Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
2152650
This invention relates to stage frame assemblies and
is particularly concerned with such assemblies intended for
temporary use.
Stages intended for temporary erection, e.g., for
short-term open air performances, have been traditionally
built in laborious fashion by scaffold building techniques.
This is a time-consuming process which, even with use of
expert crews, may take up to seven working days for comple-
tion of a stage. The time taken for dismantling such a
stage is also excessive, added to which stowage of the
stage parts creates a further time-consuming problem. It
follows that the total expense of the erection and dis-
mantling operation may be exceedingly high particularly in
relation to the use of a stage after each erection.
The present invention seeks to provide a stage
assembly, a method of erecting such an assembly, and a kit
of parts for such an assembly which will minimise the above
problems.
It is known that assemblies and kits of parts for such
assembly have been used for the construction of bridges.
For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,521,932 patented June 11,
1981 by T.S. Parrmore purported to provide a bridge module
structure which comprised two longitudinal main girder
structures and a central deck having a deck surface. The
main girder structures were foldably connected along each
side of the central deck. They were foldable between an
operative position in which the main girder structures
offered extensions of the deck surface on either side of
21~26~0
the central deck, and a closed position, in which the main
girder structures were folded beneath the deck.
U.S. Patent No. 4,920,595 patented May 1, 1990 by R.
Fussinger et al purported to provide a dry bridge in kit
form, which was composed of individual bridge bays of
cross-sectional U-shape and of a cross-sectionally H-shaped
traversing beam. The bridge bays were composed of a
central part and of two side parts, the side parts con-
taining hollow parallelipedic track ways, and being fold-
able for transport underneath the central part. Whenlaunching the bridge, first the traversing beam was
assembled and launched, and then the individual bridge
segments were coupled together and moved over the travers-
ing beam. The traversing beam remained as a bridge support
element.
U.S. Patent No. 4,987,629 patented January 29, 1991 by
J.M. Muller purported to provide a wide-span bridge of the
cable-stayed type, which included two superimposed frames
each serving as a roadway. These frames were connected by
diagonal connecting girders slanting both relative to the
vertical and relative to the length of the bridge and
joining the edges of the upper and lower frames. They were
also connected by auxiliary connecting girders situated in
vertical planes passing through the edges of the lower
frame. The prestressing cables of a diagonal girder were
anchored to the edge of the upper frame, passed trans-
versely through the lower frame, and then passed through
the diagonal girder which was symmetrical therewith rela-
2152650
tive to the longitudinal vertical plane of symmetry of thebridge. The cables were anchored on the opposite edge of
the upper frame.
U.S. Patent 5, 173,981 patented December 29, 1992 by
R. Hasselkuist purported to provide a bridge construction
kit which included a bridge element of framework construc-
tion. Such bridge element included a first track lane and
a second track lane which were mutually parallel. A frame-
work structure was attached to the first track lane and to
the second track lane, and coupling means connected
together a plurality of bridge elements sequentially to
form a row of bridge elements. The framework structure
included a first section which was attached to the first
track lane, a second section which extended parallel to the
first section and was attached to the second track lane,
and a third section which connected the first section and
the second section together. The first section and the
second section were identical to each other and each
included a pair of mutually parallel, longitudinally-
extending bottom beams which are spaced a short distanceapart in a first plane, a triplet of top beams including
two outer beams and a central beam, arranged in a second
plane located above the first plane, the top beams being
mutually parallel and spaced-apart at a somewhat larger
distance than the bottom beams, pairs of vertically-mounted
struts which extended between the pair of bottom beams and
the two outer beams of the triplet of top beams, to form a
V-shape, and vertical diagonal struts which extended
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between the pair of bottom beams and connected the pair of
bottom beams together and to the central beam of the trip-
let of top beams. The third section included a plurality
of cross-beams which extended transversely between adjacent
outer beams of the first and the second sections to form a
longitudinally-extending space which was located beneath
the track lanes and which, in section, had the form of an
inverse V with a truncated apex.
U.S. Patent No; 5,261,138 patented November 16th, 1993
by G. Drago et al purported to provide a modular bridge.
Such bridge included a plurality of foldable portions or
modules interconnectible releasably in sequence longi-
tudinally. Each module included a central deck member and
two lateral deck members articulated to opposite sides of
the central deck member. Respective longitudinal beams
extended from the lower faces of the lateral deck members
and, together with the homologous beams of the other
modules, constituted the load-bearing trusses of the bridge
in its condition of use.
It is readily apparent that these patented structure
cannot form a stage structure. The modular bridge struc-
tures are merely connected end-to-end. In a stage struc-
ture, it is necessary that there be means for the attach-
ment of the pre-built members so as to extend in different
horizontal directions to create the stage floor area as a
two dimensional development.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a
stage frame assembly is provided comprising a plurality of
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pre-built rigid structural members, each of which is
elongate and comprises a plurality of rigid elongate
strength elements held in permanently laterally-spaced
relationship by relatively shorter rigid brace elements
extending between the elongate strength elements. At
least a lesser plurality of these structural members are
horizontal structural stage floor support members of a
stage floor support structure. Attachment means is pro-
vided which is moveable out of attachment positions in
which the attachment means detachably connect structural
members together in the assembly. Connectors are provided
on the elongate rigid structural members to provide for
extending the structural stage floor in different direc-
tions to create a stage floor as a two-dimensional develop-
ment. In addition, a plurality of adjustable levelling
means is included which supports some at least of the floor
support members at positions between their ends to hold the
floor support members substantially horizontal.
In a variant thereof, the attachment means comprise a
plurality of registration pins which are slidably received
within aligned holes in said rigid structural members which
are assembled together; e.g., wherein each such registra-
tion pin has a releasable retention means for retaining
said pin within its associated aligned holes.
In another variant thereof, each registration pin is
formed with a transverse through hole, and the retention
means comprises a retention peg received in, and projecting
from, the through hole.
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In still another variant thereof, in each registration
pin, the retention means comprises a retention member which
is resiliently urged into a pin retention position project-
ing from the pin.
In a variant thereof, each adjustable levelling means
is screw-threadably adjustable.
In another variant thereof, each such floor support
member which is supported by the adjustable levelling means
comprises: two rigid, elongate elements, positioned one
above another, and a load-distributing element provided for
each such adjustable levelling means, each such load-
distributing element extending laterally between, and
secured to, the two rigid elongate elements, and each such
levelling means comprising a screw-threaded adjustable part
which extends downwardly from, and supports, an associated
load-distributing element.
In still another variant thereof, each such load-
distributing element comprises a tube extending between
said two rigid elongate elements.
In another variant thereof, a lesser plurality of the
floor support members define borders of the stage floor
support structure.
In still another variant thereof, each such border-
defining member is of open box configuration comprising at
least three spaced-apart rigid elongate strength elements,
two of such elongate strength elements being spaced at the
same height, and the third such strength element being
21~2650
disposed at a position below the horizontally-spaced
elements.
In a variant thereof, other floor support members are
attached to the border-defining members, or to each other.
In another variant thereof, a lesser plurality of such
floor support members define borders to a stage floor
support structure.
In still another variant thereof, each such border-
defining member comprises four spaced-apart, rigid elongate
strength elements, two of such strength elements being
upper elements and being disposed in horizontal alignment,
and other floor support members are attached to the border-
defining members, or to each other.
In a variant thereof, a lesser plurality of such
structural members are vertical members, such vertical
members being spaced-apart.
In another variant thereof, a lesser plurality of such
floor support members extend between, and are detachably-
secured to, the vertical members by the attachment means.
In still another variant thereof, the vertical members
locate the floor support members in their horizontal posi-
tions.
In a variant thereof, such vertical members are pro-
vided with height adjustment and support means which extend
downwardly from, and support, the vertical members, thereby
to hold the vertical members in vertical positions.
215265D
In another variant thereof, each such vertical member
comprises at least three horizontally-spaced-apart, verti-
cal, rigid elongate strength elements.
In still another variant thereof, a lower end portion
of each such vertical member is provided with transversely-
extending beam means, the weight of such vertical member
being carried through the beam means into the height
adjustment and support means.
In a variant thereof, such beam means have vertical
tubes secured thereto.
In another variant thereof, such height adjustment and
support means comprises a plurality of screw jacks, each
such screw jacks having a screw shaft which is located
within, and extends upwardly into, an associated vertical
tube.
In still another variant thereof, each such vertical
member comprises four horizontally-spaced-apart vertical,
rigid, elongate strength elements.
In a variant thereof, the beam means comprises at
least two beams extending across the vertical member, the
beams being secured to two spaced, vertical, rigid,
elongate strength elements.
In a variant thereof, a lesser plurality of the struc-
tural members are vertical members, the vertical members
being spaced-apart.
In another variant thereof, a lesser plurality of the
floor support members extend between, and are detachably-
secured to, the vertical members by the attachment means.
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In still another variant thereof, the vertical members
locate the floor support members in their horizontal posi-
tions, and each such vertical member comprises at least
three horizontally-spaced-apart, vertical, rigid, elongate
strength elements.
In a variant thereof, a lesser plurality of the floor
support members comprise four spaced-apart, rigid, elongate
strength elements, each such strength element comprising
two element pairs, with the elements in each such pair
being disposed vertically one above the other, and each
such pair of elements is attached at each end thereof to an
individual, rigid, elongate, strength element of an asso-
ciated vertical member.
In another variant thereof, the attachment means com-
prises a plurality of registration pins each slidablyreceived through a hole provided in each floor support
member and in a corresponding and aligned hole in an
associated vertical member.
In still another variant thereof, each registration
pin is formed with a transverse through hole and a reten-
tion peg is received in and projects from the through hole
to releasably to retain the pin in the aligned holes.
In a variant thereof, a retention member is resil-
iently urged outwardly from each registration pin to form
a projection from the pin releasably to retain the pin
through the aligned holes.
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In a variant thereof, a lesser plurality of such floor
support members define borders of the stage floor support
structure.
in another variant thereof, each such border-defining
member is of open box configuration comprising at least
three spaced-apart rigid elongate strength elements, two of
the elongate strength elements being spaced at the same
height, and the third strength element being disposed at a
position below the horizontally-spaced elements.
In still another variant thereof, other floor support
members are attached to the border-defining members, or to
each other and the floor support members are attached to
each other by a plurality of registration means.
In a variant thereof, each registration means com-
prises an upwardly-open pocket on a side of a first
associated floor support member and a registration plate
extending from another associated floor support member, the
registration plate being received downwardly into the
pocket to retain the first associated floor support member
in assembled position under its own weight.
In a variant thereof, a lesser plurality of the struc-
tural members are vertical members, the vertical members
being spaced-apart.
In another variant thereof, a lesser plurality of the
floor support members extend between, and are detachably-
secured to, the vertical members by the attachment means.
215265~
In still another variant thereof, such vertical
members locate the floor support members in their hori-
zontal positions.
In a variant thereof, the vertical members are pro-
vided with height adjustment and support means which extenddownwardly from, and support, the vertical members, thereby
to hold the vertical members in vertical positions.
In another variant thereof, a lesser plurality of the
vertical members extend upwardly beyond the floor support
members, thereby to form roof support members, and a roof
structure is included which extends in a spaced position
from, and over, the stage floor support structure, the roof
structure being supported by the roof support members.
In still another variant thereof, each roof support
member includes a roof raising mechanism carried at a lower
end portion of the roof support member.
In a variant thereof, the roof raising mechanism of
each roof support member comprises a winch carried upon
beam means, the beam means extending transversely across
the lower end portion of the roof support member, and a
flexible elongate tensile member, the tensile member
extending upwards from the winch to the roof structure.
In still another variant thereof, the roof structure
comprises a plurality of pre-built, elongate, rigid, struc-
tural roof members each of which comprises a plurality ofrigid, elongate, strength elements held in permanent
laterally-spaced relationship by relatively shorter rigid
brace elements extending between the elongate strength
21 5265~
elements, the roof members being retained in laterally,
spaced-apart relationship by rigid connecting members which
extend laterally of, and are attached to, the roof members.
In still another variant thereof, each connecting
member comprises two rigid elongate strength elements held
in permanent, laterally-spaced relationship by relatively
shorter rigid brace elements extending between the elongate
strength elements of the connecting member.
In a variant thereof, two elongate strength elements
of such connecting member are detachably connected at each
end of the connecting member to two elongate strength
elements of a roof member.
In another variant thereof, each roof member comprises
three rigid, elongate, strength elements.
In still another variant thereof, the roof members are
located in horizontally-spaced relationship, with one of
such three rigid elongate strength elements of each roof
member being disposed at a position lower than the other
two of the three rigid elongate strength elements of the
roof member.
In a variant thereof, each connecting member has one
long elongate side and a shorter elongate side, the shorter
elongate side of each of such connecting members extending
between, and being attached to, upper elongate strength
elements of two roof members, and the longer side of each
of such connecting members extending between, and being
attached to, the lower, extending strength elements of the
two roof members.
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In another variant thereof, the connecting members are
disposed in a plurality of rows extending laterally of the
roof members, the rows being spaced-apart along the lengths
of the roof members; and, in each row, the long side of
each of the connecting member which extends from each side
of a lower elongate element of a roof member is connected
to the lower elongate element in side-by-side, closely-
adjacent positions.
In a variant thereof, a lesser plurality of the ver-
tical members extend upwardly beyond the floor supportmembers, thereby to form roof support members, and
including a roof structure extending in a spaced position
from, and over, the stage floor support structure, the roof
structure being supported by the roof support members.
In another variant thereof, the roof structure com-
prises a plurality of pre-built, elongate, rigid, struc-
tural roof members, each of which comprises a plurality of
rigid, elongate, strength elements held in permanent
laterally-spaced relationship by relatively shorter rigid
brace elements extending between the elongate strength
elements, the roof members being retained in laterally,
spaced-apart relationship by rigid connecting members which
extend laterally of, and are attached to, the roof members.
In still another variant thereof, each end of each
connecting member is provided with two attachment clips
which attach the connecting member to two elongate strength
elements of a roof member.
2152650
14
In a variant thereof, each attachment clip comprises
a rigid location element forming a slot, the slot receiving
an elongate strength element of a roof member therewithin.
In another variant thereof, includes a moveable slot
S closure element which extends across the open end of the
slot, and detachably holds the slot closure element, the
elongate strength element of the roof member within the
slot.
In still another variant thereof, the slot closure
element comprises a bar which is pivotally mounted at one
end to a one end of a location element on one side of the
slot, the bar being secured to the other end of the loca-
tion element on the other side of the slot by securing
means.
In a variant thereof, a lesser plurality of the struc-
tural members are vertical roof support members which
extend upwardly beyond stage floor support members and
which support a roof structure which extends in a position
over, and is spaced above, a stage floor support structure.
In another variant thereof, a lesser plurality of
stage floor support members define borders to the stage
floor support structure.
In still another variant thereof, each border-defining
member is of open box structure.
In a variant thereof, each border-defining member is
open box structure comprising at least three rigid,
elongate, strength elements, two of such three rigid,
elongate strength elements being spaced horizontally, and
21526SO
the third of such three rigid elongate strength elements
being disposed at a position below the horizontally-spaced
elements, the border-defining members extending between,
and being attached to, the roof support members.
In another variant thereof, each of the roof support
members is of open box structure comprising at least three
horizontally-spaced-apart rigid, elongate, strength
elements, the structure being provided at a lower end
portion with a tra~sversely extending beam means, wherein
the weight of the roof support member is carried through
the beam means into height adjustment and support means.
In still another variant thereof, each roof support
member includes a roof raising mechanism carried at a lower
end portion of the roof support member.
The present invention provides, in another aspect, a
kit of parts for a stage frame assembly comprising a
plurality of pre-built rigid structural members, each
structural member being elongate and comprising a plurality
of rigid, elongate, strength elements held in permanent,
laterally-spaced relationship by shorter, rigid, brace
elements, the brace element extending between the elongate
strength elements, a lesser plurality of the structural
members providing horizontal structural stage floor support
members of a stage floor support structure, the structural
members having attachment positions for connecting struc-
tural members together in forming the assembly, attachment
means for attaching the structural members together at
attachment positions, the attachment means including
21526~0
attachment means on the elongate strength elements to
enable extending a structural stage floor in different
directions to create the stage floor as a two-dimensional
development, and a plurality of adjustable, levelling means
for supporting stage floor support members at positions
between their ends to hold the floor support members in a
substantially-horizontal position.
In a variant thereof, each adjustable levelling means
is screw-threadabl~-adjustable.
In another variant thereof, each floor support member
to be supported in a substantially-horizontal position
comprises a load-distributing element which extends
laterally between, and is secured to, two rigid elongate
elements of the floor support member, whereby, with the two
rigid elongate elements positioned one directly above the
other, the screw-threaded part of the levelling means is
locatable so as to extend downwardly from, and so as to
support, the load-distributing element.
In still another variant thereof, each load-distri-
buting element comprises a tube extending between two
associated rigid elongate strength elements.
In a variant thereof, the screw-threaded part of an
associated levelling means is locatable upwardly inside the
tube.
In a variant thereof, wherein the attachment means
comprises a plurality of registration pins for slidable
reception through aligned holes of the structural members
at the attachment positions.
21526~ D
In another variant thereof, each registration pin has
a releasable retention means for retaining the pin within
aligned holes through which lt is to be received.
In still another variant thereof, the retention means
comprises a retention member which is resiliently urged
into a pin-retention position whereby it projects from the
pin.
In a variant thereof, a lessor plurality of the struc-
tural members are provided to extend vertically.
In another variant thereof, the structural members are
formed with holes at attachment positions for alignment
with holes in floor support members and for acceptance of
registration pins through aligned holes of the vertical
members and of the floor support members.
In still another variant thereof, at attachment posi-
tions of the members which are provided to extend verti-
cally, axes of the formed holes extend laterally of major
axes of the members, whereby, with the members in vertical
positions, the holes extend horizontally for acceptance of
the registration pins.
In a variant thereof, the lateral flanges are formed
with holes.
In another variant thereof, some at least of the
flanges are each formed with a plurality of holes along the
length of the flange for height adjustment of the floor
support members during making of the assembly.
In a variant thereof, the attachment means comprises
a plurality of registration pins for slidable reception
21526~0
18
though aligned holes of the structural members at the
attachment positions.
In another variant thereof, wherein a lessor plurality
of said structural members are provided to extend verti-
cally and such structural members being formed with holdsat attachment positions for alignment with holes in the
floor support members and for acceptance of registration
pins through aligned holes of the vertical members and of
the floor support members.
In still another variant thereof, each member which is
provided to extend vertically has a height adjustment and
support means.
In a variant thereof, each member which is provided to
extend vertically comprises at least three laterally-
spaced-apart, rigid elongate strength elements.
In another variant thereof, wherein one end portion
includes beam means, the beam means being adapted to be
disposed at a lower end of the member when the member is in
a vertical position so as to carry the weight of the verti-
cal member into the height adjustment and support means.
In still another variant thereof, wherein in each suchmember which is provided to extend vertically, the beam
means have tubes attached thereto, the tubes extending
longitudinally of the member so as to be disposed verti-
cally when the member is in a vertical position, andwherein the height adjustment and support means comprises
a plurality of screw jacks, each screw jack having a screw
21S26~0
19
shaft for location within, and to extend into, an asso-
ciated vertical tube.
In a variant thereof, wherein each member provided to
extend vertically comprises at least four laterally-spaced-
apart, rigid, elongate strength elements and the beam meanscomprises at least two beams extending across the member
and secured to two spaced, rigid, elongate strength
elements.
In another variant thereof, wherein a lesser plurality
of the floor support members which are provided to extend
between vertical members comprise four spaced-apart, rigid,
elongate strength elements comprising two element pairs,
with elements in each such pair being adapted to be dis-
posed one above the other in the assembly for attachment,
at each end, to an individual, rigid, elongate, strength
element of a vertical member.
In still another variant thereof, wherein the floor
support members which are to extend between vertical
members are provided to define borders of the stage floor
structure, and a plurality of floor support members which
are provided to extend horizontally are adapted to be
attached to the border-defining members, or to each other.
In a variant thereof, the kit is provided with a plur-
ality of registration means to attach the floor support
members to each other.
In another variant thereof, the plurality of regis-
tration means comprise pockets on sides of a lessor plur-
ality of floor support members and complementary plates
2152650
extending from ends of another lessor plurality of floor
support members, the pockets being disposed to open
upwardly in the assembly so as to receive the plates
downwardly and to retain floor support members in assembled
position under their own weight.
In a variant thereof, the attachment means comprises
a plurality of registration pins for slidable reception
through aligned holes of the structural members at the
attachment positions.
In another variant thereof, a lessor plurality of the
structural members are provided to extend vertically, and
structural means are formed with holes at attachment posi-
tions for alignment with holes in the floor support members
and for acceptance of registration pins through aligned
holes of the vertical members and of the floor support
members, and the members which are provided to extend
vertically are of sufficient length to extend upwardly
beyond the stage floor structure, thereby to form roof
support members to support a roof structure which is spaced
from, and above, the stage floor support structure.
In still another variant thereof, the kit comprises a
plurality of pre-built rigid, structural roof members which
are provided for assembly of the roof structure, the roof
members comprising a plurality of rigid, elongate, strength
elements held in laterally-spaced relationship by shorter,
rigid, brace elements which extend between the elongate
strength elements, and rigid connecting members are pro-
vided for holding the roof members in laterally-spaced-
2i52650
apart relationship with the connecting members extending
laterally between the roof members.
In a variant thereof, wherein each end of each rigid
connecting member is provided with two attachment clips for
attaching the connecting member to two elongate, strength
elements of a roof member.
In another variant thereof, wherein each attachment
clip comprises a rigid location element forming a slot for
receiving an elongate strength element of a roof member
therewithin, and a moveable slot closure element provided
to extend across the open end of the slot, and which is
adapted detachably to hold the elongate strength element of
the roof member within the slot.
In still another variant thereof, wherein the slot
closure element comprises a bar which is pivotally-mounted
at one end to one end of a location element on one side of
the slot, and including a securing means to secure the bar
to the other end of the location means when the bar extends
across the open end of the slot.
In a variant thereof, wherein each roof member com-
prises three rigid, elongate, strength elements, the roof
members being locatable in horizontal, parallel-spaced
relationship with one of the elongate strength elements of
each roof member which is disposed at a lower position than
the other two of the three rigid elongate strength elements
of the roof member, and each connecting member has one long
elongate side and a shorter elongate side, the shorter
elongate side of each connecting member being provided to
2152650
extend between, and to be attached to, upper elongate
strength elements of two roof members, and the long side of
each of the connecting member being provided to extend
between, and to be attached to, upper elongate strength
elements of two roof members.
In still another variant thereof, wherein each con-
necting member comprises two elongate strength elements,
one of the strength elements defining a long side and the
other strength element defining a shorter side of the con-
necting member, and an attachment clip mounted upon eachend of each strength element for connection to a roof
member.
In a variant thereof, wherein the attachment means
comprises a plurality of registration pins for slidable
reception through aligned holes of the structural members
at the attachment positions.
In another variant thereof, wherein a lessor plurality
of the structural members are provided to extend verti-
cally, and structural means being formed with holes at
attachment positions for alignment with holes in the floor
support members and for acceptance of registration pins
through aligned holes of the vertical members and of the
floor support members, and the members which are provided
to extend vertically are of sufficient length to extend
upwardly beyond the stage floor structure, thereby to form
roof support members to support a roof structure which is
spaced from, and above, the stage floor support structure.
215~650
23
In still another variant thereof, wherein the kit
comprises a plurality of pre-built rigid, structural roof
members which are provided for assembly of the roof struc-
ture, the roof members comprising a plurality of rigid,
elongate, strength elements held in laterally-spaced
relationship by shorter, rigid, brace elements which extend
between the elongate strength elements, and rigid con-
necting members are provided for holding the roof members
in laterally-spaced-apart relationship with the connecting
members extending laterally between the roof members.
In a variant thereof, wherein each end of each rigid
connecting member is provided with two attachment clips for
attaching the connecting member to two elongate, strength
elements of a roof member.
In another variant thereof, wherein each attachment
clip comprises a rigid location element forming a slot for
receiving an elongate strength element of a roof member
therewithin, and a moveable slot closure element provided
to extend across the open end of the slot, and which is
adapted detachably to hold the elongate strength element of
the roof member within the slot.
In still another variant thereof, wherein the slot
closure element comprises a bar which pivotally-mounted at
its one end to one end of a location element on one side of
the slot, and a securing means to secure the bar to the
other end of the location means when the bar extends across
the open end of the slot.
2152650
24
In a variant thereof, wherein each roof member com-
prises three rigid, elongate, strength elements, the roof
members being locatable in horizontal, parallel-spaced
relationship with one of the elongate strength elements of
each the roof member which is disposed at a lower position
than the other two of the three rigid elongate strength
elements of the roof member, and each connecting member has
one long elongate side and a shorter elongate side, the
shorter elongate side of each connecting member being
provided to extend between, and to be attached to, upper
elongate strength elements of two roof members, and the
long side of each of connecting member being provided to
extend between, and to be attached to, upper elongate
strength elements of two roof members.
In another variant thereof, wherein each connecting
member comprises two elongate strength elements, one of
said strength elements defining a long side and the other
said strength element defining a shorter side of the con-
necting member, and an attachment clip mounted upon each
end of each strength element for connection to a roof
member, and each roof support member having an end portion
which is adapted to be located at a lower end of the
support member in the stage frame assembly, the end portion
carrying a roof raising mechanism.
In still another variant thereof, wherein, at the end
portion of each roof support member, transversely-extending
beam means is provided, the beam means being adapted to
support the roof-raising mechanism.
215265~
In a variant thereof, wherein a height adjustment and
support means is provided for each roof support member,
each height adjustment and support means being locatable to
carry the weight of the roof support member through the
beam means.
In another variant thereof, wherein the roof raising
mechanism of each roof support member comprises a winch and
a flexible elongate tensile member and is adapted to extend
from one end, which is connected to the winch, longitudi-
nally of, and then outwardly from, the roof support member
to be connected at its other end to the roof structure.
In still another variant thereof, wherein, in each
roof support member, the beam means have tubes attached
thereto, the tubes extending longitudinally of the roof
support member, and being adapted to be disposed vertically
in the assembly, and the height adjustment and support
means comprises a plurality of screw jacks, each screw jack
having a screw shaft for location within, and being adapted
to extend upwardly into, an associated vertical tube.
By another aspect of this invention, a method is
provided of assembling a stage frame comprising the steps
of: providing a plurality of pre-built, rigid structural
members, each of which is elongate and comprises a plur-
ality of rigid elongate strength elements which are held in
permanent, laterally-spaced-apart relationship by shorter
rigid brace elements, the brace elements extending between
the elongate strength elements; detachably connecting the
structural members together with attachment means, with a
21526SD
26
lesser plurality of the members being horizontal and being
adapted to provide stage floor support members of a stage
floor support structure; and supporting a lesser plurality
of the floor support members at positions between their
.5 ends upon adjustable levelling means, thereby to hold the
floor support members substantially horizontal.
By a variant thereof, each levelling means comprises
a screw-threaded part, and the method includes the further
steps of positioning the screw-threaded part to extend
downwardly from, and to support an associated load distri-
buting element which extends laterally between, and is
secured to, two rigid vertically-aligned, elongate strength
elements of a floor support member.
By another variant, the attachment means comprises a
plurality of registration pins, and the structural members
are formed with pin-receiving holes in attachment positions
of the members, the method includes the further steps of
disposing associated structural members together with pin-
receiving holes of the members moved into alignment, and
slidably-receiving the registration pins through aligned
holes.
By yet a further variant, the method includes the
still further steps of aligning the pin-receiving holes
horizontally, and locating the registration pins hori-
zontally through the holes.
By yet another variant, the method includes thefurther step of providing releasable retention means which
2152650
are adapted to retain each registration pin in position and
locating the registration pins through the aligned holes.
By a still further variant, the method includes the
further step of forming the stage floor support structure
by initially assembling floor support members to define
borders of the stage floor structure and then attaching
floor support members between the border defining members,
and between each other.
By a further variant, the method includes the step of
attaching the floor support members to each other by a
plurality of registration means.
By yet another variant, each registration means
comprises an upwardly open pocket on a side of one of the
floor support members and a plate at an end of another
floor support member, and the method includes the addi-
' tional step of lowering another support member into
assembled position with the plate received downwardly into
the respective pocket, thereby to retain a support member
in assembled position under its own weight.
In a variant thereof, a lesser plurality of the struc-
tural members are vertical members, and the method includes
the further step of disposing a lesser plurality of the
floor support members between vertical members, and
attaching ends of floor support members to the vertical
members to form the stage floor support structure.
By another variant thereof, a lesser plurality of the
vertical members are roof support members, and the method
includes the further steps of disposing the roof support
2152650
28
members in desired positions apart which are adapted to
extend upwardly beyond the stage floor support structure,
and then locating a roof structure into a desired location
which is adapted to be supported by the roof support
members above, and being spaced from, the stage floor
support structure.
By a further variant, the method includes the further
step of raising the roof structure in pre-built condition
into its desired location by operation of roof raising
mechanisms which are carried at lower end regions of the
roof support members.
By another variant, each roof support member is of
open box structure, and the method includes the further
step of raising the pre-built roof structure into its
desired location by flexible elongate tensile members which
extend upwardly from spaced positions of the roof structure
and downwardly through each roof support member to each
raising mechanism.
By yet another variant, the method includes the
further step of pre-building the roof structure by the
further steps of providing a plurality of pre-built, rigid
structural, roof members, disposing said roof members in
laterally-spaced-apart relationship, and connecting the
roof members when they are in their laterally-spaced-apart
relationship by locating connecting members laterally
between, and attaching them to, the roof members.
By still another variant, each connecting member com-
prises two rigid elongate structural elements held in
2152650
29
permanent laterally-spaced relationship by shorter rigid
brace elements which extend between the elongate strength
elements, and the method includes the further steps of
detachably-connecting the two elongate strength elements at
each end of each connecting member to two elongate strength
elements of a roof member. By a still further variant, the
method includes the further steps of detachably connecting
an elongate strength element at each end of each connecting
member to an associated elongate strength element of a roof
member by locating the elongate strength element of the
roof member within an attachment clip which has been
disposed at end of the connecting member.
By still another variant, the method includes the
further step of disposing each elongate strength element of
a main roof member in a slot of an associated attachment
clip, and the step of positioning a moveable slot closure
element across the open end of the slot to hold the
elongate strength element of the roof member within the
slot.
Thus, in more general terms, a stage frame assembly,
according to aspects of the present invention as defined
above, contemplates the use of a plurality of pre-built
structural members which are assembled together to form the
frame assembly by attachment means. The adjustable
levelling means ensures that the erected stage frame
assembly is substantially horizontal while compensating for
differences in the ground level below the floor support
members. The additional connectors which are provided on
2152650
the elongate rigid structural members to provide for
extending the structural stage floor in different directors
to create a stage floor as a two-dimensional development.
As may be seen from the above, the pre-built
structural members ensure a minimization in the amount of
on-site erection and dismantling, which has previously been
required, with the attendant reduction of time necessary
for these operations. It has been shown that for a speci-
fic stage size with specific structural features, e.g., a
roof, and which would take up to seven days for erection
when using conventional erection techniques, in contrast a
stage having a frame assembly constructed according to the
above inventive concept may be erected within between 24
and 48 hours, while using the same erection crew.
While the attachment means may comprise screw threaded
means, e.g., appropriately dimensioned nuts and bolts, it
is preferred, for the purpose of shortening the erection
time, to provide the attachment means in the form of a
plurality of registration pins which are slidably received
within aligned holes in the assembled-together structural
members. The registration pins preferably have a releas-
able retention means for retaining them within their asso-
ciated holes.
For strength requirements it is preferred that each
floor support, which has an adjustable levelling means,
comprises at least two rigid elongate elements positioned
one above another and that a load-distributing element
extend between these two elongate elements. The associated
21526~
levelling means generally comprises a screw threaded part
which extends downwardly from and supports an associated
load distributing element.
For structural integrity requirements, it is preferred
for some of the floor support members to provide border-
defining members for areas of the stage floor support
structure. These border defining members are preferably of
open box configuration having at least three, spaced-apart
rigid elongate strength elements. Two of these elongate
strength elements should be spaced at substantially the
same height, with the third elongate strength element being
disposed at a position below the horizontally spaced
elements. Other floor support members may be attached to
the border-defining members, or to each other. It is
preferred, however, that the border-defining members should
have four, spaced-apart, rigid elongate strength elements
which are located at the corners of a rectangle.
While it is possible for the floor support members to
define the whole stage structure, it is preferred that some
of the structural members be vertical members which are
horizontally-spaced-apart, and that some of the floor
support members extend between, and be attached to, the
vertical members by the attachment means.
The vertical members should preferably be provided
with their own height adjustment and support means for
relative vertical adjustment. In a simple stage frame
assembly structure according to aspects of this invention,
the vertical members terminate at, or below, the upper
2152650
level of the floor support members and effectively form
part of the stage floor support structure. However, for
large stages requiring roof structures, it is preferred
that the vertical members be sufficiently long to extend
upwardly beyond the floor support members so as to form
roof support members which are adapted to support the roof
structure which is spaced from the stage floor. With this
type of arrangement, it is preferred to provide a roof-
raising mechanism at the lower end portion of each roof
support member, whereby a pre-built roof structure may be
raised into its use position by substantially-simultaneous
operation of each of the roof raising mechanisms. The roof
structure is preferably constructed of pre-built rigid
structural roof members, each comprising elongate rigid
strength elements which are held in permanently spaced
positions by shorter rigid brace elements. These roof
members are held in laterally-spaced positions by con-
necting members, which themselves preferably comprise two
rigid elongate strength elements which are also held in
laterally-spaced relationship. These two elongate strength
elements are connected at their ends to two elongate
strength elements of two roof members. The roof structure
may need to be particularly rigid for the purpose of
carrying equipment and cables necessary for use in the
conducting of an outside entertainment performance. Such
equipment may include a variety of, and a distribution of,
lighting and electrical cables and acoustic equipment as
required for such specific performances. With this is
215~6~
mind, and to resist any roof sagging tendency, the con-
necting members should provide tensile strength to the
underside of the roof structure laterally of the spaced
roof members. To permit this type of construction, each
roof member should have a lower elongate strength element
which is commonly joined to connecting members extending
from opposite sides of the roof member. The connecting
members are preferably arranged in rows which extend
laterally of the roof members. Connecting members on each
side of a roof member and in the same row are connected, in
this preferred arrangement, to the lower elongate strength
element of the roof member in closely adjacent side-by-side
positions to provide a strong tensile structure in a
lateral direction of the roof members.
The invention, in another aspect, further includes a
kit of parts for a stage frame assembly comprising a plur-
ality of pre-built rigid structural members some of which
are provided to serve as horizontal structural stage floor
support members of a stage floor support structure, the
structural members having attachment positions for con-
necting them together in forming the assembly. The kit of
parts of this feature of the invention also includes
attachment means for attaching the structural members
together at attachment positions. Connectors are provided
on the elongate rigid structural members to provide for
extending the structural stage floor in different direc-
tions to create a stage floor as a two-dimensional develop-
ment, and a plurality of adjustable levelling means for
- ~ 2is26s~
34
supporting some at least of the stage floor support members
at positions between their ends to hold the floor support
members substantially horizontally.
In the accompanying drawings,
.5 Figure 1 is a side elevational of a truck in which a
kit of parts for a stage frame assembly is used as the
rigid truck body for transportation purposes;
Figure 2 is depicted in a larger scale and is an
isometric view of a pre-built rigid structural member to
act as a floor support member of the assembly;
Figure 3 is an isometric view of a rigid structural
member forming a roof support member of the assembly and
showing its connection to a floor support member;
Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the stage
frame assembly partially constructed;
Figure 5 is a front diagrammatic isometric view of the
completed stage frame assembly showing the pre-built struc-
tural members in block form for convenience;
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view to larger scale
taken along line 6-6 in Figure 3 to show the method of
assembly of floor support members to the roof support
members;
Figure 7 is a side elevational view of a registration
pin which is a modification of that shown in Figure 6 and
to a larger scale;
Figures 8, 9 and 10 are plan views showing three
different stages in the assembly of the floor support
structure of the stage;
2152650
Figure 11 is a side elevational view of a floor
support member which is of different structure from that
shown in Figure 2;
Figure 12 is a plan view of the floor support member
in Figure 11 and taken in the direction of arrow 12 in
Figure 11;
Figure 13 is a isometric view showing the connections
together of floor support members;
Figure 14 is a plan view of part of an underfloor;
10Figure 15 is an isometric view of part of a rigid roof
member;
Figure 16 is a side elevational view of a roof
structure;
Figure 17 is a view in the direction of arrow 17 in
15Figure 16 of the roof structure and to a larger scale;
Figure 18 is a side elevational view of part of the
roof structure;
Figure 19 is an isometric view showing a detail at an
end of a connecting member and to a larger scale than
20Figure 18;
Figure 20 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing the
completed stage frame assembly;
Figure 21 is a view similar to Figure 10 of a second
embodiment; and
25Figures 22 and 23 are views similar to Figure 3 of
third and fourth embodiments.
In a first embodiment as shown by Figure 1, a kit of
parts for an outdoor stage frame assembly is composed of
2152650
a plurality of separate units 10 (shown in chain dotted
outline), the components being rigidly tied together to
form the main structural component 11 of a truck and
extending between the driving cab end 12 and a wheeled
trailing end 14 of the truck. The units of the kit are to
be transported in this manner to an appropriate site for
assembly purposes.
The total kit of parts comprises a plurality of pre-
built rigid structural members which provide a stage floor
support structure, as will be described hereinafter, verti-
cally-extending members for supporting a roof structure, as
will be described hereinafter, and members to form the roof
structure. These individual pre-assembled parts will now
be described.
A plurality of floor-support members 16 is shown in
Figure 2. Each comprises at least three, and, in the
embodiment shown, four, rigid, elongate strength elements
18. These strength elements 18 extend through the full
length of the floor support members 16 and are usually of
extruded metal section. The four strength elements 18 are
held at the four corners of a square, (in cross section),
by relatively shorter rigid brace elements 20, which extend
between the elongate strength elements 18 and are prefer-
ably welded thereto. The brace elements 20 alternate in
angle to the longitudinal direction of the floor support
member 16 with their ends lying closely adjacent so as to
extend on each side of the floor support member 16 in zig-
zag fashion, as shown in Figure 2.
21526~D
A plurality of adjustable levelling means 21 is pro-
vided for holding the floor support members 16 in a sub-
stantially horizontal position when forming part of the
stage frame assembly. As shown by Figure 2, each adjust-
able levelling means 12 is screw-threadably adjustable and
comprises a lower screw-threaded shaft 22 having a bottom,
ground-contacting pad 24, and a winged nut 26 which is
located beneath an inner tube 28, into which the screw-
threaded shaft 22 extends. In each levelling means 21, the
inner tube 28 carries a part of the weight of the floor
support member 16 by being telescopically received within
an outer tube 30, which thereby provides a load distri-
buting element for the floor support member 16. The outer
tube 30 is provided with through holes 32 through which a
load bearing pin, (not shown), is adapted to be passed for
engaging the upper end of the tube 28 and thus fixing both
the axial and longitudinal positions of the inner tube 28
within the tube 30. Each of the outer tubes 30 extends
laterally of the floor support member 16 and is welded to
two elongate strength elements 18, with the outer tubes 30
extending along the opposite sides of the floor support
member 16 and in lateral alignment.
The kit of parts also includes vertical rigid struc-
tural members 32 (Figures 3 and 4) which are constructed
similarly to the construction of the floor support members
16. Each member 32 may be a single pre-built member, but
in the embodiment shown, where a certain height is required
for roof location, each member 32 comprises a long lower
21526~
section 32a and a short upper section 32b which is attached
to the lower section 32b. The two sections 32a and 32b are
similarly constructed; therefore only the lower section 32a
need be described.
Each lower section 32a comprises four elongate
strength elements 34-1, 34-2, 34-3, 34-4 which are held in
spaced positions by shorter brace elements 36. The floor
support members 16 are used to provide for bordering floor
support areas of the stage, and are for connection, either
to vertically-extending structural members, or to each
other. For this purpose, at a lower end portion of each of
the vertical members 32, two diagonally-opposite strength
elements 34-1, 34-3, are each provided with a longitu-
dinally-extending, lateral flange 38, which is formed with
longitudinally-spaced, transversely-extending holes 39.
The flanges 38 are disposed at right angles to each other.
One other element 34-4 is provided with two flanges 40
extending at right angles to each other, with each flange
40 being parallel to an individual flange 38. The flanges
40 are formed with similar holes 39. As shown in Figures
2 and 3, each floor support member 16 has attachment
positions at its ends, which are provided by two pairs of
two lugs 42, each lug 42 having pin-receiving holes 44
therein. The lugs 42 are arranged in two pairs, the lugs
in one pair being disposed above the lugs of the other pair
for accepting, within the lugs, a flange 38 or a flange 40
as may be desired.
21S26~0
Each of the vertical structural members 32 has a
height adjustment and support means 46. Thus, for the
structural member shown in Fig. 3, this comprises four
structures 46 of similar, but perhaps more robust, con-
struction to the levelling means 21 of the floor supportmembers 16 shown in Fig. 2. Each means 46 is carried
adjacent to an individual strength element 34 upon a beam
means in the form of a beam 48 which extends diagonally
across the lower end of its structural member 32 between
strength elements 34-1 and 34-3. In Figure 3 only one beam
48 is shown, the other beam being hidden below the closest
elongate element 34-2. Each height adjustment and support
means 46 is a screw threaded device comprising an outer
tube 50 extending vertically and secured to its associated
beam 48, a screw shaft 52 telescoped within and extending
out from the lower end of the outer tube 50, a winged
adjustment nut 54 and a lower support pad 56 secured to
screw shaft 52.
Each of the vertical structural members 32 include an
elevating device. Thus, each of the vertical members 32 is
provided as a roof support member and also has a roof
raising mechanism 200 for lifting the roof into the upper
position. As shown particularly by Figure 3, the roof
raising mechanism 200 of each vertical structural member 32
comprises a winch 122 operated by a motor 124 (preferably
electrical) with the winch supported upon the beams 48 at
the lower end portion of the vertical structural member 32.
Within each vertical structural member 32, a flexible ten-
21526~0
sile member, in the form of a rope 126 extends upwards from
the winch 122. The rope 126 extends around a pulley struc-
ture 128 at the top of the vertical structural member 32
and then down the outside of the vertical structural member
32 to be connected to a pre-built roof structure (as will
be described hereinafter with reference to Figure 4).
The first part of the stage assembly is constructed by
assembling, in a central area, each vertical member struc-
tural 32 from its sections 32a and 32b. One of the sec-
tions of each vertical structural member 32 has lugssimilar to lugs 42 (Figure 3) for receiving a male fitting
(not shown). A quickly releasable registration pin (to be
described hereinafter) is received through aligned holes in
each lug and its male fitting to hold the sections
together. Four vertical members 32 are then disposed at
corners of a rectangle or square as shown in Figures 4 and
5, and are held by cranes, (not shown), in these positions
until they are retained safely in position by other parts
of the stage assembly structure. Floor support members 16
are positioned to extend between the vertical structural
members 32. Flanges 38 and 40 are received within lugs 42
to align holes 44 with appropriate holes 39 in flanges 38,
40 to obtain the required height for the floor stage struc-
ture. Attachment means comprising registration pins 58 (as
shown in Figure 6) are passed through the aligned holes 39,
40 to form the assembly of the members. Figure 6 shows two
pins 58 in assembled position. Each registration pin 58
has a releasable retention means to retain the pin in posi-
215265~
41
tion. As shown, such retention means comprises a retention
peg in the form of a split pin (or cotter pin) 60 received
through a transverse hole (unnumbered) in each pin S8.
In a modification, as shown in Figure 7, a registra-
tion pin 62 has a retention means in the form of a ball 64
received in a hemi-globular depression the pin and urged
outwardly to project from a surface thereof by an internal
compression spring (not shown).
As may be seen from Figures 4 and 5, the floor support
members 16 may be of different lengths and may be connected
not only to the vertical members 32, but also to each other
to accommodate a required distance between the vertical
structural members 32. For instance, floor support members
16a and 16b are connected at a position 16c. While ends of
the members 16 being described as having lugs 42, in the
particular instances, at position 16c, one of the support
members 16a and 16b has, in contrast, male fittings (not
shown) for insertion within lugs of the other member for
accommodating registration pins 58.
During the above-described assembly procedure, adjust-
ment is made to the various height adjustment and support
means 46 and to the levelling means 21 for ensuring the
members 32 are at their required relative vertical posi-
tions and that the floor support members 16 are horizontal.
The central stage area is then increased outwardly
from each vertical member 32 by the employment of two
further vertical support members (32 (no numbered 72),
namely, two such vertical structural members being disposed
2152650
42
outwardly from each end of the stage (Figure 4 and Figure
5). Each vertical member 72 is of substantially the same
height as a section 32a of a vertical support member 32 and
has its own adjustment and support means 46 as previously
described. Together with the location of the vertical
members 72, additional floor support members 16 are posi-
tioned to extend between the vertical members 32 and 72 and
also are positioned to extend between the vertical members
72 along the two sides of the total stage floor area
(Figures 4 and 5). The additional members 16 are attached
to the vertical members 32 and 72 by pins 58 in the manner
described above for the earlier mentioned floor support
members.
At this intermediate stage of the construction, the
stage floor support structure is as shown in Figure 8, with
the floor support members 16 forming border-defining
members for the centre stage region and for the two side
regions of the floor support structure. As is shown by
Figures 4 and 5, the vertical support members 32 and 72 are
then stabilized in position by the location of further
horizontal structural members 74 similar to floor support
members 16 between them at locations vertically-spaced
substantially above the floor support members 16. At the
front of the stage as shown closest to the viewer in Figure
4, these horizontal structural members 74, which extend
outwardly from each vertical support member 32 to its
adjacent vertical support member 72, are similar in
construction to the floor support members 16 and are
215~65D
43
attached to the vertical support members 32, 72 in a
similar fashion by means of registration pins s8. Further
horizontal support members 76, which extend transversely
from front and rear vertical support members 32 and 72 and
S also across the rear of the stage between vertical support
members 32 and 72, are of simpler construction. This is
shown diagrammatically in Figure 5 in which each horizontal
support member 76 has only two elongate strength elements
78 which are spaced apart by shorter rigid brace elements
80. The brace elements 78 are disposed one above another.
Each end of each horizontal support member 76 has two lugs
(not shown) of similar construction to the lugs 42 des-
cribed above. These two lugs are attached to appropriate
flanges (also not shown) at the upper end regions of the
vertical support members 32 and 72 by means of registration
pins 58.
The stage floor support structure is then completed in
the following steps.
The next step involves the use of floor support
members 82 (see Figures 11 and 12), each of which has only
two elongate strength elements 84. These are spaced apart
by shorter rigid brace elements 86 arranged in zig-zag
fashion along the length of each floor support member 82.
The floor support members 82 are disposed to extend in a
front to rear direction of the stage floor areas between
front and rear border defining members 16. The floor
support members 82 are quickly located and held in position
under their own weight by a plurality of registration means
21526~Q
shown in Figure 13. Each registration means comprises an
upwardly open pocket 88 defined by two spaced-apart facing,
corner brackets disposed in the appropriate position along
the length of the associated floor support member 16 and
facing inwardly of the stage area. Each pocket comprises
two metal brackets 90 welded in spaced-apart positions to
the upper inside facing strength element 18 of the asso-
ciated floor support member 16. Each bracket has a load
supporting base 92 and pocket forming sides 94. As shown
in Figure 13, the upper elongate strength element 84 of
each member 82 extends beyond the lower elongate strength
element 84. At each end of the upper element the regis-
tration means includes a registration plate 96 which
extends transversely of the element 84, the registration
plate 96 being of such a size as to be received downwardly
and snugly into an associated pocket 88. Thus, the floor
support members 82 are disposed downwardly into position
with each of its ends carried upon a single pocket 88 of a
floor support member 16. This is the condition of the
assembly as shown in Figure 9. In a modification as shown
by chain dotted outline in Figure 13, each of the floor
support members 82 may have its lower elongate element 84
extended and also provided with a plate 96 for location
within a lower pocket 88 of the same structure as described
above.
As shown by Figures 11 and 12, each of the floor
support members 82 is provided with a plurality of spaced-
apart, load-distributing elements, each in the form of a
2152650
tube 100 extending between the two elongate elements 84.
These tubes surmount adjustable levelling means (not shown)
of similar construction to the levelling means 21 beneath
each floor support 16 and as shown in Figure 2. Thus, the
floor support members 82 are also held from beneath in
their horizontal positions to assist in the horizontal
support of the floor support members 16. At spaced inter-
vals between the floor support members 82 are disposed
other floor support members 102 (Figure 13). These floor
support members 102 are of similar construction to the
floor support members 82. As may be seen in Fig. 13, each
floor support member 102 is provided with end registration
plates 104 for downward reception in upwardly open pockets
106 mounted upon the upper strength elements 84 of the
associated floor support members 82. The plates 104 and
receiving pockets 106 are of the construction, respec-
tively, of the plates 92 and pockets 88 described above.
The stage floor support structure is then as shown by
Figure 10.
The floor is then completed as shown by Figure 5 by
assembling a flat rigid underfloor 110, preferably of metal
(see Figure 14) the underfloor 110 comprised of rigid
elongate members 112 extending in spaced-parallel relation-
ship with shorter members 114 extending between them and
welded to the members 112. The underfloor 110 is composed
of relatively small manageable sections, each comprising
two or more of the elongate members 112. This structure
110 is partly shown diagrammatically in Figure 5 in the
2152650
46
right hand corner of the floor structure. Over the under-
floor 110 a floor 116 is provided, the floor 116 being
composed of a plurality of wooden boards of appropriate
thickness for anticipated strength requirements and of
relatively small manageable size for assembly purposes.
The floor 116 is also partly shown in Figure 5. The under-
floor 110 and the floor 116 are secured in position by
quickly releasable means which may comprise metal ties,
(not shown), extending around strength elements of the
floor support members. These ties extend through holes in
the floor 116 with tie ends twisted together beneath the
floor.
It is therefore seen that the elongate strength
elements are provided with connectors at the ends thereof
lS and along their length so that a structural stage floor can
be extended in four horizontal directions to create com-
plete stage floor.
As is shown in Figure 16 and 20 and also in chain
dotted outline in Figure 5, the stage frame assembly also
has a roof structure 120 spaced above the stage floor
support structure which lies within the confines of the
vertical support members 32. It is intended that the roof
structure 120 is to be pre-assembled on the floor of the
stage (Figure 4) and then to be hoisted in the assembled
condition into its upper position as shown in full outline
in Figure 20 using the roof-raising mechanism 200 prev-
iously described.
2152650
47
The roof structure 120 (as shown by Figure 15) com-
prises a plurality of elongate pre-built rigid structural
roof members 132. Each structural roof member 132 com-
prises a plurality (namely three) of elongate strength
elements 134 and 134a (see also Figure 16) held in perma-
nent, parallel, spaced-apart relationship by shorter rigid
brace elements 136 extending between, and welded to, the
strength elements 134, 134a. The structural roof members
132 are held in parallel spaced-apart relationship from
front to rear of the stage so that each structural roof
member 132 extends laterally of the stage. In each struc-
tural roof member (Figure 15), one of the strength elements
134a is disposed at an elevation which is lower than the
other two strength elements 134 which extend horizontally
at the same height. The shorter brace elements 136, which
extend upwards from the lower strength element 134a, are
parallel to each other and lie normal to the longitudinal
direction of the strength elements 134. The brace elements
136 extending between the upper elements 134 are arranged
in a zig-zag pattern.
The structural roof members 132 are detachably held
apart in the roof structure by a plurality of rigid con-
necting members 138 (Figure 16) which are disposed in a
plurality of parallel rows (Figure 17). Figure 17 is an
underside view of part of the completed roof structure.
For clarity, only the lower strength elements 134a and the
lower parts of the connecting members are shown. The rows
are spaced apart longitudinally of the structural roof
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48
members 132 with each connecting member 138 extending
laterally of the structural roof members 132.
Each connecting member 138 (Figure 18) comprises a
long elongate side 140 and a shorter elongate side 142.
These sides are permanently spaced-apart by a zig-zag
formation of transversely extending rigid elongate members
144 welded at their ends to the sides. Each end of each
connecting member 138 is provided with two attachment clips
146 mounted one upon an individual end of each side 140 and
142 by which the connecting member is mounted to two spaced
apart roof members 132 between which it extends. Each clip
146 (Figure 19) comprises a rigid location element 148,
generally of inverted U shape to define a downwardly
opening bight 150. A moveable bight closure element com-
prises a U shaped bar 152 which is pivotally mounted by a
free end of the bar to the location element 148 at one side
of the bight 150. The bar 152 is of such a length when it
is pivoted, so as to extend completely across the element
148 and close the bight 150 with a base 154 of the bar
positioned outside the element 148. In this position, the
base 154 is secured to the element 148 by a screw 156
passing through the base 154 and into the element 148.
The roof structure is assembled upon the completed
stage floor (Figure 4) with the clips 146 of the shorter
sides 142 of the connecting members 138 receiving upper
strength elements 134 of the roof members 132 and the clips
of the longer sides 140 receiving the lower strength
elements 134a (also Figure 18). The connecting and roof
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members are quickly assembled by pivoting the bars 152 from
open positions (as shown in Figure 19) to full closed
positions as shown in Figure 18, and securing the screws
156 into position. To provide the greatest possible
tensile strength at the lower side of the roof structure,
the connecting members 138 in each row, and extending from
each side of a roof member 132, necessarily require their
clips 146 upon the longer sides 140 to be connected side by
side in closely adjacent positions to the lower elongate
strength member 134a of the roof member (Figure 17). The
connecting members 138 are thus staggered slightly from
side to side of a longitudinal centre in each row. This
closeness minimizes or avoids bending of the lower strength
elements 134a of the roof members 132 under the total
weight of the roof structure, and the weight of the roof
covering and of cables and lights which may be added to the
roof. Thus, tensile loads in the lower side of the roof
structure are taken in one direction by the lower strength
elements 134a of the roof members and in the other direc-
tion by the longer sides 140 of the connecting members.
A canopy support structure (Figures 5 and 16) is thenprovided to extend beyond the front of the stage floor.
This structure comprises a plurality of spaced-apart
tapered cantilever arms 158 which are secured to the most
forward of the roof members 132 in the manner described for
mounting the connecting members 138, the arms 158 being
disposed in the rows of connecting members 138. Canopy
front edge supports (not shown) may be mounted to extend
21S26SO
so
between the cantilever arms 158 at their forward narrow
ends.
Upon completion of the roof structure, it is then
raised to its upper use position in the stage frame
assembly (Figures 5, 16 and 20). The raising step is
performed by the four roof raising mechanisms within the
four vertical structural members 32 operating substantially
simultaneously. In the upper position, the roof structure
may be supported solely by the ropes 126 or, in addition,
holding structures (not shown) may be added to secure the
structure to the members 32.
Inclined stage cover supports 160 (Figures 5 and 20)
are then positioned to extend between the tops of the
vertical members 72 and 32. The supports 160 are spaced-
apart from front to rear of the frame assembly and may beof any design to provide sufficient strength to support a
weatherproof stage cover. The supports 160 are secured to
the members 72 and 32 in any suitable fashion. This com-
pletes the stage frame assembly. A weatherproof stage
cover 162, in chain-dotted outline in Figure 5, is then
added to complete the stage, the cover being secured by
straps in appropriate places to the stage frame assembly.
The stage frame assembly of the described first
embodiment of this invention, minimizes the assembly time
needed for construction by the use of the pre-built struc-
tural components which are designed and built to be
assembled together by the use of the registration pins 58,
by the method of assembly of the floor support members and
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51
by the roof structure which is completed at a lower level
and is then lifted to its upper use position. The stage of
the above construction, according to aspects of the present
invention, may be assembled within a single day by an
experienced structural team. This assembly time, and also
the subsequent dismantling time, is acceptably realistic
for open-air performances of short duration in one loca-
tion, e.g. single night performances.
With the pre-built structures of aspects of the inven-
tion, a stage of any size may be built quickly and may be
enlarged or made smaller as required. For instance, as
shown in Figure 21, in a second embodiment, in which parts
similar to those of the first embodiment bear the same
reference numerals, a stage floor support structure 170 is
shown which comprises the floor support structure of the
first embodiment and also includes a forward extension 172.
In this embodiment, two additional roof support members 32d
and vertical side members 72d are included. These are,
respectively, of identical design to the members 32 and 72
of the first embodiment and are disposed forwardly of the
structure and in line with the members 32 and 72. The
stage floor support structure is completed forwardly of the
members 32 and 72 by the addition of floor support members
16, as in the first embodiment, floor support members 82a,
shorter in length than members 82 of the first embodiment,
and floor support members 102a. A roof structure which is
sufficiently large to cover the whole floor area between
the rearward and forward roof support members 32 and 32d is
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52
constructed in the manner of the first embodiment and is
raised into its upper use position by the six lifting
mechanisms of the members 32 and 32d.
Also, it is not essential for each of the floor border
defining members and the vertical members to have four
elongate strength members. For instance, in a third
embodiment (shown in Figure 22) which is otherwise similar
to the first embodiment, the border defining members 16 are
replaced by border defining members 174, each of which has
only three elongate strength members 18. Two of these
members 18 are disposed one above the other and are detach-
ably secured to a flange 40 of a roof support member 32,
and the other member 18 is detachably secured to a flange
38.
In a fourth embodiment, (shown in Figure 23), a simple
stage structure is provided which is devoid of a roof
structure. As shown in Figure 23, in this simple stage
structure, additional vertical structural members extending
upwardly beyond the floor support members 16 are unneces-
sary. In this simple structure, the floor support members
16 are of the same structure and are assembled together as
described in the first embodiment to form the floor support
structure. However, short vertical structural members 180
are used at corners of the floor support structure and to
which the border defining members 16 are assembled. Each
of the vertical members 180 comprises only three vertical
strength elements 34-1, 34-2, 34-3, as distinct from four
such elements in the first embodiment. The three elements
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34-1, 34-2, 34-3 of each vertical member 180 are positioned
so that the border-defining floor support members 16 may be
attached to flanges 38 and 40 of the vertical structural
members 34-1, 34-2, 34-3 in the manner described in the
first embodiment. The three vertical strength elements 34-
1, 34-2, 34-3 are held rigidly in spaced-apart positions by
transverse short brace elements 182. With this structure,
the floor (not shown) will extend across the complete floor
support structure and also across the upper ends of the
vertical structural members 180. A plurality of height
adjustment and levelling means 46 (as previously described)
are included. Two of these are shown in Figure 23, but
more may be required for each vertical member 180.
