Technical field of the invention

The invention concerns a movable lighting rig for use on grass courts and other substantially plane surfaces where plants grow.

Background of the invention

N0308981 (corresponding to WO 00/57689 Al) describes a system for enhancing growth conditions for grass and other plants in grass courts for outdoor or indoor sport and athletics, in particular where the grass court, or parts of this, is in the shade from stands, where the system comprises drivable lighting units furnished with light sources. N0308981 (WO 00/57689 Al) describes a system that may be driven onto and over the grass surface on demand. It may be collapsible, telescopic, hinged together, etc., such that they may be stowed when not in use.

Other systems are also in use, that are shaped like a wardrobe rack with [a] wheel in each corner. These are referred to herein as lighting rigs. The lighting rigs may be driven out individually or in a row and placed in a row on the surface that is to be illuminated. The lighting rigs may possibly comprise arms that are deployed to further increase the lighting area. The lighting rigs may be interconnected and then turned on, as they are left in place as long as required, before they are moved an increment to illuminate an adjacent area. The wheels in each corner may be swingable swivel wheels, such that the lighting rig may be pushed/pulled in the desired direction.

The lighting rigs mentioned above function excellently, but they require som work and have been seen to pose a hazard for operator personnel. Injuries have been reported, to some extent life- threatening (a person in France was fatally injured in December of 2020 when a lighting rig toppled during transport), when the lighting rigs have been pushed around on the court and during strong winds. One problem is that the wheels exert a large ground pressure and that they have sunk somewhat into the soil. It has happened that when an attempt has been made to pull/push the lighting rig in a new direction, the wheels have not swung in the right direction, and the lighting rigs have overturned. The lighting rigs weigh several hundred kilos and may be fatal when falling. Even if the lighting rig does not fall, which of course is the norm, the grass surface may be damaged - which is also a problem. Situations have also occurred in bad weather, when a rapid relocation of the lighting rigs have been attempted to avoid overturning. It goes without saying that approaching and operating such structure is risky when there is a danger of it falling. It is particularly dangerous associated with mobilising the rig into and off of a stadium.

One object of the invention is therefore to provide a lighting rig which is easier to move about.

Another object is to provide a lighting rig which is remotely controlled or autonomous.

It is a further object of to provide a lighting rig which is more gentle on the surface, safer to operate, and provides new functions.

Summary of the invention

These and other objects are achieved by a lighting rig as defined in the attached independent claim 1, comprising a movable lighting rig for use on grass courts and other substantially plane surfaces where plants grow, where the lighting rig comprises at least a horizontal boom, at least one vertical leg structure at each end of the boom, where each leg structure is furnished with - in relation to the direction of the longitudinal - a transverse undercarriage comprising two swivel wheels (8), in total at least four, at least one in each corner, characterized in that each of the at least four swivel wheels are furnished with hub motor and rotation means to swing the wheels, as the movable lighting rig further comprises jackable support stands arranged to relieve ground pressure from the swivel wheels.

Alternative or advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

A detailed description of advantageous embodiments of the invention is provided below, with reference to the attached drawings, where:

Fig. 1 shows lighting rigs sitting in a possible parked state along a grass court,

Fig. 2 shows lighting rigs driving in a row onto the grass court,

Fig. 3 shows lighting rigs sitting in a row on the grass court at suitable intervals,

Fig. 4 shows how a lighting rig is in the process of deploying one of its arms,

Fig. 5 shows lighting rigs with deployed arms,

Figs. 6 and 7 show a support stand which is in the process of being lowered towards the ground,

Fig. 8a shows a support stand resting on the ground and relieving the ground pressure on the wheels, Fig. 8b shows an alternative, telescopic embodiment of the support stand,

Fig. 9 shows the wheels while they are in the process of being swung 90° while the support stand is resting on the ground and relieves the ground pressure on the wheels,

Fig. 10a shows the wheels swung 90° while the support stand is resting on the ground and relieves the ground pressure on the wheels,

Fig. 10b and c show how the wheels may be swung by means of a cogwheel-and-chain system.

Fig. 11 shows electricity [cables] and possibly signal cables and connectors,

Fig. 12 shows how electricity [cables] and possibly signal cables and connectors between different lighting rigs are interconnected,

Fig. 13 shows the lighting rigs while illuminating [a] dark/shaded [area],

Figs. 14-16 show how the lighting rigs may be moved in tandem along the length of a grass court.

Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

Fig. 1 shows a number of lighting rigs 1 sitting in a possible parked state along a grass court 2. The lighting rigs typically comprise a horizontal boom 3 onto which light sources (not shown in fig. 1) are arranged, e.g. LED's, pointing downwards, preferably such that they are protected from the environment and from rain. On each side of the boom 3, deployable arms 5 are shown, onto which light sources are mounted. On each end of the boom 3 is a leg structure 6 that support the boom 3 at suitable height above the illuminated surface, preferably approximately 2 meters or more, such that a person freely may walk underneath the boom 3 without having to bend. The leg structures 6 may comprise simple vertical rods, a triangular structure, pylon structure or similar. Transverse of the boom and lowermost on the leg structure, an undercarriage 7 is arranged, having wheels 8 assembled at the ends. The wheels 8 are arranged with such a distance from each other that the entire rig is stable and does not fall over easily even if the wheels are swung or if the rig is driven in a radius.

Fig. 2 shows lighting rigs driving in a row out onto the grass court. As the wheels may be swung, the lighting rigs can turn. The wheels are arranged such that the lighting rigs may move freely in x and y directions, rotate, etc. The wheels are preferably furnished with electric hub motors (not shown in fig. 2) which by means of battery and/or [other] power supply can operate the entire lighting rig. Allwheel drive ensures that the lighting rig will advance well on moist, soft, uneven surfaces, while at the same time traction is distributed such that the surface is not unnecessarily torn apart. Each wheel 8 is also furnished with devices that enable the wheel to be swung at least 90° and preferably at least 180°. These devices may comprise independent electric motors, a cogwheel-and-chain driven system or a rack-and-pinion system. The two wheels on each side of the lighting rig should primarily be swung synchronously. The hub motors may be controlled such that they function as a differential, which may be advantageous considering wear and tear on the surface.

Fig. 3 shows lighting rigs sitting in a row on the grass court with a suitable interval. If the lighting rigs [have] deployable arms, the distance should be the length of two deployed arms.

Fig. 4 shows how a lighting rig is in the process of deploying one of the arms 5. According to a preferred embodiment, the two deployable arms 5 on a lighting rig should deploy in opposite directions and at the same time in order to maintain balance as much as possible. The arms may be deployed by means of designated motors, gear devices, cogwheel/chain or similar.

Fig. 5 shows lighting rigs with deployed arms 5. A plurality of lighting rigs with deployed arms will now preferably cover the entire transverse width of a grass court or similar.

Fig. 6 shows a support stand 12 which is in the process of being lowered down towards the ground.

In the illustrated embodiment, the support stand 12 extends into the vertical leg structure 6. The support stand may be jacked or driven down in a suitable manner as shown in figs. 7 and 8a until the foot 13 of the support stand impacts the ground, and then some more in order to ground pressure from the wheels. The foot 13 should be a plate of a certain footprint in order to distribute the pressure and possibly maintain some of the balance for the lighting rig. More support stands are possible, e.g. one in each corner next to the wheels, in which case the support stands may comprise articulated jack structures.

Figs. 8b and 10c show an alternative, telescopic embodiment of the support stand 12'.

Fig. 9 shows the wheels 8while they are in the process of being turned (swung) 90° while the support stand 12 is resting on the ground and relieves the ground pressure on the wheels 8, and in fig. 10a the wheels are swung 90°. If all the wheels have been swung 90°, the lighting rig may move in a transverse direction. Figs. lOb-c show how the wheels may be pivoted by means if a cogwheel-and- chain system 11.

Figs. 11 and 12 show power cables 14 and possibly signal cables and connectors 15 that are interconnected. The lighting rigs may also comprise a battery with a capacity sufficient for rolling the rigs into position, whereupon power is supplied to the lightbulbs via the cables. The lighting rigs will typically be in operation several hours every day and need some power.

Fig. 13 shows the lighting rigs while they illuminate in the dark/the shade. The lighting rigs are furnished with energy-efficient light units, lightbulbs/-rails that provide an optimal light frequency and power in order to promote the desired growth. Figs. 14-16 show how the lighting rigs may be moved in tandem along a grass court longitudinal direction. This is achieved by the above-mentioned hub motors.

According to another aspect of the invention, the lighting rig or lighting rigs be controlled by an operator using a remote control. This is possible because the hub motor, the rotation means swinging the wheels, the jackable support stands, the deployable arms, etc., may be controlled via a control system that wirelessly or via a cable may communicate with a control panel, a smartphone app or tablet, etc. The system may also possibly be programmed to relocate autonomously during the evening/night or as a shaded field is moving with the sun, as the rigs may assume a steady resting mode where the arms are folded together and the lights off if anything unexpected should occur (e.g. wind, rain, power outage, error mode, the rigs getting stuck in the surface, etc.), or they may fold in and relocate off the court under its own power.