GB2281084A - Modular load bearing structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A modular load bearing structure (1) comprises a plurality of support members (3). Each support member (3) has an upright leg portion (4) and an integral cross-piece (6) extending generally at right angles to an upper end of the leg portion and terminating in a free end. The free end of each cross-piece (6) is adapted to be coupled to the upper end of the leg portion (4) of a like member (3'). Hence, the respective cross-pieces (6) can be assembled to form a closed load supporting frame (2) which extends in a horizontal plane and is supported from the upright leg portions (4). A plurality of brace members (20) may be used to interconnect the support members (3). <IMAGE>

Description

Modular Load Bearina Structure The present invention relates to a modular load bearing structure particularly, although not exclusively, for use as a temporary stage.

Conventionally a stage has either been permanently sited in a theatre for example, or a temporary stage has been erected for use at an event of limited duration such as a conference or a rock concert. The latter form of stage normally comprise a large number of parts which are assembled at the event to form a complete stage.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a modular load bearing structure which is both easy to transport and to assemble and which is lighter than known structures.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a modular load bearing structure comprising a plurality of support members each including an upright leg portion and an integral cross-piece extending generally at right angles to an upper end of the leg portion and terminating in a free end, the free end of each crosspiece being adapted to be coupled to the upper end of the leg portion of a like member whereby the respective cross-pieces can be assembled to form a closed load supporting frame extending in a horizontal plane and supported from the upright leg portions.

Since the structure is formed from support members that include only two integral portions extending at right angles, the disassembled structure is capable of being packed for storage and transport in a far smaller space than known systems involving modular support members extending in two dimensions.

In order to reinforce the structure the modular load supporting structure may include a plurality of brace members for interconnecting said support members, each brace member having two free ends adapted to be coupled to respective cross-pieces. By providing that the braces interconnect the mid points of opposing support members the load is more evenly distributed over the structure.

To facilitate coupling an L-shaped bracket may be provided at the free ends of the support and brace members support members.

Thus the bracket provides an inverted U-shaped slot capable of being slidingly engaged on a support member. Conveniently the brace member is provided with a bracket in two sizes, the first for engagement on a single support member and the second for engagement on a pair of longitudinally abutting support members.

Advantageously the members will be formed of open box-section for reduction of weight without sacrificing strength. The open box section advantageously provides a socket in the leg portion of the support member in which a spigot of a leg extension may be inserted.

To aid in understanding of the invention a specific embodiment thereof will be described, by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a modular load bearing structure according to the invention; Figure 2 is a scrap perspective view of the structure according to Figure 1 showing the connected support members; Figure 3 is a side elevation of the support member according to Figure 1; Figure 4 is a similar view of the brace member of Figure 1; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of an extension member for use with the support member of Figure 3.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, a modular load bearing structure 1 has four sets of self-supporting structures 2a,2b,2c,2d arranged to provide support for a set of boards forming a rectangular stage (not shown). Each structure 2 is made up of four, steel, rectangular box section support members 3,3',3",3"' each of which has a leg 4 depending from one end 5 of a cross-piece 6. Another end 7 of the cross-piece 6 terminates in a strap iron L-shaped bracket 8. The bracket 8 is welded along a portion of one limb 9 to the cross-piece 6 upper surface 10. The other limb 11 depends from the one limb 9 to define a U-shaped slot 12 for reception of another support member 3. The upper surface 10 of the cross-piece is covered with an impact absorbent elastomeric material 13 such as neoprene rubber.A space is left between two adjacent strips of material 13 at the mid-point of the cross-piece 6, to allow attachment of a brace as described below, and the material 13 also terminates level with the inner vertical surface of leg 4 to provide space for receipt of a bracket 8 of a like member. The structure 2 is assembled by sliding the one end 5 of the second support member 3' into the slot 12 defined by the bracket 8 at the other end 7 of the adjacent first member 3 to form a right angle between the members 3,3'. Similarly the third member 3" is connected to the second member 3' and the fourth member 3" is connected between the third 3"and first 3 members resulting in a four legged structure 2 of square plan.

To provide a large rectangular stage area four such structures 2 are arranged as quarters of the rectangular area. The structures being arranged so that each structure 2 has two support members 3 ",3 "' each of which is in contact with a support member 3''' , 3'' of a respective adjacent structure 2 and the said structure's remaining other two support members 3,3' defining part of the perimeter of the stage. It will be noted that the legs 4 of contacting members 3",3"' are spaced apart from one another to improve the load bearing capacity of the composite structure 1.

Each structure 2 is connected by a brace member 20 to a respective adjacent structure there being four brace members 20 required to interconnect the four structures. Each brace member 20 is a beam 21 of steel box section construction and has an iron, L-shaped bracket 22,23 welded to each of its free ends 24,25. The brackets 22,23 define slots 26,27 capable of sliding engagement over respectively, the mid-point of a single 28 and a pair 29 of adjacent support members 2 cross-pieces. The wider of the slots 27 is thus engaged over the adjacent contacted support members 3" ,3" ' and the narrower slot 26 over the support member 3' defining part of the perimeter of the stage.The upper surfaces of the brace members 20 between the brackets 22,23 are also covered with neoprene material 13, and thus the upper surfaces of all the brackets 8,22,23 are substantially flush with the load bearing surface provided by the neoprene 13. In order to extend the area of the stage further structures (not shown) may be connected to the existing ones. Where such structures have opposing sides both in contact with a further structure a brace member (not shown) may be used which has a pair of brackets each wide enough to engage over the resulting pair of adjacent support members cross-pieces.

Turning to Figure 5 a plurality of extension members 30 may be used to provide a stage of increased height. Each steel extension member 30 has a pair of legs 31,32 diagonally connected by a tie 33. Both legs are of rectangular box section with rubber feet 34,35 and each leg has a pair of rectangular steel plates 36,37 welded to opposing long sides inside its upper end. The legs 31,32 are arranged to have their longitudinal axes perpendicularly aligned in order that the plates 36,37 may engage with the complimentary box section of a correspondingly oriented leg 4.

Claims (11)

1. A modular load bearing structure comprising a plurality of support members each including an upright leg portion and an integral cross-piece extending generally at right angles to an upper end of the leg portion and terminating in a free end, the free end of each cross-piece being adapted to be coupled to the upper end of the leg portion of a like member whereby the respective crosspieces can be assembled to form a closed load supporting frame extending in a horizontal plane and supported from the upright leg portions.

2. A structure as claimed in Claim 1, which further includes a plurality of brace members for interconnecting said support members.

3. A structure as claimed in Claim 2, wherein each brace member has two free ends adapted to be coupled to respective cross-pieces of said support members.

4. A structure as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 3, wherein an L-shaped bracket is provided at a free end of each member in order to facilitate coupling.

5. A structure as claimed Claim 4 as appendant to Claim 3, wherein at least one bracket is sized to facilitate coupling to a single support member.

6. A structure as claimed Claim 4 as appendant to Claim 3, wherein at least one bracket is sized to facilitate coupling to a pair of longitudinally abutting support members.

7. A structure as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein each member is formed of open box-section.

8. A structure as claimed in Claim 7, wherein each support member is provided with a socket in the leg portion for receiving a correspondingly sized spigot of a leg extension member.

9. A structure as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the leg extension member comprises a pair of legs diagonally connected by a tie.

10. A structure as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the upper surface of each support member is covered with an impact absorbent elastomeric material.

11. A modular load bearing structure substantially as described herein, with reference to Figures 1 to 3, or Figure 4 or Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.