Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02777394 2012-05-16
PTITLE
ICE SKATING RINK SIDE BOARD
FRAME STRUCTURE
BACKGROUD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Ice skating is a popular activity but requires that one
wishing to
skate on ice go to the local city indoor arena or outdoor winter rinks and
these facilities
are not always available, being subject to organized hockey schedules and the
like.
Also such public ice skating rinks are often very populated or busy, aside
from being
located remotely from one's home.
[0003] Accordingly, portable ice rinks have become popular. Portable
ice
rinks constructed directly onto lawns are difficult to level as the water use
to make the
ice will follow the geometric grade of the lawns surface. Water will have a
tendency to
overspill the peripheral frame structure.
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[0004] U.S. pat No 6230451 B1 issued to stoller on may 15th 2001
disclosed a portable ice rink comprising plastic sheeting, a plurality of
board members
and a plurality of brackets. Each of the brackets has at least one downward
projection
for insertion into the ground and a support member to hold the vertical board.
Once the
peripheral frame structure has been assembled, the plastic sheeting is laid
draped
over the vertical board. No provision is made to level the frame structure and
no
provision is made to protect the plastic sheeting from skate and shovel cut.
[0005] Presently, the technique used to make a plastic skating rink
is to
build a perimeter made of board and brackets, then place a sheeting in the
perimeter,
fill it with water and let it freeze. However, when there is a slope in the
ground, as in
most areas, the perimeter must be made so that the board on the downward part
of
the slope are high enough to contain the deepest portion of the water. Often
times
during construction of the rink structure, because a field will often look
more level than
it is, the height of the water is not taken into account until water is poured
into the rink.
After its impossible to correct the slope in the side board frame structure of
the ice
skating rink.
[0006] Also, the construction generally must begin early in the
season
while the ground is still soft enough to drive the downward projection of the
bracket
into the ground. Also another method consists in driving large pieces of
lumber into the
ground to construct the frame structure of the rinks. These methods cause
considerable damage to a field, or backyard, which must be repaired in the
summer
time.
[0007] Also those rinks require large quantity of brackets that are
bulky
and expensive to ship. It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a
bracket for an ice skating rink frame structure that is easy and quick to
construct on
frozen soil.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
bracket for
ice skating rink frame structure that can be easily used on level or sloped
ground.
[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
bracket
for an ice skating rink frame structure that can easily be stack in each other
to reduce
volume of the packaging and shipping cost.
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[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
ice
skating rink frame structure which can be easily levelled by inserting
levelling block
under the bracket so that a portion of the frame structure can be raised for
levelling
purpose.
[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
skating
rink frame structure that can be installed and removed without causing any
damage to
a field or lawn.
[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
ice
skating rink frame structure which can be easily levelled by inserting
dimensional
lumber such as two-by-four into the bracket so that a portion of the frame
structure can
be raised for levelling purpose.
[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
ice
skating rink frame structure which can protect the plastic sheeting for skate
and shovel
cuts.
[0014] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become
apparent as the description proceeds.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide an
improved portable ice skating rink frame structure.
[0016] It is also an aim of the present invention, to provide a ice
skating
rink frame structure, comprising a plurality of horizontal and vertical
boards' member
and a plurality of brackets, each bracket having a conical shape for packaging
purpose.
[0017] It is a still further aim of the present invention to provide
a bracket
used to support the boards of the frame structure, having a top horizontal
support
member to hold a horizontal board member to which one or more vertical board
may
be attach to the horizontal board member.
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[0018] It is a still further aim of the present invention to provide
a bracket,
comprise a hollow base having a perimetrical lip and an opening in witch a "T"
shape
spikes, may be driven into the ground for holding the bracket to the ground.
[0019] It is a still further aim of the present invention to provide
a bracket
with a plurality of holes at the top of the bracket so that the bracket and
the horizontal
board member may be fastened together, by screws, nails or other fasteners. In
one
embodiment, the bracket as generally a conical in shape, a base and the
supports
braces joined to form two reinforcing triangles.
[0020] It is a still further aim of the present invention to provide
a method
of constructing an ice rink frame structure including the steps of levelling
the frame
structure, a water impermeable plastic sheeting within the rink and filling
the rink with
water.
[0021] It is a still further aim of the present invention to provide
a portable
ice skating rink in which the brackets are adjustable in height by inserting
levelling
block under the bracket.
[0022] It is a still further aim of the present invention to provide
a portable
ice skating rink in which the brackets are adjustable in height by inserting
dimensional
lumbers such as two-by-fours into the bracket.
[0023] A more detailed explanation of the invention is provided in
the
following description and claims and is illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
[0024] Therefore in accordance with the present invention, there is
provided a portable ice rink comprising plastic sheeting means, a plurality of
brackets
members, plastic sheeting means being adapted to be laid across frame
structure
whereby water deposited onto said plastic sheeting means inwardly of said
frame
structure means and then having frozen thereon forms an ice sheet, wherein
said
board members and said ice sheet completely cover said plastic sheeting means
at
upper and side portions of said frame structure means.
[0025] Also in accordance with the present invention, there is
provided a
portable ice rink comprising plastic sheeting means, a plurality of bracket
members to
hold horizontal and vertical board member, said plastic sheeting means being
adapted
to be laid across said frame means whereby water deposited onto said sheet
means
inwardly of said frame means and then having frozen thereon forms an ice
sheet.
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[0026] Further in accordance with the present invention, there is
provided
a portable ice rink comprising frame bracket members means, plastic sheeting
means
a series of levelling blocks of different thickness to be inserted under or
partially into
the bracket, said plastic sheeting means being adapted to be laid across said
frame
members means and to be connected thereto, whereby water deposited onto said
sheet means inwardly of said frame members means and then having frozen
thereon
forms an ice sheet, wherein said frame members is raise using is levelled
using said
levelling blocks.
Still further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a
method of
levelling a portable ice rink on a surface, comprising the steps of:
a) Laying frame bracket means on a lawn or any surface;
b) Installing the horizontal board member;
c) Bring the horizontal board member to level by inserting levelling blocks
under
the bracket;
d) If the slope is too pronounce for levelling blocks then bring the
horizontal board
member to level by inserting dimensional lumber into the bracket;
e) Laying the plastic sheeting means across and onto said frame horizontal
board
member;
f) Securing the plastic sheeting to the horizontal board member and with
vertical
board member means said plastic sheeting means to said frame means and
continuously along said frame means and;
g) Depositing water on said sheet means and within said frame means, levelling
said frame means using a number of levelling blocs mean of different height to
level the frame means and allowing the water to freeze thereby forming an ice
sheet.
[0027] Wherein said vertical board members means and said ice
plastic
sheeting cooperate to conceal said plastic sheeting means at least inwardly of
said
frame means such as to protect said plastic sheeting means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] Having thus generally described the nature of the invention,
reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of
illustration a preferred embodiment thereof, and in which:
[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially broken apart, of an
ice
skating rink structure constructed in accordance with the present invention.
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[0030] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bracket constructed in
accordance with the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the top of the bracket of FIG. 2.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the ice skating rink
taken along
the plane of line 4-4 of FIG. 1.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lateral and corner
reinforcing
plates for the horizontal board member.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a other cross sectional view of the ice skating
rink shown
with levelling blocks, taken along the plane of line 6-6 of FIG. 1.
[0035] FIG. 7 is a other cross sectional view of the ice skating
rink shown
with levelling dimensional lumbers, taken along the plane of line 7-7 of FIG.
1.
[0036] FIG. 8 is a plurality of package brackets.
[0037] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a "r shape spike.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT
[0038] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of
an ice
skating rink 1 constructed in accordance with the present invention. The ice
rink 1
comprises a plurality of vertical board member 2, a plurality of horizontal
board
member 4 and a plurality of brackets 3, which when assembled make an ice rink
frame
structure assembly. Boards 2 are preferably made of plywood; however, any type
of
board, having any variety of thicknesses, widths and heights, may be used
without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
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[0039] In the preferred embodiment, plywood having a length of
approximately eight feet and a height of approximately 16 inches is used. A
plastic
sheeting 5 is placed in the back of the boards 2 and laid within the ice rink
frame
structure so that water may be poured into the ice skating rink 1 and not
escape into
the ground 8.
[0040] Also in the preferred embodiment levelling of the ice
skating rink 1
frame structure is made possible by inserting levelling block 21 under the
bracket 3 or
by the use of vertical dimensional lumber 24 and secondary dimensional lumber
25
which are inserted into the bracket 3 to correct a sloping ground 28.
[0041] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the bracket 3 of the illustrated
embodiment of the present invention is a conical shaped bracket 3 having a
generally
top horizontal support member 6 for holding a horizontal board member 4.
Brackets 3
are designed to hold horizontal board member 4. A perimetric lip 7 is use to
stop the
bracket from sinking into the ground 8. In the preferred embodiment of the
present
invention, a perimetric base 7 has an reinforce "T" shape opening 9 in the
perimetric
base 7. It is to be understood that a perimetric base 7 may have any number
and
shape of opening without departing from the novel scope of the present
invention.
[0042] Bracket 3 may be _ constructed of any material, including
aluminium, steel, fibreglass or other material without departing from the
novel scope of
the present invention.
[0043] Bracket 3 is shown having a bracing member 10 which extends
between the top of the horizontal member 6 and base 7. Bracket 3 is
illustrated having
four fillets 11 for added strength. Bracket 3, further, is constructed so that
laterals
openings 12 and back opening 13 are use to reduce the weight of the bracket 3.
[0044] A stopper 21 at the edge of the horizontal support member 6
is
shown in FIG. 2. In the illustrative embodiment, stopper 21 is use to align
the
horizontal board member 4 and the two holes 14 to allow for the easy
attachment of a
bracket 3 to the horizontal board member 4, by means of screws, nails or other
fasteners. Attachment of a bracket 3 to a horizontal member 4, in this manner,
adds
strength to ice skating frame structure. It is to be understood that any
number of holes
14 may be defined in top horizontal support member 6 without departing from
the
novel scope of the present invention.
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[0045] Referring to drawing FIG. 3, bracket 3, further defines an
reinforce
"T" shape opening 9 and sides openings 15 in perimetric base 7, such that a
separate
"T" shape spike, may be driven into the ground through the reinforce "T" shape
openings 9 and 15 to assist in holding bracket 3 in ground 8.
[0046] Referring to the drawing, FIG. 4 is a cross-section of the
ice
skating rink 1, taken along the plane of line 4-4 of FIG. 1, is shown. It can
be seen that
"T" shape spike 16 inserted in the bracket 3 and within the ground 8.
Horizontal board
member 4 has been placed over the top horizontal support member 6 and screws
17
have been driven into horizontal board member 4 through screw holes 14 in
bracket 3.
Screws 17 provide added strength to the ice skating rink frame structure.
Horizontal
board member 4 is installing again stopper 21.
[0047] A "T" shape spike 16, which in the illustrated embodiment is
driven
into the ground 8, through reinforce openings 9 of bracket 3. "T" shape spike
16
provides a sturdy assembly of the bracket 3 into the ground allowing better
support of
ice skating rink 1 frame structure. Reinforce opening 9 as the shape of a "T"
29.
[0048] FIG. 4 further shown a plastic sheeting 5 laying behind
vertical
board member 2 and inside of ice rink frame structure. Plastic sheeting 5
contains ice
18 within ice rink structure. As opposed to stoller U.S. pat No 6230451 B1
described
herein above, the portions of the plastic sheeting 5 of the present invention
which are
not covered by ice are shielded again damage for instance from cuts resulting
from
contact with the skates' blades or with shovels in show clearing operations by
the
vertical board member 2 which run continuously along the ice skating rink 1
frame
structure assembly whereby the plastic sheeting 5 is not exposed.
[0049] In one embodiment of the present invention, brackets 3 are
placed
four feet apart for the entire perimeter of the desired ice skating rink 1.
[0050] Referring to the drawing FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the
horizontal board member 4 being reinforce at joint by reinforcing plate 19 and
20. The
ice skating rink of the present invention may include reinforcing lateral
plates 19, and
reinforcing corner plates 20. Corner plates 20 and lateral plate 19 are made
from the
same embodiment, which is simply rotated.
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4
.
[0051] Referring to the drawing, FIG. 6 is a cross-section of the
ice
skating rink 1, taken along the plane of line 6-6 of FIG. 1. Bracket 3 is
raised with the
inserted 'levelling block 20. "T" shape spike 16 is inserted in the bracket 3
and true the
levelling block 22 and into the ground 8. Secondary spike "23 is inserted true
bracket
and into the front levelling blocks 22. By inserting levelling block 22 under
the bracket
3 a portion of the frame structure can be raised for levelling purpose.
[0052] Referring to the drawing, Fig 7 is a cross-section of the ice
skating
rink 1, taken along the plane of line 7-7 of FIG. 1. Bracket 3 is raised with
the inserted
dimensional lumbers such as two-by-fours. If it is discovered that due to the
slope of
the ground 9 the levelling block 22 would be insufficient in height then one
will use a
vertical dimensional lumber 24 and a secondary dimensional lumber 25 to
elevate the
bracket 3 to a level positions. Reinforcing ridges 26 on the inner side of the
bracket 3
provide a guide for the dimensional lumber and add strength for the assembly.
A
plurality of holes 27 is provided to fasten the vertical dimensional lumbers
24 to the
bracket 3. A plurality of holes 30 is provided to fasten the secondary
dimensional
lumber 25 to the bracket 3.
[0053] Referring to the drawing, Fig 8 is shown a plurality of
bracket 3
stake for packaging and shipping purpose.
I Referring to the drawing, FIG. 9 shown a perspective view of
the
"T" shape spike 16.
[0054] Although illustrative embodiments of the invention has been
shown and described, it is to be understood that various modifications and
substitutions may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from
the novel
spirit and scope of the invention.
