US20030131766A1

US20030131766A1 - Temporary collapsible stage with an adjustable height

Info

Publication number: US20030131766A1
Application number: US10/045,547
Authority: US
Inventors: Yakov Petlakh
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-01-16
Filing date: 2002-01-16
Publication date: 2003-07-17

Abstract

A temporary collapsible stage having a plurality of individual platforms. Each individual platform has a top square portion and four corner portions. Adjustable telescopic legs secure these individual platforms to each other. Each adjustable telescopic leg has an inner leg member and an outer leg member both having a generally cross-shaped configuration. The corner portions of each platform can be inserted into and secured within the inner leg member of the adjustable telescopic leg, and the inner leg is in turn inserted into and secured within the outer leg member. The inner leg member and the outer leg member are provided with a plurality of pinholes for securing these leg members together. The height of each adjustable telescopic leg is adjusted by sliding the inner leg member with respect to the outer leg member and securing these leg members in the desired position by inserting pins into the appropriate pinholes of both leg members.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention generally relates to a temporary collapsible stage which is put together from individual platforms assembled and secured together. More specifically, the invention relates to a temporary collapsible stage having assembled legs with adjustable height, which connect together the provided individual platforms.

2. Description of the Related Art

The most common type of collapsible stage is composed of a plurality of wooden platforms, each of which typically has dimensions of 8′×4′, with metal legs for supporting the platforms. Typically these wooden platforms weigh 140-150 lbs each. Because collapsible stages are designed for an outside use, they get wet and absorb a lot of moisture if used in a rain. Consequently, their weight might increase to as much as 200 lbs. Another drawback of using wooden platforms and supporting frames is that once they deform during use, they do not return into their original shape. Consequently, at the time of a subsequent assembly, differences in levels of up to 2-3″ and horizontal cracks of up to 1{fraction (1/2)}-2″ are unavoidable. Therefore, the main drawback of using these wooden collapsible stages is the wear of the wooden blocks and deformation of the geometry of the composing pieces. Uneven surface on which the stage is to be installed contributes to these problems. Installation of these platforms is a heavy physical activity. Each wooden platform sized 8×4′ typically costs $150. Another alternative to the wooden platforms is the platforms made of plywood. However, they also deteriorate quickly and require additional investment to preserve their original shape.

Another popular type of collapsible stages is assembled from platforms built on metal armature/supporting structure. Typical size of an individual platform is 4×4′. These platforms serve longer than wooden platforms. Typical weight of such metal platform without legs is 76-78 lbs. Assembly of these metal platforms is also physically exhausting and requires use of special locks. When such metal stage is to be installed at a height greater than 36″, its legs require additional diagonal support to enable horizontal stability of the stage. Each platform without legs costs approximately $136.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,821, granted to Koch on Jun. 24, 1997, discloses a platform floor system, for use at trade shows and conventions, which includes a plurality of interconnected floor modules. Each module includes a top panel and a supporting rectangular frame supporting the top panel. Corners of each top panel are notched to form a plurality of openings between adjacent floor modules. Plastic plugs that seat within these openings interconnect the adjacently located floor modules by their prongs, which engage the supporting frames of each floor module. The '821 patent, however, does not allow a user to adjust the height of the provided platform system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lightweight temporary stage platform.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a temporary stage platform, which is easy to assemble and does not require any specialized knowledge.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a temporary stage platform which does not deteriorate under various whether conditions, for example in rain.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a temporary stage platform, which does not change its shape during use.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become evident to one skilled in the art upon reading of the detailed description of the invention, which is given below by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The above-enumerated objects are accomplished by a temporary collapsible stage composed of a plurality of individual platforms connected by telescopic assembled cross-shaped legs being adjustable as to their height. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of platforms is provided to be assembled into a temporary collapsible stage. The platforms are connected to each other by telescopic assembled cross-shaped legs each of which comprises an inner cross-shaped leg and an outer cross-shaped leg. The outer and inner cross-shaped legs are preferably sized so that the inner cross-shaped leg can be inserted into and secured within the outer cross-shaped leg. Each platform has a top portion and four corner portions. The corner portions of the platforms and the inner legs are configured in such a manner as to allow one corner portion of four adjacent platforms to be inserted into one inner leg and to be secured therein. The height of each assembled cross-shaped leg may be adjusted as desired by sliding its inner and outer legs with respect to each other and securing them at the desired height.

The proposed design of the temporary collapsible stage with telescopic assembled cross-shaped legs allows for a quick and reliable assembly of the stage, which is very stable regardless of the surface on which it is installed. Additionally, assembly of such stage does not require high level of physical endurance because the weight of the individual platform is about half of that of a conventional stage platform. In the preferred embodiment each platform weights approximately 38-40 lbs. In the preferred embodiment, the stage is made of a lightweight plastic material which does not absorb water and therefore is long lasting even under unfavorable whether conditions. The provided collapsible stage may be used in the entertainment industry, TV and movie production, restaurants, rental industry, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: [0014]
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of individual platform to be assembled into the temporary collapsible stage in accordance with the present invention. [0015]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the platform shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line B-B. [0016]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the telescopic cross-shaped leg assembled from the inner cross-shaped leg and the outer cross-shaped leg. [0017]
FIG. 4 is a top partial view of the assembly of four individual platforms connected together by the inner cross-shaped leg. [0018]
FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the assembly shown in FIG. 4, taken along the line C-C. [0019]
FIG. 6 is a top view of the assembled temporary collapsible stage assembled from N×N individual platforms in accordance with the present invention. [0020]
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly shown in FIG. 8 taken along the line A-A. [0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND THE DRAWINGS

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a collapsible stage platform is provided having telescopic cross-shaped adjustable legs allowing the platform to be installed on different surfaces. [0022]
In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of platforms is provided to be assembled into a temporary collapsible stage. One platform is shown in FIG. 1 and is generally designated with a [0023] reference number 10. In the preferred embodiment, each platform has a top square portion 2, four side portions 12 and four corner portions 4. As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, any other similar shape of the top portion of the platform may be utilized with the present invention. Each corner portion 4 has two corner sides 4 a and 4 b. Corner sides 4 a and 4 b are provided with at least one pinhole 8 on each side. In the preferred embodiment, the top square portion has dimensions of 4×4′ and each hole 8 is ¼″ in diameter. Each platform is preferably made of a lightweight plastic material to ease its transportation and installation.
Cross-sectional view of the platform is shown in FIG. 2. Each [0024] platform 10 is preferably provided with a rib 6 extending underneath the top square portion 2 from one side portion 12 to its opposing side portion 12. The rib 6 enables a structural rigidity of each platform.
In accordance with the preferred embodiment and as shown on FIG. 3, a plurality of [0025] cross-shaped legs 20 is provided for support and connection of platforms 10. Each leg 20 preferably comprises an outer cross-shaped leg 22, and an inner cross-shaped leg 24. The outer and inner cross-shaped legs are preferably configured such that the inner legs 24 can fit into their corresponding outer legs 22. Each inner leg 24 has a cross-shaped base 26 and walls 28 extending upwardly from the base 26. There is a plurality of pinholes 34 located along the walls 28 of each inner leg 24.
The [0026] inner legs 24 are preferably sized such that four corner portions 4 of four adjacent platforms 10 can be inserted into one inner leg 24. FIG. 4 shows four adjacent platforms 10 having their corresponding corner portions 4 inserted into the inner leg 24. The cross-sectional view of this assembly is shown in FIG. 5. When the corner portion 4 is inserted into its designated inner leg 24, inner surface of each corner side 4 a and 4 b is located adjacent to the wall 28. Each corner side 4 a and 4 b can be secured to the wall 28 by inserting pins into holes 8 and corresponding holes 34, as shown in FIG. 5.
Similarly to the [0027] inner legs 24, each outer leg 22 has a base 30 and walls 32 extending upwardly from the base 30. There is a plurality of pinholes 36 located along the walls 32 of each outer leg 22. Pin holes 36 of the outer legs 22 preferably correspond to the pinholes 34 of the inner legs 24. Thus when the inner leg 24 is inserted into the outer leg 24, as shown in FIG. 3, the legs may be secured together by inserting pins into corresponding pin holes. Because the pinholes 36 and 34 are provided along the entire length of each leg, it is possible to vary the height of the legs by sliding the inner leg 24 within the outer leg 22 upwardly or downwardly and then choosing appropriate pairs of pinholes to secure the legs with respect to each other in the chosen position. The inner and outer cross-shaped legs are preferably made of a lightweight plastic material to enable easy assembly, installation and maintenance.
After all four [0028] corner portions 4 of neighboring platforms are inserted into and secured within the inner leg 24 in the manner described above, the inner leg is inserted into and secured to the corresponding outer leg 22. A temporary collapsible stage assembled from N×N platforms is shown in FIG. 6. The platforms are connected to each other by inserting their corner portions into assembled cross-shaped legs 20 and securing these corner portions inside these legs by standard pins. The cross-sectional view of this assembly is shown in FIG. 7.
In another aspect of the preferred embodiment a [0029] biased spring 40, shown in FIG. 7, is extended between the inside surface of the base portion 30 of the outer leg 22 and the outside surface of the base portion 26 of the inner leg 24. This positioning of the biased spring 40 allows the user to simplify the assembly of cross-shaped legs 20 by using the attraction force of the biased spring to accomplish the telescopic connection, shown in FIG. 3, of the inner leg 24 and the outer leg 22. When the spring 40 is compressed, as shown in FIG. 7, it also provides an additional support for the assembled stage by exerting a spring force directed upwardly toward the inner leg and, consequently, toward the connected platforms.
In order to assemble the temporary stage provided in accordance with the present invention, the user first determines the necessary height of the stage from the ground or any other surface on which the stage is to be installed. The user then assembles the telescopic cross-shaped legs by bringing each [0030] inner leg 24 into a close proximity to its corresponding outer leg 22 and allowing the biased spring 40 to compress, thereby inserting the inner leg into the outer leg. The user then selects the height of each assembled leg, in accordance with the previously determined height of the stage, by choosing an appropriate pair of pinholes 34 and 36 and securing them together by inserting a pin therethrough. After the cross-shaped legs are assembled, the user proceeds to connect a number of platforms, predetermined in accordance with the required size of the stage, by inserting corner portions 4 of each platform into the inner legs 24 of their designated assembled cross-shaped legs 20. Each corner portion 4 is then secured to the associated inner leg 24 by inserting a pin through the pinhole 8 and its corresponding pin hole 34. The resulting assembled collapsible stage provides structural rigidity and integrity, while allowing for an ease of assembly and maintenance.
The proposed design of the temporary collapsible stage with telescopic assembled cross-shaped legs allows for a quick and reliable assembly of the stage which is very stable regardless of the surface on which it is installed. Additionally, assembly of such stage does not require high level of physical endurance because the weight of the individual platform is about half of that of a conventional stage platform. In the preferred embodiment, each platform weights approximately 38-40 lbs. Also in the preferred embodiment, the stage is made of a lightweight plastic material which does not absorb water and therefore is long lasting even under unfavorable whether conditions. The provided collapsible stage may be used in the entertainment industry, TV and movie production, restaurants, rental industry, etc. [0031]
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspect and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications that fall within the true sprit and scope of this invention. [0032]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A temporary collapsible stage comprising:

at least four platforms, each of said platforms having at least one corner portion, and

at least one adjustable leg, said leg having an inner leg member and an outer leg member; wherein said inner leg member has a generally cross-shaped configuration, wherein said outer leg member has a generally cross-shaped configuration, wherein said corner portion of said platform is configured to fit and secured within said inner leg member of said adjustable leg, wherein said inner leg member is configured to be inserted into said outer leg member, and wherein a position of said inner leg member within said outer leg member is adjusted based on the desired height of said stage.

2. The temporary collapsible stage according to claim 1, wherein each of said platforms further comprises a generally square shape.

3. The temporary collapsible stage according to claim 1, wherein said inner leg member and said outer leg member are telescopically connected to each other so as to form said adjustable leg.

4. The temporary collapsible stage according to claim 1, wherein said adjustable leg further comprises at least one biased spring extended between said inner leg member and said outer leg member, wherein said biased spring exerts an attracting force when said inner leg member is pulled away from said outer leg member, and wherein said biased spring exerts a repelling force when said inner leg member is pushed into said outer leg member.

5. The temporary collapsible stage according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of platforms made of a lightweight plastic material.

6. The temporary collapsible stage according to claim 1, wherein said adjustable leg made of a lightweight plastic material.

7. An adjustable connector for connecting a plurality of individual platforms into an assembled temporary stage, said connector comprising:

an inner leg member having a generally cross-shaped configuration, said inner leg member having a first base portion and a first plurality of walls extending upwardly from said base portion; and

an outer leg member having a generally cross-shaped configuration, said inner leg member having a second base portion and a second plurality of walls extending upwardly from said base portion;

wherein said first plurality of walls of said inner leg member further comprises a first plurality of aperture means located at different levels along said first plurality of walls, wherein said second plurality of walls of said outer leg member further comprises a second plurality of aperture means corresponding to said first plurality of aperture means and located at different levels along said second plurality of walls, wherein said inner leg member is insertable into said outer leg member, wherein a height of said adjustable connector is selectively adjusted by changing a respective position of said inner leg member with respect to said outer leg member, and wherein said inner leg member and said outer leg member are configured to be selectively secured to each other in said respective position by securing selected aperture means from said first plurality of aperture means to selected aperture means from said second plurality of aperture means.

8. The adjustable connector according to claim 7, wherein said inner leg member and said outer leg member are telescopically connected to each other so as to form said adjustable connector.

9. The adjustable connector according to claim 7, wherein said adjustable connector further comprises at least one biased spring extended between said first base portion of said inner leg member and said second base portion of said outer leg member, wherein said biased spring exerts an attracting force when said inner leg member is pulled away from said outer leg member, and wherein said biased spring exerts a repelling force when said inner leg member is pushed into said outer leg member.

10. The adjustable connector according to claim 7, wherein said adjustable connector further comprises a lightweight plastic material.