SYSTEM FOR REVERSIBLY CONVERTING STADIUMS INTO MULTIFUNCTIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Abstract

A system for reversibly converting stadiums into multifunctional infrastructure by removing the pitch and storing it in a pit (6), the pitch having a set of trays (1) having a total length equal to the pitch in a longitudinal direction of the pit, which are moveable, self-supporting and have layers of soil, irrigation and turf; a set of transport trolleys (2) for lifting and moving each tray (1) from its position on the pitch to the pit (6); a set of retractable trellises (5) that can be unfolded on the pit (6), for the entry of each tray (1) from above the pit; an elevator system (8) inside the pit (6) to move each tray to its final position, in storage, or on the pitch; and a storage system (7) for storing each tray in a fixed and stable position.

Claims

1. A system for reversibly converting stadiums into multifunctional infrastructures by means of the removal and storage of a playing field in a pit (6) located parallel to the playing field comprising: an assembly of trays (1) on which the playing field is located, wherein the assembly of trays (1): are movable from or towards the pit (6); have a length equal to a total length of the playing field in a longitudinal direction of the pit (6); are self-supporting; and houses layers of the field, an irrigation system, and natural or artificial turf; a transport system for a guided hoisting and transverse horizontal shifting of each tray of the assembly of trays (1) from a position thereof on the playing field to a vertical position of the pit (6), or each tray (1) bears its own monitoring for the shifting thereof; an assembly of retractable lattice girders (5), configured for being deployed over the pit (6); a lifting system (8) installed in the pit (6) configured for lowering vertically each tray to a final storage position, or lifting it from the final storage position; a storage system (7) installed in the pit (6) for storing each tray, which moves only vertically in a fixed and stable position.

2. The system for reversibly converting stadiums into multifunctional infrastructures according to claim 1, wherein the pit (6) is located on one side of the playing field.

3. The system for reversibly converting stadiums into multifunctional infrastructures according to claim 1, wherein the pit (6) is located in a space occupied by the playing field.

4. The system for reversibly converting stadiums into multifunctional infrastructures according to claim 1, wherein the pit (6) comprises installations, accesses, and depth for storing the assembly of trays (1) with a vertical separation between trays of not less than 2 m.

5. The system for reversibly converting stadiums into multifunctional infrastructures according to claim 1, wherein a number of trays (1) configuring the playing field is comprised between five and eight, when the trays are configured in the longitudinal direction of the playing field, each tray then being up to 144 m long by between 12 and 9 m wide, respectively.

6. The system for reversibly converting stadiums into multifunctional infrastructures according to claim 1, wherein a number of trays (1) configuring the playing field is comprised between eight and fourteen when the trays (1) are configured in the transverse direction of the playing field, each tray being up to 70 m long by between 13 and 8 m wide, respectively.

7. The system for reversibly converting stadiums into multifunctional infrastructures according to claim 1, further comprising a system of folding bleachers (9) to allow the trays (1) to be introduced in the storage system (7) of the pit (6) configured for being folded over the pit (6), the pit (6) being covered and closed.

8. The system for reversibly converting stadiums into multifunctional infrastructures according to claim 1, wherein a horizontal transport system comprises an assembly of autonomous transport carriages (2) guided by means of a system to be chosen from rails or an inductive guidance system in a support slab (4), for transversely transporting the trays (2); wherein a number of transport carriages (2) is between 10 and 22 for supporting each tray (1) when they are configured in the longitudinal direction of the playing field; and wherein the number of transport carriages (2) is between 4 and 12 for supporting each tray when it is configured in the transverse direction of the playing field; and wherein a number and a position of retractable lattice girders (5) coincide with a number and a position of the transport carriages (2).

9. The system for reversibly converting stadiums into multifunctional infrastructures according to claim 8, wherein each of the transport carriages (2) is chosen from: complete and integrated, or subdivided into a motorized master transport carriage, and a slave transport carriage, mechanically linked to one another, wherein a master transport carriage (2) comprises a bearing structure (30), a tray lifting system (31), a hydraulic set (32), electromechanical geared motors (33), and guide wheels (34); and wherein the slave transport carriage comprises a bearing structure (35), a tray lifting system (36), and a tray joint closing mechanism (37); wherein the assembly is shifted integrally attached to one another by means of a mechanical securing system (38).

10. The system for reversibly converting stadiums into multifunctional infrastructures according to claim 1, wherein the transport system comprises individual motorizations in each tray (1) to enable performing the synchronized horizontal translational movement thereof, by means of the necessary instrumentation and control

11. The system for reversibly converting stadiums into multifunctional infrastructures according to claim 8, wherein a system of transport carriages (2) carries all the sufficient instruments and the necessary control system so that both the translational movement and the lifting movement are synchronized among all the transport carriages (2) of the system, to respectively enable shifting and hoisting each tray (1) safely.

12. The system for reversibly converting stadiums into multifunctional infrastructures according to claim 1, the retractable lattice girders (5) are of a length that is about twice the width of the pit (6) in order to allow the rolling thereof to take place only on the support slab (4), and they are furthermore counterweighted so that they can enter and exit the pit (6) with absolute safety, without requiring double rolling, wherein each retractable lattice girder (5) comprises a metallic bearing structure (23), a guidance system (25) by means of dual wheels with distribution equalizers, centering systems, with receiving and securing systems (26) at both ends, to ensure and make the maneuvers thereof more reliable.

13. The system for reversibly converting stadiums into multifunctional infrastructures according to claim 1, further comprising second retractable lattice girders (60) of a length greater than the width of the pit (6), wherein the second retractable lattice girders (60) are guided with double rolling to enable safely accessing the pit; and when the second retractable lattice girders (60) are located on the field side, the second retractable lattice girders (60) are embedded in the support slab (4), and enter over the pit (6) towards a bleacher side; they comprise transport carriages with double guidance (61), a first guidance when they move over the lattice girder, and a second guidance when they move over the field slab (4) so that they can move when the second retractable lattice girder (60) is deployed over the pit (6), and the transport carriages with double guidance (61) have to go back to pick up the corresponding tray (1) again.

14. The system for reversibly converting stadiums into multifunctional infrastructures according to claim 13, wherein the retractable lattice girders (5) or the second retractable lattice girders (60) are located on the bleacher side and extend over the pit (6) towards the field side.

15. The system for reversibly converting stadiums into multifunctional infrastructures according to claim 1, wherein the lifting system (8) is hydraulic, based on an assembly of telescopic hydraulic cylinders (15) guided at the ends thereof by means of runner (12) and a guide (13) along the entire path thereof, on as many columns (11) as telescopic hydraulic cylinders (15); a runner (12) with a double wheel for two-way loading and with distribution equalizers, and wherein each runner (12) has a supporting gusset (14) for picking up the tray (1), and actuated by means of a system to be chosen from a pneumatic and an electromechanical system; wherein the assembly of telescopic hydraulic cylinders (15) move in a manner that is synchronized both in load and in position, powered by several hydraulic sets (16), each of them having a tank (41), feed pumps (40), and electric motors (39); wherein the lifting system (8) comprises a common collector configured for preventing malfunctions, both in pumps and motors, and comprises a collector ring between the hydraulic sets configured for preventing malfunctions in start-up cabinets.

16. The system for reversibly converting stadiums into multifunctional infrastructures according to claim 1, wherein the storage system (7) comprises a structure of columns (17), with each of the columns (17) having an assembly of supporting gussets (18), there being as many of the latter as the number of trays (1) there are to be stored, and actuated by means of a system (19) to be chosen from a pneumatic and an electromechanical system.

17. The system for reversibly converting stadiums into multifunctional infrastructures according to claim 16, wherein a number of structural columns of the lifting system (8) and the number of structural columns of the storage system (7) is double, and having a total number similar to twice the number of retractable lattice girders (5) or twice the assembly of transport carriages (2), both for the lifting system (8) and for the storage system (7).

18. The system for reversibly converting stadiums into multifunctional infrastructures according to claim 15, wherein the supporting gussets (14) of the lifting system (8) are deployed and retracted by means of vertical movement rotating via horizontally arranged shafts.

19. The system for reversibly converting stadiums into multifunctional infrastructures according to claim 15, wherein the supporting gussets (14) of the lifting system (8) are configured for being deployed and retracted by means of lateral movement rotating via vertically arranged shafts.

20. The system for reversibly converting stadiums into multifunctional infrastructures according to claim 16, wherein the supporting gussets (18) of the storage system (7) are deployed and retracted by means of vertical movement rotating via horizontally arranged shafts.

21. The system for reversibly converting stadiums into multifunctional infrastructures according to claim 16, further comprising a storage system (42) configured by means of a structure of columns (52) having supporting gussets (53) which are deployed and retracted by means of lateral movement rotating via vertically arranged shafts.

22. A method for reversibly converting stadiums into multifunctional infrastructures using the system of claim 1, comprising maneuvering for storing the playing field in the pit (6) sequentially for each tray (1), starting with the tray closest to the pit (6) until the placement of each tray (1) in final storage position, wherein the lifting system (8) is placed on standby with the supporting gussets (14) deployed, and the corresponding tray (1) is shifted in a synchronized manner by means of the assembly of transport carriages (2) to the edge of the pit (6), and is lowered in a synchronized manner by means of the systems for lifting the transport carriages (2) on the support slab (4) for releasing the retractable lattice girders (5) and the transport carriages (2) themselves mounted thereon; the retractable lattice girders (5) are deployed over the pit (6) and anchored on the other side by means of the anchorings (26); the transport carriages (2) go back to find the tray, are positioned, and hoist it in a synchronized manner by means of tray lifting systems (31) and (36) thereof; and they transport it in a synchronized manner over the retractable lattice girders (5) until centering it over the vertical of the pit (6); the lifting system (8) moves up and grabs the tray (1), slightly lifting it above where it was supported and thus releasing both the retractable lattice girders (5) and the transport carriages (2) mounted thereon; the retractable lattice girders (5) are withdrawn, taking the transport carriages (2) with them, so as to offer guidance continuity for the next trays on their path across the support slab (4) towards the pit (6), and so as to allow freeing in any event the space of the lifting system (8) to be able to start lowering the tray (1) in a synchronized manner by means of the telescopic hydraulic cylinders (15) thereof; the supporting gussets (18) of the storage system (7) associated with the lowering tray (1) are deployed in order to leave it stored in its final position in the pit (6); the lifting system (8) continues being lowered in order to be free of the stored tray and be ready to rise up to pick up the next tray (1); to that end it withdraws the supporting gussets (14) and thus allows the rising up of the lifting system (8) without interfering with the previously stored trays (1).

23. The system for reversibly converting stadiums into multifunctional infrastructures according to claim 8, wherein the tray joint closing mechanism (37) of each of the transport carriages (2), always on the side farthest away from the pit (6), comprises a hydraulically actuated claw which in each transport carriage (2) drives the corresponding tray (1) closer, in a synchronized manner together with the rest of the transport carriages (2), until closing the joint with the preceding tray.

24. The system for reversibly converting stadiums into multifunctional infrastructures according to claim 1, further comprising a lifting system (43) comprising a drum (44), cable (45), upper pulleys (46), lower pulleys (47), supporting gusset (48), runner (49), bearing structure (50) based on a metallic column, and guide (51).

25. The system for reversibly converting stadiums into multifunctional infrastructures according to claim 1, further comprising a liftable bleacher system (54), configured for raising up the bleachers in sections to allow the trays (1) to be introduced in the storage system (7) of the pit (6), and for lowering the bleachers into the pit (6), the pit (6) being covered and closed.

26. The system for reversibly converting stadiums into multifunctional infrastructures according to claim 1, further comprising a system of trap doors configured to allow the trays (1) to be introduced in the storage system (7) of the pit (6), in case the pit (6) can be built in the auxiliary area between the playing field and the stands and thus covering and enclosing it.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] An embodiment of the invention will be described below in an illustrative, non-limiting manner in reference to a series of figures to facilitate understanding of the invention.

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a general schematic view of the system object of the invention in which the main elements thereof are identified.

[0032] FIGS. 2 to 4 sequentially show a detail of one of the trays forming the playing field recently removed from the pit and located at the edge thereof, and where one of the retractable lattice girders is also shown; in FIG. 3 the corresponding transport carriage is located in a position below the tray; and in FIG. 4 it is hoisted in a synchronized manner with the rest of the transport carriages, ready to be transported to its position to make up the playing field.

[0033] FIG. 5 shows a view of the lifting system, with the telescopic hydraulic actuators and the structural columns with which both the lifting mechanism and the storage system are configured, with all the main components thereof.

[0034] FIG. 6 shows a view of the folding bleacher, if required, in the deployed position, for allowing the extraction or storage maneuvers of the playing field, provided that they had to be installed given a lack of sufficient space for building the pit on one side of the field without invading part of the space occupied by the original bleachers.

[0035] FIG. 7 shows the assembly of the support slab, system of retractable lattice girders, and system of transport carriages, and the interfaces between them.

[0036] FIGS. 8 to 23 schematically show the sequence for storing the playing field in the greenhouse pit designed for that purpose.

[0037] FIGS. 24 and 25 show, in detail, one of the trays forming the playing field by means of bands, with all the main parts, that is, self-supporting metallic structure, layers of the field, and natural or artificial turf, etc.

[0038] FIGS. 26 to 28 respectively show the master transport carriage, the slave transport carriage, and the configuration of the assembly between them, mechanically linked to one another, in a preferred embodiment thereof.

[0039] FIG. 29 shows the retractable lattice girder in a preferred embodiment, being of a length that is about twice the width of the pit.

[0040] FIGS. 30 and 31 depict in further detail the main elements of both the storage system and of the lifting system, respectively.

[0041] FIG. 32 shows the main components of the hydraulic set powering both the lifting system and the folding bleachers, should the latter be required.

[0042] FIGS. 33 to 40 schematically show the sequence for closing the joint between a tray and the preceding tray placed in position, when the playing field is being taken out by means of the system object of this invention.

[0043] FIGS. 41 to 50 show different alternatives to the preferred invention.

[0044] FIGS. 41 to 43 show an alternative lifting system based on cables and winches. FIG. 44 shows an alternative with a supporting gusset with horizontal movement rotating about a vertical shaft for the storage system. FIGS. 45 and 46 show a variant of the preferred solution of a folding bleacher, in this case with vertical rather than rotational movement capacity with respect to a rotating shaft. Furthermore, FIGS. 47 to 50 show a configuration of shorter retractable lattice girders, being of a length only slightly greater than the width of the pit, but requiring a double rolling in the lattice girder, and a double guidance-wheel in the transport carriages, the first for moving over the support slab, and the second for moving over the retractable lattice girders when they are deployed over the pit.

[0045] These and the following figures refer to a set of elements which are: [0046] 1. Trays [0047] 2. Transport carriages [0048] 3. Rails [0049] 4. Support slab [0050] 5. Retractable lattice girders [0051] 6. Pit [0052] 7. Storage system [0053] 8. Lifting system [0054] 9. Folding bleacher [0055] 10. Fixed bleacher [0056] 11. Columns of the lifting system [0057] 12. Runners of the lifting mechanism [0058] 13. Guides of the hydraulic cylinders of the lifting mechanism [0059] 14. Supporting gussets of the lifting system [0060] 15. Telescopic hydraulic cylinders of the lifting mechanism [0061] 16. Hydraulic set [0062] 17. Columns of the storage system [0063] 18. Supporting gussets of the storage system [0064] 19. Pneumatic actuation of the supports of the storage system [0065] 20. Structure of the folding bleacher [0066] 21. Point of rotation of the folding bleacher [0067] 22. Actuation hydraulic of the folding bleacher [0068] 23. Structure of the retractable lattice girder [0069] 24. Actuation by means of geared motor and chain or belt of the retractable lattice girder [0070] 25. Guidance system by means of wheels and distribution equalizers of the retractable lattice girder [0071] 26. Securing system of the retractable lattice girder on both sides [0072] 27. Self-supporting structure of the tray [0073] 28. Natural or artificial field [0074] 29. Natural or artificial turf [0075] 30. Master transport carriage structure [0076] 31. Tray lifting system of the master transport carriages [0077] 32. Hydraulic set of the transport carriages [0078] 33. Electromechanical geared motors of the transport carriages [0079] 34. Guide wheels of the transport carriages [0080] 35. Slave transport carriage structure [0081] 36. Tray lifting system of the slave transport carriages [0082] 37. Tray joint closing mechanism in slave transport carriages [0083] 38. Mechanical securing system between master and slave transport carriages [0084] 39. Motors of the hydraulic set [0085] 40. Pumps of the hydraulic set [0086] 41. Tank of the hydraulic set [0087] 42. Storage system with horizontal gussets [0088] 43. Cable lifting system [0089] 44. Drum of the cable lifting system [0090] 45. Cable [0091] 46. Upper pulleys [0092] 47. Lower pulleys [0093] 48. Supporting gusset of the cable lifting system [0094] 49. Runner of the cable lifting system [0095] 50. Structure of the cable lifting system [0096] 51. Guide of the cable lifting system [0097] 52. Structure of the horizontal gusset storage system [0098] 53. Horizontal movement gussets of an alternative storage system [0099] 54. Liftable movable bleacher [0100] 60. Short retractable lattice girder [0101] 61. Double-wheeled transport carriage for use with short retractable lattice girder

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0102] The object of the present invention is a reversible system which quickly and readily allows converting a stadium that has already been built into a multifunctional infrastructure by means of the removal and storage of the playing field, in an automated manner, in a pit built preferably on one side thereof.

[0103] This invention is furthermore consistent with the construction and implementation thereof without affecting the normal use for which the stadium was originally conceived, for example, for practicing football or soccer, using for the construction and commissioning thereof several of the time windows available between seasons.

[0104] As shown in the figures, the system is configured by a pit 6 preferably built on one side of the original playing field, in the same direction in which the new playing field is configured by means of bands. This new playing field is configured by means of several transportable trays 1, longitudinal as in the figure, or transverse, but only in a single direction, which will subsequently be stored by means of vertical movement into the pit 1 when the playing field is to be removed for holding other events. Each tray 1 will be self-supporting and will have all the layers of the field, irrigation system, natural or artificial turf, etc., to be equivalent to the original field. There will be a series of transport carriages 2 which, moving over rails 3 embedded in a support slab 4, generally made of concrete, will allow shifting in a synchronized manner the trays horizontally in a direction perpendicular to the dominant length thereof. In this system object of the invention, there is an assembly of retractable lattice girders 5, there being as many as there are number of master+slave transport carriages defined, which allow continuing the guided movement of the carriages over same, and which previously deployed over the pit, will allow the transport of each tray over the vertical thereof, for subsequently causing them to be lowered by means of a hydraulic lifting mechanism 8 to the corresponding storage position in the storage system 7. If required, if there is not sufficient space for building the pit on one side without invading part of the space occupied by the bleachers, there will be configured new folding bleachers 9 which are lifted in sections to allow the trays to be introduced in the pit, and they are folded over said pit, covering it for use when holding any type of event. The fixed bleachers 10 will be the original ones if this system is implemented in a stadium that has already been built.

[0105] FIGS. 2 to 4 show the sequential detail of one of the trays 1 recently removed from the pit 6 and located at the edge thereof, and they also show one of the retractable lattice girders 5 in the retracted position on the field side; in FIG. 3 the corresponding transport carriage 2 is located in a position below the tray 1; and in FIG. 4 it is hoisted in a synchronized manner with the rest of the transport carriages, ready for transporting it towards the field side to its final corresponding position for forming the playing field.

[0106] FIG. 5 shows a view of the lifting system 8, with its telescopic hydraulic cylinders 15 having runners 12 at the ends thereof, guided along the entire path thereof by the guides 13, and having mounted thereon supporting gussets 14 which, in this preferred embodiment, move vertically rotating about a horizontal shaft, so as to be folded or deployed and grab the tray by means of a pneumatic or alternatively electromechanical actuation. The structure of the lifting mechanism is configured by means of an assembly of columns 11, one for each hydraulic cylinder, which are preferably anchored on the two side walls of the pit. The lifting system is hydraulic in a preferred embodiment and actuated by means of an assembly of hydraulic sets 16. For storing the trays in the pit, each of them in the corresponding position but independently, the storage system 7 has been configured by means of a structure of other columns 17 which are preferably anchored on the two side walls of the pit and may or may not be connected with the columns of the lifting system 8; each of them having an assembly of supporting gussets 18, there being as many of the latter as there are number of trays to be stored, and actuated by means of a system 19 which will preferably be pneumatic but can also be electromechanical. In the preferred embodiment of the supporting gussets 18 of the storage system 7, these gussets are configured so that each of them moves vertically, rotating about a horizontal shaft installed in the structure of the column 17.

[0107] The number of columns of the lifting system 8 does not have to coincide with the number of retractable lattice girders 5, nor with the number of columns of the storage system 7. The number and the position of the retractable lattice girders 5 will necessarily coincide with the ones of the transport carriages 2. If, for example, 13 retractable lattice girders are arranged for supporting each tray, configured in this case in the longitudinal direction, 13 transport carriages will also have to be arranged and aligned in position with the lattice girders. Furthermore, if in a preferred embodiment each of them is configured by means of a master transport carriage plus a slave transport carriage connected to one another, there will therefore be 13 master transport carriages and 13 slave transport carriages. Both the number of columns of the lifting system 8 and of the storage system 7 will be double, one row of them on each side wall of the pit, and preferably a similar total number thereof, in this case 13 plus 13, for both the lifting system 8 and the storage system 7; but in both cases the value may differ.

[0108] FIG. 6 shows a view of the folding bleacher 9, if required, in the deployed position, so as to allow the maneuvers of extracting or storing the playing field, provided that there is not sufficient space for building the pit on one side of the field without invading part of the space occupied by the original bleachers. There can be seen therein the bearing structure 20 of the bleacher, configured in sections, and folded, broken down around the fixed point 21 actuated by the assembly of hydraulic cylinders 22 defined in a preferred embodiment object of the invention. This figure also shows the receiving and anchoring securing mechanisms 26 to assure the correct termination of the maneuver of each retractable lattice girder 5, in this case on the bleacher side, when the lattice girder is deployed over the pit.

[0109] FIG. 7 shows sufficient details of the assembly comprising the support slab 4, the system of retractable lattice girders 5, and the system of transport carriages 2 and the interfaces between them. It shows the metallic bearing structure 23 of the retractable lattice girder 5, the guidance system 25 by means of dual wheels of the retractable lattice girder, all having distribution equalizers, and the receiving and anchoring securing mechanism 26 to assure the correct termination of the maneuver of the retractable lattice girder, in this case on the field side, when the lattice girder is retracted. The transport carriages 2, in this case on the retractable lattice girder 5, are also shown, wherein the bearing structure 30 of the master transport carriage and the guide wheels 34, the bearing structure 35 of the slave transport carriage and the tray joint closing mechanism 37 are shown in detail, as is the mechanical securing system 38 between the master and slave transport carriages for integral movement.

[0110] The sequence to be performed for storing the playing field in the greenhouse pit designed for that purpose, which will help to illustrate the scope of the system object of this invention, will be explained in detail below. FIG. 8 shows the new playing field, configured in this case by means of six longitudinal trays 1, taken out and ready, for example, for a football or soccer game to be played, and in which the folding bleachers 9 are in the folded position, and generally provided at the ends thereof with retractable bleacher modules, not depicted, which when deployed close, seal, and provide continuity to the new playing field of this invention based on bands of trays. FIG. 9 shows the folding bleachers 9 in the deployed position to start the maneuver for removing turf with this system object of the invention. FIG. 10 to FIG. 21 sequentially show with a cross-section view of the pit the entire maneuver of the entry of one tray until it is placed in its final storage position. It can be observed in FIG. 10 how the lifting mechanism 8 is in standby with the supporting gussets 14 deployed, and how the corresponding tray 1 to be introduced is already positioned at the edge of the pit 6 and has been lowered in a synchronized manner on the support slab 4 for releasing the retractable lattice girders 5 and the transport carriages 2 mounted thereon. Then the retractable lattice girders 5 are deployed over the pit 6 and anchored on the bleacher side by means of the anchorings 26; the transport carriages 2, which were on the lattice girders, go back to find the tray, are positioned, and hoist it in a synchronized manner by means of their lifting systems 31 and 36 of the master and slave carriages, respectively. This situation is shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 12 shows the tray 1 transported in a synchronized manner by the carriages 2 over the retractable lattice girders 5 and centered over the vertical of the pit 6. The following figure, FIG. 13, shows how the lifting mechanism has been raised to grab and lift the corresponding tray 1 slightly above where it was supported, and thereby allowing the release of both the retractable lattice girders 5 and the transport carriages 2 mounted thereon. FIG. 14 shows how the retractable lattice girders 5 have been withdrawn on the field side, taking with them the transport carriages 2, so as to offer guidance continuity for the next trays on their path across the support slab 4 towards the pit 6, and to allow clearing the space of the lifting mechanism to be able to start lowering the tray 1 in a synchronized manner by means of the telescopic hydraulic cylinders 15 thereof. FIGS. 15 and 16 show the lowering of the corresponding tray 1 by means of the lifting system 8. Furthermore, FIG. 17 shows how the supporting gussets 18 of the storage system 7 associated with the lowering tray 1 have been deployed in order to leave it stored in its final position in the pit 6. FIG. 18 shows the tray 1 in its storage position, and FIG. 19 shows how the lifting system 8 has continued to be lowered in order to release the recently lowered tray and be ready to rise up and pick up the next tray 1. That release can be seen in FIG. 20, where the supporting gussets 14 of the lifting mechanism have been withdrawn to allow the rising up of the lifting system 8 without interfering with the previously stored trays 1. FIG. 21 shows how the lifting mechanism has been lifted above the last stored tray and is going to pick up the next one. The process is repeated sequentially until all the trays 1 are stored. Furthermore, the folding bleachers 9 are lastly lowered to their stable standby position, so as to render the infrastructure ready for any other type of event, as sequentially shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, while the natural or artificial turf is stored, cared for, and maintained in the pit 6, being controlled at all times and protected against the weather and/or any damage that the event in question may cause had it been left out.

[0111] The following Figures show in detail some of the main components of the invention. FIGS. 24 and 25, the latter in detail, show one of the trays 1 forming the bands of the playing field, with their main parts, their self-supporting metallic structure 27, and the layers of the field 28, culminating in usually natural turf 29.

[0112] The transport carriages 2 are shown in FIGS. 26 to 28 according to a preferred embodiment of this invention, with the master transport carriage being shown in FIG. 26, the slave transport carriage being shown in FIG. 27, and the configuration of the assembly between them, mechanically linked to one another, being shown in FIG. 28. FIG. 26 indicates the most relevant components of the master transport carriage, which are the bearing structure 30, the tray lifting system 31, the hydraulic set 32, the electromechanical geared motors 33, and the guide wheels 34. FIG. 27 indicates the most relevant components of the slave transport carriage, that is, the bearing structure 35, the tray lifting system 36, and the tray joint closing mechanism 37. Furthermore, FIG. 28 shows an assembly of master carriage plus slave carriage mechanically linked to one another by means of the mechanical securing system 38.

[0113] FIG. 29 shows the retractable lattice girder 5 in a preferred embodiment, being of a length that is about twice the width of the pit. Standing out therein are the metallic bearing structure 23 and the actuation system 24 thereof, this being by means of a geared motor and chain or belt in a preferred embodiment. This lattice girder configuration, having a double length, offers the advantages of allowing the simplification of the entire rolling of the retractable lattice girder 5 when it enters the pit 6 on only the supporting face of the lattice girder over the slab 4; and it furthermore simplifies the translational movement of the transport carriages 2 to a single guidance, the retractable lattice girder 5 providing continuity to the guidance within the support slab 4, in the entire range of movement required of the transport carriages 2.

[0114] FIGS. 30 and 31 depict in further detail the main elements of both the storage system 7 and the lifting system 8, respectively. FIG. 30 shows the bearing structure 17 of the storage system, configured by means of metallic columns anchored or not to the two side walls of the pit 6, the supporting gussets 18 of the storage system, and the preferably pneumatic actuation of the supports of the storage system 7. FIG. 31 shows the columns 11 of the lifting system 8, configured by means of metallic columns also anchored or not to the two side walls of the pit 6, the runners 12 of the lifting system 8, which are fixed at the ends of the telescopic hydraulic cylinders 15 and guided along the entire path thereof through the guides 13, and the supporting gussets 14 of the lifting system 8, preferably pneumatically actuated.

[0115] FIG. 32 shows the main components of each of the hydraulic sets powering both the lifting system 8 and the folding bleachers 9, if required. These are the electric motors 39, the feed pumps 40, and the tank 41 of each of the hydraulic sets required for feeding all those systems.

[0116] The tray joint closing mechanism 37 of each of the slave transport carriages, always on the side farthest away from the pit 6, is functionally described in FIGS. 33 to 40, which schematically show the sequence for closing the joint between one tray and the preceding tray previously placed in position, when the playing field is being taken out by means of the system object of this invention. This hydraulically actuated tray joint closing mechanism 37 is based on a claw concept which in each slave transport carriage drives the corresponding tray closer until closing the joint with the preceding tray, already in the fixed position due to its own weight on the support slab 4, until achieving a contact pressure on the joint equivalent to the cohesion of natural turf fields, and thus generating continuity of the field.

[0117] In a preferred embodiment, the lifting system 8 will be hydraulic but it also can be based on cables and winches in another embodiment of the invention, as is shown in FIGS. 41 to 43. These figures show the main elements of this alternative lifting system 43. It consists of a drum 44, cable 45, upper pulleys 46 and lower pulleys 47, supporting gussets 48, runner 49, bearing structure 50 based on metallic columns, and guide 51 for making the entire useful path of the lifting mechanism reliable, with all of it being functionally equivalent to the hydraulic embodiment of reference.

[0118] FIG. 44 shows an alternative for the storage system 7, in this case with a supporting gusset with horizontal movement rotating about a vertical shaft for the storage system. This storage system 42 with horizontal gussets would have a bearing structure 52 also based on metallic columns anchored or not to the walls of the pit 6 and they would have the supporting gussets 53.

[0119] In another embodiment of the invention, FIGS. 45 and 46 show an alternative to the preferred folding bleacher solution, in this case a liftable bleacher 54 with vertical rather than rotational movement capacity with respect to a rotating shaft.

[0120] Furthermore, FIGS. 47 to 50 show another configuration of retractable lattice girders 60, these retractable lattice girders 60 being shorter, having a length only slightly greater than the width of the pit, but requiring double rolling for the lattice girder, and transport carriages 61 with double guidance and a double wheel, the first for being moved across the support slab 4, and the second for being moved over the retractable lattice girders 60 when the latter are deployed over the pit 6.

[0121] Both the mentioned embodiments for the retractable lattice girders 5 or 60 focus on the lattice girders being located on the field side and extending over the pit 6 towards the bleacher side, all for the purpose of not affecting the bleachers or affecting them as little as possible, or on there not being sufficient space, even where a side bleacher must be rebuilt, below that bleacher for installing the retractable lattice girders on the bleacher side. If all these limitations could be overcome, another embodiment of the invention is to build the retractable lattice girders 5 or 60, but on the bleacher side, which allows simplifying the system and the movements of the transport carriages 2 and eliminating the gaps to be made in the support slab 4 for housing the lattice girders on the field side, as well as the double guidance in the transport carriages 2 in the event of implementing retractable lattice girders 60 having a smaller length.

[0122] Having clearly described the invention, it is hereby stated that the particular embodiments described above may be susceptible to modifications in detail provided that such modifications do not alter the fundamental principle and essence of the invention.