Sports equipment

Abstract

A game court structure (10) comprises a plurality of side walls (12) forming a closed perimeter, the side walls (12) being generally planar and comprising a target opening (14) for conversion of game balls. Five side walls (12) of same shape may be arranged on a pentagonal footprint. The target openings (14) may be provided with closed nets (16) of arm-length depth such that converted balls are in arm-length reach for quick retrieval. In some variants, posts between side walls are provided with basketball hoops. In some variants, both openings (14) and basketball hoops are provided in one game court structure. The side walls (12) may have a square shape of typically two to four metres side length. The game court structure (10) enables fast-paced ball games in small team numbers of two to six players, the netted target areas permitting fast retrieval of converted balls.

Description

[0001] CPSOCOOIWO

[0002] 1

[0003] Sports equipment

[0004] Field of the Invention

[0005] The present invention relates to team sports equipment for exercise and play, specifically to a game court structure for ball games for team sports and / or target practice. More specifically, the invention relates to a game court installable as a temporary installation, or as a permanent installation, that is enclosed on all sides, and may optionally comprise an integral ceiling structure, to provide a safe environment for a fast-paced game.

[0006] Background

[0007] There is an ongoing desire to encourage physical activity and team spirit amongst people of all ages. Several outdoor sports facilities require complex installations or large area installations.

[0008] The present invention seeks to provide a new game court design suitable for indoor and outdoor use and scalable for players of different age groups.

[0009] Summary of the Invention

[0010] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is described a game court structure as defined in claim 1 , comprising a plurality of side walls forming a closed perimeter, the game court structure to be erected on ground underneath, wherein each side wall comprises at least one target area comprising an opening above ground level.

[0011] The side walls are understood to be erected to stand upright, extending generally vertically from a surface or ground underneath. To this end, the side walls may be connected to each other to mutually support each other upright. In addition, and / or as an alternative to direct connections, the side walls may be supported by upright support structures such as columns, fins, or support posts. Such uprights may be provided at corner locations and / or partway between edges of the side walls. The game court structure is understood to be intended to be installed on a ground. For the purpose of the invention, several open spaces or indoor spaces can be found in parks, sports facilities, schools and the like, that provide a floor or ground that is sufficiently flat to define a ground level of the game court structure.

[0012] Each of the side walls is provided with a target area comprising an opening, suitable as a target or goal for ball sports. The opening is above ground, meaning that the lower edge of the opening is above ground, raised a minimum amount, e.g. at least 20cm, 40cm, 50cm, 60cm,

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[0015] 80cm, 100cm from the ground level. Two or more, or all of the openings may be aligned at the same height level. Such openings above ground level provide targets for handball games and / or targets that cannot be hit by a ball rolling on the ground.

[0016] In some embodiments, each of the side walls has the same shape. In some embodiments, each of the side walls is generally planar.

[0017] In some embodiments, the side walls are held between supporting structures, or supported by a frame structure, in a manner sufficiently taut for balls to bounce back, in use. Each of the side walls may be held between supporting structures, or may be supported by a frame structure, to maintain a planar surface of the side wall sufficiently taut to allow balls to bounce back.

[0018] In some embodiments, each of the side walls comprises a curved plane. In embodiments the side walls may be curved, e.g. curved panels. In that case, each of the side walls may have the same curvature.

[0019] In some embodiments, the opening of the target area of each side wall is located within the side wall. The target area may be defined by a hole providing an aperture in the side wall.

[0020] In some embodiments, each side wall comprises a target area in the form of a hoop providing an opening. The target area may be provided by a hoop located within the game court area. The hoops may be oriented vertically, in the manner of goals, the side walls laterally outward of the hoops to provide a wall enclosing the game court structure. The hoops may be oriented horizontally, in the manner of basketball hoops. The hoops may be located at, or near, the in- use upper end of the game court structure, e.g. in the upper third, upper quarter, or upper fifth, of the game court structure, and thereby comprise an opening above ground level.

[0021] In some embodiments, the target area of each side wall is located in a corner region between two side walls.

[0022] In some embodiments, at least one side panel comprises at least one further opening, wherein the at least one further opening is contacting the ground level.

[0023] By contacting the ground level, it will be understood that the lower edge of the opening comprises either a negligible, or no, threshold for a ball to roll from the closed perimeter into the opening. Such an opening may be used in the manner of a soccer goal or hockey goal.

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[0026] In some embodiments, such openings - above ground and ground-level openings, where provided - have relatively low height, of no more than 30cm, 40cm, or 50cm, to allow balls to be trapped in the opening.

[0027] In some embodiments, the opening of one or more, or each, target area is netted.

[0028] The net may provide a pouch to catch a converted ball, i.e. a ball that has passed through the opening from within the closed perimeter.

[0029] In some embodiments, the opening of one or more, or each, target area is provided with a closed net.

[0030] In some embodiments, the closed net is no deeper than 100 centimetres. The closed net may be no deeper than 90, 80, 70, 60, 50 or 40 centimetres. In this manner, the end of the net is in reach of most arms, permitting easy retrieval of a ball.

[0031] In some embodiments, the structure comprises at least five side walls each of the side walls arranged at an included angle of less than 180 degrees to its adjacent sidewalls.

[0032] As will be appreciated, the structure may comprise five sidewalls, or six sidewalls, or more side walls.

[0033] In some embodiments, the side walls are arranged on a pentagonal footprint. In some embodiments, the side walls are arranged on a hexagonal footprint. As such, the side walls may be equiangularly arranged to form a regular polygonal footprint.

[0034] In some embodiments, the structure comprises a floor structure. The floor structure may be an arrangement of one or more panels, or one or more mats, to provide a covering of the floor area inside the closed perimeter.

[0035] The floor structure may be provided with markings, e.g. to identify one or more of a centre region, corner regions, penalty regions, outside regions, and / or border regions the court. However, the provision of markings is not necessarily a requirement of all embodiments.

[0036] In some embodiments, the floor structure is a padded structure. By “padded” structure, it will be appreciated that the floor structure is sufficiently soft to dampen impact or falls by players. The padded structure may comprise resiliently deformable properties. The padded structure may be provided by a material as is commonly used for gymnastics mats or similar sports mats. In some embodiments, the padded structure is mainly of a soft material to soften the impact of

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[0038] 4 falls. In some embodiments, the padded structure has resiliently deformable properties suited to provide “bounce” for a ball game.

[0039] The padded structure may comprise multiple layers of foam and / or air-filled structures, such as AirTrack (RTM) competition flooring or other suitable flooring.

[0040] In some embodiments, the floor structure is inflatable, and / or comprises resiliently deformable material.

[0041] In some embodiments, the floor structure is attachable to and detachable from the game court structure.

[0042] The floor structure may be attachable to one or more, or all, of the side walls. For instance, the floor mat structure may be attachable to in-use lower edges of the side walls, to provide a continuous, or practically continuous, court enclosure. Embodiments may comprise base crossbars at ground-level, at least one ground-level crossbar extending between corners of a game court structure. In that case, the floor structure may be attached to a few, or all, of the ground-level crossbars of the game court structure. The floor attachment between the floor structure and side walls, or the crossbar therefor, may be to avoid a gap between side wall and floor structure. The floor attachment may comprise a tensioning arrangement to tension the floor structure.

[0043] Alternatively, and / or in addition, the floor structure may be attachable to upright posts.

[0044] In some embodiments, the structure comprises a ceiling structure. In some embodiments, the ceiling structure comprises a mesh. In some embodiments, the ceiling structure is attachable to, and detachable from, the game court structure.

[0045] The ceiling structure may be attachable to one or more, or all, of the side walls. For instance, the ceiling mat structure may be attachable to in-use upper edges of the side walls, and / or to upright posts.

[0046] In some embodiments, the structure comprises an arrangement of upright posts to support the side walls. In some embodiments, the upright posts are inflatable and / or comprise a padded surface. Inflatable posts may be suited for temporary installations. As an alternative to inflatable posts, the posts may be made from a solid material, such as wood, plastics, composites, metal, such as steel, and / or combinations thereof. The posts may comprise padding at least at the inward-facing sides thereof, to provided padded surfaces on the sides facing into the closed perimeter.

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[0049] In some embodiments, the side walls are attachable between two upright posts.

[0050] Particularly for temporary variants of the court structure, the side walls may be structures that are detachable from, and attachable to, the upright posts.

[0051] The court structure may comprise tensioning mechanisms to tension side walls, and / or to support side walls laterally. The tensioning mechanisms may comprise crossbars to be installed horizontally and / or diagonally. The tensioning mechanisms may engage, where provided, vertical frame members of the side walls and / or upright posts, where provided.

[0052] In embodiments in which the target area of each side wall is located in a corner between side walls, for instance in the form of a basketball hoop, each of the target areas may be mounted to the upright post.

[0053] In some embodiments, the structure comprises ground anchoring structures.

[0054] In some embodiments, at least one side wall comprises an access opening for players.

[0055] The access opening may be a door, which may be a zipped door as is known from tent structures, and / or a door closable by a hook-and-loop fastener. Alternatively, and / or in addition, one or more access doors may be provided by a hinged door and / or sliding door, which may be more appropriate for permanent structures.

[0056] In some embodiments, the or each target area is located centrally within its side wall.

[0057] In some embodiments, the or each side wall has a quadrilateral layout.

[0058] The, or each, side wall making up the closed perimeter of the games court structure may be a rectangular shape. In embodiments, each side wall may be a square shape.

[0059] Features, arrangements and materials described in relation to any one of the embodiments may be used in combination with any one of the other embodiments.

[0060] Description of the Figures

[0061] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the Figures, in which:

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[0064] Figure 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a game court structure;

[0065] Figure 2 is an elevation of a side wall panel of the Figure 1 embodiment;

[0066] Figure 3 is a top view without ceiling net to illustrate a floor mat;

[0067] Figures 4 to 6 are schematic illustrations of different nets for side wall panels;

[0068] Figures 7 and 8 show another embodiment and corresponding side wall, respectively,

[0069] Figures 9 and 10 show yet another embodiment and corresponding side wall, respectively, Figures 11 and 12 show yet another embodiment and corresponding side wall, respectively,

[0070] Figures 13 and 14 show yet another embodiment and corresponding side wall, respectively,

[0071] Figures 15 and 16 show yet another embodiment and a top view of its floor layout, respectively,

[0072] Figures 17 and 18 show yet another embodiment and a top view of its floor layout, and

[0073] Figures 19 and 20 show yet another embodiment and corresponding side wall, respectively.

[0074] Description

[0075] Referring to the Figures, a game court structure 10 comprises a plurality of, here, five side wall panels 12, each panel 12 providing a side wall. The side wall panels 12 are arranged to surround and enclose a game court. The side wall panels 12 are kept upright by posts 20.

[0076] Each post 20 is, here, an inflatable post structure. The posts 20 are connected, at their upper ends, by transoms 26 and, at their lower ends, by base crossbars 28. Herein, transoms and base crossbars may be similar or identical structures, wherein the expression transom is used for the crossbar at the in-use upper, free edge, and the expression base crossbar is used for the crossbar at ground level. In this example, the court structure 10 is of pentagonal footprint, comprising five vertical posts 20, five transoms 26 and five base crossbars 28. The transoms 26 and the posts 20 may be part of a unitary inflatable structure. Optionally, the crossbars may be part of the same unitary inflatable structure. In some embodiments, the crossbars 28 and / or transoms 26 may be separate components to be attached to the posts 20, and / or to provide a frame structure to hold the side wall panels 12. The side wall panels 12 enclose the perimeter of the court structure 10, such that the inner space of the court structure 10 is separated from the outside by the wall panels.

[0077] The game court structure 10 further comprises a mat 30 and, at its ceiling, a mesh 40.

[0078] When provided with a floor mat 30, a ceiling mesh 40 and side wall panels 12, the game court structure 10 is enclosed from all sides and also at the ceiling. As will be appreciated, depending on the ground on which the structure 10 is intended to be used, a floor mat 30 may be omitted. For embodiments in which the side wall panels have sufficient height, a ceiling mesh may be omitted.

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[0081] Each of the side wall panels 12 comprises, here, a panel frame structure 15 having dimensions corresponding to the side faces of a cage structure, here corresponding to a width and vertical position of a transom 26 and a base crossbar 28, and corresponding to a height and lateral span of two adjacent uprights 20. The frame structure comprises a connection arrangement 22, here in the form of a unitary inflatable body. However, alternatively, the connection arrangement may permit assembly of separate components, for instance in the form of patches of a hook-and-loop arrangement, to permit manual reversible assembly of the side wall panels 12 to the cage structure. Thereby, the side wall panels may be attached to, and detached from, the court structure.

[0082] Surrounded by the panel frame structure 15 is a mesh 19, the mesh 19 constituting the prominent part of, or practically constituting, the side wall of the game court. For simplicity, an illustration of the mesh 19 is omitted in Figure 1. The mesh is, preferably, installed or attached in a taut manner, to provide a resilient, or “bouncy”, wall for a ball game. The mesh 19 may be taut in the frame 15, which may optionally comprise tightening means.

[0083] The mesh 19 is provided with an access door, here in the form of a zip section extending vertically along a height 18a of the mesh and horizontally along a width 18b of (here) half the mesh 19. The zip section may comprise a zipper 18c or other suitable handle. Instead of a zip section, the mesh 19 may comprises a hook-and-loop arrangement to allow the access door to be repeatedly opened and closed for access to the cage. In embodiments in which all side panels 12 are identical, each side panel 12 comprises an access door, however in other embodiments one or more side panels comprise an access opening and the remaining side panels may comprise no access opening.

[0084] The side panel 12 is of generally quadrilateral, here square, form, having a similar or practically same side length as width. Centrally within its plane, the side panel 12 comprises an opening 14, to provide a target or goal for game play and / or practice. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 14 comprises a net 16. Preferably, the net 16 is of closed form, comprising a closed end 17, or of a form sufficiently narrow to reliably catch a ball shot into the net 16. Furthermore, the net is preferably of a depth of no more than a typical arm length of a typical player, e.g. no more than 50 centimetres deep, to facilitate retrieval of a converted ball. In this manner, the net 16 is sufficiently deep to slow down and catch a ball while being sufficiently open to allow easy retrieval of a ball.

[0085] To provide exemplary dimensions for illustrative purposes, the side panel 12 may be a square of no less than 2m x 2m size, 3m x 3m size, or 4m x 4m size, and the opening may have a diameter of around a third of the square side length, e.g. a diameter of no less than 0.66m, 1 m, or 1.33m, respectively. As will be appreciated, relative proportions and dimensions of the side

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[0087] 8 wall panels 12, openings 14 and nets 16 may be modified, however it is thought to be beneficial for fast game play to allow a ball to be removed easily from the net 16.

[0088] As an alternative to nets, the openings may be provided with blocking structures, such as ballblockers. Depending on the size and dimensions of the court structure 10, the blocking structures may be spaced from the opening, outside the closed perimeter defined by the side walls, in the form of walls or nets. The blocking structures may comprise and / or may be combined with ball-returning mechanisms, such as deflecting mechanisms or hoop tracks to return a ball into the game. It will be appreciated that such deflecting mechanisms or hoop tracks may be combined with flaps or other suitable structures permitting a return of a ball into the game court structure.

[0089] The side walls of the game court structure 10 may be of identical design. While the particular rules of a game with which the game court structure may be used are not claimed herein, it is mentioned for illustrative purposes that the game court structure may be suited for games that do not rely on a home side, in which any player may be permitted to score against any one of the targets, and other players or opponents may need to continuously identify a goal or target to be defended.

[0090] Figure 3 is a top view without ceiling net 40 to better illustrate the floor mat 30. The floor mat 30 is a padded mat to provide a soft, even ground. The floor mat 30 is provided with markings such as a centre marking 32 indicating a centre location and circumference thereof, or corner markings 34 to indicate corner locations and predetermined distances thereof.

[0091] Inflatable elements of the structure 10, such as the posts 20, may be made from a suitable material such as vinyl. Several suitable materials for inflatable large structures, including arrangements and pumps to maintain inflatable structures inflated, will be known to a skilled person and are not described in detail herein.

[0092] The mesh 19 is preferably from a material that can be provided in taut form, such as mesh material, and therefore distinguished from nets 16 that may be softer to catch balls, rather than permitting them to bounce back. Alternatively, the side wall panel may comprise panel parts or may be made from a unitary panel component.

[0093] The nets 16 are preferably made from a soft material with less bounce behaviour than the side wall panels 12. The materials may be selected such that, as the openings 14 are surrounded by mesh of the side wall panel 12, a miss of the opening 14 - therefore hitting the panel 12 - is likely to return a ball into the court, whereas a hit into the target area as defined by an opening 14 or by a net 16 will net a ball and require retrieval for the game to continue.

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[0096] Figures 4 to 6 illustrate different net variants 16, 16a, 16b. The net 16 comprises a net structure 160 and a flat closed end 17. Another embodiment, the net 16a, comprises a sheet material bag 160a closed by a gathered or pointed end 17a. Another embodiment, the net 16b, comprises sheet material bag 160b closed by a flat end 17b. A flat end structure is believed to reduce a likelihood of a ball becoming entangled in the net or bag, and is therefore believed to facilitate faster retrieval of a ball. To provide an illustrative example of a suitable material for a net, this may be polyester mesh or polyester sheet, as commonly used for goal netting.

[0097] The floor 30 may be made from an inflatable body, and / or may comprise padded material. For instance, the floor 30 may be made from air track material.

[0098] The cage structure may comprise one or more inflation ports 24. In embodiments comprising a single inflatable cage structure, a single inflation port may suffice to inflate the cage structure.

[0099] By using inflatable bodies and / or mesh and net structures, the game court structure 10 is collapsible, e.g. by deflation and / or folding and / or rolling up, to facilitate storage and transportation. The cage structure may have a height corresponding generally to the height of the side wall panels, e.g. in the region of 2 metres, 3 metres, or 4 metres, and is therefore believed to be suited for indoor use in sports halls and other suitable locations such as community venues, as well as home use in gardens or car park areas. The enclosed structure permits players to engage in a fast-paced game, specifically a fast-paced ball game, without having to be concerned about nearby structures or property and / or without having to spend much time to retrieve a ball that went outside.

[0100] While the illustrated embodiment of Figures 1 to 3 shows inflated structures, the posts 20 and crossbars may be made from other suitable material, e.g. from wood, plastics, composite materials, and / or metal materials. The posts may be solid structures, two adjacent posts to provide a frame for the wall panel therebetween. When the upright posts are sufficiently solid and / or anchored in ground underneath, the crossbars and / or transoms may not be required to hold the wall panels in place. The posts may be padded with suitable material, such as rubber, leather, or other suitable padding structures as are known for sports. A few variants of embodiments are described below.

[0101] Figures 7 and 8 show an isometric view of court structure 110 and a front view, respectively, of a corresponding side wall panel 112. The court structure 110 comprises a plurality of five side wall panels 112 arranged to surround and enclose a game court. The side wall panels 112 are held upright between posts 120, which are anchored to the ground by anchoring means, here in the form of brackets 121. The court structure 110 may be suited for a permanent installation.

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[0104] The side wall panels 112 comprise an arrangement of (here: two) transparent panels 118a, 118b, such as suitable glass or composite glass panels, held together by panel clamps 119. One of the transparent panels 118a comprises an access door 130 to permit entry into the court. As will be appreciated, the game court structure 110 may comprise multiple access doors. The panels include a base rail 128 providing a base crossbar. The in-use upper edges 126 of the side wall panels are, here, free, although in some embodiments, the upper edges may be reinforced by rail structures. Centrally, each side wall panel 112 comprises an opening 114, providing a target. The opening is provided with a net 116 providing a ball-catching structure. The floor is provided by a floor mat arrangement. The game court structure 110 is, here, not illustrated with a ceiling structure, although it will be appreciated that a ceiling structure may be provided if desired.

[0105] Figures 9 and 10 show an isometric view of court structure 210 and a front view, respectively, of a corresponding side wall panel 212. The court structure 210 comprises a plurality of five side wall panels 212 arranged to surround and enclose a game court. The side wall panels 212 are held upright between posts 220, each pair of adjacent posts 220 being connected by a base crossbar 228 and a transom 226. In this manner, each side wall panel 212 comprises a panel frame 215 in the form of two posts 220, a base crossbar 228 and an upper crossbar provided by the transom 226. The side wall panels 212 comprise an arrangement of (here: two) panel elements 218a, 218b, held together by frame elements. One of the panel elements 218a comprises an access door 230 to permit entry into the court. Each side wall panel 212 comprises an opening 214, providing a target. The opening is provided with a net 216 providing a ball-catching structure. The floor is provided by a floor mat arrangement.

[0106] Figures 11 and 12 show an isometric view of court structure 310 and a front view, respectively, of a corresponding side wall panel 312. The court structure 310 comprises a plurality of five side wall panels 312 arranged to surround and enclose a game court. The side wall panels 312 are held upright between posts 320. Each of the side wall panels 312 comprises an arrangement of (here: two) perforated metal sheets 318a, 318b, the perforations being provided by a plurality of circular openings sufficiently small to prevent passage of a typical game ball. For instance, the perforations may have a diameter of no more than 7 cm, 6 cm, 5 cm, 4 cm, or no more than 3 cm. Instead of circular perforations, other perforation shapes may be used, such as slots, crosses, wave lines etc. The purpose of the perforations is to allow external viewers to observe the game inside the court structure while the side wall panels are sufficiently strong to allow a ball inside the court structure to bounce back during a game.

[0107] At least one of the metal sheets 318a comprises an access door 330 to permit entry into the court. The panels 318a, 318b comprise a free lower edge 328 and a free upper edge 326. The free lower edge 328 and / or the free upper edge 326 may comprise a flange structure such as a

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[0109] 11 ledge for stability of the metal sheets. Centrally, each side wall panel 312 comprises an opening 314, providing a target. The opening 314 is provided with a net 316 providing a ballcatching structure.

[0110] Figures 13 and 14 show an isometric view of court structure 410 and a front view, respectively, of a corresponding side wall panel 412. The court structure 410 comprises a plurality of five side wall panels 412 arranged to surround and enclose a game court. The side wall panels 412 comprise a frame including upright members 415, wherein adjacent upright members 415 of two adjacent panels can be affixed to each other using clamps 422. In this manner, a plurality of side wall panels 412 can be clamped together to support a game court structure 410. The side wall panels 412 comprise a collapsible transom member 427, here in the form of a concertinastyle collapsible mechanism, that can be extended to deploy and / or tension a side wall panel. The side wall panel 412 comprises a sheet member 418 that can be tensioned by expansion of the collapsible transom member 427. As will be appreciated, the collapsible transom member 427 may comprise a biased and / or bi-stable configuration to hold the sheet member 418 in a taut condition when expanded. One or more of the sheet members 418 may be provided with a door 430, for instance in the form of an access flap closable by a zip or hook-and-loop fastener mechanism. Centrally, each side wall panel 412 comprises an opening 414, providing a target. The opening is provided with a closed net 416 providing a ball-catching structure.

[0111] The various embodiments show a side wall panel comprising an access door. In embodiments, only a few or only a single side wall panel of the game court structure may comprise an access door. Access openings providing a door in a side wall are understood to be closable in a manner maintaining the taut or tensioned character of the side wall panels, to maintain the enclosed character of the game court. In some embodiments, it may be possible to use a target opening as access door. In that case, the court structure may comprise only target openings without further access door.

[0112] Figures 15 and 16 show an isometric view of court structure 510 and a top view of its floor layout. The court structure 510 comprises a plurality of, here, six side wall panels 512 arranged to surround and enclose a game court. The side wall panels 512 correspond, unless described otherwise, to the side wall panels 12 of Figure 1 , and are held upright between posts 520, which are, here, part of an inflatable arrangement, and reinforced by interconnecting base crossbar structures 528 and transom structure 526. Each side wall panel 512 comprises a taut sheet surface and a central opening 514 provided with a ball-catching structure. At least one of the side wall panels 512 comprises an access opening 530.

[0113] The court structure 510 comprises a floor mat arrangement with markings including a centre marking 532 and corner markings 534. In addition to the target structures provided by the

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[0115] 12 openings 514, the court structure 510 comprises basketball nets 540 mounted to at least two opposite posts 520. Furthermore, the court structure 510 comprises mounting locations for installation of a temporary tennis net 550 that allows the court structure 510 to be separated into two halves. The six-sided, hexagonal layout of the court structure 510 may be used where symmetric opposite sides are preferred.

[0116] The court structure 510 provides different goal or target types for a multi-purpose game court.

[0117] Figures 17 and 18 show an isometric view of court structure 610 and top view of its floor layout. The court structure 610 is provided by a unitary inflatable body, and comprises, conceptually, a plurality of five side wall panels 612 arranged to surround and enclose a game court. The side wall panels 612 are held upright between posts 620, here in the form of inflatable post structures of an inflatable body, each pair of adjacent posts 620 being connected by a base crossbar structure 628 and a transom 626. In this manner, each side wall panel 612 comprises a panel frame 615 in the form of two posts 620, a base crossbar 628 and an upper crossbar provided by the transom 626. The side wall panels 612 correspond to the side wall panels 612 described above. Each side wall panel 612 comprises an opening 614, providing a target. The opening is provided with a net 616 providing a ball-catching structure. The floor is provided by a floor mat arrangement.

[0118] The floor layout of the court structure 610 is pentagonal, comprising five posts 620. Each post 620 defines a corner of the floor layout and is provided with a basketball hoop 640, providing a target area. The court structure 610 combines two variants of target area, firstly the openings 614 provided in each of the five side wall panels 612, and secondly the basketball hoops 640 also one each per side wall panel 612. As such, the court structure 610 provides different goal or target types for a multi-purpose game court. The floor markings of Figure 16 correspond to those described in relation to Figure 3, and so the description thereof is not repeated.

[0119] Figures 19 and 20 show an isometric view of court structure 710 and a front view, respectively, of a corresponding side wall frame portion 715. The court structure 710 is an example of a variant comprising target structures above ground level at each of the posts, and no target structure within the side walls. The court structure 710 is provided by a unitary inflatable body, and comprises, conceptually, a plurality of five side wall panels 712 arranged to surround and enclose a game court. The side wall panels 712 are held upright between posts 720, here in the form of inflatable post structures of an inflatable body, each pair of adjacent posts 720 being connected by a base crossbar structure 728 at ground level and a transom 726. In this manner, each side wall panel 712 comprises a panel frame 715 in the form of two posts 720, a base crossbar 728 and an upper crossbar provided by the transom 726. The side wall panels 712 correspond to the side wall panels 12 described above. In this embodiment, each side wall

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[0121] 13 panel comprises a taut mesh structure, without target area opening in the mesh structure. Each post 720 is provided with a basketball hoop 740, providing a target above ground level for each post 720. In Figure 20, the frame portion 715 illustrates a first hoop 740 and a second hoop 740b providing a target of the adjacent side wall panel.

[0122] As illustrated by the figures, the panel walls may comprise and / or be made from different materials including soft sheet material, mesh material, metal, glass and / or other suitable materials as are known for ball games. Crossbars and / or transom structures may be provided as reinforcing elements to improve the stability of the court structure. In that case, such reinforcing elements may be provided by collapsible mechanisms such as concertina-style articulated lever arrangements. Permanent side wall panels may be sufficiently stable without crossbars and / or transom structures. The side walls may comprise more than one target structure, specifically more than one opening each to provide a separate target structure.

[0123] The post structures may be padded, on exterior surfaces thereof, with suitable materials, such as leather, foam, or other padding material. The lower edges of the side wall panels may be arranged such that they can be covered by edges of the mat arrangement and / or such that they comprise a padding.

[0124] Depending on the size and material used for the side wall panels, the side wall panels may be made from a single unitary component or as a subassembly of component parts. The side wall panels may comprise reinforcing structures such as frame members, and optionally one or more reinforcing struts.

[0125] While some embodiments refer to nets as providing targets, it will be appreciated that the targets may comprise other target structures such as bags, pouches, or the like. The nets may have of arm-length depth such that converted balls are in arm-length reach for quick retrieval. The game court structure enables fast-paced ball games in small team numbers of, for instance, two to six players, the netted target areas permitting fast retrieval of converted balls.

[0126] The exemplary target structures show ceiling and floor structures, which may be omitted in some embodiments. For example, some game court structures may be erected on suitable ground such as sports facilities or sufficiently soft ground, and may not require a floor structure. Likewise, a ceiling net may not be required or desired in all embodiments.

[0127] It will be appreciated that the description hereinbefore is exemplary in accordance with embodiments of different aspects of the invention, and that a wide range of modifications and alterations may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0128] Version 2025-10-10

Claims

CPSOCOOIWO14CLAIMS:1 . A game court structure comprising a plurality of side walls forming a closed perimeter, the game court structure to be erected on ground underneath, wherein each side wall comprises a target area comprising an opening above ground level.

2. The structure according to claim 1 , wherein each of the side walls has the same shape.

3. The structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the side walls is generally planar.

4. The structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side walls are held between supporting structures, or supported by a frame structure, maintaining the side walls taut for balls to bounce back.

5. The structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the side walls comprises a curved plane.

6. The structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening of the target area of each side wall is located within the side wall.

7. The structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each side wall comprises a target area in the form of a hoop providing an opening.

8. The structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the target area of each side wall is located in a corner region between two side walls.

9. The structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one side panel comprises at least one further opening, wherein the at least one further opening is contacting the ground level.

10. The structure according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a blocking barrier behind the target area.11 . The structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening of one or more, or each, target area is netted.Version 2025-10-10CPSOCOOIWO1512. The structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening of one or more, or each, target area is provided with a closed net, wherein, optionally, the closed net is no deeper than 100 centimetres.

13. The structure according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least five side walls each of the side walls arranged at an included angle of less than 180 degrees to its adjacent sidewalls.

14. The structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side walls are arranged on a pentagonal footprint.

15. The structure according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the side walls are arranged on a hexagonal footprint.

16. The structure according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a floor structure, wherein, optionally, the floor structure is attachable to and detachable from the game court structure.

17. The structure according to claim 16, wherein the floor structure is one of a padded structure.

18. The structure according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the floor structure is inflatable, and / or comprises resiliently deformable material.

19. The structure according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a ceiling structure, wherein, optionally, the ceiling structure comprises a mesh and / or, optionally, is attachable to and detachable from the game court structure.

20. The structure according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an arrangement of upright posts to support the side walls.

21. The structure according to claim 20, wherein the upright posts are inflatable and / or comprise a padded surface.

22. The structure according to claim 20 or 21 , wherein the side walls are attachable between two upright posts.

23. The structure according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising ground anchoring structures.Version 2025-10-1024. The structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one side wall comprises an access opening for players.

25. The structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each target area is located centrally within its side wall.

26. The structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each side wall has a quadrilateral layout.Version 2025-10-10

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