The present invention relates generally to sports and exhibition facilities, and in particular to a facility which can be converted between stadium and arena configurations for accommodating different sports and other activities.

2. Description of the related art.

Spectator sports comprise a major form of entertainment worldwide. Although live broadcast media coverage is available for many events, spectator attendance continues to be a major revenue source for team franchises. Professional sporting event venues range in size from arenas which are typically used for sports such as basketball, hockey and soccer to stadiums which can accommodate professional football.

Municipalities and geographic regions are under considerable pressure to provide appropriate state-of-the-art facilities for staging sporting and other events, such as concerts, exhibitions, conventions, trade shows and the like. Movement of sports franchises among different markets is commonplace. Sports franchise owners often take advantage of the marketability and portability of their respective teams to solicit proposals from competing venues. Thus, sports and exhibition facilities are continuously being upgraded and replaced in order to remain competitive with other available venues.

State-of-the-art sports and exhibition facilities typically represent major capital expenditures. Hence, there is a significant advantage to providing a multi-purpose

facility which can be utilized in several sports seasons and which can also accommodate conventions, exhibitions and the like.

Multi-purpose sports and exhibition facilities have been proposed before. The Labinski U. S. Patent No. 5,794,383 for Reconfigurable Seating System for Multi-Purpose Stadium is incorporated herein by reference and discloses a stadium which is convertible between baseball and football configurations. The Miyagawa Japanese Patent No.

406200644 discloses a seating area layout variable system of multi-purpose arena, with the ability to convert between baseball and soccer configurations.

Facilities have previously been designed with moveable seating sections and vertically adjustable playing fields and roofs. For example, a soccer facility has been proposed with a playing surface adapted for being raised hydraulically to a roof level.

The facility also includes a longitudinally moveable seating stand for altering the playing area size.

The Geiger et al. U. S. Patent No. 5,103,600 also discloses a multi-purpose stadium with a roof structure which can be raised and lowered and with seating which can be reconfigured.

Generally speaking, spectator sports are best enjoyed in facilities which are specially configured for a particular sport or sports. Factors such as total capacity, sight lines, private suite/open seating mix ratios and proximity to the game play can either enhance or detract from the spectator experience. For example, sports such as football are generally played in large stadiums with optimal seating capacities in the range of about 65,000 to 70,000. Sports such as basketball and hockey, on the other hand, are generally played in smaller venues with the spectators seated closer to the court or rink.

Thus, a convertible facility would preferably provide the experience associated with

single-purpose stadiums and arenas with optimal seating capacities, sight lines and spectator proximity. Still further, a convertible facility would preferably include a ceiling which can be raised or lowered to accommodate the size and scale of the seating bowl with which it was associated.

Heretofore there has not been available a convertible sports and exhibition facility with the advantages and features of the present invention.

Summary of the Invention In the practice of the present invention, a sports and exhibition facility is provided which is convertible between stadium and arena configurations. The facility includes an activity area with stadium and arena playing fields or surfaces. The facility also includes a seating system with opposite end seating sections and opposite side seating sections collectively forming a seating bowl generally surrounding a respective activity area. The seating system includes a movable component of an end seating section adapted for sliding longitudinally with respect to the stadium playing field for movement between stadium and arena positions. The seating system also includes a retractable seating band, which can be retracted out of the way to provide clearance for the movable component of the end seating section to traverse the stadium playing field longitudinally. Temporary seating bands are installed around the inside of the arena seating bowl. The stadium playing field surface can be at least partly removed to provide a lower arena playing surface.

A circulation system includes concourses which are located at different levels generally behind and beneath the seating bowl. A ceiling system includes a roof supporting a ceiling with an adjustable-height portion. A facility structure provides

structural support for the seating, circulation, ceiling and other systems of the facility. A support system of the facility accommodates a variety of support functions, such as service, locker rooms, mechanical facilities, concessions, toilets, etc.

Objects and Advantages of the Invention The principle objects and advantages of the present invention include providing a convertible sports and exhibition facility and a conversion method therefor, providing such a facility which is adapted to accommodate various sports and other activities; providing such a facility which provides a spectator experience which is comparable to the spectator experience in a single-purpose facility, providing such a facility which accommodates spectator audiences of different sizes; providing such a facility which optimizes sight lines and viewing for different sports and other activities; provided such a facility which can be efficiently reconfigured; providing such a facility which includes a playing field which is at least partly removable; providing such a facility which includes a roof having a ceiling with an adjustable-height portion; and providing such a facility which is economical to produce, efficient in operation and particularly well designed for the proposed usage thereof.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention.

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a convertible sports and exhibition facility embodying the present invention, shown in a football stadium configuration.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the facility, shown with the football playing field markings removed.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the facility, shown with a retractable seating band retracted into side sections of the seating system.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the facility, shown with a moveable component of a seating end section relocated from a stadium position to an arena position.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the facility, showing the installation of bridges in a circulation system.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the facility, showing the installation of screening curtains for the facility in its arena configuration.

Fig. 7a is a top plan view of the facility, showing the arena configuration thereof with a basketball court.

Fig. 7b is a top plan view of the facility, showing the arena configuration thereof with a hockey rink.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the facility in the football stadium configuration thereof, taken generally along the line 8-8 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 9a is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the facility in the basketball court arena configuration thereof, taken generally along line 9a-9a in Fig. 7a.

Fig. 9b is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the facility in the hockey rink arena configuration thereof, taken generally along line 9b-9b in Fig. 7b.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinal. cross-sectional view of the facility, taken generally along line 10 in Figs. 7a and 7b.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments I. Introduction and Environment As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, the words"upwardly", "downwardly","rightwardly"and"leftwardly"will refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words"inwardly"and"outwardly"will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the embodiment being described and designated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of a similar import.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, the reference numeral 2 generally designates a convertible sports and exhibition facility embodying the present invention.

The convertible facility 2 generally includes an activity area 4, a seating system 6, a circulation system 7, a ceiling system 8, a facility structure 10 and a support system 12.

The facility 2 is generally convertible between a stadium configuration (Fig. 1), accommodating such sports as football, and an arena configuration (Figs. 7a and 7b),

accommodating such sports as basketball and hockey. However, the convertible facility 2 can accommodate a wide range of other activities, including other sporting events, entertainment, exhibitions, conventions, trade shows and meetings of various types.

II. Activity Area 4 The activity area 4 is adaptable for configuration as a football playing field 14 in a stadium configuration, or as either a basketball court 16 or a hockey rink 18 in an arena configuration.

The football playing field 14 includes a pair of opposite ends 14a, b and a pair of opposite sides 14c, d. A pair of goal posts 14e are mounted in the playing field ends 14a.

As shown in Fig. 10, the football playing field 14 is located at a raised level, which generally corresponds to a service level of the facility 2.

In an arena configuration, the basketball court 16 includes opposite ends 16a, b; opposite sides 16c, d; and a pair of goals 16e each located at a respective court end 16a, b.

Also in an arena configuration, the hockey rink 18 includes opposite ends 18a, b; opposite sides 18c, d; and a pair of goals 18e each located at a respective hockey rink end 18a, b.

The basketball court 16 and the hockey rink 18 are located at lower levels, generally identified as the arena floor level, positioned somewhat below the level of the football playing field 14, which includes a removable portion over the basketball court 16 or the hockey rink 18 (Fig. 10). The choice of playing surfaces in the activity area 4 is virtually unlimited and can include natural and artificial turf, ice, hardwood flooring, carpet, etc. Various different types of commercial flooring systems are available to accommodate different sports in the facility 2.

III. Seating Svstem 6 The seating system 6 includes a stadium seating bowl 20 in a stadium configuration with opposite end sections 20a, b and opposite side sections 20c, d. Each side section 20c, d includes a retractable seating band 20e adjacent to the playing field 14 <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> and horizontally moveable outwardly therefrom for retraction to a stored position (Fig. 3).

Seating sections 20a, c and d comprise fixed or stationery sections; end section 20b is partly movable. Corner seating sections 20f are located at each corner of the facility 2 and interconnect respective end and side seating sections 20a, b and 20c, d at suitable angles of, for example, about 45E.

In an arena configuration for basketball (Fig. 7a) or hockey (Fig. 7b), a respective arena seating bowl 21 a, b includes removable or temporary seating bands 22, which are provided on the inside of the respective seating sections 20a, b, c, d adjacent to the basketball court 16 or the hockey rink 18.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged cross section of a movable component 60 of the end seating section 20b, showing the disconnection of the movable component 60 from the fixed or stationery components of the end section 20b. The removable or temporary seating bands 22, which are used in an arena configuration, are shown at the far left of the seating section 20b resting on an arena activity area or floor 24 (Fig. 10). Proceeding upwardly and outwardly, a lower deck 20g extends between a service level and a main concourse level. A club deck 20h extends between the main concourse level and a lower suite level.

Lower and upper suites 20i, j are provided at lower and upper suite levels respectively.

An upper club deck 20k extends between an upper club level and an upper concourse level. The seating described thus far is either removable or movable with the movable

component 60 of the end section 20b. An upper deck 20m extends from the upper concourse level to the top of the seating bowl 20 and is fixed in position.

IV. Circulation Svstem 7 As shown in Fig. 10, a circulation system 7 provides pedestrian and vehicle circulation in the facility 2 and includes a main or lower concourse 26 at a main concourse level, an intermediate or upper club level concourse 27 at the upper club level and an upper concourse 28 at an upper concourse level. A service drive 30 is provided at a service drive level. The circulation system 7 includes a plurality of vomitoria 32 for providing access from the concourses 26,28 to respective seating decks.

In a football stadium configuration (Fig. 1), the concourses 26,28 form continuous loops around the stadium seating bowl 20. In an arena configuration (Figs. 7a and 7b), bridges 33a, b are provided for spanning gaps formed in the seating bowls 21a, b as a result of displacing the movable component 60 of the end section 20b. Main concourse bridges 33a connect the portions of the main concourse 26 which extend through the movable component 60 of the end section 20b and the side sections 20c, d (Fig. 5). Upper club level or intermediate concourse bridges 33b connect the portions of the intermediate concourse 28 which extend through the movable component 60 of the end section 20b and the side sections 20c, d at the upper club level (Fig. 5).

V. Ceiling Svstem 8 The ceiling system 8 includes a fixed-height portion 34 covering most of the facility 2 and an adjustable-height portion 36 generally covering the arena seating bowl 20b, c (Figs. 8-10). The adjustable-height ceiling portion 36 is suspended by cables 38

and is adapted for raising and lowering between an upper position substantially flush with the fixed-height ceiling portion 34 and a lower position at approximately the upper concourse level.

VI. Facility Structure 10 The facility structure 10 can generally comprise a conventional stadium or arena structural system with appropriate modifications to accommodate the moveable components. Thus, the structure 10 includes an exterior wall 40 supporting a long-span roof 42, which could comprise a dome. A reinforced concrete and/or steel structural framework 44 provides the structural support for the seating system 6. the exterior wall 40, the circulation system 7 and the support system 12.

VII. Support System 12 The support system 12 generally supports the various functions associated with the operation and use of the facility 2, and includes service, locker and mechanical accommodations 46 located at the service level below the main concourse 26 and offices 48 at the service and main concourse levels. Concession and toilet accommodations 50 are provided at the main concourse level generally below and outside of the club deck 20h and at the upper concourse level. Club lounges 52 are located at the suite levels and support the lower and upper suites 20i, j. Additional mechanical accommodations 54 are located at the mechanical level above the upper concourse 28. Various other support components, equipment, accommodations, etc. can be located at suitable locations in the facility 2.

A pair of wing screening curtains 56 are located generally at respective exposed sides 58a, b of a moveable component 60 of the end section 20b. A transverse screening curtain 62 extends generally between the side seating sections 20c, d along an outer end 64 of the moveable component 60. The screening curtains 56,62 function to enclose the arena seating bowls 20b, c and screen unused parts of the stadium seating bowl 20a with the facility 2 in an arena configuration. The screening curtains 56,62, the lowered ceiling portion 36, the lower basketball court 16 or hockey rink 18 and the relocated moveable seating component 60 cooperate to provide the reduced scale of a considerably smaller facility in an arena configuration. The net effect is to provide a spectator experience normally associated with smaller, single-use sports arenas.

VIII. Operation In operation, the facility 2 is convertible from a stadium configuration (Fig. 1) to arena configurations (Figs. 7a and 7b) and vise versa. Figs. 1-7a, b show the sequential steps for converting the facility 2. However, other conversion steps and different conversion step sequences could be employed within the scope of the present invention.

It is to be understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts described and shown.