Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Spanning truss for hanging a load
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates generally to staging equipment but more
particularly to a spanning truss for hanging a load.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Staging equipment for use in concerts and other show business events
have been around for decades. They offer the advantage of providing
quick and easy set up and dismantling and are extremely versatile and
adaptable by combining a variety of shapes and sizes. The secret to the
versatility is in the regular addition of special modules, so there is always
a need for something new to adapt to the changing demands of the live
concert industry. In recent years, large LED screens have become quite
popular and they are sometimes suspended from staging trusses. The
problem is that the weight makes the span buckle which makes the
screen off level and crooked.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[003] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known devices
now present in the prior art, the present invention, which will be
described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide objects and
advantages which are:
[004] To provide for a spanning truss for hanging a load such as a giant LED
screen, for example.
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[005] In order to do so, the invention comprises an elongated beam frame
including two sides, each having an elongated top chord and an
elongated bottom chord connected by a plurality of diagonal web
members, and wherein the two sides are connected between respective
top chords by a plurality of straight web members and a plurality of X-
shaped braces connected between respective top chords and bottom
chords. At least one of the plurality of X-shaped braces includes a
central doughnut shaped connector member adapted to secure a central
pipe therethrough, an elongated central pipe extending the length of the
beam frame and attached to each of the plurality of X-shaped braces
and extending through and secured to the at least one central doughnut
shaped connector member of the at least one X-shaped brace, and at
least one attachment bracket having a proximal end that is removably
attached to the at least one central doughnut shaped connector
member, wherein the attachment bracket is elongated and extends in a
direction opposite from a side of the beam frame that includes the
straight web members, and wherein the attachment bracket has a distal
end that is adapted to releasably hold a load thereto.
[006] The beam frame has a square cross section along its elongated length.
20[007] The two sides has two opposite ends, wherein each opposite ends has
a male connector on one of the top chord and bottom chord, and
wherein each opposite ends has a female connector on one of the top
chord and bottom chord, such that the spanning truss is adapted to
releasably connect end-to-end to an adjacent spanning truss.
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[008] One of the plurality of X-shaped braces is located at one end of the
beam frame and is connected directly to the central pipe, and one of the
plurality of X-shaped braces is located at an opposite end of the beam
frame and is connected directly to the central pipe.
5[009] The at least one attachment bracket includes a connector member on a
distal end thereof that is adapted to releasably attach a load thereto.
[0010] The attachment bracket and the connector member together are formed
as a turnbuckle.
[0011] The turnbuckle is adjustable in length and thereby capable of micro
adjustments lengthwise.
[0012] There are at least two X-shaped braces each having a central doughnut
shaped connector member thereon for the central pipe to pass and
attach thereto.
[0013] A plurality of spanning trusses can be connected together in an end-to-
end fashion.
[0014] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important
features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof
that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional
features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will
form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
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[0015] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements
of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in
the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of
being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be
understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are
for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0016] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,
upon
which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that
the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0017] These together with othEx objects of the invention, along with the
various
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference
should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter
which contains illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
30
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Fig. 1 Isometric view of the invention.
[001] Fig. 2 Side view.
5[002] Fig. 3 Top view.
[003] Fig. 4 Front view.
[004] Fig. 5 Front view showing a plurality of spanning trusses connected
together.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
10[0019] A spanning truss (10) for hanging a load consists in a square (or
box)
beam frame (12) having a central pipe (14) running inside and along the
length of the frame (12). A plurality of "X" braces (16) secures the pipe
(14) in place.
[0020] The frame (12) has two sides (20) wherein each side (20) consists of a
15 top chord (19) and a bottom chord (21) connected by way of diagonal
web members (18). The two sides (20) are connected between their
respective top chords (19) by way of straight web members (22) as well
as by the plurality of "X" braces (16).
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[0021] Each side (20) has two opposite ends having connector members (26,
26') extending therefrom.
[0022] The central pipe (14) has a plurality of doughnut members (28) that are
circumferentially attached thereto. Attachment brackets (30) pass
through the doughnut members (28) and through the central pipe (14) to
be securedly fastened thereto. The doughnut member (28) is also
where strut members (32) forming part of the "X" braces (16) are
connected.
[0023] Each of the attachment bracket (30) has a proximal end fastened onto
the doughnut member (28) as described hereinabove and a distal end
terminated by a male or female connector member (26, 26') extending
therefrom. A load can be connected onto any of the connector members
(26, 26') of the plurality of attachment brackets (30).
[0024] At both ends of the frame (12), the "X" braces (16) connect directly to
the central pipe (14) without the need for the donut member (28).
[0025] The attachment brackets (30) are fashioned like turnbuckles, that means
they are capable of micro adjustments lengthwise. This is very important
when a heavy load is used and the frame may bend downwardly. This is
also the case when the span is very long.
20[0026] To keep the load perfectly level, it is important that micro
adjustments be
made by screwing the attachment bracket in or out.
[0027] In use, one or more frames (12) can be connected together to form a
spanning truss (10) which is connected to other compatible components
in order to form a structure. A load equipped with connector members
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(26, 26') is attached to the compatible connector member (26',26)
located on the attachment brackets (30).
[0028] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the
present invention, the same should be apparent from the above
description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of
usage and operation will be provided.
[0029] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that
the
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner
of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and
obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are
intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
[0030] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
15, principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to
limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and
described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents
may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
