Modular sports court system

Abstract

A modular sports court system includes at least one court module having an upper playing surface and a substrate with an upper surface and a lower surface, with an air chamber disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface. The upper playing surface may include regulation pickleball court markings. At least one auxiliary module may be removably connectable to the at least one court module via mechanical fasteners, wherein the auxiliary module is selected from transition modules, spectator seating modules, recreational modules, and access ramp modules. A modular connection system may include chain links, quick links, shackles, D-rings, webbing straps, and bungee cords, and may further include a gator mouth flap configured to bridge and/or cover seams between adjacent modules. An external playing net can be secured to reinforced attachment points on the at least one court module. Safety features may include perimeter net modules, emergency access points, and anchoring systems.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular inflatable sports court system comprising:
 at least a first court module and a second court module, each court module comprising:
 a substrate having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an air chamber disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface; 
 an upper playing surface disposed on or integrated with the upper surface of the substrate; 
 wherein the first court module and the second court module are removably attachable to each other via connection means; and 
 an anchor system disposed on the lower surface of at least one of the court modules. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one perimeter net module removably attachable to the perimeter of at least one court module, the perimeter net module comprising:
 a lower perimeter member,   an upper perimeter member, and   a plurality of stanchions disposed between the lower perimeter member and the upper perimeter member.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the lower perimeter member, the upper perimeter member, and the plurality of stanchions are inflatable and share a common air chamber configured for single-point inflation. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising a net removably attachable to the lower perimeter member, the upper perimeter member, and the plurality of stanchions. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one auxiliary module removably connectable to the perimeter of at least one court module, wherein the auxiliary module is selected from the group consisting of: transition modules, spectator seating modules, recreational modules, and access ramp modules. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the connection means comprises at least one of: chain links, bungee cords, D-rings, and a gator mouth flap configured to cover a seam between adjacent modules. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the upper playing surface of at least one court module includes regulation sport court markings. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a net attachment system comprising a plurality of double D-ring assemblies secured along a centerline of the upper playing surface and one or more straps configured to secure a playing net thereto. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the upper playing surface comprises a non-slip textured material configured to provide ball bounce characteristics suitable for the intended sport. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor system comprises at least one ballast unit affixed to the lower surface of at least one court module for mooring and positioning control. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured for use on a body of water, on land, or both. 
     
     
         12 . A modular sports court system for land use, comprising:
 an upper playing surface configured to be laid on a substantially hard ground surface, the upper playing surface having a top surface with sport court markings and a bottom surface configured to contact the ground; and   a perimeter net module removably attachable to the upper playing surface, the perimeter net module comprising a lower perimeter member, an upper perimeter member, and a plurality of stanchions extending between the lower perimeter member and the upper perimeter member, wherein a net is supported by the stanchions and extends substantially around the perimeter of the upper playing surface to retain balls within the playing area.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the upper playing surface comprises a non-slip, textured material configured to provide appropriate ball bounce characteristics for the intended sport. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the upper playing surface includes regulation markings for pickleball, tennis, basketball, or another court sport. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the perimeter net module is removably attached to the upper playing surface by a connection means selected from the group consisting of: hook-and-loop fasteners, zipper interfaces, snap fasteners, mechanical clamps, or webbing straps. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the lower perimeter member of the perimeter net module is configured to rest on the upper playing surface and includes a tensioning connection to maintain the position of the upper playing surface during play. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the net of the perimeter net module is removably attachable to the stanchions and the upper and lower perimeter members to facilitate installation, removal, or replacement.