US5312109A — Soccer court

Claim 1

Independent Claim 112 words

A soccer court comprising: a substantially rectangular playing area approximately 76 to 92 feet long and 32 to 44 feet wide, said playing area covered with material selected from grass and artificial turf; side and end walls enclosing said playing area, wherein said walls comprise a plurality of vertical rigid transparent panels extending from proximate the horizontal surface of the playing area to a height of approximately 6 to 8 feet, said panels permitting an unobstructed view of the playing area, and supports for rigidly mounting said panels; a goal opening disposed in each end wall; and a goal net disposed behind each of said goal openings and outside said playing area.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 112 words

A soccer court comprising: a substantially rectangular playing area approximately 76 to 92 feet long and 32 to 44 feet wide, said playing area covered with material selected from grass and artificial turf; side and end walls enclosing said playing area, wherein said walls comprise a plurality of vertical rigid transparent panels extending from proximate the horizontal surface of the playing area to a height of approximately 6 to 8 feet, said panels permitting an unobstructed view of the playing area, and supports for rigidly mounting said panels; a goal opening disposed in each end wall; and a goal net disposed behind each of said goal openings and outside said playing area.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 26 words

The soccer court of claim 1 wherein said transparent panels are substantially rectangular, approximately seven feet high, four feet wide, and at least 1/2 inches thick.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 16 words

The soccer court of claim 1 wherein the transparent panels are constructed of transparent polycarbonate material.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 16 words

The soccer court of claim 3 wherein the panels are treated to provide a mar-resistant surface.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 52 words

The soccer court of claim 1 wherein said supports comprise a plurality of upper horizontal structural members, lower horizontal structural members, and vertical structural members, arranged to form a plurality of rectangular openings, and wherein said transparent panels are placed in said rectangular openings and are secured in place by said supports.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 21 words

The soccer court of claim 6 wherein said lower horizontal structural members are elevated above the playing surface to permit drainage.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 22 words

The soccer court of claim 1 further comprising an entry door disposed in said enclosing wall for ingress and egress of players.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 16 words

The soccer court of claim 1 further comprising a broad, heavy base attached to said supports.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 16 words

The soccer court of claim 1 wherein said enclosing wall has a substantially smooth interior surface.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 20 words

The soccer court of claim 1 wherein said playing area is approximately 90 feet long and approximately 44 feet wide.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 67 words

The soccer court of claim 1 wherein the outer periphery of said goal opening is defined by two vertical sidebars and an upper crossbar, and wherein the inner dimensions of said goal opening are defined by a rectangular panel in contact with the surface of the playing area and substantially centered within said outer periphery, so that said goal opening is shaped substantially as an inverted U.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 22 words

The soccer court of claim 1 further comprising a backstop retention net disposed vertically above the end wall containing the goal opening.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 30 words

The soccer court of claim 1 further comprising a backstop retention net running along the end wall containing the goal opening and further along part of the adjacent side walls.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 13 words

The soccer court of claim 1 where the playing area has a crown.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 22 words

The soccer court of claim 1 wherein said side walls are elevated above the surface of the playing area to facilitate drainage.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 28 words

The soccer court of claim 1 further comprising a narrow drain channel disposed between said playing are and said side walls to facilitate drainage of said playing area.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 104 words

The soccer court of claim 1 further comprising: a first substantially square training area; a second substantially square training area disposed adjacent to said first training area, said training areas occupying the substantially rectangular playing area; means for selectively separating said first and second training areas whereby training sessions or play can be carried out in each training area independent of the other; and wherein the enclosing wall is disposed outside of and proximate the boundaries of said playing area, whereby said enclosing wall does not interfere with training taking place in said training areas, but prevents errant balls from leaving said training areas.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 15 words

The soccer court of claim 17 wherein the training areas are approximately 45 feet square.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 24 words

The soccer court of claim 17 further comprising means for closing at least one of said goal openings to create a kickboard practice area.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 18 words

The soccer court of claim 17 wherein said goal opening is in the shape of an inverted U.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 22 words

The soccer court of claim 17 further comprising means for preventing balls kicked above said goal opening from leaving said soccer court.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 25 words

The soccer court of claim 21 wherein said means for preventing balls from leaving said soccer court comprises a net supported above the enclosing wall.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 18 words

The soccer court of claim 17 wherein the surface of said playing area is covered by artificial turf.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 37 words

The soccer court of claim 1 further comprising: at least one door disposed in an end wall which door in the open position provides the goal opening and in the closed position provides a kickboard practice surface.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 19 words

The soccer court of claim 24 wherein said playing area is approximately the size of a conventional tennis court.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 16 words

The soccer court of claim 24 wherein said at least one door comprises a removable panel.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 26 words

The soccer court of claim 24 wherein said at least one door opens outwardly away from the playing area and closes inwardly toward the playing area.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 69 words

The soccer court of claim 24 further comprising a first door and a second door adjacent to said first door, whereby a fully open goal opening is provided when said first and second doors are in the open position, and whereby a half open goal opening is provided when either of said first and second doors are in the open position while the other is in the closed position.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 27 words

The soccer court of claim 24 wherein said playing area comprises two adjacent substantially square training areas, and further comprising a divider disposed between said training areas.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 17 words

The soccer court of claim 4 wherein the side and end walls are joined by curved panels.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 17 words

The soccer court of claim 4 wherein the side and end walls are joined by diagonal panels.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 125 words

A soccer court comprising: a substantially rectangular playing area, approximately 90 feet long and 44 feet wide; an enclosing wall approximately 7 feet high which surrounds said playing area and comprises two end walls extending across the width of said playing area, and two side walls connecting said end walls along the length of said playing area, said enclosing wall being constructed of a plurality of upper horizontal supports, vertical supports, and lower horizontal supports proximate the surface of the playing area, which together form a plurality of rectangular openings into a plurality of rigid transparent panels are secured; a goal opening approximately 6 feet-6 inches high and 12 feet wide disposed in each end wall and a goal net disposed behind each goal opening.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 125 words

A soccer court comprising: a substantially rectangular playing area, approximately 90 feet long and 44 feet wide; an enclosing wall approximately 7 feet high which surrounds said playing area and comprises two end walls extending across the width of said playing area, and two side walls connecting said end walls along the length of said playing area, said enclosing wall being constructed of a plurality of upper horizontal supports, vertical supports, and lower horizontal supports proximate the surface of the playing area, which together form a plurality of rectangular openings into a plurality of rigid transparent panels are secured; a goal opening approximately 6 feet-6 inches high and 12 feet wide disposed in each end wall and a goal net disposed behind each goal opening.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 23 words

The soccer court of claim 32 further comprising a portable wall for selectively dividing said playing area into two substantially square training areas.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 23 words

The soccer court of claim 32 further comprising backstop retention nets approximately 6 to 10 feet in height disposed above said end walls.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 21 words

The soccer court of claim 32 further comprising panels for selectively closing said goal openings to form a kickboard practice area.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 14 words

The soccer court of claim 32 further comprising means for illuminating said soccer court.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 108 words

A soccer court comprising: a substantially rectangular playing area approximately the size of a conventional tennis court, said playing area covered with material selected from grass and artificial turf; side and end walls enclosing said playing area, wherein said walls comprise a plurality of vertical rigid transparent panels extending from proximate the horizontal surface of the playing area to a height of approximately 6 to 8 feet, said panels permitting an unobstructed view of the playing area, and supports for rigidly mounting said panels; a goal opening disposed in each end wall; and a goal net disposed behind each of said goal openings and outside said playing area.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 108 words

A soccer court comprising: a substantially rectangular playing area approximately the size of a conventional tennis court, said playing area covered with material selected from grass and artificial turf; side and end walls enclosing said playing area, wherein said walls comprise a plurality of vertical rigid transparent panels extending from proximate the horizontal surface of the playing area to a height of approximately 6 to 8 feet, said panels permitting an unobstructed view of the playing area, and supports for rigidly mounting said panels; a goal opening disposed in each end wall; and a goal net disposed behind each of said goal openings and outside said playing area.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 117 words

A soccer court comprising: a substantially rectangular playing area, the size of a tennis court; an enclosing wall approximately seven feet high which surrounds said playing area and comprises two end walls extending across the width of said playing area, and two side walls connecting said end walls along the length of said playing area, said enclosing wall being constructed of a plurality of upper horizontal supports, vertical supports, and lower horizontal supports, which together form a plurality of rectangular openings into which a plurality of rigid transparent panels are secured; a goal opening approximately six feet-six inches high and twelve feet wide disposed in each end wall and a goal net disposed behind each goal opening.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 117 words

A soccer court comprising: a substantially rectangular playing area, the size of a tennis court; an enclosing wall approximately seven feet high which surrounds said playing area and comprises two end walls extending across the width of said playing area, and two side walls connecting said end walls along the length of said playing area, said enclosing wall being constructed of a plurality of upper horizontal supports, vertical supports, and lower horizontal supports, which together form a plurality of rectangular openings into which a plurality of rigid transparent panels are secured; a goal opening approximately six feet-six inches high and twelve feet wide disposed in each end wall and a goal net disposed behind each goal opening.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1997-05-16	1997-11-15	1998-05-17	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2001-05-16	2001-11-15	2002-05-17	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2005-05-16	2005-11-15	2006-05-17	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Soccer court

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