Device for Dividing Ice-Hockey Rinks

The present invention relates to a device which makes it possible to rapidly and conveniently divide a regular ice-hockey rink into at least two smaller enclosed rink parts, at least one of which has essentially the same shape as the regular rink, i.e. having curved and symmetric corners.

A big problem in connection with ice-hockey training and matches for children and youngsters is that the regular ice-hockey rink is too big, so that the children/youngsters are unable to make use of the entire field. Another--and related--problem is that comparatively few children/youngsters can practice or play on the big rink simultaneously. Thus, the rink is poorly utilized, which is disadvantageous to the activities for young players. An efficient utilization of the rink is desirable, not the least because of the costs for renting the rink, which are often high.

It is an object of the invention to solve i.a. these and related problems, and to this end there is according to the invention provided a device for dividing, or partitioning, a regular ice-hockey rink into smaller, enclosed areas, which device has been given the characteristic features, which are indicated in the appended claims and will be explained further below.

The invention will be explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic top plan view of a conventional ice-hockey rink, which has been divided into three separate training sections by means of two supplemental sideboards according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a more detailed top plan view of a first embodiment of a mounted supplemental sideboard according to the invention,

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 and showing an alternative embodiment of the mounted supplemental sideboard according to the invention,

FIGS. 4a and 4b schematically show a first embodiment of a straight sideboard element according to the invention shown in side elevational view and end view respectively,

FIGS. 5a and 5b show an alternative embodiment of a straight sideboard element according to the invention in longitudinal section and cross-section respectively,

FIG. 6 is a schematic top plan view of one embodiment of a curved sideboard element according to the invention,

FIG. 7 is a schematic detail view showing one embodiment of guide means for interconnecting two adjacent sideboard elements, and

FIG. 8 is a schematic detail view which in enlarged scale shows a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a conventional ice-hockey rink having a stationary sideboard 1, a mid-circle 2, blue lines 3, goal areas 4, etc. According to the invention this full-scale rink has been divided into three transversely extending smaller "rinks" or sectors 5, 6 and 7 by means of two mountable supplemental sideboards 8 and 9. Each such supplemental sideboard consists of a plurality of interconnected straight sideboard elements and curved sideboard elements. The straight sideboard elements are at a suitable distance from the end of the stationary sideboard 1, e.g. essentially at the respective blue line 3, the curved sideboard elements interconnecting between the outermost of the straight sideboard elements and the stationary sideboard 1. The curvature of the interconnected curved sideboard elements correspond to the curvature of the corners of the stationary sideboard 1. In the case shown in FIG. 1 there are thus formed two fully fenced-in or enclosed "mini hockey rinks" 5 and 7, essentially corresponding to the rink 1, but of smaller dimensions, and therebetween also the sector 6, which is also fenced-in by the sideboards 8, 9.

Because of this division the ice-hockey rink 1 can be utilized optimally, e.g. as illustrated by the sketchings in FIG. 1. In this case the mini ice-hockey fields 5 and 7 are used for game training with two goals, whereas the mid-sector 6 is used for technique training, but this sector can, of course, also be used for other skating activities. Of course, it is also within the invention possible to use only one of the supplemental sideboards (8 or 9).

FIG. 2 is a more detailed illustration of the build-up of the supplemental sideboard from individual straight sideboard elements 8a and curved sideboard elements 8b. In a preferred embodiment six straight sideboard elements 8a and three curved sideboard elements 8b at each end thereof are used for a normal size rink. Each sideboard element essentially consists of an upright, actual sideboard portion 8c having a smooth inner surface, and support means 8d located on the outer side and serving to assist in keeping the supplemental sideboard in place when subjected to strain during games and training (body checks, etc.). The support means 8d can have different design for different sideboard elements, e.g. different design for straight and curved sideboard elements. Preferred embodiments of the support means will be described below.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 the straight sideboard elements 8a consist of two actual sideboard parts 8c, which are kept secured at a suitable spacing (e.g. about 25 cms) by means of suitable cross-bars T (compare FIGS. 5a and 5b). Because of this construction the sideboard elements are substantially "self-supporting", and separate support means (corresponding to elements 8d in the embodiment of FIG. 2) can be omitted. When using this embodiment two mini-rinks 5a, 6a can be provided next to each other.

FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate a preferred design of the straight sideboard sections in the embodiment of FIG. 2. The actual sideboard parts of each straight sideboard section consists of one (or possibly more) smooth sideboard plates 8c of a suitable material, such as hard plastic plates, to which are attached a plurality of supporting battens 10, preferably profiled aluminum tubes. In the shown preferred embodiment the same comprise edge or margin battens 10a, horizontal mid-battens 10b, and vertical mid-battens 10c. In this embodiment the above-mentioned support means 8d consist of a frame 11, which is pivotingly connected to the actual sideboard part 8c at the bottom thereof, e.g. by means of hinges 12, so that the frame can be pivoted upwards from the horizontal working position shown in FIG. 4b to a transport position against the plate 8c. Further, there is provided one (or more) locking arms 13, one end of which is pivotingly supported by the frame 11 by means of a joint 14, and the opposite end of which can be removably fastened (at 15) to the sideboard part 8c a certain distance from the bottom thereof, so as to keep the sideboard part 8c firmly in a position perpendicular to the support frame 11 (and consequently to the ice).

In the straight sideboard elements or sections 8a the respective frame 11 preferably has the same extension in the longitudinal direction as the sideboard element, as is illustrated in FIG. 2. The curved sideboard elements 8b are constructed in analogy with the straight sideboard elements 8a just described, but as appears from FIG. 6 (see also FIG. 2) the support frame 11 only extends over part of the length of the curved sideboard element (for the sake of simplicity), preferably starting from one end thereof, so that the frame can be fastened to an adjacent sideboard element, as will be explained in connection with FIG. 8. The curved sideboard element of FIG. 6 can be used together with both of the two types of straight sideboard elements, i.e. those of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 respectively.

FIG. 7 illustrates suitable means for guiding adjacent sideboard elements into the correct mutual position. In this preferred embodiment the sideboard sections 8a, 8b are, at the top and the bottom of one short end, provided with a projecting male means, e.g. a bevelled steel pin or a slotted square tube 16, fitting into corresponding female means provided in the adjacent sideboard section at said short end, and the other way around at the opposite short end. The male and female means are preferably provided in the top and bottom light metal tubes 10a (e.g. square tubes of aluminum, 30.times.30.times.2 mm) of the sideboard elements. The female means may be formed by the very cavity of the square tubes 10a.

FIG. 8 shows in more detail a preferred embodiment of a sideboard element according to FIG. 4, certain parts of the support frame 11 and the lock arm 13, as well as of the vertical edge batten 10a, being omitted for space economy reasons (the edge batten 10a also being parallel shifted).

FIG. 8 clearly illustrates how the support frame 11 is attached to one of the horizontal battens 10a (carrying the sideboard plate 8c) by means of the hinge 12. The sideboard plate 8c can e.g. be 6-8 mm thick Worblex PE5258. The construction is preferably such that the frame 11 substantially only can be pivoted upwards in the hinge joint from the shown position, e.g. because of the frame 11 contacting the batten 10a. At the outer end the underside of the frame 11 preferably has a wooden fillet 11a for contacting the ice. If desired, the same can be provided with a friction covering, projecting tips or pins 11b or the like for enhancing the grip with the ice. The outer end of the lock arm or clamping arm 13 is pivotable relative to the support frame 11 by means of the shaft 14 and yoke 17 for the same. The opposite end of the arm 13 is provided with a so-called eccentric lock 18, which cooperates with a locking pin 19 on the batten 10a. As is known such locks have a locking ring 18a, which is made to engage the locking pin 19, the clamping then being performed by means of a tightening lever 18b, which is pressed against the support arm 13. As shown, the end of the latter is preferably bevelled, with an angle corresponding to vertical position of the actual sideboard.

The above described supplemental sideboard can be mounted on a regular ice-hockey rink very rapidly and conveniently. Each sideboard section of the described design (about 3 m long and made of the indicated materials) does not weigh more than one man can carry it and mount it. Because the support frame 11 can be folded up towards the very sideboard, the section occupies little space when transported and stored. When unfolding the frame 11 to the position shown in FIG. 8 and tightening the eccentric lock 18, each section rests by itself on the ice. The next section is mounted by bringing the male and female parts, serving as guiding and attachment means, into engagement with each other. The sections are locked to each other by suitable locking means acting between the end edge profiles of the up-right sideboard part, and also by suitable locking means acting between the horizontal support frames 11 of the two sideboard sections. The first-mentioned locking means are schematically indicated at 20 in FIG. 4a, and the latter at 21 in FIG. 2. Both locking means are preferably tightening devices, especially eccentric locks similar to the lock 18 for the support arm 13. The thusly designed supplemental sideboard has proven to be very expedient and stable.

The invention is, of course, not limited to the embodiments, which have been specifically described above and shown in the drawings, but many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.