Abstract:
A deployable mobile stage system with an automatic leveling system. A remote controlling device interfaces with an internal controller of the mobile stage for transforming the stage from a transport position to a deployed position. Multiple level sensors provide feedback to the controller of the stage to automatically level the stage using jacks and outriggers hydraulically or mechanically controlled by the controller. The level sensors could be 3-axis sensors which provide level data to the CPU of the internal controller, which then forms determinations as to which jacks to raise or lower, when, and at what rate.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/184,152, filed Jun. 24, 2015, and is a continuation in part of and claims priority in U.S. Patent Application No. 15/162,265, filed May 23, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/165,492, filed May 22, 2015, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to a wireless control system and method for use thereof, and more specifically to a wireless control system for a mobile hydraulic transforming stage system including self-leveling features. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    When mobile hydraulic stages are set up on site, one of the first steps involves leveling the stage. This is done, naturally, to ensure stability of the stage during use. 
         [0006]    Mobile hydraulic stages commonly have a number of hydraulically and/or mechanically operated jacks which are manually actuated to ensure the stage is level. These jacks are actuated and then manually checked with a common level at various points around the stage. 
         [0007]    The issues with manual actuation/level-checking of the jacks is that it is time consuming (and not as accurate). 
         [0008]    Mobile performance stages are commonly used for temporary venues, performances, or rallies. Typical mobile performance stages must be assembled on site. Modern mobile stages may come in the form of a trailer, wherein the mobile stage is collapsible to a compact and mobile unit. 
         [0009]    Mobile stages are often an economical alternative to erecting a permanent stage at a site. The typical reasons for electing to use a mobile stage include temporary use, cost, and reliability. Cutting the costs of using a mobile stage provides additional incentive for using a mobile stage. The simplest way to cut costs would be to reduce the number of persons and steps required to setup and operate the stage. Costs are also saved when the owner of a mobile stage knows the stage will last. These cost savings can be passed on to customers, increasing the incentive to use one mobile stage over another. 
         [0010]    What is needed is a highly transportable stage system with a controller to allow the stage to be transformed from a compact/transportation position to a functional stage position and back. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention generally provides a self-leveling system for a deployable mobile hydraulic concert stage. A remote mobile computing device may be used for controlling the hydraulic system of the stage, where self-leveling sensors ensure the stage is level between or during commands sent by the remote mobile computing device. The mobile computing device can be any basic personal computing device such as a smart phone, tablet computer, laptop, smart watch (or other smart accessory) or a proprietary control unit. The mobile computing device interfaces wirelessly with a receiver unit located on the mobile stage. The receiver unit relays commands to a hydraulic system which then commands various valves to open and/or close, thereby transforming the mobile stage from a first, deployed position to a second, transport position or back. The leveling sensors maintain stage stability while the stage is in the first, deployed position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrating various objects and features thereof. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a box diagram representing the elements encompassing a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a three-dimensional isometric view of a mobile stage in a first, deployed position as controlled via a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart diagramming the steps taken by a computer in connection with a mobile hydraulic stage when performing functions of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     I. Introduction and Environment 
       [0016]    As required, detailed aspects of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
         [0017]    Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as orientated in the view being referred to. The words, “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the aspect being described and designated parts thereof. Forwardly and rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction of travel, if appropriate. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning. Additional examples include computing devices such as a mobile smart device including a display device for viewing a typical web browser or user interface will be commonly referred to throughout the following description. The type of device, computer, display, or user interface may vary when practicing an embodiment of the present invention. A computing device could be represented by a desktop personal computer, a laptop computer, “smart” mobile phones, PDAs, tablets, smart watches, or other handheld computing devices. 
       II. Preferred Embodiment Self-Leveling Mobile Stage System  2   
       [0018]    Previously, the operation of a mobile hydraulic stage has required a user to manipulate the stage set-up using either a wired or wireless control pack. This can be cumbersome to the user as these packs are often large and inconvenient to carry around. However, modern mobile devices such as cell phones, tablets, laptops and wearable technology have wireless technology built into them and are commonplace in today&#39;s society. Being able to use an application installed onto one of these small, mobile “smart” devices to operate a mobile hydraulic stage provides a user with a much more convenient process when setting up or taking down the stage. These operations involve walking, climbing and otherwise moving around the stage performing inspections to ensure that the stage is properly deployed and that it properly returns to a pre-set-up state. Using a small “smart” wireless device to control the stage during these procedures would expedite the process and allow the operator freedom of motion without being restrained by physical wires or cumbersome control units. 
         [0019]    Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are two commonly present forms of wireless technology which could be used to interface from the control application to the stage, however, any wireless technology available (now or in the future) could be used instead 
         [0020]    Referring to the figures in more detail,  FIG. 1  outlines the components of a self-leveling system  2  used on a mobile hydraulic stage  4  which may automatically actuate all leveling jacks  61  on the stage using a plurality of sensors (e.g. leveling sensors  63 ,  65 ,  67 ,  69 ) placed in various locations of the stage itself for providing feedback data to a controller  16  CPU  20 . The sensors  63 ,  65 ,  67 ,  69  could be calibrated to offer a certain level of accuracy. Actuation itself could be done via electronic hydraulic valves  38 - 56  and/or a mechanical system of some sort. It may also be possible to level only portions of the stage, although common that the entire foundation be leveled at once. 
         [0021]    The user may control the self-leveling system via a remote control unit  6 , such as a mobile computing device, which may include a control screen, switches, and/or levers integrated into the stage or as part of a wireless control system separate from the stage. The user may also have the ability to interrupt and control the speed of this process once underway, if needed. In the case of a remote computer, it would necessarily include an antenna  8  for wirelessly communicating with the local controller  16  of the stage  4 , along with data storage  12  for storing a software user interface application  14  which allows the user to interact with the stage remotely and a CPU  10 . Similarly, the local controller  16  would require an antenna  18  for sending and receiving wireless signals with the remote controls  6 , along with the local CPU  20 , data storage  22 , and a signal amplifier/translator  24 . Signals out from the local controller  16  would then automatically feed to the adjustable floor jacks  61  based upon signals received by the level sensors  63 ,  65 ,  67 ,  69 . It should be noted that any number of level sensors could be used, the more used providing increased feedback potential and accuracy. A preferred embodiment will utilize 3-axis level sensors which the CPU  20  will control for acceptable limits of tilt along each axis. Automation of the leveling of the stage is the ultimate goal of this invention. 
         [0022]    Taking this a step further, the leveling system  2  itself may be able to offer feedback on if certain parts of the system are faulty, assuming the system fails to successfully level the stage. This could include indicators that one or more of the floor jacks  61  are failing to provide adequate lift to the stage floor. 
         [0023]    As shown through  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the mobile stage hydraulic system  26  is made of up generally two parts: the hydraulic fluid supply and return system  28  and the electro-mechanical hydraulic valve bank  30 . The fluid supply/return system  28  generally includes the pump  32  for the hydraulic fluid, a power unit  34  (e.g. gasoline, diesel, or electric motor), and a fluid reservoir  36  for storing the hydraulic fluid. 
         [0024]    The electro-mechanical hydraulic valve bank  30  includes a number of valves corresponding with respective components of the mobile stage  4  as shown in  FIG. 2 . A roof  1 A valve  38  connects to and controls a roof  1 A panel  62  which hinges away from the static roof panel  82 , and a similar roof  1 B valve  40  connects to and controls a roof  1 B panel  64  which again hinges away from the central static roof panel  82 , as depicted in  FIG. 2 . This forms a covering for the floor of the stage. 
         [0025]    A floor  1 A valve  42  is connected to and controls a floor  1 A panel  66  which hinges away from a central static floor panel  84 . Similarly a floor  1 B valve  44  is connected to and controls a floor  1 B panel  68  which hinges the opposite direction away from the static central floor panel  84 . This forms the base of the stage. 
         [0026]    Four outrigger valves, outrigger #1  46 ; outrigger #2  48 ; outrigger #3  50 ; and outrigger #4  52 , correspond with and connect and control respective outrigger #1  70 ; outrigger #2  72 ; outrigger #3  74 ; and outrigger #4  76  to raise and lower the stage floor from the ground. 
         [0027]    Two mast valves, mast A  54  and mast B  56  respectively connect to and control a pair of masts, mast A  78  and mast B  80 , which raise and lower the sides of the stage, thereby raising the roof panels  62 ,  64 ,  82  away from the floor panels  66 ,  68 ,  84 . 
         [0028]    The various valves  38 - 56  receive hydraulic fluid through a selector/supply valve  58  and dispense hydraulic fluid out to the various respective components of the mobile stage  4  through an outlet  60  to the various hydraulic cylinders. 
         [0029]    The integrated control system  86  of the stage itself includes all of the functional components of the mobile stage  4 , including the hydraulic system  26 , the controller  16 , and the various leveling sensors  63 ,  65 ,  67 ,  69 , along with all communication elements for receiving feedback from the various jacks  61  and other hydraulic components of the hydraulic system  26 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  shows the steps taken by the auto-leveling system  2  when the mobile stage  4  is being deployed at a specified location. The process starts at  100  and the signal is sent from the remote control unit  6  to the controller  16  of the stage at step  102  to transform the stage from a transport position at step  104  to a deployed position as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0031]    The system will make a determination at step  106  whether the leveling sensors are calibrated correctly. If not, the sensors are calibrated at  108 . Upon a determination or calibration of the leveling sensors, the sensors will monitor and detect whether the stage floor is level at step  110 . A determination of whether the stage is level is made at step  112 . If it is determined that the stage is not level, level instructions are sent out from the controller  16  to the various leveling jacks  61  at step  114 . A check is provided at step  116  to determine if the instructions for leveling the stage have been received at the jacks. If not, this means there is a malfunction in one or more of the jacks or the stage system itself. At this point the malfunction is reported to the user at  118 , which ends the process at  128  until the malfunction can be corrected. 
         [0032]    The stage is leveled at  114  and checked for level at  112  until a determination that the stage is level is made at  112 . After the stage is level, the system will monitor whether any instructions to transform the stage back into a transport position are received by the controller  16  at step  120 . If no instruction is received, the cycle continues where the system constantly monitors for calibration of the sensors at  106 , detection of the level of the stage at  110  and  112 , and whether a transform signal is received at  120 . 
         [0033]    Once a transform signal is received at  120 , the signal is passed on to the hydraulic stage system at  122 , and the stage is transformed at  124 , which ends the stage leveling monitor process at  128 . 
         [0034]    The benefits of this system are that it will be faster and more accurate than traditional manual methods. It also adds significant safety functions in maintaining a level stage for performance purposes. 
         [0035]    It is to be understood that while certain embodiments and/or aspects of the invention have been shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects.