HOUSING FOR DEFINING AN ACTIVITY AREA

Description

Domaine technique de l'invention

[0001] The technical field of the invention relates to enclosures, closed or open, particularly for sporting or leisure activities.

[0002] The invention finds particular application in the construction of Padel courts. État de la technique

[0003] Padel is a racket sport played in an enclosed court, and it is common to use the walls of this court during play to bounce the ball. The rules of the game, the rackets used, and the dimensions of the courts and courts are standardized and thus imposed by the national or supranational federations governing the sport. These standards also require the court to have sufficient rigidity and mechanical resistance to withstand impacts from a person against the walls, and, especially for outdoor courts, to withstand harsh weather conditions such as strong winds that can exert considerable transverse forces on the walls, perpendicular to the surface.

[0004] The courts used for padel are rectangular, 10m wide and 20m long, and are enclosed by a wall 4m high at the back and 3m high on the sides. A net divides the court in half lengthwise. The walls of the enclosure may be entirely made of wire mesh, or may have a glass lower section and a wire mesh upper section.

[0005] Padel court enclosures are currently made up of panels arranged end-to-end to form a rectangular perimeter. The panels consist of a glass sheet and / or rigid wire mesh fixed within a rigid frame, providing the necessary mechanical strength. The panels are 3 or 4 meters high, depending on their position within the enclosure. Each vertical edge of a panel is secured by its frame to a post positioned between two consecutive panels. The bottom end of each post is anchored to the ground by any suitable means, such as sealing or screwing.

[0006] Traditional arenas have a post every 2 meters, meaning one post at each corner of the rectangular enclosure. Panoramic arenas, on the other hand, have no posts on their shorter sides (the end of the court) and feature a glass wall extending across the width of the court. This allows spectators to follow the game as it unfolds.

[0007] In so-called "panoramic" arenas, visibility remains limited in the corners due to the presence of corner posts; this is frustrating for spectators since play and winning shots frequently occur in the corners of the court. Furthermore, these arenas require two very wide panes of glass to cover the entire width of the back of the court, and they must be quite thick, generally 12 mm or more, to withstand lateral forces in case of impact or inclement weather. As a result, panoramic arenas are particularly expensive and remain fragile.

[0008] We also know from document D1 = ES11545762 of an enclosure comprising: Vertical support posts are positioned in an intermediate zone along the long sides of the enclosure and spaced away from the short sides and corners. A horizontal perimeter frame, made of a lightweight and strong material, in this case transparent polycarbonate, is supported in an intermediate zone along its long sides by the vertical posts, so that the end portions of the perimeter frame corresponding to the short sides of the enclosure are cantilevered (D1 drawings 1 and 2). Transparent panels are positioned with their ends attached laterally, and without the interposition of vertical posts, defining a completely transparent surface at the ends or short sides of the enclosure, forming the back of the court. Rather than a large panel at the back of the court, the small panels used in D1 offer slightly better resistance to transverse forces.However, since the end sections of the perimeter frame, corresponding to the shorter sides of the enclosure, cantilever approximately 4 meters over a 20-meter-long enclosure, these sections are quite sensitive to both transverse and vertical forces. Furthermore, the transparent panels, which are inherently fragile, positioned beneath these cantilevered end sections, are subjected to significant stress during vertical or lateral forces on the frame; in practice, they provide the enclosure's mechanical strength and rigidity. Thus, the enclosure's mechanical strength and rigidity are limited by the mechanical resistance of the panels.

[0009] Document ES1178958U also shows a polygonal enclosure defining an activity area comprising panels, posts and beams. Exposé de l'invention

[0010] The invention offers a technical solution to overcome all or part of the disadvantages described above.

[0011] To this end, the invention proposes a new polygonal enclosure defining an activity area, an enclosure comprising: a self-supporting structure comprising four vertical main posts (10a) and a plurality of horizontal beams (30a, 30b), each end of a beam being fixed to an upper part of a main post or to an end of a consecutive beam to form a U-shaped frame (3) comprising a base (4) two ends of which (4a, 4b) are extended by two lateral sides (5a, 5b), frame supported by two main posts positioned at the free ends of the two lateral sides (5a, 5b) and by two main posts positioned in a central area of ​​the base (4) of the frame, and a plurality of vertical panels (20), each vertical edge (21, 22) of a panel (20) being fixed to a vertical edge of a consecutive panel or to a main post to form a U-shaped vertical wall, two consecutive panels forming an angle being fixed directly to each other.

[0012] In such an enclosure, mechanical strength and rigidity are provided primarily by the main posts and beams forming the self-supporting structure, and very little by the panels. It is therefore possible to use panels with low mechanical strength and to join two consecutive panels directly together using simple mechanical means without the need for a post anchored in the ground between them. The enclosure according to the invention, which can be described as a "wide-angle" enclosure, is thus constructed without corner posts to improve visibility from outside the enclosure, as detailed later in an example.

[0013] The invention also proposes an enclosure comprising an assembly means adapted for constructing an enclosure as described above, the enclosure comprising in particular a post made from a profile having a cross-section comprising a principal part, for example rectangular, said principal part comprising at least one longitudinal assembly groove, the assembly means consisting of a profile having a cross-section comprising: a first part adapted to cap a lateral edge of a first panel, and a snap-fit ​​means extending from a long side of the first part of the section and configured to cooperate by snap-fitting with the assembly groove of the post to secure the assembly means to the post.

[0014] The assembly means according to the invention can be pre-mounted on the panels upstream of the installation of the enclosure; they allow the assembly of panels made of heterogeneous materials (glass, metal mesh) and facilitate the assembly of the enclosure in situ, as detailed later, while ensuring the perfect alignment and flushness of the panels in the vertical and horizontal planes. Présentation des figures

[0015] The invention will be better understood, and other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of examples of implementation of the invention. These examples are given by way of non-limiting example. The description should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: THE Fig. 1a à 1d show the structural elements of an enclosure according to the invention, the Fig. 1e is an overview in perspective of an enclosure according to the invention, the Fig. 2 shows an assembly of two panels of an enclosure according to the invention, the Fig. 3 shows another assembly of two panels of an enclosure according to the invention, the Fig. 4 shows an assembly of a post, a beam and a panel according to the invention, the Fig. 5 shows a variation of a post and panel assembly, the Fig. 6 shows a variant of the figure 5 there Fig. 7 shows panels assembled to an intermediate beam Fig. 8 shows a variant of the figure 5 , and the Fig. 9 shows a variation of a two-panel assembly.

[0016] In the different figures, identical or similar elements are referenced with the same markers.

[0017] The concepts "up", "down", "above", "below", "inferior", "superior", "lateral" are common concepts defined by taking as a reference the view of the figure 1e where the enclosure according to the invention is represented in a position appropriate for the use for which it is intended.

[0018] Also, the term "consecutive" is used to refer to two elements (panels or posts) that follow each other on the perimeter of the enclosure; the two elements may extend in the same plane or extend in different planes to form an angle.

[0019] Finally, by convention, a post is vertical and a beam is horizontal. Description détaillée

[0020] As previously stated, the invention relates to a polygonal enclosure defining an activity area; the enclosure comprises a self-supporting structure 2 comprising four main vertical posts 10a and a plurality of horizontal beams 30a, 30b, and a plurality of vertical panels 20.

[0021] The self-supporting structure ( fig. 1a The structure is constructed as follows. Each end of a beam is attached to the upper part of a main post or to the end of a consecutive beam to form a U-shaped frame 3 comprising a base 4, two ends of which 4a, 4b are extended by two lateral sides 5a, 5b. This frame is supported by two main posts positioned at the free ends of the two lateral sides 5a, 5b and by two main posts positioned in a central area of ​​the base 4 of the frame; the central area of ​​the base is offset from the ends 4a, 4b of the base. The self-supporting structure, resting on four legs, is thus particularly stable and mechanically resistant. The lower end of a post can be anchored to the ground for even greater strength.

[0022] The 20 panels are positioned ( fig. 1b ) in the space located under the frame 3 and between the main posts 10a. Each vertical edge 21, 22 of a panel is joined to a vertical edge 22, 21 of a consecutive panel or to a main post to form a U-shaped vertical wall; two consecutive panels forming an angle are joined directly to each other; thus, there are no posts in the corners.

[0023] There figure 1c presents a variant of the self-stable structure of the figure 1a , variant which includes a plurality of upper beams (30a) and a plurality of intermediate beams (30b); each end of an upper beam is fixed to an upper part of a main post or to an end of a consecutive upper beam to form a U-shaped upper frame (3a); each end of an intermediate beam is fixed to an upper part of a main post or to an end of a consecutive intermediate beam to form a U-shaped intermediate frame (3b); the intermediate frame and the upper frame are supported by the four main posts, with the upper frame positioned above the intermediate frame. The two frames allow for the attachment of two rows of panels ( fig. 1d, 1e To this end, in the example shown, the upper and middle chassis are spaced apart by the height of one panel, as will be explained in more detail later. Furthermore, the presence of a second chassis further reinforces the enclosure's rigidity, should this prove necessary.

[0024] THE fig. 1b et 1d feature an open, three-sided enclosure. fig. 1e This design presents a four-sided, enclosed structure comprising two facing self-supporting structures 2, in which the U-shaped frames 3 of the two self-supporting structures are connected by beams to form a closed polygonal enclosure. The frames 3 and the beams connecting them together form a belt that maintains the spacing between the two self-supporting structures and reinforces the overall stability. Other enclosures are, of course, possible. It is possible to create three-sided self-supporting structures with angles other than 90°, and it is possible to combine more than two self-supporting structures. For example, it is possible to create a six- or eight-sided enclosure by combining three self-supporting structures with angles of 120°. The possible configurations are numerous.

[0025] In the example shown on the figure 1e The enclosure is intended for a Padel court; it is therefore rectangular, with internal dimensions of 10 m by 20 m, dimensions imposed by Padel standards. The lower end of the main posts is secured to the ground in a method known per se, by sealing, screwing, etc., or by any other appropriate means not described here.

[0026] Some panels, called side panels, form the long sides of the padel court, and other panels, called back panels, form the back (short sides) of the court. The side and back panels placed at the ends of the long and short sides constitute corner panels. The enclosure here comprises panels approximately 2 meters wide. Most of the panels on the long sides of the enclosure are rigid wire mesh panels 1 meter high (in practice, simply wire mesh, without a frame); the back panels and the corner panels are transparent panels (in practice, simply S-shaped panels, without a frame) 2 meters wide and 3 meters high.

[0027] In the invention, the self-supporting structure absorbs the mechanical stresses typically borne by panels in prior art enclosures. Furthermore, as will be explained later, the posts and beams forming the self-supporting structure can include means for securing the panels. In an enclosure according to the invention, the panels are thus subjected to less stress and can be designed with lower mechanical resistance. For example, the panels can be made of a single pane of glass or wire mesh, without a reinforcing frame.Also, rather than using a very wide transparent panel at the back of the court, it becomes possible to use several narrower transparent panels joined together using relatively simple assembly methods, since the forces that could be applied to the panels and their assembly (particularly wind forces) are absorbed by the posts and beams of the self-supporting structure. Narrower panels are easier to manufacture and can be thinner; they are therefore generally less expensive; they are also easier to handle; thus, the installation of the enclosure is simplified and faster.

[0028] Also, since the mechanical stresses on the connections between the panels are low, two consecutive panels can be directly joined together without the need to systematically place a post between them. In the embodiment of the invention shown in the figures, a main post (10a) is separated at one corner of the enclosure by at least one panel (20). Thus, in the corners of the enclosure according to the invention, there are no corner posts obstructing the spectators' view. For example, in the enclosure shown in the figures, each side of the enclosure comprises two main posts 10a, and each main post is separated at one corner of the enclosure by a panel 20.

[0029] In one implementation method, two consecutive panels forming an angle are joined together by a fixing bracket 40b (cf fig. 1 , fig. 3 In the example shown, the panels forming an angle are joined together by three fixing brackets distributed along the height of the panels. Some of the consecutive panels extending in the same plane can also be joined together by one or more fixing brackets 40a (see fig. 1 , fig. 2 ); the mounting brackets used here are essentially rectangular, brackets 40a ( fig. 2 ) are flat to join two panels extending in the same plane, the 40b legs are bent at right angles ( fig. 3 ) to join two panels forming a right angle. The fixing brackets are chosen in appropriate dimensions to cover a few tens of square centimeters on each of the panels to be joined; the brackets have two holes for the passage of a screw (not shown in the figures); the holes can be circular, adapted to the size of the screw; one of the holes can also be oblong to allow adjustment of the position of one panel relative to the other; the brackets are, for example, 5 to 10 cm long and 3 to 6 cm high. At least for glazed panels, the fixing brackets are, for example, made of transparent acrylic glass such as Plexiglas™.The mounting brackets are attached to each of the panels they join using a screw-nut system, as shown in the example. In the case of a glass panel, a washer (preferably made of an elastic material) under the screw head and / or under the nut prevents any contact between the screw or nut and the glass. Finally, the mounting brackets are preferably positioned on the outside of the enclosure so that the inner wall of the enclosure is flat and does not interfere with movement.

[0030] The beams can be secured to the posts in a similar manner, using simple 40b right-angle fixing brackets, for example, secured with two screws. Alternatively ( fig. 4 ), the leg 40b is fixed to the beam by a single screw 41, and is fixed to the post by a screw-nut system 42, a nut 42a being mounted sliding in a longitudinal adjustment groove 17 of the post 10a allowing the position of the fixing leg to be adjusted over a height of the post.

[0031] According to yet another aspect, an enclosure according to the invention may also comprise, between two main posts 10a, at least one intermediate post 10b whose ends are secured by a beam (30a, 30b) to a main post 10a or to another intermediate post 10b. The intermediate posts essentially contribute to the fixing of the panels; they contribute little to the rigidity, mechanical strength, or overall stability of the enclosure. In the example shown fig. 1e Intermediate posts are used only on the long sides of the enclosure, between the two self-supporting structures forming the court's backboards. In the example shown, intermediate posts are also used, in combination with beams of appropriate length, to define openings in the long sides of the enclosure, allowing users to enter or exit the enclosure. Like the main posts, the intermediate posts are fixed to the ground by any suitable means.

[0032] A beam 30a, 30b can have a length substantially equal to the distance between two posts or to the distance between a post and the angle formed by two panels. In the example shown Fig.1 On the back side of the court, three panels 20b are positioned consecutively between two main posts 10a, surmounted by a beam 30b whose length is approximately equal to the width of the three panels. The number of beams around the perimeter of the enclosure is thus strictly limited to guarantee the enclosure's dimensional characteristics and ease of assembly, which also limits the number of fixings between two beams or between a post and a beam.

[0033] Finally, in an enclosure according to the invention, the self-supporting structure may include ( Fig. 1d, 1e ) a plurality of lower panels 20b and a plurality of upper panels 20a, an upper panel extending in a plane of a lower panel and in line with said lower panel, an upper edge 24 of a lower panel 20b being fixed to an intermediate beam 30b, a lower edge 23 of an upper panel 20a being fixed to an intermediate beam 30b, an upper edge 23 of an upper panel 20a being fixed to an upper beam 30a. The two sets of beams thus have the second function of forming a frame for the panels and of supporting the lower and upper panels. In addition, in the example shown, each vertical edge (21, 22) of an upper panel (20a) is fixed to a vertical edge of a consecutive upper panel or to a post (10a, 10b) for lateral support of the panels.

[0034] In the enclosure as shown, at the back of the court, the lower panels are panes of glass 2 m wide by 3 m high, and the upper panels are rigid wire mesh 2 m wide by 1 m high.

[0035] Also, in the example shown Fig. 1e Spacers 31 are provided between the upper beams 30a and the lower beams 30b. A primary function of the spacers 31 is to maintain the spacing between the beams and thus improve the overall rigidity. A secondary function of the spacers is to contribute to the support of the upper panels, as will be explained in more detail later. Preferably, the spacers are made from the same profile as the beams 30a, 30b and the intermediate posts 10b, and have a length equal to the height of an upper panel 10a.

[0036] Finally, in the example shown again, Fig. 1e , Fig. 9 Posts 60 are planned at the corners of the enclosure. Made from the same profile as the main posts, the posts are approximately ten to fifty centimeters high and are anchored to the ground; the corner panels are then attached to the posts. The main function of the posts is to support the weight of the panels and ensure the overall dimensions of the enclosure. The posts also contribute, to a lesser extent, to the rigidity of the enclosure.

[0037] The way in which the panels are assembled and secured to the posts and beams will now be described in more detail.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, a beam (intermediate beam 30b or top beam 30a) or a column (main column 10a or intermediate column 10b) comprises at least one longitudinal retaining housing (15a, 15b; 35a, 35b), with a U-shaped cross-section, arranged to cap an edge of a panel (20) and thus retain a horizontal edge Fig. 7 or a vertical edge Fig. 4 of the said panel attached to the said beam or post. Preferably, for a given enclosure, the width of a recess is identical for both posts and beams and is sized according to the thickness of the panels to be held. A gasket (not shown in the figures) made of elastic material may be provided in the recess to prevent glass-to-metal or metal-to-metal contact and the associated noise between the panel and the post or beam, and / or to adjust the width of a retaining recess. Fig. 5 .

[0039] For assembling two consecutive panels in the same plane, Fig.4 , Fig. 7 In particular, two opposite longitudinal sides of a beam (30b) or a column (10a, 10b) may include two opposing longitudinal retaining housings (15a, 15b; 35a, 35b) arranged to each cap a lateral edge of two consecutive panels (20) extending in the same plane. Thus, the housings 35a, 35b of a beam retain the edges of an upper panel 20a and a lower panel 20b positioned one above the other. Fig. 7 Similarly, the housings 15a and 15b of a post support the edges of two panels 20b positioned on either side of the post. With such support of the panels against the posts and beams, a frame bordering the panels is unnecessary.

[0040] In the examples shown Fig. 4 à Fig. 7 , a post (10a, 10b) or a beam 30a, 30b is made in a profile whose section includes a main part 18, 38 polygonal, here rectangular, and a part 19, 39 in T, a foot of the part in T being joined to a side of the main part 18, 38 and branches of the part in T being parallel to said side, said side forming with the part in T, two opposite retaining housings, housings 15a, 15b for posts, housings 35a, 35b for beams. The panels are thus held at the edge of the post or beam so that, by placing the beams and posts outside the enclosure, the inner face of the enclosure is flat, without any protruding features, and therefore does not interfere with play. The posts and beams are, for example, made from a single piece of profile, preferably aluminum for greater manufacturing precision and improved resistance to weathering and corrosion.

[0041] It should be noted that, as previously discussed, in the event of an impact or severe weather, the majority of the mechanical forces applied to the enclosure, and more specifically the transverse forces applied to the panels, are absorbed by the main posts, and the rigidity of the structure is reinforced by the beams. The forces on the panels are thus reduced. The panels (mesh) are held primarily by the mounting brackets in the posts and beams; small fixing clips are sufficient to secure the panels to a post, a beam, or even another panel. Fig. 2, Fig.3 .

[0042] Within the grounds of the Fig. 1 Again, beams 30a and 30b and intermediate posts 10b have an identical cross-section; they differ only in their lengths and their position, horizontal or vertical, within the perimeter of the enclosure. For example, they have a rectangular cross-section of approximately 35 mm by 70 mm. The main posts have a similar but larger cross-section, on the order of 80 mm by 160 mm. Their mechanical resistance is greater, calculated to ensure the majority of the enclosure's mechanical strength.

[0043] In the examples ( fig. 1e , fig.2 à fig. 4 And fig. 4 à fig. 7 ) described above, the support housings 15a, 15b, 35a, 35b are made in the posts and beams to secure the panels to the posts or beams.

[0044] As an alternative, ( fig. 5, fig. 6 And fig. 8 ), the invention also proposes an assembly means 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d arranged to be snapped onto one side of a post 10, the post being made from a profile whose cross-section includes a principal part, for example rectangular, the principal part comprising at least one longitudinal assembly groove 16. The assembly means consists of a profile whose cross-section includes: a first part 51 adapted to cap a lateral edge of a first panel 20, and a snap-fit ​​means 53 extending from a long side 55 of the first part 51 of the section and configured to cooperate by snap-fitting with the assembly groove 16 of the post to secure the assembly means to the post.

[0045] In the example of the Fig. 6 Two assembly means 50b and 50c are shown, positioned side by side and arranged to each cooperate with an assembly groove 16 of the post. The two grooves 16 are positioned side-by-side so that two panels, including panels of different types (e.g., a mesh panel and a glass panel), can be positioned in line with each other.

[0046] Alternatively, in example 50a of the Fig. 5 The profile section of the assembly means also includes a second part 52 adapted to cap a lateral edge of a second panel 20, the first part 51 and the second part 52 of the profile section being arranged relative to each other so that the first panel and the second panel extend in the same plane. Two panels, which may be of different materials, can thus be joined end-to-end before being secured to a post.

[0047] Alternatively, in the example of the Fig. 8 In addition to the first part 51, the section of the profile of the assembly means also includes: a second part 52 adapted to fit over a lateral edge of a second panel 20, a central part 54 substantially triangular, the first part 51 and the second part 52 of the profile section extending respectively from a first side and a second side of the triangular part 54 so that the first panel and the second panel form an angle, and the snap-fit ​​means extending from a third side of the triangular part 54. This variant Fig. 8 is particularly useful for creating polygonal enclosures where, on either side of a post, two panels extend in different planes. This variation of the assembly method can also be used to fix the lower part of two glazed panels to a post 60, as an alternative to the fixing bracket shown in the Fig. 9 . In this case, the inner wings 56 of the first and second parts 51, 52 of the profile can be removed.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the first part 51 or the second part 52 of the profile section of the assembly means has a U-shape adapted to cap a lateral edge of a panel and immobilize said panel in translation within a plane of the profile section. The U-shape has two long sides 55, 56 forming two wings of the U-shape and a short side 57 forming the base of the U-shape. This is the case, for example, for the assembly means 50a of the Fig. 5 , the 50b means of the Fig. 6 or the average 50d of the Fig. 8 .

[0049] According to another implementation method represented by the 50c assembly means of the Fig. 6 , the first part or the second part 52 of the section of the profile of the assembly means has an L-shape adapted to cap a lateral edge of a panel, the lateral edge of the panel and / or an end of a main wall of the panel being intended to be glued on a long side 55 and possibly on the short side 57 of the L-shaped section. The U or L-shape serves as a stop for precise positioning of the panel relative to the post or beam.

[0050] In the examples shown, the snap-on means consists of two snap-on tabs 53, one free end of which terminates in a hook-forming element adapted to cooperate with an edge 16a of the assembly groove 16 of the post. In the examples of Fig. 5 et Fig. 6 , the two legs 53 extend from the long side 55 of the first part 51. In example 50d of the Fig. 8 , the two legs 53 extend from one side of the central part 54.

[0051] The assembly means 50 according to the invention is advantageous in that it can be pre-positioned on the panels prior to the enclosure assembly. Thus, during the on-site assembly of the enclosure, the assembly means are simply snapped into place to secure the panels to the posts and / or beams. In a practical embodiment, the snap-on means is made of a plastic material, for example, a polymer, or of aluminum. The assembly means can be glued or screwed to a panel, in particular a glass panel. A gasket (not shown) can also be provided between the edge of the panel and the U-shaped portion that covers the edge of said panel, to prevent glass-to-metal contact or to eliminate play (e.g., means 50b of the Fig. 6 ) between the panel and the U-shaped part in particular.

[0052] The fastening means may have a length similar to the length of a beam, the height of a post, or the height of a panel to which the fastening means is attached. Alternatively, the fastening means may be a few centimeters to a few tens of centimeters long, and several fastening means may be used, distributed along one side of a panel to be secured to a post or beam.

[0053] In summary, the invention proposes an enclosure for an activity such as padel, an enclosure which notably provides the following technical and economic benefits: Mechanical resistance and rigidity of the enclosure ensured by only eight main posts and crossbeams; the absence of posts in the corners of the enclosure, at least in the lower part at the back of the court, to provide the best possible wide-angle visibility for spectators outside the enclosure; standardized elements to reduce costs as much as possible: intermediate posts and beams made from the same profile, glazed panels of a single size (approximately 2 m wide by 3 m high, and rigid wire mesh panels of a single size approximately 2 m by 1 m for a padel enclosure); elements of limited dimensions, easier to manufacture, move and install; profiled posts and beams to hold the panels without a frame; and manual fixing methods by screwing limited to a small number of flat fixing brackets.Right-angled straight edges. A method of assembly that can be pre-assembled in the factory to facilitate subsequent on-site assembly of the enclosure, while guaranteeing the required dimensional characteristics of the enclosure.

[0054] The invention has been described in the context of constructing a padel court, the shape and dimensions of which are dictated by the regulations applicable to this sport and are given here for illustrative purposes. The invention can, of course, find other applications for constructing enclosures for all kinds of activities, indoors or outdoors. The polygonal shape of the enclosure, the number and dimensions of the posts, beams, panels, etc., are naturally chosen according to the desired enclosure. Nomenclature

[0055] 2. Self-supporting structure 3. Chassis 4. Base 4a, 4b. Base ends 5a, 5b. Sides 10. Post 10a. Main post 10b. Intermediate post 15a, 15b. Panel mounting slots on a main post 16. Assembly groove 16. Front of assembly groove 17. Adjustment groove 18. Rectangular portion of a post section 19. T-shaped portion of a post section 20. Panel 20a. Top panel 20b. Bottom panel 21, 22. Vertical edges of a panel 23, 24. Bottom edge, top edge of a panel 30. Beam 30. Top beam 30b. Bottom beam 31. Brace 35a, 35b. Panel mounting slot on a beam 38. Rectangular portion of a beam section 39. T-shaped portion 40 Fixing bracket 40 Flat fixing bracket 40b Angle fixing bracket 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d Assembly means 51 First part 52 Second part 53 Snap-on tabs 54 Central part 55, 56 Long sides of a part 57 Short side of a part 60 Post

Claims

1. A polygonal enclosure defining an activity area, the enclosure comprising: - a self-supporting structure comprising four vertical main posts (10a) and a plurality of horizontal beams (30a, 30b), each end of a beam being secured to an upper part of a main post or to an end of a subsequent beam to form a (3) in the shape of a U comprising a base (4), both ends (4a, 4b) of which are extended by two side members (5a, 5b), the frame being supported by two main posts positioned at the free ends of the two side members (5a, 5b) and by two main posts positioned in a central area of the base (4) of the frame, and - a plurality of vertical panels (20), each vertical edge (21, 22) of a panel (20) being secured to a vertical edge of an adjacent panel or to a main post to form a U-shaped vertical wall, with two adjacent panels forming an angle being secured directly to one another.

2. An enclosure according to claim 1, comprising two self-supporting structures facing each other, and in which the U-shaped frames of the two self-supporting structures are interconnected by beams to form a closed polygonal enclosure.

3. An enclosure according to one of claims 1 to 2, in which a main post (10a) is separated from a corner of the self-supporting structure by at least one panel (20).

4. An enclosure according to claim 3, in which two consecutive panels forming an angle are secured together by at least one fixing tab (40).

5. An enclosure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the self-supporting structure comprises a plurality of upper beams (30a) and a plurality of intermediate beams (30b) ; each end of an upper beam being secured to an upper part of a main post or to an end of a consecutive upper beam to form a U-shaped upper frame (3a) each end of an intermediate beam being secured to an upper part of a main post or to one end of a subsequent intermediate beam to form a U-shaped intermediate frame (3b), the intermediate frame and the upper frame being supported by the four main posts, the upper frame being positioned above the intermediate frame.

6. An enclosure according to one of the preceding claims, also comprising, between two main posts (10a), at least one intermediate post (10b), the upper end of which is connected by a beam (30a, 30b) to a main post (10a) or to another intermediate post (10b).

7. An enclosure according to the preceding claim, in which a beam has a length substantially equal to the distance between two main posts (10a) or to a distance between a post and an angle formed by two panels (20).

8. An enclosure according to any one of claims 5 to 7, in which the self-supporting structure comprises a plurality of lower panels (20b) and a plurality of upper panels (20a), an upper panel extending in the same plane as a lower panel and in line with said lower panel, an upper edge (23) of a lower panel (20b) being secured to an intermediate beam (30b), a lower edge (24) of an upper panel (20a) being secured to an intermediate beam, and an upper edge (23) of an upper panel (20a) being secured to an upper beam (30a).

9. An enclosure according to one of the preceding claims, in which a beam (30, 30a, 30b) or a post (10) comprises a longitudinal retaining recess (15a, 15b; 35a, 35b) arranged to engage over an edge of a panel (20).

10. An enclosure according to one of the preceding claims, in which two opposite longitudinal sides of a beam (30b) or a post (10a, 10b) comprise two opposing longitudinal retaining recesses (15a, 15b; 35a, 35b) arranged to each cover a lateral edge of two consecutive panels (20) extending in the same plane.

11. An enclosure according to claim 10, in which a post (10a, 10b) or a beam (30, 30a, 30b) is formed from a sectioned profile, the cross-section of which comprises a polygonal main part, for example rectangular, and a T-shaped part, one leg of the T-shaped part being secured to one side of the main part and the arms of the T being parallel to said side, said side forming, together with the T-shaped part, two opposing retaining recesses (15a, 15b).

12. An enclosure according to claim 11, comprising a post formed from a profile whose cross-section comprises a main part, for example rectangular, said main part comprising at least one longitudinal assembling groove (16), the enclosure also comprising an assembling means consisting of a profile whose cross-section comprises: - a first part (51) adapted to fit over a side edge of a first panel (20), and - a snap-in tab (53) extending from a long side (55) of the first part (51) of the cross-section and configured to engage by latching with the assembling groove (16) of the post to secure the assembling means to the post.

13. An enclosure according to claim 12, wherein the profile section of the assembling means also comprises a second part (52) adapted to cover a side edge of a second panel (20), the first part (51) and the second part (52) of the profile section being arranged relative to one another such that the first panel and the second panel extend in the same plane.

14. An enclosure according to claim 13, in which the cross-section of the profile of the assembling means also comprises: - a second part (52) adapted to cover a side edge of a second panel (20), - a substantially triangular central part (54), the first part (51) and a second part (52) of the profile cross-section extending respectively from a first side and a second side of the triangular part (54) such that the first panel and the second panel form an angle, and - the latching means extending from a third side of the triangular part.

15. An enclosure according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the first part (51) of the cross-section or the second part (52) of the cross-section of the profile of the assembling means has a U-shape adapted to fit over a side edge of a panel and secure said panel against translational movement in a plane of the profile cross-section.