WO1999046017A1

WO1999046017A1 - Roller-skate rink

Info

Publication number: WO1999046017A1
Application number: PCT/BE1999/000023
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dirk Laureyssens; Jules Verbert; Marc M. F. Janssens
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-02-19
Filing date: 1999-02-18
Publication date: 1999-09-16
Anticipated expiration: 2000-08-19
Also published as: BE1011751A6; AU3241199A

Abstract

An integrated roller-skate rink consisting of transparent and/or closed tunnels and tunnel widenings which are on several height levels. The rink is mounted on structures and rise systems bring the skater to higher levels. The skater is protected in the tunnels against all weather. State-of-the-art technology creates a special effect with light and sound; and several skill tests can be performed, such as laser-cannons, rotating tubes and moving bottoms. Tunnels can be constructed in different ways (tubes, steelwork, frames, inflatables, ...) and tunnels have degrees of difficulty. Special zones for spectators and other activities. Perfect for recreation, sharpen the reaction speed and tension and pleasure. Project with important economic and social impact.

Description

1

Description: Roller-skate rink

This invention consists in an integrated roller-skate rink (10) targeting the creation of excitement and new challenges .for skaters in the broadest way. Basic idea is to bring skeelers to a height with a rise system and that they descend a track which offers them the possibility to apply or test their skating skills, eventually in competition. The aim is that they can choose different descends in open ramps and special tunnels which give next to specific difficulties and missions also optical speed effects. It is a sport complex in which also spectators find their pleasure because they can follow the skaters through an information and video system while they drink, eat, relax. They are in the possibility to find all relevant information on speed, scores on video screens. At this moment the skeelers world offers only plane of smooth ramps which are not covered single. The advantage of tunnels is also that the skaters can not go out of the skating bottom.

This roller-skate rink consisting of a fix installation (e.g. hangar, hall, ...) and/or of a number of loosen temporary build parts which can be used to make a special structure for events, fairs, ... The whole or a part consists of transparent and/or closed tunnels (11) and tunnel widenings (12,27) which can be positioned on different height-levels so skaters can feel the descending and inclining effects and the G-Forces on their body when they make sharp turns. The centrifugal forces are compensated by the design of the floor slopes. The rink can be on the bottom ( ground, floor, foundation of a building) (32, 41 , 53), either mounted on structures (31 , 54) which create the height difference and that way also can stick out and come back inside the building. Tunnels can be inter-connected and separate again or can be totally independent. Tunnels make together at least one track in which the skater can move while he is protected against weather, wind and other natural circumstances so he can ware a light, special outfit. The skater has the possibility to use one or more rise systems (13, 23) so he can enjoy already that way excitement. The spatial characteristics of the tunnels and tunnel widenings can be adapted by the management or by pre-programmed through a number of mechanical systems electrical or non electrical powered. The internal finishing is made such that the young skater is surrounded by state-of-the-art technology and media, thus music, special lights, TV-camera's (45), electronic information, transmitted communication, several laser- projections, score-screens, video-screens, graffiti walls, ... and/or artificial environments;

Under tunnels we mean the largest interpretation: connected tube segments in glass fiber or strong plastic made from one or more parts (fig-⁴), large pipes in concrete, stones, composite materials or recuperation materials, wood/metal frame elements (fig.3) with support- structures (39) and walls in e.g. polycarbonate (34), double-walled 2 inflatable structures, large tubes with harmonic-structures and flexibles, metal steelworks (51) with plastic or metal wave sheets (52) and eventually skylights (55), or tunnels built in another way .... In which a straight person can move or must bend to pass. The tunnels are finished on the inside on all dangerous stops with safety materials such as foams, sponge, inflatables, ... to absorb chocks, and which have emergency exists (16). Tunnels widenings are important and they will either widen smoothly in a larger zone, either widen abrupt e.g. a niche, an inlet (27) , ..., and they create that way a connected meeting-point, food zone (29), resting zone, safety zone and/or a skills zone. They create a passive or active resting points in the descends of track. On these spots also scores can be found, competitions can start or checked.

Widenings create also skill zones as a part of a track in which the floor, the walls and/or interiour finishing has special design(s) or characteristics in such a way that special skating skills can be demonstrated, e.g. bounce on a flexible spring zone, a glide/bounce zone with springs, a spiral construction to make the skater descending against the wall, a gliding zone, a sprint zone with scoring sensors, a catapulting acceleration zone, a liane zone to sway over a small river or obstacle or the come from a climbing zone, a waterfall through which the skater must go, a trampoline zone, a rope bridge, ... Of course skills can be tested also into the tunnels them selves. Rise systems are important although a simple escalator is also possible, other ways are preferable because of the speed and repetition such as: broad conveyer, a seat lift, a pull lift, an elevator, an escalator, a straight rolling band (13), a shuttle cage, ... which lead to a higher platform (14, 20) or tower. Indeed going up to a height of 10 to 20 meters gives a kick.

The rink targets all skaters such as : the traditional skater, roller skater, inline-skater, ice skater, skeelers, roller-blader, skateboarder, ... and other types of groups or individuals moving on a structure based on wheels, rolls, knives or balls. Here is also a possibility for the ice skater because it is possible to bring an ice layer on the floor of a tunnel creating a type of ski/ice skating. This give also the possibility to make descends with a kind of small bobsleigh cars.

Each track consisting of number of connected or independent tunnels with strong flat and/or waving floors on which the skaters - with eventually a start from an higher point (14, 20) - have the possibility to descend several differences in height and degrees of difficulty ( e.g. black tube (21), red tunnel (22), blue tunnel, green tunnel, yellow tunnel) during their route. Artificial environments can be activated such as: opposite windblowers, changing lights (e.g. sensored lights activated by an identification transmitter, unit from illuminating star-spangled sky, projection of images 3 on wand, ...), a mist layer (e.g. 30 cm height), a vibration zone (like effect of concrete vibration machine), ...

A laser-projection from a central position can give nice possibility such as e.g. projection of shapes on the mat wall of the laser tunnel so that the projected image is the "rabbit" to beat for the skater who wants to beat a record or win a competition or to make special visual effects. Score- screens with lamps or video walls hang on central spots so the skater can read during his continuing his score(s) or a mission from a challenger. The roller-skate rink has special zones for drink/restaurant (25, 29), bar, dancing, shopping, renting, locker room, toilets, first help, operators room/technical room, monitor-central,.... depending from the preference of the organizer or manager. The spectators can follow each skater or passing by internal TV-circuits (57) and/or ranking board.

Skaters can be equipped with special communication transmitters with earphones and microphones so skaters can talk to each other or skaters to spectators for straight communication or group contests (e.g. localization of the opponent group, relay race, ...)

Level-controls can change bottom parts by hydraulic presses. Then the position of parts of a pivoting floor in a tunnel change in relation to each other, or the adaptation of a flexible rubber floor happens by changes in oil-, air- or water chambers in the understructure or the tunnel, or by the moving or gliding of irregular balls in for example a rotating plate. Such level-controls can work also with mechanical roll-systems that way changing the position of parts of a pivoting floor in relation to each other by the activation of gearwheels, levers and/or bands or irregular cylinders. Spatial characteristics of the tunnels and tunnel widenings can change by the level-controls of corners, floors and/or walls in tunnels and/or zones controlled by the managing operator, by a computer system, and/or interactive by the skaters themselves by activating certain sensors (56) and connected with hydraulic, electrical and/or mechanical systems. This will be more complex than an adaptation of the bottom but depends of the choice of the manager of the installation.

The rink can be made with temporary parts that can be fast build up and dismantled for fairs, festivities and events. We can compare this with the erection of a travelling circus or fair attraction. Advantage is than that participants can sport in all weather.

Tunnels and tunnel widenings are in an indoor zone (21) as in an outdoor zone (22). They are autonomous an attraction or are combined with open structures ( ramps, cracks, ...) to form at least one track.

There are several ways of finishing the bottom of a tunnel, namely he can consists of a plane bottom or inclining bottom finished in wood , concrete , 4 synthetics or other material and by which the spatial finishing of the wall can be rounded (35) so the skaters will have less possibility to touch the walls. One type of tunnel is constructed by a number of anchored (32) or on pilework (31) positioned structures of standards (33) and beams (39) which are fixed to each other (glued, bolts/nuts, rivets, screws, nails, plates, pins, ...) on which at least one strong wall-segment (34) is fixed. This fixation can be on the inside or outside of the wall but the inner fixation will prevent that skaters have contact with the pillar. Several devices can be attached to such tunnel or corridor e.g. loudspeakers, TV- camera's, lighting (37), sensors, antennas, paint-guns, water-guns, foam- guns, mist-makers, laser-projectors and others. Another type of tunnel is build from a number of anchored (41 , 42) or on pilework (47) positioned structures of tubes or parts of tubes which are fixed to each other (glued, bolts/nuts, rivets, screws, nails, plates, pins, ...) on which at least one strong wall-segment (34) is fixed ( on inside or outside ), in which a bottom is put and in which also several devices can be put. A third type of tunnel is made with a number of anchored (53) or on pilework (54) positioned structures of frames which are fixed to each other (glued, bolts/nuts, rivets, screws, nails, plates, pins, ...) on which at least one strong wall-segment (52) such as a wave board is fixed ( on inside or outside ) and a dome (55) is placed, and in which a bottom is put and in which also several devices can be attached. A fourth, active type of tunnel (60) consisting of one (62) or a number of tube positioned on a lateral rolling mechanism (61) or laying on several full of air tires by which the tube or tubes rotate at adaptable speed in the length direction and the skater passes through while feeling the sidewise movement of the bottom and anticipating on it. This gives an exciting psychological effect and demands a good equilibrium.

A special effect is the one in which one or more laser- (58) or light- cannons shoot regular or irregular light-pulses which the skater must avoid or hit and thus must jump, bend, slow-down, accelerate depending of the mission, while it is controlled by a computer (59). In case a light beam must be avoided the skate will jump when the light beam on foot level, and for example, two meters further the light beam will be on the shoulder level he will need to bend very fast. This tunnel can have e.g. 10 of such light beam units each with a distance of one meter. This tunnel sharps the reaction speed and gives the possibility to organize championships. This type of tunnel can also be made with water guns or paint guns or with foam objects shoot with air-pressure.

This invention is thus a new type of roller-skate rink offering to skaters new, extensive possibilities to do their sport in ideal circumstances. By following the special tracks several skill are tested, the reaction speed becomes better, and tension and pleasure is created. Because the track 5 starts on a high departure special sensations and attractiveness is reached and the combination with the electronic sequence of impressions make of it an integrated sports complex with important economic and social impact, the use of new techniques and the creation of new economic activities. The recreation possibilities and the possibility to express theme selves positively has an important social impact on the youngsters and their self-image.

Claims

1. Roller-skate rink (10) consisting of a fix installation and/or of a number of loosen temporary build parts, from which the whole or a part consists of transparent and/or closed tunnels (11) and tunnel widenings (12,27) which can be positioned on different height-levels and which lay either on the ground (32, 41 , 53), either are mounted on structures (31 , 54) and can be connected to each other and making together at least one tracks in which the skater can move while he is protected against weather, wind and other natural circumstances, being in the possibility to use one or more rise systems (13, 23), and in which also the spatial characteristics of the tunnels and tunnel widenings can be adapted and the internal finishing is made that the skater is surrounded , lead or followed by music, lights, TV-camera's (45), electronic information, transmitted communication, laser-projections, score-screens, video-screens and/or artificial environments;

2. Tunnels, as described in claim 1, meaning: connected tube segments in glass fiber or strong plastic made from one or more parts (fig.4), large Pipes in concrete, stones, composite materials or recuperation materials, wood/metal frame elements (fig.3) with support-structures (39) and walls in e.g. poly-carbonate (34), double-walled inflatable structures, large tubes with harmonic-structures and flexibles, metal steelworks (51) with plastic or metal wave sheets (52) and eventually skylights (55), or tunnels built in another way .... In which a straight person can move or must bend to pass;

3. Tunnels , as described in claim 1, finished on the inside on dangerous stops with safety materials such as foams, sponge, inflatables, ... to absorb chocks, and which have emergency exists (16);

4. Tunnels, as described in claim 1, which either widen smoothly in a larger zone, either widen abrupt e.g. a niche, an inlet (27) , ..., and creating that way a connected meeting-point, food zone (29), resting zone, safety zone and/or a skills zone;

5. Skill zone, as described in claim 4, as a part of the track of the roller- skate rink in which the surface, the walls and/or the interior finishing have special design(s) or characteristics in such a way that special skating skills can be demonstrated, e.g. bounce on a flexible spring zone, a glide/bounce zone with springs, a spiral construction to make the skater descending against the wall, a sprint zone with scoring sensors, a catapulting acceleration zone, a liane zone to sway over a small river or obstacle or the come from a climbing zone, a waterfall through which the skater must go, a trampoline zone, a rope bridge, ... 7

6. Rise systems, as described in claim 1 , such as: broad conveyer, a seat lift, a pull lift, an elevator, an escalator, a straight rolling band (13), a shuttle cage, ... which lead to a higher platform (14, 20) or tower;

7. Skater, as described in claim 1, meaning: roller skater, inline-skater, ice skater, skeelers, roller-blader, skateboarder, ... and other types of groups or individuals moving on a structure based on wheels, rolls or balls;

8. Track , as described in claim 1 , consisting of number of connected or independent tunnels with strong flat and/or waving floors on which the skaters - with eventually a start from an higher point (14, 20) - have the possibility to descend several differences in height and degrees of difficulty ( e.g. black tube (21), red tunnel (22), blue tunnel, green tunnel, yellow tunnel) during their route;

9. Artificial environments, as described in claim 1, such as: opposite windblowers, changing lights (e.g. sensored lights activated by an identification transmitter, unit from illuminating star-spangled sky, projection of images on wand, ...), a mist layer (e.g. 30 cm height), a vibration zone (like effect of concrete vibration machine), ...;

10. Laser-projections, as described in claim 1, such as e.g. projection of shapes on the mat wall of the laser tunnel so that the projected image is the "rabbit" for a records or a competition;

11. Score-screens, as described in claim 1, hanging on central spots and on which the skater can read during his continuing his score(s) or a mission from a challenger;

12. Roller-skate rink, as described in claim 1 , with zones for drink/restaurant (25, 29), bar, dancing, shopping, renting, locker room, toilets, first help, operators room/technical room, monitor-central,....;

13. Roller-skate rink, as described in claim 1, by which the spectators can follow each skater by TV-circuits (57) and/or ranking board;

14. Transmitted communication, as described in claim 1, between skaters and between skaters/spectators by small transmitters and receivers and eventually wire antenna (46) in the tunnels;

15. Artificial environments, as described in claim 1, consisting of hydraulic presses able to change the position of parts of a pivoting floor in a tunnel, or the adaptation of a flexible rubber floor by changes in oil-, air- or water chambers in the understructure or the tunnel, or the moving or gliding of balls in for example a rotating plate; 8

16. Artificial environments, as described in claim 1, consisting of mechanical roll-systems feasible to change the position of parts of a pivoting floor in relation to each other by the activation of gearwheels, levers and/or bands or irregular cylinders;

17. Temporary build parts, as described in claim 1, which make it possible to build up and down easy constructions for fairs, festivities and events, ...;

18. Tunnels and tunnel widenings, as described in claim 1, which can be in an indoor zone (21) as in an outdoor zone (22) on their own or forming in combination with open structures at least one track;

19. Spatial characteristics of the tunnels and tunnel widenings, as described in claim 1, changed by the level-controls of corners, floors and/or walls in tunnels and/or zones by the managing operator, by a computer system, and/or interactive by the skaters themselves by activating certain sensors (56) and connected with hydraulic, electrical and/or mechanical systems;

20. Tunnels, as described in claim 1, by which the floor consists of a plane bottom or inclining bottom finished in wood , concrete , synthetics or other material and by which the spatial finishing of the wall can be rounded (35);

21. Tunnel, as described in claim 1 , built from a number of anchored (32) or on pilework (31) positioned structures of standards (33) and beams (39) which are fixed to each other (glued, bolts/nuts, rivets, screws, nails, plates, pins, ...) on which at least one strong wall-segment (34) is fixed ( on inside or outside ), in which a bottom is put (35) and in which several devices can be attached such as loudspeakers, TV-camera's, lighting (37), sensors, antennas, paint-guns, water-guns, foam-guns, laser- projectors and others;

22. Tunnel, as described in claim 1 , built from a number of anchored (41 , 42) or on pilework (47) positioned structures of tubes or parts of tubes which are fixed to each other (glued, bolts/nuts, rivets, screws, nails, plates, pins, ...) on which at least one strong wall-segment (34) is fixed ( on inside or outside ), in which a bottom is put and in which several devices can be attached such as loudspeakers, TV-camera's (46), lighting (44), sensors, antennas, paint-guns, water-guns, foam-guns, laser-projectors and others;

23. Tunnel, as described in claim 1, built from a number of anchored (53) or on pilework (54) positioned structures of frames which are fixed to each other (glued, bolts/nuts, rivets, screws, nails, plates, pins, ...) on which at least one strong wall-segment (52) such as a wave board is fixed ( on inside or outside ) and a dome (55) is placed, and in which a bottom is put and in which several devices can be attached such as loudspeakers, TV-camera's (57), lighting (58), sensors, antennas, paint- guns, water-guns, foam-guns, laser-projectors and others;

24. Tunnel (60), as described in claim 1, consisting of one (62) or a number of tube positioned on a lateral rolling mechanism (61) or laying on bands by which the tube or tubes rotate at adaptable speed in the length direction and the skater passes through while feeling the sidewise movement of the bottom and anticipating on it;

25.Tunnel, as described in claim 1 , in which one or more laser- (58) or light-cannons shoot regular or irregular light-pulses which the skater must avoid or hit and thus must jump, bend, slow-down, accelerate depending of the mission, while is controlled by a computer (59);

26. Tunnel, as described in claim 1, in which a number of cooling elements are placed giving the possibility to make a ice-layer on the tunnel bottom so that a type of sport combination of an ice-skater making a type of ski-descend or a descend with bobsleigh-type cars;

27. A Roller-skate rink, as described in claim 1 , offering to skaters new, extensive possibilities to do their sport in ideal circumstances by following special tracks with several skill tests and by which the high departure position creates special sensations and attractiveness and the combination with the electronic sequence of impressions make of it an integrated sports complex with important economic and social impact.