Surface with airflow

Abstract

In at least some implementations, a user supportable surface, includes a floor having a playing surface and a plurality of openings through the playing surface of the floor and a support on which the floor is supported above the ground to define at least part of an air chamber in communication with the openings. The support and floor arranged to support one or more people on the floor. Air flow may be directed or provided through the openings to provide a flow of air at the playing surface.

1 . A user supportable surface, comprising:
 a floor having a playing surface and a plurality of openings through the playing surface of the floor; and   a support on which the floor is supported above the ground to define at least part of an air chamber in communication with the openings, the support and floor arranged to support one or more people on the floor.   
     
     
         2 . The surface of  claim 1  wherein the air chamber is substantially enclosed so that air that flows out of the air chamber does so primarily through the openings. 
     
     
         3 . The surface of  claim 1  wherein the openings extend through the floor and have a size that varies along their length. 
     
     
         4 . The surface of  claim 3  wherein the openings become larger as they extend away from the playing surface. 
     
     
         5 . The surface of  claim 4  wherein the openings are frustoconical in shape. 
     
     
         6 . The surface of  claim 1  wherein the floor is at least partially translucent so that light may pass through the floor. 
     
     
         7 . The surface of  claim 1  wherein the floor includes a plurality of floor sections located adjacent to one another to define a larger continuous surface. 
     
     
         8 . The surface of  claim 7  wherein each floor section is carried by a separate support. 
     
     
         9 . A system, comprising:
 a floor having a plurality of openings and being rigid and strong enough to support the weight of more than one person moving around on the floor;   an air chamber in communication with the openings; and   a blower communicated with the air chamber to force air through the air chamber and openings.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein a plurality of blowers are communicated with the air chamber. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9  which includes a plurality of air chambers and the blower communicates with more than one air chamber. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9  which includes a plurality of air chambers and the blower is communicated with one air chamber. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9  which also includes a support for the floor that is received between the floor and a ground surface to define the air chamber at least partially beneath the floor. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the floor includes a plurality of floor sections and a separate support is provided for each floor section. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein each floor section has its own air chamber, a plurality of blowers are provided, and each air chamber is communicated with a separate blower. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein each air chamber is substantially isolated from the other air chambers. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the openings in the floor are spaced apart such that at least one opening at least partially overlaps an imaginary three inch diameter circle anywhere on the floor. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the openings extend through the floor and have a size that varies along their length. 
     
     
         19 . A puck, comprising:
 a body with a generally circular periphery, opposed rims at the axial ends of the periphery and a cavity formed radially inwardly of each rim, each cavity having an undercut portion extending radially outwardly of a radially inner edge of its adjacent rim.   
     
     
         20 . The puck of  claim 19  which also includes an annulus provided within each cavity and radially inwardly spaced from each rim.