Portable physical activity panels

Abstract

Features for assembling a physical boundary are disclosed. The boundary may be used in a variety of physical activities, including a pit for Ga-Ga ball. The boundary is made up of panels that can be stowed for transportation and then deployed to form the boundary. The panels are coupled together and secured to the ground using posts. The posts can secure directly to the ground or to supports. The panels may include a variety of features, including windows, ports, pockets, stiffeners, tensioners, and entry ways. An access such as a zipper in the panels may be opened and closed to provide an entry way. The panels and posts can be stored in a portable kit and deployed in a place of interest, such as a park. The assembly can then be broken down, stored as a portable kit, and transported. Associated methods of assembling and use are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for defining the boundaries of a playing field, the system comprising:
 a plurality of deployable panels, wherein each panel is configured to collapse and deploy, wherein each panel has a top edge, a bottom edge, two side edges, and at least one sleeve coupled to each side edge;   a plurality of rigid support posts, wherein each post has a top portion and a bottom portion, and wherein each post is configured to couple with at least one sleeve; and   a plurality of foundations, wherein each foundation is configured to secure the bottom of each support post.   wherein the plurality of panels and the plurality of posts are moveable between multiple configurations, and wherein, in at least one configuration, the walls form a boundary defining a playing field.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each sleeve comprises a plurality of loops. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each sleeve forms a tube of material along the height of each side edge. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each panel is comprised of polyester, canvas, or other flexible polymer, fabric, or composite material. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each foundation comprises a spike, an auger, a threaded end, or a pointed tip coupled with the bottom portion of the post and is configured to be pierced or screwed into the ground or into a support. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the support comprises a mount defining a cavity configured to receive the foundation, the mount configured to secure the foundation in place via friction fit, snap fit, or threading. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein, in one configuration, the panels form an enclosed hexagon. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein, in one configuration, the panels form an enclosed octagon. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein one panel comprises an access panel, such that, in one configuration, the panels form an octagon comprising an access area along the access panel for entering and exiting the boundary. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein either at least a portion of at least one panel is transparent or at least one panel includes a port. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one panel comprises a pocket, and the system further comprises an insert configured to be removably disposed within the pocket. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a flexible flooring sheet positioned between, and substantially enclosed by, the plurality of panels. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one panel comprises a zipper. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of net segments, wherein each net segment is configured to collapse and deploy, and wherein each net segment has a net top edge, a net bottom edge, and two net side edges; and   a plurality of rigid net extensions, wherein each extension has a top portion and a bottom portion, and wherein each extension extends at least the height of each net side edge and is configured to mate with at least two net side edges.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the bottom portion of the extension is configured to mate with the top portion of the rigid support posts. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising a cross brace configured to couple with the support posts or with the extensions and configured to clamp to the net and comprises a length that is adjustable. 
     
     
         17 . A portable kit for defining the boundaries of a playing field, the kit comprising:
 the system of  claim 1 , wherein the deployable panels are configured to be rolled into a compact state; and   a carrying case sized to enclose and carry the system.   
     
     
         18 . The portable kit of  claim 17 , further comprising a post-driving insertion tool. 
     
     
         19 . A method of assembling a system for defining a boundary of a playing field, the method comprising:
 extending a first panel;   inserting a first post through a first sleeve coupled to a first side edge of the first panel;   inserting a second post through a second sleeve coupled to a second side edge of the first panel;   securing a bottom end of the first post into the ground or into a first support;   securing a bottom end of the second post into the ground or into a second support;   extending a second panel at an angle relative to the first panel, wherein the second panel is coupled to the second post;   extending the remaining panels, inserting the remaining posts, and securing them in like manner to form the boundary of the playing field.   
     
     
         20 . A system for defining a boundary, the system comprising:
 a plurality of deployable panels, wherein each panel is configured to collapse and deploy, a plurality of posts, wherein each post is configured to couple with at least one edge of at least one panel; and   a plurality of foundations, wherein each foundation is configured to couple a bottom portion of each post with the ground,   wherein the plurality of panels and the plurality of posts are moveable between multiple configurations, and wherein, in at least one configuration, the panels define the boundary.