An entertainment venue

Abstract

An entertainment venue comprises performance 1 and spectator areas, with static 2 / 3 and dynamic 5 spectator portions. The dynamic spectator portion includes a continuous loop track 4 surrounding the p

Description

The present invention relates to an entertainment venue including a dynamic spectator portion which can form part of a newly constructed venue or which may be retro-fitted to an existing venue. In entertainment venues such as stadiums, arenas, theatres and the like, it is desirable to provide high value spectator areas, particularly for corporate attendees. The value of the spectator areas typically depends on the location of the area within the venue. Some locations will have a better view of the entertainment, such as a music concert or sports match, than others and for these locations, the venue owner or promoter may charge higher prices. Ideally, a greater number of the locations within the venue would have an optimum view of the entertainment and therefore the highest value, but this is not possible in traditional venues. The present invention seeks to address and / or ameliorate this problem. US2010 / 0146869 and WO2016 / 083401 both disclose a dynamic seating arrangement for spectator venues, such as a stadium. They describe a plurality of dynamic platforms that may move along a track or path independently or as part of a series of coupled platforms. In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an entertainment venue comprising a performance area and a spectator area surrounding the performance area, wherein the spectator area includes a static spectator portion and a dynamic spectator portion, the dynamic spectator portion including a track substrate defining a continuous loop around the performance area, a plurality of spectator pods adapted for movement around the loop relative to the track substrate; wherein the track substrate carries a continuous electrically conductive element connected to an electrical power source; at least one of the spectator pods includes an electrical receiving element; the electrical receiving element is electrically connected to a drive apparatus of the respective pod; and wherein the drive apparatus of the respective spectator pod(s) is powered by the electrical power source via an electrical coupling between the electrically conductive element and the respective electrical receiving element. The invention provides for spectators within the dynamic portion of the spectator area to enjoy different views of the performance area as the pods circulate around the loop defined by the track substrate. The invention further provides a common power source for the spectator pods. In an embodiment of the invention, each of the spectator pods includes an electrical receiving element. In this way, each of the pods is individually powered and may be individually controlled. This allows for the dynamic spectator area to easily contain different numbers of pods, depending upon the event being hosted at the entertainment venue. It also means that if a pod becomes non-funotional or develops a fault, it can easily be removed without disrupting the remaining pods. It will be appreciated thatwhere a “chain” ortrain of physically connected pods is provided, in which at least one of the pods acts as an engine for the other, non-driven pods, any problem associated with the drive pod(s) has a knock-on effect on the rest of the pods in the train. Furthermore, if a pod within the train develops a fault, the train must be stopped, the faulty pod must be disconnected from the adjacent pods and the adjacent pods connected together before the train can continue. In an embodiment of the invention, the drive apparatus of the respective pod(s) includes a motor which is electrically connected to the power source. According to this embodiment, one or more of the spectator pods may be individually powered and controlled. Suitably, each pod is spaced from and not physically connected to a neighbouring pod; and each pod includes at least one proximity sensor connected to a controller, the controller being adapted to maintain a predetermined minimum spacing between adjacent pods when the pods are in motion and / or detect a foreign object located between adjacent pods. It will be appreciated that the term “foreign object” refers to an object having a size which may interfere with the operation of the pods. The drive apparatus of the or each pod may be controlled by an output from the controller. In this way, the speed of the motor, and thus the speed of the pod itself, may be controlled by the controller. Furthermore, the controller may have a first output or “drive” output which is adapted to drive the motor of the pod ata substantially constant speed such that the pod is driven around the loop at a substantially constant speed. For any given event, the pod is suitably driven around the loop at a substantially constant predetermined speed. However, the predetermined speed may be different for different events. Thus, the predetermined speed for any given event may be selected from a plurality of different predetermined speeds. The constant speed is suitably a speed at which spectators are able to enter and leave the pod while it is still in motion. People are familiar with moving walkways and escalators, so the concept of joining and leaving a moving object is not unusual. With the foregoing in mind, the constant speed of the pod in motion (i.e. the corresponding output from the controller) is suitably less than 6 kph (kilometres per hour). Thus, the constant speed may be less than 5 kph, less than 4 kph, less than 3 kph, or less than 2 kph. However, it is desired that each pod completes at least one circuit of the loop within the event period (i.e. the time for which the event is ongoing). Therefore, the speed is suitably greater than 0.1 kph, for example greater than 0.5 kph or greater than 0.7 kph. As an alternative parameter, the speed of the pods may be set in terms of “revolutions per unit time”. For example, for a football game (i.e. soccer in the US), where each half of the game lasts for 45 minutes, the pods may have a predetermined speed of 1 revolution per 45 minutes. That is to say, each pod should complete a single complete circuit of the loop within the desired timeframe. Although the speed of the pods may be constant during the event period, it may be necessary to stop the pods during the event if a foreign object becomes present on the track substrate in order to avoid damage to the pods, disturb the spectators present on the pods and / or damage / injure the foreign object. Thus, the controller may include a second or “emergency” output in which the motor is stopped (in embodiments in which the pods each include a drive train) or the drive system (in embodiments in which the pods are carried by a common drive system) is stopped to bring the pods to a halt until such time as the foreign object can be removed. In embodiments in which each pod includes a controller, the controllers may be wirelessly connected to a remote control system, wherein each of the controllers may receive control signals from the remote control system. In an embodiment of the invention, each pod may further include an auxiliary rechargeable power source. Such auxiliary power sources may power the pods fora period of time in the event that the electrical power supplied to the electrically conductive element by the electrical power source is interrupted. The track substrate is suitably substantially planar. In addition, the loop defined by the track substrate may be provided at a single level (i.e. a single horizontal plane) around the performance area. In an embodiment of the invention, the track substrate carries at least one rail in the form of a continuous loop or it defines a path along which the pods are adapted to move. Accordingly, the track substrate may carry one or more rails which form a track upon which the pods move in use and / or which guide the path of the pods. Alternatively, the track substrate may define a path which forms a track, for example, the track substrate may define a simple planar surface, the track substrate may define one or more channels adapted to receive a guide element of each pod, orthe track substrate may include one or more raised guide elements adapted to guide each pod. Alternatively, the track substrate defines a substantially planar surface which includes direction control elements which may be followed by a corresponding control element sensor carried by each pod. In such an embodiment, the direction control element(s) may be embedded within the track substrate or may be carried by the track substrate. The direction control element(s) may be magnetic and the control element sensor carried by each pod may detect the magnetic field generated by the control element(s). In certain embodiments of the invention, the continuous electrically conductive element and the guide rail may form part of a common (i.e., unitary) component. In embodiments in which the track substrate defines a substantially planar path, each pod may include a plurality of wheels which engage the path and permit movement of the pod relative to the path. As an alternative to physically guiding the pods around the loop defined by the track substrate, the controller may include physical details of the track substrate and it may also include positional information relative to the pod such that the controller is able to guide the pod around the loop defined by the track substrate based on internally stored data. Thus, the controller may sense or otherwise detect (in other words, the controller “knows”) where on the track the pod is located and it may be pre-programmed with directional information such that the controller is able to determine in which direction the pod needs to move in order to move around the loop. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the track substrate defines a substantially planar surface forming a path for the pods. The path suitably defines a loop around the performance area. In a further embodiment of the invention, the dynamic spectator portion further includes a platform, wherein the platform is elevationally higher than the track substrate. The platform may be provided to allow spectators to enter and leave the pods. The platform may be a circumferential platform such that the platform also forms a continuous loop, or it may be discontinuous and is adjacent to the track substrate at one or more locations about the loop. Each pod is suitably provided with an access opening to allow spectators to enter or leave the pod as appropriate. In an embodiment of the invention, the opening includes a floor portion which is elevationally aligned with the platform. As noted above, it is envisaged that the pods may move around the loop ata continuous speed for the duration of the event (possibly excluding interval periods), therefore, spectators may enter and leave the pod during the eventwhilst it is moving. Such action is made easier by elevationally aligning the floor portion of the access opening with the platform. Moreover, having the floor portion of the access opening elevationally level with the platform allows for wheelchair and / or pushchair access to the pod. In such an embodiment, the access opening is suitably wide enough to permit the passage therethrough of a wheelchair or similar movement aid for disabled users. For the comfort of the spectators within the pod, it suitably includes one or more seats, which may be an individual seat for each spectator within the pod or it may be one or more communal seats upon which a plurality of spectators may sit. In addition to seating, the pod may comprise other furniture such as tables and the like. In an embodiment of the invention each seat in the seating pod is provided with a folding tablelike support surface upon which items such as food and / or drinks may be located. However, the pod may take the form of a moving room in which the spectators may move around freely. The design of the interior of each pod will depend on the spectators it is desired to accommodate. The pods located within the dynamic portion of the spectator area may be substantially identical. Alternatively, pods of different sizes, configurations and / or seating capacity may be provided within the dynamic portion. It will be appreciated that the continuous electrically conductive element carried by the track substrate may present a health and safety issue. In order to address such issues, the electrical power source may have a relatively low voltage output or the electrically conductive element may include a insulated portions and conductive portions, wherein the conductive portions are provided in relatively inaccessible portions of the element. Thus, the electrical power source may have an output voltage of less than 100V. For example, the output voltage may be less than 75V, or less than 60V or less than 50V. Additionally or alternatively, the electrically conductive element is at least partially embedded in the track substrate. Furthermore, the electrically conductive element may include an electrically insulated cover. In such embodiments, the electrically conductive element may include an electrically conductive portion which is disposed beneath the cover. For example, the electrically conductive portion may be defined by a substantially vertical surface of the element or it may be defined by a downwardly facing surface of the element, and access to the conductive portions is restricted by the cover. For example, the electrically conductive portion may be carried by a downwardly facing surface of the insulated cover. In certain embodiments, the electrically conductive element is at least partially embedded within the track substrate and the upwardly facing surface of the conductive element is formed from an electrically insulating material or is covered by an electrically insulated cover. In such embodiments, the track substrate may define a channel adjacent to the electrically conductive element, wherein the channel is open to the electrically conductive element. In this way, a portion of the electrical receiving element may be disposed within the channel and contact the conductive surface of the conductive element. Thus, a portion of the electrical receiving element of each pod may be disposed within the channel; and wherein each electrical receiving element includes an electrical contact portion which contacts an electrically conductive surface of the electrically conductive element. For example, in embodiments of the invention in which the electrically conductive portion is a substantially vertical surface, the electrical receiving element may be substantially L-shaped. Additionally, in embodiments of the invention in which the electrically conductive portion is a downwardly facing surface, the electrical receiving element may be substantially J-shaped. A second aspect of the invention provides an entertainment venue comprising a performance area and a spectator area surrounding the performance area, wherein the spectator area includes a static spectator portion and a dynamic spectator portion, the dynamic spectator portion including a first track substrate defining a continuous loop around the performance area and a plurality of spectator pods adapted for movement around the loop relative to the first track substrate; wherein the first track substrate includes one or more junctions and the or each junction includes a second track substrate which extends away from the loop defined by the first track substrate. The second aspect of the invention permits pods to be added to the first track substrate or be removed from the first track substrate more easily. The entertainment venue of the second aspect of the invention may include all of the features of the entertainment venue of the first aspect of the invention. Accordingly, the entertainment venue of the second aspect of the invention may include a continuous electrically conductive element carried by the first track substrate, wherein the electrically conductive element is connected to an electrical power source; at least one of the spectator pods includes an electrical receiving element; the electrical receiving element is electrically connected to a drive apparatus of the respective pod; wherein the drive apparatus of the respective spectator pod(s) is powered by the electrical power source via an electrical coupling between the electrically conductive element and the respective electrical receiving element. In an embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the second track substrate may extend substantially perpendicularly to the first track substrate at the respective junction. Thus, the second track substrate may extend outwardly from the loop defined by the first track substrate. The junction may include a rotatably platform, wherein the platform rotates relative to the first track substrate. In this way, a pod located on the platform and aligned with the first track substrate may be rotated until it is aligned with the second track substrate in order to remove a pod from the first track substrate. Alternatively, a pod may travel along the second track substrate to the platform and then rotated to align the pod with the first track substrate in order to add a new pod to the first track substrate. In this way, pods may be added to or removed from the loop defined by the first track substrate. The or each second track substrate may terminate at a pod storage area or a pod maintenance area. In such embodiments, the pod storage area / maintenance area may be disposed within or beneath a part of the static spectator portion of the spectator area. The skilled person will appreciate that the features described and defined in connection with the aspect of the invention and the embodiments thereof may be combined in any combination, regardless of whether the specific combination is expressly mentioned herein. Thus, all such combinations are considered to be made available to the skilled person. An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an entertainment venue incorporating a dynamic spectator area according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a close-up view of the entertainment venue of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a pod for use in the dynamic spectator area according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a further perspective view of the pod of Figure 3 illustrating the entry pathway to the pod; Figure 5 is a further perspective view of the pod of Figure 3 illustrating the exit pathway from the pod; Figure 6 is a detailed view of the pod of Figure 3 illustrating the seatback video screens; Figure 7 is a detailed view of the pod of Figure 3 illustrating the folding tables; Figure 8 is a detailed view of a folding table shown in Figure 7 illustrating the stowable video screen; and Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view through a schematic representation of the track susbstrate. Figures 1 and 2 show an event venue incorporating a dynamic spectator area according to an embodiment of the present invention. The event venue of the present embodiment comprises a sports field 1 surrounded by a first static spectator area in the form of a lower tier 2 of fixed seating and a second static spectator area in the form of an upper tier 3 of fixed seating. Between the lower tier 2 and the upper tier 3 of static seating is provided a track substrate 4 which defines a substantially planar path in the form of a continuous loop around the sports field 1. The path carries a plurality of pods 5 in accordance with the present invention. The pods 5 are individually motorised to circulate around the stadium on the track substrate 4 so that the occupants of the pods 5 experience a continuously changing view of the sports field 1. During an active phase of the sports event (i.e. when the game or match is in play), the pods 5 rotate around the loop defined by the track substrate 4. Where the sports field is a football (soccer) field and the track substrate 4 has a length of 800m, it is desired that the pods each complete a single circuit of the loop in a 45 minute period (i.e. one half of the match). In this case, the podswill move at a constant speed of 800m in 45 minutes or 1.067 kph. It will be appreciated that for longer loops, the pods will have to move relatively quicker to complete the lap within 45 minutes and for shorter loops, the pods will move at a relatively slower speed. Each pod 5 includes wheels 20 (shown in Figure 9) on its underside and an electric motor 22 which enable the pod 5 to travel along the path defined by the track substrate 4 under its own power. Energy for the motor is provided by a continuous electrically conductive rail 24, which is shown in more detail in Figure 9. The speed of the motor 22 is controlled by a controller 26 (shown in Figure 9). Each pod 5 further includes a sensor (not shown) located within the leading side portion (i.e. the side portion of the pod 5 which leads the pod when in motion) which maintains a minimum spacing between the pod and the adjacent pod in front of it when the pods are moving. Referring now to Figures 3 to 5, each pod 5 comprises a plurality of seats 6, in this embodiment ten seats in two rows of five. The front row of seats 6 is lower than the rear row in order that the spectators seated in the rear row can see over the heads of those in the front row. The pod 5 has a front panel 7 which is in the form of an electronic advertising display for displaying advertising to the interior of the stadium. Adjacent to the track substrate 4 and located radially outwards from it is an elevated platform 8. The platform 8 permits spectators to walk between the pods 5 or to exit the dynamic spectator area, as indicated by the arrow A. Spectator exits 9 are provided at intervals along the platform 8. A spectator boarding the pod 5 steps from the platform 8 onto a boarding platform 10 of the pod 5, as indicated by the arrow B. The boarding platform 10 is elevationally aligned with the platform 8. To exit the pod 5, the spectator steps from the boarding platform 10 onto the platform 8 and through one of the spectator exits 9, as indicated by the arrow C. During boarding or exit of the pod 5, the pod 5 maintains a constant speed. As shown in Figure 6, each of the seats 6 of the front row is provided with a video screen 11 for use by the spectators seated in the back row. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, folding tables 12 are provided for each seat to support drinks or snacks. The folding tables 12 of the front row include a stowable video screen 12 for use by the spectators of the front row. In use, the pods 5 circulate around the stadium on the track substrate 4, so that the spectators in the seats 6 have a 360 degree view of the sports field 1 over the period of one circuit of the track. The speed of the pods 5 is relatively low so that the spectators are able to board and leave at will in the same way as for fixed seating. Figure 9 shows a schematic representation of the track substrate 4 and one of the pods 5. As shown in Figure 9, the continuous electrically conductive rail 24 is located within a first channel 28 defined by the track substrate 4. The conductive rail 24 includes a main body 30 which is secured at one end to the floor of the channel 28. At the opposite end of the main body 30 is provided an insulated cover 32. Carried on the underside of the insulated cover 32 is an electrically conductive member 34. The electrically conductive member 34 is electrically connected to a mains power source 36. In this arrangement, the electrically conductive member 34 is protected by the electrically insulated cover 32 and is not directly accessible by a person on the track substrate 4. The pod 5 includes a J-shaped electrical receiving element 38. A lower part of the electrical receiving element 38 is located within the channel 28 alongside the conductive rail 24. The upwardly projecting distal end portion of the electrical receiving element 38 contacts the electrically conductive member 34 and transfers electrical energy therefrom when the electrically conductive member 34 is energised. An upper part of the J-shaped electrical receiving element 38 is connected to a power input 40 of the pod 5. In this way, electrical energy from the mains power source 36 is transferred to the pod 5. The electrical energy from the electrical receiving element 38 is conditioned by the power input 40 and then transmitted to the electric motor 22. Drive from the electric motor is transmitted to a gearbox 42 via a drive shaft 44 and then from the gearbox 42 to one of the wheels 20. The pod is directed along the track substrate 4 via a guide fin 50 which is disposed within a guide channel 52 also defined by the track substrate 4. Such an arrangement is well known in the field of vehicles that are designed to follow a pre-determined path and needs not be described in more detail herein. In summary, a dynamic spectator area for an audience at an entertainment venue comprises a plurality of seating pods 5 provided on a track substrate 4 which forms a continuous loop around the entertainment venue. The seating pods 5 are motorised for continuous movement along the track substrate 4 around the entertainment venue. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words “comprise” and “contain” and variations of them mean “including but not limited to”, and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise. 5 Features, integers, characteristics, or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and / or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may 10 be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments.

Claims

1. An entertainment venue comprising a performance area and a spectator area surrounding the performance area, wherein the spectator area includes a static spectator portion and a dynamic spectator portion, the dynamic spectator portion including a track substrate defining a continuous loop around the performance area and a plurality of spectator pods adapted for movement around the loop relative to the track substrate; wherein the track substrate carries a continuous electrically conductive element connected to an electrical power source; at least one of the spectator pods includes an electrical receiving element; the electrical receiving element is electrically connected to a drive apparatus of the respective pod; wherein the drive apparatus of the respective spectator pod(s) is powered by the electrical power source via an electrical coupling between the electrically conductive element and the respective electrical receiving element.

2. An entertainment venue accordingto Claim 1, wherein each of the spectator pods includes an electrical receiving element and a drive apparatus.

3. An entertainment venue accordingto Claim 2, wherein each pod is spaced from and not physically connected to a neighbouring pod; and each pod includes at least one proximity sensor connected to a controller, the controller being adapted to maintain a predetermined minimum spacing between adjacent pods when the pods are in motion and / or detect a foreign object located between adjacent pods.

4. An entertainment venue accordingto any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the drive apparatus includes an electric motor.

5. An entertainment venue accordingto Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein the drive apparatus is controlled by an output from the controller.

6. An entertainment venue accordingto any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the dynamic spectator portion further includes a platform, wherein the platform is elevationally higher than the track substrate.

7. An entertainment venue accordingto Claim 6, wherein each pod includes an access opening having a floor which is elevationally aligned with the platform.5 8. An entertainment venue accordingto any of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the electricalpower source has an output voltage of less than 100V.

9. An entertainment venue accordingto any of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the electrically conductive element is at least partially embedded in the track substrate.1010. An entertainment venue accordingto any of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the electrically conductive element includes an electrically insulated cover.

11. An entertainment venue accordingto Claim 10, wherein the electrically conductive 15 element includes an electrically conductive portion which is disposed beneath thecover.

12. An entertainment venue accordingto Claim 11, wherein the electrically conductive portion is substantially vertical.2013. An entertainment venue accordingto Claim 11, wherein the electrically conductive portion is a downwardly facing surface.

14. An entertainment venue accordingto any of Claims 9 to 13, wherein the track25 substrate defines a channel adjacent to the electrically conductive element, whereinthe channel is open to the electrically conductive element.

15. An entertainment venue accordingto Claim 14, wherein a portion of the electrical receiving element of each pod is disposed within the channel; and wherein each30 electrical receiving element includes an electrical contact portion which contacts anelectrically conductive portion of the electrically conductive element.

16. An entertainment venue according to Claim 15, wherein the electrically conductive portion is substantially vertical and the electrical receiving element is substantially L-shaped.5 17. An entertainment venue accordingto Claim 15, wherein the electrically conductiveportion is a downwardly facing surface and the electrical receiving element is substantially J-shaped.

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