ARENA

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to arenas, such as sport arenas and more specifically to an arena which is constructed for use with different types of events, such as summer sports, for instance football, and winter sports, for instance ice hockey.

BACKGROUND

Sports, such as football and ice hockey, have in recent times been developed towards greater and greater yearly events, which places new requirements on the design of sports arenas.

There are thus desired arenas that can be used for both summer and winter sports the whole year round.

Greater demands are also placed on the economic return of the investments involved in the construction of an arena. This means that you want a large degree of use and it is therefore desirable that one and the same arena can be used to hold different events and that separate arenas are not constructed for different types of events.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide an arena in which different types of event can be carried out simultaneously with respect to both summer and winter sports.

The invention is based on the insight of designing an area that includes a static or fixed section for one type of event, and a displaceable section for another type of event, such as for football matches, which overlies the fixed section. Different activities can also be carried out simultaneously.

According to the invention there is provided an arena as defined in the accompanying claim 1 , and the use of such an arena as defined in the accompanying claim 8.

The inventive arena thus solves the aforesaid problem by switching the use to which the arena is put between two different types of event or for carrying out several different activities simultaneously, thereby increasing the extent to which the arena can be used.

hi one preferred embodiment of the invention the displaceable section of the arena includes at least one part which can be moved out from the arena either completely or partially and preferably beneath a stand structure. This optimizes the use of existing ground while enabling illumination of a grass area cultivated on the displaceable section or sections.

Further preferred embodiments are defined in the depending claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference of the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1 is a sectioned view of an arena according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 illustrates displaceable sections of the arena shown in figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the sections shown in figure 2;

Fig. 4 is a detailed view of a section shown in figure 2; Fig. 5 illustrates a contact zone between two sections shown in figure 2; and

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of an arena according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS AT PRESENT PREFERRED

Figure 1 illustrates a section through an arena according to the present invention, generally designated 1. The figure shows two short-side stands 2, 3 each consisting of a number of floors 2b, 3b. The stands are covered by a respective roof 2a, 3a which is disposed over the upper stand places. A displaceable roof structure 4 is provided over the arena between the stands. So-called long side stands are provided along the long sides of the arena, of which only one long stand 5 is shown in the figure. The stands are thus disposed around an open area.

A fixed section 6 consisting of a planar area is disposed between the stands. This fixed section may, for instance, be used for an iced surface on which ice hockey may be played for instance and the section is disposed level with the lower part of the stands. Overlying the fixed section 6 are two sub-sections 7a, 7b which are movable laterally between a position above the fixed section, as shown in figure 1 , and a second position in which they have been displaced essentially beneath a respective short side stand 2, 3, i.e. a position in which they are not disposed above or overlap the fixed section 6. The overlying displaceable sub-sections together form a displaceable section 7 which is adapted for use as a football pitch for instance, wherewith the pitch has a grassed surface.

The relative distance between the fixed section 6 and the displaceable section 7 is preferably sufficiently large to enable the fixed section to also be used when the displaceable section is located in the position shown in figure 1. hi this regard, the displaceable section will preferably be provided on its underside with a source of illumination in the form of lamps. If the fixed section is used, for instance, as a ice hockey rink, this will enable the displaceable section to be used for football training at the same time.

Lamps are fitted in the spaces 8a, 8b in which the displaceable sub-sections 7a. 7b are located in their "rest positions". These lamps enable the grassed surfaces of the displaceable sub- sections to be illuminated, thereby ensuring that the grass will constantly be in good condition. The grass can therewith be used over a full year. These spaces may also be provided with heating elements and watering devices (not shown) in order to promote growth of the grass.

It will be seen that each of the stands 2, 3, 5 is divided into an upper stand which lies above the level of the displaceable section 7, and a lower stand which lies beneath the level of the displaceable section. For instance, the upper stand maybe used in the event of a football match being played on the displaceable section 7 and the lower stand may be used in the event of ice hockey on the fixed section 6. Because the displaceable section 7 functions as a roof over the fixed section 6, the activity taking place on the fixed section will not depend on the weather, meaning, for instance, that ice hockey can be played on the fixed section the whole year round.

Figures 2 and 3 are respective side views of the long side and short side of the displaceable sub-sections. The displaceable sub-sections consist of a framework 10 on which there is provided a surface, which may comprise a grassed soil surface. Beneath the framework there is mounted a number of wheels 11 which are intended to roll on a respective rail 12. In the illustrated embodiment, coaming or fencing 6a is arranged around an ice hockey rink on the fixed section 6.

A detailed view of the framework 10, the wheel construction 11 and the rails 12 is given in figure 4. In the embodiment illustrated in figure 4, the wheels are disposed at different heights. It will be evident from the figure that the relative distance "h" between the lower fixed section and the upper displaceable sections may be as large as 15 metres, although it is preferably between 3-15 metres, and more preferably between 3-10 metres and still more preferably 5-10 metres. This means that the mutual distance "d" between the wheels, which is adapted according to the load on the displaceable section, can be in the order of 20 metres, preferably about 5 metres.

Figure 5 shows the partition line between the displaceable sub-sections 7a, 7b which in the illustrated embodiment consists of a peg in section 7b inserted in a groove in section 7a. This ensures a stable construction also in the overlapping region. A speakers box 13 may be placed so that it will be situated centrally between two wheels when the displaceable sub-sections 7a, 7b are used, as shown in the figure.

Because the described arena can be used the whole year around, the energy system can be coordinated between the various events that take place, resulting in a cost saving.

Figure 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an arena according to the invention, as a section view from one short side of the arena. This embodiment is structurally similar to the first embodiment, but has two displaceable roofs, an upper outer roof 14a and a lower inner roof or ceiling 14b, wherein the lower roof or ceiling is intended to create an intimate atmosphere when carrying out winter sports for instance, either on the upper displaceable section or on the lower fixed section. The upper displaceable roof 14a which connects with the fixed roof 5a on the long-side stands 5, is preferably of standard construction in respect of arenas, in other words a rainproof roof of high light-permeability. The lower displaceable roof

is comprised of a lightweight and inexpensive construction, such as a woven material, cloth or light metal that can be easily shifted, such as a drape or a concertina construction.

A jumbotron screen 15 may be arranged at the level of the inner roof 14b with the aid of support arches 15a, which may also support the inner roof 14b.

When training sports during the winter time, both roofs are preferably closed. The maximum number of spectators that can be accommodated in the arena is therewith restricted to the centremost stands (45° inclination in the figure) and the lower stand sections (small inclination in the figure).

Although preferred embodiments of an arena according to the present invention have been described it will be understood that these embodiments can be varied, modified and complemented in many different ways without departing from the concept of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims. For instance, the displaceable sub-sections may be provided with separate underlying surfaces for safety reasons. These surfaces are displaceable separately in relation to the displaceable sub-sections 7a, 7b, meaning that these surfaces can be displaced to a rest position at the same time as the space beneath said surfaces is fully covered by the underlying displaceable section. The underlying displaceable section is preferably not displaced until a number of safety functions have come into force, for instance with the purpose of ensuring that no person is located on the lower, fixed section 6.

The arena has been illustrated with a displaceable roof, partly for creating a warm environment for practicing summer sports even in winter time, and partly for creating the correct environment with additional public capacity for summer sports. The displaceable roof is also important in optimizing energy supply and for utilising the influx of natural UV-light on sunny days during the winter months. It will be understood, however, that the inventive concept can also be applied in the absence of a displaceable roof or when the arena includes a fixed roof.

Although the displaceable sections has been shown as latticework constructions, it will be understood that each appropriate building construction can be utilised, for instance in combination with a concrete construction.

Two displaceable sub-sections have been illustrated and described. It will be understood, however, that solely one single displaceable section may be used or more than two subsections may be used without deviating from the concept of the invention.

The supportive points of the wheel columns preferably consist of at least four rows, where the two innermost rows extend in the close vicinity of the underlying fixed section 6, such as the fence around an ice hockey rink, so as to minimize the load on the total construction. The illustrated displacement is achieved with wheels that are intended to co-act with rails. It will be understood, however, that any appropriate construction can be used, such as rollers, drive belts or pneumatic solutions beneath columns that lighten the load on the structure.