GB2345646A - Portable, variable, modular staging - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable presentation system, eg a stage, has various side panels 1, 2, 3 which are connectable via hinges at their vertical edges to make frames of various shapes and sizes. The frames are closed by various polygonal top inlay panels 4, which secure the frames in their shape. Side panels of the same height can be connected to from level frames of various shapes, eg square, rectangular, kite-shaped, hexagonal or other shapes, depending on the length of each side panel (fig 1). Side panels of different heights can be connected to form inclined frames (7, 8 fig 1). The panels can be connected by hinge knuckle joints which are locked by hinge pins 17. The hinges may have gaps 25, 26 in the joint to allow other elements to be attached. The panels can be folded flat or disassembled for moving and storage (fig 3). Other elements may include edge restraints (13 fig 1, fig 5), fencing (15 fig 1), fence panel supports 18, display panel walls (16 fig 1) and horizontal or inclined elevated linking beams (11, 12 fig 1, fig 6).

Description

PORTABLE PRESENTATIONAL STAGING The invention relates to staging platforms of the portable type used for music, drama, presentation and display.

It is a necessary requirement for performing artists or presenters to be both visible and audible to their audiences. For actors and musicians it is generally sufficient to elevate the performers into the view of the audience though there may be occasions when further elevation is required. For choirs it is beneficial to present the singers in tiers to allow for the clear transmission of the sound, for the singers to see their conductor and for overall visual effect.

Many performances involve travel to venues where the transporting of staging becomes a complex logistics exercise requiring specialist transport and stage management.

Existing staging systems generally address the end use requirements thereby limiting their use to static venues. Even where the equipment is more portable its bulk generally dictates the use of vans, trailers or large hatchbacks as transport. These systems include modular blocks, fixed frames and folding frames. The largest of these require a workforce to assemble and large vans to transport, the smaller occupy a bulk which limits their transportability even though these may be capable of assembly by a single person. Their modularity constraints also tend to limit their multi-functional uses.

Objectives of this invention are to provide a compact adaptable modular staging system capable of being transported in the boot of any vehicle or even a suitcase. An advantage of this modular variability is that the basic components may be adapted to a large variety of layout requirements thereby ensuring that a basic modular pack will adapt to any location constraint or presentational requirement.

According to the invention the objectives are achieved by means of sectional modular side panels with hinges at each vertical edge which, when connected, form open frame support modules of various horizontal and inclined profiles which are fixed in plan by top inlay panels of various polygonal plan forms. The frames may be contiguous or joined by intermediate linking beams to produce a multi-facetted structure with level differences achievable by step or incline and the facility for edge restraint, fencing or panel walling. Furthermore, the frame structure folds for compact storage, ease of transport and assembly but may be split into its component parts for assembly into different frame forms or where there are transport constraints.

The side panels may be of solid panel construction or may be of open frame design and may be constructed of plastics, wood, metal and composite materials or any combination of these. The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: FIGURE 1 shows layout options using a limited range of modular components ; FIGURE 2 is an exploded view showing the assembly interfaces between some of the elements shown in Figure 1; FIGURE 3 shows views of a folded and split frame ; FIGURE 4 is an exploded profile showing the assembly of a frame support structure and end seating linking beams together with the vertical stacking of frames and inlay top; FIGURE 5 shows plan and section detail of the end connections for a top seating linking beam; FIGURE 6 is a section detail showing removable supports for an intermediate beam.

Referring to the drawing FIGURE 1 shows layout options using a limited range of modular components. Rectangular frames are formed from two long sides and two short sides with rectangular top inlay panel in low 1 medium 2 and high 3 variations where 1 and 2 stacked achieve height 3. With different top inlay panels various shapes may be achieved with the same frame, rectangle 4 or parallelogram 5. By re-linking side panels within the same frame a kite shape 6 may be achieved. Inclined modules 7 may be created by using different heights of side panel together with sloping end panels. Ramped modules 8 may also be created by having one side as a minimal height wedge. Square frames 9 may be created using four sides of equal length. Hexagonal frames 10 may be created using six sides of equal length. Many other different plan forms may be created using variations in the number and length of sides together with tops of the appropriate plan forms. Horizontal 11 or inclined 12 end seating linking beams may be placed between support frames at various levels. Edge restraints 13 may be introduced, held in place by the inlay tops, or may be achieved by top seating edge check beams 14. Fencing 15 or panel walling 16 may be attached to the frames.

FIGURE 2 shows the assembly interfaces between some of the modular elements shown in Figure 1. In this example a low height rectangular frame support module 1 is stacked on top of a medium height rectangular frame support module 2. By partially withdrawing and replacing hinge pins 17 the end seating linking beams 11 are located, spanning across to a high rectangular frame support module 3. Inclined beams 12 are attached in the same way. Fence and panel support posts 18 may also be connected to the frame hinges by the same method. Edge restraints 13 may be placed within the open frames and secured by placing inlay panels 4 which also provide horizontal location to the whole layout. A top seating edge restraint linking beam 14 is held in place by an inlay panel 4.

FIGURE 3 shows how a frame module may be folded 19 or alternatively split into its side panel components 20. Side panel pairs of equal length 20 may then be pinned together for transportation or storage. To achieve optimum compactness when a rectangular frame is folded for transportation and storage 19, the hinge knuckle joints may be accommodated in grooves or gaps 21 within the long side panels.

FIGURE 4 shows in more detail the method of interlocking side panels to form modular support frames, the connection of end seating linking beams and support posts. In this example a frame side panel 22 has different hinge knuckle joint layouts between the left 23 and the right 24 of the side panel. The gap sequences 25, 26 produced in the stack of hinge knuckle joints allow for the connection of external elements such as linking beams 11 and support posts 18. In this example the end seating linking beam 11 and support post 18 have different hinge knuckle joint layouts between the left 27 and the right 28. By partially withdrawing hinge locating pins 17 the hinge knuckle joints 27 can engage within hinge knuckle gaps 25, similarly joints 28 engage within gaps 26. Lowering of pins 17 locks the end seating linking beam 11 in place. The hinge knuckle joints may be arranged in many different ways, the illustration shows one example. The entire withdrawal of a pin 17 is only required when the frame is dismantled for different frame layouts or where transport or storage space is very constrained. The stage platform is completed by placing the top inlay panels 4 into the frame surround 29. As panels may be placed with either face uppermost different finishes may be provided on each face. Stacking of frame support modules 30 is achieved by using the same location method as is used for the top inlay panels. Interface fit may be achieved by insetting the frame base relative to the upper frame, by outward flexure of the upper frame surround, or by a combination of these. Individual lower side panels may also be vertically stacked and linked with higher side panels within a frame module to achieve optimum use of modular components.

FIGURE 5 shows in plan and section elevation the end connection for a top seating edge restraint linking beam 14 with cut-outs 31,32 at the ends to laterally restrain the beam end within the corner surrounds 29 of supporting frames, vertically restrained by placement of top inlay panels 4. The beam may also be used inverted where an edge restraint is not required though a low upstand on this alternative top face may be included where the inlay panel requires edge restraint. A removable hinge pin 17 is shown which may be held secure within a groove in the side panel when the frame is folded.

FIGURE 6 shows in elevation and section a removable support 33 for an intermediate linldng beam 34 which may be used to link between frames where additional support is required. The support 33 is located in a socket 35 in a frame side panel 22. The support 33 has a deeper groove in its upper face 36 than in its lower face 37. By raising the support 33 it allows the lower edge of the support to pass through the socket 35. The support is then lowered to seat within the frame side panel, held in place by its own weight and the end bearing of the intermediate beam 34. An alternative arrangement is to locate a support 38 in unequal depth grooves located within a side frame 22. The same intermediate linking beam may also be used as an intermediate support beam 39 within a frame.

Claims (9)

1. CLAIMS 1. A portable presentational system comprising sectional modular side panels with hinges at each vertical edge which, when connected, form open frame support modules of various horizontal and inclined profiles which are fixed in plan by top inlay panels of various polygonal plan forms.
2. 2. A portable presentational system as claimed in Claim 1 with grooves or open frames to accommodate the hinge spindle when folded to achieve optimum compactness for transportation and storage.
3. 3. A portable presentational system as claimed in Claim 2 with inset interface and/or flexure between the frame base and the frame top surround to permit stacking of frame support modules.
4. 4. A portable presentational system as claimed in Claim 3 with removable hinge pins to allow for variations of frame layout, for more compact storage and transportation in a small car boot or in suitcases.
5. 5. A portable presentational system as claimed in Claim 4 with modular heights of side panel to permit stacking of individual low side panels as alternatives for high side panels within a linked frame module to achieve optimum use of available components in any layout.
6. 6. A portable presentational system as claimed in Claim 5 with sectioned hinge knuckle joints and removable hinge pins to allow external elements such as end locating beams and posts to be connected to the support frame.
7. 7. A portable presentational system as claimed in Claim 4 with top seating linking beam.
8. 8. A portable presentational system as claimed in Claim 4 with removable top seating support for intermediate linking beam or for inset screen or display panel.
9. 9. A portable presentational system as claimed in Claim 8 opened to a linear format to produce a display wall.