underside for holding an advertising poster.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a barrier with a handrail or a handrail for a barrier, wherein the handrail can accommodate and effectively protect information elements.

[0007] This object is achieved by a barrier according to claim 1 as well as a mobile sports device according to claim 9 and a method according to claim 10.

[0008] A barrier according to the invention for a (preferably mobile) sports facility comprises a handrail at its upper edge. The handrail has a handrail body with a profile extending in a longitudinal direction, in the outer surface of which a receiving channel runs essentially over the entire length of the handrail, which is designed to accommodate a flat (and in particular also strip-shaped) information element. The term "essentially" here and below in this context means that the receiving channel runs over more than 80% of the length over the entire length or only individually on a respective element, preferably over more than 90%, in particular over the entire length. The course is preferably rectilinear, which allows for the displacement of an information element in the longitudinal direction of the handrail (orthogonal to its cross-sectional area).

[0009] Preferably, the handrail has a groove in the lower area of ​​the handrail body into which the upper edge of a pre-defined rail can be inserted. However, other configurations for attachment to the rail are also possible. For example, the handrail body can (alternatively or additionally) have a tongue on its underside that can engage a predefined or prefabricated groove in the upper edge of a rail.

[0010] It should be noted here that the invention is suitable for both permanently installed and mobile sports facilities. Particularly for permanently installed sports facilities, it is preferred if a slot is formed in the handrails or between handrail elements in the region of a receiving channel, by means of which information elements can be removed or inserted into the handrail from the outside. The invention is particularly advantageous for mobile barrier elements, since information elements can be easily attached to the handrails during assembly.

[0011] A mobile sports facility according to the invention, preferably a football field, a roller skating rink or an ice skating rink, comprises a barrier according to the invention or at least one handrail according to the invention.

[0012] Further particularly advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims and the following description, wherein the patent claims of a certain category can also be developed according to the dependent claims of another category and features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments.

[0013] The barrier is preferably a barrier element for a mobile sports facility. In particular, a barrier element has a length of less than 5 m, preferably less than 3 m, or even less than 2.5 m. The handrail should preferably be at least the length of the barrier element. It does not necessarily have to be flush with the side edges of the barrier element (i.e., the edges where the barrier elements abut), but can also be offset to serve as a mounting point for the barrier elements.

[0014] An information element naturally has a certain minimum size, as otherwise it cannot serve as an information element because it will not be noticed. The maximum length is usually determined by the length of the handrail's mounting channel. However, it is also conceivable for a single information element to be inserted, glued, or attached in some other way into several handrails of several barrier elements and then connect these handrails to one another. In this case, the information element can also be longer than the mounting channel in the handrail of a barrier element. In principle, it is also possible for an information element to act as a connector between barrier elements. For this purpose, it can have the length of the mounting channel or be shorter. It is then inserted in such a way that it connects two handrails to one another.

[0015] The width and depth of the receiving channel depend on the height and thickness of the information elements intended to be placed in the receiving channel. Since, as mentioned above, the information elements must have a certain minimum dimension to be able to fulfill any informational function at all and (at least if they are insertable) must also have a certain minimum thickness to ensure sufficient mechanical strength, the receiving channel must also have a corresponding minimum width and depth.

[0016] A preferred minimum width of the receiving channel is 2 cm, preferably 4 cm, in particular 6 cm. A preferred maximum width is 20 cm, preferably 10 cm, in particular 8 cm. It is preferred that the width, apart from any clamping elements or the like, is constant over the entire length of the receiving channel. Small, elastic molded pieces (formed integrally in the handrail or applied as additional elements) can preferably serve as clamping elements. These protrude into the receiving channel, preferably by a maximum of 5 mm, in particular a maximum of 3 mm, and can serve for clamping attachment of information elements. Clamping elements can of course also be arranged on or at information elements.

[0017] A preferred minimum depth of the receiving channel is 2 mm, preferably 5 mm, in particular 10 mm. A preferred maximum depth is 5 cm, preferably 3 cm, in particular 2 cm. It is preferred that the depth be constant over the entire length of the receiving channel (possibly excluding any clamping elements).

[0018] The receiving channel is preferably designed such that an information element can be glued, clamped, screwed or fixed into it by means of a magnetic fastening. The receiving channel is particularly preferably designed such that an information element can be pushed into it. This means that the cross-section of the receiving channel is preferably designed such that an information element cannot tip out. The receiving channel preferably has a square U-profile with inwardly projecting edge regions or a bead on the edges. It can also be said that the internal volume of the receiving channel has an undercut for the form-fitting holding of an information element. Of course, the receiving channel can also be designed without an undercut, e.g. if the information element is fixed by adhesive or magnetic forces.

[0019] The receiving channel, also an inserted information element, is located on at least one side of the handrail and thus runs approximately in a plane parallel to the side wall. With regard to an ice rink, this would be the side facing the ice rink ("inside") or the side facing away from the ice rink ("outside"). This has the advantage that snow cannot obscure the information element and mechanical stress from hand contact is minimized. However, this also means that, in contrast to typically used handrails, the shape of the handrail according to the invention now has a considerable volume of material on the side in which the receiving channel is formed.

[0020] In this regard, it is preferred that a receiving channel be provided on both sides of the handrail (i.e., both on the inside and outside), with the receiving channel preferably being designed for the insertion of an information element on one side and comprising a permanently attached information element on the other side. This has the advantage that an operator of a mobile sports facility can display its own advertising on one side (e.g., the name of the rental company of the mobile sports facility on the outside) and the organizer of a sports competition on the other side (e.g., the advertising of the respective sponsors on the inside).

[0021] It is also preferred that an information element be permanently attached to the bottom of a receiving channel (or that information be painted or printed on it), and that the receiving channel be shaped so that another information element can be slid over it. This has the advantage that prefabricated advertising can be individually covered by variable information or advertising elements.

[0022] A preferred handrail with a laterally arranged receiving channel has the following shape: A handrest body is formed at the top of the handrail body. This handrest body preferably has a width of at least 2 cm, in particular at least 5 cm. The maximum width is 10 cm, but preferably less than 8 cm. In addition to a groove for receiving the upper edge of the rail, the handrest body can have a further groove along its length, which preferably runs substantially centrally in the handrail body on its underside and facilitates spreading the handrail apart for attachment to the upper edge of the rail.In addition to the handrest body, the handrail body comprises a channel body which is formed on at least one side of the handrail body substantially orthogonal to the handrest body ("substantially" here means at an angle between 80 and 100°), so that the handrest body and channel body form an L-shape (in the case of one channel body) or a preferably angular U-shape (in the case of two channel bodies), whereby in the latter case the two channel bodies can also have different widths.

[0023] Preferably, the band comprises a strip-shaped information element arranged in the receiving channel, which is preferably held in the recess in a form-fitting manner and / or is fixed by means of adhesive.

[0024] The handrail can be part of the barrier (or a barrier element), in particular a structural feature (same material as the barrier). However, it is preferably a separate handrail, in particular made of a different material than the barrier, which does not form a single component with the barrier. This means, in particular, that the handrail can be connected to the upper edge of the barrier, e.g., by plugging, clamping, gluing, screwing, or by means of magnetic fastening, but is recognizable as a distinguishable component from the barrier, e.g., because it is made of a different material.

[0025] The handrail is preferably designed to accommodate a static information element. A static information element is an information element that does not change as intended (except for signs of aging). However, the handrail can also preferably be designed to accommodate a dynamic information element. A dynamic information element is an information element that can change the information it displays in a short time interval (a single-digit number of seconds, minutes, or hours). This can be, for example, a display or an information element with an integrated lighting element, e.g., comprising LEDs or OLEDs.For this purpose, the handrail preferably has at least one electrical contact point, in particular at least two electrical contact points (preferably in the region of the receiving channel) and in particular an electrical supply line from the contact point(s) to a connection unit for connection to a data interface and / or to an electrical power supply.

[0026] Particularly preferably, the handrail has a lighting unit in the region of the receiving channel (on the support surface (the rear surface on which an information element is intended to rest) and / or the upper side and / or the lower side), e.g. a lamp or LED strip, which is designed and positioned such that light from the lighting unit can illuminate an information element from above, below or behind. For this purpose, part of the receiving channel can be designed from a translucent (or transparent) material and the lighting unit can be arranged inside the handrail behind the translucent (or transparent) material.

[0027] This has the advantage of protecting the lighting unit against mechanical damage, e.g., during intended use and during assembly or dismantling of the barrier. Of course, an information element should also be translucent to ensure effective use of the lighting.

[0028] Preferred materials for the handrail are metal (e.g., steel or aluminum), wood, fiber composite materials, or plastic, with thermoplastic elastomers ("TPE") such as polyurethane being particularly preferred. Elastic materials, such as rubber or plastic foams, are particularly preferred.

[0029] In a preferred manufacturing method according to the invention for a handrail according to the invention, the handrail body is manufactured as an extrusion made of plastic or other materials. Alternatively or additionally, the receiving channel can be milled. The entire handrail body can also be milled.

[0030] In a preferred subsequent step, the handrail is then attached to the upper edge of a barrier, e.g., by clamping, plugging, screwing, and / or gluing. This then forms a barrier (or barrier element) according to the invention.

[0031] Preferably, an information carrier is inserted into a receiving channel of the handrail.

[0032] An inventive use of a board according to the invention relates to the presentation of information, in particular perimeter advertising, on an information carrier incorporated into the handrail of the board.

[0033] A method according to the invention for constructing a (preferably mobile) sports facility comprises the following steps: Construction of the boards of the (preferably mobile) sports facility with boards according to the invention, in particular board elements according to the invention, and / or a handrail according to the invention. (optional) Construction of the floor of the (preferably mobile) sports facility before and / or after construction of the boards. Attaching and / or inserting, in particular inserting, flat, in particular strip-shaped, information elements into the handrail of the boards. These can be, for example, printed panels, but also LED or OLED strips. This step can take place during construction of the boards, e.g. before or during the assembly of board elements, or afterwards. Information elements can also be used, in particular, to fix two board elements together.

[0034] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures using exemplary embodiments. In the various figures, identical components are provided with identical reference numerals. The figures are generally not to scale. They show: Figure 1 an embodiment of a band according to the invention, Figure 2 an embodiment of a handrail according to the invention, Figure 3 a cross-section through a preferred handrail, Figure 4 a cross-section through another preferred handrail.

[0035] Figure 1shows an embodiment of a barrier 1 according to the invention. Shown here is a mobile barrier element 1 which here consists of a beam construction with a flat cladding in front and has an upper edge 1a. A handrail 2 is arranged on this upper edge 1a. This handrail 2 comprises a receiving channel 3 on one side, which in this case can be the outside, for example. An information element 4 is being inserted into this receiving channel 3, specifically in the direction of the indicated arrows. The arrows are intended to represent a motif on the information element 4. They can be used, for example, to find an exit or to indicate the direction to a place of interest. The information element 4 is an elongated plate which is shaped in such a way that it can be easily inserted into the receiving channel 3 and is held in place by it in a form-fitting manner.

[0036] Figure 2shows an embodiment of a handrail 2 according to the invention. This handrail 2 has a receiving channel 3, into which, as in Figure 1 shown, an information element 4 (not shown here) can be pushed in. For the positive holding of an information element 4, the receiving channel 3 has an edge region 5 on the front side which projects inwards and thus the inner volume of the receiving channel 3 has an undercut for the positive holding of an information element 4. The handrail 2 shown here is also the handrail body 2. This handrail body 2 has a very large groove (cavity in the interior) with which it, as in Figure 1 shown, can encompass an upper edge 1a of a cushion 1.

[0037] Two clamping elements 6 are shown in the central area of ​​the receiving channel 3. These are slight protrusions in the support surface 3a of the receiving channel 3 and can clamp an inserted information element 4 (not shown) so that it cannot slip out.

[0038] Figure 3 shows a cross-section through a preferred handrail 2. This is the cross-section of the Figure 2 The handrail 2 shown here. The dashed line represents the upper edge 1a of a rail 1, which the handrail 2 can engage around, as explained above. The receiving channel 3 is also shown here in cross-section. The two edge areas 5, which are arranged in such a way that they can form-fit around an inserted information element 4, are clearly visible.

[0039] Figure 4 shows a cross-section through another preferred handrail. This cross-section is similar to the one in Figure 3constructed, with the difference that on each of the two sides there is a receiving channel 3 for the insertion and form-fitting retention of an information element 4. An optional, permanently glued information element 5 is shown in dashed lines on the left. It could be located on the outside of the handrail 2 of a barrier 1, with any information elements 4 then being able to be inserted on the inside.

[0040] As an optional element, a lighting element 7 is shown in dashed lines, which can illuminate an information element 4 (not shown) inserted into the left receiving channel 3 from behind.

[0041] Finally, it should be noted once again that the devices described in detail above are merely exemplary embodiments that can be modified in a variety of ways by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the use of the indefinite articles "a" or "an" does not exclude the possibility that the features in question may be present in multiple instances. Likewise, the terms "unit" and "device" do not exclude the possibility that these may consist of multiple, possibly spatially separated, subunits. List of reference symbols:

[0042] 1Guard / gang element 1aTop edge 2Handrail / handrail body 3Receiving channel 3aSupport surface 4Information element 5Edge area 6Clamping element 7Lighting element

Claims

1. A board (1) for a sports facility comprising a handrail (2) at its upper edge (1a), the handrail (2) having a handrail body (2) having a profile extending in a longitudinal direction, characterized in that in the outer surface of the profile a mounting channel (3) runs essentially over the entire length of the handrail, which mounting channel (3) is designed to mount a flat information element (4), wherein the mounting channel (3) is formed on the inside and / or the outside of the handrail (2).

2. The board according to claim 1, characterized in that said board is designed as a board element (1) for a mobile sports facility, in particular having a length of less than 5 m, wherein the handrail (2) preferably is at least the length of the board element (1) and particularly preferably protrudes on one side of the board element (1).

3. The board according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the minimum width of the mounting channel (3) is 2 cm, preferably 5 cm, and / or wherein the minimum width does not exceed 20 cm, wherein the width is preferably constant over the entire length of the mounting channel (3), apart from optional clamping elements (6).

4. The board according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the minimum depth of the mounting channel (3) is 2 mm, preferably 5 mm, and / or wherein the minimum depth does not exceed 5 cm, wherein the depth is preferably constant over the entire length of the mounting channel (3), apart from optional clamping elements (6).

5. The board according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mounting channel (3) is designed such that an information element (4) can be glued, clamped, screwed into it or fixed by means a magnetic fastening, wherein the cross section of the mounting channel (3) is preferably designed such that the inner volume of the mounting channel (3) has an undercut for holding an information element (4) in a form-fitting manner.

6. The board according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a mounting channel (3) is designed on both sides of the handrail (2), wherein the mounting channel (3) is preferably designed for inserting an information element (4) on one side and comprises a permanently attached information element (4) on the other side.

7. The board according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handrail (2) is designed to mount a dynamic information element (4), wherein the handrail (2) preferably has at least one electrical contact point for this purpose, preferably in the region of the mounting channel (3) and in particular an electrical supply line from the contact points to a connection unit for connection to a data interface and / or to an electrical energy supply.

8. The board according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handrail (2) has a lighting unit (7) in the region of the mounting channel (3), in particular on its support surface (3a) and / or its upper side and / or its lower side, which lighting unit (7) is designed and positioned such that light from the lighting unit can illuminate an information element (4) from above, below or behind, wherein preferably part of the mounting channel (3) is made of a transparent material and the lighting unit (7) is arranged inside the handrail (2) behind the transparent material.

9. A mobile sports facility, preferably a roller-skating rink or ice skating rink, comprising a board (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A method for constructing a mobile sports facility, comprising the steps: - constructing the board of the mobile sports facility using a board according to any one of claims 1 to 8, in particular board elements according to claim 2, - (optionally) constructing the floor of the mobile sports facility before and / or after the construction of the board. - attaching and / or introducing, in particular pushing in, flat, strip-shaped, information elements into the handrail of the board.