ACTIVITY SYSTEM AND METHOD

ACTIVITY SYSTEM AND METHOD

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an activity system and a method of facilitating activity using the activity system . In particula r embodiments the present invention may be used to provide playground equipment, game or activity stations to be used by children. However, those skilled in the art should appreciate that other applications or user groups are also within the scope of the invention .

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Modern children are considered to be less physica l ly active than their parents were at their age. Many factors contribute to this decreased activity, ranging from transport options employed by or for children through to the ready availability of computer based entertainment options for children.

Playgrounds and sporting facilities provide a n im portant opportunity for children to participate in some form of physical activity. However, some age groups are not adequately catered for by the current ra nge of playground equipment, sports fields or sporting facilities on offer.

For example, existing playground equipment generally caters to the interests and physical development of three to seven year ol d chi ldren . Various apparatus such as climbing nets, monkey bars and slides a re normally found as part of existing playground equipment allowing younger children to develop their basic movement and motor skills. However, existing forms of playground equipment are not necessarily of i nterest to older children who may have become bored with such systems due to exposure to same in their earlier years. Conversely, pre-teenage children can lack the physical development required to properly use adult sized sporting equipment, fields or facilities.

Full sized sporting fields may be too long for pre-teenage children to run easily, while goal mouths or basketball hoops may be too large or set too high for children at this development stage to easily defend or score points with. Furthermore, sporting equipment and facilities designed for adults generally requires a full compliment of players or participants to work effectively. In contrast, groups of children wishing to play together are m uch less likely to be sufficiently organized to have scheduled the attendance of the required number of players to use such traditional sporting facilities. It Is far more likely that children will spontaneously decide to participate in a particular activity . In this case it is common to find that only a relatively small group of child ren are available to participate In an activity. Such spontaneity is also a limitation where sporting equipment needs to be available for a particular activity and the children have not thought ahead far enough to ensure they have all the equipment required to play a particular game.

Therefore, the applicants feel that children ranging in age between six and twelve are not adequately catered for by existing playground equipment, nor by sporting facilities which are designed for aduit use. Children of these ages run the risk of developing antisocial and inactive behaviors such as television watching or spending long periods of time engaged in computer based games. This age group of children is however interested in participating in activities which req uire co-operation, competition or some form of achievement. These activities generally occur In sma ll or Informa l social groups, Physical activities in which children can participate in small groups and playing games with simple and easily understood rule sets are not currently provided for by existing playground equipment or sporting facilities. An improved activity system and/or method of facilitating activity or activities would therefore be of advantage over the prior art. In particular, an activity system or method which allowed a single space to facilitate the completion of a number of different activities, and which a llowed small or Informal groups of participants to complete or participate in an activity would be of advantage to the community. Furthermore, it would also be advantageous to have available an activity system which provides components or potentially all elements/equipment requ ired for an activity which remain part of the activity system on a permanent basis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an activity system which includes:

a play area ; and

at least one wal l which defines two opposed play surfaces on opposite sides of the wall, each play surface capable of facilitating an activity; a nd at least one aperture formed in said at least one wall;

wherein an aperture al lows users of the activity system to complete an objective of an activity facilitated by the activity system .

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an activity system substantially as described above wherein an aperture encloses a net.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an activity system which includes:

a play area ; and

at least one wall which defines two opposed play surfaces on opposite sides of the wall, each play surface capable of facil itating an activity; and at least one projection or depression formed in at least one play surface of a wall;

wherein said at least one p rojection or depression bou nces back an object thrown at the wall at an unpredictable angle. According to a further aspect of the present invention there Is provided an activity system substantially as described above wherein any wall/wa lls Incorporated into the system have a modular configuration by being prefabricated and at least some of the walls having the same shape and size. Preferably, the activity system comprises two discrete sets of walls, the first set of walls having a first predetermined size and shape and the second set of walls having a second predetermined size and shape.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an activity system substantia lly as described above wherein the modular walls may include one of a plurality of design va riations dependent on the activities to be facilitated on each of the play surfaces of a wal l .

Preferably, the present invention may be adapted to provide an activity system which can facilitate the performance of at least two independent activities by users of the system. The activity system can facilitate these activities by providing at least a portion or component of equipment required by users to perform an activity. These components or elements of the system are permanently located in an accessible area or region. The present invention therefore allows a number of activities to be performed or completed with users needing to supply only a minimum amount of equipment.

While the activity system of the present invention is adapted to provide a number of separate activity stations which can be utilised independently, one skilled in the art would appreciate that interaction between participants at different activity stations may occur or be desirable In some Instances.

Reference throughout the specification will be made to the activities facilitated by the present invention being games which include a set of rules defining how an objective of the activity is to be completed by a successful player or participant. In a further preferred embodiment the activity based game(s) may be designed so as to attract the attention of chi ldren and allow children to play together In small ad hoc groups or alternatively (in some instances) on their own. Preferably the activity system provided by the present invention may include a number of prefabricated walls formed with a modular design. Using a prefabricated modular design system allows the walls incorporated into the activity system to be formed at relatively low cost. It also allows the eventual size or number of activities offered by the system to be easily varied and configured to suit the requirements of its users.

Furthermore, a modular wall configuration allows individua l wall sections to include one of a number of variants which can dictate the type or form of activity facilitated by a particular play surface. Again, this allows the eventual users of the activity system to choose particu lar wal ls which suit the types of activities which they wish their activity system to facil itate.

The activities or games facilitated by a play surface can vary widely . A few examples of games which may be facilitated by the activity system of the present invention include but are not limited to the following : jum p rope, wall climbing, handball, basketbal l, kickball, four square, soccer, cricket, tennis, badminton, volleyball and bowling.

Reference throughout the specification will be made to the walls employed having a prefabricated modular configu ration which can include a number of distinct variations and forms . However, those skilled In the art should appreciate that an activity system of the present invention may a lso include a number of customised forms or shapes of the wall or wa lls It incorporates. Furthermore, the shape appearance and configuration of each of these walls may vary substantially over the entire activity system . in a preferred em bodiment, an activity system of the present invention may incor porate a substantially flat or horizontal play area . The wall or walls of the activity system may then be deployed on this play area to project upwards from same and therefore divide the play area into a num ber of independent and separate activity stations or regions. For example a single wall may divide a section of the play area into two independent activity stations, whereas two or more walls may divide a section of the play area into a greater number of independent activity stations.

A play area used In conjunction with the present invention may be formed from an array of materials including but not limited to grass, tarmac or concrete, woodchips, synthetic grass and safety surfaces or the internal floor of a structure. The activity system of the present Invention may be deployed on any convenient play area, for example a public park or school grounds, or the floor of a gymnasium or other suitable building . In instances where the activity system is deployed inside a structure it is envisioned that the base of each wall may be removably attached or engaged with the floor of the building to allow the activity system to be collapsed and removed when not in use.

Preferably, each wall of the activity system may define two opposed play surfaces on the opposite sides of the wall . Each of these play surfaces can be used in an activity independent of each other due to the wall dividing a section of the play area into two separate activity stations.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invent ion the activity system may incorporate two or more walls attached to one another in a range of configurations. This provides variability in the types of activities which the system can faci litate. For example, some activities or games may require a corner between two walls positioned at right angles to one another. For example, it may be desirable to have a corner behind a baseball or softball pitch to contain the bal l without the requirement for a back stop.

Adjacent play surfaces facilitating differing activ ities allow the invention to provide a wide range of activity options for children to choose from, even if some activities cannot be completed at the same time, It should be appreciated that any configuration of wal ls can be utilised by the walls of the present invention.

In some embodiments of the present invention the walls of the activity station may be straight; however in a lternative embodiments the walls may be curved. Curved walls may increase the range of activities the activity system can provide. Additionally curved walls may help to contain the equipment utilised at a particular play surface. For example, If balls are being kicked or thrown against the play surface, a curved wa ll may decrease the li kelihood of the ball moving into another activity station and potentially interrupting play at that station. This may also allow the activity station to be deployed on a smaller play area .

In a preferred embodiment a play surface may have ma rkings, printing or text applied to it. For example, in some instances markings may be applied to a play surface to assist in the performance of a game or activity and to determine whether the rules of a game have been met or an objective of the game completed. Furthermore, such markings or text may display information pertinent to the rules or objectives of a particular game or activity facilitated by an activity station associated with the wall. In some instances markings or text on a play surface may also i nclude inspirational or values based messages which may or may not be related to the particular activity facilitated by the activity station .

In a preferred embodiment a wall may incl ude one or more apertu res which can facilitate the performance of an activity or the playing of a game. For example, in some Instances an aperture formed in the wall may define a goal mouth through which a ball would be kicked, thrown or otherwise encouraged. In other instances an additional target or further eq uipment may be deployed within the aperture defined to allow an objective of the activity to be completed.

In a further preferred embodiment, additional equipment may be deployed within an aperture of a wall . In one embodiment the additional equipment may be a net used to capture the progress of a ball driven through the aperture. Alternatively, the additional equipment may be a set of cricket stumps or other forms of target for a ball which - when struck - can indicate that an objective of game or activity has been met. Such equipment may be permanently deployed within an aperture of a wall, thereby minimizing the amount of equipment which needs to be carried to the activity system by users.

In alternative embodiments an aperture may be utilised to attach a piece of equipment to the play surface. For example an attachment point for a skipping rope allows two (or more) children to play jump rope without the need for additional children. Alternatively a net, such as a volleyball net or the like for example, may be attached to the play surface. It is also envisaged that the nets may be affixed to the apertures during the manufacturing of the activity centre, well before the activity centre is installed on location. In a further preferred embodiment, additional components or elements may be engaged with a play surface of a wall. For example, in one instance a basketball/netball net or hoop, badminton net, or a volleyball net may be attached to a play surface to allow basketball, netball or volleyball style games to be played at a particular activity station. In some embodiments a play surface may incorporate one or more projections or depressions arranged to bounce back an object thrown at the surface at an unpredictable angle. These projections or depressions can therefore provide an element of unpredictability to game play and hence allow a number of exciting and interesting games to be facilitated by the associated action station.

It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, that the modular walls of the present Invention may be attached to one another by any known attachment means. This may Include for example a metal joining assembly into which the ends of adjacent walls may be fitted at varying angles. Alternatively, a joining assembly which allows the end of one wall to be attached to the flat (or curved) surface of an adjacent wall. In a preferred embodiment the joining means allows a varying number of walls to be attached to one another quickly and easily and in a number of configurations. In some embodiments this may also allow the activity system to be updated by the addition, removal or replacement of wall(s) if desired.

In one embodiment a joining means may be formed by a metaJ bracket with a form or shape equivalent to the angle at which two or more walls intersect. For example in instances where two walls are to meet at a right angle, a corresponding L-shaped or right angle form bracket may be employed as a joining means. Alternatively another embodiment where three walls are to intersect together with an angle of approximately 120 degrees to each other a three armed metal bracket may be provided with each of the arms intersecting at an angle of 120 degrees. Such brackets may be laid over the top edges of walls and bolted or otherwise fastened to the walls to connect them together.

In one embodiment where a net or netting is applied within an aperture formed in a wall a tamper resistant connection system may be employed. Such tamper resistant systems may be provided by a channel formed in the edges of the wall which define the aperture, where projecting tethers on the edges of the netting can be threaded through and into this channel. With such a connection scheme the edge of the netting will therefore be secured within the channel with no exposed connectors being present. Furthermore, in embodiments where vandalism of may be an issue the netting may be formed from reinforced shark netting composed from multiple wire thread net covered by a nylon sleeve.

The present invention may provide a number of advantages over the prior art. An activity system formed in accordance with the present invention can allow a number of independent activity stations to be deployed which can include at least a portion or preferably the majority of the equipment required to participate in an activity or game. Rules, instructions and inspirational messages or decorations may be marked onto the play surfaces of walls forming the activity system, as can markings which assist in the completion of the objectives of activities or games. Preferably the modular and prefabricated nature of the activity system walls allows a high degree of flexibility in terms of activity system design while also minimizing the implementation costs of same. Apertures, projections or depressions formed in the systems walls can allow a wide range and variety of activities to be facilitated by the system, potentially promoting traditional sporting skills or allowing new innovative games to be played using these systems. The activity system of the present invention provides activity stations which may appeal to children who are Loo old for existing playground equipment, but who are not yet able to utilise adult equipment to its full potential.

In this specification, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term "comprising" has the non-exclusive meaning of the word, in the sense of "including at least" rather than the exclusive meaning in the sense of "consisting only of". The same applies with corresponding grammatical changes to other forms of the word such as "comprise", "comprises" and so on.

Although the invention is described above with reference to specific embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it is not limited to those embodiments, but may be embodied in many other forms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates an activity system formed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 ( Figures 2A to 2G) illustrates the top or plan view of a number of activity systems formed in accordance with various embodiments of the present Invention; Figure 3 illustrates the construction and arrangement of walls used in an activity system In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention ;

Figure 4 illustrates a plan or top view of an activity system formed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention ;

Figure 5 (Figures 5A to 5J) illustrates a number of play surfaces provided in accordance with the present invention . Figure 6 (Figures 6A to 62) illustrates a further set of play surfaces provided in accordance with the present invention .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 illustrates an activity system formed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention .

Figure 1 shows the provision of an activity system which incorporates three walls which terminate or meet each other at a pproximately 120° angles. These walls are located on a single substa ntially flat playing surface and delineate this playing surface into three separate areas. Furthermore, court markings are also applied onto the play area to define a number of distinct areas, which facilitate the playing of a variety of games.

As wil l be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in the embodiment shown in respect to Figure 1, a number of games (such as tennis or volleyball for example) may be played across and over the span of each of the walls, thereby providing a number of activity stations which may span both sides of a wall. However, other regions of each of these walls also facilitate or provide further activity stations which a re stand alone in nature and which allow games to be played on both sides of the walls. For example, in the case of the left most wal l, a set of apertures are provided in the wall that are closed by netting . These nets a nd their associated apertures provide targets for ball skill related games.

Figure 1 also illustrates how the intersection of the walls of the activity system of the present invention can provide a corner, which in use can also trap and effectively bounce balls or other games equipment back to players. Figure 1 also illustrates how the walls can also include curved sections or faces. These curves provide some variability in respect of the reflection angles which balls can exhibit when thrown against a wall and can also improve the aesthetic appeal of the resulting activity system.

As can be clearly seen from the embodiment shown in Figure 1, each of the walls include a number of design variations which facilitate the playing of a number of games against or potentially over each wall . The walls illustrated include a number of apertures which are closed off by netting material where this netting is permanently installed within each wall . Permanent installation of such equipment reduces the amount of additiona l equipment users will need to collect to play a variety of games using the activity system.

As will be described in more detail below, the wal l components of the present invention are modula r, which provides the possibility of altering the activity system to allow different activities to be carried out using the system of the present invention . The modular wal ls can be permanently fixed in place or can remain alterable thereby al lowing the walls to be changed periodically.

The modular walls are constructed in various predetermined shapes and sizes. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the activity system includes at least two discrete sets of modular walls, the first set having walls of a first predetermined size and shape and the second set having walls of a second predetermined size and shape.

Figures 2A to 2G show a number of different configurations of walls which may be utilised to provide an activity system according to various alternative embodiments of the present invention .

Each of these configurations includes at least two walls attached to one another in differing configurations to provide varying numbers and sizes of activity stations.

For example Figure 2 A includes two wa lls (l) and (2), which provides a number of potential play surfaces (3 to 7) . Play surfaces (3 to 7) may each relate to different activities or games by the incorporation of at least a portion or component of equipment required by users to perform that particular activity or game. In some Instances adjacent play surfaces, for example (4) and (5) may be configured to be utilised in the same activity or game.

Sim ilarly :

Figure 2B includes three wal ls (8), (9) and ( 10) and associated potential play surfaces ( 11 to 16) .

Figure 2C includes two walls ( 17) and ( 18) and associated potential play surfaces ( 19 to 22).

Figure 2D includes four walls (23), (24), (25) and (26) and associated potential play surfaces ( 27 to 35) .

Figure 2E includes five walls (36), (37), (38), (39) and (40) and associated potential play surfaces (41 to 50) . Figure 2F includes two walls (51 ), and (52) and associated potentia l play surfaces (53 to 56). Figure 2G Includes two walls in a cross formation having associated play surfaces.

Figure 3 shows examples of a curved wall which may be utilised with the present invention. Figure 3A shows a side on view of a wall (57), which includes three panels (58), (59) and (60). These panels may incorporate different play surfaces and accommodate different activities or games.

Figure 3B shows a top view of the wall, showing the curvature provided.

Figure 3C shows a side view of an alternate curved wall which incorporates a net.

Figure 4 shows an activity system utilising three curved walls (61), (62) and (63). These wails are configured to provide three inward curving sides to the system. The walls include double sided panels where indicated at (64), (65) and (66) which provide the wall which defines two opposed play surfaces on opposite sides of the walls.

Figure 5 provides a number of examples of activities/markings which can be provided on the play surface of a wall, these include:

Figure 5A: Bubble wall, the design on this play surface can be used as targets, or just provide a pleasing appearance.

Figure 5B: Fastball, this play surface includes an aperture (67) in which a net (68) is positioned at which a ball to be thrown or kicked from either side of the panel.

Figure 5C: Kickball, this play surface includes aperture (69) in which a net (70) is positioned at which a ball to be thrown or kicked from either side of the panel.

Figure 5D: Zigzag wall, this play surface includes indentations (71) and/or protrusions (72) which when hit by a ball bounces same back at an unpredictable angle. Figure 5E ; Play surface including portion where rules/inspirational messages can be printed.

Figu re 5F: Play surface which includes a basketball hoop .

Figure 5G : Shoot wall, this play surface includes apertures (73) in which a net (74) is positioned which form marked targets at which a ball can be thrown .

Figure 5H : Sticks, this play surface includes either apertures and/or sticks or cricket wickets which ca n be used to practice throwing and bowling .

Figure 51: Play surface including portion where rules/inspi rational messages can be printed, In add ition to a tall aperture which locates a net to allow play on both sides of the panel.

Figur e 51 : Bounce Wall with sun design .

Figure 6 shows a further set of play surfaces provided in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, which include:

Figu re 6A: Play surface Includes apertures (80) that allow a ba ll or the like to be thrown or kicked through from one side of the wall to the other.

Figure 6B: Play surface includes apertures (81) that allow a bal l or the like to be thrown or kicked through from one side of the wall to the other.

Figure 6C: Play surface includes nets (82) that a llow a ball or the like to be thrown or kicked th rough from one side of the wall to the other.

Figure 6D : Play surface includes a net (83) that allows a ba ll or the like to be thrown or kicked through from one side of the wall to the other and a plurality of grips (84) to allow a player to climb up to throw a ball into the net.

Figure 6E: The wall includes a cut out section (88) and a net (86).

Figure 6F; The wall includes a cut out section (88) and a net (86). Figure 6G: The play surface includes either apertures and/or sticks or cricket wickets which can be used to practice throwing and bowling.

Figure 6H: The play surface includes a painted target section which can be used to practice throwing, bowling and kicking. It will be apparent that obvious variations or modifications may be made which are in accordance with the spirit of the invention and which are intended to be part of the invention, and any such obvious variations or modifications are therefore within the scope of the invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention has industrial applicability for use in playgrounds, sporting facilities, schools or other public or private areas to provide an activity/game system for children. The activity system of the present Invention provides a system for activities/games which can be utilised children of ages which are not directly targeted by current playground or sporting equipment.