Ice skating rink structure and method

Abstract

A self-standing portable ice skating rink structure that does not penetrate the underlying surface and generally requires no tools or hardware for installation is provided. The ice skating rink structure includes a perimeter component and one or more tension members. The perimeter component can include one or more board holding members and/or one or more optionally interlocking side boards.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable, self-standing ice skating rink structure, comprising:
 a perimeter component defining an area;   tension members connected to the perimeter component and travelling across the area; and   board holding members adjacent to and configured to support at least a portion of the perimeter component, each of the board holding members comprising a base, a vertical element, and a receptacle configured to connect to at least one of the tension members,   wherein at least one of the board holding members is connected to and retains at least one of the tension members.   
     
     
         2 . The rink structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter component further comprises side boards extending from a first end defined by a first connection element to a second end defined by a first complementary connection element. 
     
     
         3 . The rink structure according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 the perimeter component further comprises one or more corner connecting components having a second connection element and a second complementary connection element disposed at a target angle relative to one another to define a corner,   the second connection element comprises at least one finger and groove and the second complementary connection element comprises at least one protuberance, and   the second connection element of a first corner connecting component interlocks with the first complementary connection element of a first side board and the second complementary connection element of the first corner connecting component engages with the first connection element of a second side board in a downward connecting movement.   
     
     
         4 . The rink structure according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the perimeter component further comprises interlocking side boards extending from a first end defined by a first connection element to a second end defined by a first complementary connection element,   the first connection element comprises at least one finger and groove and the first complementary connection element comprises at least one protuberance, and   the first connection element of a first side board interlocks with the first complementary connection element of an adjoining second side board.   
     
     
         5 . The rink structure according to  claim 3 , wherein the target angle is adjustable. 
     
     
         6 . The rink structure according to  claim 3 , wherein the corner connecting components comprise an adjustable means such that the target angle is adjustable. 
     
     
         7 . The rink structure according to  claim 6 , wherein the adjustable means is a hinge releasably attached to a portion of the plurality of side boards. 
     
     
         8 . The rink structure according to  claim 2 , wherein the board holding members are configured to releasably secure at least a portion of the perimeter component. 
     
     
         9 . The rink structure according to  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the board holding members are integrated with at least one of the plurality of side boards. 
     
     
         10 . The rink structure according to  claim 2 , wherein the side boards connect to one another using the first connection elements and the first complementary connection elements and the corner connecting components engage adjacent side boards to define the perimeter component. 
     
     
         11 . The rink structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising a water impermeable liner oriented within the perimeter component on top of the tension members and draped over the perimeter component. 
     
     
         12 . The rink structure according to  claim 11 , wherein the water impermeable liner has a size or a shape that is different than a size and/or shape of the perimeter component. 
     
     
         13 . The rink structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the rink structure is positioned on an essentially horizontal surface and the rink structure does not penetrate the horizontal surface. 
     
     
         14 . The rink structure according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 the perimeter component defines an essentially rectangular, an essentially oval, or an essentially octagonal geometric shape,   the plurality of side boards are connected with each other to form opposing side walls, and   the side walls are connected to each other with four or more corner connecting components to form the corners of the rectangular geometric shape.   
     
     
         15 . The rink structure according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 at least one of the board holding members comprises a flat base having an inner end and an outer end, an outer vertical element perpendicular to the base located a fixed distance from the outer end of the base, an inner vertical element perpendicular to the base and separated from and parallel to the outer vertical element and located a fixed distance from the inner end of the base or at the inner end of the base,   the outer vertical element, inner vertical element and the intervening portion of the base define a U-shaped slot, a supporting buttress connected to the outer surface of the outer vertical element and connected to the base a fixed distance from the outer end of the base or at the outer end of the base, said supporting buttress, outer vertical element, and   the portion of the base between the outer vertical element and the supporting buttress defines an essentially rectangular geometric shape,   a receiver oriented on the base and on the outer side of the U-shaped slot for receiving the tension member.   
     
     
         16 . The rink structure according to  claim 15 , wherein each of the board holding members is oriented such that the inner end of the base is directed to the interior of the essentially rectangular geometric shape of the rink structure and each side board is removeably and vertically engaged in the U-shaped slot of the board holding member. 
     
     
         17 . The rink structure according to  claim 3 , wherein one of the board holding members is positioned at the connection between one of the side boards and a corner connecting component. 
     
     
         18 . The rink structure according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the tension members provides a tension traveling roughly perpendicular to said perimeter component, and the tension members travel across the area of the rink structure in contact with a horizontal surface and attach to the perimeter component on an opposite side of said rink structure. 
     
     
         19 . The rink structure according to  claim 8 , wherein each tension member is removeably connected to a pair of opposing board holding members or to the plurality of side boards. 
     
     
         20 . The rink structure according to  claim 19 , wherein the tension members removeably connect to the pair of opposing board holding members. 
     
     
         21 . The rink structure according to  claim 11 , further comprising clips configured to removeably secure the impermeable liner to the side boards of the perimeter component. 
     
     
         22 . The rink structure according to  claim 2 , wherein each of the side boards includes a handle. 
     
     
         23 . The rink structure according to  claim 22 , wherein the handle is defined by at least one of an aperture and a groove running parallel to the length of the side board. 
     
     
         24 . The rink structure according to  claim 18 , further comprising a water impermeable liner oriented within the perimeter component on top of the tension members and draped over the perimeter component. 
     
     
         25 . A method of assembling a portable, self-standing ice skating rink structure, the method comprising:
 assembling a perimeter component on an essentially horizontal flat surface without penetrating the flat surface;   connecting tension members to opposing sides of the perimeter component; and   connecting board holding members connected to the perimeter component to support at least a portion of the perimeter component,   wherein each of the board holding members comprises a base, a vertical element, and a receptacle for connection to at least one tension member, and   wherein at least one of the board holding members is connected to and retains at least one tension member.   
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25 , further comprising draping a water-impermeable liner over the tension members and the perimeter component. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26 , further comprising filling the water-impermeable liner with water, and allowing the water to freeze within the liner. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 25 , further comprising filling the perimeter component with water, and allowing the water to freeze within the perimeter component. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the water-impermeable liner has a shape or a size that is different from a shape or a size of the perimeter component. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 29 , further comprising changing the size or the shape of the perimeter component before draping the water-impermeable liner over the plurality of tension members and the perimeter component. 
     
     
         31 . A kit for constructing a portable, self-standing ice skating rink structure, the kit comprising:
 a perimeter component defining an area;   tension members connected to the perimeter component and travelling across the area; and   board holding members adjacent to and configured to support at least a portion of the perimeter component, each of the board holding members comprising a base, a vertical element, and a receptacle configured to connect to at least one of the tension members,   wherein at least one of the board holding members is connected to and retains at least one of the tension members.   
     
     
         32 . A kit for constructing a self-standing ice skating rink structure, the kit comprising:
 side boards configured to collectively define an area;   board holding members each configured to secure at least a portion of at least one of the side boards to hold the at least one of the side boards in a vertical orientation; and   tension members each configured to be attached to at least one of the board holding members and to traverse the area,   wherein at least one of the board holding members comprises a receptacle, and at least one of the tension members is configured to be attached to the receptacle.   
     
     
         33 . The kit of  claim 32 , wherein the side boards are plywood boards. 
     
     
         34 . The kit of  claim 32 , wherein the side boards extend from a first flat end surface to a second flat end surface. 
     
     
         35 . The kit of  claim 34 , wherein the first flat end surface is configured to abut a flat end surface of an adjacent side board of the side boards, and the second flat end surface is configured to abut another flat end surface of another adjacent side board of the side boards. 
     
     
         36 . The kit according to  claim 32 , wherein the board holding members are each configured to releasably secure the at least the portion of the at least one of the side boards. 
     
     
         37 . The kit of  claim 32 , wherein the board holding members are rectangular. 
     
     
         38 . The kit of  claim 32 , wherein the board holding members comprise edges configured to abut one another. 
     
     
         39 . The kit of  claim 32 , wherein the board holding members comprise connection elements configured to interlock with one another. 
     
     
         40 . A portable, self-standing ice skating rink structure, comprising:
 a perimeter component defining an area;   one or more tension members connected to the perimeter component and travelling across the area; and   board holding members configured to releasably secure at least a portion of the perimeter component,   wherein the perimeter component comprises side boards,   wherein at least one of the board holding members comprises a receptacle, and   wherein at least one of the one or more tension members is attached to the receptacle.   
     
     
         41 . A kit for constructing a portable, self-standing ice skating rink structure, the kit comprising:
 a perimeter component configured to define an area;   tension members configured to be connected to the perimeter component and to travel across the area; and   board holding members configured to secure at least a portion of the perimeter component,   wherein the perimeter component comprises a plurality of side boards,   wherein at least one of the plurality of board holding members comprises a receptacle, and   wherein at least one of the one or more tension members is configured to be attached to the receptacle.   
     
     
         42 . The portable, self-standing ice skating rink structure according to  claim 40 , wherein each of the side boards is a rectangular wall. 
     
     
         43 . The portable, self-standing ice skating rink structure according to  claim 40 , wherein each of the board holding members comprises a base, a buttress, and an outer vertical element,
 the buttress extends from the base,   the outer vertical element extends from the base,   the buttress extends from the base to the outer vertical element, and   the outer vertical element is perpendicular to the base such that the base, the buttress, and the outer vertical element form a right triangle.   
     
     
         44 . The portable, self-standing ice skating rink structure according to  claim 40 , wherein the receptacle is an opening formed in an interior of the triangle by material that extends from the base to the outer vertical element. 
     
     
         45 . The kit of  claim 41 , wherein each of the board holding members further comprises a foot extending from an intersection of the base and the outer vertical element in a direction parallel to the base. 
     
     
         46 . The kit of  claim 45 , wherein each of the board holding members further comprises an inner vertical element extending from the foot in a direction parallel to the outer vertical element to form a slot configured to releasably secure the portion of the perimeter component such that the inner vertical element is on one side of the perimeter component and within the area and the outer vertical element is on another side of the perimeter component and outside of the area. 
     
     
         47 . The kit of  claim 46 , wherein a tension member of the one or more tension members extends from the foot. 
     
     
         48 . The kit of  claim 47 , wherein each of the one or more tension members is a strap. 
     
     
         49 . The kit of  claim 41 , wherein:
 each of the board holding members comprises a foot positioned in the area, and   at least one of the one or more tension members extends from the foot.   
     
     
         50 . The kit of  claim 41 , wherein the receptacle is an opening formed at a respective corner of the at least one of the plurality of board holding members. 
     
     
         51 . The kit of  claim 41 , wherein the plurality of side boards are releasably connectable to each other by the connection element and the complementary connection element. 
     
     
         52 . The kit of  claim 41 , further comprising a corner connector having a protuberance and a groove, wherein the corner connector is configured to join with a first side board of the plurality of side boards and a second side board of the plurality of side boards such that the first side board forms a right angle with the second side board, the connection element of the first side board engages the protuberance, and the complementary connection element of the second side board engages the groove. 
     
     
         53 . The kit of  claim 52 , wherein the connection element of the first side board comprises fingers, and the complementary connection element of the second side board comprises another protuberance. 
     
     
         54 . The kit of  claim 41 , wherein each of the one or more tension members is a strap. 
     
     
         55 . The kit of  claim 54 , wherein the receptacle is an opening. 
     
     
         56 . An ice skating rink, comprising:
 side boards collectively forming at least part of a wall that at least partially encloses an interior area;   board holding members supporting the side boards, the board holding members comprising bases extending outwardly from an exterior side of the wall, and feet extending from an interior side of the wall into the interior area; and   tension members each connected to two of the feet.   
     
     
         57 . The ice skating rink of  claim 56 , wherein the board holding members comprise outer vertical elements extending along the exterior side of the wall, and buttresses respectively extending from the outer vertical elements to the bases. 
     
     
         58 . The ice skating rink of  claim 57 , wherein the bases, outer vertical elements, and buttresses form triangles. 
     
     
         59 . The ice skating rink of  claim 57 , wherein the board holding members further comprise inner vertical elements extending along the interior side of the wall, and base extensions respectively extending from the outer vertical elements to the inner vertical elements. 
     
     
         60 . The ice skating rink of  claim 59 , wherein the base extensions extend under the wall. 
     
     
         61 . The ice skating rink of  claim 59 , wherein the board holding members are disposed in slots formed by the inner vertical elements, the base extensions, and the outer vertical elements. 
     
     
         62 . The ice skating rink of  claim 61 , wherein the feet respectively extend from the inner vertical elements. 
     
     
         63 . The ice skating rink of  claim 58 , wherein the tension members each extend under the two of the feet and loop through an interior of two of the triangles. 
     
     
         64 . The ice skating rink of  claim 58 , wherein the board holding members comprise holes, and the tension members each extend through two of the holes. 
     
     
         65 . The ice skating rink of  claim 56 , wherein the tension members comprise buckles. 
     
     
         66 . The ice skating rink of  claim 56 , wherein the tension members extend across the interior area in a grid pattern. 
     
     
         67 . A kit for constructing an ice skating rink, comprising:
 side boards configured to collectively form at least part of a wall that at least partially encloses an interior area;   board holding members configured to support the side boards, the board holding members comprising bases configured to extend outwardly from an exterior side of the wall, and feet configured to extend from an interior side of the wall into the interior area; and   tension members each configured to be connected to two of the feet.   
     
     
         68 . The kit of  claim 67 , wherein the board holding members comprise outer vertical elements configured to extend along the exterior side of the wall, and buttresses configured to respectively extend from the outer vertical elements to the bases. 
     
     
         69 . The kit of  claim 68 , wherein the bases, outer vertical elements, and buttresses form triangles. 
     
     
         70 . The kit of  claim 68 , wherein the board holding members further comprise inner vertical elements configured to extend along the interior side of the wall, and base extensions configured to respectively extend from the outer vertical elements to the inner vertical elements. 
     
     
         71 . The kit of  claim 70 , wherein the base extensions are configured to extend under the wall. 
     
     
         72 . The kit of  claim 70 , wherein the board holding members are configured to be disposed in slots formed by the inner vertical elements, the base extensions, and the outer vertical elements. 
     
     
         73 . The kit of  claim 72 , wherein the feet are configured to respectively extend from the inner vertical elements. 
     
     
         74 . The kit of  claim 69 , wherein the tension members are each configured to extend under the two of the feet and loop through an interior of two of the triangles. 
     
     
         75 . The kit of  claim 69 , wherein the board holding members comprise holes, and the tension members are each configured to extend through two of the holes. 
     
     
         76 . The kit of  claim 67 , wherein the tension members comprise buckles. 
     
     
         77 . The kit of  claim 67 , wherein the tension members are configured to extend across the interior area in a grid pattern.