Dasher board

• US 5,863,030 A
• Filed: 02/19/1997
• Issued: 01/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Athletica Sport Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dan Kotler
• Inventors: Little, David R., Kotler, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Harry C.
• Application Number:
  US08/802,267
• Time in Patent Office: 706 Days
• Field of Search: 256/24, 256/25, 256/26, 256/19, 256/27, 256/31, 256/30, 256/73, 160/135, 160/229.1, 52/71, 472/92, 472/94
• US Class Current: 256/24
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2019/085 Fences; Nets; Barriers
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 13/022 Pedestrian barriers; Barriers for channelling or controlling crowds E01F13/024, E01F13/028 take precedence; corrals E04H17/18
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 17/18 Corrals, i.e. easily transportable or demountable enclosures

Abstract

A modular containment wall for a sports area. The containment wall is an assembly of panels, each panel having a first edge, an opposing second edge, and interlocking members configured and arranged for (i) interlocking the first edge to a first adjacent panel and (ii) interlocking the second edge to a second adjacent panel. Support legs are rotatably disposed on a back wall of the panels. Each support leg is removably attachable to at least three different attachment sites at the back wall of a panel. The interlocking, modular design of the containment wall enables quick and easy assembly and reassembly, as well as modification to form door ways, sitting areas and similar component structures. In one embodiment, the rear side of the panel includes a recess formed therein. During periods of nonuse, the support leg can be rotated into the recess in a storage position, permitting easy stacking and storage of the panels with the support legs neatly disposed in the rear recesses.

Claims

1. A modular containment wall for a sports area, comprising:

a plurality of interlockable panels for at least partially enclosing lateral bounds of the sports area, each panel having a first end wall and an opposing second end wall, said panels further comprising coupling means for coupling the first end wall of one of the panels with the second end wall of the adjacent panel in an end-to-end, abutting manner;

said panels having top and bottom walls coupled between the opposing first and second end walls to form a substantially continuous panel perimeter;

said panels having front and back walls coupled at opposing front and back edges of the panel perimeter;

a plurality of pairs of vertically spaced upper and lower leg mount means formed respectively at upper and lower locations on the panels for enabling removable attachment of a support leg at the back wall of the panel; and

at least one support leg having upper and lower ends removably attachable at the upper and lower leg mount means, said support leg having a lateral support member;

wherein the back wall includes a recess formed therein, said recess having a vertical span that is longer than the support leg, and wherein the upper and lower leg mount means comprise means for (i) movably attaching the support leg to the back wall and (ii) enabling movement of the support leg from a first, lateral position to a second, storage position such that said support leg resides in said recess when disposed in the second, storage position.

2. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 1, wherein the leg mount means comprises means for removably attaching the support leg to at least three different attachment sites on one of the panels.

3. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 1, wherein a horizontal cross section taken from the at least one support leg defines a first, elongate portion having a substantial rectangular shape and a second, end portion having a circular shape defining an outer diameter, wherein the first, elongate portion is narrower than said outer diameter.

4. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 3, wherein the back wall further includes at least one semi-cylindrical indentation formed in the recess thereof for receiving the second, end portion of the at least one support leg thereinto.

5. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 1, wherein the panels are hollow, with the front wall and back wall being disposed in a spaced-apart orientation.

6. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 5, wherein the panels further comprise internal bracing means for bracing the front wall and back wall with respect to each other.

7. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 6, wherein the internal bracing means comprises a plurality of spaced-apart brace members sandwiched between the front wall and back wall.

8. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one leg includes a downward oriented anchor opening in a vertical plane of the at least one leg, said anchor opening being configured for insertion of an anchor member through the opening and into a subfloor or ground surface.

9. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 1, wherein the coupling means further comprises means for coupling the first end walls with the second end walls in a manner such that a substantially continuous surface is formed between adjacent panels.

10. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 1, wherein the coupling means comprises a plurality of projecting interlock members extending laterally outwardly from at least some of the end walls of the panels in a vertically spaced apart orientation.

11. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 10, wherein the projecting interlock members extend laterally outwardly from the first end walls of at least some of the panels, and wherein the coupling means further comprise recessed walls defining a plurality of enclosures in the second end walls of at least some of the panels for receiving the projecting interlock members into said enclosures.

12. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 1, wherein the lateral support member of the support leg is disposed in a horizontally extending orientation and at a common level with and laterally displaced from the bottom wall of the panel when the support leg is attached at the upper and lower leg mount means.

13. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 1, wherein the support leg is rotatably attachable at the upper and lower leg mount means.

14. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 1, wherein the coupling means further comprise means for intercoupling the panels and forming therewith a perimeter wall of a skating sports arena.

15. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 1, wherein each panel comprises a first end section, an opposing second end section, and an intermediate section, wherein the leg mount means comprises means for selectively and removably mounting the support leg at either the first end section, second end section, or intermediate section.

16. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one support leg includes a plurality of downward projecting support elements alternating with spacial gaps therebetween.

17. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one support leg further comprises a three-sided, substantially triangular-shaped member.

18. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one support leg further comprises first, second and third support arms intercoupled in series to form a three-sided member defining a substantially triangular central opening.

19. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 1, wherein the support leg comprises a wall member having upright sections including upper and lower ends removably attachable to the upper and lower leg mount means, said wall member having a bottom wall horizontally positioned at a common level with and laterally displaced from the bottom wall of the panel.

20. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a door member having upright sections including upper and lower ends rotatably attachable to the upper and lower leg mount means, said door member having a bottom wall horizontally positioned at a common level with and laterally displaced from the bottom wall of the panel.

21. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 1, wherein some of the panels define an arcuate shape sufficient in dimension and configuration to enable the panels to be sequentially intercoupled by the coupling means in an endless boundary enclosure surrounding the sports area, such that at least a first portion and a second portion of said boundary enclosure define a 90°

angle therebetween.

22. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 1, wherein the top wall of at least some of the panels includes an elongate slot formed therein for receiving a backstop panel thereinto.

23. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 1, wherein the front wall comprises a lower portion having a plurality of outwardly projecting, spaced-apart ribs for enhanced resistance to external forces applied to said lower portion.

24. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 23, wherein the projecting ribs extend horizontally and thus in a first direction toward the first end wall and in a second direction toward the second end wall.

25. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 23, wherein the front wall further comprises an upper portion and wherein the lower portion is thicker than the upper portion for enhanced wear resistance.

26. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 1, wherein the front walls of at least some of the panels include a recessed portion formed therein configured and arranged for receiving an information plate into said recessed portion.

27. A modular containment wall for a sports area, comprising:

a plurality of interlockable panels for at least partially enclosing lateral bounds of the sports area, each panel having a first end wall and an opposing second end wall, said panels further comprising coupling means for coupling the first end walls with the second end walls in an end-to-end, abutting manner;

said panels having top and bottom walls coupled between the opposing first and second end walls to form a substantially continuous panel perimeter;

said panels having front and back walls coupled at opposing front and back edges of the panel perimeter;

a plurality of pairs of vertically spaced upper and lower leg mount means formed respectively at upper and lower locations on the panels for enabling removable attachment of a support leg at the back wall of the panel; and

at least one support leg having upper and lower ends removably attachable at the upper and lower leg mount means, said support leg having a lateral support member;

wherein the support leg is rotatably attachable at the upper and lower leg mount means, and wherein the front and back walls are spaced apart to form an interior void, said back wall including an exterior recess compartment formed therein configured in size and shape to receive the at least one support leg when said support leg is rotated toward the panel.

28. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 27, wherein the exterior compartment is recessed sufficiently deep to receive the at least one leg completely within the compartment when said leg is rotated to a storage position to facilitate a stable stacking configuration wherein the front wall of the panel rests flat against the back wall of an adjacent, stacked panel.

38. A containment wall as defined in claim 27, wherein at least one of the downward projecting support elements of the support leg has a support surface at a common level with the bottom wall of the panel to provide additional support contact for the at least one support leg at a ground or floor surface.

29. A modular containment wall for a sports area, comprising:

a plurality of interlockable panels for at least partially enclosing lateral bounds of the sports area, each panel having a first end wall and an opposing second end wall, said panels further comprising coupling means for coupling the first end walls with the second end walls in an end-to-end, abutting manner;

said panels having top and bottom walls coupled between the opposing first and second end walls to form a substantially continuous panel perimeter;

said panels having front and back walls coupled at opposing front and back edges of the panel perimeter;

a plurality of pairs of vertically spaced upper and lower leg mount means formed respectively at upper and lower locations on the panels for enabling removable attachment of a support leg at the back wall of the panel; and

at least one support leg having upper and lower ends removably attachable at the upper and lower leg mount means, said support leg having a lateral support member;

wherein the panels are hollow, with the front wall and back wall being disposed in a spaced-apart orientation;

wherein the panel comprises a fluidic inner layer disposed between the front wall and back wall.

30. A modular containment wall for a sports area, comprising:

a plurality of interlockable panels for at least partially enclosing lateral bounds of the sports area, each panel having a first end wall and an opposing second end wall, said panels further comprising coupling means for coupling the first end walls with the second end walls in an end-to-end, abutting manner;

said panels having top and bottom walls coupled between the opposing first and second end walls to form a substantially continuous panel perimeter;

said panels having front and back walls coupled at opposing front and back edges of the panel perimeter;

a plurality of pairs of vertically spaced upper and lower leg mount means formed respectively at upper and lower locations on the panels for enabling removable attachment of a support leg at the back wall of the panel; and

at least one support leg having upper and lower ends removably attachable at the upper and lower leg mount means, said support leg having a lateral support member;

wherein the panels are hollow, with the front wall and back wall being disposed in a spaced-apart orientation;

wherein the panels further comprise internal bracing means for bracing the front wall and back wall with respect to each other;

wherein the internal bracing means comprises a plurality of spaced-apart brace members sandwiched between the front wall and back wall;

wherein the brace members include throughpassages formed therein extending through the front wall and back wall.

31. A modular containment wall for a sports area, comprising:

a plurality of interlockable panels for at least partially enclosing lateral bounds of the sports area, each panel having a first end wall and an opposing second end wall, said panels further comprising coupling means for coupling the first end walls with the second end walls in an end-to-end, abutting manner;

said panels having top and bottom walls coupled between the opposing first and second end walls to form a substantially continuous panel perimeter;

said panels having front and back walls coupled at opposing front and back edges of the panel perimeter;

a plurality of pairs of vertically spaced upper and lower leg mount means formed respectively at upper and lower locations on the panels for enabling removable attachment of a support leg at the back wall of the panel; and

at least one support leg having upper and lower ends removably attachable at the upper and lower leg mount means, said support leg having a lateral support member;

wherein the support leg includes a throughpassage formed therein that is vertically disposed when the support leg is attached at the upper and lower leg mount means, said throughpassage having an upper opening and an opposing lower opening, said containment wall further comprising;

anchoring means for (i) inserting into the upper opening of the throughpassage, (ii) extending from the lower opening of the throughpassage, and (iii) anchoring the support leg to a support means.

32. A modular containment wall for a sports area, comprising:

a plurality of interlockable panels for at least partially enclosing lateral bounds of the sports area, each panel having a first end wall and an opposing second end wall, said panels further comprising coupling means for coupling the first end walls with the second end walls in an end-to-end, abutting manner;

said panels having top and bottom walls coupled between the opposing first and second end walls to form a substantially continuous panel perimeter;

said panels having front and back walls coupled at opposing front and back edges of the panel perimeter;

a plurality of pairs of vertically spaced upper and lower leg mount means formed respectively at upper and lower locations on the panels for enabling removable attachment of a support leg at the back wall of the panel; and

at least one support leg having upper and lower ends removably attachable at the upper and lower leg mount means, said support leg having a lateral support member;

wherein the coupling means comprises a plurality of projecting interlock members extending laterally outwardly from at least some of the end walls of the panels in a vertically spaced apart orientation;

wherein the projecting interlock members extend laterally outwardly from the first end walls of at least some of the panels, and wherein the coupling means further comprise recessed walls defining a plurality of enclosures in the second end walls of at least some of the panels for receiving the projecting interlock members into said enclosures;

wherein the projecting interlock members, the recessed walls defining the enclosures, and top walls of the panels have throughpassages formed therein, wherein the throughpassages formed in the projecting interlock members and recessed walls are disposed in substantial axial alignment with each other and with throughpassages in the top walls of the panels when the projecting interlock members are received into the enclosures such that the axially aligned throughpassages collectively define a single throughpassage for receiving a support rod therethrough.

33. A modular containment wall for a sports area, comprising:

a plurality of interlockable panels for at least partially enclosing lateral bounds of the sports area, each panel having a first end wall and an opposing second end wall, said panels further comprising coupling means for coupling the first end walls with the second end walls in an end-to-end, abutting manner;

said panels having top and bottom walls coupled between the opposing first and second end walls to form a substantially continuous panel perimeter;

said panels having front and back walls coupled at opposing front and back edges of the panel perimeter;

a plurality of pairs of vertically spaced upper and lower leg mount means formed respectively at upper and lower locations on the panels for enabling removable attachment of a support leg at the back wall of the panel; and

at least one support leg having upper and lower ends removably attachable at the upper and lower leg mount means, said support leg having a lateral support member;

wherein the bottom walls of at least some of the panels each have a plurality of bottom throughpassages formed therein, and wherein the top walls of at least some of the panels each have a plurality of top throughpassages formed therein that are disposed in substantial axial alignment with the throughpassages in the bottom walls.

34. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 33, further comprising:

support rods configured and dimensioned to extend simultaneously through the throughpassages of the top walls and bottom walls of the panels; and

anchoring means for anchoring the support rods to ground or subflooring residing beneath the panels.

35. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 33, further comprising:

recessed walls defining an enclosure in the back wall, said recessed walls comprising an upper recessed wall and a lower recessed wall;

upper support channels sandwiched between the upper recessed wall and the top wall, said upper support channels defining the top throughpassages; and

lower support channels sandwiched between the lower recessed wall and the bottom wall, said lower support channels defining the bottom throughpassages.

36. A modular containment wall for a sports area, comprising:

a plurality of interlockable panels for at least partially enclosing lateral bounds of the sports area, each panel having a first end wall and an opposing second end wall, said panels further comprising coupling means for coupling the first end walls with the second end walls in an end-to-end, abutting manner;

said panels having top and bottom walls coupled between the opposing first and second end walls to form a substantially continuous panel perimeter;

said panels having front and back walls coupled at opposing front and back edges of the panel perimeter;

a plurality of pairs of vertically spaced upper and lower leg mount means formed respectively at upper and lower locations on the panels for enabling removable attachment of a support leg at the back wall of the panel; and

at least one support leg having upper and lower ends removably attachable at the upper and lower leg mount means, said support leg having a lateral support member;

means removably attachable to the panel for performing at least one function selected from the group consisting of;

(i) supporting people in a sitting position;

(ii) forming a wall extending laterally outward from the panel;

(iii) forming a door; and

(iv) forming a room.

37. A modular containment wall for a sports area, comprising:

a plurality of interlockable panels for at least partially enclosing lateral bounds of the sports area, each panel having a first end wall and an opposing second end wall, said panels further comprising coupling means for coupling the first end walls with the second end walls in an end-to-end, abutting manner;

said panels having top and bottom walls coupled between the opposing first and second end walls to form a substantially continuous panel perimeter;

said panels having front and back walls coupled at opposing front and back edges of the panel perimeter;

a plurality of pairs of vertically spaced upper and lower leg mount means formed respectively at upper and lower locations on the panels for enabling removable attachment of a support leg at the back wall of the panel; and

at least one support leg having upper and lower ends removably attachable at the upper and lower leg mount means, said support leg having a lateral support member;

wherein the at least one support leg includes a plurality of downward projecting support elements alternating with spacial gaps therebetween;

wherein the upper and lower leg mount means comprise means for (i) movably attaching the support leg to the back wall and (ii) enabling movement of the support leg from a first, lateral position to a second, storage position;

wherein the bottom wall of the panel is configured at a rearward section with a plurality of rearward projecting elements alternating with spacial gaps therebetween, said spacial gaps being aligned to receive the downward projecting support elements of the lateral support member when the leg is in the storage position.

39. A modular containment wall for a sports area, comprising:

a plurality of interlockable panels for at least partially enclosing lateral bounds of the sports area, each panel having a first end wall and an opposing second end wall, said panels further comprising coupling means for coupling the first end walls with the second end walls in an end-to-end, abutting manner;

said panels having top and bottom walls coupled between the opposing first and second end walls to form a substantially continuous panel perimeter;

said panels having front and back walls coupled at opposing front and back edges of the panel perimeter;

a plurality of pairs of vertically spaced upper and lower leg mount means formed respectively at upper and lower locations on the panels for enabling removable attachment of a support leg at the back wall of the panel; and

at least one support leg having upper and lower ends removably attachable at the upper and lower leg mount means, said support leg having a lateral support member;

wherein the at least one support leg further comprises first, second and third support arms intercoupled in series to form a three-sided member defining a substantially triangular central opening;

wherein the first support arm is vertically disposed when the support leg is attached at the upper and lower leg mount means, said vertically disposed support arm having an upper nub and an opposing lower nub formed thereon for insertion into the upper and lower leg mount means, respectively.

40. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 39, wherein the second and third support arms are horizontally and diagonally disposed, respectively, when the support leg is attached at the upper and lower leg mount means, and wherein the support leg further comprises a plurality of downward projecting, horizontally-spaced support elements disposed on the second support arm, and wherein the at least one support leg further comprises a throughpassage formed therein that is vertically disposed when the support leg is attached at the upper and lower leg mount means, said throughpassage having an upper opening and an opposing lower opening, said containment wall further comprising:

anchoring means for (i) inserting into the upper opening of the throughpassage, (ii) extending from the lower opening of the throughpassage, and (iii) anchoring the support leg to a support means.

41. A modular containment wall for a sports area, comprising:

a plurality of interlockable panels for at least partially enclosing lateral bounds of the sports area, each panel having a first end wall and an opposing second end wall, said panels further comprising coupling means for coupling the first end walls with the second end walls in an end-to-end, abutting manner;

said panels having top and bottom walls coupled between the opposing first and second end walls to form a substantially continuous panel perimeter;

said panels having front and back walls coupled at opposing front and back edges of the panel perimeter;

a plurality of pairs of vertically spaced upper and lower leg mount means formed respectively at upper and lower locations on the panels for enabling removable attachment of a support leg at the back wall of the panel; and

at least one support leg having upper and lower ends removably attachable at the upper and lower leg mount means, said support leg having a lateral support member;

a seat member having a horizontal seat surface;

a seat support member coupled to the seat member and having upright sections including upper and lower ends removably attachable to the upper and lower leg mount means, said seat support member having a lateral support member horizontally positioned at a common level with and laterally displaced from the bottom wall of the panel to provide additional stability to the panels and loading support for the seat member.

42. A modular containment wall for a sports area, comprising:

a plurality of interlockable panels for at least partially enclosing lateral bounds of the sports area, each panel having a first end wall and an opposing second end wall, said panels further comprising coupling means for coupling the first end walls with the second end walls in an end-to-end, abutting manner;

said panels having top and bottom walls coupled between the opposing first and second end walls to form a substantially continuous panel perimeter;

said panels having front and back walls coupled at opposing front and back edges of the panel perimeter;

a plurality of pairs of vertically spaced upper and lower leg mount means formed respectively at upper and lower locations on the panels for enabling removable attachment of a support leg at the back wall of the panel; and

at least one support leg having upper and lower ends removably attachable at the upper and lower leg mount means, said support leg having a lateral support member;

wherein the support leg includes an upper, downwardly extending nub and a lower, upwardly extending nub disposed on the upper and lower ends, respectively, said upper and lower nubs being positioned, aligned and arranged for simultaneously extending into the upper and lower leg mount means, respectively.

43. A modular containment wall for a sports area, comprising:

a plurality of interlockable panels for at least partially enclosing lateral bounds of the sports area, each panel having a first end wall and an opposing second end wall, said panels further comprising coupling means for coupling the first end walls with the second end walls in an end-to-end, abutting manner;

said panels having top and bottom walls coupled between the opposing first and second end walls to form a substantially continuous panel perimeter;

said panels having front and back walls coupled at opposing front and back edges of the panel perimeter;

a plurality of pairs of vertically spaced upper and lower leg mount means formed respectively at upper and lower locations on the panels for enabling removable attachment of a support leg at the back wall of the panel; and

at least one support leg having upper and lower ends removably attachable at the upper and lower leg mount means, said support leg having a lateral support member;

wherein the upper and lower leg mount means comprise a downwardly extending nub and an upwardly extending nub, respectively, and wherein the upper and lower ends of the support leg each include receiving slots being positioned, aligned and arranged for simultaneously receiving the downwardly and upwardly extending nubs, respectively.

44. A modular containment wall for a sports area, comprising:

a plurality of interlockable panels for at least partially enclosing lateral bounds of the sports area, each panel having a first end wall and an opposing second end wall, said panels further comprising coupling means for coupling the first end walls with the second end walls in an end-to-end, abutting manner;

said panels having top and bottom walls coupled between the opposing first and second end walls to form a substantially continuous panel perimeter;

said panels having front and back walls coupled at opposing front and back edges of the panel perimeter;

a plurality of pairs of vertically spaced upper and lower leg mount means formed respectively at upper and lower locations on the panels for enabling removable attachment of a support leg at the back wall of the panel; and

at least one support leg having upper and lower ends removably attachable at the upper and lower leg mount means, said support leg having a lateral support member;

wherein the back wall of at least some of the panels comprises an upper, rearwardly extending ledge having an underside, and wherein the upper leg mount means comprises a lateral entry slot formed in the underside of the ledge, said entry slot extending toward the front wall and having an upper side.

45. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 44, wherein the upper leg mount means further comprises vertical side walls defining an upper vertical channel disposed in communication with the entry slot, and wherein the upper side of the lateral entry slot defines an acute angle with respect to the vertical side walls.

46. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 44, wherein the lower leg mount means comprises a plurality of feet having lower vertical channels formed therein.

47. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 46, wherein the upper vertical channels of the upper leg mount means are disposed in a substantial coaxial orientation with respect to the lower vertical channels of the lower leg mount means.

48. A modular containment wall for a sports area, comprising:

a plurality of interlockable panels for at least partially enclosing lateral bounds of the sports area, each panel having a first end wall and an opposing second end wall, said panels further comprising coupling means for coupling the first end walls with the second end walls in an end-to-end, abutting manner;

said panels having top and bottom walls coupled between the opposing first and second end walls to form a substantially continuous panel perimeter;

said panels having front and back walls coupled at opposing front and back edges of the panel perimeter;

a plurality of pairs of vertically spaced upper and lower leg mount means formed respectively at upper and lower locations on the panels for enabling removable attachment of a support leg at the back wall of the panel; and

at least one support leg having upper and lower ends removably attachable at the upper and lower leg mount means, said support leg having a lateral support member;

wherein the top wall of at least some of the panels includes an elongate slot formed therein for receiving a backstop panel thereinto;

wherein the top walls of at least some of the panels each have a plurality of top throughpassages formed therein for receiving support rods therethrough, said top throughpassages having inner diameters, wherein the elongate slot defines a rear plane and wherein a gap space resides between said rear plane and the inner diameters of the upper holes, such that when support rods are disposed to extend upwardly from the upper holes and when a backstop panel resides in said elongate slot, said backstop panel and said support rods define gap spaces therebetween.

49. A modular containment wall for a sports area, comprising:

a plurality of interlockable panels for at least partially enclosing lateral bounds of the sports area, each panel having a first end wall and an opposing second end wall, said panels further comprising coupling means for coupling the first end walls with the second end walls in an end-to-end, abutting manner;

said panels having top and bottom walls coupled between the opposing first and second end walls to form a substantially continuous panel perimeter;

said panels having front and back walls coupled at opposing front and back edges of the panel perimeter;

a plurality of pairs of vertically spaced upper and lower leg mount means formed respectively at upper and lower locations on the panels for enabling removable attachment of a support leg at the back wall of the panel; and

at least one support leg having upper and lower ends removably attachable at the upper and lower leg mount means, said support leg having a lateral support member;

wherein the top wall of at least some of the panels includes an elongate slot formed therein for receiving a backstop panel thereinto;

wherein the top walls of at least some of the panels each have a plurality of top throughpassages formed therein for receiving support rods therethrough, and wherein the slot intercepts the top throughpassages and is thereby disposed in communication with said top throughpassages.

50. A modular containment wall for a sports area, comprising:

a plurality of interlockable panels for at least partially enclosing lateral bounds of the sports area, each panel having a first end wall and an opposing second end wall, said panels further comprising coupling means for coupling the first end walls with the second end walls in an end-to-end, abutting manner;

said panels having top and bottom walls coupled between the opposing first and second end walls to form a substantially continuous panel perimeter;

said panels having front and back walls coupled at opposing front and back edges of the panel perimeter;

a plurality of pairs of vertically spaced upper and lower leg mount means formed respectively at upper and lower locations on the panels for enabling removable attachment of a support leg at the back wall of the panel; and

at least one support leg having upper and lower ends removably attachable at the upper and lower leg mount means, said support leg having a lateral support member;

wherein a horizontal cross section taken from the at least one support leg defines a first, elongate portion having a substantial rectangular shape and a second, end portion having a circular shape defining an outer diameter, wherein the first, elongate portion is narrower than said outer diameter.

51. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 50, wherein the back wall includes at least one semi-cylindrical indentation formed therein for receiving the second, end portion of the at least one support leg thereinto.

52. A modular containment wall for a sports area, comprising:

a plurality of interlockable panels for at least partially enclosing lateral bounds of the sports area, each panel having a first end wall and an opposing second end wall, said panels further comprising coupling means for coupling the first end walls with the second end walls in an end-to-end, abutting manner;

said panels having top and bottom walls coupled between the opposing first and second end walls to form a substantially continuous panel perimeter;

said panels having front and back walls coupled at opposing front and back edges of the panel perimeter;

a plurality of pairs of vertically spaced upper and lower leg mount means formed respectively at upper and lower locations on the panels for enabling removable attachment of a support leg at the back wall of the panel; and

at least one support leg having upper and lower ends removably attachable at the upper and lower leg mount means, said support leg having a lateral support member;

wherein at least some of the panels each comprise a lower front portion having a lateral slot formed therein for receiving an edge of a tile thereinto, said lateral slot being defined by a portion of the bottom wall.

53. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 52, wherein the portion of the bottom wall defining the lateral slot is coupled to the front wall such that said front wall resides above said lateral slot and thus out of direct contact with the sports area.

54. A modular containment wall for a sports area, comprising:

a plurality of interlockable panels for at least partially enclosing lateral bounds of the sports area, each panel having a first end wall and an opposing second end wall, said panels further comprising coupling means for coupling the first end walls with the second end walls in an end-to-end, abutting manner;

said panels having top and bottom walls coupled between the opposing first and second end walls to form a substantially continuous panel perimeter;

said panels having front and back walls coupled at opposing front and back edges of the panel perimeter;

a plurality of pairs of vertically spaced upper and lower leg mount means formed respectively at upper and lower locations on the panels for enabling removable attachment of a support leg at the back wall of the panel;

at least one support leg having upper and lower ends removably attachable at the upper and lower leg mount means, said support leg having a lateral support member;

wherein the leg mount means comprises means for removably attaching the support leg to at least three different attachment sites on one of the panels;

wherein the back wall includes a recess formed therein, said recess having a vertical span that is longer than the support leg, and wherein the upper and lower leg mount means comprise means for (i) movably attaching the support leg to the back wall and (ii) enabling movement of the support leg from a first, lateral position to a second, storage position such that said support leg resides in said recess when disposed in the second, storage position;

wherein the panels are hollow, with the front wall and back wall being disposed in a spaced-apart orientation;

wherein the panels further comprise internal bracing means for bracing the front wall and back wall with respect to each other, comprising a plurality of spaced-apart brace members sandwiched between the front wall and back wall, wherein the brace members include throughpassages formed therein extending through the front wall and back wall;

wherein the coupling means further comprises means for coupling the first end walls with the second end walls in a manner such that a substantially continuous surface is formed between adjacent panels;

wherein the coupling means comprises a plurality of projecting interlock members extending laterally outwardly from at least some of the end walls of the panels in a vertically spaced apart orientation;

wherein the projecting interlock members extend laterally outwardly from the first end walls of at least some of the panels, and wherein the coupling means further comprise recessed walls defining a plurality of enclosures in the second end walls of at least some of the panels for receiving the projecting interlock members into said enclosures;

wherein the projecting interlock members, the recessed walls defining the enclosures, and top walls of the panels have throughpassages formed therein, wherein the throughpassages formed in the projecting interlock members and recessed walls are disposed in substantial axial alignment with each other and with throughpassages in the top walls of the panels when the projecting interlock members are received into the enclosures such that the axially aligned throughpassages collectively define a single throughpassage for receiving a support rod therethrough;

wherein the bottom walls of at least some of the panels each have a plurality of bottom throughpassages formed therein, and wherein the top walls of at least some of the panels each have a plurality of top throughpassages formed therein that are disposed in substantial axial alignment with the throughpassages in the bottom walls;

wherein the upper and lower leg mount means comprise means for (i) movably attaching the support leg to the back wall and (ii) enabling movement of the support leg from a first, lateral position to a second, storage position;

wherein the bottom wall of the panel is configured at a rearward section with a plurality of rearward projecting elements alternating with spacial gaps therebetween, the spacial gaps of the lateral support member on the leg being aligned to receive the downward projecting support elements of the lateral support member when the leg is in the storage position;

wherein the back wall of at least some of the panels comprises an upper, rearwardly extending ledge having an underside, and wherein the upper leg mount means comprises a lateral channel formed in the underside of the ledge, said lateral channel extending toward the front wall and having an upper side;

wherein the upper leg mount means further comprises vertical side walls defining an upper vertical channel disposed in communication with the lateral channel, and wherein the upper side of the lateral channel defines an acute angle with respect to the vertical side walls;

wherein some of the panels define an arcuate shape sufficient in dimension and configuration to enable the panels to be sequentially intercoupled by the coupling means in an endless boundary enclosure surrounding the sports area;

wherein the top wall of at least some of the panels includes an elongate slot formed therein for receiving a backstop panel thereinto.

55. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 54, wherein a horizontal cross section taken from the at least one support leg defines a first, elongate portion having a substantial rectangular shape and a second, end portion having a circular shape defining an outer diameter, wherein the first, elongate portion is narrower than said outer diameter, and wherein the back wall includes at least one semi-cylindrical indentation formed therein for receiving the second, end portion of the at least one support leg thereinto.

56. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 54, wherein at least some of the panels each comprise a lower front portion having a lateral slot formed therein for receiving an edge of a tile thereinto, said lateral slot being defined by a portion of the bottom wall.

57. The modular containment wall as defined in claim 56, wherein the portion of the bottom wall defining the lateral slot is coupled to the front wall such that said front wall resides above said lateral slot and thus out of direct contact with the sports area.