Multi-purpose arena

• US 6,915,610 B2
• Filed: 08/16/2002
• Issued: 07/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SSOE, Inc.
• Original Assignee: SSOE, Inc.
• Inventors: Stark, Charles H. III, Riley, Keith E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chi Q.
• Application Number:
  US10/222,338
• Publication Number:
  US 20030037490A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,061 Days
• Field of Search: 52/6, 52/7, 52/8, 52/9, 527/411, 521/44, 521/45, 472/85, 472/92, 472/93
• US Class Current: 52/6
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 3/10 for meetings, entertainments, or sports
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 3/22 Theatres; Concert halls; Studios for broadcasting, cinematography, television or similar purposes

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a multi-purpose arena that can be used for sport and non-sport type of events. The size of the arena can be varied to suit the particular type of entertainment present in the arena. The acoustics can also be varied or tuned to maximize the performance in the arena. The seating in the arena is disposed to provide excellent viewing of the entertainment being performed in the arena. And, the arena can accommodate the staging requirements for almost any use that is developed for the arena.

Claims

1. A multi-purpose arena comprising:

a performance area;

a first seating area that is disposed to receive sound directly from the performance area and to transfer sound to the performance area; and

sound reflecting panels positioned over said performance area to reflect sound to said first seating area;

sound reflecting panels positioned over the first seating area to direct sound from the performance area to the first seating area, said reflecting panels further directing sound from said first seating area to said performance area, said reflective panels are moveable and can be varied in position to tune the acoustics in the first seating area;

a second seating area that is acoustically suppressed from transferring sound to the performance area;

a plurality of seats positioned in the first and second seating areas and said seats are disposed on tiers that define an angle with respect to said performance area, said seats in said first and second areas are at an increased elevation as said seats are spaced further from said performance area yet provide good viewing of said performance area; and

an elevated arch positioned over said performance area and between said first and second seating areas, said arch having a first wall that faces said first seating area and a second wall that faces said second seating area, said first and second walls of said arch being spaced apart and define a cavity.

2. The arena of claim 1 wherein rigging, lighting, curtains and other theatrical equipment are adapted to be positioned in said cavity in said arch for use in said performance area.

3. The arena of claim 2 wherein the second wall of said elevated arch that faces said second seating area is covered with sound absorbing material.

4. The arena of claim 3 wherein a plurality of panels are positioned over said second seating area, said panels being designed to absorb a substantial portion at the low frequency sound and to reflect sound that is not absorbed.

5. The arena of claim 4 wherein said panels over said second seating are positioned to reflect said sound not absorbed by said panels to said absorbent material positioned on said second wall of said elevated arch.

6. The arena of claim 5 wherein a sound blocking curtain is adapted to be lowered from said cavity in said elevated arch to close off the second seating area from said performance area to modify the seating configuration of said arena.

7. The arena of claim 6 wherein said sound blocking curtain is in more than one section and section is adapted to be lowered to vary the acoustical characteristics in said performance area.

8. The arena of claim 7 wherein an acoustically transparent scrim is adapted to be lowered from said cavity of said elevated arch to cover any areas not covered by said sound blocking curtain, said acoustically transparent scrim to further vary the acoustical characteristics in said performance area.

9. The arena of claim 8 wherein said first seating area has more than one discrete seating area.

10. The arena of claim 9 wherein a first portion of the seats in the first seating area are arranged in a generally semi-circular configuration and a second portion of the seats in the first seating area are arranged in a generally elliptical configuration to provide improved lines of sight.

11. A multi-purpose arena comprising:

a performance area;

a first seating area that is disposed to receive sound directly from the performance area and to transfer sound to the performance area; and

a second seating area that is acoustically suppressed from transferring sound to the performance area; and

an elevated arch positioned over said performing area and between said first and second seating areas, said arch having a first wall that faces said first seating area and a second wall that faces said second seating area, said first and second wails or said arch being spaced apart and defining a cavity.

12. The arena of claim 11 wherein sound reflecting panels are positioned over said performance area to reflect sound to said first seating area.

13. The arena of claim 12 wherein sound reflecting panels are positioned over the first seating area to direct sound from the performance area to the first seating area, said reflecting panels further directing sound from said first seating area to said performance area.

14. The arena of claim 13 wherein said reflective panels are moveable and are adapted to be varied in position to tune the acoustics in the first seating area.

15. The arena of claim 14 wherein the first and second seating area includes a plurality of seats and said seats are disposed on tiers that define an angle with respect to said performance area.

16. The arena of claim 15 wherein said seats in said first and second areas are at an increased elevation as said seats are spaced further from said performance area yet provide good viewing of said performance area and further comprising:

an elevated arch positioned over said performance area and between said first and second seating areas, said arch having a first wall that faces said first seating area and a second wail that faces said second seating area, said first and second walls of said arch being spaced apart and define a cavity.

17. The arena of claim 11 wherein rigging, lighting, curtains and other theatrical equipment are adapted to be positioned in said cavity in said arch for use in said performance area.

18. The arena of claim 11 wherein rigging, lighting, curtains and other theatrical equipment are adapted to be positioned in said cavity in said arch for use in said performance area.

19. The arena of claim 18 wherein a plurality of panels are positioned over said second seating area, said panels being designed to absorb a substantial portion of the low frequency sound and to reflect sound that is not absorbed.

20. The arena of claim 19 wherein said panels over said second seating are positioned to reflect said sound not absorbed by said panels to said absorbent material positioned on said second wall of said elevated arch.

21. The claim arena of claim 20 wherein a sound blocking curtain is adapted to be lowered from said cavity in said elevated arch to close off the second seating area from said performance area to modify the seating configuration of said arena.

22. The arena of claim 21 wherein said sound blocking curtain is in more than one section and each section is adapted to be lowered to vary the acoustical characteristics in said performance area.

23. The arena of claim 22 wherein an acoustically transparent scrim is adapted to be lowered from said cavity of said elevated arch to cover any areas not covered by said sound blocking curtain, said acoustically transparent scrim serving to further vary the acoustical characteristics in said performance area.

24. The arena of claim 23 wherein said first seating area has more than one discrete seating area.